bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation in Real Conditions of New Anticorrosive Formulations Based on Polyphenols from Natural Sources and Encapsulated Nanoparticles
Authors: Ramírez Jesús , Díaz-Gómez Andrés , Montoya Luis Felipe , Samhitha Saireddy Shiva , Rojas David , Oñate Ángelo , Jaramillo Andrés Felipe , Melendrez Manuel Francisco
Published: December 2022

The objective of this study was to examine the combined protection effect of a two-layer system consisting of organic corrosion inhibitors (tannins derived from the bark of radiata pine) and anodic protection by means of the incorporation of zinc oxide nanoparticles modified superficially by chemical methods to improve the protection of metallic structures against corrosion. Film evaluations are performed in accordance with ISO and ASTM standards. This study also took into account the evaluation of the performance of two commercial coatings according to the scheme suggested by the supplier, in addition to the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) characterizations at 0 h, 720 h of accelerated exposure, and 4 months of atmospheric exposure in a corrosive environment of classification C3. The results obtained indicated that the combination of tannins derived from pine bark and encapsulated zinc oxide nanoparticles is a viable alternative to commercial coatings with a higher concentration of synthetic compounds. Although the film properties decrease slightly, performance tests at different exposure times show that they can still be classified as high-performance coatings.
Nb and Mo Influencing the High-Temperature Wear Behavior of HVOF-Sprayed High-Entropy Alloy Coatings
Authors: Rymer Lisa-Marie , Lindner Thomas , Lampke Thomas
Published: December 2022

To qualify high-entropy alloys (HEAs) as resource-saving and high-temperature wear-resistant coating materials, high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) coatings produced from the inert gas-atomized powder of Al0.3CrFeCoNi, Al0.3CrFeCoNiNb0.5 and Al0.3CrFeCoNiMo0.75 were investigated in reciprocating wear tests at temperatures at 25, 500, 700 and 900 °C. In addition to the high-temperature wear tests, the microstructure and chemical composition of the three HEAs were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In particular, HVOF coatings are characterized by high hardness (Vickers hardness HV0.1) and low porosity, which were also determined. After high-temperature wear tests, the wear depth was measured using laser scanning microscopy (LSM). It was found that adding Nb and Mo to Al0.3CrFeCoNi significantly reduces the wear depth with increasing temperature. The wear mechanisms change from abrasive wear and delamination (25 °C and 500 °C) to a combination of (abrasion), delamination, adhesion and oxidative wear. Thereby, oxidative wear will be the primary mechanism at 900 °C for all the HVOF coatings investigated. The most important finding is that the adhesion of the oxide layer formed is improved by adding Nb and Mo, resulting in significantly reduced wear depth at 900 °C.
Micro/Nanomaterials for Heat Transfer, Energy Storage and Conversion
Authors: He Ming-Jian , Sun Ya-Song , Wang Zhao-Long , Wang Bo-Xiang
Published: December 2022

It is well known that micro/nanomaterials exhibit many physical properties in the fields of heat transfer, energy conversion and storage, and also have great prospects in nanoelectronics, sensors, photonic devices and biomedical applications [...]
Electroplating on Al6082 Aluminium: A New Green and Sustainable Approach
Authors: Comparini Andrea , Del Pace Ivan , Giurlani Walter , Emanuele Roberta , Verrucchi Margherita , Bonechi Marco , Innocenti Massimo
Published: December 2022

Aluminium and its alloys are interesting for many applications because they are very light, cheap, and unlimitedly recyclable. Despite being a promising base material for the fashion-jewellery sector, their tendency to form a passivating film makes them difficult to be galvanized, even more when recycled aluminium contains impurities of refractory elements. Indeed, the most common processes for galvanising aluminium are often expensive and not environmentally sustainable because they involve the use of cyanides. In this work we focussed on the pre-treatments and electroplating on Al6082 aluminium which is largely used for fashion-jewellery applications. The objective of the present study was to assess whether Al6082 series aluminium is suitable a as base material for the fashion market; therefore, we investigated the effectiveness of plating pre-treatments and the success of electroless zinc deposition using an innovative alkaline cyanide-free zincate solution. After the electroplating, adhesion between the deposited layers was evaluated both with cross-sectional scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis as well as with an adhesion evaluation test (ISO2819:2018): no detachments confirmed the positive test outcomes and thereby highlighted that Al6082 can be exploited as base material in the fashion-jewellery market.
Effect of Voltage on the Microstructure and High-Temperature Oxidation Resistance of Micro-Arc Oxidation Coatings on AlTiCrVZr Refractory High-Entropy Alloy
Authors: Wang Zhao , Cheng Zhaohui , Zhang Yong , Shi Xiaoqian , Rao Mosong , Wu Shangkun
Published: December 2022

In order to improve the high-temperature oxidation resistance of refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs), we used micro-arc oxidation (MAO) technology to prepare ceramic coatings on AlTiCrVZr alloy, and the effects of voltage on the microstructure and high-temperature oxidation resistance of the coatings were studied. In this paper, the MAO voltage was adjusted to 360 V, 390 V, 420 V, and 450 V. The microstructure, elements distribution, chemical composition, and surface roughness of the coatings were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and white-light interferometry. The matrix alloy and MAO-coated samples were oxidized at 800 °C for 5 h and 20 h to study their high-temperature oxidation resistance. The results showed that as the voltage increased, the MAO coating gradually became smooth and dense, the surface roughness decreased, and the coating thickness increased. The substrate elements and solute ions in the electrolyte participated in the coating formation reaction, and the coating composition was dominated by Al2O3, TiO2, Cr2O3, V2O5, ZrO2, and SiO2. Compared with the substrate alloy, the high-temperature oxidation resistance of the MAO-coated samples prepared at different voltages was improved after oxidation at 800 °C, and the coating prepared at 420 V showed the best high-temperature oxidation resistance after oxidation for 20 h. In short, MAO coatings can prevent the diffusion of O elements into the substrate and the volatilization of V2O5, which improves the high-temperature oxidation resistance of AlTiCrVZr RHEAs.
Phase Relations of Ni2In-Type and CaC2-Type Structures Relative to Fe2P-Type Structure of Titania at High Pressure: A Comparative Study
Authors: Tarawneh Khaldoun , Al-Khatatbeh Yahya
Published: December 2022

Density functional theory (DFT) based on first-principles calculations was used to study the high-pressure phase stability of various phases of titanium dioxide (TiO2) at extreme pressures. We explored the phase relations among the following phases: the experimentally identified nine-fold hexagonal Fe2P-type phase, the previously predicted ten-fold tetragonal CaC2-type phase of TiO2, and the recently proposed eleven-fold hexagonal Ni2In-type phase of the similar dioxides zirconia (ZrO2) and hafnia (HfO2). Our calculations, using the generalized gradient approximation (GGA), predicted the Fe2P → Ni2In transition to occur at 564 GPa and Fe2P → CaC2 at 664 GPa. These transitions were deeply investigated with reference to the volume reduction, coordination number decrease, and band gap narrowing to better determine the favorable post-Fe2P phase. Furthermore, it was found that both transitions are mostly driven by the volume reduction across transitions in comparison with the small contribution of the electronic energy gain. Additionally, our computed Birch–Murnaghan equation of state for the three phases reveals that CaC2 is the densest phase, while Ni2In is the most compressible phase.
Mechanical Stabilities and Properties of Graphene-like 2D III-Nitrides: A Review
Authors: Ye Chao , Peng Qing
Published: December 2022

Mechanical stabilities and properties are critical in real applications of materials, as well as material and machine design. With the success of graphene, graphene-like materials arose tremendous interest in the past few years. Different from bulk materials, two-dimensional (2D) materials have prominent non-linear elastic behaviors. Here, we briefly review the mechanical stabilities and properties of graphene-like 2D III-nitrides, including boron nitride (BN), aluminum nitride (AlN), gallium nitride (GaN), indium nitride (InN), and thallium nitride (TlN). These nitrides are excellent wide band gap semiconductors very suitable for modern electronic and optoelectronic applications. As a result, they play a central role in solid-state light-emitting devices. Their Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, ultimate tensile strength, and elastic limits under various strains are extensively studied, as well as their high-order elastic constants and non-linear behaviors. These studies provide a guide for their practical applications and designs.
Thromboembolic Disease in Haemophilic Patients Undergoing Major Orthopaedic Surgery: Is Thromboprophylaxis Mandatory?
Authors: Badulescu Oana Viola , Bararu Bojan Iris , Badescu Minerva Codruta , Filip Nina , Chelsău Alina , Ciocoiu Manuela , Vladeanu Maria , Filip Alexandru , Forna Norin , Sirbu Mihnea Theodor , Ungureanu Carmen , Sîrbu Paul-Dan
Published: December 2022

Haemophilia is a rare genetic disorder, that results from various degrees of deficiency of coagulation factor VIII (haemophilia A), or factor IX (haemophilia B), with an X-linked transmission. The patients affected are in the majority of cases males (who inherit the affected X-chromosome from the maternal side), with rare cases of females with haemophilia (FVIII or FIX < 40 IU/dL), situations in which both X-chromosomes are affected, or one is affected, and the other one is inactive (known as carrier). The hypocoagulable state due to the deficiency of clotting factors, manifests as an excessive, recurrent tendency to bleeding, which positively correlates with plasmatic levels. Severe haemophilia results in hemarthrosis, although recent data have shown that moderate or even mild disease can lead to joint bleeding. Recurrent episodes of haemorrhages, usually affecting large joints such as knees, elbows, or ankles, lead to joint remodelling and subsequent haemophilic arthropathy, which may require arthroplasty as a last therapeutic option. Orthopaedic patients have the highest risk among all for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) with morbid and potentially fatal consequences. While for the rest of the population thromboprophylaxis in orthopaedic surgery is efficient, relatively safe, and widely used, for patients with haemophilia who are considered to have a low thromboembolic risk, there is great controversy. The great heterogeneity of this particular population, and the lack of clinical trials, with only case reports or observational studies, makes thromboprophylaxis in major orthopaedic surgery a tool to be used by every clinician based on experience and case particularities. This review aims to briefly summarise the latest clinical data and to offer an insight into the current recommendations that readers would find useful in daily practice.
A New Perspective on the Renin-Angiotensin System
Authors: Martyniak Adrian , Tomasik Przemysław J.
Published: December 2022

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the world. Hypertension is a serious medical problem not only in adults but also in children and adolescents. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is one of the most important mechanisms regulating blood pressure and the balance of water and electrolytes. According to the latest reports, RAAS acts not only on endocrine but also on paracrine, autocrine, and intracrine. Moreover, RAAS has a component associated with hypotension and cardioprotective effects. These components are called alternative pathways of RAAS. The most important peptide of the alternative pathway is Ang 1–7, which is related to the Mas receptor. Mas receptors have widely known antihypertension properties, including vasodilatation, the release of nitric oxide, and increased production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Another interesting peptide is angiotensin A, which combines the properties of the classical and alternative pathways. No less important components of RAAS are the proteolytic enzymes angiotensin convertase enzyme type 1 and 2. They are responsible for the functioning of the RAAS system and are a hypertension therapeutic target. Also involved are tissue-specific enzymes that form a local renin-angiotensin system. Currently, a combination of drugs is used in hypertension treatment. These drugs have many undesirable side effects that cannot always be avoided. For this reason, new treatments are being sought, and the greatest hope comes from the ACE2/ang 1–7/MasR axis.
Spontaneous Rupture of Esophageal Diverticulum—A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Dong Shengting , Xie Shiliang , Zhou Yongxin
Published: December 2022

The spontaneous rupture of the esophageal diverticulum is a rare condition that occurs without any warning signs. Its incidence is low, but the mortality rate is high. This paper reports a case of spontaneous esophageal diverticulum rupture and analyzes it along with 13 other cases to explore its prevention and treatment measures. When patients suffer from chronic swallowing difficulties and chest pain or vomiting that cannot be explained after meals, they should be suspected to have a possible spontaneous rupture of the esophageal diverticulum, which is critical to the patient’s prognosis.
Safe Follow-Up after Endovascular Aortic Repair with Unenhanced MRI: The SAFEVAR Study
Authors: Secchi Francesco , Capra Davide , Monti Caterina Beatrice , Mobini Nazanin , Ortiz Maria Del Mar Galimberti , Trimarchi Santi , Mazzaccaro Daniela , Righini Paolo , Nano Giovanni , Sardanelli Francesco
Published: December 2022

We aimed to investigate whether unenhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could represent a safe and highly sensitive tool for endoleak screening in patients treated with endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) using computed tomography angiography (CTA) as a reference standard. Patients who underwent CTA for EVAR follow-up at our institution were prospectively enrolled. All MRI examinations were performed with a 1.5 T unit. The true-FISP and HASTE sequences of the MRI scans were assessed for the presence of hyperintensity within the aneurysm sac outside the graft, whereas phase-contrast through-plane sequences were used for blood flow quantification. We included 45 patients, 5 (11%) of whom were female. The median age was 73 years (IQR 68–78 years). Among our patients, 19 (42%) were positive for endoleaks at CTA, of whom 13 (68%) had type II endoleaks and 6 (32%) had type I endoleaks. There were no significant differences in age, sex, aneurysm type, prosthesis type, or contrast-to-noise ratio between hyperintensity and thrombus between patients with and without endoleaks (p > 0.300). The combined evaluation of true-FISP and HASTE yielded 100% sensitivity (95% CI: 79–100%) and 19% specificity (95% CI: 7–40%). Patients with a positive CTA had a median thrombus flow of 0.06 L/min (IQR 0.03–0.23 L/min), significantly greater than that of patients with a negative CTA (p = 0.007). Setting a threshold at 0.01 L/min, our MRI protocol yielded 100% sensitivity, 56% specificity, and an AUC of 0.76 (95% CI 0.60–0.91). In conclusion, unenhanced MRI has perfect sensitivity for endoleak detection, although with subpar specificity that could be improved with phase-contrast flow analysis.
The Convergence of FTIR and EVs: Emergence Strategy for Non-Invasive Cancer Markers Discovery
Authors: Wong Le-Wei , Mak Siow-Hui , Goh Bey-Hing , Lee Wai-Leng
Published: December 2022

In conjunction with imaging analysis, pathology-based assessments of biopsied tissue are the gold standard for diagnosing solid tumors. However, the disadvantages of tissue biopsies, such as being invasive, time-consuming, and labor-intensive, have urged the development of an alternate method, liquid biopsy, that involves sampling and clinical assessment of various bodily fluids for cancer diagnosis. Meanwhile, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are circulating biomarkers that carry molecular profiles of their cell or tissue origins and have emerged as one of the most promising biomarkers for cancer. Owing to the biological information that can be obtained through EVs’ membrane surface markers and their cargo loaded with biomolecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids, EVs have become useful in cancer diagnosis and therapeutic applications. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) allows rapid, non-destructive, label-free molecular profiling of EVs with minimal sample preparation. Since the heterogeneity of EV subpopulations may result in complicated FTIR spectra that are highly diverse, computational-assisted FTIR spectroscopy is employed in many studies to provide fingerprint spectra of malignant and non-malignant samples, allowing classification with high accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity. In view of this, FTIR-EV approach carries a great potential in cancer detection. The progression of FTIR-based biomarker identification in EV research, the rationale of the integration of a computationally assisted approach, along with the challenges of clinical translation are the focus of this review.
Feasibility of the 30 s Sit-to-Stand Test in the Telehealth Setting and Its Relationship to Persistent Symptoms in Non-Hospitalized Patients with Long COVID
Authors: Núñez-Cortés Rodrigo , Flor-Rufino Cristina , Martínez-Arnau Francisco Miguel , Arnal-Gómez Anna , Espinoza-Bravo Claudia , Hernández-Guillén David , Cortés-Amador Sara
Published: December 2022

Fatigue, dyspnea and pain are the main limitations of patients with long COVID. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of the 30 s sit-to-stand (30s-STS) test in the telehealth setting and its relationship to persistent symptoms in a sample of non-hospitalized patients with long COVID. A cross-sectional study was conducted in community patients with long COVID. Data collection and assessments were performed by videoconference and consisted of the fatigue assessment scale (FAS), London activity of daily living scale (LCADL), post-COVID-19 functional status (PCFS) and European quality of life questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L), including the pain/discomfort dimension. The 30s-STS test was performed using a standardized protocol adapted for remote use, and the modified Borg scale (0–10) was used to assess dyspnea and lower limb fatigue immediately after the test. The feasibility of the 30s-STS test was assessed by the proportion of eligible participants who were able to complete the test. Safety was assessed by the number of adverse events that occurred during the test. Seventy-nine participants were included (median age: 44 years, 86.1% women). Performance in the 30s-STS test was 11.5 ± 3.2 repetitions with 60.8% of the sample below reference values. All eligible participants were able to complete the test. No adverse events were reported during the evaluation. Participants with lower 30s-STS performance had more fatigue and dyspnea, worse quality of life, more severe pain/discomfort, and worse functional status (p < 0.05). A significant correlation was obtained between LCADL and dyspnea, reported on the Borg scale (0–10) post 30s-STS (r = 0.71; p < 0.001). In conclusion, the 30s-STS test proved to be a feasible test to implement in the telehealth setting and is related to fatigue, dyspnea, quality of life and pain in non-hospitalized patients with long COVID. Clinicians may use this test when assessment of the physical sequelae of COVID-19 in the face-to-face setting is not possible.
Vibrational Spectroscopy in Urine Samples as a Medical Tool: Review and Overview on the Current State-of-the-Art
Authors: Vigo Francesco , Tozzi Alessandra , Disler Muriel , Gisi Alessia , Kavvadias Vasileios , Kavvadias Tilemachos
Published: December 2022

Although known since the first half of the twentieth century, the evolution of spectroscopic techniques has undergone a strong acceleration after the 2000s, driven by the successful development of new computer technologies suitable for analyzing the large amount of data obtained. Today’s applications are no longer limited to analytical chemistry, but are becoming useful instruments in the medical field. Their versatility, rapidity, the volume of information obtained, especially when applied to biological fluids that are easy to collect, such as urine, could provide a novel diagnostic tool with great potential in the early detection of different diseases. This review aims to summarize the existing literature regarding spectroscopy analyses of urine samples, providing insight into potential future applications.
Long Axial Field-of-View PET for Ultra-Low-Dose Imaging of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma during Pregnancy
Authors: van Sluis Joyce , Bellido Mar , Glaudemans Andor W. J. M. , Slart Riemer H. J. A.
Published: December 2022

Generally, positron emission tomography imaging is not often performed in the case of pregnant patients. The careful weighing of the risks of radiation exposure to the fetus and benefits for cancer staging and the swift onset of treatment for the mother complicates decision making in clinical practice. In oncology, the most commonly used PET radiotracer is 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine-18] fluoro-D-glucose (18F-FDG), a glucose analog which has established roles in the daily routines for, among other applications, initial diagnosis, staging, (radiation) therapy planning, and response monitoring. The introduction of long axial Field-of-View (LAFOV) PET systems allows for PET imaging with a reduced level of injected 18F-FDG activity while maintaining the image quality. Here, we discuss the first reported case of a pregnant patient diagnosed with follicular lymphoma using LAFOV PET imaging for the staging and therapy selection. The acquired PET images show diagnostic quality images with clearly distinguishable areas of lymphadenopathy, even with only 34 MBq of injected 18F-FDG activity, leading to a considerable decrease in the level of radiation exposure to the fetus.
Role of Mind–Body Fitness in Obesity
Authors: Batrakoulis Alexios
Published: December 2022

Various mind–body fitness modalities such as Pilates, yoga, Tai Chi, and Qigong have become an accepted part of the physical activity, exercise, and leisure sector, serving several populations eligible for meditative movement activities. However, no robust evidence is present in the current literature supporting the efficacy of these meditative movement activities on health, fitness, and well-being markers among obese adults. Interestingly, the feasibility and safety of mind–body fitness programs in this cohort are still questionable. However, the limited available data show the beneficial role of such alternative exercise options in improving numerous physical fitness and cardiometabolic health-related indicators. The major role of mind–body fitness in obese individuals is to promote muscle control, body functionality, flexibility, and balance while reducing physical limitations, chronic pain, and stress through sessions integrating body postures, efficient breathing patterns, meditation, and relaxation. Such a bodily movement-based approach may be associated with increased physical performance and improved cardiometabolic as well as mental health. However, data on anthropometric characteristics, body composition and cardiovascular disease risk factors modification are somewhat equivocal. Future studies are needed to investigate a wider spectrum of physical fitness and cardiometabolic health parameters, since obese people are likely to demonstrate poor functional capacity, impaired glucose control, lipid disorder, and abnormal blood pressure levels.
Feature Selection in High-Dimensional Models via EBIC with Energy Distance Correlation
Authors: Ocloo Isaac Xoese , Chen Hanfeng
Published: December 2022

In this paper, the LASSO method with extended Bayesian information criteria (EBIC) for feature selection in high-dimensional models is studied. We propose the use of the energy distance correlation in place of the ordinary correlation coefficient to measure the dependence of two variables. The energy distance correlation detects linear and non-linear association between two variables, unlike the ordinary correlation coefficient, which detects only linear association. EBIC is adopted as the stopping criterion. It is shown that the new method is more powerful than Luo and Chen’s method for feature selection. This is demonstrated by simulation studies and illustrated by a real-life example. It is also proved that the new algorithm is selection-consistent.
Emotional Sensibility Observation Scale: Measuring Quality Relationships and Early Childhood Educators’ Emotional Perceptibility in Responding to Children’s Cues
Authors: Lee Wendy Saeme
Published: December 2022

An educator’s ability and willingness to be perceptive and responsive to the cues of children in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings can affect the quality of the relationships built. Although several instruments that aim to measure quality relationships currently exist, these instruments are often not exclusive to the educator–child dynamic, fail to be context-sensitive, and do not mitigate scope for observer subjectivity. The Emotional Sensibility Observation Scale (ESOS) was developed in collaboration with ECEC stakeholders (teachers, educators, centre directors, and researchers) in Australia to address the aforementioned gaps while acknowledging the unique relationships between educators and children in ECEC settings. It is proposed in the paper that the ESOS may serve as a useful tool for researchers and educators to assess Early Childhood (EC) educators’ ability to accurately read and respond to children’s cues and to measure the quality of relationships built over time.
Prospective Submodule Topologies for MMC-BESS and Its Control Analysis with HBSM
Authors: Ali Salman , Bogarra Santiago , Khan Muhammad Mansooor , Taha Ahmad , Phyo Pyae Pyae , Byun Yung-Cheol
Published: December 2022

Battery energy storage systems and multilevel converters are the most essential constituents of modern medium voltage networks. In this regard, the modular multilevel converter offers numerous advantages over other multilevel converters. The key feature of modular multilevel converter is its capability to integrate small battery packs in a split manner, given the opportunity to submodules to operate at considerably low voltages. In this paper, we focus on study of potential SMs for modular multilevel converter based battery energy storage system while, keeping in view the inconsistency of secondary batteries. Although, selecting a submodule for modular multilevel converter based battery energy storage system, the state of charge control complexity is a key concern, which increases as the voltage levels increase. This study suggests that the half-bridge, clamped single, and full-bridge submodules are the most suitable submodules for modular multilevel converter based battery energy storage system since, they provide simplest state of charge control due to integration of one battery pack along with other advantages among all 24 submodule topologies. Depending on submodules analysis, the modular multilevel converter based battery energy storage system based on half-bridge submodules is investigated by splitting it into AC and DC equivalent circuits to acquire the AC and DC side power controls along with an state of charge control. Subsequently, to validate different control modes, a downscaled laboratory prototype has been developed.
Bounding the Upper Delays of the Tactile Internet Using Deterministic Network Calculus
Authors: Wang Qian , Mo Ziying , Yin Benle , Zhang Lianming , Dong Pingping
Published: December 2022

With the increasing popularity of time-sensitive network applications and the gradual integration of the Tactile Internet into people’s lives, how to ensure ultra-low latency has become a demand and challenge for network performance. Therefore, it is extremely important to analyze the performance of the Tactile Internet. In this paper, we propose an analytical model based on deterministic network calculus (DNC) to quantitatively derive the end-to-end performance bounds of the Tactile Internet, develop a tandem model describing the communication of the Tactile Internet network, and analyze delay-related traffic parameters, such as arrival rate and burst size. We investigate the variation of the accuracy of the DNC analytical model and the measurement model under different parameters, and verify the accuracy of the proposed DNC analytical model by theoretical derivation and analysis and comparison with the measurement model under the NS3 platform. We discuss the impact of relevant parameters on the delay boundaries to determine which network configuration enables the end-to-end delay to meet the established requirements. This will provide valuable guidance for the design of Tactile Internet architectures.
QoS Implementation with Triple-Metric-Based Active Queue Management for Military Networks
Authors: Park Gyudong , Jeon Byungchun , Lee Gyu Myoung
Published: December 2022

For supporting Quality of Service (QoS) in a military network, applications of the triple-metric priority of performance, importance, and urgency as well as autonomous and lightweight implementation are required. In a previous study, we analyzed a Korean military network’s QoS implementation in the perspective of the triple-metric and presented some improvements in the simplification of the service classes of Differentiated Services (DiffServ). To extend the simplified DiffServ from the previous research, this paper proposes Active Queue Management (AQM) algorithms to process the traffic of each service class differently based on importance and urgency and shows the feasibility through some experiments.
Driver Emotion and Fatigue State Detection Based on Time Series Fusion
Authors: Shang Yucheng , Yang Mutian , Cui Jianwei , Cui Linwei , Huang Zizheng , Li Xiang
Published: December 2022

Studies have shown that driver fatigue or unpleasant emotions significantly increase driving risks. Detecting driver emotions and fatigue states and providing timely warnings can effectively minimize the incidence of traffic accidents. However, existing models rarely combine driver emotion and fatigue detection, and there is space to improve the accuracy of recognition. In this paper, we propose a non-invasive and efficient detection method for driver fatigue and emotional state, which is the first time to combine them in the detection of driver state. Firstly, the captured video image sequences are preprocessed, and Dlib (image open source processing library) is used to locate face regions and mark key points; secondly, facial features are extracted, and fatigue indicators, such as driver eye closure time (PERCLOS) and yawn frequency are calculated using the dual-threshold method and fused by mathematical methods; thirdly, an improved lightweight RM-Xception convolutional neural network is introduced to identify the driver’s emotional state; finally, the two indicators are fused based on time series to obtain a comprehensive score for evaluating the driver’s state. The results show that the fatigue detection algorithm proposed in this paper has high accuracy, and the accuracy of the emotion recognition network reaches an accuracy rate of 73.32% on the Fer2013 dataset. The composite score calculated based on time series fusion can comprehensively and accurately reflect the driver state in different environments and make a contribution to future research in the field of assisted safe driving.
Design and Implementation: An IoT-Framework-Based Automated Wastewater Irrigation System
Authors: Habib Shabana , Alyahya Saleh , Islam Muhammad , Alnajim Abdullah M. , Alabdulatif Abdulatif , Alabdulatif Abdullah
Published: December 2022

Automation is being fueled by a multifaceted approach to technological advancements, which includes advances in artificial intelligence, robotics, sensors, and cloud computing. The use of automated, as opposed to conventional, systems, has become more popular in recent years. Modern agricultural technology has played an important role in the development of Saudi Arabia in addition to upgrading infrastructure and plans. Agriculture in Saudi Arabia is dependent upon wells, which are insufficient in terms of water supplies. Thus, irrigation is used for agricultural fields, depending on the soil type, and water is provided to the plants. Two essential elements are necessary for farming, the first is the ability to determine the soil’s fertility, and the second is the use of different technologies to reduce the dependence of water on electrical power and on/off schedules. The purpose of this study is to propose a system in which moisture sensors are placed under trees or plants. The gateway unit transmits sensor information to the controller, which then turns on the pump and recycles the water flow. A farmland’s water pump can be remotely controlled and parameters such as moisture and flow rate can be monitored using an HTTP dashboard. In order to evaluate the applicability of IOT-based automatic wastewater irrigation systems, a pilot test was conducted using the developed framework. Theoretically, such a system could be expanded by including any pre-defined selection parameters.
Impact of Different Enzymatic Processes on Antioxidant, Nutritional and Functional Properties of Soy Protein Hydrolysates Incorporated into Novel Cookies
Authors: Knežević-Jugović Zorica , Culetu Alina , Mijalković Jelena , Duta Denisa , Stefanović Andrea , Šekuljica Nataša , Đorđević Verica , Antov Mirjana
Published: December 2022

Soy protein concentrate (SPC) was hydrolyzed using several commercial food-grade proteases (Alcalase, Neutrase, papain, Everlase, Umamizyme, Flavourzyme) and their combination to obtain promising ingredients in the manufacture of functional bakery products. In all cases, the hydrolysis caused nutritional, sensory, and rheological changes in SPC, as well as protein structural changes like increased surface hydrophobicity and content of exposed SH groups with the magnitude of these changes depending on enzyme specificity. The hydrolysis with the combination of Neutrase and Flavourzyme (NeuFlav) increased essential amino acid content by 9.8% and that of Lys by 32.6% compared to SPC. This hydrolysate showed also significant antioxidant activities including ABTS and superoxide anion scavenging activity and metal-chelating ability. The addition of all hydrolysates in wheat flour decreased water adsorption and increased development time to some extent due to gluten network weakening, but also decreased the rate of starch retrogradation, contributing to the increase of the shelf-life of bakery products. The NeuFlav tasted less bitter than other hydrolysates, while E-nose provided a discrimination index of 93 between control and hydrolysates. It appeared that the addition of the NeuFlav hydrolysate in a cookie formulation improved protein content and nutritional quality and directed to its higher general consumer acceptability than cookies formulated with only wheat flour.
Developing Technology for the Production of Innovative Coatings with Antioxidant Properties for Packaging Fish Products
Authors: Derbew Gedif Hana , Tkaczewska Joanna , Jamróz Ewelina , Zając Marzena , Kasprzak Mirosław , Pająk Paulina , Grzebieniarz Wiktoria , Nowak Nikola
Published: December 2022

In this study, we investigated the effects of furcellaran–gelatine (FUR/GEL) coatings incorporated with herb extracts on the quality retention of carp fish during refrigeration. Nutmeg, rosemary, thyme, milfoil, marjoram, parsley, turmeric, basil and ginger were subjected to water and ethanol extraction methods (10% concentration of herbs). The water extractions of the rosemary and thyme (5%) were used for the further development of coatings due to their high 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH: 85.49 and 83.28%) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power Assay values (FRAP: 0.46 and 0.56 mM/L) (p < 0.05), respectively. A new, ready-to-cook product with the coatings (carp fillets) was evaluated regarding quality in terms of colour parameters, texture profile, water activity, Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARSs) and sensory analyses during 12 days of storage at 4 °C. The results show that the colour of the carp fillets treated with the rosemary and thyme extracts became slightly darker and had a propensity towards redness and yellowness. In contrast to the control group, the carp fillets stored in the coatings with the rosemary extract effectively slowed the lipid oxidation processes. Therefore, the innovative coatings produced from carp processing waste may have high potential as components in convenience food products and could extend the shelf-life of carp fillets during refrigerated storage. However, further research is needed to assess the microbiological stability of the obtained food products.
Nutritional Composition, Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Different Samples of Water Boatmen Eggs (Hemiptera: Corixidae)
Authors: Sanchez Maria de la Luz , Caltzontzin Valeria , Feregrino-Pérez Ana A.
Published: December 2022

The group of aquatic insects collectively called “water boatmen” or “Axayacatl” (Hemiptera: Corixidae) and their eggs, called “Ahuahutle”, have been consumed and cultivated since the pre-Hispanic era in Mexico. Nevertheless, food composition databases contain limited information on the nutritional composition of these eggs. This work evaluates the macronutrients and bioactive compounds of water boatmen eggs obtained from three different locations in Mexico. The primary analyses to be determined for the first time were some bioactive compounds in the eggs, such as phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, condensed tannins content, antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS), and, additionally, fatty acids and proximal composition. The results showed that the sample from Hidalgo (AMC) presented the highest number of phenolic compounds (855.12 ± 0.52), followed by ALT (125.52 ± 0.05) and, with the lowest amount, AMT (99.92 ± 0.13), all expressed in an mg GAE/g sample. ALT indicated the highest mol TE/g sample concentration for ABTS (25.34 ± 0.472) and DPPH (39.76 ± 0.054), showing a significant difference in the DPPH method with the AMT samples. The three Corixidae egg samples had between 15 to 18 different fatty acid profiles, and there were statistically significant differences (Student’s t-test ≤ 0.05) between the means using MSD. The total fats of the three samples were between 12.5 and 15.5 g/100 g dry basis. In addition, Corixidae eggs are excellent protein sources. Thus, water boatmen’s eggs can be considered to be a food rich in bioactive compounds.
Total Protein Content, Amino Acid Composition and Eating-Quality Evaluation of Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv)
Authors: Hou Siyu , Men Yihan , Wei Min , Zhang Yijuan , Li Hongying , Sun Zhaoxia , Han Yuanhuai
Published: December 2022

Foxtail millet has attracted substantial attention in recent years because of its excellent properties as a cereal crop with high nutritional value. Although the cultivation area of foxtail millet keeps growing, the fundamental research into the nutritional and eating qualities of foxtail millet germplasm collections is limited. In this study, we performed a survey of protein content, amino acid composition and eating quality among a germplasm collection of foxtail millet accessions grown in different environments. Our results revealed 21 accessions with stable protein content under different environments. The correlation analysis further revealed that the protein content of the grains was affected by environmental and genotypic interactions. The further amino acid composition analyses suggested that higher protein content accessions have a better essential amino acid index, providing more nutritional value for human beings and animal feedstock. Moreover, the flavor-related amino acid content and other eating-quality trait analyses were also performed. The subordinative analysis suggested that B331 could be the best accession with high protein content and superior eating quality. Taken together, this study provides essential nutritional and eating-quality data on our germplasm collection of foxtail millets, and provides a core genetic resource from which to breed elite foxtail millet varieties in the future.
Valorisation of Micro/Nanoencapsulated Bioactive Compounds from Plant Sources for Food Applications Towards Sustainability
Authors: Martins Valter F. R. , Pintado Manuela E. , Morais Rui M. S. C. , Morais Alcina M. M. B.
Published: December 2022

The micro- and nanoencapsulation of bioactive compounds has resulted in a large improvement in the food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and agriculture industries. These technologies serve, on one side, to protect, among others, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, polyphenols, flavours, antimicrobials, colorants, and antioxidants, and, on the other hand, to control the release and assure the delivery of the bioactive compounds, targeting them to specific cells, tissues, or organs in the human body by improving their absorption/penetration through the gastrointestinal tract. The food industry has been applying nanotechnology in several ways to improve food texture, flavour, taste, nutrient bioavailability, and shelf life using nanostructures. The use of micro- and nanocapsules in food is an actual trend used mainly in the cereal, bakery, dairy, and beverage industries, as well as packaging and coating. The elaboration of bio capsules with high-value compounds from agro-industrial by-products is sustainable for the natural ecosystem and economically interesting from a circular economy perspective. This critical review presents the principal methodologies for performing micro- and nanoencapsulation, classifies them (top-down and/or bottom-up), and discusses the differences and advantages among them; the principal types of encapsulation systems; the natural plant sources, including agro-industrial by-products, of bioactive compounds with interest for the food industry to be encapsulated; the bioavailability of encapsulates; and the main techniques used to analyse micro- and nanocapsules. Research work on the use of encapsulated bioactive compounds, such as lycopene, hydroxytyrosol, and resveratrol, from agro-industrial by-products must be further reinforced, and it plays an important role, as it presents a high potential for the use of their antioxidant and/or antimicrobial activities in food applications and, therefore, in the food industry. The incorporation of these bioactive compounds in food is a challenge and must be evaluated, not only for their nutritional aspect, but also for the chemical safety of the ingredients. The potential use of these products is an available economical alternative towards a circular economy and, as a consequence, sustainability.
An Eco-Friendly Antheraea Pernyi Silk Gland Protein/Sodium Alginate Multiple Network Hydrogel as Potential Drug Release Systems
Authors: Li Jia , Wang Bo-Xiang , Cheng De-Hong , Zhang Yue , Yao Qiang , Ji Xin-bin , Guo Jing , Lu Yan-Hua
Published: December 2022

To improve the versatility of the sodium alginate-loaded bio-hydrogels, Antheraea pernyi silk gland protein/sodium alginate drug-loaded hydrogels were prepared by using an eco-friendly multiple network cross-link technology. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and UV-Vis spectrophotometer were used separately to evaluate the chemical structure and drug release behavior of drug-loaded hydrogels. The antibacterial drug carrier gels were evaluated by using inhibition zone test against the S. aureus and E. coli. The CCK-8 assay was used to assess the biocompatibility of drug loaded hydrogels. The FT-IR results showed that there was a strong interaction within the drug loaded hydrogels, and the ASGP was beneficial to enhance the interaction within the drug loaded hydrogels. UV-Vis spectrophotometer results indicated the cumulative release reached 80% within 400 min. Antibacterial bio-hydrogels had a good antibacterial property, especially the antibacterial bio-hydrogels with bacitracin exhibits superior to other antibacterial agents. The drug-loaded bio-hydrogels exhibited the adhesion and proliferation of RSC96 cells and perfected biocompatibility. This provides a new idea for further research and development of tissue-friendly drug-loaded biomaterials.
Quaternary Lowstand Prograding Wedges of the Salento Continental Shelf (Southern Adriatic Sea, Italy): Architectural Stacking Patterns and the Control of Glacio-Eustatic Sea Level Fluctuations and Foreland Tectonic Uplift
Authors: Aiello Gemma
Published: December 2022

The performance of both the tectonic uplift and of the 4th-order glacial eustatic sea level fluctuations in controlling the stratigraphic architecture of Quaternary lowstand prograding wedges of the Salento continental shelf (Southern Adriatic sea, Italy) during a time interval spanning from the Middle Pleistocene to the Holocene has been pointed out through the interpretation of high-resolution seismic reflection profiles and their correlation to the curves of the isotopic stratigraphy. Three main transgressive surfaces of erosion (RS1, RS2 and RS3) punctuate the stratigraphic architecture of the Salento continental shelf, separating Quaternary lowstand prograding wedges between them. All along the Middle Pleistocene, increasing the tectonic uplift of the Puglia offshore, combining with 4th-order glacio-eustatic variations, have dealt with the pattern of a broad forced regression prograding wedge, favoring a platform progradation of approximately 15 km. The architectural stacking patterns of the overlying Late Pleistocene and Holocene prograding wedges are controlled by 4th-order glacio-eustatic sea level changes, allowing for the formation of incomplete depositional sequences. In this period, the eustatic signature overcomes the tectonic mark, implying a decline in the uplift of the Apulian foreland in the course of the final 250 ky.