bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on Triode Based High Re-Frequency Ultrafast Electrical Pulse Generation Technology
Authors: Xu Hantao , Liu Baiyu , Gou Yongsheng , Tian Jinshou , Yang Yang , Feng Penghui , Wang Xu , Wei Shiduo
Published: April 2023

The high-repeat frequency ultrafast electrical pulse generation technology is mainly based on ultrafast switching devices combined with ultrafast circuits to generate electrical pulses with repetition frequencies of several kilohertz and a rise-time of nanoseconds or even picoseconds. This technology is the basis for several research studies and is one of the key technologies that has received wide attention from various countries. The problems to be solved are high re-frequency ultrafast high-voltage pulse generation and ultra-broadband ultrafast pulse transport and circuit stability applicability, which include circuit conduction mechanism research, pulse generation time improvement and recovery time reduction. By studying the avalanche transistor high-voltage transient conduction characteristics and reducing the loss in the carrier transport process, the influence of each parameter on the output is determined, and the key factors to enhance the circuit performance are identified. This paper designs a new high-repetition frequency ultrafast electric pulse generation (UPG) circuit using pure electronics components, which consists of combining avalanche transistor model 2N2222 with a hybrid Marx structure at the same time in the pulse circuit to add filtering, fast recovery diodes and pulse cutoff and other matching techniques to make its output more stable, which can obtain higher output frequency, faster rise-time and narrower pulse widths. It has been tested that a high re-frequency ultrafast high-voltage electrical pulse signal with a pulse repetition frequency of 200 kHz, a leading edge of 800 ps, a half-high pulse width of 5 ns, an amplitude of 1.2 kV and jitter of less than 5% can be generated at the load with a 50 Ω load at the output. The signal can be applied in the fields of ultrafast diagnosis, information countermeasures and nuclear electromagnetic radiation research.
Experimental Study on Coal Seam Gas Desorption Characteristics Caused by Moisture under Stepwise Depressurization
Authors: Li Xinjian , Chen Xiangjun , Wang Lin , Shi Haoyang , Yu Tongyong
Published: April 2023

Expansion energy is the main factor of coal and gas outbursts, and the gas desorption around the outburst hole is developed in variable pressure conditions. While studying the impact of moisture on gas desorption characteristics, atmospheric pressure desorption is usually used, but its characteristics under variable pressure conditions have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, typical outburst coal samples with different water contents from the Jincheng mining area of China were selected as research objects, and the effects of water on gas displacement, desorption, desorption rate, and gas desorption index (K1) of drilling cuttings under step-by-step depressurization were analyzed by means of stepwise depressurization and atmospheric desorption experiments. The research conclusions suggest that (1) the amount of gas replacement, which augments rapidly during the inception, increases with the growth of water content under the experimental conditions, and then the rate decreases; (2) the gas desorption falls gradually at different depressurization stages when the humidity is constant, while the total desorption and the drop amplitude taper with the increasing water content; (3) the additional water enhances the desorption rate significantly only at the initial stage, but scarcely has an impact later on; and (4) the value of the drilling cuttings’ gas desorption index (K1) shows a downward trend with the developing humidity in each stage of stepwise depressurization desorption. We take humidity as a variable to simulate the desorption process of coal gas around the hole when coal and gas outbursts occur in the laboratory and study the influence of water on the desorption characteristics under desorption conditions of stepwise depressurization. This provides a reference for the purpose of studying the mechanism of coal and gas outbursts from the perspective of energy.
Application of Underdetermined Blind Source Separation Algorithm on the Low-Frequency Oscillation in Power Systems
Authors: Xia Yuanyang , Li Xiaocong , Liu Zhili , Liu Yuan
Published: April 2023

The timely discovery of low-frequency oscillations in power systems and accurate identification of their modal parameters is critical in numerous applications. Therefore, we investigated the feasibility of using multi-channel signals and established a relative theory. An algorithm based on the underdetermined blind source separation (UBSS) algorithm was proposed using this theory. First, the energy ratio function was used to determine the fault occurrence time. Then, the Bayesian information criterion was used to estimate the number of fault sources, and the boundary conditions were set to determine the number of fault sources. Next, the UBSS algorithm was used to analyze raw data, extract individual components that characterize faults, and subsequently measure low-frequency oscillation modal parameters through the Hilbert transform. Finally, the fast independent component analysis (FastICA) algorithm was used to separate noise signal from raw data. This separation considerably reduced noise disturbance and ensured the stability of the proposed method. Model simulation was conducted in MATLAB and experimental measurement revealed that the proposed method effectively reduced noise disturbance and could be applied to conditions with considerable disturbance.
Quantum Computing and Machine Learning for Cybersecurity: Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack Detection on Smart Micro-Grid
Authors: Said Dhaou
Published: April 2023

Machine learning (ML) is efficiently disrupting and modernizing cities in terms of service quality for mobility, security, robotics, healthcare, electricity, finance, etc. Despite their undeniable success, ML algorithms need crucial computational efforts with high-speed computing hardware to deal with model complexity and commitments to obtain efficient, reliable, and resilient solutions. Quantum computing (QC) is presented as a strong candidate to help MLs reach their best performance especially for cybersecurity issues and digital defense. This paper presents quantum support vector machine (QSVM) model to detect distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks on smart micro-grid (SMG). An evaluation of our approach against a real dataset of DDoS attack instances shows the effectiveness of our proposed model. Finally, conclusions and some open issues and challenges of the fitting of ML with QC are presented.
Solar Electric Vehicles as Energy Sources in Disaster Zones: Physical and Social Factors
Authors: Araki Kenji , Ota Yasuyuki , Maeda Anju , Kumano Minoru , Nishioka Kensuke
Published: April 2023

Electric vehicles (EVs) have the advantage of being resilient to natural disasters. However, users hesitate to donate electricity when they lose the chance to recharge at the utility. Solar electric vehicles (SEVs) save energy through vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (VIPV) and make it possible to voluntarily donate excess energy, thus maintaining facility resilience. Given that the supply of solar energy to VIPV systems is not continuous and is difficult to forecast, the contribution of VIPV to the resilience of the larger energy system has been called into question. This is the first study in which the potential of VIPV to maintain utility resilience is investigated in the context of physical factors, such as irradiance, and social factors. The actual energy yield of a VIPV car was determined using an advanced 3D solar irradiation model under a nonuniform shading distribution, with validation from actual measures of solar irradiance on five orthogonal sides of the car body. The Monte Carlo method was used to model the complex factors in VIPV energy storage and energy donations under different scenarios. Depending on the climate, population density, and shading environment, the voluntary contribution of stored electricity in SEV is sufficient to provide disaster relief support.
Energy Conversion Using Electronic Power Converters: Technologies and Applications
Authors: Musumeci Salvatore
Published: April 2023

Nowadays, energy conversion plays a crucial role in sustainable growth and development [...]
Model Application for Estimation of Agri-Environmental Indicators of Kiwi Production: A Case Study in Northern Greece
Authors: Kokkora Maria , Koukouli Panagiota , Karpouzos Dimitrios , Georgiou Pantazis
Published: April 2023

Due to the sensitivity of kiwifruit to soil water and nutrient availability, kiwi production is often associated with over-watering and over-fertilization, especially with nitrogen (N), resulting in increased environmental risks. Crop models are powerful tools for simulating crop production and environmental impact of given management practices. In this study, the CropSyst model was applied to estimate soil N budget and environmental effects of kiwi production, with particular regard to N losses, in two grower-managed kiwi orchards in northern Greece, involving two seasons and different management practices. Management options included N fertilization and irrigation. Model estimates were compared with yield and soil mineral N content (0–90 cm depths) measured three times within the growing season. Agri-environmental indicators were calculated based on the N budget simulation results to assess the environmental consequences (focusing on N losses and water use efficiency) of the different management practices in kiwi production. According to model simulation results, kiwifruit yield and N uptake were similar in both orchards. N losses to the environment, however, were estimated on average to be 10.3% higher in the orchard with the higher inputs of irrigation water and N fertilizer. The orchard with the lower inputs showed better water and N use efficiency. N leaching losses were estimated to be higher than 70% of total available soil N in both study sites, indicating potential impact on groundwater quality. These findings demonstrate the necessity for improved irrigation and N fertilization management in kiwi production in the area.
Heavy Metal Concentrations and Accumulation Characteristics of Dominant Woody Plants in Iron and Lead−Zinc Tailing Areas in Jiangxi, Southeast China
Authors: Li Yanglong , Wang Chaoqun , Yan Chaowu , Liu Shaowen , Chen Xiangteng , Zeng Mansheng , Dong Yuhong , Jiao Ruzhen
Published: April 2023

Phytoremediation using woody plants can effectively reduce heavy metal (HM) concentrations in soils. However, the remediation capacity of woody plants depends greatly on plant species and soil environmental conditions. In order to evaluate the HM remediation potential of woody plants from different tailing areas, the HM accumulation characteristics of roots, shoots, and leaves of 12 dominant native woody plants growing in iron and lead-zinc tailing areas were analyzed. The results showed that the concentrations of Cd, As, Ni, Mn, and Cr in most plants in the two tailing areas exceeded the level of normal plants. The distribution of different elements in plants was generally as follows: root > leaf > shoot for Pb and As; root > shoot > leaf for Cr; and leaf > shoot > root for Zn, Ni, and Mn. The distribution of Cu and Cd in plants varied with the type of HM pollution in the two tailing areas. There were significant (p < 0.05) negative correlations between available phosphorus in the soil and Pb, Cd, and Zn in the plant roots when the soil was heavily polluted with Pb, Cd, and As; similarly, there were significant (p < 0.01) negative correlations between readily available potassium in the soil and Pb, Zn, and Ni in plant roots. Based on the higher than average concentration of HMs in plants, and higher bioconcentration factors and translocation factors, some plants were considered woody plant species with phytoremediation. Slash pine (Pinus elliottii) and indian azalea (Rhododendron simsii) had strong enrichment and translocation abilities for Cd, oriental white oak (Quercus glauca) and beautiful sweetgum (Liquidambar formosana) for Mn and paulownia (Paulownia fortunei) for Zn. The plants listed above can be used as potential species for phytoremediation in iron and lead-zinc tailing areas.
Biodiversity of Lactic Acid Bacteria in Traditional Fermented Foods in Yunnan Province, China, and Comparative Genomics of Lactobacillus plantarum
Authors: Li Hong , Zhu Jiang , Xiao Yue , Zhang Shiyao , Sun Yuwei , Liu Zhijia , Chu Chuanqi , Hu Xiaosong , Yi Junjie
Published: April 2023

The diversity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in fermented foods in Yunnan currently lacks large-scale and systematic research. A total of 638 fermented foods were collected from 84 regions in Yunnan for diversity analyses. The results show that the dominant strains in various types of fermented foods were different. Additionally, the majority of the LAB were better adapted to regions with a temperature of 15–20 °C and a humidity of 64–74%. Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) was the most abundant of all the strains and was widely distributed in the 84 regions. Genetically, the guanine plus cytosine (GC) content of L. plantarum ranged from 35.60% to 47.90%, with genome sizes from 2.54 Mb to 5.76 Mb. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that the habitat source and geographic origin had little influence on the homologous genes of L. plantarum. The genetic diversity of L. plantarum was mostly represented by functional genes and carbohydrate utilization. This research provides valuable insights into the microbiota of different types of fermented foods in Yunnan. Meanwhile, a genetic diversity analysis of L. plantarum may help us to understand the evolutionary history of this species.
Anaerobic Fermentation—A Biological Route towards Achieving Net Neutrality
Authors: Nagarajan Sanjay
Published: April 2023

Increasing greenhouse gas levels have led to the international community pledging to curb the mean global temperature increase to less than 1.5 C. [...]
An Efficient Wildfire Detection System for AI-Embedded Applications Using Satellite Imagery
Authors: James George L. , Ansaf Ryeim B. , Al Samahi Sanaa S. , Parker Rebecca D. , Cutler Joshua M. , Gachette Rhode V. , Ansaf Bahaa I.
Published: April 2023

Wildfire risk has globally increased during the past few years due to several factors. An efficient and fast response to wildfires is extremely important to reduce the damaging effect on humans and wildlife. This work introduces a methodology for designing an efficient machine learning system to detect wildfires using satellite imagery. A convolutional neural network (CNN) model is optimized to reduce the required computational resources. Due to the limitations of images containing fire and seasonal variations, an image augmentation process is used to develop adequate training samples for the change in the forest’s visual features and the seasonal wind direction at the study area during the fire season. The selected CNN model (MobileNet) was trained to identify key features of various satellite images that contained fire or without fire. Then, the trained system is used to classify new satellite imagery and sort them into fire or no fire classes. A cloud-based development studio from Edge Impulse Inc. is used to create a NN model based on the transferred learning algorithm. The effects of four hyperparameters are assessed: input image resolution, depth multiplier, number of neurons in the dense layer, and dropout rate. The computational cost is evaluated based on the simulation of deploying the neural network model on an Arduino Nano 33 BLE device, including Flash usage, peak random access memory (RAM) usage, and network inference time. Results supported that the dropout rate only affects network prediction performance; however, the number of neurons in the dense layer had limited effects on performance and computational cost. Additionally, hyperparameters such as image size and network depth significantly impact the network model performance and the computational cost. According to the developed benchmark network analysis, the network model MobileNetV2, with 160 × 160 pixels image size and 50% depth reduction, shows a good classification accuracy and is about 70% computationally lighter than a full-depth network. Therefore, the proposed methodology can effectively design an ML application that instantly and efficiently analyses imagery from a spacecraft/weather balloon for the detection of wildfires without the need of an earth control centre.
Effects of Nano-Nickel Oxide on Thermokinetics, Thermal Safety, and Gas-Generating Characteristics of 5-Aminotetrazole Thermal Degradation
Authors: Zhang Dan , Xie Lifeng , Li Bin
Published: April 2023

5-aminotetrazole (5AT) has been widely used as a fuel in SPGGs for its high nitrogen content, heat resistance, and environmentally friendly product. However, 5AT-based propellants still have disadvantages, such as a high exhaust temperature and unstable combustion rate, which somewhat limit their application. Given that transition metal oxides are typically employed in small quantities to enhance the performance of solid propellants, this study selected nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles as a catalyst and employed them in conjunction with 5AT via mechanical ball milling to investigate their impact on the pyrolysis behavior of 5AT. It was found that the nanoscale NiO particles can significantly reduce the thermal degradation temperature of 5AT according to TG-DSC tests. The calculation of the energy required to initiate the pyrolysis of 5AT using three kinetic methods, namely Friedman (FR), Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO), and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS), indicated that the use of NiO nanoparticles can reduce the energy required by more than 46 kJ mol−1, thereby increasing the likelihood of 5AT pyrolysis. Meanwhile, the reduced thermal safety parameters indicated that NiO makes 5AT more susceptible to thermal decomposition due to thermal explosion transition, so more care is needed for the storage of 5AT. Moreover, the TG-FTIR test was conducted to study the pyrolysis mechanism with or without NiO; the results showed that NiO exerts different catalytic effects on the gas products. The results from this study can offer direction and recommendations for future research on solid propellants.
Chemical Viscosity Reduction of Heavy Oil by Multi-Frequency Ultrasonic Waves with the Main Harmonics of 20–60 kHz
Authors: Dengaev Aleksey V. , Kayumov Aydar A. , Getalov Andrey A. , Aliev Firdavs A. , Baimukhametov Gadel F. , Sargin Boris V. , Maksimenko Alexander F. , Vakhin Alexey V.
Published: April 2023

Ultrasound technologies are well-known for their ability to intensify the heat and mass transfer processes. Hence, ultrasonic treatment processes are widely applied for the separation of oil–water emulsions, optimization of oil pumping processes, cleaning the bottomhole zone, etc. However, the main phenomenon under the positive influence of ultrasonic waves on such processes is the cavitation bubbles implosion on the water–oil boundary. It is well-known that ultrasound energy contributes to the reversible viscosity reduction in heavy oil systems. However, it is possible to exhibit chemical destruction of the weakest carbon–heteroatom bonds in the structure of the asphaltenes. This study investigates the influences of controllable ultrasound waves with frequency ranges of 20–60 kHz under the exposure time of 60 s on the rheology of a heavy crude oil sample produced from the Ashalcha reservoir (Tatarstan Republic, Russia). The specific feature of this study is the application of multi-frequency ultrasonic exposure with a wide spectrum of side harmonics with the frequency up to 400 kHz. The results of the Saturates, Aromatics, Resins and Asphaltenes (SARA) analysis method support the chemical consequences of ultrasonication of crude oil. The content of resins under the irradiation of ultrasound waves altered from 32.5 wt.% to 29.4 wt.%, while the number of aromatics hydrocarbons raised from 24.3 wt.% to 34.1 wt.%. The Gas Chromatography—Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) analytical analysis method was applied to qualitatively compare the composition of saturated and aromatics fractions between the initial and upgraded heavy crude oil in order to show the chemical destruction of asphaltene bonds after the ultrasonic treatment. It was demonstrated that ultrasound waves allowed chemical conversion of asphaltene fragments that led to irreversible viscosity reduction. The viscosity of the heavy oil sample under the favorable ultrasonic irradiation conditions reduced from 661.2 mPa·s to 178.8 mPa·s. This advantage can be used to develop enhanced oil recovery methods and partial upgrading processes in downstream conditions.
Occurrence and Dietary Risk Assessment of Mycotoxins in Most Consumed Foods in Cameroon: Exploring Current Data to Understand Futures Challenges
Authors: Bouelet Ntsama Isabelle , Frazzoli Chiara , Pouokam Guy , Colizzi Vittorio
Published: April 2023

Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxins that contaminate different crops and foodstuffs under certain circumstances during harvesting, handling, storage, and processing. Neither the dietary intake of mycotoxins in Cameroon is well characterized, nor its health effects on the consumers. This review is intended to be the first milestone towards national risk management of mycotoxins. It is noteworthy that mycotoxins contaminate the main staple foods of Cameroonian communities, which are also often used as complementary foods for infants, young children, and people with compromised immune systems (e.g., HIV/AIDS), thus calling for urgent intervention in primary and secondary prevention. Very few data exist on mycotoxin contamination in Cameroonian agricultural commodities and food items. Only 25 studies from 14 different authors have been published in the last decade. On the basis of available data in Cameroon, the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) of major mycotoxins in foods for Aflatoxins was 0.0018–14.2 µg/kgbw/day in maize, 0.027–2.36 µg/kgbw/day in cassava, and 0.023–0.1 µg/kgbw/day in groundnuts. The estimated daily intake of fumonisins was 0.12–60.6 µg/kgbw/day in maize and 0.056–0.82 µg/kgbw/day in beans. Based on the estimated distribution of human exposure levels by food, maize and cassava are the major sources of exposure and should be prioritized, followed by beans and spices. This estimate will be updated along with improvements on the national database on mycotoxin contamination of Cameroonian foods.
Post-Harvest Red- and Far-Red-Light Irradiation and Low Temperature Induce the Accumulation of Carotenoids, Capsaicinoids, and Ascorbic Acid in Capsicum annuum L. Green Pepper Fruit
Authors: Pashkovskiy Pavel , Sleptsov Nikolay , Vereschagin Mikhail , Kreslavski Vladimir , Rudometova Natalia , Sorokoumov Pavel , Ashikhmin Aleksandr , Bolshakov Maksim , Kuznetsov Vladimir
Published: April 2023

Environmental factors, such as light of different spectral compositions and temperature, can change the level of activated photoreceptors which, in turn, can affect the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in the cells of green fruit. By briefly irradiating the harvested fruit of Capsicum annuum L. hot peppers with red light (RL, maximum 660 nm) and far-red light (FRL, maximum 730 nm) and by keeping them at a low temperature, we attempted to determine whether the state of phytochromes in fruit affects the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Using HPLC, we analysed the qualitative composition and quantitative content of the main carotenoids and alkaloids and the chlorophylls and ascorbate, in pepper fruit exposed to the above factors. We measured the parameters characterising the primary photochemical processes of photosynthesis and the transcript levels of genes encoding capsaicin biosynthesis enzymes. The total carotenoids content in the fruit increased most noticeably after 24 h of RL irradiation (more than 3.5 times compared to the initial value), and the most significant change in the composition of carotenoids occurred when the fruit was irradiated with FRL for 72 h. The capsaicin alkaloid content increased markedly after 72 h of FRL irradiation (more than 8 times compared to the initial value). It was suggested that decrease in the activity of phytochromes due to a low temperature or FRL may result in an increase in the expression of the PAL and CAM genes.
Storability and Linear Regression Models of Pericarp Browning and Decay in Fifty Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) Cultivars at Room Temperature Storage
Authors: Huang Kan , Fu Danwen , Jiang Yonghua , Liu Hailun , Shi Fachao , Wen Yingjie , Cai Changhe , Chen Jiezhen , Ou Liangxi , Yan Qian
Published: April 2023

The primary cause for the limited shelf life of litchi fruit is rapid pericarp browning and decay. This study aims to evaluate the storability of 50 litchi varieties and establish a linear regression model for pericarp browning and decay based on 11 postharvest physical and chemical indices after 9 days of storage at room temperature. The results indicated that the average value of the browning index and decay rate significantly increased to 3.29% and 63.84% of 50 litchi varieties at day 9, respectively. Different litchi varieties showed different variations in appearance indicators, quality indicators, and physiological indicators. Furthermore, principal component analysis and cluster analysis revealed that Liu Li 2 Hao exhibited the highest resistance to storage, whereas Dong Long Mi Li, Jiao Pan Li, E Dan Li 2 Hao, and Ren Shan Li were not resistant. Stepwise multiple regression analysis further demonstrated that the factors were highly correlated with the decay index, with a partial correlation coefficient of 0.437 between the effective index and the decay index. Therefore, pericarp thickness, relative conductivity, pericarp laccase activity, and total soluble solids were significant indicators for the comprehensive evaluation of litchi browning and decay, and relative conductivity was the significant determinant causing fruit browning. These findings provide a new perspective on the sustainable development of the litchi industry.
Physical and Chemical Characterization and Bioavailability Evaluation In Vivo of Amaranth Protein Concentrate
Authors: Sidorova Yuliya S. , Petrov Nikita A. , Perova Irina B. , Kolobanov Alexey I. , Zorin Sergey N.
Published: April 2023

Special attention is being paid to the study of amaranth proteins. They are characterized by a high biological value that significantly exceeds those of grain crops. The production of protein concentrate from amaranth flour includes preliminary enzymatic hydrolysis, extraction of the resulting mixture, protein precipitation, microfiltration, and freeze-drying. In our study, the obtained amaranth protein concentrate was limited by valine, with an amino acid score of 74%. The true digestibility of the amaranth protein concentrate determined in vivo was 97.6 ± 0.3%, which was significantly lower than that of casein (99.3 ± 0.2%). The protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score value of the concentrate was 72.2%. The obtained concentrate was a rich source of selenium, copper, magnesium, manganese, and iron. Ferulic acid was the only polyphenolic compound found in the amaranth protein concentrate, but its content was significantly greater compared to the original flour. Saponins were not removed completely during the process of obtaining the amaranth protein concentrate. We identified 15 saponins in the concentrate, mainly of the bidesmoside type, the sapogenins of which are related derivatives of oleanolic acid. Thus, the developed amaranth protein concentrate can be used as an ingredient in functional food products, with a high biological value.
Consumer Sentiments and Emotions in New Seafood Product Concept Development: A Co-Creation Approach Using Online Discussion Rooms in Croatia, Italy and Spain
Authors: Verza Marta , Camanzi Luca , Rota Cosimo , Cerjak Marija , Mulazzani Luca , Malorgio Giulio
Published: April 2023

Growing Mediterranean seafood consumption, increasing consumers’ awareness of food safety and quality, and changing food lifestyles are leading to the development of new food products. However, the majority of new food products launched on the market are expected to fail within the first year. One of the most effective ways to enhance new product success is by involving consumers during the first phases of New Product Development (NPD), using the so-called co-creation approach. Based on data collected through online discussion rooms, two new seafood product concepts—sardine fillets and sea burgers—were evaluated by a set of potential consumers in three Mediterranean countries—Italy, Spain, and Croatia. Textual information was analyzed by first using the topic modeling technique. Then, for each main topic identified, sentiment scores were calculated, followed by the identification of the main related emotions that were evoked. Overall, consumers seem to positively evaluate both proposed seafood product concepts, and three recurrent positive emotions (trust, anticipation, joy) were identified in relation to the main topics aroused during the discussions. The results of this study will be useful to guide future researchers and actors in this industry in the next development steps of the targeted seafood products in Mediterranean countries.
Effect of Apple Polyphenols on the Antioxidant Activity and Structure of Three-Dimensional Printed Processed Cheese
Authors: Deng Yiqiu , Zhao Guangsheng , Cheng Kewei , Shi Chuanchuan , Xiao Gongnian
Published: April 2023

Additives can influence the processability and quality of three-dimensional (3D)-printed foods. Herein, the effects of apple polyphenols on the antioxidant activity and structure of 3D-printed processed cheese were investigated. The antioxidant activities of processed cheese samples with different contents of apple polyphenols (0%, 0.4%, 0.8%, 1.2%, or 1.6%) were evaluated using 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-di(4-tert-octylphenyl)-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. In addition, the rheological properties and structural characteristics of the processed cheeses were investigated using rheometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Then, the final printed products were analyzed for comparative molding effects and dimensional characteristics. it was found that apple polyphenols can significantly improve the antioxidant activity of processed cheese. When the amount of apple polyphenols added was 0.8%, the 3D shaping effect was optimal with a porosity rate of 4.1%. Apple polyphenols can be used as a good antioxidant additive, and the moderate addition of apple polyphenols can effectively improve the antioxidant and structural stability of 3D-printed processed cheese.
Influence of Polyether Backbone PEO–PPO on the Drug Release Behavior of Polyurea Xerogels
Authors: Vargas Julia G. , Andrada Heber E. , Fico Bruno A. , Paulino Julia M. , Silveira Natália N. , dos Santos Raquel A. , Molina Eduardo F.
Published: April 2023

To evaluate possible structural changes and thermal stability of the polyurea unloaded and loaded with diclofenac sodium, polyurea networks based on polyetheramine containing polypropylene oxide (PPO) or polyethylene oxide (PEO) and hexamethylene diisocyanate trimer-HDI were synthesized. The formation of the network was controlled by sol-gel reactions, and the obtained materials were then characterized by different techniques (FTIR, XRD, TGA). Moreover, the amount of diclofenac released could be modulated as a function of time, studying the water absorption or swelling capacity, the cytotoxicity of the material and the amount of drug released. A choice was therefore made on the hydrophilicity of PEO- or PPO-based polyetheramine (with similar molecular weight), and the release profile was hereafter correlated with the water absorption by the PEO/PPO polyurea matrix. Links could finally be established between the release of diclofenac and the polyurea matrices properties, such as the nature of polymer (PEO/PPO) and the hydrophilicity (water uptake). Our objective here is to identify challenges and opportunities for the development of innovative functional biomaterials for health applications.
Genetics Unveil the Genealogical Ancestry and Physical Appearance of an Unknown Historical Figure: Lady Leonor of Castile (Spain) (1256–1275)
Authors: Palomo-Díez Sara , Gomes Cláudia , Fondevila María , Esparza-Arroyo Ángel , López-Parra Ana , Lareu María , Arroyo-Pardo Eduardo , Pastor Juan
Published: April 2023

Through this study, it has been possible to establish an accurate prediction of the physical characteristics, biogeographical origin, and genealogical ancestry of a previously obscured historical figure: The Princess Lady Leonor of Castile (1256–1275), one of the legitimate daughters of the Spanish King Alfonso X “The Wise”. The genetic analysis of External Visible Characteristics in the mummified remains attributed to this Princess has allowed determining her origin by mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analysis, and her physical appearance for hair, eyes, and skin color by autosomal SNPs. The results show that the mummified remains correspond to a young European woman with black hair, green-hazel eyes, and white skin. Her physical appearance has not been possible to be compared with any pictorial source, but the biogeographical analysis results are consistent with the historiographic genealogical information.
Analysis of Viral Promoters for Transgene Expression and of the Effect of 5′-UTRs on Alternative Translational Start Sites in Chlamydomonas
Authors: Niemeyer Justus , Fischer Laura , Aylward Frank O’Neill , Schroda Michael
Published: April 2023

Microalgae biotechnology has the potential to produce high quality bioproducts in a sustainable manner. Here, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has shown great potential as a host for biotechnological exploitation. However, low expression of nuclear transgenes is still a problem and needs to be optimized. In many model organisms, viral promoters are used to drive transgene expression at high levels. However, no viruses are known to infect Chlamydomonas, and known viral promoters are not functional. Recently, two different lineages of giant viruses were identified in the genomes of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii field isolates. In this work, we tested six potentially strong promoters from these viral genomes for their ability to drive transgene expression in Chlamydomonas. We used ble, NanoLUC, and mCherry as reporter genes, and three native benchmark promoters as controls. None of the viral promoters drove expression of any reporter gene beyond background. During our study, we found that mCherry variants are produced by alternative in-frame translational start sites in Chlamydomonas. We show that this problem can be overcome by mutating the responsible methionine codons to codons for leucine and by using the 5′-UTR of βTUB2 instead of the 5′-UTRs of PSAD or RBCS2. Apparently, the βTUB2 5′-UTR promotes the use of the first start codon. This could be mediated by the formation of a stem-loop between sequences of the βTUB2 5′-UTR and sequences downstream of the first AUG in the mCherry reporter, potentially increasing the dwell time of the scanning 40S subunit on the first AUG and thus decreasing the probability of leaky scanning.
Italian Cross-Cultural Adaptation of a Knowledge Assessment Tool (IBD-KID2) for Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Vernon-Roberts Angharad , Musto Francesca , Aloi Marina , Day Andrew S.
Published: April 2023

Background: For children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), understanding their condition may lead to better outcomes. Knowledge assessment is imperative to identify where education may be required. An IBD knowledge assessment tool (IBD-KID2) is available in English; the aim of this study was to translate IBD-KID2 in to Italian and assess its validity/reliability among children with IBD. Methods: IBD-KID2 has fifteen items, scoring one point per correct answer. IBD-KID2 items were assessed for cultural comprehension/relevance by Italian gastroenterologists using a content validity index; those items with a maximum score proportion <0.78 were reviewed. IBD-KID2 was then translated using ‘forward–backward’ process and reviewed for content/meaning. A prospective study among Italian children with IBD enabled score comparisons with established populations (z test), and reliability was assessed using test–retest completion (Pearson correlation (r), paired t-test). Results: Twenty-five children participated: 16 (64%) male, mean age 14.9 years (SD2.4), Crohn’s disease 13 (52%). The mean IBD-KID2 score was 8.8 (SD2.8), with no association with independent variables. Test–retest showed strong correlation between scores (r = 0.78, p < 0.001), with no mean difference (p = 0.39). Comparison with other pediatric IBD populations (NZ/Australia/Canada) showed no score difference (p = 0.62, CI −0.9 to 1.5). Conclusions: The translation of IBD-KID2 to Italian used a rigorous methodology. Scores showed the translated tool has equivalence and generalizability to Italian children with IBD.
Alcohol Consumption in Nursing Students after the COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: Guerrero-Agenjo Carmen María , López-Tendero Jaime , López-González Ángel , Guisado-Requena Isabel María , Laredo-Aguilera Jose Alberto , Carmona-Torres Juan Manuel , López-Torres-Hidalgo Jesús , Rabanales-Sotos Joseba
Published: April 2023

Excessive alcohol consumption is a major public health issue that can negatively affect behavior among university students. The objective of this study was to estimate the frequency of alcohol consumption in nursing students as well as to describe the pattern of alcohol consumption after COVID-19 lockdown. A descriptive, cross-sectional observational study was carried out, in which 1162 degree-level nursing students were evaluated. Sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyles and levels of physical activity were determined using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire: Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and alcohol consumption was determined using the ISCA (Systematized Alcohol Consumption Questionnaire) and AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Inventory Test) questionnaires. According to the AUDIT questionnaire, 36.7% of the students met the criteria for excessive alcohol consumption (26.8% men vs. 39.9% women; p < 0.001). The prevalence of hazardous drinkers was found to be 10.2% (95% CI 5.6–11.7), with the difference between men and women being statistically significant. The IPAQ-SF questionnaire indicated that 26.1% of students were sedentary. No relationship was observed between alcohol consumption and the level of physical activity. The frequency of hazardous drinkers was significantly higher in women (OR: 2.2) and in smokers (OR: 4.2). In conclusion, approximately 10% of nursing students can be considered hazardous drinkers, with significant differences between the sexes. The percentage is higher in women and in smokers. Strategies should be created that encourage healthy lifestyles, emphasizing preventive activities against excessive alcohol consumption. Furthermore, given the differences in excessive alcohol consumption between men and women, it would be advisable to include the gender perspective in these activities.
Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Validation of the Arabic Version of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS-A) with Strategies to Mitigate Barriers
Authors: Aljehani Raghdah , Grace Sherry L. , Aburub Aseel , Turk-Adawi Karam , Ghisi Gabriela Lima de Melo
Published: April 2023

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) utilization is low, particularly in Arabic-speaking countries. This study aimed to translate and psychometrically validate the CR Barriers Scale in Arabic (CRBS-A), as well as strategies to mitigate them. The CRBS was translated by two bilingual health professionals independently, followed by back-translation. Next, 19 healthcare providers, followed by 19 patients rated the face and content validity (CV) of the pre-final versions, providing input to improve cross-cultural applicability. Then, 207 patients from Saudi Arabia and Jordan completed the CRBS-A, and factor structure, internal consistency, construct, and criterion validity were assessed. Helpfulness of mitigation strategies was also assessed. For experts, item and scale CV indices were 0.8–1.0 and 0.9, respectively. For patients, item clarity and mitigation helpfulness scores were 4.5 ± 0.1 and 4.3 ± 0.1/5, respectively. Minor edits were made. For the test of structural validity, four factors were extracted: time conflicts/lack of perceived need and excuses; preference to self-manage; logistical problems; and health system issues and comorbidities. Total CRBS-A α was 0.90. Construct validity was supported by a trend for an association of total CRBS with financial insecurity regarding healthcare. Total CRBS-A scores were significantly lower in patients who were referred to CR (2.8 ± 0.6) vs. those who were not (3.6 ± 0.8), confirming criterion validity (p = 0.04). Mitigation strategies were considered very helpful (mean = 4.2 ± 0.8/5). The CRBS-A is reliable and valid. It can support identification of top barriers to CR participation at multiple levels, and then strategies for mitigating them can be implemented.
Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy: Seizure and Social Outcomes in Taiwan
Authors: Lim Siew-Na , Wu Tony , Tseng Wei-En Johnny , Chang Chun-Wei , Hsieh Hsiang-Yao , Cheng Mei-Yun , Chiang Hsing-I , Lee Chih-Hong , Lin Wey-Ran , Liu Chun-Jing
Published: April 2023

Patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) may not achieve seizure freedom despite optimal treatment with antiseizure medications (ASMs). The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and social features of patients with JME, and to determine the factors associated with outcomes. We retrospectively identified 49 patients with JME (25 females, mean age 27.6 ± 8.9 years) who were assessed at the Epilepsy Centre of Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan. The patients were divided into two groups, those who were seizure-free and those with ongoing seizures according to their seizure outcome at the last follow-up for one year. Clinical features and social status were compared between these two groups. Twenty-four (49%) of the JME patients were seizure-free for at least one year, while 51% continued to experience seizures despite being treated with multiple ASMs. The presence of epileptiform discharges in the last electroencephalogram and seizures during sleep were significantly associated with worse seizure outcomes (p < 0.05). The patients who were seizure-free had a higher employment rate compared to those who continued to experience seizures (75% vs. 32%, p = 0.004). Despite receiving ASM treatment, a considerable proportion of the patients with JME continued to have seizures. Moreover, poor seizure control was associated with a lower employment rate, which may lead to negative socioeconomic consequences related to JME.
Changes in Hematologic Lab Measures Observed in Patients with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria Treated with C5 Inhibitors, Ravulizumab and Eculizumab: Real-World Evidence from a US Based EMR Network
Authors: Fishman Jesse , Kuranz Seth , Yeh Michael M. , Brzozowski Kaylen , Chen Herman
Published: April 2023

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a rare acquired hematologic disorder, can be treated with C5 inhibitors (C5i) such as eculizumab or ravulizumab. This retrospective study is the first to describe real-world treatment patterns and changes in hematologic PNH-monitoring laboratory tests among C5i-treated US patients. Data were extracted from TriNetX Dataworks Network and included patients with a PNH diagnosis between 1 January 2010, and 20 August 2021. Patients were stratified into three cohorts based on their C5i usage: eculizumab, ravulizumab (prior eculizumab), and ravulizumab (eculizumab naïve). Hematological markers (hemoglobin [Hb], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], and absolute reticulocyte count [ARC]) and relevant clinical events (e.g., breakthrough hemolysis [BTH], complement-amplifying conditions [CAC], thrombosis, infection, and all-cause mortality) were captured any time within 12 months post-index treatment. Of the 143 (eculizumab), 43 (ravulizumab, prior eculizumab), and 33 (ravulizumab, eculizumab naïve) patients, mean age across cohorts was 42–51 years, 55–61% were female, 63–73% were White, and 33–40% had aplastic anemia. Among all cohorts 12 months post-C5i treatment, 50–82% remained anemic, 8–32% required ≥1 transfusion, and 13–59% had BTH, of which 33%-54% had CACs. Additionally, thrombosis was seen in 7–15% of patients, infection in 20–25%, and mortality in 1–7%. These findings suggest many C5i-treated patients experience suboptimal disease control.
Prehistory and Ideology in Cold War Southeast Asia: The Politics of Wartime Archaeology in Thailand and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, 1954–1975
Authors: Peleggi Maurizio
Published: April 2023

The two decades comprised within the partition of Vietnam and the end of the Indochina Wars surprisingly saw major advances in prehistoric archaeology in the region. This article examines the political context and implications of archaeological investigations conducted in Thailand and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam under the guidance of, respectively, American and Soviet specialists, as an aspect of the cultural Cold War. Archaeological discoveries in both countries debunked colonial archaeology’s account of prehistoric Southeast Asia as a passive recipient of Chinese cultural influence by documenting autonomous technological development. The article argues that the new image of mainland Southeast Asia’ prehistory that formed by the early 1970s reflected the superpowers’ objective of empowering the region’s postcolonial nation-states notwithstanding their political contrasts, yet it was not equally congruent with the nationalist narratives of Thailand and North Vietnam.
Effect of Wounding Intensity on Edible Quality by Regulating Physiological and ROS Metabolism in Fresh-Cut Pumpkins
Authors: Hu Wenzhong , Guan Yuge , Wang Yi , Yuan Ning
Published: April 2023

Fresh-cut pumpkin is favored by consumers for its environmental protection, safety, and convenience at home and abroad. To investigate the effect of different wounding intensities (piece, strip and slice, corresponding to 1.90, 3.53 and 6.29 m2 kg−1) on the quality of fresh-cut pumpkin, the critical indexes involved in reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism, vitamin C-glutathione cycle, phenylpropanoid metabolism and membrane lipid peroxidation were monitored for pumpkin during storage at 4 °C for 6 d. The results showed that with the increase in cutting injury strength, the lightness, whiteness index, respiration rate, ethylene content, lipoxygenase activity and malondialdehyde content of fresh-cut pumpkin increased, while the hardness, sensory quality, appearance and total soluble solid content continuously decreased. The quality deterioration was the most severe in the slice group, while a higher sensory quality was maintained in the piece after 6 d of storage. However, the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase increased and then contributed to the synthesis of the phenolic compound, which resulted in enhancements of 79.13%, 29.47% and 16.14% in piece, strip and slice, respectively. Meanwhile, cutting enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes including ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase and catalase, resulting in the enhancement of antioxidant activity in fresh-cut pumpkin. The collected results showed that the wounding intensities have an obvious influence on the quality by regulating physiological and ROS metabolism.