bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Power Transfer Control Strategy Based on True Bipolar MMC-MTDC System
Authors: Ding Can , Tian Xiaojian , Nie Taiping , Yuan Zhao
Published: December 2021

The true bipolar modular multilevel converter-based multi-terminal direct current (MMC-MTDC) DC transmission line is prone to single-pole grounding fault, which may cause overload and overcurrent of the non-fault DC line with fault poles, resulting in system protection misoperation and system collapse. Therefore, the power transfer control strategy should be adopted to improve system stability. In addition, considering that the commutator stations of true bipolar MMC-MTDC system may have unipolar faults, it is necessary to adopt the control strategy of inter-pole power transfer or inter-station power transfer to improve the transmission capacity of the system under fault conditions. In this paper, a power transfer control strategy is proposed, which is widely applicable to MMC-MTDC system. In the case of line fault, the power transfer takes into account the line power margin and the power margin of converter station. The inter-pole power transfer is better than the inter-station power transfer under the converter station fault condition, and the inter-station power transfer takes into account the priority of the power margin of the converter station. At the same time, based on the Zhangbei four-terminal flexible direct current transmission project, the Zhangbei four-terminal flexible direct current transmission system is built by using PSCAD/EMTDC, and the flexibility and effectiveness of the proposed strategy are verified by simulation.
A Systematic Study to Assess Displacement Performance of a Naturally-Derived Surfactant in Flow Porous Systems
Authors: Moslemizadeh Aghil , Khayati Hossein , Madani Mohammad , Ghasemi Mehdi , Shahbazi Khalil , Zendehboudi Sohrab , Hashim Abbas Azza
Published: December 2021

For the first time, the present work assesses the feasibility of using Korean red ginseng root extract, a non-ionic surfactant, for the purposes of enhanced oil recovery (EOR). The surfactant is characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis. Pendant drop and sessile drop techniques are employed to study the oil–water interfacial tension (IFT) and wettability nature of the sandstone rock, respectively. In addition, oil recovery enhancement is investigated using micromodel and core floods. In the salt-free system, IFT measurements indicate that the surfactant carries a critical micelle concentration of 5 g/L. In a saline medium (up to 50 g/L), the addition of a surfactant with different concentrations leads to an IFT reduction of 47.28–84.21%. In a constant surfactant concentration, a contact angle reduction is observed in the range of 5.61–9.30°, depending on salinity rate, revealing a wettability alteration toward more water-wet. Surfactant flooding in the glass micromodel provides a more uniform sweeping, which leads to an oil recovery enhancement of 3.02–11.19%, depending on the extent of salinity. An optimal salt concentration equal to 30 g/L can be recognized according to the results of previous tests. Surfactant flooding (10 g/L) in optimal salt concentration achieves an additional oil recovery of 7.52% after conventional water flooding.
Power Distribution Control Framework for Renewable Energy Architecture with Battery-Supercapacitor Based Hybrid Energy Storage Systems
Authors: Huo Weiyue , Zhu Jihong , Zhou Jing
Published: December 2021

Due to the intermittence and randomness of the renewable energy, hybrid energy storage system is widely adopted to suppress the power fluctuation. Power distribution is crucial for the robust and efficient operation of hybrid energy system. This paper proposes an innovative framework for hybrid energy storage system power distribution combining main circuit topology, modulation method and power distribution strategy. Firstly, hybrid modulation strategy to realize power distribution in a single-phase inverter is introduced. Then, power load prediction and low frequency filter are utilized to generate references for power distribution. Finally, the simulation model is established to test the framework and the result demonstrates the superiority of the proposed framework. The mean absolute percent error of the proposed SSA-LSTM mdoel is 0.0955 and the prediciton error by 40% compared with conventional LSTM model. Additionally, the energy management framework can adjust the port power distribution ratio flexibily to significantly suppress the power fluctuation of the grid and the operation cost of the hybrid energy storage system by reducing the charge and discharge cycle of the battery.
Three-Dimensional LiDAR Wake Measurements in an Offshore Wind Farm and Comparison with Gaussian and AL Wake Models
Authors: Liu Xin , Li Lailong , Shi Shaoping , Chen Xinming , Wu Songhua , Lao Wenxin
Published: December 2021

Huaneng Rudong 300 MW offshore wind farm project is located in eastern China. The wake effect is one of the major concerns for wind farm operators, as all 70 units are plotted in ranks, and the sea surface roughness is low. This paper investigated the wake intensity by combining a field test and a numerical simulation. To carry out further yaw optimization, a Gaussian wake model was adopted. Firstly, a 3D Light Detection and Ranging device (LiDAR) was used to capture the features in both horizontal and vertical directions of the wake. It indicated that Gaussian wake model can precisely predict the characteristics under time average and steady state in the wind farm. The predicted annual energy production (AEP) of the whole wind farm by the Gaussian model is compared with the calculation result of the actuator line (AL)-based LES method, and the difference between the two methods is mostly under 10%.
The nth-Order Comprehensive Adjoint Sensitivity Analysis Methodology for Response-Coupled Forward/Adjoint Linear Systems (nth-CASAM-L): II. Illustrative Application
Authors: Cacuci Dan Gabriel
Published: December 2021

This work illustrates the application of the nth-order comprehensive adjoint sensitivity analysis methodology for response-coupled forward/adjoint linear systems (abbreviated as “nth-CASAM-L”) to a paradigm model that describes the transmission of particles (neutrons and/or photons) through homogenized materials, as encountered in radiation protection and shielding. The first-, second-, and third-order sensitivities of responses that depend on both the forward and adjoint particle fluxes are obtained exactly, in closed-form, underscoring the principles and methodology underlying the nth-CASAM-L. The results presented in this work underscore the fundamentally important role of the nth-CASAM-L in the quest to overcome the “curse of dimensionality” in sensitivity analysis, uncertainty quantification and predictive modeling.
Simulation and Modelling of Transient Electric Fields in HVDC Insulation Systems Based on Polarization Current Measurements
Authors: Cambareri Pasquale , de Falco Carlo , Di Rienzo Luca , Seri Paolo , Montanari Gian Carlo
Published: December 2021

Simulating and modelling electric field dynamics in the insulation of medium- and high-voltage DC electrical systems is needed to support insulation design optimization and to evaluate the impact of voltage transients on ageing mechanisms and insulation reliability. In order to perform accurate simulations, appropriate physical models must be adopted for the insulating material properties, particularly conductivity, which drives the electric field in a steady-state condition and contributes to determining the field behavior during voltage and load transients. In order to model insulation conductivity, polarization, and conduction, mechanisms must be inferred through charging and discharging current measurements, generally performed at different values of electric field and temperatures in flat specimens of the material under study. In general, both mechanisms are present, but one of them may be predominant with respect to the other depending on type of material. In this paper, we showed that models based on predominant polarization mechanisms were suitable to describe impregnated paper, but not polymers used for HV and MV DC insulation. In the latter case, indeed, trapping–detrapping and conduction phenomena were predominant compared to polarization, thus conductivity models had to be considered, in addition to or as a replacement of the polarization model, in order to carry out proper electric field simulations.
Convergence in Green Growth as the Key to Fighting Climate Change, 1990–2019
Authors: Porada Rochoń Małgorzata
Published: December 2021

The consequences of climate change are an important point of contention in the current policy debate on the sustainability of economic development and growth. Climate change contributes to many socio-economic disadvantages and risks. The primary objective of global policy 2050 is to fully understand the negative externalities of environmental change. Goal and methodology: the main goal of the study is to examine convergence to the steady green growth state for a sample of 130 countries from 1990 to 2019. Setting up an efficient and consistent policy to fight climate change demands empirical knowledge on green growth. Using log (t) test methodology, we investigate convergence in green growth indicators for selected samples based on available country data. Findings: our assumptions are: (1) economies are not motivated and eager to foster energy transition; instead, they accept it as a random policy goal and (2) economies want to foster energy transition, but they are limited by a significant trade-off factor pulling their efforts down. Convergence testing shows the existence of two significant convergence clubs, one with countries moving to energy transition and the second still promoting national output based on fossil fuels. The findings indicate future divergence between the two clubs and significant convergence within identified convergence clubs. Conclusions: the energy transition is moving forward at two-tier speed with green leaders and green follower clubs. Policymakers and practitioners must closely monitor the dynamics of green growth to assess the risk and uncertainties of climate change.
Outlier Detection in Buildings’ Power Consumption Data Using Forecast Error
Authors: Martin Nascimento Gustavo Felipe , Wurtz Frédéric , Kuo-Peng Patrick , Delinchant Benoit , Jhoe Batistela Nelson
Published: December 2021

Buildings play a central role in energy transition, as they were responsible for 67.8% of the total consumption of electricity in France in 2017. Because of that, detecting anomalies (outliers) is crucial in order to identify both potential opportunities to reduce energy consumption and malfunctioning of the metering system. This work aims to compare the performance of several outlier detection methods, such as classical statistical methods (as boxplots) applied to the actual measurements and to the difference between the measurements and their predictions, in the task of detecting outliers in the power consumption data of a tertiary building located in France. The results show that the combination of a regression method, such as random forest, and the adjusted boxplot outlier detection method have promising potential in detecting this type of data quality problem in electricity consumption.
Water-Cooled Thermoelectric Generators for Improved Net Output Power: A Review
Authors: Pfeiffelmann Björn , Benim Ali Cemal , Joos Franz
Published: December 2021

Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) have the ability to convert waste heat into electrical energy under unfavorable conditions and are becoming increasingly popular in academia, but have not yet achieved a broad commercial success, due to the still comparably low efficiency. To increase the efficiency and economic viability of TEGs, research is performed on the materials on one hand and on the system connection on the other. In the latter case, the net output power of the cooling system plays a key role. At first glance, passive cooling seems preferable to active cooling because it does not affect the net electrical output power. However, as shown in the present review, the active cooling is to be preferred for net output power. The situation is similar in air and water-cooling. Even though air-cooling is easier to set up, the water-cooling should be preferred to achieve higher net output power. It is shown that microchannel cooling has similar hydraulic performance to conventional cooling and inserts increase the net output power of TEG. As the review reveals that active water-cooling should be the method of choice to achieve high net output power, it also shows that a careful optimization is necessary to exploit the potential.
Application of Artificial Neural Networks for Virtual Energy Assessment
Authors: Mortazavigazar Amir , Wahba Nourehan , Newsham Paul , Triharta Maharti , Zheng Pufan , Chen Tracy , Rismanchi Behzad
Published: December 2021

A Virtual energy assessment (VEA) refers to the assessment of the energy flow in a building without physical data collection. It has been occasionally conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic to residential and commercial buildings. However, there is no established framework method for conducting this type of energy assessment. The COVID-19 pandemic has catalysed the implementation of remote energy assessments and remote facility management. In this paper, a novel framework for VEA is developed and tested on case study buildings at the University of Melbourne. The proposed method is a hybrid of top-down and bottom-up approaches: gathering the general information of the building and the historical data, in addition to investigating and modelling the electrical consumption with artificial neural network (ANN) with a projection of the future consumption. Through sensitivity analysis, the outdoor temperature was found to be the most sensitive (influential) parameter to electrical consumption. The lockdown of the buildings provided invaluable opportunities to assess electrical baseload with zero occupancies and usage of the building. Furthermore, comparison of the baseload with the consumption projection through ANN modelling accurately quantifies the energy consumption attributed to occupation and operational use, referred to as ‘operational energy’ in this paper. Differentiation and quantification of the baseload and operational energy may aid in energy conservation measures that specifically target to minimise these two distinct energy consumptions.
PCOS and Assisted Reproduction Technique: Role and Relevance of Inositols
Authors: Artini Paolo Giovanni , Malacarne Elisa , Cela Vito
Published: December 2021

Polycystic ovary syndrome is an endocrine disorder often characterized by insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, especially in overweight/obese women. Among insulin sensitizers, the positive role of inositols has been increasingly established in recent years. The action of inositols not only concerns the metabolic parameters of these patients, but also the hormonal profile, resulting in beneficial effects on ovarian function. For this reason, many studies have tried to recognize their role in PCOS infertile women who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures.
Rapid Ecological Integrity Assessment Metrics to Restore Wildlife Habitat and Biodiversity for Shortleaf Pine–Oak Ecosystems
Authors: Nordman Carl , Faber-Langendoen Don , Baggs Joanne
Published: December 2021

Open woodlands dominated by shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) and oak are historically an important component of the landscape across the southeastern United States. These ecosystems support numerous wildlife species, many of which have declined in recent years as the amount and condition of their habitat have declined. Land managers and private landowners need guidance on how to efficiently and accurately quantify the condition and wildlife habitat value of the pine stands that they manage. Here we provide a set of rapid assessment metrics, based on NatureServe’s ecological integrity assessment (EIA) method, to (a) identify exemplary tracts that provide the best habitat for key wildlife species, and (b) monitor restoration efforts to assess progress toward the improved quality of existing tracts. To ensure an ecologically appropriate scaling of metrics, we distinguished six types of shortleaf pine–oak woodland: A.—Interior Highlands shortleaf pine–oak (including A.1—shortleaf pine–oak forest and woodlands; A.2—shortleaf pine–bluestem woodlands); B—montane longleaf pine–shortleaf pine woodlands; C—southern Appalachian pine–oak woodlands; D—West Gulf coastal plain shortleaf pine–oak woodlands; and E—southeast coastal plain and Piedmont shortleaf pine–oak woodlands. We relied on a narrative conceptual model and peer review-based indicator selection to identify a core set of 15 stand-level metrics (two were optional). Individual assessment points (thresholds) and ratings (Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor) were developed that were sensitive to the distinct attributes of each of the five shortleaf pine–oak and Appalachian pine–oak types. Values for the metrics can all be collected using rapid field methods, such as using basal area prisms and ocular (visual) estimates of cover. Protocols for the consistent application of these EIA methods are provided. A case study is presented from the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee. These methods provide improved and rapid EIA metrics for all shortleaf pine–oak ecosystems in the southeastern US to help guide conservation-minded landowners in assessing the biodiversity and priority wildlife values of shortleaf pine–oak and southern Appalachian pine–oak ecosystems.
Volatile Fatty Acids (VFA) Production from Wastewaters with High Salinity—Influence of pH, Salinity and Reactor Configuration
Authors: Duarte Maria Salomé , Oliveira João V. , Pereira Carla , Carvalho Miguel , Mesquita Daniela P. , Alves Maria Madalena
Published: December 2021

The hydrocarbon-based economy is moving at a large pace to a decarbonized sustainable bioeconomy based on biorefining all types of secondary carbohydrate-based raw materials. In this work, 50 g L−1 in COD of a mixture of food waste, brine and wastewater derived from a biodiesel production facility were used to produce organic acids, important building-blocks for a biobased industry. High salinity (12–18 g L−1), different reactors configuration operated in batch mode, and different initial pH were tested. In experiment I, a batch stirred reactor (BSR) at atmospheric pressure and a granular sludge bed column (GSBC) were tested with an initial pH of 5. In the end of the experiment, the acidification yield (ηa) was similar in both reactors (22–24%, w/w); nevertheless, lactic acid was in lower concentrations in BSR (6.3 g L−1 in COD), when compared to GSBC (8.0 g L−1 in COD), and valeric was the dominant acid, reaching 17.3% (w/w) in the BSR. In experiment II, the BSR and a pressurized batch stirred reactor (PBSR, operated at 6 bar) were tested with initial pH 7. The ηa and the VFA concentration were higher in the BSR (46%, 22.8 g L−1 in COD) than in the PBSR (41%, 20.3 g/L in COD), and longer chain acids were more predominant in BSR (24.4% butyric, 6.7% valeric, and 6.2% caproic acids) than in PBSR (23.2%, 6.2%, and 4.2%, respectively). The results show that initial pH of 7 allows achieving higher ηa, and the BSR presents the most suitable reactor among tested configurations to produce VFA from wastes/wastewaters with high salinity.
Optimization of Soybean Meal Fermentation for Aqua-Feed with Bacillus subtilis natto Using the Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Zhang Yukun , Ishikawa Manabu , Koshio Shunsuke , Yokoyama Saichiro , Dossou Serge , Wang Weilong , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Shadrack Ronick Spenly , Mzengereza Kumbukani , Zhu Kehua , Seo Seok
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to improve the nutritional value of soybean meal (SBM) by solid-state fermentation (SSF) using Bacillus subtilis natto (B. s. natto) to overcome the limitations of SBM usage in aquafeed. The response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to explore the relationships of fermentation conditions, such as temperature, time, water-substrate ratio, and layer thickness, on the degree of protein hydrolysis (DH) and the crude protein (CP) content. The optimum conditions for achieving the higher DH (15.96%) and CP (55.76%) were 43.82 °C, 62.32 h, 1.08 of water-substrate ratio, and a layer thickness of 2.02 cm. CP and DH in the fermented soybean meal (FSM) increased by 9.8% and 177.1%, respectively, and crude fiber decreased by 14.1% compared to SBM. The protein dispersibility index (PDI) decreased by 29.8%, while KOH protein solubility (KPS) was significantly increased by 17.4%. Flavonoids and total phenolic acid content in FSM were increased by 231.0% and 309.4%, respectively. Neutral protease activity (NPA) also reached a high level (1723.6 U g−1). Total essential amino acids (EAA) in FSM increased by 12.2%, higher than the 10.8% increase of total non-essential amino acids (NEAA), while the total free amino acids content was 12.76 times higher than that of SBM. Major anti-nutritional factors in SBM were significantly reduced during the process, and almost all SBM protein macromolecules were decomposed. Together with the cost-effectiveness of SSF, B. s. natto-fermented SBM products have great potential to improve the plant composition and replace high-cost ingredients in aquafeed, contributing to food security and environmental sustainability.
Blockchain Application in Internet of Vehicles: Challenges, Contributions and Current Limitations
Authors: Kapassa Evgenia , Themistocleous Marinos , Christodoulou Klitos , Iosif Elias
Published: December 2021

Blockchain technology is highly coupled with cryptocurrencies; however, it provides several other potential use cases, related to energy and sustainability, Internet of Things (IoT), smart cities, smart mobility and more. Blockchain can offer security for Electric Vehicle (EV) transactions in the Internet of Vehicles (IoV) concept, allowing electricity trading to be performed in a decentralized, transparent and secure way. Additionally, blockchain provides the necessary functionalities for IoV decentralized application development, such as data exchange, personal digital identity, sharing economy and optimized charging pattern. Moreover, blockchain technology has the potential to significantly increase energy efficiency, decrease management costs and guarantee the effective use of the energy recourses. Therefore, its application in the IoV concept provides secure, autonomous and automated energy trading between EVs. While several studies on blockchain technology in smart grids have been conducted, insufficient attention has been given to conducting a detailed review and state-of-the-art analysis of blockchain application in the IoV domain. To this end, this work provides a systematic literature review of blockchain-based applications in the IoV domain. The aim is to investigate the current challenges of IoV and to highlight how blockchain characteristics can contribute to this emerging paradigm. In addition, limitations and future research directions related to the integration of blockchain technology within the IoV are discussed. To this end, this study incorporates the theoretical foundations of several research articles published in scientific publications over the previous five years, as a method of simplifying our assessment and capturing the ever-expanding blockchain area. We present a comprehensive taxonomy of blockchain-enabled applications in the IoV domain, such as privacy and security, data protection and management, vehicle management, charging optimization and P2P energy trading, based on a structured, systematic review and content analysis of the discovered literature, and we identify key trends and emerging areas for research. The contribution of this article is two-fold: (a) we highlight the limitations presented in the relevant literature, particularly the barriers of blockchain technology and how they influence its integration into the IoV and (b) we present a number of research gaps and suggest future exploratory areas.
Effect of the Fibre Orientation Distribution on the Mechanical and Preforming Behaviour of Nonwoven Preform Made of Recycled Carbon Fibres
Authors: Ivars Jean , Labanieh Ahmad Rashed , Soulat Damien
Published: December 2021

Recycling carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and recovering high-cost carbon fibre (CF) is a preoccupation of scientific and industrial committees due to the environmental and economic concerns. A commercialised nonwoven mat, made of recycled carbon fibre and manufactured using carding and needle-punching technology, can promote second-life opportunities for carbon fibre. This paper aims to evaluate the mechanical and preforming behaviour of this nonwoven material. We focus on the influence that the fibre orientation distribution in the nonwoven material has on its mechanical and preforming behaviour at the preform scale, as well as the tensile properties at composite scale. The anisotropy index induced by fibre orientation is evaluated by analysing SEM micrographs using the fast Fourier transform (FFT) method. Then, the anisotropy in the tensile, bending, and preforming behaviour of the preform is inspected, as well as in the tensile behaviour of the composite. Additionally, we evaluate the impact of the stacking order of multi-layers of the nonwoven material, associated with its preferred fibre orientation (nonwoven anisotropy), on its compaction behaviour. The nonwoven anisotropy, in terms of fibre orientation, induces a strong effect on the preform mechanical and preforming behaviour, as well as the tensile behaviour of the composite. The tensile behaviour of the nonwoven material is governed by the inter-fibre cohesion, which depends on the fibre orientation. The low inter-fibre cohesion, which characterises this nonwoven material, leads to poor resistance to tearing. This type of defect rapidly occurs during preforming, even at too-low membrane tension. Otherwise, the increase in nonwoven layer numbers leads to a decrease in the impact of the nonwoven anisotropy behaviour under compaction load.
Antimicrobial Activity and Action Mechanism of Thymoquinone against Bacillus cereus and Its Spores
Authors: Wang Shuo , Deng Haichao , Wang Yihong , Rui Wushuang , Zhao Pengyu , Yong Qiyao , Guo Du , Liu Jie , Guo Xinyi , Wang Yutang , Shi Chao
Published: December 2021

In this study, thymoquinone (TQ), a natural active substance, was investigated for its antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus, and its inhibitory effect on B. cereus in reconstituted infant formula (RIF) was evaluated. In addition, the inhibitory effect of TQ on B. cereus spore germination was explored. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of TQ against eight B. cereus strains ranged from 4.0 to 8.0 μg/mL, whereas B. cereus treated with TQ displayed a longer lag phase than the untreated control. TQ exerted a good bactericidal effect on B. cereus in Luria–Bertani broth. In addition, TQ obviously reduced the intracellular ATP concentration of B. cereus, which caused depolarization of the cell membrane, increased the intracellular reactive oxygen species level, impaired the cell morphology, and destroyed proteins or inhibited proteins synthesis. This provides a mechanism for its bacteriostatic effect. TQ also inactivated B. cereus growth in RIF. Moreover, reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction illustrated that TQ downregulated the transcription of genes related to hemolysin, non-hemolytic enterotoxin, enterotoxin, and cytotoxin K. Meanwhile, TQ displayed the ability to inhibit the germination of B. cereus spores. These findings indicate that TQ, as an effective natural antimicrobial preservative, has potential applications in controlling food contamination and foodborne diseases caused by B. cereus.
Enhancement Effect of Chitosan Coating on Inhibition of Deoxynivalenol Accumulation by Litsea cubeba Essential Oil Emulsion during Malting
Authors: Peng Zhengcong , Feng Wenxu , Cai Guolin , Wu Dianhui , Lu Jian
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this work was to study the enhancement effect of chitosan coating on inhibition of deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation by Litsea cubeba essential oil emulsion during malting. Firstly, the primary emulsion suitable for malting process was screened and the improvement effect of chitosan coating on the properties of primary emulsion was studied. On this basis, chitosan-based Litsea cubeba essential oil emulsion was applied to malting processing. The results showed that the primary emulsion of Litsea cubeba essential oil had good antifungal properties and a minimal effect on the germinability of barley compared with other primary emulsions. The addition of chitosan can improve the physical stability and antifungal ability of the emulsion and reduce the effect of the emulsion on barley germination. When 100 g of chitosan-based Litsea cubeba essential oil emulsion (40 mg/g) was applied to the malting process, the germination rate of barley was 87.7% and the DON concentration of finished malt was reduced to 690 μg/kg, which was 20.9% lower than that of the control. Meanwhile, the other indexes of malt produced by secondary emulsion treatment (after adding chitosan) increased significantly compared with those of malt produced by primary emulsion. This study was of great significance for the application of emulsion to inhibit the accumulation of mycotoxin during malting.
Plant-Based Diet as a Strategy for Weight Control
Authors: Ivanova Stanislava , Delattre Cédric , Karcheva-Bahchevanska Diana , Benbasat Niko , Nalbantova Vanya , Ivanov Kalin
Published: December 2021

According to the World Health Organization, obesity has nearly tripled since the 1970s. Obesity and overweight are major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, inflammatory-mediated diseases, and other serious medical conditions. Moreover, recent data suggest that obesity, overweight, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases are risk factors for COVID-19-related mortality. Different strategies for weight control have been introduced over the last two decades. Unfortunately, these strategies have shown little effect. At the same time, many studies show that plants might be the key to a successful strategy for weight control. Following the PRISMA guidelines for conducting systematic reviews, a search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase using the following keywords: obesity, globesity, vegan, plant-based diet, etc. Our results show that vegan diets are associated with improved gut microbiota symbiosis, increased insulin sensitivity, activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, and over-expression of mitochondrial uncoupling proteins. The key features of this diet are reduced calorie density and reduced cholesterol intake. The combination of these two factors is the essence of the efficiency of this approach to weight control. Our data suggest that plant-based/vegan diets might play a significant role in future strategies for reducing body weight.
Evaluating the Potential of the Defatted By-Product of Aurantiochytrium sp. Industrial Cultivation as a Functional Food
Authors: Reboleira João , Félix Rafael , Félix Carina , de Melo Marcelo M. R. , Silva Carlos M. , Saraiva Jorge A. , Bandarra Narcisa M. , Teixeira Bárbara , Mendes Rogério , Paulo Maria C. , Coutinho Joana , Lemos Marco F. L.
Published: December 2021

While Aurantiochytrium sp. is an increasingly popular source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), its extraction generates high amounts of waste, including the spent, defatted residue. The composition and bioactivities of this by-product could prove to be a major part of the sustainable valorisation of this organism within the framework of a circular economy. In this study, the defatted biomass of commercial Aurantiochytrium sp. was nutritionally characterised, and its amino acid profile was detailed. Additionally, the antioxidant and prebiotic potentials of an enzymatically digested sample of defatted Aurantiochytrium sp. were evaluated under a set of miniaturised in vitro assays. The nutritional profile of the spent Aurantiochytrium biomass revealed a protein and dietary-fibre rich product, with values reaching 26.7% and 31.0% for each, respectively. It also held high concentrations of glutamic and aspartic acid, as well as a favourable lysine/arginine ratio of 3.73. The digested samples demonstrated significant Weissela cibaria and Bifidobacterium bifidum growth-enhancing potential. Residual ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activity was likely attributed to antioxidant amino acids or peptides. The study demonstrated that some of the nutritional and functional potential that reside in the defatted Aurantiochytrium sp. waste encourages additional studies and the development of food supplements employing this resource’s by-products under a biorefinery framework.
Development of Antioxidant-Fortified Oleogel and Its Application as a Solid Fat Replacer to Muffin
Authors: Jeong Sohui , Lee Suyoung , Oh Imkyung
Published: December 2021

Oleogelation has recently received a great deal of attention in the food industry as a novel alternative technology that physically converts liquid oil into semi-solid gel. Since the functional characteristics of oleogels are dependent on the gelators or bioactive compounds incorporated, this study was undertaken to evaluate the rheological properties and oxidative stability of candelilla wax oleogels fortified with glycerol monostearate (GMS) and β-carotene, and also to investigate their applications to muffin as a shortening replacer. The interaction between candelilla wax and GMS contributed to strengthening the oleogel structure. The oleogels with β-carotene showed the lowest peroxide values than the other samples. The muffins prepared with oleogels for shortening had greater specific gravity and harder texture, but there was no significant difference in the specific volume between the shortening and oleogel samples with GMS. In addition, muffins with β-carotene oleogels showed the highest oxidative stability. Therefore, this study indicated that the incorporation of β-carotene and GMS in oleogels positively affected the storage stability of muffin.
Phytochemical and Pharmacological Evaluation of the Residue By-Product Developed from the Ocimum americanum (Lamiaceae) Postdistillation Waste
Authors: Jasicka-Misiak Izabela , Shanaida Mariia , Hudz Nataliia , Wieczorek Piotr Paweł
Published: December 2021

The yield of essential oils in plants is not high and postdistillation wastes rich in phenolic compounds could be used to enhance the profitability of essential oil-bearing plants. The aim of the study was to evaluate polyphenols in a dry extract obtained from the postdistillation waste of the American basil (Ocimum americanum L.) herb, and to conduct the screening of its pharmacological activities. Rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid and rutin were identified in the extract using high-performance thin-layer chromatography. The high-performance liquid chromatography analysis found the presence of a plethora of polyphenols in the extract. Rosmarinic acid, luteolin-7-O-glucoside and rutin were as the main compounds. The total phenolic content in the extract was 106.31 mg GAE/g and free radical scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl evaluated as IC50 was 0.298 mg/mL. The tested extract dose-dependently decreased the paw edema in rats, suggesting its potent anti-inflammatory property. The acute toxicity study indicates its safety. Thus, the O. americanum hydrodistilled residue by-product is the promising source of biologically active compounds with significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
A Novel qPCR Method for the Detection of Lactic Acid Bacteria in Fermented Milk
Authors: Fan Xiankang , Li Xiefei , Zhang Tao , Xu Jue , Shi Zihang , Wu Zhen , Wu Jihuan , Pan Daodong , Du Lihui
Published: December 2021

The number of live lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is an important quality indicator for yogurt, the quantitative testing of LAB has become an important task in the evaluation of product quality and function. By analyzing and comparing the performance of 16S rRNA gene and tuf gene used in absolute quantification, the tuf gene with copy number 1 was selected as the target gene of six LAB. By drawing a standard curve to achieve qualitative and quantitative detection of six strains of LAB, the detection range was found to be 1 × 103–1 × 108 copies/µL. The traditional plate colony count and Flow Cytometry (FCM) were compared with the method of qPCR, which was used in this experiment. Meanwhile, the confocal laser microscope combined with STYO 9 and propidium iodide dyes was used to determine that the content of viable bacteria in the yogurt was more than 90%, which proved that the detection result using qPCR method was closer to the true level of LAB in yogurt. Compared with the existing methods, the method in this study allowed the qualitative and quantitative detection of the six kinds of LAB in yogurt, and the distribution of live and dead bacteria in yogurt could be calculated.
Rapid Identification of Adulteration in Edible Vegetable Oils Based on Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Relaxation Fingerprints
Authors: Huang Zhi-Ming , Xin Jia-Xiang , Sun Shan-Shan , Li Yi , Wei Da-Xiu , Zhu Jing , Wang Xue-Lu , Wang Jiachen , Yao Ye-Feng
Published: December 2021

Most current approaches applied for the essential identification of adulteration in edible vegetable oils are of limited practical benefit because they require long analysis times, professional training, and costly instrumentation. The present work addresses this issue by developing a novel simple, accurate, and rapid identification approach based on the magnetic resonance relaxation fingerprints obtained from low-field nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements of edible vegetable oils. The relaxation fingerprints obtained for six types of edible vegetable oil, including flaxseed oil, olive oil, soybean oil, corn oil, peanut oil, and sunflower oil, are demonstrated to have sufficiently unique characteristics to enable the identification of the individual types of oil in a sample. By using principal component analysis, three characteristic regions in the fingerprints were screened out to create a novel three-dimensional characteristic coordination system for oil discrimination and adulteration identification. Univariate analysis and partial least squares regression were used to successfully quantify the oil adulteration in adulterated binary oil samples, indicating the great potential of the present approach on both identification and quantification of edible oil adulteration.
Antibiotic Resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Milk Alternatives
Authors: Mukuna Winnie , Mafiz Abdullah Ibn , Pokharel Bharat , Tobenna Aniume , Kilonzo-Nthenge Agnes
Published: December 2021

The consumption of non-dairy milk is on the rise due to health benefits. Although there is increasing inclination towards milk alternatives (MA), there is limited data on antibiotic resistant bacteria in these substitutes. The aim of this study was to investigate antimicrobial resistance of bacteria isolated from MA. A total of 138 extracts from almonds (n = 63), cashew nuts (n = 36), and soybeans (n = 39) were analyzed for Enterobacteriaceae. The identification of the bacteria was based on biochemical and PCR methods. Antibiotic sensitivity was determined by using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique. Overall, 31% (43 of 138) of extracts were positive for Enterobacteriaceae. Ten bacterial species were identified, of which Enterobacter cloacae (42.7%) and Enterobacter cancerogenus (35.4%) were the most predominant species (p < 0.05). Antibiotic resistance was exhibited to vancomycin (88.3%), novobiocin (83.8%), erythromycin (81.1%), which was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in tetracycline (59.5%), cefpodoxime (30.6%), and nalidixic acid (6.3%). There was no resistance displayed to kanamycin and imipenem. ERY-NOV-VAN-TET and ERY-NOV-CEP-VAN-TET were the most common resistant patterns displayed by Enterobacter cloacae. The findings of this study suggest that MAs, though considered healthy, may be a reservoir of multidrug resistant opportunist pathogens.
Meat Substitution with Oat Protein Can Improve Ground Beef Patty Characteristics
Authors: Ball Jase J. , Wyatt Ross P. , Coursen Madison M. , Lambert Barry D. , Sawyer Jason T.
Published: December 2021

The consumer acceptance of alternative plant-focused ingredients within the meat industry is growing globally. Oat protein is insoluble and used to increase product yield and fat retention. Furthermore, inclusion of oat protein can provide manufacturers another option for extending beef supplies. As the consumer diet shifts for improvements in nutritional density, oat protein is an alternative ingredient that lacks information on inclusion in a ground beef formulation. Coarse ground beef was allocated to one of four treatments, mixed with oat protein (0%, 1.5%, 3.5% and 4.5%), water, salt, pepper, textured vegetable protein, soy protein concentrate, and sodium tripolyphosphate. Meat blocks (n = 3 batches) were finely ground and formed into patties (N = 65/treatment). Patties were placed onto an expanded polystyrene tray, overwrapped with polyvinyl chloride film and displayed for 7 days. Instrumental color (L*, a*, and b*) decreased throughout simulated display (p = 0.0001). Increased usage rates of oat protein in patties resulted in greater cook yields (p = 0.0001). Objective measures of Allo-Kramer shear force values increased as oat protein inclusion rates increased (p = 0.0001). Oat protein can be incorporated in ground beef patties with positive effects on cook yield, but inclusion rate may have a deleterious impact on color and instrumental tenderness.
Chitosan as Functional Biomaterial for Designing Delivery Systems in Cardiac Therapies
Authors: Patel Bhaumik , Manne Ravi , Patel Devang B. , Gorityala Shashank , Palaniappan Arunkumar , Kurakula Mallesh
Published: December 2021

Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of mortality across the globe, and transplant surgeries are not always successful since it is not always possible to replace most of the damaged heart tissues, for example in myocardial infarction. Chitosan, a natural polysaccharide, is an important biomaterial for many biomedical and pharmaceutical industries. Based on the origin, degree of deacetylation, structure, and biological functions, chitosan has emerged for vital tissue engineering applications. Recent studies reported that chitosan coupled with innovative technologies helped to load or deliver drugs or stem cells to repair the damaged heart tissue not just in a myocardial infarction but even in other cardiac therapies. Herein, we outlined the latest advances in cardiac tissue engineering mediated by chitosan overcoming the barriers in cardiac diseases. We reviewed in vitro and in vivo data reported dealing with drug delivery systems, scaffolds, or carriers fabricated using chitosan for stem cell therapy essential in cardiac tissue engineering. This comprehensive review also summarizes the properties of chitosan as a biomaterial substrate having sufficient mechanical stability that can stimulate the native collagen fibril structure for differentiating pluripotent stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells into cardiomyocytes for cardiac tissue engineering.
Ibuprofen-Loaded Chitosan–Lipid Nanoconjugate Hydrogel with Gum Arabic: Green Synthesis, Characterisation, In Vitro Kinetics Mechanistic Release Study and PGE2 Production Test
Authors: Mahmood Syed , Almurisi Samah Hamed , AL-Japairai Khater , Hilles Ayah Rebhi , Alelwani Walla , Bannunah Azzah M. , Alshammari Farhan , Alheibshy Fawaz
Published: December 2021

Ibuprofen is a well-known non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicine that is often used to treat inflammation in general. When given orally, it produces gastrointestinal issues which lead to lower patient compliance. Ibuprofen transdermal administration improves both patient compliance and the efficacy of the drug. Nanoconjugation hydrogels were proposed as a controlled transdermal delivery tool for ibuprofen. Six formulations were prepared using different compositions including chitosan, lipids, gum arabic, and polyvinyl alcohol, through ionic interaction, maturation, and freeze–thaw methods. The formulations were characterised by size, drug conjugation efficiency, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Further analysis of optimised hydrogels was performed, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), rheology, gel fraction and swelling ability, in vitro drug release, and in vitro macrophage prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production testing. The effects of ibuprofen’s electrostatic interaction with a lipid or polymer on the physicochemical and dissolution characterisation of ibuprofen hydrogels were evaluated. The results showed that the S3 (with lipid conjugation) hydrogel provided higher conjugation efficiency and prolonged drug release compared with the S6 hydrogel.
Genome-Wide Analyses for Osteosarcoma in Leonberger Dogs Reveal the CDKN2A/B Gene Locus as a Major Risk Locus
Authors: Letko Anna , Minor Katie M. , Norton Elaine M. , Marinescu Voichita D. , Drögemüller Michaela , Ivansson Emma , Megquier Kate , Noh Hyun Ji , Starkey Mike , Friedenberg Steven G. , Lindblad-Toh Kerstin , Mickelson James R. , Drögemüller Cord
Published: December 2021

Dogs represent a unique spontaneous cancer model. Osteosarcoma (OSA) is the most common primary bone tumor in dogs (OMIA 001441-9615), and strongly resembles human forms of OSA. Several large- to giant-sized dog breeds, including the Leonberger, have a greatly increased risk of developing OSA. We performed genome-wide association analysis with high-density imputed SNP genotype data from 273 Leonberger cases with a median age of 8.1 [3.1–13.5] years and 365 controls older than eight years. This analysis revealed significant associations at the CDKN2A/B gene locus on canine chromosome 11, mirroring previous findings in other dog breeds, such as the greyhound, that also show an elevated risk for OSA. Heritability (h2SNP) was determined to be 20.6% (SE = 0.08; p-value = 5.7 × 10−4) based on a breed prevalence of 20%. The 2563 SNPs across the genome accounted for nearly all the h2SNP of OSA, with 2183 SNPs of small effect, 316 SNPs of moderate effect, and 64 SNPs of large effect. As with many other cancers it is likely that regulatory, non-coding variants underlie the increased risk for cancer development. Our findings confirm a complex genetic basis of OSA, moderate heritability, and the crucial role of the CDKN2A/B locus leading to strong cancer predisposition in dogs. It will ultimately be interesting to study and compare the known genetic loci associated with canine OSA in human OSA.
Concatenation of Transgenic DNA: Random or Orchestrated?
Authors: Smirnov Alexander , Battulin Nariman
Published: December 2021

Generation of transgenic organisms by pronuclear microinjection has become a routine procedure. However, while the process of DNA integration in the genome is well understood, we still do not know much about the recombination between transgene molecules that happens in the first moments after DNA injection. Most of the time, injected molecules are joined together in head-to-tail tandem repeats—the so-called concatemers. In this review, we focused on the possible concatenation mechanisms and how they could be studied with genetic reporters tracking individual copies in concatemers. We also discuss various features of concatemers, including palindromic junctions and repeat-induced gene silencing (RIGS). Finally, we speculate how cooperation of DNA repair pathways creates a multicopy concatenated insert.