bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Joint Edge Computing and Caching Based on D3QN for the Internet of Vehicles
Authors: Chen Geng , Sun Jingli , Zeng Qingtian , Jing Gang , Zhang Yudong
Published: May 2023

With the Internet of Vehicles (IOV), a lot of self-driving vehicles (SDVs) need to handle a variety of tasks but have very seriously limited computing and storage resources, meaning they cannot complete intensive tasks timely. In this paper, a joint edge computing and caching based on a Dueling Double Deep Q Network (D3QN) is proposed to solve the problem of the multi-task joint edge calculation and caching process. Firstly, the processes of offloading tasks and caching them to the base station are modeled as optimization problems to maximize system revenues, which are limited by system latency and energy consumption as well as cache space for computing task constraints. Moreover, we also take into account the negative impact of the number of unfinished tasks in relation to the optimization problem—the higher the number of unfinished tasks, the lower the system revenue. Secondly, we use the D3QN algorithm together with the cache models to solve the formulated NP-hard problem and select the optimal caching and offloading action by adopting an e-greedy strategy. Moreover, two cache models are proposed in this paper to cache tasks, namely the active cache, based on the popularity of the task, and passive cache, based on the D3QN algorithm. Additionally, tasks which deal with cache space are updated by computing the expulsion value based on type of popularity. Finally, simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has good performance in terms of the latency and energy consumption of the system and that it improves utilization of cache space and reduces the probability of unfinished tasks. Compared to the Deep Q Network with caching policy, with the Double Deep Q Network with caching policy and Dueling Deep Q Network with caching policy, the system revenue of the proposed algorithm is improved by 65%, 35% and 66%, respectively. The scenario of the IOV proposed in this article can be expanded to larger-scale IOV systems by increasing the number of SDVs and base stations, and the content caching and download functions of the Internet of Things can also be achieved through collaboration between multiple base stations. However, only the cache model is focused on in this article, and the design of the replacement model is not good enough, resulting in a low utilization of cache resources. In future work, we will analyze how to make joint decisions based on multi-agent collaboration for caching, offloading and replacement in IOV scenarios with multiple heterogeneous services to support different Vehicle-to-Everything services.
A Mobile Application-Classifying Method Based on a Graph Attention Network from Encrypted Network Traffic
Authors: Xu Guoliang , Xu Ming , Chen Yunzhi , Zhao Jiaqi
Published: May 2023

Classifying mobile applications from encrypted network traffic is a common and basic requirement in network security and network management. Existing works classify mobile applications from flows, based on which application fingerprints and classifiers are created. However, mobile applications often generate concurrent flows with varying degrees of ties, such as low discriminative flows across applications and application-specific flows. So flow-based methods suffer from low accuracy. In this paper, a novel mobile application-classifying method is proposed, capturing relationships between flows and paying attention to their importance. To capture the inter-flow relationships, the proposed method slices raw mobile traffic into traffic chunks to represent flows as nodes, embeds statistical features into nodes, and adds edges according to cross-correlations between the nodes. To pay different attention to the various flows, the proposed method builds a deep learning model based on graph attention networks, implicitly assigning importance values to flows via graph attention layers. Compared to recently developed techniques on a large dataset with 101 popular apps using the Android platform, the proposed method improved by 4–20% for accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score, and spent much less time training.
A Six-Switch Mode Decoupled Wireless Power Transfer System with Dynamic Parameter Self-Adaption
Authors: Wu Wei , Luo Daqing , Hong Jianfeng , Tang Zhe , Chen Wenxiang
Published: May 2023

For the fully resonant wireless power transfer (WPT) system, the high coupling of the converter and the resonant network introduced many problems, such as frequency splitting, the power curve peak limit, and the strict switch strategy. To solve these problems, this paper proposed a new six-switch topology based on the full–-bridge converter. With the unique structures containing two capacitor-isolated switches and a source-isolated diode, the system decouples the converter and the resonant network, and its modes have been decoupled, called the independent power injection and free resonance WPT (IPIFR–WPT) system. The capacitor-isolated switches and the source-isolated diode make the converter operate only when the voltage on the primary capacitor is equal to the source voltage, and the source will be isolated by the diode when the capacitor voltage is great than the source, which provides a wide time margin for the switches of the converter to turn on in advance. In this margin, the operation point is self-determined the same whenever the switches turn on so that the system’s performance is consistent. Based on this characteristic, the system can self-adapt a dynamic change in system parameters, with at least 15% tolerance for the coupling coefficient and 14% for the load resistance.
Ethereum Smart Contract Vulnerability Detection Model Based on Triplet Loss and BiLSTM
Authors: Wang Meiying , Xie Zheyu , Wen Xuefan , Li Jianmin , Zhou Kuanjiu
Published: May 2023

The wide application of Ethereum smart contracts in the Internet of Things, finance, medical, and other fields is associated with security challenges. Traditional detection methods detect vulnerabilities by stacking hard rules, which are associated with the bottleneck of a high false-positive rate and low detection efficiency. To make up for the shortcomings of traditional methods, existing deep learning methods improve model performance by combining multiple models, resulting in complex structures. From the perspective of optimizing the model feature space, this study proposes a vulnerability detection scheme for Ethereum smart contracts based on metric learning and a bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) network. First, the source code of the Ethereum contract is preprocessed, and the word vector representation is used to extract features. Secondly, the representation is combined with metric learning and the BiLSTM model to optimize the feature space and realize the cohesion of similar contracts and the discreteness of heterogeneous contracts, improving the detection accuracy. In addition, an attention mechanism is introduced to screen key vulnerability features to enhance detection observability. The proposed method was evaluated on a large-scale dataset containing four types of vulnerabilities: arithmetic vulnerabilities, re-entrancy vulnerabilities, unchecked calls, and inconsistent access controls. The results show that the proposed scheme exhibits excellent detection performance. The accuracy rates reached 88.31%, 93.25%, 91.85%, and 90.59%, respectively.
Designing a Technological Pathway to Empower Vocational Education and Training in the Circular Wood and Furniture Sector through Extended Reality
Authors: Ortega-Gras Juan-José , Gómez-Gómez María-Victoria , Bueno-Delgado María-Victoria , Garrido-Lova Josefina , Cañavate-Cruzado Gregorio
Published: May 2023

Extended Reality (XR) is a term that refers to virtual, augmented, and, more recently, mixed reality (VR/AR//MR), which are key enabling technologies of the Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and the simulated digital environment of the metaverse. XR enables the simulation of workplace scenarios, providing workers with training in a risk-free environment, resulting in cost savings, improved occupational risk prevention, and enhanced decision-making processes. XR is ideal for supporting digital transformation for organisations in fields such as production, occupational risk prevention, maintenance, and marketing. XR is also a key driver for training initiatives aimed at promoting good practices in the circular economy in specific sectors such as woodworking and furniture (W&F). The European Commission has recognised the potential of XR for the W&F sector, funding initiatives such as the European project, Allview, which seeks to identify the most appropriate and beneficial technologies of I4.0 with a green and digital transition focus from the perspective of vocational education and training (VET). This paper presents the work carried out within the framework of Allview, including the research and comparison of current software and hardware of XR tools suitable for VET in the W&F field, a review of successful examples of XR applied to W&F training actions, and an analysis of the opinions gathered from European students, teachers, and training organisations regarding the use of XR in education. As a result, the authors present a training pathway aimed at the development and implementation of a XR training scenario/lab/environment focused on VR, 360° videos, and MR, as a guideline for developing immersive XR training contents, contributing to the digital and green transformation of VET in the W&F sector.
Maximum Service Coverage in Business Site Selection Using Computer Geometry Software
Authors: Yakovlev Sergiy , Kiseleva Olena , Chumachenko Dmytro , Podzeha Dmytro
Published: May 2023

A planar maximum coverage location problem in a continuous formulation is considered. The demand zone and service areas are presented as geometric items of given shapes and sizes. Each service area is associated with a point (centroid), relative to which the corresponding geometric item forms. The task is to find the position of the centroids to provide an optimal service for the demand zone according to a given criterion. The mathematical model is constructed as a nonlinear optimization problem, in which the variables are the coordinates of the centroids, and the objective function is defined as the area of the demand zone covered by the services. For the formalization and calculation of the objective function, both analytical expressions and computer geometry software are used. The methodology we propose is applicable to the arbitrary shapes of both the demand zone and the service areas. Moreover, this technique does not depend on the complexity of the corresponding items, since it uses the Shapely library, which operates with the same Polygon class. An approach to solving the problem based on the consistent application of local and global optimization methods is proposed. An auxiliary problem is posed that allows one to significantly reduce the run time at the stage of local optimization. The implementation of the approach is illustrated by examples of the maximum coverage location problem when the demand zone is a polygon and the service areas have the shape of a circle and an ellipse. The innovation of this paper lies in the fact that the maximum service coverage problem in business site selection is studied in such a way that both the demand zone and the service areas have an arbitrary shape.
A Compact W-Band Low-Noise Radiometry Sensor for a Single-Pixel Passive Millimeter-Wave Imager
Authors: Tekbaş Mustafa , Çakır Gonca
Published: May 2023

Recently, studies on the remote detection of dangerous objects on the person have gained importance with increased security problems. Therefore, the use of passive millimeter waves in security systems is increasing because they are harmless to health and can penetrate clothes. In this study, a compact low-noise radiometric sensor (LNRS) that can be used to view hidden objects on the person was constructed. The LNRS can be arrayed thanks to its small size and ease of use, and can be used in imaging applications thanks to the 0.24 K resolution obtained. In addition, a passive millimeter imaging system (PMMWI) was developed to obtain images with the LNRS. The PMMWI system, which is realized in a quasi-optical structure, can be used in many experimental studies thanks to its compact structure.
An Integrated Off-Line Echo Signal Acquisition System Implemented in SoC-FPGA for High Repetition Rate Lidar
Authors: Cheng Liangliang , Xie Chenbo
Published: May 2023

High repetition rate lidar is typically equipped with a low-energy, high repetition rate laser, and small aperture telescopes. Therefore, it is small, compact, low-cost, and can be networked for observation. However, its data acquisition and control functions are generally not specially designed, and the data acquisition, storage, and control programs need to be implemented on an IPC (Industrial Personal Computer), which increases the complexity and instability of the lidar system. Therefore, this paper designs an integrated off-line echo signal acquisition system (IOESAS) for lidar developed based on SoC FPGA (System-On-Chip Field Programmable Gate Array). Using a hardware–software co-design approach, the system is implemented in a heterogeneous multi-core chip ZYNQ-7020 (integrated FPGA and ARM). The FPGA implements dual-channel echo data acquisition (gated counting and hardware accumulation). At the same time, the ARM performs laser control and monitoring, laser pointing control, pulse energy monitoring, data storage, and wireless transmission. Offline data acquisition and control software was developed based on LabVIEW, which can remotely control the status of the lidar and download the echo data stored in IOESAS. To verify the performance of the data acquisition system, IOESAS was compared with the photon counting card P7882 and MCS-PCI, respectively. The test results show that they are in good agreement; the linear correlation coefficients were 0.99967 and 0.99884, respectively. IOESAS was installed on lidar outdoors for continuous detection, and the system was able to work independently and stably in different weather conditions, and control functions were tested normally. The gating delay and gating width time jitter error are ±5 ns and ±2 ns, respectively. The IOESAS is now used in several small lidars for networked observations.
3DAGNet: 3D Deep Attention and Global Search Network for Pulmonary Nodule Detection
Authors: Jian Muwei , Zhang Linsong , Jin Haodong , Li Xiaoguang
Published: May 2023

In traditional clinical medicine, respiratory physicians or radiologists often identify the location of lung nodules by highlighting targets in consecutive CT slices, which is labor-intensive and easy-to-misdiagnose work. To achieve intelligent detection and diagnosis of CT lung nodules, we designed a 3D convolutional neural network, called 3DAGNet, for pulmonary nodule detection. Inspired by the diagnostic process of lung nodule localization by physicians, the 3DGNet includes a spatial attention and a global search module. A multi-scale cascade module has also been introduced to enhance the model detection using attention enhancement, global information search, and contextual feature fusion. The experimental results showed that the proposed network achieved accurate detection of lung nodule information, and our method achieves a high sensitivity of 88.08% of the average FROC score on the LUNA16 dataset. In addition, ablation experiments also demonstrated the effectiveness of our method.
Survey of Intelligent Agricultural IoT Based on 5G
Authors: Liu Jun , Shu Lei , Lu Xu , Liu Ye
Published: May 2023

In the future, agriculture will face the need for increasing production, sustainability, wisdom, and efficiency, which will bring significant challenges to the development of modern agriculture. With the gradual popularization of 5G, advanced information technologies such as the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence promoted the evolution of modern agriculture to intelligent agriculture. The 5G-based Internet of Things will play an essential role in the development of smart agriculture. This paper investigates the research progress of 5G Internet of Things in smart agriculture. It sorts out the development status of 5G smart agriculture Internet of Things in recent years. Following that, the concept of 5G smart agriculture Internet of Things is put forward. It expounds on the connotation, architecture, and enabling key technologies. According to the key application scenarios of smart agriculture, practical cases are presented, the development trend and application value of 5G smart agriculture Internet of Things are shown, and the future development direction is put forward. Firstly, the concept of smart agriculture is distinguished, and the category scenarios of smart agriculture are summarized. Following that, the current review research on 5G-IoT is analyzed. This paper focuses on the analysis and summary of the changes brought by 5G to various key scenarios in smart agriculture. This paper analyzes the related key technologies and challenges, puts forward some key scientific problems, and summarizes the research ideas. Finally, the development trend and application value of 5G smart agriculture Internet of Things are shown. The future development direction is also proposed.
Design and Performance Evaluation of SMC-Based DC–DC Converters for Microgrid Applications
Authors: Ullah Qudrat , Busarello Tiago Davi Curi , Brandao Danilo Iglesias , Simões Marcelo Godoy
Published: May 2023

In recent times, DC microgrids (MGs) have received significant attention due to environmental concerns and the demand for clean energies. Energy storage systems (ESSs) and photovoltaic (PV) systems are parts of DC MGs. This paper expands on the modeling and control of non-isolated, non-inverting four-switch buck-boost (FSBB) synchronous converters, which interface with a wide range of low-power electronic appliances. The proposed power converter can work efficiently both independently and in DC MGs. The charging and discharging of the battery are analyzed using the FSBB converter at a steady state in continuous conduction mode (CCM). A boost converter is connected to a PV system, which is then connected in parallel to the battery to provide voltages at the DC bus. Finally, another FSBB converter is connected to a resistive load that successfully performs the boost-and-buck operation with smooth transitions. Since these power converters possess uncertainties and non-linearities, it is not suitable to design linear controllers for these systems. Therefore, the controlling mechanism for these converters’ operation is based on the sliding mode control (SMC). In this study, various macro-level interests were achieved using SMC. The MATLAB Simulink results successfully prove the precise reference tracking and robust stability in different operating modes of DC–DC converters in a MG structure.
Study on the Combustion Performance and Industrial Tests of Coke Breeze in Shougang Jingtang Blast Furnace
Authors: Yang Yuzhuo , Wu Junyi , Liu Shengtao , Kan Guangze , Wu Jianlong , Wu Shengli , Wang Guangwei
Published: May 2023

In this study, the feasibility indicators of the injection of coke breeze for blast furnaces (BFs) were tested. Experiments were conducted on the combustion behavior of coke breeze at different particle sizes, and the effects of ratio of coke breeze in pulverized coal on the combustion performance of blends were studied. On the basis of the above experiments, industrial tests involving injecting coke breeze after milling were carried out in 3# BF of Shougang Jingtang. The results show that most of the coke breeze particle sizes were distributed above 1 mm. The grindability and combustion performance are poor, so the material needs to be ground before mixing with pulverized coal. The best combustibility can be obtained by using a particle size of less than 8.74 μm of coke breeze in the injection. With the increase in the coke breeze ratio, the combustion performance of blended coal worsened; the negative effects of coke breeze can be improved by increasing the proportion of bituminous coal. According to the results of industrial tests, 8% coke breeze in blends had no negative effect on the smelting state, and the output of the BF increased slightly. Industrial tests proved that coke breeze can partly replace anthracite for BF injecting, which reduced the cost of hot metal while realizing the high value-added resource utilization of coke breeze.
Substation Placement for Electric Road Systems
Authors: Jakobsson Niklas , Hartvigsson Elias , Taljegard Maria , Johnsson Filip
Published: May 2023

One option to avoid range issues for electrified heavy vehicles, and the large individual batteries for each such vehicle, is to construct electric road systems (ERS), where vehicles are supplied with electricity while driving. In this article, a model has been developed that calculates the cost for supplying an ERS with electricity from a regional grid to a road in the form of cables and substations, considering the power demand profile for heavy transport. The modeling accounts for electric losses and voltage drop in cables and transformers. We have used the model to exhaustively compute and compared the cost of different combinations of substation sizes and locations along the road, using a European highway in West Sweden as a case study. Our results show that the costs for building an electricity distribution system for an ERS vary only to a minor extent with the location of substations (10% difference between the cheapest cost and the average cost of all configurations). Furthermore, we have varied the peak and average power demand profile for the investigated highway to investigate the impact of a specific demand profile on the results. The results from this variation show that the sum of the peak power demand is the most important factor in system cost. Specifically, a 30% change in the peak power demand for the road has a significant impact on the electricity supply system cost. A reduction in the geographical variation of power demand along the road has no significant impact on the electricity distribution system cost as long as the aggregated peak power demand for all road segments is held constant. The results of the work are relevant as input to future work on comparing the cost–benefit of ERS with other alternatives when reducing CO2 from road traffic—in particular from heavy road traffic.
Optimization and Analysis of an Integrated Liquefaction Process for Hydrogen and Natural Gas Utilizing Mixed Refrigerant Pre-Cooling
Authors: Yan Fengyuan , Geng Jinliang , Rong Guangxin , Sun Heng , Zhang Lei , Li Jinxu
Published: May 2023

Liquefying hydrogen is an efficient way to store and transport hydrogen. However, the hydrogen liquefaction process is energy intensive. Therefore, an integrated liquefaction process of hydrogen and natural gas utilizing the mixed refrigerant cycle and the hydrogen Claude cycle is proposed. The process not only couples a steam methane reforming process to produce hydrogen and a carbon dioxide refrigeration cycle to assist in pre-cooling, but also employs a solar energy absorption refrigeration system to enhance energy efficiency. The proposed process is simulated and optimized using HYSYS and the particle swarm optimization algorithm, and energy, exergy, and economic analyses are performed. The energy analysis shows that the specific energy consumption of the proposed process is 5.2201 kWh/kg, a reduction of 10.67% compared to the base case. The exergy loss and exergy efficiency are 64,904 kW and 62.21%, which are 13.63% and 6.63% lower than the base case, respectively. The economic analysis shows that the total annualized cost of the process is USD 28.6 million per year. The proposed integrated liquefaction process not only realizes the high efficiency of energy utilization but also follows the development trend of integrated energy systems.
Green Fractionation and Structural Characterization of Lignin Nanoparticles via Carboxylic-Acid-Based Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) Pretreatment
Authors: Qin Meng-Kai , Zuo Cheng , Yang Yi-Ting , Liu Yi-Hui , Ma Cheng-Ye , Wen Jia-Long
Published: May 2023

Green fractionation and a comprehensive overview of lignin molecular structures during the DES (deep eutectic solvent) pretreatment are very important for lignin valorization and the whole biorefinery process. Herein, intractable woody biomass (poplar wood) was pretreated with five types of carboxylic-acid-based DESs (acetamide served as an HBA (hydrogen bond acceptor), propanedioic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, glutaric acid, and succinic acid served as HBDs (hydrogen bond donors)) under the optimized pretreatment conditions. Results showed that the optimal delignification ratio was achieved for tartaric-acid-based DES at 140 °C for 20 min under microwave-assisted heating. Two-dimensional HSQC NMR data demonstrated that the isolated poplar DES lignin consisted mainly of β-β, β-O-4 (normal and acylated forms), β-5, and esterified p-hydroxybenzoates (PBs) in different contents. Especially, the contents of β-O-4 in the isolated DES lignin fractions varied based on the pretreatment temperature and different chemical compositions of the DES. The antioxidant activity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH analysis), microstructure (scanning electron microscope, SEM), and molecular weights (gel permeation chromatography, GPC) of the DES lignin fractions demonstrated that the DES delignification promoted the rapid assembly of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) and could yield homogeneous lignin (1.23 < PDI < 1.58) with controlled nanometer size (30–170 nm) and good antioxidant activity. This study will improve the knowledge of structural changes of lignin during the different carboxylic-acid-based DES pretreatments and maximize the lignin valorization.
Attacks on IoT: Side-Channel Power Acquisition Framework for Intrusion Detection
Authors: Lightbody Dominic , Ngo Duc-Minh , Temko Andriy , Murphy Colin C. , Popovici Emanuel
Published: May 2023

This study proposes the wider use of non-intrusive side-channel power data in cybersecurity for intrusion detection. An in-depth analysis of side-channel IoT power behaviour is performed on two well-known IoT devices—a Raspberry Pi 3 model B and a DragonBoard 410c—operating under normal conditions and under attack. Attacks from the categories of reconnaissance, brute force and denial of service are applied, and the side-channel power data of the IoT testbeds are then studied in detail. These attacks are used together to further compromise the IoT testbeds in a “capture-the-flag scenario”, where the attacker aims to infiltrate the device and retrieve a secret file. Some clear similarities in the side-channel power signatures of these attacks can be seen across the two devices. Furthermore, using the knowledge gained from studying the features of these attacks individually and the signatures witnessed in the “capture the flag scenario”, we show that security teams can reverse engineer attacks applied to their system to achieve a much greater understanding of the events that occurred during a breach. While this study presents behaviour signatures analysed visually, the acquired power series datasets will be instrumental for future human-centred AI-assisted intrusion detection.
The Exothermic Effects of Textile Fibers during Changes in Environmental Humidity: A Comparison between ISO:16533 and Dynamic Hot Plate Test Method
Authors: Abedin Faisal , DenHartog Emiel
Published: May 2023

The exothermic effects of high regain fiber types have been described before; yet, there have not been reliable tests to demonstrate these effects on the human body. Most test methods focus on steady-state measurements; therefore, these exothermic effects during changes in environmental humidity are typically not analyzed or quantified. We have conducted a set of fabric tests that shows the connection between the exothermic effect of water vapor uptake and its consequence for heat loss through the fabric in transient conditions. We have performed the ISO:16533 standard test, a dynamic hot plate test developed by Naylor to measure the exothermic property of the fabric, and dynamic regain tests to connect the dots between these tests and the water vapor uptake phenomenon. Although the ISO:16533 test method tends to show the temperature increase in fibers, it cannot differentiate between the hygroscopic fiber (wool, viscose, cotton) types (p > 0.001). In addition, sensor size and sample folding techniques could impact the temperature increase. On the other hand, the Naylor hot plate test showed a greater difference in heat release among the fiber types (wool showed 20% higher heat release than viscose, 50% more than cotton), although the relative humidity changes in the chamber take time, which might not reflect a step-wise change in humidity. So far, these test methods have proven to be the most reliable for determining the exothermic behavior of textile fiber. However, these test methods still have limitations and cannot simulate realistic environmental conditions considering an instantaneous change in the environment. This paper reflects the comparison between the two test methods and recommends directions to accurately address the theory of water vapor uptake under dynamic conditions.
Metazoan Parasites of Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) Native to Lake Urema, Mozambique
Authors: Smit Willem , Vanhove Maarten , Moyo Ngonidzashe , Luus-Powell Wilmien
Published: May 2023

Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters, 1852), an important aquaculture species investigated herein, is at risk and listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. During a preliminary survey conducted in 2011, 30 Mozambique tilapia from Lake Urema in Gorongosa National Park in central Mozambique, were examined for metazoan parasites. Two groups of ectoparasites were recovered consisting of two species of copepods and a monogenean. Endoparasites retrieved were in the larval stage and included one trematode and one nematode species. This study provides new parasite records for O. mossambicus in Mozambique and forms a baseline for monitoring against the presence of ichthyoparasites associated with the introduction in neighbouring systems of non-native fish such as Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758), a fish of worldwide importance in capture fisheries and especially aquaculture.
Effect of the Pasta Making Process on Slowly Digestible Starch Content
Authors: Dodi Rossella , Di Pede Giuseppe , Scarpa Cecilia , Deon Valeria , Dall’Asta Margherita , Scazzina Francesca
Published: May 2023

The rate at which starch is digested in the human intestine elicits different glycemic responses and reflects the glycemic index (GI) of foods. In vitro measurement of starch digestibility can reflect the GI of food. Differences in starch digestibility among four durum wheat pasta samples, couscous, and bread were evaluated to better describe the role of the pasta making process in affecting starch digestibility. Statistical differences in RDS (rapidly digestible starch), SDS (slowly digestible starch), and RS (resistant starch) of products were found (p < 0.05). As expected, pasta samples showed the highest value of SDS/av starch compared to couscous and bread. Fusilli and cavatelli samples presented the highest SDS/av starch ratio (55.80 ± 3.06% and 53.91 ± 3.50%, respectively), then came spaghetti 49.39 ± 2.83% and penne 45.93 ± 1.19%, while couscous presented the lowest value of SDS/av starch (2.64 ± 0.50%), followed by bread (11.78 ± 2.63%). Our study confirmed that the pasta making process efficiently mediates an increase in SDS/Av starch content, which has been specifically quantified above 40%, therefore strongly related to a lowered glycemic response in vivo. Our results strengthened the concept that pasta is a good source of SDS, which makes it useful for glycemic control.
Evaluation of Effects of Spray Drying Conditions on Physicochemical Properties of Pomegranate Juice Powder Enriched with Pomegranate Peel Phenolic Compounds: Modeling and Optimization by RSM
Authors: Hadree Jouhaina , Shahidi Fakhri , Mohebbi Mohebbat , Abbaspour Mohammadreza
Published: May 2023

In this study, the effects of pomegranate peel extract concentration (2.5–10%), drying temperature (160–190 °C), and feed flow rate (0.6–1 mL/s) on the properties of pomegranate juice powder enriched with pomegranate peel phenolic compounds and produced by spray drying were investigated. The moisture content, water activity (aw), solubility, water absorption capacity (WAC), hygroscopicity, dissolution time, total phenolic content (TPC), Carr index (CI), Hausner ratio (HR), and brightness (L*) of the samples were evaluated, and the optimal powder production conditions were obtained using response surface methodology (RSM). The results showed that the optimal conditions were found to be the phenolic extract concentration of 10%, the drying temperature of 189.9 °C, and the feed flow rate of 0.63 mL/s, considering the minimization of the moisture content, aw, hygroscopicity, dissolution time, CI, HR, and L*, as well as the maximization of solubility, WAC, and TPC. The effect of the phenolic extract concentration was very significant (p < 0.01) on the WAC, hygroscopicity, dissolution time, TPC, CI, HR, and L* of the powder. Moreover, the effect of the drying temperature was very significant (p < 0.01) on the aw, hygroscopicity, dissolution time, CI, and HR of the powder and significant (p < 0.05) on its moisture content. The effect of the feed flow rate was very significant (p < 0.01) on the solubility, hygroscopicity, and dissolution time of the powder and significant (p < 0.05) on its moisture content. Therefore, we found that the spray drying conditions, such as high temperature, did not negatively affect the content of phenolic compounds in pomegranate powder, and the physical properties of the resulting powder were acceptable. Thus, pomegranate powder enriched with phenolic compounds can be used as a food additive or as a dietary supplement for medicinal use.
The Cultivar Effect on the Taste and Aroma Substances of Hakka Stir-Fried Green Tea from Guangdong
Authors: Qiu Zihao , Liao Jinmei , Chen Jiahao , Chen Peifen , Sun Binmei , Li Ansheng , Pan Yiyu , Liu Hongmei , Zheng Peng , Liu Shaoqun
Published: May 2023

The flavor and quality of tea largely depends on the cultivar from which it is processed; however, the cultivar effect on the taste and aroma characteristics of Hakka stir-fried green tea (HSGT) has received little attention. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and sensory evaluations were used to detect and predict the essential taste and aroma-contributing substances of HSGTs made from Huangdan (HD), Meizhan (MZ) and Qingliang Mountain (QL) cultivars. Orthogonal partial least squares data analysis (OPLS-DA) ranked four substances that putatively distinguished the tastes of the HSGTs, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) > theanine > epigallocatechin (EGC) > epicatechin gallate (ECG). Ten substances with variable importance in projections (VIPs) ≥ 1 and odor activation values (OAVs) ≥ 1 contributed to their overall aromas, with geranylacetone having the most significant effect on HD (OAV 1841), MZ (OAV 4402), and QL (OAV 1211). Additionally, sensory evaluations found that HD was relatively equivalent to QL in quality, and both were superior to MZ. HD had a distinct floral aroma, MZ had a distinct fried rice aroma, and QL had a balance of fried rice and fresh aromas. The results provide a theoretical framework for evaluating the cultivar effect on the quality of HSGT and put forward ideas for future HSGT cultivar development.
The Effect of Buckwheat Resistant Starch on Intestinal Physiological Function
Authors: Sun Zhan-Bin , Zhang Xiao , Yan Yi , Xu Jia-Liang , Lu Xin , Ren Qing
Published: May 2023

Resistant starch appears to have promising effects on hypertension, cardiovascular and enteric illness. The influence of resistant starch on intestinal physiological function has drawn great attention. In this study, we first analyzed the physicochemical characteristics, including the crystalline properties, amylose content, and anti-digestibility among different types of buckwheat-resistant starch. The influence of resistant starch on the physiological functions of the mouse intestinal system, contained defecation, and intestinal microbes were also evaluated. The results showed that the crystalline mold of buckwheat-resistant starch changed from A to B + V after acid hydrolysis treatment (AHT) and autoclaving enzymatic debranching treatment (AEDT). The amylose content in AEDT was higher than in AHT and raw buckwheat. Moreover, the anti-digestibility of AEDT was also stronger than that in AHT and raw buckwheat. The buckwheat-resistant starch can promote bowel intestinal tract movement. The quantity of intestinal microbe was regulated by buckwheat-resistant starch. Our research demonstrates an effective preparation method for improving the quality of buckwheat-resistant starch and found that buckwheat-resistant starch has the role of adjusting the distribution of the intestinal flora and maintaining the health of the body.
Quality and Oral Processing Characteristics of Traditional Serbian Ćevap Influenced by Game Meat
Authors: Djekic Ilija , Stajic Slavisa , Udovicki Bozidar , Siladji Caba , Djordjevic Vesna , Terjung Nino , Heinz Volker , Tomasevic Igor
Published: May 2023

This study analyzes the influence of two different types of game meat (deer and wild boar) in relation to quality characteristics and oral processing attributes of skinless sausage. The goal of this study was to compare grilled game-meat-based “ćevap” with conventional pork-meat-based samples. Research comprised of color analysis, evaluation of textural components, testing degree of difference, temporal dominance of sensations, calculation of main oral processing attributes, and examination of particle size distribution. The results show that oral processing attributes are similar in between samples and concur with results of the pork-based sample. This confirms the working hypothesis that it is possible to make game-meat-based “ćevap” fully comparable with conventional pork meat products. In parallel, color and flavor characteristics are influenced by the type of game meat in the sample. Most of the dominant sensory attributes that occurred during mastication were game meat flavor and juiciness.
The Effect of Netting Bags on the Postharvest Quality, Bioactive and Nutritional Compounds, and the Spoilage Microorganisms Content of Bell Peppers
Authors: Rives-Castillo Selene C. H. , Correa-Pacheco Zormy N. , Corona-Rangel María L. , Hernández-López Mónica , Barrera-Necha Laura L. , Ventura-Aguilar Rosa I. , Bautista-Baños Silvia
Published: May 2023

The packaging nets used for bell peppers act as a form of protection. However, the manufacturing is based on polymers that cause serious environmental problems. The effects of nets made of biodegradable materials, such as poly(lactic) acid (PLA), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), and cactus stem residues, were evaluated on four different colors of ‘California Wonder’ bell peppers stored over a 25-day storage period under controlled and ambient temperature conditions. Compared to commercial polyethylene nets, the bell peppers kept in the biodegradable nets did not show notable differences with respect to color, weight loss, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity. However, there were significant differences (p < 0.05) in terms of phenol content, carotenoids (orange bell peppers), anthocyanins, and vitamin C, with an overall tendency to show a higher content in those kept in PLA 60%/PBTA 40%/cactus stem flour 3% compared to commercial packaging. In addition, the same net notably reduced the development of bacteria, fungi, and yeasts during the storage of red, orange, and yellow bell peppers. As postharvest packaging for bell peppers, this net could be considered a viable option for the storage of this product.
Dairy By-Products and Lactoferrin Exert Antioxidant and Antigenotoxic Activity on Intestinal and Hepatic Cells
Authors: Abad Inés , Vignard Julien , Bouchenot Catherine , Graikini Dimitra , Grasa Laura , Pérez María Dolores , Mirey Gladys , Sánchez Lourdes
Published: May 2023

The dairy industry generates a large volume of by-products containing bioactive compounds that may have added value. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antigenotoxic effects of milk-derived products, such as whey, buttermilk, and lactoferrin, in two human cell lines: Caco-2 as an intestinal barrier model and HepG2 as a hepatic cell line. First, the protective effect of dairy samples against the oxidative stress caused by menadione was analyzed. All these dairy fractions significantly reversed the oxidative stress, with the non-washed buttermilk fraction presenting the greatest antioxidant effect for Caco-2 cells and lactoferrin as the best antioxidant for HepG2 cells. At concentrations that did not impact cell viability, we found that the dairy sample with the highest antigenotoxic power against menadione, in both cell lines, was lactoferrin at the lowest concentration. Additionally, dairy by-products maintained their activity in a coculture of Caco-2 and HepG2, mimicking the intestinal-liver axis. This result suggests that the compounds responsible for the antioxidant activity could cross the Caco-2 barrier and reach HepG2 cells on the basal side, exerting their function on them. In conclusion, our results show that dairy by-products have antioxidant and antigenotoxic activities, which would allow revaluing their use in food specialties.
Microbial Lipid Based Biorefinery Concepts: A Review of Status and Prospects
Authors: Silva Jonilson de Melo e , Martins Luiza Helena da Silva , Moreira Débora Kono Taketa , Silva Leonardo do Prado , Barbosa Paula de Paula Menezes , Komesu Andrea , Ferreira Nelson Rosa , Oliveira Johnatt Allan Rocha de
Published: May 2023

The use of lignocellulosic biomass as a raw material for the production of lipids has gained increasing attention, especially in recent years when the use of food in the production of biofuels has become a current technology. Thus, the competition for raw materials for both uses has brought the need to create technological alternatives to reduce this competition that could generate a reduction in the volume of food offered and a consequent commercial increase in the value of food. Furthermore, the use of microbial oils has been studied in many industrial branches, from the generation of renewable energy to the obtainment of several value-added products in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Thus, this review provides an overview of the feasibility and challenges observed in the production of microbial lipids through the use of lignocellulosic biomass in a biorefinery. Topics covered include biorefining technology, the microbial oil market, oily microorganisms, mechanisms involved in lipid-producing microbial metabolism, strain development, processes, lignocellulosic lipids, technical drawbacks, and lipid recovery.
Antioxidant Capacity and Protective Effects on H2O2-Induced Oxidative Damage in PC12 Cells of the Active Fraction of Brassica rapa L.
Authors: Wang Jin , Xiao Shuang , Cai Qi , Miao Jing , Li Jinyao
Published: May 2023

Brassica rapa L. (BR), a traditional biennial herb belonging to the Brassica species of Brassicaceae, has been widely used for functions of anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antioxidation, antiaging, and regulation of immunity. In this study, antioxidant activity and protective effects on H2O2-induced oxidative damage in PC12 cells of the active fractions of BR were investigated in vitro. Among all active fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction of ethanol extract from BR (BREE-Ea) showed the strongest antioxidant activity. Additionally, it was noted that BREE-Ea and n-butyl alcohol fraction of ethanol extract from BR (BREE-Ba) both have protective effects in oxidatively damaged PC12 cells, while BREE-Ea displayed the best protective effect in all determined experimental doses. Furthermore, flow cytometry (DCFH-DA staining) analysis indicated that BREE-Ea could reduce the H2O2-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells by reducing the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increasing enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Moreover, BREE-Ea could decrease the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and reduce the release of extracellular lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) from H2O2-induced PC12 cells. All these results demonstrate that BREE-Ea has a good antioxidant capacity and protective effect on PC12 cells against apoptosis induced by H2O2 and that it can be used as a good edible antioxidant to improve the body’s endogenous antioxidant defense.
Investigating the Contribution of Blending on the Dough Rheology of Roller-Milled Hard Red Wheat
Authors: Suprabha Raj Anu , Boyacioglu M. Hikmet , Dogan Hulya , Siliveru Kaliramesh
Published: May 2023

The flour functionality and particle size distribution of wheat flour obtained on roller milling are dependent on the type of wheat, tempering conditions, and milling conditions. In this study, the impact of the tempering conditions (moisture and time) on the chemical and rheological properties of flour from blends of hard red wheat were analyzed. The wheat blends B1-25:75 (hard red spring (HRS)/hard red winter (HRW)), B2-50:50, and B3-75:25, which were tempered to 14%, 16%, and 18% for 16, 20, and 24 h, respectively, were milled using a laboratory-scale roller mill (Buhler MLU-202). Protein, damaged starch, and particle characteristics were influenced by blending, tempering, and milling streams. For all the blends, the protein content varied significantly among the break flour streams; the damaged starch content varied greatly in the reduction streams. The increased damaged starch content of the reduction streams proportionally increased water absorption (WA). Higher proportions of HRS in the blends significantly decreased the pasting temperature of the dough, as measured using Mixolab. Principal component analysis proved that the protein content was the key determinant in particle characteristics, WA, and pasting properties of the flour, especially in blends with a higher proportion of HRS.
Encapsulation of Menthol and Luteolin Using Hydrocolloids as Wall Material to Formulate Instant Aromatic Beverages
Authors: Mora-Flórez Laura Sofía , Cabrera-Rodríguez Daniel , Hernández-Carrión María
Published: May 2023

Aromatic plants represent about 0.7% of all medicinal plants. The most common are peppermint (main active ingredient: menthol) and chamomile (main active ingredient: luteolin), which are usually consumed in “tea bags” to make infusions or herbal teas. In this study, menthol and luteolin encapsulates using different hydrocolloids were obtained to replace the conventional preparation of these beverages. Encapsulation was carried out by feeding an infusion of peppermint and chamomile (83% aqueous phase = 75% water − 8% herbs in equal parts, and 17% dissolved solids = wall material in 2:1 ratio) into a spray dryer (180 °C-4 mL/min). A factorial experimental design was used to evaluate the effect of wall material on morphology (circularity and Feret’s diameter) and texture properties of the powders using image analysis. Four formulations using different hydrocolloids were evaluated: (F1) maltodextrin-sodium caseinate (10 wt%), (F2) maltodextrin-soy protein (10 wt%), (F3) maltodextrin-sodium caseinate (15 wt%), and (F4) maltodextrin-soy protein (15 wt%). The moisture, solubility, bulk density, and bioavailability of menthol in the capsules were determined. The results showed that F1 and F2 presented the best combination of powder properties: higher circularity (0.927 ± 0.012, 0.926 ± 0.011), lower moisture (2.69 ± 0.53, 2.71 ± 0.21), adequate solubility (97.73 ± 0.76, 98.01 ± 0.50), and best texture properties. Those suggest the potential of these powders not only as an easy-to-consume and ecofriendly instant aromatic beverage but also as a functional one.