bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rheo-Fermentation Dough Properties, Bread-Making Quality and Aroma Characteristics of Red Bean (Vigna angularis) Sourdough Induced by LAB Weissella confusa QS813 Strain Fermentation
Authors: Huang Chengye , Huang Jing , Zhang Binle , Omedi Jacob Ojobi , Chen Cheng , Zhou Liyuan , Liang Li , Zou Qibo , Zheng Jianxian , Zeng Yongqing , Huang Weining
Published: February 2023

This study investigated the impact of in situ-formed exopolysaccharides (EPS) in red bean (Vigna angularis) sourdough fermented by Weissella confusa QS813 on dough rheo-fermentation properties, bread-making quality and aroma characteristics of red bean sourdough bread. The EPS formed in red bean sourdough and sourdough-induced acidification improved the maximum dough fermentation height, gas retention coefficient and viscoelastic properties of dough. Doughs had a lower increase rate of total SDS-soluble gluten proteins, a low decline in GMP content and similar free sulfhydryl content to wheat dough. Resultantly, breads showed declines in baking loss and hardness, increase in specific volume and lower moisture loss and staling rate after 7 days of storage. Finally, despite a reduction in the total content of aroma compounds, new aroma compounds such as acetic acid and higher contents of 3-methyl-1-butanol and 2,3-butanediol were enriched in red bean sourdough bread. Sourdough acidification probably promoted interaction of EPS with gluten or red bean proteins through bond interactions to form structures which stabilized gluten in dough and increased water-binding ability in red bean sourdough bread. This study provided a better understanding of the role of EPS in sourdough in improving bread quality and of promising strategies to address consumer demand for nutritious and clean-label products.
An Improved YOLOv5 Model: Application to Mixed Impurities Detection for Walnut Kernels
Authors: Yu Lang , Qian Mengbo , Chen Qiang , Sun Fuxing , Pan Jiaxuan
Published: February 2023

Impurity detection is an important link in the chain of food processing. Taking walnut kernels as an example, it is difficult to accurately detect impurities mixed in walnut kernels before the packaging process. In order to accurately identify the small impurities mixed in walnut kernels, this paper established an improved impurities detection model based on the original YOLOv5 network model. Initially, a small target detection layer was added in the neck part, to improve the detection ability for small impurities, such as broken shells. Secondly, the Tansformer-Encoder (Trans-E) module is proposed to replace some convolution blocks in the original network, which can better capture the global information of the image. Then, the Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) was added to improve the sensitivity of the model to channel features, which make it easy to find the prediction region in dense objects. Finally, the GhostNet module is introduced to make the model lighter and improve the model detection rate. During the test stage, sample photos were randomly chosen to test the model’s efficacy using the training and test set, derived from the walnut database that was previously created. The mean average precision can measure the multi-category recognition accuracy of the model. The test results demonstrate that the mean average precision (mAP) of the improved YOLOv5 model reaches 88.9%, which is 6.7% higher than the average accuracy of the original YOLOv5 network, and is also higher than other detection networks. Moreover, the improved YOLOv5 model is significantly better than the original YOLOv5 network in identifying small impurities, and the detection rate is only reduced by 3.9%, which meets the demand of real-time detection of food impurities and provides a technical reference for the detection of small impurities in food.
Post-Cooking Growth and Survival of Bacillus cereus Spores in Rice and Their Enzymatic Activities Leading to Food Spoilage Potential
Authors: Navaneethan Yugenraj , Effarizah Mohd Esah
Published: February 2023

Bacillus cereus strains vary in their heat resistance, post-processing survival and growth capacity in foods. Hence, this study was carried out to determine the effect of cooking on the survival and growth of eight B. cereus spores in rice at different temperatures in terms of their toxigenic profiles and extracellular enzyme activity. Samples of rice inoculated with different B. cereus spores were cooked and stored at 4 °C, 25 °C and 30 °C for up to 7 days, 48 h and 24 h, respectively. Out of eight B. cereus strains, four and three spore strains were able to grow at 30 °C and 25 °C post-cooking, respectively. Rapid growth was observed after a minimum of 6 h of incubation at 30 °C. All strains possessed proteolytic activity, whereas lipolytic and amylolytic activities were exhibited by 50% and 12.5% of the strains, respectively. The post-cooking survival and growth capacity of the B. cereus strains appeared to be independent of their toxigenic profiles, whereas extracellular enzymatic activities were required for their vegetative growth. Due to the B. cereus spores’ abilities to survive cooking and return to their active cellular form, great care should be taken when handling ready-to-eat foods.
Why Were [GADV]-amino Acids and GNC Codons Selected and How Was GNC Primeval Genetic Code Established?
Authors: Ikehara Kenji
Published: February 2023

Correspondence relations between codons and amino acids are determined by genetic code. Therefore, genetic code holds a key of the life system composed of genes and protein. According to the GNC-SNS primitive genetic code hypothesis, which I have proposed, it is assumed that the genetic code originated from GNC code. In this article, first, it is discussed from a standpoint of primeval protein synthesis, why four [GADV]-amino acids were selected and used in the first GNC code. Next, it is explained from another standpoint of the most primitive anticodon-stem loop tRNAs (AntiC-SL tRNAs), how four GNCs were selected for the first codons. Furthermore, in the last section of this article, I will explain my idea of how the correspondence relations between four [GADV]-amino acids and four GNC codons were established. Namely, the origin and evolution of the genetic code was discussed comprehensively from several aspects of [GADV]-proteins, [GADV]-amino acids, GNC codons, and anticodon stem-loop tRNAs (AntiC-SL tRNAs), which relate each other to the origin of the genetic code, as integrating GNC code frozen-accident theory, coevolution theory, and adaptive theory on the origin of the genetic code.
How Well Did the Healthcare System Respond to the Healthcare Needs of Older People with and without Dementia during the COVID-19 Pandemic? The Perception of Healthcare Providers and Older People from the SI4CARE Project in the ADRION Region
Authors: Fragkiadaki Stella , Kontaxopoulou Dionysia , Stanitsa Evangelia , Angelopoulou Efthalia , Pavlou Dimosthenis , Šemrov Darja , Colnar Simon , Lustrek Mitja , Blažica Bojan , Vučica Inga , Matković Roberta , Vukojevic Katarina , Jelicic Ana , Guzzi Pietro Hiram , Martinović Vlatka , Medina Amina Pekmez , Piccoli Guido , Menon Margherita , Kozetinac Srdjan , Miljković Miodrag , Kiskini Chrysanthi , Kokorotsikos Themis , Zilidou Vasiliki , Radević Ivan , Papatriantafyllou John , Thireos Eleftherios , Tsouros Agis , Dimovski Vlado , Papageorgiou Sokratis G.
Published: February 2023

One major challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic was the limited accessibility to healthcare facilities, especially for the older population. The aim of the current study was the exploration of the extent to which the healthcare systems responded to the healthcare needs of the older people with or without cognitive impairment and their caregivers in the Adrion/Ionian region. Data were collected through e-questionnaires regarding the adequacy of the healthcare system and were anonymously administered to older individuals and stakeholder providers in the following countries: Slovenia, Italy (Calabria), Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Montenegro, and Serbia. Overall, 722 older people and 267 healthcare stakeholders participated in the study. During the COVID-19 pandemic, both healthcare stakeholders and the older population claimed that the healthcare needs of the older people and their caregivers increased dramatically in all countries, especially in Italy (Calabria), Croatia and BiH. According to our results, countries from the Adrion/Ionian regions faced significant challenges to adjust to the special needs of the older people during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was possibly due to limited accessibility opportunities to healthcare facilities. These results highlight the need for the development of alternative ways of providing medical assistance and supervision when in-person care is not possible.
Preferred Place of End-of-Life Care Based on Clinical Scenario: A Cross-Sectional Study of a General Japanese Population
Authors: Hanari Kyoko , Moody Sandra Y. , Sugiyama Takehiro , Tamiya Nanako
Published: February 2023

In Japan, which has an aging society with many deaths, it is important that people discuss preferred place for end-of-life care in advance. This study aims to investigate whether the preferred place of end-of-life care differs by the assumed clinical scenario. This clinical scenario-based survey used data from a nationwide survey conducted in Japan in December 2017. Participants aged 20 years and older were randomly selected from the general population. The survey contained questions based on three scenarios: cancer, end-stage heart disease, and dementia. For each scenario, respondents were asked to choose the preferred place of end-of-life care among three options: home, nursing home, and medical facility. Eight hundred eighty-nine individuals participated in this study (effective response rate: 14.8%). The proportions of respondents choosing home, nursing home, and medical facility for the cancer scenario were 49.6%, 10.9%, and 39.5%, respectively; for the end-stage heart disease scenario, 30.5%, 18.9%, and 50.6%; and for the dementia scenario, 15.2%, 54.5%, and 30.3% (p < 0.0001, chi-square test). The preferred place of end-of-life care differed by the assumed clinical scenario. In clinical practice, concrete information about diseases and their status should be provided during discussions about preferred place for end-of-life care to reveal people’s preferences more accurately.
Older Adults’ Use of a Research-Based Web Platform for Social Interaction
Authors: Gusdal Annelie K. , Florin Ulrika , Johansson-Pajala Rose-Marie , Eklund Caroline , Fritz Johanna , von Heideken Wågert Petra
Published: February 2023

Loneliness and social isolation are triggers for unfavorable changes in older adults’ health and well-being. Information and communication technology (ICT) can be used by older adults to mitigate the negative effects of loneliness and social isolation. However, ICT needs to be customized to the specific needs and conditions of older adults. The aim of this study was to explore older adults’ use of a new, co-designed and research-based web platform for social interaction from the perspectives of older adults, researchers, and social services personnel. The study is an intervention study with a multimethod approach in which 20 older adults used the web platform for social interaction “the Fik@ room” for eight weeks. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected pretest, during the test, and posttest. The Fik@ room met the expectations of those older adults who completed the study. It enabled them to expand their social network and develop new friendships, but their experiences of loneliness were not reduced. The involvement of social services personnel in recruitment and support was important in facilitating older adults’ use of the Fik@ room. Our study contributes knowledge about a new, co-designed and research-based web platform, customized specifically for older adults, which is valuable in guiding the design and delivery of future web platforms for social interaction among older adults.
Use of Ultrasound and Ki–67 Proliferation Index to Predict Breast Cancer Tumor Response to Neoadjuvant Endocrine Therapy
Authors: Liebscher Sean C. , Kilgore Lyndsey J. , Winblad Onalisa , Gloyeske Nika , Larson Kelsey , Balanoff Christa , Nye Lauren , O’Dea Anne , Sharma Priyanka , Kimler Bruce , Khan Qamar , Wagner Jamie
Published: February 2023

Background: Prediction of tumor shrinkage and pattern of treatment response following neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) for estrogen receptor positive (ER+), Her2 negative (Her2–) breast cancers have had limited assessment. We examined if ultrasound (US) and Ki–67 could predict the pathologic response to treatment with NET and how the pattern of response may impact surgical planning. Methods: A total of 103 postmenopausal women with ER+, HER2– breast cancer enrolled on the FELINE trial had Ki–67 obtained at baseline, day 14, and surgical pathology. A total of 70 patients had an US at baseline and at the end of treatment (EOT). A total of 48 patients had residual tumor bed cellularity (RTBC) assessed. The US response was defined as complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), and progressive disease (PD). CR or PR on imaging and ≤70% residual tumor bed cellularity (RTBC) defined a contracted response pattern. Results: A decrease in Ki–67 at day 14 was not predictive of EOT US response or RTBC. A contracted response pattern was identified in one patient with CR and in sixteen patients (33%) with PR on US. Although 26 patients (54%) had SD on imaging, 22 (85%) had RTBC ≤70%, suggesting a non-contracted response pattern of the tumor bed. The remaining four (15%) with SD and five with PD had no response. Conclusion: Ki–67 does not predict a change in tumor size or RTBC. NET does not uniformly result in a contracted response pattern of the tumor bed. Caution should be taken when using NET for the purpose of downstaging tumor size or converting borderline mastectomy/lumpectomy patients.
Amateur Female Athletes Perform the Running Split of a Triathlon Race at Higher Relative Intensity than the Male Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: De Araújo Moury Fernandes Guilherme Corrêa , Barbosa Junior José G. G. , Seffrin Aldo , Vivan Lavínia , de Lira Claudio A. B. , Vancini Rodrigo L. , Weiss Katja , Knechtle Beat , Andrade Marilia S.
Published: February 2023

Maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max), ventilatory threshold (VT) and respiratory compensation point (RCP) can be used to monitor the training intensity and the race strategy, and the elucidation of the specificities existing between the sexes can be interesting for coaches and athletes. The aim of the study was to compare ventilatory threshold (VT), respiratory compensation point (RCP), and the percentage of the maximal aerobic speed (MAS) that can be maintained in a triathlon race between sexes. Forty-one triathletes (22 men and 19 women), 42.1 ± 8.4 (26 to 60) years old, that raced the same Olympic triathlon underwent a cardiorespiratory maximal treadmill test to assess their VT, RPC, and MAS, and race speed. The maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) (54.0 ± 5.1 vs. 49.8 ± 7.7 mL/kg/min, p < 0.001) and MAS (17 ± 2 vs. 15 ± 2 km/h, p = 0.001) were significantly higher in male than in female athletes. Conversely, there were no sex differences according to the percentage of V˙O2max reached at VT (74.4 ± 4.9 vs. 76.1 ± 5.4%, p = 0.298) and RCP (89.9 ± 3.6 vs. 90.6 ± 4.0%, p = 0.560). The mean speed during the race did not differ between sexes (12.1 ± 1.7 km/h and 11.7 ± 1.8 km/h, p = 0.506, respectively). Finally, men performed the running split at a lower percentage of speed at RCP than women (84.0 ± 8.7 vs. 91.2 ± 7.0%, respectively, p = 0.005). Therefore, male and female athletes accomplished the running split in an Olympic triathlon distance at distinct relative intensities, as female athletes run at a higher RCP percentage.
The Efficiency of Indonesian Pension Funds: A Two-Stage Additive Network DEA Approach
Authors: Seran Paskalis , Sucahyo Usil Sis , Atahau Apriani Dorkas Rambu , Supramono Supramono
Published: February 2023

Employer pension funds (EPFs) manage funds contributed by their members and sponsors with the ultimate goal of providing adequate pension benefits for beneficiaries upon retirement. The critical issue for EPFs is, therefore, their efficiency. This study aims to investigate Indonesian EPFs’ technical efficiency and its determinants using data from 38 EPFs actively operating in 2011–2017. By conceptualizing EPFs’ management processes as a network, this study employs the two-stage additive network data envelopment analysis (DEA) to measure the performance of EPFs based on their overall efficiency, operational efficiency, and investment efficiency. A regression analysis is then performed to examine the determinants of EPFs’ efficiency. The results reveal that investment efficiency is the main source of EPFs’ overall inefficiency, implying that more attention should be directed towards investment management when the EPFs seek to improve their overall performance. The regression analysis shows that size and ownership are the most significant factors that determine EPFs’ efficiency. Ownership positively correlates with both overall efficiency and investment efficiency, while size negatively affects investment efficiency. This study concludes that in order to improve their overall performance, EPFs need to make more efforts in investment management, while accounting for size and ownership as important determinants. This study provides a projection analysis model as a practical guidline for EPFs to improve their performance.
Synthesis of Synthetic Musks: A Theoretical Study Based on the Relationships between Structure and Properties at Molecular Scale
Authors: Li Xixi , Yang Hao , Zhao Yuanyuan , Pu Qikun , Xu Tingzhi , Li Rui , Li Yu
Published: February 2023

Synthetic musks (SMs), as an indispensable odor additive, are widely used in various personal care products. However, due to their physico-chemical properties, SMs were detected in various environmental media, even in samples from arctic regions, leading to severe threats to human health (e.g., abortion risk). Environmentally friendly and functionally improved SMs have been theoretically designed in previous studies. However, the synthesizability of these derivatives has barely been proven. Thus, this study developed a method to verify the synthesizability of previously designed SM derivatives using machine learning, 2D-QSAR, 3D-QSAR, and high-throughput density functional theory in order to screen for synthesizable, high-performance (odor sensitivity), and environmentally friendly SM derivatives. In this study, three SM derivatives (i.e., D52, D37, and D25) were screened and recommended due to their good performances (i.e., high synthesizability and odor sensitivity; low abortion risk; and bioaccumulation ability in skin keratin). In addition, the synthesizability mechanism of SM derivatives was also analyzed. Results revealed that high intramolecular hydrogen bond strength, electrostatic interaction, qH+ value, energy gap, and low EHOMO would lead to a higher synthesizability of SMs and their derivatives. This study broke the synthesizability bottleneck of theoretically designed environment-friendly SM derivatives and advanced the mechanism of screening functional derivatives.
Newborn Screening of Primary Carnitine Deficiency: An Overview of Worldwide Practices and Pitfalls to Define an Algorithm before Expansion of Newborn Screening in France
Authors: Lefèvre Charles R. , Labarthe François , Dufour Diane , Moreau Caroline , Faoucher Marie , Rollier Paul , Arnoux Jean-Baptiste , Tardieu Marine , Damaj Léna , Bendavid Claude , Dessein Anne-Frédérique , Acquaviva-Bourdain Cécile , Cheillan David
Published: February 2023

Primary Carnitine Deficiency (PCD) is a fatty acid oxidation disorder that will be included in the expansion of the French newborn screening (NBS) program at the beginning of 2023. This disease is of high complexity to screen, due to its pathophysiology and wide clinical spectrum. To date, few countries screen newborns for PCD and struggle with high false positive rates. Some have even removed PCD from their screening programs. To understand the risks and pitfalls of implementing PCD to the newborn screening program, we reviewed and analyzed the literature to identify hurdles and benefits from the experiences of countries already screening this inborn error of metabolism. In this study, we therefore, present the main pitfalls encountered and a worldwide overview of current practices in PCD newborn screening. In addition, we address the optimized screening algorithm that has been determined in France for the implementation of this new condition.
Discovering Entities Similarities in Biological Networks Using a Hybrid Immune Algorithm
Authors: Scollo Rocco A. , Spampinato Antonio G. , Fargetta Georgia , Cutello Vincenzo , Pavone Mario
Published: February 2023

Disease phenotypes are generally caused by the failure of gene modules which often have similar biological roles. Through the study of biological networks, it is possible to identify the intrinsic structure of molecular interactions in order to identify the so-called “disease modules”. Community detection is an interesting and valuable approach to discovering the structure of the community in a complex network, revealing the internal organization of the nodes, and has become a leading research topic in the analysis of complex networks. This work investigates the link between biological modules and network communities in test-case biological networks that are commonly used as a reference point and which include Protein–Protein Interaction Networks, Metabolic Networks and Transcriptional Regulation Networks. In order to identify small and structurally well-defined communities in the biological context, a hybrid immune metaheuristic algorithm Hybrid-IA is proposed and compared with several metaheuristics, hyper-heuristics, and the well-known greedy algorithm Louvain, with respect to modularity maximization. Considering the limitation of modularity optimization, which can fail to identify smaller communities, the reliability of Hybrid-IA was also analyzed with respect to three well-known sensitivity analysis measures (NMI, ARI and NVI) that assess how similar the detected communities are to real ones. By inspecting all outcomes and the performed comparisons, we will see that on one hand Hybrid-IA finds slightly lower modularity values than Louvain, but outperforms all other metaheuristics, while on the other hand, it can detect communities more similar to the real ones when compared to those detected by Louvain.
The Nexus between Business Analytics Capabilities and Knowledge Orientation in Driving Business Model Innovation: The Moderating Role of Industry Type
Authors: Daradkeh Mohammad
Published: February 2023

The importance of business analytics (BA) in driving knowledge generation and business innovation has been widely discussed in both the academic and business communities. However, empirical research on the relationship between knowledge orientation and business analytics capabilities in driving business model innovation remains scarce. Drawing on the knowledge-based view and dynamic capabilities theory, this study develops a model to investigate the interplay between knowledge orientation and BA capabilities in driving business model innovation. It also explores the moderating role of industry type on this relationship. To test the model, data were collected from a cross-sectional sample of 207 firms (high-tech and non-high-tech industries). Descriptive and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to test the hypotheses. The findings showed that knowledge orientation and BA capabilities are significantly and positively related to business model innovation. Knowledge commitment, shared vision, and open-mindedness are significantly and positively related to BA perception and recognition capabilities and BA integration capabilities. BA capabilities mediated the relationship between knowledge orientation and business model innovation. The path mechanism of knowledge orientation → BA capabilities → business model innovation shows that industry type has a moderating effect on knowledge orientation and BA capabilities, as well as BA capabilities and business model innovation. This study provides empirically proven insights and practical guidance on the dynamics and mechanisms of BA and organizational knowledge capabilities and their impact on business model innovation.
Influence of Deposition Parameters on Hardness Properties of InconelTM 718 Processed by Laser Powder Bed Fusion for Space Applications
Authors: Sesana Raffaella , Delprete Cristiana , Pizzarelli Marco , Crachi Matteo , Lavagna Luca , Borrelli Domenico , Caraviello Antonio
Published: February 2023

InconelTM 718 is widely used for commercial application in aerospace industry and additive manufacturing process allows for versatile design and manufacturing opportunities. In the present research, the results of a wide experimental campaign run on additive manufactured InconelTM 718 specimens obtained with different processing parameters are presented. In particular, the influence of process parameters (for both vertical and horizontal planes with respect to the building direction) on the hardness properties are investigated. A further investigation is performed on the optimal hardness testing procedure for additive manufacturing. The research is extended to as-built and heat-treated specimens. The new insight gained is that the orientation of the printing direction with respect to indentation direction can be responsible for scattering in hardness measurements and indentation size effect. As-built specimens show a strong anisotropy for in-plane and growth directions and an increment of hardness with respect to increasing energy density. The difference between hardness value with respect to the energy density and the measurements scattering are reduced by the heat treatment. A careful handling of hardness data is required when dealing with additive manufactured materials.
An Adaptive Control Strategy for Underwater Wireless Charging System Output Power with an Arc-Shaped Magnetic Core Structure
Authors: Xia Tao , Zhang Xiaoliang , Zhu Zhiying , Yu Haitao , Li Hang
Published: February 2023

Aiming at the problem of unstable output power of wireless charging systems for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), a magnetic coupler (MC) with an arc-shaped core structure is introduced and an output power stabilization control strategy based on mutual inductance identification algorithm is proposed. Firstly, an arc-shaped MC with high tolerances, excellent magnetic coupling and weak electromagnetic interference (EMI) is designed for the cylinder-shaped AUV. Based on ANSYS Maxwell simulation, an analysis of the magnetic field and comparative misalignment tests are carried out for the arc-shaped and the double dipole core structures. Secondly, a mathematical model of the LCC-S type magnetically coupled resonant wireless power transfer (MCR-WPT) system is developed, and a particle swarm parameter identification algorithm with adaptive inertia weights is proposed. Finally, the output power is steadily controlled by real-time adaptation of the duty cycle for the Buck-Boost circuit. The results show there is a maximum error within 2.5% in mutual inductance identification when the load is changed from 0 Ω to 12 Ω and the mutual inductance is changed from 25 μH to 50 μH. The system output power is steady at around 680 W with a maximum fluctuation rate of 4.90%, which verifies the efficiency of the power stabilization control strategy.
Influence of Wave–Current Interaction on a Cyclone-Induced Storm-Surge Event in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Delta: Part 2—Effects on Wave
Authors: Wang Xiao Hua , Elahi Md Wasif E.
Published: February 2023

The Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta, located in the southern part of Bangladesh, is periodically exposed to severe tropical cyclones. It is estimated that two-fifths of the world’s total impact from tropical-cyclone-induced storm surges occur in this region, and these cause fatalities and economic losses every year. A barotropic numerical 3D model is used to investigate wave dynamics during a cyclone-induced storm-surge event. The model is calibrated and validated for Cyclone Sidr (2007) and applied to ten idealized cyclonic scenarios. Numerical experiments with different coupling configurations are performed to understand wave–current interactions on significant wave heights. Results show that the water level is the dominant factor in significant wave height modulation when the wave propagates into shallower regions from the deeper ocean, whereas the current modulates the deep ocean wave height. The WCI causes higher significant wave heights in shallower waters close to the coast compared with the deep ocean. Wave energy dissipation related to whitecapping processes plays a greater role in reducing the wave height nearshore than the dissipation due to depth-induced breaking and bottom friction in the GBMD during a cyclone-induced storm-surge event.
Research of Vibration Effects on a Hydraulic Valve in the Pressure Pulsation Spectrum Analysis
Authors: Stosiak Michał , Karpenko Mykola , Deptuła Adam , Urbanowicz Kamil , Skačkauskas Paulius , Deptuła Anna Małgorzata , Danilevičius Algimantas , Šukevičius Šarūnas , Łapka Mariusz
Published: February 2023

This paper identifies mechanical vibrations occurring in the operating environment of hydraulic systems used in marine engineering. Particular attention was paid to the influence of periodic vibrations on changes in the amplitude-frequency spectrum in a marine hydraulic system. For the case of analysing the effect of vibration on changes in the pressure pulsation spectrum with a proportional directional valve, a modified mathematical model was used. Experimental results were presented and compared with the results obtained from the mathematical model. A way of limiting the transmission of vibrations to the directional control valve body was proposed.
LtGAPR1 Is a Novel Secreted Effector from Lasiodiplodia theobromae That Interacts with NbPsQ2 to Negatively Regulate Infection
Authors: Huang Caiping , Peng Junbo , Zhang Wei , Chethana Thilini , Wang Xuncheng , Wang Hui , Yan Jiye
Published: February 2023

The effector proteins secreted by a pathogen not only promote the virulence and infection of the pathogen but also trigger plant defense response. Lasiodiplodia theobromae secretes many effectors that modulate and hijack grape processes to colonize host cells, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, we report LtGAPR1, which has been proven to be a secreted protein. In our study, LtGAPR1 played a negative role in virulence. By co-immunoprecipitation, 23 kDa oxygen-evolving enhancer 2 (NbPsbQ2) was identified as a host target of LtGAPR1. The overexpression of NbPsbQ2 in Nicotiana benthamiana reduced susceptibility to L. theobromae, and the silencing of NbPsbQ2 enhanced L. theobromae infection. LtGAPR1 and NbPsbQ2 were confirmed to interact with each other. Transiently, expressed LtGAPR1 activated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in N. benthamiana leaves. However, in NbPsbQ2-silenced leaves, ROS production was impaired. Overall, our report revealed that LtGAPR1 promotes ROS accumulation by interacting with NbPsbQ2, thereby triggering plant defenses that negatively regulate infection.
An Unsupervised Burned Area Mapping Approach Using Sentinel-2 Images
Authors: Sismanis Michail , Chadoulis Rizos-Theodoros , Manakos Ioannis , Drosou Anastasios
Published: February 2023

The frequency and severity of large, destructive fires have increased in the recent past, with extended impacts on the landscape, the human population, and ecosystems. Earth observations provide a means for the frequent, wide coverage and accurate monitoring of fire impacts. This study describes an unsupervised approach for the mapping of burned areas from Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, which is based on multispectral thresholding, and introduces an adaptive thresholding method. It takes into account the localized variability of the spectral responses in a two-phase approach. The first phase detects areas that are burned with a high probability, while the second phase adaptively adjusts this preliminary mapping by expanding and refining its boundaries. The resulting classification contains two main classes of interest: burned and unburned. The latter is further classified into four (4) fire impact severity classes, according to the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) and the NASA United States Geological Survey (USGS)’s widely acknowledged nomenclature examples. Three distinct wildfire events are assessed, which occurred during the summers of 2020 and 2021 in Greece and Portugal. The classification accuracy is calculated by juxtaposing the classification outputs to burned area validation maps created through the photointerpretation of very high-resolution (VHR) satellite imagery. The corresponding CEMS On-Demand Mapping products are also juxtaposed against the validation maps for comparison purposes. The accuracy assessment showcases that the unsupervised approach closely follows the capacity provided by the CEMS maps (e.g., the kappa coefficient—k—of the proposed unsupervised approach is 0.91, 0.83 and 0.83 for the events processed, while the CEMS products achieve a k of 0.94, 0.93 and 0.8, respectively). The proposed approach considers the variability of the affected areas’ spectral response; thus, it generalizes well to different areas, e.g., areas characterized by different land cover types. It seems to offer an effective means of mapping the wildfire-induced changes, which can be further incorporated and used by forest fire management services and further decision support systems complementary to the CEMS maps.
The Use of biochar in the Remediation of Pb, Cd, and Cu-Contaminated Soils. The Impact of biochar Feedstock and Preparation Conditions on Its Remediation Capacity
Authors: Bousdra Theodora , Papadimou Sotiria G. , Golia Evangelia E.
Published: February 2023

Soil constitutes an important part of terrestrial ecosystems, prone to be adversely impacted by human activities. During the last decades, several methods have been developed aiming at its remediation, including the use of biochar as a soil amendment. In the present work, we have assessed the reduction of Pb, Cd, and Cu soil concentrations as a function of the mixing ratio of biochar added to soil, as well as the source of biochar employed. Furthermore, we have investigated the effects of biochar addition relating to the chemical forms of heavy metals (HMs) related to their bioavailability and mobility. The concentrations of HMs were determined by the BCR (European Community Bureau of Reference) sequential extraction procedure before and after biochar addition to the soils. Five types of biochar were used, obtained as by-products of sugarcane bagasse (Β), bamboo (ΒΒ), rice straw (RSB), garden waste (GB), and paulownia (PB) treatment, respectively. Biochar derived from sugarcane (B) reduced the availability of metals, as it decreased their concentration in the acid extractable fraction, by 40.5, 66.6, and 50% for Pb, Cd, and Cu, respectively. In addition, (B) application increased the residual fraction of Cu and Pb by 9% and 24.8%, respectively. Biochar derived from garden residues (GB) and paulownia plant (PB) dramatically increased the residual fraction of Cd over 97%, minimizing its availability. Sugarcane-derived biochar appeared to significantly increase Cu and Pb residual fraction concentrations and decrease available Cd concentration. Similar changes are caused by the types of biochar in the following order: biochar from sugarcane > paulownia > garden wastes > bamboo > rice straw. The redistribution of HM concentrations causes a significant improvement of environmental quality in polluted soils, as it limits the mobility and availability of toxic metals to the soil ecosystem. The use of biochar is a low-cost and eco-friendly method for the remediation of contaminated with HMs soils in the framework of a circular economy.
The Role of the Top 50 US Cargo Airports and 25 Air Cargo Airlines in the Logistics of E-Commerce Companies
Authors: Florido-Benítez Lázaro
Published: February 2023

Background: The purpose of this study is to analyse the role of the main 50 US cargo airports and 25 air cargo airlines in the logistics of e-commerce companies from 2000 to 2020, to highlight the importance of airports in the logistics and e-commerce industries. Methods: A review of the relevant literature on airports, air cargo carriers, logistics, and e-commerce sectors was undertaken to understand the link between them. The data were collected using four criteria: airport category, airport location, top 25 air cargo carriers, and other relevant data from the Federal Aviation Administration, International Air Transport Association, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, US Department of Transportation, amongst many others. Results: The findings reveal that there is a consolidated relationship between airports, air cargo airlines, and e-commerce, which has been especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. Airports and air cargo carriers are identified as the most relevant partners in the e-commerce industry. This is because of the e-commerce sector and its users’ demand for speed and reliability in the interaction between the demand for and supply of products and services. Conclusions: The pandemic has changed the way in which organizations operate and is likely to create new demand from companies and users in the aviation and e-commerce industries. E-commerce companies are highly dependent on the quality and efficiency of air cargo airlines and airports because they need to provide a good shipping service for their products to customers.
Rejection of Synchronous Vibrations of AMB System Using Nonlinear Adaptive Control Algorithm with a Novel Frequency Estimator
Authors: Bian Xiaoyu , Shi Zhengang , Mo Ni , Shi Lei , Zheng Yangbo , Liu Xingnan
Published: February 2023

This paper focuses on the synchronous vibration suppression of an active magnetic bearing (AMB) system without a rotating speed sensor. One of the most intractable problems with AMB systems is the synchronous vibration caused by the mass imbalance of the rotor. Moreover, practically all existing unbalance control algorithms require the rotating speed sensor to determine rotation speed. However, in some unique applications, it is impossible to install and use the rotating speed sensor as intended. This study provided a nonlinear adaptive control (NAC) algorithm and a modified frequency estimator to address the above issues. The proposed approach can suppress current and displacement vibrations by regulating the control structure. The frequency estimator calculates the rotating speed based on the position of the rotor at different moments, which has a quick response time, high precision, and effective tracking. The NAC algorithm can achieve unbalanced control based on the period iteration strategy. Additionally, the Lyapunov method is used to demonstrate the stability of the NAC algorithm. Finally, the experimental and simulation results also confirm the effectiveness and reliability of the overall control scheme. The results from simulations and experiments indicate that the novel frequency estimator can track the speed accurately and that its error can be regulated to within ±0.05 Hz. The overall control schema can reduce the displacement vibration’s amplitude by 72.2% and the current vibration’s amplitude by 65.6%.
Integrated Adhesion Coefficient Estimation of 3D Road Surfaces Based on Dimensionless Data-Driven Tire Model
Authors: Xu Zhiwei , Lu Yongjie , Chen Na , Han Yinfeng
Published: February 2023

The tire/road peak friction coefficient (TRPFC) is the core parameter of vehicle stability control, and its estimation accuracy significantly affects the control effect of active vehicle safety. To estimate the peak adhesion coefficient accurately, a new method for the comprehensive adhesion coefficient of three-dimensional pavement based on a dimensionless data-driven tire model is proposed. Firstly, in order to accurately describe the contact state between the three-dimensional road surface and the tire during driving, stress distribution and multi-point contact are introduced into the vertical dynamic model and a new tire model driven by dimensionless data is established based on the normalization method. Secondly, the real-time assessment of lateral and longitudinal adhesion coefficients of three-dimensional pavement is realized with the unscented Kalman filter (UKF). Finally, according to the coupling relationship between the longitudinal tire adhesion coefficient and the lateral tire adhesion coefficient, a fuzzy reasoning strategy of fusing the longitudinal tire adhesion coefficient and the lateral tire adhesion coefficient is designed. The results of vehicle tests prove that the method proposed in this paper can estimate the peak adhesion coefficient of pavement quickly and accurately.
A High-Gain Observer for Embedded Polynomial Dynamical Systems
Authors: Gerbet Daniel , Röbenack Klaus
Published: February 2023

This article deals with the construction of high-gain observers for autonomous polynomial dynamical systems. In contrast to the usual approach, the system’s state is embedded into a higher dimensional Euclidean space. The observer state will be contained in said Euclidean space, which has usually higher dimension than the system’s state space. Due to this embedding it is possible to avoid singularities in the observation matrix. For some systems this even allows constructing global observers in a structured way, which would not be possible in the lower-dimensional case. Finally, the state estimate in the original coordinates can be obtained by a projection. The proposed method is applied on some example systems.
Improved Current-Sharing Imbalance Control Model Based on Magnetic Ferrite Inductance and a Gate Drive Circuit
Authors: Tian Haitao , Li Yuhong , Zhang Qiang , Xiao Ningru , Wang Jingjing , Liu Hongwei , Li Yuqiang
Published: February 2023

The dynamic and static imbalance of parallel current sharing has held the concern of researchers in view of the variation in multiple parasitic parameters on high-frequency parallel switching mode power supply (SMPS). The joint simulations and suppression experiments on the parallel current-sharing imbalance of various parasitic parameters are investigated on the improved dual-pulse detection circuit platform to determine the method of detecting the parallel current-sharing imbalance ratio using the sum of the differential magnetic flux. An improved model of current-sharing imbalance control is presented consisting of magnetic ferrite inductance and a gate drive circuit. The main concerns are the suppression performance of drain, gate, and source parasitic inductance, gate–source capacitance, driving time and voltage, gate resistance, and delayed forward/reverse driving signals on the ratio of parallel current-sharing imbalance, respectively. The improved model effectively reduces the parallel current-sharing imbalance ratio by more than 5% and 2–4.2%, compared with using a gate drive circuit alone and using magnetic ferrite inductance solely.
Model-Free VRFT-Based Tuning Method for PID Controllers
Authors: Vrančić Damir , Moura Oliveira Paulo , Bisták Pavol , Huba Mikuláš
Published: February 2023

The main objective of this work was to develop a tuning method for PID controllers suitable for use in an industrial environment. Therefore, a computationally simple tuning method is presented based on a simple experiment on the process without requiring any input from the user. Essentially, the method matches the closed-loop response to the response obtained in the steady-state change experiment. The proposed method requires no prior knowledge of the process and, in its basic form, only the measurement of the change in the steady state of the process in the manually or automatically performed experiment is needed, which is not limited to step-like process input signals. The user does not need to provide any prior information about the process or any information about the closed-loop behavior. Although the control loop dynamics is not defined by the user, it is still known in advance because it is implicitly defined by the process open-loop response. Therefore, no exaggerated control signal swings are expected when the reference signal changes, which is an advantage in many industrial plants. The presented method was designed to be computationally undemanding and can be easily implemented on less powerful hardware, such as lower-end PLC controllers. The work has shown that the proposed model-free method is relatively insensitive to process output noise. Another advantage of the proposed tuning method is that it automatically handles the tuning of highly delayed processes, since the method discards the initial process response. The simplicity and efficiency of the tuning method is demonstrated on several process models and on a laboratory thermal system. The method was also compared to a tuning method based on a similar closed-loop criterion. In addition, all necessary Matlab/Octave files for the calculation of the controller parameters are provided online.
Hopf Bifurcation Analysis of a Two-Dimensional Simplified Hodgkin–Huxley Model
Authors: Wang Hu , Wang Sha , Gu Yajuan , Yu Yongguang
Published: February 2023

This paper presents a two-dimensional simplified Hodgkin–Huxley model under exposure to electric fields. The Hopf bifurcations of the simplified Hodgkin–Huxley model are investigated through qualitative analysis and numerical simulations. A necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of Hopf bifurcations is derived, and the conditions for supercritical and subcritical Hopf bifurcations are obtained. Finally, bifurcation diagrams are given for two parameters, and numerical examples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Performance Evaluation of the Efficiency of Logistics Companies with Data Envelopment Analysis Model
Authors: Lee Pei Fun , Lam Weng Siew , Lam Weng Hoe
Published: February 2023

Malaysia has great geo-economic advantages, especially in becoming a major logistics and investment hub. However, as operational risk events create uncertainties, logistics companies suffer from supply and demand issues which affect their bottom lines, customer satisfaction and reputations. This is a pioneer paper to propose the optimization of the efficiency of listed logistics companies in Malaysia with operational risk factor using a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model. The basic indicator approach (BIA) is used as an output indicator for the operational risk capital requirement factor in the proposed model. This paper has practical and managerial implications with the identification of potential improvements for the inefficient listed logistics companies based on the optimal solution of the DEA model. This proposed model can be applied in emerging fields such as finance and project-based construction companies, where operational risk is a high concern.