bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Double Deep Q-Network Next-Generation Cyber-Physical Systems: A Reinforcement Learning-Enabled Anomaly Detection Framework for Next-Generation Cyber-Physical Systems
Authors: Zhang Yinjun , Jamjoom Mona , Ullah Zahid
Published: August 2023

In this work, we considered the problem of anomaly detection in next-generation cyber-physical systems (NG-CPS). For this, we used a double deep Q-network-enabled framework, where an agent was trained to detect anomalies in the traffic that does not match the behavior of the legitimate traffic at the end side. Furthermore, the proposed paradigm recognizes known and unknown anomalies by directly engaging with a simulation environment. Given that, it progressively develops its interpretation of anomalies to encompass new, previously unrecognized classes of anomalies by proactively exploring probable anomalies in data that have not been labeled. The method achieves this by concurrently optimizing the use of a limited amount of labeled abnormality data for better understanding (exploitation) and the identification of infrequent, unlabeled anomalies (exploration). During analysis, we observed that the proposed model achieves significant results in the context of average and greedy catching of anomalies in the presence of comparative models.
Temperature Control of a Chemical Reactor Based on Neuro-Fuzzy Tuned with a Metaheuristic Technique to Improve Biodiesel Production
Authors: Maya-Rodriguez Mario C. , Carvajal-Mariscal Ignacio , López-Muñoz Raúl , Lopez-Pacheco Mario A. , Tolentino-Eslava René
Published: August 2023

This work deals with the problem of choosing a controller for the production of biodiesel from the transesterification process through temperature control of the chemical reactor, from the point of view of automatic control, by considering such aspects as the performance metrics based on the error and the energy used by the controller, as well as the evaluation of the control system before disturbances. In addition, an improvement method is proposed via a neuro-fuzzy controller tuned with a metaheuristic algorithm to increase the efficiency of the chemical reaction in the reactor. A clear improvement is shown in the minimization of the integral of time multiplied squared error criterion (ITAE) performance index with respect to the proposed method (8.1657 ×104) in relation to the PID controller (7.8770 ×107). Moreover, the integral of the total control variation (TVU) performance index is also shown to evaluate the power used by the neuro-fuzzy controller (25.7697), while the PID controller obtains an index of (32.0287); this metric is especially relevant because it is related to the functional requirements of the system since it quantifies the variations of the control signal.
Energy Transformation in Municipal Areas—Key Datasets and Their Influence on Process Evaluation
Authors: Svazas Mantas , Bilan Yuriy , Navickas Valentinas , Okręglicka Małgorzata
Published: August 2023

The energy transformation that began in 2022 led to a breakthrough in green energy. It has opened opportunities to develop regional areas, as they have the land needed to build wind and solar power plants, as well as biomass waste power plants. Energy transformation enables regions to solve long-standing social problems determined by the inconvenient geographical location and the growth of agglomerations. However, in order to assess the potential of the regions, it is necessary to use different data groups, covering economic, social, environmental, and governance aspects. This article aims to create conditions for gathering quantitative and qualitative data that would allow us to assess the extent of energy transformation in regional areas. The article presents the case of Lithuania. Since the beginning of the energy crisis, there has been a breakthrough in the fields of wind and solar energy in the regions of Lithuania. This article is relevant because it aims to solve the problem of insufficient use of renewable energy resources in the regions. This article will present the regions’ potential to contribute to the energy transformation. The “research by design” formula was used for the research, which was chosen as the basis for further research. Based on this method, quality information was collected from interested parties—energetically innovative Lithuanian municipalities.
Part II: State-of-the-Art Technologies of Solar-Powered DC Microgrid with Hybrid Energy Storage Systems: Converter Topologies
Authors: Raveendhra Dogga , Poojitha Rajana , Narasimharaju Beeramangalla , Domyshev Alexander , Dreglea Aliona , Dao Minh , Pathak Mukesh , Liu Fang , Sidorov Denis
Published: August 2023

Over the past few years, there have been significant advancements in Microgrid (MG) systems, particularly in the field of power electronics. These advancements aim to address the needs of the grid and loads, while integrating low-voltage, non-linear, and highly sensitive power sources, such as solar PV modules, batteries, and supercapacitors. It is crucial to select the appropriate converter configuration and power converters in MG systems, as they greatly impact their optimal performance. To achieve the best results, numerous architectures and converter configurations have been suggested for integrating different energy sources. As a result, a considerable number of research articles have been published, necessitating a thorough review. This article continues studies of Part I and presents a comprehensive overview of various architectures based on the arrangement of different sources and provides a detailed analysis and discussion of these architectures. This article covers thirty-three different categories of DC-DC converters, both isolated and non-isolated. These converters are divided into subcategories, such as conventional type, switched-capacitor type, soft-switching type, multi-phase type, and multilevel type. The article also evaluates the suitability of these topologies based on factors such as high conversion gain, power decoupling, efficiency, isolation, power handling capabilities, and compact design. The critical examination and comparative study presented in this work can be valuable for industry professionals and academics in selecting the most suitable architectural and power converter topologies for optimal performance.
Low-Cost Maximum Power Point Tracking Strategy and Protection Circuit Applied to an Ayanz Wind Turbine with Screw Blades
Authors: Arzuaga Aitor , Estivariz Asier , Fernández Oihan , Gubía Kristian , Plaza Ander , Abad Gonzalo , Cabezuelo Romero David
Published: August 2023

This paper provides three different research contributions applied to a Wind Turbine patented in 1606 by the inventor Jerónimo de Ayanz y Beaumont. The windmill under study is the Ayanz Wind Turbine with screw blades. The first contribution consists of an experimental characterization of the Ayanz Wind Turbine, incorporating the enclosure proposed at the patent and showing that the efficiency of the wind turbine is increased between 70% and 90% due to the enclosure being employed. As not many details about the shape of the screw blades are provided at the patent, in this article the nowadays well-studied and commercially available Archimedes Spiral Wind Turbine blade is utilized. It has been observed that by using an enclosure with a cylindrical shape, not only the efficiency of the wind turbine is increased, but the visual impact is reduced as seeing the blades rotating is avoided, which is a very important fact for many potential individual users of this wind turbine. In addition, it also enables the use of a protective mesh for birds, almost totally reducing the probability of bird deaths. The second contribution consists in a simple and low-cost Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) strategy for the wind turbine, which only uses an AC three-phase impedance to capture the maximum energy from the wind, enabling to eliminate the DC-DC converter and microprocessor employed typically for this purpose. Due to this, the cost, complexity, failure rate, and power losses of the electronic power circuit are reduced which is very welcomed for small-scale wind turbines. Finally, the last contribution is a protection electronic circuit that fulfills several objectives: to brake the wind turbine under high winds and to disconnect and protect it when over-currents occur and when the voltage range of the batteries connected to the wind turbine is outside their safety range.
Hydrous Pyrolysis of Source Rocks with Different Maturity in Dongying Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, China: Implications for Shale Oil Exploration and Development
Authors: Cai Jingong , Cai Chuan , Lu Longfei , Jiang Qigui , Ma Xiaoxiao , He Jinyi
Published: August 2023

Shale oil yield, movability, and reservoir brittleness are three factors that must be focused on for shale oil exploration and development. The yield and composition of hydrocarbons and mineral composition have changed significantly during diagenesis, affecting the yield and movability of shale oil and the brittleness of the rock. In this study, the source rocks at different depths in the Dongying Sag were subjected to hydrous pyrolysis, and the yield and composition of pyrolyzed hydrocarbons and mineral composition were systematically analyzed. The brittleness index (BEI), weighted average specific surface area (SSAWA), and polarity index (PI) have been established to quantitatively characterize the brittleness and adsorption capacity of rock as well as the mobility of shale oil. The results suggest that diagenetic evolution controls rocks’ brittleness and adsorption capacity by changing their mineral composition. In the low-temperature stage, the mineral transformation is not obvious, and the BEI and SSAWA fluctuate in a small range. In the high-temperature stage, the rapid smectite illitization leads to an increase in the brittleness and a decrease in the adsorption capacity. In addition, the nonpolar components such as saturates and aromatics in the pyrolyzed hydrocarbons gradually increased with the increasing temperature, enhancing the mobility of the shale oil. Based on the three evaluation indexes of BEI, PI, and SSAWA, and combined with the changes in hydrocarbon yields during hydrous pyrolysis, we comparatively analyzed the differences in the mobility and yields of original soluble organic matter as well as pyrolyzed hydrocarbons of the source rocks at different depths. Based on the above results, it can be concluded that the shale in the depth range of 3300–3795 m is a favorable area for shale oil exploration and development in the study area. This work suggests that predicting the sweet spot for shale oil exploration and development requires more attention to the impact of diagenetic evolution on the composition of minerals and hydrocarbons.
A Scalable Segmented-Based PEM Fuel Cell Hybrid Power System Model and Its Simulation Applications
Authors: Huang Lianghui , Ouyang Quan , Chen Jian , Liu Zhiyang , Wu Xiaohua
Published: August 2023

A scalable segmented-based proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) hybrid power system model is developed in this paper. The fuel cell (FC) is developed as a dynamic lumped parameter model to predict the current distributions during dynamic load scenarios. The fuel cell is segmented into 3×3 segments connected with several physical ports and with the variables balanced automatically. Based on the proposed model, a real-time energy management framework is designed to distribute the load current demand during dynamic operations. Simulation results show that the proposed strategy has good performance on both single/segmented fuel cell–battery hybrid systems and the low battery state of charge (SOC) situation. This paper proposes an approach that uses an interconnected ordinary differential equations (ODEs) system model in control problems, which makes the control algorithms readily applicable.
Reduction in Fuel Consumption in Biomass-Fired Power Plant Using Hybrid Drying System
Authors: Chantasiriwan Somchart
Published: August 2023

Fuels used in biomass power plants usually have high moisture contents. Two methods of fuel drying that have been proposed are steam drying and flue gas drying. Steam drying requires extracted steam as its energy source, whereas flue gas drying requires flue gas leaving the boiler as its energy source. Previous works have mostly been concerned with the integration of either dryer in a power plant. There have been a few investigations on the integration of both dryers. This paper proposes a novel hybrid drying system that uses a steam dryer to dry a portion of the fuel. Exhaust vapor from the steam dryer is then used for the heating of combustion air, which increases the flue gas temperature. The higher flue gas temperature increases the potential of the flue gas dryer, which is used to dry another portion of the fuel. It is shown that the hybrid drying system is capable of reducing fuel consumption to 7.76% in a 50 MW power plant. Furthermore, the integration of hybrid drying is shown to be economically justified because the simple payback period is 4.28 years.
A Review on CO2 Sequestration via Mineralization of Coal Fly Ash
Authors: Jiang Long , Cheng Liang , Zhang Yuxuan , Liu Gaojun , Sun Jian
Published: August 2023

Coal fly ashes (COFA) are readily available and reactive materials suitable for CO2 sequestration due to their substantial alkali components. Therefore, the onsite collaborative technology of COFA disposal and CO2 sequestration in coal-fired power plants appears to have potential. This work provides an overview of the state-of-the-art research studies in the literature on CO2 sequestration via the mineralization of COFA. The various CO2 sequestration routes of COFA are summarized, mainly including direct and indirect wet carbonation, the synthesis of porous CO2 adsorbents derived from COFA, and the development of COFA-derived inert supports for gas-solid adsorbents. The direct and indirect wet carbonation of COFA is the most concerned research technology route, which can obtain valued Ca-based by-products while achieving CO2 sequestration. Moreover, the Al and Si components rich in fly ash can be adapted to produce zeolite, hierarchical porous nano-silica, and nano-silicon/aluminum aerogels for producing highly efficient CO2 adsorbents. The prospects of CO2 sequestration technologies using COFA are also discussed. The objective of this work is to help researchers from academia and industry keep abreast of the latest progress in the study of CO2 sequestration by COFA.
The Viscoelastic and Hygroscopicity Behavior of Delignified and Densified Poplar Wood
Authors: Wang Jiajun , Chai Yubo , Liu Junliang , Zhu J.Y.
Published: August 2023

The combination of alkaline delignification and densification was applied to improve wood mechanical strength. Poplar wood samples were subjected to alkali delignification with varying degrees of lignin and hemicellulose removal followed by hot pressing. Dynamic mechanical performances and dynamic sorption behavior of the untreated and densified wood were then evaluated. Results showed that appropriate removal of lignin can improve the stiffness of densified wood and reduce moisture sorption and the numbers of sorption sites. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microscopy along with X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to explain the viscoelastic and hygroscopicity of delignified and densified wood. Hemicelluloses and lignin were selectively dissolved during alkali treatment. Wood crystallinity was increased after alkali treatment at a moderate concentration of 2%, beneficial to improving the dimensional stability and mechanical performance of delignified and densified wood. The crosslinking of cellulose chains through hydrogen bonding, the decreased content of free hydroxyl groups, and the increased crystallinity in the cell wall contributed to higher storage modulus and lower hydrophilicity. The results support mild delignification and densification as a feasible way towards extending the service life of wood products used as structural materials.
Method and Device for Measuring the Diameter at Breast Height and Location of Trees in Sample Plots
Authors: Li Shangyang , Chen Xiaorong , Sun Yuanjing , Lv Chaihui , Yuan Fangxing , Fang Luming
Published: August 2023

The diameter at breast height (DBH) and location of trees are important factors when surveying forest resources and ecological functions. In this study, a device mainly comprising a self-made DBH-measuring instrument and positioning base station was used. The hardware consisted of two devices to simultaneously measure the DBH and location of trees within a sample plot. Specifically, DBH is acquired by processing angle data with an algorithm, and locations are obtained by a five-sided ranging and positioning algorithm based on the received signal strength indicator and ultra-wideband (UWB) sensor. Data uploading, storage and analysis are performed by an upper computer. The device was used for the actual measurement of eight 24 m × 24 m square plots. The measurements of this device are essentially consistent with those of the DBH tape and calliper, with biases of −0.03 cm and −0.29 cm, respectively. Compared with a compass for location measurement, the device had a mean range bias of 25.41 cm, overall bias along the X-axis of 2.40 cm and overall bias along the Y-axis of 1.99 cm. Therefore, the device is considered to be sufficiently portable and practical and can reduce the heavy workload for surveyors to meet the requirements of accurate and smart measurements in forest resource surveys.
Hydrological Coupling and Decoupling of Hydric Hemiboreal Forest Sites Inferred from Soil Water Models and Tree-Ring Chronology
Authors: Kalvāns Andis , Dauškane Iluta
Published: August 2023

The soil water regime often controls whether an ecosystem is a source of greenhouse gases such as CO2 or CH4 or is, instead, a carbon sink. The soil water regime of wetland forests is complicated by ecosystem feedback and landscape scale interactions. An in-depth understanding of these processes is needed to optimize the management of such ecosystems to balance timber production, carbon sequestration and biodiversity preservation. To investigate the soil water regime of non-riparian wetland forests, we set up a physically based Hydrus-1D soil water model for two hydric black alder Alnus glutinosa sites in a lowland hemiboreal setting informed by field observations of the soil water. Further, to gain ecohydrological insights, we explored the correlations between modeled long-term soil water parameters and local dendrochronology. We found that, at the clay soil site, the simulated root water uptake had a significant correlation (up to 0.55) with the residual tree-ring chronology. However, in the sandy soil site, the meteorological conditions—air temperature and precipitation—were better predictors for tree radial growth (correlation up to 0.42). In addition, we observed a trend towards dryer conditions during the modeling period, which might enhance the growing conditions for the considered forest stands due to a reduction in soil waterlogging.
Impacts of Different Types of Vegetation Restoration on the Physicochemical Properties of Sandy Soil
Authors: Lyu Du , Liu Qiuman , Xie Tao , Yang Yahui
Published: August 2023

Understanding the integrated effects of vegetation types on the physicochemical properties and quality of sandy soils is crucial for guiding vegetation reconstruction and ecological restoration in desertified areas. This study selected three vegetation types at the southern edge of the Mu Us sandy land, including fenced Leymus secalinus Tzvel. grassland (LS), natural Hedysarum mongolicum Turcz (HM) forest land, and Salix cheilophila Schneid. (SC) forest land, as well as sandy land as a control (SD). The differences in the soil physicochemical properties were investigated by collecting soils from three layers within 0–60 cm. The soil quality index (SQI) was calculated using principal component analysis to comprehensively evaluate the soil quality. This study found that the soil physicochemical properties differed significantly among the plots and layers, and the soil properties exhibited a vertical distribution, with chemical indicators concentrated in the surface layer. As depth increased, differences in soil properties between the vegetation and control plots diminished, with vegetation influence mainly in the 0–20 cm layer. Among all the sample sites, the 0–20 cm layer of LS had the highest organic matter content (5.98 g/kg), which was 2.25, 2.28, and 4.71 times that of HM, SC, and SD, respectively. Moreover, LS had the lowest bulk density (1.35 g/cm3), which was 0.89, 0.91, and 0.86 times lower than that of HM, SC, and SD, respectively. The effects of different vegetation restoration types on the comprehensive quality of soil were different, as shown in LS (0.15) > HM (0.11) > SC (0.10) > SD (0.08). In conclusion, all three vegetation restoration types significantly affected the soil physicochemical properties and led to different degrees of variability of soil indexes in the vertical profile, and the fenced grassland restoration type may be preferable for ecological restoration and reconstruction in this region.
Effect of Alkaline Mineral Complex Buffer Supplementation on Milk Performance, Serum Variables, Rumen Fermentation and Rumen Microbiota of Transition Dairy Cows
Authors: Guo Cheng , Kong Fanlin , Li Shengli , Wang Xiaowei , Sun Xiaoge , Du Wen , Dai Dongwen , Wang Shuo , Xie Biao , Xu Xiaofeng
Published: August 2023

The present study investigates the effect of 50 mL AMCB taken daily as a dietary supplement on the rumen fermentation, microbiota, and production performance of 40 Holstein dairy cows in the transition period with 2.76 ± 0.48 parity and 650 ± 25 kg body weight. AMCB supplementation stabilized rumen pH, improved rumen microbiota richness and partial probiotic colonization, and considerably increased dry matter intake, milk production, protein content, and yield. Moreover, after calving, AMCB supplementation considerably reduced the serum blood urea nitrogen, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate transaminase levels and increased the serum immunoglobulin G and A levels. The results indicated that AMCB dietary supplementation improved postpartum dry matter intake, production performance, partial immune function, antioxidant capacity, and rumen microbiota richness in Holstein dairy cows in the transition period. AMC is an excellent candidate for use as a rumen buffer.
Preparation of Self-Releasing Carbon Biofilm Carrier Based on Corncob and Denitrification Properties
Authors: Wang Baoshan , Liu Jie , Li Pengcheng , Chen Xiaojie , Zhang Xu , Wen Chengcheng
Published: August 2023

Wastewater with a low carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio is widespread and difficult to treat. The addition of an external carbon source is an effective method for treating such wastewater. Therefore, we aimed to prepare a self-releasing carbon biofilm carrier using agricultural waste (corncobs), polyvinyl alcohol, and sponge iron in various ratios to provide a carbon source that would facilitate denitrification, providing an optimal environment for microorganisms. We found that the carbon release of the MAC biofilm carrier that accumulated over 60 d was 116.139 mg of chemical oxygen demand (COD)·g−1, whereas the accumulated total nitrogen release was approximately 0 mg·(g·d)−1. The NO3−-N removal rate after 24 h reached 98.1%, whereas the theoretical use rate of the carbon source (in terms of COD) was stable at 90.34%. In addition, the sum of the abundances of the denitrifying and cellulose-degrading bacteria was 49.89%. Furthermore, biofilm carriers are used as functional carriers that contribute to cellulose degradation, a process in which sponge iron produces Fe2+ to provide electron donors and shuttles for denitrifying bacteria and forms the iron cycle, thereby inducing an increase in microbial abundance; this increase then facilitates the microbial degradation of cellulose and synergistic denitrification through interspecific bacterial cooperation. This study provides a new and effective method for enhancing the denitrification of wastewater with low C/N ratios.
Mid-Term Effects of Fire on Soil Properties of North-East Mediterranean Ecosystems
Authors: Xofis Panteleimon , Buckley Peter G. , Kefalas George , Chalaris Michail , Mitchley Jonathan
Published: August 2023

Fire is a fundamental ecological process with a long history on Earth, determining the distribution of vegetation formations across the globe. Fire, however, does not only affect the vegetation but also the soil on which vegetation grows, creating a post-fire environment that differs significantly in terms of soil chemical and physical properties from the pre-fire environment. The duration of these alterations remains largely unknown and depends both on the vegetation condition and the fire characteristics. In the current study, we investigate the effect of fire on some chemical and physical properties 11 years after the event in four plant communities. Two of them constitute typical Mediterranean fire-prone plant communities, dominated by sclerophyllous Mediterranean shrubs, such as Quercus coccifera and Q. ilex, while the other two are not considered fire prone and are dominated by deciduous broadleaved species such as Q. petraea and Castanea sativa, respectively. The results indicate that fire affects the soil properties of the various communities in a different manner. Burned sites in the Q. coccifera community have a significantly lower concentration of organic matter, total nitrogen, and available magnesium. At the same time, they have a significantly higher concentration of sand particles and a lower concentration of clay particles. The effect of fire on the soil properties of the other three communities is less dramatic, with differences only in total phosphorus, organic matter, and total nitrogen. The results are discussed in relation to the site conditions and the post-fire regeneration of plant communities.
Versatile Polysaccharides for Application to Semi-Solid and Fluid Foods: The Pectin Case
Authors: Toniazzo Taíse , Fabi João Paulo
Published: August 2023

Pectin is a versatile polysaccharide produced mainly from natural food sources and agro-industrial wastes, adding value to these by-products. For food applications, it is necessary that pectin first interacts with water for technical purposes. As a food additive, pectin acts as a solution thickener and gelling agent for food formulation, even in concentrations of less than 1 (g/100 mL or g/100 g), and it is sufficient to influence food products’ stability, rheology, texture, and sensory properties. Therefore, this review paper attempts to discuss the versability of pectin use, focusing on food application. It starts by showing the chemical structure, the sources’ potential, thickening, and gelling mechanisms and concludes by showing the main applications to the food sector and its rheological properties.
Study of the Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) in Native Cereal−Pulse Flours and the Influence of the Baking Process on TAC Using a Combined Bayesian and Support Vector Machine Modeling Approach
Authors: Rico Daniel , Cano Ana Belén , Álvarez Álvarez Sergio , Río Briones Gustavo , Martín Diana Ana Belén
Published: August 2023

During the last few years, the increasing evidence of dietary antioxidant compounds and reducing chronic diseases and the relationship between diet and health has promoted an important innovation within the baked product sector, aiming at healthier formulations. This study aims to develop a tool based on mathematical models to predict baked goods’ total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The high variability of antioxidant properties of flours based on the aspects related to the type of grain, varieties, proximal composition, and processing, among others, makes it very difficult to innovate on food product development without specific analysis. Total phenol content (TP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) were used as markers to determine antioxidant capacity. Three Bayesian-type models are proposed based on a double exponential parameterized curve that reflects the initial decrease and subsequent increase as a consequence of the observed processes of degradation and generation, respectively, of the antioxidant compounds. Once the values of the main parameters of each curve were determined, support vector machines (SVM) with an exponential kernel allowed us to predict the values of TAC, based on baking conditions (temperature and time), proteins, and fibers of each native grain.
The Importance of Testing the Quality and Authenticity of Food Products: The Example of Honey
Authors: Żak Natalia , Wilczyńska Aleksandra
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study was to review methods of honey testing in the assessment of its quality and authenticity. The quality of honey, like other food products, is multidimensional. This quality can be assessed not only on the basis of the characteristics evaluated by the consumer during purchase and consumption, but also on the basis of various physicochemical parameters. A number of research methods are used to verify the quality of honeys and to confirm their authenticity. Obligatory methods of assessing the quality of honey are usually described in legal acts. On the other hand, other, non-normative methods of honey quality assessment are used worldwide; they can be used to determine not only the elementary chemical composition of individual types of honey, but also the biological activity of honey and its components. However, so far, there has been no systematization of these methods together with a discussion of problems encountered when determining the authenticity of honeys. Therefore, the aim of our study was to collect information on the methods of assessing the quality and authenticity of honeys, and to identify the problems that occur during this assessment. As a result, a tabular summary of various research methods was created.
Exploring Household Food Waste Reduction for Carbon Footprint Mitigation: A Case Study in Shanghai, China
Authors: Liu Chang , Shang Jie , Liu Chen
Published: August 2023

With the steady growth of the global population and the accelerated urbanization process, the carbon footprint resulting from food waste has a significant impact on the environment and sustainable development. Considering Shanghai’s significance as a major urban center in China and a global hub for economic and cultural activities, this study primarily aims to accurately estimate household food waste generation and calculate the carbon footprint related to edible food waste. It analyzes the factors influencing household food waste generation and reviews the anti-food waste-related policies at both the national and Shanghai regional levels. The study reveals that although the Shanghai municipal government attaches great importance to the issue of food waste, the current policies mainly focus on the catering industry, and there is still a need for further strengthening measures to address food waste at the household level. In Shanghai, the per capita daily food waste generation is 0.57 kg, with 43.42% being edible food waste, contributing to a per capita daily carbon footprint of 1.17 kgCO2eq. Employing the logistic regression analysis to scrutinize the characteristics of the respondents, it is ascertained that education level and annual household income significantly influence food waste generation. In addition, excessive food quantities and expiration dates lead to high-frequency food waste. The culmination of this study is the formulation of a series of pragmatic and impactful policy recommendations aimed at curbing the carbon footprint that stems from food waste.
Multispectral Food Classification and Caloric Estimation Using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Lee Ki-Seung
Published: August 2023

Continuous monitoring and recording of the type and caloric content of ingested foods with a minimum of user intervention is very useful in preventing metabolic diseases and obesity. In this paper, automatic recognition of food type and caloric content was achieved via the use of multi-spectral images. A method of fusing the RGB image and the images captured at ultra violet, visible, and near-infrared regions at center wavelengths of 385, 405, 430, 470, 490, 510, 560, 590, 625, 645, 660, 810, 850, 870, 890, 910, 950, 970, and 1020 nm was adopted to improve the accuracy. A convolutional neural network (CNN) was adopted to classify food items and estimate the caloric amounts. The CNN was trained using 10,909 images acquired from 101 types. The objective functions including classification accuracy and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) were investigated according to wavelength numbers. The optimal combinations of wavelengths (including/excluding the RGB image) were determined by using a piecewise selection method. Validation tests were carried out on 3636 images of the food types that were used in training the CNN. As a result of the experiments, the accuracy of food classification was increased from 88.9 to 97.1% and MAPEs were decreased from 41.97 to 18.97 even when one kind of NIR image was added to the RGB image. The highest accuracy for food type classification was 99.81% when using 19 images and the lowest MAPE for caloric content was 10.56 when using 14 images. These results demonstrated that the use of the images captured at various wavelengths in the UV and NIR bands was very helpful for improving the accuracy of food classification and caloric estimation.
Milk Quality Conceptualization: A Systematic Review of Consumers’, Farmers’, and Processing Experts’ Views
Authors: Castellini Greta , Barello Serena , Bosio Albino Claudio
Published: August 2023

Milk consumption has traditionally been recognized as a fundamental element of global dietary patterns due to its perceived nutritional advantages. Nonetheless, a substantial decrease in milk consumption has been identified within diverse populations in recent times. Specifically, consumers’ expectations and representations of milk quality have undergone notable transformations, contributing to the observed reduction in consumption. The objective of this systematic review was to conduct a comprehensive examination and categorization of the conceptual attributes associated with milk quality, considering the representations of citizen-consumers, farmers, and processing experts. This review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The titles and abstracts of 409 articles were screened, and 20 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. The results demonstrate the existence of a dual articulation in the conceptual definition of milk quality. Farmers and processing experts exhibited a relatively similar representation of milk quality, focusing on technical indicators. In contrast, citizen-consumers held more simplistic and subjective concepts that are challenging to quantify. This study emphasized the critical need for establishing a platform for communication and knowledge exchange to foster shared representations and expectations regarding milk quality.
Significance of Fermentation in Plant-Based Meat Analogs: A Critical Review of Nutrition, and Safety-Related Aspects
Authors: Elhalis Hosam , See Xin Yi , Osen Raffael , Chin Xin Hui , Chow Yvonne
Published: August 2023

Plant-based meat analogs have been shown to cause less harm for both human health and the environment compared to real meat, especially processed meat. However, the intense pressure to enhance the sensory qualities of plant-based meat alternatives has caused their nutritional and safety aspects to be overlooked. This paper reviews our current understanding of the nutrition and safety behind plant-based meat alternatives, proposing fermentation as a potential way of overcoming limitations in these aspects. Plant protein blends, fortification, and preservatives have been the main methods for enhancing the nutritional content and stability of plant-based meat alternatives, but concerns that include safety, nutrient deficiencies, low digestibility, high allergenicity, and high costs have been raised in their use. Fermentation with microorganisms such as Bacillus subtilis, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Neurospora intermedia, and Rhizopus oryzae improves digestibility and reduces allergenicity and antinutritive factors more effectively. At the same time, microbial metabolites can boost the final product’s safety, nutrition, and sensory quality, although some concerns regarding their toxicity remain. Designing a single starter culture or microbial consortium for plant-based meat alternatives can be a novel solution for advancing the health benefits of the final product while still fulfilling the demands of an expanding and sustainable economy.
Beneficial Effects of Dietary Flaxseed Oil through Inflammation Pathways and Gut Microbiota in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice
Authors: Xia Hui , Wang Ying , Shi Xiangling , Liao Wang , Wang Shaokang , Sui Jing , Sun Guiju
Published: August 2023

Flaxseed oil (FO) has displayed potential anti-diabetes properties by providing a high content of α-linolenic acid. However, the effects and mechanisms of FO on type 1 diabetes are still unclear. The present study aims to explore the effects of different doses of FO feeding on hepatic inflammation and gut microbiota in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Forty-eight six-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were divided into a control group (CON), a diabetic group (MOD), a diabetes with 7.0% w/w FO feeding group (FO-L), and a diabetes with 10.5% w/w FO feeding group (FO-H) for six weeks. The 7.0% w/w and 10.5% w/w FO feeding groups exhibited potential recovery of the number and size of pancreas tissues. The fasting blood glucose level was significantly decreased only after 4 weeks of feeding with 10.5% w/w FO in diabetic mice. The 10.5% w/w FO feeding group significantly decreased the postprandial blood glucose level of mice in the OGTT test. Hepatic glycogen levels were dramatically upregulated in the mice fed with both 7.0% w/w and 10.5% w/w FO. FO feeding significantly attenuated hepatic LPS, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels. In addition, we observed that 7.0% w/w and 10.5% w/w FO feedings notably downregulated hepatic gene and protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, and P65. Furthermore, only 10.5% FO regulated fecal microbiota by increasing the relative abundance of the Bacteroidetes phylum, Lactococcus family, and Muribaculaceae and Streptococcaceae family and genus in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Therefore, we conclude that FO feeding plays a role in anti-inflammation via the regulation of hepatic LPS/TLR4/MyD88 pathways and gut microbiota. In addition, different doses of FO supplementation may exhibit varying mechanisms in streptozotocin-induced mice.
Understanding Protein Functionality and Its Impact on Quality of Plant-Based Meat Analogues
Authors: Flory Jenna , Xiao Ruoshi , Li Yonghui , Dogan Hulya , Talavera Martin J. , Alavi Sajid
Published: August 2023

A greater understanding of protein functionality and its impact on processing and end-product quality is critical for the success of the fast-growing market for plant-based meat products. In this research, simple criteria were developed for categorizing plant proteins derived from soy, yellow pea, and wheat as cold swelling (CS) or heat swelling (HS) through various raw-material tests, including the water absorption index (WAI), least gelation concentration (LGC), rapid visco analysis (RVA), and % protein solubility. These proteins were blended together in different cold-swelling: heat-swelling ratios (0:100 to 90:10 or 0–90% CS) and extruded to obtain texturized vegetable proteins (TVPs). In general, the WAI (2.51–5.61 g/g) and protein solubility (20–46%) showed an increasing trend, while the LGC decreased from 17–18% to 14–15% with an increase in the % CS in raw protein blends. Blends with high CS (60–90%) showed a clear RVA cold viscosity peak, while low-CS (0–40%) blends exhibited minimal swelling. The extrusion-specific mechanical energy for low-CS blends (average 930 kJ/kg) and high-CS blends (average 949 kJ/kg) was similar, even though both were processed with similar in-barrel moisture, but the former had substantially lower protein content (69.7 versus 76.6%). Extrusion led to the aggregation of proteins in all treatments, as seen from the SDS-PAGE and SEC-HPLC analyses, but the protein solubility decreased the most for the high-CS (60–90%) blends as compared to the low-CS (0–40%) blends. This indicated a higher degree of crosslinking due to extrusion for high CS, which, in turn, resulted in a lower extruded TVP bulk density and higher water-holding capacity (average 187 g/L and 4.2 g/g, respectively) as compared to the low-CS treatments (average 226 g/L and 2.9 g/g, respectively). These trends matched with the densely layered microstructure of TVP with low CS and an increase in pores and a spongier structure for high CS, as observed using optical microscopy. The microstructure, bulk density, and WHC observations corresponded well with texture-profile-analysis (TPA) hardness of TVP patties, which decreased from 6949 to 3649 g with an increase in CS from 0 to 90%. The consumer test overall-liking scores (9-point hedonic scale) for TVP patties were significantly lower (3.8–5.1) as compared to beef hamburgers (7.6) (p < 0.05). The data indicated that an improvement in both the texture and flavor of the former might result in a better sensory profile and greater acceptance.
Effect and Correlation of Rosa roxburghii Tratt Juice Fermented by Lactobacillus paracasei SR10-1 on Oxidative Stress and Gut Microflora Dysbiosis in Streptozotocin (STZ)-Induced Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Mice
Authors: Wei Maoyang , Feng Dandan , Zhang Yulong , Zuo Yunyang , Li Jiuchang , Wang Ling , Hu Ping
Published: August 2023

Rosa roxburghii Tratt (RRT) is a kind of excellent fruit, with many healthy functions. RRT fruit dietary interventions have demonstrated a remarkable potential to prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In the present study, the effects of Lactobacillus paracasei SR10-1 fermented RRT juice (FRRT) on the oxidative stress, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and gut microbiota in T2DM mice induced by high-sugar and high-fat diets and streptozotocin (STZ) were investigated using GC–MS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that medium-dose FRRT intervention resulted in significantly decreased levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, BUN, creatinine, and MDA (p < 0.05) and significantly increased levels of HDL-C, GSH-PX, CAT, and SOD of T2DM mice (p < 0.05). The levels of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and isovaleric acid were significantly increased, by 142.28%, 428.59%, 1968.66%, and 81.04% (p < 0.05), respectively. The relative abundance of Firmicutes, Lachnospiraceae, Verrucomicrobiaceae, Akkermansia, and Allobaculum was significantly increased (p < 0.05), and the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Veillonellaceae, Phascolarctobacterium, and Klebsiella was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that Phascolarctobacterium was significantly negatively correlated with weight (p < 0.05), SOD (p < 0.01), CAT (p < 0.05), and T-AOC (p < 0.05). Akkermansia was significantly negatively correlated with weight (p < 0.05). Conclusively, medium-dose FRRT potentially improved T2DM by reversing dyslipidemia, decreasing oxidative stress, increasing SCFAs, and regulating gut microbiota composition. The medium-dose FRRT may serve as a novel T2DM dietary strategy to prevent T2DM.
A Blockchain-Based Traceability Model for Grain and Oil Food Supply Chain
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Wu Xuyang , Ge Hongyi , Jiang Yuying , Sun Zhenyu , Ji Xiaodi , Jia Zhiyuan , Cui Guangyuan
Published: August 2023

The structure of the grain-and-oil-food-supply chain has the characteristics of complexity, cross-regionality, a long cycle, and numerous participants, making it difficult to maintain the safety of supply. In recent years, some phenomena have emerged in the field of grain procurement and sale, such as topping the new with the old, rotating grains, the pressure of grades and prices, and counterfeit oil food, which have seriously threatened grain-and-oil-food security. Blockchain technology has the advantage of decentralization and non-tampering Therefore, this study analyzes the characteristics of traceability data in the grain-and-oil-food-supply chain, and presents a blockchain-based traceability model for the grain-and-oil-food-supply chain. Firstly, a new method combining blockchain and machine learning is proposed to enhance the authenticity and reliability of blockchain source data by constructing anomalous data-processing models. In addition, a lightweight blockchain-storage method and a data-recovery mechanism are proposed to reduce the pressure on supply-chain-data storage and improve fault tolerance. The results indicate that the average query delay of public data is 0.42 s, the average query delay of private data is 0.88 s, and the average data-recovery delay is 1.2 s. Finally, a blockchain-based grain-and-oil-food-supply-chain traceability system is designed and built using Hyperledger Fabric. Compared with the existing grain-and-oil-food-supply chain, the model constructed achieves multi-source heterogeneous data uploading, lightweight storage, data recovery, and traceability in the supply chain, which are of great significance for ensuring the safety of grain-and-oil food in China.
Progress of Hydrogel Dressings with Wound Monitoring and Treatment Functions
Authors: Jin Shanshan , Newton Md All Amin , Cheng Hongju , Zhang Qinchen , Gao Weihong , Zheng Yuansheng , Lu Zan , Dai Zijian , Zhu Jie
Published: August 2023

Hydrogels are widely used in wound dressings due to their moisturizing properties and biocompatibility. However, traditional hydrogel dressings cannot monitor wounds and provide accurate treatment. Recent advancements focus on hydrogel dressings with integrated monitoring and treatment functions, using sensors or intelligent materials to detect changes in the wound microenvironment. These dressings enable responsive treatment to promote wound healing. They can carry out responsive dynamic treatment in time to effectively promote wound healing. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive reviews of hydrogel wound dressings that incorporate both wound micro-environment monitoring and treatment functions. Therefore, this review categorizes hydrogel dressings according to wound types and examines their current status, progress, challenges, and future trends. It discusses various wound types, including infected wounds, burns, and diabetic and pressure ulcers, and explores the wound healing process. The review presents hydrogel dressings that monitor wound conditions and provide tailored treatment, such as pH-sensitive, temperature-sensitive, glucose-sensitive, pressure-sensitive, and nano-composite hydrogel dressings. Challenges include developing dressings that meet the standards of excellent biocompatibility, improving monitoring accuracy and sensitivity, and overcoming obstacles to production and commercialization. Furthermore, it provides the current status, progress, challenges, and future trends in this field, aiming to give a clear view of its past, present, and future.