bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Antimicrobial and Mosquitocidal Activity of Green Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized by an Aqueous Peel Extract of Punica granatum
Authors: Fouda Amr , Alshallash Khalid S. , Alghonaim Mohammed I. , Eid Ahmed M. , Alemam Ahmed M. , Awad Mohamed A. , Hamza Mohammed F.
Published: September 2023

An aqueous extract of Punica granatum peel was used as a biocatalyst for magnesium oxide nanoparticle (MgO-NP) synthesis, which was characterized via UV-Vis spectroscopy, TEM, EDX, FT-IR, XRD, DLS, and zeta potential. Data showed the efficacy of the plant aqueous extract in forming spherical, crystalline-nature, well-arranged MgO-NPs with sizes in the range of 10–45 nm with average sizes of 24.82 ± 8.85 nm. Moreover, EDX analysis revealed that the highest weight and atomic percentages were recorded for Mg and O ions. The green synthesized MgO-NPs showed antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans in a concentration-dependent manner with clear zones in the range of 8.7 ± 0.6 to 19.7 ± 0.5 mm with various concentrations. Also, the MIC value was varied to be 25 µg mL−1 for Gram-negative bacteria, B. subtilis, and C. albicans and 50 µg mL−1 for S. aureus. Moreover, MgO-NPs showed high activity against the 3rd-instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus. The mortality percentages were concentration- and time-dependent. Data analysis showed that the highest mortality was 88.3 ± 3.2%, attained at a concentration of 100 µg mL−1 after 72 h. Also, all originated pupae were malformed and did not hatch to adults, with mortality percentages of 100% at all concentrations. Overall, the P. granatum-mediated MgO-NPs showed promising activity in inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microbes and the hatching of C. quinquefasciatus larvae to adults.
Species Diversity and Geographical Distribution Patterns of Balsaminaceae in China
Authors: Chen Yi , Chen Jun , Yong Qin-Qin , Yuan Tao-Hua , Wang Qiu , Li Mei-Jun , Long Sheng-Wei , Bai Xin-Xiang
Published: September 2023

Balsaminaceae are world-famous ornamental flowers because of their high species diversity, rich variation, peculiar flower patterns, and long ornamental cycles. To study the species diversity, distribution patterns, and distribution hotspots of Balsaminaceae in China, we updated the list of Balsaminaceae by systematically searching the related literature. The distribution pattern and hotspots of Impatiens spp. were analyzed using the ArcGIS 10.8.2 software. Combining 19 meteorological factors and one elevation factor, the Maxent model was applied to analyze the dominant environmental factors that govern the distribution of Impatiens spp. As of February 2023, Balsaminaceae in China included 360 taxa in two genera, including one taxon in the genus of Hydrocera, 359 taxa in the genus Impatiens, 271 national endemic species, and 157 provincial endemic species. Impatiens spp. showed a diffusion pattern from the tropical and subtropical regions to the high-latitude and high-elevation regions concentrated in Southwest China, especially in the Hengduan Mountains in the broad sense, Southern Tibet, the Yunnan–Guizhou–Guangxi karst region, the Qinling–Daba Mountains, and the southeastern hills. The highest species richness was found in the 1200~1500 m elevation range, with 164 species of Impatiens spp. This high species richness was maintained at between 900 and 2700 m, the elevation range where Impatiens spp. are concentrated. When 100% of the species were screened out, 110 hotspots were found, including Southeast Yunnan, Northwest Yunnan, Southern Tibet, and Western Sichuan, where most of the hotspots were concentrated and overlapped with global biodiversity centers, but other hotspots were more scattered. Annual precipitation, the minimal temperature of the coldest month, the altitude and temperature annual range, and four environmental variables with a cumulative contribution of 93.7% were the dominant environmental factors affecting the distribution of Impatiens spp. in China. This study lays the foundation for subsequent studies of Balsaminaceae diversity and is conducive to the development and use of Impatiens spp. resources.
Factors Associated with Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Levels in High School Students
Authors: Gedda-Muñoz Relmu , Fuentez Campos Álvaro , Valenzuela Sakuda Alfonso , Retamal Torres Iván , Cruz Fuentes Matías , Badicu Georgian , Herrera-Valenzuela Tomás , Valdés-Badilla Pablo
Published: September 2023

This study aims to investigate the relationship between anxiety, depression, and stress levels with physical activity level and academic performance in high school students; secondly, this study aims to relate and compare anxiety, depression, and stress levels with physical activity level and academic performance. This is a quantitative, descriptive, and comparative cross-sectional study, which evaluated 443 high school students (48% female; 15.13 ± 1.59 years) belonging to the Maule region, Chile. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Questionnaire (DASS-21) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were applied. Academic performance was consulted on language, mathematics, and overall grade point average. The results indicate that vigorous physical activity (OR = 0.504; p = 0.017) and high academic performance in mathematics (OR = 0.597; p = 0.027) are associated with a reduced risk of depression. In turn, there is a significant inverse correlation between physical activity with anxiety (r = −0.224; p = 0.000), depression (r = −0.224; p = 0.000) and stress (r = −0.108; p = 0.032), while the performance of mathematics is inversely correlated with depression (r = −0.176; p = 0.000). On the other hand, significant differences (p < 0.05) between anxiety, depression, stress levels, and grade point average were found, with females exhibiting higher scores than males. In conclusion, greater vigorous physical activity and scoring above average in mathematics performance are protective factors against depression.
Joint Optimization of Resource Utilization, Latency and UAV Trajectory in the Power Information Acquisition System
Authors: Xiao Yong , Jin Xin , Huang Boyang , Feng Junhao , Kong Zhengmin
Published: September 2023

In order to reduce the peak–valley difference of the power grid load, reasonably arrange users’ electricity consumption time and realize the intelligent management of the power grid, we construct a user electricity consumption information acquisition system based on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by using a sensor network. In order to improve the service quality of the system and reduce the system delay, this paper comprehensively considers the factors that affect the user’s electricity consumption information collection system, such as the UAV trajectory, the unloading decision of the data receiving point and so on. Therefore, this paper puts forward an effective iterative optimization algorithm for joint UAV trajectory and unloading decisions based on a deep Q network (DQN), in order to obtain the optimal UAV trajectory and unloading decision design, acquire the optimal solution to minimize the time delay of the monitoring system and maximize the service quality of the user electricity information collection system, thus ensuring the stable operation of the user electricity information collection system. In this paper, different complexity algorithms are used to solve this problem. Compared with the greedy algorithm, the proposed algorithm, CDQN, improves the system service quality by approximately 2% and reduces the system delay by approximately 16%, so that the user’s electricity consumption information can be analyzed and processed faster.
Evo-MAML: Meta-Learning with Evolving Gradient
Authors: Chen Jiaxing , Yuan Weilin , Chen Shaofei , Hu Zhenzhen , Li Peng
Published: September 2023

How to rapidly adapt to new tasks and improve model generalization through few-shot learning remains a significant challenge in meta-learning. Model-Agnostic Meta-Learning (MAML) has become a powerful approach, with offers a simple framework with excellent generality. However, the requirement to compute second-order derivatives and retain a lengthy calculation graph poses considerable computational and memory burdens, limiting the practicality of MAML. To address this issue, we propose Evolving MAML (Evo-MAML), an optimization-based meta-learning method that incorporates evolving gradient within the inner loop. Evo-MAML avoids the second-order information, resulting in reduced computational complexity. Experimental results show that Evo-MAML exhibits higher generality and competitive performance when compared to existing first-order approximation approaches, making it suitable for both few-shot learning and meta-reinforcement learning settings.
Technological Innovation, Urban Spatial Structure, and Haze Pollution: Empirical Evidence from the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River Urban Agglomeration
Authors: Liu Kaiwen , Deng Hongbing , Wu Ting , Yi Yang , Zhang Yao , Ren Yunlong
Published: September 2023

The rapid economic growth of China has caused significant adverse effects on the environment. Meanwhile, technological innovation, a fundamental driver of economic development and social progress, plays a pivotal role in mitigating haze pollution. This study comprehensively examines the influence of technological innovation on haze pollution in the Yangtze River urban agglomeration, using the STIRPAT model and analyzing research data from 2004 to 2020. Additionally, the study investigates the specific moderating role of urban spatial structure in the relationship between technological innovation and haze pollution. The findings reveal that technological innovation in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River urban agglomeration can effectively curtail haze pollution, and its impact extends to surrounding areas through spillover effect. The polycentric urban spatial structure significantly enhances the haze-reducing effect of technological innovation in the region. Notably, in cities with a strong level of environmental regulation, the urban spatial structure plays a substantial role in augmenting the haze-reducing impact of technological innovation. The policy implications of this research underscore the importance of continuous improvement in technological innovation within the middle reaches of the Yangtze River urban agglomeration. To address haze pollution in future development, the adoption of a polycentric development strategy and the establishment of sound environmental governance policies are recommended.
Experimental Validation of Iterative Learning Control for DC/DC Power Converters
Authors: Li Bingqiang , Riaz Saleem , Zhao Yiyun
Published: September 2023

In order to solve the problem that the parameters of traditional proportional–integral (PI) control are not easy to adjust, an iterative learning control (ILC) technique for a DC/DC power converter is proposed in this paper. Firstly, we have developed a system which is composed of two different states of DC/DC converter in order to obtain its equivalent linear time-varying system, and then the open-loop PD-type ILC law has been used to control it. Secondly, an experimental setup is arranged to verify and compare the simulated results. The experimental results show that, as compared with the traditional PI control, the proposed strategy is easy to implement and optimal with regard to debugging parameters, and it can achieve zero steady-state tracking errors without overshooting. Finally, the experimental results have also proven that our proposed scheme of iterative learning control for a DC/DC power converter is robust as compared to traditional PI control.
Pressure Monitoring in Medium-Voltage Vacuum Interrupters
Authors: Węgierek Paweł , Kostyła Damian , Lech Michał , Kozak Czesław , Zielonka Alicja
Published: September 2023

Innovation in the economy is closely tied to energy development, encompassing the exploration of new energy sources, increased energy production efficiency, and the integration of diverse energy sources for safe and effective supply to industries and households. Outdated energy infrastructure disrupts electricity continuity and hampers economic innovation. Power interruptions lead to higher SAIDI and SAIFI reliability indices. Quality and reliability requirements have sparked interest in enclosed energy devices. Vacuum technology has been pivotal in electrical switchgear insulation and arc-quenching for over four decades. However, the lack of real-time pressure monitoring systems for vacuum equipment, especially enclosed disconnectors, limits their use as isolation connectors. Potential insulation failure poses risks to power line maintenance teams and can lead to unplanned shutdowns, further compromising energy supply quality. This article explores an innovative pressure monitoring system for vacuum interrupters, utilizing fiber optic Bragg grids as a measuring sensor, enabling pressure measurement within the vacuum chamber ranging from 2 × 101 Pa to 5 × 105 Pa.
Multifunctional Control Technique for Grid-Tied Hybrid Distributed Generation System Taking into Account Power Quality Issues
Authors: Boulanouar Sohaib Abdeslam , Kaddouri Ameur Miloud , Kouzou Abdellah , Benaissa Amar , Teta Ali , Hafaifa Ahmed , Kennel Ralph , Abdelrahem Mohamed
Published: September 2023

This paper proposes a new multifunctional control technique for a grid-connected hybrid distributed generation system composed of a photovoltaic system and a wind power system based on a voltage source converter (VSC). Indeed, aside from the generation and the injection of energy into the grid, the proposed system deals with power quality issues caused by harmonics generated by non-linear loads in order to keep the source current uncontaminated. The VSC serves to first ensure that the power generated from the hybrid renewable energy source is fed to the utility grid and acts as a shunt active power filter in case an abnormal increase in the THD of the source current above the standard permissible values is detected due to the non-linear load connection. The two sources of the hybrid system are connected to a common DC bus to simplify the control and reduce the cost of the system, and a maximum power point tracking controller is used for both sources. The major advantage of this novel proposed multifunctional control technique is its ability to inject harvested power into the grid while simultaneously ensuring the compensation of the harmonics and reactive power. The proposed multifunctional control technique is validated through an extensive simulation analysis using MATLAB/Simulink.
A Systematic Review of Battery Recycling Technologies: Advances, Challenges, and Future Prospects
Authors: Toro Luigi , Moscardini Emanuela , Baldassari Ludovica , Forte Flavia , Falcone Ilario , Coletta Jacopo , Toro Lorenzo
Published: September 2023

As the demand for batteries continues to surge in various industries, effective recycling of used batteries has become crucial to mitigate environmental hazards and promote a sustainable future. This review article provides an overview of current technologies available for battery recycling, highlighting their strengths and limitations. Additionally, it explores the current challenges faced by the industry and discusses potential future advancements. Through an in-depth analysis of the state-of-the-art recycling methods, this review aims to shed light on the progress made in battery recycling and the path ahead for sustainable and efficient battery waste management.
Incentive Mechanisms to Integrate More Renewable Energy in Electricity Markets in China
Authors: Liu Shuangquan , Huang Yanxuan , Wang Yue , Shao Qizhuan , Zhou Han , Wang Jinwen , Chen Cheng
Published: September 2023

China has made significant progress in developing renewable energy, but challenges in integrating variable sources like wind, solar, and hydro power persist. Existing research has a regional focus and lacks a comprehensive understanding of integration challenges in specific regions. Moreover, research concentrates on individual energy types rather than multiple sources. Addressing these challenges requires a deeper analysis of market rules, incentives, and mechanisms for integrating numerous renewable energy types. The existing research also overlooks crucial aspects like energy consumption, grid planning, and power market mechanisms. To promote renewable energy integration effectively, policymakers must address these interconnected factors through comprehensive investigations and research efforts. This study proposes tailored solutions to encourage integration in China based on international experiences, such as Brazil’s contract markets and electricity redistribution mechanism, the Nordic spot market, and California’s negative pricing mechanism. The strategies derived from global practices for China’s renewable energy integration include diverse trading mechanisms, expanded contract markets, optimized local consumption, fortified grid infrastructure, and improved market mechanisms.
An Overview of Strengths and Weaknesses in Using MOSFET Experience for Modeling GaN HEMT
Authors: Bottaro Enrico Alfredo , Rizzo Santi Agatino
Published: September 2023

GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) represent an emerging and key enabling technology for obtaining highly efficient and compact power electronic systems. The use of circuit models of power devices is essential for the optimal design of power converters, but while they have been deeply investigated for power MOSFETs and IGBTs, GaN HEMT models are still in their early stages. This paper first discusses the main similarities and differences between conventional MOSFETs and GaN HEMTs in terms of the datasheet information that the device manufacturers use to obtain the behavioral models that they usually provide as Spice-like netlists. Then, it highlights the strengths and weaknesses of using the behavioral models of MOSFET for GaN HEMT. To achieve this aim, a study of the existing GaN HEMT models revealed the lack of a proper modeling strategy for the dynamic conduction resistance, which is the most critical aspect of HEMT modeling. The difficulty is due to the dependence of the dynamic conduction resistance on quantities related to the application, which is a behavior absent in power MOSFETs. Consequently, future research efforts on GaN HEMT modeling must face this issue.
Battery Swapping Station Service in a Smart Microgrid: A Multi-Method Simulation Performance Analysis
Authors: Marchesano Maria Grazia , Guizzi Guido , Vespoli Silvestro , Ferruzzi Gabriella
Published: September 2023

The integration of Battery Swapping Stations (BSSs) into smart microgrids presents an opportunity to optimize energy generation, storage, and consumption. However, there exists a gap in the literature regarding the detailed analysis of the profitability of integrating a BSS within a smart microgrid, particularly utilizing second-life batteries for storage and renewable energy sources for generation. This study aims to address this gap by employing a multi-method simulation approach to thoroughly investigate the economic viability of such integration. The simulation model developed for this study is a digital twin of the microgrid, incorporating components such as the BSS, renewable energy sources (wind and photovoltaic), second-life battery storage, and utilities. By optimizing energy flows within this model, considering the cost-effectiveness of diverse generation sources and prioritizing the utilization of renewable energy, we aim to provide a comprehensive assessment of the economic benefits. Furthermore, the simulation takes into account crucial factors including battery swapping operations, warehouse management, and battery charging scheduling. The profitability analysis undertaken in this study is grounded in the objective of minimizing total costs while effectively meeting the energy demands of residential loads. Ultimately, the integration of the BSS into the smart microgrid not only targets economic efficiency but also strives to maximize the utilization of second-life batteries, contributing to the concept of a circular economy.
Optimization of Welding Process of Geomembranes in Biodigesters Using Design of Factorial Experiments
Authors: Camarena-Martinez Rocio , Baeza-Serrato Roberto , Lizarraga-Morales Rocio A.
Published: September 2023

This research focuses on the optimization of the thermofusion process in the construction of biodigesters as it has a direct influence on their quality and durability. The study utilizes factorial experiments and statistical analysis, with particular emphasis on the innovative application of the arcsine transformation. Two 2k factorial designs were developed to account for warm and cold weather. The experiments evaluated factors such as the operator’s experience, wedge sealing temperature, sealing speed, and extruder temperature. The effects on the response variables were analyzed, which included overheating, resistance, and leaks. The study identified significant influences of the operator and the temperature of the wedge sealer in warm weather conditions, while the operator’s influence remained prominent in resistance and leakage tests in cold weather. Data transformation techniques, including the arcsine transformation, were employed to ensure statistical validity. Optimal input variable combinations were identified to maximize resistance and minimize overheating and air leaks. The research emphasizes the importance of optimizing the thermofusion process for biodigester construction, highlighting the role of arcsine transformation in improving statistical analysis. The findings enable practitioners to make informed decisions, leading to improvements in welding processes and overall biodigester quality.
Analysis on Rotor Vibration Characteristics under Dynamic Rotor Interturn Short Circuit Fault in Synchronous Generators
Authors: He Yuling , Jiang Mengya , Sun Kai , Qiu Minghao , Gerada David
Published: September 2023

A dynamic rotor interturn short circuit fault may occur during synchronous generator operation. However, there is no method to analyze the generator’s characteristics under the dynamic rotor interturn short circuit fault and identify the fault. In order to solve this problem, a new dynamic rotor interturn short circuit fault analysis model is creatively proposed through mathematical derivation. Firstly, the rotor vibration characteristics and the mechanical response under magnetic pull excitation are theoretically analyzed. In addition, a finite element modeling method for the dynamic rotor interturn short circuit fault is proposed, and an experimental device is designed. The model of a synchronous generator under the dynamic rotor interturn short circuit fault is established to obtain the rotor’s unbalanced magnetic pulls and mechanical responses by finite element calculation. Finally, the rotor vibrations are tested on a CS-5 prototype generator. The validity of the model is verified by finite element calculation and an experiment. This paper provides theoretical support for the diagnosis of a synchronous generator’s dynamic rotor interturn short circuit fault.
A 3D Lidar SLAM System Based on Semantic Segmentation for Rubber-Tapping Robot
Authors: Yang Hui , Chen Yaya , Liu Junxiao , Zhang Zhifu , Zhang Xirui
Published: September 2023

Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) in rubber plantations is a challenging task for rubber-tapping robots. Due to the long-term stability of tree trunks in rubber plantations, a SLAM system based on semantic segmentation, called Se-LOAM, is proposed in this work. The 3D lidar point cloud datasets of trunks collected in rubber plantations of Hainan University are used to train the semantic model, and the model is used to extract features of trunk point clouds. After clustering the trunk point clouds, each single rubber tree instance is segmented based on the Viterbi algorithm. The point clouds of tree instances are fitted to the cylindrical trunk models for semantic cluster association and positional estimation, which are used for lidar odometry and mapping. The experimental results show that the present SLAM system is accurate in establishing online mapping, and the location of the trunk in the map is clearer. Specifically, the average relative pose error is 0.02 m, which is better than the positioning performance of LOAM and LeGO-LOAM. The average error of estimating the diameter at breast height (DBH) is 0.57 cm, and it only takes 401.4 kB to store a map of the area of approximately 500 m2, which is about 10% less than other classic methods. Therefore, Se-LOAM can meet the requirements of online mapping, providing a robust SLAM method for rubber-tapping robots.
Regulation of 5-Aminolevunilic Acid and Its Application in Agroforestry
Authors: Wang Liangju , Zhang Jianting , Zhong Yan , Zhang Liuzi , Yang Hao , Liu Longbo , Zhou Jiayi , Iqbal Malik Mohsin , Gan Xing
Published: September 2023

The review briefly introduces the natural occurrence, physicochemical properties, and biosynthesis of 5-aminolevuinic acid (ALA) and highlights a variety of applications in the planting industry and its possible mechanisms. It has been known that ALA can be used as biological pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides when the concentrations are higher than 838 mg L−1 (about 5 mmol L−1). When ALA concentrations are 100–300 mg L−1, it can be used to thin surplus flowers in the spring of orchards and promote fruit coloration before maturation. When the concentrations are lower than 100 mg L−1, especially not higher than 10 mg L−1, ALA can be used as a new plant growth regulator to promote seed germination, plant (including root and shoot) growth, enhance stress tolerance, increase crop yield, and improve product quality. In photosynthesis, ALA is involved in the regulation of the whole process. In stress tolerance, ALA induces plant preventive and protective systems through the NO/H2O2 signaling network. In secondary metabolism, ALA regulates many gene expressions encoding transcription factors or function proteins to promote anthocyanin and flavonol biosynthesis and accumulation. In general, ALA promotes plant health and robustness, reduces the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides—which is conducive to improving the ecological environment, human production, and living conditions—and has a broad application prospect in agroforestry production. As a new plant growth regulator with multiple and powerful functions, the underlying regulatory mechanisms need more study.
Defogging Learning Based on an Improved DeepLabV3+ Model for Accurate Foggy Forest Fire Segmentation
Authors: Liu Tao , Chen Wenjing , Lin Xufeng , Mu Yunjie , Huang Jiating , Gao Demin , Xu Jiang
Published: September 2023

In recent years, the utilization of deep learning for forest fire detection has yielded favorable outcomes. Nevertheless, the accurate segmentation of forest fires in foggy surroundings with limited visibility remains a formidable obstacle. To overcome this challenge, a collaborative defogging learning framework, known as Defog DeepLabV3+, predicated on an enhanced DeepLabV3+ model is presented. Improved learning and precise flame segmentation are accomplished by merging the defogging features produced by the defogging branch in the input image. Furthermore, dual fusion attention residual feature attention (DARA) is proposed to enhance the extraction of flame-related features. The FFLAD dataset was developed given the scarcity of specifically tailored datasets for flame recognition in foggy environments. The experimental findings attest to the efficacy of our model, with a Mean Precision Accuracy (mPA) of 94.26%, a mean recall (mRecall) of 94.04%, and a mean intersection over union (mIoU) of 89.51%. These results demonstrate improvements of 2.99%, 3.89%, and 5.22% respectively. The findings reveal that the suggested model exhibits exceptional accuracy in foggy conditions, surpassing other existing models across all evaluation metrics.
Effects of the Dominate Plant Families on Elevation Gradient Pattern of Community Structure in a Subtropical Forest
Authors: Li Jialiang , Luo Yinghua , Song Xiaoyang , Jiang Dongdong , He Qiaoping , Bai Aiqin , Li Ruilan , Zhang Wenliu
Published: September 2023

Dominant groups and rare groups often coexist in forests. Dominate plant families generally have more species diversity and occupy most of the biomass. However, their effects on community construction and species diversity maintenance remain to be studied. This study aims to investigate this question by using the two dominant plant families in a Chinese subtropical forest (Lauraceae and Fagaceae). In this study, 22 forest dynamic plots were established in the forest distribution area of Daming Mountain Nature Reserve at an elevation of 300–1400 m. We explored the elevational change in the community structure and its relationship with Lauraceae and Fagaceae using generalized additive models (GAM) and a regression analysis. Then we used a correlation analysis to describe the relationship between environmental factors and the community structure. Our results showed the species diversity index showed a hump-shape trend along the elevation, and the total basal area showed no significant change along the elevation. The richness of Lauraceae and Fagaceae showed a positive correlation with the species diversity, but only the richness of Fagaceae showed a positive correlated with the total basal area. Species diversity was positively correlated with soil total nitrogen and soil organic matter. Species diversity and the total basal area were negatively correlated with the soil pH. In summary, Lauraceae and Fagaceae are correlated for community structure, and this correlation is not affected by elevation. Fagaceae has played a more important role than Lauranceae. This study highlights the impact of dominant plant families on the forest community assembly along the elevational transect.
Volatile Compound Chemistry and Insect Herbivory: Pinus edulis Engelm. (Pinaceae) Seed Cone Resin
Authors: Wilson Tyler M. , Rotter Michael C. , Ziebarth Emma A. , Carlson Richard E.
Published: September 2023

Pinus edulis Engelm. (pinyon pine) is a tree in the Pinaceae family with wide geographic distribution throughout dry forests of western North America. Pinyon pine seed cones, which mature over a 2-year period before shedding seed, are often resinous. Conifer resin, which is a liquid-soluble mixture of volatile and non-volatile secondary metabolites, typically demonstrates significant ecological functions. In the current study, seed cones (n = 240) were collected monthly for a 1-year period from pinyon pine trees (n = 20) and separated equally into two groups, resinous and non-resinous cones, for research on the volatile compound chemistry and insect herbivory. Upon distillation, resinous cones yielded 41× more volatile oil and contained more viable seeds, compared to non-resinous cones. Chemical profiles of volatile oils were seemingly consistent between seasons but differed between cone groups. In resinous cone samples, volatile oils were largely composed of α-pinene (avg. 75.6%) and δ-3-carene (avg. 7.4%). In contrast, in non-resinous cone samples, the volatile oil profiles were not dominated by any single prominent compound. Cone inquiline insect communities varied with regard to the resinous status of the cones, the month of collection, and with overall volatile oil yield. Typically, with larger oil yields we saw more diverse and more abundant inquiline communities. Findings from this study suggest that the volatile oils, in addition to other components of cone resin and physical structures, play a significant ecological role in pinyon pine seed preservation from insect herbivory.
Comparison of Conventional and Organic Wines Produced in Kutnohorsk Region (Czech Republic)
Authors: Dordevic Dani , Kalcakova Ludmila , Zackova Anna , Ćavar Zeljković Sanja , Dordevic Simona , Tremlova Bohuslava
Published: September 2023

A healthy lifestyle and environmental protection play a big role in today’s modern society. The production of organic wine, as with other organic commodities, is therefore becoming increasingly popular with consumers. The selling price of organic wine is higher than that of wine that is not declared organic or BIO, so the question arises from consumers as to whether these wines contain more bioactive compounds and substances beneficial to the body. From a general point of view, it is known that grapevines contain a wide range of natural phenols and polyphenols. These substances affect the sensory properties of wines, especially color and taste. The most phenolic substances are found in red wines, slightly less in orange wines, and the lowest amounts are found in white wines. However, the representation of individual substances and their ratios differs based on the varieties and age of the wines. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the profile (chemical, physical, and sensory) of organic wines compared to wines created from nonorganic grapes, which are grown in a selected wine region—Kutná Hora. The analyzed wines were created from the same grape wine cultivar in the Kutná Hora area. The following analyses were performed on the wine samples: the phenolic and antioxidant profiles, the content of sulfites (free and total), alcohol, sugars, vitamins, density determination, and also sensory evaluation. The present study showed exact differences between samples of wines produced from the same cultivar and the same region, but declared as organic wines and wines from conventional production. Although a higher number of bioactive substances is expected in wines from organic production, in most cases it did not show a statistically significant difference in the sense of a higher amount in BIO wines; on the contrary, in many cases, the content of these substances was higher in wines from integrated production.
Hydrodynamics of Supersonic Steam Jets Injected into Cross-Flowing Water
Authors: Ghazwani Hassan Ali , Sanaullah Khairuddin , Khan Afrasyab
Published: September 2023

High-speed gas/vapour jets injected into a cross-moving sonic liquid signifies a vital phenomenon which bears useful applications in environmental and energy processes. In the present experimental study, a pulsating jet of supersonic steam was injected into cross-flowing water. Circulation zones of opposite vorticity owing to the interaction between the steam jet and cross-water flow were found. However, a large circulation appeared in front of the nozzle exit. Also, most small circulation regions were observed at higher water-flow rates (>2 m3/s). Among the prime mixing variables (i.e., turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) and Reynolds shear stress (RSS)), the RSS estimations backed a small diffusive phenomenon within a region far from the nozzle exit. Further information extracted from the PIV images indicated the existence of Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) instabilities. The counter-rotating vortex pairs (CVPs) appeared to be significant in the region close to the nozzle exit, and they exhibited leeward side folds. Moreover, the effects of the operating conditions on the pressure recovery and mixing efficiency as well as the penetration and the separation height were evaluated to determine the optimisation of the phenomenon. By applying extreme difference analysis, the mixing efficiency was found as the most influential parameter.
Chemical Composition, Fatty Acid Profile, and Optimization of the Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) Seed-Roasting Process Using Response Surface Methodology: Assessment of Oxidative Stability and Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Bocanegra Morales Nelsy , Galeano Garcia Paula
Published: September 2023

This study aimed to optimize the roasting conditions for sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) seeds using the central composite design (CCD) of the response surface methodology (RSM). The antioxidant activity and oxidation indicators (peroxide and TBA values) were assessed, along with the impact of roasting on the fatty acid profile and chemical characterization of the seeds using gas chromatography. The results demonstrated that roasting partially increased the indicators of lipid oxidation in the oil extracted from roasted seeds, as well as the antioxidant activity of the seeds. The optimal roasting conditions were determined using CCD and RSM, resulting in an optimized temperature of 134.28 °C and 18.84 min. The fatty acid contents were not significantly affected by the roasting intensity, whereas a higher presence of amino acids was found in the seeds roasted at 140 °C for 15 min. In conclusion, it is suggested that the optimal roasting conditions for enhancing amino acid presence, improving antioxidant activity, and maintaining oxidative stability in sacha inchi seeds fall within the temperature range of 134–140 °C and a roasting duration of 15–20 min.
Diet and Lifestyle in the Spanish Population and Their Relationship with Sociodemographic Variables: A Descriptive Study
Authors: Sandri Elena , Cantín Larumbe Eva , Part-Ferrer Roser , Ferrer-Torregrosa Javier , Fernández-Ehrling Nadia
Published: September 2023

A healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition have a major impact on the well-being of a population. Therefore, the aim of this research is to describe the behavior of these habits in relation to sociodemographic variables to provide data on the development of effective training and awareness-raising actions. Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out. To study the behavior of a series of variables related to eating habits and lifestyle, a questionnaire was designed and validated and subsequently disseminated online, by means of nonprobabilistic snowball sampling, relying on social networks. The sample collected consisted of 18,070 young adults of Spanish nationality. Bivariate comparative analyses were performed using t-test independent samples, and the effect size (ES) was calculated by determining Cohen’s D coefficient. A multivariate analysis were conducted using linear regression and principal component analysis. Results: Adults eat better but have a poorer quality of rest and are more sedentary than young people. No gender differences were found in nutritional habits; however, men engage in more sports and sleep better. People with a higher educational level have better nutritional and sleep habits, but are more sedentary, as are people of a higher socioeconomic level. Conclusions: Higher socioeconomic and educational levels seem to favor a healthier lifestyle. The Spanish population aged 18–45 years needs to make dietary changes but leads an active lifestyle.
Modeling and Simulation of 3D Food Printing Systems—Scope, Advances, and Challenges
Authors: Raja Vijayakumar , Nimbkar Shubham , Moses Jeyan Arthur , Ramachandran Nair Sinija Vadakkepulppara , Anandharamakrishnan Chinnaswamy
Published: September 2023

Food 3D printing is a computer-aided additive manufacturing technology that can transform foods into intricate customized forms. In the past decade, this field has phenomenally advanced and one pressing need is the development of strategies to support process optimization. Among different approaches, a range of modeling methods have been explored to simulate 3D printing processes. This review details the concepts of various modeling techniques considered for simulating 3D printing processes and their application range. Most modeling studies majorly focus on predicting the mechanical behavior of the material supply, modifying the internal texture of printed constructs, and assessing the post-printing stability. The approach can also be used to simulate the dynamics of 3D printing processes, in turn, assisting the design of 3D printers based on material composition, properties, and printing conditions. While most existing works are associated with extrusion-based 3D printing, this article presents scope for expanding avenues with prominent research and commercial interest. The article concludes with challenges and research needs, emphasizing opportunities for computational and data-driven dynamic simulation approaches for multi-faceted applications.
Developing a Prolamin-Based Gel for Food Packaging: In-Vitro Assessment of Cytocompatibility
Authors: Trodtfeld Franziska , Tölke Tina , Wiegand Cornelia
Published: September 2023

Growing environmental concerns drive efforts to reduce packaging waste by adopting biodegradable polymers, coatings, and films. However, biodegradable materials used in packaging face challenges related to barrier properties, mechanical strength, and processing compatibility. A composite gel was developed using biodegradable compounds (prolamin, d-mannose, citric acid), as a coating to increase the oxygen barrier of food packaging materials. To improve gel stability and mechanical properties, the gels were physically cross-linked with particles synthesized from tetraethyl orthosilicate and tetramethyl orthosilicate precursors. Additionally, biocompatibility assessments were performed on human keratinocytes and fibroblasts, demonstrating the safety of the gels for consumer contact. The gel properties were characterized, including molecular structure, morphology, and topography. Biocompatibility of the gels was assessed using bioluminescent ATP assay to detect cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase assay to determine cell cytotoxicity, and a leukocyte stimulation test to detect inflammatory potential. A composite gel with strong oxygen barrier properties in low-humidity environments was prepared. Increasing the silane precursor to 50 wt% during gel preparation slowed degradation in water. The addition of citric acid decreased gel solubility. However, higher precursor amounts increased surface roughness, making the gel more brittle yet mechanically resistant. The increase of precursor in the gel also increased gel viscosity. Importantly, the gels showed no cytotoxicity on human keratinocytes or fibroblasts and had no inflammatory effects on leukocytes. This composite gel holds promise for oxygen barrier food packaging and is safe for consumer contact. Further research should focus on optimizing the stability of the oxygen barrier in humid environments and investigate the potential sensitizing effects of biodegradable materials on consumers.
Identification and Validation of Reference Genes for RT-qPCR Analysis in Reed Canary Grass during Abiotic Stress
Authors: Jia Xuejie , Xiong Yi , Xiong Yanli , Li Daxu , Yu Qinqin , Lei Xiong , You Minghong , Bai Shiqie , Zhang Jianbo , Ma Xiao
Published: September 2023

Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) is known for its tolerance to drought, heavy metals, and waterlogging, making it a popular choice for forage production and wetland restoration in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). To accurately assess gene expression in reed canary grass under different abiotic stresses, suitable reference genes need to be identified and validated. Thirteen candidate reference gene sequences were selected and screened using RT-qPCR to detect their expression levels in reed canary grass leaves under drought, salt, cadmium, and waterlogging stresses. Four algorithms were used to assess the stability of the expression levels of the candidate reference genes. The most stably expressed genes were UBC and H3 under drought Cd, ETF and CYT under salt stress, and ETF and TUB under waterlogging stress. GAPDH was found to be less stable under abiotic stresses. PIP-1, PAL, NAC 90, and WRKY 72A were selected as response genes for quantitative expression assessment under drought, salt, Cd, and waterlogging stresses to confirm the accuracy of the selected stable reference genes. These results provide a theoretical reference for assessing gene expression in reed canary grass under abiotic stresses.
Efficacy and Safety of Respiratory Telerehabilitation in Patients with Long COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Calvache-Mateo Andrés , Heredia-Ciuró Alejandro , Martín-Núñez Javier , Hernández-Hernández Sofía , Reychler Gregory , López-López Laura , Valenza Marie Carmen
Published: September 2023

The aim of this review was to identify, map, and synthesize the extent and nature of research activity on the use of telerehabilitation to support Long COVID-19 rehabilitation and examine the efficacy and safety of respiratory telerehabilitation in patients with Long COVID-19. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials were performed. We included controlled trials that tested the effect of respiratory telerehabilitation interventions in patients with Long COVID-19 versus no intervention, usual care, placebo, or face-to-face intervention. The data were pooled, and a meta-analysis was completed for quality of life, dyspnea, lung function, anxiety and depression, respiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, and lower limb strength. Finally, 10 studies were included. The meta-analysis results show significant differences in favor of respiratory telerehabilitation in quality of life (p = 0.02), dyspnea (p < 0.00001), respiratory muscle strength (p < 0.001), functional capacity (p < 0.0001), and lower limb strength (p = 0.01) but not in lung function (p = 0.28) and anxiety and depression (p = 0.55). In addition, there were no statistically significant differences in adverse effects (p = 0.06) between the telerehabilitation and comparator groups. The results suggest that these interventions can improve quality of life, reduce dyspnea, and increase respiratory and lower extremity muscle strength as well as functional capacity in patients with Long COVID-19.
MC TRIM Algorithm in Mandibula Phantom in Helium Therapy
Authors: Ekinci Fatih , Acici Koray , Asuroglu Tunc , Emek Soylu Busra
Published: September 2023

Helium ion beam therapy, one of the particle therapies developed and studied in the 1950s for cancer treatment, resulted in clinical trials starting at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in 1975. While proton and carbon ion therapies have been implemented in research institutions and hospitals globally after the end of the trials, progress in comprehending the physical, biological, and clinical findings of helium ion beam therapy has been limited, particularly due to its limited accessibility. Ongoing efforts aim to establish programs that evaluate the use of helium ion beams for clinical and research purposes, especially in the treatment of sensitive clinical cases. Additionally, helium ions have superior physical properties to proton beams, such as lower lateral scattering and larger LET. Moreover, they exhibit similar physical characteristics to carbon, oxygen, and neon ions, which are all used in heavy ion therapy. However, they demonstrate a sharper lateral penumbra with a lower radiobiological absence of certainties and lack the degradation of variations in dose distributions caused by excessive fragmenting of heavier-ion beams, especially at greater depths of penetration. In this context, the status and the prospective advancements of helium ion therapy are examined by investigating ionization, recoil, and lateral scattering values using MC TRIM algorithms in mandible plate phantoms designed from both tissue and previously studied biomaterials, providing an overview for dental cancer treatment. An average difference of 1.9% in the Bragg peak positions and 0.211 mm in lateral scattering was observed in both phantoms. Therefore, it is suggested that the 4He ion beam can be used in the treatment of mandibular tumors, and experimental research is recommended using the proposed biomaterial mandible plate phantom.