bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medium Rotation Eucalyptus Plant: A Comparison of Storage Systems
Authors: Pari Luigi , Rezaie Negar , Suardi Alessandro , Cetera Paola , Scarfone Antonio , Bergonzoli Simone
Published: June 2020

Eucalyptus spp. are among the most suitable species for biomass production, even for the firewood derived from medium-rotation coppice (MRC). The general problem of wood is that it cannot be utilized immediately because of the high moisture content, which in the combustion process would reduce remarkably the yield of energy. In this context, outdoor storage of whole stems without branches (WS), outdoor storage of whole stems with branches (WSB), open shed storage of firewood logs in mesh bags (OSF), and outdoor firewood logs in mesh bags (ODF) of Eucalyptus spp woody biomass were compared in term of moisture and dry matter loss to evaluate the most convenient form of storing biomass deriving from a medium-rotation coppice. During the storage period, ODF showed higher moisture values than OSF, WSB, and WS, underlining that moisture reduction is related to local climatic conditions, pile size and permeability (compaction). However, at the end of the storage period, the four options reached a similar moisture to the commercial one of fuel wood (around 15%). WSB showed the highest loss of dry matter (18%), which can be ascribed to the drying and falling process of the leaves. In conclusion, the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the biomass were similar after the different storage systems, producing firewood suitable for new market opportunities.
Autonomous Shuttle Bus for Public Transportation: A Review
Authors: Iclodean Calin , Cordos Nicolae , Varga Bogdan Ovidiu
Published: June 2020

The rapid evolution of autonomous technology in the field of automotive and information technology (IT) has made it possible to implement autonomous vehicles (AVs) for public passenger transport. Although the shuttle bus transport capacities currently in use are low (maximum 15 people), the use of these transport units in large urban agglomerations is beneficial for society. The current paper is written to review the current AV implementation with respect to shuttle buses with its direct implications in their scientific evolution, with direct links to the legal and social aspects of public transportation all over the world. A critical aspect that is presented in the paper is the legal framework of autonomous driving, which is extremely uneven around the globe, with the direct impact of autonomous shuttle bus exploitation. As the legislation on AVs presents some shortcomings in the approval, registration, and public road implementation of these vehicles, many of the world’s major cities have found ways to integrate them into testing programs, establishing the basis for future comprehensive legislative measures in this highly dynamic scientific domain. The current technological solutions adopted by several autonomous shuttle bus producers will be presented with an exhaustive overview of each major component. The aspects of the control algorithm, with its complicated layers of security and perturbance factors, will be explained in detail. Thus, in some countries/cities, autonomous shuttle buses have been implemented on less-traveled routes where they can travel at speeds up to 25 km/h without hindering the public’s circulation, such as university campuses, industrial areas, airports, and sports bases. Some countries/cities use autonomous shuttle buses for pilot programs related to passenger transport, while others use them in postal transport and others for scientific purposes. In all of these situations, the first step in autonomous driving has been taken. The paper also makes an evaluation of the social factors that are a consequence of the mass introduction of autonomous driving as a means of public transportation. Autonomous shuttle buses are becoming a part of everyday life in big cities. Their acceptance as a strategic means of transport depends on their efficiency in daily services; through its efficiency, this means of transport will become a game-changer once its benefits become not only known but experienced by a large number of users.
University Campus and Surrounding Residential Complexes as Energy-Hub: A MILP Optimization Approach for a Smart Exchange of Solar Energy
Authors: Rech Sergio , Casarin Stefano , Silva Carlos Santos , Lazzaretto Andrea
Published: June 2020

An effective way to enlarge the utilization of renewable energy consists in creating a correct interface between producers, consumers, and storage devices, i.e., a so-called “energy hub”. This opens a difficult challenge, especially in the urban areas where the availability of room for the installation of renewable plants is limited. This paper considers a university campus in the center of Lisbon that requires a significant amount of electricity and natural gas to support the internal activities. The idea is to fulfil part of the energy consumption of the campus with the excess of energy supplied by solar systems installed in the surrounding residential buildings. The goal is to find the number and type of solar equipment that maximize the reduction of annual energy costs of both residents and campus, where the campus is seen as a virtual storage. Results of the optimization show that, considering the best-exposed 100 buildings in a radius of 500 m around the campus, the campus can reduce the annual energy expenses up to 8.61%, whereas the money-saving for the residents is of the order of 24% to 29%, depending on solar exposure. A sensitivity analysis shows also the higher benefits for both the campus and users deriving from expected decreasing costs of photo-voltaic (PV) panels.
Thermal Modelling of External Gear Machines and Experimental Validation
Authors: Rituraj Rituraj , Vacca Andrea , Morselli Mario Antonio
Published: June 2020

The flow of energy within external gear machines (EGMs) leads to the variation of fluid temperature in the EGMs, which affects their performance. However, the common approaches for the simulation of EGMs assume isothermal conditions. This isothermal assumption negatively impacts their modelling accuracy in terms of the internal flows which are dependent on the fluid temperature (via fluid properties). This paper presents a lumped parameter based thermal model of EGMs where the fluid temperature in the EGM is evaluated considering the effects of compression/expansion, internal flows, and power losses. Further, numerical techniques are developed to model each of these three aspects. The thermal model is validated via the outlet temperature and volumetric efficiency measurements obtained from experiments conducted on six units of an EGM taken as a reference with different internal clearances. The results from the model show that the fluid temperature increases as it is carried from the inlet side to the outlet side during the pumping operation. However, the fluid at the ends of the shafts has the highest temperature. By comparing the isothermal simulation results with the proposed thermal model, the results also point out how the isothermal assumption becomes inaccurate, particularly in conditions of low volumetric efficiency.
Dynamic Effect of Input-Voltage Feedforward in Three-Phase Grid-Forming Inverters
Authors: Berg Matias , Roinila Tomi
Published: June 2020

Grid-connected and grid-forming inverters play essential roles in the utilization of renewable energy. One problem of such a converter system is the voltage deviations in the DC-link between the source and the inverter that can disrupt the inverter output voltage. A common method to prevent these voltage deviations is to apply an input-voltage feedforward control. However, the feedforward control has detrimental effects on the inverter dynamics. It is shown that the effect of the feedforward in the input-to-output dynamics is not ideal due to the delay in the digital control system. The delay affects the input-to-output dynamics at high frequencies, and only a minor improvement can be achieved by low-pass filtering the feedforward control signal. Furthermore, the feedforward control can remarkably affect the inverter input admittance, and therefore, impedance-based stability problems may arise at the DC interface. This paper proposes a method based on linearization and extra element theorem to model the effect of the feedforward control in the inverter dynamics. Experimental measurements are shown to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model.
Will China Achieve Its Ambitious Goal?—Forecasting the CO2 Emission Intensity of China towards 2030
Authors: Li Yan , Wei Yigang , Dong Zhang
Published: June 2020

China has set out an ambitious target of emission abatement; that is, a 60–65% reduction in CO2 emission intensity by 2030 compared with the 2005 baseline level and emission peak realisation. This paper aimed to forecast whether China can fulfil the reduction target of CO2 emission intensity and peak by 2030 based on the historical time series data from 1990 to 2018. Four different forecasting techniques were used to improve the accuracy of the forecasting results: the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model and three grey system-based models, including the traditional grey model (1,1), the discrete grey model (DGM) and the rolling DGM. The behaviours of these techniques were compared and validated in the forecasting comparisons. The forecasting performance of the four forecasting models was good considering the minimum mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), demonstrating MAPE values lower than 2%. ARIMA showed the best forecasting performance over the historical period with a MAPE value of 0.60%. The forecasting results of ARIMA indicate that China would not achieve sufficient reductions despite its projected emission peak of 96.3 hundred million tons by 2021. That is, the CO2 emission intensity of China will be reduced by 57.65% in 2030 compared with the 2005 levels. This reduction is lower than the government goal of 60–65%. This paper presents pragmatic recommendations for effective emission intensity reduction to ensure the achievements of the claimed policy goals.
Parametric Analysis on an Earth-to-Air Heat Exchanger Employed in an Air Conditioning System
Authors: D’Agostino Diana , Esposito Francesco , Greco Adriana , Masselli Claudia , Minichiello Francesco
Published: June 2020

This paper is focused on the resort to geothermal energy, through the employment of an Earth-to-Air-Heat Exchanger (EAHX) positioned upstream of the air-handling unit of an air conditioning system, for an office building in Naples (South Italy). The aim is to evaluate the energy performances of this unusual system compared to the common solution of external air directly entering the air-handling unit. The EAHX is extensively designed and two-dimensionally modeled, and the analysis is solved with finite element method. The model is validated with experimental data and this comparison shows good agreement. With the requirement of providing the building with 1300 m3 h−1 of external airflow, different design solutions for the EAHX are studied, by varying the diameter (in the range 0.2–0.5 m) and length (between 20 and 140 m) of the buried pipes. The results indicate that: smaller tube diameters enhance the heat transfer; a tube length between 80 and 100 m is recommended. Using the EAHX, the reduction of the thermal power of the coils in the air-handling unit is greater than 40% in most cases. Finally, the efficiency of the EAHX is assessed as a function of the tube length and diameter, reaching values up to 0.9.
An Analysis of Fill Factor Loss Depending on the Temperature for the Industrial Silicon Solar Cells
Authors: Min Kwan Hong , Kim Taejun , Kang Min Gu , Song Hee-eun , Kang Yoonmook , Lee Hae-Seok , Kim Donghwan , Park Sungeun , Lee Sang Hee
Published: June 2020

Since the temperature of a photovoltaic (PV) module is not consistent as it was estimated at a standard test condition, the thermal stability of the solar cell parameters determines the temperature dependence of the PV module. Fill factor loss analysis of crystalline silicon solar cell is one of the most efficient methods to diagnose the dominant problem, accurately. In this study, the fill factor analysis method and the double-diode model of a solar cell was applied to analyze the effect of J01, J02, Rs, and Rsh on the fill factor in details. The temperature dependence of the parameters was compared through the passivated emitter rear cell (PERC) of the industrial scale solar cells. As a result of analysis, PERC cells showed different temperature dependence for the fill factor loss of the J01 and J02 as temperatures rose. In addition, we confirmed that fill factor loss from the J01 and J02 at elevated temperature depends on the initial state of the solar cells. The verification of the fill factor loss analysis was conducted by comparing to the fitting results of the injection dependent-carrier lifetime.
Design of a Passive Downdraught Evaporative Cooling Windcatcher (PDEC-WC) System for Greenhouses in Hot Climates
Authors: Ghoulem Marouen , El Moueddeb Khaled , Nehdi Ezzedine , Zhong Fangliang , Calautit John
Published: June 2020

A windcatcher is a wind-driven natural ventilation system that catches the prevailing wind to bring fresh airflow into the building and remove existing stale air. This technology recently regained attention and is increasingly being employed in buildings for passive ventilation and cooling. The combination of windcatchers and evaporative cooling has the potential to reduce the amount of energy required to ventilate and cool a greenhouse in warm and hot climates. This study examined a greenhouse incorporated with a passive downdraught evaporative cooling windcatcher (PDEC-WC) system using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), validated with experimental data. Different hot ambient conditions of temperature (30–45 °C) and relative humidity (15–45%) were considered. The study explored the influence of different spray heights, layouts, cone angles and mass flow rates on indoor temperature and humidity. The average error between measurements and simulated results was 5.4% for the greenhouse model and 4.6% for the evaporative spray model. Based on the results and set conditions, the system was able to reduce the air temperature by up to 13.3 °C and to increase relative humidity by 54%. The study also assessed the influence of neighbouring structures or other greenhouses that influence the flow distribution at the ventilation openings. The study showed that the windcatcher ventilation system provided higher airflow rates as compared to cross-flow ventilation when other structures surrounded the greenhouse.
Preferences for Nuclear Power in Post-Fukushima Japan: Evidence from a Large Nationwide Household Survey
Authors: Okubo Toshihiro , Narita Daiju , Rehdanz Katrin , Schroeder Carsten
Published: June 2020

Utilizing the data of a large nationwide household survey conducted in 2014, we investigate public preferences on nuclear power in Japan after the Fukushima nuclear accident and the role of four sets of factors: (1) household/individual socioeconomic characteristics, (2) psychological status, (3) geographical aspects, and (4) Fukushima accident-related experiences. The preferred energy mix, according to the averaged responses from the survey, includes 0.59 for renewables, 0.29 for fossil fuels, and 0.12 for nuclear—much more skewed towards the renewables than the actual national share of renewables of less than 0.2. Male, older, unmarried, less educated, high-income people, and government party supporters have a preference towards a higher share of nuclear power, except if they live near nuclear power plants. The experience of blackout and aversion to nuclear power during the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 lowers the share of nuclear power in the preferred mix.
Entropy Generation and Natural Convection Flow of Hybrid Nanofluids in a Partially Divided Wavy Cavity Including Solid Blocks
Authors: Alsabery Ammar I. , Hashim Ishak , Hajjar Ahmad , Ghalambaz Mohammad , Nadeem Sohail , Saffari Pour Mohsen
Published: June 2020

The present investigation addressed the entropy generation, fluid flow, and heat transfer regarding Cu-Al 2 O 3 -water hybrid nanofluids into a complex shape enclosure containing a hot-half partition were addressed. The sidewalls of the enclosure are made of wavy walls including cold isothermal temperature while the upper and lower surfaces remain insulated. The governing equations toward conservation of mass, momentum, and energy were introduced into the form of partial differential equations. The second law of thermodynamic was written for the friction and thermal entropy productions as a function of velocity and temperatures. The governing equations occurred molded into a non-dimensional pattern and explained through the finite element method. Outcomes were investigated for Cu-water, Al 2 O 3 -water, and Cu-Al 2 O 3 -water nanofluids to address the effect of using composite nanoparticles toward the flow and temperature patterns and entropy generation. Findings show that using hybrid nanofluid improves the Nusselt number compared to simple nanofluids. In the case of low Rayleigh numbers, such enhancement is more evident. Changing the geometrical aspects of the cavity induces different effects toward the entropy generation and Bejan number. Generally, the global entropy generation for Cu-Al 2 O 3 -water hybrid nanofluid takes places between the entropy generation values regarding Cu-water and Al 2 O 3 -water nanofluids.
The Role of Innovation in Industry Product Deployment: Developing Thermal Energy Storage for Concentrated Solar Power
Authors: Prieto Cristina , Fereres Sonia , Cabeza Luisa F.
Published: June 2020

Industries with fast-developing technologies and knowledge-intensive business services rely on the development of scientific knowledge for their growth. This is also true in the renewable energy industry such as in concentrating solar power (CSP) plants, which have undergone intense development and expansion in the last two decades. Yet knowledge generation is not sufficient; its dissemination and internalization by the industry is indispensable for new product development. This paper contributes to providing empirical evidence on the known link between knowledge development and firm growth. In 10 years the cost of electricity produced through CSP has decreased five-fold. This decrease has only been possible due to innovation projects developed through a complex network of research and development (R&D) collaborations and intense investment, both public and (to a greater extent) private. The development and construction of pilot plants and demonstration facilities are shown to be key in maturing innovations for commercialization. This is an example of how the private sector is contributing to the decarbonisation of our energy system, contributing to the objectives of climate change mitigation.
Frequency Performance Distribution Index for Short-Term System Frequency Reliability Forecast Considering Renewable Energy Integration
Authors: Agyeman Kofi Afrifa , Umezawa Ryota , Han Sekyung
Published: June 2020

Risk in a power system’s ability to survive imminent disturbances without recourse to low operational cost and non-interruptive energy delivery remains the responsibility of every grid operator. Intermittencies in renewable energy and dynamic load variations influence the quality of power supply. The sudden changes affect the system frequency, compromising the reliability of the system grid; generation response to frequency regulation is momentous in such an incident. Slower response or smaller reserve capacity may cause a power shortage. This paper proposes a novel predictive scheme for a short-term operational reliability evaluation for system operations planning. The proposed method evaluates the operational reliability of system frequency whiles considering high renewable power penetration and energy storage system incorporation. Required energy generations, and other grid parameters, are modelled as stochastic inputs to the framework. We formulate a reliability index as a frequency distribution considering system frequency control dynamics and processes. The IEEE Reliability Test System (RTS) is used to prove the efficacy of the proposed model.
“Leaky Bucket” of Kazakhstan’s Power Grid: Losses and Inefficient Distribution of Electric Power
Authors: Velinov Emil , Petrenko Yelena , Vechkinzova Elena , Denisov Igor , Ochoa Siguencia Luis , Gródek-Szostak Zofia
Published: June 2020

This paper aims to determine and explain the main factors for power losses (the so-called “leaky bucket” effect) in Kazakhstan and the reasons for inefficient energy distribution within the country. Energy efficiency in Kazakhstan is much lower compared to more economically developed countries. The differences between energy efficiency in various regions of Kazakhstan are also significant. This article explores the impact of administrative monopoly tariffs on the regional energy efficiency, based on a national study conducted in Kazakhstan in 2017. The purpose of the study was to identify the administrative barriers and their impact on the sustainability of enterprise development. What hinders the distribution of energy resources among different regions is artificial barriers in the energy market and the administrative tariff monopoly for electric power. This leads to the inefficient distribution of resources throughout the country. In addition, it is difficult to leverage low distribution efficiency in the absence of a market. The authors attempt to prove that the magnitude of administrative barriers directly affects the efficiency and competitiveness of business, as well as the final prices of goods and services for the end consumer.
A Metal Object Detection System with Multilayer Detection Coil Layouts for Electric Vehicle Wireless Charging
Authors: Cheng Bo , Lu Jianghua , Zhang Yiming , Pan Guang , Chabaan Rakan , Mi Chunting
Published: June 2020

Non-radiative inductive power transfer is one of the most studied and commercially applied wireless charging technologies, where the magnetic field is employed as the medium for power transfer. In the wireless charging of electric vehicles, the strong magnetic field will heat up any metal items falling in the charging area due to eddy current induced in the metal objects, causing hazards like fire. Metal object detection (MOD) is necessary for the market penetration of inductive power transfer technology. This paper aims to improve the performance of systems that detect metal objects based on inductance variations. Two novel multi-layer detection coil layouts are proposed, which can not only cover the entire charging area without blind spots but can also be decoupled from the transmitter and receiver to minimize the influence of the magnetic field that is used for power transfer. Two mixed resonant circuits are proposed and proven to have better performance than parallel and series resonance. The impacts of the detection coil layer, trace width, and turn-number are investigated. The test results indicate that the MOD system can detect one-cent coins at various positions of the detection coil printed circuit board, and can also detect various inductance variations without blind spots in the processing circuit.
Clearing a Path for Ground Heat Exchange Systems: A Review on Thermal Response Test (TRT) Methods and a Geotechnical Routine Test for Estimating Soil Thermal Properties
Authors: Franco Alessandro , Conti Paolo
Published: June 2020

The performance of ground heat exchanger systems depends on the knowledge of the thermal parameters of the ground, such as thermal conductivity, capacity, and diffusivity. The knowledge of these parameters often requires quite accurate experimental analysis, known as a thermal response test (TRT). In this paper, after a general analysis of the various available types of TRT and a study of the theoretical basics of the method, we explore the perspective of the definition of a simplified routine method of analysis based on the combination of a particular version of TRT and the routine geotechnical tests for the characterization of soil stratigraphy and the ground characteristics. Geotechnical analyses are indeed mandatory before the construction of new buildings, even if limited to 30 m below the ground level or foundation base when piles are needed. The idea of developing TRT in connection with geotechnical test activity has the objective of promoting the widespread use of in situ experimental analysis and reducing TRT costs and time. The considerations presented in the present paper lead to reconsidering a particular variety of the TRT, in particular, the versions known as thermal response test while drilling (TRTWD) and TRT using heating cables (HC-TRT).
Cell Wall Saturation Limit and Selected Properties of Thermally Modified Oak Wood and Cellulose
Authors: Hrčka Richard , Kučerová Viera , Hýrošová Tatiana , Hönig Vladimír
Published: June 2020

The interaction of water and oak wood is common in outdoor expositions and will remain a probable occurrence in the future. New insights into the recognition of a cell wall saturation limit are presented by a double-weighing method at 20 °C. The cell wall saturation limit, as the property of thermally modified oak wood, is significantly influenced by different treatment temperatures (20, 160, 180, 210 and 240 °C) on a 5% alpha level. A significantly higher equilibrium moisture content was reached by thermally modified oak wood at a temperature of 20 °C and relative humidity of 65% after its equilibrium in the water-in-reservoir. Moreover, the results are used in the treatment of woodchips to produce cellulose or decomposition of thermally modified wood to its basic chemical components. The investigated properties of cellulose revealed its relationship with water. The number of water molecules bonded to a cellulose chain was correlated with other measured compositions: average molecular weight, total crystalline index, lateral order index and polydispersity index. Analyses showed that there was a strong negative correlation between lateral order index and average molecular weight. The same was true between total crystalline index and average molecular weight. The rest of the properties were positively correlated with the number of water molecules bonded to glucopyranose. The results revealed the possible regeneration of a wood sorption ability after heat treatment and the stability of cellulose in such process.
Estate-Level Economics of Carbon Storage and Sequestration
Authors: Kärenlampi Petri P.
Published: June 2020

The expense of carbon sequestration in terms of capital return deficiency is investigated at estate level, in the case of a fertile boreal estate dominated by spruce forest. Thinnings from below result as a high expense of increased rotation age, thinnings from above as a small expense. The expense of increased timber stock is greater than any proportional carbon rent based on present carbon prices. Application of nonproportional carbon rent is proposed.
A Comparison of the Loading Direction for Bending Strength with Different Wood Measurement Surfaces Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Kurata Yohei
Published: June 2020

Wood is widely used throughout society for building resources and paper. To further expand wood’s use in the wood industry, we tested the bending strength properties of wood and certified its internal quality by using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). In this study, the relationship between bending strength and loading direction was compared by changing the light acquisition point of wood surfaces to elucidate the anisotropy of the wood using NIRS. The two loading directions were defined by using a bending test as the radial section and the tangential section. Two light acquisition points with NIRS were also defined by a bending test as the loading position (the compression surface) and the opposite surface (the tensile surface), and a comparison was made between the prediction accuracy of the wood’s mechanical strength properties obtained via a bending test using two pieces of light acquisition data. The strength properties of the wood bending tests were the elastic modulus in bending (Eb), the bending strength (Fb) and density (DEN). Cryptomeria japonica was prepared and cut into a final size of 20 mm × 20 mm × 320 mm. Near-infrared (NIR) spectra were obtained from the compression force side and the tensile force side (calculating these averages), and a partial-least-squares regression (PLSR) was performed for the regression analysis. In the NIR measurement position, the best calibration results of the PLSR were the averaged data between the side undergoing the compression force and that undergoing the tensile force. Comparing the two loading directions, the result for the radial section was slightly superior to that of the tangential section. The radial section showed a good relationship between the spectra acquisition position and the arrangement of the wood’s structure. The estimation accuracy of bending strength properties differed depending on the location where the NIR spectra acquisition was performed.
Leachability and Decay Resistance of Wood Polyesterified with Sorbitol and Citric Acid
Authors: Beck Greeley
Published: June 2020

Research Highlights: Polyesterification of wood with sorbitol and citric acid (SCA) increases decay resistance against brown-rot and white-rot fungi without reducing cell wall moisture content but the SCA polymer is susceptible to hydrolysis. Background and Objectives: SCA polyesterification is a low-cost, bio-based chemical wood modification system with potential for commercialisation. Materials and Methods: This study investigates moisture-related properties and decay resistance in SCA-modified wood. Scots pine sapwood was polyesterified at 140 °C with various SCA solution concentrations ranging from 14–56% w/w. Dimensional stability was assessed and leachates were analysed with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Chemical changes were characterized with attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and spectra were quantitatively compared with peak ratios. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LFNMR) relaxometry was used to assess water saturated samples and decay resistance was determined with a modified EN113 test. Results: Anti-swelling efficiency (ASE) ranged from 23–43% and decreased at higher weight percentage gains (WPG). Reduced ASE at higher WPG resulted from increased water saturated volumes for higher treatment levels. HPLC analysis of leachates showed detectable citric acid levels even after an EN84 leaching procedure. ATR-FTIR analysis indicated increased ester content in the SCA-modified samples and decreased hydroxyl content compared to controls. Cell wall water assessed by non-freezing moisture content determined with LFNMR was found to increase because of the modification. SCA-modified samples resisted brown-rot and white-rot decay, with a potential decay threshold of 50% WPG. Sterile reference samples incubated without fungi revealed substantial mass loss due to leaching of the samples in a high humidity environment. The susceptibility of the SCA polymer to hydrolysis was confirmed by analysing the sorption behaviour of the pure polymer in a dynamic vapour sorption apparatus. Conclusions: SCA wood modification is an effective means for imparting decay resistance but, using the curing parameters in the current study, prolonged low-level leaching due to hydrolysis of the SCA polymer remains a problem.
Terpenoid Accumulation Links Plant Health and Flammability in the Cypress-Bark Canker Pathosystem
Authors: Della Rocca Gianni , Danti Roberto , Hernando Carmen , Guijarro Mercedes , Michelozzi Marco , Carrillo Cristina , Madrigal Javier
Published: June 2020

To explore the possible relationship between diseased trees and wildfires, we assessed the flammability of canker-resistant and susceptible common cypress clones that were artificially infected with Seiridium cardinale compared to healthy trees. This study explored the effect of terpenoids produced by the host plant in response to infection and the presence of dead plant portions on flammability. Terpenoids were extracted and quantified in foliage and bark samples by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). A Mass Loss Calorimeter was used to determine the main flammability descriptors. The concentration of terpenoids in bark and leaf samples and the flammability parameters were compared using a generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) model. A partial least square (PLS) model was generated to predict flammability based on the content of terpenoid, clone response to bark canker and the disease status of the plants. The total terpenoid content drastically increased in the bark of both cypress clones after infection, with a greater (7-fold) increase observed in the resistant clone. On the contrary, levels of terpenoids in leaves did not alter after infection. The GLMM model showed that after infection, plants of the susceptible clone appeared to be much more flammable in comparison to those of resistant clones, showing higher ignitability, combustibility, sustainability and consumability. This was mainly due to the presence of dried crown parts in the susceptible clone. The resistant clone showed a slightly higher ignitability after infection, while the other flammability parameters did not change. The PLS model (R2Y = 56%) supported these findings, indicating that dead crown parts and fuel moisture content accounted for most of the variation in flammability parameters and greatly prevailed on terpenoid accumulation after infection. The results of this study suggest that a disease can increase the flammability of trees. The deployment of canker-resistant cypress clones can reduce the flammability of cypress plantations in Mediterranean areas affected by bark canker. Epidemiological data of diseased tree distribution can be an important factor in the prediction of fire risk.
Water-Related Payment Schemes for Forest Ecosystem Services in Selected Southeast European (SEE) Countries
Authors: Vuletić Dijana , Krajter Ostoić Silvija , Keča Ljiljana , Avdibegović Mersudin , Potočki Kristina , Posavec Stjepan , Marković Aleksandar , Pezdevšek Malovrh Špela
Published: June 2020

This paper examines the level of payment for ecosystem services (PES) concept implementation in the financing of water-related forest ecosystem services (ES) in the Republic of Croatia, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H), the Republic of Slovenia, and the Republic of Serbia. The focus is on water-related forest ES recognised by the millennium ecosystem assessment (MEA). For the purpose of this paper, the term pure PES describes schemes that comply to all five conditions set by Wunder definition and term PES like for those schemes that miss some of those conditions. In the first step, the most important legislative documents related to forests, water, and environmental protection were selected. The second consists of a content analysis; focusing on the definition of ES; the definition of fees or payments; the establishment of ‘forest funds’, ‘water funds’, or ‘environmental funds’; and the way these funds were spent. Here we looked at the flow of funding into the forestry sector recognising forest management as the main water-related forest ES provider. Research revealed existence of well-established payments schemes in forestry in Croatia for almost 30 years and in FB&H for some 20 years which were assessed as closest to pure PES. In Serbia and Slovenia, there were no PES or PES like schemes in the forestry sector. In the water sector the well-established PES like payments schemes existing in all four countries. The environmental protection sector, however, rely more on the tax like rather than on the PES like schemes. Legislation in general recognised the link between forests and water, but this was much more evident in the forestry than in the water or environment sector. The role of the state is strongly pronounced in all countries studied, and was the main driving force behind all payments. However, this position of the state represents also the main obstacle for the development of pure PES schemes, together with underdeveloped private forestry and complex socio-economic conditions. Nevertheless, there is room for further development of pure PES and PES like schemes based on EU or global experiences.
Performance Model for Video Service in 5G Networks
Authors: Wang Jiao , Weitzen Jay , Bayat Oguz , Sevindik Volkan , Li Mingzhe
Published: June 2020

Network slicing allows operators to sell customized slices to various tenants at different prices. To provide better-performing and cost-efficient services, network slicing is looking to intelligent resource management approaches to be aligned to users’ activities per slice. In this article, we propose a radio access network (RAN) slicing design methodology for quality of service (QoS) provisioning, for differentiated services in a 5G network. A performance model is constructed for each service using machine learning (ML)-based approaches, optimized using interference coordination approaches, and used to facilitate service level agreement (SLA) mapping to the radio resource. The optimal bandwidth allocation is dynamically adjusted based on instantaneous network load conditions. We investigate the application of machine learning in solving the radio resource slicing problem and demonstrate the advantage of machine learning through extensive simulations. A case study is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed radio resource slicing approach.
Patient Privacy Violation Detection in Healthcare Critical Infrastructures: An Investigation Using Density-Based Benchmarking
Authors: Hurst William , Boddy Aaron , Merabti Madjid , Shone Nathan
Published: June 2020

Hospital critical infrastructures have a distinct threat vector, due to (i) a dependence on legacy software; (ii) the vast levels of interconnected medical devices; (iii) the use of multiple bespoke software and that (iv) electronic devices (e.g., laptops and PCs) are often shared by multiple users. In the UK, hospitals are currently upgrading towards the use of electronic patient record (EPR) systems. EPR systems and their data are replacing traditional paper records, providing access to patients’ test results and details of their overall care more efficiently. Paper records are no-longer stored at patients’ bedsides, but instead are accessible via electronic devices for the direct insertion of data. With over 83% of hospitals in the UK moving towards EPRs, access to this healthcare data needs to be monitored proactively for malicious activity. It is paramount that hospitals maintain patient trust and ensure that the information security principles of integrity, availability and confidentiality are upheld when deploying EPR systems. In this paper, an investigation methodology is presented towards the identification of anomalous behaviours within EPR datasets. Many security solutions focus on a perimeter-based approach; however, this approach alone is not enough to guarantee security, as can be seen from the many examples of breaches. Our proposed system can be complementary to existing security perimeter solutions. The system outlined in this research employs an internal-focused methodology for anomaly detection by using the Local Outlier Factor (LOF) and Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) algorithms for benchmarking behaviour, for assisting healthcare data analysts. Out of 90,385 unique IDs, DBSCAN finds 102 anomalies, whereas 358 are detected using LOF.
Pine Species That Support Crown Fire Regimes Have Lower Leaf-Level Terpene Contents Than Those Native to Surface Fire Regimes
Authors: Dewhirst Rebecca A , Smirnoff Nicholas , Belcher Claire M
Published: June 2020

Fire is increasingly being recognised as an important evolutionary driver in fire-prone environments. Biochemical traits such as terpene (volatile isoprenoid) concentration are assumed to influence plant flammability but have often been overlooked as fire adaptations. We have measured the leaf-level flammability and terpene content of a selection of Pinus species native to environments with differing fire regimes (crown fire, surface fire and no fire). We demonstrate that this biochemical trait is associated with leaf-level flammability which likely links to fire-proneness and we suggest that this contributes to post-fire seedling survival. We find that surface-fire species have the highest terpene abundance and are intrinsically the most flammable, compared to crown-fire species. We suggest that the biochemical traits of surface fire species may have been under selective pressure to modify the fire environment at the leaf and litter scale to moderate fire spread and intensity. We indicate that litter flammability is driven not only by packing ratios and bulk density, but also by terpene content.
The Impact of Fuel Treatments on Wildfire Behavior in North American Boreal Fuels: A Simulation Study Using FIRETEC
Authors: Marshall Ginny , Thompson Dan , Anderson Kerry , Simpson Brian , Linn Rodman , Schroeder Dave
Published: June 2020

Current methods of predicting fire spread in Canadian forests are suited to large wildfires that spread through natural forests. Recently, the use of mechanical and thinning treatments of forests in the wildland-urban interface of Canada has increased. To assist in community wildfire protection planning in forests not covered by existing operational fire spread models, we use FIRETEC to simulate fire spread in lowland black spruce fuel structures, the most common tree stand in Canada. The simulated treatments included the mechanical mulching of strips, and larger, irregularly shaped areas. In all cases, the removal of fuel by mulch strips broke up the fuels, but also caused wind speed increases, so little decrease in fire spread rate was modelled. For large irregular clearings, the fire spread slowly through the mulched wood chips, and large decreases in fire spread and intensity were simulated. Furthermore, some treatments in the black spruce forest were found to be effective in decreasing the distance and/or density of firebrands. The simulations conducted can be used alongside experimental fires and documented wildfires to examine the effectiveness of differing fuel treatment options to alter multiple components of fire behavior.
Seismic Lines in Treed Boreal Peatlands as Analogs for Wildfire Fuel Modification Treatments
Authors: Deane Patrick Jeffrey , Wilkinson Sophie Louise , Moore Paul Adrian , Waddington James Michael
Published: June 2020

Across the Boreal, there is an expansive wildland–society interface (WSI), where communities, infrastructure, and industry border natural ecosystems, exposing them to the impacts of natural disturbances, such as wildfire. Treed peatlands have previously received little attention with regard to wildfire management; however, their role in fire spread, and the contribution of peat smouldering to dangerous air pollution, have recently been highlighted. To help develop effective wildfire management techniques in treed peatlands, we use seismic line disturbance as an analog for peatland fuel modification treatments. To delineate below-ground hydrocarbon resources using seismic waves, seismic lines are created by removing above-ground (canopy) fuels using heavy machinery, forming linear disturbances through some treed peatlands. We found significant differences in moisture content and peat bulk density with depth between seismic line and undisturbed plots, where smouldering combustion potential was lower in seismic lines. Sphagnum mosses dominated seismic lines and canopy fuel load was reduced for up to 55 years compared to undisturbed peatlands. Sphagnum mosses had significantly lower smouldering potential than feather mosses (that dominate mature, undisturbed peatlands) in a laboratory drying experiment, suggesting that fuel modification treatments following a strategy based on seismic line analogs would be effective at reducing smouldering potential at the WSI, especially under increasing fire weather.
Quantification of Morpholine in Peel and Pulp of Apples and Oranges by Gas Chromatography−Mass Spectrometry
Authors: An Kunho , Kim Inhwan , Lee Chan , Moon Joon-Kwan , Suh Hee-Jae , Lee Jihyun
Published: June 2020

Morpholine salts of fatty acids have been used in wax coatings on the surfaces of fruit and vegetable commodities in China and the United States, etc. However, morpholine usage was prohibited in many other countries because of safety concerns. We optimized analytical methods to determine morpholine in the peel and pulp of fruits and vegetables by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This morpholine analysis method was applied to real samples of apples, citrus fruits, and vegetables from Korea, China, and the U.S. The method was validated using apple and citrus fruit peels and pulp. The method detection limit (MDL) was 1.3–3.3 µg/kg. The recovery rates of morpholine were 88.6–107.2% over a fortified level of 10–400 µg/kg. Intra-day and inter-day precisions were 1.4–9.4% and 1.5–2.8%, respectively. The morpholine concentrations were n.d. (not detected)–11.19 and n.d. (not detected)–12.82 µg/kg in apple and citrus peels, respectively. Morpholine was not detected in citrus or apple pulp samples or in vegetable samples.
Whey for Sarcopenia; Can Whey Peptides, Hydrolysates or Proteins Play a Beneficial Role?
Authors: Gilmartin Sarah , O’Brien Nora , Giblin Linda
Published: June 2020

As the human body ages, skeletal muscle loses its mass and strength. It is estimated that in 10% of individuals over the age of 60, this muscle frailty has progressed to sarcopenia. Biomarkers of sarcopenia include increases in inflammatory markers and oxidative stress markers and decreases in muscle anabolic markers. Whey is a high-quality, easily digested dairy protein which is widely used in the sports industry. This review explores the evidence that whey protein, hydrolysates or peptides may have beneficial effects on sarcopenic biomarkers in myoblast cell lines, in aged rodents and in human dietary intervention trials with the older consumer. A daily dietary supplementation of 35 g of whey is likely to improve sarcopenic biomarkers in frail or sarcopenia individuals. Whey supplementation, consumed by an older, healthy adult certainly improves muscle mTOR signaling, but exercise appears to have the greatest benefit to older muscle. In vitro cellular assays are central for bioactive and bioavailable peptide identification and to determine their mechanism of action on ageing muscle.
Effects of Sugars and Sugar Alcohols on the Gelatinization Temperatures of Wheat, Potato, and Corn Starches
Authors: Allan Matthew C. , Chamberlain MaryClaire , Mauer Lisa J.
Published: June 2020

The gelatinization temperature (Tgel) of starch increases in the presence of sweeteners due to sweetener-starch intermolecular interactions in the amorphous regions of starch. Different starch botanical sources contain different starch architectures, which may alter sweetener-starch interactions and the effects of sweeteners on Tgels. To document these effects, the Tgels of wheat, potato, waxy corn, dent corn, and 50% and 70% high amylose corn starches were determined in the presence of eleven different sweeteners and varying sweetener concentrations. Tgels of 2:1 sweetener solution:starch slurries were measured using differential scanning calorimetry. The extent of Tgel elevation was affected by both starch and sweetener type. Tgels of wheat and dent corn starches increased the most, while Tgels of high amylose corn starches were the least affected. Fructose increased Tgels the least, and isomalt and isomaltulose increased Tgels the most. Overall, starch Tgels increased more with increasing sweetener concentration, molar volume, molecular weight, and number of equatorial and exocyclic hydroxyl groups. Starches containing more short amylopectin chains, fewer amylopectin chains that span through multiple clusters, higher number of building blocks per cluster, and shorter inter-block chain lengths exhibited the largest Tgel increases in sweetener solutions, attributed to less stable crystalline regions.