bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Review of Energy, Crude Oil, and Natural Gas for Exchange Markets in Nigeria, India and Bangladesh
Authors: Amuda Yusuff Jelili , Hassan Shafiqul , Subramaniam Umashankar
Published: March 2023

In 2021, there was a global energy crisis that affected different parts of the world. In most countries, energy heavily relies on natural gas, including Nigeria, India, and Bangladesh. Several studies have explored the differences in the energy of crude oil and natural gas. Nonetheless, little effort has been made toward exploring the exportation of energy for exchange markets in Nigeria, India, and Bangladesh. This paper primarily aims at comparatively exploring the energy of crude oil and natural gas for exchange markets in the aforementioned countries. The methodology used in this paper is qualitative content analysis (QCA) and a systematical literature review (SLR) which includes various sources such as journals, the core collection of the Web of Science (WOS), oil peer review resources, and library sources. The study systematically mapped out different bibliographic materials whereby the visualization of similarities (VOS) was used to explore exchange markets for energy, crude oil, and gas in Nigeria, India, and Bangladesh. The results of the analysis indicated that, in Africa, Nigeria is regarded as the largest producer of natural gas and crude oil, with an approximation of 1.2 million barrels per day. Concerning oil and gas reserves, the country is considered the 10th and 8th largest producer in the world, having 37 billion barrels and roughly 206 trillion cubic feet, respectively. Thus, the exportation of energy is considered a central pillar of the country’s economy. In addition, India is regarded as the second largest producer of crude oil with 4.972 million barrels per day, which is approximately 5.1% of the entire world’s capacity for refining crude oil. Similarly, at the global level, India is considered the topmost consumer of crude oil, accounting for 4.8% of the world’s consumption. In the context of Bangladesh, their gas reserves account for 39.4 trillion cubic feet, and they are considered to be 70% of the commercial energy supply in the country. In conclusion, the importance of energy, crude oil, and natural gas cannot be underestimated, specifically, for the exchange import markets in the current context of the aforementioned countries. It is, therefore, suggested that the governments of Nigeria, India, and Bangladesh should strengthen their national policies on energy in order to be responsive to the global energy crisis as well as boost the exchange market in the energy sector.
Testing and Analysis of Selected Operating Parameters of a Vehicle Powered by Fuel with the Addition of Biocomponents
Authors: Markiewicz Marietta , Aleksandrowicz Piotr , Muślewski Łukasz , Pająk Michał
Published: March 2023

The most common fuel used for powering compression ignition engines is diesel, whose main components are petroleum products. The constantly growing energy demand involves the implementation of new technical solutions and applying alternative fuels, including renewable ones, such as rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, and animal fats. The most commonly used biofuels are those obtained from chemically processed rapeseeds (transesterification) to provide them with physical–chemical properties similar to diesel fuel. The study presents the results of tests of a power unit fueled with different mixtures of diesel oil and fatty acid methyl esters. The experiment was carried out for a compression ignition engine of 81 kW power with direct fuel injection. Performance parameters of the vehicle power unit and its computer software were modified for the needs of the tests. Those modifications involved increasing the fuel dose and the fuel injection pressure. The test results were statistically analyzed. Based on the results, a simulation of power and torque was performed, depending on the vehicle computer system adjustment and the fuel mixture used. A simulation of the vehicle movement in a non-homogeneous environment (variable road conditions) was performed concerning the vehicle motion kinematics. The simulations were carried out in a V-SIM 5.0 program. The simulation was performed at five speeds, respectively: 0 km/h, 25 km/h, 50 km/h, 75 km/h, and 100 km/h. The simulation made it possible to determine speed, acceleration, time, and distance. The analysis shows that the highest acceleration of 3 m/s2 was obtained for the BIO50 mixture, regulation V. The longest road section needed to achieve the maximum speed (100 km/h) was recorded for the BIO10 mixture, regulation II. The simulation duration ranged from 17.9 s to 17.74 s, depending on the adopted variant.
Improving the Bio-Oil Quality of Residual Biomass Pyrolysis by Chemical Activation: Effect of Alkalis and Acid Pre-Treatment
Authors: Daniel Valdez Gérson , Valois Flávio , Bremer Sammy , Bezerra Kelly , Hamoy Guerreiro Lauro , Santos Marcelo , Bernar Lucas , Feio Waldeci , Moreira Luiz , Mendonça Neyson , de Castro Douglas , Duvoisin Sergio , Borges Luiz , Machado Nélio
Published: March 2023

In this study, we investigated the acid (HCl) and alkali (KOH) chemical activation of açaí seeds (Euterpe Oleraceae, Mart.) pre-treatment before pyrolysis at temperatures of 350–450 °C in order to assess how reactions proceed when affected by temperature. Chemical composition of bio-oil and aqueous phase were determined by GC-MS and FT-IR. The bio-char is characterized by XRD. For the activation with KOH, the XRD analysis identified the presence of Kalicinite (KHCO3), the dominant crystalline phase in bio-char, while an amorphous phase was identified in bio-chars for the activation with HCl. The experiments have shown that bio-oil yield increases with temperature for the KOH activated biomass and decreases for the acid activated one. The KOH bio-oil is primarily composed of alcohols and ketones, showing the lowest acid values when compared with the HCl one, which is composed mainly of carboxylic acids and phenols. An increase in alcohol content and a decrease in ketones in the KOH bio-oil with temperature suggests conversion reactions between these two functions. For HCl bio-oil, carboxylic acid concentration increases with temperature while phenols decrease. For production of hydrocarbons, KOH activated biomass pyrolysis is better than acid-activated one, since no hydrocarbons were produced for HCl bio-oil.
An Economic Analysis of Solar Energy Generation Policies in the UAE
Authors: Alsalman Mayyas , Ahmed Vian , Bahroun Zied , Saboor Sara
Published: March 2023

Despite global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the energy sector remains a major contributor, with hydrocarbon-based resources fulfilling around 80% of energy needs. As such, there is a growing focus on identifying effective and economically feasible policy mechanisms to promote renewable energy adoption. This study focuses on the theoretical problems surrounding the adoption of renewable energy policies. The study aims to highlight the potential for sustainable growth using renewable energy in the UAE and identify the most viable policy mechanisms for enhancing grid-tied solar energy adoption using qualitative and quantitative data collection methods and the HOMER Grid software. Compared to previous research, this study contributes by identifying a unified renewable energy policy mechanism that could significantly enhance the adoption of grid-tied solar energy generation in the UAE. The study’s main findings show that a unified renewable policy mechanism could enhance grid-tied solar energy adoption throughout the UAE’s electricity authorities. Net metering emerges as the most efficient and economically viable policy for customers and electricity utilities.
Different Prevention Effects of Ventilation Dilution on Methane Accumulation at High Temperature Zone in Coal Mine Goafs
Authors: Li Lin , Liu Tiantian , Li Zhiqiang , Chen Xiangjun , Wang Lin , Feng Shuailong
Published: March 2023

In coal mine goafs, spontaneous combustion of coal can result in methane accumulation, which raises the danger of methane explosion disasters. As an atmospheric control tool, ventilation is applied to ensure air quality for avoiding disasters in underground mines. However, during the process of the spontaneous combustion of coal in coal mine goafs, the impact of ventilation dilution on the possible methane explosions induced by coal combustion has not been well investigated. In this study, a validated gas flow model for the spontaneous coal combustion environment in goafs of coal mines is adopted to investigate the influence of ventilation dilution at the three stages of the spontaneous combustion of coal. The research conclusions suggest that (1) ventilation dilution is a quick measure to dilute methane concentration and intensify heat transfer in the vertical direction in coal mine goafs; (2) ventilation dilution can lessen the danger of methane explosions by diluting methane concentration to the lower explosive limit for methane when coal combustion takes place on the air-inlet side; (3) however, ventilation dilution increases the methane explosion risk by decreasing methane concentration, resulting in explosive methane limits, if coal combustion occurs on the air-return side. This provides a reference for the management of ventilation during a spontaneous coal combustion disaster in the goafs of coal mines with methane.
Green Jobs in the Energy Sector
Authors: Kozar Łukasz Jarosław , Sulich Adam
Published: March 2023

This article analyzes Green Jobs (GJs) in the energy sector. GJs are naturally created in the processes related to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); this is especially visible in the 7th and 8th SDGs. There is currently a green transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources in the energy sector, and this mainly technological change also influences GJ creation. Despite this, there is a research gap related to green self-employment and GJ definitions. The goal of this paper is to explore the scientific literature collected from the Scopus database using a qualitative approach to present areas and keywords related to GJs in the energy sector. The adopted method is a Structured Literature Review (SLR), with the original query Q1. The retrieved data results of the SLR method were analyzed in the form of bibliometric maps of co-occurring keywords generated by the VOSviewer software, together with tables showing clusters of keyword features. As a result, the pivotal keywords and their clusters were identified. In this study, the most important scientific areas of GJ research in the energy sector were also indicated. This paper presents the current state of knowledge and the evolution of the subject of GJs in the energy sector, which can be useful for both researchers and practitioners. In the last section of this paper, possible new directions of future studies on the subject of GJ creation in the energy sector are identified. The limitations of this research and its practical implications are also addressed.
Sustainable Environmental Impact Assessment Using Indicators for Sustainable Energy-Intensive Industrial Production
Authors: Meshalkin Valery , Zharov Vladimir , Leontiev Leopold , Nzioka Antony , Belozersky Andrey
Published: March 2023

We have proposed an impact assessment methodology for determining sustainability in energy-intensive industrial production based on a comprehensive combination of economic, environmental, and social indicators for sustainable development. The goal of this study was to disclose this methodology for assessing sustainability in energy-intensive industrial production. We proved that any energy-intensive chemical, metallurgical, and energy generation processes should maximize the material output values and product value addition to ensure innovative sustainable development. We proposed indicators that determine the levels of increasing the sustainability of energy-intensive production as a whole, as well as taking into account individual technological processes. We proposed a procedure for making managerial decisions to increase the sustainability of energy-intensive outputs using the technological renewal of fixed assets and/or technological modernization of production. Our proposed methodology is based on a graphical model of the technological development’s life cycle of the existing energy-intensive production process. In addition, the proposed methodology ensures resource- and energy-efficiency intensification, together with the environmental safety of the technological processes.
Thermal Performance Analysis of Micro Pin Fin Heat Sinks under Different Flow Conditions
Authors: Nunes Jéssica Martha , de Oliveira Jeferson Diehl , Copetti Jacqueline Biancon , Gajghate Sameer Sheshrao , Banerjee Utsab , Mitra Sushanta K. , Cardoso Elaine Maria
Published: March 2023

Due to microscale effects, the segmented microchannels or micro pin fin heat sinks emerged as a high thermal management solution. In this context, the present work analyzes the influence of different heights of square micro pin fins with an aligned array and investigates their influence on pressure drop and heat transfer behavior. The HFE-7100 is used as the working fluid, and the pressure drop and surface temperature behavior are analyzed for different mass fluxes and inlet subcooling. The single-phase flow was analyzed numerically using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software ANSYS FLUENT® for comparing the simulation results with the experimental data, showing that the highest micro pin fins configuration provides a more uniform and lowest wall temperature distribution compared to the lowest configuration. There is a good agreement between the experimental results and the numerical analysis, with a mean absolute error of 6% for all the considered parameters. For the two-phase flow condition, experimental tests were performed, and for the highest subcooling, an increase in mass flux causes an enhancement in the heat transfer for low heat flux; by increasing heat flux, there is a gradual predominance of boiling heat transfer over convection as the heat transfer mechanism. The pressure drop drastically increases with the vapor amount flowing into the system, regardless of the pin fin height; the boiling curves for the higher fin height show a much smaller slope and a smaller wall superheat than the fin with the smallest height, and consequently, a high heat transfer performance. A larger region of the heat sink is filled with vapor for lower inlet subcooling temperatures, degrading the heat transfer performance compared to higher inlet subcooling temperatures.
Energy Storage for Water Desalination Systems Based on Renewable Energy Resources
Authors: Maghrabie Hussein , Olabi Abdul , Rezk Ahmed , Radwan Ali , Alami Abdul , Abdelkareem Mohammad
Published: March 2023

Recently, water desalination (WD) has been required for the supply of drinking water in a number of countries. Various technologies of WD utilize considerable thermal and/or electrical energies for removing undesirable salts. Desalination systems now rely on renewable energy resources (RERs) such as geothermal, solar, tidal, wind power, etc. The intermittent nature and changeable intensity constrain the wide applications of renewable energy, so the combination of energy storage systems (ESSs) with WD in many locations has been introduced. Thermal energy storage (TES) needs a convenient medium for storing and hence reuses energy. The present work provides a good background on the methods and technologies of WD. Furthermore, the concepts of both thermal and electrical energy storage are presented. In addition, a detailed review of employing ESSs in various WD processes driven by RERs is presented. The integration of energy storage with water desalination systems (WDSs) based on renewable energy has a much better capability, economically and environmentally, compared with conventional desalination systems. The ESSs are required to guarantee a constant supply of fresh water over the day.
Conceptualisation of an Ecodesign Framework for Sustainable Food Product Development across the Supply Chain
Authors: Silva Beatriz Q. , Vasconcelos Marta W. , Smetana Sergiy
Published: March 2023

As the world population grows, the pressure to intensify an unsustainable food production system increases. At the same time, one-third of all the food produced is lost or wasted along the value chains. Therefore, it is crucial to develop methods to increase food production while decreasing resource usage and minimising the environmental impact. Ecodesign concepts have already been implemented in various sectors, reducing the environmental impact of products. However, published work has yet to analyse the potential of ecodesign for food production across the value chain. This review assesses the existing literature on ecodesign principles and proposes a conceptual framework of strategies to be applied to current food chains, addressing the challenges posed by current agrifood systems. We suggest that the relevant ecodesign principles fall into three main categories depending on the supply chain stage: “design for sustainable sourcing (DfSS)”, “design for optimised resource use (DfORU)”, and “design for end-of-life optimisation (DfEO).” Applying this framework across the supply chain could significantly reduce the environmental impact of food production and indirectly contribute to dietary change.
Monitoring the Severity of Rubber Tree Infected with Powdery Mildew Based on UAV Multispectral Remote Sensing
Authors: Zeng Tiwei , Zhang Huiming , Li Yuan , Yin Chenghai , Liang Qifu , Fang Jihua , Fu Wei , Wang Juan , Zhang Xirui
Published: March 2023

Rubber tree powdery mildew (PM) is one of the most devastating leaf diseases in rubber forest plantations. To prevent and control PM, timely and accurate detection is essential. In recent years, unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) remote sensing technology has been widely used in the field of agriculture and forestry, but it has not been widely used to detect forest diseases. In this study, we propose a method to detect the severity of PM based on UAV low-altitude remote sensing and multispectral imaging technology. The method uses UAVs to collect multispectral images of rubber forest canopies that are naturally infected, and then extracts 19 spectral features (five spectral bands + 14 vegetation indices), eight texture features, and 10 color features. Meanwhile, Pearson correlation analysis and sequential backward selection (SBS) algorithm were used to eliminate redundant features and discover sensitive feature combinations. The feature combinations include spectral, texture, and color features and their combinations. The combinations of these features were used as inputs to the RF, BPNN, and SVM algorithms to construct PM severity models and identify different PM stages (Asymptomatic, Healthy, Early, Middle and Serious). The results showed that the SVM model with fused spectral, texture, and color features had the best performance (OA = 95.88%, Kappa = 0.94), as well as the highest recognition rate of 93.2% for PM in early stages.
Pilot-Scale Production of Traditional Galotyri PDO Cheese from Boiled Ewes’ Milk Fermented with the Aid of Greek Indigenous Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris Starter and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Adjunct Strains
Authors: Samelis John , Tsanasidou Charikleia , Bosnea Loulouda , Ntziadima Charikleia , Gatzias Ilias , Kakouri Athanasia , Pappas Dimitrios
Published: March 2023

The performance of a mixed thermophilic and mesophilic starter culture consisting of Streptococcus thermophilus ST1 and the Greek indigenous nisin-A-producing Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris M78 was evaluated in the absence (A: ST1+M78) or presence (B: ST1+M78+H25) of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum H25—another indigenous ripening strain—under real cheesemaking conditions. Three pilot-scale trials of fresh (6-day-old) Galotyri PDO cheese were made from boiled milk by an artisanal method using simple equipment, followed by cold ripening of the A1–A3 and B1–B3 cheeses at 4 °C for 30 days. All of the cheeses were analyzed microbiologically and for pH, gross composition, proteolysis, sugar and organic acid contents, and sensorial attributes before and after ripening. The artisanal (PDO) Galotyri manufacturing method did not ensure optimal growth of the ST1+M78 starter as regards the constant ability of the thermophilic strain ST1 to act as the primary milk acidifier under ambient (20–30 °C) fermentation conditions. Consequently, major trial-dependent microbial and biochemical differences between the Acheeses, and generally extended to the Bcheeses, were found. However, high-quality Galotyri was produced when either starter strain predominated in the fresh cheeses; only trial A1 had microbiological and sensory defects due to an outgrowth of post-thermal Gram-negative bacterial contaminants in the acidified curd. The H25 adjunct strain, which grew above 7 to 9 log CFU/g depending on the trial, had minor effects on the cheese’s pH, gross composition, and proteolysis, but it improved the texture, flavor, and the bacteriological quality of the Bcheeses during processing, and it exerted antifungal effects in the ripened cheeses.
A Comparative Study of Single and Multi-Stage Forecasting Algorithms for the Prediction of Electricity Consumption Using a UK-National Health Service (NHS) Hospital Dataset
Authors: Taha Ahmad , Barakat Basel , Taha Mohammad M. A. , Shawky Mahmoud A. , Lai Chun Sing , Hussain Sajjad , Abideen Muhammad Zainul , Abbasi Qammer H.
Published: March 2023

Accurately looking into the future was a significantly major challenge prior to the era of big data, but with rapid advancements in the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the data availability around us, this has become relatively easier. Nevertheless, in order to ensure high-accuracy forecasting, it is crucial to consider suitable algorithms and the impact of the extracted features. This paper presents a framework to evaluate a total of nine forecasting algorithms categorised into single and multistage models, constructed from the Prophet, Support Vector Regression (SVR), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), and the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) approaches, applied to an electricity demand dataset from an NHS hospital. The aim is to see such techniques widely used in accurately predicting energy consumption, limiting the negative impacts of future waste on energy, and making a contribution towards the 2050 net zero carbon target. The proposed method accounts for patterns in demand and temperature to accurately forecast consumption. The Coefficient of Determination (R2), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) were used to evaluate the algorithms’ performance. The results show the superiority of the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model and the multistage Facebook Prophet model, with R2 values of 87.20% and 68.06%, respectively.
Adsorption Studies of Ammonia, Protein, and Phytic Acid Using Chitosan Fiber Coated with Oxidized Cellulose Nanofiber
Authors: Dechojarassri Duangkamol , Nishida Kensuke , Ozakiya Ryousuke , Furuike Tetsuya , Tamura Hiroshi
Published: March 2023

Herein, chitosan (CS) fibers coated with TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (CS/TOCN fibers) were successfully prepared using a wet spinning technique; CS was dissolved in acetic acid to obtain a CS doping solution. The tensile strength and ammonia adsorption percentages increased with increasing TOCN concentration. The maximum ammonia adsorption percentage (41.39%, 8.3 mg/g) was obtained when 2% NaOH and 0.01% TOCN were used as the coagulation solution. Additionally, the adsorption of model proteins, including lysozyme (Lz), cytochrome C (Cyt C), and bovine serum albumin (BSA), were studied. In water, the CS/TOCN fibers with negative charges adsorbed more Lz with positive charges than CS fibers containing positive charges. Contrastingly, CS fibers adsorbed more Cyt C and BSA containing negative charges in phosphate-buffered saline solutions than CS/TOCN fibers. Furthermore, the adsorption percentage of phytic acid using the CS/TOCN fibers reached 64.18% (288 mg/g) within 60 min. Thus, TOCNs improved the tensile properties of CS fibers and preferred positively charged materials contaminated in water, such as ammonia, Lz, and phytic acid.
Juvenile and Trash Fish Excluder Device (JTED) for Taiwanese Bottom Trawl
Authors: Chen Chao-Ching , Lin Hsin-Zong , Lan Kuo-Wei
Published: March 2023

Juvenile and trash fish excluder devices (JTEDs) are used to mitigate the ecological impact of trawling. Trawling has a large ecological footprint in Taiwan. Thus, this study designed three JTEDs, which differed only in grid interval, for single boat bottom otter trawls that are commonly used in Taiwan. The designed JTEDs were tested in the waters off of Kaohsiung on a Kaohsiung-based bottom trawler, and the results were as follows. (1) At least 300 species were caught, and 189 of these species had little commercial value; their weight accounted for 52.5% of the total catch. (2) The three JTEDs had good exclusion performance. (3) The ratios of the weight of bycatch excluded to the weight of total catch were 7.9%, 29.1%, and 36.2%, for grid intervals of 10, 15, and 20 mm, respectively. (4) JTEDs with grid intervals of 10, 15, and 20 mm were associated with a 0.4%, 11.5%, and 19.0% loss in revenue, respectively. (5) Mature (and thus commercially valuable) Loliginidae tended to be excluded when the grid interval was 20 or (especially) 15 mm. In general, the designed JTEDs should be used at a grid size of 15 mm because this strikes the best balance between profitability and sustainability.
Detailed Analysis of Airflow Generated by High Voltage on a Point-Tube Electrode Geometry
Authors: Primas Jiří , Malík Michal , Pokorný Pavel , Novák Josef , Parma Petr , Sanetrník Filip , Schovanec Petr
Published: March 2023

This paper is focused on the research of airflow generating through the use of high-voltage electrohydrodynamic devices. For this purpose, the authors built several electrohydrodynamic airflow generators with one point electrode and one tube electrode of varying dimensions and compared their efficiency in generating the airflow in order to find an optimal design. The character of the flow was also analyzed with the help of particle image velocimetry, and velocity vector maps and velocity profile were acquired. In addition, a possible practical cooling application was proposed and realized with positive results. Lastly, the products present in the generated airflow were tested for ozone and nitrogen oxides, which could have detrimental effects on human health and material integrity. In both cases, the concentration has been found to be below permissible limits.
An Affordable Acoustic Measurement Campaign for Early Prototyping Applied to Electric Ducted Fan Units
Authors: Schoder Stefan , Schmidt Jakob , Fürlinger Andreas , Klaus Roppert , Paul Maurerlehner
Published: March 2023

New innovative green concepts in electrified vertical take-off and landing vehicles are currently emerging as a revolution in urban mobility going into the third dimension (vertically). The high population density of cities makes the market share highly attractive while posing an extraordinary challenge in terms of community acceptance due to the increasing and possibly noisier commuter traffic. In addition to passenger transport, package deliveries to customers by drones may enter the market. The new challenges associated with this increasing transportation need in urban, rural, and populated areas pose challenges for established companies and startups to deliver low-noise emission products. The article’s objective is to revisit the benefits and drawbacks of an affordable acoustic measurement campaign focused on early prototyping. In the very early phase of product development, available resources are often considerably limited. With this in mind, this article discusses the sound power results using the enveloping surface method in a typically available low-reflection room with a reflecting floor according to DIN EN ISO 3744:2011-02. The method is applied to a subsonic electric ducted fan (EDF) unit of a 1:2 scaled electrified vertical take-off and landing vehicle. The results show that considerable information at low costs can be gained for the early prototyping stage, despite this easy-to-use, easy-to-realize, and non-fine-tuned measurement setup. Furthermore, the limitations and improvements to a possible experimental setup are presented to discuss a potentially more ideal measurement environment. Measurements at discrete operating points and transient measurements across the total operating range were conducted to provide complete information on the EDF’s acoustic behavior. The rotor-self noise and the rotor–stator interaction were identified as primary tonal sound sources, along with the highest broadband noise sources located on the rotor. Based on engineering experience, a first acoustic improvement treatment was also quantified with a sound power level reduction of 4 dB(A). In conclusion, the presented method is a beneficial first measurement campaign to quantify the acoustic properties of an electric ducted fan unit under minimal resources in a reasonable time of several weeks when starting from scratch.
Improving γ-Oryzanol and γ-Aminobutyric Acid Contents in Rice Beverage Amazake Produced with Brown, Milled and Germinated Rices
Authors: Castanho Ana , Pereira Cristiana , Lageiro Manuela , Oliveira Jorge C. , Cunha Luís M. , Brites Carla
Published: March 2023

Rice is an important source of γ-oryzanol (GO) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which are bioactive compounds that may benefit blood lipid and pressure control. Both GO and GABA can be improved by germination and fermentation. Fermentation with A. oryzae produces Koji, a rice-based starter for Amazake, a naturally sweet beverage. Germinated rice (brown and milled rice), were tested to improve those bioactive compounds during the fermentation process. The resulting Koji was optimised to GO and GABA through a response surface methodology; α-amylase activity and starch content were also assessed. The different rice matrix resulting from the germination largely impacted the biosynthesis of GABA, α-amylase and starch contents. Amazake, obtained by germinated rice, has increased GO and GABA contents when compared to the one obtained from milled rice (from a non-detectable value to 27.65 ± 0.23 mg/100 g for GO and from 163.95 ± 24.7 to 271.53 ± 5.7 mg/100 g for GABA). A panel of 136 Portuguese consumers tasted the beverage in a blind overall tasting test followed by an informed test, using 9-point scales. The consumer scores had a mean value of 4.67 ± 1.9 and 4.9 ± 1.8, meaning that cultural differences may play an important role with regard to liking and accepting Amazake.
Phenolic Acids Profiles and Phenolic Concentrations of Emmer Cultivars in Response to Growing Year under Organic Management
Authors: Lacko-Bartošová Magdaléna , Lacko-Bartošová Lucia , Kobida Ľubomír , Kaur Amandeep , Moudrý Jan
Published: March 2023

Phenolic compounds, especially phenolic acids (PAs), are believed to be one of the major contributors to the antioxidant activity of cereal grains. This study determined and compared phenolic concentration, radical scavenging activities, individual PA concentrations of emmer cultivars, and breeding lines to common wheat in a three-year controlled field experiment under organic management. It was found that common wheat had the highest ability to scavenge DPPH radicals (51.7%), followed by emmer Farvento (35.4%). DPPH scavenging activity of bound phenolic extracts was higher compared to free ones. Total phenolic concentration was the highest for common wheat (1902.6 µg FAE g−1 DM) compared to the highest level of all emmer cultivars—Farvento (1668.3 µg FAE g−1 DM). The highest PAs concentration was determined for emmer Farvento (431.3 µg g−1 DM) and breeding line PN 4-41 (424.5 µg g−1 DM). Free PAs concentration was the lowest for common wheat (29.5 µg g−1 DM). The dominant free PA was ferulic (66.3%), followed by syringic (11.7%), sinapic (7.4%), p-hydroxybenzoic (5.3%), salicylic (3.8%), p-coumaric (3.6%), and caffeic (2.1%). Bound ferulic acid accounted for 94.0% of total bound PAs, followed by p-coumaric (2.8%), p-hydroxybenzoic (0.8%), syringic (0.8%), caffeic (0.6%), sinapic (0.6%), and salicylic (0.4%). Emmer cultivar Farvento was distinguished by the highest concentration of individual free and bound forms of PAs. Effect of growing year was more evident on the concentration of free PAs compared to bound PAs. Extremely dry and hot weather during maturity stages has a negative impact on analysed free and bound PAs.
Do Peers Matter? Unhealthy Food and Beverages Preferences among Children in a Selected Rural Province in China
Authors: Zhou Mi , Bian Biyu , Huang Li
Published: March 2023

With the growing problem of childhood obesity, unhealthy dietary preferences among children have become an issue of worldwide concern. This article examines the class-peer effect of these preferences using random class assignment data from a field survey. The results show significant positive peer effects for both unhealthy food and beverages preference. These results remained robust after controlling for endogeneity issues using instrumental variables. Further analysis of the mechanism of peer effect shows that the better the relationship between classmates, the greater the influence peers have on unhealthy diet preferences among rural children. The same peer effect is found in situations where it is easy for children to obtain unhealthy food and beverages. The analysis of heterogeneity finds that the peer effects of unhealthy dietary preferences are stronger for girls, older students, and obese students. This paper also discusses the role of parents and schools in mitigating the peer effect. This paper proposes policy recommendations for rural areas in China to improve dietary preferences in children. These results may also provide useful guidelines for policy in other developing countries.
Crime Scene Novichok—Optical Detection of Fourth-Generation Agents (FGAs) Using Handheld Forensic Light Sources
Authors: Bauer Gerald , Wildauer Agnes , Povoden Günter , Menzi Benjamin , Curty Christophe
Published: March 2023

Novichok-like or fourth-generation agents (FGAs) are chemical warfare agents (CWAs) which have been gaining attention since their use in assassination attempts on Sergei Skripal and Alexei Navalny. Due to their physicochemical properties, these substances are difficult to detect by implemented technologies, resulting in massive response efforts if their occurrence is suspected in a civilian environment. In this work, an approach is presented that uses handheld forensic light sources to visually detect surfaces contaminated with Novichok. More than 100 different wavelength combinations were applied to seven substances chosen to represent the newly listed schedule 1 subgroups in the Annex on Chemicals of the Chemical Weapons Convention. One waveband was identified as promising, which allowed the optical detection of all tested substances. Several surfaces, which could be affected in case of a possible attack using novichok-like nerve agents, were also successfully evaluated. The proposed procedure could be implemented for CBRN responders and security agencies to significantly reduce response efforts, thereby diminishing the overall threat posed by this group of chemicals (FGAs). This procedure was also extended to carbamates and CWAs.
Fractional-Order Control of Fluid Composition Conductivity
Authors: Giurgiu Raluca , Dulf Eva-H. , Kovács Levente
Published: March 2023

Dialysis refers to the procedure of removing waste products and excess fluids from the blood stream. This is the main form of treatment for both acute and chronic renal failure. The need for hemodialysis process optimization is increasing. More than 10% of adults are affected by chronic kidney disease, and it is the nineth leading cause of deaths worldwide. Critically ill patients are particularly at risk, and their mortality is significantly affected by the hemodialysis procedures. This is the reason why the design and control of the hemodialysis process is studied by many researchers. The present paper proposes a fractional-order control of the fluid composition conductivity in this process. Fractional-order PI and PID controllers are designed with different imposed performances in order to establish the best performing controller for this medical process. The proposed fractional-order controllers are compared to the classical controller’s results in different real-world scenarios, including process parameter changes, flow changes, and priming sequences. The results are compared with a classical PID controller used in current clinical practice. The simulation results show the robustness and advantages of the proposed fractional-order PID controller over other controllers. These results could improve the clinical use of the hemodialysis process.
Last-Mile Logistics Network Design under E-Cargo Bikes
Authors: Papaioannou Eleni , Iliopoulou Christina , Kepaptsoglou Konstantinos
Published: March 2023

E-cargo bikes, i.e., electric bicycles equipped with baskets for transporting goods, are perceived as an advantageous solution for urban last-mile logistics. Particularly for short distances and low volumes of goods, the use of e-cargo bikes is ideal in urban areas where access of conventional cars may be prohibited. In this context, this study presents an e-cargo bike routing model for urban deliveries. The problem is formulated as a Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem (CVRP), which takes several aspects into account, such as restrictions on bicycle capacity, road grade and workload balancing. A mathematical model is constructed to solve the problem, and a Genetic Algorithm (GA) is applied. Results on a case study in Athens, Greece are presented and analyzed, highlighting the applicability of the model in real-world operations, yielding reasonable results in short computational times.
Metal Content in Relativistically Jetted and Radio-Quiet Quasars in the Main Sequence Context
Authors: Marziani Paola , Panda Swayamtrupta , Deconto Machado Alice , Del Olmo Ascension
Published: March 2023

The optical and UV properties of radio-quiet (RQ) and radio-loud (RL, relativistically “jetted”) active galactic nuclei (AGN) are known to differ markedly; however, it is still unclear what is due to a sample selection and what is associated with intrinsic differences in the inner workings of their emitting regions. Chemical composition is an important parameter related to the trends of the quasar main sequence. Recent works suggest that in addition to physical properties such as density, column density, and ionization level, strong Feii emitters require very high metal content. Little is known, however, about the chemical composition of jetted radio-loud sources. In this short note, we present a pilot analysis of the chemical composition of low-z radio-loud and radio-quiet quasars. Optical and UV spectra from ground and space were combined to allow for precise measurements of metallicity-sensitive diagnostic ratios. The comparison between radio-quiet and radio-loud was carried out for sources in the same domain of the Eigenvector 1/main sequence parameter space. Arrays of dedicated photo-ionization simulations with the input of appropriate spectral energy distributions indicate that metallicity is sub-solar for RL AGN, and slightly sub-solar or around solar for RQ AGN. The metal content of the broad line-emitting region likely reflects a similar enrichment story for both classes of AGN not involving recent circum-nuclear or nuclear starbursts.
Advances in Hydrogel Adhesives for Gastrointestinal Wound Closure and Repair
Authors: Hu Xingyu , Grinstaff Mark W.
Published: March 2023

Millions of individuals undergo gastrointestinal (GI) tract surgeries each year with common postoperative complications including bleeding, perforation, anastomotic leakage, and infection. Today, techniques such as suturing and stapling seal internal wounds, and electrocoagulation stops bleeding. These methods induce secondary damage to the tissue and can be technically difficult to perform depending on the wound site location. To overcome these challenges and to further advance wound closure, hydrogel adhesives are being investigated to specifically target GI tract wounds because of their atraumatic nature, fluid-tight sealing capability, favorable wound healing properties, and facile application. However, challenges remain that limit their use, such as weak underwater adhesive strength, slow gelation, and/or acidic degradation. In this review, we summarize recent advances in hydrogel adhesives to treat various GI tract wounds, with a focus on novel material designs and compositions to combat the environment-specific challenges of GI injury. We conclude with a discussion of potential opportunities from both research and clinical perspectives.
Description of a Cohort with a New Truncating MYBPC3 Variant for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Northern Spain
Authors: Fernández Suárez Natalia , Viadero Ubierna María Teresa , Garde Basas Jesús , Onecha de la Fuente María Esther , Amigo Lanza María Teresa , Martin Gorria Gonzalo , Rivas Pérez Adrián , Ruiz Guerrero Luis , González-Lamuño Domingo
Published: March 2023

Background: The pathogenicity of the different genetic variants causing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and the genotype/phenotype correlations are difficult to assess in clinical practice, as most mutations are unique or identified in non-informative families. Pathogenic variants in the sarcomeric gene MYBPC3 inherited with an autosomal dominant pattern, whereas incomplete and age-dependent penetrance are the most common causes of HCM. Methods: We describe the clinical characteristics of a new truncating MYBPC3 variant, p.Val931Glyfs*120, in 75 subjects from 18 different families from northern Spain with the p.Val931Glyfs*120 variant. Results: Our cohort allows us to estimate the penetrance and prognosis of this variant. The penetrance of the disease increases with age, whereas 50% of males in our sample developed HCM by the age of 36 years old, and 50% of women developed the disease by the time they reached 48 years of age (p = 0.104). Men have more documented arrhythmias with potential risk of sudden death (p = 0.018), requiring implantation of cardioverter defibrillators (p = 0.024). Semi-professional/competitive sport among males is related to earlier onset of HCM (p = 0.004). Conclusions: The p.Val931Glyfs*120 truncating variant in MYBPC3 is associated with a moderate phenotype of HCM, with a high penetrance, onset in middle age, and a worse outcome in males due to higher risk of sudden death due to arrhythmias.
Characteristics of a Three-Generation Family with Stickler Syndrome Type I Carrying Two Different COL2A1 Mutations
Authors: Jacobson Adam , Besirli Cagri G. , Bohnsack Brenda L.
Published: March 2023

Stickler Syndrome is typically characterized by ophthalmic manifestations including vitreous degeneration and axial lengthening that predispose to retinal detachment. Systemic findings consist of micrognathia, cleft palate, sensorineural hearing loss, and joint abnormalities. COL2A1 mutations are the most common, however, there is a lack of genotype-phenotype correlations. Retrospective, single-center case series of a three-generation family. Clinical features, surgical requirements, systemic manifestations, and genetic evaluations were collected. Eight individuals clinically displayed Stickler Syndrome, seven of whom had genetic confirmation, and two different COL2A1 mutations (c.3641delC and c.3853G>T) were identified. Both mutations affect exon 51, but display distinct phenotypes. The c.3641delC frameshift mutation resulted in high myopia and associated vitreous and retinal findings. Individuals with the c.3853G>T missense mutation exhibited joint abnormalities, but mild ocular manifestations. One individual in the third generation was biallelic heterozygous for both COL2A1 mutations and showed ocular and joint findings in addition to autism and severe developmental delay. These COL2A1 mutations exhibited distinct eye vs. joint manifestations. The molecular basis for these phenotypic differences remains unknown and demonstrates the need for deep phenotyping in patients with Stickler syndrome to correlate COL2A1 gene function and expression with ocular and systemic findings.
The Baron Pasquale Revoltella’s Will in the Forensic Genetics Era
Authors: Fattorini Paolo , Previderè Carlo , Bonin Serena , Sorçaburu Ciglieri Solange , Grignani Pierangela , Pitacco Paola , Concato Monica , Bertoglio Barbara , Zupanič Pajnič Irena
Published: March 2023

In this article, we describe multiple analytical strategies that were first developed for forensic purposes, on a set of three bone samples collected in 2011. We analyzed a single bone sample (patella) collected from the artificially mummified body of the Baron Pasquale Revoltella (1795–1869), as well two femurs which allegedly belonged to the Baron’s mother (Domenica Privato Revoltella, 1775–1830). Likely due to the artificial mummification procedures, the inner part of the Baron’s patella allowed the extraction of high-quality DNA yields, which were successfully used for PCR-CE and PCR-MPS typing of autosomal, Y-specific, and mitochondrial markers. The samples extracted from the trabecular inner part of the two femurs yielded no typing results by using the SNP identity panel, whereas the samples extracted from the compact cortical part of the same bone samples allowed genetic typing, even by the employment of PCR-CE technology. Altogether, 10/15 STR markers, 80/90 identity SNP markers, and HVR1, HVR2, and HVR3 regions of the mtDNA were successfully typed from the Baron’s mother’s remains by the combined use of PCR-CE and PCR-MPS technologies. The kinship analysis showed a likelihood ratio of at least 9.1 × 106 (corresponding to a probability of maternity of 99.9999999%), and thus confirmed the identity of the skeletal remains as those of the Baron’s mother. This casework represented a challenging trial for testing forensic protocols on aged bones samples. It highlighted the importance of accurately sampling from the long bones, and that DNA degradation is not blocked by freezing at −80 °C.
Hardware—A New Open Access Journal
Authors: Hauser Peter C.
Published: March 2023

Hardware (ISSN 2813-6640) [...]
Publisher’s Note: Hardware—A New Open Access Journal
Authors: Auwerter Liliane
Published: March 2023

The development of new hardware has never been as accessible as it is today [...]
Economic Impacts and Quality of Life for Caregivers of Patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa: A Cross-Sectional Japanese Study
Authors: Watanabe Katsuhiko , Hiratsuka Yoshimune , Yamamoto Shuichi , Murakami Akira
Published: March 2023

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the second leading cause of visual impairment in Japan and causes progressive vision loss in affected patients. Caregiving for patients with RP is associated with socioeconomic impacts; however, data on the magnitude and scope of these impacts are lacking. This cross-sectional study surveyed informal caregivers of patients with RP in Japan. The questionnaire assessed the socioeconomic status of participants; work impacts through the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire adapted for caregivers; and quality of life impacts through the Japanese version of the Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA) and the 5-level EQ-5D version (EQ-5D-5L). Of the 37 participating caregivers, 28 (75.7%) were employed. Among those, the average annual income was 2,722,080 yen (n = 20) and the mean loss of work productivity was 6.6%. The mean EQ-5D-5L index score was 0.882, and the mean CRA total score was 2.1. A mild to very severe impact on family life, leisure and hobbies, social life, and mental health was experienced by 83.8%, 78.4%, 75.7%, and 70.3%, respectively. These results suggest that caregivers of patients with RP may be disadvantaged in terms of employment and income and may experience wide-ranging impacts on their quality of daily life.