bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CW and Modulated Input Second Harmonic Injection for Efficiency Enhancement in Broadband Power Amplifiers
Authors: Chang Hsiu-Chen , Roblin Patrick , Hahn Yunsik , Martinez-Lopez Jose I. , Liang Chenyu
Published: October 2021

The second-harmonic input impedance plays a critical role on the performance of GaN power amplifiers. In a recent paper, a drain efficiency enhancement for a continuous-mode power amplifiers was reported to be achieved using active broadband second-harmonic injection at the PA input. In this paper, the strategy for selecting the second-harmonic input impedance and the necessity for using active injection in such broadband PAs are discussed in detail. Additionally, the methodology for designing an embedded broadband diplexer in the input matching network is reported. Finally, the importance of the phase of the second-harmonic signal injected is demonstrated for both CW and modulated signals using both simulation and measurement, respectively. The effectiveness of the CW and modulated active second-harmonic injection methodology presented here are validated by previously reported measurements that demonstrated an average drain efficiency improvement of 9.4% from 1.3 to 2.4 GHz for CW signals and of 9.7% at 2 GHz for a frequency-modulated 30 MHz chirp radar signal.
Recognition of Cursive Pashto Optical Digits and Characters with Trio Deep Learning Neural Network Models
Authors: Rehman Muhammad Zubair , Mohd. Nawi Nazri , Arshad Mohammad , Khan Abdullah
Published: October 2021

Pashto is one of the most ancient and historical languages in the world and is spoken in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Various languages like Urdu, English, Chinese, and Japanese have OCR applications, but very little work has been conducted on the Pashto language in this perspective. It becomes more difficult for OCR applications to recognize handwritten characters and digits, because handwriting is influenced by the writer’s hand dynamics. Moreover, there was no publicly available dataset for handwritten Pashto digits before this study. Due to this, there was no work performed on the recognition of Pashto handwritten digits and characters combined. To achieve this objective, a dataset of Pashto handwritten digits consisting of 60,000 images was created. The trio deep learning Convolutional Neural Network, i.e., CNN, LeNet, and Deep CNN were trained and tested with both Pashto handwritten characters and digits datasets. From the simulations, the Deep CNN achieved 99.42 percent accuracy for Pashto handwritten digits, 99.17 percent accuracy for handwritten characters, and 70.65 percent accuracy for combined digits and characters. Similarly, LeNet and CNN models achieved slightly less accuracies (LeNet; 98.82, 99.15, and 69.82 percent and CNN; 98.30, 98.74, and 66.53 percent) for Pashto handwritten digits, Pashto characters, and the combined Pashto digits and characters recognition datasets, respectively. Based on these results, the Deep CNN model is the best model in terms of accuracy and loss as compared to the other two models.
An Accuracy-Improved Fixed-Width Booth Multiplier Enabling Bit-Width Adaptive Truncation Error Compensation
Authors: Tang Song-Nien , Liao Jen-Chien , Chiu Chen-Kai , Ku Pei-Tong , Chen Yen-Shuo
Published: October 2021

Fixed-width Booth multipliers (FWBMs) generate a product with the same bit width as the operand and have been extensively employed in many digital systems. Various truncation error compensation (TEC) schemes have been presented for FWBM designs, aiming to reduce hardware costs while preserving operation accuracy. In general, the existing TEC methods function adequately for an exact bit width of the operand but fail to consider the TEC effect for FWBM inputs with various bit-width levels. To address this issue, we propose a bit-width adaptive TEC (BWATEC) scheme for providing high-accuracy TEC functions that are adaptive to the multiple L′-bit numerical ranges of input data for an L-bit FWBM (L′ ≤ L). We also present adjustable architecture for a 16-bit FWBM to enable the proposed BWATEC scheme and evaluate the hardware performance, using the TSMC 40 nm standard cell library. Relative to the contrast 16-bit FWBM approaches that use state-of-the-art TEC methods, the proposed BWATEC-enabled FWBM design can achieve reductions in the area-delay-error product of 7.9–50.9%, 17.1–69.5%, 29.9–82.2%, and 100% for the 14-bit, 12-bit, 10-bit, and 8-bit inputs, respectively. Moreover, the resultant 16-bit FWBM with BWATEC was verified by using the field-programmable gate array for convolutional neural network acceleration.
A Multi-Cache System for On-Chip Memory Optimization in FPGA-Based CNN Accelerators
Authors: Pacini Tommaso , Rapuano Emilio , Dinelli Gianmarco , Fanucci Luca
Published: October 2021

In recent years, FPGAs have demonstrated remarkable performance and contained power consumption for the on-the-edge inference of Convolutional Neural Networks. One of the main challenges in implementing this class of algorithms on board an FPGA is resource management, especially with regard to memory. This work presents a multi-cache system that allows for noticeably shrinking the required on-chip memory with a negligible variation of timing performance and power consumption. The presented methods have been applied to the CloudScout CNN, which was developed to perform cloud detection directly on board the satellite, thus representing a relevant case study for on the edge applications. The system was validated and characterized on a Xilinx ZCU106 Evaluation Board. The result is a 64.48% memory saving if compared to an alternative hardware accelerator developed for the same algorithm, with comparable performance in terms of inference time and power consumption. The paper also presents a detailed analysis of the hardware accelerator power consumption, focusing on the impact of data transfer between the accelerator and the external memory. Further investigation shows that the proposed strategies allow the implementation of the accelerator on FPGAs with a smaller size, guaranteeing benefits in terms of power consumption and hardware costs. A broader evaluation about the applicability of the presented methods to other models demonstrates valuable results in terms of memory saving with respect to other works reported in the literature.
High-Performance Double-Node-Upset-Tolerant and Triple-Node-Upset-Tolerant Latch Designs
Authors: Xu Hui , Zhou Le , Liang Huaguo , Huang Zhengfeng , Sun Cong , Ning Yafei
Published: October 2021

To avoid soft errors in integrated circuits, this paper presents two high-performance latch designs, namely LOCDNUTRL and LOCTNUTRL, protecting against double-node upset (DNU) and triple-node upset (TNU) in the harsh radiation environment. First, the LOCDNUTRL latch consists of two single-node upset (SNU) self-recovery modules and uses a C-element at the output. Next, based on the LOCDNUTRL latch, the LOCTNUTRL latch is proposed, which uses five extra inverters to fully tolerate TNU. Unlike the LOCDNUTRL latch, which uses an output level C-element as a voter, LOCTNUTRL is insensitive to the high-impedance state (HIS), making it more reliable for aerospace applications. The HSPICE simulation results, using a predictive technology model, show that the LOCTNUTRL latch saves 57.74% delay, 7.7% power consumption, 11.74% area cost, and 63.59% power delay production (PDP) on average compared with the state-of-the-art hardened latches. The process, voltage, and temperature variation analysis show that the proposed two latches are less sensitive to changes.
An Efficient 4H-SiC Photodiode for UV Sensing Applications
Authors: Megherbi Mohamed L. , Bencherif Hichem , Dehimi Lakhdar , Mallemace Elisa D. , Rao Sandro , Pezzimenti Fortunato , Della Corte Francesco G.
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we report experimental findings on a 4H-SiC-based p-i-n photodiode. The fabricated device has a p-type region formed by ion-implantation of aluminum (Al) in a nitrogen doped n-type layer. The dark reverse current density reaches 38.6 nA/cm2 at −10 V, while the photocurrent density rises to 6.36 µA/cm2 at the same bias under λ = 315 nm ultraviolet (UV) radiation with an incident optical power density of 29.83 μW/cm2. At the wavelength of λ = 285 nm, the responsivity is maximum, 0.168 A/W at 0 V, and 0.204 A/W at −30 V, leading to an external quantum efficiency of 72.7 and 88.3%, respectively. Moreover, the long-term stability of the photodiode performances has been examined after exposing the device under test to several cycles of thermal stress, from 150 up to 350 °C and vice versa. The achieved results prove that the examined high-efficiency UV photodiode also has a stable responsivity if subjected to high temperature variations. The proposed device is fully compatible with the conventional production process of 4H-SiC components.
A Comparative Analysis of Modeling and Predicting Perceived and Induced Emotions in Sonification
Authors: Abri Faranak , Gutiérrez Luis Felipe , Datta Prerit , Sears David R. W. , Siami Namin Akbar , Jones Keith S.
Published: October 2021

Sonification is the utilization of sounds to convey information about data or events. There are two types of emotions associated with sounds: (1) “perceived” emotions, in which listeners recognize the emotions expressed by the sound, and (2) “induced” emotions, in which listeners feel emotions induced by the sound. Although listeners may widely agree on the perceived emotion for a given sound, they often do not agree about the induced emotion of a given sound, so it is difficult to model induced emotions. This paper describes the development of several machine and deep learning models that predict the perceived and induced emotions associated with certain sounds, and it analyzes and compares the accuracy of those predictions. The results revealed that models built for predicting perceived emotions are more accurate than ones built for predicting induced emotions. However, the gap in predictive power between such models can be narrowed substantially through the optimization of the machine and deep learning models. This research has several applications in automated configurations of hardware devices and their integration with software components in the context of the Internet of Things, for which security is of utmost importance.
Uncertainty in Unit Commitment in Power Systems: A Review of Models, Methods, and Applications
Authors: Hong Ying-Yi , Apolinario Gerard
Published: October 2021

The unit commitment problem (UCP) is one of the key and fundamental concerns in the operation, monitoring, and control of power systems. Uncertainty management in a UCP has been of great interest to both operators and researchers. The uncertainties that are considered in a UCP can be classified as technical (outages, forecast errors, and plugin electric vehicle (PEV) penetration), economic (electricity prices), and “epidemics, pandemics, and disasters” (techno-socio-economic). Various methods have been developed to model the uncertainties of these parameters, such as stochastic programming, probabilistic methods, chance-constrained programming (CCP), robust optimization, risk-based optimization, the hierarchical scheduling strategy, and information gap decision theory. This paper reviews methods of uncertainty management, parameter modeling, simulation tools, and test systems.
Efficiency of Different Balcony Slab Modernization Method in Retrofitted Multi-Family Buildings
Authors: Sadowska Beata , Bieranowski Piotr
Published: October 2021

Many buildings have considerable thermal bridges at the junction of balcony slabs with walls. To achieve the new EU directive targets related to energy efficiency, greater attention should be paid to such design details. This study analyzes the efficiency of traditional balcony slab modernization methods, the use of modern insulation materials and a new alternative system: an added self-supporting light balcony system (LKBD) in retrofitted large-panel buildings. The main objective was to capture cost-effective renovation methods from both the heat loss reduction perspectives and risk of surface condensation. The analyses, carried out in four buildings, have shown that at current costs, the thermal modernization of balconies is not economically efficient (SPBT > 98.4 years). However, it is necessary because leaving the balcony slabs without insulation or only insulating them from the bottom carries the risk of surface condensation. The most cost-effective renovation method is to insulate the balcony slabs from below and above with the thickest possible XPS layer (SPBT = 98.4 years; 107.4 years). Replacing XPS with modern material increases SPBT by almost 50%, for the LKBD system, SPBT = 269.2–281.5 years. More favorable energy and economic effects related to the reduction of balcony thermal bridges were achieved in the wall with lower insulation.
Assessment of Solar Photovoltaic Water Pumping of WASA Tube Wells for Irrigation in Quetta Valley Aquifer
Authors: Khan Muhammad Saydal , Tahir Ali , Alam Imtiaz , Razzaq Sohail , Usman Muhammad , Tareen Wajahat Ullah Khan , Baig Nauman Anwar , Atif Salman , Riaz Mehwish
Published: October 2021

This paper investigates the impact of tube wells on the discharge and water table of the Quetta Valley aquifer and conducts a financial analysis of the solar photovoltaic water pumping system (SPVWP) in comparison with a typical pumping system for the Water and Sanitation Agency of Quetta’s (WASA) tube wells. Quetta Valley is dependent on groundwater as surface resources are on decline and unpredictable. The population of this city has exponentially increased from 0.26 million in 1975 to 2.2 million in 2017 which has put a lot of pressure on the groundwater aquifer by installing more than 500 large capacity tube wells by WASA and Public Health Engineering (PHE) departments in addition to thousands of low-capacity private tube wells. The unprecedented running of these wells has resulted in drying of the historical Karez system, agricultural activities, and the sharp increase in power tariffs. There are 423 tube wells in operation installed by WASA in addition to PHE, Irrigation and Military Engineering Services (MES), which covers 60% of the city’s water demand. The results will be beneficial for organizations and positively impact the operation of these wells to meet public water demand. For the two zones, i.e., Zarghoon and Chiltan in Quetta Valley, recommendations are given for improved water management.
Power Performance Assessment of Vertical-Axis Tidal Turbines Using an Experimental Test Rig
Authors: Fernández-Jiménez Aitor , Álvarez-Álvarez Eduardo , López Mario , Fouz Mateo , López Iván , Gharib-Yosry Ahmed , Claus Rubén , Carballo Rodrigo
Published: October 2021

This article presents the characteristic curves of a vertical-axis hydrokinetic tidal turbine of the Darrieus subtype aimed at meeting the electricity demand of port facilities located at harbors and estuaries with low water-speed conditions. The turbine was tested in the water-current flume of the University of Santiago de Compostela for several flow conditions with different water heights and water speeds. Blockage conditions were tested by examining the results from two groups of tests: with and without an accelerator device that restricts the flow around the rotor. The tip speed ratio and the power coefficient were used to characterize the performance of the turbine for each test. Finally, the results for open-field conditions were obtained by applying empirical expressions, which allowed us to assess the performance of the device in estuaries and harbors with known water-flow regimes.
New Solvents for CO2 and H2S Removal from Gaseous Streams
Authors: Pellegrini Laura A. , Gilardi Matteo , Giudici Fabio , Spatolisano Elvira
Published: October 2021

Acid gas removal from gaseous streams such as flue gas, natural gas and biogas is mainly performed by chemical absorption with amines, but the process is highly energy intensive and can generate emissions of harmful compounds to the atmosphere. Considering the emerging interest in carbon capture, mainly associated with increasing environmental concerns, there is much current effort to develop innovative solvents able to lower the energy and environmental impact of the acid gas removal processes. To be competitive, the new blends must show a CO2 uptake capacity comparable to the one of the traditional MEA benchmark solution. In this work, a review of the state of the art of attractive solvents alternative to the traditional MEA amine blend for acid gas removal is presented. These novel solvents are classified into three main classes: biphasic blends—involving the formation of two liquid phases, water-lean solvents and green solvents. For each solvent, the peculiar features, the level of technological development and the main expected pros and cons are discussed. At the end, a summary on the most promising perspectives and on the major limitations is provided.
A Simplified Approach to Estimate EV Charging Demand in Urban Area: An Italian Case Study
Authors: Lazzeroni Paolo , Caroleo Brunella , Arnone Maurizio , Botta Cristiana
Published: October 2021

The development and the diffusion of the electromobility is crucial for reducing air pollution and increase sustainable transport. In particular, electrification of private mobility has a significantly role in the energy transition within urban areas, since the progressive substitution of conventional passenger cars by electric vehicles (EVs) leads to the decarbonisation of transport sector without direct emissions. However, increasing EV penetration in the market forces an expansion of the existing charging infrastructure with potential negative impacts on the distribution grid. In this context, a simplified approach is proposed to estimate the energy and power demand owing to the recharge of electric passenger cars within the city of Turin in Italy. This novel approach is based on the usage of floating car data (FCD) to identify the travel behaviour and parking habits of a non-EV passenger car in the city. Mobility data were then used to evaluate EVs energy consumption and charging needs considering different charging options (public or domestic) and range anxiety in different scenarios of EV diffusion. Aggregated load profiles and demand were finally evaluated both for the whole and for each zone of the city as possible resource for city planner or distribution system operators (DSO).
Details on the Hydrothermal Characteristics within a Solar-Channel Heat-Exchanger Provided with Staggered T-Shaped Baffles
Authors: Medjahed Driss Meddah , Ameur Houari , Rebhi Redha , Inc Mustafa , Ahmad Hijaz , Menni Younes , Lorenzini Giulio , Bayones Fatimah S. , Aldhabani Musaad
Published: October 2021

Details on the hydrothermal characteristics of turbulent flows in a solar channel heat exchanger (CHE) are highlighted. The device has transverse T-shaped vortex generators (VGs). Two staggered VGs (baffles) are inserted on the lower and upper walls of the CHE. The working fluid is Newtonian and incompressible, with constant physical properties. The ANSYS Fluent 17.0 is utilized in this survey. The second-order upwind and QUICK schemes were utilized to perform the discretization of pressure and convective terms, respectively. The SIMPLE algorithm was employed to achieve the speed-pressure coupling. The residual target 10−9 was selected as a convergence criterion. The effects of the T-VGs’ geometrical shape and Reynolds numbers were inspected. At the baffle level, the wall effect was augmented due to the reduction of the passage area of flows, which is estimated here to be 55%, resulting thus in a considerable resistance to the movement of fluid particles. The thermal distribution is highly dependent on the flow structures within the CHE. Since the fluid agitation yields an enhanced mixing, it allows thus an excellent heat transfer. The most considerable rates of thermal transfer were obtained with high Re, which resulted from the intensified mixing of fluid particles through the formation of recirculation cells and the interaction with the walls of the T-VGs and the CHE. The T-baffles with intense flow rates yielded negative turbulent speeds and intensify the fluid agitation, which improves the thermal exchange rates.
Arc Ablation Resistance and Dielectric Strength Properties of PTFE/BN Composites
Authors: Zhao Xianping , Nie Yongjie , Zhao Tengfei , Wang Ke , Song Bingchen , Yu Shihu , Li Shengtao
Published: October 2021

The substantial improvements in transmission voltage, which have been adopted to meet fast-growing energy demands, require more reliable power equipment and higher-quality insulating materials. The polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) nozzle, as the key part of a high-voltage circuit breaker, is often subjected to arc ablation and breakdown phenomena. Thus, it is very urgent to develop nozzles with better performance. In this study, PTFE/boron nitride (BN) composites were prepared. The relationships among the BN filler loading, thermal transition properties, spectral reflectance properties, arc ablation resistance, and AC dielectric breakdown performances, as well as their corresponding mechanisms, were studied. Experimental results show that the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of PTFE/BN composites increased monotonously with BN loading, and that both parameters were improved by 41% and 44%, respectively, for 11 wt % composites compared with pure PTFE. Moreover, PTFE/BN composites had higher light reflectance in the wavelength range from 320 to 2500 nm. The PTFE/BN composites presented better arc ablation resistance performance with increased BN loading, which was improved by 88.5%. It is thought that the increased thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, the strong light reflectance, and surface sediment after arc ablation contribute to the improvement in arc ablation resistance performance. The AC breakdown strength of PTFE/BN composites was enhanced by 30.93%, attributed to the good heat dissipation properties introduced by the BN fillers. Thus, filling BN into the PTFE matrix would be helpful to solve the equipment issue that comes from the improvement in transmission voltage.
Differential Response of Macrobenthic Abundance and Community Composition to Mangrove Vegetation
Authors: Pan Sin-He , Ho Chuan-Wen , Lin Chiao-Wen , Huang Shou-Chung , Lin Hsing-Juh
Published: October 2021

The mass planting of mangroves has been proposed as a mitigation strategy to compensate for mangrove loss. However, the effects of mangrove vegetation on the abundance and community composition of macrobenthos remain controversial. The macrobenthic communities in four intact mangrove forests with different conditions and the adjacent nonvegetated mudflats of two mangrove species with distinct stand structures on the western coast of Taiwan were examined. Some macrobenthic taxa occurred only in the mangroves, suggesting macrobenthic critical habitats. Seasonal shift in community composition was more pronounced in the mudflats than in the mangroves, possibly due to the rich food supply, low temperature, and shelter function provided by mangrove forests. However, crab density was always lower in the mangroves than in the mudflats. There was a negative relationship between the stem density of Kandelia obovata (S., L.) and infaunal density. The pneumatophore density of Avicennia marina (Forsk.) correlated negatively with epifaunal density. Our results show that the response of macrobenthic abundance and community composition to mangrove vegetation was inconsistent. We reason that mangroves are critical habitats for the macrobenthos in the mudflats. However, if mangrove tree density is high, we predict that the macrobenthic density will decrease. This suggests that at some intermediate level of mangrove tree density, where there are enough mangrove trees to harbor a macrobenthic community but not enough trees to significantly reduce this density, mangroves management can be optimally achieved to promote the presence of a diverse and dense macrobenthic community.
Application of Models to Predict Stand Volume, Aboveground Biomass Accumulation, and Carbon Storage Capacity for a Konishii Fir (Cunninghamia konishii Hayata) Plantation in Central Taiwan
Authors: Hussain Minhas , Lin Zheng-Rong , Yen Tian-Ming , Lin Chih-Chuan
Published: October 2021

Konishii fir (Cunninghamia konishii Hayata) is an important conifer in Taiwan. The purpose of this study was to predict stand volume (V), aboveground biomass accumulation (AGB), and aboveground carbon storage (AGCST) for a Konishii fir plantation. This study was located at the Huisun Experimental Forest Station of Nantou County located in central Taiwan. Four sample plots, each with an area of 0.05 ha, were installed and surveyed from 29 June to 2 July 2020. Two models, the diameter distribution model (DDM) and allometric model (AM), were used to predict V, AGB, and AGCST. Each item predicted by these two models was compared by the paired sample t-test. We employed the Weibull function to quantify stand diameter distribution and this function can effectively quantify diameter distribution, because all plots passed the examination by the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test (non-significant). Therefore, the Weibull function was suitable for developing the DDM. The predicted V, AGB, and AGCST were 538.43 ± 140.52 m3 ha−1, 203.25 ± 52.79 Mg ha−1, and 100.85 ± 26.30 Mg ha−1 by DDM; and 555.90 ± 145.42 m3 ha−1, 209.10 ± 51.25 Mg ha−1, and 103.78 ± 25.51 Mg ha−1 by AM, respectively. Each item was insignificantly different between DDM and AM, indicating similarity in results for both predictions. Meanwhile, using DDM is advantageous, as it can provide more yield information in diameter classes; therefore, this approach was recommended for yield prediction of the Konishii fir plantation.
Probability Analysis and Prevention of Offshore Oil and Gas Accidents: Fire as a Cause and a Consequence
Authors: Brkić Dejan , Praks Pavel
Published: October 2021

Failures during the drilling and exploitation of hydrocarbons that result in catastrophic offshore oil and gas accidents are relatively rare but if they occur the consequences can be catastrophic in terms of loss of life and environmental damage. Therefore, to gain insight into their prevention, the largest major offshore oil and gas accidents, those with more than 10 fatalities or with a large environmental impact, are analyzed in this article. Special attention is placed on fire as a cause and a consequence. Relevant technological and legislative changes and updates regarding safety that have followed such accidents and that can prevent potential future similar misfortunes are evaluated. Two main approaches to safety are compared: (1) the American prescriptive vs. (2) the European goal-oriented approach. The main causes of accidents are tested statistically in respect of failure probability, where the exact confidence limits for the estimated probabilities are computed. The results of the statistical test based on exact confidence intervals show that there is no significant difference between the analysed factors, which describe the main causes of offshore oil and gas accidents. Based on the small but carefully chosen group of 24 of the largest accidents, it can be concluded that there is no evidence of a difference between the categories of the main causes of accidents.
Integrated Analysis of Metabolome and Volatile Profiles of Germinated Brown Rice from the Japonica and Indica Subspecies
Authors: Zhou Chenguang , Zhou Yaojie , Hu Yuqian , Li Bin , Zhang Roujia , Zheng Kaiyi , Liu Jie , Wang Jing , Zuo Min , Liu Siyao
Published: October 2021

In the present study, germinated brown rice (GBR) from three Japonica and three Indica rice cultivars were subjected to metabolomics analysis and volatile profiling. The statistical assessment and pathway analysis of the metabolomics data demonstrated that in spite of significant metabolic changes in response to the germination treatment, the Japonica rice cultivars consistently expressed higher levels of several health-promoting compounds, such as essential amino acids and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), than the Indica cultivars. No clear discriminations of the volatile profiles were observed in light of the subspecies, and the concentrations of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including alkenes, aldehydes, furans, ketones, and alcohols, all exhibited significant reductions ranging from 26.8% to 64.1% after the germination. The results suggest that the Japonica cultivars might be desirable as the raw materials for generating and selecting GBR food products for health-conscious consumers.
Antifungal Activities and Mode of Action of Cymbopogon citratus, Thymus vulgraris, and Origanum heracleoticum Essential Oil Vapors against Botrytis cinerea and Their Potential Application to Control Postharvest Strawberry Gray Mold
Authors: Yan Jiaqi , Wu Hua , Chen Keying , Feng Jiajun , Zhang Yansong
Published: October 2021

Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea is one of the most destructive postharvest decay of strawberry fruit. The present study aims to identify essential oils with antifungal activity against B. cinerea and the underlying mechanisms and their potential application in controlling postharvest decay. In the screening test, essential oils from Cymbopogon citratus (Cc), Thymus vulgraris (Tv), and Origanum heracleoticum (Oh) exhibited maximum inhibition of B. cinerea mycelial growth. The three essential oils altered the hyphal morphology and ultrastructure and resulted in many blebs around the hyphae. The essential oils damaged the plasma membrane of B. cinerea cells and resulted in the leakage of intercellular nucleic acids, proteins and soluble sugars. The exposure of strawberries to the vapors of these three essential oils in commercial package reduced gray mold, with Tv and Oh exhibiting strong efficiency and disease index reduction by 53.85% and 57.69%, respectively. Oh also inhibited postharvest decay and maintained fruit quality, preventing weight loss and soluble solid degradation. The study proposes using plant essential oils as an alternative to chemical fungicides in controlling the gray mold of strawberries.
The Effect of Trans Fatty Acids on Human Health: Regulation and Consumption Patterns
Authors: Pipoyan Davit , Stepanyan Stella , Stepanyan Seda , Beglaryan Meline , Costantini Lara , Molinari Romina , Merendino Nicolò
Published: October 2021

Health effects of trans fatty acids (TFAs) on human organisms can vary according to their type, structure, composition, and origin. Even though the adverse health effects of industrial TFAs (iTFAs) have been widely discussed, the health effects of natural TFAs (nTFAs) are still questionable. Hence, it is important to review the literature and provide an overall picture on the health effects of different TFAs coming from industrial and ruminant sources, underlining those types that have adverse health effects as well as suggesting methods for reducing their harmful effects. Multiple databases (PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, etc.) were searched with the key words “trans fatty acid sources”, “ruminant”, “industrial”, “conjugated trans linoleic acid”, “human”, “coronary heart disease”, “cancer”, etc. Reference lists of the studies were scanned discussing the health effects of iTFAs and nTFAs. The review of the literature showed that iTFAs are found to be more harmful than ruminant-produced nTFAs. Although several beneficial effects (such as reduced risk of diabetes) for nTFAs have been observed, they should be used with caution. Since during labeling it is usually not mentioned whether the TFAs contained in food are of industrial or natural origin, the general suggestion is to reduce their consumption.
Formulation Optimization of Sucrose-Free Hard Candy Fortified with Cudrania tricuspidata Extract
Authors: Jeon Yoowha , Oh Jieun , Cho Mi Sook
Published: October 2021

The aim of the study is to define the optimal formulation of sucrose-free hard candy using D-optimal mixture design as the base for the incorporation of Cudrania tricupidata fruit. Hard candy was produced using three different polyols: isomalt, maltitol syrup, and xylitol. This study examined the effects of polyol mixtures as sucrose and corn syrup substitutes on physicochemical (moisture, color, soluble solid (SSC)), hardness, and sensory features of hard candies. These three polyols had notable effects on quality characteristics in addition to their effects on L* value. Xylitol had an undesirable effect on moisture content and hardness, resulting in decreased texture acceptability, but improved color and clarity. Given the results of our experiments and optimization of variables, we determined that 90.21% isomalt, 8.63% maltitol syrup, and 1.16% xylitol produced a sugar-free candy with high desirability (0.894).
Instantaneous Degelling Thermoresponsive Hydrogel
Authors: Steinman Noam Y. , Domb Abraham J.
Published: October 2021

Responsive polymeric hydrogels have found wide application in the clinic as injectable, biocompatible, and biodegradable materials capable of controlled release of therapeutics. In this article, we introduce a thermoresponsive polymer hydrogel bearing covalent disulfide bonds. The cold aqueous polymer solution forms a hydrogel upon heating to physiological temperatures and undergoes slow degradation by hydrolytic cleavage of ester bonds. The disulfide functionality allows for immediate reductive cleavage of the redox-sensitive bond embedded within the polymer structure, affording the option of instantaneous hydrogel collapse. Poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(lactic acid)-S-S-poly(lactic acid)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-PLA-SS-PLA-PEG) copolymer was synthesized by grafting PEG to PLA-SS-PLA via urethane linkages. The aqueous solution of the resultant copolymer was a free-flowing solution at ambient temperatures and formed a hydrogel above 32 °C. The immediate collapsibility of the hydrogel was displayed via reaction with NaBH4 as a relatively strong reducing agent, yet stability was displayed even in glutathione solution, in which the polymer degraded slowly by hydrolytic degradation. The polymeric hydrogel is capable of either long-term or immediate degradation and thus represents an attractive candidate as a biocompatible material for the controlled release of drugs.
Citizens’ Perception of Geohazards in Veneto Region (NE Italy) in the Context of Climate Change
Authors: Gioia Eleonora , Casareale Cristina , Colocci Alessandra , Zecchini Fabio , Marincioni Fausto
Published: October 2021

Climate-related geohazards, such as landslides, floods, and coastal erosion due to climate change, are increasingly impacting human settlements and activities. This study, part of the European Project RESPONSe (Interreg Italy–Croatia), investigates the perception of climate change as a catalyst of future geohazards among the citizens of the Veneto region (northeastern Italy). A total of 1233 questionnaires were completed by adult citizens and analyzed by means of inferential statistics. The results highlight a widespread perception of climate change as a general threat for the environment, but not directly transposed to the frequency and intensity of future geohazards. Certainly, changes in temperatures and rainfall are widely expected and acknowledged, yet the comprehension related to the hydrogeological effects seems to vary proportionally to the physical proximity to these hazards. Such outcomes underline that there is still a common lack of understanding of the eventual local impact of the climate crisis. For these reasons, it is suggested that decision makers consider directing their efforts to enhance the citizens’ knowledge base in order to build a climate-resilient society.
Landslide Susceptibility Mapping in Brazil: A Review
Authors: Dias Helen Cristina , Hölbling Daniel , Grohmann Carlos Henrique
Published: October 2021

Landslide susceptibility studies are a common type of landslide assessment. Landslides are one of the most frequent hazards in Brazil, resulting in significant economic and social losses (e.g., deaths, injuries, and property destruction). This paper presents a literature review of susceptibility mapping studies in Brazil and analyzes the methods and input data commonly used. The publications used in this analysis were extracted from the Web of Science platform. We considered the following aspects: location of study areas, year and where the study was published, methods, thematic variables, source of the landslide inventory, and validation methods. The susceptibility studies are concentrated in Brazil’s south and southeast region, with the number of publications increasing since 2015. The methods commonly used are slope stability and statistical models. Validation was performed based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC). Even though landslide inventories constitute the most critical input data for susceptibility mapping, the criteria used for the creation of landslide inventories are not evident in most cases. The included studies apply various validation techniques, but evaluations with potential users and information on the practical applicability of the results are largely missing.
Sabellaria alveolata versus Sabellaria spinulosa Reefs along the Italian Coasts: A New Methodological Proposal to Compare Different Growth Models
Authors: Lisco Stefania Nunzia , Pierri Cataldo , Lazic Tamara , Bonifazi Andrea , Gravina Maria Flavia , Giangrande Adriana , Acquafredda Pasquale , Moretti Massimo
Published: October 2021

Sabellaria species are among the most important frame-builders in temperate, shallow marine areas. These polychaetes are suspension feeders able to build bioconstructions using sand and shell fragments cemented with a sticky mucous. Such feature makes these invertebrates “unusual bioconstructors”, as they do not produce calcium carbonate. Sabellaridae reefs are widespread in the Mediterranean and along the Atlantic coast of Europe, but their sedimentological aspects are still poorly known. Over short time intervals, these bioconstructions can rapidly alternate between phases of growth, stasis and destruction during different seasons. In this paper, we compare reefs of two Sabellaria species (S. alveolata—Ostia, Roma and Tyrrhenian Sea; S. spinulosa—Torre Mileto, Foggia and Adriatic Sea) found at two different sites along the Italian coast. We describe the morphology of worm tubes at the macro- and microscale. Similarities and differences are discussed based on eco-biological features and physical environmental conditions. This work shows a measurement and observation scheme for this type of bioconstructions that has been verified at both the macro- and microscale and which was shown to be useful for defining evolutionary trends of sabellarian bioconstructions. The monitoring parameters were identified and verified over a long period.
Get Back: The New Galician Diaspora Goes on Stage
Authors: Alonso Alonso María
Published: October 2021

This article analyses Get Back (2016), a play written by Diego Ameixeiras and directed by Jorge Coira. The text will be considered an example of an early Brexit narrative, and it will serve to explore how the new Galician diaspora is represented through the arts. Issues related to migration, racism, and precariousness bloom naturally from a play that gathers four Galician migrants in London, together with a British-born character, inside one of the carriages of the Tube. Old and new waves of Galician migrants will be juxtaposed through different characters, illustrating the complexity of this recent migratory phenomenon. Several stereotypes will be exposed to increase how Ameixeiras constructs generational and gender gaps existing among Pepe, Luisa, Rafa and Iria, four immigrants who find themselves sharing a carriage on the London Underground sometime during the aftermath of Brexit. Thanks to the multiple dichotomies and arguments that create an ambivalent sense of Galician identity abroad, the play runs very smoothly. The different points of view found in the text will reflect on the subaltern status of the characters, who seem to struggle to find their place in their host country.
Pain in Hemodialysis Patients: Prevalence, Intensity, Location, and Functional Interference in Daily Activities
Authors: dos Santos Patrícia Roberta , Mendonça Carolina Rodrigues , Noll Matias , Borges Cezimar Correia , Alves Polissandro Mortoza , Dias Naiara Toledo , de Sousa Romeiro Amanda Maria , Barbosa Maria Alves , Porto Celmo Celeno
Published: October 2021

Although pain is a frequent complaint of patients with chronic kidney disease who undergo hemodialysis, few studies have assessed the functional interference of pain in activities of daily living (ADLs). Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, location, intensity, and functional interference of pain in ADLs of chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis and to estimate the association of specific pain sites with severe functional interference by pain in ADLs. This cross-sectional study included patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. The prevalence, intensity, and functional interference of pain in ADLs were assessed using the brief pain inventory. Poisson regression was used to calculate the prevalence ratio. A total of 65 patients participated in the study. The overall prevalence of pain was 89.23%; the prevalence of headache was 18.46% and that of pain in the trunk was 55.38%, upper limbs was 35.38%, and lower limbs was 60.00%. The prevalence of moderate and severe pain at the time of hemodialysis was 13.85% and 21.54%, respectively. A high prevalence of severe functional interference of pain in general activity (61.54%), mobility (56.92%), and disposition (55.38%) was observed. Pain is a frequent complaint in patients undergoing hemodialysis, mainly musculoskeletal and intradialytic, and it interferes with ADLs and incapacitates the patient. Pain was highly prevalent in the upper and lower limbs and the trunk. Furthermore, a higher prevalence of severe pain at the time of hemodialysis and functional interference of pain, mainly in general activity, mobility, and disposition, were observed.
Safety Assessment of Endocrine Disruption by Menopausal Health Functional Ingredients
Authors: Kang Soyeon , Jo Hagyeong , Kim Mee-Ran
Published: October 2021

During menopause, women experience various symptoms including hot flashes, mood changes, insomnia, and sweating. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been used as the main treatment for menopausal symptoms; however, other options are required for women with medical contraindications or without preference for HRT. Functional health foods are easily available options for relieving menopausal symptoms. There are growing concerns regarding menopausal functional health foods because the majority of them include phytoestrogens which have the effect of endocrine disruption. Phytoestrogens may cause not only hormonal imbalance or disruption of the normal biological function of the organ systems, but also uterine cancer or breast cancer if absorbed and accumulated in the body for a long period of time, depending on the estrogen receptor binding capacity. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effects and safety of menopausal functional health ingredients and medicines on the human body as endocrine disruptors under review in the literature and the OECD guidelines.
Association of Moral Distress with Anxiety, Depression, and an Intention to Leave among Nurses Working in Intensive Care Units during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Petrișor Cristina , Breazu Caius , Doroftei Mădălina , Mărieș Ioana , Popescu Codruța
Published: October 2021

Background: Wide geographical variations in depression and anxiety rates related to the ethical climate have been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic in intensive care units (ICUs). The objective was to investigate whether moral distress is associated and has predictive values for depression, anxiety, and intention to resign. Methods: 79 consenting ICU nurses completed MMD-HP and PHQ-4 scales in this cross-sectional study between October 2020–February 2021, after ethical approval. The association between MMD-HP and PHQ-4, and the predictive value of MMD-HP for anxiety, depression, and an intention to leave were analyzed (linear regression and receiver operating characteristics curve analysis). Results: From MMD-HP items, system related factors had highest scores (Kruskal–Wallis test, p < 0.0001). MMD-HP and PHQ-4 were weakly correlated (r = 0.41 [0.21–0.58]). MMD-HP and its system-related factors discriminate between nurses with and without depression or anxiety, while system-related factors differentiate those intending to resign (p < 0.05). The MMD-HP score had 50 [37.54–62.46] sensitivity with 80.95 [60–92.33] specificity to predict the intention to leave, and 76.12 [64.67–84.73] sensitivity with 58.33 [31.95–80.67] specificity to detect anxiety or depression symptoms. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, system-associated factors seem to be the most important root factors inducing moral distress. Moral distress is associated with negative psychological outcomes.
Richard the Lionheart and the Ferocious Saladin Face to Face in Arsuf: A Proteomic Study
Authors: Zilberstein Gleb , Zilberstein Svetlana , Righetti Pier Giorgio
Published: October 2021

On 7 September 1191, a fierce battle took place in Arsuf (Palestine) between the Crusaders (marching south towards Jerusalem) led by King Richard the Lionheart and the Ayyubid army commanded by the sultan Saladin. The confrontation lasted for most of the day and terminated with a victory of the Crusaders, proving Richard’s courage as a soldier and his skill as a commander while denting Saladin’s reputation as an invincible warrior. The site (today known as Apollonia) holds the ruins of a Crusader castle perched on a cliff over the sea. We recovered plenty of pottery shards among which we could distinguish those of the Crusaders from those of the Ayyubid army. Extraction of food remnants confirmed that the Crusaders’ diet consisted mostly of pig and sheep meat (together with cheese), with a minimum of carbohydrates (what today would be termed a “ketogenic” diet), whereas the Muslim army consumed mostly carbohydrates (wheat, Triticum durum, Hordeum vulgare), together with fruits and vegetables, with minimal levels of sheep meat and cheese. As a result, the Crusaders’ diet had a positive effect on their slenderness and “cardio”. This might have been why the Ayyubid army lost ca. 10 times more soldiers in Arsuf. Shrewdness of leaders and soldiers’ equipment and willingness to fight are, of course, the main ingredients of victory, but diet too might not have a secondary role and help to tip the balance.