bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facile Synthesis of SnO2/LaFeO3−XNX Composite: Photocatalytic Activity and Gas Sensing Performance
Authors: Yin Xi-Tao , Dastan Davoud , Wu Fa-Yu , Li Jing
Published: August 2019

Here SnO2/LaFeO3−XNX composite was fabricated using a wet chemical method and was applied to pollutants degradation and gas sensing for the first time. The composite exhibits high performance for photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye and selectivity sensing of various gases. On the basis of the completed experiments, the improved RhB degradation and selective gas sensing performance resulted from the extended optical absorption via N2 incorporated surface states and enhanced charge separation via coupling SnO2. Using the scavengers trapping experiments, the superoxide radical (O2•−) was investigated as the major scavenger involved in the degradation of RhB over SnO2/LaFeO3−XNX composite. In this paper, the probable reaction steps involved in the RhB dye degradation over SnO2/LaFeO3−XNX composite are proposed. This work will provide reasonable strategies to fabricate LaFeO3-based proficient and stable catalysts for environmental purification. In addition, the result of the selectivity of gas performance is also presented.
L-Aspartic Acid Capped CdS Quantum Dots as a High Performance Fluorescence Assay for Sliver Ions (I) Detection
Authors: Wang Zhezhe , Xiao Xuechun , Yang Yue , Zou Tong , Xing Xinxin , Zhao Rongjun , Wang Zidong , Wang Yude
Published: August 2019

A new high performance fluorescence assay for detection of Ag+ based on CdS quantum dots (QDs) using L-Aspartic acid (L-Asp) as a stabilizer was proposed in this work. The CdS quantum dots conjugation with L-Aspartic acid (L-Asp@CdS QDs) were successfully synthesized via a simple hydrothermal process. The QDs have a fluorescence emission band maximum at 595 nm with a quantum yield of 11%. The obtained CdS QDs exhibit a particle size of 1.63 ± 0.28 nm and look like quantum dot flowers. Basically, the fluorescence intensity of L-Asp@CdS QDs can be enhanced only upon addition of Ag+ and a redshift in the fluorescence spectrum was observed. Under optimum conditions, the fluorescence enhancement of L-Asp@CdS QDs appeared to exhibit a good linear relationship in between 100–7000 nM (R2 = 0.9945) with the Ag+ concentration, with a detection limit of 39 nM. The results indicated that the L-Asp@CdS QDs were well used in detection for Ag+ as fluorescence probe in aqueous solution with high sensitivity and selectivity. Moreover, the sensing system has been applied in detection Ag+ in real water samples. The recovery test results were 98.6%~113%, and relative standard deviation (n = 5) is less than 3.6%, which was satisfactory.
Enzymatic Conversion of Oleuropein to Hydroxytyrosol Using Immobilized β-Glucosidase on Porous Carbon Cuboids
Authors: Chatzikonstantinou Alexandra V. , Gkantzou Elena , Thomou Eleni , Chalmpes Nikolaos , Lyra Kyriaki-Marina , Kontogianni Vasiliki G. , Spyrou Konstantinos , Patila Michaela , Gournis Dimitrios , Stamatis Haralambos
Published: August 2019

In the present study, we developed novel β-glucosidase-based nano-biocatalysts for the bioconversion of oleuropein to hydroxytyrosol. Using non-covalent or covalent immobilization approaches, β-glucosidases from almonds and Thermotoga maritima were attached for the first time on oxidized and non-oxidized porous carbon cuboids (PCC). Various methods were used for the characterization of the bio-nanoconjugates, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and fluorescence spectroscopy. The oxidation state of the nanο-support and the immobilization procedure play a key role for the immobilization efficiency or the catalytic activity of the immobilized β-glucosidases. The nano-biocatalysts were successfully used for the hydrolysis of oleuropein, which leads to the formation of its bioactive derivative, hydroxytyrosol (up to 2.4 g L−1), which is a phenolic compound with numerous health benefits. The bio-nanoconjugates exhibited high thermal and operational stability (up to 240 h of repeated use), which indicated that they are efficient tools for various bio-transformations.
Spray-Dried, Nanoencapsulated, Multi-Drug Anti-Tuberculosis Therapy Aimed at Once Weekly Administration for the Duration of Treatment
Authors: Kalombo Lonji , Lemmer Yolandy , Semete-Makokotlela Boitumelo , Ramalapa Bathabile , Nkuna Patric , Booysen Laetitia L.L.I.J. , Naidoo Saloshnee , Hayeshi Rose , Verschoor Jan A. , Swai Hulda S.
Published: August 2019

Aiming to improve the treatment outcomes of current daily tuberculosis (TB) chemotherapy over several months, we investigated whether nanoencapsulation of existing drugs would allow decreasing the treatment frequency to weekly, thereby ultimately improving patient compliance. Nanoencapsulation of three first-line anti-TB drugs was achieved by a unique, scalable spray-drying technology forming free-flowing powders in the nanometer range with encapsulation efficiencies of 82, 75, and 62% respectively for rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and isoniazid. In a pre-clinical study on TB infected mice, we demonstrate that the encapsulated drugs, administered once weekly for nine weeks, showed comparable efficacy to daily treatment with free drugs over the same experimental period. Both treatment approaches had equivalent outcomes for resolution of inflammation associated with the infection of lungs and spleens. These results demonstrate how scalable technology could be used to manufacture nanoencapsulated drugs. The formulations may be used to reduce the oral dose frequency from daily to once weekly in order to treat uncomplicated TB.
Assessment of Food Safety Knowledge and Behaviors of Cancer Patients Receiving Treatment
Authors: Paden Holly , Hatsu Irene , Kane Kathleen , Lustberg Maryam , Grenade Cassandra , Bhatt Aashish , Diaz Pardo Dayssy , Beery Anna , Ilic Sanja
Published: August 2019

Cancer patients receiving treatment are at a higher risk for the acquisition of foodborne illness than the general population. Despite this, few studies have assessed the food safety behaviors, attitudes, risk perceptions, and food acquisition behaviors of this population. Further, no studies have, yet, quantified the food safety knowledge of these patients. This study aims to fill these gaps in the literature by administering a thorough questionnaire to cancer patients seeking treatment in three hospitals in a Midwest, metropolitan area. Demographic, treatment, food security, and food safety knowledge, behaviors, attitudes, risk perceptions, and acquisition information was assessed for 288 patients. Specific unsafe attitudes, behaviors, and acquisition practices were identified. Most notable is that 49.4% (n = 139) of participants were not aware that they were at increased risk of foodborne infection, due to their disease and treatment. Additionally, though patients exhibited a general understanding of food safety, the participant average for correctly answering the food safety questions was 74.77% ± 12.24%. The section concerning food storage showed lowest participant knowledge, with an average score of 69.53% ± 17.47%. Finally, patients reporting low food security also reported a higher incidence of unsafe food acquisition practices (P < 0.05). These findings will help healthcare providers to better educate patients in the food safety practices necessary to decrease risk of foodborne infection, and to provide targeted food safety education to low-food-security patients.
Acute Effects of Hesperidin in Oxidant/Antioxidant State Markers and Performance in Amateur Cyclists
Authors: Martínez-Noguera Francisco Javier , Marín-Pagán Cristian , Carlos-Vivas Jorge , Rubio-Arias Jacobo A. , Alcaraz Pedro E.
Published: August 2019

Human and animal studies have shown that Hesperidin has the ability to modulate antioxidant and inflammatory state and to improve aerobic performance. The main objective of this study was to assess whether the acute intake of 500 mg of 2S-Hesperidin (Cardiose®) improves antioxidant status, metabolism, and athletic performance, during and after a rectangular test (aerobic and anaerobic effort). For this, a crossover design was used in 15 cyclists (>1 year of training), with one week of washout between placebo and Cardiose® supplementation. After the intervention, significant differences in average power (+2.27%, p = 0.023), maximum speed (+3.23%, p = 0.043) and total energy (∑ 4 sprint test) (+2.64%, p = 0.028) between Cardiose® and placebo were found in the best data of the repeated sprint test. Small changes were also observed in the activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione concentration and oxidized/reduced glutathione (GSSG/GSH) ratio, as well as the lipoperoxidation products (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; TBARS), at different points of the rectangular test, although not significant. Our findings showed improvements in anaerobic performance after Cardiose® intake, but not in placebo, suggesting the potential benefits of using Cardiose® in sports with a high anaerobic component.
Dietary Fat Intake and Metabolic Syndrome in Older Adults
Authors: Julibert Alicia , Bibiloni Maria del Mar , Mateos David , Angullo Escarlata , Tur Josep A.
Published: August 2019

Background: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is associated with higher rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cancer worldwide. Objective: To assess fat intake in older adults with or without MetS. Design: Cross-sectional nutritional survey in older adults living in the Balearic Islands (n = 477, 48% women, 55–80 years old) with no previous CVD. Methods: Assessment of fat (total fat, MUFA, PUFA, SFA, TFA, linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, marine and non-marine ω-3 FA, animal fat and vegetable fat, cholesterol) and macronutrient intake using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and its comparison with recommendations of the US Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the Spanish Society of Community Nutrition (SENC). Results: Participants with MetS showed higher BMI, lower physical activity, higher total fat and MUFA intake, and lower intake of energy, carbohydrates, and fiber than participants without MetS. Men and women with MetS were below the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) proposed by IOM for carbohydrates and above the AMDR for total fat and MUFAs, and women were below the AMDR proposed for α-linolenic acid (ALA) compared with participants without MetS. Conclusions: Subjects with MetS were less likely to meet IOM and SENC recommendations for fat and macronutrient intakes as compared to non-MetS subjects.
Ultra-Processed Foods Are Not “Real Food” but Really Affect Your Health
Authors: Marti Amelia
Published: August 2019

Poor eating habits, such as the increasing consumption of highly processed products, have deleterious effects on health status and represent a serious challenge for public health systems [...]
Older Consumers’ Readiness to Accept Alternative, More Sustainable Protein Sources in the European Union
Authors: Grasso Alessandra C. , Hung Yung , Olthof Margreet R. , Verbeke Wim , Brouwer Ingeborg A.
Published: August 2019

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is a growing concern on account of an aging population and its negative health consequences. While dietary protein plays a key role in the prevention of PEM, it also plays a pivotal role in the environmental impact of the human diet. In search for sustainable dietary strategies to increase protein intake in older adults, this study investigated the readiness of older adults to accept the consumption of the following alternative, more sustainable protein sources: plant-based protein, insects, single-cell protein, and in vitro meat. Using ordinal logistic regression modeling, the associations of different food-related attitudes and behavior and sociodemographics with older adults’ acceptance to consume such protein sources were assessed. Results were obtained through a consumer survey among 1825 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years or above in five EU countries (United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and Finland). Dairy-based protein was generally the most accepted protein source in food products (75% of the respondents found its consumption acceptable or very acceptable). Plant-based protein was the most accepted alternative, more sustainable protein source (58%) followed by single-cell protein (20%), insect-based protein (9%), and in vitro meat-based protein (6%). We found that food fussiness is a barrier to acceptance, whereas green eating behavior and higher educational attainment are facilitators to older adults’ acceptance to eat protein from alternative, more sustainable sources. Health, sensory appeal, and price as food choice motives, as well as gender and country of residence were found to influence acceptance, although not consistently across all the protein sources. Findings suggest that there is a window of opportunity to increase older adults’ acceptance of alternative, more sustainable protein sources and in turn increase protein intake in an environmentally sustainable way in EU older adults.
Relationship between Nutrition Intake and 28-Day Mortality Using Modified NUTRIC Score in Patients with Sepsis
Authors: Jeong Dae Hyun , Hong Sang-Bum , Lim Chae-Man , Koh Younsuck , Seo Jarim , Kim Younkyoung , Min Ji-Yeon , Huh Jin Won
Published: August 2019

In critically ill patients, malnutrition is known to increase morbidity and mortality. We investigated the relationship between nutritional support and 28-day mortality using the modified NUTrition RIsk in the Critically ill (NUTRIC) score in patients with sepsis. This retrospective cohort study included patients with sepsis admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) between January 2011 and June 2017. Nutritional support for energy and protein intakes at day 7 of ICU admission were categorized into <20, 20 to <25, and ≥25 kcal/kg and <1.0, 1.0 to <1.2, and ≥1.2 g/kg, respectively. NUTRIC scores ≥4 were considered to indicate high nutritional risk. Among patients with low nutritional risk, higher intakes of energy (≥25 kcal/kg) and protein (≥1.2 g/kg) were not significantly associated with lower 28-day mortality. In patients with high nutritional risk, higher energy intakes of ≥25 kcal/kg were significantly associated with lower 28-day mortality compared to intakes of <20 kcal/kg (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 0.569, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.339–0.962, p = 0.035). Higher protein intakes of ≥1.2 g/kg were also significantly associated with lower 28-day mortality compared to intakes of <1.0 g/kg (aHR: 0.502, 95% CI: 0.280–0.900, p = 0.021). Appropriate energy (≥25 kcal/kg) and protein (≥1.2 g/kg) intakes during the first week may improve outcomes in patients with sepsis having high nutritional risk.
When is a Ketogenic Diet Ketogenic? Comment on “Satiating Effect of a Ketogenic Diet and Its Impact on Muscle Improvement and Oxidation State in Multiple Sclerosis Patients, Nutrients 2019, 11, 1156”
Authors: Klement Rainer Johannes
Published: August 2019

Dear Editor, [...]
Dietary Neuroketotherapeutics for Alzheimer’s Disease: An Evidence Update and the Potential Role for Diet Quality
Authors: Taylor Matthew K. , Swerdlow Russell H. , Sullivan Debra K.
Published: August 2019

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease with growing prevalence as the global population ages. Currently available treatments for AD have minimal efficacy and there are no proven treatments for its prodrome, mild cognitive impairment (MCI). AD etiology is not well understood and various hypotheses of disease pathogenesis are currently under investigation. A consistent hallmark in patients with AD is reduced brain glucose utilization; however, evidence suggests that brain ketone metabolism remains unimpaired, thus, there is a great deal of increased interest in the potential value of ketone-inducing therapies for the treatment of AD (neuroketotherapeutics; NKT). The goal of this review was to discuss dietary NKT approaches and mechanisms by which they exert a possible therapeutic benefit, update the evidence available on NKTs in AD and consider a potential role of diet quality in the clinical use of dietary NKTs. Whether NKTs affect AD symptoms through the restoration of bioenergetics, the direct and indirect modulation of antioxidant and inflammation pathways, or both, preliminary positive evidence suggests that further study of dietary NKTs as a disease-modifying treatment in AD is warranted.
Associations between Dietary Acid Load and Biomarkers of Inflammation and Hyperglycemia in Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Wu Tianying , Seaver Phoebe , Lemus Hector , Hollenbach Kathryn , Wang Emily , Pierce John P.
Published: August 2019

Metabolic acidosis can lead to inflammation, tissue damage, and cancer metastasis. Dietary acid load contributes to metabolic acidosis if endogenous acid–base balance is not properly regulated. Breast cancer survivors have reduced capacities to adjust their acid–base balance; yet, the associations between dietary acid load and inflammation and hyperglycemia have not been examined among them. We analyzed data collected from 3042 breast cancer survivors enrolled in the Women’s Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) Study who had provided detailed dietary intakes and measurements of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Using a cross-sectional design, we found positive associations between dietary acid load and plasma CRP and HbA1c. In the multivariable-adjusted models, compared to women with the lowest quartile, the intakes of dietary acid load among women with the highest quartile showed 30–33% increases of CRP and 6–9% increases of HbA1c. Our study is the first to demonstrate positive associations between dietary acid load and CRP and HbA1c in breast cancer survivors. Our study identifies a novel dietary factor that may lead to inflammation and hyperglycemia, both of which are strong risk factors for breast cancer recurrence and comorbidities.
Association between Psychosocial Stress and Cardiovascular Disease in Relation to Low Consumption of Fruit and Vegetables in Middle-Aged Men
Authors: Shin Yoonjin , Kim Yangha
Published: August 2019

Stress has been reported to affect dietary intake and chronic disease. This study aimed to investigate the association between psychosocial stress and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in relation to dietary intake. This cross-sectional analysis was performed on 23,792 men enrolled in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study from 2004 to 2013. Stress was assessed by the Psychosocial Well-Being Index. Stress level was positively associated with the risks of CVD (odds ratio (OR) for quartile 4 compared to quartile 1 = 1.30 (95% confidence interval 1.24–1.37), p-trend < 0.0001), including hypertension (OR = 1.26 (1.20–1.33), p-trend < 0.0001), heart disease (OR = 1.55 (1.34–1.80), p-trend = 0.0001), and cerebrovascular disease (OR = 2.47 (1.97–3.09), p-trend < 0.0001). As the level of stress increased, the intake of fruits and vegetables, as well as antioxidant nutrients, was decreased. Stress level showed an inverse association with dietary variety score (p-trend = 0.0001). In addition, dietary variety score was inversely associated with fruits and vegetables consumption (p-trend < 0.0001). These results suggest that the CVD risks for those with higher stress levels may be partially related to the decreased consumption of fruits and vegetables and dietary variety score.
Use of Grape Pomace Phenolics to Counteract Endogenous and Exogenous Formation of Advanced Glycation End-Products
Authors: Sri Harsha Pedapati S. C. , Lavelli Vera
Published: August 2019

The increase in consumption of “ultra-processed” foods has raised attention because of the possible adverse effects deriving from the Maillard reaction leading to the formation of toxic advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) during food processing. Additionally, the increasing trend and consumption of sugar-added foods and sweetened beverages is related to the endogenous formation of the same toxic compounds. However, ultra-processing in the context of food technology can bring challenges as well as a wealth of opportunities. Indeed, re-processing of grape pomace, a by-product of winemaking, can yield phenolic-rich fractions that efficiently counteract the effects of AGEs. In this review, the process of endogenous and exogenous AGE formation is illustrated. Then, the ability of grape phenolics to act as inhibitors of AGE formation is presented, including the efficacy ranking of various individual compounds measured in vitro and the outcome of in vivo double-blinded randomized crossover trials designed to prove the efficacy of grape phenolics as inhibitors of protein carbonylation. Finally, a survey of model functional foods added with grape phenolics, either to lower the dietary load of AGEs or to deliver antiglycation agents in vivo is listed in order to highlight the opportunity to develop safe and tailor-made “anti-AGEs” food applications.
Reply to “When Is a Ketogenic Diet Ketogenic? Comment on Satiating Effect of a Ketogenic Diet and Its Impact on Muscle Improvement and Oxidation State in Multiple Sclerosis Patients. Nutrients 2019, 11, 1156”
Authors: Benlloch María , López-Rodríguez María Mar , Cuerda-Ballester María , Drehmer Eraci , Carrera Sandra , Ceron Jose Joaquin , Tvarijonaviciute Asta , Chirivella Javier , Fernández-García David , de la Rubia Ortí Jose Enrique
Published: August 2019

In response to the questions raised in the comment to the editor of R [...]
Arabidopsis Flowers Unlocked the Mechanism of Jasmonate Signaling
Authors: Browse John , Wallis James G.
Published: August 2019

The Arabidopsis male-sterile phenotype has been a wonderful model for jasmonate action in plants. It has allowed us to identify transcription factors that control gene expression during stamen and pollen maturation and provided for the discovery of the JAZ repressor proteins and the mechanism of jasmonate signaling. More recently, it has revealed intriguing details of the spatial localization of jasmonate synthesis and perception in stamen tissues. The extensive and thoughtful application of protein–protein interaction assays to identify JAZ-interacting partners has led to a much richer appreciation of the mechanisms by which jasmonate integrates with the actions of other hormones to regulate plant growth and physiological responses. This integration is strikingly evident in stamen and pollen development in Arabidopsis, which requires the actions of many hormones. Just as importantly, it is now evident that jasmonate has very different actions during flower development and reproduction in other plant species. This integration and diversity of action indicates that many exciting discoveries remain to be made in this area of jasmonate hormone signaling and response.
Effects of Bromelain and Trypsin Hydrolysis on the Phytochemical Content, Antioxidant Activity, and Antibacterial Activity of Roasted Butterfly Pea Seeds
Authors: Ee Kah-Yaw , Khoo Li-Ying , Ng Wen-Jie , Wong Fai-Chu , Chai Tsun-Thai
Published: August 2019

Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) is a traditional medicinal and edible herb, whose health-promoting benefits have been attributed to its phenolic constituents. In this study, the effects of enzymatic hydrolysis on total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant (2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)) and antibacterial activities of raw and roasted (200 °C, 10–20 min) butterfly pea seeds were investigated. Roasting reduced the yield of seed aqueous extracts, but it increased the TPC and FRAP values, hence the reducing ability, of the extracts. Bromelain hydrolysis enhanced the TPC and TFC of the roasted seeds up to 2- and 18-fold higher, respectively. Trypsin hydrolysis drastically increased the TPC, but not TFC, of roasted seeds; trypsin-hydrolyzed, 20 min roasted sample had the highest TPC (54.07 μg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/mg) among all samples. Bromelain hydrolysis significantly improved the antioxidant activity of the roasted seed samples, where the antioxidant activity of bromelain-hydrolyzed, 20 min roasted sample was about 50% greater than the non-hydrolyzed 20 min roasted sample. Trypsin hydrolysis raised the FRAP values of the 20 min roasted sample to 70.28 mg Fe(II) equivalent/g, the highest among all samples. Nevertheless, trypsin only weakly elevated the ABTS scavenging activity of the roasted samples, showing no enhancement of the DPPH scavenging activity. On the other hand, only bromelain hydrolysates of raw and 10 min roasted seeds were active against Staphylococcus aureus. Taken together, bromelain hydrolysis can be used to enhance the extractable phytochemical contents and antioxidant activity of roasted butterfly pea seeds.
Application of Transformation Matrices to the Solution of Population Balance Equations
Authors: Skorych Vasyl , Das Nilima , Dosta Maksym , Kumar Jitendra , Heinrich Stefan
Published: August 2019

The development of algorithms and methods for modelling flowsheets in the field of granular materials has a number of challenges. The difficulties are mainly related to the inhomogeneity of solid materials, requiring a description of granular materials using distributed parameters. To overcome some of these problems, an approach with transformation matrices can be used. This allows one to quantitatively describe the material transitions between different classes in a multidimensional distributed set of parameters, making it possible to properly handle dependent distributions. This contribution proposes a new method for formulating transformation matrices using population balance equations (PBE) for agglomeration and milling processes. The finite volume method for spatial discretization and the second-order Runge–Kutta method were used to obtain the complete discretized form of the PBE and to calculate the transformation matrices. The proposed method was implemented in the flowsheet modelling framework Dyssol to demonstrate and prove its applicability. Hence, it was revealed that this new approach allows the modelling of complex processes involving materials described by several interconnected distributed parameters, correctly taking into consideration their interdependency.
Adsorption of NO Gas Molecules on Monolayer Arsenene Doped with Al, B, S and Si: A First-Principles Study
Authors: Wang Keliang , Li Jing , Huang Yu , Lian Minglei , Chen Dingmei
Published: August 2019

The structures and electronic properties of monolayer arsenene doped with Al, B, S and Si have been investigated based on first-principles calculation. The dopants have great influences on the properties of the monolayer arsenene. The electronic properties of the substrate are effectively tuned by substitutional doping. After doping, NO adsorbed on four kinds of substrates were investigated. The results demonstrate that NO exhibits a chemisorption character on Al-, B- and Si-doped arsenene while a physisorption character on S-doped arsenene with moderate adsorption energy. Due to the adsorption of NO, the band structures of the four systems have great changes. It reduces the energy gap of Al- and B-doped arsenene and opens the energy gap of S- and Si-doped arsenene. The large charge depletion between the NO molecule and the dopant demonstrates that there is a strong hybridization of orbitals at the surface of the doped substrate because of the formation of a covalent bond, except for S-doped arsenene. It indicates that Al-, B- and Si-doped arsenene might be good candidates as gas sensors to detect NO gas molecules owning to their high sensitivity.
Fault Ride-Through Capability Enhancement of Type-4 WECS in Offshore Wind Farm via Nonlinear Adaptive Control of VSC-HVDC
Authors: Sang Yiyan , Yang Bo , Shu Hongchun , An Na , Zeng Fang , Yu Tao
Published: August 2019

This paper proposes a perturbation estimation-based nonlinear adaptive control (NAC) for a voltage-source converter-based high voltage direct current (VSC-HVDC) system which is applied to interconnect offshore large-scale wind farms to the onshore main grid in order to enhance the fault ride-through (FRT) capability of Type-4 wind energy conversion systems (WECS). The VSC-HVDC power transmission system is regraded as a favourable solution for interconnecting offshore wind farms. To improve the FRT capability of offshore power plants, a de-loading strategy is investigated with novel advanced control of the VSC-HVDC systems. The proposed NAC does not require an accurate and precise model and full state measurements since the combinatorial effects of nonlinearities, system parameter uncertainties, and external disturbances are aggregated into a perturbation term, which are estimated by a high-gain perturbation observer (HGPO) and fully compensated for. As the proposed NAC is adaptive to system model uncertainties (e.g., mismatched output impedance of the converters and the line impedance of transmission line), time-varying disturbance (e.g., AC grid voltage sags and line to ground faults), and unknown time-varying nonlinearities of the power-electronic system (e.g., unmodelled dynamics existed in valve and VSC phase-locked loop system), a significant robustness can be provided by the de-loading strategy to enhance the FRT capability. Simulation results illustrated that the proposed strategy can provide improved dynamic performance in the case of operation with a variety of reduced voltage levels and improved robustness against model uncertainties and mismatched system parameters comparing with conventional vector control.
Numerical Investigation of a High-Pressure Submerged Jet Using a Cavitation Model Considering Effects of Shear Stress
Authors: Yang Yongfei , Li Wei , Shi Weidong , Zhang Wenquan , A. El-Emam Mahmoud
Published: August 2019

In the current research, a high-pressure submerged cavitation jet is investigated numerically. A cavitation model is created considering the effect of shear stress on cavitation formation. As such, this model is developed to predict the cavitation jet, and then the numerical results are validated by high-speed photography experiment. The turbulence viscosity of the renormalization group (RNG) k-ε turbulence model is used to provide a flow field for the cavitation model. Furthermore, this model is modified using a filter-based density correction model (FBDCM). The characteristics of the convergent-divergent cavitation nozzle are investigated in detail using the current CFD simulation method. It is found that shear stress plays an important role in the cavitation formation in the high-pressure submerged jet. In the result predicted by the Zwart-Gerber-Belamri (ZGB) cavitation model, where critical static pressure is used for the threshold of cavitation inception, the cavitation bubble only appears at the nozzle outlet and the length of the cavity is much shorter than the actual length captured by the high-speed photography experiment. When the shear stress term is added to the critical pressure, the length of the predicted cavity is close to the experimental result and three phenomena of the jet are captured, namely, growth, shedding, and collapsing, which agrees well with the experimental high-speed image. According to the orthogonal analysis based on the simulation result, when the jet power is unchanged, the main geometry parameter of the divergent-convergent nozzle that affects the jet performance is the divergent angle. For the nozzle with three different divergent angles of 40°, 60°, and 80°, the one with the medium angle generates the most intensive cavitation cloud, while the small one shows the weakest cavitation performance. The obtained simulation result is confirmed by cavitation erosion tests of the Al1060 plate using these three nozzles.
The Rise of Calvinist Christianity in Urbanising China
Authors: Kang Jie
Published: August 2019

Over the past decade, Reformed Christianity, broadly based on the theology of Calvinism, has spread widely in China, especially by appealing to Chinese ‘intellectuals’ who constitute most of the house church leaders in urban areas. It draws its moral guidance from a so-called rational or intellectual focus on biblical theology, reinforced by theological training in special seminaries. It consequently rejects the ‘heresy’ of the older Pentecostal Christianity, with its emphasis on charisma, miracles, and theology based on emotional ‘feeling’. This Reformed theology and its further elaboration have been introduced into China in two main ways. The first is through overseas Chinese, especially via theological seminaries in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. For instance, preachings of the famous Reformed pastor Stephen Tong (唐崇荣) have been widely disseminated online and among Chinese Christians. Second, Korean missionaries have established theological seminaries mainly in cities in northern China. This has resulted in more and more Chinese church leaders becoming advocates of Calvinism and converting their churches to Reformed status. This paper asks why Calvinism attracts Chinese Christians, what Calvinism means for the so-called house churches of a Christian community in a northern Chinese city, and what kinds of change the importation of Reformed theology has brought to Chinese house churches. Various significant accounts have addressed this development in China generally. My analysis complements these accounts by focusing on a small number of interconnected house churches in one city, and uses this case study to highlight interpersonal and organizational issues arising from the Calvinist approach.
Dual Frequency Orbiter-Radar System for the Observation of Seas and Tides on Titan: Extraterrestrial Oceanography from Satellite
Authors: Mastrogiuseppe Marco
Published: August 2019

Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, is believed to have a ~100 km thick ice shell above a global ocean of liquid water. Organic materials, including liquid hydrocarbon lakes and seas in its polar terrain, cover Titan’s surface, which makes it a world of two oceans. The RADAR instrument on board Cassini, was able to probe lakes and seas during few dedicated altimetric observations, revealing its capability to work as a sounder. Herein, we describe the design of, and scientific motivation for, a dual frequency X/Ka-band radar system that is able to investigate Titan’s subsurface liquid water ocean, as well as the depth and composition of its surface liquid hydrocarbon basins. The proposed system, which could take advantage of the telecommunications dish, can operate as a sounder, as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) able to map the surface at tens meters of scale resolution, and when data are acquired from close-adjacent orbits, as a repeat-pass SAR interferometer (InSAR). The instrument, which is based on the architecture of the Cassini RADAR, can also characterize Titan’s interior by using geophysical measurements of the tidal amplitude to derive high accuracy estimates of the Love number h2 from a 1500 km circular orbit.
Towards Automated Ship Detection and Category Recognition from High-Resolution Aerial Images
Authors: Feng Yingchao , Diao Wenhui , Sun Xian , Yan Menglong , Gao Xin
Published: August 2019

Ship category classification in high-resolution aerial images has attracted great interest in applications such as maritime security, naval construction, and port management. However, the applications of previous methods were mainly limited by the following issues: (i) The existing ship category classification methods were mainly to classify on accurately-cropped image patches. This is unsatisfactory for the results of the existing methods in practical applications, because the location of the ship in the patch obtained by the object detection varies greatly. (ii) The factors such as target scale variations and class imbalance have a great influence on the performance of ship category classification. Aiming at the issues above, we propose a novel ship detection and category classification framework. The category classification is based on accurate location. The detection network can generate more precise rotated bounding boxes in large-scale aerial images by introducing a novel Sequence Local Context (SLC) module. Besides, three different ship category classification networks are proposed to eliminate the effect of scale variations, and the Spatial Transform Crop (STC) operation is used to get aligned image patches. Whatever the problem of insufficient samples or class imbalance have, the Proposals Simulation Generator (PSG) is considered to handle this properly. Most remarkably, the state-of-the-art performance of our framework is demonstrated by experiments based on the 19-class ship dataset HRSC2016 and our multiclass warship dataset.
A Combination of PROBA-V/MODIS-Based Products with Sentinel-1 SAR Data for Detecting Wet and Dry Snow Cover in Mountainous Areas
Authors: Tsai Ya-Lun S. , Dietz Andreas , Oppelt Natascha , Kuenzer Claudia
Published: August 2019

In the present study, we explore the value of employing both vegetation indexes as well as land surface temperature derived from Project for On-Board Autonomy—Vegetation (PROBA-V) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensors, respectively, to support the detection of total (wet + dry) snow cover extent (SCE) based on a simple tuning machine learning approach and provide reliability maps for further analysis. We utilize Sentinel-1-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) observations, including backscatter coefficient, interferometric coherence, and polarimetric parameters, and four topographical factors as well as vegetation and temperature information to detect the total SCE with a land cover-dependent random forest-based approach. Our results show that the overall accuracy and F-measure are over 90% with an ’Area Under the receiver operating characteristic Curve (ROC)’ (AUC) score of approximately 80% over five study areas located in different mountain ranges, continents, and hemispheres. These accuracies are also confirmed by a comprehensive validation approach with different data sources, attesting the robustness and global transferability. Additionally, based on the reliability maps, we find an inversely proportional relationship between classification reliability and vegetation density. In conclusion, comparing to a previous study only utilizing SAR-based observations, the method proposed in the present study provides a complementary approach to achieve a higher total SCE mapping accuracy while maintaining global applicability with reliable accuracy and corresponding uncertainty information.
Integration of Machine Learning and Open Access Geospatial Data for Land Cover Mapping
Authors: Mardani Mohammad , Mardani Hossein , De Simone Lorenzo , Varas Samuel , Kita Naoki , Saito Takafumi
Published: August 2019

In-time and accurate monitoring of land cover and land use are essential tools for countries to achieve sustainable food production. However, many developing countries are struggling to efficiently monitor land resources due to the lack of financial support and limited access to adequate technology. This study aims at offering a solution to fill in such a gap in developing countries, by developing a land cover solution that is free of costs. A fully automated framework for land cover mapping was developed using 10-m resolution open access satellite images and machine learning (ML) techniques for the African country of Lesotho. Sentinel-2 satellite images were accessed through Google Earth Engine (GEE) for initial processing and feature extraction at a national level. Also, Food and Agriculture Organization’s land cover of Lesotho (FAO LCL) data were used to train a support vector machine (SVM) and bagged trees (BT) classifiers. SVM successfully classified urban and agricultural lands with 62 and 67% accuracy, respectively. Also, BT could classify the two categories with 81 and 65% accuracy, correspondingly. The trained models could provide precise LC maps in minutes or hours. they can also be utilized as a viable solution for developing countries as an alternative to traditional geographic information system (GIS) methods, which are often labor intensive, require acquisition of very high-resolution commercial satellite imagery, time consuming and call for high budgets.
Groundwater Depletion Estimated from GRACE: A Challenge of Sustainable Development in an Arid Region of Central Asia
Authors: Hu Zengyun , Zhou Qiming , Chen Xi , Chen Deliang , Li Jianfeng , Guo Meiyu , Yin Gang , Duan Zheng
Published: August 2019

Under climate change and increasing water demands, groundwater depletion has become regional and global threats for water security, which is an indispensable target to achieving sustainable developments of human society and ecosystems, especially in arid and semiarid regions where groundwater is a major water source. In this study, groundwater depletion of 2003–2016 over Xinjiang in China, a typical arid region of Central Asia, is assessed using the gravity recovery and climate experiment (GRACE) satellite and the global land data assimilation system (GLDAS) datasets. In the transition of a warm-dry to a warm-wet climate in Xinjiang, increases in precipitation, soil moisture and snow water equivalent are detected, while GRACE-based groundwater storage anomalies (GWSA) exhibit significant decreasing trends with rates between-3.61 ± 0.85 mm/a of CSR-GWSA and −3.10 ± 0.91 mm/a of JPL-GWSA. Groundwater depletion is more severe in autumn and winter. The decreases in GRACE-based GWSA are in a good agreement with the groundwater statistics collected from local authorities. However, at the same time, groundwater abstraction in Xinjiang doubled, and the water supplies get more dependent on groundwater. The magnitude of groundwater depletion is about that of annual groundwater abstraction, suggesting that scientific exploitation of groundwater is the key to ensure the sustainability of freshwater withdrawals and supplies. Furthermore, GWSA changes can be well estimated by the partial least square regression (PLSR) method based on inputs of climate data. Therefore, GRACE observations provide a feasible approach for local policy makers to monitor and forecast groundwater changes to control groundwater depletion.
Single Space Object Image Denoising and Super-Resolution Reconstructing Using Deep Convolutional Networks
Authors: Feng Xubin , Su Xiuqin , Shen Junge , Jin Humin
Published: August 2019

Space object recognition is the basis of space attack and defense confrontation. High-quality space object images are very important for space object recognition. Because of the large number of cosmic rays in the space environment and the inadequacy of optical lenses and detectors on satellites to support high-resolution imaging, most of the images obtained are blurred and contain a lot of cosmic-ray noise. So, denoising methods and super-resolution methods are two effective ways to reconstruct high-quality space object images. However, most super-resolution methods could only reconstruct the lost details of low spatial resolution images, but could not remove noise. On the other hand, most denoising methods especially cosmic-ray denoising methods could not reconstruct high-resolution details. So in this paper, a deep convolutional neural network (CNN)-based single space object image denoising and super-resolution reconstruction method is presented. The noise is removed and the lost details of the low spatial resolution image are well reconstructed based on one very deep CNN-based network, which combines global residual learning and local residual learning. Based on a dataset of satellite images, experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of our proposed method in enhancing the spatial resolution and removing the noise of the space objects images.
Robust Evolutionary-Game-Based Routing for Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks
Authors: Habib Md Arafat , Moh Sangman
Published: August 2019

Nowadays, wireless multimedia sensor networks (WMSNs) are used in various applications. An energy-efficient and robust routing protocol is essential for WMSNs because the quality of service is important for traffic-intensive multimedia data, such as images and videos. A WMSN with multiple sinks allows cluster heads (CHs) to deliver the collected data to the nearest sink, thereby mitigating the delivery overhead. In this study, we propose a novel evolutionary-game-based routing (EGR) protocol for WMSNs with multiple sinks, in which the evolutionary game theory is exploited for selecting CHs. In EGR, an algorithm to mitigate data redundancy, based on the overlapping field of views of the multimedia sensor nodes, is also presented. This algorithm decreases the number of redundant transmissions, thereby increasing energy efficiency and network performance. According to the performance evaluation results of this study, the proposed EGR significantly outperforms the state-of-art protocols in terms of energy efficiency, end-to-end delay, packet delivery ratio, cluster formation time, and network lifetime.
A VCII-Based Stray Insensitive Analog Interface for Differential Capacitance Sensors
Authors: Barile Gianluca , Safari Leila , Ferri Giuseppe , Stornelli Vincenzo
Published: August 2019

In this paper, a novel approach to implement a stray insensitive CMOS interface for differential capacitive sensors is presented. The proposed circuit employs, for the first time, second-generation voltage conveyors (VCIIs) and produces an output voltage proportional to differential capacitor changes. Using VCIIs as active devices inherently allows the circuit to process the signal in the current domain, and hence, to benefit from its intrinsic advantages, such as high speed and simple implementation, while still being able to natively interface with voltage mode signal processing stages at necessity. The insensitiveness to the effects of parasitic capacitances is achieved through a simple feedback loop. In addition, the proposed circuit shows a very simple and switch-free structure (which can be used for both linear and hyperbolic sensors), improving its accuracy. The readout circuit was designed in a standard 0.35 μm CMOS technology under a supply voltage of ±1.65 V. Before the integrated circuit fabrication, to produce tangible proof of the effectiveness of the proposed architecture, a discrete version of the circuit was also prototyped using AD844 and LF411 to implement a discrete VCII. The achieved measurement results are in good agreement with theory and simulations, showing a constant sensitivity up to 412 mV/pF, a maximum linearity error of 1.9%FS, and acknowledging a good behavior with low baseline capacitive sensors (10 pF in the proposed measurements). A final table is also given to summarize the key specs of the proposed work comparing them to the available literature.
Bandwidth-Aware Traffic Sensing in Vehicular Networks with Mobile Edge Computing
Authors: Ye Kong , Dai Penglin , Wu Xiao , Ding Yan , Xing Huanlai , Yu Zhaofei
Published: August 2019

Traffic sensing is one of the promising applications to guarantee safe and efficient traffic systems in vehicular networks. However, due to the unique characteristics of vehicular networks, such as limited wireless bandwidth and dynamic mobility of vehicles, traffic sensing always faces high estimation error based on collected traffic data with missing elements and over-high communication cost between terminal users and central server. Hence, this paper investigates the traffic sensing system in vehicular networks with mobile edge computing (MEC), where each MEC server enables traffic data collection and recovery in its local server. On this basis, we formulate the bandwidth-constrained traffic sensing (BCTS) problem, aiming at minimizing the estimation error based on the collected traffic data. To tackle the BCTS problem, we first propose the bandwidth-aware data collection (BDC) algorithm to select the optimal uploaded traffic data by evaluating the priority of each road segment covered by the MEC server. Then, we propose the convex-based data recovery (CDR) algorithm to minimize estimation error by transforming the BCTS into an l 2 -norm minimization problem. Last but not the least, we implement the simulation model and conduct performance evaluation. The comprehensive simulation results verify the superiority of the proposed algorithm.