bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on the Processes of Injecting CO2 into Coal Seams with CH4 Recovery Using Horizontal Wells
Authors: Chećko Jarosław , Urych Tomasz , Magdziarczyk Małgorzata , Smolinski Adam
Published: January 2020

The paper presents a research study on modeling and computer simulation of injecting CO2 into the coal seams of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Poland connected with enhanced coal bed methane (ECBM) recovery. In the initial stage of the research activities, a structural parameter model was developed specifically with reference to the coal-bearing formations of the Upper Carboniferous for which basic parameters of coal quality and the distribution of methane content were estimated. In addition, a lithological model of the overall reservoir structure was developed and the reservoir parameters of the storage site were analyzed. In the next stage of the research, the static model was supplemented with detailed reservoir parameters as well as the thermodynamic properties of fluids and complex gases. The paper discusses a series of simulations of an enhanced coalbed methane recovery process with a simultaneous injection of carbon dioxide. The analyses were performed using the ECLIPSE software designed for simulating coal seam processes. The results of the simulations demonstrated that the total volume of CO2 injected to a designated seam in a coal mine during the period of one year equaled 1,954,213 sm3. The total amount of water obtained from the production wells during the whole period of the simulations (6.5 years) was 9867 sm3. At the same time, 15,558,906 sm3 of gas was recovered, out of which 14,445,424 sm3 was methane. The remaining 7% of the extracted gas was carbon dioxide as a result of reverse production of the previously injected CO2. However, taking into consideration the phenomena of coal matrix shrinking and swelling, the total amount of injected CO2 decreased to approximately 625,000 sm3.
Prediction Model for Dissolved Gas Concentration in Transformer Oil Based on Modified Grey Wolf Optimizer and LSSVM with Grey Relational Analysis and Empirical Mode Decomposition
Authors: Zeng Bing , Guo Jiang , Zhang Fangqing , Zhu Wenqiang , Xiao Zhihuai , Huang Sixu , Fan Peng
Published: January 2020

Oil-immersed transformer is one of the most important components in the power system. The dissolved gas concentration prediction in oil is vital for early incipient fault detection of transformer. In this paper, a model for predicting the dissolved gas concentration in power transformer based on the modified grey wolf optimizer and least squares support vector machine (MGWO-LSSVM) with grey relational analysis (GRA) and empirical mode decomposition (EMD) is proposed, in which the influence of transformer load, oil temperature and ambient temperature on gas concentration is taken into consideration. Firstly, GRA is used to analyze the correlation between dissolved gas concentration and transformer load, oil temperature and ambient temperature, and the optimal feature set affecting gas concentration is extracted and selected as the input of the prediction model. Then, EMD is used to decompose the non-stationary series data of dissolved gas concentration into stationary subsequences with different scales. Finally, the MGWO-LSSVM is used to predict each subsequence, and the prediction values of all subsequences are combined to get the final result. DGA samples from two transformers are used to verify the proposed method, which shows high prediction accuracy, stronger generalization ability and robustness by comparing with LSSVM, particle swarm optimization (PSO)-LSSVM, GWO-LSSVM, MGWO-LSSVM, EMD-PSO-LSSVM, EMD-GWO-LSSVM, EMD-MGWO-LSSVM, GRA-EMD-PSO-LSSVM and GRA-EMD-GWO-LSSVM.
Application of Tuned Mass Damper to Mitigation of the Seismic Responses of Electrical Equipment in Nuclear Power Plants
Authors: Cho Sung Gook , Chang Seongkyu , Sung Deokyong
Published: January 2020

A tuned mass damper (TMD) was developed for mitigating the seismic responses of electrical equipment inside nuclear power plants (NPPs), in particular, the response of an electrical cabinet. A shaking table test was performed, and the frequency and damping ratio were extracted, to confirm the dynamics of the cabinet. Electrical cabinets with and without TMDs were modeled while using SAP2000 software (Version 20, Computers and Structures, NY, USA) that was based on the results. TMDs were designed while using an optimization method and the equations of Den Hartog, Warburton, and Sadek. The numerical models were verified while using the shaking table test results. A sinusoidal sweep wave was applied as input to identify the vibration characteristics of the electrical cabinet over a wide frequency range. Applying various seismic loads that were adjusted to meet the RG 1.60 design response spectrum of 0.3 g then validated the control performance of the TMD. The minimum and maximum response spectrum reduction rates of the designed TMDs were 44.7% and 62.9%, respectively. Further, the amplification factor of the electrical cabinet with the TMD was decreased by 53%, on average, with the proposed optimization method. In conclusion, TMDs can be considered to be an effective way of enhancing the seismic performance of the electrical equipment inside NPPs.
Development and Assessment of an Over-Expanded Engine to be Used as an Efficiency-Oriented Range Extender for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Brito F. P. , Martins Jorge , Lopes Francisco , Castro Carlos , Martins Luís , Moreira A. L. N.
Published: January 2020

A range extender (RE) is a device used in electric vehicles (EVs) to generate electricity on-board, enabling them to significantly reduce the number of required batteries and/or extend the vehicle driving range to allow occasional long trips. In the present work, an efficiency-oriented RE based on a small motorcycle engine modified to the efficient over-expanded cycle, was analyzed, tested and simulated in a driving cycle. The RE was developed to have two points of operation, ECO: 3000 rpm, very high efficiency with only 15 kW; and BOOST: 7000 rpm with 35 kW. While the ECO strategy was a straightforward development for the over-expansion concept (less trapped air and a much higher compression ratio) the BOOST strategy was more complicated to implement and involved the need for throttle operation. Initially the concepts were evaluated in an in-house model and AVL Boost® (AVL List Gmbh, Graz, Austria), and proved feasible. Then, a BMW K75 engine was altered and tested on a brake dynamometer. The running engine proved the initial concept, by improving the efficiency for the ECO condition in almost 40% in relation to the stock engine and getting well over the required BOOST power, getting to 35 kW, while keeping an efficiency similar to the stock engine at the wide open throttle (WOT). In order to protect the engine during BOOST, the mixture was enriched, while at ECO the mixture was leaned to further improve efficiency. The fixed operation configuration allows the reduction, not only of complexity and cost of the RE, but also the set point optimization for the engine and generator. When integrated as a RE into a typical European light duty vehicle, it provided a breakthrough consumption reduction relatively to existing plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in the market in the charge sustaining mode. The very high efficiency of the power generation seems to compensate for the loss of efficiency due to the excess electricity production, which must be stored in the battery. The results indicate that indeed it is possible to have an efficient solution, in-line with the electric mobility sustainability paradigm, which can solve most of the shortcomings of current EVs, notably those associated with batteries (range, cost and charging time) in a sustainable way.
Dynamic Experimental Study on Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage by Bacteria Supported in Natural Minerals
Authors: Dong Yanrong , Di Junzhen , Wang Xianjun , Xue Lindan , Yang Zhenhua , Guo Xuying , Li Mingwei
Published: January 2020

In order to solve the problem of pollution of acid mine drainage (AMD), such as low pH value and being rich in SO42−, Fe and Mn pollution ions, etc., immobilized particles were prepared by using sugar cane-refining waste (bagasse), a natural composite mineral (called medical stone in China) and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) as substrate materials, based on microbial immobilization technology. Medical stone is a kind of composite mineral with absorbability, non-toxicity and biological activity. The adsorption capacity of medical stone is different according to its geographic origins. Two dynamic columns were constructed with Column 1 filled by Fuxin’s medical stone-enhanced SRB immobilized particles, and Column 2 filled by Dengfeng’s medical stone-enhanced SRB immobilized particles as fillers. The treatment effect on AMD with SRB-immobilized particles enhanced by medical stone from different areas was compared. Results showed that Column 2 had better treatment effect on AMD. The average effluent pH value of Column 2 was 6.98, the average oxidation reduction potential (ORP) value was −70.17 mV, the average removal percentages of SO42−, Fe2+ and Mn2+ were 70.13%, 83.82% and 59.43%, respectively, and the average chemical oxygen demand (COD) emission was 555.48 mg/L.
A Data Ecosystem for Data-Driven Thermal Energy Transition: Reflection on Current Practice and Suggestions for Re-Design
Authors: Diran Devin , Hoppe Thomas , Ubacht Jolien , Slob Adriaan , Blok Kornelis
Published: January 2020

The transition towards low-carbon thermal energy systems requires solid information provision to support both public and private decision-making, which is future proof and optimal in the context of the system dependencies. We adopt a data ecosystem approach to answer the following research question: How can a data ecosystem be analyzed and developed to enable the data-driven support of the local thermal energy transition, by capturing both social and technical aspects of the urban thermal energy system? A case study research design of the Netherlands, with an embedded case of the city of Utrecht therein, was used, including data collection involving 21 expert interviews representing a diversity of stakeholders, and qualitative data analysis using NVivo version 10. The data ecosystem includes the necessary elements, roles, and context for decision makers in a local heat transition and captures the social as well as technical aspects of an urban thermal energy system. Assessment of the data ecosystem pertaining to thermal heat transition in the city of Utrecht shows that it is still in its infancy phase, with challenges, barriers, and shortcomings in all its key elements. We present suggestions for the (re-)design of an inclusive and holistic data ecosystem that addresses the current shortcomings.
Experimental Investigation of Spontaneous Imbibition of Water into Hydrate Sediments Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Method
Authors: Yang Liu , Zhang Chuanqing , Cai Jianchao , Lu Hongfeng
Published: January 2020

Field observations show that less than one percent of dissociation water can be produced during gas hydrate production, resulting from spontaneous water imbibition into matrix pores. What’s more, the hydrate sediments are easily dispersed in water, and it is difficult to carry out spontaneous imbibition experiments. At present, there is little research work on the imbibition capacity of hydrate sediments. In this paper, a new method of water imbibition is proposed for hydrate sediments, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique is used to monitor water migration. The results show that as the imbibition time increases, the water is gradually imbibed into matrix pores. Water imbibition can cause dramatic changes in pore structure, such as microfracture initiation, fracture network generation and skeleton dispersion. When the imbibition time exceeds a critical value, many secondary pores (new large pores and micro-fractures) start to appear. When imbibition time exceeds the dispersion time, fracture networks are generated, eventually leading to dispersion of the sediment skeleton. The imbibition curves of hydrate sediments can be divided into two linear stages, which corresponds, respectively, to water imbibition of primary pores and secondary pores. The imbibition rate of secondary pores is significantly larger than that of primary pores, indicating that the generation of new fractures can greatly accelerate the imbibition rate. Research on the characteristics of water imbibition in hydrate sediments is important for optimizing hydrate production regime and increasing natural gas production.
Micro-Grooved Pipe Design of Parabolic Trough by Metaheuristic Optimization: An Empirical Comparison
Authors: Osuna-Enciso Valentín , Pérez-Cisneros Marco , Zaldívar-Navarro Daniel
Published: January 2020

Pipe design is one of the most significant research lines in the area of parabolic semi-cylindrical solar collectors. The main idea behind pipe design is to increase the capillarity angle by expanding the total area being heated, therefore boosting the work capacity of the device. Such capillarity depends on several factors, whose numerical calculations are highly complex. Moreover, some of those variables are integers, whereas some others are real; hence, it is necessary to use optimization techniques that are capable of searching in those numerical spaces. There are several optimization tools that allow individual codification as binary strings, granting the coding of integer, real, or any other, as part of the same individual. Consequently, in this paper we propose the comparison of four metaheuristics when they are utilized to maximize the capillarity angle of the pipe in a parabolic trough. Experimental results show a better performance of binary particle swarm optimization when compared against the other techniques, achieving improvements in the capillarity angle of on average 11 % in comparison with a similar study.
Penalty Based Control Mechanism for Strategic Prosumers in a Distribution Network
Authors: Ghosh Arnob , Aggarwal Vaneet
Published: January 2020

The distribution side of the traditional power grid is changing as the users (known as prosumers) can inject power to the grid. However, uncontrollable injection of power can destabilize the grid. Thus, the stability of the grid must be maintained. Since the prosumers are self-interested entities, they will take their actions to maximize their own pay-offs. We formulate the problem as a non-cooperative game theoretic problem where the magnitude of the voltage must be within an acceptable limit at each node of the power network. Since the power-flow equations must be satisfied at each node, it becomes a coupled constrained game where the constraints are the same across the prosumers. We propose a distributed penalty based algorithm which converges to an equilibrium. In this mechanism, the prosumers are quoted a price based on the active and reactive power drawn or injected to the power grid. The algorithm is easy to implement and it converges to an efficient solution which maximizes the sum of the utilities of the prosumers while maintaining the grid’s stability.
Research on Fault Detection for Three Types of Wind Turbine Subsystems Using Machine Learning
Authors: Liu Zuojun , Xiao Cheng , Zhang Tieling , Zhang Xu
Published: January 2020

In wind power generation, one aim of wind turbine control is to maintain it in a safe operational status while achieving cost-effective operation. The purpose of this paper is to investigate new techniques for wind turbine fault detection based on supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system data in order to avoid unscheduled shutdowns. The proposed method starts with analyzing and determining the fault indicators corresponding to a failure mode. Three main system failures including generator failure, converter failure and pitch system failure are studied. First, the indicators data corresponding to each of the three key failures are extracted from the SCADA system, and the radar charts are generated. Secondly, the convolutional neural network with ResNet50 as the backbone network is selected, and the fault model is trained using the radar charts to detect the fault and calculate the detection evaluation indices. Thirdly, the support vector machine classifier is trained using the support vector machine method to achieve fault detection. In order to show the effectiveness of the proposed radar chart-based methods, support vector regression analysis is also employed to build the fault detection model. By analyzing and comparing the fault detection accuracy among these three methods, it is found that the fault detection accuracy by the models developed using the convolutional neural network is obviously higher than the other two methods applied given the same data condition. Therefore, the newly proposed method for wind turbine fault detection is proved to be more effective.
Contribution Towards a Comprehensive Methodology for Wood-Based Biomass Material Flow Analysis in a Circular Economy Setting
Authors: Marques Alexandra , Cunha Jorge , De Meyer Annelies , Navare Kranti
Published: January 2020

It is challenging to quantify the production of wood-based biomass, to define the type and where it comes from, how it is used, and the amount that remains available. This information is crucial for the implementation of national and transnational regulations and is a pillar for the development of the future bio-based circular economy. A variety of studies estimate the production of biomass, performs material flow analyses, or addresses supply chain modelling. These studies are often built upon distinct assumptions, tailored to a specific purpose, and often poorly described. This makes comparison amongst studies, generalization of results, or replication hard to even impossible. This paper presents a comprehensive methodology for wood-based biomass material flow analysis, anchored in Material Flow Analysis, built upon literature review and deducted through systematization of previous studies. This is a five-step approach, consisting of (1) adopt proper terminology; (2) obtain accurate estimates for the biomass flows; (3) Sankey diagram for resource balance representation; (4) scenario analysis; (5) stakeholders validation. The focus is to provide instructions for producing a generalized Sankey diagram, from the categorization of biomass resources, uses/applications in a circular economy setting, towards the development of scenario analysis. Its practical implementation is presented by defining the yearly wood-based biomass resource balance of Portugal and the waste wood resource balance of Flanders. The main data sources for the quantification of the biomass sources and uses/applications are identified. Based on the insights from these case studies, our methodological approach already shows to be replicable and with comparable results. This enables the comparison of resource flows between different regions and countries and also monitoring the progress over time. This leads to improved data which can be instruments for supporting companies’ decision-making processes (e.g., infrastructure investments or other strategic decisions), as well as designing policy strategies and incentives.
Genetic Structure of Norway Spruce Ecotypes Studied by SSR Markers
Authors: Bínová Zuzana , Korecký Jiří , Dvořák Jakub , Bílý Jan , Zádrapová Dagmar , Jansa Václav , Lstibůrek Milan
Published: January 2020

Norway spruce is a widespread and economically highly important tree species in Central Europe which occurs there in different morphotypic forms (also known as ecotypes). Previously established common garden experiments indicated that the morphological differentiation is most likely genetically determined. The genetic structure of Norway spruce morphological variants might be an indicator (marker) of specific sustainability in forest ecosystems. In this study, we investigated 436 individuals from autochthonous populations belonging to three different ecotypes. The main aim was to evaluate a level of genetic intra and interpopulation diversity among the low, medium and high-elevation ecotypes using both expressed sequence tag simple sequence repeats (EST – SSR) and genomic SSR markers. Sixteen highly polymorphic microsatellite loci folded in two newly designed multiplexes were used to depicture the genetic structure of targeted trees. Important allele frequency parameters, such as the mean expected (0.722, SE = 0.061) and observed (0.585, SE = 0.062) heterozygosity and mean effective number of alleles (Ne = 5.943, SE = 1.279), were estimated. The low genetic differentiation detected among different ecotypes (Fst = 0.008) was further discussed and clarified.
On the Management of Large-Diameter Trees in China’s Forests
Authors: Wu Chuping , Jiang Bo , Yuan Weigao , Shen Aihua , Yang Shuzhen , Yao Shenhao , Liu Jiajia
Published: January 2020

Large-diameter trees have mainly been used for timber production in forestry practices. Recently, their critical roles played in biodiversity conservation and maintenance of ecosystem functions have been recognized. However, current forestry policy on the management of large-diameter trees is weak. As China is the biggest consumer of large-diameter timbers, how to maintain sustainable large-diameter timber resources as well as maximize ecological functions of the forests is a critical question to address. Here we summarize historical uses, distribution patterns, and management strategies of large-diameter trees in China. We found that large-diameter trees are mainly distributed in old-growth forests. Although China’s forest cover has increased rapidly in the past decades, large-diameter trees are rarely found in plantation forests and secondary forests. We suggest that knowledge of large-diameter trees should be widely disseminated in local forestry departments, especially their irreplaceable value in terms of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem functions. Protection of large-diameter trees, especially those in old-growth forests, is critical for sustainable forestry. To meet the increasing demand of large-diameter timbers, plantation forests and secondary forests should apply forest density management with thinning to cultivate more large-diameter trees.
Influence of Leaf Physical Properties on Single-Leaf Vibrational Response to Sound
Authors: Li Mengmeng , Kang Jian
Published: January 2020

Plant leaves respond to environmental sounds by vibration. This study aimed to examine such responses by evaluating the influences of physical properties on vibrational amplitude, velocity and frequency before and during sound stimulation. Nine plant species with a wide range of leaf sizes, qualities and thicknesses and petiole lengths, widths and thicknesses were selected. In the absence of external sound, the leaf amplitude was ~1 μm, the vibrational velocity was ~0.05 mm s-1 and the vibrational frequency was ~0–15 Hz. After sound stimulation, however, the amplitude increased by 1–5.4×, the velocity was 1.75–14.1× higher and produced another spectral peak at ~80–95 Hz. Nevertheless, the amplitude and velocity varied by up to 1–10× among species mainly because of differences in leaf texture. However, these factors did not markedly change in succulent leaves because their thick epidermal cuticles and high water content buffered vibrations. In contrast, leathery leaves and papery and membranous leaves were highly responsive to sound stimuli. Leaf size, mass and thickness and petiole length, width and thickness also influenced leaf vibration. There is a positive correlation between noise reduction and leaf velocity. Noise reduction effect increases with the increase in leaf velocity until about 0.6 mm s−1 and then decreases. The relationship between leaf physical properties and leaf vibration may be used to study sound response and noise reduction in different plant species.
Twitter-Based Safety Confirmation System for Disaster Situations
Authors: Utsu Keisuke , Abe Mariko , Nishikawa Shuji , Uchida Osamu
Published: January 2020

In the aftermath of disastrous events in Japan, safety information and rescue requests, as well as emergency alerts and damage situations, have been shared on Twitter. However, even victims who are familiar with smartphones or similar devices and social media cannot easily share detailed information, such as the coordinates or address of their current location, which are essential components of safety information and rescue requests. Moreover, local governments and rescue experts have difficulty in gathering such tweets from Twitter. In this paper, we propose a novel system to enable the victims to share their safety information, make rescue requests, and enable quick information gathering for decision making by local government staff or rescue experts. The proposed system is a Twitter-based safety confirmation system named T-@npi. Using the proposed application, the users can easily submit their safety information and send rescue requests on Twitter. The users who want to confirm the safety information can check it quickly on Twitter or via this system. Furthermore, the registered safety information is displayed on an online map to support rescue and assistance activities by local governments and rescue experts.
Multi-Authority Revocable Access Control Method Based on CP-ABE in NDN
Authors: Wu Zhijun , Zhang Yun , Xu Enzhong
Published: January 2020

For the future of the Internet, because information-centric network (ICN) have natural advantages in terms of content distribution, mobility, and security, it is regarded as a potential solution, or even the key, to solve many current problems. Named Data Network (NDN) is one of the research projects initiated by the United States for network architecture. NDN is a more popular project than ICN. The information cache in the NDN separates content from content publishers, but content security is threatened because of the lack of security controls. Therefore, a multi-authority revocable access control method based on CP-ABE needs to be proposed. This method constructs a proxy-assisted access control scheme, which can implement effective data access control in NDN networks, and the scheme has high security. Because of the partial decryption on the NDN node, the decryption burden of the consumer client in the solution is reduced, and effective user and attribute revocation is achieved, and forward security and backward security are ensured, and collusion attacks are prevented. Finally, through the other security and performance analysis of the scheme of this paper, it proves that the scheme is safe and efficient.
Zymomonas mobilis in Bread Dough: Characterization of Dough Leavening Performance in Presence of Sucrose
Authors: Musatti Alida , Cappa Carola , Mapelli Chiara , Alamprese Cristina , Rollini Manuela
Published: January 2020

Zymomonas mobilis, because of its fermentative metabolism, has potential food applications in the development of leavened baked goods consumable by people with adverse responses to Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Since Z. mobilis is not able to utilize maltose present in flour, the effect of sucrose addition (2.5 g/100 g flour) on bread dough leavening properties was studied. For comparison purposes, leavening performances of S. cerevisiae with and without sucrose were also investigated. Doughs leavened by Z. mobilis without sucrose addition showed the lowest height development (14.95 ± 0.21 mm) and CO2 production (855 ± 136 mL). When sucrose was added, fermentative performances of Z. mobilis significantly (p < 0.05) improved (+80% and +85% of gas production and retention, respectively), with a dough maximum height 2.6 times higher, results indicating that Z. mobilis with sucrose can be leavened in shorter time with respect to the sample without addition. S. cerevisiae did not benefit the sucrose addition in terms of CO2 production and retention, even if lag leavening time was significantly (p < 0.05) shorter (about the half) and time of porosity appearance significantly (p < 0.05) longer (about 26%) with respect to S. cerevisiae alone. Results demonstrate that in the presence of sucrose, Z. mobilis can efficiently leaven a bread dough, thus providing innovation possibilities in the area of yeast-free leavened products.
Validation of a Commercial Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assay for the Rapid Detection of Anisakis spp. DNA in Processed Fish Products
Authors: Cammilleri Gaetano , Ferrantelli Vincenzo , Pulvirenti Andrea , Drago Chiara , Stampone Giuseppe , Del Rocio Quintero Macias Gema , Drago Sandro , Arcoleo Giuseppe , Costa Antonella , Geraci Francesco , Di Bella Calogero
Published: January 2020

Parasites belonging to the Anisakis genera are organisms of interest for human health because they are responsible for the Anisakiasis zoonosis, caused by the ingestion of raw or undercooked fish. Furthermore, several authors have reported this parasite to be a relevant inducer of acute or chronic allergic diseases. In this work, a rapid commercial system based on Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) was optimised and validated for the sensitive and rapid detection of Anisakis spp. DNA in processed fish products. The specificity and sensitivity of the LAMP assay for processed fish samples experimentally infected with Anisakis spp. larvae and DNA were determined. The LAMP system proposed in this study was able to give positive amplification for all the processed fish samples artificially contaminated with Anisakis spp., giving sensitivity values equal to 100%. Specificity tests provided no amplification for the Contracaecum, Pseudoterranova, or Hysterothylacium genera and uninfected samples. The limit of detection (LOD) of the LAMP assay proposed was 102 times lower than the real-time PCR method compared. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the application of the LAMP assay for the detection of Anisakis spp. in processed fish products. The results obtained indicate that the LAMP assay validated in this work could be a reliable, easy-to-use, and convenient tool for the rapid detection of Anisakis DNA in fish product inspection.
Rapid Screen of the Color and Water Content of Fresh-Cut Potato Tuber Slices Using Hyperspectral Imaging Coupled with Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Xiao Qinlin , Bai Xiulin , He Yong
Published: January 2020

Color index and water content are important indicators for evaluating the quality of fresh-cut potato tuber slices. In this study, hyperspectral imaging combined with multivariate analysis was used to detect the color parameters (L*, a*, b*, Browning index (BI), L*/b*) and water content of fresh-cut potato tuber slices. The successive projections algorithm (SPA) and competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) were used to extract characteristic wavelengths, partial least squares (PLS) and least squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) were utilized to establish regression models. For color prediction, R2c, R2p and RPD of all the LSSVM models established for the five color indicators L*, a*, b*, BI, L*/b* were exceeding 0.90, 0.84 and 2.1, respectively. For water content prediction, R2c, R2p, and RPD of the LSSVM models were over 0.80, 0.77 and 1.9, respectively. LS-SVM model based on full spectra was used to reappear the spatial distribution of color and water content in fresh-cut potato tuber slices by pseudo-color imaging since it performed best in most cases. The results illustrated that hyperspectral imaging could be an effective method for color and water content prediction, which could provide solid theoretical basis for subsequent grading and processing of fresh-cut potato tuber slices.
Organochlorine Pesticides and PCBs in Traditionally and Industrially Smoked Pork Meat Products from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Kartalović Brankica , Mastanjević Krešimir , Novakov Nikolina , Vranešević Jelena , Ljubojević Pelić Dragana , Puljić Leona , Habschied Kristina
Published: January 2020

The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of 19 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs): (hexachlorocyclohexane (α-HCH, β-HCH, δ–HCH), lindane, aldrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, trans-chlordane, cis-chlordane, endosulfane I, endosulfane II, endosulfane sulfate, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), dieldrin, endrin, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), methoxychlor and endrin ketone and 6 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (PCB 28, PCB 52, PCB 101, PCB 153, PCB 138 and PCB 180). The samples were taken from pancetta, dry pork neck (budiola), pork tenderloin and sausages produced in Rakitno (Bosnia and Herzegovina), smoked in both a traditional smokehouse and in an industrial chamber. Instrumental analysis was performed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The reliability of the results, i.e., quality control is ensured by standard laboratory practice, which involves participation in proficiency test, the use of blank samples, reference materials and implementation of recommendations given by the relevant international organizations. The concentrations of α-HCH, lindane, PCB 28, PCB 52 and PCB 153 were detected and quantified. The concentrations of OCPs and PCBs did not significantly vary depending on product type and the conditions of production. All the examined samples were for human consumption.
FT-NIR Analysis of Intact Table Grape Berries to Understand Consumer Preference Driving Factors
Authors: Basile Teodora , Marsico Antonio Domenico , Cardone Maria Francesca , Antonacci Donato , Perniola Rocco
Published: January 2020

Fourier-transform near infrared spectroscopy (FT-NIR) is a technique used in the compositional and sensory analysis of foodstuffs. In this work, we have measured the main maturity parameters for grape (sugars and acids) using hundreds of intact berry samples to build models for the prediction of these parameters from berries of two very different varieties: “Victoria” and “Autumn Royal”. Together with the chemical composition in terms of sugar and acidic content, we have carried out a sensory analysis on single berries. Employing the models built for sugars and acids it was possible to learn the sweetness and acidity of each berry before the destructive sensory analysis. The direct correlation of sensory data with FT-NIR spectra is difficult; therefore, spectral data were exported from the spectrometer built-in software and analyzed with R software using a statistical analysis technique (Spearman correlation) which allowed the correlation of berry appreciation data with specific wavelengths that were then related to sugar and acidic content. In this article, we show how it is possible to carry out the analysis of single berries to obtain data on chemical composition parameters and consumer appreciation with a fast, simple, and non-destructive technique with a clear advantage for producers and consumers.
Reconnecting Rural Native Hawaiian Families to Food through Aquaponics
Authors: Beebe Jazmine Kaleihua , Amshoff Yvette , Ho-Lastimosa Ilima , Moayedi Ghazaleh , Bradley Asha L.C. , Kim Inji N. , Casson Napua , Protzman Robert , Espiritu Danielle , Spencer Michael S. , Chung-Do Jane J.
Published: January 2020

Food insecurity is a pressing issue in Hawai‘i as the vast majority of available and accessible foods are imported. To address this issue, a backyard aquaponics program was implemented from 2010 to 2016 to offer additional avenues to food sovereignty in a rural predominantly Native Hawaiian community. Aquaponics provides a contained and sustainable food production system that models Native Hawaiian principles of land and water stewardship. The purpose of this community-engaged study was to identify the outcomes and resources needed to continue sustaining the backyard aquaponics systems. The researchers began building a relationship with the community by helping to build several aquaponics systems. The researchers and community partner co-developed the interview questions and participants were interviewed in-person. The outcomes of the study revealed multiple benefits of having a backyard aquaponics system, including increased access to vegetables and fruit, improved diet, low maintenance cost, and enhanced family and community connectedness. Participants reported a renewed connection to Native Hawaiian values, especially land stewardship. Challenges included leaks and breakages with the system, overproduction of fish, complications in water temperature, and vulnerability to unpredictable weather. These findings suggest that backyard aquaponics systems have the potential to provide multiple benefits including alleviating barriers related to food security.
Hybridization Facilitates Adaptive Evolution in Two Major Fungal Pathogens
Authors: Samarasinghe Himeshi , You Man , Jenkinson Thomas S. , Xu Jianping , James Timothy Y.
Published: January 2020

Hybridization is increasingly recognized as an important force impacting adaptation and evolution in many lineages of fungi. During hybridization, divergent genomes and alleles are brought together into the same cell, potentiating adaptation by increasing genomic plasticity. Here, we review hybridization in fungi by focusing on two fungal pathogens of animals. Hybridization is common between the basidiomycete yeast species Cryptococcus neoformans × Cryptococcus deneoformans, and hybrid genotypes are frequently found in both environmental and clinical settings. The two species show 10–15% nucleotide divergence at the genome level, and their hybrids are highly heterozygous. Though largely sterile and unable to mate, these hybrids can propagate asexually and generate diverse genotypes by nondisjunction, aberrant meiosis, mitotic recombination, and gene conversion. Under stress conditions, the rate of such genetic changes can increase, leading to rapid adaptation. Conversely, in hybrids formed between lineages of the chytridiomycete frog pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the parental genotypes are considerably less diverged (0.2% divergent). Bd hybrids are formed from crosses between lineages that rarely undergo sex. A common theme in both species is that hybrids show genome plasticity via aneuploidy or loss of heterozygosity and leverage these mechanisms as a rapid way to generate genotypic/phenotypic diversity. Some hybrids show greater fitness and survival in both virulence and virulence-associated phenotypes than parental lineages under certain conditions. These studies showcase how experimentation in model species such as Cryptococcus can be a powerful tool in elucidating the genotypic and phenotypic consequences of hybridization.
Enhancing Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Activity on Substrates with 3′ Terminal Structures for Enzymatic De Novo DNA Synthesis
Authors: Barthel Sebastian , Palluk Sebastian , Hillson Nathan J. , Keasling Jay D. , Arlow Daniel H.
Published: January 2020

Enzymatic oligonucleotide synthesis methods based on the template-independent polymerase terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) promise to enable the de novo synthesis of long oligonucleotides under mild, aqueous conditions. Intermediates with a 3′ terminal structure (hairpins) will inevitably arise during synthesis, but TdT has poor activity on these structured substrates, limiting its usefulness for oligonucleotide synthesis. Here, we described two parallel efforts to improve the activity of TdT on hairpins: (1) optimization of the concentrations of the divalent cation cofactors and (2) engineering TdT for enhanced thermostability, enabling reactions at elevated temperatures. By combining both of these improvements, we obtained a ~10-fold increase in the elongation rate of a guanine-cytosine hairpin.
The velvet Regulator VosA Governs Survival and Secondary Metabolism of Sexual Spores in Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: Kim Min-Ju , Lee Mi-Kyung , Pham Huy Quang , Gu Myeong Ju , Zhu Bohan , Son Sung-Hun , Hahn Dongyup , Shin Jae-Ho , Yu Jae-Hyuk , Park Hee-Soo , Han Kap-Hoon
Published: January 2020

The velvet regulator VosA plays a pivotal role in asexual sporulation in the model filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. In the present study, we characterize the roles of VosA in sexual spores (ascospores) in A. nidulans. During ascospore maturation, the deletion of vosA causes a rapid decrease in spore viability. The absence of vosA also results in a lack of trehalose biogenesis and decreased tolerance of ascospores to thermal and oxidative stresses. RNA-seq-based genome-wide expression analysis demonstrated that the loss of vosA leads to elevated expression of sterigmatocystin (ST) biosynthetic genes and a slight increase in ST production in ascospores. Moreover, the deletion of vosA causes upregulation of additional gene clusters associated with the biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites, including asperthecin, microperfuranone, and monodictyphenone. On the other hand, the lack of vosA results in the downregulation of various genes involved in primary metabolism. In addition, vosA deletion alters mRNA levels of genes associated with the cell wall integrity and trehalose biosynthesis. Overall, these results demonstrate that the velvet regulator VosA plays a key role in the maturation and the cellular and metabolic integrity of sexual spores in A. nidulans.
Hormonal and Molecular Regulation of Phallus Differentiation in a Marsupial Tammar Wallaby
Authors: Chen Yu , Renfree Marilyn B.
Published: January 2020

Congenital anomalies in phalluses caused by endocrine disruptors have gained a great deal of attention due to its annual increasing rate in males. However, the endocrine-driven molecular regulatory mechanism of abnormal phallus development is complex and remains largely unknown. Here, we review the direct effect of androgen and oestrogen on molecular regulation in phalluses using the marsupial tammar wallaby, whose phallus differentiation occurs after birth. We summarize and discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying phallus differentiation mediated by sonic hedgehog (SHH) at day 50 pp and phallus elongation mediated by insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3), as well as multiple phallus-regulating genes expressed after day 50 pp. We also identify hormone-responsive long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that are co-expressed with their neighboring coding genes. We show that the activation of SHH and IGF1, mediated by balanced androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) signalling, initiates a complex regulatory network in males to constrain the timing of phallus differentiation and to activate the downstream genes that maintain urethral closure and phallus elongation at later stages.
Disability Ethos as Invention in the United States’ Twentieth and Early Twenty-First Centuries
Authors: Stones Emily D. , Meyer Craig A.
Published: January 2020

This article posits that disability activists routinely present a disability “ethos of invention” as central to the reformation of an ableist society. Dominant societal approaches to disability injustice, such as rehabilitation, accessibility, and inclusion, may touch upon the concept of invention; but, with ethotic discourse, we emphasize disability as generative and adept at producing new ways of knowing and being in the world. We identify an “ethos of invention” as driving early resistance to socially constructed “normalcy”, leading the push for cross-disability alliances to incorporate intersectional experiences and propelling the discursive move from inclusion to social justice. Through our partial re-telling of disability rights history, we articulate invention as central to it and supporting its aims to affirm disability culture, reform society through disabled perspectives and values, and promote people with disabilities’ full participation in society.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Healthcare in 2019
Authors:   Healthcare Editorial Office
Published: January 2020

The editorial team greatly appreciates the reviewers who have dedicated their considerable time and expertise to the journal’s rigorous editorial process over the past 12 months, regardless of whether the papers are finally published or not [...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of High-Throughput in 2019
Authors:   High-Throughput Editorial Office
Published: January 2020

The editorial team greatly appreciates the reviewers who have dedicated their considerable time and expertise to the journal’s rigorous editorial process over the past 12 months, regardless of whether the papers are finally published or not [...]
A Comprehensive Evaluation of Carbon Emission Reduction Capability in the Yangtze River Economic Belt
Authors: Tang Decai , Zhang Yan , Bethel Brandon J
Published: January 2020

The Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) is an essential part of China’s goal of reducing its national carbon emissions. Focusing on economic and social development, the development of science and technology, carbon sinks, energy consumption, and carbon emissions, this paper uses “the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution mode” (TOPSIS) and “an obstacle factor diagnosis method” to measure the reduction capacity of each province and municipality of the YREB. Key obstacles to achieving the goal of carbon emission reduction are also identified. The main finding is that the emission reduction capacities of Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang in China’s east is far greater than that of all other provinces and municipalities, the main obstacle of Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang are carbon sinks, energy consumption and carbon emission, and other provinces and municipalities are social and economic development. Taking into consideration those evaluation results and obstacles, paths for carbon emission reduction are delineated through a four-quadrant matrix method with intent to provide suitable references for the development of a low-carbon economy in the YREB.
Association between Dental Treatment, Quality of Life, and Activity Limitation According to Masticatory Discomfort: Evidence from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2015)
Authors: Kang Hyun-Kyung , Kim Yu-Rin
Published: January 2020

People with masticatory discomfort are unable to consume a balanced diet, which impacts their general health. We studied the relationship between quality of life and dental care associated with masticatory discomfort. Data from Korea’s representative 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were used. Complex sampling analysis with the stratification variable, clustering variable, and weight was applied. Demographic and dental treatment characteristics and activity limitations were compared through chi-square tests. The comparison of quality of life according to masticatory discomfort was performed using linear regression. The risk of masticatory discomfort was high in people who did not undergo regular oral examinations and preventive and definitive caries treatment and in those who received periodontal, surgical, endodontic, or prosthetic treatments. Generally, people with masticatory discomfort engaged in less activity owing to other disorders like arthritis, rheumatism, and back, neck, and oral disease. People with masticatory discomfort scored low on quality of life. People who received regular oral examinations and preventive care had a low level of masticatory discomfort, and the treated persons had high masticatory discomfort. Therefore, in order to reduce masticatory discomfort, more diverse and active care should be provided for prevention, specifically regular oral examinations.