bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Nano-Scale and Energy-Optimized Reversible Digital Circuit Based on Quantum Technology
Authors: Seyedi Saeid , Jafari Navimipour Nima , Otsuki Akira
Published: December 2022

A nano-scale quantum-dot cellular automaton (QCA) is one of the most promising replacements for CMOS technology. Despite the potential advantages of this technology, QCA circuits are frequently plagued by numerous forms of manufacturing faults (such as a missing cell, extra cell, displacement cell, and rotated cell), making them prone to failure. As a result, in QCA technology, the design of reversible circuits has received much attention. Reversible circuits are resistant to many kinds of faults due to their inherent properties and have the possibility of data reversibility, which is important. Therefore, this research proposes a new reversible gate, followed by a new 3 × 3 reversible gate. The proposed structure does not need rotated cells and only uses one layer, increasing the design’s manufacturability. QCADesigner-E and the Euler method on coherence vector (w/energy) are employed to simulate the proposed structure. The 3 × 3 reversible circuit consists of 21 cells that take up just 0.046 µm2. Compared to the existing QCA-based single-layer reversible circuit, the proposed reversible circuit minimizes cell count, area, and delay. Furthermore, the energy consumption is studied, confirming the optimal energy consumption pattern in the proposed circuit. The proposed reversible 3 × 3 circuit dissipates average energy of 1.36 (eV) and overall energy of 1.49 (eV). Finally, the quantum cost for implementing the reversible circuits indicates a lower value than that of all the other examined circuits.
Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of Electricity Generation from Municipal Solid Waste in Nigeria: A Prospective Study
Authors: Nubi Oluwaseun , Morse Stephen , Murphy Richard J.
Published: December 2022

Globally, rising population and rapid urbanisation have resulted in the dual issues of increased electricity demand and waste generation. These exacerbate diverse global problems, ranging from irregular electricity supply and inadequate waste management systems to water/air/soil pollution, climate change, etc. Waste-to-Energy (WtE) approaches have been proposed and developed to address simultaneously these two issues through energy recovery from waste. However, the variety of available waste materials and different WtE technologies make the choice of an appropriate technology challenging for decision-makers. The evaluation of the different WtE technologies in terms of their sustainability could provide a solid comparative base for strategic decision making in the power and waste management domains. This paper presents research conducted using a multidimensional Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) approach to estimate and compare the environmental, economic, and social impacts associated with the generation of electricity from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in two major cities, Lagos and Abuja, in Nigeria. These cities provide case studies in a developing world context to explore how their similarities and differences may influence the LCSA impacts for four WtE systems (Anaerobic Digestion, Incineration, Gasification, and Landfill Gas to Energy), and this is the first research of its kind. An LCSA ranking and scoring system and a muti-attribute value theory (MAVT) multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) were employed to evaluate the overall sustainability of the prospective use of WtE over a 20-year timeframe. The results from both approaches indicated that the adoption of WtE offered sustainability benefits for both cities, marginally more so for Lagos than Abuja. It was concluded that, for optimal benefits to be achieved, it is vital for decision-makers to think about the various trade-offs revealed by this type of analysis and the varying priorities of relevant stakeholders.
New Power Quality Measurement Techniques and Indices in DC and AC Networks
Authors: Barros Julio
Published: December 2022

Currently, we are living through the implementation of the electrical smart grid, a network that can intelligently integrate the actions of all users connected to it in order to efficiently deliver the sustainable, economical and secure supply of electricity [...]
Spontaneous Plants Improve the Inter-Row Soil Fertility in a Citrus Orchard but Nitrogen Lacks to Boost Organic Carbon
Authors: Visconti Fernando , Peiró Enrique , Baixauli Carlos , de Paz José Miguel
Published: December 2022

The inter-row soils in conventionally run citrus orchards in Eastern Spain lose fertility, either physically, chemically, or biologically, as a consequence of machinery traffic and the use of herbicides. In order to regain inter-row soil fertility, two grass-cover management alternatives to the commonly used herbicide-kept bare management, namely, spontaneous plants and fescue, were established and left for four years until their effects on several physical, chemical, and biological parameters were monitored for two years more. The fescue ground cover exhibited lower average and maximum soil temperatures due to higher evapotranspiration rates but also higher annual soil water content on average and, additionally, higher rhizodeposition. Despite the fact that these new beneficial conditions helped enhance the soil’s biological fertility under fescue, the physical or chemical fertilities did not improve and neither did the organic carbon (SOC). The spontaneous plants also enhanced the biological fertility, but in this case, beneficial conditions were reflected by improvements in the chemical fertility, particularly the exchangeable potassium, and in the physical fertility by increasing the surface hydraulic conductivity and decreasing the bulk density. In the inter-rows of this citrus orchard, a seeded grass cover does not seem able to provide any soil fertility enhancement in comparison to a spontaneous one; rather the opposite. However, a lack of natural or man-driven nitrogen inputs poses a constraint to SOC gains. For this aim, the annual surface application of organic nitrogen-rich materials or even better, the fostering of N-fixing organisms would be recommended.
An Investigation on Bromine Content Assessment in e-Waste Plastics by Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) Spectroscopy
Authors: Bonifazi Giuseppe , Fiore Ludovica , Gasbarrone Riccardo , Hennebert Pierre , Serranti Silvia
Published: December 2022

This paper reported a study based on the application of SWIR (shortwave infrared) spectroscopy to assess the presence of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in plastic scraps coming from an e-waste stream composed by CRT (i.e., cathode-ray tube) monitors and televisions. An X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis was performed on plastic scraps to determine the presence and content of bromine (Br). The presence in plastic waste-flow streams, fed to or resulting from a recycling process, of individuals characterized by high concentrations of Br does not allow their use as secondary raw materials, imposing the need for an ad hoc separation processes. Chemometric methods were adopted for setting up models able to discriminate Br content. In more detail, principal component analysis (PCA) was used as an exploratory tool, while partial least squares (PLS) and locally weighted regression based on PLS regressions (LWRPLS) were used as multivariate regression models to test the ability of the spectra to predict Br content. The LWRPLS, showing an Rp2 of about 0.9, demonstrates the ability of this algorithm to establish a good correlation between the spectral signatures of plastic scraps and their Br content.
The Conceptualisation of Inventive and Repurposable Children’s Furniture
Authors: Phuah Zhi Yuan , Ng Poh Kiat , Lim Boon Kian , Nathan Robert Jeyakumar , Ng Yu Jin , Yeow Jian Ai
Published: December 2022

Every piece of furniture has a certain lifespan. Most furniture is eventually thrown away and ends up in landfill, thus polluting the environment. The idea of repurposability, where a product is used for another purpose at the end of its useful life, was developed to solve this problem. While there have been studies on the sustainability and innovative design of children’s furniture, these studies have not considered factors such as inventiveness and repurposability. This study aimed to conceptualise inventive and repurposable children’s furniture. Five concepts are proposed based on a synthesis of the patent literature, existing products and academic journals. These concepts are evaluated to determine which concept best meets eleven improvement requirements, which include improved aesthetics, cost, simplicity, manufacturability, functionality, comfort, ease of repurposing, durability, safety, sustainability and inventiveness. The result is that the invention can be used as a crib, highchair, bed safety rail, chair, pull-up bar, walker and toilet attachment. The concept is also inventive because (1) it has a large number of unique combinations of repurposable functions; (2) it has a unique shape and design that facilitate the repurposing process from one function to another; (3) it has a simple design so that users can transform the functions with ease. While retaining the added value of many repurposed functions, the extended life of this invention reduces consumer spending and saves space. This concept reduces waste and the consumption of natural resources. Further studies are needed to ensure that the concept meets all technical requirements and specifications for children’s furniture, including usability and safety.
Soundscape in Urban Forests
Authors: Hong Xin-Chen , Liu Jiang , Wang Guang-Yu
Published: December 2022

The World Health Organization (WHO) has made considerable efforts to reduce citizens’ exposure to community noise in urban and suburban areas [...]
Historic Variability of the Water Inflow to the Lazaro Cardenas Dam and Water Allocation in the Irrigation District 017, Comarca Lagunera, Mexico
Authors: Villanueva-Díaz José , Estrada-Ávalos Juan , Martínez-Sifuentes Aldo Rafael , Correa-Díaz Arian , Meko David M. , Castruita-Esparza Luis Ubaldo , Cerano-Paredes Julián
Published: December 2022

An assemblage of tree-ring chronologies for the Nazas (NZW) in the Western Sierra Madre (WSM), Mexico was developed to determine water inflow at the Lazaro Cardenas Dam (LCD), the main source of water for surface irrigation in the Irrigation District 017 (DDR 017), Comarca Lagunera. A Principal Component Analysis of the ring-width chronologies was conducted to determine a common climate signal, and a stepwise model based on selected chronologies of the PC1 (CBA, COC) and PC2 (ARN) were used to develop a water inflow reconstruction to the Lazaro Cardenas Dam (LCD) extending from 1753 to 2003 (251 years), resulting in the following significant findings: the warm phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the winter-spring season had a significant influence (SOI; Dec–Feb = −0.24, p < 0.01), but the North American Monsoon System (NAMS) was the most important in determining the water yield in the summer season (r = 0.48, p < 0.01). Water gauge inflow records (77 years) at the LCD used to determine the annual allocation of water for agriculture in the irrigation district 017 was an average of 1676 × 106 m3, where the maximum annual water outflow allowed of 1100 × 106 m3 for safety reasons, the dam infrastructure was released in 74% of the years and increasing to 78% when considering the reconstructed inflow. Prolonged drought episodes lasting more than 10 consecutive years were detected in the reconstructed inflow, information that could be used by decision makers to establish proper irrigation management strategies to ameliorate the economic and social impact when these extreme hydroclimatic events may occur.
Isotopic Composition (δ15N and δ18O) of Urban Forests in Different Climate Types Indicates the Potential Influences of Traffic Exhaust and Relative Humidity
Authors: Gong Cheng , Xian Chaofan , Ouyang Zhiyun
Published: December 2022

Previous studies have shown that climatic and anthropogenic factors influence the variations in the stable isotope signature of tree materials in an urban ecosystem. However, the responses of urban trees to various anthropogenic and precipitation interventions are unclear. To fill the research gap, the isotopic composition (δ15N and δ18O) and total nitrogen content of the soil-plant system of urban forests were measured, focusing on typical urban tree species (Populus tomentosa and Ficus virens). The research was done under various land uses in China’s Beijing and Shenzhen megacities (with different humidity conditions). The linear mixed-effect model revealed that the δ15N values in the leaves of roadside Ficus virens were significantly higher than those in urban park sites, away from the road (δ15N difference = 7.2‰). In contrast, Populus tomentosa leaves exhibited a non-significant difference (δ15N difference = −1.8‰). Further regression analysis revealed that the variations in δ15N in tree leaves could be attributed to the proximity to highways, suggesting the influence of vehicle exhaust on δ15N values in roadside trees. The linear mixed-effect model also revealed δ18O values significantly higher in Populus tomentosa leaves than in Ficus virens leaves. To assess the influence of humidity conditions on δ18O values in the leaves, the ratio of the atmospheric and intercellular vapor pressures (ea/ei) of tree canopies was estimated. The result revealed that the ea/ei of Ficus virens was significantly higher than for Populus tomentosa, ascribed to the variation in the humidity conditions of the two megacities. These results highlight that urban trees can potentially serve as bioindicators for atmospheric pollution and humidity. Our findings highlight the ecophysiological responses of urban forests related to N and O as they vary according to traffic exhaust and relative humidity. Consequently, they are potentially valuable indicators of urban atmospheric contamination, forming a nature-based solution for citizen welfare improvement.
Soil Property, Rather than Climate, Controls Subsoil Carbon Turnover Time in Forest Ecosystems across China
Authors: Yu Peng , Shi Yuehong , Li Jingji , Zhang Xin , Deng Ye , Du Manyi , Fan Shaohui , Cai Chunju , Han Yuxuan , Li Zhou , Gao Sicong , Tang Xiaolu
Published: December 2022

Subsoil (0.2–1 m) organic carbon (C) accounts for the majority of soil organic carbon (SOC), and SOC turnover time (τ, year) is an important index of soil C stability and sequestration capacity. However, the estimation of subsoil τ and the identification of its dominant environmental factors at a regional scale is lacking in regards to forest ecosystems. Therefore, we compiled a dataset with 630 observations to investigate subsoil τ and its influencing factors in forest ecosystems across China using the structural equation model (SEM). The results showed a large variability of subsoil τ from 2.3 to 896.2 years, with a mean (± standard deviation) subsoil τ of 72.4 ± 68.6 years; however, the results of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that subsoil τ differed significantly with forest types (p = 0.01), with the slowest subsoil τ obtained in deciduous-broadleaf forests (82.9 ± 68.7 years), followed by evergreen-needleleaf forests (77.6 ± 60.8 years), deciduous-needleleaf forests (75.3 ± 78.6 years), and needleleaf and broadleaf mixed forests (71.3 ± 80.9 years), while the fastest subsoil τ appeared in evergreen-broadleaf forests (59.9 ± 40.7 years). Subsoil τ negatively correlated with the mean annul temperature, occurring about three years faster with a one degree increase in temperature, indicating a faster subsoil SOC turnover under a warming climate. Subsoil τ significantly and positively correlated with microbial activities (indicated by microbial C and nitrogen), highlighting the importance of microbial communities in regulating subsoil C dynamics. Climate, forest types, forest origins, vegetation, and soil variables explained 37% of the variations in subsoil τ, as indicated by the SEM, and the soil property was the most important factor affecting subsoil τ. This finding challenged previous perception that climate was the most important factor driving subsoil C dynamics, and that dominant drivers varied according to climate zones. Therefore, recognizing different dominant factors in predicting subsoil C dynamics across climate zones would improve our understanding and reduce the uncertainties regarding subsoil C dynamics in biogeochemical models under ongoing climate change.
Plastome Characterization, Phylogenetic Relationships, and Regional Conservation Status of Ficus populifolia Vahl. (Moraceae), a Peripherally Isolated Plant Population in the Arabian Peninsula
Authors: Alharbi Samah A. , AL-Juhani Widad S. , Albokhari Enas J.
Published: December 2022

The Ficus populifolia Vahl. in the Arabian Peninsula is threatened, peripheral, and geographically isolated from its main population in Africa. Here, the entire plastome of F. populifolia from the Arabian Peninsula was sequenced and analyzed to provide a baseline genetic resource for future research. The F. populifolia plastome has a classic quadripartite structure with a size of 160,610 bp, the large and small single copies of 88,729 and 20,097 bp, respectively, and each pair of inverted repeats are 25,892 bp. The genome includes 113 unique genes, 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNAs, and 4 rRNAs. The results reveal a total of 49 long repeats, including (30) palindromic, (14) forward, and (5) reverse repeats. Similarly, a total of 186 simple sequence repeats were identified, 83.8% of which were mononucleotides. The genomic comparison with four Ficus species indicated that the plastome of F. populifolia was highly conserved, with some hypervariable noncoding regions. The phylogenomic analysis of 28 species of Ficus, based on 78 coding genes, revealed that F. populifolia is closely related to the African species F. lyrata. The genomic data generated in this study provide valuable resources for future investigations on the population genetics, authentication, and genetic conservation of the wild Arabian population of F. populifolia.
Differential Responses of Soil Respiration and Its Components to Nitrogen Application in Urban Forests
Authors: Pan Baoxu , Deng Ziqing , Yu Yuanchun , Xu Xiaoniu , Bi Lele , Tao Xiao
Published: December 2022

Understanding the impacts of nitrogen (N) deposition on soil respiration (Rs) and its components (autotrophic respiration (Ra) and heterotrophic respiration (Rh)) in urban forests is crucial for predicting the soil carbon dioxide (CO2) emission and evaluating carbon (C) budget in changing environments. In this study, a three-year-long field manipulation experiment was conducted in two urban forests to assess the effect of N application at three rates (0, 50, and 100 kg N·ha−1·year−1) on Rs components. N application did not alter the seasonal dynamics of Rs and its components. Rs and its components showed nonlinear responses to N application; both Rs and Rh increased in year 1 of N application but decreased in year 3. The Ra/Rs ratio increased by 21% in the low N (50 kg N·ha−1·year−1) plots. The mechanism varied across the years of N application; soil temperature and moisture substantially influenced Ra and Rh under N application. Our results indicated that increasing atmospheric N deposition may inhibit soil CO2 emission, and a higher proportion of soil C is released due to root activities. Interannual variations in temperature and rainfall may help predict the efflux of soil CO2 in urban forests in response to atmospheric N deposition.
Bird Community Composition and Functional Guilds Response to Vegetation Structure in Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Gebremichael Gelaye , Hundera Kitessa , De Decker Lindsay , Aerts Raf , Lens Luc , Atickem Anagaw
Published: December 2022

Shade coffee farms in southwest Ethiopia are known to host high levels of avian biodiversity. However, these farms vary in terms of forest management, which affects their understory, mid-story, crown cover, and canopy closure, and hence their structural complexity. Such differences in vegetation structure can potentially affect the survival of specialist bird species, and shade coffee farms may not equally contribute to avian biodiversity conservation. This study aimed to investigate how avian community composition, richness, and the relative abundance of different bird functional guilds relate to structural differences in vegetation shaped by forest management. Bird guild classification was based on bird species forest dependence, diet type, migration status, nest type, foraging, and nesting strata, and bird communities were surveyed using the Timed Species Counts (TSCs) method. Species turnover in bird communities was evaluated using detrended correspondence analysis and redundancy analysis, whereby multiple regression models were used to examine bird guild responses to vegetation structure. Total bird species richness and relative abundance did not respond to vegetation structure. However, the richness of forest specialists and understory foragers, and the relative abundance of mid-high foragers, all positively related to tree diameter at breast height (DBH) and crown cover, whereas the relative abundance of species with medium levels of forest dependency, mid-high/canopy foragers, and open-nesters were positively related to basal area and canopy cover. This study demonstrates that the relative value of shade coffee farms for avian biodiversity conservation depends on the type of forest management, and that bigger trees with larger crown cover provide a habitat of higher quality to habitat specialist birds.
Fermented Cosmetics and Metabolites of Skin Microbiota—A New Approach to Skin Health
Authors: Otsuka Akira , Moriguchi Chihiro , Shigematsu Yuka , Tanabe Kurumi , Haraguchi Nanami , Iwashita Sonoko , Tokudome Yoshihiro , Kitagaki Hiroshi
Published: December 2022

The skin covers our entire body and is said to be the “largest organ of the human body”. It has many health-maintaining functions, such as protecting the body from ultraviolet rays and dryness and maintaining body temperature through energy metabolism. However, the number of patients suffering from skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis, is increasing due to strong irritation of the skin caused by detergents that are spread by the development of the chemical industry. The skin is inhabited by about 102–107 cells/cm2 and 1000 species of commensal bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms. In particular, metabolites such as fatty acids and glycerol released by indigenous skin bacteria have been reported to have functional properties for the health of the skin. Therefore, skin-domesticating bacteria and the metabolites derived from those bacteria are used in many skincare product ingredients and function as probiotic cosmetics. Japanese traditional fermented stuff, used as foods in Japan for over 1300 years, are now being applied as fermented cosmetics. Fermented cosmetics are expected to have multifaceted health functionality and continue to grow as products in the natural skincare product market. In this review, we consider approaches to skin health using fermented cosmetics and modulation of skin microflora metabolites.
Integrating 1G with 2G Bioethanol Production by Using Distillers’ Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) as the Feedstock for Lignocellulolytic Enzyme Production
Authors: Iram Attia , Cekmecelioglu Deniz , Demirci Ali
Published: December 2022

First-generation (1G) bioethanol is one of the most used liquid biofuels in the transport industry. It is generated by using sugar- or starch-based feedstocks, while second-generation (2G) bioethanol is generated by using lignocellulosic feedstocks. Distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is a byproduct of first-generation bioethanol production with a current annual production of 22.6 million tons in the USA. DDGS is rich in fiber and valuable nutrients contents, which can be used to produce lignocellulolytic enzymes such as cellulases and hemicellulases for 2G bioethanol production. However, DDGS needs a pretreatment method such as dilute acid, ammonia soaking, or steam hydrolysis to release monosaccharides and short-length oligosaccharides as fermentable sugars for use in microbial media. These fermentable sugars can then induce microbial growth and enzyme production compared to only glucose or xylose in the media. In addition, selection of one or more suitable microbial strains, which work best with the DDGS for enzyme production, is also needed. Media optimization and fermentation process optimization strategies can then be applied to find the optimum conditions for the production of cellulases and hemicellulases needed for 2G bioethanol production. Therefore, in this review, a summary of all such techniques is compiled with a special focus on recent findings obtained in previous pieces of research conducted by the authors and by others in the literature. Furthermore, a comparison of such techniques applied to other feedstocks and process improvement strategies is also provided. Overall, dilute acid pretreatment is proven to be better than other pretreatment methods, and fermentation optimization strategies can enhance enzyme production by considerable folds with a suitable feedstock such as DDGS. Future studies can be further enhanced by the technoeconomic viability of DDGS as the on-site enzyme feedstock for the manufacture of second-generation bioethanol (2G) in first-generation (1G) ethanol plants, thus bridging the two processes for the efficient production of bioethanol using corn or other starch-based lignocellulosic plants.
Fermentation Characteristics, Microbial Compositions, and Predicted Functional Profiles of Forage Oat Ensiled with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum or Lentilactobacillus buchneri
Authors: Xiao Yanzi , Sun Lin , Wang Zhijun , Wang Wei , Xin Xiaoping , Xu Lijun , Du Shuai
Published: December 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculants on the fermentation quality, microbial compositions, and predicted functional profiles of forage oat. The forage oat was inoculated with distilled water, Lentilactobacillus buchneri (LB), and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP) as the control (CON), LB and LP treatments, respectively, and the addition of Lentilactobacillus buchneri (LB) or Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP) resulted in 1 × 106 colony-forming units/g of fresh weight. After 30 days of fermentation, the lowest pH (4.23) and the lowest content of ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) in dry matter (DM, 4.39%) were observed in the LP treatment. Interestingly, there was a significant (p < 0.05) difference in lactic acid (LA) concentration among the three treatments. The LP treatment had the highest lactate concentration (7.49% DM). At the same time, a markedly (p < 0.05) elevated acetic acid (AA) concentration (2.48% DM) was detected in the LB treatment. The Shannon and Chao1 indexes of bacterial and fungal communities in all the silage samples decreased compared to those in the fresh materials (FM). Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum in the FM group and shifted from Proteobacteria to Firmicutes after ensiling. Lactobacillus (64.87%) and Weissella (18.93%) were the predominant genera in the CON, whereas Lactobacillus dominated the fermentation process in the LB (94.65%) and LP (99.60%) treatments. For the fungal community structure, the major genus was Apiotrichum (21.65% and 60.66%) in the FM and CON groups after 30 days of fermentation. Apiotrichum was the most predominant in the LB and LP treatments, accounting for 52.54% and 34.47%, respectively. The genera Lactococcus, Pediococcus, and Weissella were negatively associated with the LA content. The genus Ustilago and Bulleromyces were positively associated with the LA content. These results suggest that the addition of LAB regulated the microbial community in oat silage, which influenced the ensiling products, and LP was more beneficial for decreasing the pH and NH3-N and increasing the LA concentration than LB in forage oat silage.
Effect of Fibrolytic Enzymes, Cellulolytic Fungi and Lactic Acid Bacteria on Fermentation Characteristics, Structural Carbohydrate Composition and In Vitro Digestibility of Rice Straw Silage
Authors: Ding Hao , Han Zhe , Li Junfeng , Li Xinbao , Dong Zhihao , Zhao Jie , Wang Siran , Shao Tao
Published: December 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effect of fibrolytic enzymes, cellulolytic fungi and lactic acid bacteria on the fermentation quality, structural carbohydrate composition and in vitro digestibility of rice straw silage. This experiment followed a completely randomised block design; four treatments were designed: (1) distilled water (control, CON); (2) fibrolytic enzymes (2.0 g/kg fresh weight (FW), E); (3) Trichoderma reesei (4400 U/kg FW, F); (4) Enterococcus faecium Y83 (1 × 106 cfu/g FW, Y83). All additives were diluted with distilled water and sprayed onto the rice straw (20 mL/kg FW). The rice straw was placed into a laboratory silo (10 L) after uniformly mixing and stored at ambient temperature (17–22 °C) ensiling for 3, 7, 14, 30 and 60 days. The fermentation quality in treated silages was improved compared to the CON, as indicated by lower pH, propionic acid, acetic acid and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) contents. Furthermore, Y83 had the lowest (p < 0.05) pH and highest (p < 0.05) lactic acid content after 60 days of ensiling. Y83 significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the neutral detergent fibre content compared with CON, E and F. In addition, E and Y83 had significantly (p < 0.05) higher in vitro dry matter digestibility and in vitro neutral detergent fibre digestibility than CON and F. Overall, Y83 can be used as a promising inoculant for improving the fermentation quality of rice straw silage.
Food Security beyond Cereals: A Cross-Geographical Comparative Study on Acorn Bread Heritage in the Mediterranean and the Middle East
Authors: Zocchi Dauro Mattia , Bondioli Camilla , Hamzeh Hosseini Seyed , Miara Mohamed Djamel , Musarella Carmelo Maria , Mohammadi Datis , Khan Manduzai Ajmal , Dilawer Issa Kovan , Sulaiman Naji , Khatib Chadi , Ahmed Hiwa M. , Faraj Tola Abdulsattar , Amin Hawraz Ibrahim M. , Hussain Faiq H. S. , Faiz Abdullah , Pasqualone Antonella , Heinrich Frits , Fontefrancesco Michele Filippo , Pieroni Andrea
Published: December 2022

This article aims to contribute to the limited literature on traditional gastronomic knowledge concerning acorn-based bread by ethnographically documenting the ingredients, preparation techniques and consumption practices of baked goods made from acorn seeds and flour that are still used today or at least still present in living memory. A qualitative comparative case method was adopted, and ethnographic data were gathered from 67 people in six selected Mediterranean, Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries. The analysis highlighted distinct trajectories in the development of acorn-based bread, showing some differences in terms of ingredients, preparation techniques and baking methods in the two cultural and geographical macro-regions. By exploring the evolution of the alimentary role of acorn bread in the past century, our findings also support the hypothesis that the product, at least during the last two centuries, has mostly been used as a famine food. By acknowledging the cultural importance of acorn fruits and acorn-based products, this study suggests that the rediscovery of acorn-based products and associated traditional knowledge may foster the sustainable development of rural and marginal regions in the Mediterranean, Middle East and Central Asia. This could help to reinforce the resilience of local communities and thus increase food security. Furthermore, reassessing acorns as a foodstuff may aid in developing innovative products in line with emerging trends in the food sector, which is looking for new non-cereal-based bakery products and other novel culinary applications.
Inhibition of Cronobacter sakazakii by Litsea cubeba Essential Oil and the Antibacterial Mechanism
Authors: Wang Haoran , Li Yulu , Li Zhuo , Ma Run , Bai Xiangyang , Zhan Xiangjun , Luo Kunyao , Su Ruiying , Li Xuejiao , Xia Xiaodong , Shi Chao
Published: December 2022

Litsea cubeba essential oil (LC-EO) has anti-insecticidal, antioxidant, and anticancer proper-ties; however, its antimicrobial activity toward Cronobacter sakazakii has not yet been researched extensively. The objective of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of LC-EO toward C. sakazakii, along with the underlying mechanisms. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of LC-EO toward eight different C. sakazakii strains ranged from 1.5 to 4.0 μL/mL, and LC-EO exposure showed a longer lag phase and lower specific growth compared to untreated bacteria. LC-EO increased reactive oxygen species production, decreased the integrity of the cell membrane, caused cell membrane depolarization, and decreased the ATP concentration in the cell, showing that LC-EO caused cellular damage associated with membrane permeability. LC-EO induced morphological changes in the cells. LC-EO inhibited C. sakazakii in reconstituted infant milk formula at 50 °C, and showed effective inactivation of C. sakazakii biofilms on stainless steel surfaces. Confocal laser scanning and attenuated total reflection–Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry indicated that the biofilms were disrupted by LC-EO. These findings suggest a potential for applying LC-EO in the prevention and control of C. sakazakii in the dairy industry as a natural antimicrobial and antibiofilm agent.
Effects of Concentration and Heating/Cooling Rate on Rheological Behavior of Sesamum indicum Seed Hydrocolloid
Authors: Rafe Ali , Shadordizadeh Talieh , Hesarinejad Mohammad , Lorenzo Jose , Abd El-Maksoud Ahmed , Cheng Weiwei , Mozafari M. , Abedelmaksoud Tarek
Published: December 2022

Hydrocolloids are known as natural hydrophilic biopolymers that can contribute viscosity and gelation in solution, as well as nutritional benefits, thus, they are widely used in the food industry. In our work, hydrocolloid was isolated by aqueous extraction of Sesamum indicum seed at 80 °C and pH 8.0. The chemical composition and functional properties of Sesamum indicum seed hydrocolloid (SISH) were characterized, and the effects of concentration including 1%, 2%, and 3% as well as heating/cooling rate (1, 5, and 10 °C/min) on the rheological behavior of SISH dispersions in aqueous solution were investigated. The viscoelastic properties of SISH dispersions were characterized by small-amplitude oscillatory shear measurement. The resultant SISH consisted of 60.95% carbohydrate and 23.32% protein, and was thus endowed with a relatively high water-holding capacity, solubility, appropriate emulsifying and foaming properties. Rheological results revealed that the aqueous dispersion of SISH exhibited a non-Newtonian shear-thinning flow behavior. The viscoelastic moduli changes were found to be dependent on SISH concentration, temperature, and heating/cooling rate. Increasing SISH concentrations from 1% to 3% promoted the development of stronger cross-link network. The mechanical spectra derived from strain and frequency sweep measurements showed that the storage moduli were always higher than the loss moduli, and the loss tangent was calculated to be above 0.1 and below 1.0. Furthermore, both moduli had slight frequency dependency, and the complex viscosity exhibited an almost linear reduction with the increase of frequency. Therefore, SISH dispersion behaved as a weak gel-like system. The hysteresis of viscoelastic moduli during heating and cooling reduced with decreasing the heating-cooling rates from 10 to 1 °C/min, suggesting that SISH molecules had enough time to develop a stable and thermally irreversible network. Overall, SISH can be regarded as an acceptable hydrocolloid for generating natural food components with intriguing functional and rheological qualities in the formulation of microstructured goods.
Integrated Evaluation of Dual-Functional DPP-IV and ACE Inhibitory Effects of Peptides Derived from Sericin Hydrolysis and Their Stabilities during In Vitro-Simulated Gastrointestinal and Plasmin Digestions
Authors: Sangsawad Papungkorn , Katemala Sasikan , Pao Danou , Suwanangul Saranya , Jeencham Rachasit , Sutheerawattananonda Manote
Published: December 2022

Sericin, a byproduct of the silk industry, is an underutilized protein derived from the yellow silk cocoon. This research aimed to produce and characterize the bioactive peptides from sericin using various enzymatic hydrolysis methods. Alcalase, papain, neutrase, and protease were tested under their respective digestion conditions. Among the enzymes tested, neutrase-catalyzed sericin into specific peptides with the strongest dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory properties. The peptides were subjected to a simulated in vitro gastrointestinal (GI) digestion in order to determine their stability. The GI peptides that were produced by neutrase hydrolysis continued to have the highest DPP-IV and ACE inhibitory activities. The neutrase -digested peptides were then fractionated via ultrafiltration; the peptide fraction with a molecular weight <3 kDa (UF3) inhibited DPP-IV and ACE activities. After being subjected to in vitro blood plasma hydrolysis, the UF3 was slightly degraded but retained its bioactivity. As a result of these findings, sericin peptides can be utilized as novel dietary ingredients that may alleviate some metabolic syndromes via the dual inhibitory properties of DPP-IV and ACE.
Winter Road Friction Estimations via Multi-Source Road Weather Data—A Case Study of Alberta, Canada
Authors: Ding Xueru , Kwon Tae J.
Published: December 2022

Road friction has long been recognized as one of the most effective winter road maintenance (WRM) performance measures. It allows WRM personnel to make more informed decisions to improve their services and helps road users make trip-related decisions. In this paper, a machine-learning-based methodological framework was developed to model road friction using inputs from mobile road weather information systems (RWIS) that collect spatially continuous road weather data and road grip. This study also attempts to estimate friction using data from stationary RWIS that are installed far from each other, thereby leaving large areas unmonitored. To fill in the spatial gaps, a kriging interpolator was developed to create a continuous friction map. Slippery road risk levels were classified to provide an overview of road conditions via a risk warning map. The proposed method was evaluated with a selected highway segment in Alberta, Canada. Results show that the models developed herein are highly accurate (93.3%) in estimating friction and identifying dangerous road segments via a color-coded risk map. Given its high performance, the developed model has the potential for large-scale implementation to facilitate more efficient WRM services while also improving the safety and mobility of the traveling public.
Editorial on the Special Issue “Advances in Cellulose-Based Hydrogels”
Authors: Bonetti Lorenzo , Demitri Christian , Riva Laura
Published: December 2022

Cellulose is one of the most ubiquitous and naturally abundant biopolymers found on Earth and is primarily obtained from plants and other biomass sources [...]
Optimal microRNA Sequencing Depth to Predict Cancer Patient Survival with Random Forest and Cox Models
Authors: Jardillier Rémy , Koca Dzenis , Chatelain Florent , Guyon Laurent
Published: December 2022

(1) Background: tumor profiling enables patient survival prediction. The two essential parameters to be calibrated when designing a study based on tumor profiles from a cohort are the sequencing depth of RNA-seq technology and the number of patients. This calibration is carried out under cost constraints, and a compromise has to be found. In the context of survival data, the goal of this work is to benchmark the impact of the number of patients and of the sequencing depth of miRNA-seq and mRNA-seq on the predictive capabilities for both the Cox model with elastic net penalty and random survival forest. (2) Results: we first show that the Cox model and random survival forest provide comparable prediction capabilities, with significant differences for some cancers. Second, we demonstrate that miRNA and/or mRNA data improve prediction over clinical data alone. mRNA-seq data leads to slightly better prediction than miRNA-seq, with the notable exception of lung adenocarcinoma for which the tumor miRNA profile shows higher predictive power. Third, we demonstrate that the sequencing depth of RNA-seq data can be reduced for most of the investigated cancers without degrading the prediction abilities, allowing the creation of independent validation sets at a lower cost. Finally, we show that the number of patients in the training dataset can be reduced for the Cox model and random survival forest, allowing the use of different models on different patient subgroups.
ABCA1 C69T Gene Polymorphism Association with Dysglycemia in Saudi Prediabetic Adults
Authors: Ajabnoor Ghada M. A. , Bahijri Suhad M. , Alrashidi Wafa , Enani Sumia Mohammad , Alamoudi Aliaa A. , Al Sheikh Lubna , Eldakhakhny Basmah
Published: December 2022

Studies suggest that ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1 C69T) polymorphism is associated with a decreased incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and that there is an association between ABCA1 C69T polymorphism and the risk of dyslipidemia in diabetic individuals. However, other studies contradict these suggestions. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of ABCA1 C69T (rs1800977) gene polymorphism in a representative sample of the Saudi population not previously diagnosed with diabetes and its possible association with dyslipidemia and dysglycemia. A cross-sectional design was used to recruit nondiabetic adults of both genders from the Saudi population in Jeddah by employing a stratified, two-stage cluster sampling method. A total of 650 people (337 men and 313 women) were recruited. Demographic, dietary, and lifestyle variables, as well as medical history and family history of chronic diseases, were collected using a predesigned questionnaire. Fasting blood samples were taken for the determination of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and lipids profile, which were followed by a 1-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Real-time PCR technology was used to determine the ABCA1 C69T gene SNP (rs1800977). The T allele of ABCA1 C69T (rs1800977) was very frequent (TT in 44.9% and CT in 43.7%). There was a trend toward significance for a higher dysglycemia percentage in people with CT and TT genotypes (25.7%, and 23.3%, respectively) compared with CC genotypes (16.2%). In addition, FPG and 1-h plasma glucose were significantly higher in people with both TT and CT genotypes compared to CC genotypes. However, T allele was not associated with any dysregulation of lipid parameters.
Comparison of Metagenomics and Metatranscriptomics Tools: A Guide to Making the Right Choice
Authors: Terrón-Camero Laura C. , Gordillo-González Fernando , Salas-Espejo Eduardo , Andrés-León Eduardo
Published: December 2022

The study of microorganisms is a field of great interest due to their environmental (e.g., soil contamination) and biomedical (e.g., parasitic diseases, autism) importance. The advent of revolutionary next-generation sequencing techniques, and their application to the hypervariable regions of the 16S, 18S or 23S ribosomal subunits, have allowed the research of a large variety of organisms more in-depth, including bacteria, archaea, eukaryotes and fungi. Additionally, together with the development of analysis software, the creation of specific databases (e.g., SILVA or RDP) has boosted the enormous growth of these studies. As the cost of sequencing per sample has continuously decreased, new protocols have also emerged, such as shotgun sequencing, which allows the profiling of all taxonomic domains in a sample. The sequencing of hypervariable regions and shotgun sequencing are technologies that enable the taxonomic classification of microorganisms from the DNA present in microbial communities. However, they are not capable of measuring what is actively expressed. Conversely, we advocate that metatranscriptomics is a “new” technology that makes the identification of the mRNAs of a microbial community possible, quantifying gene expression levels and active biological pathways. Furthermore, it can be also used to characterise symbiotic interactions between the host and its microbiome. In this manuscript, we examine the three technologies above, and discuss the implementation of different software and databases, which greatly impact the obtaining of reliable results. Finally, we have developed two easy-to-use pipelines leveraging Nextflow technology. These aim to provide everything required for an average user to perform a metagenomic analysis of marker genes with QIMME2 and a metatranscriptomic study using Kraken2/Bracken.
Third-Generation Vaccines: Features of Nucleic Acid Vaccines and Strategies to Improve Their Efficiency
Authors: Melo Alanne Rayssa da Silva , de Macêdo Larissa Silva , Invenção Maria da Conceição Viana , de Moura Ingrid Andrêssa , da Gama Marco Antonio Turiah Machado , de Melo Cristiane Moutinho Lagos , Silva Anna Jéssica Duarte , Batista Marcus Vinicius de Aragão , Freitas Antonio Carlos de
Published: December 2022

Gene immunization comprises mRNA and DNA vaccines, which stand out due to their simple design, maintenance, and high efficacy. Several studies indicate promising results in preclinical and clinical trials regarding immunization against ebola, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza, and human papillomavirus (HPV). The efficiency of nucleic acid vaccines has been highlighted in the fight against COVID-19 with unprecedented approval of their use in humans. However, their low intrinsic immunogenicity points to the need to use strategies capable of overcoming this characteristic and increasing the efficiency of vaccine campaigns. These strategies include the improvement of the epitopes’ presentation to the system via MHC, the evaluation of immunodominant epitopes with high coverage against emerging viral subtypes, the use of adjuvants that enhance immunogenicity, and the increase in the efficiency of vaccine transfection. In this review, we provide updates regarding some characteristics, construction, and improvement of such vaccines, especially about the production of synthetic multi-epitope genes, widely employed in the current gene-based vaccines.