bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structure and Doping Optimization of IDT-Based Copolymers for Thermoelectrics
Authors: Liu Tongchao , Xie Dexun , Xu Jinjia , Pan Chengjun
Published: June 2020

π-conjugated backbones play a fundamental role in determining the thermoelectric (TE) properties of organic semiconductors. Understanding the relationship between the structure–property–function can help us screen valuable materials. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of conjugated copolymers (P1, P2, and P3) based on an indacenodithiophene (IDT) building block. A copolymer (P3) with an alternating donor–acceptor (D-A) structure exhibits a narrower band gap and higher carrier mobility, which may be due to the D-A structure that helps reduce the charge carrier transport obstacles. In the end, its power factor reaches 4.91 μW m−1 K−2 at room temperature after doping, which is superior to those of non-D-A IDT-based copolymers (P1 and P2). These results indicate that moderate adjustment of the polymer backbone is an effective way to improve the TE properties of copolymers.
Bio-Based Poly(butylene succinate)/Microcrystalline Cellulose/Nanofibrillated Cellulose-Based Sustainable Polymer Composites: Thermo-Mechanical and Biodegradation Studies
Authors: Platnieks Oskars , Gaidukovs Sergejs , Barkane Anda , Sereda Aleksandrs , Gaidukova Gerda , Grase Liga , Thakur Vijay Kumar , Filipova Inese , Fridrihsone Velta , Skute Marite , Laka Marianna
Published: June 2020

Biodegradable polymer composites from renewable resources are the next-generation of wood-like materials and are crucial for the development of various industries to meet sustainability goals. Functional applications like packaging, medicine, automotive, construction and sustainable housing are just some that would greatly benefit. Some of the existing industries, like wood plastic composites, already encompass given examples but are dominated by fossil-based polymers that are unsustainable. Thus, there is a background to bring a new perspective approach for the combination of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) fillers in bio-based poly (butylene succinate) matrix (PBS). MCC, NFC and MCC/NFC filler total loading at 40 wt % was used to obtain more insights for wood-like composite applications. The ability to tailor the biodegradable characteristics and the mechanical properties of PBS composites is indispensable for extended applications. Five compositions have been prepared with MCC and NFC fillers using melt blending approach. Young’s modulus in tensile test mode and storage modulus at 20 °C in thermo-mechanical analysis have increased about two-fold. Thermal degradation temperature was increased by approximately 60 °C compared to MCC and NFC. Additionally, to estimate the compatibility of the components and morphology of the composite’s SEM analysis was performed for fractured surfaces. The contact angle measurements testified the developed matrix interphase. Differential scanning calorimetry evidenced the trans-crystallization of the polymer after filler incorporation; the crystallization temperature shifted to the higher temperature region. The MCC has a stronger effect on the crystallinity degree than NFC filler. PBS disintegrated under composting conditions in a period of 75 days. The NFC/MCC addition facilitated the specimens’ decomposition rate up to 60 days
Product Quality Detection through Manufacturing Process Based on Sequential Patterns Considering Deep Semantic Learning and Process Rules
Authors: Yao Liguo , Huang Haisong , Chen Shih-Huan
Published: June 2020

Companies accumulate a large amount of production process data during product manufacturing. Sequence data from the mining production process can enable a company to evaluate the manufacturing process, to find the key factors affecting product quality, and to improve product quality. However, the production process mainly exists in the form of text. To solve this problem, we propose a novel frequent pattern mining algorithm (EABMC) based on the text context semantics and rules of the manufacturing process to remove redundant sequences and to obtain good mining results. In this algorithm, first, we use embeddings from language models (ELMo ) to improve the process of text similarity matching and to classify similar semantic processes into one class. Then, the manufacturing process unit (MPU) is proposed by extracting the characteristics of manufacturing process data according to the constraints of the manufacturing process and other conditions. The above two steps cause the complex manufacturing process sequence to merge and simplify. Once again, a frequent pattern mining algorithm (CloFAST) is used to explore the important manufacturing process relationships behind a large amount of manufacturing data. In addition, taking the data from a production enterprise in Guizhou Province as an example, the validity of the method is verified. Compared with other methods, this method is shown to have greater mining efficiency and better results and can find out the key factors that affect product quality, especially for text data.
Model-Based Process Optimization for the Production of Macrolactin D by Paenibacillus polymyxa
Authors: Krämer Dominik , Wilms Terrance , King Rudibert
Published: June 2020

In this study, we show the successful application of different model-based approaches for the maximizing of macrolactin D production by Paenibacillus polymyxa. After four initial cultivations, a family of nonlinear dynamic biological models was determined automatically and ranked by their respective Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). The best models were then used in a multi-model setup for robust product maximization. The experimental validation shows the highest product yield attained compared with the identification runs so far. In subsequent fermentations, the online measurements of CO2 concentration, base consumption, and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) were used for model improvement. After model extension using expert knowledge, a single superior model could be identified. Model-based state estimation with a sigma-point Kalman filter (SPKF) was based on online measurement data, and this improved model enabled nonlinear real-time product maximization. The optimization increased the macrolactin D production even further by 28% compared with the initial robust multi-model offline optimization.
Hydrothermal–Microwave Processing for Starch Extraction from Mexican Avocado Seeds: Operational Conditions and Characterization
Authors: Araújo Rafael G. , Rodríguez-Jasso Rosa M. , Ruiz Héctor A. , Govea-Salas Mayela , Rosas-Flores Walfred , Aguilar-González Miguel Angel , Pintado Manuela E. , Lopez-Badillo Claudia , Luevanos Cynthia , Aguilar Cristobal Noe
Published: June 2020

Avocado seeds are an agroindustrial residue widely produced in Mexico that are causing various environmental problems due to their accumulation. The evaluation of avocado residues to recover biopolymers by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and the characterization of avocado starch properties were studied in the present work. A central-composite design was used to optimize the MAE process. Moreover, a comparison was performed between MAE non-isothermal mode (NO–ISO) and conventional extraction. Starch optimization by MAE was obtained at 161.09 °C for 56.23 min with an extraction yield of 49.52% ± 0.69%, while with NO–ISO at 161 °C was obtained 45.75% ± 2.18%. Conventional extraction was 39.04% ± 2.22%. Compared with conventional starch, MAE starch showed similar proprieties and molecular spectra. In contrast, MAE starch showed high solubility, low water absorption capacity, a non-granular structure with small particle size (<2 µm) and polydispersity of fragments at different sizes of polymers. Therefore, MAE is a viable technology to extract the starch, and avocado seed can be considered an excellent starch source for the development of novel functional foods, contributing to promoting sustainability across the food chain.
Dynamic Characteristics and Wall Effects of Bubble Bursting in Gas-Liquid-Solid Three-Phase Particle Flow
Authors: Lu Jianfei , Wang Tong , Li Lin , Yin Zichao , Wang Ronghui , Fan Xinghua , Tan Dapeng
Published: June 2020

The bubble bursting process existing in the particle flow is a complex gas-liquid-solid three-phase coupling dynamic problem. The bubble bursting mechanism, including dynamic characteristics and wall effects, is not clear. To address the above matters, we present a modeling method for the piecewise linear interface calculation-volume of fluid (PLIC-VOF) based bubble burst. The bubble bursting process near or on the wall is analyzed to reveal the dynamic characteristics of bubble bursting and obtain the effect of a bubble bursting on the surrounding flow field. Then a particle image velocimetry (PIV) based self-developed experimental observation platform is established, and the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified. Research results indicate that, in the high-speed turbulent environment, a large pressure difference existed in the bubble tail, which induces the bubble burst to occur; the distance between the wall and the bubble decreases; the higher the flow velocity is, the less time is acquired for bubble bursting, but when the flow velocity exceeds the critical velocity 50 m/s, more time is needed; the coalescence-burst process of double bubbles increases the bubble bursting time, which causes the acceleration of particle motion to reduce.
Microemulsion Rheological Analysis of Alkaline, Surfactant, and Polymer in Oil-Water Interface
Authors: Numin Mohd Sofi , Jumbri Khairulazhar , Ramli Anita , Borhan Noorazlenawati
Published: June 2020

Injection of alkaline (A), polymer (P), and surfactant (S) chemicals in enhanced oil recovery (cEOR) processes increases output by changing the properties of the injected fluid. In this work, micellar fluid interactions were studied via microemulsion rheological analysis. Crude oil and stimulated brine with ASP or SP was used for bottle testing. The results revealed that no microemulsion was produced when ASP (Alkaline, Surfactant, and Polymer) or SP (Surfactant and Polymer) was left out during the bottle testing phase. The addition of ASP and SP led to the formation of microemulsions—up to 29% for 50% water cut (WC) ASP, and 36% for 40% WC SP. This shows that the addition of ASP and SP can be applied to flooding applications. The results of the rheological analysis show that the microemulsions behaved as a shear-thinning micellar fluid by decreasing viscosity with increase in shear rate. As per the power-law equation, the ASP micellar fluid viscoelastic behavior shows better shear-thinning compared to SP, suggesting more efficiency in fluid mobility and sweep efficiency. Most of the microemulsions exhibited viscoelastic fluid behavior (G’ = G”) at angular frequency of 10 to 60 rad s−1, and stable elastic fluid behavior (G’ > G’’) below 10 rad s−1 angular frequency. The viscosity of microemulsion fluids decreases as temperature increases; this indicates that the crude oil (i.e., alkanes) was solubilized in core micelles, leading to radial growth in the cylindrical part of the wormlike micelles, and resulting in a drop in end-cap energy and micelle length. No significant difference was found in the analysis of viscoelasticity evaluation and viscosity analysis for both ASP and SP microemulsions. The microemulsion tendency test and rheology test show that the addition of ASP and SP in the oil-water interface yields excellent viscoelastic properties.
Wetland Mapping with Landsat 8 OLI, Sentinel-1, ALOS-1 PALSAR, and LiDAR Data in Southern New Brunswick, Canada
Authors: LaRocque Armand , Phiri Chafika , Leblon Brigitte , Pirotti Francesco , Connor Kevin , Hanson Alan
Published: June 2020

Mapping wetlands with high spatial and thematic accuracy is crucial for the management and monitoring of these important ecosystems. Wetland maps in New Brunswick (NB) have traditionally been produced by the visual interpretation of aerial photographs. In this study, we used an alternative method to produce a wetland map for southern New Brunswick, Canada, by classifying a combination of Landsat 8 OLI, ALOS-1 PALSAR, Sentinel-1, and LiDAR-derived topographic metrics with the Random Forests (RF) classifier. The images were acquired in three seasons (spring, summer, and fall) with different water levels and during leaf-off/on periods. The resulting map has eleven wetland classes (open bog, shrub bog, treed bog, open fen, shrub fen, freshwater marsh, coastal marsh, shrub marsh, shrub wetland, forested wetland, and aquatic bed) plus various non-wetland classes. We achieved an overall accuracy classification of 97.67%. We compared 951 in-situ validation sites to the classified image and both the 2106 and 2019 reference maps available through Service New Brunswick. Both reference maps were produced by photo-interpretation of RGB-NIR digital aerial photographs, but the 2019 NB reference also included information from LiDAR-derived surface and ecological metrics. Of these 951 sites, 94.95% were correctly identified on the classified image, while only 63.30% and 80.02% of these sites were correctly identified on the 2016 and 2019 NB reference maps, respectively. If only the 489 wetland validation sites were considered, 96.93% of the sites were correctly identified as a wetland on the classified image, while only 58.69% and 62.17% of the sites were correctly identified as a wetland on the 2016 and 2019 NB reference maps, respectively.
Air Pollution Scenario over China during COVID-19
Authors: Nichol Janet E. , Bilal Muhammad , Ali Md. Arfan , Qiu Zhongfeng
Published: June 2020

The unprecedented slowdown in China during the COVID-19 period of November 2019 to April 2020 should have reduced pollution in smog-laden cities. However, moderate resolution imaging spectrometer (MODIS) satellite retrievals of aerosol optical depth (AOD) show a marked increase in aerosols over the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BHT) region and most of Northeast and Central China, compared with the previous winter. Fine particulate (PM2.5) data from ground monitoring stations show an increase of 19.5% in Beijing during January and February 2020, and no reduction for Tianjin. In March and April 2020, a different spatial pattern emerges, with very high AOD levels observed over 50% of the Chinese mainland, and including peripheral regions in the northwest and southwest. At the same time, ozone monitoring instrument (OMI) satellite-derived NO2 concentrations fell drastically across China. The increase in PM2.5 while NO2 decreased in BTH and across China is likely due to enhanced production of secondary particulates. These are formed when reductions in NOx result in increased ozone formation, thus increasing the oxidizing capacity of the atmosphere. Support for this explanation is provided by ground level air quality data showing increased volume of fine mode aerosols throughout February and March 2020, and increased levels of PM2.5, relative humidity (RH), and ozone during haze episodes in the COVID-19 lockdown period. Backward trajectories show the origin of air masses affecting industrial centers of North and East China to be local. Other contributors to increased atmospheric particulates may include inflated industrial production in peripheral regions to compensate loss in the main population and industrial centers, and low wind speeds. Satellite monitoring of the extraordinary atmospheric conditions resulting from the COVID-19 shutdown could enhance understanding of smog formation and attempts to control it.
Man Robbery—A Gender Signifier in Convict Australia 1827–1836
Authors: Liston Carol , Reynolds Kathrine M.
Published: June 2020

This paper investigates the use of the anomalous term ‘man robbery’ in historical records relating to convict women in New South Wales. We question its accuracy as a criminal offence and conclude that its use in the 1830s was an administrative code that summarized an assessment not only of the women’s criminality but also of their morality. Its use in the historical records has been accepted uncritically by modern historians. The anomaly was identified through a large-scale study of these records. Often used to trace the histories of individual women for genealogical research, recurring patterns in the records are more noticeable when considering the crimes of some 5000 women transported to New South Wales, especially when their court records held in Britain are compared with those held in Australia. Evidence has emerged that the criminality of the women has been reduced by this gendered criminal offence. Inconsistency in the application of the term ‘man robbery’ led us to question it accuracy. Violence and participation in gangs were airbrushed from the records by the use of a term that implied that the women’s crimes related to their sexuality rather than their skills as criminals.
A Family of Correlated Observations: From Independent to Strongly Interrelated Ones
Authors: Griffith Daniel A.
Published: June 2020

This paper proposes a new classification of correlated data types based upon the relative number of direct connections among observations, producing a family of correlated observations embracing seven categories, one whose empirical counterpart currently is unknown, and ranging from independent (i.e., no links) to approaching near-complete linkage (i.e., n(n − 1)/2 links). Analysis of specimen datasets from publicly available data sources furnishes empirical illustrations for these various categories. Their descriptions also include their historical context and calculation of their effective sample sizes (i.e., an equivalent number of independent observations). Concluding comments contain some state-of-the-art future research topics.
Improved Food Waste Stabilization and Valorization by Anaerobic Digestion Through Supplementation of Conductive Materials and Trace Elements
Authors: Akturk A. Sinan , Demirer Goksel N.
Published: June 2020

The positive effects of conductive material supplementation on anaerobic digestion have been mainly investigated for single synthetic substrates, while its significance for real and complex organic wastes such as food waste has not been sufficiently investigated. This study investigated the effect of conductive material (biochar and magnetite) and trace metal supplementation on the anaerobic digestion of food waste by means of biochemical methane potential assays. The results indicated that the supplementation of biochar and trace metals improved both total biogas production and methane yields. A biochar dose of 2.0 and 5.0 g/L resulted in 11.2 ± 6.5 and 27.3 ± 9.5% increase in biogas and 8.3 ± 6.8 and 33.2 ± 2.8% increase in methane yield, respectively. Moreover, the same reactors demonstrated high food waste stabilization performance of over 80% chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency. These results indicate that biochar supplementation leads to more enhanced anaerobic digestion operation that could be through increased surface area for microbial growth and/or direct interspecies electron transfer mechanism. In turn, food waste will not only be stabilized but also valorized by anaerobic digestion at higher efficiencies that support sustainable waste management through both environmentally safe disposal and value-added generation.
Competences of Flexible Professionals: Validation of an Invariant Instrument across Mexico, Chile, Uruguay, and Spain
Authors: Conchado Peiró Andrea , Carot Sierra José Miguel , Vázquez Barrachina Elena
Published: June 2020

The purpose of this study was to validate and test latent mean differences in a second-order factorial structure for self-assessed competences across four Spanish-speaking countries (Spain, Chile, Mexico, and Uruguay). Assessments of 11,802 higher education graduates about their own level of competences were examined. According to our findings, latent mean differences observed in our data lend support to earlier findings in the context of universities from these four countries. In order to compare assessments from different countries, we previously found support for metric and scalar invariance in a second-order factor structure, including innovation, cooperation, knowledge management, and communication, organizational and participative competences. These findings have serious managerial implications in regard to institutional evaluations developed by national accreditation bodies and identification of competence requirements by the labor market. In addition, our research provides a powerful tool for young students and employers, as it contains valuable information about what competences should be expected by students when finishing their studies.
An Assessment of the Potential to Produce Commercially Valuable Lipids on Highway Right-of-Way Land Areas Located Within the Southeastern United States
Authors: Zappi Mark E. , Zappi Alex , Revellame Emmanuel , Sharp Wayne , Fortela Dhan Lord , Hernandez Rafael , Chambers Terrence , Ritter Kary , Gang Daniel
Published: June 2020

Right-of-way (ROW) land areas are required for all publicly owned transportation roadways representing over 40 million acres within the US alone. These relatively unused land assets could support potential farming land for plants and algae that contain high levels of lipids that could be used in the energy industry as an alternative fuel source. This process would offer many benefits including more efficient use of public land, eliminating mowing maintenance, increasing the bioenergy use in the US, providing visually appealing viewscapes, and helping to naturally reduce localized carbon dioxide. This paper analyzed the feasibility and potential optimization strategies of using this concept in the South-Eastern United States by scaling and comparing many of the benefits and risks associated with the selected lipid sources (soybeans, flax, sunflowers, Tung trees, Chinese tallow tree, and microalgae). Based on this assessment, the most attractive option appears to be growing flax in the winter and sunflowers in the summer with Tung Trees grown year-round as an alternative option. This would maximize lipids output while preserving and enhancing right-of-way land areas.
COVID-19 Healthcare Planning: Predicting Mortality and the Role of the Herd Immunity Barrier in the General Population
Authors: Marco-Franco Julio Emilio , Guadalajara-Olmeda Natividad , González-de Julián Silvia , Vivas-Consuelo David
Published: June 2020

Using a mathematical model for COVID-19 incorporating data on excess of mortality compared to the corresponding period of the previous year obtained from the daily monitoring of mortality in Spain (MoMo), the prediction of total number of casualties in Spain for the first outbreak has been computed. From this figure, and following a stepwise meta-analysis of available reports, the case fatality rate (CFR) and the infectious case fatality rate (IFR) for the outbreak have been estimated. As the impact of age on these rates is notable, it is proposed to include an age-related adjusted fatality ratio in future comparative analyses between studies, calculated by adjusting the results by risk ratio to a reference age band (e.g., 60–69). From the casualty figures, and the corresponding CFR and IFR ratios, the forecast of serologically positive cases in the general Spanish population has been estimated at approximately 1% (0.87–1.3%) of the samples. If the data are confirmed by the ongoing study of the Carlos III Institute, until a vaccine is found, the immunity acquired in the general population after the infectious outbreak is far from the 65–70% herd immunity required as a barrier for COVID-19.
Economic Assessment of the Peer-to-Peer Trading Policy of Distributed PV Electricity: A Case Study in China
Authors: Wang Ying , Tian Lidan , Xia Junrong , Zhang Weishi , Zhang Kaifeng
Published: June 2020

China’s government launched a policy in October 2017 to permit the distributed generators to peer-to-peer trade their electricity generation on the market. Several clauses in the policy document are, however, unclear and ambiguous. This work identifies three vital but not clearly detailed issues in the policy document: (1) participation eligibility, (2) the grid fee calculation method, and (3) subsidy rates. Then, we carry out a comprehensive analysis of the economic impacts of the trade policy based on a case study of an eastern city in China. Sensitivity analyses on the impacts of the subsidy rates, transmission and distribution prices (TDPs), and end-user regulated prices are conducted. The results show that the trading policy will benefit the photovoltaic (PV) generators with more revenue by 6–11%, reduce the cost for end-users by 6–12%, and decrease the revenue of the power grid company by 32–55%.
Digital Business Model, Digital Transformation, Digital Entrepreneurship: Is There A Sustainable “Digital”?
Authors: Bican Peter M. , Brem Alexander
Published: June 2020

Digitalization plays a major role in contributing towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Without transformation of existing businesses, both economic and environmental challenges of the future cannot be solved sustainably. However, there is much confusion on interrelationships and terms dealing with digitization or digitalization: Digital business model, digital transformation, digital entrepreneurship. How do these terms interrelate with and to digitalization, and how do they support firms to grow sustainably? To answer this question, we identified seven core digital-related terms based on a structured literature search within the management and economics domain, namely: Digital, Business Model, Digital Business Model, Digital Technology, Digital Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Digital Entrepreneurship. Thereafter, we analyzed prior literature for deriving a common understanding and definition as a basis for interrelations within a conceptual framework. Definitions were presented in a case study setup with twelve innovation and research and development (R&D) managers from various business units of a German high-tech company. Based on these insights, we propose a conceptual framework on how Digital Readiness, Digital Technology, and Digital Business Models might sustainably relate to Innovation, moderated by a Digital Transformation Process. With this approach, we aim to equip practitioners and researchers alike in handling and addressing change through digitalization sustainably.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Crowdfunding: The Experience of the Colectual Platform in Empowering Economic and Sustainable Projects
Authors: Flórez-Parra Jesús Mauricio , Rubio Martín Gracia , Rapallo Serrano Carmen
Published: June 2020

In recent years, sustainable crowdfunding has been one of the key elements in the search for new sources of financing. This has involved eliminating financial barriers and intermediaries, bringing entrepreneurs’ projects closer to fund providers, and thus instigating changes in traditional investment and profitability parameters. Among these indicators, the sustainable business return and its relationship with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) could be a relevant factor to improve the cost of funding, to explain the return on assets (ROA), and, consequently, impacting on the return on equity (ROE). In this context, this paper takes as a reference 101 projects that are part of Colectual’s lending. We analyze factors such as sustainability—the application of CSR across a social responsibility index; the financial characteristics of the company—liquidity, leverage, and solvency; and the characteristics of the loans related to crowdfunding—amount, maturity, and charge rate of the loan. Our study provides empirical evidence that, besides financial characteristics, the commitment to CSR can improve collective lending and the management of resources, as well as enhance the capital wealth of companies, by improving shareholder profitability or ROE. Investors consider not only financial risk but also sustainability factors.
Analysis of Physical Activity and Comorbidities in Spanish Asthmatics
Authors: Sánchez Castillo Sheila , Smith Lee , Díaz Suárez Arturo , López Sánchez Guillermo Felipe
Published: June 2020

The prevalence of comorbidities in asthmatics is high. Comorbidities may complicate the clinical management of asthma, increasing the risk for exacerbation and even death. The objective of the present research was to establish the prevalence of 31 asthma comorbidities and to assess the association of these comorbidities with physical activity (PA) in Spanish asthmatics. Data of the Spanish National Health Survey 2017 (cross-sectional design) were used in this study. A total of 1014 people (42.1% males) with asthma participated in this study (age range 15–69 years). The IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) short form was the instrument administered to evaluate PA (exposure), and the self-reported answer to the question “Have you ever been diagnosed with…?” determined the presence of comorbidities (outcomes). This association was assessed by multivariable logistic regression. Results demonstrated a huge presence of comorbidities (89.3%). The most prevalent were chronic allergy (61.1%), chronic lumbar pain (28.7%), chronic cervical pain (24.2%), high cholesterol (20.9%), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (19.4%), migraine (19.2%) and hypertension (19.3%). PA level under 600 metabolic equivalent of task (MET)·min/week showed a significant association with urinary incontinence (3.10 [1.62–5.94]), osteoporosis (1.90 [1.00–3.61]) and chronic anxiety (1.69 [1.13–2.53]). Therefore, comorbidities and PA levels should be considered in the prevention and treatment of asthmatics, in order to improve their quality of life.
An Integrated Key Performance Measurement for Manufacturing Operations Management
Authors: Hwang Gyusun , Han Jun-Hee , Chang Tai-Woo
Published: June 2020

This paper proposes a comprehensive production performance measurement framework and illustrates the method to evaluate the performance and guide practitioners to make further improvement. The development comprises four steps. (1) Performance indicators derived from business excellence models are enumerated to provide the performance model: 74 indicators, which can be classified in terms of their characteristics, are identified in six criteria. (2) A multiple criteria decision-making approach based on the analytic hierarchical and network processes, which determine the weights of the criteria and indicators, is applied. In addition, this study introduced additional formulas to derive the final performance values. (3) A performance measurement framework that integrates the measurement and result analysis processes is implemented. (4) The proposed framework is verified through a case study. The results of the case study show that the proposed framework identifies the gaps and discrepancies among the management levels, enabling the determination of means for continuous improvement.
Cradle-to-Gate Water-Related Impacts on Production of Traditional Food Products in Malaysia
Authors: Bong P.X.H. , Malek M.A. , Mardi N.H. , Hanafiah Marlia M.
Published: June 2020

Modern technology and life-style advancements have increased the demand for clean water. Based on this trend it is expected that our water resources will be under stress leading to a high probability of scarcity. This study aims to evaluate the environmental impacts of selected traditional food manufacturing products namely: tempe, lemang, noodle laksam, fish crackers and salted fish in Malaysia. The cradle-to-gate approach on water footprint assessment (WFA) of these selected traditional food products was carried out using Water Footprint Network (WFN) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Freshwater eutrophication (FEP), marine eutrophication (MEP), freshwater ecotoxicity (FETP), marine ecotoxicity (METP) and water consumption (WCP), LCA were investigated using ReCiPe 2016 methodology. Water footprint accounting of blue water footprint (WFblue), green water footprint (WFgreen) and grey water footprint (WFgrey) were established in this study. It was found that total water footprint for lemang production was highest at 3862.13 m3/ton. The lowest total water footprint was found to be fish cracker production at 135.88 m3/ton. Blue water scarcity (WSblue) and water pollution level (WPL) of these selected food products were also determined to identify the environmental hotspots. Results in this study showed that the WSblue and WPL of these selected food products did not exceed 1%, which is considered sustainable. Based on midpoint approach adopted in this study, the characterization factors for FEP, MEP, FETP, METP and WCP on these selected food products were evaluated. It is recommended that alternative ingredients or product processes be designed in order to produce more sustainable lemang.
Deep Learning Model for Form Recognition and Structural Member Classification of East Asian Traditional Buildings
Authors: Ji Seung-Yeul , Jun Han-Jong
Published: June 2020

The unique characteristics of traditional buildings can provide fresh insights for sustainable building development. In this study, a deep learning model and methodology were developed for classifying traditional buildings by using artificial intelligence (AI)-based image analysis technology. The model was constructed based on expert knowledge of East Asian buildings. Videos and images from Korea, Japan, and China were used to determine building types and classify and locate structural members. Two deep learning algorithms were applied to object recognition: a region-based convolutional neural network (R-CNN) to distinguish traditional buildings by country and you only look once (YOLO) to recognise structural members. A cloud environment was used to develop a practical model that can handle various environments in real time.
Unravelling the Role of Gender in Fisheries’ Socio-Economic Performance: The Case of Greek Small-Scale Fisheries
Authors: Liontakis Angelos , Tzouramani Irene , Mantziaris Stamatis , Sintori Alexandra
Published: June 2020

Small-scale fisheries account for 94% of the Greek fishing fleet. The sector consists mainly of family-owned vessels and highly depends on family labor. While the role of women as crew members is of particular interest, there is little evidence of their actual employment status, labor situation, and contribution in the fishing activity. This paper focuses on women in small-scale fisheries in order to investigate their role in the sector and reveal their contribution to fishing enterprises. In addition, it implements a comparative analysis to investigate the differences in various socio-economic indicators in small-scale vessels with and without female crew members. The results indicate that the presence of women has a positive outcome on several social and economic indicators that reflect the wealth of both fishing households and employees. In terms of employment, several differences in the structural characteristics appeared regarding the onshore employment, the share of unpaid labor, and the total hours worked. The majority of female crew members can be characterized as “fisherwomen,” since fishing is their main occupation. Further in-depth research to investigate the family relations among crew members and how they affect the fishing enterprise can supplement the existing research.
An Improved Augmented Algorithm for Direction Error in XPNAV
Authors: Ren Xiaobin , Nie Guigen , Li Lianyan
Published: June 2020

Recently, X-ray pulsar-based navigation (XPNAV) as a significant navigation method has been widely used in deep space exploration. However, the accuracy of XPNAV is limited to the existence of the pulsar direction error. To improve the performance of XPNAV, we have proposed a novel algorithm named “the modified augmented state extended Kalman filter” (MASEKF). The algorithm considers the high-order terms of direction error and then adds a more precise direction error into state equation and measurement equation. In the simulation, by comparing the performance of MASEKF, EKF, and ASEKF at the same time, it is found that MASEKF has better performance in the accuracy and stability, and the results also demonstrate that MASEKF algorithm has faster convergence speed. This paper provides a strong reference for other improvements of algorithms towards direction error. The purpose of this study is to establish MASEKF and add the direction error into the measurement equation and the state equation, so as to realize the coordination and symmetry of the algorithm.
Occurrence of Mycotoxins in Winter Rye Varieties Cultivated in Poland (2017–2019)
Authors: Kosicki Robert , Twarużek Magdalena , Dopierała Paweł , Rudzki Bartosz , Grajewski Jan
Published: June 2020

Rye (Secale cereale L.) is one of the most important cereals and is used in both the food and feed industries. It is produced mainly in a belt extending from Russia through Poland to Germany. Despite the great economic importance of this cereal, there is little research on rye contamination with mycotoxins. In this study, the occurrence of Fusarium mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, monoacetoxyscirpenol, diacetoxyscirpenol, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, and zearalenone), as well as ochratoxin A, in 60 winter rye samples of four varieties (KWS Binntto, KWS Serafino, Dańkowskie Granat and Farm Saved Seed) cultivated in three consecutive growing seasons in five different regions of Poland was determined using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and fluorescence detection. Deoxynivalenol, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, and zearalenone had the highest occurrence in samples (90%, 63%, 57%, and 45% positive results, respectively). The mean concentrations of these analytes were 28.8 µg/kg (maximum 354.1 µg/kg), 0.98 µg/kg (maximum 6.63 µg/kg), 2.98 µg/kg (maximum 29.8 µg/kg), and 0.69 µg/kg (maximum 10.2 µg/kg), respectively. The mean concentrations for individual mycotoxins were highest in the 2016/2017 growing season. In the 2016/2017 growing season, at least two mycotoxins were detected in 95% of the samples, while in the 2018/2019 growing season, 70% of samples contained one or no mycotoxins. The frequencies of mycotoxin occurrence in different rye varieties were similar. Although a high frequency of mycotoxin occurrence was noted (especially deoxynivalenol), their concentrations were low, and none of the analyzed rye samples exceeded the maximum acceptable mycotoxin level set by the European Commission.
Reducing Ochratoxin A Content in Grape Pomace by Different Methods
Authors: Yu Jianmei , Smith Ivy N. , Mikiashvili Nona
Published: June 2020

Grape pomace (GP) is the residue of grapes after wine making and is a valuable source of dietary polyphenol and fiber for health promotion. However, studies found the presence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in GP at very high concentrations, which raises a safety issue in the value-added utilization of GP. This study evaluated the effects of thermal pressure, baking, acid and enzymatic treatments on OTA content in GP. Thermal pressure treatment was conducted with wet GP at 121 °C for 10–30 min in an autoclave; acid treatments were conducted with hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid, respectively, at 50 °C for 24 h. Baking was conducted using a cookie model. For enzymatic treatment, purified OTA solution was treated with carboxypeptidase A, alcalase, flavourzyme, pepsin, and lipase, respectively, and the effective enzymes were selected to treat GP. Results show that autoclaving for 10–30 min reduced 19–80% of OTA, varying with treatment time and GP variety. The effectiveness of acid treatment was similar to that of autoclaving and varied with acid type and GP variety. Baking increased the detectable OTA. Among all tested enzymes, carboxypeptidase A was the most effective in reducing OTA, followed by lipase and flavourzyme, but their effects were significantly lower in GP samples.
Insights into Aflatoxin B1 Toxicity in Cattle: An In Vitro Whole-Transcriptomic Approach
Authors: Pauletto Marianna , Tolosi Roberta , Giantin Mery , Guerra Giorgia , Barbarossa Andrea , Zaghini Anna , Dacasto Mauro
Published: June 2020

Aflatoxins, and particularly aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), are toxic mycotoxins to humans and farm animal species, resulting in acute and chronic toxicities. At present, AFB1 is still considered a global concern with negative impacts on health, the economy, and social life. In farm animals, exposure to AFB1-contaminated feed may cause several untoward effects, liver damage being one of the most devastating ones. In the present study, we assessed in vitro the transcriptional changes caused by AFB1 in a bovine fetal hepatocyte-derived cell line (BFH12). To boost the cellular response to AFB1, cells were pre-treated with the co-planar PCB 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126), a known aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist. Three experimental groups were considered: cells exposed to the vehicle only, to PCB126, and to PCB126 and AFB1. A total of nine RNA-seq libraries (three replicates/group) were constructed and sequenced. The differential expression analysis showed that PCB126 induced only small transcriptional changes. On the contrary, AFB1 deeply affected the cell transcriptome, the majority of significant genes being associated with cancer, cellular damage and apoptosis, inflammation, bioactivation, and detoxification pathways. Investigating mRNA perturbations induced by AFB1 in cattle BFH12 cells will help us to better understand AFB1 toxicodynamics in this susceptible and economically important food-producing species.
Replication of a Dog-Origin H6N1 Influenza Virus in Cell Culture and Mice
Authors: Tsai Shou-Kuan , Shih Cheng-Hsin , Chang Hui-Wen , Teng Kuang-Huan , Hsu Wei-En , Lin Han-Jia , Lin Han-You , Huang Ching-Huei , Chen Hui-Wen , Wang Lih-Chiann
Published: June 2020

The world’s first natural avian-origin H6N1 influenza A virus infection case in dogs was confirmed in Taiwan in 2014. The H6N1 virus in chickens has been endemic in Taiwan since 1972. Whether the dog H6N1 virus has interspecies transmission potential is the key issue we aim to understand. Following one virus passage in embryonated eggs and two further passages in MDCK cells, we obtained two virus derivatives, E01EE (PB1 739E and PB2 627E) and E01GK (PB1 739G and PB2 627K), respectively. The pathogenicity of E01EE and E01GK was investigated using plaque assay, growth dynamic analysis and cell viability quantification in cells from different animal species. The impact of amino acid mutation on PB1 739 and PB2 627 on viral ribonucleoprotein (RNP) activity was also analyzed. Further mouse infection experiments were performed. The results showed that both E01EE and E01GK decreased cell relative viability of canine MDCK cells, human A549 cells and chicken DF1 cells. E01Gk caused greater cellular harm in MDCK and A549 cells and had significantly higher virus titers in all of the cells compared to E01EE. The PB2 627K but not PB1 739G was the critical mutation that influenced the viral RNP activity. Both E01EE and E01GK caused mice pneumonia and considerable virus shedding, especially E01GK. This report verifies PB2 E627K mutation in virulence and spotlights the potential for the dog H6N1 virus to extend interspecies transmission.
Mutations at the Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase Impact Its Interaction with a Soluble NSF Attachment Protein and a Pathogenesis-Related Protein in Soybean
Authors: Lakhssassi Naoufal , Piya Sarbottam , Knizia Dounya , El Baze Abdelhalim , Cullen Mallory A. , Meksem Jonas , Lakhssassi Aicha , Hewezi Tarek , Meksem Khalid
Published: June 2020

Resistance to soybean cyst nematodes (SCN) in “Peking-type” resistance is bigenic, requiring Rhg4-a and rhg1-a. Rhg4-a encodes a serine hydroxymethyltransferase (GmSHMT08) and rhg1-a encodes a soluble NSF attachment protein (GmSNAP18). Recently, it has been shown that a pathogenesis-related protein, GmPR08-Bet VI, potentiates the interaction between GmSHMT08 and GmSNAP18. Mutational analysis using spontaneously occurring and ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-induced mutations was carried out to increase our knowledge of the interacting GmSHMT08/GmSNAP18/GmPR08-Bet VI multi-protein complex. Mutations affecting the GmSHMT08 protein structure (dimerization and tetramerization) and interaction sites with GmSNAP18 and GmPR08-Bet VI proteins were found to impact the multi-protein complex. Interestingly, mutations affecting the PLP/THF substrate binding and catalysis did not affect the multi-protein complex, although they resulted in increased susceptibility to SCN. Most importantly, GmSHMT08 and GmSNAP18 from PI88788 were shown to interact within the cell, being potentiated in the presence of GmPR08-Bet VI. In addition, we have shown the presence of incompatibility between the GmSNAP18 (rhg1-b) of PI88788 and GmSHMT08 (Rhg4-a) from Peking. Components of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway were shown to be induced in the SCN incompatible reaction and were mapped to QTLs for resistance to SCN using different mapping populations.
Spatial and Seasonal Variations of C, Nutrient, and Metal Concentration in Thermokarst Lakes of Western Siberia Across a Permafrost Gradient
Authors: Manasypov Rinat M. , Lim Artem G. , Kriсkov Ivan V. , Shirokova Liudmila S. , Vorobyev Sergey N. , Kirpotin Sergey N. , Pokrovsky Oleg S.
Published: June 2020

Thermokarst lakes and ponds formed due to thawing of frozen peat in high-latitude lowlands are very dynamic and environmentally important aquatic systems that play a key role in controlling C emission to atmosphere and organic carbon (OC), nutrient, and metal lateral export to rivers and streams. However, despite the importance of thermokarst lakes in assessing biogeochemical functioning of permafrost peatlands in response to climate warming and permafrost thaw, spatial (lake size, permafrost zone) and temporal (seasonal) variations in thermokarst lake hydrochemistry remain very poorly studied. Here, we used unprecedented spatial coverage (isolated, sporadic, discontinuous, and continuous permafrost zone of the western Siberia Lowland) of 67 lakes ranging in size from 102 to 105 m2 for sampling during three main hydrological periods of the year: spring flood, summer baseflow, and autumn time before ice-on. We demonstrate a systematic, all-season decrease in the concentration of dissolved OC (DOC) and an increase in SO4, N-NO3, and some metal (Mn, Co, Cu, Mo, Sr, U, Sb) concentration with an increase in lake surface area, depending on the type of the permafrost zone. These features are interpreted as a combination of (i) OC and organically bound metal leaching from peat at the lake shore, via abrasion and delivery of these compounds by suprapermafrost flow, and (ii) deep groundwater feeding of large lakes (especially visible in the continuous permafrost zone). Analyses of lake water chemical composition across the permafrost gradient allowed a first-order empirical prediction of lake hydrochemical changes in the case of climate warming and permafrost thaw, employing a substituting space for time scenario. The permafrost boundary shift northward may decrease the concentrations and pools of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), Li, B, Mg, K, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ni, Cu, As, Rb, Mo, Sr, Y, Zr, rare Earth elements (REEs), Th, and U by a factor of 2–5 in the continuous permafrost zone, but increase the concentrations of CH4, DOC, NH4, Cd, Sb, and Pb by a factor of 2–3. In contrast, the shift of the sporadic to isolated zone may produce a 2–5-fold decrease in CH4, DOC, NH4, Al, P, Ti, Cr, Ni, Ga, Zr, Nb, Cs, REEs, Hf, Th, and U. The exact magnitude of this response will, however, be strongly seasonally dependent, with the largest effects observable during baseflow seasons.