bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A 3D Point Cloud Feature Identification Method Based on Improved Point Feature Histogram Descriptor
Authors: Wang Chunxiao , Xiong Xiaoqing , Zhang Xiaoying , Liu Lu , Tan Wu , Liu Xiaojuan , Yang Houqun
Published: September 2023

A significant amount of research has been conducted on the segmentation of large-scale 3D point clouds. However, efficient point cloud feature identification from segmentation results is an essential capability for computer vision and surveying tasks. Feature description methods are algorithms that convert the point set of the point cloud feature into vectors or matrices that can be used for identification. While the point feature histogram (PFH) is an efficient descriptor method, it does not work well with objects that have smooth surfaces, such as planar, spherical, or cylindrical objects. This paper proposes a 3D point cloud feature identification method based on an improved PFH descriptor with a feature-level normal that can efficiently distinguish objects with smooth surfaces. Firstly, a feature-level normal is established, and then the relationship between each point’s normal and feature-level normal is calculated. Finally, the unknown feature is identified by comparing the similarity of the type-labeled feature and the unknown feature. The proposed method obtains an overall identification accuracy ranging from 71.9% to 81.9% for the identification of street lamps, trees, and buildings.
High Static Gain DC–DC Double Boost Quadratic Converter
Authors: de Sá Franciéli Lima , Ruiz-Caballero Domingo , Dal’Agnol Cleiton , da Silva William Rafhael , Mussa Samir Ahmad
Published: September 2023

This paper presents a study of a new topology of a DC–DC converter titled double quadratic boost non-isolated. This converter has high static gain and proposes to reduce the voltage stress on the switches, where the maximum voltage value at each switch is equal to half of the total output voltage. The paper first presents the theoretical analysis of the converter operating in open loop. The objective of the work is the mathematical modeling and control strategy of the converter, as well as validation through closed loop experimental results. In addition, we present the results of practical tests to demonstrate the operation of the converter, such as the experimental static gain curve, the practical efficiency of the converter, and the output voltage control, as well as the capacitor voltage swing control. The authors designed the prototype for 1 kW, with a switching frequency of fs=50 kHz, with FPGA-based control and modulation.
Coalitional Demand Response Management in Community Energy Management Systems
Authors: Kemp Nicholas , Siraj Md Sadman , Tsiropoulou Eirini Eleni
Published: September 2023

With the advent of the Distributed Energy Resources within smart grid systems, traditional demand response management (DRM) models need to be redesigned to capture prosumers’ energy consumption requests and dynamic behavior within the energy market. In this paper, a coalitional DRM model is introduced based on the principles of Game Theory and reinforcement learning to dynamically determine prosumers’ formation in local energy trading communities and their optimal energy consumption. A hedonic game-theoretic model is introduced to enable prosumers to autonomously and dynamically select an energy trading community considering the partially available information regarding prosumers’ energy generation and consumption characteristics and utility companies’ provided rewards per community. Then, a log-linear reinforcement learning model is proposed to enable each prosumer to distributedly determine their optimal energy consumption. A detailed evaluation of the proposed coalitional DRM model is performed based on real data collected from the southwest area of the USA.
Mid-Term Optimal Scheduling of Low-Head Cascaded Hydropower Stations Considering Inflow Unevenness
Authors: Huang Shuo , Wu Xinyu , Wu Yiyang , Zhang Zheng
Published: September 2023

China has a vast scale of hydropower, and the small hydropower stations account for a large proportion. In flood season, the excessive inflow keeps these stations at a high reservoir level, leading to a worse condition of hindered power output and a great error in the calculation of power generation. Therefore, this paper proposes a mid-term optimal scheduling model for low-head cascaded hydropower stations considering inflow unevenness, in which the power output is controlled by the expected power output curve and daily inflow–maximum power output curve. A case study of nine hydropower stations on the Guangxi power grid shows that, regardless of considering the fitted curve or not, there are different degrees of error between the planned and actual situations. However, the error and power generation are decreased when considering the fitted curve, which reflects the impact of hindered power output. Meanwhile, according to the comparison, the weekly plan is more in line with the real condition when using this model to solve the problem. The results indicate that this model improves the accuracy of power output calculation for low-head hydropower stations with uneven inflow, playing a key role in the process of scheduling.
New Perspectives on Catalytic Hydrogen Production by the Reforming, Partial Oxidation and Decomposition of Methane and Biogas
Authors: Boscherini Mattia , Storione Alba , Minelli Matteo , Miccio Francesco , Doghieri Ferruccio
Published: September 2023

The article provides a short review on catalyst-based processes for the production of hydrogen starting from methane, both of fossil origin and from sustainable processes. The three main paths of steam- and dry-reforming, partial oxidation and thermo-catalytic decomposition are briefly introduced and compared, above all with reference to the latest publications available and to new catalysts which obey the criteria of lower environmental impact and minimize the content of critical raw materials. The novel strategies based on chemical looping with CO2 utilization, membrane separation, electrical-assisted (plasma and microwave) processes, multistage reactors and catalyst patterning are also illustrated as the most promising perspective for CH4 reforming, especially on small and medium scale. Although these strategies should only be considered at a limited level of technological readiness, research on these topics, including catalyst development and process optimization, represents the crucial challenge for the scientific community.
Economic Model of Ancillary Services in Real Time for Frequency Control
Authors: Balzer Kristian , Lazo Joaquín , Watts David
Published: September 2023

Modern power systems integrate ancillary services (ASs) to provide security and quality of service in real-time operation (RTO) due to the intense frequency variations caused by the uncertainty of solar–wind generation. To this end, the ancillary services market focuses on power reserves for secondary and tertiary frequency control. The adjustment and dispatch of reserves from plants are manual instructions executed by the system operator in order to maintain the frequency within the normal operating range (49.80 ≤ f ≤ 50.20 Hz). This work proposes a methodology for the economic modeling of the ancillary services market in real time using a dynamic hourly mathematical model that integrates the variability of solar–wind generation, a demand monitoring curve, and the trajectory of marginal cost (MgC). This is a segmented methodology in which plants with costs close to the marginal cost are identified in real time using the Supramarginal (SMg) and Inframarginal (IMg) methods. Finally, this economic model for real-time power reserve reallocation represents an innovation in the ancillary services market because its results allow for the operation costs (OC) of the reserves to be reduced by up to 60% and for the displacement of marginal costs to be reduced by 10 to 40% with respect to traditional methodologies such as the economic merit list and the technical minimum methodology, which cause plants to operate without economic justification.
Towards an Energy Future with Ubiquitous Electric Vehicles: Barriers and Opportunities
Authors: Mohammadi Mohammad , Thornburg Jesse , Mohammadi Javad
Published: September 2023

The electrification of personal transportation holds great potential for lowering greenhouse gas emissions and reducing climate change. The promise of electric vehicles (EVs) to serve these goals has resulted in a broad range of supporting policies aimed at encouraging widespread EV adoption at both the state and federal levels in the United States and around the world. While the EV revolution and prospects of a world with ubiquitous EVs are impacting various industries and many aspects of daily life, strategic interactions between the power grid and EVs are crucial for a successful energy transition. However, managing the interplay between EVs and the power grid remains a challenge. Motivated by that tension, this paper surveys a variety of solutions, policies, and incentives that are focused on effectively managing EV charging behaviors. The paper’s objective is to explore these tools to ensure that EV owners have ultimate control over their personal vehicles while simultaneously allowing the power grid to mitigate adverse network impacts. Furthermore, this paper examines the role of charging infrastructure technology and its strategic placement in facilitating the seamless integration of EVs into the grid. Additionally, the paper highlights financial mechanisms associated with EV integration and discusses the consequences of these mechanisms.
Numerical Simulation and Performance Evaluation of Hydrogen-Enriched Natural Gas for an Industrial Burner in a Testing Chamber
Authors: Swaminathan Senthilathiban , Spijker Christoph , Gruber Markus , Kofler Irmela , Raupenstrauch Harald
Published: September 2023

A two-step numerical concept was developed for modelling combustion and predicting nitrogen oxide emissions. The model was validated by the Sandia flame D experiment and with measurement data from burners on industrial furnaces. In this paper, the developed model was implemented to evaluate the influence of hydrogen blending with natural gas up to 40 vol.% on an industrial burner with oxidizer temperatures at 300 K and 813 K to assess the performance of the burner without altering the power output of the burner. An experimental test facility is under construction, and the feasibility of using this industrial burner on the test facility with different fuel mixtures was analyzed. Temperature, flow field, and emission characteristics were investigated. Using 40 vol.% hydrogen with natural gas resulted in a decrease of 14.82% in CO2 emissions and an increase of in 16.1% NO emissions when combusted with air at 300 K. The temperature profile indicated that the burner produces a symmetrical flame profile with preheated air and an asymmetrical flame profile with ambient air.
Long-Term Voltage Stability Bifurcation Analysis and Control Considering OLTC Adjustment and Photovoltaic Power Station
Authors: Li Sheng , Zhang Can , Zuo Jili
Published: September 2023

The influence of photovoltaic (PV) output with stochasticity and uncertainty on the grid-connected system’s voltage stability is worth further exploration. The long-term voltage stability of a 3-bus system with a large-scale PV power station considering the adjustment of an on-load tap changer (OLTC) was studied. In this typical system, two supercritical Hopf bifurcation (SHB) points are found using the bifurcation calculation. At the SHB point that appears first, a small sudden increase in reactive load power or a sudden increase in PV active power Ppv can eventually cause a voltage collapse after a long increasing oscillation. The long-term collapse phenomenon shows that SHB cannot be ignored in the PV grid-connected system. Meanwhile, the time constant of OLTC can affect the progress of long-term voltage collapse, but it has different effects under different disturbances. When Ppv drops suddenly at the SHB point, due to the adjustment of OLTC, the load bus voltage can recover to near the target value of OLTC after a long period of time. Similarly, the time constant of OLTC can affect the progress of long-term voltage recovery. To prevent the long-term voltage collapse when Ppv increases suddenly at the SHB point, a new locking-OLTC index Ilock, depending on the value of Ppv corresponding to the SHB point, and a locking OLTC method are proposed, and the voltage can be recovered to an acceptable stable value quickly. Compared with the system without OLTC, OLTC adjustment can effectively prevent long-term voltage oscillation instability and collapse, so that PV power can play a bigger role in power systems.
From Lab to Fab: Development and Deployment of Direct Air Capture of CO2
Authors: Barahimi Vahid , Ho Monica , Croiset Eric
Published: September 2023

Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a promising technology to fight climate change by capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air. For DAC to be a negative emissions technology, the captured CO2 must be removed permanently, but can also be used as a net-zero technology to produce sustainable chemicals, fuels or other materials. This review presents a comprehensive survey of recent advancements, challenges, and potential applications of DAC technology, with an emphasis on the recent rapid increase in the number of DAC developers, the majority of them being founded in the past 4 years. Through pilot projects and recent commercial deployments, several DAC companies have made significant advances and demonstrated their scalability. Cost and energy efficiency remain significant impediments to the wide deployment of DAC. Integration with emission-free energy sources and utilization of waste heat are being researched to boost the total energy efficiency of DAC systems. Further research of electrochemical technologies for regeneration or direct capture are needed, as well as the development of new, modified, or hybrid adsorbents for improved capture efficiencies. Moreover, favorable regulations and financial incentives are crucial for enhancing the viability of DAC projects and will need to substantially increase if Paris Agreement goals are to be achieved.
Broadband Power Line Communication in Railway Traction Lines: A Survey
Authors: Angrisani Leopoldo , D’Arco Mauro , De Benedetto Egidio , Duraccio Luigi , Lo Regio Fabrizio
Published: September 2023

Power line communication (PLC) is a technology that exploits existing electrical transmission and distribution networks as guiding structures for electromagnetic signal propagation. This facilitates low-rate data transmission for signaling and control operations. As the demand in terms of data rate has greatly increased in the last years, the attention paid to broadband PLC (BPLC) has also greatly increased. This concept also extended to railways as broadband traction power line communication (BTPLC), aiming to offer railway operators an alternative data network in areas where other technologies are lacking. However, BTPLC implementation faces challenges due to varying operating scenarios like urban, rural, and galleries. Hence, ensuring coverage and service continuity demands the suitable characterization of the communication channel. In this regard, the scientific literature, which is an indicator of the body of knowledge related to BTPLC systems, is definitely poor if compared to that addressed to BPLC systems installed on the electrical transmission and distribution network. The relative papers dealing with BTPLC systems and focusing on the characterization of the communication channel show some theoretical approaches and, rarely, measurements guidelines and experimental results. In addition, to the best of the author’s knowledge, there are no surveys that comprehensively address these aspects. To compensate for this lack of information, a survey of the state of the art concerning BTPLC systems and the measurement methods that assist their installation, assessment, and maintenance is presented. The primary goal is to provide the interested readers with a thorough understanding of the matter and identify the current research gaps, in order to drive future research towards the most significant issues.
Transient Stability Enhancement Strategy for Islanded Microgrids Based on Energy Storage–Virtual Synchronous Machine Control
Authors: Ma Chenghao , Sun Jiahang , Huang Jingguang , Wang Kaijie
Published: September 2023

In a high percentage of new energy-islanded microgrids, the overall inertia of the system gradually decreases, and the transient stability requirements of the microgrid frequency and voltage become more and more demanding under low-inertia conditions. To improve the transient stability of low-inertia islanded microgrid frequencies and voltages, this paper proposes a transient stability enhancement strategy for islanded microgrids based on energy storage system (ESS)–virtual synchronous generator (VSG) control. Model predictive control (MPC) is added within the active control loop of the VSG to achieve dynamic correction of the active power reference value of the VSG; PI control link is added within the reactive control loop to achieve a fast dynamic response of the reactive power command value. The ESS achieves fast and accurate regulation of frequency and voltage according to the power reference value of the VSG active control loop and the power command value of the reactive control loop simultaneously. Considering the need to ensure the ability of VSG to operate stably during transients, a comprehensive current-limiting technique combining virtual impedance and phase limiting is used to limit the fault current of VSG and maintain its synchronization and stability. Finally, the simulation results verify the strategy’s effectiveness and the superiority of the transient stability enhancement effect.
Toward a “Smart-Green” Future in Cities: System Dynamics Study of Megacities in China
Authors: Hu Rui , Han Xinliang
Published: September 2023

This study investigates the development trend of smart-green cities, focusing on seven megacities in China. It addresses three issues that are common in urban green development, including the relationship between “smart” and “green”, the scenario analysis of green development, and the uniqueness of megacities in green development. System dynamics modeling is applied. The simulation results reveal an “S”-shaped development curve for both aspects, indicating a gradual and accelerating growth pattern. Notably, the curve representing energy consumption lags behind the curve for smart city development by approximately three years. After 2030, when the smart city construction is expected to be completed, the proportion of the tertiary industry and investment in science and technology will play a significant role in limiting energy consumption. This study concludes by providing policy suggestions, including the need for long-term plans with phased targets, considering the specificity of megacities, and addressing external influences.
Hedging Strategies in Carbon Emission Price Dynamics: Implications for Shipping Markets
Authors: Syriopoulos Theodoros , Roumpis Efthymios , Tsatsaronis Michael
Published: September 2023

The European Union (EU) has agreed to gradually include shipping in the EU emissions trading scheme (EU ETS), which makes shipping companies vulnerable to carbon price fluctuations. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of carbon and petroleum futures contracts in managing carbon and bunker risks. We examine the effectiveness of alternative hedging methods, including both static and dynamic approaches, to estimate optimal hedge ratios under single and composite cross-hedge settings. Our results show that carbon future contracts are important for hedging the carbon emission allowances price risk, and Brent oil futures are the most effective instrument for out-of-sample hedging of bunker prices. In addition, the hedging effectiveness indicates that conventional methods outperform the sophisticated models in terms of variance reduction. Our study offers new insights into how the carbon and bunker markets relate to a combination hedging in reducing the joint price risk, which can be used to promote risk management in the market.
A Study on Various Conditions Impacting the Harmonics at Point of Common Coupling in On-Grid Solar Photovoltaic Systems
Authors: Naidu Talada Appala , Ali Ahmed Albeshr Hamad Mohamed , Al-Sabounchi Ammar , Sadanandan Sajan K. , Ghaoud Tareg
Published: September 2023

Renewable penetration, particularly the increasing deployment of PV by residential customers, organizations, and utilities, is leading to the rapid evolution of the power grid. However, the power system’s architectural changes affect the quality of supply and give rise to power quality issues such as harmonics, fluctuations, disturbances, etc., at the point of common coupling (PCC). Therefore, in this work, a power network was modeled to study the impact of PV systems on PCC. At first, a detailed review is presented for on-grid PV systems with different inverter topologies, control techniques, sources of harmonic generation, and their mitigation strategies. After that, several use cases considering various sources of harmonics in a network with on-grid PV are modeled and simulated using MATLAB/Simulink. In-depth research was performed in this work to examine the many variables that affect harmonics, such as solar radiation levels, controller tuning, and load changes. Results with a real-time simulation platform (OPAL-RT) are presented in this paper for several use cases. Lastly, comprehensive discussions are presented from the acquired offline and real-time simulation results.
Feasibility of Green Hydrogen-Based Synthetic Fuel as a Carbon Utilization Option: An Economic Analysis
Authors: Martin J. Lemuel , Viswanathan S.
Published: September 2023

Singapore has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, which requires the pursuit of multiple decarbonization pathways. CO2 utilization methods such as fuel production may provide a fast interim solution for carbon abatement. This paper evaluates the feasibility of green hydrogen-based synthetic fuel (synfuel) production as a method for utilizing captured CO2. We consider several scenarios: a baseline scenario with no changes, local production of synfuel with hydrogen imports, and overseas production of synfuel with CO2 exports. This paper aims to determine a CO2 price for synfuel production, evaluate the economic viability of local versus overseas production, and investigate the effect of different cost parameters on economic viability. Using the current literature, we estimate the associated production and transport costs under each scenario. We introduce a CO2 utilization price (CUP) that estimates the price of utilizing captured CO2 to produce synfuel, and an adjusted CO2 utilization price (CCUP) that takes into account the avoided emissions from crude oil-based fuel production. We find that overseas production is more economically viable compared to local production, with the best case CCUP bounds giving a range of 142–148 $/tCO2 in 2050 if CO2 transport and fuel shipping costs are low. This is primarily due to the high cost of hydrogen feedstock, especially the transport cost, which can offset the combined costs of CO2 transport and fuel shipping. In general, we find that any increase in the hydrogen feedstock cost can significantly affect the CCUP for local production. Sensitivity analysis reveals that hydrogen transport cost has a significant impact on the viability of local production and if this cost is reduced significantly, local production can be cheaper than overseas production. The same is true if the economies of scale for local production is significantly better than overseas production. A significantly lower carbon capture cost can also the reduce the CCUP significantly.
Characterization of a Wall System with Dynamic Thermal Insulation—Experimental Campaign and Numerical Simulation
Authors: Almeida Ricardo M. S. F. , Teles-Ribeiro Maria , Barreira Eva
Published: September 2023

Dynamic thermal insulation systems (DTISs) can adapt to external environment conditions and help to reduce energy consumption and increase occupants’ thermal comfort, contributing towards the mitigation of overheating. DTISs adjust their configuration to optimize heat transfer through the façade. In this study, the performance of a DTIS was assessed through laboratory tests and numerical simulation. The DTIS is based on the ventilation of an air gap that facilitates the heat exchanges between the exterior and the interior. To extend the results of the experimental campaign, a set of scenarios was assessed based on numerical simulation. The results of the laboratory tests showed that the R-value obtained when the mechanical ventilation of the air gap is off (insulation state) is 3.89 m2.°C/W. In comparison, when it is on (conductive state), the R-value is 1.56 m2.°C/W, which corresponds to a reduction of approximately 60%. The results of the simulations showed that, when the shading system was on, the higher U-value was useful more than 50% of the time with discomfort, increasing to 75% when the shading system was off.
Does Soundscape Perception Affect Health Benefits, as Mediated by Restorative Perception?
Authors: Zhu Yujie , Huang Nan , Weng Yuxi , Tong Huanran , Wang Xinyi , Chen Jiaxin , Liu Jing , Chen Ziyi , Dong Jianwen , Wang Minhua
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the connection between the soundscape of a forest park, restorative perception, and health benefits. In order to assess sound source perception, soundscape perception, restorative perception, and health benefits, 10 forest park environments in Fuzhou National Forest Park were chosen for sound walks. Correlation analysis, structural equation modeling, and mediating effects were used to analyze the relationships between the variables. The results showed that (1) the majority of natural sounds, like birdsong, had a positive correlation with soundscape perception with respect to being perceived as pleasant, harmonious, varied, and fluctuating; however, human-related and traffic noises had a negative correlation with perceptions of being pleasant and harmonious, and a positive correlation with perceptions of roughness. (2) The sound of running water and wind-blown leaves had strong favorable connections with emotional, cognitive, and behavioral restorative perceptions. The sound of birdsong was strongly correlated with restorative perceptions regarding emotional dimensions. The sound of wind held substantial favorable associations with emotional and cognitive restorative perceptions. Natural sounds, except for the sound of cicada chirping, had positive correlations with health benefits. The associations between human-related and mechanical sounds and restorative perception and health benefits were not statistically significant. (3) Soundscape pleasantness had a significant positive effect on restorative perceptions, and restorative perceptions had a significant positive effect on health benefits. The effect of soundscape pleasantness on health benefits was fully communicated through restorative perceptions. The annoyingness of a soundscape had no effect on restorative perception or health benefits. In the future, forest recreation activities based on soundscape perception could be carried out through the considered use of natural soundscape resources to promote health benefits.
Accessibility Improvement and Renewal of Urban Park Green Space for the Elderly and the Disabled
Authors: Zhang Ranyang , Huang Lei , Wang Hui
Published: September 2023

With the global population aging, balancing urban development with the social lives of the elderly and disabled has become an important issue. Network analysis was employed as the primary research method, utilizing tools such as Network Analysis on the ArcGIS platform and Python. To enhance the applicability of the analytical model in population demand and travel characteristic studies, a dataset was established based on the behavioral characteristics of elderly and disabled individuals. Resistance values and evaluation indicators were selected for this purpose. We summarized the travel preferences of the elderly and disabled and proposed corresponding accessibility optimization strategies. Through the analysis of the experimental results, we believe that setting the optimization goal as a 10-min walk for the elderly and a 500-m walk for the disabled to access parks and green spaces is reasonable. Additionally, the service area ratio and service population ratio should exceed 90% to ensure equitable access to the ecological services of urban parks for the elderly and disabled population. We also found that connecting and extending linear green spaces are of significant importance in improving green space accessibility, because linear green spaces have more entrances and exits than dot green spaces and area green spaces.
Prevalence of Lentilacobacillus hilgardii over Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in Low-Temperature Spontaneous Malolactic Fermentation of a Patagonian Pinot Noir
Authors: Manera Camila , Rivas Gabriel Alejandro , Flores Naiquen Elizabeth , Brizuela Natalia Soledad , Caballero Adriana Carmen , Semorile Liliana Carmen , Valdes La Hens Danay
Published: September 2023

The spontaneous malolactic fermentation (MLF) in a centenary winery from Patagonia, Argentina, is conducted by predominantly mesophilic Oenococcus oeni and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. In this region, MLF takes place from 14 to 4 °C, leading to heat cellars incurring in higher costs and non-sustainable practices. Previously, psychrotrophic strains of O. oeni had been obtained from a Patagonian wine. The goal of this work was to identify the Lactobacillaceae microbiota related to low-temperature MLF and assess their contribution. Nine sychrotrophicc Lentilactibacillus hilgardii strains were identified by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene, and the strains typified by RAPD-PCR. All strains consumed L-malic acid at 4 and 10 °C in sterile wine. The selected UNQLh1.1 strain revealed implantation capacity and L-malic acid consumption at 4 and 10 °C in the presence of the native microbial consortium. Furthermore, the histidine decarboxylase (hdc) gene was not detected in any of the Len. hilgardii strains. The prevalence of Len. hilgardii under low-temperature conditions represents a novelty compared to previous findings of LAB diversity in the MLF of Patagonian wines. The native Patagonian psychrotrophic Len. hilgardii strains are a new player in fermentations conducted at low temperatures with the potential to be used as a sustainable MLF starter.
Is It Possible to Brew Non-Alcoholic Kombucha? Brazilian Scenario after Restrictive Legislation
Authors: Rossini Daniel , Bogsan Cristina
Published: September 2023

Kombucha is a traditional fermented beverage produced via the fermentation of a sweetened Camellia sinensis infusion added to a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). During fermentation, a high level of ethanol can be produced as a yeast metabolite that can reach values above the legal limits for non-alcoholic beverages. In 2021, Brazil made the world’s first kombucha-specific legislation to label beverages containing up to 0.50% ABV (alcohol by volume) as non-alcoholic. Headspace gas chromatography was used to quantify ethanol in 12 kombucha samples from different brands 12 months before and after the legislation was implemented. Before the legislation was implemented, 92% of the samples showed ethanol concentrations above 0.50% ABV, ranging from 0.47% to 3.56% ABV. One year later, an analysis of the same 12 kombucha brands showed that 67% of the samples were non-compliant with the new legislation, ranging from 0.10% to 2.40% ABV. The formation of ethanol during kombucha fermentation is a multivariate problem. Inoculum usually differs between sources, and the types and amounts of sugar and fruits, and the tea infusion percentage can also impact the final product. These parameters vary among producers. Some efforts to help kombucha producers achieve a more controlled and consistent production process are needed to ensure that commercially available kombuchas are properly non-alcoholic beverages and safe to consume.
An Economic View on the Effects of Invasive Rabbitfishes Based on Fishers’ Perspectives: The Case of the Parrotfish Métier in the South Ionian Sea
Authors: Liontakis Angelos , Vassilopoulou Vassiliki
Published: September 2023

The effect of thermophilic species invasion in the eastern Mediterranean is well-noted in the literature. During the last decade in western Greek waters, small-scale fisheries (SSF) catches exhibit increased relative contribution of rabbitfishes, which have originated from the Red Sea and inhabited the country’s southeastern part since the Second World War. This study has used quantitative and qualitative information to assess the short-term economic effect of the rabbitfishes’ expansion in the SSF métier targeting the indigenous thermophilic parrotfish in the South Ionian Sea. The short-term micro-level negative economic effects of the rabbitfishes’ invasion and the corresponding adverse effects on fishers’ economic wealth have been estimated. The results indicate attitudinal differences among fishers, although their local ecological knowledge may enable them to avoid rabbitfishes’ hot spots and mitigate the respective economic losses, that particularly for smaller SSF vessels already seem to be quite important. As climate warming may further facilitate the expansion of rabbitfishes, outcompeting parrotfish, the latter métier may eventually become economically unsustainable. Fine-scale analysis at the métier level enables addressing the specificities of social-ecological systems and can contribute to informed and more effective decision making related to SSF, which is an important building block of Mediterranean coastal communities.
Recovery of Phenolic Compounds from Jackfruit Seeds Using Subcritical Water Extraction
Authors: Alibekov Ravshanbek Sultanbekovich , Mustapa Kamal Siti Mazlina , Taip Farah Saleena , Sulaiman Alifdalino , Azimov Abdugani Mutalovich , Urazbayeva Klara Abdyrazahovna
Published: September 2023

Jackfruit is one of the major fruits cultivated in many Asian countries. Jackfruit seeds are generally disposed of into the environment, which causes an environmental concern that leads to biowaste accumulation. The seeds have excellent nutritional value, such as carbohydrates, protein, fats, minerals, and bioactive compounds. Bioactive compounds, such as phenolic, can be recovered from jackfruit seeds that could add value to the food and pharmaceutical industry. Thus, this study focused on utilizing subcritical water to extract the phenolic compounds from jackfruit seeds and correlate them with antioxidant activity (AA). The extraction of phenolic compounds was studied at different temperatures and extraction times. The highest total phenolic compounds (TPC) and AA were obtained by treating the jackfruit seed powder at 210 °C, 30 min, and 15% solid loading under subcritical water extraction (SWE) with 1.84 mg GAE/100 g (TPC) and 86% (AA). High correlation between the extracted TPC and AA of the jackfruit seed extracts was obtained (R2 = 0.96), indicating a significant positive relationship between TPC and AA. A higher amount of TPC was obtained via SWE as compared to Soxhlet extraction (1 h:0.53 mg GAE/100 g and 4 h:1.20 mg GAE/100 g). More pores were detected on the surface of the sample treated by SWE than using Soxhlet extraction. Thus, jackfruit seed extracts can be potentially beneficial in the fortification of fermented dairy or meat products.
Examining Safe Food-Handling Knowledge, Behaviour, and Related Psychological Constructs among Individuals at Higher Risk of Food Poisoning and the General Population
Authors: Charlesworth Jessica , Mullan Barbara A.
Published: September 2023

Safe food-handling knowledge and behaviour are low across the general population. This raises concerns about whether individuals at higher risk of food poisoning have sufficient safe food-handling knowledge and engage in safe food-handling practices. The aim of this study was to explore safe food-handling knowledge, behaviour, and related psychological constructs among individuals at higher risk of food poisoning and compare the results to the general population. Participants (N = 169) completed measures of safe food-handling knowledge, intention, habit strength, perceived risk, self-efficacy, subjective norms, and behaviour. A series of multivariate analyses of variance were conducted to determine differences in these measures between participants at higher risk of food poisoning and the general population. No significant differences in knowledge, intention, habit strength, self-efficacy, subjective norms, and behaviour were found between individuals at higher risk of food poisoning and the general population. However, individuals at higher risk of food poisoning appeared to have stronger risk perceptions across safe food-handling behaviours compared with the general population. This study demonstrated that individuals at higher risk of food poisoning do not have higher safe food-handling knowledge than the general population, and despite having higher risk perceptions around some safe food-handling behaviours, they do not differ in engagement in safe food-handling behaviours or the majority of related psychological constructs. Implications of these findings relate to the need to target other psychological constructs, not just risk perceptions, in order to see safer food-handling behaviours in high-risk populations.
Understanding Global Rice Trade Flows: Network Evolution and Implications
Authors: Chen Wei , Zhao Xiquan
Published: September 2023

Rice holds a significant position as one of the world’s most important food crops, and international trade plays a crucial role in regulating rice supply and demand. Analyzing the structural evolution of the global rice trade from a network perspective is paramount for understanding the global rice-trade supply chain and ensuring global food security. This study utilizes international rice-trade data from 2000 to 2021 and employs various network analysis methods to depict the spatial and temporal patterns of the global rice trade, examines the network topologies of the global rice trade, and reveals the impacts of its evolution on food security. The research findings are as follows: (1) Global rice-trade scale has increased over time, indicating a relatively stable development with the gradual formation of complex rice-trade networks. Since 2000, the global rice-trade networks have shown increasing density characterized by Asia as the primary export source and Africa as an important import market. (2) Network analysis indicators demonstrate a growing trend in the size and density of the global rice-trade networks, along with increasingly optimized network structures and improved network connectivity efficiency. Core positions in the networks are occupied by Thailand, Vietnam, India, China, Pakistan, and the United States, while import partners in European and American countries, such as Germany, France, UK, Canada, The Netherlands, and Belgium, show greater diversification. Asia, Europe, and North America form agglomeration regions for rice-exporting countries. Additionally, importing and exporting countries in the global rice-trade networks exhibit certain geographical concentrations. (3) The network backbones of the global rice trade are continuously evolving and being refined, characterized by dominant large rice-exporting countries in Asia and prominent developed countries in Europe and North America. The backbone structures revolve around India as the core, Thailand and Pakistan as the second cores, and critical nodes represented by Italy, the United States, China, and Vietnam. Regional backbone networks have also formed in Asia and Europe. Based on these findings, this paper clarifies the complex network characteristics of the global rice trade and offers insights to promote international rice-trade cooperation and safeguard global food security.
Application of Static Headspace GC-MS Method for Selective 1,4-Dioxane Detection in Food Additives
Authors: Kim Myung-Chan , Park Su-Yeon , Kwon Seo-Yeon , Kim Yu-Kyeong , Kim Yeong-In , Seo Yong-Soo , Cho Sueng-Mok , Shin Eui-Cheol , Mok Jin Hong , Lee Yang-Bong
Published: September 2023

Efficient detection methods must be developed for 1,4-dioxane due to its suspected status as a human carcinogen, which is highly mobile in food and environmental resources. In this regard, this experiment has been conducted to develop reliable and selective detection and measurement methods by using static headspace (SH) isolation, followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A new method was developed for determining the spiked 1,4-dioxane contents in a polyethylene glycol 600 (PEG 600). The optimal condition for SH-GC-MS was discussed. The representative ions of 1,4-dioxane and 1,4-dioxane-d8 in the SIM mode of MS are 88 and 96, respectively, and the peaks of the SIM mode were separated and confirmed. The linear range for the method covers 0.25 to 100 mg/L with a coefficient of determination (R2)  ≥  0.999. The method applicability was demonstrated by spike recovery across a variety of food additives (i.e., chlorine bitartrate, choline chloride, polysorbate 20 and 60, and PEG 1000). All spike recovery from the tested samples was in the range of 89.50–102.68% with a precision of 0.44–11.22%. These findings suggest a new analytical method for food safety inspection, and could be applicable for ensuring the safety of foods and environmental and public health on a broad scale.
Toxic Elements in Beans from Zhejiang, Southeast China: Distribution and Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment
Authors: Yu Sha , Pan Xiao-Dong , Han Jian-Long
Published: September 2023

This study described the distribution of As, Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb in 692 bean samples from Zhejiang province, southeast China, and estimated the health risk using Monte Carlo simulation. The average levels of As, Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb were 0.0349, 0.0379, 0.246, 0.0019, and 0.0246 mg kg−1. Correlation analyses showed very strong positive correlations for Cd-Pb in kidney beans and mung beans, Cd-As in black beans, and Pb-As in red beans. The target hazard quotients (THQs) were adopted for non-carcinogenic risk assessment, and THQs at the 50th percentile were all less than 1, indicating that there are no deleterious effects from rice exposure to these elements. When evaluating THQ for multiple elements, the certainty with a hazard index (HI) greater than 1 for children was 12.64%, for teens 11.54%, and for adults 1.01%. The sensitivity analysis reveals that the concentration of Cd in beans and ED (exposure duration) are the main principal factors that contributed to the total risk. The mean carcinogenic risks for children, teens, and adults were all less than 1 × 10−4, indicating no potential carcinogenic risk. Despite that, the routine monitoring of these elements, especially for Cd should be continued.
Factors Influencing Consumption Intention of Insect-Fed Fish among Italian Respondents
Authors: Mulazzani Luca , Arru Brunella , Camanzi Luca , Furesi Roberto , Malorgio Giulio , Pulina Pietro , Madau Fabio A.
Published: September 2023

The rise in the world’s demand for fish is increasingly met by aquaculture. However, this sector still shows various criticalities in terms of sustainability of practices, first and foremost, that of feed availability. Nowadays, the use of insect meal represents one of the potential sustainable solutions, but consumption intention of fish fed with insect meal and the factors affecting it have not yet been adequately understood. This study investigates 318 Italian consumers’ intentions to buy fish fed with insect meal using an extended version of the Theory of Planned Behavior, including consumers’ moral attitude and sustainability consciousness as additional constructs. The results of structural equation models show that consumers’ high sustainability consciousness (6.16 on a scale from 1 to 7) does not influence their consumption intention of this product. Also, the two moderating variables involved in the model, i.e., the country of origin and price sensitivity, do not significantly affect consumers’ intentions. Since the analysis demonstrates that, for consumers, insect meal-fed fish conforms to their moral principles and a significant positive attitude toward this practice it could be argued that fish fed with insect meal can match the demand from consumers who feel responsible for their consumer behavior. Although the limited area of investigations and the high education of interviewed do not allow for generalizing of the results, this paper provides pivotal food for thought for companies, policymakers, and academics responding to previous research calls on understanding the role of some constructs of consumption intention and highlighting the levers on which to act to foster the consumption intention of insect-fed fish.
Investigating Structural Defects in Extra Hard Cheese Produced from Low-Temperature Centrifugation of Milk
Authors: Bettera Luca , Alinovi Marcello , D’Incecco Paolo , Gatti Monica , Carini Eleonora , Pellegrino Luisa , Bancalari Elena
Published: September 2023

The present study investigated some physico-chemical and microbiological traits of 20-month ripened hard cheeses produced from low-temperature high-speed centrifuged raw milk that developed a structural defect consisting of eyes or slits in the paste. Cheeses obtained using the same process and that did not develop the defect were used as controls. The colour, texture, moisture, water activity, proton molecular mobility, microstructure, extent of proteolysis, and viable microorganisms have been evaluated in all the cheese samples, and the significant differences between the defective and non-defective cheeses have been critically discussed. At a microstructural level, the defects caused fat coalescence and an unevenly organised protein matrix with small cracks in the proximity of the openings. The different fat organisation was correlated to a different transverse relaxation time of 1H population relaxing at higher times. The textural and colour features were not different from those of the control cheeses and were comparable with those reported in the literature for other long-ripened hard cheeses. On the other hand, the defective cheeses showed a higher moisture level and lower lactobacilli and total mesophilic bacteria concentrations, but the microbial origin of the defect remains an open hypothesis that deserves further investigation.
Aerotolerance and Multi-Locus Sequence Typing of Campylobacter jejuni Isolated from Commercial Broiler Processing Plants
Authors: Pokhrel Diksha , Thames Hudson T. , Zhang Li , Dinh Thu , Schilling M. Wes , White Shecoya , Ramachandran Reshma , Sukumaran Anuraj T.
Published: September 2023

Campylobacter jejuni is one of the leading causes of acute diarrhea in the United States. Despite being a microaerophilic pathogen, C. jejuni continues to endure within the domain of food production, especially in poultry processing. Recent research on aerotolerance indicates that close monitoring of this pathogen is necessary. A total of 40 C. jejuni isolates previously obtained from commercial broiler processing plants were analyzed for aerotolerance and genetic diversity. In addition, the effect of aerotolerance and storage time (days) on the survival of C. jejuni on broiler drumsticks at refrigeration (4 °C) and freezing conditions (−20 °C) was also evaluated. Out of 40 isolates, 25 (62.5%) were aero-sensitive (AS), 10 (25%) were intermediately aerotolerant (IAT), and 5 (12.5%) were hyper aerotolerant (HAT). The isolates belonged to four clonal complexes (CCs) and six sequence types, with the majority of isolates assigned to the CC–353 clonal complex. C. jejuni counts were reduced by 0.40 log CFU/g after 7 days at 4 °C and by 1.50 log CFU/g after 14 days at −20 °C, respectively, irrespective of aerotolerance (p < 0.001). At both refrigeration (p < 0.013) and freezing (p < 0.001), HAT showed greater reductions as compared to AS and IAT. These findings suggest that both refrigeration and freezing reduce C. jejuni counts.