bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonic atomizing-assisted spray drying: Effect on the quality of skimmed milk powders
Authors: Wang Yuchuan , Cui Ying , Wang Bo , Zhang Min
Published: January 2019

Skimmed milk powders (SMP) were produced by ultrasonic atomizing-assisted spray drying (UASD). It was found that UASD can produce high quality SMP (with < 5% moisture content and < 2% insolubility) at lower inlet temperatures (~130℃). The particle size of the UASD-SMP was 10 times smaller (decreased from ~20 µm to 4 µm) than the tranditionally spray-dried SMP and the color appeal of UASD-SMP was also better (L* value increased by > 6 %). Overall, this research shown that UASD can be used to produce small particle size and high quality SMP. Keywords: Skimmed milk powder; ultrasonic atomization; spray dryer; particle size distribution; color
Agitated thin-film drying of spinach juice
Authors: Qiu Jun , Boom R. M. , Schutyser M.A.I.
Published: January 2019

Agitated thin film dryers (ATFD) has been considered as an effective technology for drying viscous liquid foods, pastes or pureed foods. In this study, a lab-scale ATFD was developed and applied for drying of juices from spinach leaves at varying temperature (60 – 90 ˚C), feed rate (0.3 – 0.5 kg/h) and blade rotation speed (300 – 600 RPM) combinations. Juice suspensions were successfully dried into powder with a moisture content ranging from 0.049 to 0.114 kg/kg total. Increasing the wall temperature and feed rate were found to improve the specific evaporation rate and evaporation rate of the ATFD, respectively. The blade rotation speed had limited effect on the water removal rate, while it played a crucial role in powder formation. Keywords: Food solution; Spinach juice; Thin film drying; Scraped surface; Vacuum conductive drying.
Effect of ultrasound on drying kinetics of El Henna leaves (Lawsonia inermis)
Authors: Bennaceur Said , Bennamoun Lyes , Mulet Antonio , Draoui Belkacem , Cárcel Juan A.
Published: January 2019

In this work the influence of some process variable on drying rate of henna leaves was studied. For this reason, henna leaves were dried (1 m/s) with and without ultrasound application at three temperatures, 40, 50 and 60 °C. As can be expected, the higher the temperature the faster the drying process. Ultrasound application increase drying rate at every temperature tested. Drying kinetics were modeled by using different experimental models. Weibull model provided the best fit for henna leaves drying kinetics. Keywords:Ultrasonic; Weibull model; henna leave;, temperature.
Salting kinetics, salt diffusivities and proximate composition in osmotically dehydrated Pirarucu muscle
Authors: Barretto Andrea Carla Da Silva , Barretto Tiago Luís , Betiol Lilian Fachin Leonardo , Bellucci Elisa Rafaella Bonadio , Telis-Romero Javier
Published: January 2019

Pirarucu (Arapaima gigas Schinz) farming has been encouraged and, among meat preservation techniques, the salting process is a relatively simple and low-cost method. The objective of this work was to study the sodium chloride diffusion kinetics in Pirarucu during wet salting. Limited volumes of brine (20% w/w) were employed with wet salting assays carried at 3, 4 and 5 brine/muscle ratios, and brine temperatures of 10, 15 and 20 oC. The analytical solution of Fick's second law considering one-dimensional diffusion through an infinite slab in contact with a well-stirred solution of limited volume was used to calculate the effective salt diffusion coefficients. Salt diffusivities in muscle were found to be in the range of 2.07 and 8.80 ´ 10-10 m2/s. The wet salting of Pirarucu is greatly influenced by temperature and by the brine/muscle ratio by volume.Keywords: Pirarucu; Arapaima gigas Schinz; salt diffusion coefficients; brine.
Influence of fat level reduction in the drying of Italian salami
Authors: Barretto Andrea Carla Da Silva , Souza Camila Vespucio Bis , Pollonio Marise Rodrigues , Penna Ana Lúcia Barretto
Published: January 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of fat reduction in the drying process of Italian salami. Two Italian salami formulations: HFS (High Fat Sausage) with 20g/100g of pork back fat and LFS (Low Fat Sausage) with 11.2g/100g of pork back fat were analyzed as water activity, weight loss, proximate composition and pH. The evaluation times were 0, 3, 7, 10 and 13 days of drying.The reduction of more than 25% in the fat content of Italian salami affected the weight loss in the drying process, but did not affect the moisture, pH and water activity.Keywords: Low-fat; fermented sausage; weight loss; healthier meat products; ripening time.
Immobilization of Candida rugosa lipase on eco-friendly supports by spouted-bed technology: Use in the synthesis of isoamyl caprylate
Authors: Oliveira Wanderley Pereira , Costa-Silva Tales Alexandre , Carvalho Ana Karine Furtado , Souza Claudia Regina Fernandes , Freitas Larissa De , Castro Heizir F
Published: January 2019

Candida rugosa lipase (LCR) was immobilized on low-cost supports (by-products) and dried using a spouted-bed system. The yields of immobilized derivatives were in the range 61.5–78.7%. Lipase immobilized on rice husk showed the best results, presenting 94.1% of the original activity, followed by sugarcane bagasse (90.3%) and green coconut fiber (87.3%). Moisture content in the obtained powders varied between 4.7 and 5.6% and the water activities were in the range 0.21–0.35. Among all the tested biocatalysts for aroma production the lipase immobilized on rice husk showed the highest activity towards the formation of isoamyl caprylate (62.40 g.L-1). Keywords: Spouted bed dryer; Enzyme dehydration; Enzyme immobilization; Enzyme stabilization; Aroma production.
Strawberries hybrid drying combining airflow, dic technology and intermittent microwaves
Authors: Amami Ezzeddine , Besombes Colette , Kechaou Nabil , Allaf Karim
Published: January 2019

1-cm strawberry slices were partially airflow-dried at 50 °C, to reach 0.25 g H2O/g db. Optimized DIC treatment was performed at 350 kPa for 10 s. The final drying stage of these DIC-expanded slices was achieved from 0.25 to 0.1 g H2O/g db (dry basis) using intermittent Pulsed Micro-Wave Drying PMWD to prevent from the paradoxical step of coupled conduction heat transfer with deep generation and transfer of vapor. PMWD was defined at constant 100 W for 3.25±0.05 g with constant active time ton maintained at 2 s, and tempering time toff ranged between 2 and 10 s, or with a continuous way. By decreasing both energy consumption and total drying time of DIC-expanded slices using intermittent microwave, the whole cost significantly decreased to be much lower than the conventional MWD drying, with a great increasing of the quality.Keywords: Airflow Drying; Instant Controlled Pressure-Drop DIC; Swell-Drying; Pulsed Micro-Wave Drying; Physical and Chemical Characteristics.
Bubble behavior of fructooligosaccharides syrup during the belt drying process
Authors: Zhao Lijuan , Wang Dandan , Du Tengfei , Yang Junhong , Li Jianguo , Wu Zhonghua
Published: January 2019

This paper is aiming to study experimentally the bubbling and drying characteristic of fructooligosaccharides syrup in the belt drying process. A series of bubble images were acquired by a high-speed image acquisition system during the drying process. By analyzing the characteristics of bubble and drying, the drying process of fructooligosaccharides was divided into three periods: boiling transfer, natural convection and conduction and diffusion period. The drying rate in different transfer stage was: boiling transfer > natural convection > heat conduction and diffusion. The results of the study are of reference value to belt drying. Keywords: fructooligosaccharides; belt drying; digital image processing; heat and mass transfer
Reducing sodium content in dry-cured pork loin. A novel process using water vapour permeable bags
Authors: Fuentes Ana , Verdú S. , Fuentes C. , Grau R. , Barat J. M.
Published: January 2019

The objective of the present study was to test the feasibility of a new salting-curing process using water vapour permeable bags to obtain a reduced sodium dry-cured loin. The process was applied with and without partial substitution of sodium chloride by potassium chloride. The developed methodology allows to obtain a dry-cured pork loin with partial sodium substitution similar to the product without reduced sodium content, regarding to their physicochemical parameters, texture and colour. The results indicated that the new process allowed to obtain a cured meat product with 50% less sodium and similar characteristics than the traditional products.Keywords: sodium replacement; water vapour permeable bags; dry-cured loin; salt content; physicochemical parameters .
Image Segmentation and 3D reconstruction for improved prediction of the sublimation rate during freeze drying
Authors: Barresi Antonello A , Capozzi Luigi C , Arsiccio Andrea , Sparavigna Amelia C , Pisano Roberto
Published: January 2019

In a freeze drying process, the freezing step determines the pore size distribution within the product, which, in turn, affects the sublimation rate. Traditionally, pore analysis is carried out on SEM images by means of a manual, time-consuming approach. Here, an image segmentation technique was used to automatize this process and improve its reliability. A 3D structure of the cake was then reconstructed from the distribution of the super-pixels. We show that the approach herein proposed can remarkably improve prediction of the sublimation rate with respect to traditional methods. Keywords: Freezing; Freeze-Drying; Image Segmentation; 3D Reconstruction
Healthy apple snack developed using microwaves
Authors: Guàrdia Maria Dolors , Fartdinov Dinar , Comaposada Josep , Muñoz Israel , De Wit Nieco , Gou Pere
Published: January 2019

The MW heating at early or at final stage of drying process to obtain a crispy apple snack was studied. The effect of MW power and time of application was also evaluated on colour, texture, physico-chemical and sensory properties. Apple snack obtained with the MW heating (7.5 min at 3.000 W) at early stage after an osmotic pre-treatment resulted in apple slices more porous and with better sensory attributes than if it is applied at later stage of drying. Keywords: apple; snack; drying; microwaves
Evaluation of Izmir Tulum cheese pieces by drying with tray drier at different air flow rates and temperatures
Authors: Koca Nurcan , Kizilalp Gulsah , Polat Izel , Urgu Müge
Published: January 2019

Izmir tulum cheese pieces were dried using a tray dryer at different air flow rates (1.0 and 1.8 m/s) and temperatures (45oC, 55oC and 65oC). The increase in temperature and air flow rate increased bulk and tapped bulk densityand decreased the water holding capacity. The lowest lightness and highest redness were obtained in samples dried at 65oC. The samples dried at 55°C and 1 m/s had the highest flavor and overall impression scores. As a result, a dried cheese product to benefit from left-over pieces obtained during packaging  was developed, having advantages such as easy to transport, store and package.Keywords: Izmir Tulum cheese; tray dryer; physical, chemical and sensory properties.
CFD study of air flow patterns and droplet trajectories in a lab scale vortex chamber spray dryer
Authors: Jamil Ur Rahman Umair , Baiazitov Ilias , Pozarlik Artur , Brem Gerrit
Published: January 2019

In order to develop an alternative spray drying technology, a high drying rate in a smaller volume must be achieved. In this paper, results of CFD study are presented, carried out to investigate the possibility of spray drying in a novel design vortex chamber. The model is validated against experimental data, that makes a good agreement with an average error of 7% with only air and 24% with water spray. Results of temperature fields and droplet impact positions are discussed. The computations demonstrate that vortex chamber spray dryer can be an attractive solution for drying technology. Keywords: CFD; spray drying; vortex chamber; atomization;
Thermal stability of amorphous sugar matrix, dried from methanol, as an amorphous solid dispersion carrier
Authors: Imamura Koreyoshi , Takeda K. , Yamamoto K. , Imanaka H. , Ishida N.
Published: January 2019

Developing a technique to disperse hydrophobic ingredients homogeneously in a water-soluble solid matrix (solid dispersion) is one of the topics that have been extensively investigated in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Recently, we have devised a novel solid dispersion technique (surfactant-free solid dispersion), in which a preliminarily amorphized sugar was dissolved in an organic media containing hydrophobic component, without using any surface active substances, and then vacuum dried into the amorphous solid mixture [Food Chem., 197 (2016) 1136; Mol. Pharm., 14 (2017) 791]. In this study, the physicochemical properties, especially thermal stability of the surfactant-free amorphous solid dispersion, were investigated. keywords: solid dispersion; amorphous sugar; surfactant-free; vacuum drying; glass transition temperature
Innovative microwave technologies for food drying processes
Authors: Andres Ana , Reyes Ruth De los , Sansano Mariola , Alcañiz D. , Heredia Ana , Reyes Elias De los
Published: January 2019

It is well known that microwaves can assist most of food drying processes; but despite its benefits, microwave energy has not yet been exploited to its potential in the industrial applications. Some of the reasons are because available microwave technology (tubes and valves) cannot offer a homogeneous heating, causing hot/cold spots depending on product geometry and distribution in the chamber or tunnel. Particularly in drying processes, when available water decreases, the efficiency of the process will decrease. If the microwave power is not adjusted at this point of the drying process, the electromagnetic field strength increases and thermal runaway, arcing, or plasma formation can be created. Currently, the solid-state microwave heating (S2MH) technology is considered one of the most promising options to avoid the ancient problems preserving the known advantages. The new S2MH features include frequency and phase variability and control, low input-voltage requirements, compactness and rigidity, reliability, and better compatibility with other electronic possibilities (Internet-of-Things). The first notable advantaged is the S2MH system ability to assess feedback from forward and reflected signal. This allows the application to easily measure and track the energy levels being put into the load, which can avoid the mentioned final drying problem, together with many others related to monitoring needs. On the other hand, almost all energy consumption and CO2 generation in drying processes correspond to air heating stage. To tackle this problem, Advanced Materials for Microwaves based Heating (AM2H) have been developed for transducing electromagnetic energy into heat, which is transferred to air by using high contact surface ceramic structures. The aim of this work is to review Microwaves Assisted Drying Processes and to present the advantages offered by two innovative microwave technologies: Solid-State Microwave Heating (S2MH) technology and Advanced Materials for Microwaves based Heating (AM2H).
Hybrid and intermittent drying of carrot (Daucus carota var. Nantes)
Authors: Mierzwa Dominik , Szadzińska Justyna , Bukowski Krzysztof
Published: January 2019

A combination of high power airborne ultrasound and microwaves in hot air drying was developed to investigate the effect of intermittent mode on process effectiveness and quality of carrot. The drying experiments were carried out in an innovative hybrid dryer. The course of moisture ratio, drying rate, specific energy and water consumption, colour, water activity and shrinkage were discussed. The results showed that intermittent ultrasound and microwaves in convective drying accelerate the heat and mass transfer, leading to shorter drying time and faster drying rate. It was found that hybrid-intermittent drying can improve the energy efficiency and product quality. Keywords: intermittent drying; ultrasound; microwaves; energy; shrinkage
Drying of algae by various drying methods
Authors: Thorat Bhaskar , Bheda Bhaumik , Shinde Manoj , Ghadge Rajaram
Published: January 2019

Algae drying was carried out using Vacuum Tray Dryer and an Innovative Solar Conduction Dryer. Algae was dried in a Vacuum Tray Dryer at 60°C under varied pressure conditions and makes use of specially designed double condenser system. The open sun drying and solar conduction dryer (SCD) was also used for algae drying. Comparison between open sun drying and solar conduction dryer were done and it was found that the solar conduction dryer gives high performance than the open sun drying. It was also found that, the conductive heat transfer mode plays a crucial role in the solar conduction dryer. Keywords: Vaccum Dryer; Solar Conduction Dryer; Algal Drying
The influence of ethanol on the convective drying and on the nutritional quality of dekopon slices
Authors: Mello-Júnior Ronaldo Elias de , Resende Nathane Silva , Corrêa Jefferson Luiz Gomes , Pio Leila Aparecida Salles , Carvalho Elisângela Elena Nunes
Published: January 2019

Dekopon or Hallabong (Citrus reticulate “Shiranui”) is a hybrid fruit that belongs to the citrus fruits. The scientific and commercial interests in dekopon is due to its nutritional composition. The objective of the study was to verify the influence of ethanol as a pretreatment in reducing drying time as well as maintaining nutritional quality (vitamin C, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity) of dekopon slices. The drying with ethanol at 70 °C promoted the greatest reduction in drying time, but the processed pretreated samples at 50 °C presented the highest level of nutritional quality parameters. Keywords: drying time; vitamin C; phenolic compounds; antioxidant activity
Impact of processing temperature on drying behavior and quality changes in organic beef
Authors: Von Gersdorff Gardis J.E. , Shrestha Luna , Raut Sharvari , Retz Stefanie K. , Hensel Oliver , Sturm Barbara
Published: January 2019

The drying of beef has gained an increasing interest and the organic market shows an increasing demand for dried beef products. In this study, organic beef meat slices were dried at 50 °C, 60 °C and 70 °C. Moisture content and color was measured throughout the drying process alongside Vis/VNIR hyperspectral images of the slices. The results of the total color difference (ΔE) showed the biggest change for samples dried at 50 °C (ΔE = 25.6). The aw value was the lowest for slices dried at 50 °C (0.744). The hyperspectral data gave promising results regarding non-invasive prediction of moisture content and color. Keywords: beef drying; drying behavior;color; hyperspectral imaging; quality.
Vitamin C content of freeze dried pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) pulp
Authors: Oliveira R. A. , Soares C. T. , Nogueira F. G. , Santana A. A.
Published: January 2019

Vitamin C is one of the constituents of pequi pulp. It is a natural antioxidant, capable of sequestering free radicals. The present study aimed to freeze dry a pequi pulp encapsulated with maltodextrin and whey protein and analyze vitamin C content. Vitamin C loss was lower in the experimental run that did not use encapsulating agent. Whereas, the run that used 15% of whey protein concentrate as encapsulant agent in relation to pequi solids presented the highest value (220.74 mg vitamin C / g pequi solids). Freeze drying of pequi pulp is a technique for vitamin C conservation independently of the variation in maltodextrin and whey protein proportion.Keywords: drying; encapsulating agent; ascorbic acid.
Effect of spray drying on volatile compounds of acerola pulp
Authors: Narain Narendra , Nogueira P. M. , Leite Neta M. T. , Araújo H. C. S. , Jesus M. S. , Shanmugam S.
Published: January 2019

The objective of this work was to optimize the drying conditions in order to obtain acerola powder and to focus on the product aroma quality. Acerola fruits were selected, washed and sanitized before extracting the pulp. An emulsion was obtained by adding maltodextrin in the pulp. The dehydrated powders were obtained in spray dryer by drying at inlet temperatures of 128 and 152 ºC. Twenty five volatile compounds were identified in fresh acerola pulp and in the dehydrated powder. These results prove that use of maltodextrin in spray drying of acerola pulp helps in retention of key aroma compounds in acerola powder. Keywords: Acerola, Spray drying, dehydration, volatiles, aroma, GC-MS.
Investigation of spray agglomeration process in continuously operated horizontal fluidized bed
Authors: Du J. , Bück A. , Tsotsas E.
Published: January 2019

Spray fluidized bed agglomeration is an important process in particle formation and is widely used in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industry. In this study a continuously operated horizontal fluidized bed is employed to obtain a continuous agglomeration process. It is conducted with glass beads (dst=200 µm) and water-based binder hydroxy-propyl-methyl-cellulose (HPMC) sprayed by three top nozzles. The steady state is reached and samples are taken periodically and analyzed. The influence of fluidization air temperature and configurations of internal weirs are studied. Keywords: horizontal fluidized bed, spray agglomeration, continuous process
Influence of the temperature and ultrasound application in drying kinetics of apple skin
Authors: Cárcel Juan A. , Martins Matheus P. , Cortés Edgar J. , Rosselló Carmen , Peña Ramón
Published: January 2019

The great amount of waste produced by food industry contains interesting bioactive compounds. The extraction of these compounds requires the by-products previous stabilization being the convective drying one of most used techniques to this end. Drying conditions can affect both drying kinetics and final quality of products. The apple skin, byproduct of apple juice or cider industries, is rich in functional compounds such as polyphenols or vitamin C. The main goal of this contribution was to quantify the influence of temperature and ultrasound application in drying kinetics of apple skin. For this purpose, drying experiments at different temperatures (-10, 30, 50 and 70 ºC) and with (20.5 kW/m3) and without application of ultrasound were carried out. Drying kinetics were modelled by using a diffusion based model. As can be expected, the higher the temperature the faster the drying. Ultrasound application accelerated the process at every temperature tested being the influence slightly lower than found from the literature for other products. This can be attributed at the physical structure of the apple skin, less porous than the pulp. In any case, the application of ultrasound significantly reduced the drying time. Keywords: by-products; dehydration;diffusivity; mass transfer
Combined effects of sodium carbonate pretreatment and hybrid drying methods on the nutritional and antioxidant properties of dried Goji berries
Authors: Chen Qinqin , Song Huihui , Bi Jinfeng , Zhou Mo , Wu Xinye , Song Jianxin
Published: January 2019

Combined effects of sodium carbonate (SC) pretreatment and hybrid drying methods (freeze drying-instant controlled pressure drop drying (FD-ICPDD), hot air drying (HAD-ICPDD) on nutritional and antioxidant properties of Goji berries were investigated. Compared with distilled water pretreatment, SC pretreatment could obtain products with better quality. Goji dried by FD-ICPDD showed better overall quality than that dried by HAD or FD alone. FD-ICPDD products exhibited higher contents of total Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (140 g/kg), total carotenoids (2.4 g/kg) as well as the strongest ABTS.+ radical scavenging activity (57.6 μmol TE/g). FD-ICPDD could be an alternative drying method for processing valuable agro-products. Keywords: sodium carbonate, instant controlled pressure drop drying, nutritional properties, antioxidant activity
A poesia digital de Wilton Azevedo: interpoesia - o início da escritura expandida
Authors: Pelaes Maria Lúcia Wochler
Published: January 2019

Este artigo apresenta um estudo sobre a poesia digital desenvolvida pelo Profº. Dr. Wilton Azevedo, no âmbito do Laboratório de Humanidades Digitais -LHUDI- da Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, o qual encontra a sua relevância na utilização de infraestrutura tecnológica, na capacitação teórica-reflexiva e na produção em equipe dentro do Programa de Pós-Graduação Stricto Sensu em Educação, Arte e História da Cultura. A poesia digital estabelece uma nova relação entre os códigos através de registros sonoros, verbais, visuais e performáticos, proporcionando o desdobramento de imagens e palavras não-lineares e interdisciplinares, desmaterializando o fazer poético, que apresenta índices semióticos resultantes da articulação da linguagem em meios de ambiência numa interdependência mútua entre leitor, poeta e poesia. A Interpoesia de Wilton registra uma obra de características poéticas, criada em ambiência digital através do uso de dispositivos tecnológicos que objetiva a ampliação de um código digital como um meio eficaz de produção de conhecimento dentro da proposta de Humanidades Digitais. O trabalho de Wilton propõe um novo olhar sobre a ambiência digital no que tange a sua exploração, enquanto plataforma tecnológica relevante para a criação digital poética, assim como para o registro de acervos históricos e recriação de ambientes humanos presentes e passados, de tal forma que a sua importância reside na compreensão e difusão da ambiência digital.
Entre o real e o ficcional: uma análise do romance A Casa Verde (1898-1899)
Authors: Costruba Deivid Aparecido
Published: January 2019

O presente artigo tem como objetivo discutir os limites entre o real e o ficcional no romance A Casa Verde, escrito pelo casal Filinto de Almeida (1857-1945) e Julia Lopes de Almeida (1862-1934), publicado em folhetim no Jornal do Comercio, entre 1898 e 1899. O título da obra foi motivado pelo da residência dos cônjuges, situada no bairro de Santa Tereza, no Rio de Janeiro, conhecida pela intelectualidade da época como o “Salão Verde”. Na escrita do romance foram abordados alguns temas caros aos escritores, que procuram não só examinar a imagem da mulher na sociedade daquele momento, como também o de estruturar o texto em torno de aspectos da anglofilia.
Role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the differentiation of benign and malignant pulmonary lesions
Authors: Alnaghy Eman Abdelaziz , El-Nahas Mahmoud Ahmed , Sadek Ahmed Galal , Gwely Noureldin Noaman , Elrakhawy Mohamed Magdy
Published: January 2019

Purpose

To evaluate the role of magnetic resonance (MRI) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurement of solid and cystic pulmonary masses in differentiating benign from malignant lesions.

Material and methods

The study included 41 patients with pulmonary masses, who underwent conventional MRI and DWI (b value 0, 500, and 1000 s/mm²) examinations with 1.5-T MRI. The diffusion signal and the mean ADC values of the solid and cystic lesions were obtained. Statistical analyses were performed with the Mann-Whitney U test (z), Pearson’s chi-square test, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

Thirty-three lesions were malignant, and eight lesions were benign. The malignant masses showed significantly higher signal intensity on DWI than benign masses (p = 0.006), and the mean ADC value of malignant solid lesions was significantly lower than that of benign lesions (p = 0.02). By ROC analysis, an ADC cut-off value of 1.4 × 10–3 mm2/s was considered the threshold value, and the sensitivity and specificity were 93.8% and 75%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the ADC value of the cystic parts inside the benign and the malignant lesions.

Conclusions

Diffusion-weighted MRI and measurement of ADC value can significantly differentiate between solid benign and malignant pulmonary masses.
Prostate artery embolisation: an initial experience from an Indian perspective
Authors: Singhal Soumil , Sebastian Bibin , Madhurkar Rohit , Uthappa M C
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The study aims to report our very early experience with prostate artery embolisation in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) in an Indian setting.

Material and methods

This prospective study was approved by the Institutional Ethical Review Board, and informed consent was obtained from all the patients. Four patients with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia underwent prostate embolisation. Embolisation was performed using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL) score, postvoid residual volume, and prostate volume was recorded in each patient for 12 months. No major complications were seen in any patient.

Results

Four patients with a mean age of 74.2 years underwent prostate artery embolisation. It was successful in all the cases. Bilateral embolisation was performed in three patients and unilateral approach in one patient. Clinical improvement was characterised by a mean prostate volume reduction of 22% and mean IPSS reduction of 30% at 12-month follow-up.

Conclusions

The initial experience with prostate embolisation has been very rewarding and is a great alternative treatment for BPH. It is a very safe and effective procedure and can be an ideal procedure from an Indian perspective.
Biogenic emissions and land–atmosphere interactions as drivers of the daytime evolution of secondary organic aerosol in the southeastern US
Authors: Nagori Juhi , Janssen Ruud H. H. , Fry Juliane L. , Krol Maarten , Jimenez Jose L. , Hu Weiwei , Vilà-Guerau de Arellano Jordi
Published: January 2019

Abstract. The interactions between biogenic volatile organic compounds
(BVOCs), like isoprene and monoterpenes, and anthropogenic emissions of
nitrogen and sulfur oxides lead to high concentrations of secondary organic
aerosol (SOA) in the southeastern United States. To improve our understanding
of SOA formation, we study the diurnal evolution of SOA in a land–atmosphere
coupling context based on comprehensive surface and upper air observations
from a characteristic day during the 2013 Southern Oxidant and Aerosol Study
(SOAS) campaign. We use a mixed layer model (MXLCH-SOA) that is updated with
new chemical pathways and an interactive land surface scheme that describes
both biogeochemical and biogeophysical couplings between the land surface and
the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) to gain insight into the drivers of the
daytime evolution of biogenic SOA. MXLCH-SOA reproduces observed BVOC and surface heat fluxes, gas-phase
chemistry, and ABL dynamics well, with the exception of isoprene and
monoterpene mixing ratios measured close to the land surface. This is likely
due to the fact that these species do not have uniform profiles throughout
the atmospheric surface layer due to their fast reaction with OH and
incomplete mixing near the surface. The flat daytime evolution of the SOA
concentration is caused by the dampening of the increase due to locally
formed SOA by entrainment of SOA-depleted air from the residual layer. SOA
formation from isoprene through the intermediate species isoprene epoxydiols
(IEPOXs) and isoprene hydroxyhydroperoxides (ISOPOOHs) is in good agreement
with the observations, with a mean isoprene SOA yield of 1.8 %. However, SOA from monoterpenes, oxidised by OH and O3, dominates
the locally produced SOA (69 %), with a mean monoterpene SOA yield of
10.7 %. Isoprene SOA is produced primarily through OH oxidation via
ISOPOOH and IEPOX (31 %). Entrainment of aged SOA from the residual layer
likely contributes to the observed more oxidised oxygenated organic aerosol
(MO-OOA) factor. A sensitivity analysis of the coupled land surface–boundary layer–SOA
formation system to changing temperatures reveals that SOA concentrations are
buffered under increasing temperatures: a rise in BVOC emissions is offset
by decreases in OH concentrations and the efficiency with which SVOCs
partition into the aerosol phase.
Global distribution of methane emissions, emission trends, and OH
concentrations and trends inferred from an inversion of GOSAT
satellite data for 2010–2015
Authors: Maasakkers Joannes D. , Jacob Daniel J. , Sulprizio Melissa P. , Scarpelli Tia R. , Nesser Hannah , Sheng Jian-Xiong , Zhang Yuzhong , Hersher Monica , Bloom A. Anthony , Bowman Kevin W. , Worden John R. , Janssens-Maenhout Greet , Parker Robert J.
Published: January 2019

Abstract. We use 2010–2015 observations of atmospheric methane columns from the GOSAT satellite instrument in a global inverse analysis to improve estimates of methane emissions and their trends over the period, as well as the global concentration of tropospheric OH (the hydroxyl radical, methane's main sink) and its trend. Our inversion solves the Bayesian optimization problem analytically including closed-form characterization of errors. This allows us to (1) quantify the information content from the inversion towards optimizing methane emissions and its trends, (2) diagnose error correlations between constraints on emissions and OH concentrations, and (3) generate a large ensemble of solutions testing different assumptions in the inversion. We show how the analytical approach can be used even when prior error standard deviation distributions are log-normal. Inversion results show large overestimates of Chinese coal emissions and Middle East oil/gas emissions in the EDGAR v4.3.2 inventory, but little error in the US where we use a new gridded version of the EPA national greenhouse gas inventory as prior estimate. Oil/gas emissions in the EDGAR v4.3.2 inventory show large differences with national totals reported to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and our inversion is generally more consistent with the UNFCCC data. The observed 2010–2015 growth in atmospheric methane is attributed mostly to an increase in emissions from India, China, and areas with large tropical wetlands. The contribution from OH trends is small in comparison. We find that the inversion provides strong independent constraints on global methane emissions (546 Tg a−1) and global mean OH concentrations (atmospheric methane lifetime against oxidation by tropospheric OH of 10.8 ± 0.4 years), indicating that satellite observations of atmospheric methane could provide a proxy for OH concentrations in the future.
4DVAR assimilation of GNSS zenith path delays and precipitable water into a numerical weather prediction model WRF
Authors: Rohm Witold , Guzikowski Jakub , Wilgan Karina , Kryza Maciej
Published: January 2019

Abstract. The GNSS data assimilation is currently widely discussed
in the literature with respect to the various applications for meteorology
and numerical weather models. Data assimilation combines atmospheric
measurements with knowledge of atmospheric behavior as codified in computer
models. With this approach, the “best” estimate of current conditions
consistent with both information sources is produced. Some approaches also allow
assimilating the non-prognostic variables, including remote sensing
data from radar or GNSS (global navigation satellite system). These
techniques are named variational data assimilation schemes and are based on
a minimization of the cost function, which contains the differences between
the model state (background) and the observations. The variational
assimilation is the first choice for data assimilation in the weather forecast
centers, however, current research is consequently looking into use of an
iterative, filtering approach such as an extended Kalman filter (EKF). This paper shows the results of assimilation of the GNSS data into numerical
weather prediction (NWP) model WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting). The
WRF model offers two different variational approaches: 3DVAR and 4DVAR, both
available through the WRF data assimilation (WRFDA) package. The WRFDA
assimilation procedure was modified to correct for bias and observation
errors. We assimilated the zenith total delay (ZTD), precipitable water
(PW), radiosonde (RS) and surface synoptic observations (SYNOP) using a 4DVAR
assimilation scheme. Three experiments have been performed: (1) assimilation
of PW and ZTD for May and June 2013, (2) assimilation of PW alone; PW,
with RS and SYNOP; ZTD alone; and finally ZTD, with RS and SYNOP for 5–23 May 2013, and (3) assimilation of PW or ZTD during severe weather events in
June 2013. Once the initial conditions were established, the forecast was
run for 24 h. The major conclusion of this study is that for all analyzed cases, there are
two parameters significantly changed once GNSS data are assimilated in the
WRF model using GPSPW operator and these are moisture fields and rain. The
GNSS observations improves forecast in the first 24 h, with the strongest
impact starting from a 9 h lead time. The relative humidity forecast in a
vertical profile after assimilation of ZTD shows an over 20 % decrease of
mean error starting from 2.5 km upward. Assimilation of PW alone does not
bring such a spectacular improvement. However, combination of PW, SYNOP and
radiosonde improves distribution of humidity in the vertical profile by
maximum of 12 %. In the three analyzed severe weather cases PW always
improved the
rain forecast and ZTD always reduced the humidity field bias. Binary rain
analysis shows that GNSS parameters have significant impact on the rain forecast
in the class above 1 mm h−1.
A high-level cloud detection method utilizing the GOSAT TANSO-FTS water vapor saturated band
Authors: Eguchi Nawo , Yoshida Yukio
Published: January 2019

Abstract. A detection method for high-level clouds, such as ice clouds, is
developed using the water vapor saturated channels of the solar reflected
spectrum observed by the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) Thermal
And Near-infrared Sensor for carbon Observation Fourier Transform
Spectrometer (TANSO-FTS). The clouds detected by this method are optically relatively
thin (0.01 or less) and located at high altitude. Approximately
85 % of the results from this method for clouds with cloud-top altitude
above 5 km agree with the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization
(CALIOP) cloud classification. GOSAT has been operating since April 2009 with
a 3-day repeat cycle for a pointwise geolocation pattern, providing a
spectral data record that exceeds 9 years. Cloud information derived from
GOSAT TANSO-FTS spectra could be powerful data for understanding the
variability in cirrus cloud on temporal scales from synoptic to interannual.
Sensitivity of liquid cloud optical thickness and effective radius
retrievals to cloud bow and glory conditions using two SEVIRI
imagers
Authors: Benas Nikos , Meirink Jan Fokke , Stengel Martin , Stammes Piet
Published: January 2019

Abstract. Retrievals of cloud properties from geostationary satellite sensors offer extensive spatial and temporal coverage and resolution. The high temporal resolution allows the detection of diurnally resolved cloud properties. However, retrievals are sensitive to varying illumination and viewing geometries, including cloud glory and cloud bow conditions, which can lead to irregularities in the diurnal data record. In this study, these conditions and their effects on liquid cloud optical thickness and effective radius retrievals were analyzed using the Cloud Physical Properties (CPP) algorithm. This analysis was based on the use of SEVIRI reflectances and products from Meteosat-8 and -10, which are located over the Indian and Atlantic Ocean, respectively, and cover an extensive common area under different viewing angles. Comparisons of the retrievals over different underlying surfaces (ocean/land) and using different spectral combinations of visible and shortwave-infrared channels were also performed, to assess the importance of these factors in the retrieval process. The sensitivity of the cloud bow and glory related irregularities to the width of the assumed droplet size distribution was analyzed by using different values of the effective variance of the size distribution. The results suggest for marine stratocumulus clouds an effective variance of around 0.05, which implies a narrower size distribution than typically assumed in satellite-based retrievals. For a case with continental clouds a broader size distribution (effective variance around 0.15) was obtained. This highlights the importance of appropriate size distribution assumptions and provides a way to improve the quality of cloud products in future climate data record releases.
30 years of European Commission Radioactivity Environmental Monitoring Database (REMdb) – an open door to boost environmental radioactivity research
Authors: Sangiorgi Marco , Hernández Ceballos Miguel A. , Iurlaro Giorgia , Cinelli Giorgia , de Cort Marc
Published: January 2019

Abstract. The Radioactivity Environmental Monitoring data bank (REMdb) was created in the aftermath of the Chernobyl accident (1986) by the European Commission (EC) – DG Joint Research Centre (DG JRC), sited in Ispra (Italy). Since then it has been maintained there with the aim to keep a historical record of the Chernobyl accident and to store the radioactivity monitoring data gathered through the national environmental monitoring programs of the Member States (MSs). The legal basis is the Euratom Treaty, Chapter III Health and Safety, Articles 35 and 36, which clarifies that MSs shall periodically communicate to the EC information on environmental radioactivity levels. By collecting and validating this information in the REMdb, JRC supports the DG for Energy in its responsibilities in returning qualified information to the MSs (competent authorities and general public) on the levels of radioactive contamination of the various compartments of the environment (air, water, soil) on the European Union scale. The REMdb accepts data on radionuclide concentrations from EU MSs in both environmental samples and foodstuffs from 1984 onwards. To date, the total number of data records stored in REMdb exceeds five million, in this way providing the scientific community with a valuable archive of environmental radioactivity topics in Europe. Records stored in the REMDdb are publicly accessible until 2006 through an unrestricted repository ("REM data bank – Years 1984–2006" http://doi.org/10.2905/jrc-10117-10024). Access to data from 2007 onwards is granted only after explicit request, until the corresponding monitoring report is published. Each data record contains information describing the sampling circumstances (sampling type, begin-end time), measurement conditions (value, nuclide, apparatus, etc.), location and date of sampling and original data reference. In this paper the scope, features and extension of the REMdb are described in detail.
Can the growth of deltaic shorelines be unstable?
Authors: Zhao Meng , Salter Gerard , Voller Vaughan R. , Li Shuwang
Published: January 2019

Abstract. We study a sedimentary delta prograding over a fixed adversely sloping bathymetry, asking whether a perturbation to the advancing shoreline will grow (unstable) or decay (stable) through time. To start, we use a geometric model to identify the condition for acceleration of the shoreline advance (autoacceleration). We then model the growth of a delta on to a fixed adverse bathymetry, solving for the speed of the shoreline as a function of the water depth, foreset repose angle, fluvial topset slope, and shoreline curvature. Through a linearization of this model, we arrive at a stability criterion for a delta shoreline; indicating that autoacceleration is a required for an unstable growth. This is the first time such a shoreline instability has been identified and analyzed. We use the derived stability criterion to identify a characteristic lateral length-scale for the shoreline morphology resulting from an unstable growth. On considering example experimental and field conditions we observe that this length scale is typically larger than other geomorphic features in the system, e.g., channel spacings and dimensions, suggesting that the signal of the shoreline growth instability in the landscape might be shredded by other surface building processes, e.g., channel avulsions and along shore transport.
Telling the boiling frog what he needs to know:
why climate change risks should be plotted as probability over time
Authors: Sharpe Simon
Published: January 2019

Abstract. Humanity's situation with respect to climate change is sometimes compared to that of a frog in a slowly-boiling pot of water, meaning that change will happen too gradually for us to appreciate the likelihood of catastrophe and act before it is too late. I argue that the scientific community is not yet telling the boiling frog what he needs to know. I use a review of the figures included in two reports of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change to show that much of the climate science communicated to policymakers is presented in the form of projections of what is most likely to occur, as a function of time (equivalent to: in 5 minutes' time, the water you are sitting in will be two degrees warmer). I argue from first principles that a more appropriate means of assessing and communicating the risks of climate change would be to produce assessments of the likelihood of crossing non-arbitrary thresholds of impact, as a function of time (equivalent to: the probability of you being boiled to death will be 1% in five minutes' time, rising to 100% in twenty minutes' time if you don't jump out of the pot). This would be consistent with approaches to risk assessment in fields such as insurance, engineering, and health and safety. Importantly, it would ensure decision-makers were informed of the biggest risks, and hence of the strongest reasons to act. I suggest ways in which the science community could contribute to promoting this approach, taking into account its inherent need for cross-disciplinary research and for engagement with decision-makers before the research is conducted, instead of afterwards.
Benchmarking the predictive capability of hydrological models for river flow and flood peak predictions across a large-sample of catchments in Great Britain
Authors: Lane Rosanna A. , Coxon Gemma , Freer Jim E. , Wagener Thorsten , Johnes Penny J. , Bloomfield John P. , Greene Sheila , Macleod Christopher J. A. , Reaney Sim M.
Published: January 2019

Abstract. Benchmarking model performance across large samples of catchments is useful to guide future model development. Given uncertainties in the observational data we use to drive and evaluate hydrological models, and uncertainties in the structure and parameterisation of models we use to produce hydrological simulations and predictions, it is essential that model evaluation is undertaken within an uncertainty analysis framework. Here, we benchmark the capability of multiple, lumped hydrological models across Great Britain, by focusing on daily flow and peak flow simulation. Four hydrological model structures from the Framework for Understanding Structural Errors (FUSE) were applied to over 1100 catchments. Model performance was then evaluated using a standard performance metric for daily flows, and more novel performance metrics for peak flows considering parameter uncertainty. Our results show that simple, lumped hydrological models were able to produce adequate simulations across most of Great Britain, with median Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency scores of 0.72–0.78 across all catchments. All four models showed a similar spatial pattern of performance, producing better simulations in the wetter catchments to the west, and poor model performance in Scotland and southeast England. Poor model performance was often linked to the catchment water balance, with models unable to capture the catchment hydrology where the water balance did not close. Overall, performance was similar between model structures, but different models performed better for different catchment characteristics and for assessing daily or peak flows, demonstrating the value of using an ensemble of model structures. This research demonstrates what conceptual lumped models can achieve as a performance benchmark, as well as providing interesting insights into where and why these simple models may fail. The large number of river catchments included in this study makes it an appropriate benchmark for any future developments of a national model of Great Britain.