bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal Handwashing with Soap Practices and Associated Risk Factors in Nepal: A Systematic Review
Authors: Dhital Shalik Ram , Chojenta Catherine , Bagade Tanmay , Loxton Deborah
Published: January 2024

Handwashing with soap is a fundamental practice for preventing communicable diseases, particularly in resource-constrained settings like Nepal, where various factors influence maternal handwashing behaviours. A systematic search encompassing PubMed/Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL and grey literature source was conducted. Extracted eligible articles underwent descriptive analysis and their quality assessment was carried out following STROBE guidelines. From the initial screening of 187 database articles and 18 from grey literature, a total of 120 full text articles and records were retrieved to evaluated for inclusion in the review, identifying nine articles meeting the inclusion criteria for the review. Maternal handwashing with soap frequencies varied during critical moments ranging from 6% to 100%, and a 47% availability of soap and water at the household level was reported. Factors influencing handwashing included education, wealth, ecology, and participation in health promotion campaigns. Barriers included knowledge gaps, contrary beliefs, unavailability of soap and water, financial constraints, maternal demotivation, and low participation in decision-making. Limitations include study design heterogeneity (cross-sectional, Randomized Controlled Trials-RCT, Cohort), sample size variability, and geographical bias, potentially limiting generalizability of this study, limited reporting on soap and water availability for mothers at the household level is noted, and temporal variability introduces study inconsistency. Availability of soap, water, and effective health education is crucial for promoting sustained handwashing practices. Community-based interventions involving mothers in decision making and policy initiatives are essential for overcoming barriers and promote behavioural change to improve public health outcomes. This paper aims to determine the rates of handwashing with soap among mothers in Nepalese households and explore the factors associated with the uptake of handwashing.
United States Long-Term Trends in Adult BMI (1959–2018): Unraveling the Roots of the Obesity Epidemic
Authors: Banas Julia , McDowell Cook Acree , Raygoza-Cortez Karina , Davila Daniel , Irwin Melinda L. , Ferrucci Leah M. , Humphries Debbie L.
Published: January 2024

The escalating rates of obesity since the 1950s poses a critical public health challenge across all age groups in the United States. While numerous studies have examined cross-sectional disparities across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, there has been limited research on long-term trends. To address this gap, we analyzed average adult body mass index (BMI) trends from 1959 to 2018, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and the National Health Examination Survey (NHES). Employing time series analysis, we evaluated BMI trends across income, education, and race/ethnicity. The results revealed a consistent upward trajectory in average BMI across all groups over the six-decade period, with no significant differences by income or education levels among high school graduates. However, individuals with less than a high school education displayed a more gradual increase in BMI. Racial disparities were also evident, with Black adults showing higher BMI growth rates compared to White adults, while Hispanic and other racial groups experienced slower increases. These findings underscore the need for systemic interventions to address the ongoing obesity epidemic, emphasizing the importance of research to identify trends over time and a system-thinking approach to inform effective population-level interventions and policy decisions.
CRISPR/Cas9 as a Mutagenic Factor
Authors: Shumega Andrey R. , Pavlov Youri I. , Chirinskaite Angelina V. , Rubel Aleksandr A. , Inge-Vechtomov Sergey G. , Stepchenkova Elena I.
Published: January 2024

The discovery of the CRISPR/Cas9 microbial adaptive immune system has revolutionized the field of genetics, by greatly enhancing the capacity for genome editing. CRISPR/Cas9-based editing starts with DNA breaks (or other lesions) predominantly at target sites and, unfortunately, at off-target genome sites. DNA repair systems differing in accuracy participate in establishing desired genetic changes but also introduce unwanted mutations, that may lead to hereditary, oncological, and other diseases. New approaches to alleviate the risks associated with genome editing include attenuating the off-target activity of editing complex through the use of modified forms of Cas9 nuclease and single guide RNA (sgRNA), improving delivery methods for sgRNA/Cas9 complex, and directing DNA lesions caused by the sgRNA/Cas9 to non-mutagenic repair pathways. Here, we have described CRISPR/Cas9 as a new powerful mutagenic factor, discussed its mutagenic properties, and reviewed factors influencing the mutagenic activity of CRISPR/Cas9.
Kinetic Study of Coprinus cinereus Peroxidase-Catalyzed Oxidation of 2,2′-Dihydroxyazobenzene
Authors: Ivanec-Goranina Rūta
Published: January 2024

Azo dyes are of concern due to their harmful effects on the environment and human health. The oxidation of 2,2′-dihydroxyazobenzene (DHAB) catalyzed with recombinant Coprinus cinereus (rCiP) peroxidase was investigated. The kinetic measurements were performed using the spectrophotometric and fluorimetric methods. The dependences of the initial reaction rates on enzyme, substrate and hydrogen peroxide concentrations during DHAB oxidation were established, and bimolecular constants of enzyme interaction with DHAB were calculated. This research demonstrated that the initial biocatalytic oxidation rates of DHAB depend on the pH and the estimated pKa values of the active forms of rCip. This study’s findings thus contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the biocatalytic oxidation of DHAB, providing valuable data for assessing the long-term toxicity, carcinogenesis and epigenetic effects of azo dyes in the environment.
Assessing Feed-Forward Backpropagation Artificial Neural Networks for Strain-Rate-Sensitive Mechanical Modeling
Authors: Tuninetti Víctor , Forcael Diego , Valenzuela Marian , Martínez Alex , Ávila Andrés , Medina Carlos , Pincheira Gonzalo , Salas Alexis , Oñate Angelo , Duchêne Laurent
Published: January 2024

The manufacturing processes and design of metal and alloy products can be performed over a wide range of strain rates and temperatures. To design and optimize these processes using computational mechanics tools, the selection and calibration of the constitutive models is critical. In the case of hazardous and explosive impact loads, it is not always possible to test material properties. For this purpose, this paper assesses the efficiency and the accuracy of different architectures of ANNs for the identification of the Johnson–Cook material model parameters. The implemented computational tool of an ANN-based parameter identification strategy provides adequate results in a range of strain rates required for general manufacturing and product design applications. Four ANN architectures are studied to find the most suitable configuration for a reduced amount of experimental data, particularly for cases where high-impact testing is constrained. The different ANN structures are evaluated based on the model’s predictive capability, revealing that the perceptron-based network of 66 inputs and one hidden layer of 30 neurons provides the highest prediction accuracy of the effective flow stress–strain behavior of Ti64 alloy and three virtual materials.
Effect of Starting Powder Particle Size on the Thermoelectric Properties of Hot-Pressed Bi0.3Sb1.7Te3 Alloys
Authors: Ioannou Ioanna , Ioannou Panagiotis S. , Kyratsi Theodora , Giapintzakis John
Published: January 2024

P-type Bi0.3Sb1.7Te3 polycrystalline pellets were fabricated using different methods: melting and mechanical alloying, followed by hot-press sintering. The effect of starting powder particle size on the thermoelectric properties was investigated in samples prepared using powders of different particle sizes (with micro- and/or nano-scale dimensions). A peak ZT (350 K) of ~1.13 was recorded for hot-pressed samples prepared from mechanical alloyed powder. Moreover, hot-pressed samples prepared from ≤45 μm powder exhibited similar ZT (~1.1). These high ZT values are attributed both to the presence of high-density grain boundaries, which reduced the lattice thermal conductivity, as well as the formation of antisite defects during milling and grinding, which resulted in lower carrier concentrations and higher Seebeck coefficient values. In addition, Bi0.3Sb1.7Te3 bulk nanocomposites were fabricated in an attempt to further reduce the lattice thermal conductivity. Surprisingly, however, the lattice thermal conductivity showed an unexpected increasing trend in nanocomposite samples. This surprising observation can be attributed to a possible overestimation of the lattice thermal conductivity component by using the conventional Wiedemann–Franz law to estimate the electronic thermal conductivity component, which is known to occur in nanocomposite materials with significant grain boundary electrical resistance.
Solution-Plasma Synthesis and Characterization of Transition Metals and N-Containing Carbon–Carbon Nanotube Composites
Authors: Sasaki Kodai , Yamamoto Kaiki , Narahara Masaki , Takabe Yushi , Chae Sangwoo , Panomsuwan Gasidit , Ishizaki Takahiro
Published: January 2024

Lithium–air batteries (LABs) have a theoretically high energy density. However, LABs have some issues, such as low energy efficiency, short life cycle, and high overpotential in charge–discharge cycles. To solve these issues electrocatalytic materials were developed for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which significantly affect battery performance. In this study, we aimed to synthesize electrocatalytic N-doped carbon-based composite materials with solution plasma (SP) using Co or Ni as electrodes from organic solvents containing cup-stacked carbon nanotubes (CSCNTs), iron (II) phthalocyanine (FePc), and N-nethyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP). The synthesized N-doped carbon-based composite materials were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). TEM observation and XPS measurements revealed that the synthesized carbon materials contained elemental N, Fe, and electrode-derived Co or Ni, leading to the successful synthesis of N-doped carbon-based composite materials. The electrocatalytic activity for ORR of the synthesized carbon-based composite materials was also evaluated using electrochemical measurements. The electrochemical measurements demonstrated that the electrocatalytic performance for ORR of N-doped carbon-based composite material including Fe and Co showed superiority to that of N-doped carbon-based composite material including Fe and Ni. The difference in the electrocatalytic performance for ORR is discussed regarding the difference in the specific surface area and the presence ratio of chemical bonding species.
Photopolymer-Based Composite with Substance Release Capability Manufactured Additively with DLP Method
Authors: Tomczak Dorota , Borysiak Sławomir , Kuczko Wiesław , Nowicka Ariadna B. , Osmałek Tomasz , Strzemiecka Beata , Wichniarek Radosław
Published: January 2024

In this study, caffeine-loaded photoresin composites with homogeneous structures, suitable for additive manufacturing of transdermal microneedle systems, were obtained. The properties of the composites with varying caffeine concentrations (0.1–0.4% w/w) were investigated for carbon–carbon double bond conversion using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, surface wettability and mechanical properties using a static tensile test and nanoindentation, and caffeine release in ethanol using UV-Vis. The caffeine concentration did not affect the final degree of double bond conversion, which was confirmed in tensile tests, where the strength and Young’s modulus of caffeine-loaded samples had comparable values to control ones. Samples with 0.1 and 0.2% caffeine content showed an increase in nanohardness and reduced elastic modulus of 50 MPa and 1.5 MPa, respectively. The good wettability of the samples with water and the increase in surface energy is a favorable aspect for the dedicated application of the obtained composite materials. The amount of caffeine released into the ethanol solution at 1, 3 and 7 days reached a maximum value of 81%, was higher for the lower concentration of caffeine in the sample and increased over time. The conducted research may enhance the potential application of composite materials obtained through the digital light processing method in additive manufacturing.
Analysis of Mechanical Characteristics of the Swing Angle Milling Head of a Heavy Computer Numerical Control Milling Machine and Research on the Light Weight of a Gimbal
Authors: Cui Youzheng , Liu Chengxin , Mu Haijing , Jiang Hui , Xu Fengxia , Liu Yinfeng , Hu Qingming
Published: January 2024

As the key component of a five-axis CNC planer-type milling machine, the integral mechanical property of the A/C swing angle milling head directly affects the machining accuracy and stability of the milling machine. Taking the mechanical A/C swing-angle milling head of a five-axis numerical-control gantry milling machine as the research object, the stress deformation characteristics and natural frequency of the swing-angle milling head under actual working conditions were studied using finite-element analysis. Based on the analytical results, it was determined that the cardan frame, with its large mass proportion and strong rigidity of the whole milling head, is the object to be optimized. The topological optimization of the cardan frame, in which achieving the minimum flexibility was the optimization objective, was carried out to determine the quality reduction area. By comparing the simulation results of the cardan frames of three different rib plate structures, it was shown that the cardan frame performance of the ten-type rib plate structure was optimal. The analytical results showed that, when the cardan frame met the design requirements for stiffness and strength, the mass after optimization was reduced by 13.67% compared with the mass before optimization, the first-order natural frequency was increased by 7.9%, and the maximum response amplitude was reduced in all directions to avoid resonance, which was beneficial to the improvement of the dynamic characteristics of the whole machine. At the same time, the rationality and effectiveness of the lightweight design method of the cardan frame were verified, which has strong engineering practicality. The research results provide an important theoretical basis for the optimization of other machine tool gimbals and have important practical significance and application value.
Synthesis of Amphiphilic Block Copolymer and Its Application in Pigment-Based Ink
Authors: Yuan Jingjing , Xu Jinbao
Published: January 2024

Amphiphilic block copolymers-based aqueous color inks show great potential in the field of visual communication design. However, the conventional step-by-step chemistry employed to synthesize the amphiphilic block copolymers is intricate, with low yield and high economic and environmental costs. In this work, we present a novel method for preparing an amphiphilic AB di-block copolymer of PCL-b-PAA by employing a combined polymerization strategy that involves both cationic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of the ε-caprolactone monomer and the reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization on the acrylic acid monomer simultaneously. The corresponding polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) serve as the hydrophobic and hydrophilic units, respectively. The effectiveness of the amphiphilic AB di-block copolymer as the polymeric pigment dispersant for water-based color inks is evaluated. The amphiphilic AB di-block copolymer of PCL-b-PAA exhibits a molecular weight of 1400 g mol−1, which is consistent with the theoretical value and suitable for polymeric dispersant application. The high surface excess (Γmax) of the PCL-b-PAA in water indicates a densely packed molecular morphology at the water/air interface. Additionally, micelles can be stably formed in the aqueous PCL-b-PAA solution at very low concentrations by demonstrating a low CMC value of 10−4 wt% and a micelle dimension of approximately 30 nm. The model ink dispersion is prepared using organic dyes (Disperse Yellow 232) and the amphiphilic block copolymer of PCL-b-PAA. The dispersion demonstrates near-Newtonian behavior, which is highly favorable for the application as inkjet ink. Furthermore, the ink dispersion displays a low viscosity, making it particularly suitable for visual communication design and printing purposes. Moreover, the ink dispersion demonstrates an unimodal distribution of the particle size, with an average diameter of approximately 500 nm. It retains exceptional stability of dispersion and even conducts a thermal aging treatment at 60 °C for 5 days. This work presents a facile and efficient synthetic strategy and molecular design of AB di-block copolymer-based dispersants for dye dispersions.
A Significant Association between Type 1 Diabetes and Helicobacter pylori Infection: A Meta-Analysis Study
Authors: Chua Wei-Kian , Hong Yi-Kai , Hu Shu-Wei , Fan Hueng-Chuen , Ting Wei-Hsin
Published: January 2024

Background and Objectives: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic and serious condition that is characterized by inadequate pancreatic-β-cells’ insulin production. The connection between T1DM and Helicobacter pylori infection remains uncertain. This study aimed to conduct a systematic meta-analysis to examine the association between H. pylori infection, hemoglobin A1c levels, and the development of T1DM. Materials and Methods: The initial search identified 451 articles on the association between H. pylori infection and T1DM. Among them, 12 articles had 2797 participants who met the inclusion criteria for an advanced meta-analysis. Results: A significant association was observed between H. pylori infection and T1DM (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.47–2.12, p < 0.0001), with heterogeneity: Tau2 = 0.47; Chi2 = 57.07, df = 11 (p < 0.0001); I2 = 81%. Subgroup analysis showed that H. pylori infection was significantly associated with a longer duration of T1DM and higher hemoglobin A1c levels (p < 0.001 for both) but not with age at T1DM diagnosis (p = 0.306). Conclusions: These findings contribute to the understanding of the association between H. pylori infection and T1DM and highlight the potential role of H. pylori in influencing the duration and glycemic control of diabetes. Therefore, pediatric patients who have longstanding T1DM and poor glycemic control should be screened for H. pylori infection.
Food Allergen Immunotherapy in the Treatment of Patients with IgE-Mediated Food Allergy
Authors: Turkalj Mirjana , Miletić Gospić Adrijana , Višekruna Džidić Ivona , Banić Ivana
Published: January 2024

The prevalence of allergic diseases, including food allergy, is increasing, especially in developed countries. Implementation of an elimination diet is not a sufficient therapeutic strategy in patients with food allergy, whose quality of life is significantly impaired. In recent years, new effective therapeutic strategies have been developed, such as the application of oral, sublingual, and epicutaneous immunotherapy. Oral immunotherapy is the most often applied strategy because of its effectiveness and ease of application, with an acceptable safety profile. The effectiveness of oral immunotherapy in patients with egg, cow’s milk, and peanut allergy has been proven both in terms of raising of the threshold and the development of tolerance, and in some patients, the development of sustainable unresponsiveness. Although oral immunotherapy is an effective treatment for food allergy, several limitations, including a long duration and a significant rate of reported adverse events, reduces its success. Therefore, new therapeutic options, such as treatment with biologicals, either as combinations with food allergen immunotherapy or as monotherapy with the aim of improving the efficacy and safety of treatment, are being investigated.
Effect of Remimazolam on Pain Perception and Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Urologic Surgery—A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study
Authors: Lee Cheol , Lim Junsung , Hong Hansol , Yu Hyungjong , Lee Hayoung
Published: January 2024

Background and Objectives: The effects of midazolam, a benzodiazepine, on pain perception are complex on both spinal and supraspinal levels. It is not yet known whether remimazolam clinically attenuates or worsens pain. The present study investigated the effect of intraoperative remimazolam on opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) in patients undergoing general anesthesia. Materials and Methods: The patients were randomized into three groups: group RHR (6 mg/kg/h initial dose followed by 1 mg/kg/h remimazolam and 0.3 μg /kg/min remifentanil), group DHR (desflurane and 0.3 μg /kg/min remifentanil) or group DLR (desflurane and 0.05 µg/kg /min remifentanil). The primary outcome was a mechanical hyperalgesia threshold, while secondary outcomes included an area of hyperalgesia and clinically relevant pain outcomes. Results: Group RHR had a higher mechanical hyperalgesia threshold, a smaller hyperalgesia postoperative area at 24 h, a longer time to first rescue analgesia (p = 0.04), lower cumulative PCA volume containing morphine postoperatively consumed for 24 h (p < 0.01), and lower pain intensity for 12 h than group DHR (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in OIH between groups RHR and DLR. Conclusions: Group RHR, which received remimazolam, attenuated OIH, including mechanically evoked pain and some clinically relevant pain outcomes caused by a high dose of remifentanil. Further research is essential to determine how clinically meaningful and important the small differences observed between the two groups are.
Reporting the Bearing Capacity of Airfield Pavements Using PCR Index
Authors: Armeni Angeliki , Loizos Andreas
Published: January 2024

Airfield pavements are important assets that have to secure the safe operation of an airport. On this basis, assessing and reporting the bearing capacity of an airfield runway pavement is a critical task. Recently, the Aircraft Classification Rating-Pavement Classification Rating (ACR-PCR) system has been introduced, which uses the PCR index for expressing the bearing capacity of an airfield pavement. In order to accurately determine PCR, the mechanical characteristics and the thicknesses of the individual layers of a pavement are required. For this purpose, it is not seldom that in the absence of resources dedicated to detailed pavement evaluation procedures, assumptions for the material characteristics of the pavement considering typical materials may be made, while pavement thicknesses may be derived by pavement design records. The present paper highlights the importance of using Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) for accurately assessing the in-situ condition of a flexible runway pavement and determining the PCR index. In order to achieve the goal of the investigation, measurements were performed along the flexible pavement of an airport runway. In addition, the paper focuses on the impact of the variation of the thickness and of the mechanical characteristics of the asphalt concrete layers on the PCR index and on the interpretation of the results considering the acceptance of aircraft operations by airport authorities.
Effect of Acute Caffeine Intake on Fat Oxidation Rate during Fed-State Exercise: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Fernández-Sánchez Javier , Trujillo-Colmena Daniel , Rodríguez-Castaño Adrián , Lavín-Pérez Ana Myriam , Del Coso Juan , Casado Arturo , Collado-Mateo Daniel
Published: January 2024

Pre-exercise intake of caffeine (from ~3 to 9 mg/kg) has been demonstrated as an effective supplementation strategy to increase fat oxidation during fasted exercise. However, a pre-exercise meal can alter the potential effect of caffeine on fat oxidation during exercise as caffeine modifies postprandial glycaemic and insulinemic responses. Hypothetically, the effect of caffeine on fat oxidation may be reduced or even withdrawn during fed-state exercise. The present systematic review aimed to meta-analyse investigations on the effect of acute caffeine intake on the rate of fat oxidation during submaximal aerobic exercise performed in the fed state (last meal < 5 h before exercise). A total of 18 crossover trials with randomised and placebo-controlled protocols and published between 1982 and 2021 were included, with a total of 228 participants (185 males and 43 females). Data were extracted to compare rates of fat oxidation during exercise with placebo and caffeine at the same exercise intensity, which reported 20 placebo–caffeine pairwise comparisons. A meta-analysis of the studies was performed, using the standardised mean difference (SMD) estimated from Hedges’ g, with 95% confidence intervals (CI). In comparison with the placebo, caffeine increased the rate of fat oxidation during fed-state exercise (number of comparisons (n) = 20; p = 0.020, SMD = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.20 to 1.20). Only studies with a dose < 6 mg/kg of caffeine (n = 13) increased the rate of fat oxidation during fed-state exercise (p = 0.004, SMD = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.27 to 1.45), while no such effect was observed in studies with doses ≥6 mg/kg (n = 7; p = 0.97, SMD = −0.03, 95% CI = −1.40 to 1.35). The effect of caffeine on fat oxidation during fed-state exercise was observed in active untrained individuals (n = 13; p < 0.001, SMD = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.39 to 1.30) but not in aerobically trained participants (n = 7; p = 0.27, SMD = 0.50, 95% CI = −0.39 to 1.39). Likewise, the effect of caffeine on fat oxidation was observed in caffeine-naïve participants (n = 9; p < 0.001, SMD = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.45 to 1.19) but not in caffeine consumers (n = 3; p = 0.54, SMD = 0.57, 95% CI = −1.23 to 2.37). In conclusion, acute caffeine intake in combination with a meal ingested within 5 h before the onset of exercise increased the rate of fat oxidation during submaximal aerobic exercise. The magnitude of the effect of caffeine on fat oxidation during fed-state exercise may be modulated by the dose of caffeine administered (higher with <6 mg/kg than with ≥6 mg/kg), participants’ aerobic fitness level (higher in active than in aerobically trained individuals), and habituation to caffeine (higher in caffeine-naïve than in caffeine consumers).
The Validity and Feasibility of Utilizing the Photo-Assisted Dietary Intake Assessment among College Students and Elderly Individuals in China
Authors: Fan Rui , Chen Qianqian , Song Lixia , Wang Shuyue , You Mei , Cai Meng , Wang Xinping , Li Yong , Xu Meihong
Published: January 2024

Dietary assessments hold significant importance within the field of public health. However, the current methods employed for dietary assessments face certain limitations and challenges that necessitate improvement. The aim of our study was to develop a reliable and practical dietary assessment tool known as photo-assisted dietary intake assessment (PAD). In order to evaluate its validity, we conducted an analysis on a sample of 71 college students’ dinners at a buffet in a canteen. We compared estimates of food weights obtained through the 24-h recall (24 HR) or PAD method with those obtained through the weighing method; we also evaluated the feasibility of PAD for recording dinner intakes among a sample of college students (n = 76) and elderly individuals (n = 121). In addition, we successfully identified the dietary factors that have a significant impact on the bias observed in weight estimation. The findings of the study indicated that the PAD method exhibited a higher level of consistency with the weighing method compared to the 24 HR method. The discrepancy in D% values between cereals (14.28% vs. 40.59%, P < 0.05), vegetables (17.67% vs. 44.44%, P < 0.05), and meats (14.29% vs. 33.33%, P < 0.05) was clearly apparent. Moreover, a significant proportion of the food mass value acquired through the PAD method fell within the limits of agreement (LOAs), in closer proximity to the central horizontal line. Furthermore, vegetables, cereals, eggs, and meats, for which the primary importance lies in accuracy, exhibited a considerably higher bias with the 24 HR method compared to the PAD method (P < 0.05), implying that the PAD method has the potential to mitigate the quality bias associated with these food items in the 24 HR method. Additionally, the PAD method was well received and easily implemented by the college students and elderly individuals. In conclusion, the PAD method demonstrates a considerable level of accuracy and feasibility as a dietary assessment method that can be effectively employed across diverse populations.
Visualization of Vascular Perfusion of Human Pancreatic Cancer Tissue in the CAM Model and Its Impact on Future Personalized Drug Testing
Authors: Ettner-Sitter Andreas , Montagner Agata , Kuenzel Jonas , Brackmann Kathrin , Schäfer Maximilian , Schober Robert , Weber Florian , Aung Thiha , Hackl Christina , Haerteis Silke
Published: January 2024

Although significant improvements have been made in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, its prognosis remains poor with an overall 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. New experimental approaches are necessary to develop novel therapeutics. In this study, the investigation of pancreatic cancer tissue growth in the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model and the subsequent use of indocyanine green (ICG) injections for the verification of intratumoral perfusion was conducted. ICG was injected into the CAM vasculature to visualize the perfusion of the tumor tissue. The presence of metastasis was investigated through PCR for the human-specific ALU element in the liver of the chicken embryo. Additionally, the usage of cryopreserved pancreatic tumors was established. Intratumoral perfusion of tumor tissue on the CAM was observed in recently obtained and cryopreserved tumors. ALU-PCR detected metastasis in the chick embryos’ livers. After cryopreservation, the tissue was still vital, and the xenografts generated from these tumors resembled the histological features of the primary tumor. This methodology represents the proof of principle for intravenous drug testing of pancreatic cancer in the CAM model. The cryopreserved tumors can be used for testing novel therapeutics and can be integrated into the molecular tumor board, facilitating personalized tumor treatment.
Polymer-Doped SnO2 as an Electron Transport Layer for Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Hoang Huy Vo Pham , Bark Chung-Wung
Published: January 2024

To produce highly efficient and repeatable perovskite solar cells (PSCs), comprehending interfacial loss and developing approaches to ameliorate interfacial features is essential. Nonradiative recombination at the SnO2–perovskite interface in SnO2-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) leads to significant potential loss and variability in device performance. To improve the quality of the SnO2 electron transport layer, a novel polymer-doped SnO2 matrix, specifically using polyacrylic acid, was developed. This matrix is formed by spin-coating a SnO2 colloidal solution that includes polymers. The polymer aids in dispersing nanoparticles within the substrate and is evenly distributed in the SnO2 solution. As a result of the polymer addition, the density and wetting properties of the SnO2 layer substantially improved. Subsequently, perovskite-based photovoltaic devices comprising SnO2 and Spiro-OMeTAD layers and using (FAPbI3)0.97(MAPbBr3)0.03 perovskite are constructed. These optimized devices exhibited an increased efficiency of 17.2% when compared to the 15.7% power conversion efficiency of the control device. The incorporation of polymers in the electron transport layer potentially enables even better performance in planar perovskite solar cells.
Fast Synthesis of Fine Boron Carbide Powders Using Electromagnetic Induction Synthesis Method
Authors: Gubarevich Anna V. , Yoshida Katsumi
Published: January 2024

Boron carbide (B4C) powders with defined stoichiometry, high crystallinity, minimal impurity content, and a fine particle size are imperative for realizing the exceptional properties of this compound in advanced high-technology applications. Nevertheless, achieving the desired stoichiometry and particle size using traditional synthesis methods, which rely on prolonged high-temperature processes, can be challenging. The primary objective of this study is to synthesize fine B4C powders characterized by high crystallinity and a sub-micron particle size, employing a fast and energy-efficient method. B4C powders are synthesized from elemental boron and carbon in a high-frequency induction heating furnace using the electromagnetic induction synthesis (EMIS) method. The rapid heating rate achieved through contactless heating promotes the ignition and propagation of the exothermic chemical reaction between boron and carbon. Additionally, electromagnetic effects accelerate atomic diffusion, allowing the reaction to be completed in an exceptionally short timeframe. The grain size and crystallinity of B4C can be finely tuned by adjusting various process parameters, including the post-ignition holding temperature and the duration of heating. As a result, fine B4C powders can be synthesized in under 10 min. Moreover, these synthesized B4C powders exhibit oxidation onset temperatures higher than 500 °C when exposed to air.
A Gaussian Mixture CPHD Filter for Multi-Target Tracking in Target-Dependent False Alarms
Authors: Jiang Qi , Wang Rui , Dou Libin , Jiao Longxiang , Hu Cheng
Published: January 2024

The estimation of the target number and individual tracks are two major tasks in multi-target tracking. The main shortcoming of traditional tracking methods is the cumbersome data association between measurements and targets. The cardinalized probability hypothesis density filter (CPHD) proposed in recent years can achieve the requirement for multitarget tracking. This kind of filter jointly estimates the cardinality distribution and the posterior density, which can achieve a more stable estimate of the target number. However, targets with complex micro-Doppler signatures (drones, birds, etc.) may generate target-dependent false alarms, which is contrary to the traditional uniform distribution assumption. In this case, the estimates of traditional CPHD filter will suffer from the abnormal transfer of PHD mass, causing the degradation of filtering performance. This paper studies the individual tracking of group targets with an improved GM-CPHD filter. First, the target-dependent false alarms are modeled with a general independent and identically distributed (I.I.D.) cluster process. Second, the update equations of cardinality and PHD density in target-dependent false alarms are derived. Finally, a practical solution using the Gaussian mixture method is proposed. The effectiveness of the proposed filter is verified by the simulation and experimental results.
Robust Cloud Suppression and Anomaly Detection in Time-Lapse Thermography
Authors: Small Christopher , Sousa Daniel
Published: January 2024

Due to their transient nature, clouds represent anomalies relative to the underlying landscape of interest. Hence, the challenge of cloud identification can be considered a specific case in the more general problem of anomaly detection. The confounding effects of transient anomalies are particularly troublesome for spatiotemporal analysis of land surface processes. While spatiotemporal characterization provides a statistical basis to quantify the most significant temporal patterns and their spatial distributions without the need for a priori assumptions about the observed changes, the presence of transient anomalies can obscure the statistical properties of the spatiotemporal processes of interest. The objective of this study is to implement and evaluate a robust approach to distinguish clouds and other transient anomalies from diurnal and annual thermal cycles observed with time-lapse thermography. The approach uses Robust Principal Component Analysis (RPCA) to statistically distinguish low-rank (L) and sparse (S) components of the land surface temperature image time series, followed by a spatiotemporal characterization of its low rank component to quantify the dominant diurnal and annual thermal cycles in the study area. RPCA effectively segregates clouds, sensor anomalies, swath gaps, geospatial displacements and transient thermal anomalies into the sparse component time series. Spatiotemporal characterization of the low-rank component time series clearly resolves a variety of diurnal and annual thermal cycles for different land covers and water bodies while segregating transient anomalies potentially of interest.
WenSiM: A Relative Accuracy Assessment Method for Land Cover Products Based on Optimal Transportation Theory
Authors: Zhu Rui , Tan Yumin , Luo Ziqing , Shi Yanzhe , Wang Jiale , Jing Guifei , Wang Xiaolu
Published: January 2024

Land cover (LC) products play a crucial role in various fields such as change detection, resource management, and urban planning. The diversity in methods and principles used to create different products poses a challenge for researchers in choosing the most suitable one for research needs. Mainstream evaluation methods typically consider only a portion of the accuracy information from the product and require a significant effort in creating validation datasets. Here, we propose a relative accuracy assessment method for LC products based on optimal transport theory, which provides a comprehensive evaluation by utilizing a broader range of accuracy information within the product. The method can directly compute the similarity between the target product and the reference truth at a global scale, addressing the issue of quantitatively assessing product accuracy in the absence of a validation dataset. To validate the effectiveness of the method, we select Beijing as the study area to assess the accuracy of four LC products. The results suggest that the method allows for precise quantification of product accuracy, aligning closely with validation outcomes, which can provide valuable guidance to researchers in both product creation and selection.
The Effects of Storage Conditions on Seed Deterioration and Ageing: How to Improve Seed Longevity
Authors: Corbineau Françoise
Published: January 2024

Seeds are classified as either: orthodox, seeds that tolerate dehydration; recalcitrant, seeds that are high in moisture content and cannot withstand intensive desiccation; or intermediate, seeds that survive dehydration but die during dry storage at low temperatures. Seed lifespan depends on the seed category and also varies from one species to another. The rate of loss of vigor and viability of orthodox seeds depends mainly on temperature and seed moisture content (MC); the lower the MC and storage temperature, the longer the longevity. Ultimately, storage in liquid nitrogen or seed ultra-drying by well-adapted processes should allow for long-term storage. The ageing of orthodox seeds is associated with numerous forms of cellular and metabolic damage (membrane integrity, energy metabolism, and the impairment of DNA, RNA, and proteins) in which reactive oxygen species play a prominent role. Interestingly, priming treatment can reinvigorate aged seeds by restoring the antioxidant systems. The storage of recalcitrant seeds is very difficult since they must be placed in a wet medium to avoid dehydration and at temperatures low enough to prevent germination but warm enough to avoid chilling injury. A better understanding of the mechanisms involved in ageing is necessary to identify markers in order to estimate seed longevity.
Predicting Random Walks and a Data-Splitting Prediction Region
Authors: Haile Mulubrhan G. , Zhang Lingling , Olive David J.
Published: January 2024

Perhaps the first nonparametric, asymptotically optimal prediction intervals are provided for univariate random walks, with applications to renewal processes. Perhaps the first nonparametric prediction regions are introduced for vector-valued random walks. This paper further derives nonparametric data-splitting prediction regions, which are underpinned by very simple theory. Some of the prediction regions can be used when the data distribution does not have first moments, and some can be used for high-dimensional data, where the number of predictors is larger than the sample size. The prediction regions can make use of many estimators of multivariate location and dispersion.
The Toxicological and Pharmacological Evaluation of the Anacyclus pyrethrum Aqueous Extract: Implications for Medicinal and Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Baslam Abdelmounaim , Aboufatima Rachida , Kabdy Hamid , Boussaa Samia , Chait Abderrahman , Baslam Marouane
Published: January 2024

Plants have long been valued for their medicinal and nutritional contributions to human life. Anacyclus pyrethrum, a member of the Asteraceae family, has attracted increasing attention as a source of natural products with diverse applications. In this study, we explored the toxicity and pharmacological properties of the aqueous extract of A. pyrethrum (AEAP). The acute toxicity study involved groups of mice subjected to oral administration of varying doses of AEAP, with immediate post-administration observations to detect any signs of toxicity or mortality. Comprehensive biochemical and hematological analyses encompassed assessments of renal function. The pharmacological profile was assessed by evaluating antinociceptive, anxiolytic, and antidepressant effects, which were measured using the hot plate test, elevated plus maze, open field test, and forced swim test, respectively. Different doses (100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg) were administered to rats via gavage for this assessment. The results revealed that the acute toxicity demonstrated the safety of AEAP at the tested doses, with no observed mortality or significant alterations. Moreover, it revealed that AEAP possesses an LD50 value greater than 5000 mg/kg. The pharmacological properties of AEAP demonstrated anxiolytic and antidepressant activities at a dose of 200 mg/kg, while no antinociceptive effect was observed. These findings underscore the potential of A. pyrethrum as a natural source of bioactive compounds with therapeutic applications. Further research is needed to explore long-term and chronic effects for a comprehensive assessment.
The Disruptive Innovation Impact of Supply and Demand Matching in Digital Platforms Using Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis Methodology: Evidence from China
Authors: Jin Shutong , Wang Haijun
Published: January 2024

Practice shows that digital platforms could enhance disruptive innovation. Given that digital platforms have always encountered imbalance problems, this study intended to explore which factor configurations could promote disruptive innovation sustainably from the perspective of supply and demand matching. This study constructed a theoretical framework referring to the TOE framework. Based on 25 questionnaires from China, the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method was used to explore the configurations of disruptive innovations. This study found the following: (1) None of the five factors in the dimensions of technology, organization, or environment could constitute a necessary condition for enabling disruptive innovation alone. (2) There were four supply and demand matching configurations that could lead to highly disruptive innovation. Based on the homogeneous characteristics of the results, the four paths were divided into “technology-organization driven transition” types and “organization-environment collaborative transition” types. (3) Non-highly disruptive innovation included three specific configurations, all of which lacked the core conditions in technical and organizational dimensions, suggesting the importance of technical and organizational factors for disruptive innovation. This study provides guidance on supply and demand matching for platform enterprises to continuously create disruptive innovation. However, the data from China may limit the results’ applicability to a more expansive setting.
Achieving Sustainable Tourism: Analysis of the Impact of Environmental Education on Tourists’ Responsible Behavior
Authors: Wang Jinming , Dai Jialu , Gao Weijun , Yao Xingbo , Dewancker Bart Julien , Gao Jiawei , Wang Yuhan , Zeng Jiayi
Published: January 2024

Environmental challenges like resource depletion, climate change, and biodiversity loss require human action. Environmental education influences individuals’ understanding and motivates responsible behavior, making it a real solution to address current problems. In this study, we examine the impact of situational environmental education and daily environmental education on tourists’ responsible environmental behavior by incorporating them as covariates into an integrated tourist behavior model. In total, 2381 valid questionnaires were obtained. The results showed that (1) daily environmental education mainly affects tourists’ responsible environmental behavior through attitude (0.467) and habits (0.634); (2) tourists’ responsible environmental behavior is mainly affected by situational environmental education through habits (0.534), subjective norms (0.504), and intention (0.614); and (3) personal factors, including attitudes toward environmental behavior, subjective norms, and perceptual behavior control, positively influence tourists’ responsible environmental behavioral intention and their responsible environmental behavior. This research will help to improve sustainability indicators and frameworks and to promote the adoption of sustainable tourism practices.