bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DiT-Gesture: A Speech-Only Approach to Stylized Gesture Generation
Authors: Zhang Fan , Wang Zhaohan , Lyu Xin , Ji Naye , Zhao Siyuan , Gao Fuxing
Published: April 2024

The generation of co-speech gestures for digital humans is an emerging area in the field of virtual human creation. Prior research has progressed by using acoustic and semantic information as input and adopting a classification method to identify the person’s ID and emotion for driving co-speech gesture generation. However, this endeavor still faces significant challenges. These challenges go beyond the intricate interplay among co-speech gestures, speech acoustic, and semantics; they also encompass the complexities associated with personality, emotion, and other obscure but important factors. This paper introduces “DiT-Gestures”, a speech-conditional diffusion-based and non-autoregressive transformer-based generative model with the WavLM pre-trained model and a dynamic mask attention network (DMAN). It can produce individual and stylized full-body co-speech gestures by only using raw speech audio, eliminating the need for complex multimodal processing and manual annotation. Firstly, considering that speech audio contains acoustic and semantic features and conveys personality traits, emotions, and more subtle information related to accompanying gestures, we pioneer the adaptation of WavLM, a large-scale pre-trained model, to extract the style from raw audio information. Secondly, we replace the causal mask by introducing a learnable dynamic mask for better local modeling in the neighborhood of the target frames. Extensive subjective evaluation experiments are conducted on the Trinity, ZEGGS, and BEAT datasets to confirm WavLM’s and the model’s ability to synthesize natural co-speech gestures with various styles.
A Benchmark for UAV-View Natural Language-Guided Tracking
Authors: Li Hengyou , Liu Xinyan , Li Guorong
Published: April 2024

We propose a new benchmark, UAVNLT (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Natural Language Tracking), for the UAV-view natural language-guided tracking task. UAVNLT consists of videos taken from UAV cameras from four cities for vehicles on city roads. For each video, vehicles’ bounding boxes, trajectories, and natural language are carefully annotated. Compared to the existing data sets, which are only annotated with bounding boxes, the natural language sentences in our data set can be more suitable for many application fields where humans take part in the system for that language, being not only more friendly for human–computer interaction but also capable of overcoming the appearance features’ low uniqueness for tracking. We tested several existing methods on our new benchmarks and found that the performance of the existing methods was not satisfactory. To pave the way for future work, we propose a baseline method suitable for this task, achieving state-of-the-art performance. We believe our new data set and proposed baseline method will be helpful in many fields, such as smart city, smart transportation, vehicle management, etc.
Seamless Switching Control Strategy for a Power Conversion System in a Microgrid Based on Extended State Observer and Super-Twisting Algorithm
Authors: Kang Jiayu , Wang Ye , Wang Jiachen , Liu Baoquan
Published: April 2024

Microgrids can operate stably in both islanded and grid-connected modes, and the transition between these modes enhances system reliability and flexibility, enabling microgrids to adapt to diverse operational requirements and environmental conditions. The switching process, however, may introduce transient voltage and frequency fluctuations, causing voltage and current shocks to the grid and potentially damaging devices and systems connected to the microgrid. To address this issue, this study introduces a novel approach based on the Extended State Observer (ESO) and the Super-Twisting Algorithm (STA). Power conversion systems use Virtual Synchronous Generator (VSG) control and Power-Quality (PQ) control when they are connected to the grid or when the microgrid is not connected to the grid. VSG and PQ share a current loop. Transitioning the reference current generated by the outer loop achieves the switching of control strategies. A real-time observer is designed to estimate and compensate for current fluctuations, disturbances, and variations in id, iq, and system parameters during the switching process to facilitate a smooth transition of control strategies. Furthermore, to enhance the dynamic response and robustness of the system, the Proportional–Integral (PI) controller in the ESO is replaced with a novel super-twisting sliding mode controller based on a boundary layer. The Lyapunov stability principle is applied to ensure asymptotic stability under disturbances. The proposed control strategy is validated through simulation using a seamless switching model of the power conversion system developed on the Matlab/Simulink (R2021b) platform. Simulation results demonstrate that the optimized control strategy enables smooth microgrid transitions, thereby improving the overall reliability of grid operations.
Impact Analysis of Cyber Attacks against Energy Communities in Distribution Grids
Authors: Mokarim Afroz , Gaggero Giovanni Battista , Marchese Mario
Published: April 2024

With the advancement of regulations regarding the reduction in carbon emissions, renewable energy communities have come into the picture. However, many implications come with the installation of these communities from a cybersecurity point of view. The software platforms responsible for managing and controlling them handle a lot of crucial information, and therefore, tampering with these data can lead to several impacts on the operation of these communities and, in turn, the power grid as well. This paper examines the plausible impacts that can be caused by altering certain parameters of the system that make it a potential cyber attack target. The analysis is done by observing how the grid responds to these manipulations for both low-voltage as well as medium-voltage systems. These systems are designed along with integrated energy communities and are implemented in MATLAB/Simulink R2022b software. The observations are made by plotting the grid voltage and power profiles in normal as well as attacked conditions.
Reactive Shield for Reducing the Magnetic Field of a Wireless Power Transfer System with Dipole Coil Structure
Authors: Shin Yujun , Woo Seongho
Published: April 2024

This paper proposes a reactive shield structure to reduce the leakage magnetic field of a wireless power transfer (WPT) system with a dipole coil structure. The reactive shield resonates at a frequency lower than that of the WPT system and operates in an inductive region where the reactance is positive. Therefore, the magnetic field generated by the shield coil is 180° different in phase from that generated by the transmitting coil, resulting in an effective reduction in the leakage magnetic field. The methodology for designing the reactive shield for the dipole coil structure is mathematically analyzed, and the current and magnetic field phases are compared. Its effectiveness has been validated through simulations and experiments. Specifically, the proposed method is validated through a 50 W class WPT experiment, which showed that the proposed shielding structure achieves efficiency reductions ranging from 0.3% to 1.5% and has a leakage magnetic field reduction effect of up to 67% compared to the comparison groups.
A Survey of Binary Code Similarity Detection Techniques
Authors: Ruan Liting , Xu Qizhen , Zhu Shunzhi , Huang Xujing , Lin Xinyang
Published: April 2024

Binary Code Similarity Detection is a method that involves comparing two or more binary code segments to identify their similarities and differences. This technique plays a crucial role in areas such as software security, vulnerability detection, and software composition analysis. With the extensive use of binary code in software development and system optimization, binary code similarity detection has become an important area of research. Traditional methods of source code similarity detection face challenges when dealing with the unreadable and complex nature of binary code, necessitating specialized techniques and algorithms. This review compares and summarizes various techniques and methods of binary code similarity detection, highlighting their strengths and limitations in handling different characteristics of binary code. Additionally, the article suggests potential future research directions. As research and innovation in this technology continue to advance, binary code similarity detection is expected to play an increasingly significant role in fields like software security.
A Method for Identifying External Short-Circuit Faults in Power Transformers Based on Support Vector Machines
Authors: Du Hao , Cai Linglong , Ma Zhiqin , Rao Zhangquan , Shu Xiang , Jiang Shuo , Li Zhongxiang , Li Xianqiang
Published: April 2024

Being a vital component of electrical power systems, transformers significantly influence the system stability and reliability of power supplies. Damage to transformers may lead to significant economic losses. The efficient identification of transformer faults holds paramount importance for the stability and security of power grids. The existing methods for identifying transformer faults include oil chromatography analysis, temperature assessment, frequency response analysis, vibration characteristic examination, and leakage magnetic field analysis. These methods suffer from limitations such as limited sensitivity, complexity in operation, and a high demand for specialized skills. In this paper, we propose a method to identify external short-circuit faults of power transformers based on fault recording data on short-circuit currents. It involves analyzing the current signals of various windings during faults, extracting appropriate features, and utilizing a classification algorithm based on a support vector machine (SVM) to determine fault types and locations. The influence of different kernel functions on the classification accuracy of SVM is discussed. The results indicate that this method can proficiently identify the type and location of external short-circuit faults in transformers, achieving an accuracy rate of 98.3%.
Monotonic Asynchronous Two-Bit Full Adder
Authors: Balasubramanian Padmanabhan , Maskell Douglas L.
Published: April 2024

Monotonic circuits are a class of input–output mode (IOM) asynchronous circuits that are relaxed compared to quasi-delay-insensitive (QDI) IOM asynchronous circuits in terms of signaling the completion of internal processing. Some recent works have demonstrated the superiority of monotonic logic over QDI logic for arithmetic circuits such as adders and multipliers. This paper presents a new monotonic asynchronous two-bit full adder (TFA) that can be duplicated and cascaded to form a ripple-carry adder (RCA). While an RCA is a slow adder with respect to synchronous design, with respect to IOM asynchronous design an RCA is a noteworthy adder since it has perhaps the least reverse latency that is not attainable through other IOM asynchronous adders. Conventionally, an RCA is constructed via a cascade of one-bit full adders (OFAs). An OFA adds two input bits along with any carry input and produces a sum bit and any carry output. On the other hand, a TFA simultaneously adds two pairs of input bits along with any carry input and produces two sum bits and any carry output. Using our proposed monotonic TFA, we realized an RCA to compare its performance with RCAs constructed using different asynchronous OFAs, and RCAs constructed using existing TFAs. We considered the popular delay-insensitive dual-rail scheme for encoding the adder inputs and outputs, and two 4-phase handshake protocols, namely return-to-zero handshaking (R0H) and return-to-one handshaking (R1H) for communication separately. We used a 28 nm CMOS process for implementation and considered a 32-bit addition as an example. Based on the design metrics estimated, the following inferences were derived: (i) compared to the RCA using the state-of-the-art monotonic OFA, the RCA incorporating the proposed TFA achieved a 26% reduction in cycle time for R0H and a 28.5% reduction in cycle time for R1H while dissipating almost the same power; the cycle time governs the data application rate in an IOM asynchronous circuit, and (ii) compared to the RCA comprising an early output QDI TFA, the RCA incorporating the proposed TFA achieved a 22.3% reduction in cycle time for R0H and a 25.4% reduction in cycle time for R1H while dissipating moderately less power. Also, compared to the existing early output QDI TFA, the proposed TFA occupies 40.9% less area for R0H and 42% less area for R1H.
Category Level Object Pose Estimation via Global High-Order Pooling
Authors: Jiang Changhong , Mu Xiaoqiao , Zhang Bingbing , Xie Mujun , Liang Chao
Published: April 2024

Category level 6D object pose estimation aims to predict the rotation, translation and size of object instances in any scene. In current research methods, global average pooling (first-order) is usually used to explore geometric features, which can only capture the first-order statistical information of the features and do not fully utilize the potential of the network. In this work, we propose a new high-order pose estimation network (HoPENet), which enhances feature representation by collecting high-order statistics to model high-order geometric features at each stage of the network. HoPENet introduces a global high-order enhancement module and utilizes global high-order pooling operations to capture the correlation between features and fuse global information. In addition, this module can capture long-term statistical correlations and make full use of contextual information. The entire network finally obtains a more discriminative feature representation. Experiments on two benchmarks, the virtual dataset CAMERA25 and the real dataset REAL275, demonstrate the effectiveness of HoPENet, achieving state-of-the-art (SOTA) pose estimation performance.
Detection and Classification of Rolling Bearing Defects Using Direct Signal Processing with Deep Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Skowron Maciej , Frankiewicz Oliwia , Jarosz Jeremi Jan , Wolkiewicz Marcin , Dybkowski Mateusz , Weisse Sebastien , Valire Jerome , Wyłomańska Agnieszka , Zimroz Radosław , Szabat Krzysztof
Published: April 2024

Currently, great emphasis is being placed on the electrification of means of transportation, including aviation. The use of electric motors reduces operating and maintenance costs. Electric motors are subjected to various types of damage during operation, of which rolling bearing defects are statistically the most common. This article focuses on presenting a diagnostic tool for bearing conditions based on mechanic vibration signals using convolutional neural networks (CNN). This article presents an alternative to the well-known classical diagnostic tools based on advanced signal processing methods such as the short-time Fourier transform, the Hilbert–Huang transform, etc. The approach described in the article provides fault detection and classification in less than 0.03 s. The proposed structures achieved a classification accuracy of 99.8% on the test set. Special attention was paid to the process of optimizing the CNN structure to achieve the highest possible accuracy with the fewest number of network parameters.
Machine Learning and Deep Learning Strategies for Chinese Hamster Ovary Cell Bioprocess Optimization
Authors: Baako Tiffany-Marie D. , Kulkarni Sahil Kaushik , McClendon Jerome L. , Harcum Sarah W. , Gilmore Jordon
Published: April 2024

The use of machine learning and deep learning has become prominent within various fields of bioprocessing for countless modeling and prediction tasks. Previous reviews have emphasized machine learning applications in various fields of bioprocessing, including biomanufacturing. This comprehensive review highlights many of the different machine learning and multivariate analysis techniques that have been utilized within Chinese hamster ovary cell biomanufacturing, specifically due to their rising significance in the industry. Applications of machine and deep learning within other bioprocessing industries are also briefly discussed.
Differences in Volatile Profiles and Sensory Characteristics in Plum Spirits on a Production Scale
Authors: Balak Josef , Drábová Lucie , Maťátková Olga , Doležal Marek , Marsík Dominik , Jarosova Kolouchova Irena
Published: April 2024

The specific sensory properties attributed to distillates from different plum varieties are intricately linked to aromatic substances, fruit quality, and technology employed during production. This study compares four plum brandies, each made from a renowned plum variety: Presenta, Valjevka, Čačanská lepotica, and Čačanská rodná on a production scale. Analytical and sensory profiles were assessed using GC-FID, an available analytical method advantageous for monitoring industrial fruit distillate production. Between 71 and 85 analytes were detected in the distillates, with the Presenta plum distillate containing the highest number of substances. Statistically significant differences in analyte concentration between plum varieties (p < 0.05) were observed for 11 analytes. The comparison of analytical profiles and sensory evaluation revealed that a high concentration of 1-propanol, despite its negative sensory perception, significantly impacts the overall perception of a distillate, contrasting with substances like acetaldehyde and propyl acetate, which have positive sensory evaluations but lesser significance in content. Our work identified key compounds and procedures that can be used as benchmarks for production of plum brandy with positive sensory evaluation. These findings demonstrate the broad application potential of GC-FID in fruit distillate production as an independent tool for aromatic profile assessment and quality control.
Comparative Evaluation of Health-Promoting Compounds, Physicochemical and Microbiological Properties of Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] Based Mahewu Produced by Different Traditional Brewers in Thohoyandou, South Africa
Authors: Mashau Mpho Edward , Muluvhu Dakalo , Ramashia Shonisani Eugenia
Published: April 2024

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolour (L.) Moench) is an emerging reliable alternative for mahewu production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the health-promoting compounds, physicochemical and microbiological properties of sorghum-based mahewu produced by different traditional brewers in Thohoyandou, South Africa. A total of 18 mahewu samples produced by six traditional brewers (TB1–TB6) were collected and compared for antioxidant, physicochemical, and microbiological properties. Commercial sorghum mahewu was used as a control sample. The total phenolic content of the mahewu samples varied from 27.37 to 65.89 GAE /g, with commercial mahewu having a lower value. The flavonoid content ranged from 0.18 to 0.30 GAE/g, and commercial mahewu had a higher value. The DPPH scavenging activity and FRAP of mahewu samples ranged from 44.62% to 49% and 1.47 to 2.36 mg GAE/g, respectively. Commercial mahewu had a higher DPPH value but a lower FRAP value. The pH of mahewu varied significantly, ranging from 3.38 to 3.66, but was within the acceptable range. The °Brix values varied from 9.68 to 17.49, with traditional mahewu samples having higher values than commercial mahewu. Total titratable acidity ranged from 0.63 to 1.17%. The viscosity ranged from 444.33 to 1297.00 cP, with commercial mahewu having a higher value. There was a significant variation in the color of the mahewu samples with respect to L*, a*, b*, C, Hue, and ΔΕ. The growth of yeasts and molds varied from 7.95 log10 to 8.99 log10 (cfu/mL) in traditional mahewu samples, and coliforms ranged from 3.68 to 5.96 log10 (cfu/mL) and were not isolated in commercial mahewu. The total plate count ranged from 7.914 to 8.978 log10 (cfu/mL). The microbiological results show that traditional brewers are meeting the legal limit and can increase their products for commercialization.
Enhancing the Content of Hesperidin and Nobiletin in Citrus Wines through Multi-Strain Fermentation
Authors: Zou Shaoqing , Ouyang Yerui , Xie Linfeng , Liu Jiantao , Wang Ya , Xiao Yiwen , Gao Boliang , Zhu Du
Published: April 2024

This research investigates how different fermentation techniques using non-Saccharomyces yeast (Candida ethanolica Ce, Hanseniaspora guilliermondii Hg, Hanseniaspora thailandica Ht) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) affect the synthesis of hesperidin, nobiletin, and other flavonoid and aromatic substances, which play a vital role in improving the overall quality of fruit wines due to their various biological properties. The combination of Sc:(Ce.Ht)-1:100 (Ce 0.5 × 107 CFU/mL, Ht 0.5 × 107 CFU/mL, Sc 1 × 105 CFU/mL) yielded the highest hesperidin content at 4.12 ± 0.08 mg/L, followed by the Sc:(Ce.Hg)-1:1 (Ce 0.5 × 107 CFU/mL, Hg 0.5 × 107 CFU/mL, Sc 1 × 107 CFU/mL) combination at 4.08 ± 0.06 mg/L. The highest nobiletin content was achieved by the (Hg.Ht)-10-Sc (Hg 0.5 × 107 CFU/mL, Ht 0.5 × 107 CFU/mL, Sc 1 × 107 CFU/mL) combination, reaching 1.04 ± 0.05 mg/L, which was significantly higher than other multi-strain combinations. Additionally, the hesperidin content produced by the (Hg.Ht)-10-Sc combination was relatively high at 4.04 ± 0.02 mg/L, demonstrating a richness and complexity of aroma superior to that of fermentation with commercial yeast strains alone. The findings suggest that the (Hg.Ht)-10-Sc combination is the most effective multi-strain combination for increasing the levels of nobiletin and hesperidin in citrus wine, thereby enhancing the overall quality of the wine. These experimental results offer a promising approach for enhancing the quality of citrus wines and other fruit wines.
Enhancing Xylanase Production from Aspergillus tamarii Kita and Its Application in the Bioconversion of Agro-Industrial Residues into Fermentable Sugars Using Factorial Design
Authors: Salgado Jose Carlos Santos , Heinen Paulo Ricardo , Messias Josana Maria , Oliveira-Monteiro Lummy Maria , Cereia Mariana , Rechia Carem Gledes Vargas , Maller Alexandre , Kadowaki Marina Kimiko , Ward Richard John , Polizeli Maria de Lourdes Teixeira de Moraes
Published: April 2024

The endo-1,4-β-xylanases (EC 3.2.1.8) are the largest group of hydrolytic enzymes that degrade xylan, the major component of hemicelluloses, by catalyzing the hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds β-1,4 in this polymer, releasing xylooligosaccharides of different sizes. Xylanases have considerable potential in producing bread, animal feed, food, beverages, xylitol, and bioethanol. The fungus Aspergillus tamarii Kita produced xylanases in Adams’ media supplemented with barley bagasse (brewer’s spent grains), a by-product from brewery industries. The culture extract exhibited two xylanase activities in the zymogram, identified by mass spectrometry as glycosyl hydrolase (GH) families 10 and 11 (GH 10 and GH 11). The central composite design (CCD) showed excellent predictive capacity for xylanase production (23.083 U mL−1). Additionally, other enzyme activities took place during the submerged fermentation. Moreover, enzymatic saccharification based on a mixture design (MD) of three different lignocellulosic residues was helpful in the production of fermentable sugars by the A. tamarii Kita crude extract.
Adriatic Sea Fishery Product Safety and Prospectives in Relation to Climate Change
Authors: Hala Edmond , Bakiu Rigers
Published: April 2024

This bibliographic study addresses key aspects related to fishing, product safety, and climate change in the Adriatic Sea region. The examination of product safety focuses on the assessment of contaminants originating from human activities such as industry, mining, agriculture, and household waste disposal. The contamination of the aquatic environment has emerged as a pressing global concern, extending to the Adriatic basin. Aquatic organisms, including fish, are prone to accumulating pollutants directly from polluted water sources and indirectly through the food web. The bio-accumulation of potentially hazardous substances, particularly heavy metals, pesticides, PCBs, PAHs, and antibiotic resistance in aquatic organisms, poses a significant threat to human health. Climate change effects will deplete our seafood supply in terms of quantity and safety owing to negative consequences such as higher levels of pollution, parasites, viruses, infections, acidification, and toxicities such as shellfish poisoning. Global food safety strategies should be developed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote environmentally friendly technology, which indirectly affects seafood quality and microbiological safety, especially for the Adriatic Sea, which is part of the Mediterranean Sea, characterized by the most polluted waters in the world.
Supposed Virulence Factors of Flavobacterium psychrophilum: A Review
Authors: Vaibarová Věra , Čížek Alois
Published: April 2024

Flavobacterium psychrophilum is currently one of the most important pathogens in aquaculture worldwide, causing high losses to farmed salmonids particularly during early growth stages with significant economic impact. Despite previous attempts, no effective vaccine has been developed, and protection against introduction into farms is difficult due to the ubiquitous occurrence of the pathogen. A better understanding of the mechanism of disease development is essential for targeted therapeutic and preventive measures in farms. Unfortunately, the pathogenesis of diseases caused by F. psychrophilum has not been elucidated yet. Previously, several putative virulence factors have been identified. Some appear to be essential for disease development, while others are probably dispensable. The importance of some factors has not yet been explored. This review focuses on the supposed virulence factors of F. psychrophilum and the current knowledge about their importance in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Nutritional Quality of Conventional, Organic, and Hydroponic Tomatoes Commercialized in Quito, Ecuador
Authors: Vélez-Terreros Pamela Y. , Romero-Estévez David , Navarrete Hugo , Yánez-Jácome Gabriela S.
Published: April 2024

The consumption of natural foods is increasingly high, and in recent years, consumers have preferred foods from systems with responsible management of natural resources (organic, hydroponic). However, there are still contradictions regarding the nutritional content of products from these different types of crops. Our study aims to compare, for the first time, the content of antioxidants (ascorbic acid, lycopene, total phenolics, essential fatty acids), micronutrients (copper, iron, manganese, zinc), contaminants (cadmium and lead), and free radical scavenging activity between conventional, organic, and hydroponic tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) sold in markets in Quito, Ecuador. Ascorbic acid and lycopene were determined by HPLC/UV-Vis. Total phenolics (Folin–Ciocalteu method) and free-radical scavenging activity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl method) were determined via UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Lipid profiles were determined as fatty acid methyl esters through a GC-FID. Trace metals were determined using FAAS (micronutrients), and GFAAS (pollutants). No significant differences (p > 0.05) between antioxidant and micronutrient content among the three types of tomatoes were found. Regarding cadmium and lead, the contents were below the Codex Alimentarius threshold limits. Finally, free radical scavenging activity varied slightly (organic > hydroponic > conventional). Although the samples showed certain differences in antioxidant content, none of the tomato types could be considered nutritionally better because of the high variability of the results.
Ultrasonic-Assisted Decoloration of Polysaccharides from Seedless Chestnut Rose (Rosa sterilis) Fruit: Insight into the Impact of Different Macroporous Resins on Its Structural Characterization and In Vitro Hypoglycemic Activity
Authors: Chen Guangjing , Sun Meiwen , Chen Kaiwen , Wang Lisha , Sun Juyan
Published: April 2024

Pigments within polysaccharides pose significant challenges when analyzing their structural characteristics and evaluating their biological activities, making decolorization a crucial step in purifying these biomolecules. In this research, a novel approach using ultrasound-assisted static adsorption with macroporous resins was employed to decolorize polysaccharides extracted from seedless chestnut rose (Rosa sterilis S. D. Shi) fruit (RSP). Among the fourteen tested resins, AB-8, D101, D4020, HPD100, and S8 were identified as the most effective, demonstrating superior decoloration efficiency and polysaccharide recovery. Further examinations of RSPs treated with these five resins revealed distinct effects on their uronic acid levels, monosaccharide makeup, molecular weight, surface structure, and hypoglycemic properties. The RSP treated with HPD100 resin stood out for having the highest uronic acid content, smallest particle size, and lowest molecular weight, leading to the most notable inhibition of α-glucosidase activity through a mixed inhibition model. The application of HPD100 resin in the decolorization process not only potentially preserved the macromolecular structure of RSP but also enhanced its hypoglycemic efficacy. These findings provide a solid theoretical basis for further exploring RSP as a component of functional foods, underscoring the effectiveness of the ultrasound-assisted resin adsorption method in polysaccharide purification.
Development of a Novel HS-GC/MS Method Using the Total Ion Spectra Combined with Machine Learning for the Intelligent and Automatic Evaluation of Food-Grade Paraffin Wax Odor Level
Authors: Barea-Sepúlveda Marta , Calle José Luis P. , Ferreiro-González Marta , Palma Miguel
Published: April 2024

The intensity of the odor in food-grade paraffin waxes is a pivotal quality characteristic, with odor panel ratings currently serving as the primary criterion for its assessment. This study presents an innovative method for assessing odor intensity in food-grade paraffin waxes, employing headspace gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (HS/GC-MS) and integrating total ion spectra with advanced machine learning (ML) algorithms for enhanced detection and quantification. Optimization was conducted using Box–Behnken design and response surface methodology, ensuring precision with coefficients of variance below 9%. Analytical techniques, including hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA), efficiently categorized samples by odor intensity. The Gaussian support vector machine (SVM), random forest, partial least squares regression, and support vector regression (SVR) algorithms were evaluated for their efficacy in odor grade classification and quantification. Gaussian SVM emerged as superior in classification tasks, achieving 100% accuracy, while Gaussian SVR excelled in quantifying odor levels, with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9667 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 6.789. This approach offers a fast, reliable, robust, objective, and reproducible alternative to the current ASTM sensory panel assessments, leveraging the analytical capabilities of HS-GC/MS and the predictive power of ML for quality control in the petrochemical sector’s food-grade paraffin waxes.
The Construction of Sodium Alginate/Carboxymethyl Chitosan Microcapsules as the Physical Barrier to Reduce Corn Starch Digestion
Authors: Zhan Linjie , Lin Zhiwei , Li Weixian , Qin Yang , Sun Qingjie , Ji Na , Xie Fengwei
Published: April 2024

To enhance the resistant starch (RS) content of corn starch, in this work, carboxymethyl chitosan/corn starch/sodium alginate microcapsules (CMCS/CS/SA) with varying concentrations of SA in a citric acid (CA) solution were designed. As the SA concentration increased from 0.5% to 2%, the swelling of the CMCS/CS/SA microcapsule decreased from 15.28 ± 0.21 g/g to 3.76 ± 0.66 g/g at 95 °C. Comparatively, the onset, peak, and conclusion temperatures (To, Tp, and Tc) of CMCS/CS/SA microcapsules were higher than those of unencapsulated CS, indicating that the dense network structure of microcapsules reduced the contact area between starch granules and water, thereby improving thermal stability. With increasing SA concentration, the intact and dense network of CMCS/CS/SA microcapsules remained less damaged after 120 min of digestion, suggesting that the microcapsules with a high SA concentration provided better protection to starch, thereby reducing amylase digestibility. Moreover, as the SA concentration increased from 0.5% to 2%, the RS content of the microcapsules during in vitro digestion rose from 42.37 ± 0.07% to 57.65 ± 0.45%, attributed to the blocking effect of the microcapsule shell on amylase activity. This study offers innovative insights and strategies to develop functional starch with glycemic control properties, holding significant scientific and practical value in preventing diseases associated with abnormal glucose metabolism.
Structure of Polysaccharide from Dendrobium nobile Lindl. and Its Mode of Action on TLR4 to Exert Immunomodulatory Effects
Authors: Li Lian , Chen Hang , Huang Guichun , Lv Yiyi , Yao Li , Guo Zhongxia , Qiu Shuyi , Wang Xiaodan , Wei Chaoyang
Published: April 2024

Dendrobium nobile Lindl. polysaccharide (DNP1) showed good anti-inflammatory activity in our previous study. In this study, the structural characterization of DNP1 and its mode of action on TLR4 were investigated. Structural characterization suggested that DNP1 was a linear glucomannan composed of (1 → 4)-β-Manp and (1 → 4)-β-Glcp residues, and the acetyl group was linked to the C-2 of Manp. The possible repeating structural units of DNP1 were [→4)-2-OAc-β-Manp-(1→]3 →4)-β-Glcp-(1→. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) binding test results showed that DNP1 did not bind directly to TLR4. The TLR4 and MD2 receptor blocking tests confirmed that DNP1 needs MD2 and TLR4 to participate in its anti-inflammatory effect. The binding energy of DNP1 to TLR4-MD2 was −7.9 kcal/mol, indicating that DNP1 could bind to the TLR4-MD2 complex stably. Therefore, it is concluded that DNP1 may play an immunomodulatory role by binding to the TLR4-MD2 complex and inhibiting the TLR4-MD2-mediated signaling pathway.
Modeling Growth Kinetics of Escherichia coli and Background Microflora in Hydroponically Grown Lettuce
Authors: You Xiaoyan , Yang Dongqun , Qu Yang , Guo Mingming , Zhang Yangping , Zhao Xiaoyan , Suo Yujuan
Published: April 2024

Hydroponic cultivation of lettuce is an increasingly popular sustainable agricultural technique. However, Escherichia coli, a prevalent bacterium, poses significant concerns for the quality and safety of hydroponically grown lettuce. This study aimed to develop a growth model for E. coli and background microflora in hydroponically grown lettuce. The experiment involved inoculating hydroponically grown lettuce with E. coli and incubated at 4, 10, 15, 25, 30, 36 °C. Growth models for E. coli and background microflora were then developed using Origin 2022 (9.9) and IPMP 2013 software and validated at 5 °C and 20 °C by calculating root mean square errors (RMSEs). The result showed that E. coli was unable to grow at 4 °C and the SGompertz model was determined as the most appropriate primary model. From this primary model, the Ratkowsky square root model and polynomial model were derived as secondary models for E. coli-R168 and background microflora, respectively. These secondary models determined that the minimum temperature (Tmin) required for the growth of E. coli and background microflora in hydroponically grown lettuce was 6.1 °C and 8.7 °C, respectively. Moreover, the RMSE values ranged from 0.11 to 0.24 CFU/g, indicating that the models and their associated kinetic parameters accurately represented the proliferation of E. coli and background microflora in hydroponically grown lettuce.
Microbiological Risks of Traditional Raw Cow’s Milk Cheese (Koryciński Cheeses)
Authors: Antoszewska Aleksandra , Maćkiw Elżbieta , Kowalska Joanna , Patoleta Małgorzata , Ławrynowicz-Paciorek Maja , Postupolski Jacek
Published: April 2024

Traditional and regional foods have been increasing in popularity among consumers in Poland for many years. The observed trend of searching for natural and authentic taste encourages many producers to craft products from raw milk, including Koryciński cheeses. The aim of this study was to assess the microbiological hazards resulting from the presence of pathogenic bacteria in Koryciński cheeses available in retail trade. The tests were carried out using accredited methods, including the detection of the presence of Salmonella spp., the enumeration of Listeria monocytogenes, the enumeration of coagulase-positive staphylococci, and the detection of staphylococcal enterotoxins in food when the number of coagulase-positive staphylococci in the sample exceeded the limit of 105 cfu/g. The research material consisted of 45 Koryciński cheeses. The tests conducted revealed that Salmonella spp. was not detected in any of the examined cheeses. However, coagulase-positive staphylococci were present in 68.9% of the samples. In as many as 15 tested cheeses, the level of S. aureus contamination was above 105 cfu/g; therefore, these samples were tested for the presence of staphylococcal enterotoxins. The presence of staphylococcal enterotoxins was found in one Koryciński cheese. In four cheeses, the number of L. monocytogenes exceeded the level of 102 cfu/g, the limit specified in Regulation 2073/2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs. The obtained research results confirm the validity of monitoring the microbiological quality of Koryciński cheeses and the need to increase awareness of ensuring proper hygienic conditions of production, including the increased risk associated with unpasteurized milk products.
Key Factors of Quality Formation in Wuyi Black Tea during Processing Timing
Authors: Lu Li , Liu Jinxian , Zhang Wenneng , Cheng Xi , Zhang Bo , Yang Yiyang , Que Youxiong , Li Yuanhua , Li Xinghui
Published: April 2024

As the most consumed tea in the world, all kinds of black tea are developed from Wuyi black tea. In this study, quality components, regulatory gene expression, and key enzyme activity during the processing were analyzed to illustrate the taste formation of WBT. Withering mainly affected the content of amino acids, while catechins and tea pigments were most influenced by rolling and the pre-metaphase of fermentation. Notably, regulatory gene expression was significantly down-regulated after withering except for polyphenoloxidase1, polyphenoloxidase2, leucoanthocyanidin dioxygenase, chalcone isomerase, and flavonoid 3′, 5′-hydroxylase. Co-expression of flavonoid pathway genes confirmed similar expression patterns of these genes in the same metabolic pathway. Interestingly, rolling and fermentation anaphase had a great effect on polyphenol oxidase, and fermentation pre-metaphase had the greatest effect on cellulase. Since gene regulation mainly occurs before picking, the influence of chemical reaction was greater during processing. It was speculated that polyphenol oxidase and cellulase, which promoted the transformation of quality components, were the key factors in the quality formation of WBT. The above results provide theoretical basis for the processing of WBT and the reference for producing high-quality black tea.
The Influence of Sodium Hexametaphosphate Chain Length on the Physicochemical Properties of High-Milk Protein Dispersions
Authors: Zaitoun Baheeja J. , Amamcharla Jayendra K.
Published: April 2024

Protein–protein and protein–mineral interactions can result in defects, such as sedimentation and age gelation, during the storage of high-protein beverages. It is well known that age gelation can be delayed by adding cyclic polyphosphates such as sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP). This study aims to assess the influence of different phosphate chain lengths of SHMP on the physicochemical properties of high-protein dispersions. The effect of adding different SHMP concentrations at 0%, 0.15%, and 0.25% (w/w) before and after heating of 6%, 8%, and 10% (w/w) milk protein concentrate dispersions was studied. The phosphate chain lengths of SHMPs used in this study were 16.47, 13.31, and 9.88, and they were classified as long-, medium-, and short-chain SHMPs, respectively. Apparent viscosity, particle size, heat coagulation time (HCT), color, and turbidity were evaluated. It was observed that the addition of SHMP (0.15% and 0.25%) increased the apparent viscosity of MPC dispersions. However, the chain length and the concentration of the added SHMP had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on the apparent viscosity after heating the dispersions. The HCT of a dispersion containing 6%, 8%, and 10% protein with no SHMP added was 15.28, 15.61, and 11.35 min, respectively. The addition of SHMP at both levels (0.15% and 0.25%) significantly increased the HCT. Protein dispersions (6%, 8%, and 10%) containing 0.25% short-chain SHMP had the highest HCT at 19.29, 19.61, and 16.09 min, respectively. Therefore, the chain length and concentration of added SHMP significantly affected the HCT of unheated protein dispersion (p < 0.05).
Monitoring the Dough Properties, Quality Characteristics and Volatile Compounds of Whole Wheat Bread Made by Different Sourdough Types during Frozen Storage
Authors: Ozulku Gorkem
Published: April 2024

There is a need to increase the consumption of whole wheat bread (WWB) due to its health benefits by overcoming its poor technological quality and improving its sensory characteristics. In this study, sourdough bread-making and frozen dough technology were combined to provide fresh WWB at any time with better quality. Also, it was aimed to investigate the effects of three types of sourdough (type I, II, and IV) on the final quality of WWB during frozen storage (−30 °C, 14 and 28 days). The tan δ of WWB with type I sourdough was highest at the end of the frozen storage. Freezable water content was lower on day 0 for WWB with type II and IV sourdough than other bread types. No significant effect of frozen storage was observed in bread types in terms of an α helix structure, except for WWB with type I sourdough. A lower hardness increment was shown in WWB with baker’s yeast and WWB with type II sourdough over 14 days of frozen storage when compared to other bread types. WWB with type I sourdough and WWB with type IV sourdough were differentiated from other bread samples in volatile compound (VC) analysis on frozen storage days 28 and 0, respectively. The frozen storage of WWB with baker’s yeast and WWB with type II sourdough caused no notable changes in the VCs profile. These results suggest that a less detrimental effect of frozen storage was observed in WWB with type II sourdough, indicating a more favorable choice for producing WWB with sourdough.
Quasi-Projective Synchronization of Discrete-Time Fractional-Order Complex-Valued BAM Fuzzy Neural Networks via Quantized Control
Authors: Xu Yingying , Li Hongli , Yang Jikai , Zhang Long
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we ponder a kind of discrete-time fractional-order complex-valued fuzzy BAM neural network. Firstly, in order to guarantee the quasi-projective synchronization of the considered networks, an original quantitative control strategy is designed. Next, by virtue of the relevant definitions and properties of the Mittag-Leffler function, we propose a novel discrete-time fractional-order Halanay inequality, which is more efficient for disposing of the discrete-time fractional-order models with time delays. Then, based on the new lemma, fractional-order h-difference theory, and comparison principle, we obtain some easy-to-verify synchronization criteria in terms of algebraic inequalities. Finally, numerical simulations are provided to check the accuracy of the proposed theoretical results.
Utilizing Cubic B-Spline Collocation Technique for Solving Linear and Nonlinear Fractional Integro-Differential Equations of Volterra and Fredholm Types
Authors: Ali Ishtiaq , Yaseen Muhammad , Akram Iqra
Published: April 2024

Fractional integro-differential equations (FIDEs) of both Volterra and Fredholm types present considerable challenges in numerical analysis and scientific computing due to their complex structures. This paper introduces a novel approach to address such equations by employing a Cubic B-spline collocation method. This method offers a robust and systematic framework for approximating solutions to the FIDEs, facilitating precise representations of complex phenomena. Within this research, we establish the mathematical foundations of the proposed scheme, elucidate its advantages over existing methods, and demonstrate its practical utility through numerical examples. We adopt the Caputo definition for fractional derivatives and conduct a stability analysis to validate the accuracy of the method. The findings showcase the precision and efficiency of the scheme in solving FIDEs, highlighting its potential as a valuable tool for addressing a wide array of practical problems.
Geochemistry and Petrology of Reservoir and Cap Rocks in Zar-3 Pilot CO2 Storage Complex, SE Czechia
Authors: Francu Juraj , Ocásková Daniela , Pařízek Petr , Vácha Jakub , Pereszlényi Miroslav , Jirman Petr , Opletal Vladimír , Ličbinská Monika
Published: April 2024

The planned pilot CO2 storage Zar-3 is an oil field with a gas cap in the final production stage in the SE Czech Republic. It is composed of a dolomite Jurassic reservoir sealed by three different formations that differ significantly in lithology. Previous studies left open questions on the nature of pore space and connectivity and the quality of the seal in the future CO2 storage complex. Microscopic petrography of the reservoir suggests dolomitisation in shallow water followed by karstification and brecciation with fracture-correct-dominated porosity. The seal horizons have porosity limited to the micro- and nanoscales. The oil consists of significantly biodegraded black oil of Jurassic origin mixed with less biodegraded gasoline-range hydrocarbons. Biomarkers in the caprock bitumens trapped in nanopores show a genetic relationship to the reservoir oil. Gas in the not yet fully depleted gas cap of the field is of thermogenic origin with no contribution of microbial methane. The formation water has total dissolved solids typical of isolated brines not diluted by infiltrated fresh water. The geochemical characteristics of the storage system together with the fact that the initial oil column is about 105 m tall with another 150 m of gas cap suggest that the seals are efficient and the Zar-3 future storage complex is tight and safe.
Grafting Genotype Combination Effect of Vitis ssp. on Roots Phylloxeration Degree and Vigor of Grapevine
Authors: Vršič Stanko , Gumzej Mojca , Pulko Borut , Kocsis László , Eitle Markus W. , Forneck Astrid
Published: April 2024

The present study investigated whether different grafting combinations (hypobiont-epibiont) of Vitis spp. influence root infection with phylloxera and thus vine biomass on potted 2-year-old plants. The study was conducted simultaneously at two locations in Slovenia (VEM) and Hungary (GF). The dormant canes of ‘Johanniter’ (JOH), ‘Riesling’ (RR) and Vitis berlandieri × Vitis riparia ‘Teleki 5C’ (5C) were hetero-grafted (each with each) and autografted (each with itself), so that nine plant combinations were used for the trial. The roots of the experimental plants at different ages (1–2 years) were infested with two phylloxera populations originating from two locations (VEM, GF). Plant growth was quantified 120 days after inoculation by measuring root and shoot biomass, while the extent of phylloxera infestation was assessed by the number of feeding sites (nodosities, tuberosities) and the number of larval stages of phylloxera. In most cases, the genotype of the hypobiont influenced the degree of phylloxera infestation on all roots of the two-year-old root system. At both locations, the highest number of nodosities and the highest increase in phylloxera population was observed on the autografted Teleki 5C (5C/5C). The phylloxera biotype derived from Vitis vinifera roots (GF) induced tuberosities, especially on roots of combinations where JOH and RR were used as hypobionts. No correlation was found between biomass and phylloxera infestation. The hypobiont genotype had no effect on cane biomass at the end of the growth cycle at either experimental site.