bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on Low-Carbon Energy Sharing through the Alliance of Integrated Energy Systems with Multiple Uncertainties
Authors: Shi Zhihan , Han Weisong , Zhang Guangming , Bai Zhiqing , Zhu Mingxiang , Lv Xiaodong
Published: December 2022

It is of great significance to introduce the conception of a sharing economy into the electricity industry, which can promote the dispatch of multiple integrated energy systems. On the one hand, it is difficult to reveal the behaviors of complex players with multi-energy coupling through the traditional centralized optimization method of single electric energy. On the other hand, the uncertain fluctuations of renewable energy, such as wind power and photovoltaic, have posed great challenges to market transactions. First, the relationship and the functions of all stakeholders in the system are described in this paper, followed by the establishment of flexible resource models such as demand response and energy storage devices. On this basis, a low-carbon dispatching framework of multiple regional gas–electric integrated energy systems is then constructed under the guidance of cooperative game theory. The contribution indexes are established to measure the degree of energy sharing among the subsystems, and the method of asymmetric Nash bargaining is used to settle the interests of each subsystem. Second, a robust optimization model of multiple regional systems is established in response to multiple uncertainties from renewable energy and load. Finally, the numerical example proves that the proposed mechanism can increase the benefits of each integrated energy system player. Moreover, it helps the system to yield optimal benefits in the face of uncertainties and provides a reference on how to realize energy sharing under uncertainties from source load.
Design and Experimental Research of a Wellhead Overflow Monitoring System for Open-Circuit Drilling of Natural Gas Hydrate
Authors: Zhong Chao , Lu Jing’an , Kang Dongju
Published: December 2022

Natural gas hydrate is easy to decompose and leak due to the changes in temperature and pressure during drilling, which causes safety accidents. Early monitoring of wellhead overflow is a practical and effective measure to prevent overflow blowouts and other accidents. Herein, a wellhead methane monitoring system for the open-circuit drilling of marine natural gas was designed. The system consisted of an overwater acoustic reception part and an underwater self-contained methane monitoring part, matching the construction environment of marine natural gas hydrate exploitation. Compared with the existing gas logging technology (measurement while drilling), the monitoring and early warning of wellhead methane content were realized at all stages of drilling, casing running, cementing, completion and fracturing in the process of natural gas hydrate exploitation. System communication and data acquisition tests were completed at different water depths through sea trials, which verified the effectiveness of the system design. The research results provide important theoretical and technical implications for promoting the development of early spill monitoring technology at the wellhead of open-circuit drilling for marine gas hydrates.
Cross-Cultural Study on OSH Risk Perception of Solar PV Workers of Saudi Arabia and India: Risk Mitigation through PtD
Authors: Sen Abhijit , Khamaj Abdulrahman , Moosa Majed , Karmakar Sougata
Published: December 2022

A large number of workers are entering the rapidly growing solar photovoltaic industry. The emerging occupational safety and health risks faced by the workers have rarely been measured and aptly addressed. Moreover, there is a lack of cross-cultural studies on solar photovoltaic workers engaged across different countries. This study was planned to measure the occupational safety and health risks, socio-demographic parameters, study the cross-cultural aspects and develop design concepts for risk mitigation. Field studies were conducted in solar installations in Saudi Arabia and India. Socio-demographic data and risk perception scores for eighteen different occupational safety and health risks were obtained from the workers (n = 135). In addition, discomfort glare was also measured. Design concepts were developed following the hierarchy of controls matrix and the bow-tie analysis method using the prevention through design approach. Heat stress, electrocution, solar radiation, and fire/electric flash were found in the high and very high risk categories. This is a first-of-its-kind cross-cultural study in the solar photovoltaic industry which measures the occupational safety and health risks and develops design concepts for mitigation of risks. This study will be beneficial to solar project developers, safety professionals, ergonomists, industrial designers and policy makers.
Peer-to-Peer Trading for Energy-Saving Based on Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Pu Liangyi , Wang Song , Huang Xiaodong , Liu Xing , Shi Yawei , Wang Huiwei
Published: December 2022

This paper proposes a new peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading method between energy sellers and consumers in a community based on multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL). Each user of the community is treated as a smart agent who can choose the amount and the price of the electric energy to sell/buy. There are two aspects we need to examine: the profits for the individual user and the utility for the community. For a single user, we consider that they want to realise both a comfortable living environment to enhance happiness and satisfaction by adjusting usage loads and certain economic benefits by selling the surplus electric energy. Taking the whole community into account, we care about the balance between energy sellers and consumers so that the surplus electric energy can be locally absorbed and consumed within the community. To this end, MARL is applied to solve the problem, where the decision making of each user in the community not only focuses on their own interests but also takes into account the entire community’s welfare. The experimental results prove that our method is profitable both both the sellers and buyers in the community.
A HELIOS-Based Dynamic Salt Clean-Up Study Analysing the Effects of a Plutonium-Based Initial Core for iMAGINE
Authors: Merk Bruno , Detkina Anna , Litskevich Dzianis , Noori-kalkhoran Omid , Jain Lakshay , Cartland-Glover Gregory
Published: December 2022

Nuclear technologies have strong potential and a unique role to play in delivering reliable low carbon energy to enable a net-zero society for future generations. However, to assure the sustainability required for its long-term success, nuclear will need to deliver innovative solutions as proposed in iMAGINE. One of the most attractive features, but also a key challenge for the envisaged highly integrated nuclear energy system iMAGINE, is the need for a demand driven salt clean-up system based on the principles of reverse reprocessing. The work described provides an insight into the dynamic interplay between a potential salt clean-up system and reactor operation in a plutonium-started core in a dynamic approach. The results presented will help to optimise the parameters for the salt clean-up process as well as to understand the differences which appear between a core started with enriched uranium and plutonium as the fissile material. The integrated model is used to investigate the effects of the initial fissile material on core size, achievable burnup, and long-term operation. Different approaches are tested to achieve a higher burnup in the significantly smaller Pu-driven core. The effects of different clean-up system throughputs on the concentration of fission products in the reactor salt and its consequences are discussed for general molten salt reactor design. Finally, an investigation into how a plutonium loaded core could be used to provide fuel for future reactors through fuel salt splitting is presented, with the outcome that one Pu-started reactor of the same size as a uranium-started core could deliver fuel for 1.5 new cores due to enhanced breeding. The results provide an essential understanding for the progress of iMAGINE as well as the basis for inter-disciplinary work required for optimising iMAGINE.
Experimental Performance Evaluation of an Integrated, LCPV/T Membrane Distillation System for Electricity and Seawater Desalination
Authors: Huang Shengwei , Liu Zhenghao , Zhang Yong , Su Dan , Sun Dongqi , Cheng Chao
Published: December 2022

In this paper, an integrated system based on low-concentrated photovoltaic/thermal (LCPV/T) technology and efficient vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) seawater desalination utilizing the energy of solar is established. Through a theoretical analysis and a series of experiments, this paper explores the temperature change of a single VMD process, and the variation trend of single-day membrane flux with solar irradiation and temperature parameters. In addition, the changes in solar irradiation, temperatures of the integrated system, membrane flux, and thermoelectric properties in different seasons are also analyzed. A mathematical model was established to calculate the relationship between membrane flux and temperature difference. The experimental results show that the membrane flux of VMD is 2.73 L/(m2·h); the simulated seawater can achieve a desalination rate of 99.9%. After economic analysis, the operating incomes of the system under sunny weather conditions in different seasons were all positive.
Electromagnetic Surveys for Petroleum Exploration: Challenges and Prospects
Authors: Buddo Igor , Shelokhov Ivan , Misyurkeeva Natalya , Sharlov Maxim , Agafonov Yury
Published: December 2022

Transient electromagnetic (TEM) surveys constitute an important element in exploration projects and can be successfully used in the search for oil and gas. Different modifications of the method include shallow (sTEM), 2D, 3D, and 4D (time-lapse) soundings. TEM data allow for solving a large scope of problems for estimating resources and reserves of hydrocarbons, discriminating reservoir rocks, detecting tectonic features, and characterizing drilling conditions. TEM surveys are applicable at all stages, from initial prospecting to production, and are especially efficient when combined with seismic surveys. Each stage has its specific objectives: estimation of net pay thickness, porosity, and fluid type during prospecting, optimization of well placement and prediction of drilling conditions in exploration, and monitoring of flooding during production. Electromagnetic soundings resolve permafrost features well and thus have a high potentiality for exploration in the Arctic petroleum province. At the first reconnaissance stage of regional prospecting in East Siberia, electromagnetic and seismic data were used jointly to map the junction of the Aldan basin (part of the Aldan-Maya foredeep) with the eastern slope of the Aldan uplift and to constrain the limits of Neoproterozoic sediments. The TEM-based images revealed reservoir rocks in the Upper and Middle Neoproterozoic strata. TEM data have implications for the amount of in-place oil and gas resources in prospects, leads, and plays (Russian categories D1–3) at the prospecting and exploration stages and contingent recoverable reserves (C2) during exploration (latest stage). The contribution of the TEM survey to oil and gas evaluation is quantified via economic variables, such as the value of information (VOI) and expected monetary value (EMV).
Relationship of Fluoride Concentration to Well Depth in an Alluvial Aquifer in a Semiarid Area
Authors: Espino-Valdés María Socorro , Rodríguez-Lozano Daniel F. , Gutiérrez Mélida , Silva-Hidalgo Humberto , Pinales-Munguía Adán
Published: December 2022

Groundwater of northern Mexico contains high concentrations of geogenic fluoride (F−), a contaminant known to affect human health. The origin of F− in groundwater in this region has been related to the weathering of rhyolite and other volcanic rocks present in the alluvium. However, the relationship of F− concentration to water depth has not been established. F− concentrations, pH, and total dissolved solids (TSD) were determined for 18 wells within the Meoqui-Delicias aquifer in 2021. The F concentrations varied between 0.62 mg L−1 and 4.84 mg L−1, and 61% of the wells exceeded the 1.5 mg L−1 guideline. F− concentrations did not correlate to TDS but correlated to well depth (r = −0.52, p < 0.05). Because of the less-than-strong correlation coefficient value obtained, a diagram of F− concentrations vs. well depth was constructed. The diagram showed a distinct enrichment of F− in shallow wells, suggesting that groundwater residence time and evaporation may be important factors in explaining the F− content within the aquifer. This pattern was confirmed after plotting 2003 and 2006 data for the same wells. These findings are important to better understand the distribution of F− in neighboring alluvial aquifers as well as in alluvial aquifers elsewhere.
Stand Characteristics Rather than Soil Properties Contribute More to the Expansion of Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) into Its Neighboring Forests in Subtropical Region
Authors: Ge Zhiqiang , Huang Shigui , Ouyang Ming , Luan Fenggang , Fang Xiong , Yang Qingpei , Liu Jun , Song Qingni
Published: December 2022

Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), once highly praised worldwide, has been found to be a problematic species due to its unconstrained expansion into adjacent woodlands and negative effects on the function services of forest ecosystems. To determine the major factors affecting bamboo expansion into neighbor woodlands, we investigated the expansion characteristics of moso bamboo and the properties of stand structure and soil for 58 bamboo–woodland interfaces (BWIs) across Jiangxi province in China. Then, we analyzed the relationships between the variables of bamboo expansion and the properties of interfaces through a redundancy analysis. The characteristics (the expansion distance and the number and size of new culms) of moso bamboo expansion into disturbed forests were more significant (p < 0.01) than those into non-disturbed forests. The bamboo expansion into deciduous broad-leaved forest was much faster (1.33 m/yr) than evergreen broad-leaved forest (0.82 m/yr) and needle-leaved forest (1.08 m/yr). The characteristics of stand structure had more direct explanatory power (58.8%) than soil properties (4.3%) and their interaction (10.0%) for the variations in bamboo expansion. The canopy closure of recipient forests was identified as the most significant factor negatively correlated to bamboo expansion. The number of parent culms and the ratio of deciduous to evergreen trees ranked in sequence, and both imposed positive effects on the expansion. Regarding soil properties, only the water content was identified for its explanatory power and negative influence on bamboo expansion. Our findings illustrated that the expansion of moso bamboo showed remarkable variations when facing different woodlands. Stand characteristics (canopy closure, canopy height, etc.) of good explanatory power were the major variables affecting the expansion of moso bamboo. In order to control the expansion of bamboo and protect woodlands, disturbances (extracting timber, girdling trunks) should be prevented in bamboo–woodland interfaces.
A Systematic Review of the Physicochemical and Microbial Diversity of Well-Preserved, Restored, and Disturbed Mangrove Forests: What Is Known and What Is the Way Forward?
Authors: Lai Jiayong , Cheah Wee , Palaniveloo Kishneth , Suwa Rempei , Sharma Sahadev
Published: December 2022

Mangrove forests are salt-tolerant intertidal vegetation in tropical and subtropical areas. Mangrove ecosystems provide commercial products, valuable fisheries, and aquaculture resources, protect and stabilize coastlines, and are important carbon sinks. However, they are threatened globally by human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and development causing fragmentation between the well-preserved, restored, and disturbed mangrove forests. Despite this, mangroves can adapt and strive well and are notable well associated with microbial diversity. Here, we investigate the diversity of microbes in different environmental settings using preferred reporting items for systematic and meta-analyses (PRISMA) analysis for publications from Scopus and the Web of Science databases. We report publications since 1987, and observed an exponential increase in publications beginning in the year 2000, which may be associated with the development of molecular and sequencing technologies. Differences in bacterial diversity was observed across the well-preserved, restored, and disturbed mangrove environments. Disturbed mangrove forests had a higher diversity (70 unique taxon orders reported) compared to well-preserved (33 unique taxon orders reported) and restored forests (38 unique taxon orders reported). Based on our analysis, we found that the microbial community plays an important role in the survival and adaptability of mangroves under varying environmental conditions. Thus, there is a need and a lot of potential for research in the area of mangrove microbiology with reference to ecology, biogeochemistry, and geomorphology.
A Higher Lignin Content in ugt72b37 Poplar Mutants Indicates a Role of Monolignol Glycosylation in Xylem Lignification
Authors: Amadou Hassane Hadjara , Behr Marc , Guérin Claire , Sibout Richard , Mol Adeline , Baragé Moussa , El Jaziri Mondher , Baucher Marie
Published: December 2022

Plant UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGT) transfer sugars to small acceptor molecules and thereby play key roles in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, including phenylpropanoids. Some of those metabolites are involved in the xylem lignification of a broad range of terrestrial plants, particularly trees. Here, we focused on poplar UGT72B37, coding for an enzyme glycosylating monolignols by investigating CRISPR/Cas9 mutant lines. The cell wall characterization revealed a 10% lignin content increase in the xylem of three-month-old mutant lines compared to the wild type. No ectopic lignification was evidenced in the pith of the stems of the mutants, suggesting that the increased lignin deposition is restricted to lignified cell walls. The analysis of the expression level of lignin biosynthesis and polymerization genes did not show significant changes between the WT and the ugt72b37 mutants, except for CINNAMOYL-COA REDUCTASE 2 which was significantly upregulated by 1.2–1.5-fold. Noticeably, UGT72B38, the closest related gene to UGT72B37, is upregulated in mutant lines, suggesting a functional compensation between UGT72B37 and UGT72B38 possibly linked with lignin biosynthesis and accumulation in poplar. Overall, these results reinforce a plausible role of monolignol glycosylation in the cell wall lignification process.
Biomass Price Prediction Based on the Example of Poland
Authors: Górna Aleksandra , Wieruszewski Marek , Szabelska-Beręsewicz Alicja , Stanula Zygmunt , Adamowicz Krzysztof
Published: December 2022

The aim of the study was to test the applicability of forecasting in the analysis of the variability of prices and supply of wood in Poland. It relies on the autoregressive integrated model (ARIMA) that takes into account the level of cyclic, seasonal, and irregular fluctuations and the long-term trend as tools for the assessment of the predictions of the prices of selected medium-sized wood assortments. Elements of the time series were determined taking into account the cyclical character of the quarterly distribution. The data included quarterly information about the supply (amount) and prices (value) of wood sold by state forests in the years 2018–2022. The analysis was conducted for the most popular assortments: logging slash (M2, M2ZE), firewood S4, and medium-sized wood S2AP. In the period studied (years 2018–2022), the average rate of price variation was widely scattered. The average rate of price variation for the M2ZE assortment amounted to 7%. The average rate for M2 assortment was 1%, while the medium-sized S2AP assortment displayed the greatest variation of 99%. This means that between 2018 and the present, the price increased by nearly 100%. No major fluctuations were observed for the S4 assortment and its average rate of variation amounted to 0%. The analysis found seasonal variation was observed only for S4 firewood, the price of which went up each year in October, November, and December. For this reason, the forecast was made with the seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) version of the model. It is difficult to forecast the price of wood due to variations in the market and the impact of global factors related to fluctuations in supply.
Effects of Edaphic Factors at Different Depths on β-Diversity Patterns for Subtropical Plant Communities Based on MS-GDM in Southern China
Authors: Xu Wei , González-Rodríguez Miguel Ángel , Li Zehua , Tan Zhaowei , Yan Ping , Zhou Ping
Published: December 2022

Previous research on the relationship between edaphic factors and species diversity patterns has mostly focused on topsoil between 0 and 30 cm, with less attention paid to deeper layers where many plant root systems are concentrated. Since considering deeper edaphic layers might help to unravel the maintenance mechanisms of plant diversity, in the present study we explored the relationship between vegetation β-diversity and a comprehensive set of soil chemical attributes at different depths. Based on vegetation and soil data from subtropical broad-leaved forest plots in the Nanling Mountains, China, we analyzed the driving factors of β-diversity patterns of trees, shrubs, and herbs using multi-site generalized dissimilarity modeling (MS-GDM). We found that the species composition dissimilarity of trees, shrubs, and herbs layers in the study area was highly diversified and dominated by species turnover components. Topsoil chemical properties were the best explainers for the β-diversity of trees (52.5%), followed by herbs (40.3%) and shrubs (21.8%). With the increase of soil depth, especially for depth >60 cm, soil chemical elements gradually lost explanatory power. Regarding the β-diversity of trees, it was mainly affected by altitude and available nitrogen (AN), total iron (Fe), and nickel (Ni) content in the soil of 0–60 cm depth. Concerning shrubs, the best β-diversity explainers were altitude, geographical distance, and nutrient elements of the soil above 40 cm. The main factors driving the β-diversity of herbs were altitude, total boron (B), total cadmium (Cd), and total nickel (Ni) of 0–40 cm soil. Overall, our results suggest that the environmental filtration process driven by altitude and soil factors, and dispersal limitations represented by geographical distance, affected the β-diversity patterns of Nanling forest communities.
Remote Sensing Monitoring and Evaluation of Vegetation Changes in Hulun Buir Grassland, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
Authors: Dong Xi , Hu Chunming
Published: December 2022

Constantly increasing vegetation changes pose serious challenges to the sustainable use of global ecosystems. Thus, facing the increasingly serious climate and ecological environment problems and improving vegetation coverage is crucial to the sustainable development of the region. Along these lines, in this work, a monitoring model of vegetation cover change was proposed and developed by using Landsat TM (1989, 1999, and 2011) and Landsat OLI-TIRS (2021) data. More specifically, it was used to assess vegetation change. Based on this model, the vegetation change in the core area of Hulun Buir Grassland was systematically analyzed., From the acquired results, the existence of spatial differences in the vegetation coverage changes in the study area were demonstrated. The total area of vegetation coverage changes was 758.95 km2, and the area from low vegetation coverage to high vegetation coverage was 456.41 km2, accounting for 60.14% of the total change area. The area from high vegetation coverage to low vegetation coverage was 302.57 km2, accounting for 39.86% of the total change area, whereas the area of the area without vegetation coverage was 1963.92 km2, accounting for 72.13% of the study area, and the overall vegetation coverage is improving. Vegetation cover change monitoring models can also be used to reveal and describe large-scale vegetation landscape changes and obtain clear vegetation change results through easy-to-obtain data; our work suggests that in the process of pursuing regional economic development and accelerating urbanization, industrialization, and agricultural modernization, human beings should assume more responsibilities and pursue the sustainable development of the natural environment. The results of this work are of great importance to further study the potential driving mechanism of the vegetation coverage changes and provide theoretical guidance for relevant managers to formulate vegetation restoration measures.
Effect of Sodium Hydroxide Treatment on Chemical Composition and Feed Value of Common Reed (Phragmites australis) Straw
Authors: Uzatici Ahmet , Canbolat Onder , Kamalak Adem
Published: December 2022

This research was undertaken with the aim of determining the effect of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment on the chemical composition, in vitro gas production, neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) and true dry matter digestibility (TDMD), dry matter intake (DMI), and relative feed value (RFV) of common reed (Phragmites australis) straw. Reed straw was treated with 0% (control), 1%, 2%, and 3% NaOH and stored in 1.5-L glass jars in triplicate for 21 days. NaOH treatment had a significant effect on the chemical composition, in vitro gas production, NDFD and TDMD, DMI, and RFV of the reed straw. While it decreased the cell wall content of the reed straw, it significantly increased the NDFD, TDMD, DMI, and RFV. The neutral detergent fiber content of the reed straw decreased with NaOH treatment in a dose-dependent manner and ranged from 56.03% to 65.05%, whereas the NDFD increased and ranged from 53.10% to 59.99%. Metabolizable energy, organic matter digestibility, and TDMD values were improved, ranging from 9.15 to 10.19 MJ/kg DM, 58.46% to 65.05%, and 55.29% to 62.33%, respectively. The estimated RFV and DMI also improved, ranging from 84.70% to 95.58% and from 1.87% to 2.14% of body weight, respectively. The most effective treatment dose of NaOH was 3%. Therefore, it can be suggested that NaOH treatment has the potential to improve the nutritive value of reed straw. However, before large applications, further in vivo investigations are required to determine the effects of NaOH treatment on the feed intake and production of ruminant animals.
Evaluation of Rye Bran Enzymatic Hydrolysate Effect on Gene Expression and Bacteriocinogenic Activity of Lactic Acid Bacteria
Authors: Epishkina Julia M. , Romanova Maria V. , Chalenko Marina A. , Khromova Natalya Yu. , Karetkin Boris A. , Beloded Andrey V. , Kornienko Maria A. , Averina Yulia M. , Shakir Irina V. , Panfilov Victor I.
Published: December 2022

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) bacteriocins can be considered as a bio-preservatives and an alternative to antibiotics, but the high manufacturing costs limit their commercial application. The screening of LAB strains for bacteriocinogenic activity was carried out and the effect of rye bran enzymatic hydrolysate (RBEH) on gene expression and bacteriocin production was evaluated. qPCR and RT-PCR was applied for bacteriocin gene detection and their expression quantification. The agar diffusion technique with the test strains of Bacillus spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Salmonella enterica was performed for antimicrobial activity assessment of LAB cultivated in MRS broth and RBEH (processed with proteases and cellulases). The genes of different bacteriocins were revealed for thirteen out of eighteen LAB strains, while the antimicrobial activity was detected only for four of them. The strains of Lactobacillus paracasei VKPM B-11657 and L. salivarius VKPM B-2214 with unnamed class IIb bacteriocin gene demonstrated the widest spectrum of activity. The growth patterns and bacteriocin gene expression differed between both strains and media. The activity of cell-free supernatants after cultivation in RBEH was slightly lower. However, the test strain of S. epidermidis was inhibited by L. paracasei cultivated in RBEH but not in MRS. Thus, rye bran can be applied as a sole source of nutrients for LAB fermentation and bacteriocin production.
Graph-Based Taxonomic Semantic Class Labeling
Authors: Ban Kirigin Tajana , Bujačić Babić Sanda , Perak Benedikt
Published: December 2022

We present a graph-based method for the lexical task of labeling senses of polysemous lexemes. The labeling task aims at generalizing sense features of a lexical item in a corpus using more abstract concepts. In this method, a coordination dependency-based lexical graph is first constructed with clusters of conceptually associated lexemes representing related senses and conceptual domains of a source lexeme. The label abstraction is based on the syntactic patterns of the x is_a y dependency relation. For each sense cluster, an additional lexical graph is constructed by extracting label candidates from a corpus and selecting the most prominent is_a collocates in the constructed label graph. The obtained label lexemes represent the sense abstraction of the cluster of conceptually associated lexemes. In a similar graph-based procedure, the semantic class representation is validated by constructing a WordNet hypernym relation graph. These additional labels indicate the most appropriate hypernym category of a lexical sense community. The proposed labeling method extracts hierarchically abstract conceptual content and the sense semantic features of the polysemous source lexeme, which can facilitate lexical understanding and build corpus-based taxonomies.
Jet Velocity and Acoustic Excitation Characteristics of a Synthetic Jet Actuator
Authors: Arafa Nadim , Sullivan Pierre E. , Ekmekci Alis
Published: December 2022

The effect of the excitation frequency of synthetic jet actuators on the mean jet velocity issuing from an array of circular orifices is investigated experimentally, focusing on the acoustic excitation characteristics of the actuator’s cavity. Two cavity configurations are considered. In the first configuration, synthetic jets are generated by exciting a single, large cavity having an array of sixteen orifices via sixteen piezoelectric elements. In the second configuration, the cavity volume of the first configuration is divided into eight isolated compartments, each with two orifices and two piezoelectric elements. Several distinct resonant peaks were observed in the frequency response of the synthetic jet actuator built with a single large-aspect-ratio cavity, whereas the case of compartmentalised cavities exhibited a single resonant peak. Acoustic simulations of the large-aspect-ratio-cavity volume showed that the multiple peaks in its frequency response correspond to the acoustic standing-wave mode shapes of the cavity. Due to its large aspect ratio, several acoustic mode shapes coexist in the excitation frequency range aside from the Helmholtz resonance frequency. When the actuator’s cavity volume is compartmentalised, only the Helmholtz resonance frequency is observed within the excitation frequency range.
Effects of Sheep Sires on Muscle Fiber Characteristics, Fatty Acid Composition and Volatile Flavor Compounds in F1 Crossbred Lambs
Authors: Lu Zengkui , Yue Yaojing , Shi Haina , Zhang Jinxia , Liu Tiaoguo , Liu Jianbin , Yang Bohui
Published: December 2022

Crossbreeding significantly improves meat production performance in sheep; however, whether hybridization changes the meat quality characteristics of lambs is uncertain. We analyzed the effects of three different hybrid sires on muscle fiber characteristics (MFCs), fatty acid composition (FAC), and volatile flavor compounds (VFCs) in lambs under identical feeding conditions. Compared with those of purebred lambs, the muscle fiber diameter and cross-sectional areas of the crossbred lambs were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), and the collagen fiber content was significantly increased (p < 0.05). The numbers and area ratios of the fast and slow muscle fibers did not significantly differ between the purebred and crossbred lambs, but the expressions of four MyHC gene types differed significantly (p < 0.05). Twenty-three fatty acids were identified in both the purebred and crossbred lambs, of which thirteen were differentially expressed (p < 0.05). Saturated fatty acid (SFA) contents in the crossbred lambs were significantly increased (p < 0.05), whereas the monounsaturated fatty acid content was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Polyunsaturated fatty acid/SFA and n-6/n-3 ratios were significantly lower in the crossbred lambs than in the purebred lambs (p < 0.05). Twenty-five VFCs were identified among the three hybrids, and aldehydes were the main VFCs. Eleven VFCs were differentially expressed in the crossbred lambs (p < 0.05). Hybrid sires affected the MFCs, FAC, and VFCs of the F1 lambs, thus providing a reference for high-quality mutton production.
Sustainable and Nutritional Recommendations for the Development of Menus by School Food Services in Spain
Authors: Martínez-Milán María Asunción , Davó-Blanes María Carmen , Comino Iris , Caballero Pablo , Soares Panmela
Published: December 2022

Background: Recommendations for the development of school menus can promote healthier, more sustainable food systems. In Spain, these recommendations depend on regional governments (Autonomous Communities—CCAAs) that develop their own guides. The objective of this study was to explore the nutritional and sustainability recommendations for the development of menus by school food services in Spain. Methods: Guides were reviewed that were available on the official web pages of the councils of health and education. Twenty-four variables were studied and organized into three categories: characteristics, nutritional recommendations and sustainability. The number of recommendations included in each guide was counted. The weekly frequency of the suggested food provision for each food group was calculated, as was the average, median, standard deviation, confidence interval and interquartile index. Results: Overall, 13 guides were reviewed from different CCAAs. All of them included at least three of the nutritional recommendations, two suggested restrictions in the provision of foods with high quantities of salt and six suggested restrictions in foods with high levels of trans and saturated fats and sugars. All except one guide recommended the weekly provision of foods by food group: protein-rich foods (n = 8), cereals and root vegetables (n = 6), vegetables (n = 5.2) and fruit (n = 4.3). Of the eight criteria for sustainability studied, nine guides included one or none. Conclusions: Guides for the provision of meals at school in Spain promote the incorporation of healthy foods; however, they rarely restrict foods with high levels of fat, salt and sugar, and the promotion of food sustainability is only just beginning. These guides should be reviewed and updated to include recommendations that promote healthy and sustainable food systems.
Supercritical Carbon Dioxide in Presence of Water for the Valorization of Spent Coffee Grounds: Optimization by Response Surface Methodology and Investigation of Caffeine Extraction Mechanism
Authors: Vandeponseele Alexandre , Draye Micheline , Piot Christine , Bernard Damien , Fanget Philippe , Chatel Gregory
Published: December 2022

Spent coffee grounds are a promising bioresource that naturally contain around 50 wt% moisture which requires, for a valorization, a drying step of high energy and economic costs. However, the natural water in spent coffee grounds could bring new benefits as a co-solvent during the supercritical CO2 extraction (SC-CO2). This work reports the influence and optimization of pressure (115.9–284.1 bars), temperature (33.2–66.8 °C), and moisture content (6.4–73.6 wt%) on simultaneous extraction of lipids and polar molecules contained in spent coffee grounds by supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) using Central Composite Rotatable Design and Response Surface Methodology. The results show that for lipids extraction, pressure is the most influent parameter, although the influence of moisture content is statistically negligible. This suggests that water does not act as barrier to CO2 diffusion in the studied area. However, moisture content is the most influent parameter for polar molecules extraction, composed of 99 wt% of caffeine. Mechanism investigations highlight that H2O mainly act by (i) breaking caffeine interactions with chlorogenic acids present in spent coffee grounds matrix and (ii) transferring selectively caffeine without chlorogenic acid by liquid/liquid extraction with SC-CO2. Thus, the experiment for the optimization of lipids and polar molecules extraction is performed at a pressure of 265 bars, a temperature of 55 °C, and a moisture content of 55 wt%.
Changes in Milk Fat Globules and Membrane Proteins Prepared from pH-Adjusted Bovine Raw Milk
Authors: Sun Yanjun , Roos Yrjö H. , Miao Song
Published: December 2022

Milk fat globules (MFGs) have tri-layer biological membrane structures, and their compositions are gaining more interest for their physiological benefits. In this study, the changes in MFGs and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) proteins after cream separation from different pH bovine raw milk were investigated. Raw milk samples were adjusted to pH 5.30 and 6.30 using citric acid at 25 °C. The effect of pH and centrifugation on the structure of MFGs was evaluated by means of particle size, zeta potential and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was used to analyze the proteins in the obtained fractions. It was found that both pH and centrifugation could affect the particle size of all samples. As the volume distribution (Dv; Dv (10), Dv(50)and Dv (90)) decreased, the corresponding specific surface area (SSA) increased, and span and uniformity values showed the same trend. The decrease in the zeta potential of MFG correlated with the Dv(50), which was further confirmed by CLSM observation. More butyrophilin (BTN) and periodic acid Schiff 6/7 (PAS 6/7) were lost in cream samples at pH 5.30. The findings could provide valuable knowledge for the application of MFGs ingredient in the food industry since their structures and compositions could affect their potential functional and physiological properties.
The Crick-Eatery: A Novel Approach to Evaluate Cricket (Acheta domesticus) Powder Replacement in Food Products through Product Eating Experience and Emotional Response
Authors: Ho Isaac , Peterson Adelynn , Madden Jack , Wai Kylie , Lesniauskas Ruta , Garza Jeff , Gere Attila , Amin Samir , Lammert Amy
Published: December 2022

This study was conducted to evaluate three different food products containing cricket powder for consumer acceptability, emotional response, satiety, and plate waste. US untrained consumers (n = 108), from the San Luis Obispo, CA area, were recruited to evaluate three food products (sausage, pasta, and brownies) as components in a three-course meal that either contain cricket powder (CP) or not (Control). The CP sausage was found to have lower liking scores than the Control for the attributes tested (p < 0.05). The CP pasta was found to be higher in overall liking than the Control (p < 0.05). The CP Brownies were rated highly across the attributes, except for texture and aftertaste (p < 0.05). Though the CP products were found to be as acceptable as the Controls, the use of cricket powder may have affected the texture and flavor profile of both the CP sausage and brownies. The participants selected more positive emotions terms for both the CP and Control products than negative emotions. Negative terms selected, such as worried, decreased once the products were consumed (p < 0.05). Plate waste and subjective satiety may also be indicators of consumer acceptability. Significant correlations were found between appearance liking and satiety as well as taste liking and plate waste for both the Control and CP products/dishes (p < 0.05). Based on this work, future acceptance of insect-based products may be encouraged by evaluating the products throughout an eating experience.
Theoretical and Experimental Designs of the Planetary Boundary Layer Dynamics through a Multifractal Theory of Motion
Authors: Cazacu Marius Mihai , Roșu Iulian-Alin , Bibire Luminița , Vasincu Decebal , Rotundu Ana Maria , Agop Maricel
Published: December 2022

The accurate determination of atmospheric temperature with telemetric platforms is an active issue, one that can also be tackled with the aid of multifractal theory to extract fundamental behaviors of the lower atmosphere, which can then be used to facilitate such determinations. Thus, in the framework of the scale relativity theory, PBL dynamics are analyzed through the aid of a multifractal hydrodynamic scenario. Considering the PBL as a complex system that is assimilated to mathematical objects of a multifractal type, its various dynamics work as a multifractal tunnel effect. Such a treatment allows one to define both a multifractal atmospheric transparency coefficient and a multifractal atmospheric reflectance coefficient. These products are then employed to create theoretical temperature profiles, which lead to correspondences with real results obtained by radiometer data (RPG-HATPRO radiometer), with favorable results. Such methods could be further used and refined in future applications to efficiently produce atmospheric temperature theoretical profiles.
Progress on the Haystack Observatory Postprocessing System
Authors: Hoak Daniel , Barrett John , Crew Geoffrey , Pfeiffer Violet
Published: December 2022

The Haystack Observatory Postprocessing System (HOPS) is a multipurpose tool for post-correlation calibration and data analysis in Very-Long Baseline Interferometry experiments. The requirements on stations, baselines, and bandwidth for the Next Generation Event Horizon Telescope (ngEHT) have motivated a significant refactoring of the HOPS codebase. In this paper, we present the requirements, specifications, and design of HOPS 4.0 and the current state of the refactoring, and we discuss future work.
Incorporation of PEG Diacrylates (PEGDA) Generates Hybrid Fmoc-FF Hydrogel Matrices
Authors: Rosa Elisabetta , Gallo Enrico , Sibillano Teresa , Giannini Cinzia , Rizzuti Serena , Gianolio Eliana , Scognamiglio Pasqualina Liana , Morelli Giancarlo , Accardo Antonella , Diaferia Carlo
Published: December 2022

Generated by a hierarchical and multiscale self-assembling phenomenon, peptide-based hydrogels (HGs) are soft materials useful for a variety of applications. Short and ultra-short peptides are intriguing building blocks for hydrogel fabrication. These matrices can also be obtained by mixing low-molecular-weight peptides with other chemical entities (e.g., polymers, other peptides). The combination of two or more constituents opens the door to the development of hybrid systems with tunable mechanical properties and unexpected biofunctionalities or morphologies. For this scope, the formulation, the multiscale analysis, and the supramolecular characterization of novel hybrid peptide-polymer hydrogels are herein described. The proposed matrices contain the Fmoc-FF (Nα-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl diphenylalanine) hydrogelator at a concentration of 0.5 wt% (5.0 mg/mL) and a diacrylate α-/ω-substituted polyethylene-glycol derivative (PEGDA). Two PEGDA derivatives, PEGDA 1 and PEGDA2 (mean molecular weights of 575 and 250 Da, respectively), are mixed with Fmoc-FF at different ratios (Fmoc-FF/PEGDA at 1/1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10 mol/mol). All the multicomponent hybrid peptide-polymer hydrogels are scrutinized with a large panel of analytical techniques (including proton relaxometry, FTIR, WAXS, rheometry, and scanning electronic microscopy). The matrices were found to be able to generate mechanical responses in the 2–8 kPa range, producing a panel of tunable materials with the same chemical composition. The release of a model drug (Naphthol Yellow S) is reported too. The tunable features, the different topologies, and the versatility of the proposed materials open the door to the development of tools for different applicative areas, including diagnostics, liquid biopsies and responsive materials. The incorporation of a diacrylate function also suggests the possible development of interpenetrating networks upon cross-linking reactions. All the collected data allow a mutual comparison between the different matrices, thus confirming the significance of the hybrid peptide/polymer-based methodology as a strategy for the design of innovative materials.
Methacrylated Silk Fibroin Additive Manufacturing of Shape Memory Constructs with Possible Application in Bone Regeneration
Authors: Bucciarelli Alessio , Petretta Mauro , Grigolo Brunella , Gambari Laura , Bossi Alessandra Maria , Grassi Francesco , Maniglio Devid
Published: December 2022

Methacrylated silk (Sil-MA) is a chemically modified silk fibroin specifically designed to be crosslinkable under UV light, which makes this material applicable in additive manufacturing techniques and allows the prototyping and development of patient-specific 2D or 3D constructs. In this study, we produced a thin grid structure based on crosslinked Sil-MA that can be withdrawn and ejected and that can recover its shape after rehydration. A complete chemical and physical characterization of Sil-MA was first conducted. Additionally, we tested Sil-MA biocompatibility according to the International Standard Organization protocols (ISO 10993) ensuring the possibility of using it in future trials. Sil-MA was also tested to verify its ability to support osteogenesis. Overall, Sil-MA was shown to be biocompatible and osteoconductive. Finally, two different additive manufacturing technologies, a Digital Light Processing (DLP) UV projector and a pneumatic extrusion technique, were used to develop a Sil-MA grid construct. A proof-of-concept of its shape-memory property was provided. Together, our data support the hypothesis that Sil-MA grid constructs can be injectable and applicable in bone regeneration applications.
Identification of the Collagen Types Essential for Mammalian Breast Acinar Structures
Authors: Keller Chandler R. , Ruud Kelsey F. , Martinez Steve R. , Li Weimin
Published: December 2022

Modeling human breast tissue architecture is essential to study the pathophysiological conditions of the breast. We report that normal mammary epithelial cells grown in human breast extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogel formed acini structurally similar to those of human and pig mammary tissues. Type I, II, III and V collagens were commonly identified in human, pig, and mouse breast ECM. Mammary epithelial cells formed acini on certain types or combinations of the four collagens at normal levels of breast tissue elasticity. Comparison of the collagen species in mouse normal breast and breast tumor ECM revealed common and distinct sets of collagens within the two types of tissues. Elevated expression of collagen type I alpha 1 chain (Col1a1) was found in mouse and human breast cancers. Collagen type XXV alpha 1 chain (Col25a1) was identified in mouse breast tumors but not in normal breast tissues. Our data provide strategies for modeling human breast pathophysiological structures and functions using native tissue-derived hydrogels and offer insight into the potential contributions of different collagen types in breast cancer development.