bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Synergy between Methanol M100 and Plasma-Assisted Ignition System PAI to Achieve Increasingly Leaner Mixtures in a Single-Cylinder Engine
Authors: Ricci Federico , Mariani Francesco , Papi Stefano , Zembi Jacopo , Battistoni Michele , Grimaldi Carlo Nazareno
Published: March 2024

Currently, conventional spark–ignition engines face challenges in meeting the ever-growing demands of customers and increasingly stringent regulations regarding pollutant emissions. A combination of innovative strategies and carbon-neutral fuels is deemed necessary in order to further reduce fuel consumption and minimize engine emissions. The present work aims to assess the performance of combustion strategies using low-carbon-content fuel, such as methanol M100, ignited by a plasma-assisted igniter (PAI) under ultra-lean conditions. The experimental campaign is conducted on a single-cylinder research engine at 1000 rpm and low loads, moving up to the engine lean stable limits. The specific purpose of this work is to determine the benefits brought by the proposed strategy, referred to as M100–PAI, which compared market gasoline E5 ignited by the PAI system and conventional spark. The synergy between M100 (methanol) and Plasma-Assisted Ignition (PAI) in internal combustion engines yielded notable benefits. This combination significantly improved combustion stability if compared to the other combinations tested, by extending the lean stable limit to λ = 2.0, reducing cycle-to-cycle variability, and facilitating faster flame front acceleration, resulting in enhanced homogeneity. These enhancements, obtained with the combination M100–PAI, contributed to higher fuel efficiency, showing a 10% efficiency gain over the combination E5–gasoline spark ignition. The findings highlight the potential of innovative combustion strategies using low-carbon fuels and advanced ignition systems to meet stringent emissions regulations while improving engine performance.
Thermodynamic Feasibility Evaluation of Alkaline Thermal Treatment Process for Hydrogen Production and Carbon Capture from Biomass by Process Modeling
Authors: Jung Yujung , Lee Sanghun
Published: March 2024

Hydrogen is attracting attention as a low-carbon fuel. In particular, economical hydrogen production technologies without carbon emissions are gaining increasing attention. Recently, alkaline thermal treatment (ATT) has been proposed to reduce carbon emissions by capturing carbon in its solid phase during hydrogen production. By adding an alkali catalyst to the conventional thermochemical hydrogen production reaction, ATT enables carbon capture through the reaction of an alkali catalyst and carbon. In this study, a thermodynamic feasibility evaluation was carried out, and the effects of the process conditions for ATT with wheat straw grass (WSG) as biomass were investigated using Aspen Plus software V12.1. First, an ATT process model was developed, and basic thermodynamic equilibrium compositions were obtained in various conditions. Then, the effects of the process parameters of the reactor temperature and the mass ratio of NaOH/WSG (alkali/biomass, A/B value) were analyzed. Finally, the product gas compositions, process efficiency, and amount of carbon capture were evaluated. The results showed that the ATT process could be an efficient hydrogen production process with carbon capture, and the optimal process conditions were a reactor temperature of 800 °C, an A/B value of three, and a flow rate of steam of 6.9 × 10−5 L/min. Under these conditions, the maximum efficiency and the amount of carbon dioxide captured were 56.9% and 28.41 mmol/g WSG, respectively.
Energy Forecasting: A Comprehensive Review of Techniques and Technologies
Authors: Mystakidis Aristeidis , Koukaras Paraskevas , Tsalikidis Nikolaos , Ioannidis Dimosthenis , Tjortjis Christos
Published: March 2024

Distribution System Operators (DSOs) and Aggregators benefit from novel energy forecasting (EF) approaches. Improved forecasting accuracy may make it easier to deal with energy imbalances between generation and consumption. It also helps operations such as Demand Response Management (DRM) in Smart Grid (SG) architectures. For utilities, companies, and consumers to manage energy resources effectively and make educated decisions about energy generation and consumption, EF is essential. For many applications, such as Energy Load Forecasting (ELF), Energy Generation Forecasting (EGF), and grid stability, accurate EF is crucial. The state of the art in EF is examined in this literature review, emphasising cutting-edge forecasting techniques and technologies and their significance for the energy industry. It gives an overview of statistical, Machine Learning (ML)-based, and Deep Learning (DL)-based methods and their ensembles that form the basis of EF. Various time-series forecasting techniques are explored, including sequence-to-sequence, recursive, and direct forecasting. Furthermore, evaluation criteria are reported, namely, relative and absolute metrics such as Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Coefficient of Determination (R2), and Coefficient of Variation of the Root Mean Square Error (CVRMSE), as well as the Execution Time (ET), which are used to gauge prediction accuracy. Finally, an overall step-by-step standard methodology often utilised in EF problems is presented.
Design, Analysis and Experimental Verification of a Coreless Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Authors: Szelag Wojciech , Jedryczka Cezary , Baranski Mariusz , Kurzawa Milena
Published: March 2024

The paper presents a new cost-effective magnetic circuit structure of a coreless permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) with 16 poles and 12 coils for a mass production fan drive unit. 2D and 3D numerical models of the coreless PMSM were developed. Optimisation calculations were carried out using the field model of the machine. Multistage calculations were performed using the professional FEM package, ANSYS Maxwell and the author’s proprietary finite element method (FEM) code. On the basis of the conducted tests and analysis of the obtained results, the “optimal” magnetic circuit structure of the PMSM motor was selected. The prototype motor was subjected to measurement to verify the developed models and the proposed design approach that takes advantage of finite element analysis (FEA).
Underground Gas Storage in Saline Aquifers: Geological Aspects
Authors: Uliasz-Misiak Barbara , Misiak Jacek
Published: March 2024

Energy, gases, and solids in underground sites are stored in mining excavations, natural caverns, salt caverns, and in the pore spaces of rock formations. Aquifer formations are mainly isolated aquifers with significant spreading, permeability, and thickness, possessing highly mineralized non-potable waters. This study discusses the most important aspects that determine the storage of natural gas, hydrogen, or carbon dioxide in deep aquifers. In particular, the selection and characterization of the structure chosen for underground storage, the storage capacity, and the safety of the process are considered. The choice of underground sites is made on the basis of the following factors and criteria: geological, technical, economic, environmental, social, political, or administrative–legal. The geological and dynamic model of the storage site is then drawn based on the characteristics of the structure. Another important factor in choosing a structure for the storage of natural gas, hydrogen, or carbon dioxide is its capacity. In addition to the type and dimensions of the structure and the petrophysical parameters of the reservoir rock, the storage capacity is influenced by the properties of the stored gases and the operating parameters of the storage facility. Underground gas storage is a process fraught with natural and technical hazards. Therefore, the geological integrity of the structure under consideration should be documented and verified. This article also presents an analysis of the location and the basic parameters of gas storage and carbon dioxide storage facilities currently operating in underground aquifers. To date, there have been no successful attempts to store hydrogen under analogous conditions. This is mainly due to the parameters of this gas, which are associated with high requirements for its storage.
Evaluation and Bias Correction of the ERA5 Reanalysis over the United States for Wind and Solar Energy Applications
Authors: Wilczak James M. , Akish Elena , Capotondi Antonietta , Compo Gilbert P.
Published: March 2024

The applicability of the ERA5 reanalysis for estimating wind and solar energy generation over the contiguous United States is evaluated using wind speed and irradiance variables from multiple observational data sets. After converting ERA5 and observed meteorological variables into wind power and solar power, comparisons demonstrate that significant errors in the ERA5 reanalysis exist that limit its direct applicability for a wind and solar energy analysis. Overall, ERA5-derived solar power is biased high, while ERA5-derived wind power is biased low. During winter, the ERA5-derived solar power is biased high by 23% on average, while on an annual basis, the ERA5-derived wind power is biased low by 20%. ERA5-derived solar power errors are found to have consistent characteristics across the contiguous United States. Errors for the shortest duration and most extreme solar negative anomaly events are relatively small in the ERA5 when completely overcast conditions occur in both the ERA5 and observations. However, longer-duration anomaly events on weekly to monthly timescales, which include partially cloudy days or a mix of cloudy and sunny days, have significant ERA5 errors. At 10 days duration, the ERA5-derived average solar power produced during the largest negative anomaly events is 62% greater than observed. The ERA5 wind speed and derived wind power negative biases are largely consistent across the central and northwestern U.S., and offshore, while the northeastern U.S. has an overall small net bias. For the ERA5-derived most extreme negative anomaly wind power events, at some sites at 10 days duration, the ERA5-derived wind power produced can be less than half of that observed. Corrections to ERA5 are derived using a quantile–quantile method for solar power and linear regression of wind speed for wind power. These methods are shown to avoid potential over-inflation of the reanalysis variability resulting from differences between point measurements and the temporally and spatially smoother reanalysis values. The corrections greatly reduce the ERA5 errors, including those for extreme events associated with wind and solar energy droughts, which will be most challenging for electric grid operation.
A Stacked Symmetrical Non-Isolated High Step-Up Voltage Gain Converter with High Efficiency and Low Voltage Stress on Components
Authors: Dinh Minh-Chau , Le Thi-Tinh , Park Minwon
Published: March 2024

This paper introduces a cascaded symmetrical non-isolated high step-up voltage gain converter with high efficiency and low voltage stress on components combining a non-isolated buck-boost converter and voltage doubler structure. In the proposed converter, the input source is connected in series to the output load; hence, a part of the source energy is directly delivered from source to load, not through the switching branch, improving efficiency. Furthermore, the appropriately stacked voltage doubler stage not only amplifies the high step-up voltage gain ratio but also considerably diminishes the voltage stress on all semiconductor devices and capacitors. As a result, the costless low internal resistance and low voltage components can be employed for higher efficiency, higher power density, and lower cost. To demonstrate the practicality of the proposed topology, the operating principle is outlined, and the steady-state characteristics are thoroughly analyzed. Furthermore, a 360 W prototype converter has been fabricated to confirm the efficiency of the proposed converter.
Controller Hardware-in-the-Loop Testbed of a Distributed Consensus Multi-Agent System Control under Deception and Disruption Cyber-Attacks
Authors: Kharchouf Ibtissam , Mohammed Osama A.
Published: March 2024

The impact of communication disturbances on microgrids (MGs) needs robust and scalable Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure for efficient MG control. This work builds on advances in the Internet of Things (IoT) to provide a practical platform for testing the impact of various cyber-attacks on a distributed control scheme for a Multi-Agent System (MAS). This paper presents a Controller Hardware-in-the-Loop (CHIL) testbed to investigate the impact of various cyber-attacks and communication disruptions on MGs. A distributed consensus secondary control scheme for a MAS within an MG cyber-physical system (CPS) is proposed. The proposed cyber-physical testbed integrates a real-time islanded AC microgrid on RT-Lab, secondary controllers implemented on single-board computers, and an attacker agent on another single-board computer. Communication occurs via a UDP/IP network between OPAL-RT and controller agents, as well as between the agents. Through meticulous experimentation, the efficacy of the proposed control strategy using the developed platform is validated. Various attacks were modeled and launched including deception attacks on sensors, actuators, and their combinations, as well as disruption attacks. The ramifications of both deception and disruption cyber-attacks on system performance are analyzed.
Urban Green Spaces in Africa: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Muhoza Jean Pierre , Zhou Weiqi
Published: March 2024

Africa has a lower proportion of urban areas compared to other continents, yet it is experiencing rapid urbanization, which is posing a significant threat to the urban ecosystem. This study presents the results of a bibliometric analysis from publications on urban green spaces (UGS) research in African cities. From the Web of Science, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases, 264 articles on UGS research in Africa were included in this study. This research topic experienced rapid growth, as more than 68% of all the articles were produced in the past five years, where about 63% of the studies included in this analysis were carried out in only four countries. Most of the studies were carried out at the intracity scale, with the main focus being on the ecosystem services provided by UGS. Change detection and overall UGS mapping studies show that high-income cities have a high percentage of UGS, while many African cities exhibited lower green coverage. We commend the work from researchers; however, there is still a gap to fill both in terms of high-quality datasets and state-of-the-art technology usage, and there is also a need for more comparative studies among cities and countries at the continental scale.
Pathogenesis of PM2.5-Related Disorders in Different Age Groups: Children, Adults, and the Elderly
Authors: Amnuaylojaroen Teerachai , Parasin Nichapa
Published: March 2024

The effects of PM2.5 on human health fluctuate greatly among various age groups, influenced by a range of physiological and immunological reactions. This paper compares the pathogenesis of the disease caused by PM2.5 in people of different ages, focusing on how children, adults, and the elderly are each susceptible to it because of differences in their bodies. Regarding children, exposure to PM2.5 is linked to many negative consequences. These factors consist of inflammation, oxidative stress, and respiratory problems, which might worsen pre-existing conditions and potentially cause neurotoxicity and developmental issues. Epigenetic changes can affect the immune system and make people more likely to get respiratory diseases. On the other hand, exposures during pregnancy can change how the cardiovascular and central nervous systems develop. In adults, the inhalation of PM2.5 is associated with a wide range of health problems. These include respiratory difficulties, reduced pulmonary function, and an increased susceptibility to illnesses such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. In addition, exposure to PM2.5 induces systemic inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance, and neurotoxic consequences. Evident disturbances in the immune system and cognitive function demonstrate the broad impact of PM2.5. The elderly population is prone to developing respiratory and cardiovascular difficulties, which worsen their pre-existing health issues and raise the risk of cognitive decline and neurological illnesses. Having additional medical conditions, such as peptic ulcer disease, significantly increases the likelihood of being admitted to hospital.
Assessing the Relationship between Tree Growth, Crown Size, and Neighboring Tree Species Diversity in Mixed Coniferous and Broad Forests Using Crown Size Competition Indices
Authors: Wang Yiru , Liu Zhaohua , Li Jiping , Cao Xiaoyu , Lv Yong
Published: March 2024

Competition among trees for limited resources (e.g., sunlight, water, and nutrients) impacts their growth differently. Crown plays a crucial role in resource access for trees. However, uncertainties persist regarding crown size differences, tree growth, and tree competition levels between coniferous and broadleaf trees in mixed-age forests. We conducted a study on 3008 live trees across 28 plots in Hunan Province to measure individual crown size and tree growth increment. Introducing a new metric, the Crown Size Competition Index (CSCI), we assessed competition pressure among coniferous and broadleaf species in mixed-age forests. We examined the correlation between competition indices and tree growth increment while also investigating the influence of neighboring species diversity on tree competition. Our results revealed a significant negative correlation between the tree growth of Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.(CL) and Phoebe bournei (Hemsl.) Yang (PB) and the competition index. Increased competitive pressure on the focal tree corresponded to a decline in the growth of focal tree volume, with a more pronounced impact observed in PB compared to CL. The diversity of neighboring species contributed to variations in competition for the focal tree, with broadleaved species (PB) exerting a greater influence on the focal tree than coniferous species (CL). These findings underscore the competitive potential of PB in mature coniferous stands and advocate for the restoration of stratified mixes in CL broadleaf forests. Furthermore, our findings support the management strategies for the valuable tree species PB.
Development of Novel Genomewide Simple Sequence Repeat Markers for Acer truncatum Bunge and Assessment of Their Transferability to Other Closely Related Species
Authors: Long Yixin , Bao Hasengaowa , Jin Qingyu , Wu Zhiping , Han Minghai , Zhang Chi , Wang Jun
Published: March 2024

Acer truncatum Bunge is a versatile woody tree species with high economic and medicinal value in the production of bioactive substances and unsaturated fatty acids (especially nervonic acid). However, the exploitation and evaluation of A. truncatum germplasm resources are limited owing to a lack of sound molecular marker systems. In this study, a large set of genomewide simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers of A. truncatum was developed based on its whole-genome sequences. A total of 462,331 SSR loci were identified in the genome sequences, 99.3% (459,193) of which were located on 13 chromosomes. The chromosome length was significantly positively correlated with the number of SSR loci on the chromosome (r = 0.977, p < 0.001). The (A/T)n, (AT/TA)n, and (AAT/ATT/TAA/TTA/TAT/ATA)n were the most frequent motifs for mono-, di-, and trinucleotide repeat motifs, respectively, showing A/T-base bias. After BLASTN and electronic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses, 199,990 loci with specific physical positions were screened. Most of the SSR loci were located in the intergenic regions and fewest in the coding sequences (CDSs). The frequency of loci with tri- and hexanucleotide repeat motifs was the highest in the CDSs, potentially serving to maintain the stability of gene function and structure. In randomly selected 105 SSR markers, 82 (78.1%) showed allelic polymorphism, with polymorphism information content (PIC) values of 0.032–0.926 (0.481 on average). The SSRs in the noncoding regions exhibited significantly higher PIC values than those in the CDSs. The transferability of the 105 markers was 48.6%–59.0% to seven other Acer species. The large set of valid SSR markers provides a powerful tool for studies on population genetics, conservation genetics, linkage mapping, comparative genomics, and marker-assisted breeding of the genus Acer.
The Fungal Functional Guilds at the Early-Stage Restoration of Subalpine Forest Soils Disrupted by Highway Construction in Southwest China
Authors: Li Chaonan , Liao Haijun , Li Dehui , Jing Yanli
Published: March 2024

Soil fungi often operate through diverse functional guilds, and play critical roles in driving soil nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition and the health of above-ground vegetation. However, fungal functional guilds at the early-stage restoration of disrupted subalpine forest soils remain elusive. In the present study, we collected 36 soil samples along an altitudinal gradient (2900 m a.s.l., 3102 m a.s.l., and 3194 m a.s.l.) from cut slopes (CS) (from Wenma highway) and natural soils (NS) at the Miyaluo of Lixian County, Southwest China. By applying nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing, this study revealed the ecological characteristics of fungal functional guild in the early-stage restoration of cut slope soils. The results showed that the predicted prevalence of ectomycorrhizal fungi decreased, while plant pathogens and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increased in CS. In the high-altitude regions (3102 m a.s.l. and 3194 m a.s.l.), the differences in communities between natural and cut slope soils were more pronounced for total soil fungi, soil saprotroph, litter saprotroph, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and ectomycorrhizal fungi, in contrast to the low altitude communities (2900 m a.s.l.). An opposite pattern was evident for plant pathogens. Variations in the differences of both soil properties (mainly soil pH) and community assembling processes (e.g., heterogeneous selection, dispersal limitation and drift) between natural and cut slope soils across the altitudinal gradient likely shaped the shifting patterns of community difference. This study provides valuable insights for devising restoration approaches for cut slopes in subalpine forest ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of taking soil fungal functional guilds into account in evaluating the restoration of cut slopes, and underscoring the necessity for increased attention to the restoration of soil fungi in cut slopes at the high-altitude ecosystems.
Analysis of Water Migration and Spoil Slope Stability under the Coupled Effects of Rainfall and Root Reinforcement Based on the Unsaturated Soil Theory
Authors: Song Huanran , Huang Jiankun , Zhang Zhiwei , Jiang Qunou , Liu Lanhua , He Caisong , Zhou Yang
Published: March 2024

Root reinforcement is an effective slope protection measure due to root water absorption and soil suction. However, the coupled effect of rainfall and root reinforcement remains unclear, resulting in a challenge to evaluate slope stability in complex environments. This paper regards the root–soil composite as a natural fiber composite and quantifies its reinforcement effect using direct shear tests. The unsaturated soil seepage–stress theory was employed to simulate the effect of rainfall on water migration and the stability of spoil, overburden, and vegetated slopes. Field measurements and pore water pressure tests verified the simulation results. Furthermore, the influences of the slope angle, rainfall parameters, and vegetation cover thickness on slope stability were analyzed. The results showed the following: (1) The root reinforcement enhanced the soil’s ability to resist shear deformation, substantially improving soil shear strength. The cohesion of the root–soil composite (crs = 33.25 kPa) was 177% higher than that of the engineering spoil (ces = 12 kPa) and 32.21% higher than that of the overburden soil (cos = 25.15 kPa). (2) The overburden and vegetated slopes had lower permeability coefficients and a higher shear strength than the spoil slope, and the effect was more pronounced for the latter, resulting in lower landslide risks. The water migration trend of the vegetated slope was characterized by substantial runoff and a low sediment yield. The safety factors of the spoil slope, overburden slope, and vegetated slope were 1.741, 1.763, and 1.784 before rainfall and 1.687, 1.720, and 1.763 after rainfall, respectively, indicating a significantly higher safety factor of the vegetated slope after rainfall. (3) The slope angle significantly affected slope stability, with lower safety factors observed for higher rainfall intensities and durations. Under these conditions, the slope angle should be less than 30°, and the soil thickness should be 0.5 m for herbaceous vegetation and shrubs and 1.0 m for trees.
Composition of Attractant Semiochemicals of North American Species of Dendroctonus Bark Beetles: A Review
Authors: Sullivan Brian T.
Published: March 2024

The 19 species of Dendroctonus bark beetles native to North America include several of the most significant biotic mortality agents of conifers in this region, and they have impacted millions of hectares of forest in recent decades. Semiochemical attractants play several vital roles in the biology of these insects including host finding, host assessment, and mate finding. They are key to the virulence of these insects, since they mediate the mass attacks that enable killing and reproduction within healthy trees. These attractants consist of combinations of thirteen identified pheromone components in three primary chemical classes and at least ten host-associated compounds dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons in host defensive resin. Due to their potential for use in pest management technologies, semiochemical attractants for Dendroctonus have received extensive research into their chemical compositions and effects on insect behavior. This paper is intended as a synthesis of this research over the past 60 years as well as a critical examination of approaches to investigation of this topic and interpretation of experimental results. Its purpose is to assist practitioners in formulating suitable attractive lures for use in applications and identify gaps in knowledge of the semiochemistry of Dendroctonus that should be addressed if the practical potential of attractants is to be fully realized.
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Tracking of Fermentation of Oat and Pea Bases for Yoghurt-Type Products
Authors: Greulich Olivia , Duedahl-Olesen Lene , Mikkelsen Mette Skau , Smedsgaard Jørn , Bang-Berthelsen Claus Heiner
Published: March 2024

The fermentation process of plant-based yoghurt (PBY)-like products must be followed for consistency by monitoring, e.g., the pH, temperature, and lactic acid concentration. Spectroscopy provides an efficient multivariate in situ quality monitoring method for tracking the process. Therefore, quality monitoring methods for pea- and oat-based yoghurt-like products using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were developed and modeled. Plant-based yoghurt (PBY) was formulated by fermenting pea and oat plant drinks with a commercial starter culture based on Lactobacillus and Streptococcus strains. The main variance during fermentation was explained by spectral carbohydrate and protein bands with a notable shift in protein band peaks for the amide II band at 1548 cm−1 to 1576 cm−1. In addition to the identification of changed spectral bands during fermentation, FT-IR efficiently tracked the variation in oat and pea fermentation using pH as the main indicator. Prediction models with an R2 for the predicted value of pH as a fermentation indicator (R2 = 0.941) with a corresponding root-mean-squared error of prediction (RMSEP) of 0.247 was obtained when compared to the traditional pH method.
Current Advances in Carotenoid Production by Rhodotorula sp.
Authors: Ochoa-Viñals Nayra , Alonso-Estrada Dania , Pacios-Michelena Sandra , García-Cruz Ariel , Ramos-González Rodolfo , Faife-Pérez Evelyn , Michelena-Álvarez Lourdes Georgina , Martínez-Hernández José Luis , Iliná Anna
Published: March 2024

Microbial carotenoids are pigments of lipophilic nature; they are considered promising substitutes for chemically synthesized carotenoids in the food industry. Their benefits for human health have been demonstrated due to their antioxidant capacity. Yeasts of the genus Rhodotorula have genotypic characteristics that allow them to accumulate high concentrations of carotenes under certain stress conditions. The present review includes recent information covering different aspects of carotenoid production in Rhodotorula sp. fermentation. This review focuses on fermentation carotenoid production strategies, describing various economic raw materials as sources of carbon and nitrogen, the capacity for tolerance to heavy metals, and the effect of light, pH, and salts on the accumulation of carotenoids. Genetic modification strategies used to obtain strains with increased carotenoid production are described. Furthermore, using magnetic nanoparticles in the fermentation system, which could be a stress factor that increases pigment production, is considered for the first time. Rhodotorula is a potential source of high-value carotenoids with applications in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food industries.
Aroma Features of Hanseniaspora vineae Hv205 Wines in Sequential and Co-Inoculation Strategies
Authors: Gallo Adelaide , Roman Tomas , Paolini Mauro , Cappello Nicola , Guzzon Raffaele , Carrau Francisco , Schneider Rémi , Larcher Roberto
Published: March 2024

Hanseniaspora vineae (Hv) is a non-Saccharomyces yeast with unique metabolic features, making it appealing for wine production. However, Hv presents high nutritional requirements that may lead to slow fermentation. This study investigated the impact of sequential inoculation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) in white winemaking at different time points (24, 48, 74, 100 and 200 h) during Hv fermentation and compared them to simultaneous inoculations. The 200 h protocol extended fermentation by an average of 13 days compared to pure Sc, decreasing with earlier sequential inoculation. Sc wines were richer in isoamyl acetate and ethyl hexanoate than Hv wines, with no significant differences among inoculation protocols. β-phenylethyl acetate was increased in Hv wines, particularly in the 24 h protocol. The 2-phenylethanol concentration was negatively correlated with the S. cerevisiae inoculation delay. Hv altered the wine aroma features, enhancing the compounds associated with rose-like scents. Reducing the Sc inoculation delay aligned Hv with industrial standards while maintaining increased β-phenylethyl acetate production. However, co-inoculation with Sc seems to better meet the Hv requirement without sacrificing the main aromatic features of Hv, demonstrating faster sugar depletion and higher acetate and ethyl ester contents, suggesting that co-inoculation yields a more modulable wine aroma profile.
Implementing Federated Governance in Data Mesh Architecture
Authors: Dolhopolov Anton , Castelltort Arnaud , Laurent Anne
Published: March 2024

Analytical data platforms have been used for decades to improve organizational performance. Starting from the data warehouses used primarily for structured data processing, through the data lakes oriented for raw data storage and post-hoc data analyses, to the data lakehouses—a combination of raw storage and business intelligence pre-processing for improving the platform’s efficacy. But in recent years, a new architecture called Data Mesh has emerged. The main promise of this architecture is to remove the barriers between operational and analytical teams in order to boost the overall value extraction from the big data. A number of attempts have been made to formalize and implement it in existing projects. Although being defined as a socio-technical paradigm, data mesh still lacks the technology support to enable its widespread adoption. To overcome this limitation, we propose a new view of the platform requirements alongside the formal governance definition that we believe can help in the successful adoption of the data mesh. It is based on fundamental aspects such as decentralized data domains and federated computational governance. In addition, we also present a blockchain-based implementation of a mesh platform as a practical validation of our theoretical proposal. Overall, this article demonstrates a novel research direction for information system decentralization technologies.
Performance Evaluation of Graph Neural Network-Based RouteNet Model with Attention Mechanism
Authors: Dhamala Binita Kusum , Dawadi Babu R. , Manzoni Pietro , Acharya Baikuntha Kumar
Published: March 2024

Graph representation is recognized as an efficient method for modeling networks, precisely illustrating intricate, dynamic interactions within various entities of networks by representing entities as nodes and their relationships as edges. Leveraging the advantage of the network graph data along with deep learning technologies specialized for analyzing graph data, Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) have revolutionized the field of computer networking by effectively handling structured graph data and enabling precise predictions for various use cases such as performance modeling, routing optimization, and resource allocation. The RouteNet model, utilizing a GNN, has been effectively applied in determining Quality of Service (QoS) parameters for each source-to-destination pair in computer networks. However, a prevalent issue in the current GNN model is their struggle with generalization and capturing the complex relationships and patterns within network data. This research aims to enhance the predictive power of GNN-based models by enhancing the original RouteNet model by incorporating an attention layer into its architecture. A comparative analysis is conducted to evaluate the performance of the Modified RouteNet model against the Original RouteNet model. The effectiveness of the added attention layer has been examined to determine its impact on the overall model performance. The outcomes of this research contribute to advancing GNN-based network performance prediction, addressing the limitations of existing models, and providing reliable frameworks for predicting network delay.
Data Structure and Management Protocol to Enhance Name Resolving in Named Data Networking
Authors: Aldaoud Manar , Al-Abri Dawood , Awadalla Medhat , Kausar Firdous
Published: March 2024

Named Data Networking (NDN) is a future Internet architecture that requires an Inter-Domain Routing (IDR) to route its traffic globally. Address resolution is a vital component of any IDR system that relies on a Domain Name System (DNS) resolver to translate domain names into their IP addresses in TCP/IP networks. This paper presents a novel two-element solution to enhance name-to-delivery location resolution in NDN networks, consisting of (1) a mapping table data structure and a searching mechanism and (2) a management protocol to automatically populate and modify the mapping table. The proposed solution is implemented and tested on the Peer Name Provider Server (PNPS) mapping table, and its performance is compared with two other algorithms: component and character tries. The findings show a notable enhancement in the operational speed of the mapping table when utilizing the proposed data structure. For instance, the insertion process is 37 times faster compared to previous algorithms.
Using Prescribed Fire and Biosolids Applications as Grassland Management Tools: Do Wildlife Respond?
Authors: Washburn Brian , Begier Michael
Published: March 2024

Prescribed burning is a management tool commonly used in forested ecosystems in the southeastern United States, but the influence of this method on grassland vegetation and wildlife in this geographic region is unknown. During 2009–2015, we conducted a study to determine if the application of prescribed burning and/or long-term biosolid applications alter plant communities and/or wildlife use of grassland areas at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Havelock, NC. We monitored vegetation growth, measured plant community composition, and documented wildlife activity in four study plots for 3 years after the implementation of annual winter prescribed burns. Prescribed burning reduced the amount of litter, increased bare ground during spring, and altered the plant community composition relative to areas that were not burned. Overall, prescribed burning did not alter (F1,803 = 0.37, p = 0.54) bird use of the airfield grasslands, while the long-term application of biosolids resulted in higher (F1,803 = 17.61, p < 0.01) bird use. Few species-specific differences in avian use of prescribed burned and unburned grasslands were found. In contrast, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) use of areas that were burned in winter, as well as the adjacent unburned areas, was drastically reduced. Winter prescribed burning appeared to remove forage plants at the time of year deer would use them the most. Our findings suggest that prescribed burning and biosolid applications, used alone and in combination, might be viable grassland management tools for altering wildlife use of grassland areas, specifically white-tailed deer; however, similar research at additional locations should be conducted.
Comparing Observed and Projected Changes in Australian Fire Climates
Authors: Jones Roger N. , Ricketts James H.
Published: March 2024

The Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) is the main measure used in Australia for estimating fire risk. Recent work by the authors showed that the FFDI forms stable state regimes, nominated as fire climate regimes. These regimes shifted to greater intensity in southern and eastern Australia around the year 2000 and, a decade later, further north. Reductions in atmospheric moisture were the primary contributor. These changes have not been fully incorporated into future projections. This paper compares the recent regime shifts with the most recent national projections of FFDI, published in 2015. They show that for most states and regions, the 2030 upper limit is approached or exceeded by the recent shift, except for two states with large arid zones, South Australia and Western Australia. Methods for attributing past changes, constructing projections, and the inability of climate models to reproduce the recent decreases in atmospheric moisture, all contribute to these underestimates. To address these shortcomings, we make some suggestions to modify efforts aiming to develop seamless predictions and projections of future fire risk.
Age and Growth of Japanese Anchovy (Engraulis japonicus, Temminck & Schlegel, 1846) in Coastal Waters around Shandong Peninsula, China
Authors: Fellatami Kalysta , Zhang Wenchao , Zhang Chi , Liu Shude , Tian Yongjun
Published: March 2024

Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus) is a small pelagic fish with commercial and ecological importance. In spite of its importance, in recent years, specific research on anchovy in the Shandong Peninsula area has been relatively scarce and outdated. This study aims to estimate the age and growth characteristics of anchovy through year-round seasonal sampling from 2016 to 2017, utilizing length–frequency and otolith microstructure analysis. The higher coastal abundance and larger size observed in the spring and summer suggest a potential peak spawning period for anchovies dominated by larger-sized individuals. Based on otolith analysis, anchovies range in age from 0 to 4 years, with a limited presence at age 0 and dominance in the age-1 group. The length–weight relationship (LWR) equation shows hyper-allometric growth for each season, with a mean relative condition factor (Kn) of 1.025 ± 0.005, indicating good health. Additionally, the von Bertalanffy growth equation of can be expressed as Lt = 154.40 [1 − e−0.604 (t + 0.965)], suggesting a medium growth rate (K = 0.604). These findings contribute to the understanding of anchovy age and growth patterns, emphasizing the continuous need for research and monitoring to support rational and sustainable fisheries management and conservation efforts.
Modeling Environmental Impacts of Intensive Shrimp Aquaculture: A Three-Dimensional Hydrodynamic Ecosystem Approach
Authors: Zhou Jinxin , Tu Teng , Wang Huajin , Kitazawa Daisuke
Published: March 2024

Already a multibillion-dollar global industry, shrimp aquaculture, is growing all the time. The intensive method, which is the most common method in shrimp aquaculture, remains commercially challenged due to the expenditures associated with environmental pollution abatement. Although the comprehensive understanding of this intricate aquaculture environment has been advanced using mathematical modeling, recent attempts to improve the model’s structure have not yielded enough results. This work upgraded the previous method to a three-dimensional hydrodynamic ecosystem model with the effects of shrimps being replaced by approximation equations for the environmental assessment of a shrimp aquaculture pond in Kyushu District, Japan. Our approach was successful, as demonstrated by the high consistency of the simulation results when compared to observation data and the previous results. Additionally, we first revealed the impacts of stratification and confirmed the notable daily variation in the water quality. Our case study offers significant practical information on the characteristics of intensive shrimp aquaculture, implications for long-term sustainable operations, and future research priorities on local-scale ecosystem modeling.
Effects of Dietary Fish Meal Replaced by Cottonseed Protein Concentrate on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, and Liver and Intestinal Health of Juvenile Hybrid Culter
Authors: Xu Guangming , Wei Huijie , Peng Di , Zhang Lang , Lu Xing , Li Qing , Dong Lixue , Tian Juan , Wen Hua , Wang Guiying , Jiang Ming
Published: March 2024

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of concentrated cottonseed protein (CPC) as a substitute for fishmeal (FM) in juvenile hybrid culter (Erythroculter ilishaeformis ♀ × Ancherythroculter nigrocauda ♂). A total of 360 fish with an initial body weight of 10.0 ± 0.5 g were randomly allocated into 12 indoor culture tanks, with each tank containing 30 fish. Four diets were formulated in which fish meal (FM) was replaced by CPC at different inclusion levels: 0% (T0), 15% (T15), 30% (T30), and 45% (T45). The corresponding amounts of CPC included were 0, 61, 122, and 182 g/kg, respectively. At the end of the 10-week feeding trial, the findings revealed an inverse correlation between the proportion of CPC replacing FM and both final body weight (FBW) and weight growth rate (WG) in hybrid culter. Specifically, the T30 and T45 groups exhibited significantly lower FBW and WG compared to the T0 group (p < 0.05). No significant differences in crude protein and ash contents were observed among all groups (p > 0.05). However, the crude lipid content was highest in hybrid culter fed the T45 diet and lowest in the T0 group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in muscle amino acid composition among all treatment groups (p > 0.05). The contents of total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) declined slightly as the proportion of FM substituted by CPC increased, yet this decline did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity elevated with increasing dietary CPC, and the T45 group exhibited significantly higher ALT activity compared to the T0 group (p < 0.05). The hepatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were significantly lower in the T45 group than in the T0 and T15 groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, there was a decrease in intestinal villi length with an increasing replacement ratio of FM by CPC, and the villi length in the T45 group exhibited a significant reduction when compared to that in the T0 group (p < 0.05). It is concluded that replacing 15% FM with CPC does not exert obviously detrimental effects on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, intestinal morphology, muscle amino acid profile, or antioxidant performance of juvenile hybrid culter.
Effect of Intermittent Low-Pressure Radiofrequency Helium Cold Plasma Treatments on Rice Gelatinization, Fatty Acid, and Hygroscopicity
Authors: Cao Ziyi , Li Xingjun , Song Hongdong , Jie Yu , Liu Chang
Published: March 2024

To establish the safe and reproducible effects of cold plasma (CP) technology on food products, this study evaluated the gelatinization parameters, fatty acid profile, and hygroscopic properties of rice grains repeatedly treated with low-pressure radiofrequency (RF) helium CP (13.56 MHz, 140 Pa, 120 W-20s, 0–4 times, and 300 g sample). Compared with the untreated (zero times) sample, with an increase in CP treatment times from one to four on rice, the water contact angle and cooking time decreased, while the water absorption rate and freshness index increased, and the pH value remained unchanged. CP repeating treatments essentially had no effect on the gelatinization enthalpy, but significantly increased the peak temperature of gelatinization. From the pasting profile of rice that has been repeatedly CP treated, the peak, breakdown, and setback viscosities in flour paste decreased. CP repeating treatments on rice did not change the short-range molecular order of starch. Compared with the untreated sample, the first helium CP treatment maintained the content of C18:1n9c, C18:2n6c, and C18:3n3, but the second to fourth CP treatment significantly decreased contents of these fatty acids (FAs) as the C18:0 content increased. The first three CP treatments can increase the water and sucrose solvent retention capacity in rice flours. CP repeatedly treated rice first exhibits the similar monolayer water content and solid surface area of water sorption. Principal component analysis shows that contact angle, pasting parameters, and fatty acid profile in milled rice are quite sensitive to CP treatment. Results support that the effect of low-pressure RF 120W helium CP treatment 20 s on rice grains is perdurable, and the improvement of CP intermittent treatments on rice cooking and pasting properties is an added benefit, and the hygroscopic properties of rice was kept.
Effect of Fucoidan on Structure and Bioactivity of Chinese Steamed Bread
Authors: Yang Qingyu , Li Man , Gu Chenqi , Lu Anni , Dong Lijun , Zhang Xiling , Hu Xiufa , Liu Yao , Lu Jun
Published: March 2024

Fucoidan refers to a group of sulphated polysaccharides obtained from brown seaweed, with numerous biological activities. In this study, fucoidan was fortified into Chinese steamed bread (CSB) at different concentrations (0, 1%, 3% and 5%) and the effect of fucoidan on the dough properties, structure properties and bioactivity were investigated. The results showed that fucoidan could change the viscosity of unfermented dough, and a high concentration of fucoidan could remove the free radicals produced by the SH–SS exchange reaction (GS-) in the dough, which significantly reduced the content of disulfide bond and reduced the expanded volume of fermented dough (p < 0.05). In addition, fucoidan forms a physical barrier on the surface of starch particles and hinders the reaction between protein-to-protein; therefore, fucoidan increased the hardness, gumminess and chewiness in CSB, and reduced the specific volume in CSB. Furthermore, the fucoidan-fortified CSB samples were found to have both the ability to significantly reduce the predicted glycemic index (pGI) (p < 0.05) and improve antioxidant activity (p < 0.05). Collectively, these findings could provide a theoretical basis for the applications of fucoidan as a functional component in fermented foods.