bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Review on Black-Start Service Restoration of Active Distribution Systems and Microgrids
Authors: Heidari-Akhijahani Adel , Butler-Purry Karen L.
Published: December 2023

There has been a notable increase in the frequency and severity of extreme events, such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and storms. These events, although infrequent, have a significant disruptive effect, causing prolonged outages and compromising essential services, thereby severely affecting customers’ safety. As a result, there is an urgent requirement to enhance the resilience of distribution networks by quickly restoring the loads during and after a disaster. In this regard, this paper reviews the existing studies on black-start service restoration in active distribution systems and microgrids. A comprehensive review is conducted for each aspect of the restoration problem, encompassing various proposed methods and modeling techniques found in the existing literature. The aim of this review is to consolidate the knowledge and findings from previous studies, providing a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners in the field. Also, some key research directions for the future work in this field are recommended for developing more practical and reliable methods.
Woodchips from Forest Residues as a Sustainable and Circular Biofuel for Electricity Production: Evidence from an Environmental Life Cycle Assessment
Authors: Scrucca Flavio , Barberio Grazia , Cutaia Laura , Rinaldi Caterina
Published: December 2023

Energy production from biomass represents a strategic solution for the achievement of global sustainability goals. In addition, the use of biofuels offers both significant environmental advantages and several socio-economic benefits. In this study, the environmental life cycle impacts associated with the use of woodchips from forest residues for combined heat and power generation in Italy were analyzed. Moreover, the use of woodchips was compared to the use of conventional fossil fuels in similar applications, and different biomass supply scenarios were evaluated to understand their effect on the overall impact related to 1 kWh of electricity. The impacts on “Climate Change” (2.94 × 10−2 kgCO2eq/kWh) and “Resources” (4.28 × 10−1 MJ primary) were revealed to be minimal compared to fossil fuels (reduction of about 95–97%) and forest woodchips emerged as a sustainable alternative for electricity generation. Moreover, impacts regarding “Human health” (3.04 × 10−7 DALY) and “Ecosystem quality” (3.58 × 10−1 PDF·m2·yr) were revealed to be relevant and identified as a research area to be further explored. The findings of this study also highlighted the key role played by the supply mode/distance of the woodchips on the overall life cycle impacts, with the use of “local” biomass representing the best reduction option. Lastly, another aspect to be further investigated is the optimization of the biomass supply.
Mapping Local Synergies: Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Switzerland’s Waste Heat Potentials vs. Heat Demand
Authors: Burg Vanessa , Richardet Florent , Wälty Severin , Roshandel Ramin , Hellweg Stefanie
Published: December 2023

As nations transition to renewable energy, making use of waste heat becomes crucial to combat climate change. This study focused on quantifying Switzerland’s waste heat potential from industrial processes and waste-to-energy facilities, using diverse methodologies tailored to facility characteristics and data availability. We assessed potential waste heat utilization by comparing local heat supply and demand, creating comprehensive heat-balance maps considering different temperature levels and seasonal fluctuations. Results revealed a substantial annual waste heat potential of 37 TWh, with almost half (17 TWh) below 45 °C, primarily from wastewater. Heat between 45 °C and 70 °C, ideal, e.g., for greenhouse heating, is mainly available from solid waste incineration plants, while industries contributed to waste heat supply exceeding 150 °C. In contrast to heat demand, seasonal variations in heat supply were small, with a 12% winter decrease. Analyzing heat demand versus supply unveiled local and seasonal disparities. Most municipalities had a net excess heat demand (totaling 89 TWh). Additionally, waste heat could not satisfy 8 TWh of industrial process heat demand exceeding 400 °C, emphasizing reliance on primary energy sources for higher-temperature heat. Targeted strategies are essential for effective waste heat utilization, especially tapping into low-temperature sources. Integrating these sources with low-carbon technologies can pave the way to a sustainable energy future.
Analyzing the Effect of Nano-Sized Conductive Additive Content on Cathode Electrode Performance in Sulfide All-Solid-State Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Choi Jae Hong , Choi Sumyeong , Embleton Tom James , Ko Kyungmok , Saqib Kashif Saleem , Ali Jahanzaib , Jo Mina , Hwang Junhyeok , Park Sungwoo , Kim Minhu , Hwang Mingi , Lim Heesoo , Oh Pilgun
Published: December 2023

All-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (ASSLBs) have recently received significant attention due to their exceptional energy/power densities, inherent safety, and long-term electrochemical stability. However, to achieve energy- and power-dense ASSLBs, the cathode composite electrodes require optimum ionic and electrical pathways and hence the development of electrode designs that facilitate such requirements is necessary. Among the various available conductive materials, carbon black (CB) is typically considered as a suitable carbon additive for enhancing electrode conductivity due to its affordable price and electrical-network-enhancing properties. In this study, we examined the effect of different weight percentages (wt%) of nano-sized CB as a conductive additive within a cathode composite made up of Ni-rich cathode material (LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2) and solid electrolyte (Li6PS5Cl). Composites including 3 wt%, 5 wt%, and 7 wt% CB were produced, achieving capacity retentions of 66.1%, 65.4%, and 44.6% over 50 cycles at 0.5 C. Despite an increase in electrical conductivity of the 7 wt% CB sample, a significantly lower capacity retention was observed. This was attributed to the increased resistance at the solid electrolyte/cathode material interface, resulting from the presence of excessive CB. This study confirms that an excessive amount of nano-sized conductive material can affect the interfacial resistance between the solid electrolyte and the cathode active material, which is ultimately more important to the electrochemical performance than the electrical pathways.
Optimal Placement of Battery Swapping Stations for Power Quality Improvement: A Novel Multi Techno-Economic Objective Function Approach
Authors: Al-Zaidi Waleed Khalid Mahmood , Inan Aslan
Published: December 2023

In recent years, battery swapping stations have become increasingly popular in smart energy networks. Its advantages include reducing the time required for recharging energy, balancing the grid’s load, and extending the battery’s lifespan. Despite efforts focused on the placement and operation of battery swapping stations (BSSs), there is still a lack of a comprehensive and systematic examination that covers all aspects of both the economic and technical aspects of the power network. This encompasses considerations such as power quality and reliability, particularly in terms of where these stations should be located. This paper introduces a novel framework for strategically positioning BSS within smart microgrids that integrate distributed energy resources (DERs). It takes into account various technical factors (such as reliability and power quality) and economic factors (like the cost of generation and operation), which have been overlooked in the previous research. To achieve this goal, a unique hybrid optimization strategy is developed, incorporating a combination of epsilon-constraint and lexicographic (DECL) optimization methods. This approach tackles a multi-objective challenge, treating factors like the number, locations, and sizes of BSS as independent variables, while operational costs and technical power quality metrics are considered dependent variables. To validate this approach, it is tested on standard benchmark distribution power networks such as IEEE 33, 69, and 118 bus systems. The simulation results, showcasing the strengths and capabilities of this innovative strategy, are compared to the findings of previous research studies.
Dynamic Performance of Monopile-Supported Wind Turbines (MWTs) under Different Operating and Ground Conditions
Authors: Xiao Shaohui , Liu Hongjun , Lin Kun
Published: December 2023

A monopile is the most popular foundation type for wind turbines. However, the dynamic performance of monopile-supported wind turbines under different operating and ground conditions is not fully understood. In this study, an integrated monopile-supported wind turbine model in a wind tunnel was employed to jointly simulate the operating and ground conditions. A series of wind tunnel tests were designed and performed to investigate the dynamic performance of monopile-supported wind turbines. These tests included seven operating conditions (seven wind speeds and corresponding rotor speeds) and four ground conditions (one fixed ground condition and three deformable ground conditions with different soil relative densities). According to the test results, the structural responses and dynamic characteristics were analyzed and discussed. This shows that the assumption of fixed-base support significantly overestimates the natural frequency but underestimates the global damping ratio. With the increase in soil relative density, the natural frequency slightly increases, while the damping ratio decreases more significantly. With the increase in the wind speed and rotor speed, the increase in global damping is larger on softer ground. A regression analysis was performed to estimate the global damping ratio under different operating and ground conditions.
Air Mass Flow and Pressure Optimization of a PEM Fuel Cell Hybrid System for a Forklift Application
Authors: Radica Gojmir , Tolj Ivan , Lototskyy Mykhaylo V. , Pasupathi Sivakumar
Published: December 2023

The air compressor holds paramount importance due to its significant energy consumption when compared to other Balance of Plant components of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The air supply system, in turn, plays a critical role in ensuring the stable and efficient operation of the entire fuel cell system. To enhance system efficiency, the impact of varying the stoichiometric ratio of air and air pressure was observed. This investigation was carried out under real loading conditions, replicating the conditions experienced by the power module when fuel cells are in use within a forklift. The air compressor can be operated at different pressure and excess air ratios, which in turn influence both the fuel cell’s performance and the overall efficiency of the power module system. Our research focused on assessing the performance of PEM fuel cells under different load cycles, adhering to the VDI60 requirements for forklift applications. This comprehensive examination encompassed the system’s minimum and maximum load scenarios, with the primary goal of optimizing excess air and pressure ratio parameters, especially under dynamic load conditions. The results revealed that higher air pressures and lower excess air ratios were conducive to increasing system efficiency, shedding light on potential avenues for enhancing the performance of PEM fuel cell systems in forklift applications.
The Water Dynamics of Norway Spruce Stands Growing in Two Alpine Catchments in Austria
Authors: de Bastos Franciele , Hasenauer Hubert
Published: December 2023

Forests are highly relevant for the water dynamics of mountain areas. This study assesses the water balance of two mountainous watersheds in Austria (Rindbach and Schmittental) with similar average annual precipitation patterns but different parent material, i.e., limestone in Rindbach versus greywacke in Schmittental. The biogeochemical mechanistic ecosystem model Biome-BGC with parameter settings developed for the central European tree species was obtained to assess the energy, nutrient, and water cycle as relevant for tree growth (=carbon cycle). The seasonal precipitation pattern, the snow accumulation, the evapotranspiration, the transpiration, the water-use efficiency, and the outflow are investigated. For the period 1960 to 2022, no precipitation trends are detectable, but a temperature increase of 1.9 °C in Rindbach and 1.6 °C in Schmittental is evident, leading to a declining snow accumulation. The model simulations suggest that transpiration and evapotranspiration rates increase with increasing LAI, indicating higher rates in Rindbach compared to Schmittental. The water use efficiency increases up to an LAI = 3 m2 m−2 and declines afterwards. The water balance variables follow the same pattern, i.e., with increasing LAI, the water outflow at the Rindbach catchment declines from 78% to 29% and from 72% to 31% in Schmittental. This confirms that forest cover is important to reduce water outflow and thus enhances the protection function of mountain forests.
Eucalyptus Species Discrimination Using Hyperspectral Sensor Data and Machine Learning
Authors: Pereira Ribeiro Teodoro Larissa , Estevão Rosilene , Santana Dthenifer Cordeiro , Oliveira Izabela Cristina de , Lopes Maria Teresa Gomes , Azevedo Gileno Brito de , Rojo Baio Fábio Henrique , da Silva Junior Carlos Antonio , Teodoro Paulo Eduardo
Published: December 2023

The identification of tree species is very useful for the management and monitoring of forest resources. When paired with machine learning (ML) algorithms, species identification based on spectral bands from a hyperspectral sensor can contribute to developing technologies that enable accurate forest inventories to be completed efficiently, reducing labor and time. This is the first study to evaluate the effectiveness of classification of five eucalyptus species (E. camaldulensis, Corymbia citriodora, E. saligna, E. grandis, and E. urophyla) using hyperspectral images and machine learning. Spectral readings were taken from 200 leaves of each species and divided into three dataset sizes: one set containing 50 samples per species, a second with 100 samples per species, and a third set with 200 samples per species. The ML algorithms tested were multilayer perceptron artificial neural network (ANN), decision trees (J48 and REPTree algorithms), and random forest (RF). As a control, a conventional approach by logistic regression (LR) was used. Eucalyptus species were classified by ML algorithms using a randomized stratified cross-validation with 10 folds. After obtaining the percentage of correct classification (CC) and F-measure accuracy metrics, the means were grouped by the Scott–Knott test at 5% probability. Our findings revealed the existence of distinct spectral curves between the species, with the differences being more marked from the 700 nm range onwards. The most accurate ML algorithm for identifying eucalyptus species was ANN. There was no statistical difference for CC between the three dataset sizes. Therefore, it was determined that 50 leaves would be sufficient to accurately differentiate the eucalyptus species evaluated. Our study represents an important scientific advance for forest inventories and breeding programs with applications in both forest plantations and native forest areas as it proposes a fast, accurate, and large-scale species-level classification approach.
Bioaccumulation and Potential Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Tropical Bamboo Plantations of Dendrocalamus brandisii under Two Cultivation Patterns in Yunnan, China
Authors: Cheng Qian , Dou Peitong , Bao Changyan , Zhang Zhiming , Cao Yurong , Yang Hanqi
Published: December 2023

Heavy metal (HM) pollution nowadays is a hot issue concerning global ecological and food safety. As one of the most important woody bamboos for edible shoots in Southeast Asia and southwest China, Dendrocalamus brandisii usually occurs in red soil with a high HM geological background. However, the bioaccumulation process and possible risks of HMs in their cultivation area remain unclear. In this study, a comprehensive risk assessment of HM pollution was conducted in the main cultivation area of D. brandisii under two cultivation patterns in Yunnan, China. The results revealed that moderate to heavy HM pollution existed in the soil of the study area, while bamboo shoots displayed either no pollution or weak contamination. The “large-area intensive afforestation” cultivation pattern can better control HM pollution in soil and shoots than the “small-scale farmer management” pattern. Strong and complex correlations among HMs were unveiled in both soil and shoot samples. The Cr content of 39% of the shoot samples exceeded China’s national standards. Cu and Zn were the two most easily accumulated HMs in shoots, with BCF of 0.1235 and 0.1101, respectively. Bioaccumulations of As and Cd were positively correlated with their concentrations in soil. Furthermore, the positive matrix factorization model (PMF) identified three main sources of soil HMs, i.e., Pb and Zn from traffic emissions accounting for 30%; Ni, Mn, and Cr from pedogenic parent material making up 35.4%; and As from mining and metallurgical activities accounting for 34.6%. Monte Carlo simulations suggested the probability of total noncarcinogenic risk for children from bamboo shoots was 24.82% and that As in the soil was the primary element of health risk to children (HQc = 13.94%). These findings emphasize the urgent need to control and mitigate HM pollution from the identified sources and may contribute to the sustainable cultivation of D. brandisii and food safety in Yunnan and similar tropical areas with high HM contents.
Aboveground Biomass Component Plasticity and Allocation Variations of Bamboo (Pleioblastus amarus) of Different Regions
Authors: Zuo Keyi , Fan Lili , Guo Ziwu , Zhang Jingrun , Duan Yiyang , Zhang Le , Chen Shuanglin , Lin Hua , Hu Ruicai
Published: December 2023

Bamboo is one of the most important forest resources, widely distributed throughout subtropical and tropical regions. Many studies have focused on bamboo functional trait variation under different environmental conditions. However, the functional feature response of bamboo components to regional and climatic factors and associated coupling effects are less known. This study analyzed phenotypic plasticity and biomass accumulation and allocation processes in aboveground Pleioblastus amarus components (i.e., the culm, branch, and leaf) with principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) in three regions of China. Consequently, obvious regional differences were observed in phenotypic plasticity, biomass accumulation, and allocation processes. With decreasing latitude and increasing longitude, the internode length was longer for larger and rounder bamboo and the culm wall was thinner at a lower relative total height. Moreover, the number and width of crowns became greater, thicker, and longer. With increasing latitude, branch and leaf biomass decreased significantly, while biomass allocation to bamboo branches and leaves first decreased before increasing. And with increasing longitude, culm and total biomass reduced significantly along with culm biomass allocation, while total branch and leaf biomass allocation gradually decreased. Clearly, climatic factors, such as maximum temperature and mean annual temperature, directly affected the phenotypic plasticity of P. amarus and its associative biomass accumulation. Meanwhile, soil factors (i.e., soil available phosphorus, capillary porosity, field water holding capacity, and total nitrogen content) caused significant variation in phenotypic plasticity, indirectly affecting plant biomass accumulation and allocation processes. Collectively, these initial findings indicate that low-latitude and high-longitude stands promoted greater morphogenesis and more efficient biomass accumulation and allocation in aboveground P. amarus components, exhibiting superior morpho-plasticity and higher stand productivity. This study clarified regional differences in P. amarus morphological phenotypic plasticity and biomass accumulation and allocation. It is expected that the results can aid in provenance selection and the directional cultivation of high-yield bamboo stands.
Annually Spatial Pattern Dynamics of Forest Types under a Rapid Expansion of Impervious Surfaces: A Case Study of Hangzhou City
Authors: Zhu Yuxin , Zhou Jingchuan , Liu Mingyue , Man Weidong , Chen Lin
Published: December 2023

Dramatic forest dynamics strongly influence pressure mitigation from the increasing population and climate changes of an urban landscape. Effectively monitoring landscapes in a spatiotemporally consistent manner, satellite remote sensing has emerged as the first analytical tool to help us understand the changes in urban forests. At present, most studies focus on classification algorithms, spatial analysis methods, and ecosystem models, and the literature lacks spatiotemporally explicit research on the responses of different types of forests to urbanization. Thus, in this study, Hangzhou was selected as a typical metropolitan area to determine the annual spatial patterns of urban forests at a forest-type level. To illustrate the spatial pattern dynamics of different forest types resulting from rapid urbanization, this study characterized the Landsat-based spatial patterns of different forest types, as well as their annual changes from 2000 to 2022 using object-based backdating classification, land-use transfer matrix, area-weighted centroids, and landscape pattern indexes. The spatiotemporal effects of impervious surface expansion on forest pattern changes at a type scale were discussed. The results demonstrated that forests, mainly located in the southwest, decreased from 11,660.69 to 11,516.15 km2. Moreover, evergreen broadleaved forests occupied the largest area and had the most decreased ratio among the three forest types over 23 years, followed by evergreen needle-leaved and deciduous broadleaved forests. In total, 103.37 km2 of forest areas transformed to impervious surfaces, with the highest annual transformation of area occurring among evergreen broadleaved forests widely across Hangzhou City and the lowest occurring among deciduous broadleaved forests. Forests lost adjacency due to the development of Hangzhou City, while this southwestward shrinkage slowed down over 23 years, resulting in the highest increase in the degree of evergreen broadleaved forest fragmentation. Therefore, measures of city planning according to the deep effects of adjustments of administrative divisions to forest suitability should be implemented, such as green ecological corridor construction. This research provides a Landsat-based methodology at a spatiotemporally explicit-scale perspective for better understanding forest changes under high-speed urbanization.
Development of an Assessment Scale for Measurement of Usability and User Experience Characteristics of Bing Chat Conversational AI
Authors: Bubaš Goran , Čižmešija Antonela , Kovačić Andreja
Published: December 2023

After the introduction of the ChatGPT conversational artificial intelligence (CAI) tool in November 2022, there has been a rapidly growing interest in the use of such tools in higher education. While the educational uses of some other information technology (IT) tools (including collaboration and communication tools, learning management systems, chatbots, and videoconferencing tools) have been frequently evaluated regarding technology acceptance and usability attributes of those technologies, similar evaluations of CAI tools and services like ChatGPT, Bing Chat, and Bard have only recently started to appear in the scholarly literature. In our study, we present a newly developed set of assessment scales that are related to the usability and user experiences of CAI tools when used by university students, as well as the results of evaluation of these assessment scales specifically regarding the CAI Bing Chat tool (i.e., Microsoft Copilot). The following scales were developed and evaluated using a convenience sample (N = 126) of higher education students: Perceived Usefulness, General Usability, Learnability, System Reliability, Visual Design and Navigation, Information Quality, Information Display, Cognitive Involvement, Design Appeal, Trust, Personification, Risk Perception, and Intention to Use. For most of the aforementioned scales, internal consistency (Cronbach alpha) was in the range from satisfactory to good, which implies their potential usefulness for further studies of related attributes of CAI tools. A stepwise linear regression revealed that the most influential predictors of Intention to Use Bing Chat (or ChatGPT) in the future were the usability variable Perceived Usefulness and two user experience variables—Trust and Design Appeal. Also, our study revealed that students’ perceptions of various specific usability and user experience characteristics of Bing Chat were predominantly positive. The evaluated assessment scales could be beneficial in further research that would include other CAI tools like ChatGPT/GPT-4 and Bard.
Impact of Crustacean Morphology on Metachronal Propulsion: A Numerical Study
Authors: Cao Enbao , Kabala Zbigniew J.
Published: December 2023

Metachrony is defined as coordinated asynchronous movement throughout multiple appendages, such as the cilia of cells and swimmerets of crustaceans. Used by species of crustaceans and microscopic cells to move through fluid, the process of metachronal propulsion was investigated. A rigid crustacean model with paddles moving in symmetric strokes was created to simulate metachronal movement. Coupled with the surrounding fluid domain, the immersed boundary method was employed to analyze the fluid–structure interactions. To explore the effect of a nonlinear morphology on the efficiency of metachronal propulsion, a range of crustacean body shapes was generated and simulated, from upward curves to downward curves. The highest propulsion velocity was found to be achieved when the crustacean model morphology was a downward curve, specifically a parabola of leading coefficient k = −0.4. This curved morphology resulted in a 4.5% higher velocity when compared to the linear model. As k deviated from −0.4, the propulsion velocity decreased with increasing magnitude, forming a concave downward trend. The impact of body shape on propulsion velocity is shown by how the optimal velocity with k = −0.4 is 71.5% larger than the velocity at k = 1. Overall, this study suggests that morphology has a significant impact on metachronal propulsion.
Is It Training Enough? Professional Competence in Catering Quality for University Food Canteen Employees
Authors: Ji Yugang , Ko Wen-Hwa
Published: December 2023

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between professional competence and the training provided for canteen staff in Chinese universities. This study’s methods included a survey questionnaire, and importance–performance analysis (IPA) was used for analysis. The questionnaire distributed to canteen staff in Chinese universities considered eight dimensions and 39 questions to evaluate the relationship between the staff’s professional competence (performance level) and the training provided (importance level). “Focus on consumers”, “Employee hygiene knowledge”, and “Food quality” indicated poor professional competence for employees and insufficient training from the canteen. Our findings improve these circumstances by providing recommendations for future training. The research results provide guidance for managing and training university canteen employees and recommendations for improving the quality of catering.
Do Food and Meal Organization Systems in Polish Primary Schools Reflect Students’ Preferences and Healthy and Sustainable Dietary Guidelines? The Results of Qualitative Research for the Junior-Edu-Żywienie (JEŻ) Project
Authors: Czarniecka-Skubina Ewa , Hamulka Jadwiga , Jeruszka-Bielak Marta , Gutkowska Krystyna
Published: December 2023

The school environment, together with that of the family, shapes students’ eating behaviors, and is an important element of formal and informal nutrition education. The informal and practical dimensions can be realized through the food and meals offered/sold in school canteens, shops, and vending machines. As children and adolescents spend 6–10 h/day in schools and consume at least two meals there, the school food environment is important from a public health perspective. The aim of this study is to assess food and meal organization in primary schools in Poland. The study was conducted using individual in-depth interviews (IDIs) involving 24 school headmasters and 24 representatives of people employed in school canteens or catering companies involved in meal organization in schools. The nutritional food on offer at schools is important for shaping students’ food preferences and choices, consequently influencing the development, functioning, and health of this subpopulation. The school environment can be an ideal place for hands-on nutrition education. In addition to the knowledge provided, there must be a consistent message concerning the provision of nutrition information to students between the teachings of parents, teachers, and, indirectly, the food and meals available at school. Our qualitative study is confirmed by the results of quantitative research to better understand the organization of nutrition and the problems and needs of primary schools in this area.
The Bioactivity and Physicochemical Properties of Emulsions Based on Tamanu, Moringa, and Inca Inchi Oils
Authors: Makiej Aleksandra , Hochór Zofia , Smułek Wojciech , Kaczorek Ewa
Published: December 2023

With increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics, novel strategies for protection against microbial infections are crucial. Emulsions enhance the solubility of natural antibacterial oils and their uptake, making them promising drug delivery systems. However, it is important to find the right emulsifier to ensure that the oil has the right dispersion and does not adversely affect its antibacterial properties. Hence, this study investigated emulsions created from three vegetable oils: moringa oil from Moringa oleifera seeds, inca inchi oil from Plukenetia volubilis seeds, and tamanu oil from the Calophyllum inophyllum fruit. Emulsions were formed using two natural emulsifiers, lecithin and casein, at concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, and 10% (w/w). The study assessed the oil and emulsions’ characteristics, including the zeta potential, creaming index, and particle size distribution. The antimicrobial properties of these oils and the most stable emulsions were examined. Gas chromatography was used to analyze the oil compositions. The potential antimicrobial properties of emulsions formulated with natural oils was proved. Particularly noteworthy were emulsions containing a 2.5% inca inchi or tamanu oil, stabilized with casein. The particle size ranged between 100 nm and 900 nm with the average size 300 nm. These emulsions also showed antibacterial activity against selected strains, and the strongest effect was observed for the system with inca inchi oil, which reduced S. epidermidis bacterial activity by more than 60%. Therefore, it can be expected that the completed research will allow the development of antibacterial systems based on inca inchi or tamanu oils for use in the food industry.
Hunted Wild Boars in Sardinia: Prevalence, Antimicrobial Resistance and Genomic Analysis of Salmonella and Yersinia enterocolitica
Authors: Siddi Giuliana , Piras Francesca , Meloni Maria Pina , Gymoese Pernille , Torpdahl Mia , Fredriksson-Ahomaa Maria , Migoni Mattia , Cabras Daniela , Cuccu Mario , De Santis Enrico Pietro Luigi , Scarano Christian
Published: December 2023

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate Salmonella and Yersinia enterocolitica prevalence in wild boars hunted in Sardinia and further characterize the isolates and analyse antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns. In order to assess slaughtering hygiene, an evaluation of carcasses microbial contamination was also carried out. Between 2020 and 2022, samples were collected from 66 wild boars hunted during two hunting seasons from the area of two provinces in northern and central Sardinia (Italy). Samples collected included colon content samples, mesenteric lymph nodes samples and carcass surface samples. Salmonella and Y. enterocolitica detection was conducted on each sample; also, on carcass surface samples, total aerobic mesophilic count and Enterobacteriaceae count were evaluated. On Salmonella and Y. enterocolitica isolates, antimicrobial susceptibility was tested and whole genome sequencing was applied. Salmonella was identified in the colon content samples of 3/66 (4.5%) wild boars; isolates were S. enterica subs. salamae, S. ser. elomrane and S. enterica subs. enterica. Y. enterocolitica was detected from 20/66 (30.3%) wild boars: in 18/66 (27.3%) colon contents, in 3/66 (4.5%) mesenteric lymph nodes and in 3/49 (6.1%) carcass surface samples. In all, 24 Y. enterocolitica isolates were analysed and 20 different sequence types were detected, with the most common being ST860. Regarding AMR, no resistance was detected in Salmonella isolates, while expected resistance towards β-lactams (blaA gene) and streptogramin (vatF gene) was observed in Y. enterocolitica isolates (91.7% and 4.2%, respectively). The low presence of AMR is probably due to the low anthropic impact in the wild areas. Regarding the surface contamination of carcasses, values (mean ± standard deviation log10 CFU/cm2) were 2.46 ± 0.97 for ACC and 1.07 ± 1.18 for Enterobacteriaceae. The results of our study confirm that wild boars can serve as reservoirs and spreaders of Salmonella and Y. enterocolitica; the finding of Y. enterocolitica presence on carcass surface highlights how meat may become superficially contaminated, especially considering that contamination is linked to the conditions related to the hunting, handling and processing of game animals.
Investigation of Melatonin Incorporated CMC-Gelatin Based Edible Coating on the Alleviation of Chilling Injury Induced Pericarp Browning in Longkong
Authors: Venkatachalam Karthikeyan , Charoenphun Narin , Lekjing Somwang , Noonim Paramee
Published: December 2023

Longkong (Aglaia dookkoo Griff.) fruit is prone to rapid pericarp browning and shortened shelf life (<7 days) under prolonged low-temperature storage. This study investigates the effect of an edible coating, comprising carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and gelatin in a fixed 3:1 ratio, integrated with various concentrations of melatonin (MT) (0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 mM/L) to mitigate chilling injury in longkong fruit. Coated longkong fruits were stored at 13 °C with 90% relative humidity for 18 days and underwent physicochemical evaluations every three days. Samples coated with CMC-Gel without MT and uncoated fruits were served as controls. The findings indicated that the CMC-Gel-MT coating significantly mitigated pericarp browning, chilling injury, weight loss, and respiration rate increase under extended cold storage conditions. High concentrations of MT (≥0.8 mM/L) in the coating notably inhibited the activities of cellular degrading enzymes such as lipoxygenase and phospholipase D. This inhibition contributed to reduced membrane permeability, lower reactive oxygen species accumulation (H2O2, OH−, O2−), and decreased malondialdehyde levels in the longkong pericarp. Furthermore, the CMC-Gel-MT coating increased the activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase, leading to an enhancement in phenolic content. Consequently, it improved the fruit’s ability to scavenge DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,20-azino-di-3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonic acid) radicals. Control samples exhibited high levels of pericarp browning-related enzymes (polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase), whereas CMC-Gel-MT-coated fruits, particularly at higher MT concentrations, showed significant reductions in those enzyme activities. In conclusion, incorporating high concentrations of MT in a CMC-Gel-based edible coating is a promising alternative for mitigating chilling injury in longkong fruit.
Effects of Sodium Alginate on the Physical Properties and Storage Stability of Freeze-Dried Tofu Coagulated with Crab Shell Extract
Authors: Lee Ga-Yang , Jung Min-Jeong , Kim Byoung-Mok , Jun Joon-Young
Published: December 2023

The amount of processed by-products such as crab shells is increasing, but industrial utilization is insufficient. In our previous study, crab shell extract (CSE) acted as a coagulant for tofu manufacturing. This study aimed to reduce freeze-dried (FD) tofu breakdown by improving its physical properties through adding sodium alginate (SA). FD state in tofu helps increase storage and availability, but FD tofu frequently fractures during processing, which is a concern for manufacturers. Tofu samples were prepared with either crab shell extract (CSE) or MgCl2, and SA, and freeze-dried. In the yields of FD tofu samples, there were no significant differences (p < 0.05). The brokenness of FD tofu samples was lower in CSE than in MgCl2 and was significantly reduced by SA in both tofu samples, which was affected by hardness. The water-holding capacity decreased after freeze-drying, and CSE reduced this decrease, regardless of SA addition. The microstructures differed depending on the coagulant and were dense upon SA addition. The FD tofu was packed into a multilayer film and stored at 25 °C or 45 °C for 6 months to investigate storage stability. During the storage, brokenness was unchanged in all tofu samples, indicating that they maintained their original structure. There were no significant differences in the volatile base nitrogen and thiobarbituric acid values according to the coagulant type and SA addition (p < 0.05). In conclusion, SA reduced FD tofu breakdown by improving the network structure, which may help increase FD tofu quality and decrease economic loss.
Current Innovations in the Development of Functional Gummy Candies
Authors: Tarahi Mohammad , Tahmouzi Sima , Kianiani Mohammad Reza , Ezzati Shiva , Hedayati Sara , Niakousari Mehrdad
Published: December 2023

Nowadays, consumers are aware of the necessity of following a healthy diet and there is demand for natural and nutritious food products, especially for children. Consequently, new trends in the food industry are focused on the development of foods with low levels of sucrose and artificial additives (e.g., flavors and colorants), as well as high antioxidant, protein, and fiber content. On the other hand, some consumers demand vegan, halal, and kosher-certified food products. In this regard, conventional confectionary products such as gummy candies (GCs) are increasingly losing their popularity. Therefore, the development of plant-based and functional GCs has gained the attention of researchers and manufacturers. This review highlights recent innovations in the development of GCs with alternative gelling agents and sweeteners, natural flavors and colorants, and the incorporation of medicines, fiber, protein and antioxidants into GCs. Additionally, it summarizes their effects on the techno-functional, sensory, and nutritional properties of GCs.
Remaining Useful Life Prediction of a Planetary Gearbox Based on Meta Representation Learning and Adaptive Fractional Generalized Pareto Motion
Authors: Zheng Hongqing , Deng Wujin , Song Wanqing , Cheng Wei , Cattani Piercarlo , Villecco Francesco
Published: December 2023

The remaining useful life (RUL) prediction of wind turbine planetary gearboxes is crucial for the reliable operation of new energy power systems. However, the interpretability of the current RUL prediction models is not satisfactory. To this end, a multi-stage RUL prediction model is proposed in this work, with an interpretable metric-based feature selection algorithm. In the proposed model, the advantages of neural networks and long-range-dependent stochastic processes are combined. In the offline training stage, a general representation of the degradation trend is learned with the meta-long short-term memory neural network (meta-LSTM) model. The inevitable measurement error in the sensor reading is modelled by white Gaussian noise. During the online RUL prediction stage, fractional generalized Pareto motion (fGPm) with an adaptive diffusion is employed to model the stochasticity of the planetary gearbox degradation. In the case study, real planetary gearbox degradation data are used for the model validation.
Analytical Solutions for a Generalized Nonlinear Local Fractional Bratu-Type Equation in a Fractal Environment
Authors: Alhamzi Ghaliah , Dubey Ravi Shanker , Alkahtani Badr Saad T. , Saini G. L.
Published: December 2023

In the context of fractal space, this study presents a higher-order nonlinear local fractional Bratu-type equation and thoroughly examines this generalized nonlinear equation. Additional analysis and identification of particular special situations of the generalized local fractional Bratu equation is performed. Finally, the Adomian decomposition method is utilized to derive that solution for the generalized Bratu equation of local fractional type. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of these equations and provides a practical computational approach to their solutions.
O-Shape Fractal Antenna Optimized Design with Broad Bandwidth and High Gain for 6G Mobile Communication Devices
Authors: Patel Shobhit K. , Baz Abdullah
Published: December 2023

Optimization of antenna parameters is important for achieving the best design that has higher results for gain and bandwidth while also having a smaller size. One such antenna design is numerically investigated and presented in this research. The antenna is optimized to an O-shape fractal design from a square patch design. The antenna is created by etching a slot of a square patch and making an O-shape fractal metamaterial patch antenna that operates on the THz band. The THz patch antenna is also investigated for its metamaterial properties. The optimization of the THz patch antenna is carried out for substrate height, slot length, and slot width. The optimized design has a size of 65 × 65 µm2. The highest bandwidth of 31.4 THz (138%) and the highest gain of 11.1 dBi is achieved. The optimized design is then investigated for multiple elements. The two-element MIMO antenna design using an O-shape patch is investigated to observe its performance and compare it with an O-shape single-element design. The two-element MIMO antenna design gives two bands with a bandwidth of 18 THz (113%) and 21 THz (56%). The gain of this design is 5.18 dBi and the size is 130 × 65 µm2. A comparison between the O-shape single-element fractal design, two-element fractal MIMO design, and other published designs is carried out. The compact, broadband, and high gain design presented can be used for 6G high-speed mobile communication devices.
Synthesis of Highly Luminescent Silica-Coated Upconversion Nanoparticles from Lanthanide Oxides or Nitrates Using Co-Precipitation and Sol–Gel Methods
Authors: Iglesias-Mejuto Ana , Lamy-Mendes Alyne , Pina João , Costa Benilde F. O. , García-González Carlos A. , Durães Luisa
Published: December 2023

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are under consideration for their use as bioimaging probes with enhanced optical performance for real time follow-up under non-invasive conditions. Photostable and core-shell NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+-SiO2 UCNPs obtained by a novel and simple co-precipitation method from lanthanide nitrates or oxides were herein synthesized for the first time. The sol–gel Stöber method followed by oven or supercritical gel drying was used to confer biocompatible surface properties to UCNPs by the formation of an ultrathin silica coating. Upconversion (UC) spectra were studied to evaluate the fluorescence of UCNPs upon red/near infrared (NIR) irradiation. ζ-potential measurements, TEM analyses, XRD patterns and long-term physicochemical stability were also assessed and confirmed that the UCNPs co-precipitation synthesis is a shape- and phase-controlling approach. The bio- and hemocompatibility of the UCNPs formulation with the highest fluorescence intensity was evaluated with murine fibroblasts and human blood, respectively, and provided excellent results that endorse the efficacy of the silica gel coating. The herein synthesized UCNPs can be regarded as efficient fluorescent probes for bioimaging purposes with the high luminescence, physicochemical stability and biocompatibility required for biomedical applications.
Preparation and Characterization of Fe3O4/Poly(HEMA-co-IA) Magnetic Hydrogels for Removal of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Ludeña Michael A. , Meza Flor de L. , Huamán Reneé I. , Lechuga Ana M. , Valderrama Ana C.
Published: December 2023

In the present study, Fe3O4/poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-itaconic acid) magnetic hydrogels (MHGs) were prepared by in situ synthesis of Fe3O4 magnetic particles in hydrogels (HGs). The resulting magnetic hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and N2 adsorption–desorption. The effect of Fe3O4 on the swelling behavior and adsorption of methylene blue (MB) dye of the prepared hydrogel was studied. Parameters such as the dose, pH, contact time, and MB initial concentration were investigated. The results show that 75% (HG) and 91% (MHG) of MB (200 mg/L) were removed at doses of 2 mg/mL and 1 mg/mL, respectively, under a pH of 6.8 and a contact time of 10 min. The adsorption behavior followed the Langmuir isotherm model, indicating that the adsorption process takes place in monolayers and on homogeneous surfaces. The Langmuir capacities for MB adsorption using the HGs and MHGs were 78 and 174 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. In addition, thermodynamic studies carried out show that the adsorption process is spontaneous and endothermic. Adsorption–desorption studies indicate that the magnetic hydrogel can remove MB for four cycles with removal efficiencies above 90%. Therefore, a MHG is suitable as an alternative material for MB adsorption.
The Enrichment of Whey Protein Isolate Hydrogels with Poly-γ-Glutamic Acid Promotes the Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of Preosteoblasts
Authors: Baines Daniel K. , Platania Varvara , Tavernaraki Nikoleta N. , Parati Mattia , Wright Karen , Radecka Iza , Chatzinikolaidou Maria , Douglas Timothy E. L.
Published: December 2023

Osseous disease accounts for over half of chronic pathologies, but there is a limited supply of autografts, the gold standard; hence, there is a demand for new synthetic biomaterials. Herein, we present the use of a promising, new dairy-derived biomaterial: whey protein isolate (WPI) in the form of hydrogels, modified with the addition of different concentrations of the biotechnologically produced protein-like polymeric substance poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) as a potential scaffold for tissue regeneration. Raman spectroscopic analysis demonstrated the successful creation of WPI-γ-PGA hydrogels. A cytotoxicity assessment using preosteoblastic cells demonstrated that the hydrogels were noncytotoxic and supported cell proliferation from day 3 to 14. All γ-PGA-containing scaffold compositions strongly promoted cell attachment and the formation of dense interconnected cell layers. Cell viability was significantly increased on γ-PGA-containing scaffolds on day 14 compared to WPI control scaffolds. Significantly, the cells showed markers of osteogenic differentiation; they synthesised increasing amounts of collagen over time, and cells showed significantly enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity at day 7 and higher levels of calcium for matrix mineralization at days 14 and 21 on the γ-PGA-containing scaffolds. These results demonstrated the potential of WPI-γ-PGA hydrogels as scaffolds for bone regeneration.