bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Battery-Conscious, Economic, and Prioritization-Based Electric Vehicle Residential Scheduling
Authors: Sausen Jordan P. , Abaide Alzenira R. , Vasquez Juan C. , Guerrero Josep M.
Published: May 2022

Advances in communication technologies and protocols among vehicles, charging stations, and controllers have enabled the application of scheduling techniques to prioritize EV fleet charging. From the perspective of users, residential EV charging must particularly address cost-effective solutions to use energy more efficiently and preserve the lifetime of the battery—the most expensive element of an EV. Considering this matter, this research addresses a residential EV charging scheduling model including battery degradation aspects when discharging. Due to the non-linear characteristics of charging and battery degradation, we consider a mixed integer non-linearly constrained formulation with the aim of scheduling the charging and discharging of EVs to satisfy the following goals: prioritizing charging, reducing charging costs and battery degradation, and limiting the power demand requested to the distribution transformer. The results shows that, when EVs are discharged before charging up within a specific state-of-charge range, degradation can be reduced by 5.3%. All charging requests are completed before the next-day departure time, with 16.35% cost reduction achieved by scheduling charging during lower tariff prices, in addition to prevention of overloading of the distribution transformer.
On the Use of Topology Optimization for Synchronous Reluctance Machines Design
Authors: Korman Oğuz , Di Nardo Mauro , Degano Michele , Gerada Chris
Published: May 2022

Synchronous reluctance (SynRel) machines are considered one of the promising and cost-effective solutions to many industrial and mobility applications. Nonetheless, achieving an optimal design is challenging due to the complex correlation between geometry and magnetic characteristics. In order to expand the limits formed by template-based geometries, this work approaches the problem by using topology optimization (TO) through the density method (DM). Optimization settings and their effects on results, both in terms of performance and computation time, are studied extensively by performing optimizations on the rotor of a benchmark SynRel machine. In addition, DM-based TO is applied to an existing rotor geometry to assess its use and performance as a design refinement tool. The findings are presented, highlighting several insights into how to apply TO to SynRel machine design and its limitations, boundaries for performance improvements and related computational cost.
Experimental, Kinetic Modeling and Morphologic Study of the Premixed Combustion of Hydrogen/Methane Mixtures
Authors: Reyes Miriam , Sastre Rosaura , Giménez Blanca , Sesma Clara
Published: May 2022

In this work, an experimental study and kinetic characterization of the combustion process and a morphologic study of hydrogen/methane–air mixtures are presented. The experimental study was performed in an optical access cylindrical constant-volume combustion bomb. This bomb is equipped to register the instantaneous pressure during combustion and records the combustion images using the high-speed Schlieren optical technique. This provides straightforward information to compute the flame propagation speed and direct evidence of the apparition of cellularity on the flame front. Through the images of the combustion process, it is possible to conduct a morphological study of the process using a flame monitoring model. Simultaneously, by means of a two-zone thermodynamical model, with the temporal evolution of pressure as the main intake, significant parameters are determined during the combustion process of different fuels under premixed conditions: burning velocity, rate of combustion, burned and unburned temperature, burned mass fraction, and rate of heat release, among others. Experimental results are compared with kinetic modeling results obtained with the Cantera package using the Gri-Mech 3.0 kinetic mechanism. Results show that a greater percentage of hydrogen in the fuel mixture increases the burning velocity and the cellularity of the flame front surface. At the same time, leaner mixtures and higher equivalence ratios enhance the apparition of the cellularity onset in the flames. Burning velocity increases with the increase in the initial temperature and the fuel/air mixture equivalence ratio. All the results obtained were validated with other data from the literature.
Numerical Prediction on the Dynamic Response of a Helical Floating Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Based on an Aero-Hydro-Mooring-Control Coupled Model
Authors: Li Yan , Liu Liqin , Guo Ying , Deng Wanru
Published: May 2022

Considering the aero-hydro-mooring-control coupled performance of a floating Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT), the numerical model of the floating helical VAWT system is established, and the fully coupled simulation program of the floating helical VAWT is developed. The aerodynamic load of the wind turbine system is calculated using the unsteady BEM model, and the hydrodynamic load is calculated using the 3D potential theory. The floating foundation is considered as a rigid body, and the blades and tower are considered as flexible bodies. Based on the Kane method of a multi-body system, the dynamic responses of the VAWT could be solved in the time domain. A variable speed control model considering efficiency and load is established to match the rotating speed with the wind speed, and it could maintain the target output power under the influence of turbulent wind and large-scale movement of the floating foundation. The control strategy of limiting the target speed change rate and low-pass filtering is adopted to ensure the rapid regulation of the wind turbine under low wind speed conditions and stable regulation under high wind speed conditions.
Maintenance Management in Solar Energy Systems
Authors: García Márquez Fausto Pedro
Published: May 2022

The energy industry is employing new reliable and efficient renewable energy sources because of government and environment restrictions [...]
Possibilities of Adapting the University Lecture Room to the Green University Standard in Terms of Thermal Comfort and Ventilation Accuracy
Authors: Kosiński Piotr , Skotnicka-Siepsiak Aldona
Published: May 2022

Numerous classrooms at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, built in the years 1960–1980, require deep modernization to implement the idea of the green university there. The paper presents an energy analysis of possible scenarios of modernization of a selected lecture hall and an indication of the optimal variant in terms of the user’s thermal comfort. The conditions of the room were experimentally measured. Authors compared the energy effects of typical thermorenovation activities, such as increased thermal resistance of external walls (reduction of the primary energy (EP) demand by about 45%), with more advanced measures, such as replacement of natural ventilation with mechanical with heat recovery (indicated in the course of numerical studies as necessary for health and comfort of users). The authors also compared the effectiveness of the heat network and individual sources that could be implemented in the building. The heat pump, in combination with photovoltaic panels, turned out to be optimal (reduction of the EP by 97%, utility energy by 69%). As the problem of modernizing facilities to a similar standard is also faced by many campuses, school facilities, and assembly rooms in Central and Eastern Europe, the presented results can be a reference point for similar activities in other locations.
Multiagent-Based Distributed Coordination of Inverter-Based Resources for Optimal Operation of Microgrids Considering Communication Failures
Authors: Lee Woon-Gyu , Nguyen Thai-Thanh , Kim Hak-Man
Published: May 2022

This paper proposes the distributed coordination of inverter-based resources, to optimize the operational cost of a microgrid system. The microgrid is considered a multiagent system, which includes a distributed generator agent and energy storage system agent. A communication network is utilized to exchange information among agents. The issue of communication failures is addressed in the proposed strategy, to ensure the stable operation of the control system. A two-level hierarchical cooperative optimization system is proposed in this paper for distributed economic dispatch. The primary controller is responsible for the frequency and voltage regulations, and the secondary controller is implemented in a diffusion-based distributed control scheme, for optimal microgrid management. The proposed control strategy consistently maintains the optimal operation and frequency, even in the event of communication failures. A five-node multiagent system including a dispatchable agent is considered. Comparative studies with the conventional consensus strategy are represented, to prove the effectiveness of the proposed diffusion strategy. To demonstrate the practical feasibility of the proposed strategy, a controller hardware-in-the-loop testbed was developed for testing the proposed cyber-physical microgrid system, in which the controllers were implemented in multiple computers and the microgrid system was implemented in Opal-RT. The real-time experiment results showed the better cost optimization performance of the proposed diffusion strategy compared with the conventional consensus strategy.
Expectations for Coal Demand in Response to Evolving Carbon Policy and Climate Change Awareness
Authors: Aguirre-Villegas Horacio Andres , Benson Craig H.
Published: May 2022

Increasing awareness of climate change has induced demand for action most notably. As public demand for action on climate change increases, conversion to energy sources with lower greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity will accelerate. Experience during the COVID-19 pandemic provided insight into how atmospheric conditions will respond to lower GHG emissions. A low-carbon future will require decarbonization of the energy supply mix for electrical production and industrial processes. Coal demand likely will decrease more rapidly than other fossil energy sources, replaced by natural gas and renewable energy sources that have lower GHG intensity and that will be available readily and economically. This decline will accelerate as China focuses on its carbon neutrality goals, the U.S. re-engages in the Paris Agreement, and India moves to a lower carbon future. However, perturbations in the decline will inevitably occur in response to global issues (e.g., pandemic, military conflict). Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies can reduce GHG emissions from coal as an energy source, but the capital and operation costs of CCUS remain high, which translates to slow commercial deployment. In this study, a literature review and interviews with industry experts and business leaders were conducted to understand the current and projected role of fossil fuels, primarily coal, in the global energy matrix; present their contributions to GHGs; analyze the effects of social expectations and climate policy on energy choices and coal demand; and describe the expected impacts on coal production for decades to come.
A Systematic Review of Amino Acid-Based Adsorbents for CO2 Capture
Authors: Mohamed Hatta Nur Syahirah , Aroua Mohamed Kheireddine , Hussin Farihahusnah , Gew Lai Ti
Published: May 2022

The rise of carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere emphasises the need for improving the current carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. A conventional absorption method that utilises amine-based solvent is known to cause corrosion to process equipment. The solvent is easily degraded and has high energy requirement for regeneration. Amino acids are suitable candidates to replace traditional alkanolamines attributed to their identical amino functional group. In addition, amino acid salt is a green material due to its extremely low toxicity, low volatility, less corrosive, and high efficiency to capture CO2. Previous studies have shown promising results in CO2 capture using amino acids salts solutions and amino acid ionic liquids. Currently, amino acid solvents are also utilised to enhance the adsorption capacity of solid sorbents. This systematic review is the first to summarise the currently available amino acid-based adsorbents for CO2 capture using PRISMA method. Physical and chemical properties of the adsorbents that contribute to effective CO2 capture are thoroughly discussed. A total of four categories of amino acid-based adsorbents are evaluated for their CO2 adsorption capacities. The regeneration studies are briefly discussed and several limitations associated with amino acid-based adsorbents for CO2 capture are presented before the conclusion.
Control Design and Parameter Tuning for Islanded Microgrids by Combining Different Optimization Algorithms
Authors: Valedsaravi Seyedamin , El Aroudi Abdelali , Barrado-Rodrigo Jose A. , Issa Walid , Martínez-Salamero Luis
Published: May 2022

Load and supply parameters may be uncertain in microgrids (MGs) due for instance to the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources among others. Guaranteeing reliable and stable MGs despite parameter uncertainties is crucial for their correct operation. Their stability and dynamical features are directly related to the controllers’ parameters and power-sharing coefficients. Hence, to maintain power good quality within the desirable range of system parameters and to have a satisfactory response to sudden load changes, careful selection of the controllers and power-sharing coefficients are necessary. In this paper, a simple design approach for the optimal design of controllers’ parameters is presented in an islanded MG. To that aim, an optimization problem is formulated based on a small-signal state-space model and solved by three different optimization techniques including particle swarm optimization (PSO), genetic algorithm (GA), and a proposed approach based on the combination of both PSO and GA. The optimized coefficients are selected to guarantee desirable static and dynamic responses in a wide range of operations regardless of the number of inverters, system configuration, output impedance differences, and load types. Through the proposed design and tuning method, the performance of the MG is improved as compared to those obtained using state-of-art techniques. This fact is demonstrated by using numerical simulations performed on a detailed model implemented in PSIM© software.
Research on Diagnosis and Prediction Method of Stator Interturn Short-Circuit Fault of Traction Motor
Authors: Liu Jianqiang , Tan Hu , Shi Yunming , Ai Yu , Chen Shaoyong , Zhang Chenyang
Published: May 2022

The traction motor (TM) is an essential part of the high-speed train, the health condition of which determines the quality and safety of the vehicle. Hence, this study proposed a novel approach to diagnosing and predicting the TM stator interturn short-circuit fault (SISCF). Based on the Park vector (PV) of the stator current, this method could overcome the interference of current sensor errors, null shift, and motor frequency fluctuations in the actual conditions. More specifically, Park’s transformation was used to obtain the PV of the stator current. Then, the PV was fitted to obtain the elliptical trajectory and its parameters from which the negative sequence component of the stator current could be calculated. Finally, the SISCF diagnosis and prediction method were realized by the magnitude and trend of the negative current as well as the inclination of the trajectory ellipse. Furthermore, the performance of the proposed method was validated by a simulation model and a series of experiments. The simulation results were consistent with the experimental results, supporting the validity and correctness of the method proposed in this study.
Parameter Optimization of Drilling Cuttings Entering into Sieve Holes on a Surface Multi-Hole (SMH) Drill Pipe
Authors: Ding Lipei , Sun Yuning , Wang Zhiming , Song Weibin , Wang Yonglong
Published: May 2022

The borehole drilling distance is short in soft and gas outburst-prone coal seams because of drill pipe jamming induced by cuttings accumulating in the borehole, hindering coal mine gas hazard prevention and utilization. A surface multi-hole (SMH) drill pipe composed of a bearing layer, fluid layer, and anti-sparking layer was proposed preliminarily, where several sieve holes were also set. To study the process of drilling cuttings in boreholes entering into the inner hole of an SMH drill pipe and its influencing factors, mechanical model analysis, CFD-DEM simulation, and a physical experiment were conducted. Our research results show the cutting entering region (CER) of the SMH drill pipe shrinks with the rotary speed, expands with the external extrusion force, and is offset with the sieve hole inclination angle. The drilling cuttings migrate and accumulate over time between the borehole wall and SMH drill pipe, which increases their compressive forces and induces increases in the mass and diameter of those entering into the sieve holes. The sieve hole diameter and depth are critical factors impacting the drilling cuttings entering into the sieve holes, which is also related to an appropriate rotary speed of the drill pipe. Finally, SMH drill pipes with a sieve hole diameter of 10 mm, inclination angle of 10°, and depth of 8 mm were determined and trial-manufactured.
Data Reduction and Reconstruction of Wind Turbine Wake Employing Data Driven Approaches
Authors: Geibel Martin , Bangga Galih
Published: May 2022

Data driven approaches are utilized for optimal sensor placement as well as for velocity prediction of wind turbine wakes. In this work, several methods are investigated for suitability in the clustering analysis and for predicting the time history of the flow field. The studies start by applying a proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) technique to extract the dynamics of the flow. This is followed by evaluations of different hyperparameters of the clustering and machine learning algorithms as well as their impacts on the prediction accuracy. Two test cases are considered: (1) the wake of a cylinder and (2) the wake of a rotating wind turbine rotor exposed to complex flow conditions. The training and test data for both cases are obtained from high fidelity CFD approaches. The studies reveal that the combination of a classification-based machine learning algorithm for optimal sensor placement and Bi-LSTM is sufficient for predicting periodic signals, but a more advanced technique is required for the highly complex data of the turbine near wake. This is done by exploiting the dynamics of the wake from the set of POD modes for flow field reconstruction. A satisfactory accuracy is achieved for an appropriately chosen prediction horizon of the Bi-LSTM networks. The obtained results show that data-driven approaches for wind turbine wake prediction can offer an alternative to conventional prediction approaches.
BTEX Emissions in the Logistics of Middle Distillates: Diesel Oil
Authors: Krasodomski Wojciech , Burnus Zygmunt
Published: May 2022

Besides technological processes; logistics; and the use of petrol and light solvents, which are widely known as pollutants, the sources of BTEX hydrocarbon contributing to air pollution may also include other petroleum products and fuels that feature higher boiling points and that have not yet been associated with this issue. In this study, the contents of benzene; toluene; ethylbenzene; and o-, m-, and p-xylene were evaluated in 25 commercial samples of diesel oils; the gaseous phase in thermodynamic equilibrium with liquid diesel oil at 40 °C was then evaluated. Based on the experimental results, it was found that benzene concentration in the gaseous phase is five to more than fifteen times higher than the limits set by regulations for benzene concentration in the air at a work place (1.6 mg/m3) and cannot be compared with the limits set by regulations for annual average basal levels of benzene concentration in the air (5 µg/m3). The research revealed that diesel oil is a potential source of environmental contamination from BTEX hydrocarbons, in particular benzene.
Numerical Simulation Study on the Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics of Subcooled N-Heptane Flow Boiling in a Vertical Pipe under External Radiation
Authors: Lin Jinhu , Zhang Xiaohui , Huang Xiaoyan , Chen Luyang
Published: May 2022

In the top submerged lance (TSL) smelting process, flow boiling may occur in the lance’s inner pipe due to the heat coming from the furnace when liquid fuel is adopted. In the current study, a numerical simulation was carried out by coupling the Eulerian two-fluid model with the improved RPI wall boiling model to investigate the subcooled n-heptane flow boiling in the inner pipe. The effects of inlet velocity and pipe wall emissivity on two-phase flow and heat transfer are elucidated. The results show that, for pipes with inlet velocity ranging from 0.3 m·s−1 to 1.0 m·s−1, an increase in inlet velocity leads to a lower void fraction near the outlet, as well as a lower average velocity and a lower average temperature of each phase. Meanwhile, the Onset of Nucleate Boiling (ONB) position approaches to the outlet, and the total pressure drop of the entire pipe reduces when the inlet velocity increases. However, the opposite trends appear when increasing the pipe wall emissivity. The maximum wall temperature corresponding to the critical heat flux (CHF) point is slightly affected by inlet velocity but significantly affected by pipe wall emissivity. The non-equilibrium effect and the specific components of pressure drop are also further investigated.
Study on a Wheel Electric Drive System with SRD for Loader
Authors: Xu Xinming , Gu Yang , Liu Guangjun
Published: May 2022

Loaders are widely used in the construction of earthworks for construction projects. Due to the large volume and mass of these machines, they have shortcomings such as low driving efficiency and high energy consumption. To address these shortcomings, this work applied eclectic drive technology to a loader’s traction system. A wheel electric drive system with a switched reluctance driver (SRD) was developed. The operating principle and basic structure of the SRD system were analyzed. A new voltage PWM-controlled strategy with dynamic adjustable turn-on and turn-off angles and a single conducting phase in a fixed period was developed. Then, an SRD simulation model was established in MATLAB/Simulink. A simulation of the working condition for the loader was performed. A test bench for the SRD was built and accordingly the transportation and operation conditions were tested. The corresponding speed–time curve of transportation and operation was obtained. Simulation and experiment results showed that the electric drive system with SRD had excellent responses to changes in torque and speed and adapted well to the various working conditions of the loader. The system could effectively traction the loader and verified the feasibility and applicability of the wheel electric drive system.
Capacity Sizing of Embedded Control Battery–Supercapacitor Hybrid Energy Storage System
Authors: Lee Noah , Nee Chen Hon , Yap Seong Shan , Tham Kwong Keong , You Ah Heng , Yap Seong Ling , Mohd Arof Abdul Kariem Bin
Published: May 2022

A battery–supercapacitor hybrid energy storage system is investigated as a solution to reduce the high-power delivery stress on the battery. An optimally-sized system can further enhance the storage and cost efficiency. This paper discusses several possible problems in the sizing of a battery–supercapacitor hybrid energy storage system for practical applications. A sizing method that utilises data collected from a fully active embedded control hybrid energy system is proposed. The feasibility of the method is then tested on three load profiles that represent the load demand of inter- and intra-applications with a battery–supercapacitor hybrid energy storage system. The result is compared to a battery-only single energy storage system. The results verified that the number of batteries required in the hybrid energy storage system is reduced by at least 50% compared to the battery-only single energy storage system.
Aerodynamic Prediction of Time Duration to Becoming Infected with Coronavirus in a Public Place
Authors: Sarhan Abd Alhamid R. , Naser Parisa , Naser Jamal
Published: May 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused panic and chaos that modern society has never seen before. Despite their paramount importance, the transmission routes of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 remain unclear and a point of contention between the various sectors. Recent studies strongly suggest that COVID-19 could be transmitted via air in inadequately ventilated environments. The present study investigates the possibility of the aerosol transmission of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and illustrates the associated environmental conditions. The main objective of the current work is to accurately predict the time duration of getting an infection while sharing an indoor space with a patient of COVID-19 or similar viruses. We conducted a 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based investigation of indoor airflow and the associated aerosol transport in a restaurant setting, where likely cases of airflow-induced infection of COVID-19 caused by asymptomatic individuals were reported in Guangzhou, China. The Eulerian–Eulerian flow model coupled with the k-Ɛ turbulence approach was employed to resolve complex indoor processes, including human respiration activities, such as breathing, speaking, and sneezing. The predicted results suggest that 10 minutes are enough to become infected with COVID-19 when sharing a Table with coronavirus patients. The results also showed that although changing the ventilation rate will improve the quality of air within closed spaces, it will not be enough to protect a person from COVID-19. This model may be suitable for future engineering analyses aimed at reshaping public spaces and indoor common areas to face the spread of aerosols and droplets that may contain pathogens.
Phytic Acid Treatment Inhibits Browning and Lignification to Promote the Quality of Fresh-Cut Apples during Storage
Authors: Fang Ting , Yao Jia , Duan Yuquan , Zhong Yaoguang , Zhao Yaoyao , Lin Qiong
Published: May 2022

Browning and lignification often occur in fresh-cut apple processing, leading to quality deterioration and limiting the shelf life of products. In this study, 0.8% (v/v) phytic acid was used to improve the quality and shelf life of fresh-cut apples. From the results, the browning was inhibited by the phytic acid treatment and the browning index (BI) of the control fruit was 1.62 times that of phytic acid treatment at 2 d of storage. The lignin content in phytic acid-treated fruit significantly decreased at 2, 4, and 6 d of storage compared to the control. Phytic acid treatment also reduced H2O2 and malonaldehyde (MDA) contents, which may indicate lighter membrane damage to apples. Compared with the control, the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activities decreased while superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities increased in phytic acid-treated fruit. Consistent with the lignin content, the activities of phenylpropane metabolism-related enzymes phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H), and 4-coumarate: CoA ligase (4CL) were inhibited by phytic acid treatment. In conclusion, phytic acid alleviated the browning and lignification of fresh-cut apples by reducing PPO and POD activities, maintaining cell membrane integrity, and inhibiting phenylpropane metabolism.
Analyzing the Organoleptic Quality of Commercial Extra Virgin Olive Oils: IOC Recognized Panel Tests vs. Electronic Nose
Authors: Chacón Irene , Roales Javier , Lopes-Costa Tânia , Pedrosa José M.
Published: May 2022

Virgin olive oil (VOO) classification into quality categories determines its labeling and market price. This procedure involves performing a series of chemical–physical analyses and, ultimately, a sensory analysis through the panel test. This work explores the analysis of VOOs quality with an electronic olfactory system (EOS) and examines its abilities using the panel test as a reference. To do this, six commercial olive oils labelled as extra virgin were analyzed with an EOS and classified by three panels recognized by the International Olive Council. The organoleptic analysis of the oils by the panels indicated that most of the oils in the study were in fact not extra virgin. Besides this, the classifications showed inconsistencies between panels, needing statistical treatment to be used as a reference for the EOS training. The analysis of the same oils by the EOS and their subsequent statistical analysis by PCA revealed a good correlation between the first principal component and the olive oil quality from the panels using average scores. It also showed a more consistent classification than the panels. Overall, the EOS proved to be a cheaper, faster, and highly reliable method as a complement to the panel test for the olive oil classification.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Destoned Fruits to Improve the Quality of the Oil and Environmental Sustainability
Authors: Frangipane Maria Teresa , Cecchini Massimo , Massantini Riccardo , Monarca Danilo
Published: May 2022

The world production of olive oil represented 3.1 million tons in 2021 and the choice aimed at high quality extra virgin olive oils is increasingly appearing (IOC, 2022). Moreover, the production of a product of quality with environmental respect is grown in demand. Consequently, the so-called “ecological” processes mostly interest the production market of extra virgin olive oils. Despite the current processing and extraction technologies, the characteristics of olive oil can still be optimized. In this regard, interesting technology to produce olive oil remains the stone removal of the olives before the extraction of the oil. Recently, the destoners preserved a less low oil yield. In light of recent progress, the review focuses on the influence of destoning on the quality of extra virgin olive oil, using a systematic approach. Interest in this technology is increasing and many researchers report that destoned olive oils show superior characteristics confronting with those obtained by the traditional method. These data indicate that destoning is one of the most significant advantages for the improvement of the oil qualitative traits and the system’s sustainability.
Postharvest Treatments on Sensorial and Biochemical Characteristics of Begonia cucullata Willd Edible Flowers
Authors: Marchioni Ilaria , Taglieri Isabella , Dimita Rosanna , Ruffoni Barbara , Zinnai Angela , Venturi Francesca , Sanmartin Chiara , Pistelli Laura
Published: May 2022

Edible flowers (EFs) are currently consumed as fresh products, but their shelf life can be extended by a suitable drying technique, avoiding the loss of visual quality and valuable nutraceutical properties. Begonia cucullata Willd is a common ornamental bedding plant, and its leaves and flowers are edible. In this work, B. cucullata red flowers were freeze-dried (FD) and hot-air dried (HAD) at different temperatures. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first one comparing different drying methodologies and different temperatures involving sensory characterization of EFs; therefore, a codified method for the description of the sensory profile of both fresh and dried B. cucullata was developed and validated. Phytochemical analyses highlighted the better preservation of antioxidant compounds (polyphenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins) for flowers dried at 60–70 °C. Visual quality was strongly affected by the drying treatments; in particular the color of the HAD samples significantly turned darker, whereas the FD samples exhibited a marked loss of pigmentation. Although all drying conditions led to a reduction in the hedonic indices if compared with fresh flowers, the best results in terms of organoleptic properties were obtained when the drying temperature was set to 60 or 70 °C.
Lactose: Characteristics, Food and Drug-Related Applications, and Its Possible Substitutions in Meeting the Needs of People with Lactose Intolerance
Authors: Dominici Simona , Marescotti Francesca , Sanmartin Chiara , Macaluso Monica , Taglieri Isabella , Venturi Francesca , Zinnai Angela , Facioni Maria Sole
Published: May 2022

The recent growing interest in lactose intolerance has resulted in the proliferation of lactose-free products by food manufacturing companies. Since updated papers about lactose and its uses are missing, the main purpose of this review is to investigate this sugar comprehensively. Firstly, its chemical and physical characteristics were studied, following its employment in the food and drug industries. The positive and negative health-related effects of lactose are reported, focusing on the condition of lactose intolerance, for which an adequate lactose-free diet has to be followed to avoid symptoms that impairs quality of life. Considering that EU legislation on lactose-free product labelling is still controversial, suitable options for producing and identifying lactose-free products are suggested, in order to meet lactose-intolerant people’s needs.
Edible Mushrooms as a Potential Component of Dietary Interventions for Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Fijałkowska Agata , Jędrejko Karol , Sułkowska-Ziaja Katarzyna , Ziaja Marek , Kała Katarzyna , Muszyńska Bożena
Published: May 2022

Dietary interventions for people suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) are an ongoing field of research. In this article, we present a comprehensive background for understanding the possibility of using edible medicinal mushrooms as an adjunctive treatment for MDD. We start with a brief history of MDD, its diagnosis, epidemiology and treatment, and the effects of diet on depression symptoms, followed by a review of neurobiological, behavioral, and clinical studies of medicinal mushrooms. We specifically highlight the results of preclinical and clinical studies on dietary supplementation with three selected mushroom species: Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus), Caterpillar mushroom (Cordyceps militaris), and Lingzhi/Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum). Preliminary small-sample clinical studies suggest that Lion’s mane can influence well-being of humans. In the case of Reishi, the results of clinical studies are equivocal, while in the case of Caterpillar Mushroom, such studies are underway. Edible mushrooms contain 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP), which is a direct precursor of serotonin—a neurotransmitter targeted in pharmacotherapy of MDD. Therefore, in light of the well-recognized role of stress as a pathogenic factor of MDD, we also describe the neurobiological mechanisms of the interaction between stress and serotonergic neurotransmission; and summarize the current state of knowledge on dietary supplementation with 5-HTP in MDD.
Aqueous Extract of Phyllanthus emblica L. Alleviates Functional Dyspepsia through Regulating Gastrointestinal Hormones and Gut Microbiome In Vivo
Authors: Li Xiaoqing , Lin Yilin , Jiang Yiqi , Wu Binbin , Yu Yigang
Published: May 2022

Phyllanthus emblica L. fruits were extracted by a hot water assistant with ultrasonication to obtain aqueous Phyllanthus emblica L. extract (APE). The ameliorating functional dyspepsia (FD) effect of a low dose (150 mg/kg) and a high dose (300 mg/kg) of APE was exhibited by determining the gastrointestinal motility, gastrointestinal hormones, and gut microbiome shifts in reserpine induced FD male balb/c mice. APE increased the gastrointestinal motility including the gastric emptying (GE) rate and small intestinal transit (SIT) rate. The level of serum gastrointestinal hormones such as motilin (MTL) and gastrin (GAS) increased, and the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) level decreased after the administration of APE. Furthermore, the gut microbiome analysis demonstrated that APE could regulate the microbiome structure and restore homeostasis by elevating useful bacterial abundance, while simultaneously decreasing harmful bacterial abundance. This study demonstrated the ameliorating FD effect of APE and its potential efficacy in curing functional gastrointestinal disorders and maintaining a healthy digestive tract.
Promotion of Cyst Formation from a Renal Stem Cell Line Using Organ-Specific Extracellular Matrix Gel Format Culture System
Authors: Sakai Yusuke , Kubo Yoshihiro , Shirakigawa Nana , Kawabe Yoshinori , Kamihira Masamichi , Ijima Hiroyuki
Published: May 2022

Researchers have long awaited the technology to develop an in vitro kidney model. Here, we establish a rapid fabricating technique for kidney-like tissues (cysts) using a combination of an organ-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) gel format culture system and a renal stem cell line (CHK-Q cells). CHK-Q cells, which are spontaneously immortalized from the renal stem cells of the Chinese hamster, formed renal cyst-like structures in a type-I collagen gel sandwich culture on day 1 of culture. The cysts fused together and expanded while maintaining three-dimensional structures. The expression of genes related to kidney development and maturation was increased compared with that in a traditional monolayer. Under the kidney-derived ECM (K-ECM) gel format culture system, cyst formation and maturation were induced rapidly. Gene expressions involved in cell polarities, especially for important material transporters (typical markers Slc5a1 and Kcnj1), were restored. K-ECM composition was an important trigger for CHK-Q cells to promote kidney-like tissue formation and maturation. We have established a renal cyst model which rapidly expressed mature kidney features via the combination of K-ECM gel format culture system and CHK-Q cells.
Novel Gels: An Emerging Approach for Delivering of Therapeutic Molecules and Recent Trends
Authors: Sastri Trideva K. , Gupta Vishal N. , Chakraborty Souvik , Madhusudhan Sharadha , Kumar Hitesh , Chand Pallavi , Jain Vikas , Veeranna Balamuralidhara , Gowda Devegowda V.
Published: May 2022

Gels are semisolid, homogeneous systems with continuous or discrete therapeutic molecules in a suitable lipophilic or hydrophilic three-dimensional network base. Innovative gel systems possess multipurpose applications in cosmetics, food, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and so forth. Formulating a gel-based delivery system is simple and the delivery system enables the release of loaded therapeutic molecules. Furthermore, it facilitates the delivery of molecules via various routes as these gel-based systems offer proximal surface contact between a loaded therapeutic molecule and an absorption site. In the past decade, researchers have potentially explored and established a significant understanding of gel-based delivery systems for drug delivery. Subsequently, they have enabled the prospects of developing novel gel-based systems that illicit drug release by specific biological or external stimuli, such as temperature, pH, enzymes, ultrasound, antigens, etc. These systems are considered smart gels for their broad applications. This review reflects the significant role of advanced gel-based delivery systems for various therapeutic benefits. This detailed discussion is focused on strategies for the formulation of different novel gel-based systems, as well as it highlights the current research trends of these systems and patented technologies.
A Comparison of the Dinosaur Communities from the Middle Jurassic of the Cleveland (Yorkshire) and Hebrides (Skye) Basins, Based on Their Ichnites
Authors: Romano Mike , Clark Neil , Brusatte Stephen
Published: May 2022

Despite the Hebrides and Cleveland basins being geographically close, research has not previously been carried out to determine faunal similarities and assess the possibility of links between the dinosaur populations. The palaeogeography of both areas during the Middle Jurassic shows that there were no elevated landmasses being eroded to produce conglomeratic material in the basins at that time. The low-lying landscape and connected shorelines may have provided connectivity between the two dinosaur populations. The dinosaur fauna of the Hebrides and Cleveland basins has been assessed based primarily on the abundant ichnites found in both areas as well as their skeletal remains. In the two basins, the dinosaur faunas are very similar, consisting of non-neosauropod eusauropods, a possible basal titanosauriform, large and small theropods and ornithopods and europodan thyreophorans. The main difference in the faunas is in the sizes. In the Cleveland Basin, the ichnites suggest that there were medium and large theropods alongside small to medium sized ornithopods, whereas, in the Hebrides Basin, the theropods were from small to large and the ornithopods were medium to large. It is suggested that migrations could have taken place between the two areas during the Middle Jurassic. A tentative food chain from the herbivorous dinosaurs to the top predators can be inferred from the footprints.
Modelling Granular Process Flow Information to Reduce Bottlenecks in the Emergency Department
Authors: Amissah Marian , Lahiri Sudakshina
Published: May 2022

Increasing demand and changing case-mix have resulted in bottlenecks and longer waiting times in emergency departments (ED). However, many process improvement efforts addressing the bottlenecks have limitations, as they lack accurate models of the real system as input accounting for operational complexities. To understand the limitations, this research modelled granular procedural information, to analyse processes in a Level-1 ED of a 1200-bed teaching hospital in the UK. Semi-structured interviews with 21 clinicians and direct observations provided the necessary information. Results identified Majors as the most crowded area, hence, a systems modelling technique, role activity diagram, was used to derive highly granular process maps illustrating care in Majors which were further validated by 6 additional clinicians. Bottlenecks observed in Majors included awaiting specialist input, tests outside the ED, awaiting transportation, bed search, and inpatient handover. Process mapping revealed opportunities for using precedence information to reduce repeat tests; informed alerting; and provisioning for operational complexity into ED processes as steps to potentially alleviate bottlenecks. Another result is that this is the first study to map care processes in Majors, the area within the ED that treats complex patients whose care journeys are susceptible to variations. Findings have implications on the development of improvement approaches for managing bottlenecks.
Knowledge and Opinions of Healthcare Professionals about Thirdhand Smoke: A Multi-National, Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Quispe-Cristóbal Blanca , Lidón-Moyano Cristina , Martín-Sánchez Juan Carlos , Pérez-Martín Hipólito , Cartanyà-Hueso Àurea , Cabriada-Sáez Íñigo , de Paz-Cantos Sonia , Martínez-Sánchez Jose M. , González-Marrón Adrián
Published: May 2022

There is scarce evidence on the knowledge and opinions about third-hand smoke (THS) of health care professionals. The main aim of this study was to explore the knowledge and opinions of health care professionals about THS and, secondarily, to explore the factors that are associated with this knowledge. Cross-sectional study using a snowball sample of multi-national health care professionals (n = 233). Data were obtained from an exploratory, online questionnaire. The health care professionals’ knowledge and opinions on THS were described with absolute frequency and percentage. Chi-square and Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact tests, and simple logistic regression models, were used to explore the bivariate association between the knowledge of the concept THS and sex, continent of birth, educational level, occupation, years of experience, and attitude towards smoking. Finally, a multivariable logistic regression model incorporating all the above variables was fitted. A total of 65.2% of the participants were unaware of the term THS before the study began. In the bivariate analysis, an association was found between prior knowledge of the term THS and continent of birth (p-value = 0.030) and occupation (p-value = 0.014). In the multivariable logistic regression model, a significant association was observed between prior knowledge of the concept THS and sex (p-value = 0.005), continent of birth (p-value = 0.012), and occupation (p-value = 0.001). Almost two out of three health care professionals who participated in our study did not know what THS was. Educational activities on this topic should be implemented.
Effects of Bacillus cereus on Photosynthesis and Antioxidant Metabolism of Cucumber Seedlings under Salt Stress
Authors: Zhou Yaguang , Sang Ting , Tian Mimi , Jahan Mohammad Shah , Wang Jian , Li Xiangyu , Guo Shirong , Liu Hongyun , Wang Yu , Shu Sheng
Published: May 2022

Soil salinization is the leading environmental factor that restricts crop growth. This study studied the effects of Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) on growth, photosynthesis, and antioxidant metabolism in salt stressed-cucumber seedlings. The results showed that B. cereus could maintain high activity in the high salt environment (4% NaCl). B. cereus significantly increased plant height, stem diameter, fresh weight, and dry weight of cucumber seedlings under salt stress, and increased root vitality, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), and transpiration rate (Tr) of cucumber seedlings under salt stress. B. cereus significantly increased the maximum photochemical quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), the actual photochemical quantum yield (ΦPSII), and the quantum yield of regulatory energy dissipation Y (NPQ) under salt stress, which were 9.31%, 20.44%, and 5.22% higher than those under salt stress, respectively. The quantum yield of non-regulatory energy dissipation Y (NO) was reduced by 19.81%. Superoxidase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities in leaves and roots of cucumber seedlings were significantly increased by B. cereus under salt stress. Compared with salt stress, SOD activities in leaves were significantly increased by 1.70% and 6.32% on the first and third days after treatment. At 1 d, 3 d, and 5 d after treatment, SOD activity in roots increased by 3.06%, 11.24%, and 3.00%, POD activity in leaves increased by 113.38%, 38.81%, and 52.89%, respectively. The POD activity in roots increased by 56.79% and 10.92% on the third and fifth days after treatment, the CAT activity in leaves increased by 8.50% and 25.55%, and the CAT activity in roots increased by 30.59% and 84.45%. Under salt stress, the H2O2 and MDA contents of seedlings treated with B. cereus decreased significantly. Compared with salt stress, the proline content in leaves decreased by 12.69%, 3.90%, and 13.12% at 1 d, 3 d, and 5 d, respectively, while the proline content in roots decreased by 44.94% and 60.08% at 3 d and 5 d, respectively. These results indicated that B. cereus could alleviate salt-induced inhibition of growth and photosynthesis by regulating antioxidant metabolism of cucumber seedlings and thus enhancing salt tolerance of cucumber seedlings.