bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy and Exergy Analyses of Geothermal Organic Rankine Cycles Considering the Effect of Brine Reinjection Temperature
Authors: Zhao Yuan , Gao Chenghao , Li Chengjun , Sun Jie , Wang Chunyan , Liu Qiang , Zhao Jun
Published: August 2022

The organic Rankine cycles (ORCs) have been used to convert low-enthalpy geothermal brine into power. Parameter optimization and working fluid selection are the main approaches to enhance geothermal ORC performance. This work uses environmentally friendly fluids, including R1224yd(Z), R1233zd(E), R1336mzz(Z), R601 and R601a, as the geothermal ORC working fluids. The evaporation temperatures of the selected fluids were optimized to maximize the cycle net power outputs. The thermodynamic characteristics are investigated with the consideration of the influence of the allowed reinjection temperature (ARIT). Among the selected fluids, R1224yd(Z) has the highest optimal evaporation temperature with the maximum turbine power output for a brine inlet temperature (BIT) higher than 120 °C, especially at a lower allowed reinjection temperature. However, the parasitic power consumption by the pumps in an ORC with R1224yd(Z) is also higher than with the other four fluids. The net power output for ORC with R1336mzz(Z) is slightly more than that with R1224yd(Z). Although the optimal evaporation temperature for a RORC is lower than that for an ORC, the higher preheater inlet temperature leads to a higher geothermal heating exergy efficiency and more power output for a BIT less than 120 °C. The RORC with R1336mzz(Z) produces 2.6% more net power than an ORC for a brine inlet temperature of 100 °C. As the ARIT increases from 70 °C to 75 °C, the plant exergy efficiencies of ORCs are decreased by 6–8% for a geothermal brine inlet temperature of 100 °C.
Iraq Oil Industry Infrastructure Development in the Conditions of the Global Economy Turbulence
Authors: AL-Saadi Tahseen , Cherepovitsyn Alexey , Semenova Tatyana
Published: August 2022

The resource orientation of the Iraqi economy implies the development of a competitive advantage of the oil industry through the industry’s infrastructure development. The authors’ assumption is that as a result of the transport and production infrastructures’ development of the extraction, processing and transportation of oil and oil products in the conditions of global economic turbulence and the availability of profitable mineral raw materials, domestic demand is restrained by both “inherited” problems and new challenges for the Iraqi oil industry. A review of changes in oil production over time has been carried out. The following problems have been identified: “inherited” problems of the oil industry’s production infrastructure, insufficient capacities and technologies and unbalanced attraction and use of investments. It has been identified that problems vary with different infrastructures. For transport infrastructure, transportation security threats, the insufficient capacity of ports and routes, low level of management and technical implementation are the main problems. New challenges in the oil industry’s infrastructural development are related to the fall in oil prices, the reorientation of supply chains, the “blockage” in world trade due to coronavirus infection and the challenge to expand the use of renewable energy resources to improve the quality of energy supply in terms of resource distribution. The aim of this study is to develop theoretical and methodological bases for the development of infrastructure in the Iraqi oil industry with reference to its background, associated with the turbulent path of the global economy. The substantiation of theoretical provisions and development of practical recommendations to facilitate development of the Iraq oil industry infrastructure are aimed at supporting the development of its infrastructure in view of economic and political instability. Thus, the theoretical and practical significance of the study lies in revealing the features and problems of the Iraq oil industry infrastructure functioning and the development of an algorithm of control for the development of its elements.
An Attended-Free, All-in-One-Go, Automatic Analysis Assistant Software for E-liked Shape Contactless Inductive Power Transfer Device
Authors: Lan Yumeng , Miyatake Masafumi
Published: August 2022

This paper presents automatic software for E-liked shaped contactless inductive power transfer (CIPT) device study and design that provides attended-free, multiple-case auto-generating and auto-deploying analysis in one go. It provides visualized and listed results in a design space or for optimizing solutions. To satisfy the demand for static and dynamic charging devices, the software provides specific cores, such as EE-, EI-, IE-, and II-shaped, with or without legs as optional core structures. The software contains three main parts: a user-friendly interface, analytic approaches providing grid analysis that represent the general performance in a designated parameter range, and optimal analysis for multi-objective optimization using a genetic algorithm (GA). The post-analysis processor converts the analysis results to easy-to-read outputs. Users can customize various parameters, such as core type, structural size, circuit configuration, materials, and analysis setting. Automatic functions, such as resistance and compensation calculation, are available for the convenience of the user. By applying one approach, or by combining them in a specific order, the software achieves designs that satisfy the user’s demands within the user-provided range. The software is built in Python and collaborates with a finite element method (FEM) solver, which is JMAG in this paper. Some examples are given to demonstrate the performance of the software.
Research on Underground Coal Mine Map Construction Method Based on LeGO-LOAM Improved Algorithm
Authors: Xue Guanghui , Li Ruixue , Liu Shuang , Wei Jinbo
Published: August 2022

The application of intelligent equipment and technologies such as robots and unmanned vehicles is an important part of the construction of intelligent mines, and has become China’s national coal energy development strategy and the consensus of the coal industry. Environment perception and instant positioning is one of the key technologies destined to realize unmanned and autonomous navigation in underground coal mines, and simultaneous location and mapping (SLAM) is an effective method of deploying this key technology. The underground space of a coal mine is long and narrow, the environment is complex and changeable, the structure is complex and irregular, and the lighting is poor. This is a typical unstructured environment, which poses a great challenge to SLAM. This paper summarizes the current research status of underground coal mine map construction based on visual SLAM and Lidar SLAM, and analyzes the defects of the LeGO-LOAM algorithm, such as loopback detection errors or omissions. We use SegMatch to improve the loopback detection module of LeGO-LOAM, use the iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm to optimize the global map, then propose an improved SLAM algorithm, namely LeGO-LOAM-SM, and describe its principle and implementation. The performance of the LeGO-LOAM-SM was also tested using the KITTI dataset 00 sequence and SLAM experimental data collected in two coal mine underground simulation scenarios, and the performance indexes such as the map construction effect, trajectory overlap and length deviation, absolute trajectory error (ATE), and relative pose error (RPE) were analyzed. The results show that the map constructed by LeGO-LOAM-SM is clearer, has a better loopback effect, the estimated trajectory is smoother and more accurate, and the translation and rotation accuracy is improved by approximately 5%. This can construct more accurate point cloud map and low drift position estimation, which verifies the effectiveness and accuracy of the improved algorithm. Finally, to satisfy the navigation requirements, the construction method of a two-dimensional occupancy grid map was studied, and the underground coal mine simulation environment test was carried out. The results show that the constructed raster map can effectively filter out outlier noise such as dynamic obstacles, has a mapping accuracy of 0.01 m, and the required storage space compared with the point cloud map is reduced by three orders of magnitude. The research results enrich the SLAM algorithm and implementation in unstructured environments such as underground coal mines, and help to solve the problems of environment perception, real-time positioning, and the navigation of coal mine robots and unmanned vehicles.
A Review of Reliability and Fault Analysis Methods for Heavy Equipment and Their Components Used in Mining
Authors: Odeyar Prerita , Apel Derek B. , Hall Robert , Zon Brett , Skrzypkowski Krzysztof
Published: August 2022

To achieve a targeted production level in mining industries, all machine systems and their subsystems must perform efficiently and be reliable during their lifetime. Implications of equipment failure have become more critical with the increasing size and intricacy of the machinery. Appropriate maintenance planning reduces the overall maintenance cost, increases machine life, and results in optimized life cycle costs. Several techniques have been used in the past to predict reliability, and there’s always been scope for improvement of the same. Researchers are finding new methods for better analysis of faults and reliability from traditional statistical methods to applying artificial intelligence. With the advancement of Industry 4.0, the mining industry is steadily moving towards the predictive maintenance approach to correct potential faults and increase equipment reliability. This paper attempts to provide a comprehensive review of different statistical techniques that have been applied for reliability and fault prediction from both theoretical aspects and industrial applications. Further, the advantages and limitations of the algorithm are discussed, and the efficiency of new ML methods are compared to the traditional methods used.
A Hybrid Adaptive Controller Applied for Oscillating System
Authors: Stanislawski Radoslaw , Tapamo Jules-Raymond , Kaminski Marcin
Published: August 2022

In this paper, a hybrid PI radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) controller is used for a plant with significant disturbances related to the mechanical part of the construction. It is represented through a two-mass system. State variables contain additional components—as a result, oscillations affect the precision of control. Classical solutions lead to movements of the poles of the whole control structure. However, proper tuning of the controller needs detailed identification of the object. In this work, the neural network is implemented to improve the classical PI controller’s performance and mitigate the errors generated by oscillations of the mechanical variables and parametric uncertainties. The proposed control strategy also guarantees the closed-loop stability of the system. The mathematical background is firstly presented. Afterward, the simulation results are shown. It can be stated that the results are very promising, and a significant improvement in oscillations damping is achieved. Finally, experimental tests are conducted to substantiate the obtained simulation results. For this purpose, the algorithm was implemented in the dSPACE card. Achieved transients confirm the numerical tests.
Food Waste Management for Biogas Production in the Context of Sustainable Development
Authors: Ferdeș Mariana , Zăbavă Bianca Ștefania , Paraschiv Gigel , Ionescu Mariana , Dincă Mirela Nicoleta , Moiceanu Georgiana
Published: August 2022

In the context of increasing pressure regarding the sustainable utilization of food waste in a circular economy, one of the trends is their biological transformation, through anaerobic digestion, into biogas as a renewable source of energy. We presented the physical-chemical properties of the main categories of food waste from different sources: dairy, meat, and poultry, fish, fruit and vegetable, cereal and bakery, brewing and winery industries, and others. Due to the high organic load, the presence of a multitude of nutrients, and an insignificant amount of inhibitors, food waste can be successfully used in the biogas production process in co-digestion with other materials. Physical (mechanical and thermal), chemical (alkali, acid, and oxidative), and biological (enzymatic, bacterial, and fungal) techniques have been widely used for pretreatment of different substrate types, including food waste. These pretreatments facilitate the degradation of pretreated food waste during anaerobic digestion and thus lead to an enhancement in biogas production. The purpose of this study is to review the situation of food waste generated in the food industry and to formulate the main trends of progress in the use of this waste in the anaerobic digestion process.
Effect of Methane Cracking on Carbon Isotope Reversal and the Production of Over-Mature Shale Gas
Authors: Mi Jingkui , Wu Wei , Zhu Di , Feng Ziqi
Published: August 2022

The geochemical statistics indicate that the wetness (C2~C5/C1~C5) of over-mature shale gas with carbon isotope reversal is less than 1.8%. The magnitude of carbon isotope reversal (δ13C1–δ13C2) increases with decreasing wetness within a wetness range of 0.9~1.8% and then decreases at wetness <0.9%. The experimental result demonstrates that CH4 polymerization proceeding to CH4 substantial cracking is an important factor involved in isotope reversal of over-mature shale gas. Moreover, δ13C1–δ13C2 decreases with an increase in experimental temperature prior to CH4 substantial cracking. The values of δ13C1 and δ13C2 tend to equalize during CH4 substantial cracking. The δ13C1–δ13C2 of mud gas investigated at different depths during shale gas drilling in the Sichuan Basin increases initially, then decreases with further increase in the depth, and finally tends to zero, with only a trace hydrocarbon gas being detectable. Thus, the approximately equal value between δ13C1 and δ13C2 for over-mature shale gas and very low wetness could potentially serve as useful criteria to screen CH4 substantial cracking. Two geochemical indices to indicate CH4 substantial cracking in a geological setting are proposed according to the variation production data with the geochemistry of over-mature shale gas in the Sichuan Basin, China.
Dynamics of Soil Organic Carbon and CO2 Flux under Cover Crop and No-Till Management in Soybean Cropping Systems of the Mid-South (USA)
Authors: Firth Alexandra G. , Brooks John P. , Locke Martin A. , Morin Dana J. , Brown Ashli , Baker Beth H.
Published: August 2022

The transition of natural landscapes to agricultural uses has resulted in severe loss of soil organic carbon, significantly contributing to CO2 emissions and rising global temperatures. However, soil has the largest store of terrestrial carbon (C), a considerable sink and effective strategy for climate change mitigation if managed properly. Cover crops (CC) and no-till (NT) management are two management strategies that are known to increase percent organic carbon (%OC); however, adoption of these practices has been low in the mid-South due to lack of region-specific research and resistance to unproven practices. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the impacts of CC-NT treatments in soybean cropping systems on soil percent organic carbon (%OC) and CO2 flux following long-term implementation. Results showed significantly greater %OC in NT (1.27% ± 0.03) than reduced till (RT; 1.10% ± 0.03; p < 0.001) and greater in both CC (rye: 1.23% ± 0.03, rye + clover: 1.22% ± 0.03) than no cover (1.11% ± 0.03; p < 0.001). Bacterial abundance (p = 0.005) and pH (p = 0.006) were significant predictors of %OC. There was no overall significant difference in CO2 flux between tillage or CC treatments; however, there were significant differences between NT and RT in July of 2020 when %RH increased (p < 0.001). Bacterial abundance negatively impacted CO2 flux (p < 0.05), which contradicts most studies. The rate of proportional change and pattern of variability in C pools suggested loss of %OC in RT treatments that were not apparent when considering %OC alone. The results of this study provide valuable insight into C turnover and the effectiveness of CC use in the Mid-South to increase soil C stocks.
Web-Based Communication of Wooden Sport Equipment: An Analysis Based on Six Olympic Sports
Authors: Negro Francesco , Blanc Simone , Bruzzese Stefano , Falaschi Alberto , Ruffinatto Flavio , Zanuttini Roberto , Brun Filippo
Published: August 2022

Wood has traditionally been used to make sports equipment and playing surfaces. While its use is outdated in several sports, in many others, wood remains well-established or even the material of choice, e.g., to make basketball floors or table tennis rackets. This study aims at evaluating the main drivers of web-based communication of wooden sport equipment. Six Olympic sports in which wood is still used were identified: baseball, skateboarding, skiing, snowboarding, surfboarding, and table tennis. For each sport, five websites of manufacturers were selected based on their page rank. Five evaluators assessed each website, rating the degree to which their discussion of wood intersected with four dimensions (and the related sub-dimensions): environment and ethics, design, wood technology, and communication. Significant differences (p < 0.05) are found among the dimensions, where communication and wood technology scored the higher ratings. Several differences are found among sub-dimensions, for instance in terms of attention given to environmental and social sustainability. Among the various findings, environmental and social sustainability, based on a proper commitment, is a relevant target for the web-based communication of manufacturers of wooden sport equipment. We argue that this is both for ethical reasons, and for market and image purposes.
Influence of Chrysoporthe deuterocubensis Canker Disease on the Machining Properties of Eucalyptus urograndis
Authors: Dahali Rasdianah , Lee Seng Hua , Md. Tahir Paridah , Bakar Edi Suhaimi , Muhammad Roseley Adlin Sabrina , Ibrahim Siti Aminah , Mohd Yusof Norwahyuni , Mohammad Suffian James Redzuan
Published: August 2022

This study assessed the machining properties of 11-year-old Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis, known as E. urograndis wood, that was infected by stem canker disease, Chrysoporthe deuterocubensis. Instead of being discarded directly, the study aimed to explore the possibility of infected trees being used in other applications such as furniture. Sawing, planing, and boring properties as well as the surface roughness of the healthy and infected trees were evaluated. The samples were collected from infected and healthy trees and classified according to the severity of the attack: healthy (class 1), moderately infected (class 2), severely infected (class 3), and very severely infected (class 4). Prior to sawing, planing, and boring, the samples were prepared according to ASTM D 1666-11 Standard Test Methods for Conducting Machining Tests of Wood and Wood-Base Materials. All samples were sawn, planed, and bored and were evaluated for their respective machining quality. The surface roughness of the machined samples was also assessed. Overall, E. urograndis of different infection severity has very good machining properties ranging from Grade I to III. Fuzzy grain, chip grain, chip mark, and tear out are the most commonly seen physical defects. As for surface roughness, healthy trees have lower surface roughness compared to that of infected trees, which indicates a better surface quality. The findings of this study suggested that infected E. urograndis can still be used in many applications. The results of this study will provide us with better knowledge about the machining performance of disease-infected E. urograndis wood and its possibilities to be used as raw material for the wood products industry.
Models for Economic Evaluation of Silvicultural Interventions in Radiata Pine Plantations in Italy
Authors: Pignatti Giuseppe , Verani Stefano , Sperandio Giulio
Published: August 2022

The study deals with the sustainability of management in radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don.) plantations, focusing on management strategies that favor continuous forest cover and natural regeneration processes by balancing environmental and economic aspects. In a study area of Sardinia (Italy), tests were carried out in 45-year-old plantations through systematic and selective thinning, as well as regeneration felling. This was performed considering the current forest dynamism fostered by natural regeneration, and also the technical and economic aspects. Predictive models of work times, productivity, costs, and profit were built for the three observed treatments based on the experimental data. From an economic point of view, the various silvicultural management operations were always positive, with some differences depending on the type of intervention. The regeneration felling, with the planned natural regeneration of the pine forest in the following years, ensures the best economic results per unit of worked area, obtaining an average profit of about EUR 11,000 ha−1, as compared to EUR 9000 ha−1 of systematic thinning and to EUR 5000 ha−1 of selective thinning, along with other ecological benefits, including a continuous forest cover and the replacement of even aged plantations, increasing the biodiversity in forest stands (structure and species). The transformation of forest plantations into more resilient ecosystems on an economic sustainability basis can be effectively achieved through continuous coverage forest management approaches in the context of the study area.
Dairy-Based Probiotic-Fermented Functional Foods: An Update on Their Health-Promoting Properties
Authors: Kaur Harpreet , Kaur Gurjeet , Ali Syed Azmal
Published: August 2022

Numerous studies have shown a link between the consumption of fermented dairy foods and improved health outcomes. Since the early 2000s, especially probiotic-based fermented functional foods, have had a revival in popularity, mostly as a consequence of claims made about their health benefits. Among them, fermented dairy foods have been associated with obesity prevention and in other conditions such as chronic diarrhea, hypersensitivity, irritable bowel syndrome, Helicobacter pylori infection, lactose intolerance, and gastroenteritis which all are intimately linked with an unhealthy way of life. A malfunctioning inflammatory response may affect the intestinal epithelial barrier’s ability to function by interfering with the normal metabolic processes. In this regard, several studies have shown that fermented dairy probiotics products improve human health by stimulating the growth of good bacteria in the gut at the same time increasing the production of metabolic byproducts. The fermented functional food matrix around probiotic bacteria plays an important role in the survival of these strains by buffering and protecting them from intestinal conditions such as low pH, bile acids, and other harsh conditions. On average, cultured dairy products included higher concentrations of lactic acid bacteria, with some products having as much as 109/mL or g. The focus of this review is on fermented dairy foods and associated probiotic products and their mechanisms of action, including their impact on microbiota and regulation of the immune system. First, we discussed whey and whey-based fermented products, as well as the organisms associated with them. Followed by the role of probiotics, fermented-product-mediated modulation of dendritic cells, natural killer cells, neutrophils, cytokines, immunoglobulins, and reinforcement of gut barrier functions through tight junction. In turn, providing the ample evidence that supports their benefits for gastrointestinal health and related disorders.
Transferability of Airborne LiDAR Data for Canopy Fuel Mapping: Effect of Pulse Density and Model Formulation
Authors: Marino Eva , Tomé José Luis , Hernando Carmen , Guijarro Mercedes , Madrigal Javier
Published: August 2022

Canopy fuel characterization is critical to assess fire hazard and potential severity in forest stands. Simulation tools provide useful information for fire prevention planning to reduce wildfire impacts, provided that reliable fuel maps exist at adequate spatial resolution. Free airborne LiDAR data are becoming available in many countries providing an opportunity to improve fuel monitoring at large scales. In this study, models were fitted to estimate canopy base height (CBH), fuel load (CFL) and bulk density (CBD) from airborne LiDAR in a pine stand area where four point-cloud datasets were acquired at different pulse densities. Best models for CBH, CFL and CBD fitted with LiDAR metrics from the 1 p/m2 dataset resulted in an adjusted R2 of 0.88, 0.68 and 0.58, respectively, with RMSE (MAPE) of 1.85 m (18%), 0.16 kg/m2 (14%) and 0.03 kg/m3 (20%). Transferability assessment of fitted models indicated different level of accuracy depending on LiDAR pulse density (both higher and lower than the calibration dataset) and model formulation (linear, power and exponential). Best results were found for exponential models and similar pulse density (1.7 p/m2) compared to lower (0.5 p/m2) or higher return density (4 p/m2). Differences were also observed regarding the canopy fuel attributes.
Effect of Estradiol on Estrogen Nuclear Receptors Genes Expression on Embryonic Development Stages in Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis)
Authors: Chen Guobin , Zhou Tong , Chen Meng , Zou Guiwei , Liang Hongwei
Published: August 2022

Among Chinese soft-shelled turtles, Pelodiscus sinensis, males have a richer nutritional value and higher market price than females. All-male offspring were obtained by 17β-estradiol (E2). However, the molecular mechanisms of E2 inducing sexual reversal remain unclear. In this study, we cloned estrogen nuclear receptors (ERs) from P. sinensis and investigated their expression profiles. We examined the responses of ERα and ERβ after treatment with different concentrations of 1.0, 5.0, and 10 mg/mL E2. ERs showed abundant expressions in the adult gonad, ERα for ovary, and ERβ for testis. E2 can up-regulate the expression of ERα, which showed a remarkable increase while the promotion of ERβ was unobvious. They reached a high level at stage 17 after the treatment of E2, genes of the female-related genes Rspo1, Wnt4, β-catenin, Foxl2, Cyp19a1, and Sox3 exhibited a significant raise at stage 17 with the increase in the concentration of E2 while the male-related genes Sox9, Dmrt1, and Amh were significantly inhibited. Our study cloned the full length of ERs and analyzed their structures and expressions, laying a foundation for the further study of the effect of estrogen on sex determination.
Effects of Bifidobacteria Fermentation on Physico-Chemical, Thermal and Structural Properties of Wheat Starch
Authors: Hong Jing , Guo Wanxue , Chen Peixia , Liu Chong , Wei Juan , Zheng Xueling , Saeed Omer Saeed Hamid
Published: August 2022

Lactic acid bacteria have been considered to be a very important species during sourdough fermentation. In order to explore the effects of bifidobacteria fermentation on thermal, physico-chemical and structural properties of wheat starch during dough fermentation, starch granules were separated from the fermented dough at different fermentation times, including 0 h, 2 h, 6 h, 9 h and 12 h. The results showed that the morphology of starch granules was destroyed gradually as the fermentation time increased, which appeared as erosion and rupture. With the increase in fermentation time, the solubility showed a significant increase, which changed from 8.51% (0 h) to 9.80% (12 h), and the swelling power was also increased from 9.31% (0 h) to 10.54% (12 h). As for the gelatinization property, the enthalpy was increased from 6.77 J/g (0 h) to 7.56 J/g (12 h), indicating a more stable thermal property of fermented starch, especially for the longer fermentation. The setback value was decreased with short fermentation time, indicating that the starch with a longer fermentation time was difficult to retrograde. The hardness of the gel texture was decreased significantly from 50.11 g to 38.66 g after fermentation for 12 h. The results show that bifidobacteria fermentation is an effective biological modification method of wheat starch for further applications.
Novel Probiotic/Bacterial Cellulose Biocatalyst for the Development of Functional Dairy Beverage
Authors: Lappa Iliada K. , Kachrimanidou Vasiliki , Alexandri Maria , Papadaki Aikaterini , Kopsahelis Nikolaos
Published: August 2022

The development of innovative functional products with potential health benefits, under the concept of bio-economy, is flourishing. This study undertook an evaluation of non-dairy lactobacilli Lactiplantibacillus pentosus B329 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 820 as “ready to use” starter cultures. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) cultures were evaluated for their fermentation efficiency, before and after freeze-drying, using cheese whey (CW) as a fermentation substrate and subsequent immobilization on bacteria cellulose (BC) to produce a novel biocatalyst. The biocatalyst was applied in functional sour milk production and compared with free cells via the assessment of physicochemical and microbiological properties and sensory evaluation. Evidently, LAB strains exhibited high fermentative activity before and after freeze-drying. Results of a 5-month storage stability test showed that viability was 19% enhanced by immobilization on BC, supporting the concept of “ready to use” cultures for the production of fermented beverages. Likewise, sour milk produced by the BC biocatalyst presented higher organoleptic scores, compared to the free cells case, whereas immobilization on BC enhanced probiotic viability during post-fermentation storage (4 °C, 28 days). The obtained high viability (>107 log cfu/g) demonstrated the efficacy of the proposed bioprocess for the production of functional/probiotic-rich beverages. Ultimately, this work presents a consolidated scheme that includes the advantages and the cooperative effect of probiotic LAB strains combined with a functional biopolymer (BC) towards the formulation of novel functional products that coincide with the pillars of food systems sustainability.
Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Peel Extracts as Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Additives Used in Alfalfa Sprouts
Authors: Cruz-Valenzuela Manuel Reynaldo , Ayala-Soto Rosa E. , Ayala-Zavala Jesus Fernando , Espinoza-Silva Brenda A. , González-Aguilar Gustavo A. , Martín-Belloso Olga , Soliva-Fortuny Robert , Nazzaro Filomena , Fratianni Florinda , Tapia-Rodríguez Melvin R. , Bernal-Mercado Ariadna Thalia
Published: August 2022

Aqueous and ethanolic pomegranate peel extracts (PPE) were studied as a source of phenolic compounds with antimicrobial, anti-quorum sensing, and antioxidant properties. The aqueous extract showed higher total phenolic and flavonoid content (153.43 mg GAE/g and 45.74, respectively) and antioxidant capacity (DPPH radical inhibition: 86.12%, ABTS radical scavenging capacity: 958.21 mg TE/dw) compared to the ethanolic extract. The main phenolic compounds identified by UPLC-DAD were chlorogenic and gallic acids. The aqueous PPE extract showed antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, Candida tropicalis (MICs 19–30 mg/mL), and anti-quorum sensing activity expressed as inhibition of Chromobacterium violaceum violacein production (%). The aqueous PPE extracts at 25 mg/mL applied on alfalfa sprouts reduced psychrophilic bacteria (1.12 Log CFU/100 g) and total coliforms (1.23 Log CFU/100 g) and increased the antioxidant capacity of the treated sprouts (55.13 µmol TE/100 g (DPPH) and 126.56 µmol TE/100 g (ABTS)) compared to untreated alfalfa. This study emphasizes PPE’s antioxidant and antimicrobial activities in alfalfa sprouts preservation.
Significance of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Mitigating Abiotic Environmental Stress in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: A Review
Authors: Israel Abir , Langrand Julien , Fontaine Joël , Lounès-Hadj Sahraoui Anissa
Published: August 2022

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) have been used worldwide for thousands of years and play a critical role in traditional medicines, cosmetics, and food industries. In recent years, the cultivation of MAPs has become of great interest worldwide due to the increased demand for natural products, in particular essential oils (EOs). Climate change has exacerbated the effects of abiotic stresses on the growth, productivity, and quality of MAPs. Hence, there is a need for eco-friendly agricultural strategies to enhance plant growth and productivity. Among the adaptive strategies used by MAPs to cope with the adverse effects of abiotic stresses including water stress, salinity, pollution, etc., their association with beneficial microorganisms such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can improve MAPs’ tolerance to these stresses. The current review (1) summarizes the effect of major abiotic stresses on MAPs’ growth and yield, and the composition of EOs distilled from MAP species; (2) reports the mechanisms through which AMF root colonization can trigger the response of MAPs to abiotic stresses at morphological, physiological, and molecular levels; (3) discusses the contribution and synergistic effects of AMF and other amendments (e.g., plant growth-promoting bacteria, organic or inorganic amendments) on MAPs’ growth and yield, and the composition of distilled EOs in stressed environments. In conclusion, several perspectives are suggested to promote future investigations.
Antioxidant Activity, Functional Properties, and Cytoprotective Effects on HepG2 Cells of Tree Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.) Seed Protein Hydrolysate as Influenced by Molecular Weights Fractionation
Authors: Wang Yingying , Li Yingqiu , Wang Chenying , He Jinxing , Mo Haizhen
Published: August 2022

In recent years, plant protein hydrolysates have gained increased attention due to their superior antioxidant activity and potential to prevent several chronic diseases associated with oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant activity, functional properties, and cytoprotective effects of the tree peony seed protein hydrolysate (TPSPH) with different molecular weights (MWs). The antioxidant activities were evaluated by DPPH, hydroxyl radicals scavenging, Fe2+ chelating, and inhibition of the β-carotene oxidation abilities. The protective effects and mechanism against oxidative stress were determined using H2O2-stressed HepG2 cells. MW > 30 kDa of TPSPH showed the highest radical scavenging (DPPH IC50 = 0.04, hydroxyl IC50 = 0.89 mg/mL) and inhibition of β-carotene oxidation (80.07% at 2.0 mg/mL) activity. Moreover, MW > 30 kDa possessed high hydrophobicity, emulsifying capacity, and abundant antioxidant amino acids (28.22% of hydrophobic amino acids and 8.3% of aromatic amino acids). MW 5–10 kDa exhibited more effective protection against H2O2-induced HepG2 cells, by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS), malonaldehyde (MDA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and activating antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase). These results indicated the potential application of TPSPH as an antioxidant in food and functional foods.
Flavor Differences of Edible Parts of Grass Carp between Jingpo Lake and Commercial Market
Authors: Chen Hongsheng , Pan Deyin , Du Hongzhen , Ma Jinming , Kong Baohua , Diao Jingjing
Published: August 2022

This study investigated the flavor differences among three individual parts (abdomen, back, and tail) of Jingpo Lake grass carp (JPGC) and commercial grass carp (CGC). The growing environment and fish parts influenced the volatile compounds of the fish. The highest total contents of alcohols and ethers were found in the back of JPGC (p < 0.05). The combination of an electronic tongue and electronic nose (E-nose) could effectively distinguish the flavor differences between the different parts of JPGC and CGC by principal component analysis. Both the content of total free amino acids (FAAs) and content of amino acids contributing to the sweet and fresh flavors were higher in JPGC than CGC (p < 0.05). Among the ATP-associated products, the inosine 5’-monophosphate (IMP) contents of the back and tail of JPGC were higher (p < 0.05), but the abdomen content was lower (p > 0.05) than the respective contents in the corresponding parts of CGC. Sensory evaluation shows that JPGC had a better texture, odor, and taste, compared to CGC. Correlation analysis showed that the E-nose data and FAAs were highly correlated with the content of alcohols, aldehydes, and ethers. This study showed that the flavors of the different parts of JPGC differed significantly from those of CGC.
From Pomegranate Byproducts Waste to Worth: A Review of Extraction Techniques and Potential Applications for Their Revalorization
Authors: Cano-Lamadrid Marina , Martínez-Zamora Lorena , Castillejo Noelia , Artés-Hernández Francisco
Published: August 2022

The food industry is quite interested in the use of (techno)-functional bioactive compounds from byproducts to develop ‘clean label’ foods in a circular economy. The aim of this review is to evaluate the state of the knowledge and scientific evidence on the use of green extraction technologies (ultrasound-, microwave-, and enzymatic-assisted) of bioactive compounds from pomegranate peel byproducts, and their potential application via the supplementation/fortification of vegetal matrixes to improve their quality, functional properties, and safety. Most studies are mainly focused on ultrasound extraction, which has been widely developed compared to microwave or enzymatic extractions, which should be studied in depth, including their combinations. After extraction, pomegranate peel byproducts (in the form of powders, liquid extracts, and/or encapsulated, among others) have been incorporated into several food matrixes, as a good tool to preserve ‘clean label’ foods without altering their composition and improving their functional properties. Future studies must clearly evaluate the energy efficiency/consumption, the cost, and the environmental impact leading to the sustainable extraction of the key bio-compounds. Moreover, predictive models are needed to optimize the phytochemical extraction and to help in decision-making along the supply chain.
Antimicrobial Resistance, Biocide Tolerance, and Bacterial Diversity of a Dressing Made from Coriander and Parsley after Application of Treatments Using High Hydrostatic Pressure Alone or in Combination with Moderate Heat
Authors: Rodríguez López Javier , Grande Burgos Maria José , Pérez Pulido Rubén , Iglesias Valenzuela Belén , Gálvez Antonio , Lucas Rosario
Published: August 2022

The effects of high-hydrostatic pressure (HP) treatments (450 and 600 megapascals, MPa, for 5 min at temperatures of 22 °C and 50 °C) on the microbiota of a coriander and parsley dressing was studied via culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches. Samples were refrigerated for 20 days, with periodic counts of the culture media supplemented with, or without, antimicrobials. HP-treated samples showed significantly lower viable cell counts compared to untreated controls. Only the control samples yielded bacterial growth on media with antimicrobials (imipenem, cefotaxime, benzalkonium chloride), including mostly Pseudomonas and Lactobacillus. Bacillus and Paenibacillus were identified from pressurized samples. Few isolates showed higher tolerance to some of the biocides tested. Pseudomonads showed outstanding resistance to meropenem and ceftazidime. According to high-throughput sequencing analysis, the microbiota of the dressing control samples changes during storage, with a reduction in the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and an increase in Firmicutes. The composition of the residual microbiota detected during storage was highly dependent on the pressure applied, and not on the treatment temperature.
Existence, Stability and Simulation of a Class of Nonlinear Fractional Langevin Equations Involving Nonsingular Mittag–Leffler Kernel
Authors: Zhao Kaihong
Published: August 2022

The fractional Langevin equation is a very effective mathematical model for depicting the random motion of particles in complex viscous elastic liquids. This manuscript is mainly concerned with a class of nonlinear fractional Langevin equations involving nonsingular Mittag–Leffler (ML) kernel. We first investigate the existence and uniqueness of the solution by employing some fixed-point theorems. Then, we apply direct analysis to obtain the Ulam–Hyers (UH) type stability. Finally, the theoretical analysis and numerical simulation of some interesting examples show that there is a great difference between the fractional Langevin equation and integer Langevin equation in describing the random motion of free particles.
A Cubic Spline Collocation Method to Solve a Nonlinear Space-Fractional Fisher’s Equation and Its Stability Examination
Authors: Hadhoud Adel R. , Abd Alaal Faisal E. , Abdelaziz Ayman A. , Radwan Taha
Published: August 2022

This article seeks to show a general framework of the cubic polynomial spline functions for developing a computational technique to solve the space-fractional Fisher’s equation. The presented approach is demonstrated to be conditionally stable using the von Neumann technique. A numerical illustration is given to demonstrate the proposed algorithm’s effectiveness. The novelty of the present work lies in the fact that the results suggest that the presented technique is accurate and convenient in solving such problems.
Finite Iterative Forecasting Model Based on Fractional Generalized Pareto Motion
Authors: Song Wanqing , Duan Shouwu , Chen Dongdong , Zio Enrico , Yan Wenduan , Cai Fan
Published: August 2022

In this paper, an efficient prediction model based on the fractional generalized Pareto motion (fGPm) with Long-Range Dependent (LRD) and infinite variance characteristics is proposed. Firstly, we discuss the meaning of each parameter of the generalized Pareto distribution (GPD), and the LRD characteristics of the generalized Pareto motion are analyzed by taking into account the heavy-tailed characteristics of its distribution. Then, the mathematical relationship H=1⁄α between the self-similar parameter H and the tail parameter α is obtained. Also, the generalized Pareto increment distribution is obtained using statistical methods, which offers the subsequent derivation of the iterative forecasting model based on the increment form. Secondly, the tail parameter α is introduced to generalize the integral expression of the fractional Brownian motion, and the integral expression of fGPm is obtained. Then, by discretizing the integral expression of fGPm, the statistical characteristics of infinite variance is shown. In addition, in order to study the LRD prediction characteristic of fGPm, LRD and self-similarity analysis are performed on fGPm, and the LRD prediction conditions H>1⁄α is obtained. Compared to the fractional Brownian motion describing LRD by a self-similar parameter H, fGPm introduces the tail parameter α, which increases the flexibility of the LRD description. However, the two parameters are not independent, because of the LRD condition H>1⁄α. An iterative prediction model is obtained from the Langevin-type stochastic differential equation driven by fGPm. The prediction model inherits the LRD condition H>1⁄α of fGPm and the time series, simulated by the Monte Carlo method, shows the superiority of the prediction model to predict data with high jumps. Finally, this paper uses power load data in two different situations (weekdays and weekends), used to verify the validity and general applicability of the forecasting model, which is compared with the fractional Brown prediction model, highlighting the “high jump data prediction advantage” of the fGPm prediction model.
Fuzzy Fractional-Order PD Vibration Control of Uncertain Building Structures
Authors: Xu Kang , Cheng Tingli , Lopes António M. , Chen Liping , Zhu Xiaoxuan , Wang Minwu
Published: August 2022

A new control strategy is proposed to suppress earthquake-induced vibrations on uncertain building structures. The control strategy embeds fuzzy logic in a fractional-order (FO) proportional derivative (FOPD) controller. A new improved FO particle swarm optimization (IFOPSO) algorithm is derived to adjust the initial parameters of the FOPD controller. An original fuzzy logic-FOPD (FFOPD) controller is then designed by combining the advantages of the fuzzy logic and FOPD control, to deal with large displacements on structures under earthquake excitation. Simulation experiments are carried out on uncertain building structures subjected to the effects of different kinds of seismic signals, illustrating the validity and feasibility of the proposed method.
The Influence of Fly Ash Dosages on the Permeability, Pore Structure and Fractal Features of Face Slab Concrete
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhou Shihua , Shi Yan , Huang Yajun , Zhao Feng , Huo Tingting , Tang Shengwen
Published: August 2022

Concrete-face slabs are the primary anti-permeability structures of the concrete-face rockfill dam (CFRD), and the resistance of face slab concrete to permeability is the key factor affecting the operation and safety of CFRDs. Herein, the influences of five fly ash dosages (namely 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%) on the permeability property of face slab concretes were investigated. Moreover, the difference in the permeability caused by the fly ash dosage variations is revealed in terms of the pore structure and fractal theory. The results illustrate that: (1) The inclusion of 10–50% fly ash lowered the compressive strength of face slab concretes before 28 days of hydration, whereas it contributed to the 180-day strength increment. (2) The incorporation of 10–50% fly ash raised the average water-seepage height (Dm) and the relative permeability coefficient (Kr) of the face slab concrete by about 14–81% and 30–226% at 28 days, respectively. At 180 days, the addition of fly ash improved the 180-day impermeability by less than 30%. (3) The permeability of face slab concretes is closely correlated with their pore structures and Ds. (4) The optimal fly ash dosage in terms of the long-term impermeability and pore refinement of face slab concretes is around 30%. Nevertheless, face slab concretes containing a high dosage of fly ash must be cured for a relatively long period before they can withstand high water pressure.
Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Patchouli Essential Oil Loaded Starch-Based Hydrogel
Authors: Abdul Khalil H. P. S. , Muhammad Syaifullah , Yahya Esam Bashir , Amanda Lee Kar Mun , Abu Bakar Suriani , Abdullah C. K. , Aiman Abd Rahim , Marwan M. , Rizal Samsul
Published: August 2022

Starch hydrogels are highly available, biocompatible and biodegradable materials that have promising applications in medical and pharmaceutical industries. However, their applications are very limited due to their poor mechanical properties and fragility. Here, we investigated, for the first time, conventional corn and waxy corn starch-based hydrogels for loading patchouli essential oil. The essential oil extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide with a yield reached 8.37 ± 1.2 wt.% (wet sample) at 80 °C temperature and 10 MPa pressure. Patchouli essential oil exhibited a 23 to 28 mm zone of inhibition against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Waxy starch hydrogels had better properties in term of viscosity, water evaporation stability and the delivery of essential oil than conventional starch hydrogels. The viscosity and spreadability of a 6% waxy starch sample were 15,016 ± 59 cP and 4.02 ± 0.34 g·cm/s, respectively, compared with those of conventional starch hydrogel (13,008 ± 29 cP and 4.59 ± 0.88 g·cm/s). Waxy starch-based hydrogels also provided slower in vitro biodegradation behavior and sustained release of essential oil compared with conventional starch hydrogels. All the samples were biocompatible and non-cytotoxic to fibroblast cells; the addition of patchouli essential oil enhances the proliferation of the cells. The enhanced viscosity, good antibacterial and improved biocompatibility results of prepared hydrogels confirm their suitability for wound healing applications.