bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on Quality Changes of Kelp Gel Edible Granules during Storage
Authors: Chen Tingru , Li Ying , Wang Yin , Chen Jicheng , Fan Lin’ao , Liu Zhiyu
Published: July 2024

The kelp gel edible granules developed utilizing the gel properties of alginate are prone to quality deterioration if improperly stored during the storage process. This study comprehensively investigated the quality changes of kelp gel edible granules stored at 4 °C and 25 °C by evaluating indicators such as total bacterial count, coliform bacteria, pH, relaxation time, color difference, appearance, texture characteristics, gel strength, and sensory scoring. The results showed that during the storage at 4 °C, the total bacterial count remained within the national standard range, the hardness and chewiness increased, the gel strength first increased and then decreased, the partial exudation of the bound water in the product occurred, and the sensory score slightly decreased, with an overall minor change in quality. During the storage at 25 °C, significant quality changes were observed, with the total bacterial count exceeding the national standard on the 20th day; additionally, the hardness, chewiness, and gel strength all initially increased and then decreased, both the bound water and the restrained water in the product exuded, the moisture stability decreased, and the sensory score significantly decreased between 16 to 20 days. The spoilage of the product was characterized by a significant water loss, reduction in volume, color change from bright green to dark yellow-brown, and a distinct smell of decaying algae. No coliform bacteria was detected in all products during the storage period. In summary, the shelf life endpoint of the product stored at 25 °C is 16 days, and the shelf life of the product stored at 4 °C is greater than 20 days. Storage at 4 °C can better maintain product quality, extend the shelf life, and effectively maintain the overall color of the product.
Think and Choose! The Dual Impact of Label Information and Consumer Attitudes on the Choice of a Plant-Based Analog
Authors: Tavares Filho Elson Rogerio , Silva Ramon , Campelo Pedro Henrique , Platz Vitor Henrique Cazarini Bueno , Spers Eduardo Eugênio , Freitas Mônica Queiroz , Cruz Adriano G.
Published: July 2024

This study explored the impact of various label information (extrinsic attributes) and sociodemographic and attitudinal factors (intrinsic attributes) on Brazilian consumer choices, using simulated traditional and plant-based muçarela cheese as the model product. The research was conducted in two phases: the first involved a structured questionnaire assessing attitudinal dimensions such as Health Consciousness, Climate Change, Plant-based Diets, and Food Neophobia, along with sociodemographic data collection. The second phase comprised a discrete choice experiment with (n = 52) and without (n = 509) eye tracking. The term “Cheese” on labels increased choice probability by 7.6% in a general survey and 15.1% in an eye tracking study. A prolonged gaze at “Cheese” did not affect choice, while more views of “Plant-based product” slightly raised choice likelihood by 2.5%. Repeatedly revisiting these terms reduced the choice probability by 3.7% for “Cheese” and 1% for “Plant-based product”. Nutritional claims like “Source of Vitamins B6 and B12” and “Source of Proteins and Calcium” boosted choice probabilities by 4.97% and 5.69% in the general and 8.4% and 6.9% in the eye-tracking experiment, respectively. Conversely, front-of-package labeling indicating high undesirable nutrient content decreased choice by 13% for magnifying presentations and 15.6% for text. In a plant-based subsample, higher environmental concerns and openness to plant-based diets increased choice probabilities by 5.31% and 5.1%, respectively. These results highlight the complex dynamics between label information, consumer understanding, and decision-making.
Exploring the Evolutionary Characteristics of Food Security in China and the United States from a Multidimensional Perspective
Authors: Tang Chang , Xie Xiaoliang , Wei Guo , Pan Linglong , Qi Zihan
Published: July 2024

Against the backdrop of global warming, intensifying regional conflicts, deglobalization, and the spread of diseases, global food security is facing severe challenges. Studying the food security situation in China and the United States in depth can provide practical experience for formulating food security policies for countries around the world and promoting global food security governance. On the basis of a meticulous review of the evolving connotations of food security, this study adopts six dimensions—quantity security, quality security, circulation security, economic security, ecological resource security, and policy security—as breakthrough points to construct a framework consisting of food security evaluation indicator system comprising 29 specific indicators. The CRITIC–MEREC–MARCOS model is applied to evaluate the status of food security in China and the United States from 2000 to 2022, while the obstacle degree model (ODM) model is utilized to identify factors impeding food security between the two countries. The results indicate that the level of food security in China has shown slight fluctuations initially, followed by a steady upward trend. The gap with the United States is continuously narrowing. However, significant differences between China and the United States still exist in terms of economic security, ecological resource security, and policy security. Furthermore, due to the limited productivity of agricultural labor, scarcity of water and soil resources, and low efficiency in the use of fertilizers and pesticides, China’s food security is subject to economic and environmental constraints. The restrictions imposed by economic security and ecological resource security on China’s food security are showing an increasing trend year by year. For the United States, with the obstruction of grain exports and the increasing frequency of drought disasters, the impact of circulation security and ecological resource security on food security is becoming increasingly prominent. In the future, China and the United States should join hands to address challenges, actively promote international cooperation in food security, and drive sustainable development for humanity.
Comparative Analysis of the Chaotic Behavior of a Five-Dimensional Fractional Hyperchaotic System with Constant and Variable Order
Authors: Alqahtani Awatif Muflih , Chaudhary Arun , Dubey Ravi Shanker , Sharma Shivani
Published: July 2024

A five-dimensional hyperchaotic system is a dynamical system with five state variables that exhibits chaotic behavior in multiple directions. In this work, we incorporated a 5D hyperchaotic system with constant- and variable-order Caputo and the Caputo–Fabrizio fractional derivatives. These fractional 5D hyperchaotic systems are solved numerically. Through simulations, the chaotic behavior of these fractional-order hyperchaotic systems is analyzed and a comparison between constant- and variable-order fractional hyperchaotic systems is presented.
From the “Òstrakon” to the Art of Wine Tasting and the Measurement of Consumer Emotions
Authors: Ubigli Mario , Cravero Maria Carla
Published: July 2024

The language of wine is richer and more complex if compared to that of other alcoholic beverages, including the tasting, production, history, and culture associated with it. The evolution of the language employed to define the quality and the characteristics of wine from the “òstrakon” of the Ancient Egyptians to the present is shown in the article. The symbolic aspects of wine, the communication of emotions, the wine sensory analysis, and the wine tasting are discussed. The glossaries which appeared in France, at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, are mentioned: they attest both the beginning of tasting, and the official recognition of the sensory evolution of wine. Moreover, some considerations are reported on some particular words employed to describe wines: vinous, aftertaste, and body. The language employed to evaluate wine is still evolving. It expresses the need and the desire to communicate and define the perceptions and the emotions derived by drinking wine. Finally, the pleasure of wine is not only a physical pleasure, but above all it is a pleasure of the brain, as well as, naturally, of the word.
Influence of a Solid Surface on PNIPAM Microgel Films
Authors: Nigro Valentina , Angelini Roberta , Buratti Elena , Colantonio Claudia , D’Amato Rosaria , Dinelli Franco , Franco Silvia , Limosani Francesca , Montereali Rosa Maria , Nichelatti Enrico , Piccinini Massimo , Vincenti Maria Aurora , Ruzicka Barbara
Published: July 2024

Stimuli-responsive microgels have attracted great interest in recent years as building blocks for fabricating smart surfaces with many technological applications. In particular, PNIPAM microgels are promising candidates for creating thermo-responsive scaffolds to control cell growth and detachment via temperature stimuli. In this framework, understanding the influence of the solid substrate is critical for tailoring microgel coatings to specific applications. The surface modification of the substrate is a winning strategy used to manage microgel–substrate interactions. To control the spreading of microgel particles on a solid surface, glass substrates are coated with a PEI or an APTES layer to improve surface hydrophobicity and add positive charges on the interface. A systematic investigation of PNIPAM microgels spin-coated through a double-step deposition protocol on pristine glass and on functionalised glasses was performed by combining wettability measurements and Atomic Force Microscopy. The greater flattening of microgel particles on less hydrophilic substrates can be explained as a consequence of the reduced shielding of the water–substrate interactions that favors electrostatic interactions between microgels and the substrate. This approach allows the yielding of effective control on microgel coatings that will help to unlock new possibilities for their application in biomedical devices, sensors, or responsive surfaces.
Regional-Scale Evaluation of Landslide Distribution and Its Relation to Climate in Southern Alberta, Canada
Authors: Mirhadi Nima , Macciotta Renato
Published: July 2024

This work illustrates a semi-quantitative approach to evaluate changes in regional landslide distribution as a consequence of forecasted climate change, which can be adopted at other regions. We evaluated the relationship between climate conditions and landslide distribution at a regional scale. In this study, landslides on parts of the Battle, Red Deer, and Bow Rivers that are located within the Bearpaw Formation in Southern Alberta, Canada, were mapped, and their characteristics were compared. In order to find a relationship between the climate conditions and the mapped landslides, 30-year annual precipitation and other factors, such as slope aspect and geology, were compared between the river valleys. The results show that climatic conditions and the size and shape of the landslides are different in the Battle River area compared to the Red Deer and Bow Rivers regions. The weak Bearpaw overconsolidated shale and the bentonite layers throughout the region are sensitive to moisture and create favorable conditions for landslides in the river valleys. Further investigations into the long-term impact of climate on the formation of river valleys and the Bearpaw Formation support the argument that climate is one of the main factors in causing variations in landslide distribution across the study areas. These findings provide insight into possible changes in regional landslide distribution as a consequence of climate change.
Changes in Species Composition, Diversity, and Biomass of Secondary Dry Grasslands Following Long-Term Mowing: A Case Study in Hungary
Authors: Házi Judit , Purger Dragica , Penksza Károly , Bartha Sándor
Published: July 2024

The focus of our study was the changes in the composition of semi-natural dry grasslands in Hungary. Maintaining the favorable condition of grasslands is not only important from a theoretical nature conservation point of view, but it also has important economic implications. Since these valuable habitats were created with the help of humans, their preservation also requires active treatment. Our current experiment was aimed at investigating the suppression of tall grass, Calamagrostis epigejos L. Roth. In Hungary, in the Cserhát Mountains, eight permanent plots were mown twice a year. We surveyed the vegetation twice a year between 2001 and 2011. The effects of treatment were studied with repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). After 10 years, the C. epigejos cover of the mown plots decreased significantly, from the initial average of 62.38 to 7.50%. Surprisingly, we noticed a decrease in the control plots as well. While percentage cover of C. epigejos decreased in all plots, the decrease was significantly stronger in the mown plots. Regular treatment caused an increase in the number of species and diversity. Species richness increased continuously in both treatment types, which indicates the combined effect of vegetation succession and treatment. The biomass growth of other Poaceae and Fabaceae species, which are important from a grassland management perspective, was also facilitated by mowing. Our results allow us to conclude that long-term regular mowing is recommended for preservation from the perspective of the richness and variety of grassland management functional groups and the functioning of the ecosystem in semi-arid regenerating grasslands.
Using Geophysics to Locate Holocaust Era Mass Graves in Jewish Cemeteries: Examples from Latvia and Lithuania
Authors: Reeder Philip , Jol Harry , McClymont Alastair , Bauman Paul , Barrow Michael
Published: July 2024

A common practice used by the Germans and collaborators in World War II, as part of the Holocaust, was to use existing Jewish cemeteries as places for mass burial. Research was completed at the Old Jewish Cemetery in Riga, Latvia, the Livas Jewish Cemetery in Liepaja, Latvia, and the Zaliakalnis Jewish Cemetery in Kaunas, Lithuania. The Old Jewish Cemetery in Riga was adjacent to the Riga Ghetto and was used to bury individuals murdered in the ghetto. In Kaunas, an area of the Zaliakalnis Jewish Cemetery is devoid of grave stones, and literature sources and testimony indicate that this area was used for the mass burial of Jews from the Kaunas Ghetto and other mass killings. In Liepaja, the local Jewish Heritage Foundation believes that there are mass graves within the Livas Cemetery. Methodologies for this research include the use of a pulseEkko Pro 500-megahertz ground-penetrating radar (GPR) system. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) data were collected through a linear array of electrodes coupled to a direct current (DC) resistivity transmitter and receiver. Analysis of aerial photography and satellite images was also employed at each location. ERT and GPR data indicate three separate trench anomalies in the Old Jewish Cemetery in Riga. The presence of these anomalies corroborates Holocaust survivor testimony that bodies were buried in mass graves in that area. In the Zaliakalnis Jewish Cemetery in Kaunas, ERT and GPR data indicate an anomaly in the western part of the cemetery, and ERT data further indicate two other possible mass graves. In Liepaja, preliminary GPR analysis indicates an anomaly in a cleared section of the cemetery. Based on the presence of geophysical anomalies in all three cemeteries, which correlate with literature sources and Holocaust survivor testimony, there is a high probability that mass graves are present at each site. Future research directions include expanding the search areas in each cemetery, additional literature and testimony-based research, and the addition of other geophysical methodologies.
Hydrodynamic Effects of Mastigonemes in the Cryptophyte Chilomonas paramecium
Authors: Sanchez Arias Ludivine , Webb Branden , Samsami Kiarash , Nikolova Linda , Silva Malan , Fu Henry C.
Published: July 2024

Many swimming protists travel by actuating whip-like flagella to generate thrust. While many organisms’ flagella have been observed to have hair-like protrusions called mastigonemes, the function of these mastigonemes is not known. In particular, however, although theory, numerics, and some experiments suggest that mastigonemes can initiate the reversal in direction of thrust generated relative to the direction of traveling waves propagated along flagella, other experiments have found that they do not have hydrodynamic effects. Thus, it remains unclear whether mastigonemes have a hydrodynamic effect and function; additionally, any hydrodynamic effects may be species-dependent, which calls for the investigation of additional species. In this work, we report experimental observations of the cryptophyte C. paramecium that obtain their cell body, flagellar, and mastigoneme geometries, as well as their swimming kinematics and behavior. We then use the observed geometries and kinematics to numerically simulate swimming trajectories for a particularly well-characterized reorientation event, with and without various configurations of the mastigonemes. The comparison of numerical and experimental results shows that a configuration of mastigonemes in the beating plane best reproduces the observed reorientation dynamics, suggesting that in C. paramecium, although mastigonemes do not lead to gross changes in motility, such as thrust reversal, they do exert important quantitative effects.
Biochemical Pattern of Methylmalonyl-CoA Epimerase Deficiency Identified in Newborn Screening: A Case Report
Authors: Maines Evelina , Franceschi Roberto , Rivieri Francesca , Piccoli Giovanni , Schulte Björn , Hoffmann Jessica , Bordugo Andrea , Rodella Giulia , Teofoli Francesca , Vincenzi Monica , Soffiati Massimo , Camilot Marta
Published: July 2024

Methylmalonyl-CoA epimerase enzyme (MCEE) is responsible for catalyzing the isomeric conversion between D- and L-methylmalonyl-CoA, an intermediate along the conversion of propionyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA. A dedicated test for MCEE deficiency is not included in the newborn screening (NBS) panels but it can be incidentally identified when investigating methylmalonic acidemia and propionic acidemia. Here, we report for the first time the biochemical description of a case detected by NBS. The NBS results showed increased levels of propionylcarnitine (C3) and 2-methylcitric acid (MCA), while methylmalonic acid (MMA) and homocysteine (Hcy) were within the reference limits. Confirmatory analyses revealed altered levels of metabolites, including MCA and MMA, suggesting a block in the propionate degradation pathway. The analysis of methylmalonic pathway genes by next-generation sequencing (NGS) allowed the identification of the known homozygous nonsense variation c.139C>T (p.R47X) in exon 2 of the MCE gene. Conclusions: Elevated concentrations of C3 with a slight increase in MCA and normal MMA and Hcy during NBS should prompt the consideration of MCEE deficiency in differential diagnosis. Increased MMA levels may be negligible at NBS as they may reach relevant values beyond the first days of life and thus could be identified only in confirmatory analyses.
Organic Dust Exposure Enhances SARS-CoV-2 Entry in a PKCα- and ADAM-17-Dependent Manner
Authors: Muralidharan Abenaya , Bauer Christopher D. , Nissen Claire G. , Reid St Patrick , Poole Jill A. , Wyatt Todd A.
Published: July 2024

SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, has had a global impact, affecting millions over the last three years. Pre-existing lung diseases adversely affect the prognosis of infected COVID-19 patients, and agricultural workers routinely exposed to inhalable organic dusts have substantial increased risk for developing chronic lung diseases. In previous studies, we characterized the protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent airway inflammation mediated by organic dust extract (ODE) derived from dust collected from swine confinement facilities in in vitro and in vivo models. Here, we studied the effect of ODE on SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviral infection in mice and human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B). In wild-type (WT) and transgenic mice expressing the human angiotensin I-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor (SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor), ODE increased ACE2 shedding by ADAM-17 in the lungs. After repeated ODE treatments, the increased soluble ACE2 correlated to higher pseudovirus titer in the mouse lungs. In the human bronchial epithelial cells, ODE augmented PKCα activity in WT cells, and membrane ACE2 expression was diminished in PKCα-dominant negative cells. Unlike in the mice, increasing membrane ACE2 levels by treating with PKCα or ADAM-17 inhibitors and a low dose of ODE enhanced pseudoviral entry in vitro. Following viral entry, IL-8 secretion by the cells was diminished in a PKCα- and ADAM-17-independent manner. Together, the complex mechanisms involved in the synergistic effects of agricultural dust and SARS-CoV-2 highlight the importance of studying dust-mediated changes to immunity against circulating pathogens.
Bend-Net: Bending Loss Regularized Multitask Learning Network for Nuclei Segmentation in Histopathology Images
Authors: Wang Haotian , Vakanski Aleksandar , Shi Changfa , Xian Min
Published: July 2024

Separating overlapped nuclei is a significant challenge in histopathology image analysis. Recently published approaches have achieved promising overall performance on nuclei segmentation; however, their performance on separating overlapped nuclei is limited. To address this issue, we propose a novel multitask learning network with a bending loss regularizer to separate overlapped nuclei accurately. The newly proposed multitask learning architecture enhances generalization by learning shared representation from the following three tasks: instance segmentation, nuclei distance map prediction, and overlapped nuclei distance map prediction. The proposed bending loss defines high penalties to concave contour points with large curvatures, and small penalties are applied to convex contour points with small curvatures. Minimizing the bending loss avoids generating contours that encompass multiple nuclei. In addition, two new quantitative metrics, the Aggregated Jaccard Index of overlapped nuclei (AJIO) and the accuracy of overlapped nuclei (ACCO), have been designed to evaluate overlapped nuclei segmentation. We validate the proposed approach on the CoNSeP and MoNuSegv1 data sets using the following seven quantitative metrics: Aggregate Jaccard Index, Dice, Segmentation Quality, Recognition Quality, Panoptic Quality, AJIO, and ACCO. Extensive experiments demonstrate that the proposed Bend-Net outperforms eight state-of-the-art approaches.
Resource Utilization of Residual Organic Sludge Generated from Bioenergy Facilities Using Hermetia illucens Larvae
Authors: Lee Kyu-Shik , Yun Eun-Young , Goo Tae-Won
Published: July 2024

Residual organic sludge generated from bioenergy facilities (BF-rOS) is often disposed instead of recycled, thus contributing to further environmental pollution. This study explored the resource utilization of BF-rOS using Hermetia illucens larvae (BSFL). When BF-rOS was fed to BSFL for two weeks, the dry weight per individual BSFL was approximately 15% of that of BSFL that were fed food waste (FW). However, the dry weight increased by approximately two-fold in BSFL that were fed effective microorganism (EM)-supplemented BF-rOS containing 60% moisture. However, under both conditions, the BSFL did not mature into pupae. In contrast, the highest dry weight per BSFL was observed with the BF-rOS/FW (50%:50%) mixture, regardless of EM supplementation. Furthermore, the highest bioconversion rate was observed when the BSFL were fed the BF-rOS/FW (50%:50%) mixture, and the frass produced by the BSFL contained fertilizer-appropriate components. In addition, the nutritional components of the BSFL exhibited a nutrient profile suitable for animal feed, except for those fed BF-rOS only. In conclusion, this investigation demonstrates that BF-rOS should be recycled for fertilizer production by mixing it with FW as a BSFL feed, which generates the valuable insect biomass as potential nutrition for animal feeding.
Influence of Distance, Environmental Factors, and Native Vegetation on Honeybee (Apis mellifera) Foraging in Arid Shrublands and Grasslands
Authors: Baez-Gonzalez Alma Delia , Royo-Marquez Mario Humberto , Perez-Quintana Carlos Alejandro , Hernández-Bernal Adrián Isaac , Melgoza-Castillo Alicia , Titulaer Mieke , Vega-Mares Jose Humberto
Published: July 2024

This study determined the influence of foraging distance, environmental factors, and native vegetation on honeybee (Apis mellifera) foraging in arid shrublands and grasslands in Northern Mexico. Apiary distance from inflorescence sites did not have a significant influence on the intensity of foraging. Apiary location and landscape were decisive factors in the response of honeybees to environmental factors. Air temperature, minimum temperature, wind velocity, and relative humidity explained foraging by 87, 80, 68, and 41% (R2), respectively, in shrubland sites in open landscapes but had no significant influence on foraging in the grassland sites in a valley surrounded by hills (1820–2020 amsl). Nights with a minimum temperature of <20 °C increased foraging activity during the day. Minimum temperature, which has the least correlative influence among climate elements, can be used to determine climate change’s impact on bees. The quantity of available inflorescence explained the foraging intensity by 78% in shrublands and 84% in grasslands. Moreover, when honeybees depended mainly on native vegetation in grasslands, the quantity of inflorescence explained the intensity of foraging by 95%. High intensity of honeybee foraging was observed in allthorn (Koeberlinia spinosa) and wait-a-minute bush (Mimosa aculeaticarpa) in shrublands and honey mesquite (Neltuma glandulosa) and wait-a-minute bush (Mimosa aculeaticarpa) in grasslands. The findings and baseline data contributed by this study may be used to identify suitable environments for increasing apiary productivity and other agricultural and ecological benefits.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome: Insights into Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Manifestations
Authors: Celia Alessandra Ida , Galli Mattia , Mancuso Silvia , Alessandri Cristiano , Frati Giacomo , Sciarretta Sebastiano , Conti Fabrizio
Published: July 2024

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a complex systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by a hypercoagulable state, leading to severe vascular thrombosis and obstetric complications. The 2023 ACR/EULAR guidelines have revolutionized the classification and understanding of APS, introducing broader diagnostic criteria that encompass previously overlooked cardiac, renal, and hematologic manifestations. Despite these advancements, diagnosing APS remains particularly challenging in seronegative patients, where traditional tests fail, yet clinical symptoms persist. Emerging non-criteria antiphospholipid antibodies offer promising new diagnostic and management avenues for these patients. Managing APS involves a strategic balance of cardiovascular risk mitigation and long-term anticoagulation therapy, though the use of direct oral anticoagulants remains contentious due to varying efficacy and safety profiles. This article delves into the intricate pathogenesis of APS, explores the latest classification criteria, and evaluates cutting-edge diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies.
Active Commuting as a Factor of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Authors: Baran Claudia , Belgacem Shanice , Paillet Mathilde , de Abreu Raphael Martins , de Araujo Francisco Xavier , Meroni Roberto , Corbellini Camilo
Published: July 2024

Active commuting (AC) may have the potential to prevent the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the evidence for a correlation between AC and the risk of CVD remains uncertain. The current study thoroughly and qualitatively summarized research on the relationship between AC and the risk of CVD disease. From conception through December 2022, researchers explored four databases (PubMed, PEDro, Cochrane, and Bibliothèque Nationale of Luxembourg [BnL]) for observational studies. The initial findings of the search yielded 1042 references. This systematic review includes five papers with 491,352 participants between 16 and 85 years old, with 5 to 20 years of follow-up period. The exposure variable was the mode of transportation used to commute on a typical day (walking, cycling, mixed mode, driving, or taking public transportation). The primary outcome measures were incident CVD, fatal and non-fatal (e.g., ischemic heart disease (IHD), ischemic stroke (IS), hemorrhagic stroke (HS) events, and coronary heart disease (CHD). Despite methodological variability, the current evidence supports AC as a preventive measure for the development of CVD. Future research is needed to standardize methodologies and promote policies for public health and environmental sustainability.
Property Evaluation of AA2014 Reinforced with Synthesized Novel Mixture Processed through Squeeze Casting Technique
Authors: Manokaran Venkatraman , Michael Anthony Xavior
Published: July 2024

Aluminum alloy–graphene metal matrix composite is largely used for structural applications in the aerospace and space exploration sector. In this work, the preprocessed powder particles (AA 2014 and graphene) were used as a reinforcement material in a squeeze casting process. The powder mixture contained aluminum alloy powder 2014 with an average particle size of 25 μm and 0.5 wt% graphene nano powder (Grnp) with 10 nm (average) particle size. The powder mixture was mixed using the high-energy planetary ball milling (HEPBM) technique. The experimental results indicated that the novel mixture (AA 2014 and graphene powder) acted as a transporting agent of graphene particles, allowing them to disperse homogeneously in the stir pool in the final cast, resulting in the production of an isotropic composite material that could be considered for launch vehicle structural applications. Homogeneous dispersion of the graphene nanoparticles enhanced the interfacial bonding of 2014 matrix material, which resulted in particulate strengthening and the formation of a fine-grained microstructure in the casted composite plate. The mechanical properties of 0.5 wt% graphene-reinforced, hot-rolled composite plate was strengthened by the T6 condition. When compared to the values of unreinforced parent alloy, the ultimate tensile strength and the hardness value of the composite plate were found to be 420 MPa and 123 HRB, respectively.
Epidemiology of Invasive Fungal Diseases: A 10-Year Experience in a Tertiary Pediatric Hematology–Oncology Department in Greece
Authors: Moraitaki Eleni , Kyriakidis Ioannis , Pelagiadis Iordanis , Katzilakis Nikolaos , Stratigaki Maria , Chamilos Georgios , Tragiannidis Athanasios , Stiakaki Eftichia
Published: July 2024

Although advances in the management of pediatric neoplasms have profoundly improved infectious disease outcomes, invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children and adolescents with high-risk hematological malignancies. A retrospective study was conducted in the Pediatric Hematology–Oncology Department of the University General Hospital of Heraklion for 2013–2022 to estimate the prevalence and describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of IFDs for pediatric and adolescent patients with neoplasia. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were analyzed to identify risk factors for the development of IFD. The overall prevalence of IFDs was estimated to be 7.8% (12/154 patients) throughout the study. The mean age at IFD diagnosis was 9.8 years (SD 6.4 years). The most common IFD was possible/probable invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA; in ≈50%), followed by candidemia/invasive candidiasis (in 44%). Candida parapsilosis was the most prevalent Candida species (4/6 events). Of interest, the majority (75%) of IFDs were breakthrough infections. Patients with increased risk for IFDs were those who were colonized by fungi in sites other than the oral cavity, hospitalized in the intensive care unit for >7 days, received >7 different antimicrobials in the last 3 months, or had severe neutropenia for >44 days. Two children out of a total of 12 with IFD died due to refractory disease or relapse (16.7%). More detailed and prospective epidemiological studies on fungal infections in pediatric patients with hematological or solid neoplasms can contribute to the optimization of prevention and treatment.
Russia–Ukraine Propaganda on Social Media: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Hasan Mahedi
Published: July 2024

This study presents a systematic review of the scholarly literature on Russia–Ukraine Propaganda on Social Media over the last ten years. This study performs a bibliometric analysis of articles published in the last ten years (2012–2022) and acquired from the Scopus database, followed by a brief content analysis of top articles from leading sources. Furthermore, the study aims to find gaps in the literature and identify the research area that could be developed in this context. VOSviewer application was used for data mining and data visualization from Microsoft Excel. Some interesting facts were found in the bibliometric analysis regarding research and other perspectives. Though the study was related to the propaganda of Russia and Ukraine, the USA is identified as the most attentive country in terms of research and publication on the topic. On the other hand, Russia published many articles regarding its own propaganda on social media.
Underexplored Molecular Mechanisms of Toxicity
Authors: Arowolo Olatunbosun , Suvorov Alexander
Published: July 2024

Social biases may concentrate the attention of researchers on a small number of well-known molecules/mechanisms leaving others underexplored. In accordance with this view, central to mechanistic toxicology is a narrow range of molecular pathways that are assumed to be involved in a significant part of the responses to toxicity. It is unclear, however, if there are other molecular mechanisms which play an important role in toxicity events but are overlooked by toxicology. To identify overlooked genes sensitive to chemical exposures, we used publicly available databases. First, we used data on the published chemical–gene interactions for 17,338 genes to estimate their sensitivity to chemical exposures. Next, we extracted data on publication numbers per gene for 19,243 human genes from the Find My Understudied Genes database. Thresholds were applied to both datasets using our algorithm to identify chemically sensitive and chemically insensitive genes and well-studied and underexplored genes. A total of 1110 underexplored genes highly sensitive to chemical exposures were used in GSEA and Shiny GO analyses to identify enriched biological categories. The metabolism of fatty acids, amino acids, and glucose were identified as underexplored molecular mechanisms sensitive to chemical exposures. These findings suggest that future effort is needed to uncover the role of xenobiotics in the current epidemics of metabolic diseases.
sBERT: Parameter-Efficient Transformer-Based Deep Learning Model for Scientific Literature Classification
Authors: Ahanger Mohammad Munzir , Wani Mohd Arif , Palade Vasile
Published: July 2024

This paper introduces a parameter-efficient transformer-based model designed for scientific literature classification. By optimizing the transformer architecture, the proposed model significantly reduces memory usage, training time, inference time, and the carbon footprint associated with large language models. The proposed approach is evaluated against various deep learning models and demonstrates superior performance in classifying scientific literature. Comprehensive experiments conducted on datasets from Web of Science, ArXiv, Nature, Springer, and Wiley reveal that the proposed model’s multi-headed attention mechanism and enhanced embeddings contribute to its high accuracy and efficiency, making it a robust solution for text classification tasks.
Study on the Influence of Policy Guidance and Market-Driven Factors on Farmers’ Behavior Regarding Black Soil Protection
Authors: Wang Tianyi , Liu Linghui , Huang Shanlin
Published: July 2024

Enhancing black soil quality is essential for ensuring national food security and promoting sustainable economic development in Northeast China. This paper utilizes survey data from farmers in the typical black soil region of the Sanjiang Plain to establish a structural equation model. This study explores the theoretical mechanisms and practical logic behind the influence of policy guidance and market-driven factors on farmers’ black soil protection behavior. The research findings are as follows: The effect values of policy guidance and market-driven factors on farmers’ black soil protection behavior are 0.042 and 0.195, respectively, with the influence of market-driven factors being more significant. The linkage effect value between policy guidance and market-driven factors in promoting farmers’ black soil protection behavior is 0.396. There are differences in the influence pathways of policy guidance and market-driven factors on the black soil protection behavior of different types of farmers. Farmers managing dryland and those with smaller-scale operations are more significantly affected by both policy guidance and market-driven factors, with a noticeable linkage effect between the two. However, the issue of degradation in black soil quality remains severe, and the awareness of black soil conservation among farmers still requires reinforcement. Future research should continue to explore the driving mechanisms behind farmers’ behaviors regarding black soil conservation and compare the actual effects and efficacy of various black soil conservation techniques through impact evaluations. This will facilitate the continuous improvement of mechanisms for black soil protection, ensuring the sustainable development of black soil quality, ecology, and biodiversity.
Land Governance and Fragmentation Patterns of Agricultural Land Use in Southern Romania during 1990–2020
Authors: Dogaru Diana , Petrisor Alexandru-Ionut , Angearu Claudiu-Valeriu , Lupu Laura , Bălteanu Dan
Published: July 2024

In Romania, excessive fragmentation of croplands remains persistent in areas of significant agricultural potential as a consequence of combined factors involving both land governance and farms’ characteristics. This paper examines the fragmentation of agricultural land use in the Romanian Plain, focusing on the impact of land policies implemented in Romania during the past three decades. The analysis relies on a survey of local policies that helps to distinguish three phases that marked the evolution of the fragmentation of agricultural land during 1990–2020. Additionally, metrics derived from remote sensing time series further assist in capturing the fragmentation levels during the identified phases and the spatial differences for the analyzed period. The fragmentation levels appear strikingly contrasting between the western part of the Romanian Plain and the Danube alluvial areas; this has been attributed as being the joint result of various land governance components which both enabled and constrained proper utilization of agricultural land, and concurrent factors related to economic and sociodemographic changes. We find excessive fragmentation emerged in plain field areas, triggered by the high overall rates of institutional change. The findings underscore the importance of jointly considering the fragmentation phenomenon in its evolution, intensity and spatial differences for effective land use policy formulation, emphasizing the need for proactive governance to support the efficient use of agricultural resources.
Immature Surfactant Protein Type B and Surfactant Protein Type D Correlate with Coronary Heart Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Banfi Cristina , Piarulli Francesco , Ragazzi Eugenio , Ghilardi Stefania , Greco Arianna , Lapolla Annunziata , Sartore Giovanni
Published: July 2024

Background: Different specific surfactant proteins (SPs) have been associated with various pathological conditions, not only of the respiratory system, but also more recently with cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of SP-A, SP-D, and the precursor protein of SP-B (proSP-B) in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular damage in patients affected by type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: The study considered 31 patients with T2D (DN group), 34 patients with both T2D and coronary heart disease (CHD) (DC group), and 30 patients without diabetes but with a diagnosis of CHD (NC group). SP-A, SP-D, and proSP-B concentrations were determined in plasma samples, and were statistically compared using parametric and multivariate methods. Results: Higher plasma concentrations of SP-D and proSP-B were found in patients affected by both T2D and CHD (DC group), and in patients with CHD without diabetes (NC group), in comparison to T2D patients (DN group). A significant correlation, both with linear regression (r = 0.3565, p = 0.001) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), was found between the plasma levels of SP-D and proSP-B in the overall cohort of patients. No differences in SP-A were observed among the three groups of subjects. Conclusion: The present study extends the knowledge on the role of plasma SPs’ levels as possible indicators of the risk of CHD being linked to T2D disease progression.
Conformity of Three Pre-Contoured Clavicular Plates Compared Using Personalized 3D-Printed Models of Clavicles from Patients
Authors: Song Hyun Seok , Joh Yongwon , Kim Hyungsuk
Published: July 2024

The human clavicle’s unique S-shaped, three-dimensional structure complicates fracture management. This study evaluated the anatomical conformity of pre-contoured anatomical plates using 3D-printed clavicle models. CT scans from 30 patients (15 males and 15 females) were used to create these models. Three brands of distal clavicle plate systems (Acumed, Synthes, and Arthrex) were tested for fit. Measurements included the distance from the distal end of the clavicle to the plate’s lateral end, the gap between the clavicle and the plate, and the overhang distance. Results showed significant differences in clavicle length between sexes, with men having a mean length of 156.1 ± 7.6 mm and women 138.4 ± 4.3 mm, both with normal distribution (p > 0.05). The mean lateral distance was 7.9 ± 1.7 mm, and the mean medial gap was 3.6 ± 3.0 mm, showing no significant differences between products or sexes. The mean overhang distance was 5.8 ± 4.6 mm, with larger values in women for the Acumed (p = 0.037) and Arthrex (p = 0.000) plates. Overall, pre-contoured plates exhibited notable discrepancies, especially in shorter clavicles.
Finite Element Analysis of Damage Evolution of Solid Lubrication Film in Rolling–Sliding Contact
Authors: Lv Peng , Tian Changling , Xue Yujun , Yu Yongjian , Cai Haichao , Yin Yanjing
Published: July 2024

Based on the cohesive zone model (CZM), a finite element model of the film–substrate bearing system in the rolling–sliding contact state is established. Through analyzing the normal and tangential bearing states of the film–substrate system, the effects of the sliding–rolling ratio and the film–substrate adhesion strength on the interfacial stress and the interfacial energy release rate of the film–substrate system are studied. The results show that there is an almost symmetric stress distribution at both sides of the contact zone in rolling contact. In rolling–sliding contact, obvious shear flow along the rolling–sliding direction occurs at the front edge of the contact zone, which results in a significant increase in the shear stress at the interface at the front edge of the contact zone, increasing the risk of interface damage and delamination failure. Meanwhile, the shear flow causes a normal tensile stress concentration along the film surface behind the contact zone, which very easily causes the emergence and expansion of the film surface cracks. In addition, there is a clear positive correlation between the adhesion strength and the load-bearing capacity of the film–substrate interface. The tangential delamination damage mainly occurs at the interface regardless of the rolling or rolling–sliding contact state.
Recent Discovery of Nitrogen Heterocycles from Marine-Derived Aspergillus Species
Authors: Shi Jueying , Yu Miao , Chen Weikang , Chen Shiji , Qiu Yikang , Xu Zhenyang , Wang Yi , Huang Guolei , Zheng Caijuan
Published: July 2024

Nitrogen heterocycles have drawn considerable attention because of their structurally novel and significant biological activities. Marine-derived fungi, especially the Aspergillus species, possess unique metabolic pathways to produce secondary metabolites with novel structures and potent biological activities. This review prioritizes the structural diversity and biological activities of nitrogen heterocycles that are produced by marine-derived Aspergillus species from January 2019 to January 2024, and their relevant biological activities. A total of 306 new nitrogen heterocycles, including seven major categories—indole alkaloids, diketopiperazine alkaloids, quinazoline alkaloids, isoquinoline alkaloids pyrrolidine alkaloids, cyclopeptide alkaloids, and other heterocyclic alkaloids—are presented in this review. Among these nitrogen heterocycles, 52 compounds had novel skeleton structures. Remarkably, 103 compounds showed various biological activities, such as cytotoxic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, anti-virus, and enzyme-inhibitory activities, and 21 compounds showed potent activities. This paper will guide further investigations into the structural diversity and biological activities of nitrogen heterocycles derived from the Aspergillus species and their potential contributions to the future development of new natural drug products in the medicinal and agricultural fields.
Atypical Autism: Causes, Diagnosis and Support
Authors: Jagadapillai Rekha
Published: July 2024

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurobehavioral disorders defined by persistent deficits in social communication and social interactions with repetitive behaviors, and it is typically diagnosed within the first three years of life [...]
Research on Multiscale Numerical Simulation Method for SLM Melting Process
Authors: Zou Fan , Yao Shuguang , Dong Yunhui , Zheng Xin , Xie Minhan , Yang Lei , Wang Dongtao
Published: July 2024

In the selective-laser-melting process, it is difficult to monitor the evolution of the melt pool in real time via experimental methods due to the complexity and fine scale of laser–powder interaction; numerical simulation has become an important technical way to study the selective-laser-melting process. A coupled thermal–fluid model of the SLM single-layer melt-channel-forming process is constructed based on hydrodynamic theory for AlSi10Mg metallic materials, and the SLM single-layer melt-channel-forming process is investigated by combining parametric experiments and numerical simulation methods. A binarised spatial-random-function pore material model is proposed, and a multiscale finite-element numerical model of the melt-channel-forming process is constructed to compare and verify the first-layer melt-channel-forming process and to analyse the evolution of the melt pool and the change in the temperature field in multi-layer melt channel formation. The results of this study show that the multiscale numerical model of the SLM multilayer melt-channel-forming process has a reliable computational accuracy, with an average error of 6.77% for the melt pool length and 1.69% for the melt pool width; Marangoni convection effects increase the melt pool size, and the presence of pores significantly affects the evolution of the powder bed temperature field. With laser scanning and powder bed stacking, the overall temperature of the powder bed and the peak temperature of the molten pool gradually increased, and the length, width, and height dimensions of the molten pool increased by 44.9%, 21.7%, and 33.8%, respectively.