bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bidirectional Temporal-Recurrent Propagation Networks for Video Super-Resolution
Authors: Han Lei , Fan Cien , Yang Ye , Zou Lian
Published: December 2020

Recently, convolutional neural networks have made a remarkable performance for video super-resolution. However, how to exploit the spatial and temporal information of video efficiently and effectively remains challenging. In this work, we design a bidirectional temporal-recurrent propagation unit. The bidirectional temporal-recurrent propagation unit makes it possible to flow temporal information in an RNN-like manner from frame to frame, which avoids complex motion estimation modeling and motion compensation. To better fuse the information of the two temporal-recurrent propagation units, we use channel attention mechanisms. Additionally, we recommend a progressive up-sampling method instead of one-step up-sampling. We find that progressive up-sampling gets better experimental results than one-stage up-sampling. Extensive experiments show that our algorithm outperforms several recent state-of-the-art video super-resolution (VSR) methods with a smaller model size.
Automated Driving: A Literature Review of the Take over Request in Conditional Automation
Authors: Morales-Alvarez Walter , Sipele Oscar , Léberon Régis , Tadjine Hadj Hamma , Olaverri-Monreal Cristina
Published: December 2020

In conditional automation (level 3), human drivers can hand over the Driving Dynamic Task (DDT) to the Automated Driving System (ADS) and only be ready to resume control in emergency situations, allowing them to be engaged in non-driving related tasks (NDRT) whilst the vehicle operates within its Operational Design Domain (ODD). Outside the ODD, a safe transition process from the ADS engaged mode to manual driving should be initiated by the system through the issue of an appropriate Take Over Request (TOR). In this case, the driver’s state plays a fundamental role, as a low attention level might increase driver reaction time to take over control of the vehicle. This paper summarizes and analyzes previously published works in the field of conditional automation and the TOR process. It introduces the topic in the appropriate context describing as well a variety of concerns that are associated with the TOR. It also provides theoretical foundations on implemented designs, and report on concrete examples that are targeted towards designers and the general public. Moreover, it compiles guidelines and standards related to automation in driving and highlights the research gaps that need to be addressed in future research, discussing also approaches and limitations and providing conclusions.
The Optimization of the Thermal Performances of an Earth to Air Heat Exchanger for an Air Conditioning System: A Numerical Study
Authors: Greco Adriana , Masselli Claudia
Published: December 2020

The aim of this paper is to research the parameters that optimize the thermal performances of a horizontal single-duct Earth to Air Heat eXchanger (EAHX). In this analysis, the EAHX is intended to be installed in the city of Naples (Italy). The study is conducted by varying the most crucial parameters influencing the heat exchange between the air flowing in the duct and the ground. The effect of the geometrical characteristics of the duct (pipe length, diameter, burial depth), and the thermal and flow parameter of humid air (inlet temperature and velocity) has been studied in order to optimize the operation of this geothermal system. The results reveal that the thermal performance increases with length until the saturation distance is reached. Moreover, if the pipe is designed with smaller diameters and slower air flows, if other conditions remain equal, the outlet temperatures come closer to the ground temperature. The combination that optimizes the performance of the system, carried out by forcing the EAHX with the design conditions for cooling and heating, is: D = 0.1 m s−1; v = 1.5 m s−1; L = 50 m. This solution could also be extended to horizontal multi-tube EAHX systems.
Link Quality Estimation from Burstiness Distribution Metric in Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Nguyen Ngoc Huy , Kim Myung Kyun
Published: December 2020

Although mature industrial wireless sensor network applications increasingly require low-power operations, deterministic communications, and end-to-end reliability, it is very difficult to achieve these goals because of link burstiness and interference. In this paper, we propose a novel link quality estimation mechanism named the burstiness distribution metric, which uses the distribution of burstiness in the links to deal with variations in wireless link quality. First, we estimated the quality of the link at the receiver node by counting the number of consecutive packets lost in each link. Based on that, we created a burstiness distribution list and estimated the number of transmissions. Our simulation in the Cooja simulator from Contiki-NG showed that our proposal can be used in scheduling as an input metric to calculate the number of transmissions in order to achieve a reliability target in industrial wireless sensor networks.
FTIR Spectrometry with PLS Regression for Rapid TBN Determination of Worn Mineral Engine Oils
Authors: Sejkorová Marie , Šarkan Branislav , Veselík Petr , Hurtová Ivana
Published: December 2020

The TBN (Total Base Number) parameter is generally recognized by both engine oil processors and engine manufacturers as a key factor of oil quality. This is especially true for lubricating oils used in diesel and gas engines, which are exposed to relatively high temperatures and, therefore, require more effective protection against degradation. The FTIR spectrometry method together with a multivariate statistical software helped to create a model for the determination of TBN of worn motor oil SAE 15W-40 ACEA: E5/E7, API: CI-4. The best results were provided using a model FTIR with Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression in an overall range of 4000–650 cm−1 without the use of mathematical adjustments of the scanned spectra by derivation. Individual spectral information was condensed into nine principal components with linear combinations of the original absorbances at given wavenumbers that are mutually not correlated. A correlation coefficient (R) between values of TBN predicted by the FTIR-PLS model and values determined using a potentiometric titration in line with the ČSN ISO 3771 standard reached a value of 0.93. The Root Mean Square Error of Calibration (RMSEC) was determined to be 0.171 mg KOH.g−1, and the Root Mean Square Error of Prediction (RMSEP) was determined to be 0.140 mg KOH.g−1. The main advantage of the proposed FTIR-PLS model can be seen in a rapid determination and elimination of the necessity to work with dangerous chemicals. FTIR-PLS is used mainly in areas of oil analysis where the speed of analysis is often more important than high accuracy.
Renewable Energy and Economic Performance in the Context of the European Green Deal
Authors: Simionescu Mihaela , Păuna Carmen Beatrice , Diaconescu Tiberiu
Published: December 2020

The European Green Deal considers the increase in the share of renewable energy in final energy consumption (REFEC) among the main targets for achieving sustainable EU economies. In this context, the main aim of this paper is to provide an empirical evaluation of the relationship between GDP, global competitiveness index (GCI) and renewable energy consumption. According to panel data models based on the fully modified ordinary least squares method (FMOLS), there is a positive effect of renewable energy consumption progress on GDP and GCI growth, and also a positive influence of economic growth on renewable energy consumption in the period 2007–2019 in the EU countries. The energy consumption is more influenced by economic growth rather than economic competitiveness. Few scenarios were proposed for economic growth and share of renewable sources (RESs) in the final consumption using as forecasting method the proposed panel data models. The cluster analysis suggested two groups of countries according to RES share in gross final energy consumption (GFEC). The first group includes six countries (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Portugal and Austria) that fixed a target of 30% or more, while the second one refers to countries with lower targets. Some policy recommendations are provided for the EU countries to enhance the utilization of renewable energy.
Intelligent Object Shape and Position Identification for Needs of Dynamic Luminance Shaping in Object Floodlighting and Projection Mapping
Authors: Słomiński Sebastian , Sobaszek Magdalena
Published: December 2020

Innovative lighting and dynamic sound systems as well as adaptive object mapping solutions constitute a rapidly developing branch of lighting technology and multimedia technology. In order to make it possible to adjust the content to specific objects in the scene, it is necessary to correctly identify them and place them in the accepted frame of reference. Dynamic identification and tracking of objects can be carried out based on two particular types of input data: data from markers installed on objects and data from digital recording systems, founding the operation on infrared (IR), visible light (RGB) and the most advanced RGB-D (RGB and depth) analysis. Most systems used today are those that use various types of markers. This paper presents the advantages and disadvantages of such solutions as well as a target system for dynamic identification and mapping of objects and the human body based on the analysis of data from digital RGB-D cameras. Analyses of identification times, implementation of perspective transformations and 3D-to-2D transformations have been carried out in relation to a planar and cuboidal moving surface. Time analyses have been performed in relation to the resolution of registered and processed images.
Experimental Platform for Evaluation of On-Board Real-Time Motion Controllers for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Vo-Duy Thanh , Ta Minh C. , Nguyễn Bảo-Huy , Trovão João Pedro F.
Published: December 2020

Electric vehicles are considered to be a greener and safer means of transport thanks to the distinguished advantages of electric motors. Studies on this object require experimental platforms for control validation purpose. Under the pressure of research, the development of these platforms must be reliable, safe, fast, and cost effective. To practically validate the control system, the controllers should be implemented in an on-board micro-controller platform; whereas, the vehicle model should be realized in a real-time emulator that behaves like the real vehicle. In this paper, we propose a signal hardware-in-the-loop simulation system for electric vehicles that are driven by four independent electric motors installed in wheels (in-wheel motor). The system is elaborately built on the basis of longitudinal, lateral, and yaw dynamics, as well as kinematic and position models, of which the characteristics are complete and comprehensive. The performance of the signal hardware-in-the-loop system is evaluated by various open-loop testing scenarios and by validation of a representative closed-loop optimal force distribution control. The proposed system can be applied for researches on active safety system of electric vehicles, including traction, braking control, force/torque distribution strategy, and electronic stability program.
Combined Economic Emission Dispatch with Environment-Based Demand Response Using WU-ABC Algorithm
Authors: Ryu Ho-Sung , Kim Mun-Kyeom
Published: December 2020

Owing to the growing interest in environmental problems worldwide, it is essential to schedule power generation considering the effects of pollutants. To address this, we propose an optimal approach that solves the combined economic emission dispatch (CEED) with maximum emission constraints by considering demand response (DR) program. The CEED consists of the sum of operation costs for each generator and the pollutant emissions. An environment-based demand response (EBDR) program is used to implement pollutant emission reduction and facilitate economic improvement. Through the weighting update artificial bee colony (WU-ABC) algorithm, the penalty factor that determines the weighting of the two objective functions is adjusted, and an optimal operation solution for a microgrid (MG) is then determined to resolve the CEED problem. The effectiveness and applicability of the proposed approach are demonstrated via comparative analyses at a modified grid-connected MG test system. The results confirm that the proposed approach not only satisfies emission constraints but also ensures an economically superior performance compared to other approaches. These results present a useful solution for microgrid operators considered environment issues.
Diagnostic Simplexes for Dissolved-Gas Analysis
Authors: Dukarm James , Draper Zachary , Piotrowski Tomasz
Published: December 2020

A Duval triangle is a diagram used for fault type identification in dissolved-gas analysis of oil-filled high-voltage transformers and other electrical apparatus. The proportional concentrations of three fault gases (such as methane, ethylene, and acetylene) are used as coordinates to plot a point in an equilateral triangle and identify the fault zone in which it is located. Each point in the triangle corresponds to a unique combination of gas proportions. Diagnostic pentagons published by Duval and others seek to emulate the triangles while incorporating five fault gases instead of three. Unfortunately the mapping of five gas proportions to a point inside a two-dimensional pentagon is many-to-one; consequently, dissimilar combinations of gas proportions are mapped to the same point in the pentagon, resulting in mis-diagnosis. One solution is to replace the pentagon with a four-dimensional simplex, a direct generalization of the Duval triangle. In a comparison using cases confirmed by inspection, the simplex outperformed three ratio methods, Duval triangle 1, and two pentagons.
Optimization Design for Receiving Coil with Novel Structure Based on Mutual Coupling Model in Wireless Power Transmission for Capsule Endoscope
Authors: Kuang Shuai , Yan Guozheng , Wang Zhiwu
Published: December 2020

Wireless capsule endoscope (WCE) is a promising technology for noninvasive and painless imaging detection on gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. On the other hand, conventional endoscopes with wires could discomfort patients and cause them to vomit and aerosolize coronavirus if the patients are infected with COVID-19. However, there stands a technical bottleneck on power supply for the WCE. With the help of wireless power transmission technology, a hollow receiving coil (RC) is proposed to supply sufficient power and also minimize the size of WCE. A model on mutual inductance between transmitting and receiving coils is proposed to evaluate receiving power when the RC is in a different position and direction of patient’s GI tract. Based on the model, an optimal RC is built to obtain sufficient and stable power. Measurement of mutual inductance with the optimal RC validates high accuracy of the proposed model. The standard deviation of receiving power is very low. WCE with optimum RC gets sufficient power and captures images stably in live pig’s intestine tract. Additionally, the model is little affected by biological tissues. It ensures reliable performance of WCE and makes popular clinical application of WCE possible, which is also a relief to reduce epidemics like COVID-19.
Modelling of the Dynamic Young’s Modulus of a Sedimentary Rock Subjected to Nonstationary Loading
Authors: Guzev Mikhail , Riabokon Evgenii , Turbakov Mikhail , Kozhevnikov Evgenii , Poplygin Vladimir
Published: December 2020

This paper presents a mathematical model that reflects the nature of the dynamic Young’s modulus of a dry sedimentary rock during nonstationary uniaxial loading. The model is based on an idealized model of a system suggested by Jaeger J.C. A rock sample is considered as a spring with stiffness, the bottom point of which is fixed, while the upper point carries a mass. A sample experiences dynamic load and the rock matrix response. Displacement of the mass from the equilibrium state sets the variation of the sample’s length. Displacement of all the sample’s points goes according to the same law regardless of the point location. The response of a rock to a disturbing nonstationary load is selected based on the combination of conditions of each experiment, such as the load frequency and amplitude and the mass, length, and diameter of a sample. The mathematical model is consistent with experimental data, according to which an increase in load frequency leads to an increase in the dynamic Young’s modulus for each value of the load. The accuracy of the models is evaluated. The relations underlying the model can be used as a basis to describe the Young’s modulus dispersion of sedimentary rocks under the influence of nonstationary loads.
Activated Carbon from Winemaking Waste: Thermoeconomic Analysis for Large-Scale Production
Authors: Lorero Isaac , Vizcaíno Arturo J. , Alguacil Francisco J. , López Félix A.
Published: December 2020

An activated carbon manufacturing process from winemaking waste is analyzed. In that way, vine shoots conversion is studied as a basis for plant designing, and mass and energy balances of hydrothermal carbonization and physical activation are fulfilled. To develop an energy-integrated plant, a network of heat exchangers is allocated to recover heat waste, and a cogeneration cycle is designed to provide electricity and remaining heat process demands. Furthermore, thermoeconomic analysis is applied to determine the thermodynamic efficiency and the economic viability of the plant. Energy balance indicates that heat exchangers energy integration covers 48.9% of the overall demands by crossing hot and cold streams and recovering heat from residual flue gas. On the other hand, the exergy costs analysis identifies combustion of pruning wood as the main source of exergy destruction, confirming the suitability of the integration to improve the thermodynamic performance. Attending to economic costs analysis, production scale and vineyard pruning wood price are identified as a critical parameter on process profitability. With a scale of 2.5 ton/h of pruning wood carbonization, a break-event point to compete with activated carbons from biomass origin is reached. Nevertheless, cost of pruning wood is identified as another important economic parameter, pointing out the suitability of wet methods such as hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) to treat them as received form the harvest and to contribute to cutting down its prices.
Impact of Chemistry–Turbulence Interaction Modeling Approach on the CFD Simulations of Entrained Flow Coal Gasification
Authors: Mularski Jakub , Modliński Norbert
Published: December 2020

This paper examines the impact of different chemistry–turbulence interaction approaches on the accuracy of simulations of coal gasification in entrained flow reactors. Infinitely fast chemistry is compared with the eddy dissipation concept considering the influence of turbulence on chemical reactions. Additionally, ideal plug flow reactor study and perfectly stirred reactor study are carried out to estimate the accuracy of chosen simplified chemical kinetic schemes in comparison with two detailed mechanisms. The most accurate global approach and the detailed one are further implemented in the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code. Special attention is paid to the water–gas shift reaction, which is found to have the key impact on the final gas composition. Three different reactors are examined: a pilot-scale Mitsubishi Heavy Industries reactor, a laboratory-scale reactor at Brigham Young University and a Conoco-Philips E-gas reactor. The aim of this research was to assess the impact of gas phase reaction model accuracy on simulations of the entrained flow gasification process. The investigation covers the following issues: impact of the choice of gas phase kinetic reactions mechanism as well as influence of the turbulence–chemistry interaction model. The advanced turbulence–chemistry models with the complex kinetic mechanisms showed the best agreement with the experimental data.
High Channel Density Ceramic Microchannel Reactor for Syngas Production
Authors: Saché Estelle le , Tsaousis Panayiotis , Reina Tomas Ramirez , Ruiz-Trejo Enrique
Published: December 2020

Solid oxide fuel cells can operate with carbonaceous fuels, such as syngas, biogas, and methane, using either internal or external reforming, and they represent a more efficient alternative to internal combustion engines. In this work, we explore, for the first time, an alumina membrane containing straight, highly packed (461,289 cpsi), parallel channels of a few micrometers (21 µm) in diameter as a microreformer. As a model reaction to test the performance of this membrane, the dry reforming of methane was carried out using nickel metal and a composite nickel/ceria as catalysts. The samples with intact microchannels were more resistant to carbon deposition than those with a powdered sample, highlighting the deactivation mitigation effect of the microchannel structure. The coke content in the microchannel membrane was one order of magnitude lower than in the powder catalyst. Overall, this work is a proof of concept on the use of composite alumina membrane as microchannel reactors for high temperature reactions.
Local Heat Transfer Analysis in a Single Microchannel with Boiling DI-Water and Correlations with Impedance Local Sensors
Authors: Talebi Mohammadmahdi , Sadir Sahba , Kraut Manfred , Dittmeyer Roland , Woias Peter
Published: December 2020

Determination of local heat transfer coefficient at the interface of channel wall and fluid was the main goal of this experimental study in microchannel flow boiling domain. Flow boiling heat transfer to DI-water in a single microchannel with a rectangular cross section was experimentally investigated. The rectangular cross section dimensions of the experimented microchannel were 1050 μm × 500 μm and 1500 μm × 500 μm. Experiments under conditions of boiling were performed in a test setup, which allows the optical and local impedance measurements of the fluids by mass fluxes of 22.1 kg·m−2·s−1 to 118.8 kg·m−2·s−1 and heat fluxes in the range of 14.7 kW·m−2 to 116.54 kW·m−2. The effect of the mass flux, heat flux, and flow pattern on flow boiling local heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop were investigated. Experimental data compared to existing correlations indicated no single correlation of good predictive value. This was concluded to be the case due to the instability of flow conditions on one hand and the variation of the flow regimes over the experimental conditions on the other hand. The results from the local impedance measurements in correlation to the optical measurements shows the flow regime variation at the experimental conditions. From these measurements, useful parameters for use in models on boiling like the 3-zone model were shown. It was shown that the sensing method can shed a precise light on unknown features locally in slug flow such as residence time of each phases, bubble frequency, and duty cycle.
Hydraulic Fracture Propagation in a Poro-Elastic Medium with Time-Dependent Injection Schedule Using the Time-Stepped Linear Superposition Method (TLSM)
Authors: Pham Tri , Weijermars Ruud
Published: December 2020

The Time-Stepped Linear Superposition Method (TLSM) has been used previously to model and analyze the propagation of multiple competitive hydraulic fractures with constant internal pressure loads. This paper extends the TLSM methodology, by including a time-dependent injection schedule using pressure data from a typical diagnostic fracture injection test (DFIT). In addition, the effect of poro-elasticity in reservoir rocks is accounted for in the TLSM models presented here. The propagation of multiple hydraulic fractures using TLSM-based codes preserves infinite resolution by side-stepping grid refinement. First, the TLSM methodology is briefly outlined, together with the modifications required to account for variable time-dependent pressure and poro-elasticity in reservoir rock. Next, real world DFIT data are used in TLSM to model the propagation of multiple dynamic fractures and study the effect of time-dependent pressure and poro-elasticity on the development of hydraulic fracture networks. TLSM-based codes can quantify and visualize the effects of time-dependent pressure, and poro-elasticity can be effectively analyzed, using DFIT data, supported by dynamic visualizations of the changes in spatial stress concentrations during the fracture propagation process. The results from this study may help develop fracture treatment solutions with improved control of the fracture network created while avoiding the occurrence of fracture hits.
Algorithm for Reducing Truck Noise on Via Baltica Transport Corridors in Lithuania
Authors: Čižiūnienė Kristina , Matijošius Jonas , Čereška Audrius , Petraška Artūras
Published: December 2020

The section of Via Baltica going through the territory of the Republic of Lithuania is the most traffic intensive land logistics corridor in the country. The annual transportation volume has been increasing on this road; thus, the reduction of pollution caused by vehicles has become important. If gas emissions are regulated, and carriers have to pay pollution taxes, this does not apply to noise levels. The article presents the traffic intensity in this logistics corridor, measurements of the noise level at the characteristic points, its relation to the number of vehicles passing through it and an expert evaluation of proposed methods for noise energy reduction. Environmental noise is an unwanted or harmful sound that propagates in terms of both duration and geographical coverage. Noise is associated with many human activities, but road, rail and air traffic noises have the greatest impact. Due to irrationally arranged transport network, the transit flow of freight transport crosses residential areas of the city, places of rest and recreation of the population, causing high noise levels in adjacent areas. This is the biggest problem for the urban environment. Environmental noise affects many Europeans and is therefore considered by society to be one of the biggest environmental problems. This article presents an assessment of a new traffic noise algorithm. The presented expert survey on noise energy reduction allows choosing the most appropriate method for reducing noise energy in Via Baltica transport logistics corridor. Based on the expert survey, a hierarchical table for noise energy reduction was compiled. It will allow assessing the validity of individual noise energy reduction solutions. It has become relevant for improving infrastructure of other transport corridors and choosing the most appropriate solutions to reduce vehicle noise pollution. A further application of this model can be focused on economic evaluation, forecasting of expected benefits and so on.
Omnidirectional WPT and Data Communication for Electric Air Vehicles: Feasibility Study
Authors: Zouaoui Safa , Dghais Wael , Melicio Rui , Belgacem Hamdi
Published: December 2020

This paper investigates the feasibility of using the three-dimensional omnidirectional inductive channel for power transfer and as a power line communication (PLC) for ground-based vehicle, electric air vehicle, or space applications. The simulation results were performed by the advanced design system software using lumped equivalent circuit model. The power transfer efficiency was determined based on multiport scattering (S)-parameters numerical simulation results while the theoretical channel capacity was calculated based on Matlab software as a function of the coupling coefficient considering an additive white Gaussian noise. Furthermore, the magnetic field distribution was evaluated as function of the misalignment angle θ between the receiver and the three orthogonal transmitters coils.
A Parametric Study of a Hybrid Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT) System Coupled with a Domestic Hot Water (DHW) Storage Tank
Authors: Barbu Madalina , Darie George , Siroux Monica
Published: December 2020

Photovoltaic-thermal panels are hybrid systems that combine the two types of conventional solar energy technologies (photovoltaic and thermal panels) and simultaneously generate both thermal and electrical energy in a micro-cogeneration system. Like any co-generation system, there is an optimal balance that can be achieved between the thermal and electrical energy produced. For this reason, it is important to establish the relationship and inter-connection between the two. Limited research is available on the cogeneration interaction in a PVT system, so the novelty of this article lies in the consideration of the entire energy system connected to the PVT panel, including the storage tank and the consumer demand curve, and the investigation of the thermal parametric variation. This study analyses the impact of the variation of some thermal parameters of a domestic hot water tank on the electrical efficiency of a photovoltaic-thermal panel. A model of a system of photovoltaic-thermal panels is built in a transient systems simulation program (TRNSYS) and a one-factor-at-a-time analysis is carried out for the cold-water main temperature, tank size, tank outlet flow and consumer demand curve. The results show that the variation of the outlet flow to the consumer has the highest impact on the electrical efficiency, of about 6.8%. The next highest impact factor is the size of the tank with a variation of 4.7%. Matching the profile of the consumer is also an important aspect. It was observed that the peak electrical efficiency occurs during peak consumer demand. Finally, the instantaneous variation of the thermal and electrical power of the system was analysed as a function of the temperature at the inlet of the photovoltaic-thermal panel.
Analysis of the Use of Electric and Hybrid Drives on SWATH Ships
Authors: Łebkowski Andrzej , Koznowski Wojciech
Published: December 2020

The article presents issues related to the possibility of using electric and hybrid systems to drive Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) vessels. Ships of this type have significantly less sway and heave compared to monohull crafts and catamarans. Thanks to the synergistic combination of the hydrodynamic properties of SWATH hull and electric drive systems, they can be an interesting proposition for use in transport of passengers and offshore wind farms service crews. The paper presents comparative test results of an electric drive system powered by Hybrid Energy Storage System, which are a combination of systems consisting of batteries (BAT), hydrogen fuel cells (FC) and diesel generators (D). For the presented configurations of propulsion systems, mathematical models taking into account the hydrodynamic resistance of the hull of the vessel have been developed and implemented in the Modelica simulation environment. The tests carried out for various configurations of the drive system have shown reduced energy consumption by the DIESEL-ELECTRIC drive system (by approx. 62%), as well as the reduction of harmful greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere (by approx. 62%) compared to the conventional DIESEL drive.
Chemical Composition of Bulk Precipitation and Its Toxicity Potential Index in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey, Northeastern Mexico
Authors: Loya-González Darithsa , López-Serna Daniel , Alfaro-Barbosa Juan Manuel , López-Reyes Antonio , González-Rodríguez Humberto , Cantú-Silva Israel
Published: December 2020

The rainwater chemistry within the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey (MAM) was studied during a one-year period (January 2019–January 2020) in seven sampling sites. The metal concentration of Zn, Fe, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Mn was analyzed in bulk samples and the toxicity potential (TP) was calculated for each metal. A canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was applied to identify the relationship between environmental variables and metals concentrations. An average of 26.6 ± 10 mm of rainfall was obtained. A mean pH of 7.2 ± 0.3 and a mean electrical conductivity of 177.8 ± 8.7 µS cm−1 were observed. The average concentration of metals in all sites follows a descending order of Fe> Zn > Mn > Cu > Ni > Cd. The university site shows the highest averages of Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn, which is attributed to its proximity to the metallurgical industry. The TP value of Cd reflects a risk in all sites and Fe only for the Universidad, Obispado, Pastora, and Santa Catarina sites, using as a reference value the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Drinking Water Regulations and Mexican norm NOM-127-SSA1-1994. The CCA analysis showed that only Ni and Cd had a strong correlation with the environmental variable of relative humidity of air.
Tree-Ring Width and Carbon Isotope Chronologies Track Temperature, Humidity, and Baseflow in the Tianshan Mountains, Central Asia
Authors: Fan Yuting , Shang Huaming , Wu Ye , Li Qian
Published: December 2020

Concerns have been raised about the negative impacts of global warming on the hydrological climate change and ecosystems of Asia. Research on the high-altitude mountainous regions of Asia with relatively short meteorological and hydrological records relies on paleoclimate proxy data with long time scales. The stable isotopes of tree-rings are insightful agents that provide information on pre-instrumental climatic and hydrological fluctuations, yet the variability of these data from different regions along the Tianshan Mountains has not been fully explored. Herein, we related climate data with tree-ring width (TRW) chronologies and δ13C (stable carbon isotope discrimination) series to discern if the Picea schrenkiana in the Ili and Manas River Basins are sensitive to climatic factors and baseflow (BF). The results show significant correlations between temperature and TRW chronologies, temperature and δ13C, relative humidity and TRW chronologies, and BF and δ13C. Temperature, particularly the mean late summer to early winter temperature, is a pronounced limiting factor for the tree-ring and the δ13C series in the Manas River Basin, located in the middle of the North Tianshan Mountains. Meanwhile, mean early spring to early autumn temperature is a limiting factor for that of the Ili River Basin, located on the southern slope of the North Tianshan Mountains. We conclude that different seasonal variations in temperature and precipitation of the two river basins exerted significant control on tree growth dynamics. Tree-ring width and tree-ring δ13C differ in their sensitivity to climate and hydrological parameters to which tree-ring δ13C is more sensitive. δ13C showed significant lag with precipitation, and the lag correlation showed that BF, temperature, and precipitation were the most affected factors that are often associated with source water environments. δ13C series correlated positively to winter precipitation, suggesting baseflow was controlling the length of the growing season. The tree-ring δ13C provided information that coincided with TRW chronologies, and supplied some indications that were different from TRW chronologies. The carbon stable isotopes of tree-rings have proven to be powerful evidence of climatic signals and source water variations.
Assessment of Forest Ecosystem Development in Coal Mine Degraded Land by Using Integrated Mine Soil Quality Index (IMSQI): The Evidence from India
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Sneha , Novo Luís A. B. , Pietrzykowski Marcin , Maiti Subodh Kumar
Published: December 2020

Research highlights: (1) Ecosystem development assessed in an afforested post-mining site. (2) Soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) stock reached close to the reference forest site after 25 years of afforestation. (3) Integrated mine soil quality index is developed to assess the reclamation success. Background and Objectives: Estimation of the mine soil quality is one of the most important criterions for evaluating the reclamation success and restoration of novel ecosystems of the post-industrial degraded lands. The aim of this long-term experiment was to investigate the influence of revegetation on Technosol (defined as anthropogenic soil resulted from reclamation of mine spoil materials) as the basic ecosystem development. Materials and Methods: A field study was carried out in the chronosequence afforested post-mining sites (5, 10, 25 years) and compared with natural forest site. We assessed the physicochemical properties and nutrient stock of mine soil and estimated general mine soil quality by using an integrated mine soil quality index (IMSQI). The studies were fully randomized in the chronosequence of afforested post-mining sites. Results: Nutrient dynamics and soil properties (physicochemical and biological) were recovered with the increase age of reclamation. Soil organic carbon (SOC) stock significantly increased from 9.11 Mg C ha−1 in 5 years to 41.37 Mg C ha−1 after 25 years of afforestation. Likewise, total nitrogen (TN) stock significantly increased from 1.06 Mg N ha−1 in 5 years to 4.45 Mg N ha−1 after 25 years of revegetation. Ecosystem carbon pool enhanced at a rate of 6.2 Mg C ha−1 year−1. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA)-based IMSQ index was employed to assess the reclamation success. The most influential properties controlling the health of reclaimed coal mine soil are fine earth fraction, moisture content, SOC and dehydrogenase activity. IMSQ index values are validated with vegetation characteristics. The estimated IMSQI ranged from 0.455 in 5-year-old (RMS5) to 0.746 in 25-year-old reclaimed dump (RMS25). Conclusions: A 25-year-old reclaimed dump having greater IMSQI (0.746) than reference forest soils (0.695) suggested the aptness of revegetation to retrieve soil quality and function in derelict mine land.
A Novel Pseudomonas geniculata AGE Family Epimerase/Isomerase and Its Application in d-Mannose Synthesis
Authors: Liu Zhanzhi , Li Ying , Wu Jing , Chen Sheng
Published: December 2020

d-mannose has exhibited excellent physiological properties in the food, pharmaceutical, and feed industries. Therefore, emerging attention has been applied to enzymatic production of d-mannose due to its advantage over chemical synthesis. The gene age of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine 2-epimerase family epimerase/isomerase (AGEase) derived from Pseudomonas geniculata was amplified, and the recombinant P. geniculata AGEase was characterized. The optimal temperature and pH of P. geniculata AGEase were 60 °C and 7.5, respectively. The Km, kcat, and kcat/Km of P. geniculata AGEase for d-mannose were 49.2 ± 8.5 mM, 476.3 ± 4.0 s−1, and 9.7 ± 0.5 s−1·mM−1, respectively. The recombinant P. geniculata AGEase was classified into the YihS enzyme subfamily in the AGE enzyme family by analyzing its substrate specificity and active center of the three-dimensional (3D) structure. Further studies on the kinetics of different substrates showed that the P. geniculata AGEase belongs to the d-mannose isomerase of the YihS enzyme. The P. geniculata AGEase catalyzed the synthesis of d-mannose with d-fructose as a substrate, and the conversion rate was as high as 39.3% with the d-mannose yield of 78.6 g·L−1 under optimal reaction conditions of 200 g·L−1d-fructose and 2.5 U·mL−1P. geniculata AGEase. This novel P. geniculata AGEase has potential applications in the industrial production of d-mannose.
Introduction to the Special Issue: New Advances in the Research of Antioxidant Food Peptides
Authors: Amigo Lourdes , Hernández-Ledesma Blanca
Published: December 2020

During cell metabolism, oxygen is partially reduced to reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a physiological role in cellular processes, including proliferation, cell cycle and death, and signal transduction [...]
Legume Seeds as an Important Component of Human Diet
Authors: Amarowicz Ryszard
Published: December 2020

Legumes are an important source of nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, water soluble vitamins, minerals) for human nutrition [...]
Exploring Potential Bioactive Peptides in Fermented Bactrian Camel’s Milk and Mare’s Milk Made by Mongolian Nomads
Authors: Ganzorig Khuukhenbaatar , Urashima Tadasu , Fukuda Kenji
Published: December 2020

To date, bioactive proteins and peptides from minor livestock milks and their fermented products have been scarcely reported. In Mongolia, nomads are commonly rearing five livestock animal species (i.e., cow, camel, goat, horse, and sheep) for milking and other purposes. In this study, we analyzed the peptide composition in fermented milks of Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) and horses, produced by Mongolian nomads for self-consumption. Peptides from skimmed fermented milks were separated by ultrafiltration and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Then, their amino acid sequences were determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. Consequently, eleven peptides were identified in the fermented camel’s milk including four from β-casein (β-CN), three from αs1-CN, and two from both κ-CN and lactophorin. On the other hand, twenty-four peptides were identified in the fermented mare’s milk including nineteen from β-CN, three from αs1-CN, and one from both κ-CN and αs2-CN. According to previous reports on the bioactivities of milk-derived peptides, antibacterial and antihypertensive activities were promising in both the fermented camel’s milk and mare’s milk. In addition, potential antioxidant activity was conjectured in the fermented camel’s milk. Further investigations are currently needed to clarify the potential role of immunomodulatory peptides in the two fermented milks.
Innovation Strategies of the Spanish Agri-Food Sector in Response to the Black Swan COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Brugarolas Margarita , Martínez-Carrasco Laura , Rabadán Adrián , Bernabéu Rodolfo
Published: December 2020

Health, financial, and social crises cause variations in the buying behaviour of food consumers as well as in the value they assign to food attributes and the place of purchase, leading to consumers with profiles that are more susceptible to these changes than others. Thus, it was observed that 61.4% of consumers modified their buying behaviour at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with those who modified it the most being the people who stockpiled the most food and went panic buying more often. This has made it possible to establish the profile of different significant consumer segments, and as a response, food production/distribution companies can implement different innovative strategies aimed at decreasing the impact of stockpiling and, therefore, the shortage of food. The possible strategies that companies can put into effect are creating a stock of non-perishable foods, increasing production capabilities in a sustainable way and, especially in light of the results obtained, boost the online sale and distribution of foods, with the goal of decreasing the amount of people in shops (which decreases the spreading of the pandemic and favours health) and preventing consumers from observing possible circumstantial shortages that would only encourage stockpiling and panic buying, even among consumers who have not changed their buying behaviour.
The AP2/ERF Gene Family in Triticum durum: Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis under Drought and Salinity Stresses
Authors: Faraji Sahar , Filiz Ertugrul , Kazemitabar Seyed Kamal , Vannozzi Alessandro , Palumbo Fabio , Barcaccia Gianni , Heidari Parviz
Published: December 2020

Members of the AP2/ERF transcription factor family play critical roles in plant development, biosynthesis of key metabolites, and stress response. A detailed study was performed to identify TtAP2s/ERFs in the durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum) genome, which resulted in the identification of 271 genes distributed on chromosomes 1A-7B. By carrying 27 genes, chromosome 6A had the highest number of TtAP2s/ERFs. Furthermore, a duplication assay of TtAP2s/ERFs demonstrated that 70 duplicated gene pairs had undergone purifying selection. According to RNA-seq analysis, the highest expression levels in all tissues and in response to stimuli were associated with DRF and ERF subfamily genes. In addition, the results revealed that TtAP2/ERF genes have tissue-specific expression patterns, and most TtAP2/ERF genes were significantly induced in the root tissue. Additionally, 13 TtAP2/ERF genes (six ERFs, three DREBs, two DRFs, one AP2, and one RAV) were selected for further analysis via qRT-PCR of their potential in coping with drought and salinity stresses. The TtAP2/ERF genes belonging to the DREB subfamily were markedly induced under both drought-stress and salinity-stress conditions. Furthermore, docking simulations revealed several residues in the pocket sites of the proteins associated with the stress response, which may be useful in future site-directed mutagenesis studies to increase the stress tolerance of durum wheat. This study could provide valuable insights for further evolutionary and functional assays of this important gene family in durum wheat.
Plant TDP1 (Tyrosyl-DNA Phosphodiesterase 1): A Phylogenetic Perspective and Gene Expression Data Mining
Authors: Mutti Giacomo , Raveane Alessandro , Pagano Andrea , Bertolini Francesco , Semino Ornella , Balestrazzi Alma , Macovei Anca
Published: December 2020

The TDP1 (tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1) enzyme removes the non-specific covalent intermediates between topoisomerase I and DNA, thus playing a crucial role in preventing DNA damage. While mammals possess only one TDP1 gene, in plants two genes (TDP1α and TDP1β) are present constituting a small gene subfamily. These display a different domain structure and appear to perform non-overlapping functions in the maintenance of genome integrity. Namely, the HIRAN domain identified in TDP1β is involved in the interaction with DNA during the recognition of stalled replication forks. The availability of transcriptomic databases in a growing variety of experimental systems provides new opportunities to fill the current gaps of knowledge concerning the evolutionary origin and the specialized roles of TDP1 genes in plants. Whereas a phylogenetic approach has been used to track the evolution of plant TDP1 protein, transcriptomic data from a selection of representative lycophyte, eudicots, and monocots have been implemented to explore the transcriptomic dynamics in different tissues and a variety of biotic and abiotic stress conditions. While the phylogenetic analysis indicates that TDP1α is of non-plant origin and TDP1β is plant-specific originating in ancient vascular plants, the gene expression data mining comparative analysis pinpoints for tissue- and stress-specific responses.
Improving the Management of Patients with Hearing Loss by the Implementation of an NGS Panel in Clinical Practice
Authors: García-García Gema , Berzal-Serrano Alba , García-Díaz Piedad , Villanova-Aparisi Rebeca , Juárez-Rodríguez Sara , de Paula-Vernetta Carlos , Cavallé-Garrido Laura , Jaijo Teresa , Armengot-Carceller Miguel , Millán José M , Aller Elena
Published: December 2020

A cohort of 128 patients from 118 families diagnosed with non-syndromic or syndromic hearing loss (HL) underwent an exhaustive clinical evaluation. Molecular analysis was performed using targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) with a custom panel that included 59 genes associated with non-syndromic HL or syndromic HL. Variants were prioritized according to the minimum allele frequency and classified according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines. Variant(s) responsible for the disease were detected in a 40% of families including autosomal recessive (AR), autosomal dominant (AD) and X-linked patterns of inheritance. We identified pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 26 different genes, 15 with AR inheritance pattern, 9 with AD and 2 that are X-linked. Fourteen of the found variants are novel. This study highlights the clinical utility of targeted NGS for sensorineural hearing loss. The optimal panel for HL must be designed according to the spectrum of the most represented genes in a given population and the laboratory capabilities considering the pressure on healthcare.
Metal-Resistance in Bacteria: Why Care?
Authors: Turner Raymond J. , Huang Li-Nan , Viti Carlo , Mengoni Alessio
Published: December 2020

Heavy metal resistance is more than the tolerance one has towards a particular music genera [...]