bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Fecal Fermentation of High Pressure-Treated Fruit Peels Used as Dietary Fiber Sources
Authors: Tejada-Ortigoza Viridiana , Garcia-Amezquita Luis , Kazem Ahmad , Campanella Osvaldo , Cano M. , Hamaker Bruce , Serna-Saldívar Sergio , Welti-Chanes Jorge
Published: February 2019

Fruit by-products are being investigated as non-conventional alternative sources of dietary fiber (DF). High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatments have been used to modify DF content as well as its technological and physiological functionality. Orange, mango and prickly pear peels untreated (OU, MU and PPU) and HHP-treated at 600 MPa (OP/55 °C and 20 min, MP/22 °C and 10 min, PPP/55 °C and 10 min) were evaluated. Untreated and treated fruit peels were subjected to fecal in vitro fermentations. The neutral sugar composition and linkage glycosidic positions were related to the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) resulting from the fermentation of the materials. After HHP-treatments, changes from multibranched sugars to linear sugars were observed. After 24 h of fermentation, OP yielded the highest amount of SCFA followed by PPU and MP (389.4, 282.0 and 204.6 μmol/10 mg DF, respectively). HHP treatment increased the SCFA concentration of orange and mango peel by 7 and 10.3% respectively, compared with the untreated samples after 24 h of fermentation. The results presented herein suggest that fruit peels could be used as good fermentable fiber sources, because they yielded high amounts of SCFA during in vitro fermentations.
Design and Synthesis of a Novel Banana-Shaped Functional Molecule via Double Cross-Coupling
Authors: Yang Bingchuan , Shen Guodong , Huang Xianqiang , Liu Rutao
Published: February 2019

A novel banana-shaped molecule using 2,8-Dimethyl-6H,12H-5,11-methanodibenzo [b,f] [1,5]diazocine (Tröger’s base) as bent-core was synthesized via double Carbon-Carbon cross-coupling reaction. The double Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction was optimized by using Pd(PPh3)2Cl2 as catalyst, CuI as cocatalyst and diisopropylamine as base in place of triethylamine. The structure of this compound was confirmed by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry.
Antifungal, Antibacterial, and Antioxidant Activities of Acacia Saligna (Labill.) H. L. Wendl. Flower Extract: HPLC Analysis of Phenolic and Flavonoid Compounds
Authors: Al-Huqail Asma A. , Behiry Said I. , Salem Mohamed Z. M. , Ali Hayssam M. , Siddiqui Manzer H. , Salem Abdelfattah Z. M.
Published: February 2019

In this study, for the environmental development, the antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities of a water extract of flowers from Acacia saligna (Labill.) H. L. Wendl. were evaluated. The extract concentrations were prepared by dissolving them in 10% DMSO. Wood samples of Melia azedarach were treated with water extract, and the antifungal activity was examined at concentrations of 0%, 1%, 2%, and 3% against three mold fungi; Fusarium culmorum MH352452, Rhizoctonia solani MH352450, and Penicillium chrysogenum MH352451 that cause root rot, cankers, and green fruit rot, respectively, isolated from infected Citrus sinensis L. Antibacterial evaluation of the extract was assayed against four phytopathogenic bacteria, including Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Enterobacter cloacae, Erwinia amylovora, and Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum, using the micro-dilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Further, the antioxidant capacity of the water extract was measured via 2,2′-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the water extract were analyzed using HPLC: benzoic acid, caffeine, and o-coumaric acid were the most abundant phenolic compounds; while the flavonoid compounds naringenin, quercetin, and kaempferol were identified compared with the standard flavonoid compounds. The antioxidant activity of the water extract in terms of IC50 was considered weak (463.71 μg/mL) compared to the standard used, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (6.26 μg/mL). The MIC values were 200, 300, 300, and 100 µg/mL against the growth of A. tumefaciens, E. cloacae, E. amylovora, and P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum, respectively, which were lower than the positive control used (Tobramycin 10 μg/disc). By increasing the extract concentration, the percentage inhibition of fungal mycelial was significantly increased compared to the control treatment, especially against P. chrysogenum, suggesting that the use of A. saligna flower extract as an environmentally friendly wood bio-preservative inhibited the growth of molds that cause discoloration of wood and wood products.
Antifungal Activity against Botrytis cinerea of 2,6-Dimethoxy-4-(phenylimino)cyclohexa-2,5-dienone Derivatives
Authors: Castro Paulo , Mendoza Leonora , Vásquez Claudio , Pereira Paz Cornejo , Navarro Freddy , Lizama Karin , Santander Rocío , Cotoras Milena
Published: February 2019

In this work the enzyme laccase from Trametes versicolor was used to synthetize 2,6-dimethoxy-4-(phenylimino)cyclohexa-2,5-dienone derivatives. Ten products with different substitutions in the aromatic ring were synthetized and characterized using 1H- and 13C-NMR and mass spectrometry. The 3,5-dichlorinated compound showed highest antifungal activity against the phytopathogen Botrytis cinerea, while the p-methoxylated compound had the lowest activity; however, the antifungal activity of the products was higher than the activity of the substrates of the reactions. Finally, the results suggested that these compounds produced damage in the fungal cell wall.
Position-Selective Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Four Isomeric A-Ring Amino Derivatives of the Alkaloid Luotonin A
Authors: Ibric Amra , Eckerstorfer Stefan , Eder Martin , Louko Ivan , Tunjic Leopold , Heffeter Petra , Schueffl Hemma Henrike , Marian Brigitte , Haider Norbert
Published: February 2019

Following two orthogonal synthetic routes, a series of all four possible A-ring amino derivatives of the natural product Luotonin A (a known Topoisomerase I inhibitor) was synthesized. In both strategies, intramolecular cycloaddition reactions are the key step. The target compounds were obtained in good yields by mild catalytic transfer hydrogenation of the corresponding nitro precursors. In-vitro evaluation of the antiproliferative activity towards human tumor cell lines revealed the 4-amino compound (5b) to be the most effective agent, showing an interesting profile of cytotoxic activity. Among other effects, a significant G2/M cell cycle arrest was observed for this compound, suggesting that either Topoisomerase I is not the only biological target, or that some atypical mechanism is responsible for inhibition of this enzyme.
Metal-Free Alpha Trifluoromethylselenolation of Carbonyl Derivatives under Batch and Flow Conditions
Authors: Massolo Elisabetta , Pirola Margherita , Rossi Sergio , Benincori Tiziana
Published: February 2019

Trifluoromethylselenolated carbonyl compounds represent an emerging class with potential applications in several fields; however, a widespread use of such compound is hampered by the very limited number of strategies for their preparation. In this study we developed a method for the preparation of α-SeCF3 substituted carbonyl derivatives using an in situ generated electrophilic ClSeCF3 species. We also implemented an in-flow protocol to improve the safety features of the process.
Self-Assembly Fluorescent Cationic Cellulose Nanocomplex via Electrostatic Interaction for the Detection of Fe3+ Ions
Authors: Wang Haoying , Ye Xiu , Zhou Jinping
Published: February 2019

In this work, an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) sensor for the detection of Fe3+ ions was fabricated through the electrostatic interaction between 1,1,2-triphenyl-2-[4-(3-sulfonatopropoxyl)-phenyl]-ethene sodium salt (SPOTPE) and quaternized cellulose (QC). The structure and properties of the SPOTPE/QC nanocomplex were studied by using 1H NMR, spectrofluorophotometer, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dynamic laser light scattering (DLS). An aqueous solution of SPOTPE and QC resulted in a remarkably enhanced cyan fluorescence in comparison to that of the SPOTPE solution. Strong through-space electrostatic interaction between SPOTPE and QC is the main cause for the fluorescence emerging. The fluorescence of the SPOTPE/QC solutions show good stability over a wide pH range of 5.0–10.0. When introducing Fe3+ ions into the SPOTPE/QC solution, the fluorescence quenched within 5 s. SPOTPE/QC solutions exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity for the detection of Fe3+ ions with ignored interferences from other ions, and the detection limit was determined to be 2.92 × 10−6 M. The quenching mechanism was confirmed to be the consequence of the binding interactions between Fe3+ ions and SPOTPE/QC complex.
Assessment of Packaged Foods and Beverages Carrying Nutrition Marketing against Canada’s Food Guide Recommendations
Authors: Franco-Arellano Beatriz , Kim Min Ah , Vandevijvere Stefanie , Bernstein Jodi T. , Labonté Marie-Ève , Mulligan Christine , L’Abbé Mary R.
Published: February 2019

Canadians’ food purchases consist largely of packaged processed and ultra-processed products, which typically fall outside the “core” foods recommended by Canada’s Food Guide (CFG). Almost half of packaged products in Canada carry nutrition marketing (i.e., nutrient content and health claims). This study assessed whether packaged foods carrying nutrition marketing align with recommendations outlined in the 2007 CFG. Label data (n = 9376) were extracted from the 2013 Food Label Information Program (FLIP). Label components (including nutrition marketing) were classified using the International Network for Food and Obesity/NCDs Research, Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS) labelling taxonomy. The Health Canada Surveillance Tool (HCST) was used to assess the alignment of products to CFG. Each food or beverage was classified into one of five groups (i.e., Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, Tier 4, “Others”). Products in Tier 1, 2 or water were considered “in line with CFG”. Most products in the analyzed sample were classified as Tier 2 (35%) and Tier 3 (27%). Although foods with nutrition marketing were significantly more likely to align to CFG recommendations (p < 0.001), many products not “in line with CFG” still carried nutrition marketing. This study provides important baseline data that could be used upon the implementation of the new CFG.
Impact of a Usual Serving Size of Flavanol-Rich Cocoa Powder Ingested with a Diabetic-Suitable Meal on Postprandial Cardiometabolic Parameters in Type 2 Diabetics—A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Crossover Study
Authors: Rynarzewski Janina , Dicks Lisa , Zimmermann Benno F. , Stoffel-Wagner Birgit , Ludwig Norbert , Helfrich Hans-Peter , Ellinger Sabine
Published: February 2019

Randomized controlled trials indicate that flavanol-rich cocoa intake may improve postprandial glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), based on studies with meals that impose a strong metabolic load. Hence, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether flavanol-rich cocoa powder ingested as part of a diabetic-suitable meal may beneficially affect glucose, lipid metabolism, and blood pressure (BP) in patients with T2D. Twelve adults with T2D, overweight/obesity, and hypertension ingested capsules with 2.5 g of flavanol-rich cocoa or microcrystalline cellulose with a diabetic-suitable breakfast in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study. BP was measured and blood samples were taken before, 2 and 4 h after breakfast and capsule intake. Cocoa treatment did not affect glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and BP. For glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR, only effects by time were observed after both treatments. Thus, 2.5 g of flavanol-rich cocoa powder ingested as part of a diabetic-suitable meal does not seem to affect postprandial glucose and lipid metabolism and BP in stably-treated diabetics. Nevertheless, future studies with close-meshed investigations are desirable, providing realistic amounts of cocoa together with realistic meals rich in carbohydrates to subjects with T2D or metabolic syndrome, which do not afford pharmacological treatment.
Iron Status of Kenyan Pregnant Women after Adjusting for Inflammation Using BRINDA Regression Analysis and Other Correction Methods
Authors: Mwangi Martin N. , Echoka Elizabeth , Knijff Marthe , Kaduka Lydia , Werema Brenda G. , Kinya Frida M. , Mutisya Richard , Muniu Erastus M. , Demir Ayşe Y. , Verhoef Hans , Bourdet-Sicard Raphaelle
Published: February 2019

Serum ferritin concentration is the preferred biomarker to assess population iron status in the absence of inflammation. Interpretation of this biomarker is complicated in populations with a high burden of infection, however, because inflammation increases serum ferritin concentration independently of iron status. We aimed to compare estimates of iron status of Kenyan pregnant women, with circulating ferritin concentrations adjusted for inflammation using newly proposed methods by the BRINDA project, or using previously proposed adjustment methods. We re-analyzed data from pregnant Kenyan women living in a rural area where malaria is highly endemic (n = 470) or in an urban area (n = 402). As proposed by the BRINDA group, we adjusted individual ferritin concentration by internal regression for circulating concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP). Other adjustment methods comprised: (a) arithmetic correction factors based on CRP or AGP; (b) exclusion of subjects with inflammation (CRP >5 mg/L or AGP >1 g/L); and (c) higher ferritin cut-off value (<30 μg/L). We additionally adjusted for Plasmodium infection as appropriate. Lastly, we assessed iron status without adjustment for inflammation. All correction methods increased prevalence of iron deficiency compared to the unadjusted estimates. This increase was more pronounced with the internal regression correction method. The iron deficiency prevalence estimate increased from 53% to 87% in rural Kisumu study and from 30% to 41% in the urban Nairobi study after adjusting for inflammation (CRP and AGP) using the BRINDA internal regression method. When we corrected for both inflammation and Plasmodium infection using the regression correction, it resulted in lower prevalence estimates compared to uninfected women. Application of linear regression methods to adjust circulating ferritin concentration for inflammation leads to markedly decreased point estimates for ferritin concentration and increased estimates for the prevalence of iron deficiency in pregnancy.
A Review on (Hydro)Porphyrin-Loaded Polymer Micelles: Interesting and Valuable Platforms for Enhanced Cancer Nanotheranostics
Authors: Nascimento Bruno F. O. , Pereira Nelson A. M. , Valente Artur J. M. , Pinho e Melo Teresa M. V. D. , Pineiro Marta
Published: February 2019

Porphyrins are known therapeutic agents for photodynamic therapy of cancer and also imaging agents for NIR fluorescence imaging, MRI, or PET. A combination of interesting features makes tetrapyrrolic macrocycles suitable for use as theranostic agents whose full potential can be achieved using nanocarriers. This review provides an overview on nanotheranostic agents based on polymeric micelles and porphyrins developed so far.
Design and Evaluation of An Extended-Release Olmesartan Tablet Using Chitosan/Cyclodextrin Composites
Authors: Anraku Makoto , Tabuchi Ryo , Goto Miwa , Iohara Daisuke , Mizukai Yasuyuki , Maezaki Yuji , Michihara Akihiro , Kadowaki Daisuke , Otagiri Masaki , Hirayama Fumitoshi
Published: February 2019

Sustained-release olmesartan tablets (OLM) were prepared by the simple, direct compression of composites of anionic sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin (SBE-β-CD) and cationic spray-dried chitosan (SD-CS), and were evaluated for use as a sustained release preparation for the treatment of hypertension. An investigation of the interaction between OLM and SBE-β-CD by the solubility method indicated that the phase diagram of the OLM/SBE-β-CD system was the AL type, indicating the formation of a 1:1 inclusion complex. The release of OLM from tablets composed of the SD-CS/SBE-β-CD composite was slow in media at both pH 1.2 and at 6.8. The in vitro slow release characteristics of the SD-CS/SBE-β-CD composite were reflected in the in vivo absorption of the drug after normal rats were given an oral administration of the preparation. Furthermore, the SD-CS/SBE-β-CD composite continuously increased the antihypertensive effect of OLM in hypertensive rats, compared with that of the drug itself. These results suggest that a simple mixing of SD-CS and SBE-β-CD can be potentially useful for the controlled release of a drug for the continuous treatments of hypertension.
Nanoemulsions for “Nose-to-Brain” Drug Delivery
Authors: Bonferoni Maria Cristina , Rossi Silvia , Sandri Giuseppina , Ferrari Franca , Gavini Elisabetta , Rassu Giovanna , Giunchedi Paolo
Published: February 2019

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) plays a fundamental role in protecting the brain from toxic substances and therefore also controls and restricts the entry of therapeutic agents. The nasal administration of drugs using the nose-to-brain pathway allows direct drug targeting into the brain, avoiding the first-pass effect and bypassing the BBB. Through the nasal route, the drug can access the brain directly along the trigeminal and olfactory nerves, which are located in the upper part of the nasal cavity. Nanoemulsions are formulations belonging to the field of nanomedicine. They consist of emulsions (commonly oil in water) stabilized by one or more surfactants—and eventually co-surfactants—delivered in droplets of small dimensions (sizes of 100–300 nm or less) with a high surface area. A mucoadhesive polymer such as chitosan can be added to the formulation to impair rapid nasal clearance. Nanoemulsions represent promising formulations to deliver drugs directly into the brain through the intranasal route. Therefore, they can be used as a possible alternative to oral administration, avoiding problems such as low solubility in water, poor bioavailability, enzymatic degradation and slow onset of action. This review focuses the present situation in literature regarding the use of nanoemulsions for nose-to-brain targeting, with particular attention to recent publications. Nasal nanoemulsions appear to be effective, non-invasive and safe drug delivery systems to achieve brain targeting for the treatment of neurological diseases.
Sorption and Desorption Studies of Pb(II) and Ni(II) from Aqueous Solutions by a New Composite Based on Alginate and Magadiite Materials
Authors: Attar Keltoum , Demey Hary , Bouazza Djamila , Sastre Ana Maria
Published: February 2019

A new composite material based on alginate and magadiite/Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (CAM-D2EHPA) was successfully prepared by previous impregnation of layered magadiite with D2EHPA extractant, and then immobilized into the alginate matrix. Air dried beads of CAM-D2EHPA were characterized by FTIR and SEM–EDX techniques. The sorbent was used for the separation of lead and nickel from nitrate solutions; the main parameters of sorption such as contact time, pH of the solution, and initial metal concentration were studied. The beads recovered 94% of Pb(II) and 65% of Ni(II) at pH 4 from dilute solutions containing 10 mg L−1 of metal (sorbent dosage, S.D. 1 g L−1). The equilibrium data gave a better fit using the Langmuir model, and kinetic profiles were fitted using a pseudo-second order rate equation. The maximum sorption capacities obtained (at pH 4) were 197 mg g−1 and 44 mg g−1 for lead and nickel, respectively. The regeneration of the sorbent was efficiently carried out with a dilute solution of HNO3 (0.5 M). The composite material was reused in 10 sorption–elution cycles with no significant differences on sorption uptake. A study with synthetic effluents containing an equimolar concentration of both metals indicated a better selectivity towards lead ions.
Effect of Side Chain Length on Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer in Aqueous Solution: A Computational Study
Authors: Chuang Po-Hsiang , Tseng Yu-Hui , Fang Yunhui , Gui Miaomiao , Ma Xiuxing , Luo Jinjing
Published: February 2019

Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to study the conformations of polycarboxylate ether (PCE) superplasticizers with different side chain lengths in aqueous solution. For four types of PCE molecules—PCE1, PCE2, PCE3, and PCE4—the steric hindrance between the PCE molecules increased with increasing side chain length. The side chain length not only affects water mobility but also affects the distribution of water molecules in the system. Simulation results indicate that water molecules were trapped by the PCE molecules, reducing the diffusion properties. PCE molecules with long side chains have more water molecules probability around the main chain and fewer water molecules probability near the side chain. Microscopic-level knowledge of the interaction between superplasticizer and water molecules facilitates understanding of the performance of superplasticizers in cement systems.
3D-Printable PP/SEBS Thermoplastic Elastomeric Blends: Preparation and Properties
Authors: Banerjee Shib Shankar , Burbine Stephen , Kodihalli Shivaprakash Nischay , Mead Joey
Published: February 2019

Currently, material extrusion 3D printing (ME3DP) based on fused deposition modeling (FDM) is considered a highly adaptable and efficient additive manufacturing technique to develop components with complex geometries using computer-aided design. While the 3D printing process for a number of thermoplastic materials using FDM technology has been well demonstrated, there still exists a significant challenge to develop new polymeric materials compatible with ME3DP. The present work reports the development of ME3DP compatible thermoplastic elastomeric (TPE) materials from polypropylene (PP) and styrene-(ethylene-butylene)-styrene (SEBS) block copolymers using a straightforward blending approach, which enables the creation of tailorable materials. Properties of the 3D printed TPEs were compared with traditional injection molded samples. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the 3D printed sample were lower than the injection molded samples. However, no significant differences could be found in the melt rheological properties at higher frequency ranges or in the dynamic mechanical behavior. The phase morphologies of the 3D printed and injection molded TPEs were correlated with their respective properties. Reinforcing carbon black was used to increase the mechanical performance of the 3D printed TPE, and the balancing of thermoplastic elastomeric and mechanical properties were achieved at a lower carbon black loading. The preferential location of carbon black in the blend phases was theoretically predicted from wetting parameters. This study was made in order to get an insight to the relationship between morphology and properties of the ME3DP compatible PP/SEBS blends.
Metabolic Modeling of Clostridium difficile Associated Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota
Authors: Phalak Poonam , Henson Michael A.
Published: February 2019

Recent in vitro experiments have demonstrated the ability of the pathogen Clostridium difficile and commensal gut bacteria to form biofilms on surfaces, and biofilm development in vivo is likely. Various studies have reported that 3%–15% of healthy adults are asymptomatically colonized with C. difficile, with commensal species providing resistance against C. difficile pathogenic colonization. C. difficile infection (CDI) is observed at a higher rate in immunocompromised patients previously treated with broad spectrum antibiotics that disrupt the commensal microbiota and reduce competition for available nutrients, resulting in imbalance among commensal species and dysbiosis conducive to C. difficile propagation. To investigate the metabolic interactions of C. difficile with commensal species from the three dominant phyla in the human gut, we developed a multispecies biofilm model by combining genome-scale metabolic reconstructions of C. difficile, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron from the phylum Bacteroidetes, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii from the phylum Firmicutes, and Escherichia coli from the phylum Proteobacteria. The biofilm model was used to identify gut nutrient conditions that resulted in C. difficile-associated dysbiosis characterized by large increases in C. difficile and E. coli abundances and large decreases in F. prausnitzii abundance. We tuned the model to produce species abundances and short-chain fatty acid levels consistent with available data for healthy individuals. The model predicted that experimentally-observed host-microbiota perturbations resulting in decreased carbohydrate/increased amino acid levels and/or increased primary bile acid levels would induce large increases in C. difficile abundance and decreases in F. prausnitzii abundance. By adding the experimentally-observed perturbation of increased host nitrate secretion, the model also was able to predict increased E. coli abundance associated with C. difficile dysbiosis. In addition to rationalizing known connections between nutrient levels and disease progression, the model generated hypotheses for future testing and has the capability to support the development of new treatment strategies for C. difficile gut infections.
Improvement of Temperature Control Performance of Thermoelectric Dehumidifier Used Industry 4.0 by the SF-PI Controller
Authors: Ko Jae-Sub , Huh Jun-Ho , Kim Jong-Chan
Published: February 2019

This paper proposes the series connected fuzzy-proportional integral (SF-PI) controller, which is composed of the fuzzy control and the PI controller to improve temperature control performance of dehumidifier using a thermoelectric element. The control of conventional PI controller usually uses fixed gain. For that reason, it is limited in achieving satisfactory control performance in both transient-state and steady-state. The fuzzy control within SF-PI controller adjusts the input value of PI controller according to operating condition. The PI controller within the SF-PI controller controls the temperature of the thermoelectric element using that value. The SF-PI controller can achieve more accurate temperature control than a conventional PI controller for that reason. The SF-PI controller has been tested for various indoor environmental conditions such as temperature and relative humidity conditions. The average temperature error of the SF-PI controller between the reference temperature and the thermoelectric element temperature is 22% of traditional PI’s value and consumption power is reduced by about 10%. Therefore, the SF-PI controller proposed in this paper can improved the performance of temperature control of dehumidifier using thermoelectric element. The power consumed by buildings accounts for a significant portion of the total power consumption, of which the air conditioner represents the largest energy consumer. In this paper, it is possible to reduce the energy consumption by improving the performance of the dehumidifier, one of the air conditioners, and it can be applied to various control fields in the future.
The Application of a Three-Dimensional Deterministic Model in the Study of Debris Flow Prediction Based on the Rainfall-Unstable Soil Coupling Mechanism
Authors: Qiao Shuangshuang , Qin Shengwu , Chen Junjun , Hu Xiuyu , Ma Zhongjun
Published: February 2019

As debris flow is one of the most destructive natural disasters in many parts of the world, the assessment and management of future debris flows with proper forecasting methods are crucial for the safety of life and property. So increasing attention has been paid to the forecasting methods on debris flows. A debris flow forecasting method based on the rainfall-unstable soil coupling mechanism (R-USCM) is presented in the current study. This method is based on the debris flow formation mechanism. The density of sediment is introduced as an evaluation index to determine the susceptibility of debris flow occurrence. The forecasting method includes two phases: (1) rainfall and soil coupling and (2) runoff and unstable soil coupling. Scoops3D, a three-dimensional (3D) model for analyzing slope stability, was introduced into the debris flow forecasting method. In order to test the forecasting accuracy of this method, Jiaohe County was selected as a research area, and the serious debris flow disasters attributed to strong rainfall on 20 July 2017 were taken as the research case. By comparing the forecasting results with the debris flow distribution map for Jiaohe County, the method based on the R-USCM is feasible for forecasting debris flows at the regional scale. The application of the Scoops3D model can more reasonably analyze the slope stability than the traditional two dimensional (2D) method and improve the forecasting ability of debris flows.
Hybrid Approach for Optimisation and Analysis of Palm Oil Mill
Authors: Foong Steve Z. Y. , Andiappan Viknesh , Tan Raymond R. , Foo Dominic C. Y. , Ng Denny K. S.
Published: February 2019

A palm oil mill produces crude palm oil, crude palm kernel oil and other biomass from fresh fruit bunches. Although the milling process is well established in the industry, insufficient research and development reported in optimising and analysing the operations of a palm oil mill. The performance of a palm oil mill (e.g., costs, utilisation and flexibility) is affected by factors such as operating time, capacity and fruit availability. This paper presents a hybrid combined mathematical programming and graphical approach to solve and analyse a palm oil mill case study in Malaysia. The hybrid approach consists of two main steps: (1) optimising a palm oil milling process to achieve maximum economic performance via input-output optimisation model (IOM); and (2) performing a feasible operating range analysis (FORA) to study the utilisation and flexibility of the developed design. Based on the optimised results, the total equipment units needed is reduced from 39 to 26 unit, bringing down the total capital investment by US$6.86 million (from 18.42 to 11.56 million US$) with 23% increment in economic performance (US$0.82 million/y) achieved. An analysis is presented to show the changes in utilisation and flexibility of the mill against capital investment. During the peak crop season, the utilisation index increases from 0.6 to 0.95 while the flexibility index decreases from 0.4 to 0.05.
Discrete Element Method Model Optimization of Cylindrical Pellet Size
Authors: Rozbroj Jiri , Zegzulka Jiri , Necas Jan , Jezerska Lucie
Published: February 2019

The DEM (Discrete Element Method) is one option for studying the kinematic behaviour of cylindrical pellets. The DEM experiments attempted to optimize the numerical model parameters that affected time and velocity as a cylindrical vessel emptied. This vessel was filled with cylindrical pellets. Optimization was accomplished by changing the coefficient of friction between particles and selecting the length accuracy grade of the sample cylindrical pellets. The initial state was a series of ten vessel-discharge experiments evaluated using PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry). The cylindrical pellet test samples were described according to their length in three accuracy grades. These cylindrical pellet length accuracy grades were subsequently used in the DEM simulations. The article discusses a comparison of the influence of the length accuracy grade of cylindrical pellets on optimal calibration of time and velocity when the cylindrical vessel is emptied. The accuracy grade of cylindrical pellet length in the DEM sample plays a significant role in relation to the complexity of a created simulation.
Dynamics of Water Quality: Impact Assessment Process for Water Resource Management
Authors: Bhatti Ejaz-ul-Hassan , Khan Mudasser Muneer , Shah Syyed Adnan Raheel , Raza Syed Safdar , Shoaib Muhammad , Adnan Muhammad
Published: February 2019

Surface water is an important source of water supply for irrigation purpose and in urban areas, sewage water is being disposed of in nearby canals without treatment. A study was conducted to investigate the dynamics of water quality of irrigation canal as a result of this practice. The study ascertained the impact of different salinity parameters, indices and approaches to examine the hazardous effects on quality of canal water. The study analyses the samples collected for various parameters like pH, TDS, EC, Na, Cl, Ca, Mg, K, CO3, HCO3 etc. It helped to decide the restriction on use of water based on FAO-UN guidelines. Investigations were focused on assessment of contaminants affecting the quality of water and having hazardous effects on different stages of irrigation water usage. Wilcox diagram and Doneen’s approach-based analysis helped to identify the class and quality of water. This study shall help to analyze the quality of water and provide support to the decision makers for better water resource management and policy development for irrigation purpose i.e., treatment and distribution of water resource.
Long-Term Stability of Thin-Film Pd-Based Supported Membranes
Authors: Nooijer Niek de , Arratibel Plazaola Alba , Meléndez Rey Jon , Fernandez Ekain , Pacheco Tanaka David Alfredo , Sint Annaland Martin van , Gallucci Fausto
Published: February 2019

Membrane reactors have demonstrated a large potential for the production of hydrogen via reforming of different feedstocks in comparison with other reactor types. However, the long-term performance and stability of the applied membranes are extremely important for the possible industrial exploitation of these reactors. This study investigates the long-term stability of thin-film Pd-Ag membranes supported on porous Al2O3 supports. The stability of five similarly prepared membranes have been investigated for 2650 h, up to 600 °C and in fluidized bed conditions. Results show the importance and the contribution of the sealing of the membranes at temperatures up to 500 °C. At higher temperatures the membranes surface deformation results in pinhole formation and a consequent decrease in selectivity. Stable operation of the membranes in a fluidized bed is observed up to 450 °C, however, at higher temperatures the scouring action of the particles under fluidization causes significant deformation of the palladium surface resulting in a decreased selectivity.
“The Real Victim of Lynch Law Is the Government”: American Protestant Anti-Lynching Advocacy and the Making of Law and Order
Authors: Griffith Aaron
Published: February 2019

This article examines American Protestant anti-lynching advocacy in the early twentieth century. In contrast to African American Protestants, who framed their anti-lynching efforts in ways that foregrounded the problem of racism and black experiences of suffering, white mainline Protestant critiques of lynching regularly downplayed race and framed the crime in terms of its threat to American civilization and national law and order. This article connects these latter concerns to the national war on crime of the 1930s and 40s and the early history of the modern carceral state.
Integration of Landsat-8 Thermal and Visible-Short Wave Infrared Data for Improving Prediction Accuracy of Forest Leaf Area Index
Authors: Neinavaz Elnaz , Darvishzadeh Roshanak , Skidmore Andrew K. , Abdullah Haidi
Published: February 2019

Leaf area index (LAI) has been investigated in multiple studies, either by means of visible/near-infrared and shortwave-infrared or thermal infrared remotely sensed data, with various degrees of accuracy. However, it is not yet known how the integration of visible/near and shortwave-infrared and thermal infrared data affect estimates of LAI. In this study, we examined the utility of Landsat-8 thermal infrared data together with its spectral data from the visible/near and shortwave-infrared region to quantify the LAI of a mixed temperate forest in Germany. A field campaign was carried out in August 2015, in the Bavarian Forest National Park, concurrent with the time of the Landsat-8 overpass, and a number of forest structural parameters, including LAI and proportion of vegetation cover, were measured for 37 plots. A normalised difference vegetation index threshold method was applied to calculate land surface emissivity and land surface temperature and their relations to LAI were investigated. Next, the relation between LAI and eight commonly used vegetation indices were examined using the visible/near-infrared and shortwave-infrared remote sensing data. Finally, the artificial neural network was used to predict the LAI using: (i) reflectance data from the Landsat-8 operational land imager (OLI) sensor; (ii) reflectance data from the OLI sensor and the land surface emissivity; and (iii) reflectance data from the OLI sensor and land surface temperature. A stronger relationship was observed between LAI and land surface emissivity compared to that between LAI and land surface temperature. In general, LAI was predicted with relatively low accuracy by means of the vegetation indices. Among the studied vegetation indices, the modified vegetation index had the highest accuracy for LAI prediction (R2CV = 0.33, RMSECV = 1.21 m2m−2). Nevertheless, using the visible/near-infrared and shortwave-infrared spectral data in the artificial neural network, the prediction accuracy of LAI increased (R2CV = 0.58, RMSECV = 0.83 m2m−2). The integration of reflectance and land surface emissivity significantly improved the prediction accuracy of the LAI (R2CV = 0.81, RMSECV = 0.63 m2m−2). For the first time, our results demonstrate that the combination of Landsat-8 reflectance spectral data from the visible/near-infrared and shortwave-infrared domain and thermal infrared data can boost the estimation accuracy of the LAI in a forest ecosystem. This finding has implication for the prediction of other vegetation biophysical, or possibly biochemical variables using thermal infrared satellite remote sensing data, as well as regional mapping of LAI when coupled with a canopy radiative transfer model.
Compact Acoustic Rainbow Trapping in a Bioinspired Spiral Array of Graded Locally Resonant Metamaterials
Authors: Zhao Liuxian , Zhou Shengxi
Published: February 2019

Acoustic rainbow trappers, based on frequency selective structures with graded geometries and/or properties, can filter mechanical waves spectrally and spatially to reduce noise and interference in receivers. These structures are especially useful as passive, always-on sensors in applications such as structural health monitoring. For devices that face space and weight constraints, such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) transducers and artificial cochleae, the rainbow trapping structures must be compact as well. To address this requirement, we investigated the frequency selection properties of a space-saving design consisting of Helmholtz resonators arranged at sub-wavelength intervals along a cochlear-inspired spiral tube. The height of the Helmholtz resonators was varied gradually, which induced bandgap formation at different frequencies along the length of the spiral tube. Numerical simulations and experimental measurements of acoustic wave propagation through the structure showed that frequencies in the range of 1–10 kHz were transmitted to different extents along the spiral tube. These rainbow trapping results were achieved with a footprint that was up to 70 times smaller than the previous structures operating at similar bandwidths, and the channels are 2.5 times of the previous structures operating at similar bandwidths.
Critical Excitation of the Fundamental Quasi-Shear Mode Wave in Waveguide Bars for Elevated Temperature Applications
Authors: Jia Jiuhong , Liao Zuoyu , Cai Xiaotao , Tu Yun , Tu Shan-Tung
Published: February 2019

The safety of critical pressure equipment in elevated temperature is increasingly important. Moreover, the on-line monitoring method is potentially useful to improve their safety. A waveguide bar system can enable monitoring of critical equipment working in elevated temperature using reliable ultrasonic technology. Among the waveguide bar system, the matching mechanism of the transducer and the waveguide bar is crucial to propagate the pure fundamental quasi-shear mode (shorten for SH0*) wave. In the present research, the loading line sources that can excite pure SH0* wave are investigated and the anti-plane shear loading source is selected. The critical values about the geometric dimensions of the junctions between the piezoelectric transducer and the waveguide bar are explored by simulation and experiments. On the condition that the excitation sources satisfy the critical values, the loading can be approximated to an anti-plane shear one to excite the pure SH0* wave. Some waveguide bar systems are designed based on the simulated critical values and some experiments at high temperature are carried out. The experimental results verify that the designed waveguide bar systems can excite the pure SH0* wave at elevated temperatures, which verify the reliability of the simulated critical results.
High Sensitive Night-time Light Imaging Camera Design and In-orbit Test of Luojia1-01 Satellite
Authors: Su Zhiqiang , Zhong Xing , Zhang Guo , Li Yanjie , He Xiaojun , Wang Qiang , Wei Zongxi , He Chunling , Li Deren
Published: February 2019

Luojia1-01 satellite is the first scientific experimental satellite applied for night-time light remote sensing data acquisition, and the payload is an optical camera with high sensitivity, high radiation measurement accuracy and stable elements of interior orientation. At the same time, a special shaped hood is designed, which significantly improved the ability of the camera to suppress stray light. Camera electronics adopts the integrated design of focal plane and imaging processing, which greatly reduces the volume and weight of the system. In this paper, the design of the optical camera is summarized, and the results of in-orbit imaging performance tests are analyzed. The results show that the dynamic modulation transfer function (MTF) of the camera is better than 0.17, and the SNR is better than 35 dB under the condition of 10 lx illuminance and 0.3 reflectivity and all indicators meet the design requirements. The data obtained have been widely applied in many fields such as the process of urbanization, light pollution analysis, marine fisheries detection and military.
ECG Noise Cancellation Based on Grey Spectral Noise Estimation
Authors: Liu Shing-Hong , Hsieh Cheng-Hsiung , Chen Wenxi , Tan Tan-Hsu
Published: February 2019

In recent years, wearable devices have been popularly applied in the health care field. The electrocardiogram (ECG) is the most used signal. However, the ECG is measured under a body-motion condition, which is easily coupled with some noise, like as power line noise (PLn) and electromyogram (EMG). This paper presents a grey spectral noise cancellation (GSNC) scheme for electrocardiogram (ECG) signals where two-stage discrimination is employed with the empirical mode decomposition (EMD), the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) and the grey spectral noise estimation (GSNE). In the first stage of the proposed GSNC scheme, the input ECG signal is decomposed by the EMD to obtain a set of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). Then, the noise energies of IMFs are estimated by the GSNE. When an IMF is considered as noisy one, it is forwarded to the second stage for further check. In the second stage, the suspicious IMFs are reconstructed and decomposed by the EEMD. Then the IMFs are discriminated with a threshold. If the IMF is considered as noisy, it is discarded in the reconstruction process of the ECG signal. The proposed GSNC scheme is justified by forty-three ECG signal datasets from the MIT-BIH cardiac arrhythmia database where the PLn and EMG noise are under consideration. The results indicate that the proposed GSNC scheme outperforms the traditional EMD and EEMD based noise cancellation schemes in the given datasets.
Modeling and Validation of Vertical Direction Force Estimation with a Three-Dimensional Force Measurement Instrument Based on a Zero-Compliance Mechanism
Authors: Nahiyan Md Helal An , Mizuno Takeshi , Takasaki Masaya , Ishino Yuji , Hara Masayuki , Yamaguchi Daisuke
Published: February 2019

The principle of a zero-compliance mechanism was used to develop a three-dimensional force measurement instrument. In each axis, the point of force is suspended by a zero-compliance mechanism. A vertical axis force estimation operation imitates the structure of a double series magnetic suspension system. An electromagnet directly controls the movement of the first suspended object (floator), which is denoted as a detection point, and indirectly controls the motion of the second floator, which is denoted as a point of force. Indirect control of the point of force is executed by the attractive force of a permanent magnet that is fixed to the bottom part of the detection point. To achieve zero-compliance, a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control is applied to the point of force, and to make the system stable, a Proportional-Derivative (PD) control is also applied to the detection point. In such suspension conditions, when force is exerted on the point of force, the displacement of the second floator is regulated to maintain its primary position while the detection point displaces in proportion to the applied force. Thus, a zero-compliance condition is maintained at the point of force, and the external force is measured from the linear displacement of the detection point. To restrict the motions of the detection point and the point of force in translation only, they are supported with leaf springs. This paper presents the modeling of the vertical direction force measurement operation of the developed three-axis force estimation instrument, and the theoretical analyses were validated by experiments of force measurement in both the millinewton and micronewton ranges.
Waste Coffee Ground Biochar: A Material for Humidity Sensors
Authors: Jagdale Pravin , Ziegler Daniele , Rovere Massimo , Tulliani Jean , Tagliaferro Alberto
Published: February 2019

Worldwide consumption of coffee exceeds 11 billion tons/year. Used coffee grounds end up as landfill. However, the unique structural properties of its porous surface make coffee grounds popular for the adsorption of gaseous molecules. In the present work, we demonstrate the use of coffee grounds as a potential and cheap source for biochar carbon. The produced coffee ground biochar (CGB) was investigated as a sensing material for developing humidity sensors. CGB was fully characterized by using laser granulometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the Brunnauer Emmett Teller (BET) technique in order to acquire a complete understanding of its structural and surface properties and composition. Subsequently humidity sensors were screen printed using an ink-containing CGB with polyvinyl butyral (PVB) acting as a temporary binder and ethylene glycol monobutyral ether, Emflow, as an organic vehicle so that the proper rheological characteristics were achieved. Screen-printed films were the heated at 300 °C in air. Humidity tests were performed under a flow of 1.7 L/min in the relative humidity range 0–100% at room temperature. The initial impedance of the film was 25.2 ± 0.15 MΩ which changes to 12.3 MΩ under 98% humidity exposure. A sensor response was observed above 20% relative humidity (RH). Both the response and recovery times were reasonably fast (less than 2 min).