bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perovskites: Versatile Weaponry in the Arsenal of Energy Storage and Conversion
Authors: Zarkadoulas Athanasios , Stathopoulos Vassilis N.
Published: September 2022

A plethora of multi-functional materials with properties that can be adjusted and tuned to meet the needs of energy storage and conversion has emerged over the last years [...]
Biodegradation of Synthetic Organic Compounds by Methanogenic Microbiome as an Alternative Approach for Wastewater Purification and Energy Production
Authors: Bida Iryna , Shabliy Oleksandra , Havryliuk Olesia , Hovorukha Vira , Gladka Galina , Yastremska Larysa , Kalinichenko Antonina , Janecki Daniel , Tashyrev Oleksandr
Published: September 2022

The use of fossil fuels (methane, oil, etc.) is undergoing an unprecedented crisis now. There is the urgent need to search for alternative energy sources. A wide range of degraded organic materials can be effectively used to provide energy together with environmental protection. Soapstock is a hazardous waste containing a high concentration of toxic organic compounds of man-made origin (fatty acids, surfactants, dyes, etc.). To prevent environmental contamination such substances require an effective treatment approach. The goal of the study was to isolate the adapted-to-fatty-acids methanogenic microbiome and investigate the patterns of sodium acetate and soapstock degradation with simultaneous biomethane synthesis. The effectiveness of the degradation of sodium acetate and soapstock by non-adapted and adapted microbiomes was evaluated by decreasing the concentration of dissolved organic compounds. The effectiveness of the fermentation process was determined by the biogas (mixture of CH4 and CO2) yield. The most effective degradation occurred in the variant with sodium acetate and adapted methanogens and amounted to 77.9%. In other variants, the patterns and the efficiency of purification were similar ranging from 60.6 to 68.0%. The biomethane was mostly synthesized by adapted methanogens on the soapstock and sodium acetate as substrates. Thus, the CH4 yield was 368.4 L/kg of dissolved organic compounds or 127.5 L/kg of soapstock. The results of this study demonstrated the potential of methanogenic microorganisms in the biodegradation of soapstock with simultaneous biogas synthesis. The results can serve as a basis to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels by generating biomethane via the fermentation of toxic organics.
A Review of the Mitigating Methods against the Energy Conversion Decrease in Solar Panels
Authors: Szabó Gabriella-Stefánia , Szabó Róbert , Szabó Loránd
Published: September 2022

Using solar panels is one of the cleanest ways to generate electricity ever created by mankind. The efficiency of rapidly expanding solar panels decreases during their lifetime for several reasons, such as photodegradation, hot spots, potentially induced degradation, etc. Dirt and debris accumulation on the surface of the solar panels can also significantly contribute to their performance degradation due to the diminishing of the solar radiation reaching their active surfaces. Numerous degradation mitigation methods are cited in the literature. This article briefly outlines these basic measures.
Worldwide Research Trends on Optimizing Wind Turbine Efficiency
Authors: Alcayde Alfredo , Hernandez-Escobedo Quetzalcoatl , Muñoz-Rodríguez David , Perea-Moreno Alberto-Jesus
Published: September 2022

In a world in which electricity is increasingly necessary, it is vitally important to ensure that the supply of this electricity is safe, reliable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly, reducing CO2 emissions into the atmosphere and the use of fossil fuels [...]
Methods of Large-Scale Capture and Removal of Atmospheric Greenhouse Gases
Authors: Wang Qing , Xiong Hanbing , Ming Tingzhen
Published: September 2022

The terms “global warming” and “climate change” refer to the large-scale impacts of human actions such as the burning of fossil fuels and extensive deforestation that contribute to a rise in the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere [...]
Energy Resilience in Presence of Natural and Social Uncertainties
Authors: Hu Jin-Li
Published: September 2022

The resilience of energy systems is gaining more importance under the threat of pandemics, extreme weather, natural disasters, military conflicts, trade wars, energy supply shortages, rising energy demand, etc. [...]
Influencer Marketing as a Tool in Modern Communication—Possibilities of Use in Green Energy Promotion amongst Poland’s Generation Z
Authors: Zatwarnicka-Madura Beata , Nowacki Robert , Wojciechowska Iwona
Published: September 2022

Generation Z is gaining more and more importance in the market—not only is it attaining purchasing power, but it is also setting trends. This is the generation that spends a lot of time on various social media channels, and the content posted there is a source of information, inspiration and motivation for them. Its representatives are very skeptical about traditional marketing messages, so the best way to reach them is to use influencer marketing. They are also sensitive to environmental problems and ecology. For this reason, the purpose of this paper was to identify the possibility of using influencer marketing to promote green energy in the perspective of Generation Z in Poland. The CAWI method of research was carried out April–June 2022 on a sample of 533 people aged 18 to 26, selected using a quota method. The analysis used statistically significant structure indices (percentages) and measures of correlations between the variables. The results presented confirmed the enormous popularity of social media among the representatives of Generation Z, as well as the great involvement of young consumers in tracking the activity of influencers. More than half of the respondents indicated the usefulness of influencers promoting green energy, but at the same time the vast majority of them declared that the choice of green energy in their case was determined by the opinions of other people, and that the role of influencers was negligible.
Overcurrent Protection and Unmatched Disturbance Rejection under Non-Cascade Structure for PMSM
Authors: Jiang Changhong , Wang Qiming , Zhang Niaona , Ding Haitao
Published: September 2022

A non-cascade structure with a simple parameter adjustment method and satisfying dynamic performance is investigated so as to address the problem of the complicated structure of a typical cascade control system of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) system. However, the current cannot work within a limited value under this structure, which poses a risk to circuit safety. To this end, a fast non-singular sliding mode (FNTSM) speed-control strategy is proposed to solve the inadequate resilience of the PI controller. Then, a nonlinear term is developed to address the q-axis current overrun. Furthermore, a sliding-mode disturbance observer (SMDO) is proposed to compensate for the current fluctuation caused by the unmatched load torque disturbances. Finally, stability analysis is conducted for the proposed composite strategy, and the hardware-in-the-loop experiments verify that it achieves satisfying speed-tracking performance and ensures overcurrent protection under unmatched disturbances.
Charging Behavior of Electric Vehicles: Temporal Clustering Based on Real-World Data
Authors: Märtz Alexandra , Langenmayr Uwe , Ried Sabrina , Seddig Katrin , Jochem Patrick
Published: September 2022

The increasing adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is leading to rising demand for electricity and, thus, leading to new challenges for the energy system and, particularly, the electricity grid. However, there is a broad consensus that the critical factor is not the additional energy demand, but the possible load peaks occurring from many simultaneous charging processes. Hence, sound knowledge about the charging behavior of BEVs and the resulting load profiles is required for a successful and smart integration of BEVs into the energy system. This requires a large amount of empirical data on charging processes and plug-in times, which is still lacking in literature. This paper is based on a comprehensive data set of 2.6 million empirical charging processes and investigates the possibility of identifying different groups of charging processes. For this, a Gaussian mixture model, as well as a k-means clustering approach, are applied and the results validated against synthetic load profiles and the original data. The identified load profiles, the flexibility potential and the charging locations of the clusters are of high relevance for energy system modelers, grid operators, utilities and many more. We identified, in this early market phase of BEVs, a surprisingly high number of opportunity chargers during daytime, as well as switching of users between charging clusters.
Facing Environmental Goals for Energy-Efficiency Improvements in Micro and Small Enterprises Operating in the Age of Industry 4.0
Authors: Bernat Tomasz , Flaszewska Sylwia , Lisowski Bartłomiej , Lisowska Renata , Szymańska Katarzyna
Published: September 2022

One of the biggest challenges of a modern enterprise is finding a balance between achieving environmental goals and being competitive in the era of Industry 4.0 requirements. The digital revolution is forcing companies to overcome various challenges that contribute to reducing energy consumption. Micro and small enterprises carry out activities in the field of energy efficiency by implementing measures to save energy and reduce total energy consumption. However, these activities are limited by many barriers to resources, which means that these activities are much smaller than those in large companies. The purpose of this study was to assess the performance of micro and small enterprises following environmental objectives in improving energy efficiency. The research study, based on a structured and standardized survey questionnaire, was conducted with the use of the CATI technique between April and May 2022 among the owners of micro and small enterprises operating in Poland. The study showed that: (a) the activities of Polish micro- and small-sized companies were aimed at improving energy efficiency through the implementation of environmental objectives; (b) the operation of enterprises in accordance with contemporary environmental requirements improved energy efficiency; and (c) Polish micro- and small-scale enterprises took actions in compliance with environmental requirements.
Green Jobs in the EU Renewable Energy Sector: Quantile Regression Approach
Authors: Kozar Łukasz Jarosław , Matusiak Robert , Paduszyńska Marta , Sulich Adam
Published: September 2022

This article explores the ongoing green transition in the energy sector in EU countries. The greening process is brought about by the growth of the Renewable Energy Sources (RES) sector and Green Jobs (GJ). The goal of this paper is to find out how certain factors in the RES sector affect the creation of GJ. This study uses Quantile Regression for Panel Data (QRPD), a method that addresses fixed effects. Based on secondary data from Eurostat and EurObserv’ER reports, the model was made for the EU27 countries for the years 2013–2020. The impact of the adopted variables on GJ generation is heterogeneous. Significantly, the volume of turnover in the RES, across the entire studied cross-section, influences the increase in GJ number. It is also observed that, in the case of economy-wide R&D expenditure, a negative impact on GJ creation is observed. In contrast, interestingly, in the case of R&D expenditure in the business sector, a positive effect on GJ formation is noted. A possible direction for research into the topic of GJ in the RES should be qualitative research, which could provide additional information regarding, for example, the degree of the greening of such jobs.
Proposals for Using the Advanced Tools of Communication between Autonomous Vehicles and Infrastructure in Selected Cases
Authors: Zawodny Michał , Kruszyna Maciej
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this paper is to describe solutions to yet unsolved problems of autonomous vehicles and infrastructure communication via the Internet of Things (IoT). The paper, in the form of a conceptual article, intentionally does not contain research elements, as we plan to conduct simulations in future papers. Each of the many forms of communication between vehicles and infrastructure (V2I) or vice versa offers different possibilities. Here, we describe typical situations and challenges related to the introduction of autonomous vehicles in traffic. An investment in V2I may be necessary to keep the traffic of autonomous vehicles safe, smooth, and energy efficient. Based on the review of existing solutions, we propose several ideas, key elements, algorithms, and hardware. Merely detecting the road infrastructure may not be enough. It is also necessary to consider a new form of travel called the Personal Transporter (PT). The introduction of new systems and solutions offers benefits for both autonomous vehicles and vehicles with a low degree of automation.
A Review on Emerging Communication and Computational Technologies for Increased Use of Plug-In Electric Vehicles
Authors: Tappeta Vinay Simha Reddy , Appasani Bhargav , Patnaik Suprava , Ustun Taha Selim
Published: September 2022

The electric vehicle (EV) industry is quickly growing in the present scenario, and will have more demand in the future. A sharp increase in the sales of EVs by 160% in 2021 represents 26% of new sales in the worldwide automotive market. EVs are deemed to be the transportation of the future, as they offer significant cost savings and reduce carbon emissions. However, their interactions with the power grid, charging stations, and households require new communication and control techniques. EVs show unprecedented behavior during vehicle battery charging, and sending the charge from the vehicle’s battery back to the grid via a charging station during peak hours has an impact on the grid operation. Balancing the load during peak hours, i.e., managing the energy between the grid and vehicle, requires efficient communication protocols, standards, and computational technologies that are essential for improving the performance, efficiency, and security of vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-grid (V2G), and grid-to-vehicle (G2V) communication. Machine learning and deep learning technologies are being used to manage EV-charging station interactions, estimate the charging behavior, and to use EVs in the load balancing and stability control of smart grids. Internet of Things (IoT) technology can be used for managing EV charging stations and monitoring EV batteries. Recently, much work has been presented in the EV communication and control domain. In order to categorize these efforts in a meaningful manner and highlight their contributions to advancing EV migration, a thorough survey is required. This paper presents existing literature on emerging protocols, standards, communication technologies, and computational technologies for EVs. Frameworks, standards, architectures, and protocols proposed by various authors are discussed in the paper to serve the need of various researchers for implementing the applications in the EV domain. Security plays a vital role in EV authentication and billing activities. Hackers may exploit the hardware, such as sensors and other electronic systems and software of the EV, for various malicious activities. Various authors proposed standards and protocols for mitigating cyber-attacks on security aspects in the complex EV ecosystem.
A Comprehensive Assessment of Products Management and Energy Recovery from Waste Products in the United States
Authors: Bourtsalas A. C. (Thanos) , Shen Tianxiao , Tian Yixi
Published: September 2022

This study uses the U.S. EPA data and classification of products, which includes three main categories: durables with a lifetime over 3 years, non-durables with a lifetime below 3 years, and containers and packages, which are consumed within one year. It builds connections between the management of waste products and the energy sector, by evaluating the potential contribution of such products to the U.S. energy grid, and assessing the opportunity to substitute fossil fuels, both for electricity and residential heat production. Finally, this study conducts a vis-à-vis comparison between the U.S. and the EU progress on waste management, and the associated GHG emissions. Sankey diagrams were produced to represent the flows of products management from 1990 to 2018, and the results were assessed by considering the amounts produced, the composition, and the disposition methods used, the energy potential of waste products landfilled, and the associated greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. The results indicate that the recycling of containers and packages have increased significantly during the 28-year period and became the dominant method of managing such products in the U.S. in 2015. Durable and non-durable products are mainly landfilled, and the situation has remained unchanged in the 2010s. Assuming that 30% of waste products landfilled in the U.S. were combusted for energy instead, it would have resulted in the substitution of <5% of fossil fuels used for electricity, but up to a 68% substitution of fossil fuels, such as propane, used for residential space and water heating. In the U.S., over 85% of GHG emissions are associated with the landfilling of waste materials, and although improvements in capturing and beneficially utilizing methane are implemented, the total GHG emissions have remained almost the same since 2015, with a tendency to increase. The European experience has shown that recycling and waste-to-energy are complementary in diverting materials from landfills, in enhancing energy security, and in significantly reducing GHG emissions from waste management. Future directions are discussed.
A Distributed Frequency Regulation Method for Multi-Area Power System Considering Optimization of Communication Structure
Authors: Wang Yicong , Liu Chang , Han Ji , Tan Haoyu , Ke Fangchao , Zhang Dongyin , Wei Cong , Miao Shihong
Published: September 2022

Nowadays, the influences of the communication structure on the frequency regulation performance in a multi-area power system are barely studied. In this paper, a decentralized frequency regulation method for a multi-area power system considering optimization of communication structure is presented, and the influence of the communication structure on the frequency regulation performance is studied. Firstly, the communication network model is described and the multi-area power system model considering communication structure is presented. Then, the optimization model of communication structure during a decentralized frequency regulation process is constructed. This model aims to speed up the convergence speed of the control together with ensuring the high algebraic connectivity of the communication structure. Quantum binary particle swarm optimization (QB-PSO) algorithm is introduced to solve this model and, based on this, the communication structure optimization process and frequency regulation method are proposed. The simulation results show that the proposed method could greatly improve the frequency control efficiency through the optimization of the communication structure.
Development and Tests of the Solar Air Heater with Thermal Energy Storage
Authors: Sornek Krzysztof , Papis-Frączek Karolina
Published: September 2022

Passive solutions in buildings have recently been rediscovered because they allow the rational use of solar radiation, which promotes energy savings. Thermal energy gained from the sun may be stored in the form of sensible heat in accumulative solid materials in a building envelope. This paper proposes an innovative solar air heater that captures and accumulates solar energy during the day and releases it during the night. The analyzed system is based on inexpensive ceramic modules, which can be used to construct thermal storage walls or solar chimneys in modern buildings. Both configurations have been tested experimentally and by a numerical model in ArCADia BIM software. Experiments have been carried out in laboratory conditions using a specially developed prototype. Among other parameters, power transferred from the solar air heater to the ventilation air in different conditions has been analyzed. When airflow was set to 150 m3/h, the maximum power observed under stable working conditions was approx. 355.0 W when the developed solar air heater operated as the solar chimney, and approx. 165.0 W when it operated as the solar thermal wall. When airflow was set to 200 m3/h, the maximum power was approx. 385.0 W. Experimental results have been used to calculate the efficiency of the solar air heater in real conditions. The total efficiency in the case of the solar chimney was estimated as 0.25, while in the case of the thermal wall it was estimated as 0.78, which resulted in an annual reduction in energy usage at a level of 190.7 kWh and 556.1 kWh, respectively (4.8 and 14.0%). In practice, these values can be significantly higher due to the possibility of increasing the length and shape of the accumulation heat exchanger.
Different Taxonomic and Functional Indices Complement the Understanding of Herb-Layer Community Assembly Patterns in a Southern-Limit Temperate Forest
Authors: Valerio Mercedes , Gazol Antonio , Puy Javier , Ibáñez Ricardo
Published: September 2022

The efficient conservation of vulnerable ecosystems in the face of global change requires a complete understanding of how plant communities respond to various environmental factors. We aim to demonstrate that a combined use of different approaches, traits, and indices representing each of the taxonomic and functional characteristics of plant communities will give complementary information on the factors driving vegetation assembly patterns. We analyzed variation across an environmental gradient in taxonomic and functional composition, richness, and diversity of the herb-layer of a temperate beech-oak forest that was located in northern Spain. We measured species cover and four functional traits: leaf dry matter content (LDMC), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf size, and plant height. We found that light is the most limiting resource influencing herb-layer vegetation. Taxonomic changes in richness are followed by equivalent functional changes in the diversity of leaf size but by opposite responses in the richness of SLA. Each functional index is related to different environmental factors even within a single trait (particularly for LDMC and leaf size). To conclude, each characteristic of a plant community is influenced by different and even contrasting factors or processes. Combining different approaches, traits, and indices simultaneously will help us understand how plant communities work.
Woody Plant Conservation Value of Three Contrasting Forest Management Regimes in Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Kebebew Zerihun , Ozanne Claire
Published: September 2022

The future of the Afromontane forest of southwest Ethiopia is highly influenced by coffee management intensity. The study was conducted to investigate the woody species conservation value of a human-modified forest in southwest Ethiopia. We assessed woody species composition, regeneration and forest stand structure across three different management regimes (i.e., natural forest, coffee forest and coffee agroforest using 189 plots of 400 m2 (20 m × 20 m). A total of 64 species belonging to 33 families were identified and recorded across the three forest management regimes. About 83% of the recorded woody species were maintained in the coffee agroforest. The three forest types shared 61% of the recorded woody species. The coffee agroforest had maintained four strata or layers of stand structure. Nevertheless, the total abundance, density and basal area of woody species decreased from the natural forest to coffee forest and coffee agroforest. The Analysis of Similarity (ANOSIM) showed significant difference between the natural forest, coffee forest and coffee agroforest (Global RAnosim = 0.36, p < 0.001). Similar regeneration patterns were recorded under the forest management regimes. Coffee agroforests simplify the woody plant composition and stand structure of the Afromontane forest in southwest Ethiopia.
Length-Weight Relationships and Other Morphological Traits of Fishes in the Mangrove of Hainan, China
Authors: Jiang Chengpu , Wang Wenqing , Wang Mao , Pauly Daniel
Published: September 2022

The length–weight relationships (LWR) and other morphological traits for 6417 specimens in 74 fish species collected seasonally, from July 2020 to April 2021, in the mangrove of Dongzhaigang Bay, Hainan Province, China, are presented. This involved, for all species, a sample size, and minimum and maximum lengths; in addition, for most species, it involved linear relationships between the standard length and body height and width, the height of the caudal peduncle, the pectoral fin length, and the eye diameter. This extensive coverage of mangrove-resident fish species (as opposed to species using the mangrove only as a nursery) is a first for Hainan. The various morphological traits of the mangrove fish are, for several species, the first to be published since these species’ original descriptions.
Nutritional Value of Dry Fish in Bangladesh and Its Potential Contribution to Addressing Malnutrition: A Narrative Review
Authors: Banna Md. Hasan Al , Al Zaber Abdullah , Rahman Nahidur , Siddique Md Abrar Mozahid , Siddique Muhammad Abu Bakr , Hagan John Elvis , Rifat M. A. , Nsiah-Asamoah Christiana Naa Atsreh , Seidu Abdul-Aziz , Ahinkorah Bright Opoku , Khan Md Shafiqul Islam
Published: September 2022

Understanding the linkage between the nutrient composition of foods and individuals’ recommended nutrient intake is important to address malnutrition. Despite it being a traditional and popular food item in Bangladesh, the nutrient composition of dry fish has not been reviewed yet. This study used a narrative review to assess the nutrient composition of dry fish and estimated its potential contribution to addressing some common nutritional deficiencies among children and pregnant and lactating women in Bangladesh. Records were collected from different databases, including the Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Banglajol, and ResearchGate. Data were extracted from 48 articles containing 1128 entries regarding nutrient composition. Most of the nutrient analyses estimated the proximate composition, whereas vitamin, mineral, amino acid, and fatty acid compositions were scarce in the literature. We found that dry fish has high protein and mineral content and could contribute highly to meeting the recommended nutrient intake of protein, iron, zinc, and calcium for children and pregnant and lactating women. The summarized nutrient composition data could be useful for further research to observe how dry fish could be best utilized to address malnutrition in Bangladesh. This narrative review recommends that further nutrient analysis, with emphasis on vitamin, mineral, and fatty acid compositions.
Characterization of Fruit Sorbet Matrices with Added Value from Zizyphus jujuba and Stevia rebaudiana
Authors: Petkova Teodora , Doykina Pavlina , Alexieva Iordanka , Mihaylova Dasha , Popova Aneta
Published: September 2022

Sorbets are healthy ice cream alternatives and desired frozen desserts by vegetarians and vegans. This study focuses on assessing the effects of sorbet recipe alteration through the addition of different percentages of Zizyphus jujuba powder. Stevia rebaudiana was used as a sugar substituent. A control sample and five variables were developed. Peaches from the “Laskava” (native Bulgarian) variety were used as the main ingredient. The new sorbet matrices were characterized based on their moisture and ash content, overrun, melting behavior, melting rate, water holding capacity, pH, nutritional data, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, vitamin C content, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The microbial load and CIELAB color of the sorbet alternatives was also evaluated. A sensory evaluation revealed the most preferred variant. Panelists evaluated the appearance (n = 6), aroma (n = 5), flavor (n = 5), mouthfeel (n = 7), and aftertaste (n = 5). The soluble solids content varied from 17.50 to 33.03%, the ash content from 0.36 to 5.21%, the moisture content from 63.77 to 80.21%. The studied sorbet matrices have an overrun in the range from 8.11 to 12.32%. Results showed that a potential for the development of peach sorbet matrices with added value and a reasonable consumer acceptability exists. Further research can perfect the recipe and provide a reference for other frozen desserts.
Effects of Microvibrations and Their Damping on the Evolution of Pinot Noir Wine during Bottle Storage
Authors: Poggesi Simone , Merkytė Vakarė , Longo Edoardo , Boselli Emanuele
Published: September 2022

Environmental conditions such as vibrations, temperature, and exposure to light can lower the quality of bottled wine, causing great economic and image losses for wineries. Even under optimal storage conditions, environmental microvibrations can be a constant source of energy transfer to the stored bottles, and little is known about their effects over time. In this study, the effects of microvibrations on a fine Pinot noir wine were evaluated over a storage period of one year under controlled conditions and compared with those obtained using natural magnetic levitation as a damping technique to reduce the power transmitted by the vibrations. The wines were subjected to the treatments according to the following experimental set-up: (A) wines not exposed to microvibrations, but to natural magnetic levitation; (B) wines placed on a shelf in contact with the floor, and exposed to microvibrations; (C) controls, a shelf in direct contact with the floor, without the application of microvibrations; (D) wines on a shelf with natural magnetic levitation and exposed to microvibrations. Phenolic and volatile compounds were not significantly different between treatments, which is in line with the reduced energy stress applied. In contrast, the storage time significantly influenced these chemical profiles. Through the sensory analysis performed after 0 and 12 months of storage, it was possible to distinguish the wines, as the overall quality improved, especially for the microvibration-treated samples. After 12 months of storage: (a) the overall sensory quality improved for all wines compared to the samples at T0; (b) the damping of microvibrations reduced the rate of wine evolution; (c) treatment with microvibration up to 6 months was useful for improving the quality of wine not yet ready for the market. Therefore, modulation of wine evolution can be achieved by applying a combination of microvibrations and their damping, depending on the enological objective.
A Comparative Study on the Effect of Ultrasound-Treated Apple Pomace and Coffee Silverskin Powders as Phosphate Replacers in Irish Breakfast Sausage Formulations
Authors: Thangavelu Karthikeyan Palanisamy , Tiwari Brijesh , Kerry Joseph P. , Álvarez Carlos
Published: September 2022

Ultrasound (US) technology can be used to improve the techno-functional properties of food ingredients, such as apple pomace (AP) and coffee silverskin (CSS), which can be used in meat products to enhance their quality. This study evaluated the changes produced by US-treated AP and CSS, when used as phosphate replacers, in the physicochemical properties of Irish breakfast sausages, i.e., their water holding capacity (WHC), cook loss, emulsion stability, proximate content, lipid oxidation, color, and textural parameters. Three sausage formulations with reduced phosphate concentrations were used to study the effect of US-treated AP and CSS, and an interactive relationship between US treatment and formulations using two-way ANOVA. The results showed that the addition of US-treated AP and CSS to all the formulations produced a significant interactive effect that increased the WHC (p < 0.05) and emulsion stability (p < 0.05), decreased cook loss (p < 0.05), and increased day 9 TBARS (p < 0.05) values of specific formulations. No significant changes were observed for the parameters of; color, texture, or proximate content values. Thus, this study demonstrated that the addition of US-treated AP and CSS improved the quality of phosphate-reduced sausages.
The Effect of Material Thickness, Load Density, External Airflow, and Relative Humidity on the Drying Efficiency and Quality of EHD-Dried Apples
Authors: Paul Anjaly , Martynenko Alex
Published: September 2022

Electrohydrodynamic drying is a novel non-thermal technique for dehydrating heat-sensitive foods. However, its industrial applications are limited due to the underexplored effects of material properties and environmental conditions on product quality. For this purpose, a multifactorial experiment was designed to study the effects of material thickness, load density, external airflow, and humidity on the EHD drying efficiency and quality of apple slices. The experiments show that the intensity of EHD drying increased with a decrease in humidity, slice thickness, and load density. The effective diffusivity of apple slices with EHD drying was about 5.17·10−12 m2/s, slightly increasing with external airflow. The specific energy consumption of EHD drying was 10–12 times lower than hot air drying. The time of EHD drying at 20 °C was equivalent to hot air drying at 40 °C, but the impact of EHD drying on the product quality was significantly lower. EHD drying better preserved the color and phenolic content in dried apple slices, with less cellular damage. Hence, EHD drying can be employed in industry as a sustainable alternative to hot air drying.
Physico-Chemical Properties Prediction of Flame Seedless Grape Berries Using an Artificial Neural Network Model
Authors: Al-Saif Adel M. , Abdel-Sattar Mahmoud , Aboukarima Abdulwahed M. , Eshra Dalia H. , Górnik Krzysztof
Published: September 2022

The grape is a very well-liked fruit that is valued for its distinct flavor and several health benefits, including antioxidants, anthocyanins, soluble sugars, minerals, phenolics, flavonoids, organic acids, and vitamins, which significantly improve the product’s overall quality. Today’s supply chain as a whole needs quick and easy methods for evaluating fruit quality. Thus, the objective of this study was to estimate the quality attributes of Flame Seedless grape berries cultivated under various agronomical management and other practices using color space coordinates (berry L*, berry a*, and berry b*) as inputs in an artificial neural network (ANN) model with the best topology of (3-20-11). Satisfactory predictions based on the R2 range, which was 0.9817 to 0.9983, were obtained for physical properties (i.e., berry weight, berry length, and berry diameter as well as berry adherence strength) and chemical properties (i.e., anthocyanin, total soluble solids (TSS), TSS/titratable acidity, total sugars, titratable acidity, reducing sugars, and non-reducing sugars). Meanwhile, we also performed a contribution analysis to analyze the relative importance of CIELab colorimeter parameters of berries L*, a*, and b* to determine the main fruit quality. In terms of relative contribution, berry b* contributed relatively largely to berry weight, berry adherence strength, TSS, TSS/titratable acidity, titratable acidity, total sugars, reducing sugars, and non-reducing sugars and a* contributed relatively largely to anthocyanin, berry length, and berry diameter. The developed ANN prediction model can aid growers in enhancing the quality of Flame Seedless grape berries by selecting suitable agronomical management and other practices to avoid potential quality issues that could affect consumers of them. This research demonstrated how color space coordinates and ANN model may well be utilized to evaluate the Flame seedless grape berries’ quality.
Short Peptide-Based Smart Thixotropic Hydrogels
Authors: Pramanik Bapan
Published: September 2022

Thixotropy is a fascinating feature present in many gel systems that has garnered a lot of attention in the medical field in recent decades. When shear stress is applied, the gel transforms into sol and immediately returns to its original state when resting. The thixotropic nature of the hydrogel has inspired scientists to entrap and release enzymes, therapeutics, and other substances inside the human body, where the gel acts as a drug reservoir and can sustainably release therapeutics. Furthermore, thixotropic hydrogels have been widely used in various therapeutic applications, including drug delivery, cornea regeneration and osteogenesis, to name a few. Because of their inherent biocompatibility and structural diversity, peptides are at the forefront of cutting-edge research in this context. This review will discuss the rational design and self-assembly of peptide-based thixotropic hydrogels with some representative examples, followed by their biomedical applications.
How Does a Face Mask Impact Speech Perception?
Authors: Moon Il-Joon , Jo Mini , Kim Ga-Young , Kim Nicolas , Cho Young-Sang , Hong Sung-Hwa , Seol Hye-Yoon
Published: September 2022

Face masks are mandatory during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to attenuation of sound energy and loss of visual cues which are important for communication. This study explores how a face mask affects speech performance for individuals with and without hearing loss. Four video recordings (a female speaker with and without a face mask and a male speaker with and without a face mask) were used to examine individuals’ speech performance. The participants completed a listen-and-repeat task while watching four types of video recordings. Acoustic characteristics of speech signals based on mask type (no mask, surgical, and N95) were also examined. The availability of visual cues was beneficial for speech understanding—both groups showed significant improvements in speech perception when they were able to see the speaker without the mask. However, when the speakers were wearing the mask, no statistical significance was observed between no visual cues and visual cues conditions. Findings of the study demonstrate that provision of visual cues is beneficial for speech perception for individuals with normal hearing and hearing impairment. This study adds value to the importance of the use of communication strategies during the pandemic where visual information is lost due to the face mask.
Social Support Is Linked to Post-Traumatic Growth among Tunisian Postoperative Breast Cancer Women
Authors: Fekih-Romdhane Feten , Riahi Nihed , Achouri Leila , Jahrami Haitham , Cheour Majda
Published: September 2022

The struggle with breast cancer (BC) is often associated with positive changes after diagnosis and treatment, that are being referred to as posttraumatic growth (PTG). We aimed to examine PTG and its relationship with psychosocial (i.e., psychological distress, spiritual well-being, social support), sociodemographic and cancer-related variables in Tunisian women operated on for breast cancer. This was a cross-sectional study. Seventy-nine (79) postoperative BC women were administered the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, the Spiritual Well-being Scale, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. The changes most frequently reported by participants were discovering that they were stronger than they thought they were (70.0%), having stronger religious faith (65.0%), and being better able to accept the way things work out (63.8%). Multivariate analysis showed that anxiety and social support remained significantly associated with PTG, while no significant relationship has been found for spiritual well-being. Overall, the present study adds to the existing body of research by identifying factors related to women’ s experience of PTG in a previously unexplored Arab Muslim cultural context, Tunisia. We believe that our findings may help inform strategies aiming at promoting positive psychological changes after experiencing BC, at least in our context.
Dopamine, Psychosis, and Symptom Fluctuation: A Narrative Review
Authors: Novak Gabriela , Seeman Mary V.
Published: September 2022

It has been hypothesized since the 1960s that the etiology of schizophrenia is linked to dopamine. In the intervening 60 years, sophisticated brain imaging techniques, genetic/epigenetic advances, and new experimental animal models of schizophrenia have transformed schizophrenia research. The disease is now conceptualized as a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder expressed phenotypically in four symptom domains: positive, negative, cognitive, and affective. The aim of this paper is threefold: (a) to review recent research into schizophrenia etiology, (b) to review papers that elicited subjective evidence from patients as to triggers and repressors of symptoms such as auditory hallucinations or paranoid thoughts, and (c) to address the potential role of dopamine in schizophrenia in general and, in particular, in the fluctuations in schizophrenia symptoms. The review also includes new discoveries in schizophrenia research, pointing to the involvement of both striatal neurons and glia, signaling pathway convergence, and the role of stress. It also addresses potential therapeutic implications. We conclude with the hope that this paper opens up novel avenues of research and new possibilities for treatment.
Effectiveness of Nurse-Led Interventions for the Prevention of Mental Health Issues in Patients Leaving Intensive Care: A Systematic Review
Authors: Haruna Junpei , Unoki Takeshi , Nagano Nozomi , Kamishima Shigeko , Kuribara Tomoki
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-led interventions for the prevention of mental health disorders after intensive care unit discharge through a systematic review of the literature. The searches were conducted in the MEDLINE (via PubMed), CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library databases for studies pertaining to such interventions. Two independent reviewers analyzed the studies, extracted data, and assessed the quality of the evidence. Six eligible articles were identified, all of which were regarding post-traumatic stress disorder after intensive care unit discharge. Some of the interventions were conducted during the admission and some after the discharge. One study found that multimedia education during admission improved anxiety and depression one week after discharge. The remaining five studies concluded that nurse-led interventions did not prevent mental health disorders three months to one year after intensive care unit discharge. Our review revealed a paucity of research into the effectiveness of nurse-led interventions for the prevention of mental health disorders after intensive care unit discharge. The timing and the content of these interventions, and the adequate training of nurses, appear to be key factors. Therefore, multidisciplinary interventions are likely to be more effective than those led by nurses alone.
Vulnerable Narcissism and Problematic Social Networking Sites Use: Focusing the Lens on Specific Motivations for Social Networking Sites Use
Authors: Musetti Alessandro , Grazia Valentina , Alessandra Alessia , Franceschini Christian , Corsano Paola , Marino Claudia
Published: September 2022

Research highlighted that Problematic Social Networking Sites Use (PSNSU) and vulnerable narcissism are associated. However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are still unclear. The present study aimed to test the mediating role of motives for social networking sites (SNSs) use between vulnerable narcissism and five symptoms of PSNSU (i.e., preference for online social interactions, mood regulation, cognitive preoccupation, compulsive use, and negative outcomes) in a sole model. Self-report questionnaires were completed by 344 SNSs users in the age range of 18–30 years (76.5% females; mean age = 23.80 years, standard deviation = 2.30 years). Vulnerable narcissism, three motives to use SNSs (coping, conformity, enhancement), and symptoms of PSNSU were assessed. Structural equation modeling was used to test for mediation. The results indicate that both motives with positive (i.e., enhancement) and negative (i.e., coping and conformity) valence partially mediated the association between vulnerable narcissism and different symptoms of PSNSU. We conclude that individuals with vulnerable narcissism may develop PSNSU not only as a compensatory strategy to cope with psychosocial difficulties but also as a result of a gratification-seeking process.
Coexistent Detrusor Overactivity-Underactivity in Patients with Pelvic Floor Disorders
Authors: Frigerio Matteo , Barba Marta , Marino Giuseppe , Volontè Silvia , Melocchi Tomaso , De Vicari Desirèe , Torella Marco , Salvatore Stefano , Braga Andrea , Serati Maurizio , Manodoro Stefano , Cola Alice
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Hypothesis: Pelvic floor disorders represent a series of conditions that share, in part, the same etiological mechanisms, so they tend to be concomitant. Recently, awareness of a new lower urinary tract clinical syndrome has risen, namely the coexisting overactive–underactive bladder (COUB). The etiopathogenetic process, prevalence, and related instrumental findings of COUB are not well-established. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence, clinical features, and urodynamic findings of patients with COUB in a large cohort of patients with pelvic floor disorders. Methods: A cohort of 2092 women was retrospectively analyzed. A clinical interview, urogenital examination, and urodynamic assessment were performed by a trained urogynecologist. Based on baseline symptoms, patients were divided into COUB and non-COUB groups, and the degree of concordance between COUB and urodynamic findings, and other parameters related to the clinical aspects of these patients were measured and analyzed. Results: 18.8% of patients were classified as COUB. The association between COUB and patients with coexisting detrusor overactivity–underactivity (DOU) was statistically significant and there were substantial similarities in terms of population characteristics, symptoms, and urodynamic findings. Conclusions: Our study showed a high prevalence of COUB, and a link between this clinical syndrome and DOU was demonstrated. They showed substantial similarities in terms of clinical and urodynamics correlates. Based on these findings, we do think that urodynamic tests can be useful to improve knowledge on COUB and may be of help in the management of this condition.