bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virtual Vector-Based Direct Power Control of a Three-Phase Coupled Inductor-Based Bipolar-Output Active Rectifier for More Electric Aircraft
Authors: Zhao Yajun , Huang Wenxin , Bu Feifei
Published: March 2023

Direct power control (DPC) has gained increasing attention in recent years as a simple and efficient control strategy for pulse width modulation (PWM) rectifiers. In this paper, the idea of DPC is introduced into the three-phase coupled inductor-based bipolar-output active rectifier (TCIBAR) for the first time, and a virtual vector-based direct power control (VVB-DPC) strategy is proposed for TCIBAR to realize the bipolar DC power supply for more electric aircraft (MEA). First, the mathematical model of the TCIBAR is deduced, and the basic principle of the classic DPC strategy is reviewed. On this basis, the limitations of the classic DPC strategy in TCIBAR control are analyzed. Second, a set of virtual vectors are derived to establish a novel virtual-vector switching table. Based on the virtual-vector switching table, the hysteresis power control of TCIBAR can be realized without affecting the DC-side neutral-point potential of TCIBAR. Finally, a neutral-point potential control method based on DPC architecture is studied and integrated into the VVB-DPC strategy to maintain the bipolar DC voltage balance of TCIBAR under unbalanced load conditions. The VVB-DPC strategy is experimentally studied on a TCIBAR prototype, and the experimental results verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
Energy Planning of Renewable Energy Sources in an Italian Context: Energy Forecasting Analysis of Photovoltaic Systems in the Residential Sector
Authors: Palladino Domenico , Calabrese Nicolandrea
Published: March 2023

Solar photovoltaic systems will play a key role in the country’s energy mix thanks to their ability to meet increasing energy needs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Despite the potential of solar photovoltaic energy, several criticalities remain, such as the intermittent nature and the need for significant land use for its implementation. In this regard, this work aimed at evaluating the photovoltaic potentiality in a national context by 2030 and 2050, considering only installations on the roof surfaces of existing buildings, i.e., without consuming additional land. This study has allowed the answering of three key points: (i) the roof surface could represent a valuable and alternative solution for new installations, since it could amount to around 450 km2, (ii) the national target cannot be reached by only using installations on existing buildings, although some regions could get close to the target by 2050, and (iii) long-term energy incentives should be implemented branching out to each national region, considering their photovoltaic potential. Finally, a regional potential index was also defined, capable of evaluating the photovoltaic potential in each region, helping policymakers to adopt the most suitable energy strategies.
Design of a Device and System to Study the Liquid–Solid-Phase Equilibrium Experiment of CO2 in PLNG
Authors: Zhu Jianlu , Li Zihe , Li Yuxing
Published: March 2023

Pressurized liquefied natural gas (PLNG) is a new natural gas liquefaction solution proposed in recent years for reducing the construction and operating costs of floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG). For natural gas, the liquefaction temperature is strongly influenced by the pressure; when the pressure increases, the liquefaction temperature of natural gas increases accordingly. The increase in the liquefaction temperature of natural gas leads to a higher solubility of impurities such as carbon dioxide, which means that the pretreatment standards for liquefied natural gas can be reduced. Therefore, the use of PLNG technology can simplify pretreatment plants and significantly reduce construction and operating costs. In order to better apply PLNG technology to FLNG, it is necessary to understand the solubility of carbon dioxide in pressurized LNG and the phase change during liquefaction. To achieve this, experimental setups are needed to simulate the temperature and pressure environment of the LNG to obtain the relevant data and observe the relevant phenomena. After a literature research and analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of previous experimental setups, several improvements are proposed in this paper, and based on this, a visualization device is designed for studying the liquid–solid-phase equilibrium experiment of CO2 in PLNG. The device has a pressure resistance of 20 MPa, a minimum operating temperature of 77 K, and a variable volume function. It is also equipped with a sapphire window to be able to observe the inside of the device. In order to verify the superiority of the device, experiments were conducted using the device to verify the pressure resistance, variable volume, and visualization functions of the device. The experimental results show that the experimental device designed in this paper does have a certain superiority.
Screening and Surveillance Bias in Cancer
Authors: Tancredi Stefano , Cullati Stéphane , Chiolero Arnaud
Published: March 2023

Surveillance bias arises when differences in the frequency of a condition are due to changes in the modality of detection rather than to a difference in the actual risk of the condition. This bias hampers the surveillance of scrutiny-dependent cancers, leading to misinterpretations of cancer trends, risk factor identification, and, consequently, to the wrong public health actions.
Trends of Forest Harvesting Ages by Ownership and Function and the Effects of the Recent Changes of the Forest Law in Hungary
Authors: Kottek Péter , Király Éva , Mertl Tamás , Borovics Attila
Published: March 2023

To determine the optimum time to harvest the trees is one of the most interesting problems in the economics of forest resources. It is highly debated whether forests in the Northern hemisphere should be used as carbon sinks or harvested more for long- or short-term wood use for carbon storage in long-lived wood products and for the use of bioenergy. In our study we examined the trend of the cutting ages by tree species, ownership and function in the period of 2006–2021 based on the data of the National Forestry Database (NFD). We also examined whether any changes in the effective rotation linked to the change of the Hungarian Forest Act in 2017 could be observed. We concluded that there were two main sub-groups in the case of which different trends applied. In the case of state-owned forests and indigenous species with a long rotation period, the actual harvesting ages had an increasing trend in the last fifteen years, while in the case of some species with short rotation periods and lower levels of naturalness, the cutting ages in private forests had a decreasing trend. The rotation period of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) showed a decreasing trend with a significant decrease in private production forests between years 2016 and 2021. This implies that since the more permissive regulation, the management of private black locust stands has moved towards the economically more profitable 20 years rotation cycle. We concluded that the new Forest Act of 2017 can be regarded as an important step towards the separation of forest functions, which means that the role of state-owned forests and forests with high nature conservation value is to protect biodiversity, provide ecosystem services and mitigate climate change through carbon storage in trees, dead wood and in the soil, while the role of forest plantations and forests with lower level of naturalness is to provide timber which is a climate-friendly resource, and which can contribute to climate change mitigation through long-term carbon storage in wood products, wooden buildings and through the substitution of fossil products and fossil fuels.
Spatial Distribution of Lepidoptera in Forest Ecosystems of Central European Russia: Studies Using Beer Traps
Authors: Ruchin Alexander B.
Published: March 2023

Temperate forests are highly complex ecosystems in which many aspects of invertebrate distribution and abundance remain poorly understood. In order to accumulate data on the vertical and temporal distribution of forest Lepidoptera in the Republic of Mordovia (central European part of Russia), specimens were collected with beer-baited traps from April to October in 2019–2022. Traps were deployed at different heights above ground level (i.e., 1,5, 3,5, 7, and 12 m) in deciduous forests, pine forests, forest edges, and forest glades. Over the four-year sampling period, over 69,000 specimens of Lepidoptera were collected and examined. In deciduous forests, maximum abundance was observed at 12 m above ground level, whereas in pine forests, maximum abundance was observed at 7 m. In both forest types, the lowest abundance was observed at the lowest sample sites (i.e., 1.5 m above ground level). In forest glades in 2020, maximum abundance was observed at 2 m, with abundance showing a conspicuous decline with trap height above the ground. However, this pattern was not repeated in subsequent years. Lepidoptera exhibited various patterns of seasonal abundance among habitat types, but most showed bi- or trimodal patterns (corresponding with spring summer and fall), with the greatest number of specimens captured in late summer or autumn. Forest edges showed the greatest abundance of all sampled habitat types.
A 195-Year Growing Season Relative Humidity Reconstruction Using Tree-Ring Cellulose δ13C in the Upper Tarim River Basin, NW China
Authors: Ye Yuanda , Liu Yu , Li Qiang , Ren Meng , Cai Qiufang , Sun Changfeng , Song Huiming , Li Teng , Ye Mao , Zhang Tongwen
Published: March 2023

Reconstruction of relative humidity changes in the upper Tarim River using carbon isotopic tree-ring chronology bridges the gap in historical observations on the Tarim River Basin in Arid Central Asia. Populus euphratica Olivier (P. euphratica), growing in the Tarim River Basin of Xinjiang, is an excellent record of past climate change. Based on precise dating, we analysed alpha-cellulose stable carbon isotopes in four cores of P. euphratica taken from the Alaer region of the upper Tarim River Basin. The four stable carbon isotope series records were corrected by the “pin method” and then combined into a carbon isotopic discrimination (Δ13C) series by the “numerical mix method”. The discrimination (Δ13C) series were clearly correlated with the mean relative humidity (RHAS) in April–September of the growing season (n = 60, r = −0.78, p < 0.001), and according to the climate response analysis, we designed a simple regression equation to reconstruct the mean relative humidity (RHAS) in April–September from 1824 to 2018 on the Alaer region. The reconstructed sequence showed mainly dry periods in the last 195 years, 1857–1866 and 1899–1907, while primarily wet periods from 1985 to 2016. Due to increased global warming and human activities, the climate shifted from “warm–dry” to “warm–wet” in the mid-to-late 1980s, when there were signs of a shift from “warm–wet” to “warm–dry” in the 2010s, with an increasing trend towards aridity. The RHAS series of Alaer compares well to other hydroclimate series’ surrounding the research area, and the spatial correlation analysis indicates that the reconstructed series has good regional representativeness. On an interdecadal scale, the revamped RHAS series is positively correlated with the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) and negatively correlated with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), reflecting the influence of westerly circulation on regional wet and dry variability. At the same time, the RHAS may also be influenced by The Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO).
Full-Length Transcriptome Sequencing and Identification of Hsf Genes in Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook
Authors: Ji Yuan , Wu Hua , Zheng Xueyan , Zhu Liming , Zhu Zeli , Chen Ya , Shi Jisen , Zheng Renhua , Chen Jinhui
Published: March 2023

Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. (Chinese fir) is an important timber species that is widely cultivated in southern China. However, the shallow root system and weak drought resistance of Chinese fir are not enough to cope with high temperature and drought. In recent years, molecular biology has been used to modify plants to make them more resilient. Therefore, improving heat and drought resistance of Chinese fir by molecular biology technology is one of the best choices, whereas fewer genetic information resources for C. lanceolata limit more comprehensive molecular studies. In this study, single-molecule full-length transcriptome (SMRT) sequencing technology was used to obtain full-length transcriptome data on Chinese fir. A total of 21,331 transcripts were obtained via co-assembly, and 11,094 gene sets were obtained via further de-redundancy. In addition, gene function annotation and gene structure analysis were performed. We also used these data to identify nine heat shock transcription factors (Hsfs) in Chinese fir, and heat stress transcriptome and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses revealed expression changes in response to heat stress, indicating that these may play roles in heat resistance. These studies have enriched the genetic information resources of Chinese fir, which may be utilized for further species promotion, improvement, and application.
How Did the Comprehensive Commercial Logging Ban Policy Affect the Life Satisfaction of Residents in National Forest Areas? A Case Study in Northeast China and Inner Mongolia
Authors: Liu Yapei , Zhao Rong , Chen Shaozhi
Published: March 2023

To protect the forest ecological environment, China implemented the Comprehensive Commercial Logging Ban Policy (CCLBP), yet it has a major impact on forest residents. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the CCLBP from the perspective of the satisfaction of residents. In this study, we used 242 questionnaires from residents in national forest areas in Northeast China and Inner Mongolia to evaluate satisfaction and its influencing factors by factor analysis combined with the entropy method and multiple linear regression, respectively. The results show that: (1) the overall policy satisfaction of residents in national forest areas is 60.9, which is lower than the theoretical neutral value of policy satisfaction. Increasing employment opportunities, transferring surplus employees and developing forest economy are important to improve the satisfaction of residents. (2) Life satisfaction was higher in the high-income group than in the low-income group. Increasing wage income can improve the satisfaction of residents in national forest areas. (3) The satisfaction of the worker group was significantly higher than that of the forest farmer group. Improving job stability and policy equity are important to promote life satisfaction of residents in national forest areas. (4) The satisfaction of the Yichun Forest Industry Group was significantly higher than the Inner Mongolia Forest Group. Natural resource endowment and adaptability to the CCLBP are the main factors affecting the satisfaction of different forest industry groups. At the same time, focusing on the institutional supply of external support policies in order to provide them access to information, employment advice and other services is very significant. This research provides a new approach to studying the CCLBP, which is of great practical significance for raising the wellbeing index of national forest areas.
Aspergillus nidulans—Natural Metabolites Powerhouse: Structures, Biosynthesis, Bioactivities, and Biotechnological Potential
Authors: Ghazawi Kholoud F. , Fatani Sarah A. , Mohamed Shaimaa G. A. , Mohamed Gamal A. , Ibrahim Sabrin R. M.
Published: March 2023

Nowadays, finding out new natural scaffolds of microbial origin increases at a higher rate than in the past decades and represents an auspicious route for reinvigorating the pool of compounds entering pharmaceutical industries. Fungi serve as a depository of fascinating, structurally unique metabolites with considerable therapeutic significance. Aspergillus genus represents one of the most prolific genera of filamentous fungi. Aspergillus nidulans Winter G. is a well-known and plentiful source of bioactive metabolites with abundant structural diversity, including terpenoids, benzophenones, sterols, alkaloids, xanthones, and polyketides, many of which display various bioactivities, such as cytotoxicity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimicrobial activities. The current work is targeted to survey the reported literature on A. nidulans, particularly its metabolites, biosynthesis, and bioactivities, in addition to recent reports on its biotechnological potential. From 1953 till November 2022, relying on the stated data, 206 metabolites were listed, with more than 100 references.
Chemical and Aromatic Changes during Fermentation of Kombucha Beverages Produced Using Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) Fruits
Authors: Tejedor-Calvo Eva , Morales Diego
Published: March 2023

The use of alternative ingredients in the production of kombucha has seen a recent increase. Our research aimed to characterize the chemical, nutritional, microbial, and aromatic profiles of kombucha beverages prepared with strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) fruits fermented with three different SCOBYs for 21 days. The analyses showed similar levels of microbiological groups (aerobic mesophilic microorganisms, lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria, and yeasts)among the SCOBYs used. The beverages studied displayed a decrease in pH value and carbohydrate content, and protein degradation was also observed as fermentation progressed. However, the increase in total phenolic compounds during the first week proved to be a point of interest. A total of 20 volatile organic compounds were detected, giving different sensory qualities to the beverages: higher ethanol, benzaldehyde-4-ethyl, or acetic acid depending on the SCOBY used. The results obtained indicated that strawberry tree kombucha might be an alternative beverage with notable nutritional and aromatic properties, with fermentation time and SCOBY composition being identified as crucial factors.
Biotransformations Performed by Yeasts on Aromatic Compounds Provided by Hop—A Review
Authors: Buiatti Stefano , Tat Lara , Natolino Andrea , Passaghe Paolo
Published: March 2023

The biodiversity of some Saccharomyces (S.) strains for fermentative activity and metabolic capacities is an important research area in brewing technology. Yeast metabolism can render simple beers very elaborate. In this review, we examine much research addressed to the study of how different yeast strains can influence aroma by chemically interacting with specific aromatic compounds (mainly terpenes) from the hop. These reactions are commonly referred to as biotransformations. Exploiting biotransformations to increase the product’s aroma and use less hop goes exactly in the direction of higher sustainability of the brewing process, as the hop generally represents the highest part of the raw materials cost, and its reduction allows to diminish its environmental impact.
Green Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Using Sesbania grandiflora Leaf Extract and Their Evaluation of Anti-Diabetic, Cytotoxic, Anti-Microbial, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties in an In-Vitro Approach
Authors: Ramasubbu Kanagavalli , Padmanabhan Siddharth , Al-Ghanim Khalid A. , Nicoletti Marcello , Govindarajan Marimuthu , Sachivkina Nadezhda , Rajeswari Vijayarangan Devi
Published: March 2023

Green methods of synthesizing nanoparticles are safer than chemical and physical methods, as well as being eco-friendly and cost-efficient. In this study, we use copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) fabricated with Sesbania grandiflora (Sg) (Hummingbird tree) leaves to test the effectiveness of green synthesizing methods. The attained Sg-CuO NPs physical and optical nature is characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy Differential Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX). UV-Vis spectrum for Sg-CuO NPs revealed a peak at 410 nm. SEM images showed the aggregation of needle-shaped particles, at a size of 33 nm. The amylase and glucosidase enzymes were inhibited by the Sg-CuO NPs up to 76.7% and 72.1%, respectively, indicating a possible antihyperglycemic effect. Fabricated Sg-CuO NPs disclosed the excellent inhibition of DPPH-free radicle formation (89.7%) and repressed protein degradation (81.3%). The results showed that Sg-CuO NPs display good anti-bacterial activity against the gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus). Cytotoxicity of the Sg-CuO NPs was determined using anIC50 of 37 μg/mL. Sg-CuO NPs have shown promising anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, protein degradation-inhibiting, and anti-microbial properties. Our findings have shown that synthesized Sg-CuO NPs have biological activities that may be utilized to treat bacterial infections linked to hyperglycemia.
A Replica-Selection Algorithm Based on Transmission Completion Time Estimation in ICN
Authors: Wang Zhiyuan , Ni Hong , Han Rui
Published: March 2023

As the Internet communication model changes from host-centric to content-centric, information-centric networking (ICN) as a new network architecture has received increasing attention. There are often multiple replicas of content in ICN, and how to reasonably utilize the characteristics of multiple replicas to further improve user experience is an important issue. In this paper, we propose a replica-selection algorithm, called the transmission completion time estimation (TCTE) algorithm. TCTE maintains the state of replica nodes in the domain with passive measurements in a limited domain of an enhanced name resolution system (ENRS), then estimates the transmission completion time of different replica nodes and selects the smallest one. When no replica is found in the ENRS domain, the nearest-replica algorithm will be used, so TCTE will not increase the traffic in the core network. Experiments show that TCTE not only effectively improves the user’s download rate and edge node throughput, reduces download rate fluctuations, reduces user download delay, and improves fairness, but also has universal applicability.
Zonal Turbulence Modeling Approach for Simulating Compartment Fire for Initial Hazard Assessment
Authors: Mok Wai Kuen , Chow Wan Ki
Published: March 2023

The flow field driven by a compartment fire usually contains several flow zones with different physical structures. As each type of turbulence model has its own predominant application area, it is logical to apply two or more simple turbulence models to the same fire-induced flow field at different locations according to their predominant features to yield a comparatively simple, accurate, and stable zonal turbulence model. A zonal turbulence model, which is a hybrid of the standard k-ε model and its modification, is developed in this paper. The model is tested and compared with the experimental data. A promising improvement is observed when comparing it with the base turbulence model, i.e., the standard k-ε model, especially in the recirculating region near the corners of the compartment. This approach in having different zones in the plume region will be useful for handling more scenarios at the initial stage of fire hazard assessments.
Influence of Nano Composites on the Impact Resistance of Concrete at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Kanagaraj Balamurali , Nammalvar Anand , Andrushia A. Diana , Gurupatham Beulah Gnana Ananthi , Roy Krishanu
Published: March 2023

The addition of nanomaterials to concrete efficiently fills the pores of the concrete, thereby improving its hardening characteristics. However, no research is available in the literature that investigated the influence of nano-cement (NC), nano-silica-fume (NS), nano-fly-ash (NF), and nano-metakaolin (NM), which are used as partial replacements for cement, on the impact strength (IS) of concrete at elevated temperatures. This issue is addressed herein. Nanomaterials were used in this study to replace 10%, 20%, and 30% of the cement in four different grades of concrete, starting from M20 to M50, at different temperatures. This nano-blended matrix was exposed to various temperatures ranging from 250 °C to 1000 °C, with an increment of 250 °C. In total, the results of 384 new tests were reported. In addition, morphological changes undergone by the concrete specimens were observed through a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The study revealed that the type of binder, proportion of binder, heating intensity, duration, and cooling type directly influenced the impact strength of concrete when subjected to elevated temperature. In comparison to NC, NF, NS, and NM, the mix with NC possessed superior performance when it was heated at 1000 °C. Prior to being subjected to elevated temperatures, the MK blended concrete mix performed well; however, when subjected to elevated temperatures, the MK blended concrete also experienced severe damage.
Impact of Different Drying Methods on the Phenolic Composition, In Vitro Antioxidant Activity, and Quality Attributes of Dragon Fruit Slices and Pulp
Authors: Dadhaneeya Harsh , Kesavan Radha Krishnan , Inbaraj Baskaran Stephen , Sharma Minaxi , Kamma Srinivasulu , Nayak Prakash Kumar , Sridhar Kandi
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study was to compare the refractance window drying method (RWD) with the hot air oven drying (HD), vacuum drying (VD), and freeze-drying (FD) methods in order to analyze the outcomes of the qualitative properties of dragon fruit slices and pulp. Moreover, the impact of temperature on the phenolic content, antioxidant activity, color, and texture of the dragon fruit slices and pulp were studied. The results showed that the RWD samples exhibited a high nutritional quality in contrast to the other drying methods. The RWD method had a short drying time of 960 min to reach the final moisture content of 6.50% (dry basis), while the FD, VD, and HD methods had significantly higher drying times of 1320, 1200, and 1080 min, respectively, to reach the final moisture content. Higher values of TPC (182 mg GAE/100 g) and crude fiber (0.98%) were obtained in the RWD dragon fruit samples, indicating the potential of RWD to preserve the quality of dried samples. In conclusion, this study revealed that RWD provides an appropriate drying temperature as an alternative to freeze-drying. RWD may improve dragon fruit drying, adding value to the food industry.
pH Effect on the Structure, Rheology, and Electrospinning of Maize Zein
Authors: Wu Yuehan , Du Jinhui , Zhang Jiahan , Li Yanlei , Gao Zhiming
Published: March 2023

As a simple and convenient technology to fabricate micron-to-nanoscale fibers with controllable structure, electrostatic spinning has produced fiber films with many natural advantages, including a large specific surface area and high porosity. Maize zein, as a major storage protein in corn, showed high hydrophobicity and has been successfully applied as a promising carrier for encapsulation and controlled release in the pharmaceutical and food areas. Proteins exhibit different physical and chemical properties at different pH values, and it is worth investigating whether this change in physical and chemical properties affects the properties of electrospun fiber films. We studied the pH effects on zein solution rheology, fiber morphology, and film properties. Rotational rheometers were used to test the rheology of the solutions and establish a correlation between solution concentration and fiber morphology. The critical concentrations calculated by the cross-equation fitting model were 17.6%, 20.1%, 20.1%, 17.1%, and 19.5% (w/v) for pH 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, respectively. The secondary structure of zein changed with the variation in solution pH. Furthermore, we analyzed the physical properties of the zein films. The contact angles of the fiber membranes prepared with different pH spinning solutions were all above 100, while zein films formed by solvent evaporation showed hydrophilic properties. The results indicated that the rheological properties of zein solutions and the surface properties of the film were affected by the pH value. This study showed that zein solutions can be stabilized to form electrospun fibers at a variety of pH levels and offered new opportunities to further enhance the encapsulation activity of zein films for bioactive materials.
Determination of Nutritional and Antioxidant Properties of Maya Nut Flour (Brosimum alicastrum) for Development of Functional Foods
Authors: Losoya-Sifuentes Carolina , Pinto-Jimenez Karen , Cruz Mario , Rodriguez-Jasso Rosa M. , Ruiz Hector A. , Loredo-Treviño Araceli , López-Badillo Claudia Magdalena , Belmares Ruth
Published: March 2023

Maya nut (Brosimum alicastrum) is a novel food with high nutritional value. This research aimed to evaluate the nutritional and antioxidant properties of Maya nut flour (MNF) made from seeds dried by different methods (sun-dried and using hot air at 45 °C and 60 °C) to explore its incorporation into cookies and evaluate its nutritional and functional properties. The naturally sun-dried flour (NF) had the highest content of ash (3.64 ± 0.11 g/100 g), protein (6.35 ± 0.44 g/100 g), crude fiber (6.75 ± 0.29 g/100 g), and functional properties (water and oil absorption). The color of the flour was affected by the different drying methods. While the drying methods influenced the total polyphenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (AA) of MNF, they did not affect the morphology of the native starch or generated important molecular-structural changes. The substitution of 60% of wheat flour with NF in the cookie’s formula increased the protein and fiber content, whereas 20% substitution increased its AA. MNF is a source of protein, dietary fiber, micronutrients, and functional compounds that can enrich cookie formulations.
Study of Physico-Chemical Properties of Dough and Wood Oven-Baked Pizza Base: The Effect of Leavening Time
Authors: Covino Clelia , Sorrentino Angela , Di Pierro Prospero , Masi Paolo
Published: March 2023

The research objective was to investigate the morpho-rheological, chemical, and structural changes of dough and Neapolitan pizza TSG as the leavening time varies and to evaluate their effects on the digestibility of starch and on the formation of acrylamide during baking. Pizza dough leavening was monitored for 48 h at 22 °C/80% RH, and the analyses were conducted at selected leavening times (0, 4, 8, 16, 24, and 48 h). It was observed that in 30 h the volume tripled and the viscoelastic dough relaxed in the first 4 h, as evidenced by the lower value of the relaxation percentage “a” and the higher rate of decay “b”, associated with a high value of the compression work, indicating the presence of a very strong gluten mesh. In the following hours, the dough lost elasticity, and in fact, the G’ modulus decreased due to the weakening of the weak interactions between the gluten proteins and the starch. This suggests that a long leavening improved the extensibility of the pizza disc, facilitating the action of the pizza maker. Thermal (TGA and DSC) and morphological (SEM) analyses evidenced the highest water removal rate from the dough, a wider starch gelatinization temperature range, a ∆H of 0.975 ± 0.013 J/g, and a more open and weak gluten structure in dough balls leavened for 16 h. As the leavening time increased, both dough and pizza base samples showed an increase in reducing sugars and free amino groups, while the rapidly digestible starch decreased in the dough following the metabolism of the yeasts and increased in the pizza base due to the starch gelatinization that occurs during baking, which makes it much more susceptible to α-amylase. Finally, the levels of acrylamide remained at the same values despite the higher availability of reducing sugars and its precursors during leavening.
Effect of Heat Transfer Medium and Rate on Freezing Characteristics, Color, and Cell Structure of Chestnut Kernels
Authors: Cheng Lina , Wu Weijun , Li Jinghao , Lin Xian , Wen Jing , Peng Jian , Yu Yuanshan , Zhu Jieli , Xiao Gengsheng
Published: March 2023

This paper compared the effects of air and nitrogen on the freezing characteristics, color, and cell structures of chestnut kernels at different rates of heat transfer and adopted liquid nitrogen spray quick-freezing (NF−40 °C/−60 °C/−80 °C/−100 °C) and still air freezing (AF−20 °C/−40 °C) as the freezing methods. The ratio of heat transfer coefficients in N2 groups was two times as high as those in air groups, and NF−100 °C and NF−80 °C showed better freezing characteristics, good protection for cytoskeletons, and the color was similar to those of the fresh group. Taking both Multivariate Analysis of Variance (Principal Components Analysis and Cluster Analysis) and economic factors, NF−80 °C can be used as a suitable method for chestnut kernel freezing. When the ambient freezing temperature was lower than Tg, both NF and AF treatment groups presented poor quality. The rate and medium of heat transfer jointly influenced the freezing characteristics and quality. The former had a greater effect than the latter, however.
Characterisation of the Aroma Profile and Dynamic Changes in the Flavour of Stinky Tofu during Storage
Authors: Tian Huaixiang , Zou Ling , Li Li , Chen Chen , Yu Haiyan , Ma Xinxin , Huang Juan , Lou Xinman , Yuan Haibin
Published: March 2023

Stinky tofu is a traditional Chinese food with wide consumption in China. Nevertheless, the dynamic changes in the flavour of stinky tofu during storage have yet to be investigated. In this study, the flavour changes of stinky tofu over six different storage periods were comprehensively analysed through sensory, electronic nose and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses. The results of the sensory and electronic nose analyses confirmed the changes in the flavour of stinky tofu across different storage periods. In the GC-MS analysis, 60 volatile compounds were detected during storage, and the odour activity values indicated that 29 of these 60 compounds significantly contributed to the aroma profile. During storage, the alcohol concentration of the stinky tofu gradually decreased while the acid and ester concentrations increased. According to a partial least squares analysis, 2-phenylethyl acetate, 2-phenylethyl propanoate, p-cresol, and phenylethyl alcohol, which were detected after 10 days of storage, promoting the release of an overripe apple-like odour from the stinky tofu. Findings regarding the flavour changes and characteristics of stinky tofu during different storage periods can provide a potential reference for recognising the quality of these products.
Structural and Functional Characteristics of Hemp Protein Isolate–Pullulan Polysaccharide Glycosylation Conjugate in an Aqueous Model System
Authors: Ding Ziwen , Jiang Fan , Liu Kun , Gong Fangshuo , Liu Yuanfa , Zheng Zhaojun , Xu Yong-Jiang
Published: March 2023

Hemp protein, with its important nutritional and industrial value, has trickled into the aisles of protein demand; however, its poor functional properties have largely limited its implementation in food. Herein, we aimed to modify hemp protein isolate (HPI) via glycosylation coupling with pullulan polysaccharide, and we subsequently characterized its structural and functional properties. The conjugation variables were HPI to pullulan ratio (i.e., 3:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 w/w), incubation temperature (i.e., 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 °C), and incubation time (i.e., 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h). Native HPI was used as a control for comparison purposes. We found that DG tended to decrease when the pullulan to HPI ratio was greater than 1:1 and when the temperature exceeded 80 °C. SDS-PAGE analysis shows that when the DG is increased, wider and heavier molecular weight bands emerge near the top of the running gel, while such observations were absent in the control. Further, glycosylation could loosen the HPI’s secondary and tertiary structures, as well as increase surface hydrophobicity. The solubility of HPI after glycosylation significantly increased (p < 0.05) at pH 7.0 compared to HPI without glycosylation. Emulsifying activity improved significantly (p < 0.05), with glycosylation with HPI–pullulan at a ratio of 1:3 showing maximum emulsifying activity of 118.78 ± 4.48 m2/g (HPI alone: 32.38 ± 3.65 m2/g). Moreover, the HPI–pullulan glycosylation time of 24 h showed maximum foaming activity (23.04 ± 0.95%) compared to HPI alone (14.20 ± 1.23%). The foaming stability of HPI (79.61 ± 3.33%) increased to 97.78 ± 3.85% when HPI–pullulan was conjugated using a glycosylation temperature of 80 °C. Compared with the un-glycated HPI, HPI–pullulan also increased WHC (4.41 ± 0.73 versus 9.59 ± 0.36 g/g) and OHC (8.48 ± 0.51 versus 13.73 ± 0.59 g/g). Intriguingly, correlation analysis showed that protein functional characteristics were significantly and positively correlated with DG. Overall, our findings support the notion that pullulan conjugation provides further functional attributes to the HPI, thereby broadening its potential implementation in complicated food systems.
Rutin Concentration and Characterization of Rutinosidase in Perennial Buckwheat (Fagopyrum cymosum) and Its Application in Foods
Authors: Suzuki Tatsuro , Kurokoh Rio , Murakami Shogo , Takahashi Naohiro , Matsuura Asana , Katsu Kenjiro , Murata Kouhei
Published: March 2023

To evaluate the potential of perennial buckwheat (Fagopyrum cymosum; FC) as a food source, rutin concentration was investigated. FC contains more than 1% (w/w) rutin and 0.03% quercetin in the leaves, flowers, and seeds. In particular, rutin and quercetin concentrations were high in plant seeds. Therefore, FC is useful as a rutin- and quercetin-rich material. In contrast, the FC seed contained a large amount of rutinosidase. Purified rutinosidase in a homogenous mixture consisted of only one isozyme with M.W. of 58.4 KD and low Km for rutin (0.367 mM). The rutin concentration in the FC dough decreased to almost zero, 10 min after the addition of water. Parallel to the decrease in rutin, quercetin was increased, and strong bitterness was generated, whereas steam-heated flour in which rutinosidase was inactivated did not have rutin hydrolysis and bitterness. These results indicate that rutinosidase is a major cause of rutin hydrolysis and bitterness. The in vitro rutinosidase is inactivated at pH 8.0 and 65 °C. Therefore, the control of dough pH and temperature should be useful in preventing rutinosidase activity.
A Newton-like Midpoint Method for Solving Equations in Banach Space
Authors: Regmi Samundra , Argyros Ioannis , Deep Gagan , Rathour Laxmi
Published: March 2023

The present paper includes the local and semilocal convergence analysis of a fourth-order method based on the quadrature formula in Banach spaces. The weaker hypotheses used are based only on the first Fréchet derivative. The new approach provides the residual errors, number of iterations, convergence radii, expected order of convergence, and estimates of the uniqueness of the solution. Such estimates are not provided in the approaches using Taylor expansions involving higher-order derivatives, which may not exist or may be very expensive or impossible to compute. Numerical examples, including a nonlinear integral equation and a partial differential equation, are provided to validate the theoretical results.
Fractal Analysis in Pulmonary CT Images of COVID-19-Infected Patients
Authors: Paun Maria-Alexandra , Postolache Paraschiva , Nichita Mihai-Virgil , Paun Vladimir-Alexandru , Paun Viorel-Puiu
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we propose to quantitatively compare the loss of human lung health under the influence of the illness with COVID-19, based on the fractal-analysis interpretation of the chest-pulmonary CT pictures, in the case of small datasets, which are usually encountered in medical applications. The fractal analysis characteristics, such as fractal dimension and lacunarity measured values, have been utilized as an effective advisor to interpretation of pulmonary CT picture texture.
Multivariate Analysis on a Complex, Rare-Earth Doped Alumina Database with Fractal Dimension as a Microstructural Quantifier
Authors: Ghizdavet Zeno Dorian , Volceanov Adrian , Volceanov Enikő
Published: March 2023

Alumina ceramics were obtained from three different alumina sources, A1–A3, with various rare-earth dopants (La2O3–La, Nd2O3–Nd, and Y2O3–Y), concentration levels (500 and 1000 ppm) and synthesizing routes (1500 °C, 1815 °C and cold plasma-P). Absorption (A) and density (ρ in text, rho in images) were measured, resulting in a complex, multivariate database. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was run with the aim of deducing relationships between variables (alumina source, dopant level, thermal processing route, A and ρ), observations, and between variables and observations. A total of 206 Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs were recorded at various scales and the corresponding images were processed to quantify the microstructural features. Two techniques of edge detection were used; Fractal Dimension (FD) was calculated for each micrograph and results were compared. Various scales of the micrographs prevented us from using any other approach, such as simply measuring the grains or obtaining shape parameters. The initial database was extended by including FDs and PCA was run again. We found that plasma processing is positively correlated to A and negatively correlated to both temperature (T) and ρ; La ceramics have an opposite behavior to Y and Nd ceramics. FD successfully explained observations being correlated, mainly, to Y, Nd and, to a lesser extent, to La. FD proved that it is a reliable and simple approach to quantifying microstructural features when comparing highly different, noisy micrographs.
Synthetic Curcumin Analogues Present Antiflavivirus Activity In Vitro with Potential Multiflavivirus Activity from a Thiazolylhydrazone Moiety
Authors: Serafim Mateus Sá Magalhães , Kronenberger Thales , de Oliveira Renata Barbosa , Kroon Erna Geessien , Abrahão Jônatas Santos , Mota Bruno Eduardo Fernandes , Maltarollo Vinícius Gonçalves
Published: March 2023

Arboviral diseases caused by flaviviruses, such as dengue, are a continuing threat and major concern worldwide, with over three billion people estimated to be living with the risk of dengue virus (DENV) infections. There are thus far no antiviral drugs available for treatment, and limited or no vaccines are available. Curcumin and seven synthetic analogues were evaluated for their antiviral activity against dengue virus serotype 2, yellow fever virus and Zika virus, as well as for their cytotoxicity in Vero cells, both by employing MTT assays. Compounds 6 and 7, which present a thiazolylhydrazone moiety, showed moderate activity against all three flaviviruses, with selectivity index (SI) values up to 4.45. In addition, the envelope protein (E) was predicted as the potential target inhibited by both compounds, supported by molecular docking and dynamics simulation analysis. We hope that this data can contribute to the development of new curcumin antiviral analogues in the near future and can help in the search for new promising compounds as potential therapeutic agents to treat flaviviruses infections.
Green Chemistry for the Transformation of Chlorinated Wastes: Catalytic Hydrodechlorination on Pd-Ni and Pd-Fe Bimetallic Catalysts Supported on SiO2
Authors: Mahy Julien G. , Delbeuck Thierry , Tran Kim Yên , Heinrichs Benoît , Lambert Stéphanie D.
Published: March 2023

Monometallic catalysts based on Fe, Ni and Pd, as well as bimetallic catalysts based on Fe-Pd and based on Ni-Pd supported on silica, were synthesized using a sol–gel cogelation process. These catalysts were tested in chlorobenzene hydrodechlorination at low conversion to consider a differential reactor. In all samples, the cogelation method allowed very small metallic nanoparticles of 2–3 nm to be dispersed inside the silica matrix. Nevertheless, the presence of some large particles of pure Pd was noted. The catalysts had specific surface areas between 100 and 400 m2/g. In view of the catalytic results obtained, the Pd-Ni catalysts are less active than the monometallic Pd catalyst (<6% of conversion) except for catalysts with a low proportion of Ni (9% of conversion) and for reaction temperatures above 240 °C. In this series of catalysts, increasing the Ni content increases the activity but leads to an amplification of the catalyst deactivation phenomenon compared to Pd alone. On the other hand, Pd-Fe catalysts are more active with a double conversion value compared to a Pd monometallic catalyst (13% vs. 6%). The difference in the results obtained for each of the catalysts in the Pd-Fe series could be explained by the greater presence of the Fe-Pd alloy in the catalyst. Fe would have a cooperative effect when associated with Pd. Although Fe is inactive alone for chlorobenzene hydrodechlorination, when Fe is coupled to another metal from the group VIIIb, such as Pd, it allows the phenomenon of Pd poisoning by HCl to be reduced.
Unveiling the Impact of Gene Presence/Absence Variation in Driving Inter-Individual Sequence Diversity within the CRP-I Gene Family in Mytilus spp.
Authors: Gualandi Nicolò , Fracarossi Davide , Riommi Damiano , Sollitto Marco , Greco Samuele , Mardirossian Mario , Pacor Sabrina , Hori Tiago , Pallavicini Alberto , Gerdol Marco
Published: March 2023

Mussels (Mytilus spp.) tolerate infections much better than other species living in the same marine coastal environment thanks to a highly efficient innate immune system, which exploits a remarkable diversification of effector molecules involved in mucosal and humoral responses. Among these, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are subjected to massive gene presence/absence variation (PAV), endowing each individual with a potentially unique repertoire of defense molecules. The unavailability of a chromosome-scale assembly has so far prevented a comprehensive evaluation of the genomic arrangement of AMP-encoding loci, preventing an accurate ascertainment of the orthology/paralogy relationships among sequence variants. Here, we characterized the CRP-I gene cluster in the blue mussel Mytilus edulis, which includes about 50 paralogous genes and pseudogenes, mostly packed in a small genomic region within chromosome 5. We further reported the occurrence of widespread PAV within this family in the Mytilus species complex and provided evidence that CRP-I peptides likely adopt a knottin fold. We functionally characterized the synthetic peptide sCRP-I H1, assessing the presence of biological activities consistent with other knottins, revealing that mussel CRP-I peptides are unlikely to act as antimicrobial agents or protease inhibitors, even though they may be used as defense molecules against infections from eukaryotic parasites.