bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamical System Scaling of a Thermocline Thermal Storage System in the Thermal Energy Distribution System (TEDS) Facility
Authors: Yoshiura Ramon , Duenas Alexander , Epiney Aaron
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this study was to develop a process to convert input signals from one facility into another by reflecting geometric and environmental settings. The Dynamic Energy Transport and Integration Laboratory (DETAIL) is one facility in development that aims to emulate the daily interactions among power production industry systems and be capable of receiving real-time data from those systems as inputs. To convert signals and ensure that the temporal sequences and magnitudes reflect the laboratory settings, the ability to scale and project data is essential. To demonstrate this ability, Dynamical System Scaling (a methodology that enables systems to scale and project or extrapolate datasets to desired environments while conserving the observed transient behavior based on first principles) was applied to DETAIL’s thermocline thermal storage system in the Thermal Energy Distribution System. The thermocline system was successfully scaled and a test case was conducted to generate a doubly accelerated energy charge and discharge in reference to past experimental data from the facility. The accelerated data were determined as able to conserve the amount of energy stored and the associated test boundary conditions were charge line maximum temperature, charge line velocity, and thermocline maximum temperature at 354 °C, 0.458 m/s, and 418 °C, respectively. The research results represented a case that required signals to be accelerated without altering the stored energy.
Probing the Coalescence Mechanism of Oil Droplets in Fluids Produced by Oil Wells and the Microscopic Interaction between Molecules in Oil Films
Authors: Huang Bin , Nan Xiaohan , Fu Cheng , Liu Weibo , Guo Wei , Wang Siqi , Zhang Lu
Published: June 2022

The microscopic interactions between oil droplets during the coalescence process have an important impact on the stability of the emulsion. In this paper, a model that can present the phenomenon of coalescence of oil droplets was established. Experiments were carried out to evaluate the stability of the emulsion. Combined with molecular dynamics simulation technology, the coalescence behaviors of emulsified oil droplets in fluids produced by oil wells were studied. Factors affecting the coalescence of emulsified oil droplets were analyzed. The results show that the fluid velocity was relatively high at the position where two oil droplets were close to each other. After the coalescence of oil droplets was completed, the emulsion system became stable. There was no obvious correlation between oil droplet size and coalescence time. When two adjacent oil droplets with different radii coalesced, the larger oil droplet moved a shorter distance overall. At the initial moment, there was a clear boundary between the oil film and the water phase. The longer the carbon chain, the more stable the emulsion. Among the following four crude oil molecules with the same number of carbon atoms, chain-like saturated hydrocarbons were the most stable, followed by chain-like carbon–carbon double bonds in component crude oil. Crude oils containing chain-like carbon–carbon triple bonds were the third most stable. Cyclane were the least stable. An increase in the asphaltene content was an important reason for the enhancement of the emulsifying ability and stability in the emulsion system. This work can help improve oil–water separation efficiency, thus reducing storage and transportation burden of crude oil.
CO2 Emissions in China: Does the Energy Rebound Matter?
Authors: Abudureheman Maliyamu , Jiang Qingzhe , Dong Xiucheng , Dong Cong
Published: June 2022

Enhancing energy efficiency is globally regarded as an effective way to reduce carbon emissions. In recent years, the energy efficiency of China has gradually improved; however, energy consumption and CO2 emissions are still increasing. To better understand the reasons for this, we evaluated the energy rebound effect (RE) of 30 provinces in China over the period 2001–2017 by employing stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) and the system generalized method of moments (system-GMM) approach, and explored the extent to which the RE affects CO2 emissions. Asymmetric and regional heterogeneity analyses were also conducted. The results indicate that the national average RE was 90.47% in the short run, and 78.17% in the long run, during the sample period. Most of the provinces experienced a partial RE, with a backfire effect occurring in some provinces such as Guangxi and Henan. The RE was associated with significant increases in CO2 emissions; specifically, a 1% increase in the short-run RE led to an increase in CO2 emissions of approximately 0.818%, and a 1% increase in the long-run RE resulted in an increase in CO2 emissions of approximately 0.695%. Moreover, significant regional differences existed in the impact of the RE on CO2 emissions; in regions with high emissions and a high RE, the CO2 reduction effect from the marginal decline in the RE was much more pronounced than that in other regions.
A Geomechanical Model for Gas Hydrate Bearing Sediments Incorporating High Dilatancy, Temperature, and Rate Effects
Authors: Zhou Bohan , Sanchez Marcelo , Oldecop Luciano , Santamarina J. Carlos
Published: June 2022

The geomechanical behavior of methane hydrate bearing sediments (MHBS) is influenced by many factors, including temperature, fluid pressure, hydrate saturation, stress level, and strain rate. The paper presents a visco-elastoplastic constitutive model for MHBS based on an elastoplastic model that incorporates the effect of hydrate saturation, stress history, and hydrate morphology on hydrate sediment response. The upgraded model is able to account for additional critical features of MHBS behavior, such as, high-dilatancy, temperature, and rate effects. The main components and the mathematical formulation of the new constitutive model are described in detail. The upgraded model is validated using published triaxial tests involving MHBS. The model agrees overly well with the experimental observations and is able to capture the main features associated with the behavior of MHBS.
A Critical Review on the Use of Shallow Geothermal Energy Systems for Heating and Cooling Purposes
Authors: Ahmed Abdelazim Abbas , Assadi Mohsen , Kalantar Adib , Sliwa Tomasz , Sapińska-Śliwa Aneta
Published: June 2022

The reduction of CO2 emissions has become a global concern. In this regard, the EU intends to cut CO2 emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to those of 1990. The utilization of shallow geothermal energy (SGE) in EU countries is considered the most effective measure for decarbonizing heating and cooling. SGE systems utilize heat energy collected from the earth’s crust to provide secure, clean, and ubiquitous energy. This paper provides a literature review on the use of SGE for heating and cooling purposes. The latest advances in materials, new innovative structures, and techno-economic optimization approaches have been discussed in detail. Shallow geothermal energy’s potential is first introduced, and the innovative borehole structures to improve performance and reduce installation cost is outlined. This is followed by an extensive survey of different types of conventional and thermally enhanced collectors and grouts. Attention is mainly given to the techno-economic analysis and optimization approaches. In published case studies, the least economic break-even point against fossil fuel-based heating systems occurs within 2.5 to 17 years, depending on the local geological conditions, installation efficiency, energy prices, and subsidy. Ground source heat pumps’ cost-effectiveness could be improved through market maturity, increased efficiency, cheap electricity, and good subsidy programs.
Effect of Probiotics on Host-Microbial Crosstalk: A Review on Strategies to Combat Diversified Strain of Coronavirus
Authors: Sahoo Susrita , Mohapatra Swati , Dalai Swayam prava , Misra Namrata , Suar Mrutyunjay
Published: June 2022

The scare of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), does not seem to fade away, while there is a constant emergence of novel deadly variants including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron. Until now, it has claimed approximately 276,436,619 infections, and the number of deaths surpluses to 5,374,744 all over the world. While saving the life has been a priority during the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the post-infection healing and getting back to normalcy has been undermined. Improving general health conditions and immunity with nutritional adequacy is currently of precedence for the government as well as frontline health workers to prevent and assuage infections. Exploring the role of probiotics and prebiotics in managing the after-effects of a viral outbreak could be of great significance, considering the emergence of new variants every now and then. To enhance human immunity, the recent evidence on the connection between gut microbiota and the broad spectrum of the clinical COVID-19 disease is the reason to look at the benefits of probiotics in improving health conditions. This review aims to sketch out the prospective role of probiotics and prebiotics in improving the standard of health in common people.
Forest Management Units’ Performance in Forest Fire Management Implementation in Central Kalimantan and South Sumatra
Authors: Budiningsih Kushartati , Nurfatriani Fitri , Salminah Mimi , Ulya Nur Arifatul , Nurlia Ari , Setiabudi Irfan Malik , Mendham Daniel S.
Published: June 2022

Wildfires in Indonesia are an annual phenomenon which peak in dry El Nino years, with up to 2.6 million ha of forest and land burnt in the drought year of 2015. This is an annual disaster for the country and surrounding region, with severe impacts on the environment, as well as human health, economic and social factors. Forest Management Units (FMUs, known locally as Kesatuan Pengelolaan Hutan, KPH) are the implementation agencies on the ground that play a strategic role in both the prevention and suppression of forest fires. FMUs are mandated to establish a local fire brigade, to provide adequate personnel and equipment, and to carry out fire prevention as well as suppression programs. This research aimed to analyze the performance of forest fire-related policy implementation. The study was based on five FMUs in fire-prone regions of Central Kalimantan and South Sumatra, Indonesia. The performance of the FMUs is measured by achievement of the policy objectives and effectiveness of policy implementation. Our analysis shows the policies, standards and objectives to manage fire are clear for FMUs, but there are challenges in their implementation, such that fire control activities have not been fully implemented. Most FMUs have limited capacity and resources, as well as complicated budget mechanisms and low community participation. Strengthening FMU capacity will significantly improve their performance in forest fire control, particularly in the initial stages. This can be done at three scales: personnel, organization and system.
Responses of Nutrient Resorption to Human Disturbances in Phoebe bournei Forests
Authors: Zhu Dehuang , Peng Suhong , Wang Jinyan , Hui Dafeng
Published: June 2022

Nutrient resorption plays an important role in the nutrient conservation of plants and ecosystem nutrient cycling. Although community succession and nutrient addition could regulate plant nutrient resorption, how resorptions of foliar nutrients vary with human disturbances remains unclear. With the economic development, Phoebe bournei forests (PF) have suffered varying degrees of human disturbances in China. In this study, the leaf nutrient resorption efficiency (RE) of the PF under two disturbances (i.e., severe and mild disturbances) were investigated. Results showed that the phosphorus (P) contents of green leaf, senesced leaf, and soil were low under both disturbances, reflecting that the PF had a potential P limitation. Phosphorus and potassium (K) REs were higher under the severe disturbance than those under the mild disturbance. The potassium resorption efficiency was the highest among the three REs under both disturbances. In addition, nutrient resorption efficiencies increased with green leaf nutrient contents under both disturbances. However, there were negative significant relationships of specific leaf area and leaf dry matter content with nutrient resorption under both disturbances. These findings provide a new perspective of nutrient resorption and revealed the potential impact of human disturbances on the nutrient cycle in forest ecosystems.
Vegetation Type Classification Based on 3D Convolutional Neural Network Model: A Case Study of Baishuijiang National Nature Reserve
Authors: Zhou Xinyao , Zhou Wenzuo , Li Feng , Shao Zhouling , Fu Xiaoli
Published: June 2022

Efficient and accurate vegetation type extraction from remote sensing images can provide decision makers with basic forest cover and land use information, and provides a reliable basis for long-term monitoring. With the development of deep learning, the convolutional neural network (CNN) has been used successfully to classify tree species in many studies, but CNN models have rarely been applied in the classification of vegetation types on larger scales. To evaluate the performance of CNN models in the classification of vegetation types, this paper compared the classification accuracy of nine dominant land cover types in Baishuijiang National Nature Reserve with four models: 3D-CNN, 2D-CNN, JSSAN (joint spatial–spectral attention network) and Resnet18, using sentinel-2A data. Comparing the difference in classification accuracy between the direct use of raw sentinel images and fused feature indices sentinel images, the results showed that adding feature indices can improve the overall accuracy of the model. After fusing the characteristic bands, the accuracy of the four models was improved significantly, by 5.46–19.33%. The best performing 3D-CNN model achieved the highest classification accuracy with an overall accuracy of 95.82% and a kappa coefficient of 95.07%. In comparison, 2D-CNN achieved an overall accuracy of 79.07% and a kappa coefficient of 75.44%, JSSAN achieved an overall accuracy of 81.67% and a kappa coefficient of 78.56%, and Resnet18 achieved an overall accuracy of 93.61% and a kappa coefficient of 92.45%. The results showed that the 3D-CNN model can effectively capture vegetation type cover changes from broad-leaved forests at lower elevation, to shrublands and grasslands at higher elevation, across a range spanning 542–4007 m. In experiments using a small amount of sample data, 3D-CNN can better incorporate spatial–spectral information and is more effective in distinguishing the performance of spectrally similar vegetation types, providing an efficient and novel approach to classifying vegetation types in nature reserves with complex conditions.
Development and Analysis of an Intensified Batch-Fed Wine Fermentation Process
Authors: Miller Konrad V. , Arefaine Even , Arikal Ardic , Cantu Annegret , Cauduro Girardello Raul , Oberholster Anita , Heymann Hildegarde , Block David E.
Published: June 2022

White wine fermentations are typically performed in an entirely batchwise manner, with yeast nutrients only added at the beginning of fermentation. This leads to slow (2+ weeks) fermentation cycle times, with large capital expenditures required to increase winery processing capacity. Prior attempts to speed fermentations via increasing temperature have resulted in unpalatable wine, and continuous fermentation processing is uneconomical and impractical in the winery setting. In this work, we measured yeast nutrient consumption as a function of fermentation progression at the 300 mL scale, and from this derived an equation to optimize yeast nutrient concentration as a function of fermentation progression. These findings were applied at the pilot scale in 150 L fermentors, which resulted in a 60% cycle time reduction versus “best practices” control fermentations. The resultant wines were compared via GC-MS as well as by a trained sensory panel. Organoleptic analysis found statistically significant, but overall, small differences in sensory characteristics between the control and process intensified wines. This intensified fermentation process shows great promise for fermented beverage producers wishing to maximize equipment utilization and debottleneck wineries or other beverage fermentation facilities.
Toward Semi-Supervised Graphical Object Detection in Document Images
Authors: Kallempudi Goutham , Hashmi Khurram Azeem , Pagani Alain , Liwicki Marcus , Stricker Didier , Afzal Muhammad Zeshan
Published: June 2022

The graphical page object detection classifies and localizes objects such as Tables and Figures in a document. As deep learning techniques for object detection become increasingly successful, many supervised deep neural network-based methods have been introduced to recognize graphical objects in documents. However, these models necessitate a substantial amount of labeled data for the training process. This paper presents an end-to-end semi-supervised framework for graphical object detection in scanned document images to address this limitation. Our method is based on a recently proposed Soft Teacher mechanism that examines the effects of small percentage-labeled data on the classification and localization of graphical objects. On both the PubLayNet and the IIIT-AR-13K datasets, the proposed approach outperforms the supervised models by a significant margin in all labeling ratios (1%, 5%, and 10%). Furthermore, the 10% PubLayNet Soft Teacher model improves the average precision of Table, Figure, and List by +5.4,+1.2, and +3.2 points, respectively, with a similar total mAP as the Faster-RCNN baseline. Moreover, our model trained on 10% of IIIT-AR-13K labeled data beats the previous fully supervised method +4.5 points.
High-Frequency Direction Forecasting of the Futures Market Using a Machine-Learning-Based Method
Authors: Deng Shangkun , Zhu Yingke , Huang Xiaoru , Duan Shuangyang , Fu Zhe
Published: June 2022

Futures price-movement-direction forecasting has always been a significant and challenging subject in the financial market. In this paper, we propose a combination approach that integrates the XGBoost (eXtreme Gradient Boosting), SMOTE (Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique), and NSGA-II (Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II) methods. We applied the proposed approach on the direction prediction and simulation trading of rebar futures, which are traded on the Shanghai Futures Exchange. Firstly, the minority classes of the high-frequency rebar futures price change magnitudes are oversampled using the SMOTE algorithm to overcome the imbalance problem of the class data. Then, XGBoost is adopted to construct a multiclassification model for the price-movement-direction prediction. Next, the proposed approach employs NSGA-II to optimize the parameters of the pre-designed trading rule for trading simulation. Finally, the price-movement direction is predicted, and we conducted the high-frequency trading based on the optimized XGBoost model and the trading rule, with the classification and trading performances empirically evaluated by four metrics over four testing periods. Meanwhile, the LIME (Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations) is applied as a model explanation approach to quantify the prediction contributions of features to the forecasting samples. From the experimental results, we found that the proposed approach performed best in terms of direction prediction accuracy, profitability, and return–risk ratio. The proposed approach could be beneficial for decision-making of the rebar traders and related companies engaged in rebar futures trading.
An In-Depth Review on Blockchain Simulators for IoT Environments
Authors: Zheng Jason , Dike Chidinma , Pancari Stefan , Wang Yi , Giakos George C. , Elmannai Wafa , Wei Bingyang
Published: June 2022

Simulating blockchain technology within the IoT has never been as important. Along with this comes the need to find suitable blockchain simulators capable of simulating blockchain networks within an IoT environment. Despite there being a wide variety of blockchain simulators, not all are capable of simulating within an IoT environment and not all are suitable for every IoT environment. This article will review previously published works and present a list of suitable blockchain simulators as well as a few untested simulators that have the potential to simulate blockchain networks within an IoT environment. A total of 18 blockchain simulators are presented and discussed in this paper. In addition, a comprehensive list of the advantages and limitations of each simulator is presented to demonstrate the best situation in which simulators should be used. Finally, recommendations are made on when each simulator should be used and in what situation it should be avoided.
Understanding the PLA–Wood Adhesion Interface for the Development of PLA-Bonded Softwood Laminates
Authors: Grigsby Warren J. , Gaugler Marc , Torayno Desiree
Published: June 2022

With polylactic acid (PLA) usage projected to increase in wood-based composite materials, a study comparing composite processing parameters with resulting PLA−wood adhesion and panel performance is warranted. In this study, PLA-softwood veneer laminates have been prepared and spatial chemical imaging via FTIR analysis was applied to identify PLA bondlines characterizing bondline thickness and the extent of PLA migration into the wood matrix. These PLA–wood adhesion interface characteristics have been compared with the performance of panels varying in pressing temperature, pressing time and PLA grades. For amorphous PLA, bondline thicknesses (60–120 μm) were similar, pressing at 140 °C or 160 °C, whereas with semi-crystalline PLA, the bondline thickness (340 μm) significantly reduced (155–240 μm) only when internal panel temperatures exceeded 140 °C during pressing. Internal temperatures also impacted PLA penetration, with greater PLA migration from bondlines evident with higher pressing temperatures and times with distinctions between PLA grades and bondline position. Performance testing revealed thinner PLA bondlines were associated with greater dry strength for both PLA grades. Cold-water soaking revealed laminated panels exhibit a range of wet-strength performance related to panel-pressing regimes with the semi-crystalline PLA pressed at 180 °C having similar tensile strength in dry and wet states. Moreover, an excellent correlation between wet-strength performance and bondline thickness and penetration values was evident for this PLA grade. Overall, study findings demonstrate PLA wood composite performance can be tuned through a combination of the PLA grade and the pressing regime employed.
Incentives and Barriers to Homeowners’ Uptake of FireSmart® Canada’s Recommended Wildfire Mitigation Activities in the City of Fort McMurray, Alberta
Authors: Asfaw Henok Workeye , Christianson Amy Cardinal , Watson David O T
Published: June 2022

This paper presents the results of a survey that was undertaken to examine homeowners’ FireSmart mitigation practices and investigate existing incentives and barriers to uptake of FireSmart Canada’s recommended wildfire mitigation activities in the Urban Service Area of Fort McMurray Alberta. Single-family residential property owners, the large majority of whom were affected by the Horse River wildfire, were invited to participate in an online survey. A total of 496 surveys were completed, with a response rate of 38%. We found that most of the participants generally perceive a low to moderate wildfire risk to their properties: they felt there was a low chance of a catastrophic fire happening soon and/or ‘enough’ had already been done to reduce the immediate risk. Although about half of the participants searched for information about FireSmart, having information or knowledge of FireSmart did not translate into substantial adoption of recommended mitigation actions. Survey participants generally preferred and implemented more of the low-cost, low effort mitigation measures such as cutting grasses and cleaning debris, likely for reasons other than wildfire risk reduction. With regard to structural measures, we found asphalt shingles and vinyl siding were present on the majority of homes; although this was not a choice but was provided by the builder or on the home when it was purchased. Very few respondents were willing to replace their siding or roof––the cost was the single biggest factor. In addition, we identified several other factors as negatively influencing homeowners’ mitigation actions, including the tendency to shift responsibility to the municipal government and social pressure such as neighbors not being as proactive in completing FireSmart mitigation measures. Recommendations that may help promote positive wildfire mitigation behaviors are discussed.
Sporosarcina aquimarina MS4 Regulates the Digestive Enzyme Activities, Body Wall Nutrients, Gut Microbiota, and Metabolites of Apostichopus japonicus
Authors: Yi Hong , Bai Qinglu , Li Ying , Zhan Honglei , Liu Yujia , Liu Bingnan , Wang Jihui
Published: June 2022

Sporosarcina aquimarina MS4 is a microecological preparation for overwintering Apostichopus japonicus, which has an immune regulation function, but its role in the nutritional regulation of A. japonicus is not clear. This study aimed to describe the effects of S. aquimarina MS4 on the growth, digestion, and body wall nutrition of A. japonicus through feeding experiments and to discuss the potential mechanism of S. aquimarina MS4 regulating gut function through the detection of gut microbiota and metabolites. After 60 days of culture, the growth performance of A. japonicus fed S. aquimarina MS4 (108 cfu/g) significantly improved, and the content of polysaccharide, leucine, phenylalanine, lysine, and docosahexaenoic acid in the body wall significantly increased. Gut microbiota analysis showed that although Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes were the predominant phyla in all the sea cucumbers, Haloferula and Rubritalea showed significant difference between the group fed with or without S. aquimarina MS4. Metabolomics analysis showed that differential metabolites in the gut were mainly enriched in amino acid metabolism and lipid metabolism. The association analysis of differential metabolites and microbiota showed that the production of some differential metabolites was significantly related to differential microorganisms, which improved the understanding of the function of microorganisms and their roles in the gut of A. japonicus. This study reveals the life activities such as growth and metabolism of A. japonicus, and it provides support for the functional study of the gut microbiome of A. japonicus.
Thermohydraulic Performance of Chevron Pin-Fins
Authors: Saghir Mohamad Ziad , Ghalayini Ibrahim
Published: June 2022

The present study focuses on the optimum design effectiveness in heat removal for small surfaces. Pin-fin made of solid and porous cylindrical shape forming chevron is investigated numerically using the finite element method. The design consists of 3-chevron and 5-chevron configurations connected to a heated block with fluid circulating between the chevron and above them. Variable Reynolds number and pin-fins height ranging from 2 mm to 8 mm are investigated. The full Navier–Stokes equation combined with the energy equation was solved in the presence of the solid pin-fins. The Darcy–Brinkman model with the effective energy equation is used in the presence of the porous pin-fins. The system is solved for Reynolds numbers ranging from 50 to 1000, thus remaining in the laminar regime. Results revealed that the best performance evaluation criterion is higher for the 8 mm porous pin-fins regardless of their permeability. If one ignores the pressure drop and friction contribution, a solid pin-fin having a height of 4 mm showed the best heat absorption mechanism.
Puncture of a Viscous Liquid Film Due to Droplet Falling
Authors: Grishaev Viktor G. , Bakulin Ivan K. , Amirfazli Alidad , Akhatov Iskander S.
Published: June 2022

Droplet impact may rupture a liquid film on a non-wettable surface. The formation of a stable dry spot has only been studied in the inviscid case. Here, we examine the break-up of viscous films, and demonstrate the importance and role of the viscous dissipation in both film and droplet. A new model was therefore proposed to predict the necessary droplet energy to create a dry spot. It also showed that the dissipation contribution in film dominates when the ratio of the thicknesses to drop diameter is larger than 7/4.
Deep Learning for Computational Hemodynamics: A Brief Review of Recent Advances
Authors: Taebi Amirtahà
Published: June 2022

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of blood flow plays an important role in better understanding various medical conditions, designing more effective drug delivery systems, and developing novel diagnostic methods and treatments. However, despite significant advances in computational technology and resources, the expensive computational cost of these simulations still hinders their transformation from a research interest to a clinical tool. This bottleneck is even more severe for image-based, patient-specific CFD simulations with realistic boundary conditions and complex computational domains, which make such simulations excessively expensive. To address this issue, deep learning approaches have been recently explored to accelerate computational hemodynamics simulations. In this study, we review recent efforts to integrate deep learning with CFD and discuss the applications of this approach in solving hemodynamics problems, such as blood flow behavior in aorta and cerebral arteries. We also discuss potential future directions in the field. In this review, we suggest that incorporating physiologic understandings and underlying fluid mechanics laws in deep learning models will soon lead to a paradigm shift in the development novel non-invasive computational medical decisions.
Experimental and Numerical Study of Cavitation Number Limitations for Hydrodynamic Cavitation Inception Prediction
Authors: Omelyanyuk Maxim , Ukolov Alexey , Pakhlyan Irina , Bukharin Nikolay , El Hassan Mouhammad
Published: June 2022

Hydrodynamic cavitation is the formation, growth and subsequent collapse of vapor bubbles in a moving liquid. It is extremely important to determine conditions of cavitation inception and when it starts damaging industrial equipment. In some cases, such as hydrodynamic cleaning it is important to understand how to improve the cavitation phenomenon in order to enhance cleaning properties. The cavitation number is a parameter used to predict cavitation and its potential effects. In this paper we discuss limitations of this parameter and demonstrate that it cannot be considered sufficient to predict cavitation inception and development in the fluid flow. The experimental setup was designed and built to study cavitation inception in various nozzles. RANS SST k–ω turbulence model was used in this study to model turbulent flow in ANSYS Fluent. CFD calculations were compared to experimental results. It was shown that cavitation inception was sensitive to change in nozzle geometry and, since geometrical parameters are not included in cavitation number formula, scenarios of cavitation inception can be different at the same cavitation number.
Analysis of Particle-Resolved CFD Results for Dispersion in Packed Beds
Authors: Lovreglio P. , Buist K. A. , Kuipers J. A. M. , Peters E. A. J. F.
Published: June 2022

Dispersion is the spreading of a solute while it is moved by a flowing medium. The study of dispersion in catalytic chemical reactors is fundamental to their design, since dispersion influences the reactant and product transport within the bed. In this paper, longitudinal and transverse dispersion of an inert tracer in slender packed beds of spheres and spherocylinders is studied using Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations. The focus is on the analysis of dispersion from full field data. The purpose is to develop a methodology that can later also be used to characterize dispersion from full field experimental data such as MRI measurements. Results obtained by means of particle-resolved CFD simulations are discussed. Spatial distributions and residence times are analyzed and the results are interpreted by comparison to results obtained from 1D and 2D convection-diffusion equations.
Transcriptome-Guided Identification of Pectin Methyl-Esterase-Related Enzymes and Novel Molecular Processes Effectuating the Hard-to-Cook Defect in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
Authors: Toili Mary Esther Muyoka , de Koning Ramon , Kiekens Raphaël , Ndumba Nelson , Wahome Samuel , Anami Sylvester , Githiri Stephen Mwangi , Angenon Geert
Published: June 2022

The hard-to-cook defect in common beans is dictated by the ability to achieve cell separation during cooking. Hydrolysis of pectin methyl-esters by the pectin methyl-esterase (PME) enzyme influences cell separation. However, the contributions of the PME enzyme and the cell wall to the hard-to-cook defect have not been studied using molecular tools. We compared relevant molecular processes in fast- and slow-cooking bean varieties to understand the mechanisms underpinning the hard-to-cook defect. A PME spectrophotometric assay showed minor differences in enzyme activity between varieties. Meanwhile, a PME HMMER search in the P. vulgaris genome unveiled 113 genes encoding PMEs and PME inhibitors (PMEIs). Through RNA sequencing, we compared the gene expression of the PME-related genes in both varieties during seed development. A PME (Phvul010g080300) and PMEI gene (Phvul005g007600) showed the highest expression in the fast- and slow-cooking beans, respectively. We further identified 2132 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Genes encoding cell-wall-related enzymes, mainly glycosylphosphatidylinositol mannosyltransferase, xyloglucan O-acetyltransferase, pectinesterase, and callose synthase, ranked among the top DEGs, indicating novel relations to the hard-to-cook defect. Gene ontology mapping revealed hydrolase activity and protein phosphorylation as functional categories with the most abundant upregulated DEGs in the slow-cooking bean. Additionally, the cell periphery contained 8% of the DEGs upregulated in the slow-cooking bean. This study provides new insights into the role of pectin methyl-esterase-related genes and novel cell wall processes in the occurrence of the hard-to-cook defect.
Intestinal Microecology of Mice Exposed to TiO2 Nanoparticles and Bisphenol A
Authors: Yang Chen , Tan Youlan , Li Fengzhu , Wang Hongbin , Lin Ying , Lu Fuping , Zhao Huabing
Published: June 2022

Exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) and bisphenol A (BPA) is ubiquitous, especially through dietary and other environmental pathways. In the present study, adult C57BL/6J mice were exposed to TiO2 NPs (100 mg/kg), BPA (0, 5, and 50 mg/kg), or their binary mixtures for 13 weeks. The 16S rDNA amplification sequence analysis revealed that co-exposure to TiO2 NPs and BPA altered the intestinal microbiota; however, this alteration was mainly caused by TiO2 NPs. Faecal metabolomics analysis revealed that 28 metabolites and 3 metabolic pathways were altered in the co-exposed group. This study is the first to reveal the combined effects of TiO2 NPs and BPA on the mammalian gut microbial community and metabolism dynamics, which is of great value to human health. The coexistence of TiO2 NPs and BPA in the gut poses a potential health risk due to their interaction with the gut microbiota.
Characteristics and Antioxidant Activity of Walnut Oil Using Various Pretreatment and Processing Technologies
Authors: Gao Pan , Ding Yunpeng , Chen Zhe , Zhou Zhangtao , Zhong Wu , Hu Chuanrong , He Dongping , Wang Xingguo
Published: June 2022

This study was the first time the effects of pretreatment technology (microwave roasting, MR; oven roasting, OR; steaming roasting, SR) and processing technology (screw pressing, SP; aqueous enzymatic extraction, AEE; subcritical butane extraction, SBE) on the quality (physicochemical properties, phytochemical content, and antioxidant ability) of walnut oil were systematically compared. The results showed that the roasting pretreatment would reduce the lipid yield of walnut oil and SBE (59.53–61.19%) was the processing method with the highest yield. SR-AEE oil provided higher acid value (2.49 mg/g) and peroxide value (4.16 mmol/kg), while MR-SP oil had the highest content of polyunsaturated fatty acid (73.69%), total tocopherol (419.85 mg/kg) and total phenolic compounds (TPC, 13.12 mg/kg). The DPPH-polar and ABTS free radicals’ scavenging abilities were accorded with SBE > AEE > SP. SBE is the recommended process for improving the extraction yield and antioxidant ability of walnut oil. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed that processing technology had a greater impact on walnut oil than pretreatment technology. In addition, multiple linear regression revealed C18:0, δ-tocopherol and TPC had positive effects on the antioxidant ability of walnut oil, while C18:1n-9, C18:3n-3 and γ-tocopherol were negatively correlated with antioxidant activity. Thus, this a promising implication for walnut oil production.
Delayed Quality Deterioration of Low-Moisture Cereal-Based Snack by Storing in an Active Filler-Embedded LDPE Zipper Bag
Authors: Jo Youngje , Kim Eunghee , Kim Sangoh , Ban Choongjin , Lim Seokwon
Published: June 2022

This study focused on controlling the vapor permeability of an active zipper bag and preserving the quality of cereal-based snacks during the storage period at home. The active zipper bag was prepared by extruding low-density polyethylene with active fillers obtained from natural mineral materials. The active zipper bag showed the same transparent appearance as the existing one but showed 21% lower water vapor capability. As a result, during a 20-day storage period, three types of grain-based snacks (biscuits, shortbread cookies, and puffed snacks) showed delayed increases in weight, moisture content, and moisture activity when stored in an active zipper bag. In addition, this also affected the texture of the biscuits and shortbread cookies, in which the area under the curve was reduced significantly after appearing at a peak during the hardness measurement. On the other hand, the decrease in the number of air cell fracture events in puffed snacks was remarkable. This result suggests that the inner microstructure is preserved better when stored in an active zipper bag. In conclusion, the active zipper bag showed poor water vapor permeability, suggesting that the prepared zipper bag can be developed as snack packaging.
Comparative Study on the Characterization of Myofibrillar Proteins from Tilapia, Golden Pompano and Skipjack Tuna
Authors: Wang Huibo , Pei Zhisheng , Xue Changfeng , Cao Jun , Shen Xuanri , Li Chuan
Published: June 2022

In this study, the physicochemical properties, functional properties and N-glycoproteome of tilapia myofibrillar protein (TMP), golden pompano myofibrillar protein (GPMP) and skipjack tuna myofibrillar protein (STMP) were assessed. The microstructures and protein compositions of the three MPs were similar. TMP and GPMP had higher solubility, sulfhydryl content and endogenous fluorescence intensity, lower surface hydrophobicity and β-sheet contents than STMP. The results showed that the protein structures of TMP and GPMP were more folded and stable. Due to its low solubility and high surface hydrophobicity, STMP had low emulsifying activity and high foaming activity. By N-glycoproteomics analysis, 23, 85 and 22 glycoproteins that contained 28, 129 and 35 N-glycosylation sites, were identified in TMP, GPMP and STMP, respectively. GPMP had more N-glycoproteins and N-glycosylation sites than STMP, which was possibly the reason for GPMP’s higher solubility and EAI. These results provide useful information for the effective utilization of various fish products.
How to Frame Destination Foodscapes? A Perspective of Mixed Food Experience
Authors: Zhu Dan , Wang Jiayi , Wang Peng , Xu Honggang
Published: June 2022

Foodscape conceptualizes the dynamic human–food–place nexus. Tourism provides a cross-cultural context where tourists can consume different destination foods and places, during which multiple types of destination foodscapes are produced. However, few studies explore how to frame the types and connotations of destination foodscape. Tourists’ travelogues provide a rich database to examine this question. Through netnography, this study collects and analyzes 86 posts of travelogues published from 2012 to 2019 in Mafengwo, a famous Chinese online travel community, about Chinese tourists’ food experiences in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We summarize five types of destination foodscapes, globalized recreational foodscape, staged local foodscape, glocalized foodscape, authentic local foodscape, and overseas ethnic foodscape in which tourists obtain different familiar-novelty hybrid experiences. This study contributes to interdisciplinary dialogue between food and tourism literature by proposing a coordinate framework with two axes, the spectrum of cultural distance and the spectrum of serving tourists/locals, to classify destination foodscape and a six-dimensional network construct to reveal the connotations of destination foodscape. Relevant strategies for promoting destination food and tourism development are also provided.
Dynamical Behaviors of an Environmental Protection Expenses Model in Protected Areas with Two Delays
Authors: He Jun , Yang Ping , Cao Jinde
Published: June 2022

This paper investigates an environmental protection expenses model, which considers the relations between the visitors to the protected areas V, the quality of the environmental resource E, and the capital stock K. In this model, the total tourism income is used partly to increase the capital stock or as the environmental protection expenses. Two time delays are introduced into the number of visitors, since the visitors need time to respond the changes of the environment, and the environment will take time to respond to the input of money. Stability crossing curves in the plane of delays (τ1,τ2) are used to obtain the stable region of equilibrium. Numerical simulations represent the mutual transformation of the supercritical bifurcation and the subcritical bifurcation. Our model shows that under some parameter conditions, the share of tourism income η is related closely to the delay τ1, while the capital stock and the environmental quality can be maintained persistently if the delay τ1 is not too large.
Generalized Fractional Integral Inequalities for p-Convex Fuzzy Interval-Valued Mappings
Authors: Khan Muhammad Bilal , Cătaș Adriana , Saeed Tareq
Published: June 2022

The fuzzy order relation ≽ and fuzzy inclusion relation ⊇ are two different relations in fuzzy-interval calculus. Due to the importance of p-convexity, in this article we consider the introduced class of nonconvex fuzzy-interval-valued mappings known as p-convex fuzzy-interval-valued mappings (p-convex f-i-v-ms) through fuzzy order relation. With the support of a fuzzy generalized fractional operator, we establish a relationship between p-convex f-i-v-ms and Hermite–Hadamard (ℋ–ℋ) inequalities. Moreover, some related ℋ–ℋ inequalities are also derived by using fuzzy generalized fractional operators. Furthermore, we show that our conclusions cover a broad range of new and well-known inequalities for p-convex f-i-v-ms, as well as their variant forms as special instances. The theory proposed in this research is shown, with practical examples that demonstrate its usefulness. These findings and alternative methodologies may pave the way for future research in fuzzy optimization, modeling, and interval-valued mappings (i-v-m).
Efficiency of U.S. Oil and Gas Companies toward Energy Policies
Authors: Jarboui Sami , Ghorbel Achraf , Jeribi Ahmed
Published: June 2022

The petroleum industry faces crucial environmental problems that exacerbate business instability, such as climate change and greenhouse gas emission regulations. Generally, governments focus on pricing, environmental protection, and supply security when developing energy policy. This article evaluates the technical efficiency of 53 oil and gas companies in the United States during the period 1998–2018 using the stochastic frontier analysis methods and investigates the degree to which energy policies influence the efficiency levels in these companies. Our empirical results show that the average technical efficiency of the 53 U.S. oil and gas companies is 0.75 and confirm that prices, production, consumption, and reserves of the U.S. petroleum and gas have a significant influence on technical efficiency levels. Specifically, our findings show that renewable energy and nuclear power contribute to explaining the distortion between the optimal and observed output of the U.S. oil and gas companies.
Composite Aerogel Comprised of Sodium Alginate and Bentonite via Supercritical CO2 Drying: An Efficient Adsorbent for Lysozyme
Authors: Zhao Jie , Cao Liqin , Dong Yong
Published: June 2022

To meet the demand for the separation of specific substances, the construction of porous composite aerogels with a high specific surface area and a strong adsorption capacity is still a challenge. Herein, a sodium alginate/bentonite composite aerogel was efficiently prepared through supercritical fluid drying. The aerogel’s volume shrank less during supercritical drying, maintaining its original three-dimensional mesh structure. The resulting aerogel had a large specific surface area (445 m2/g), a low density (0.059 g/cm3), and a large pore volume (3.617 cm3/g). Due to the fixation and intercalation effects, bentonite was uniformly dispersed in the sodium alginate matrixes. The adsorption of lysozyme by the composite aerogel was evaluated, and the results showed that the optimal adsorption pH was 8 when the pH of the phosphoric acid buffer solution was between pH = 5 and 8.5. The time for adsorption to reach equilibrium was 8 h. The adsorption capacity increased with the increase in bentonite content, and when the initial concentration of lysozyme was from 0.2 to 1.2 g/L, the adsorption capacity first increased and then stabilized, and the maximum adsorption amount was 697 mg/g. The adsorption behavior was simulated in the isothermal region, and the linear correlation coefficient of Langmuir isothermal adsorption fitting was found to be 0.997. Thus, this composite aerogel with strong adsorption capacity can be used as a good alternative to enzymatic adsorbents or immobilized materials.
Transcriptomic Profile Analysis of Populus talassica × Populus euphratica Response and Tolerance under Salt Stress Conditions
Authors: Liu Ying , Han Zhan Jiang , Su Meng Xu , Zhang Min
Published: June 2022

A new Populus variety with a strong salt tolerance was obtained from cross breeding P. talassica as the female parent and P. euphratica as the male parent. In order to elucidate the molecular mechanism and find out the major differentially expressed genes of salt tolerance of P. talassica × P. euphratica, after being subjected to salt stress, at 0, 200, and 400 mmol/L NaCl, the root, stem, and leaf transcriptomes (denoted as R0, S0, and L0; R200, S200, and L200; and R400, S400, and L400, respectively) of P. talassica × P. euphratica were sequenced. In total, 41,617 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in all the comparison groups with 21,603 differentially upregulated genes and 20,014 differentially downregulated genes. Gene Ontology analysis showed that DEGs were significantly enriched in biological processes that may be involved in salt stress, such as ‘cell communication’, ‘ion transport’, ‘signaling’, and signal ‘transmission’. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in pathways of ‘plant–pathogen interaction’, ‘carbon metabolism’, and ‘plant hormone signal transmission’. The pathways and related gene information formed a basis for future research on the mechanisms of salt stress, the development of molecular markers, and the cloning of key genes in P. talassica × P. euphratica.