bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electronic Structure of Nitrogen- and Phosphorus-Doped Graphenes Grown by Chemical Vapor Deposition Method
Authors: Bulusheva L. G. , Arkhipov V. E. , Popov K. M. , Sysoev V. I. , Makarova A. A. , Okotrub A. V.
Published: March 2020

Heteroatom doping is a widely used method for the modification of the electronic and chemical properties of graphene. A low-pressure chemical vapor deposition technique (CVD) is used here to grow pure, nitrogen-doped and phosphorous-doped few-layer graphene films from methane, acetonitrile and methane-phosphine mixture, respectively. The electronic structure of the films transferred onto SiO2/Si wafers by wet etching of copper substrates is studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy using a synchrotron radiation source. Annealing in an ultra-high vacuum at ca. 773 K allows for the removal of impurities formed on the surface of films during the synthesis and transfer procedure and changes the chemical state of nitrogen in nitrogen-doped graphene. Core level XPS spectra detect a low n-type doping of graphene film when nitrogen or phosphorous atoms are incorporated in the lattice. The electrical sheet resistance increases in the order: graphene < P-graphene < N-graphene. This tendency is related to the density of defects evaluated from the ratio of intensities of Raman peaks, valence band XPS and NEXAFS spectroscopy data.
A New Infrared Heat Treatment on Hot Forging 7075 Aluminum Alloy: Microstructure and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Chang Yi-Ling , Hung Fei-Yi , Lui Truan-Sheng
Published: March 2020

When hot forging 7075 aluminum alloy, as a military material durable enough for most of its applications, it needs to be heat-treated to ensure the target material property achieves the application requirements. However, the material properties change because of heat throughout usage. In this study, a new approach was devised to heat treat the alloy to prevent material property changes. The study further clarified the effect of rapid heat treatment on the high-temperature resistance of a hot forging 7075 aluminum alloy. Infrared (IR) heat treatment was used as a rapid heating technique to effectively replace the conventional resistance heat (RH) treatment method. Our experimental result showed that IR heat treatment resulted in better age hardening at the initial aging stage, where its tensile strength and elongation appeared like that of a resistance heat treatment. More so, based on hardness and tensile test results, the IR-heated treatment process inhibited the phase transformation of precipitations at a higher temperature, improving high-temperature softening resistance and enhancing the thermal stability of the hot forging 7075 aluminum alloy.
The Interfacial Adhesion Performance and Mechanism of a Modified Asphalt–Steel Slag Aggregate
Authors: Liu Wenhuan , Li Hui , Zhu Huimei , Xu Pinjing
Published: March 2020

The interfacial adhesion between asphalt and steel slag aggregate is a decisive factor in the formation of an asphalt–steel slag mixture and significantly affects the quality stability of steel slag–asphalt mixtures. In this study, the adhesion between an asphalt and steel slag aggregate, the interfacial microstructure, the adsorption and desorption characteristics, and chemical reactions were, respectively, explored by a PosiTestAT–A adhesion puller, a scanning electron microscope, a net adsorption test, an infrared spectrometer, and a dynamic shear rheometer. The mechanism of adhesion between the asphalt and steel slag aggregate was analyzed from the perspectives of physical adsorption and chemical reactions. The results showed that different factors had different effects on the adhesion of asphalt–steel slag aggregate interface. The freeze–thaw cycle and steel slag aggregate particle size had significant effects on interfacial adhesion, while the asphalt heating temperature, water bath time, and stirring time had relatively weak effects on interfacial adhesion. Compared to a limestone aggregate, the steel slag–asphalt mixture had greater adhesion and better adhesion performance because the pits and textures on the surface of the steel slag aggregate produced a skeleton–like effect that strengthened the phase strength of the asphalt–slag aggregate interface, thereby improving the adhesion and increasing the physical adsorption between the asphalt and steel slag aggregate. In addition, due to the N–H stretching vibrations of the amines and amides, as well as SiO–H stretching vibrations, a chemical reaction occurred between the asphalt and steel slag aggregate, thus improving the adhesion performance between the asphalt and steel slag. Based on the shape of the adsorption isotherm, it was determined that the adsorption type was multi–molecular layer adsorption, indicating that the adhesion between the asphalt and steel slag mainly involved physical adsorption.
A Novel Shell Material—Highland Barley Starch for Microencapsulation of Cinnamon Essential Oil with Different Preparation Methods
Authors: Li Liang , Zhang Wenhui , Peng Jian , Xue Bei , Liu Zhendong , Luo Zhang , Lu Deze , Zhao Xiaorui
Published: March 2020

Highland barley starch (HBS), as a carbohydrate shell material with excellent performance in microcapsule applications, has rarely been reported. In the present study, three different microcapsules (CEO-SWSM, CEO-PM, and CEO-UM) were synthesized successfully via saturated aqueous solution method, molecular inclusion method and ultrasonic method, respectively, using HBS as shell material coupled with cinnamon essential oil (CEO) as the core material. The potential of HBS as a new shell material and the influence of synthetic methods on the performance of microcapsules, encapsulation efficiency (EE), yield, and release rate of CEO-SWSM, CEO-PM, and CEO-UM were determined, respectively. The results confirmed that CEO-PM had the most excellent EE (88.2%), yield (79.1%), as well as lowest release rate (11.5%, after 25 days of storage). Moreover, different kinetic models were applied to fit the release process of these three kinds of microcapsules: CEO-SWSM, CEO-PM, and CEO-UM had the uppermost R-squared value in the Higuchi model, the zero-order model, and the first-level model, respectively. Over all, this work put forward a novel perspective for the improved encapsulation effect of perishable core materials (e.g., essential oil) for the food industry.
Ideals on the Quantum Plane’s Jet Space
Authors: Glubokov Andrey
Published: March 2020

The goal of this paper is to introduce some rings that play the role of the jet spaces of the quantum plane and unlike the quantum plane itself possess interesting nontrivial prime ideals. We will prove some results (Theorems 1–4) about the prime spectrum of these rings.
The Nutritional and Pharmacological Potential of New Australian Thraustochytrids Isolated from Mangrove Sediments
Authors: Nham Tran Thi Linh , Miranda Ana F. , Gupta Adarsha , Puri Munish , Ball Andrew S. , Adhikari Benu , Mouradov Aidyn
Published: March 2020

Mangrove sediments represent unique microbial ecosystems that act as a buffer zone, biogeochemically recycling marine waste into nutrient-rich depositions for marine and terrestrial species. Marine unicellular protists, thraustochytrids, colonizing mangrove sediments have received attention due to their ability to produce large amounts of long-chain ω3-polyunsaturated fatty acids. This paper represents a comprehensive study of two new thraustochytrids for their production of valuable biomolecules in biomass, de-oiled cakes, supernatants, extracellular polysaccharide matrixes, and recovered oil bodies. Extracted lipids (up to 40% of DW) rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (up to 80% of total fatty acids) were mainly represented by docosahexaenoic acid (75% of polyunsaturated fatty acids). Cells also showed accumulation of squalene (up to 13 mg/g DW) and carotenoids (up to 72 µg/g DW represented by astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, echinenone, and β-carotene). Both strains showed a high concentration of protein in biomass (29% DW) and supernatants (2.7 g/L) as part of extracellular polysaccharide matrixes. Alkalinization of collected biomass represents a new and easy way to recover lipid-rich oil bodies in the form of an aqueous emulsion. The ability to produce added-value molecules makes thraustochytrids an important alternative to microalgae and plants dominating in the food, pharmacological, nutraceutical, and cosmetics industries.
Synthesis of Tetrabenazine and Its Derivatives, Pursuing Efficiency and Selectivity
Authors: Paek Seung-Mann
Published: March 2020

Tetrabenazine is a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug that exhibits a dopamine depleting effect and is used for the treatment of chorea in Huntington’s disease. Mechanistically, tetrabenazine binds and inhibits vesicular monoamine transporter type 2, which is responsible for importing neurotransmitters from the cytosol to the vesicles in neuronal cells. This transportation contributes to the release of neurotransmitters inside the cell to the synaptic cleft, resulting in dopaminergic signal transmission. The highly potent inhibitory activity of tetrabenazine has led to its advanced applications and in-depth investigation of prodrug design and metabolite drug discovery. In addition, the synthesis of enantiomerically pure tetrabenazine has been pursued. After a series of research studies, tetrabenazine derivatives such as valbenazine and deutetrabenazine have been approved by the US FDA. In addition, radioisotopically labeled tetrabenazine permits the early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, which is difficult to treat during the later stages of this disease. These applications were made possible by the synthetic efforts aimed toward the efficient and asymmetric synthesis of tetrabenazine. In this review, various syntheses of tetrabenazine and its derivatives have been summarized.
Thermal Stability of Chromium-Iron Oxidation Mixture Cermet-Based Solar Selective Absorbing Coatings
Authors: Yu Hongwen , Li Jinkai , Zhang Qian , Pang Wei , Yan Hui , Li Guangyuan
Published: March 2020

The solar selective absorber coating (SSAC) are at the core of the efficient solar-thermal system. In this paper, for the first time, the Chromium-iron oxidation mixture cermet was successfully prepared on the surface of ultra-pure ferritic stainless steel by chemical coloring as SSAC. The coating surface has an optical trap structure, and the chromium-iron oxidation mixture cermet is used as an absorption layer to realize solar-thermal conversion. The solar absorptance (AM1.5) of the coating reached 93.66, and the thermal emittance was less than 13. After thermal shock tests at 25/300 °C done 32 times (accumulated 812.8 h), the Performance Criterion (PC) of the coating was 0.01375 < 0.05, showing outstanding thermal stability.
Nanoscale Quantum Thermal Conductance at Water Interface: Green’s Function Approach Based on One-Dimensional Phonon Model
Authors: Umegaki Toshihito , Tanaka Shigenori
Published: March 2020

We have derived the fundamental formula of phonon transport in water for the evaluation of quantum thermal conductance by using a one-dimensional phonon model based on the nonequilibrium Green’s function method. In our model, phonons are excited as quantum waves from the left or right reservoir and propagate from left to right of H 2 O layer or vice versa. We have assumed these reservoirs as being of periodic structures, whereas we can also model the H 2 O sandwiched between these reservoirs as having aperiodic structures of liquid containing N water molecules. We have extracted the dispersion curves from the experimental absorption spectra of the OH stretching and intermolecular modes of water molecules, and calculated phonon transmission function and quantum thermal conductance. In addition, we have simplified the formulation of the transmission function by employing a case of one water molecule (N=1). From this calculation, we have obtained the characteristic that the transmission probability is almost unity at the frequency bands of acoustic and optical modes, and the transmission probability vanishes by the phonon attenuation reflecting the quantum tunnel effect outside the bands of these two modes. The classical limit of the thermal conductance calculated by our formula agreed with the literature value (order of 10 − 10 W/K) in high temperature regime (>300 K). The present approach is powerful enough to be applicable to molecular systems containing proteins as well, and to evaluate their thermal conductive characteristics.
Antioxidant Content of Frozen, Convective Air-Dried, Freeze-Dried, and Swell-Dried Chokecherries (Prunus virginiana L.)
Authors: Téllez-Pérez Carmen , Cardador-Martínez Anaberta , Tejada-Ortigoza Viridiana , Soria-Mejía Marla C. , Balderas-León Iván , Alonzo-Macías Maritza
Published: March 2020

Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana L.) is rich in bioactive molecules as phenolics, which can act as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, among others; however, due to its high perishability, most of this fruit is wasted. Freezing and sun drying have been the most adopted techniques to avoid its postharvest deterioration. Nevertheless, both processes have presented some drawbacks as high storage costs and losses of bioactive molecules. Therefore, to preserve these molecules, this study compared the impact of convective airflow drying (CAD), freezing (FR), freeze drying (FD), and swell drying (SD). Total phenolics content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), kuromanin concentration (KC), and antioxidant activity (antiradical activity (ARA) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay (TEAC)) of chokecherries were measured. “Swell drying” is a drying process coupling convective airflow drying to the Instant Controlled Pressure Drop (DIC) expansion. A central composite rotatable design was applied to optimize the DIC variables and responses. Results showed that both freezing and swell drying effectively preserve the TPC, TFC, KC, and ARA. Moreover, SD samples also presented the highest TEAC. Contrary, in the case of CAD, it caused the highest losses of both antioxidant content and activity. Swell drying remedies the shrinkage and collapsing of dried food structure, which results in a better antioxidants extraction.
ncRNAs in Type-2 Immunity
Authors: Guidi Riccardo , Wedeles Christopher J. , Wilson Mark S.
Published: March 2020

Immunological diseases, including asthma, autoimmunity and immunodeficiencies, affect a growing percentage of the population with significant unmet medical needs. As we slowly untangle and better appreciate these complex genetic and environment-influenced diseases, new therapeutically targetable pathways are emerging. Non-coding RNA species, which regulate epigenetic, transcriptional and translational responses are critical regulators of immune cell development, differentiation and effector function, and may represent one such new class of therapeutic targets. In this review we focus on type-2 immune responses, orchestrated by TH2 cell-derived cytokines, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, which stimulate a variety of immune and tissue responses- commonly referred to as type-2 immunity. Evolved to protect us from parasitic helminths, type-2 immune responses are observed in individuals with allergic diseases, including Asthma, atopic dermatitis and food allergy. A growing number of studies have identified the involvement of various RNA species, including microRNAs (miRNA) and long non-coding (lncRNA), in type-2 immune responses and in both clinical and pre-clinical disease settings. We highlight these recent findings, identify gaps in our understanding and provide a perspective on how our current understanding can be harnessed for novel treat opportunities to treat type-2 immune-mediated diseases.
Physical Activity, Nutritional Status, and Autonomic Nervous System Activity in Healthy Young Adults with Higher Levels of Depressive Symptoms and Matched Controls without Depressive Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Tsujita Natsuki , Akamatsu Yasunori , Nishida Márcio Makoto , Hayashi Tatsuya , Moritani Toshio
Published: March 2020

The aim of the present study was to comprehensively investigate physical activity (PA), nutritional status, and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity in healthy young adults with higher levels of depressive symptoms and in sex- and age-matched controls without depressive symptoms. We recruited 35 healthy young adults with higher levels of depressive symptoms (DEP group) and 35 controls (CON group). Measurement items were daily number of steps, the duration and amount of PA ≥3 metabolic equivalents (METs), exercise habits, the consumption of tryptophan (TRP) and/or vitamin B6-rich foods, plasma levels of total TRP and vitamin B6 levels, and ANS activity. The DEP group had fewer daily steps, as well as duration and amount of PA ≥3 METs, than the CON group, while there was no difference in exercise habits. The intake frequency of TRP and/or vitamin B6-rich foods and plasma vitamin B6 levels of the DEP group were rather higher than those in the control group. Plasma TRP levels and ANS activity were comparable in the two groups. Our findings suggest that a decline in overall PA, including daily steps as well as duration and amount of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA, could be associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms in healthy young adults. Their dietary intake of TRP and/or vitamin B6-rich foods was adequate, and there was no ANS activity dysfunction.
Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase-1 Enzyme Inhibition by Grape Skin Extracts Affects Membrane Fluidity in Human Colon Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Tutino Valeria , Gigante Isabella , Scavo Maria Principia , Refolo Maria Grazia , De Nunzio Valentina , Milella Rosa Anna , Caruso Maria Gabriella , Notarnicola Maria
Published: March 2020

The polyphenolic compounds present in grape extracts have chemopreventive and anticancer properties. Here, we studied the ability of two grape skin extracts (GSEs), Autumn Royal and Egnatia, to influence the cell motility and membrane fluidity regulated by the enzyme Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) which increases with the cancer aggressiveness. Caco2 and SW480 human colon cancer cell lines were treated with increasing concentrations of GSEs to evaluate cell proliferation and motility. SCD1 levels were evaluated in both treated cell lines, by membrane lipidomic analysis conducted by gas chromatography. The expression levels of SCD1 and other factors involved in the reorganization of the cytoskeleton and focal adhesions were assessed by Real-time PCR, Western Blotting, and Immunofluorescence staining. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses were performed to determine the phenolic composition in the GSEs, finding them more expressed in Autumn Royal than in Egnatia. Both treatments reduced the levels of SCD1, phospho-Rac1/Cdc42/Rac1/Cdc42 ratio, Cofilin, Vimentin, and phospho-Paxillin especially in Caco2 compared to SW480, showing a different behavior of the two cell lines to these natural compounds. Our findings show that GSEs block the cell migration and membrane fluidity through a new mechanism of action involving structural cellular components.
Cocoa, Chocolate, and Human Health
Authors: Zimmermann Benno F. , Ellinger Sabine
Published: March 2020

Cocoa has been used as a ceremonial and hedonistic food for thousands of years in the tropical parts of America and for hundreds of years in the western world [...]
Adipokines and Endotoxemia Correlate with Hepatic Steatosis in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
Authors: Nier Anika , Huber Yvonne , Labenz Christian , Michel Maurice , Bergheim Ina , Schattenberg Jörn
Published: March 2020

(1) Background: The etiology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is multifactorial. Dietary composition has been implicated as a factor modulating intestinal barrier and could affect disease severity. The aim of this study was to evaluate dietary intake and markers of intestinal permeability in patients with NAFLD. (2) Methods: We enrolled 63 patients with NAFLD and compared them to age-matched controls. (3) Results: body mass index (BMI) and leptin to adiponectin ratio—the latter being an indicator of abdominal fat accumulation—correlated with the degree of hepatic steatosis being accompanied with rising levels of fasting insulin. Furthermore, endotoxin plasma levels and markers of inflammation were significantly higher in NAFLD compared to controls and increased with the severity of hepatic steatosis. Despite comparable intake of total energy and macronutrients, intake of fiber was lower in all patients with NAFLD compared to controls and were negatively related to disease severity. (4) Conclusions: Taken together, results of the present study suggest that fiber intake in patients is negatively related to steatosis degree and bacterial endotoxin levels, further suggesting that dietary fiber intake may be a target in NAFLD treatment (NCT: 02366052 and 03482284).
Benefits and Prerequisites Associated with the Adoption of Oral 3D-Printed Medicines for Pediatric Patients: A Focus Group Study among Healthcare Professionals
Authors: Rautamo Maria , Kvarnström Kirsi , Sivén Mia , Airaksinen Marja , Lahdenne Pekka , Sandler Niklas
Published: March 2020

The utilization of three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies as innovative manufacturing methods for drug products has recently gained growing interest. From a technological viewpoint, proof-of-concept on the performance of different printing methods already exist, followed by visions about future applications in hospital or community pharmacies. The main objective of this study was to investigate the perceptions of healthcare professionals in a tertiary university hospital about oral 3D-printed medicines for pediatric patients by means of focus group discussions. In general, the healthcare professionals considered many positive aspects and opportunities in 3D printing of pharmaceuticals. A precise dose as well as personalized doses and dosage forms were some of the advantages mentioned by the participants. Especially in cases of polypharmacy, incorporating several drug substances into one product to produce a polypill, personalized regarding both the combination of drug substances and the doses, would benefit drug treatments of several medical conditions and would improve adherence to medications. In addition to the positive aspects, concerns and prerequisites for the adoption of 3D printing technologies at hospital settings were also expressed. These perspectives are suggested by the authors to be focus points for future research on personalized 3D-printed drug products.
Study of Waste Jute Fibre Panels (Corchorus capsularis L.) Agglomerated with Portland Cement and Starch
Authors: Ferrandez-García Maria Teresa , Ferrandez-Garcia Clara Eugenia , Garcia-Ortuño Teresa , Ferrandez-Garcia Antonio , Ferrandez-Villena Manuel
Published: March 2020

This paper presents an experimental study on the bond behaviour of cement panels reinforced with plant fibres from the recycling of waste jute bags, using starch as a plasticiser. During processing, different proportions of jute (5 wt %, 10 wt %, 15 wt %, and 20 wt %) were used with respect to the weight of cement, and the mixture was exposed to a pressure of 2.6 MPa and a temperature of 100 °C. The density, swelling thickness, internal bonding, flexural strength, and thermal conductivity were studied. Mechanical tests indicated that the values of the modulus of rupture (MOR) and the modulus of elasticity (MOE) increased over time; thus, the jute particles appeared to be protected by the plasticised starch and no degradation was observed. At 28 days, the particleboard with 5% starch had an MOR of 12.82 MPa and an MOE of 3.43 GPa; these values decreased when the jute proportion was higher. The thermal conductivity varied from 0.068 to 0.085 W·m−1·K−1. The main conclusion is that jute-cement-starch composite panels can be manufactured with physical, mechanical, and thermal properties that meet the European standards for use in the construction of buildings as partitions, interior divisions, and thermal insulators.
Digital Quantum Simulation of Linear and Nonlinear Optical Elements
Authors: Sabín Carlos
Published: March 2020

We provide a recipe for the digitalization of linear and nonlinear quantum optics in networks of superconducting qubits. By combining digital techniques with boson-qubit mappings, we address relevant problems that are typically considered in analog simulators, such as the dynamical Casimir effect or molecular force fields, including nonlinearities. In this way, the benefits of digitalization are extended in principle to a new realm of physical problems. We present preliminary examples launched in IBM Q 5 Tenerife.
Integration of Crowdsourced Images, USGS Networks, Remote Sensing, and a Model to Assess Flood Depth during Hurricane Florence
Authors: Hultquist Carolynne , Cervone Guido
Published: March 2020

Crowdsourced environmental data have the potential to augment traditional data sources during disasters. Traditional sensor networks, satellite remote sensing imagery, and models are all faced with limitations in observational inputs, forecasts, and resolution. This study integrates flood depth derived from crowdsourced images with U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) ground-based observation networks, a remote sensing product, and a model during Hurricane Florence. The data sources are compared using cross-sections to assess flood depth in areas impacted by Hurricane Florence. Automated methods can be used for each source to classify flooded regions and fuse the dataset over common grids to identify areas of flooding. Crowdsourced data can play a major role when there are overlaps of sources that can be used for validation as well providing improved coverage and resolution.
Detecting and Repairing Inter-system Bias Jumps with Satellite Clock Preprocessing
Authors: Jiang Nan , Xu Tianhe , Xu Yan , Xu Guochang , Schuh Harald
Published: March 2020

The key to performing successful multi-GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) precise point positioning is calibrating ISB (inter-system bias) in different systems. We can use the method of modeling to eliminate the ISB error. However, the ISB series are commonly discontinuous, as they contain jumps and outliers caused by day boundaries, gaps, or outliers in the precise clock products, which will break the ability of modeling. Thus, before modeling the ISB, we must remove outliers and repair jumps to improve the ISB continuity and achieve a continuous and smooth ISB series. Preprocessing on precise clock products is focused on in this study for the detection of ISB jumps and their repair. From the results, a positive correlation is revealed within the residuals of satellite clock offset and ISB differences between adjacent days. This finding implies ISB continuity can be improved through the preprocessing of precise clock products. It is also found that the exact reason for the occurrence of ISB jumps is the presence of extrema (i.e., maximum or minimum points) in the frequency domain. From the clock data in the frequency domain, larger extrema are identified directly. Meanwhile, for the detection of smaller extrema, a robust estimation method based on the median filter was applied. Then, all smaller extrema were classified into three types. Different preprocessing methods were applied for every type. After that, a new preprocessed precise clock product was obtained. With this preprocessed satellite clock product, the ISB continuity was substantially improved, and the improvement in the ISB continuity can reach 85.1%, on the average. These results indicate that for detecting and repairing ISB jumps, the proposed preprocessing method on satellite clock products is very effective.
Radiometric Comparison within the Sentinel-1 SAR Constellation over a Wide Backscatter Range
Authors: Schmidt Kersten , Schwerdt Marco , Miranda Nuno , Reimann Jens
Published: March 2020

Radiometric calibration adjusts the measured pixel intensity to a physical property, the radar cross section (RCS). After calibration, this relationship is defined over the entire backscatter range: from low image power (near noise) up to high reflections (below saturation). Based on a proper radiometric calibration, the measured radar backscatter for the Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation is validated over a wide backscatter range using different target types. Therefore, the RCS derived from point targets and radar brightness from distributed targets are compared between Sentinel-1A (S-1A) and Sentinel-1B (S-1B) acquisitions over the same observation area for regions where a stable target backscatter is expected for a certain period of time. Low differences (in the order of 0.3 dB) are found between S-1A and S-1B for high and medium backscatter derived from point targets or rainforest regions, but higher differences for low backscattering regions like ice areas and lakes. For comparing radar brightness containing low backscatter targets, an accurate derived noise level has to be taken into account. In addition to the measured lower noise equivalent beta zero (NEBZ) level, higher transmit power was detected for S-1B compared to S-1A. The higher antenna gain of S-1B leads finally to a higher sensitivity for low backscattering areas of S-1B compared to S-1A and explains the found differences.
The Comparison of Different Types of Heat Accumulators and Benefits of Their Use in Horticulture
Authors: Kurpaska Sławomir , Knaga Jarosław , Latała Hubert , Cupiał Michał , Konopacki Paweł , Hołownicki Ryszard
Published: March 2020

This paper presents the results of the analysis of thermal issues and energy efficiency of three types of accumulators; namely stone-bed; water and phase change. Research experiments were carried out during April–October 2013 in a standard commercial semi-cylindrical high plastic tunnel with tomato cultivation of 150 m2. A stone-bed accumulator; with an area of almost 75 m2 was installed in the tunnel below ground level; while a water accumulator with a volume of 4 m3 was installed outside the tunnel. A phase change material (PCM) accumulator, with a volume of 1 m3 containing paraffin, was located inside the tunnel. The heat storage capacity of the tested accumulators and the energy efficiency of the process were determined based on the analyses of the 392 stone-bed charging and discharging cycles, the 62 water accumulator charging cycles and close to 40 PCM accumulator charging and discharging cycles. Dependencies in the form of easily measurable parameters; have been established to determine the amount of stored heat; as well as the conditions for which the effectiveness of these processes reaches the highest value. The presented analysis falls under the pro-ecological scope of replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy. As a result of the analysis; it was found that; in the case of a stone-bed; such an accumulator shows higher efficiency at lower parameters; that is, temperature difference and solar radiation intensity. In turn; a higher temperature difference and a higher value of solar radiation intensity are required for the water accumulator. The energy storage efficiency of the PCM accumulator is emphatically smaller and not comparable with either the stone-bed or the water accumulator.
Love Wave Sensors with Silver Modified Polypyrrole Nanoparticles for VOCs Monitoring
Authors: Šetka Milena , Bahos Fabio A. , Matatagui Daniel , Gràcia Isabel , Figueras Eduard , Drbohlavová Jana , Vallejos Stella
Published: March 2020

Love wave sensors with silver-modified polypyrrole nanoparticles are developed in this work. These systems prove functional at room temperature with enhanced response, sensitivity and response time, as compared to other state-of-the-art surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors, towards volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Results demonstrate the monitoring of hundreds of ppb of compounds such as acetone, ethanol and toluene with low estimated limits of detection (~3 ppb for acetone). These results are attributed to the use of silver-modified polypyrrole as a second guiding/sensitive layer in the Love wave sensor structure, which provides further chemically active sites for the gas-solid interactions. The sensing of low VOCs concentrations by micro sensing elements as those presented here could be beneficial in future systems for air quality control, food quality control or disease diagnosis via exhaled breath as the limits of detection obtained are within those required in these applications.
A Memory-Efficient Transmission Scheme for Multi-Homed Internet-of-Things (IoT) Devices
Authors: Hwang Jaehyun , Yoo Joon
Published: March 2020

Internet-of-things (IoT) is a wide spreading technique that enables intelligence to the everyday objects, however, IoT devices are limited in computation and memory space due to their small physical sizes. As a result, IoT applications generally connect to the remote cloud that provides high computation and large storage. To enhance this communication, some IoT devices are equipped with multiple networks, e.g., cellular or Wi-Fi, by using Multipath TCP (MPTCP). However, MPTCP requires large buffer memory space compared to the legacy TCP, which is problematic for low-memory IoT devices. This paper proposes a new MPTCP scheme that leverages the multi-homed feature of low-memory IoT devices. Our design utilizes an application-level distributor that transmits packets to each MPTCP socket at each endpoint of the data. This scheme cleverly avoids the buffer blocking problem, while still maintaining the benefits of multi-homing. The main contribution of our paper is three-fold. First, our proposal achieves the benefits of multipath while avoiding buffer blocking due to out-of-order packets. Second, since our scheme utilizes the original MPTCP and modifies only the application level, it can be deployed more easily to the legacy systems. Finally, our experimental results, conducted on a Linux testbed and real-world cellular/Wi-Fi, show that the proposed scheme requires only half or less memory to achieve the performance of MPTCP.
Adaptive Indoor Area Localization for Perpetual Crowdsourced Data Collection
Authors: Laska Marius , Blankenbach Jörg , Klamma Ralf
Published: March 2020

The accuracy of fingerprinting-based indoor localization correlates with the quality and up-to-dateness of collected training data. Perpetual crowdsourced data collection reduces manual labeling effort and provides a fresh data base. However, the decentralized collection comes with the cost of heterogeneous data that causes performance degradation. In settings with imperfect data, area localization can provide higher positioning guarantees than exact position estimation. Existing area localization solutions employ a static segmentation into areas that is independent of the available training data. This approach is not applicable for crowdsoucred data collection, which features an unbalanced spatial training data distribution that evolves over time. A segmentation is required that utilizes the existing training data distribution and adapts once new data is accumulated. We propose an algorithm for data-aware floor plan segmentation and a selection metric that balances expressiveness (information gain) and performance (correctly classified examples) of area classifiers. We utilize supervised machine learning, in particular, deep learning, to train the area classifiers. We demonstrate how to regularly provide an area localization model that adapts its prediction space to the accumulating training data. The resulting models are shown to provide higher reliability compared to models that pinpoint the exact position.
A Cost-Effective and Portable Optical Sensor System to Estimate Leaf Nitrogen and Water Contents in Crops
Authors: Habibullah Mohammad , Mohebian Mohammad Reza , Soolanayakanahally Raju , Wahid Khan A. , Dinh Anh
Published: March 2020

Non-invasive determination of leaf nitrogen (N) and water contents is essential for ensuring the healthy growth of the plants. However, most of the existing methods to measure them are expensive. In this paper, a low-cost, portable multispectral sensor system is proposed to determine N and water contents in the leaves, non-invasively. Four different species of plants—canola, corn, soybean, and wheat—are used as test plants to investigate the utility of the proposed device. The sensor system comprises two multispectral sensors, visible (VIS) and near-infrared (NIR), detecting reflectance at 12 wavelengths (six from each sensor). Two separate experiments were performed in a controlled greenhouse environment, including N and water experiments. Spectral data were collected from 307 leaves (121 for N and 186 for water experiment), and the rational quadratic Gaussian process regression (GPR) algorithm was applied to correlate the reflectance data with actual N and water content. By performing five-fold cross-validation, the N estimation showed a coefficient of determination ( R 2 ) of 63.91% for canola, 80.05% for corn, 82.29% for soybean, and 63.21% for wheat. For water content estimation, canola showed an R 2 of 18.02%, corn showed an R 2 of 68.41%, soybean showed an R 2 of 46.38%, and wheat showed an R 2 of 64.58%. The result reveals that the proposed low-cost sensor with an appropriate regression model can be used to determine N content. However, further investigation is needed to improve the water estimation results using the proposed device.
From Intelligent Energy Management to Value Economy through a Digital Energy Currency: Bahrain City Case Study
Authors: Marinakis Vangelis , Doukas Haris , Koasidis Konstantinos , Albuflasa Hanan
Published: March 2020

The transition of the energy system into a more efficient state requires innovative ideas to finance new schemes and engage people into adjusting their behavioural patterns concerning consumption. Effective energy management combined with Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) open new opportunities for local and regional authorities, but also for energy suppliers, utilities and other obligated parties, or even energy cooperatives, to implement mechanisms that allow people to become more efficient either by producing and trading energy or by reducing their energy consumption. In this paper, a novel framework is proposed connecting energy savings with a digital energy currency. This framework builds reward schemes where the energy end-users could benefit financially from saving energy, by receiving coins according to their real consumption compared to the predicted consumption if no actions were to take place. A pilot appraisal of such a scheme is presented for the case of Bahrain, so as to simulate the behaviour of the proposed framework in order for it to become a viable choice for intelligent energy management in future action plans.
Analyzing Driver Drowsiness: From Causes to Effects
Authors: Soares Sónia , Monteiro Tiago , Lobo António , Couto António , Cunha Liliana , Ferreira Sara
Published: March 2020

Drowsiness and fatigue are major safety issues that cannot be measured directly. Their measurements are sustained on indirect parameters such as the effects on driving performance, changes in physiological states, and subjective measures. We divided this study into two distinct lines. First, we wanted to find if any driver’s physiological characteristic, habit, or recent event could interfere with the results. Second, we aimed to analyze the effects of subjective sleepiness on driving behavior. On driving simulator experiments, the driver information and driving performance were collected, and responses to the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) were compared with these parameters. The results showed that drowsiness increases when the driver has suffered a recent stress situation, has taken medication, or has slept fewer hours. An increasing driving time is also a strong factor in drowsiness development. On the other hand, robustness, smoking habits, being older, and being a man were revealed to be factors that make the participant less prone to getting drowsy. From another point of view, the speed and lane departures increased with the sleepiness feeling. Subjective drowsiness has a great correlation to drivers’ personal aspects and the driving behavior. In addition, the KSS shows a great potential to be used as a predictor of drowsiness.
Perspectives on “Game Changer” Global Challenges for Sustainable 21st Century: Plant-Based Diet, Unavoidable Food Waste Biorefining, and Circular Economy
Authors: Sadhukhan Jhuma , Dugmore Tom I. J. , Matharu Avtar , Martinez-Hernandez Elias , Aburto Jorge , Rahman Pattanathu K. S. M. , Lynch Jim
Published: March 2020

Planet Earth is under severe stress from several inter-linked factors mainly associated with rising global population, linear resource consumption, security of resources, unsurmountable waste generation, and social inequality, which unabated will lead to an unsustainable 21st Century. The traditional way products are designed promotes a linear economy that discards recoverable resources and creates negative environmental and social impacts. Here, we suggest multi-disciplinary approaches encompassing chemistry, process engineering and sustainability science, and sustainable solutions in “game changer” challenges in three intersecting arenas of food: Sustainable diet, valorisation of unavoidable food supply chain wastes, and circularity of food value chain systems aligning with the United Nations’ seventeen Sustainable Development Goals. In the arena of sustainable diet, comprehensive life cycle assessment using the global life cycle inventory datasets and recommended daily servings is conducted to rank food choices, covering all food groups from fresh fruits/vegetables, lentils/pulses and grains to livestock, with regard to health and the environment, to emphasise the essence of plant-based diet, especially plant-based sources of protein, for holistic systemic sustainability and stability of the earth system. In the arena of unavoidable food supply chain wastes, economically feasible and synergistically (energy and material) integrated innovative biorefinery systems are suggested to transform unavoidable food waste into functional and platform chemical productions alongside energy vectors: Fuel or combined heat and power generation. In the arena of circularity of food value chain systems, novel materials and methods for plant-based protein functionalisation for food/nutraceutical applications are investigated using regenerative bio-surfactants from unavoidable food waste. This circular economy or industrial symbiosis example thus combines the other two arenas, i.e., plant-based protein sourcing and unavoidable food waste valorisation. The multi-disciplinary analysis here will eventually impact on policies for dietary change, but also contribute knowledge needed by industry and policy makers and raise awareness amongst the population at large for making a better approach to the circular economy of food.
Conceptualising Sustainability Using a Cognitive Mapping Method
Authors: Whyte Patrina , Lamberton Geoffrey
Published: March 2020

Many different interpretations of the meaning of sustainability has the potential to cause dilution of meaning, as well as ambiguity and confusion, and a reduction in the use of sustainability as a relevant global objective. In this research, we examine these different interpretations using a cognitive mapping method, where 12 sustainability experts provide their own unique conceptualisations of sustainability. Our research objective is to develop a conceptual tool that explains differences in these many sustainability meanings. The experts’ conceptualisations reveal worldviews that are predominantly anthropocentric, but which also contain principles consistent with the sustaincentrism paradigm. We observe that each expert’s worldview, together with the assumed primary objective of sustainability, and the type of actions recommended to achieve sustainability, are central to understanding the diversity of sustainability conceptualisations. This insight leads to the development of a framework that infers sustainability can be conceptualised to consist of three distinct layers consisting of a core objective, or what is to be sustained; a worldview that underpins the conceptualisation; and actions aimed at achieving sustainability. By clarifying the multiple layers contained within sustainability conceptualisations, competing and contested versions of sustainability can be clarified within a common theoretical framework. The sustainability framework should also assist educators and students navigate through the multiplicity of sustainability meanings, and enable new context-specific definitions to be developed, such as those used in business and government.
Accessibility Dynamics and Regional Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) Perspectives in the Portuguese—Spanish Borderland
Authors: Vulevic Ana , Castanho Rui Alexandre , Naranjo Gómez José Manuel , Loures Luís , Cabezas José , Fernández-Pozo Luis , Martín Gallardo José
Published: March 2020

Accessibility plays a major role in achieving sustainable transport, and therefore urban and regional sustainability. The urban public transport system promotes mobility and realizes a large part of urban movements. Moreover, improving accessibility in order to promote sustainable transport requires the application of new concepts and indicators as a powerful tool in the process of creating a balanced urban transport system. In this regard, one of the main goals of this research is to present an overview of the relevant accessibility indicators and assessment of accessibility in regional Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) in order to transcendence challenges and obstacles for sustainable transportation in these regions along of Portuguese-Spanish border. This paper focuses on the accessibility of cross-border cooperation scenarios along the border regions of Alto Alentejo (Portugal) and Badajoz (Spain) where the Case Study Research Method (CSR) made it possible to recognize accessibility as a key factor in territorial success. Also, accessibility analysis can assess improvements as well as regional imbalances. In addition, this methodology can be used to identify missing links, which requires new investments enabling long-term sustainability.
Hydrological Response to Natural and Anthropogenic Factors in Southern Taiwan
Authors: Yeh Hsin-Fu , Tsao Jyun
Published: March 2020

Global climate change and rapid industrial development have led to changes in streamflow worldwide, and determining the relative contributions from climate variability and human activity is important for water management. However, studies using attribution analysis to investigate the streamflow in Taiwan are scarce. In this study, statistical methods are used to evaluate the changes in streamflow in order to assess the variation in the hydrological environment of Taiwan. Four river basins in Southern Taiwan were selected as the study area. The impact of climate variability and human activities on the changes in the streamflow from 1980 to 2017 was quantified via the hydrological sensitivity-based method and the decomposition method, which is based on the Budyko hypothesis. The results from these two methods were consistent and demonstrated that the increase in the streamflow of the four river basins was mainly attributable to climate variability. Streamflow change was more responsive to precipitation because of the relatively larger value of the sensitivity coefficients. This study provides a basic insight into the hydrological dynamics of river basins in Southern Taiwan and may serve as a reference for related research in the future.