bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Byzantine Fault-Tolerant Consensus Algorithms: A Survey
Authors: Zhong Weiyu , Yang Ce , Liang Wei , Cai Jiahong , Chen Lin , Liao Jing , Xiong Naixue
Published: September 2023

The emergence of numerous consensus algorithms for distributed systems has resulted from the swift advancement of blockchain and its related technologies. Consensus algorithms play a key role in decentralized distributed systems, because all nodes in the system need to reach a consensus on requests or commands through consensus algorithms. In a distributed system where nodes work together to reach consensus, there may be Byzantine nodes present. The emergence of Byzantine nodes will affect the consensus of nodes in the distributed system. Therefore, tolerating Byzantine nodes in a distributed system and then reaching a consensus is an essential function of a consensus algorithm. So far, many Byzantine fault-tolerant (BFT) consensus algorithms have emerged, and there are correspondingly many methods to improve the performance of these algorithms. In order to allow researchers to have a clearer understanding of the existing methods, this paper systematically investigated and studied the research progress of the current Byzantine fault-tolerant consensus algorithm. The scope of the research ranged from the classic Byzantine consensus algorithm to some of the latest Byzantine consensus algorithms. The articles were classified according to the methods used to improve the Byzantine consensus algorithm. Through classification and centralized analysis and discussion, we achieved a clearer understanding of the development of Byzantine consensus algorithms and, at the same time, clarified the advantages and disadvantages of this type of method and the latest research progress using this method. At the end of this article, an in-depth discussion and analysis is also presented. By analyzing the impact of the use of these methods on the performance of the BFT consensus algorithm, it is proposed that future research can be improved.
An Integrated Support System for People with Intellectual Disability
Authors: Papadogiorgaki Maria , Grammalidis Nikos , Grammatikopoulou Athina , Apostolidis Konstantinos , Bei Ekaterini S. , Grigoriadis Kostas , Zafeiris Stylianos , Livanos George , Mezaris Vasileios , Zervakis Michalis E.
Published: September 2023

People with Intellectual Disability (ID) encounter several problems in their daily living regarding their needs, activities, interrelationships, and communication. In this paper, an interactive platform is proposed, aiming to provide personalized recommendations for information and entertainment, including creative and educational activities, tailored to the special user needs of this population. Furthermore, the proposed platform integrates capabilities for the automatic recognition of health-related emergencies, such as fever, oxygen saturation decline, and tachycardia, as well as location tracking and detection of wandering behavior based on smartwatch/smartphone sensors, while providing appropriate notifications to caregivers and automated assistance to people with ID through voice instructions and interaction with a virtual assistant. A short-scale pilot study has been carried out, where a group of end-users participated in the testing of the integrated platform, verifying its effectiveness concerning the recommended services. The experimental results indicate the potential value of the proposed system in providing routine health measurements, identifying and managing emergency cases, and supporting a creative and qualitative daily life for people with disabilities.
A Lightweight Model for Real-Time Monitoring of Ships
Authors: Xing Bowen , Wang Wei , Qian Jingyi , Pan Chengwu , Le Qibo
Published: September 2023

Real-time monitoring of ships is crucial for inland navigation management. Under complex conditions, it is difficult to balance accuracy, real-time performance, and practicality in ship detection and tracking. We propose a lightweight model, YOLOv8-FAS, to address this issue for real-time ship detection and tracking. First, FasterNet and the attention mechanism are integrated and introduced to achieve feature extraction simply and efficiently. Second, the lightweight GSConv convolution method and a one-shot aggregation module are introduced to construct an efficient network neck to enhance feature extraction and fusion. Furthermore, the loss function is improved based on ship characteristics to make the model more suitable for ship datasets. Finally, the advanced Bytetrack tracke is added to achieve the real-time detection and tracking of ship targets. Compared to the YOLOv8 model, YOLOv8-FAS reduces computational complexity by 0.8×109 terms of FLOPs and reduces model parameters by 20%, resulting in only 2.4×106 parameters. The mAP-0.5 is improved by 0.9%, reaching 98.50%, and the real-time object tracking precision of the model surpasses 88%. The YOLOv8-FAS model combines light weight with high precision, and can accurately perform ship detection and tracking tasks in real time. Moreover, it is suitable for deployment on hardware resource-limited devices such as unmanned surface ships.
Predicting Consumer Service Price Evolution during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Optimized Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Papadopoulos Theofanis , Kosmas Ioannis , Botsoglou Georgios , Dourvas Nikolaos I. , Maga-Nteve Christoniki , Michalakelis Christos
Published: September 2023

This research analyzes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumer service pricing within the European Union, focusing on the Transportation, Accommodation, and Food Service sectors. Our study employs various machine learning models, including multilayer perceptron, XGBoost, CatBoost, and random forest, along with genetic algorithms for comprehensive hyperparameter tuning and price evolution forecasting. We incorporate coronavirus cases and deaths as factors to enhance prediction accuracy. The dataset comprises monthly reports of COVID-19 cases and deaths, alongside managerial survey responses regarding company estimations. Applying genetic algorithms for hyperparameter optimization across all models results in significant enhancements, yielding optimized models that exhibit RMSE score reductions ranging from 3.35% to 5.67%. Additionally, the study demonstrates that XGBoost yields more accurate predictions, achieving an RMSE score of 17.07.
A Novel Data Management Scheme in Cloud for Micromachines
Authors: Singh Gurwinder , Jeyaraj Rathinaraja , Sharma Anil , Paul Anand
Published: September 2023

In cyber-physical systems (CPS), micromachines are typically deployed across a wide range of applications, including smart industry, smart healthcare, and smart cities. Providing on-premises resources for the storage and processing of huge data collected by such CPS applications is crucial. The cloud provides scalable storage and computation resources, typically through a cluster of virtual machines (VMs) with big data tools such as Hadoop MapReduce. In such a distributed environment, job latency and makespan are highly affected by excessive non-local executions due to various heterogeneities (hardware, VM, performance, and workload level). Existing approaches handle one or more of these heterogeneities; however, they do not account for the varying performance of storage disks. In this paper, we propose a prediction-based method for placing data blocks in virtual clusters to minimize the number of non-local executions. This is accomplished by applying a linear regression algorithm to determine the performance of disk storage on each physical machine hosting a virtual cluster. This allows us to place data blocks and execute map tasks where the data blocks are located. Furthermore, map tasks are scheduled based on VM performance to reduce job latency and makespan. We simulated our ideas and compared them with the existing schedulers in the Hadoop framework. The results show that the proposed method improves MapReduce performance in terms of job latency and makespan by minimizing non-local executions compared to other methods taken for evaluation.
Principal Component Analysis-Based Logistic Regression for Rotated Handwritten Digit Recognition in Consumer Devices
Authors: Peng Chao-Chung , Huang Chao-Yang , Chen Yi-Ho
Published: September 2023

Handwritten digit recognition has been used in many consumer electronic devices for a long time. However, we found that the recognition system used in current consumer electronics is sensitive to image or character rotations. To address this problem, this study builds a low-cost and light computation consumption handwritten digit recognition system. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA)-based logistic regression classifier is presented, which is able to provide a certain degree of robustness in the digit subject to rotations. To validate the effectiveness of the developed image recognition algorithm, the popular MNIST dataset is used to conduct performance evaluations. Compared to other popular classifiers installed in MATLAB, the proposed method is able to achieve better prediction results with a smaller model size, which is 18.5% better than the traditional logistic regression. Finally, real-time experiments are conducted to verify the efficiency of the presented method, showing that the proposed system is successfully able to classify the rotated handwritten digit.
Process Optimization and Biomethane Recovery from Anaerobic Digestion of Agro-Industry Wastes
Authors: Kaur Harjinder , Kommalapati Raghava R.
Published: September 2023

Among the sustainable initiatives for renewable energy technologies, anaerobic digestion (AD) is a potential contender to replace fossil fuels. The anaerobic co-digestions of goat manure (GM) with sorghum (SG), cotton gin trash (CGT), and food waste (FW) having different mixing ratios, volumes, temperatures, and additives were optimized in single and two-stage bioreactors. The biochemical methane potential assays (having different mixing ratios of double and triple substrates) were run in 250 mL serum bottles in triplicates. The best-yielding ratio was up-scaled to fabricated 2 L bioreactors. The biodegradability, biomethane recovery, and process efficacy are discussed. The co-digestion of GM with SG in a 70:30 ratio yielded the highest biomethane of 239.3 ± 15.6 mL/gvs, and it was further up-scaled to a two-stage temperature-phased process supplemented with an anaerobic medium and fly ash (FA) in fabricated 2 L bioreactors. This system yielded the highest biomethane of 266.0 mL/gvs, having an anaerobic biodegradability of 67.3% in 70:30 GM:SG co-digestion supplemented with an anaerobic medium. The BMP of the FA-amended treatment may be lower because of its high Ca concentration of 205.74 ± 3.6. The liquid fraction of the effluents can be applied as N and P fertigation. The Ca concentration was found to be 24.3, 25.1, and 6.3 g/kg in GM and GM:SG (TS) and SG solid fractions, respectively, whereas K was found to be 26.6, 10.8, and 7.4 g/kg. The carbon to nitrogen ratio of solid fraction varied between 2.0 and 24.8 for return to the soils to enhance its quality. This study involving feedstock acquisition, characterization, and their anaerobic digestion optimization provides comprehensive information and may assist small farmers operating on-farm anaerobic digesters.
Perception of the Transition to a Zero-Emission Economy in the Opinion of Polish and Foreign Students: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Kaczmarczyk Barbara , Lis Karolina
Published: September 2023

Renewable energy sources serve as an alternative to conventional energy sources, with the main advantages being their inexhaustible nature and the absence of or significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, the development of energy production utilising renewable sources remains controversial, primarily because of the high initial costs of RES investment projects and the carbon footprint during the production phase of RES facilities. However, these appear to be gradually offset by the many benefits that outweigh the initial RES facility maintenance costs. Unsurprisingly, European Union (EU) countries are at the forefront of the transition to a low-emission economy. This is evidenced by such things as the 22% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in the Member States, achieved despite a 58% increase in gross domestic product (GDP) between 1990 and 2017. Nonetheless, the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, water, etc., is much more expensive than burning fossil fuels. It must be stressed that the European Union’s success in this regard is influenced by the actions taken by all Member States to implement the European Green Deal and their individual targets. Furthermore, the transition to a zero-emission economy is also the result of the informed participation and involvement of all European Community residents. Therefore, there exists a need for education on renewable energy sources to facilitate the transition to a zero-emission economy in European Union countries. This education should primarily target young people, whose critical choices will shape this area in the future. It is the knowledge and awareness of young people that will largely determine whether it will be possible to limit greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This article aimed to determine how Polish and foreign students view the transition to a zero-emission economy. The article places a special emphasis on renewable energy sources as a key factor in shaping national security in terms of sustainable ecology and friendly social development. The aim of the study was achieved through a research process using theoretical and empirical research methods. To that end, the subject literature and current legislation on renewable energy sources were analysed. Moreover, a survey was conducted among Polish and foreign students living in Poland. The analysis of the research results made it possible to formulate recommendations on how to shape national security in terms of sustainable ecology and friendly social development.
Approaches to Sustainable Energy Management in Ensuring Safety of Power Equipment Operation
Authors: Hrinchenko Hanna , Koval Viktor , Shmygol Nadiia , Sydorov Oleksandr , Tsimoshynska Oksana , Matuszewska Dominika
Published: September 2023

The study considers ways to ensure the quality of the functioning of power equipment as one of the directions for ensuring the safety of energy complexes in the period of “green transformation”. Based on the analysis, it is established that for an effective “green” transformation, it is necessary to ensure the energy safety of equipment operation, which is possible by developing effective science-based approaches to technical diagnostics of the state of power systems and individual equipment. The main objective of the study is to develop a Safety Management Model for Life Term Operation of power equipment, which takes into account changes in its condition at different stages of operation and allows for the prediction of further safe operation. The paper proposes an approach to researching the technical condition of power equipment, taking into account the deformations that occur during operation. The results of the calculation of stress intensity coefficients for longitudinal and transverse-postulated cracks in different modes are presented. Based on the calculated and experimentally obtained values, an approach to predicting the operating life of power equipment with regard to changes in technical characteristics is proposed. The results of the calculations showed that by changing the allowable load on the material of the energy equipment to 35 kgf/mm2, the estimated operational lifespan could be extended until 2035, ensuring all necessary safety conditions. It has been proven that with effective management and continuous safety diagnostics, nuclear power plants have the potential to operate beyond their standard design life of up to 30–40 years. This approach allows for the quality and safe operation of power equipment in the context of the transition to sustainable energy.
Technology Suitability Assessment of Battery Energy Storage System for High-Energy Applications on Offshore Oil and Gas Platforms
Authors: Adeyemo Ayotunde A. , Tedeschi Elisabetta
Published: September 2023

Selecting a battery energy storage technology for application on offshore platforms or marine vessels can be a challenging task. Offshore oil and gas platforms (OOGPs) require battery energy storage systems (BESSs) with high volumetric density, high gravimetric density, high safety, a long life span, low maintenance, and good operational experience, amongst other BESS properties. No single battery chemistry can satisfy all these factors perfectly, which implies that there is a need for a method that determines the most suitable battery chemistry for a given application. To this end, this paper proposes an improved version of a 7-step procedure proposed in the literature to systematically and logically determine the most suitable BESS for high-energy applications on OOGPs. In order to implement the 7-step procedure, a review of the state-of-the-art of consolidated and emerging battery chemistry is done. As part of the 7-step procedure, the operational experience of the battery chemistry was also reviewed. The 7-step procedure was then applied to a case study (with two test cases) of a real OOGP in the North Sea. The first test case considers BESS for peak shaving, for which six battery chemistries were assessed in detail. A technology suitability assessment (TSA) weighted score is calculated, which is based on five attributes critical for the energy storage choice in the considered application, which are weight, space, safety, life cycle cost, and operational experience. Of the six battery chemistries assessed, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) has the highest technology suitability assessment (TSA) weighted score and is therefore deemed the most suitable battery chemistry for peak shaving. The second test case considers BESS for spinning reserve. Since this is a high C-rate application, only battery chemistry capable of high C-rate was evaluated. From the TSA evaluation, LFP and lithium nickel manganese cobalt have the joint highest TSA weighted score and are therefore deemed the most suitable battery chemistry for spinning reserve.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a Solution for Renewable Energy Gaps: Spatial Analysis for Polish Strategy
Authors: Zarębski Patrycjusz , Katarzyński Dominik
Published: September 2023

The integration of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) into energy systems requires a meticulous assessment of various factors, spanning renewable energy potential, legal frameworks, technical considerations, community engagement, and consumer preferences. This article synthesizes a multifaceted discussion on the subject, focusing on the need for comprehensive analyses before deciding to implement SMRs. Drawing insights from geographic information systems (GIS) and lessons from renewable energy development in Poland, this paper underscores the significance of aligning energy strategies with local needs, emphasizing stakeholder participation. This study examines the factors influencing location attractiveness for various energy technologies, including small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), wind, solar, and hydroelectric power plants, within Poland. Employing 17 indicators sourced from Statistics Poland and URE, coupled with the application of the k-means algorithm, we outline four distinct clusters that delineate the zones of location attractiveness for SMRs and other renewable energy sources. While large and medium-sized cities exhibit optimal location attractiveness, coastal counties in northern Poland emerge as more suitable for renewable energy sources than for SMRs. The study outlines four distinct energy development strategies based on typologies of regions, each tailored to maximize the utility of available resources and minimize environmental impact. The strategies encompass renewable energy utilization, energy efficiency enhancement, energy diversification, and adaptation through innovation. Emphasizing the interplay between renewable energy potential, energy demand, and local conditions, the research suggests the strategic deployment of SMRs as part of an energy mix in areas where renewable energy resources are limited. By leveraging SMRs’ continuous energy production, these reactors can complement intermittent renewables, bolstering energy security.
Prototheca spp. in Bovine Infections
Authors: Nardoni Simona , Mancianti Francesca
Published: September 2023

Prototheca microalgae, although still considered uncommon etiologic agents, represent an insidious intruder, threatening cattle herd health and determining productive losses. Increasing numbers of clinical cases globally identified would indicate these microalgae as emerging pathogens. They can be isolated from a wide variety of environmental and non-environmental sources, due also to their ability to produce biofilm. This ability to spread and contaminate a huge variety of substrates, as well as the high resistance to elevated temperatures, renders Prototheca prevention a very hard task. In addition, early infection signs are subtle and difficult to detect. The poor response to conventional antimycotic drugs represents an additional challenge when facing this infection. Although it would seem unrealistic to completely eradicate the exposure risk of cows to these microalgae, the adoption of proper on-farm protocols and management, with the highest attention to hygiene measures, would be beneficial in reducing the magnitude of this problem. Keeping the attention focused on early diagnosis, together with the development of new, alternative, and effective agents and formulations, would be strongly advised to prevent, treat, and control Prototheca infections.
Gynecomastia and Leydigioma: An Unexpected Case Report Outcome
Authors: Seminara Giuseppe , Chiarello Paola , Iuliano Rodolfo , Tinelli Emanuele , Sabatini Umberto , Iuliano Stefano , Aversa Antonio
Published: September 2023

We report a case of a 19-year-old male referred to the Endocrine Unit because of gynecomastia. Initial investigation revealed elevated levels of estradiol (E2) along with secondary hypogonadism (hypotestosteronemia and severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT)) despite normal testicular volume (12 mL) and secondary sexual characteristics. Surprisingly, an ultrasound examination revealed a small hypoechoic mass (1.1 cm) with intense intralesional vascularization within the right testicle, even though tumor markers were normal. Surgical removal of testicular mass led to the identification of Leydigioma, and the patient showed regression of gynecomastia during the nine-month follow-up. Unexpectedly, hypergonadotropinemia manifested along with normal testosterone (T) levels and significant improvement in OAT. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed pituitary hyperplasia (PH). Gynecomastia represents an atypical manifestation of Leydig cell tumors and typically resolves after surgical removal. However, unilateral orchiectomy may determine compensatory PH. Currently, it is uncertain whether the shift from hypogonadotropic to permanent hypergonadotropinemia was the only factor responsible for the high sperm count occurring in our patient. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Research on the Dyeing Properties of Chinese Fir Using Ultrasonic-Assisted Mulberry Pigment Dyeing
Authors: Qi Yiqing , Zhou Ziwen , Xu Ran , Dong Yuting , Liu Meijiao , Shen Liming , Han Jianlin
Published: September 2023

Wood dyeing plays a crucial role in improving the aesthetic appeal of wood. To enhance the value of Chinese fir, this study used environmentally friendly mulberry pigment and ultrasonic technology to dye Chinese fir. A single-factor test was conducted to investigate the impact of ultrasonic power, dyeing temperature, dyeing time, and dye concentration on dye uptake and color difference. The results revealed that ultrasonic treatment significantly increased the dye uptake and color difference compared with conventional water bath dyeing methods. Based on the single-factor test, two indexes for the color fastness of washing and sun were added, and an orthogonal test was carried out. The range analysis results demonstrated that ultrasonic power had the greatest influence on dye uptake, while dye concentration showed the strongest impact on the color difference and color fastness in washing and sunlight. The dyeing process was optimized using the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method, with the optimum parameters determined as follows: ultrasonic power of 340 W, dyeing temperature of 90 °C, dyeing time of 5 h, and dye concentration of 10%. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that ultrasound increased wood permeability and created cracks, providing attachment sites for dye molecules. Infrared analysis indicated that ultrasonic action enhanced the degradation of wood components, transforming them into smaller molecular substances and increasing the accessibility of dyes to wood. X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated that ultrasonic action reduced wood crystallinity, facilitating the entry of dye molecules into Chinese fir fibers. In this study, we proposed for the first time to dye fir wood with mulberry pigment and use ultrasonic-assisted dyeing to investigate the effect of dyeing factors on the dyeing rate, color difference, and color fastness, which provides a valuable reference for natural pigment dyeing of Chinese fir.
Molecular Regulation of Bud Regeneration from Callus of Hybrid Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua × Liquidambar formosana)
Authors: Ai Zhongyao , Ma Haiyao , Zhang Ting , Chen Siyuan , Zhang Jinfeng
Published: September 2023

Adventitious bud regeneration is an effective means of rapid propagation of plants, which can be used in the study of plant development and genetic transformation. It can be divided into direct and indirect adventitious bud regeneration. Of the two kinds of adventitious bud regeneration mentioned, indirect adventitious bud regeneration includes callus formation in vitro and organ regeneration. In the process of callus formation, some cells acquire the pluripotency of tissue regeneration, which is the key to regeneration of adventient buds. It is not clear which molecular processes and genetic factors are involved in establishing cellular pluripotency. The object of the study is hybrid sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflflua × L. formosana). At present, the reproductive efficiency of hybrid sweetgum is low and the reproductive cycle is long. Improving its reproductive efficiency by improving the differentiation speed of callus may be a decent approach. In order to explore the mechanism of pluripotency acquisition during forming hybrid sweetgum callus, we used RNA-seq to perform transcriptomic analysis of the regenerable calli (RC) and non-regenerable (NRC) calli of hybrid sweetgum. A dataset of differentially expressed genes (DEG) was obtained and several genes probably involved in bud formation were analyzed to explain the molecular processes of acquiring and maintaining pluripotency. In this study, a total of 665 significantly expressed DEGs were identified in the RC and NRC of hybrid sweetgum, among which, 585 differentially expressed genes were up-regulated and 80 differentially expressed genes were down-regulated. GO, KEGG analysis and qRT-PCR results showed phenylpropanoid is a key factor regulating the bud regeneration of hybrid sweetgum; WOX1, WOX11, BGLU12 and BGLU13 were also important regulatory factors. These results provide a pivotal reference point for future sweetgum propagation research.
Impact of Thermo-Mechanical Pretreatment of Sargassum muticum on Anaerobic Co-Digestion with Wheat Straw
Authors: Hütter Miriam , Sailer Gregor , Hülsemann Benedikt , Müller Joachim , Poetsch Jens
Published: September 2023

Sargassum muticum (SM) is an invasive macroalgal species seasonally occurring in large quantities. While generally suitable for anaerobic digestion, recent studies resulted in low specific methane yields (SMYs), presumably due to salt, polyphenol, and high fiber contents of this marine biomass. In this study, the specific biogas yield (SBY) and SMY of SM alone as well as in co-digestion with wheat straw (WS) were investigated in batch tests at process temperatures of 44 ± 1.4 °C with a retention time of approx. 40 d. The pretreatment variants of SM were examined with regard to desalination and disintegration to potentially improve digestibility and to enhance the overall performance in anaerobic digestion. A sole mechanical treatment (pressing) and a thermo-mechanical treatment (heating and pressing) were tested. Batch assays showed that pressing increased the SMY by 15.1% whereas heating and pressing decreased the SMY by 15.7% compared to the untreated variant (87.64 ± 8.72 mL/gVS). Both anaerobic digestion experiments generally showed that co-digestion with WS can be recommended for SM, but the observed SBY and SMY were still similar to those of other studies in which SM was not pretreated. The mechanical pretreatment of SM, however, offers the potential to enhance the SMY in the anaerobic digestion of SM with WS, but further research is necessary to identify the optimum upgrading approaches since the overall SMY of SM is relatively low compared to other substrates that are commonly used in anaerobic digestion. In addition to anaerobic digestion, SM as an already available biomass could also be of interest for further utilization approaches such as fiber production.
Volatile Fatty Acid Recovery from Arrested Anaerobic Digestion for the Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel: A Review
Authors: Ge Xumeng , Chen Yian , Sànchez i Nogué Violeta , Li Yebo
Published: September 2023

The process of producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from organic waste involves the use of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) as intermediates that are obtained via arrested anaerobic digestion (AAD) and VFA recovery. This recovery process often requires several steps, including dewatering, filtration, extraction, and purification. The recovery of VFAs is crucial for their upgrading and can pose a challenge in the production of SAF from organic waste due to high costs and compatibility issues. This review discusses various dewatering methods, including centrifuges, belt filter presses, and screw presses, and explores conditioning technologies that can improve dewatering performance. It also introduces filtration technologies, with a focus on dynamic filtration, which shows promise in addressing the issue of membrane fouling. Additionally, the review describes extraction technologies such as electrodialysis, adsorption, and liquid–liquid extraction (LLE). By providing insights into these different techniques, the review aims to contribute to the development of an integrated VFA recovery process with low carbon footprint.
An Automatic Transformer from Sequential to Parallel Java Code
Authors: Midolo Alessandro , Tramontana Emiliano
Published: September 2023

Sequential programs can benefit from parallel execution to improve their performance. When developing a parallel application, several techniques are employed to achieve the desired behavior: identifying parts that can run in parallel, synchronizing access to shared data, tuning performance, etc. Admittedly, manually transforming a sequential application to make it parallel can be tedious due to the large number of lines of code to inspect, the possibility of errors arising from inaccurate data dependence analysis leading to unpredictable behavior, and inefficiencies when the workload between parallel threads is unbalanced. This paper proposes an automatic approach that analyzes Java source code to identify method calls that are suitable for parallel execution and transforms them so that they run in another thread. The approach is based on data dependence and control dependence analyses to determine the execution flow and data accessed. Based on the proposed method, a tool has been developed to enhance applications by incorporating parallelism, i.e., transforming suitable method calls to execute on parallel threads, and synchronizing data access where needed. The developed tool has been extensively tested to verify the accuracy of its analysis in finding parallel execution opportunities, the correctness of the source code alterations, and the resultant performance gain.
Fire Risk of Polyethylene (PE)-Based Foam Blocks Used as Interior Building Materials and Fire Suppression through a Simple Surface Coating: Analysis of Vulnerability, Propagation, and Flame Retardancy
Authors: Jeon Yongtae , Park Jungwoo , Park Jongyoung , Kang Chankyu
Published: September 2023

Building fires can spread through surface combustion of both combustible and interior finishing materials. Recently, the use of foam blocks as interior materials for high-rise residential buildings has increased. However, as foam blocks are primarily composed of polyethylene, they are not flame-retardant and can readily burn and the fire can spread, leading to large-scale damage. Herein, the fire hazard and diffusion characteristics of foam blocks were compared with those of flame-retardant and general wallpapers to confirm the risk of fire. The fire risk of the foam blocks was confirmed using flammability, cone calorimetry, and spread-of-flame analyses. Based on a comparative analysis of the fire risk of foam blocks, the average total heat release was 11.2 MJ/m. This is approximately three times higher than the average heat release rate of the flame-retardant wallpaper and approximately two times higher than that of the general wallpaper. The foam blocks ignited rapidly owing to fire and generated large amounts of combustion gas and heat. To prevent such a fire, 5 wt% montmorillonite (MMT) was simply coated after surface modification to suppress the occurrence of fire. Various flame-retardant materials, surface modifications, and fire safety systems must be developed to prevent fire hazards.
Parasitic Helminths and Freshwater Fish Introduction in Europe: A Systematic Review of Dynamic Interactions
Authors: Esposito Anaïs , Foata Joséphine , Quilichini Yann
Published: September 2023

The introduction of non-native freshwater fish is a primary cause of aquatic biodiversity loss at global scale. Such introductions have a severe impact on freshwater ecosystems in terms of competition, predation, habitat alteration, genetic pollution and transmission of diseases and parasites. A systematic review was conducted on the helminths parasites of freshwater fish in the context of species introduction and a total of 199 publications were retrieved between 1969 and November 2022. Several scenarios may arise when a new fish species arrive in a recipient area. Non-native fish hosts can co-introduce their parasites without transmitting them to native fish (e.g., the case of North American Centrarchidae and their Monogenea parasites). Another possible outcome is the transfer of these parasites to the native fish fauna (spillover, e.g., the cases of the Nematoda Anguillicola crassus Kuwahara, Niimi & Itagaki, 1974 and the Monogenea Gyrodactylus salaris Malmberg, 1957). Reciprocally, non-native fish hosts may acquire parasites in their new distribution range whether these parasites are native or were previously introduced (e.g., the cases of Ponto-Caspian Gobiidae and the Chinese sleeper Perccottus glenii Dybowski, 1877). Acquired parasites can then be spilled back to the native fauna. This phenomenon is of particular interest when non-native fish hosts influence the dynamics of zoonotic parasites.
The Effect of Different pH Conditions on Peptides’ Separation from the Skipjack Dark Meat Hydrolysate Using Ceramic Ultrafiltration
Authors: Pinrattananon Supitchaya , Courtes Franck , Chorhirankul Nattawan , Payongsri Panwajee , Pongtharangkul Thunyarat , Janssen Anja E. M. , Niamsiri Nuttawee
Published: September 2023

The conversion of Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) dark meat into a hydrolysate via enzymatic hydrolysis is a promising approach to increase the value of tuna by-products as a source of bioactive peptides. Skipjack dark meat hydrolysate (SDMH) contains various sizes and sequences of peptides. To obtain and concentrate the targeted small peptides from SDMH, ultrafiltration, a key unit operation process, was employed to fractionate the protein hydrolysate due to its simplicity and productivity. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the feed pH on the membrane performance based on the permeate flux and the transmission of peptides. The fractionation of SDMH was performed using a ceramic membrane (molecular weight cut-off of 1 kDa) with three different pH values (5, 7, and 9) at various transmembrane pressures (TMP) (2.85, 3.85, and 4.85 bar). A high permeate flux and transmission were obtained at pH 9 due to the repulsive interactions between peptides and the membrane surface, leading to the reduction in concentration polarization that could promote high transmission. In addition, the combination of low TMP (2.85 bar) and pH 9 helped to even minimize the fouling formation tendency, providing the highest peptide transmission in this study. The fractionation process resulted in the enhancement of small peptides (MW < 0.3 kDa). The amino acid profiles were different at each pH, affirming the charge effect from the pH changes. In conclusion, the performance of the membrane was affected by the pH of the hydrolysate. Additionally, the ultrafiltration method served as an alternate method of peptide separation on a commercial scale.
An Integrated Model of Heat Transfer in Meat Products during Multistage Operations
Authors: Feyissa Aberham Hailu , Frosch Stina
Published: September 2023

This work focuses on the modelling of the heat transfer in the key processes during the manufacturing of salted–smoked loin pork, a traditional Danish product called “Hamburgerryg”. Drying, smoking, steam-cooking, water-cooling, and air-cooling processes are important process steps in the production of “Hamburgerryg”. A mathematical model that describes the heat transfer during these processes was developed. A current model formulation, multiple unit operations, and the transfer between these unit operations were considered and described by an equation that combines boundary conditions. The model governing and boundary equations were solved using the finite element method (COMSOL Multi-physics® version 5.6). The product temperature profile during the processes was predicted as a function of position and time in the loin. The model was validated using measured temperature profiles from industrial production, and a good agreement between the measured and simulated temperature profiles was obtained. Additionally, the effects of the position (in the heating, cooking, and cooling chamber) on the temperature profile were also investigated. The obtained model can be used as a simulation tool to predict the temperature profile (particularly cold and hot spots) for entire processes and this can aid in the digitization of food processes by providing a more accurate and efficient means of temperature control.
Predictive Modeling Analysis for the Quality Indicators of Matsutake Mushrooms in Different Transport Environments
Authors: Wang Yangfeng , Jin Xinyi , Yang Lin , He Xiang , Wang Xiang
Published: September 2023

Matsutake mushrooms, known for their high value, present challenges due to their seasonal availability, difficulties in harvesting, and short shelf life, making it crucial to extend their post-harvest preservation period. In this study, we developed three quality predictive models of Matsutake mushrooms using three different methods. The quality changes of Matsutake mushrooms were experimentally analyzed under two cases (case A: Temperature control and sealing measures; case B: Alteration of gas composition) with various parameters including the hardness, color, odor, pH, soluble solids content (SSC), and moisture content (MC) collected as indicators of quality changes throughout the storage period. Prediction models for Matsutake mushroom quality were developed using three different methods based on the collected data: multiple linear regression (MLR), support vector regression (SVR), and an artificial neural network (ANN). The comparative results reveal that the ANN outperforms MLR and SVR as the optimal model for predicting Matsutake mushroom quality indicators. To further enhance the ANN model’s performance, optimization techniques such as the Levenberg–Marquardt, Bayesian regularization, and scaled conjugate gradient backpropagation algorithm techniques were employed. The optimized ANN model achieved impressive results, with an R-Square value of 0.988 and an MSE of 0.099 under case A, and an R-Square of 0.981 and an MSE of 0.164 under case B. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of new preservation methods, contributing to the assurance of a high-quality supply of Matsutake mushrooms in the market.
A Current Approach to Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients
Authors: Stan Sorina I. , Biciusca Teodora , Biciusca Viorel , Cioboata Ramona , Clenciu Diana , Mitrea Adina , Ghenea Alice Elena , Danoiu Suzana
Published: September 2023

(1) Background: The relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is bidirectional: NAFLD increases the risk of T2DM, and T2DM promotes the progression of the disease into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). (2) Material and methods: We performed a retrospective, open study that included 59 patients with NAFLD and T2DM who were distributed into two groups: 44 (74.57%) patients were diagnosed with hepatic steatosis (HS) and 15 (25.42%) patients were diagnosed with NASH. (3) Results: Among the non-specific inflammatory biomarkers, serum ferritin (SF) and the neutrophil-percentage-to-albumin ratio (NPAR) showed higher and statistically significant mean values (p = 0.003 respectively p = 0.03) in the group of patients with NASH and T2DM. Conclusions: Consequently, it is essential to identify alternative markers for the inflammatory process, particularly in individuals with diabetes, as it is a key characteristic of NASH. This need arises from the desire to avoid the risks associated with liver biopsy procedures (LBP) and to prevent the unpredictable and unfavorable progression of NAFLD in patients with T2DM.
Impact of Silicon Addition on the Development of Gelled Pork Lard Emulsions with Controlled Lipid Digestibility for Application as Fat Replacers
Authors: Cofrades Susana , Hernández-Martín Marina , Garcimartín Alba , Saiz Arancha , López-Oliva M. Elvira , Benedí Juana , Álvarez María Dolores
Published: September 2023

Pork lard gelled emulsions stabilized with two proteins [soy protein concentrate (SPC) or a pork rind protein extract (PRP)], both with and without added silicon (Si) from diatomaceous earth powder, were gelled by microbial transglutaminase and к-carrageenan. These gelled emulsions (GEs), intended as fat replacers, were evaluated in different aspects, including microstructure and technological properties during chilling storage. In addition, in vitro gastrointestinal digestion (GID) with an analysis of lipolysis and lipid digestibility was also evaluated. All GEs showed adequate technological properties after 28 days of chilling storage, although the SPC-stabilized GEs showed better gravitational and thermal stability (~4% and ~6%, respectively) during chilling storage than the PRP-stabilized ones (~8 and ~12%, respectively). PRP developed larger flocculates restricting pancreatic lipase-mediated lipolysis during intestinal digestion. The addition of Si to both GE structures protected them against disruption during in vitro digestion. Accordingly, Si appears to slow down fat digestion, as reflected by higher triacylglycerides content after GID (15 and 22% vs. 10 and 18% in GEs without Si) and could become a potential candidate for use in the development of healthier meat products.
Effect of Low Gravity Solids on Weak Gel Structure and the Performance of Oil-Based Drilling Fluids
Authors: Shen Haokun , Sun Jinsheng , Lv Kaihe , Li Meichun , Geng Yuan , Yang Zheng , Huang Xianbin , Du Hongyan , Khan Muhammad Arqam
Published: September 2023

Drilling cuttings from the rock formation generated during the drilling process are generally smashed to fine particles through hydraulic cutting and grinding using a drilling tool, and then are mixed with the drilling fluid during circulation. However, some of these particles are too small and light to be effectively removed from the drilling fluid via solids-control equipment. These small and light solids are referred to as low gravity solids (LGSs). This work aimed to investigate the effect of LGSs on the performance of oil-based drilling fluid (OBDF), such as the rheological properties, high-temperature and high-pressure filtration loss, emulsion stability, and filter cake quality. The results show that when the content of LGSs reached or even exceeded the solid capacity limit of the OBDF, the rheological parameters including the plastic viscosity, gel strength, and thixotropy of OBDF increased significantly. Furthermore, the filtration of OBDF increases, the filter cake becomes thicker, the friction resistance becomes larger, and the stability of emulsion of OBDF also decreases significantly when the concentration of LGSs reached the solid capacity limit of OBDF (6–9 wt% commonly). It was also found that LGSs with a smaller particle size had a more pronounced negative impact on the drilling fluid performance. This work provides guidance for understanding the impact mechanism of LGSs on drilling fluid performance and regulating the performance of OBDF.
Association of PCSK1 and PPARG1 Allelic Variants with Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome in Mexican Adults
Authors: Velazquez-Roman Jorge , Angulo-Zamudio Uriel A. , Leon-Sicairos Nidia , Flores-Villaseñor Hector , Benitez-Baez Miriam , Espinoza-Salomón Ana , Karam-León Alejandra , Villamil-Ramírez Hugo , Canizales-Quinteros Samuel , Macías-Kauffer Luis , Monroy-Higuera Jose , Acosta-Smith Erika , Canizalez-Roman Adrian
Published: September 2023

Metabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, are among the most important public health challenges worldwide. Metabolic diseases are classified as multifactorial diseases in which genetic variants such as single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may play an important role. The present study aimed to identify associations linking allelic variants of the PCSK1, TMEM18, GPX5, ZPR1, ZBTB16, and PPARG1 genes with anthropometric and biochemical traits and metabolic diseases (obesity or metabolic syndrome) in an adult population from northwestern Mexico. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 523 subjects, including 247 with normal weight, 276 with obesity, and 147 with metabolic syndrome. Anthropometric and biochemical characteristics were recorded, and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped by real-time PCR. Results: PCSK1 was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with BMI, weight, and waist-to-hip ratio; TMEM18 was significantly associated with systolic blood pressure and triglyceride levels; GPX5 was significantly associated with HDL cholesterol levels. In addition, PCSK1 was associated with obesity (p = 1.0 × 10−4) and metabolic syndrome (p = 3.0 × 10−3), whereas PPARG1 was associated with obesity (p = 0.044). Conclusions: The associations found in this study, mainly between allelic variants of PCSK1 and metabolic traits, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, may represent a risk for developing metabolic diseases in adult subjects from northwestern Mexico.