bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Performance of a Composite Water Control Process for Offshore Bottom Water Fractured Gas Reservoirs
Authors: Wang Dianju , Li Zhandong , Zhang Haixiang , Liu Shufen , Yu Fahao , Li Ji , Liu Xingbin , Xiao Yingjian , Lv Yunshu
Published: September 2023

Natural gas, as one of the main energy sources of the modern clean energy system, is also an important raw material for the chemical industry, and the stable extraction of natural gas reservoirs is often affected by bottom water. It is difficult to control water in natural gas reservoirs, while fractured gas reservoirs are even more demanding. This is due to the complexity of the seepage laws of gas and water in fractures, resulting in the poor applicability of conventional processes for water control. Continuous research is needed to propose a process with effective control capabilities for bottom-water fractured gas reservoirs. Aiming at the above difficulties, this paper is based on a large-scale three-dimensional physical simulation device to carry out physical model design and simulation results testing and analysis. The water control ability of the combination of density-segmented sieve tubes and continuous packers in fractured gas reservoirs is explored. The physical simulation results show that the fracture distribution characteristics control the upward transportation path of bottom water. According to the segmentation characteristics of the fractures at the horizontal section location, optimizing the number of horizontal well screen tube segments and the density of boreholes reduces the cone-in velocity of bottom water before connecting the fractures to a certain extent. And the combined process has different degrees of water control ability for the three stages of bottom water transportation from the fractured gas reservoir to the production well. As the degree of water in the production well increases, the water control ability of the process gradually decreases. After the implementation of the water control process, the water-free gas production period was extended by about 6.84%, and the total production time was extended by about 6.46%. After the shutdown of the horizontal wells, the reduction in daily water production can still reach 21% compared to the natural extraction. The results of this research can provide process suggestions for water control in offshore fractured reservoirs and further ensure stable production in offshore fractured gas reservoirs.
Insights on In Situ Combustion Modeling Based on a Ramped Temperature Oxidation Experiment for Oil Sand Bitumen
Authors: Khakimova Lyudmila , Popov Evgeny , Cheremisin Alexey
Published: September 2023

The ramped temperature oxidation (RTO) test is a screening method used to assess the stability of a reservoir for air-injection Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) and to evaluate the oxidation behavior of oil samples. It provides valuable kinetic data for specific cases. The RTO test allows for the analysis of various characteristics, such as temperature evolution, peak temperatures, oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide generation, oxidation and combustion front velocity, recovered and burned hydrocarbons, and residual coke. The adaptation of RTO experiments to in situ combustion (ISC) modeling involves validation and history matching based on numerical simulation of RTO tests, using 3D digital models of experimental setup. The objective is to estimate the kinetic parameters for a customized reaction model that accurately represents ISC. Within this research, the RTO test was provided for bitumen samples related to the Samara oil region. A 3D digital model of the RTO test is constructed using CMG STARS, a thermal hydrodynamic simulator. The model is designed with multiple layers and appropriate heating regimes to account for uncertainties in the experimental setup and to validate the numerical model. The insulation of the setup affects radial heat transfers and helps to control the observed temperature levels. The modified traditional reaction model incorporates thermal cracking of Asphaltenes, low-temperature oxidation (LTO) of Asphaltenes and Maltenes, and high-temperature combustion of coke. Additionally, the model incorporates high-temperature combustion of light oil in the vapor phase, which is generated through Asphaltenes cracking and LTO reactions.
Investigation on the Origin of Sluggish Anionic Redox Kinetics in Cation-Disordered Cathode
Authors: Liang Qi , Li Peirong , Zhao Yue , Chen Supeng , Yin Jixiang , Lyu Yingchun , Li Qiang , Li Qinghao
Published: September 2023

Cation-disordered rock salt (DRX) cathodes exhibit high specific capacity due to the simultaneous use of anionic and cationic redox reactions. However, DRX systems face severe challenges that limit their practical applications; a most important challenge is their poor rate performance. In this work, the structure and morphology of Li1.17Ti0.58Ni0.25O2 (LTNO) were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), etc. In combination with various electrochemical characterizations, we found that the sluggish kinetics of anionic redox within LTNO can be the key reason for the inferior rate performance. By sample relaxation at moderate temperature and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), the ligand-to-metal charge transfer process is verified to occur between O and Ni and exhibits a prolonged characteristic time of 113.8 min. This time-consuming charge transfer process is verified to be the very fundamental origin of the slow kinetics of oxygen oxidation and reduction. This claim is further supported by the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) at different temperatures. These findings provide essential guidance for understanding and further optimizing cathodes with anion redox reactions not only in the context of DRX cathodes but also conventional Li-rich cathodes.
Blockchain-Enabled Microgrids: Toward Peer-to-Peer Energy Trading and Flexible Demand Management
Authors: Evens Maarten , Ercoli Patricia , Arteconi Alessia
Published: September 2023

The energy transition to a decarbonized energy scenario leads toward distributed energy resources in which end users can both generate and consume renewable electricity. As a result, several challenges arise in terms of decentralized energy resource management and grid reliability. With microgrids, the cooperation of distributed energy resources is improved, and with peer-to-peer energy exchange and demand response programs, better energy allocation and flexible management of consumption loads according to the needs of supply systems are achieved. However, effective peer-to-peer energy allocation and flexible demand management in microgrids require the development of market structures, pricing mechanisms, and demand response strategies enabled by a reliable communication system. In this field, blockchain offers a decentralized communication tool for energy transactions that can provide transparency, security, and immutability. Therefore, this paper provides a comprehensive review of key factors for peer-to-peer energy trading and flexible energy demand management in blockchain-enabled microgrids. The goal is to provide guidelines on the basic components that are useful in ensuring efficient operation of microgrids. Finally, using a holistic view of technology adoption as a tool for peer-to-peer communication in microgrids, this paper reviews projects aimed at implementing blockchain in energy trading and flexible demand management.
Estimation of Electrical Energy Consumption in Irrigated Rice Crops in Southern Brazil
Authors: Lemes Daniel Lima , Jacques Matheus Mello , Sousa Natalia Bastos , Bernardon Daniel Pinheiro , Sperandio Mauricio , Silva Juliano Andrade , Chiara Lucas M. , Wolter Martin
Published: September 2023

On average, 70% of the world’s freshwater is used in agriculture, with farmers transitioning to electrical irrigation systems to increase productivity, reduce climate uncertainties, and decrease water consumption. In Brazil, where agriculture is a significant part of the economy, this transition has reached record levels over the last decade, further increasing the impact of energy consumption. This paper presents a methodology that utilizes the U-Net model to detect flooded rice fields using Sentinel-2 satellite images and estimates the electrical energy consumption required to pump water for this irrigation. The proposed approach involves grouping the detected flooded areas using k-means clustering with the electricity customers’ geographical coordinates, provided by the Power Distribution Company. The methodology was evaluated in a dataset of satellite images from southern Brazil, and the results demonstrate the potential of using U-Net models to identify rice fields. Furthermore, comparing the estimated electrical energy consumption required for irrigation in each cluster with the billed energy values provides valuable insights into the sustainable management of rice production systems and the electricity grid, helping to identify non-technical losses and improve irrigation efficiency.
Data Augmentation and Feature Selection for the Prediction of the State of Charge of Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Pohlmann Sebastian , Mashayekh Ali , Kuder Manuel , Neve Antje , Weyh Thomas
Published: September 2023

Lithium-ion batteries are a key technology for the electrification of the transport sector and the corresponding move to renewable energy. It is vital to determine the condition of lithium-ion batteries at all times to optimize their operation. Because of the various loading conditions these batteries are subjected to and the complex structure of the electrochemical systems, it is not possible to directly measure their condition, including their state of charge. Instead, battery models are used to emulate their behavior. Data-driven models have become of increasing interest because they demonstrate high levels of accuracy with less development time; however, they are highly dependent on their database. To overcome this problem, in this paper, the use of a data augmentation method to improve the training of artificial neural networks is analyzed. A linear regression model, as well as a multilayer perceptron and a convolutional neural network, are trained with different amounts of artificial data to estimate the state of charge of a battery cell. All models are tested on real data to examine the applicability of the models in a real application. The lowest test error is obtained for the convolutional neural network, with a mean absolute error of 0.27%. The results highlight the potential of data-driven models and the potential to improve the training of these models using artificial data.
Internet-Distributed Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation Platform for Plug-In Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicles
Authors: Zhang Yi , Guo Qiang , Song Jie
Published: September 2023

In order to simulate a PHEV’s dynamic characteristics with high fidelity and study the degradation process of a PHEV’s power sources in real-world driving conditions, an Internet-distributed hardware-in-the-loop (ID-HIL) simulation platform for PHEVs is established. It connects several geographically distributed hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) subsystems (including an in-loop vehicle, Cloud server, driving motor, fuel cells, and lithium battery) via the Internet to simulate the powertrain of a plug-in fuel cell hybrid vehicle (PHEV). In the proposed ID-HIL system, the in-loop vehicle without a hybrid powertrain can simulate a PHEV’s dynamic characteristics. Meanwhile, the other in-loop subsystems can work in the same way as if they were on board. Thus, the degradation process of the power sources, such as the fuel cells and lithium battery, can be studied in real-world driving conditions. A 21 km on-road driving test proves the ID-HIL’s feasibility and fidelity.
Steady vs. Dynamic Contributions of Different Doped Conducting Polymers in the Principal Components of an Electronic Nose’s Response
Authors: Haj Ammar Wiem , Boujnah Aicha , Boubaker Aimen , Kalboussi Adel , Lmimouni Kamal , Pecqueur Sébastien
Published: September 2023

Multivariate data analysis and machine learning classification have become popular tools to extract features without physical models for complex environments recognition. For electronic noses, time sampling over multiple sensing elements must be a fair compromise between a period sufficiently long to output a meaningful information pattern and sufficiently short to minimize training time for practical applications. Particularly when a reactivity’s kinetics differ from the thermodynamics in sensitive materials, finding the best compromise to get the most from the data is not obvious. Here, we investigate the influence of data acquisition to improve or alter data clustering for molecular recognition on a conducting polymer electronic nose. We found out that waiting for sensing elements to reach their steady state is not required for classification, and that reducing data acquisition down to the first dynamical information suffices to recognize molecular gases by principal component analysis with the same materials. Especially for online inference, this study shows that a good sensing array is not an array of good sensors, and that new figures of merit should be defined for sensing hardware using machine learning pattern recognition rather than metrology.
The Differences in the Composition of Maillard Components between Three Kinds of Sauce-Flavor Daqu
Authors: Zhu Qi , Chen Liangqiang , Pu Xiuxin , Du Guocheng , Yang Fan , Lu Jianjun , Peng Zheng , Zhang Juan , Tu Huabin
Published: September 2023

Sauce-flavor Daqu is a saccharifying and fermenting agent for sauce-flavor baijiu. Three kinds of Daqu (White Daqu (WQ), Yellow Daqu (YQ), and Black Daqu (BQ)) with different qualities are formed owing to the stacking fermentation. Maillard reaction is an important factor that causes significant differences among the three kinds of high-temperature Daqu, which is also an important source of flavor substances. However, there is a lack of research on the composition differences of Maillard reaction products in the three types of Daqu. In our study, HS-SPME-GC/MS, Py-GC/MS, and high-throughput sequencing were used to investigate the small molecule volatile Maillard substances, melanoidin (macromolecular Maillard substance) composition, and microbial community of three kinds of Daqu. The results showed that there were significant differences in the composition of Maillard products (furans, pyrazines, and melanoidin structure) between the three kinds of Daqu. The melanoidin was mainly composed of furans, pyrrolopyrazines, phenols, and indoles, the proportions of which were different in the three types of Daqu. BQ contained more Maillard products, making the melanoidin more complex. Kroppenstedtia, Monascus, and Thermoascus were the biomarkers of BQ, which contribute to the Maillard reaction. This study is of great significance to further deepen the understanding of the formation mechanism of BQ.
Solution Blow Spinning to Prepare Preferred Oriented Poly(ethylene oxide) Submicrometric Fibers
Authors: González-Benito Javier , Lorente Miguel A. , Olmos Dania , Kramar Ana
Published: September 2023

In this work, materials with potential biomedical applications constituted by fibrous poly(ethylene oxide), PEO, are prepared by solution blow spinning (SBS). The SBS setup has a cylindrical collector for which the rotational speed and size are varied to study its effect on the final morphology of the materials. The morphology is inspected using field emission scanning electron microscopy and studied using image analysis. As a result, many doubts were generated because of the use of different methods of image analysis, therefore a simpler and more conventional method using Image J open-source software was used to ensure the accuracy of the final interpretation. It is shown that fiber size and orientation depend on the linear speed associated with the surface of the collector more than on its rotational speed; therefore, it can be said that the morphology of materials prepared by SBS will depend on the size, shape, and rotational speed of the collector. When the linear speed of the cylindrical collector increases, fibers get thinner, less entangled, and more oriented. It is clear, therefore, that the linear speed of material collection by solution blow spinning is a very important parameter of processing to control the final morphology of materials manufactured by that method. Since morphology can affect the final properties of the materials the simple variation of the linear speed might have important implications on their final performance for different biomedical applications.
The Role of Cold-Water Thermal Refuges for Stream Salmonids in a Changing Climate—Experiences from Atlantic Canada
Authors: Linnansaari Tommi , O’Sullivan Antóin M. , Breau Cindy , Corey Emily M. , Collet Elise N. , Curry R. Allen , Cunjak Richard A.
Published: September 2023

Thermal refuges are becoming increasingly influential for dictating the population status and spatial distribution of cold-water stenotherm salmonids in the mid- to southern extent of their range. The global climate is predicted to continue to warm, and therefore, the overall thermal suitability of freshwater habitats for stream salmonids is predicted to decline in concert. However, stream and river thermal heterogeneity will offer considerable resiliency for these populations. Thermal refuges are formed by many physical processes; common natural refuges include cold tributary plumes, groundwater springs, alcoves, and hyporheic upwellings. However, many anthropogenically formed refuges (such as stratified reservoirs or cold-water tailrace outflows) also exist in hydropower-regulated rivers. The significance of these refuges to stream salmonids depends on their size and temperature differential, but also other habitat characteristics such as their depth, flow velocity, Froude number, and many biotic factors within the refuges. Modern technologies such as drone-mounted thermal infrared cameras and other remote sensing techniques allow for the efficient identification of such refuges, and inexpensive options include the identification of refuges during ice cover using orthophotographs. Behavioural thermoregulation, i.e., salmonids aggregating in cold-water refuges, can be either facultative or obligate and the timing of these events is governed by life stage, species, and population-specific physiologically regulated cumulative thresholds that are inherently related to the recent thermal history, or hysteresis, of each individual. Salmonids appear to have an excellent spatial cognition for locating and relocating cold-water refuges, and their spatial distribution is largely affected by the availability of the cold-water refuges during the warm-water period in many thermally stressed rivers. Gregarious behaviour is the norm for salmonid fishes within the thermal refuges; however, the size/microhabitat hierarchy appears to dictate the within-refuge distribution at the micro-scale. There continues to be a great impetus for protecting—and in carefully determined cases creating—cold-water refuges in the future. A thorough understanding of what a “goldilocks” refuge is for various salmonids and their different life stages will be imperative as cold-water restoration is gaining popularity. Finally, disentangling the roles of the climate-induced and landscape activity-induced warming potential of fluvial freshwater will be important to ensure continued environmentally responsible landscape activities in future waterscapes.
Bioactive Fractions Isolated from By-Products of the Guava (Psidium guajava) and Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Agri-Food Industry
Authors: Cerón-Martínez Leidy J. , Hurtado-Benavides Andrés M. , Ayala-Aponte Alfredo , Serna-Cock Liliana , Tirado Diego F.
Published: September 2023

Valorizing agri-food industrial waste is essential for a circular economy, yielding high-value products, waste reduction, technological solutions, employment opportunities, and enhanced food security. This work shows the valorization of seeds generated as residues from the agri-food industries of guava pera (Psidium guajava) and Tommy Atkins mango (Mangifera indica L.), through extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2). After the optimization of the initial solid condition of the raw material (i.e., particle size and moisture content), scCO2 pressure and temperature were established through the response surface methodology (RSM) to obtain an oily extract with the highest content in bioactive compounds of commercial relevance, as well as with a high antioxidant capacity. The total amount of oily extract in guava and mango seeds was 14% and 9%, respectively, while the maximum recovery of supercritical extract was 95% from guava seeds at 38 MPa and 50 °C, and 88% from mango seeds at 37 MPa and 63 °C. Bioactive fractions rich in squalene, γ-tocopherol, α-tocopherol, campesterol, β-sitosterol, and stigmasterol were obtained. The best supercritical extraction conditions, in terms of the bioactive fractions richest in minor compounds, were at 17 MPa and 50 °C for guava seeds and at 23 MPa and 63 °C for mango seeds. At these conditions, the highest antioxidant capacities were also found for the extracts. Thus, these bioactive fractions could be used in a variety of products in the cosmetic, food, pharmaceutical, and medical activities due to the beneficial properties of the identified compounds in health as antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and cholesterol reducers.
Numerical Analysis of Multi-Particulate Flow Behaviour in CFB Riser Coupled with a Kinetic Theory
Authors: Rahaman Fardausur , Sarhan Abd Alhamid Rafea , Naser Jamal
Published: September 2023

In this work, a three-dimensional CFD model for the gas–solid flow of two different particle sizes in a CFB riser coupled with a kinetic theory (KT) has been developed. The properties of the solid phases are calculated using the proposed multi-particle kinetic theory. The CFD model is implemented in the commercial CFD software CFX4.4. In the current model, one gas phase and two solid phases are used. However, the model is generalised for one carrier phase and N number of solid phases to enable a realistic particle size distribution in the system. The momentum, volume fraction and granular temperature equations are solved for each individual solid phase and implemented into the CFD model through user-defined functions (UDFs). The k-ε turbulence model is used in simulating the circulating fluidised bed model. For verification, simulation results obtained with the new KT model were compared with experimental data, and then the model was used for further analysis. It was found that the proposed multi-particle model can be used to calculate the properties of gas–solid systems with particles of different sizes and/or densities, removing the assumptions of previous models that required all the particles to be of an equal mass, size and density.
Hot-Air-Assisted Radiofrequency Drying of Olive Pomace and Its Effect on the Quality of Olive Pomace Oil
Authors: Turan Sinem , Elik Demir Aysel , Göğüş Fahrettin , Yanık Derya Koçak
Published: September 2023

In this study, the drying of olive pomace in a hot-air-assisted radio frequency system (HA–RF) was conducted, and its effects on crude olive pomace oil quality were investigated. In this respect, the effects of radiofrequency electrode distance (90, 105 and 120 mm), sample thickness (2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 cm) and compaction density (~0.45, ~0.60 and ~0.82 g/cm3) on drying rate have been evaluated. The best drying, with a higher drying efficiency, was obtained with 1 kg of sample weight and a 10 cm product thickness, ~0.45 g/cm3 compaction density and 105 mm electrode distance. Moreover, the results showed that the compaction density significantly affects the drying rate. The drying time was prolonged by approximately four times by increasing the compaction density from ~0.45 to ~0.82 g/cm3. The drying rate of olive pomace in HA–RF drying was compared with drying performed using hot air (HA) and radiofrequency (RF). The results revealed that HA–RF application reduced the drying time by almost 1.7 times compared to hot air drying and by about 2.7 times compared to radiofrequency. The peroxide value, free fatty acid content, p-anisidine value, polyaromatic hydrocarbon content, L*, a*, b*, chlorophyll and total carotenoid content of the oil extracted from the olive pomace dried under the best drying conditions were 1.09%, 12.2 meq O2/kg oil, 3.01, <1 ppb, 38.6, 7.5, 62.56, 105.25 mg pheophytin a/kg oil, 2.85 mg/kg oil, respectively. The drying of olive pomace in a hot-air-assisted radio frequency system could be an alternative way to ensure the safe and rapid drying of olive pomace.
Studies on the Enhancement of Sparkling Wine and Chocolate Pairing through Compositional Profile Analysis
Authors: Luchian Camelia Elena , Scutarașu Elena Cristina , Colibaba Lucia Cintia , Grosaru Dragoș , Cotea Valeriu V.
Published: September 2023

Consumers are looking to experience as many interesting culinary combinations as possible, and there is a growing tendency to associate wine with various foods. Although there are some studies associating wine with chocolate, especially red wine, no articles have been published referring to sparkling wines. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to identify the taste compatibility and sensory synergies between sparkling wine and chocolate, with a focus on identifying combinations that can enhance the tasting experience. For this experiment, 14 variants of sparkling wines obtained in Romania and 5 chocolate assortments were evaluated to identify the best culinary match. White chocolate fitted better with Chardonnay—demi-dry sparkling wine; ruby chocolate presented a good match with Fetească neagră—demi-dry; milk chocolate with 32% cocoa powder associated better with Tămâioasă românească—sweet; and dark chocolate with 70% and 95% cocoa powder had synergic matches with Fetească neagră—sweet. Wine attributes like sweetness, acidity, alcoholic strength and chocolate composition significantly impacted the level of match.
The Degradation of Intramuscular Connective Tissue In Vitro with Purified Cathepsin L from Bovine Pancreas
Authors: Peng Yingbo , He Wanhong , Teng Shuang , Jamali Muneer Ahmed
Published: September 2023

To investigate the possible degradation of the intramuscular connective tissue (IMCT) with cathepsin L, isolated IMCTs were incubated with purified cathepsin L in vitro. Here, we prepared purified cathepsin L from bovine pancreas by using DEAE Sephacel, Sephacryl S-100 HR, SP Sepharose FF, and con A-Sepharose affinity chromatography in sequence. An SDS-PAGE analysis of CNBr-digested peptides showed that the degradation of collagen in IMCT could take place on terminal non-helical peptides rather than the triple helix region. Decorin (DCN) was clearly degraded at a pH of 5.0. The TP and TO of intramuscular connective tissue decreased to 41.41 °C and 43.79 °C, respectively. In the cathepsin L treatment of pH 5.0, the decreases in the TP and TO of IMCT were more sensitive than they were at pH 5.5~6.5.
Application of a Chitosan–Cinnamon Essential Oil Composite Coating in Inhibiting Postharvest Apple Diseases
Authors: Zhang Wanli , Goksen Gulden , Zhou Yuanping , Yang Jun , Khan Mohammad Rizwan , Ahmad Naushad , Fei Tao
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this study was to explore the film-forming properties of cinnamon essential oil (CEO) and chitosan (CS) and the effect of their composite coating on postharvest apple diseases. The results demonstrated that the composite coating exhibits favorable film-forming properties at CEO concentrations below 4% (v/v). The effectiveness of the composite coating in disease control can be attributed to two factors: the direct inhibitory activity of CEO against pathogens in vitro and the induced resistance triggered by CS on the fruits. Importantly, the incorporation of CEO did not interfere with the induction of resistance by CS in harvested apples. However, it is noteworthy that the inhibitory effect of the CS–CEO composite coating on apple diseases diminished over time. Therefore, a key aspect of enhancing the preservation ability of fruits is improving the controlled release properties of CEO within CS coatings. This will enable a sustained and prolonged antimicrobial effect, thereby bolstering the fruit preservation capabilities of the composite coatings.
Biodegradable Chitosan-Based Films as an Alternative to Plastic Packaging
Authors: Wrońska Natalia , Katir Nadia , Nowak-Lange Marta , El Kadib Abdelkrim , Lisowska Katarzyna
Published: September 2023

The impact of synthetic packaging on environmental pollution has been observed for years. One of the recent trends of green technology is the development of biomaterials made from food processing waste as an alternative to plastic packaging. Polymers obtained from some polysaccharides, such as chitosan, could be an excellent solution. This study investigated the biodegradability of chitosan–metal oxide films (ZnO, TiO2, Fe2O3) and chitosan-modified graphene films (CS-GO-Ag) in a soil environment. We have previously demonstrated that these films have excellent mechanical properties and exhibit antibacterial activity. This study aimed to examine these films’ biodegradability and the possibility of their potential use in the packaging industry. The obtained results show that soil microorganisms were able to utilize chitosan films as the source of carbon and nitrogen, thus providing essential evidence about the biodegradability of CS, CS:Zn (20:1; 10:1), and CS:Fe2O3 (20:1) films. After 6 weeks of incubation, the complete degradation of the CS-Fe2O3 20:1 sample was noted, while after 8 weeks, CS-ZnO 20:1 and CS-ZnO 10:1 were degraded. This is a very positive result that points to the practical aspect of the biodegradability of such films in soil, where garbage is casually dumped and buried. Once selected, biodegradable films can be used as an alternative to plastic packaging, which contributes to the reduction in pollution in the environment.
Demulsification of Emulsion Using Heptanoic Acid during Aqueous Enzymatic Extraction and the Characterization of Peanut Oil and Proteins Extracted
Authors: Li Tianci , Yang Chenxian , Liu Kunlun , Zhu Tingwei , Duan Xiaojie , Xu Yandong
Published: September 2023

Peanut oil body emulsion occurs during the process of aqueous enzymatic extraction (AEE). The free oil is difficult to release and extract because its structure is stable and not easily destroyed. Demulsification can release free oil in an oil body emulsion, so various fatty acids were selected for the demulsification. Changes in the amount of heptanoic acid added, solid–liquid ratio, reaction temperature, and reaction time were adopted to investigate demulsification, and the technological conditions of demulsification were optimized. While the optimal conditions were the addition of 1.26% of heptanoic acid, solid–liquid ratio of 1:3.25, reaction temperature of 72.7 °C, and reaction time of 55 min, the maximum free oil yield was (95.84 ± 0.19)%. The analysis of the fatty acid composition and physicochemical characterization of peanut oils extracted using four methods were studied during the AEE process. Compared with the amount of oil extracted via other methods, the unsaturated fatty acids of oils extracted from demulsification with heptanoic acid contained 78.81%, which was significantly higher than the other three methods. The results of physicochemical characterization indicated that the oil obtained by demulsification with heptanoic acid had a higher quality. According to the analysis of the amino acid composition, the protein obtained using AEE was similar to that of commercial peanut protein powder (CPPP). However, the essential amino acid content of proteins extracted via AEE was significantly higher than that of CPPP. The capacity of water (oil) holding, emulsifying activity, and foaming properties of protein obtained via AEE were better than those for CPPP. Overall, heptanoic acid demulsification is a potential demulsification method, thus, this work provides a new idea for the industrial application of simultaneous separation of oil and proteins via AEE.
Partial Replacement of NaCl by KCl, MgCl2 and CaCl2 Chloride Salts in the Production of Sucuk: Effects on Volatile Compounds, Lipid Oxidation, Microbiological and Sensory Properties
Authors: Şimşek Derya , Yılmaz Oral Zeynep Feyza , Jaberi Rahimeh , Kaya Mükerrem , Kaban Güzin
Published: September 2023

The effects of different chloride salt mixtures (I-control: 100% NaCl, II: 50:50—NaCl:KCl, III: 50:30:20—NaCl:KCl:MgCl2, IV: 50:30:20—NaCl:KCl:CaCl2, V: 50:30:10:10—NaCl:KCl:MgCl2:CaCl2) on the quality properties of sucuk (a dry fermented beef sausage) during ripening were investigated. Lactic acid bacteria reached 8 log cfu/g in the 3 days of fermentation in all treatments. However, salt mixtures including MgCl2 caused an increase in Micrococcus/Staphylococcus. The control group showed the lowest mean aw value at the end of ripening. The salt mixture with 20% CaCl2 showed the lowest mean pH value of 4.97. The mean TBARS value varied between 6.34 and 6.97 µmol MDA/kg but was not affected by the salt mixtures (p > 0.05). According to the results of PCA, salt mixtures I, II and III had a positive correlation in PC1, and PC1 also separated salt mixtures with CaCl2 (IV and V) from other groups. In addition, a strong positive correlation between the control and III group (50:30:20—NaCl:KCl:MgCl2) for sensory properties was determined by heatmap clustering analysis. In addition, the principal component analysis showed that the control, II, and III groups had a stronger correlation with each other for volatile compounds.
The Physicochemical Characterization and In Vitro Digestibility of Maple Sugar Sand and Downgraded Maple Syrups
Authors: Decabooter Gautier , Aspirault Claudie , Filteau Marie , Fliss Ismail
Published: September 2023

The maple syrup industry generates substandard syrups and sugar sand as by-products, which are underused. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the physicochemical composition of these products to assess their potential for valorization. Using HPLC analysis, we measured sugar and organic acid content as well as total polyphenol content using the Folin–Ciocalteu method. Additionally, we evaluated the in vitro digestibility using the TIM-1 model. We showed that the composition of ropy and buddy downgraded syrups is comparable to that of standard maple syrup, whereas sugar sand’s composition is highly variable, with carbohydrate content ranging from 5.01 mg/g to 652.89 mg/g and polyphenol content ranging from 11.30 µg/g to 120.95 µg/g. In vitro bioaccessibility reached 70% of total sugars for all by-products. Organic acid bioaccessibility from sugar sand and syrup reached 76% and 109% relative to standard maple syrup, respectively. Polyphenol bioaccessibility exceeded 100% during digestion. This can be attributed to favorable extraction conditions, the breakdown of complex polyphenol forms and the food matrix. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that sugar sand and downgraded maple syrups exhibit digestibility comparable to that of standard maple syrup. Consequently, they hold potential as a source of polyphenols, sugar or organic acids for applications such as industrial fermentation or livestock feeds.
Relating the One-Parameter Logistic Diagnostic Classification Model to the Rasch Model and One-Parameter Logistic Mixed, Partial, and Probabilistic Membership Diagnostic Classification Models
Authors: Robitzsch Alexander
Published: September 2023

Diagnostic classification models (DCMs) are statistical models with discrete latent variables (so-called skills) to analyze multiple binary variables (i.e., items). The one-parameter logistic diagnostic classification model (1PLDCM) is a DCM with one skill and shares desirable measurement properties with the Rasch model. This article shows that the 1PLDCM is indeed a latent class Rasch model. Furthermore, the relationship of the 1PLDCM to extensions of the DCM to mixed, partial, and probabilistic memberships is treated. It is argued that the partial and probabilistic membership models are also equivalent to the Rasch model. The fit of the different models was empirically investigated using six datasets. It turned out for these datasets that the 1PLDCM always had a worse fit than the Rasch model and mixed and partial membership extensions of the DCM.
Thermosensitive Hydrogel-Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Parenteral Application of Chemotherapeutics
Authors: Voycheva Christina , Slavkova Marta , Popova Teodora , Tzankova Diana , Stefanova Denitsa , Tzankova Virginia , Ivanova Ivelina , Tzankov Stanislav , Spassova Ivanka , Kovacheva Daniela , Tzankov Borislav
Published: September 2023

Hydrogels can offer many opportunities for drug delivery strategies. They can be used on their own, or their benefits can be further exploited in combination with other nanocarriers. Intelligent hydrogels that react to changes in the surrounding environment can be utilized as gatekeepers and provide sustained on-demand drug release. In this study, a hybrid nanosystem for temperature- and pH-sensitive delivery was prepared from MCM-41 nanoparticles grafted with a newly synthesized thermosensitive hydrogel (MCM-41/AA-g-PnVCL). The initial particles were chemically modified by the attachment of carboxyl groups. Later, they were grafted with agar (AA) and vinylcaprolactam (VCL) by free radical polymerization. Doxorubicin was applied as a model hydrophilic chemotherapeutic drug. The successful formulation was confirmed by FT-IR and TGA. Transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering analysis showed small particles with negative zeta potential. Their release behaviour was investigated in vitro in media with different pH and at different temperatures. Under tumour simulating conditions (40 °C and pH 4.0), doxorubicin was almost completely released within 72 h. The biocompatibility of the proposed nanoparticles was demonstrated by in vitro haemolysis assay. These results suggest the possible parenteral application of the newly prepared hydrogel-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles for temperature-sensitive and pH-triggered drug delivery at the tumour site.
Treatment of Chronic Neck Pain in Patients with Forward Head Posture: A Systematic Narrative Review
Authors: Yang Seoyon , Boudier-Revéret Mathieu , Yi You Gyoung , Hong Kee Yong , Chang Min Cheol
Published: September 2023

(1) Background: Forward head posture (FHP) is one of the most common cervical postural deviations and is characterized by head protrusion or forward head placement in relation to the shoulder in the sagittal plane. Patients with FHP often experience neck pain and disability. The aim of this study was to investigate whether treatment programs are effective in the management of neck pain in patients with FHP. (2) Methods: A MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus database search was conducted for English language articles on patients with chronic neck pain and FHP published until 12 April 2023. To identify potentially relevant articles, the following key search phrases were combined: ‘forward head posture’ and ‘pain’. After searching, 2516 potentially relevant articles were identified. After reading the titles and abstracts and assessing their eligibility based on full-text articles, 16 articles were included in this review. (3) Results: Among the 16 studies that investigated the efficacy of treatment programs for managing chronic pain in patients with FHP, 11 investigated the effect of exercise programs, and 5 investigated the effect of manual therapy. Patients reported significant improvement in pain and disability after receiving treatment programs such as corrective postural exercises and special manual therapy techniques. (4) Conclusions: Various treatment programs, including postural corrective exercises and manual therapy, are beneficial for improving pain and disability in patients with FHP.
Novel Paradigms in the Cultural Heritage Digitization with Self and Custom-Built Equipment
Authors: Bacci Giovanni , Bozzola Marco , Gaiani Marco , Garagnani Simone
Published: September 2023

In the field of the Cultural Heritage (CH), image-based 2D and 3D digital acquisition is today the most common technique used to create digital replicas of existing artifacts. This is carried out for many reasons, such as the following: research, analysis, preservation, conservation, communication, and valorization. These activities usually require complementary specialized equipment, tailored to specific purposes in order to achieve the desired results. This equipment is not easy-to-find on the market, it is not always affordable for museums operators; it is sometimes expensive, and it usually needs tricky customizations. However, the development in recent years of more generalized, versatile, and affordable instruments and technologies has led to new approaches, leveraging a new generation of low-cost, adaptable equipment. This paper presents custom-made equipment following this new path, designed to provide optimized results through calibrated tools alongside the software to make it work. The essay focuses specifically on the self-production of instruments for the digital reproduction of ancient drawings, manuscripts, paintings, and other museum artifacts and their transformative impact on digitization techniques. The outcomes of self and custom-built equipment specifically produced for the contexts described in this paper highlight their potential to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, facilitate scholarly research, enhance conservation efforts, and promote cultural exchange. The final goal is to propose inexpensive equipment that is easy to use (even by not specifically trained operators) and that provides remarkable quality.
Effect of Exogenous Substance K2SO4 on the Nutritional Quality of Broccoli and Its Metabolic Regulation Mechanism
Authors: Liu Meng , Huang Wei , Zhang Junhua , Zhao Zixuan , Wang Yaqin , Gruda Nazim S. , Liu Guangmin , He Hongju
Published: September 2023

The impact of exogenous sulfate components on the nutritional quality of vegetables has been well documented. In this study, we examined the effects of adding K2SO4 to broccoli on its nutritional quality, active components, and the genes involved in glucosinolate synthesis. Different concentrations of exogenous K2SO4 of 25, 75, and 150 g·m−2 were applied to the “Naihan Youxiu” broccoli cultivar, while the control treatment received no potassium sulfate. Our primary objective was to gain insights into strategies for enhancing broccoli’s nutritional and active components. The results showed that broccoli’s vitamin C content in each treatment was lower than that in the control treatment. The contents of soluble protein, soluble sugar, polyphenols, and total flavonoids in the treatment of 150 g·m−2 K2SO4 were the highest. They increased by 23.51%, 87.49%, 146.00%, and 22.73% more than the control, respectively. MDA was significantly inhibited after the 75 g·m−2 treatment, whereas SOD had the highest activity under the 75 g·m−2 treatment. Therefore, the 150 g·m−2 treatment was beneficial in improving the nutritional quality and antioxidant capacity of broccoli. The contents of PRO, SIN, NAP, GBC, 4ME, NEO, total indole glucosinolates, and total glucosinolates reached the peak at the 150 g·m−2 K2SO4 treatment, RAA and total aliphatic glucosinolates reached the peak at the 75 g·m−2 K2SO4 treatment, and ERU and 4OH reached the highest at the 25 g·m−2 K2SO4 treatment. The sulforaphane content was the highest in the 150 g·m−2 treatment, and myrosinase activity was the highest in the 75 g·m−2 treatment. It can be seen that the 150 g·m−2 treatment significantly increased the content of glucosinolates, total indole glucosinolates, total glucosinolates, and sulforaphane in broccoli. CYP79B2, CYP83B1, CYP83A1, AOP2, UGT74B1, and MYB34 were significantly up-regulated under 150 g·m−2 K2SO4 treatment and reached the peak value. CYP79F1, CYP81F4, and MAM1 showed significant inhibitory effects when treated with 150 g·m−2 of K2SO4. The expression levels of BCAT4, CYP81F1, ST5a, ST5c, and SUR1 were down-regulated under the 150 g·m−2 K2SO4 treatment, but not significantly. In summary, the K2SO4 150 g·m−2 treatment had the best effect on nutritional quality, antioxidant activity, the content of glucosinolates, total glucosinolates, sulforaphane, and expression of CYP79B2, CYP83B1, CYP83A1, FMO2, UGT74B1, AOP2, and MYB34 genes.
Plant Density Recommendations and Plant Nutrient Status for High Tunnel Tomatoes in Virginia
Authors: Torres-Quezada Emmanuel , Gandini-Taveras Ricardo José
Published: September 2023

Open-field tomatoes in Virginia are traditionally planted in a single row with 2 ft (0.60 m) of in-row spacing, resulting in a plant density of 4356 plants per acre (10,890 plants/ha). However, there has been increasing interest among small and medium-sized farmers in high tunnel production. In order to be profitable, farmers must maximize their yield per unit area and take advantage of the potential benefits of producing under high tunnels. A common approach under greenhouse conditions is to increase the planting density to enhance yield per area. However, high tunnel farmers often extrapolate open-field practices to their high tunnels as they believe both systems are closer related together than to greenhouse production. In those cases, high tunnel farmers could potentially be neglecting yield increases due to their planting density selection. Additionally, irrigation and fertilization management (fertigation) under high tunnels tend to be more efficient than open-field systems, as the frequency of application is increased with a lower volume per application. A higher efficiency of fertigation could alter plant yield responses, especially under traditional planting-density systems. Hence, this study aimed to identify the effect of high planting density on high tunnel tomatoes and their nutrient status on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The experiment was established on a completely randomized block design with four replications, with 20 ft (6.09 m) experimental plots. We evaluated the combination of two in-row distances and single and double planting rows, with treatments consisting of 2 ft of in-row distance in a single row (4356 plants/acre—current open-field recommendation), 1.5 ft (0.45 m) of in-row distance in a single row (5808 plants/acre [14,520 plants/ha]), 2 ft of in-row distance in a double row (8712 plants/acre [21,780 plants/ha]), and 1.5 ft of in-row distance in a double row (11,616 plants/acre [29,040 plants/ha]). Summer-grown tomatoes produced on the Eastern Shore of Virginia under high tunnel conditions should be planted with 2 ft of in-row spacing and with a single row of plants per planting bed. Increasing the plant density or modifying the current recommended plant distribution could result in yield losses per plant between 32% and 46% and substantial increases in production costs compared with the traditional planting density. Throughout all treatments, tomato plants did not show deficient nutrient status. We hypothesized that irrigation water and pollination were the limiting factors that promoted a decrease in yield per plant for the high-density treatments.