bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Food Supply Chain Safety Research Trends From 1997 to 2020: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Luo Jianli , Leng Shujuan , Bai Yanhu
Published: February 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of the global food supply chain, strengthened consumers' awareness of the traceability system throughout the supply chain, and gradually changed consumers' consumption concepts and consumption patterns. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the relevant literature on food safety in the food supply chain, examine its current status, hot spots, and development trends, and provide some suggestions for academics and relevant government departments in food supply chain safety research.

Methods

We collected the literature on the food safety research of the food supply chain from the Scopus database, used BibExcel to count the subject categories, published journals, geographical distributions, research institutions, authors, and keywords in the literature, and used Pajek software to analyse the keywords in the literature, perform co-occurrence analysis, draw related knowledge maps, and perform cluster analysis on primary keywords. Finally, to study the development trend, we used CorTexT software to illustrate the theme evolution path map in this research field.

Results

The keyword visualization network revealed the following key research topics: (1) food safety at the consumer end of the food supply chain, (2) food safety management in the food supply chain, (3) risk management of food safety in the food safety chain, and (4) food safety at the production end of the food supply chain.

Conclusions

After comprehensive discussion and analysis, we concluded that food supply chain management may be a hot topic in the future, especially in traceability management combined with the blockchain. It is necessary to explore in-depth how the blockchain can affect the food supply chain to provide a theoretical basis for managing the latter.
Preventing Violence by Teachers in Primary Schools: Study Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial in Haiti
Authors: López García Ana Isabel , Scharpf Florian , Hoeffler Anke , Hecker Tobias
Published: February 2022

Context

Although teacher violence at schools is a serious problem in Haiti, there is a lack of systematic evidence on the effectiveness of school-based interventions in reducing teacher violence in this low-income country.

Objective

To test the effectiveness of the preventative intervention Interaction Competencies with Children for Teachers (ICC-T) aiming to reduce teachers' use of violent disciplinary strategies and to improve their interaction competences with children in the Haitian context.

Design, Setting, Participants

The study is designed as a two-arm matched cluster randomized controlled trial. The sample consists of 468 teachers and 1,008 children from 36 (community and public) primary schools around Cap-Haïtien (Département du Nord) in Haiti. Data will be collected in three phases, before the intervention, and 6 and 18 months after.

Intervention

In the group of intervention schools, ICC-T will be delivered as a 5-day training workshop. Workshop sessions are divided into five modules: 1) improving teacher-student interactions, 2) maltreatment prevention, 3) effective discipline strategies, 4) identifying and supporting burdened students, and 5) implementation in everyday school life.

Main Outcome Measure

The main outcome measure is teacher violence assessed in two ways: (i) teachers' self-reported use of violence, and (ii) children's self-reported experiences of violence by teachers.

Conclusions

Prior evaluations of ICC-T had been conducted in sub-Saharan Africa with promising results. This study will test for the first time the effectiveness of this intervention outside the context of sub-Saharan Africa.
Insights in Urban Resource Management: A Comprehensive Understanding of Unexplored Patterns
Authors: Zucaro Amalia , Maselli Gabriella , Ulgiati Sergio
Published: February 2022

In the last few decades, the rapid urbanisation process has led to an exponential growth of resource use, making increasingly difficult to ensure the principles of sustainability within urban systems. Similar to living organisms, cities have always required resources and energy to survive. However, technological development and population growth have consequently led to increasing urban inflows and outflows, in so deeply altering the relations of cities with the environment as a source and a sink. Examples include the extraction of minerals for built environment and industrial processes providing manufactured goods; the conversion of fossil energy into electricity for buildings and fuel for vehicles; the use of natural resources (e.g., land or water) to support urban expansion activities. In a planet with limited resources, the challenge should not be to find new resources but to improve the way we use them and the lifestyles that they support, or in other words, to plan strategies to generate more value and higher quality of life with fewer inputs. It is well-known that cities depend on imports of external resources; however, they also benefit from internal resources and ecosystem services. Based on this framework, an urgent effort is needed to explore crucial urban issues that have not yet been adequately investigated. A strategic resource management is needed to actually move towards sustainable cities. In particular, a special focus should be placed on: (i) to monitor and properly manage the city's resources and energy systems within the metaphor of “urban metabolism;” (ii) to define innovative approaches, actions and strategies that ensure the sustainable management of non-renewable urban resources; (iii) to protect and restore urban ecosystem services as valuable renewable resources, and finally (iv) to envisage participatory governance processes for the appropriate allocation of resources to the common well-being.
Belowground Mountaineers: Critters Living in Mountain Soils
Authors: Steinwandter Michael , Seeber Julia
Published: February 2022

The soil beneath our feet still requires more exploration, although we know that it is home to a vast number of organisms. It is basically a black box we cannot see into to observe its inhabitants and the processes they contribute to. In this article, we will tell you about soils that are even less explored. We are talking about mountain soils at high elevation: they are not easily accessible but harbor many exciting species, some of which are specialized to live only in mountain soils. We are a team of soil ecologists who dedicate our research to revealing the secrets of animals living in mountain soils. We will tell you which and how many soil critters can be found in high-elevation soils of the European Alps, in both natural mountain ecosystems and those used for farming. Further, we explain some clever ways these species have adapted to the harsh alpine environment.
Parametric Study of Magnetosheath Jets in 2D Local Hybrid Simulations
Authors: Tinoco-Arenas Arturo , Kajdič Primož , Preisser Luis , Blanco-Cano Xóchitl , Trotta Domenico , Burgess David
Published: February 2022

We perform 2D local hybrid simulations of collisionless shocks in order to study the properties of simulated magnetosheath jets as a function of shock properties, namely their Alfvénic Mach number (MA) and geometry (angle between the upstream magnetic field and the shock normal, θBN). In total we perform 15 simulations with inflow speeds of Vin = 3.3 CA (Alfvén velocity), 4.5 CA and 5.5 CA and θBN = 15°, 30°, 45°, 50°, and 65°. Under these conditions, the shock MA varied between 4.28 and 7.42. In order to identify magnetosheath jets in the simulation outputs, we use four different criteria, equivalent to those utilized to identify subsets of magnetosheath jets, called high-speed jets (Plaschke and Hietala and Angelopoulos, Ann. Geophys., 2013, 31, 1877–1889), transient flux enhancements (Němeček et al., Geophys. Res. Lett., 1998, 25, 1273–1276), density plasmoids (Karlsson et al., J. Geophys. Res., 2012, 117, a–n; Karlsson et al., J. Geophys. Res., 2015, 120, 7390–7403) and high-speed plasmoids (Gunell et al., Ann. Geophys., 2014, 32, 991–1009). In our simulations, the density plasmoids were produced only by shocks with MA ≥5.7, while the high-speed plasmoids only formed downstream of shocks with MA ≥6.97. We show that higher MA shocks tend to produce faster jets that tend to have larger surface area, mass, linear momentum and kinetic energy, while these quantities tend to be anticorrelated with θBN. In general, the increase of θBN to up to 45° results in increased jet formation rates. In the case of high-speed jets in runs with Vin = 3.3 CA and high-speed plasmoids, the jet formation anticorrelates with θBN. The jet production all but ceases for θBN = 65° regardless of the shock’s MA. The maximum distances of the magnetosheath jets from the shocks were ≲140 di (upstream ion intertial lengths), which, estimating 1 di ∼100–150 km at Earth, corresponds to 2.4–3.3 Earth radii. Thus, none of the simulated jets reached distances equivalent to the average extension of the Earth’s subsolar magnetosheath, which would make them the equivalents of geoeffective jets. Higher MA shocks are probably needed in order to produce such jets.
A Novel Multi-Port Containment System for Laparoscopic Power Morcellation to Prevent Tumoral Spread: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Wang Wenhui , Liang Haiyan , Zhao Fang , Yu Huan , Rong Chunhong , Feng Weiwei , Chen Qingyun , Yang Yanjun , Li Qian , Feng Dingqing , Dong Yuxiao , Xue Ming , Liang Jing , Ling Bin
Published: February 2022

Objective

To report a novel multi-port containment (NMC) system for laparoscopic power morcellation to prevent tumoral spread and to evaluate its safety, validity, and feasibility.

Methods

This retrospective study included women who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) between January 2014 and August 2020 at a single academic institution. The NMC system was used in the study group (n = 193); the control group underwent unprotected LM (n = 1753).

Results

After 1:1 propensity score matching, no significant differences in the baseline characteristics were observed between 193 matched pairs. Bag damages were detected in two cases in the study group before morcellation, and the NMC systems were replaced. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the complications, total operative time, estimated blood loss, or postoperative hospitalization duration. In the study group, all operations were completed and no system rupture or leakage was observed. The median follow-up times were 21 and 54 months in the study and control groups, respectively. There was no peritoneal tissue spread in the study group. However, three (3/5, 0.6%) and six (6/1,753, 0.3%) patients in the control group experienced malignant and benign peritoneal tissue spread, respectively.

Conclusion

The NMC system for laparoscopic power morcellation is valid, safe, and feasible for preventing a tumor spread.
Versatile Functional Energy Metabolism Platform Working From Research to Patient: An Integrated View of Cell Bioenergetics
Authors: Loric Sylvain , Conti Marc
Published: February 2022

Mitochondrial dysfunctions that were not discovered during preclinical and clinical testing have been responsible for at least restriction of use as far as withdrawal of many drugs. To solve mitochondrial machinery complexity, integrative methodologies combining different data, coupled or not to mathematic modelling into systems biology, could represent a strategic way but are still very hard to implement. These technologies should be accurate and precise to avoid accumulation of errors that can lead to misinterpretations, and then alter prediction efficiency. To address such issue, we have developed a versatile functional energy metabolism platform that can measure quantitatively, in parallel, with a very high precision and accuracy, a high number of biological parameters like substrates or enzyme cascade activities in essential metabolism units (glycolysis, respiratory chain ATP production, oxidative stress...) Its versatility (our platform works on either cell lines or small animals and human samples) allows cell metabolism pathways fine tuning comparison from preclinical to clinical studies. Applied here to OXPHOS and/or oxidative stress as an example, it allows discriminating compounds with acute toxic effects but, most importantly, those inducing low noise chronic ones.
How Cells Deal with the Fluctuating Environment: Autophagy Regulation under Stress in Yeast and Mammalian Systems
Authors: Lei Yuchen , Huang Yuxiang , Wen Xin , Yin Zhangyuan , Zhang Zhihai , Klionsky Daniel J.
Published: February 2022

Eukaryotic cells frequently experience fluctuations of the external and internal environments, such as changes in nutrient, energy and oxygen sources, and protein folding status, which, after reaching a particular threshold, become a type of stress. Cells develop several ways to deal with these various types of stress to maintain homeostasis and survival. Among the cellular survival mechanisms, autophagy is one of the most critical ways to mediate metabolic adaptation and clearance of damaged organelles. Autophagy is maintained at a basal level under normal growing conditions and gets stimulated by stress through different but connected mechanisms. In this review, we summarize the advances in understanding the autophagy regulation mechanisms under multiple types of stress including nutrient, energy, oxidative, and ER stress in both yeast and mammalian systems.
Spaceflight Stressors and Skin Health
Authors: Radstake Wilhelmina E. , Baselet Bjorn , Baatout Sarah , Verslegers Mieke
Published: February 2022

Traveling to space puts astronauts at risk of developing serious health problems. Of particular interest is the skin, which is vitally important in protecting the body from harmful environmental factors. Although data obtained from long-duration spaceflight studies are inconsistent, there have been indications of increased skin sensitivity and signs of dermal atrophy in astronauts. To better understand the effects of spaceflight stressors including microgravity, ionizing radiation and psychological stress on the skin, researchers have turned to in vitro and in vivo simulation models mimicking certain aspects of the spaceflight environment. In this review, we provide an overview of these simulation models and highlight studies that have improved our understanding on the effect of simulation spaceflight stressors on skin function. Data show that all aforementioned spaceflight stressors can affect skin health. Nevertheless, there remains a knowledge gap regarding how different spaceflight stressors in combination may interact and affect skin health. In future, efforts should be made to better simulate the spaceflight environment and reduce uncertainties related to long-duration spaceflight health effects.
Synergistic Effects of Inflammation and Atherogenic Dyslipidemia on Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis Assessed by Ultrasound in Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia and Their Family Members
Authors: Lin Po-Chih , Chen Chung-Yen , Wu Charlene , Su Ta-Chen
Published: February 2022

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and total to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C) ratio are both common risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs). However, whether high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) has synergistic or attenuated effects on atherogenic dyslipidemia remains unclear. We investigated subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and their family members. A total of 100 families with 761 participants were prospectively studied. Participants were categorized into four groups according to atherogenic dyslipidemia and inflammatory biomarkers. The group with LDL-C ≥ 160 mg/dL (or TC/HDL-C ratio ≥ 5) combined with hsCRP ≥ 2 mg/L have a thicker carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in different common carotid artery (CCA) areas and a higher percentage of high plaque scores compared with other subgroups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significantly higher adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for thicker CIMT of 3.56 (95% CI: 1.56–8.16) was noted in those with concurrent LDL-C ≥ 160 mg/dL and hsCRP ≥ 2 mg/L compared with the group with concurrent LDL-C < 160 mg/dL and hsCRP < 2 mg/L. Our results demonstrated that systemic inflammation, in terms of higher hsCRP levels ≥ 2 mg/L, synergistically contributed to atherogenic dyslipidemia of higher LDL-C or a higher TC/HDL-C ratio on subclinical atherosclerosis.
Emerging Therapeutic Strategies for Parkinson’s Disease and Future Prospects: A 2021 Update
Authors: Gouda Noha A. , Elkamhawy Ahmed , Cho Jungsook
Published: February 2022

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder pathologically distinguished by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Muscle rigidity, tremor, and bradykinesia are all clinical motor hallmarks of PD. Several pathways have been implicated in PD etiology, including mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired protein clearance, and neuroinflammation, but how these factors interact remains incompletely understood. Although many breakthroughs in PD therapy have been accomplished, there is currently no cure for PD, only trials to alleviate the related motor symptoms. To reduce or stop the clinical progression and mobility impairment, a disease-modifying approach that can directly target the etiology rather than offering symptomatic alleviation remains a major unmet clinical need in the management of PD. In this review, we briefly introduce current treatments and pathophysiology of PD. In addition, we address the novel innovative therapeutic targets for PD therapy, including α-synuclein, autophagy, neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, and others. Several immunomodulatory approaches and stem cell research currently in clinical trials with PD patients are also discussed. Moreover, preclinical studies and clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of novel and repurposed therapeutic agents and their pragmatic applications with encouraging outcomes are summarized. Finally, molecular biomarkers under active investigation are presented as potentially valuable tools for early PD diagnosis.
Structural Analysis of Five Historical Minarets in Bitlis (Turkey)
Authors: Işık Ercan , Harirchian Ehsan , Arkan Enes , Avcil Fatih , Günay Mutlu
Published: February 2022

Bitlis has hosted many civilizations and is located in Turkey’s significant strategic transit corridor. Many historical structures belong to different cultures in the city. The structural analysis of five minarets mentioned in folk songs and the brand value of Bitlis city in terms of historical buildings is the subject of this study. These minarets are precious because they witness important events in Bitlis city. Non-destructive test methods determined the material properties of the Bitlis stone used in constructing minarets. Within the scope of the study, detailed information about each minaret was given, and on-site measurements determined its dimensions and current structural conditions. For each minaret, its seismic behavior has been selected by using the vertical and horizontal design spectrum in the recent earthquake code of Turkey. Historical masonry minarets were modeled using the finite element method. In addition to stress distribution in the minarets under different loading conditions, period and displacement results are also investigated.
Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fractures: Should We Avoid Surgery during After-Hours?
Authors: Terpstra Sietse E. S. , Burgers Paul T. P. W. , van der Heide Huub J. L. , Witte Pieter Bas de
Published: February 2022

Pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures occur frequently. Often, the decision has to be made whether to operate immediately, e.g., during after-hours, or to postpone until office hours. However, the effect of timing of surgery on radiological and clinical outcomes is unclear. This literature review with the PICO methodology found six relevant articles that compared the results of office-hours and after-hours surgery for pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures. The surgical outcomes of both groups in these studies were assessed. One of the articles found a significantly higher “poor fixation rate” in the after-hours group, compared with office hours. Another article found more malunions in the “night” subgroup vs. the “all groups but night” group. A third article found a higher risk of postoperative paresthesia in the “late night” subgroup vs. the “day” group. Lastly, one article reported increased consultant attendance and decreased operative time when postponing to office hours more often. No differences were reported for functional outcomes in any of the articles. Consequently, no strong risks or benefits from surgical treatment during office hours vs. after-hours were found. It appears safe to postpone surgery to office hours if circumstances are not optimal for acute surgery, and if there is no medical contraindication. However, research with a higher level-of-evidence is needed make more definite recommendations.
Dual-Task Interference in Children with Down Syndrome and Chronological and Mental Age-Matched Healthy Controls
Authors: Holfelder Benjamin , Klotzbier Thomas Jürgen , Schott Nadja
Published: February 2022

Background. On the assumption that motor actions result from the interaction between cognitive, perceptual, and neurological mechanisms, neuromotor dysfunction–such as in children with Down Syndrome (DS)–is expected to affect the central coordination processes required for dual-task (DT) performance. There are few dual-task (DT) studies in individuals with DS, so the current study examined the effects of dual-tasking (DT) on walking performance in children with DS. Method. In this study, a motor-cognitive DT was used in 12 children with DS (10.5 ± 1.08 years, 6 female), 12 typically developed (TD) children with the same mental age (TD-MA: 5.98 ± 1.21 years, 6 female), and 12 with the same chronological age (TD-CA: 10.5 ± 1.07 years, 6 female). Children were asked to enumerate animals for one minute while walking straight ahead. Results. All groups showed lower performances under the DT condition than the single-task (ST) condition. Children with DS appear to have the most difficulties in motor and cognitive tasks and ST- and DT-conditions. Concerning the DT costs (DTC), difficulties were mainly observed with the motor task, with motor DTC being greater than cognitive DTC. Conclusion. The interplay of different systems seems to play a crucial role in walking, especially in children with DS. DT walking paradigms with directional changes are recommended for future studies, as this is more appropriate for the everyday demands of children.
Single Circulating-Tumor-Cell-Targeted Sequencing to Identify Somatic Variants in Liquid Biopsies in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Barbirou Mouadh , Miller Amanda , Manjunath Yariswamy , Ramirez Arturo B. , Ericson Nolan G. , Staveley-O’Carroll Kevin F. , Mitchem Jonathan B. , Warren Wesley C. , Chaudhuri Aadel A. , Huang Yi , Li Guangfu , Tonellato Peter J. , Kaifi Jussuf T.
Published: February 2022

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for most cancer-related deaths worldwide. Liquid biopsy by a blood draw to detect circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is a tool for molecular profiling of cancer using single-cell and next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. The aim of the study was to identify somatic variants in single CTCs isolated from NSCLC patients by targeted NGS. Thirty-one subjects (20 NSCLC patients, 11 smokers without cancer) were enrolled for blood draws (7.5 mL). CTCs were identified by immunofluorescence, individually retrieved, and DNA-extracted. Targeted NGS was performed to detect somatic variants (single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and insertions/deletions (Indels)) across 65 oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Cancer-associated variants were classified using OncoKB database. NSCLC patients had significantly higher CTC counts than control smokers (p = 0.0132; Mann–Whitney test). Analyzing 23 CTCs and 13 white blood cells across seven patients revealed a total of 644 somatic variants that occurred in all CTCs within the same subject, ranging from 1 to 137 per patient. The highest number of variants detected in ≥1 CTC within a patient was 441. A total of 18/65 (27.7%) genes were highly mutated. Mutations with oncogenic impact were identified in functional domains of seven oncogenes/tumor suppressor genes (NF1, PTCH1, TP53, SMARCB1, SMAD4, KRAS, and ERBB2). Single CTC-targeted NGS detects heterogeneous and shared mutational signatures within and between NSCLC patients. CTC single-cell genomics have potential for integration in NSCLC precision oncology.
Recent Upgrades in a 2D Turbulent Transport Solver Based on a Hybrid Discontinuous Galerkin Method for the Simulation of Fusion Plasma in Tokamak
Authors: Piraccini Giacomo , Capasso Marcello , Scotto D’Abusco Manuel , Giorgiani Giorgio , Schwander Frédéric , Serre Eric , Bufferand Hugo , Ciraolo Guido , Tamain Patrick
Published: February 2022

The simulation of fusion plasmas in realistic magnetic configurations and tokamak geometries still requires the development of advanced numerical algorithms owing to the complexity of the problem. In this context, we propose a Hybrid Discontinuous Galerkin (HDG) method to solve 2D transport fluid equations in realistic magnetic and tokamak wall geometries. This high-order solver can handle magnetic equilibrium free structured and unstructured meshes allowing a much more accurate discretization of the plasma facing components than current solvers based on magnetic field aligned methods associated with finite-differences (volumes) discretization. In addition, the method allows for handling realistic magnetic equilibrium, eventually non steady, a critical point in the modeling of full discharges including ramp up and ramp down phases. In this paper, we introduce the HDG algorithm with a special focus on recent developments related to the treatment of the cross-field diffusive terms, and to an adaptive mesh refinement technique improving the numerical efficiency and robustness of the scheme. The updated solver is verified with a manufactured solution method, and numerical tests are provided to illustrate the new capabilities of the code.
The Development of Forecasting Technique for Cyclic Steam Stimulation Technology Effectiveness in Near-Wellbore Area
Authors: Krivoshchekov Sergey , Kochnev Alexander , Vyatkin Kirill
Published: February 2022

The analytical review has shown that the scientific inquiry for effective technologies for high-viscosity oil field development is a critical task of the present-day oil industry. The paper presents a technique for determining the expediency and effectiveness of deploying the near-wellbore cyclic steam stimulation technology for oil recovery enhancement. The method involves the calculation of process parameters of the technology cycle and the comparative analysis of cumulative oil production before the treatment (base case) and after its deployment. Separately, the work focuses on studying the impact of dynamic oil viscosity over the entire temperature range on the technology effectiveness and expediency. The laboratory studies showed dynamic viscosity correlation dependencies for six different oils of the Nozhovskaya group of oil fields (Russian Federation) characterized as viscous and highly viscous. As a case study of the proposed method application, a numerical simulation of the technology deployment was carried out for six oil samples. The calculations determined inexpediency of cyclic steam stimulation for one of the samples since oil well downtime for workover operation prevailed over the time of near-wellbore cooling.
Chemical Composition, Fatty Acid and Mineral Content of Food-Grade White, Red and Black Sorghum Varieties Grown in the Mediterranean Environment
Authors: Pontieri Paola , Troisi Jacopo , Calcagnile Matteo , Bean Scott R. , Tilley Michael , Aramouni Fadi , Boffa Antonio , Pepe Giacomo , Campiglia Pietro , Del Giudice Fabio , Chessa Alberto L. , Smolensky Dmitriy , Aletta Mariarosaria , Alifano Pietro , Del Giudice Luigi
Published: February 2022

Grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is a gluten-free cereal grown around the world and is a food staple in semi-arid and subtropical regions. Sorghum is a diverse crop with a range of pericarp colour including white, various shades of red, and black, all of which show health-promoting properties as they are rich sources of antioxidants such as polyphenols, carotenoids, as well as micro- and macro-nutrients. This work examined the grain composition of three sorghum varieties possessing a range of pericarp colours (white, red, and black) grown in the Mediterranean region. To determine the nutritional quality independent of the contributions of phenolics, mineral and fatty acid content and composition were measured. Minor differences in both protein and carbohydrate were observed among varieties, and a higher fibre content was found in both the red and black varieties. A higher amount of total saturated fats was found in the white variety, while the black variety had a lower amount of total unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats than either the white or red varieties. Oleic, linoleic, and palmitic were the primary fatty acids in all three analysed sorghum varieties. Significant differences in mineral content were found among the samples with a greater amount of Mg, K, Al, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, Pb and U in both red and black than the white sorghum variety. The results show that sorghum whole grain flour made from grain with varying pericarp colours contains unique nutritional properties.
Fermented Foods: New Concepts and Technologies for the Development of New Products, Quality Control
Authors: Mataragas Marios , Bosnea Loulouda
Published: February 2022

Fermentation has been of great interest for humans since antiquity and has been extensively used in all cultures worldwide [...]
A Consumer Segmentation Study of Nutrition Information Seeking and Its Relation to Food Consumption in Beijing, China
Authors: Wang Yin , Wang Jiayou , Shen Qiong
Published: February 2022

The aim of this study is to identify consumer groups based on nutrition information-seeking behavior and how it relates to food consumption. Although the Chinese public can now access nutrition information through different channels, research on the segmentation of homogeneous consumer groups seeking nutrition information is lacking. This study closes this research gap and, in doing so, also shows how information seeking is related to dietary behavior. A questionnaire was sent out to a stratified random sample in Beijing, resulting in 448 responses. A cluster analysis using hierarchical methods was conducted, identifying four distinct consumer groups: Multi-Channel (27.43%), Mass Media (20.57%), Moderate (27.88%), and Uninterested (24.12%). The four segments differed significantly concerning food consumption frequencies, food literacy, and sociodemographic characteristics. Consumers who were more involved in nutrition information tended to eat healthier. Our findings indicate that nutrition information is worth promoting, but this kind of intervention is not a cure-all. Targeted interventions should focus on uninterested populations by providing non-informational nudging strategies to promote healthy eating behaviors. This study contributes to the identification of meaningful profiles for targeted interventions, particularly as regards uninterested or unreached consumers.
Enhancement of Antioxidant Activity and Bioactive Compounds in Eggplants Using Postharvest LEDs Irradiation
Authors: Jarerat Amnat , Techavuthiporn Chairat , Chanchomsuek Chanthana , Nimitkeatkai Hataitip
Published: February 2022

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), one of the major vegetable crops, is recognized for its availability of numerous bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. The accumulation of these compounds in plant tissues can be increased by exogenous stimuli, including light exposure. This study aimed at enhancing the antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds of eggplant using light-emitting diode (LEDs) irradiation after harvest. For this purpose, eggplant fruits were irradiated under LEDs at different wavelengths, including red (650–660 nm), blue (450–460 nm), or the combination of red and blue (red + blue) LEDs, for 48 h. The results indicated that red + blue LED exposure during postharvest significantly (p < 0.05) elevated the accumulation of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. The accumulation of major phenolic compounds, chlorogenic acid (58.59 mg/100 g FW), and gallic acid (14.25 mg/100 g FW) in the eggplant fruits was increased significantly under red + blue irradiation when compared with the control (under dark condition). The total phenolic (821.86 mg GAE/100 g FW) and the total flavonoid (595.98 mg CE/100 g FW) contents were shown to have a considerably high accumulation in the peels of eggplant after irradiation under red + blue LEDs, whereas the total carotenoid content was relatively high in the flesh of eggplant fruits. Consequently, red + blue LED irradiation can be considered as a convenient tool used for the postharvest of eggplant, with a positive effect in the increasing of important secondary metabolites. The obtained eggplant fruits proved to be a promising source of bioactive and antioxidant compounds for functional food production.
Study on Regional Differences and Convergence of Green Development Efficiency of the Chemical Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt Based on Grey Water Footprint
Authors: Xiang Yunbo , Shao Wen , Wang Shengyun , Zhang Yong , Zhang Yaxin
Published: February 2022

Grey water footprint is included in the green development efficiency evaluation index system of the chemical industry. From 2002 to 2016, the super efficiency Slack Based Measure (SBM) model was used to measure the green development efficiency of the chemical industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Dagum Gini coefficient and its decomposition method were used to decompose the regional differences of green development efficiency of the chemical industry in the Economic Belt, and the coefficient of variation method and panel data regression model were used to test the convergence characteristics. The following results were obtained. (1) The total grey water footprint of the chemical industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt showed a fluctuating downward trend from 2002 to 2016. (2) The green development efficiency of the chemical industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt was significantly improved, and the spatial differentiation law of gradient decline in the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the Economic Belt was shown. (3) The regional difference of green development efficiency of the chemical industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt initially showed an expanding trend and then a narrowing trend. Regional differences in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River increased while those in the middle reaches first increased and then decreased, whereas those in the lower reaches decreased significantly. The variance in green development efficiency of the chemical industry is the main cause of regional differences. (4) From 2012 to 2016, the Yangtze River Economic Belt had obvious convergence in its whole region, middle reaches, and lower reaches and an inconspicuous convergence in the upstream area. Regional difference of green development efficiency of the chemical industry in the Economic Belt was the combined effect of the results of environmental regulation, industrial structure, foreign investment intensity, and scientific and technological advancements. Our results have high theoretical reference values and practical guiding significance for implementing the green efficiency promotion strategy of the chemical industry in Yangtze River Economic Belt by region and classification.
A Numerical Analysis of Fluid Flow and Torque for Hydropower Pelton Turbine Performance Using Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Qasim Mohammed A. , Velkin Vladimir I. , Shcheklein Sergey E. , Hanfesh Abduljabbar O. , Farge Talib Z. , Essa Fadl A.
Published: February 2022

The difficulty of delivering electrical power to rural areas motivated the researchers to explore more accessible power sources. Hydropower is considered a desirable option due to its sustainability and lower costs. Pelton turbines have been widely used in hydropower plants because of their low installation and maintenance costs. This study provides a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for Pelton turbine performance under various flow conditions. The model is based on the conservation of mass principle, Newton’s second law, and the first law of thermodynamics. It is used to predict the torque produced by a turbine at different rotational speeds. Previously published experimental results for the same turbine geometry and flow parameters were used to validate the model’s predictions. Validation revealed that the model can reproduce the experimental results. This provides the required robustness for its use as a tool for turbine design and modification.
Hermite-Hadamard-Fejér Type Inequalities with Generalized K-Fractional Conformable Integrals and Their Applications
Authors: Kalsoom Humaira , Khan Zareen A.
Published: February 2022

In this work, we introduce new definitions of left and right-sides generalized conformable K-fractional derivatives and integrals. We also prove new identities associated with the left and right-sides of the Hermite-Hadamard-Fejér type inequality for ϕ-preinvex functions. Moreover, we use these new identities to prove some bounds for the Hermite-Hadamard-Fejér type inequality for generalized conformable K-fractional integrals regarding ϕ-preinvex functions. Finally, we also present some applications of the generalized definitions for higher moments of continuous random variables, special means, and solutions of the homogeneous linear Cauchy-Euler and homogeneous linear K-fractional differential equations to show our new approach.
Overview of the Role of Pharmacological Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Arredondo Enrique , DeLeon Monica , Masozera Ishimwe , Panahi Ladan , Udeani George , Tran Nhan , Nguyen Chi K. , Atphaisit Chairat , de la Sota Brooke , Gonzalez Jr. Gabriel , Liou Eileen , Mayo Zack , Nwosu Jennifer , Shiver Tori L.
Published: February 2022

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) remains a prominent disease state characterized by the recurrent collapse of the upper airway while sleeping. To date, current treatment may include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), lifestyle changes, behavioral modification, mandibular advancement devices, and surgical treatment. However, due to the desire for a more convenient mode of management, pharmacological treatment has been thoroughly investigated as a means for a potential alternative in OSA treatment. OSA can be distinguished into various endotypic or phenotypic classes, allowing pharmacological treatment to better target the root cause or symptoms of OSA. Some medications available for use include antidepressants, CNS stimulants, nasal decongestants, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and potassium channel blockers. This review will cover the findings of currently available and future study medications that could potentially play a role in OSA therapy.
Prospective Evaluation of a Commercial Dengue NS1 Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test in New Caledonia
Authors: Alidjinou Enagnon Kazali , Tardieu Sylvie , Vrenken Isabelle , Hober Didier , Gourinat Ann-Claire
Published: February 2022

Dengue virus infection is endemic in New Caledonia, with outbreaks occurring every year. We evaluated the Biosynex® Dengue NS1 antigen rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for the early diagnosis of dengue in patients attending a local hospital in northern New Caledonia. Samples collected from patients suspected of dengue infection were tested with RDT at the local laboratory, and then sent to the reference laboratory for confirmation with real-time RT-PCR. A total of 472 samples were included during the study period. RT-PCR yielded a positive result in 154 samples (32.6%). The sensitivity and specificity of the NS1 antigen RDT were 79.9% and 96.2%, respectively. The performance of the RDT varied by the time of sampling and dengue virus serotype. In conclusion, Biosynex® Dengue NS1 antigen RDT showed a sensitivity and a specificity in the upper range usually reported for this type of test. Several factors can lead to a suboptimal sensitivity, and negative samples with suggestive clinical features should be retested with reference methods.
Intracellular Survival of Biofilm-Forming MRSA OJ-1 by Escaping from the Lysosome and Autophagosome in J774A Cells Cultured in Overdosed Vancomycin
Authors: Jimi Shiro , Yoshimura Michinobu , Mashima Kota , Ueda Yutaka , Miyazaki Motoyasu , Saparov Arman
Published: February 2022

We investigated the drug-resistant mechanisms of intracellular survival of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Our established MRSA clinical strain, OJ-1, with high biofilm-forming ability, and a macrophage cell line, J774A, were used. After ingestion of OJ-1 by J774A, the cells were incubated for ten days with vancomycin at doses 30 times higher than the minimum inhibitory concentration. The number of phagocytosed intracellular OJ-1 gradually decreased during the study but plateaued after day 7. In J774A cells with intracellular OJ-1, the expression of LysoTracker-positive lysosomes increased until day 5 and then declined from day 7. In contrast, LysoTracker-negative and OJ-1-retaining J774A cells became prominent from day 7, and intracellular OJ-1 also escaped from the autophagosome. Electron microscopy also demonstrated that OJ-1 escaped the phagosomes and was localized in the J774A cytoplasm. At the end of incubation, when vancomycin was withdrawn, OJ-1 started to grow vigorously. The present results indicate that intracellular phagocytosed biofilm-forming MRSA could survive for more than ten days by escaping the lysosomes and autophagosomes in macrophages. Intracellular MRSA may survive in macrophages, and accordingly, they could be resistant to antimicrobial drug treatments. However, the mechanisms their escape from the lysosomes are still unknown. Additional studies will be performed to clarify the lysosome-escaping mechanisms of biofilm-forming MRSA.
Detecting Square Grid Structure in an Animal Neuronal Network
Authors: Friedman Robert
Published: February 2022

An animal neural system ranges from a cluster of a few neurons to a brain of billions. At the lower range, it is possible to test each neuron for its role across a set of environmental conditions. However, the higher range requires another approach. One method is to disentangle the organization of the neuronal network. In the case of the entorhinal cortex in a rodent, a set of neuronal cells involved in spatial location activate in a regular grid-like arrangement. Therefore, it is of interest to develop methods to find these kinds of patterns in a neural network. For this study, a square grid arrangement of neurons is quantified by network metrics and then applied for identification of square grid structure in areas of the fruit fly brain. The results show several regions with contiguous clusters of square grid arrangements in the neural network, supportive of specialization in the information processing of the system.
Nesantuokinių vaikų motinos Vilniaus dekanate XVIII a.: socialinis statusas ir geografinė kilmė
Authors: Jonaitytė Ugnė
Published: February 2022

This article explores the mothers of illegitimate children in the eighteenth-century Vilnius deanery from a perspective of historical demography. While historians in the Western world have produced many studies focused on the phenomenon of illegitimacy, the Lithuanian scientists have not done much in exploring illegitimacy in early modern Vilnius. This article is one of the first attempts to explore illegitimacy and its patterns of historical demography by paying attention to the women who had children outside the wedlock.
The analysis of sociodemographic characteristics of the mothers firstly revealed the mystery of illegitimate maternities: while we do not have any information about at least a quarter of these mothers’ social and geographical origin, this issue reveals the dominant negative attitude towards these women at the time. Collected data from parish books led to the anticipated conclusion that the majority of mothers had lower social status, although some of them were part of the nobility. The analysis of given surnames of these mothers showed that the majority of them were unmarried. This fact suggests that for some mothers their illegitimate pregnancy was the first pregnancy. While the scarcity of sources limits our knowledge about the social circumstances of illegitimate births, the analysis of given surnames of these mothers, combined with other sources, leads to a likely conclusion that illegitimate births could occur as a product of failed promises of marriage, sexual violence or adultery. The analysis of mothers’ geographical background showed that the majority of them belonged to parishes where they chose to baptize their illegitimate children. While there is a possibility that some of these women received help from the fathers or relatives, the author of this article argues that the research findings demonstrate the lack of social and economic support of mothers rather than community acceptance and tolerance towards these women. A minority of the mothers were from distant places and this data allowed the author to form a compelling conclusion that some women, due to the lack of support, were forced to seek better opportunities in other parishes.
Stan parafii diecezji żmudzkiej w świetle raportu do Justickolegium z 1798 roku
Authors: Bulak Jan
Published: February 2022

Straipsnyje, remiantis 1798 m. Žemaitijos vyskupo Jono Stepono Giedraičio Rusijos imperijos justickolegijos Romos katalikų departamentui pateikto raporto duomenimis, analizuojama Žemaitijos vyskupijos parapijų būklė XVIII a. pabaigoje. Tyrimui naudojamas šaltinis saugomas Rusijos valstybiniame istorijos archyve ir iki šiol yra sulaukęs nedidelio istorikų dėmesio. Nors raporte užfiksuota informacija iš dalies sutampa su bažnyčių vizitacijose užrašytais duomenimis, tyrimui pasitelktas dokumentas nuo vizitacijos šaltinių skiriasi tuo, kad jį rengiant Bažnyčios būklės aprašymu buvo suinteresuota ne Bažnyčia, o valstybinė valdžia. Po trečiojo Abiejų Tautų Respublikos padalijimo Žemaitijos vyskupijoje veikė 95 parapijos, vadovaujamos diecezijų kunigų ir 7 kunigų vienuolių. Jų veiklos lauke buvo ne vien rūpinimasis dvasiniais reikalais: daugelyje parapijų veikė mokyklos ir špitolės – varguolių prieglaudos, kurių aprūpinimas taip pat buvo parapijos dispozicijoje. 1798 m. Žemaitijos vyskupo parengto raporto analizė ne tik padeda atsakyti į klausimus dėl duomenų rinkimo formuliaro ir jo tikslingumo, bet ir pateikia Katalikų Bažnyčios būklės Žemaitijos vyskupijoje vaizdą pirmaisiais Rusijos imperijos valdymo metais.