bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Sarcopenia Prediction Through an Ensemble Learning Approach: Addressing Class Imbalance for Improved Clinical Diagnosis
Authors: Turimov Dilmurod , Kim Wooseong
Published: December 2024

This study developed an advanced ensemble learning model aimed to improve the accuracy of predicting sarcopenia, a condition characterized by a gradual decline in muscle mass and strength, leading to increased disability and mortality. The study focused on enhancing model performance by combining various machine learning methods and addressing critical challenges, such as class imbalance and data complexity. Several foundational models were employed, including support vector machine, random forest, neural network, logistic regression, and decision tree. To address class imbalance, the adaptive synthetic sampling method was implemented, producing synthetic samples for the minority class to achieve a more balanced dataset. The data preprocessing stage included feature scaling and feature selection processes, utilizing recursive feature elimination to refine feature selection. Subsequently, a classifier selection algorithm was employed to select models that provided an optimal balance of diversity and performance. The effectiveness of the final ensemble model was evaluated using various metrics, such as accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and ROC AUC. The model achieved an accuracy of 88.5%, outperforming individual machine learning models and existing methods in the literature. These findings suggest that the classifier selection algorithm effectively addresses challenges in sarcopenia prediction, particularly in the case of imbalanced data. The model’s strong performance indicates its potential for use in clinical environments, where it can facilitate early diagnosis and improve intervention strategies for sarcopenia patients. This study advances the field of medical machine learning by demonstrating the utility of ensemble learning in healthcare prediction.
Pseudo-Normality and Pseudo-Tychonoffness of Topological Groups
Authors: Alqahtani Mesfer H. , Al-Saadi Hanan , Alluqmani Eman , Ameen Zanyar A.
Published: December 2024

It is common knowledge that any topological group that satisfies the lowest separation axiom, T0, is immediately Hausdorff and completely regular; however, this is not the case for normality. This motivates us to introduce the concept of pseudo-normal groups along with pseudo-Tychonoff topological groups as generalizations of the normality and Tychonoffness of topological groups, respectively. We show that every pseudo-normal (resp. pseudo-Tychonoff) topological group is normal (resp. Tychonoff). Generally, the reverse implication of the latter does not hold. Then, we discuss their main properties in detail. To clarify these properties, we provide some examples. Finally, we establish some other results.
Predictive Factors Associated with Inappropriate Intravenous Proton Pump Inhibitors Use in Hospitalized Patients: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Khoury Niveen , Stepensky David , Abu Freha Naim , Mahamid Mahmud , Khoury Tawfik , Mari Amir
Published: December 2024

Background and Objectives: Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are the most effective agents for treating acid-related gastrointestinal disorders. The prescription of an intravenous (IV) formulation of PPIs has increased dramatically. The aims of this study were to assess the appropriateness of IV PPI use and to define the risk factors and outcomes associated with its inappropriate use. Materials and Methods: A case-control retrospective study included all the hospitalized patients who received IV PPIs was conducted. Patient health records were reviewed, data were collected covering the period of the individual patients’ admission to the hospital until discharge or death, and over the 3-month post-discharge period. The appropriateness of the IV PPI use and the resulting clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results: Overall, 540 patients were analyzed. Among them, 130/540 (24%) had inappropriate PPI use in terms of indication, dosage, and duration of treatment vs. 410 patients who had appropriate indications. Two parameters were associated with inappropriate use: congestive heart failure (OR 1.77; p = 0.02) and prescription of IV PPIs by surgeons vs. internists (OR 1.53; p = 0.05). Conclusions: Inappropriate IV PPI use is still common in daily clinical practice. Significant predictors of inappropriate use were the presence of congestive heart failure, elderly age, current use of anticoagulants and antithromotics, and the cases managed by surgeons, naturally due to suspected upper gastrointestinal bleedings.
Influence of Sulfur Fumigation on Angelicae Dahuricae Radix: Insights from Chemical Profiles, MALDI-MSI and Anti-Inflammatory Activities
Authors: Wang Changshun , Liu Yongli , Wang Xiaolei , Chen Zhenhe , Zhao Zhenxia , Sun Huizhu , Su Jian , Zhao Ding
Published: December 2024

Background: Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (ADR) is used as both a traditional Chinese medicine and a food ingredient in China and East Asian countries. ADR is generally sun-dried post-harvest but is sometimes sulfur-fumigated to prevent decay and rot. Although there are some studies on the effect of sulfur fumigation on ADR, they are not comprehensive. Methods: This study used HPLC fingerprinting, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI), in vitro anti-inflammatory assays, and metabolite analysis in blood based on UPLC-MS/MS to assess the impact of sulfur fumigation on the active ingredients of ADR. Results: There were significant decreases in specific coumarins and amino acids, particularly byakangelicol, oxypeucedanin, L-proline, and L-arginine, following sulfur fumigation. Among the 185 metabolites in blood, there were 30 different compounds, and oxypeucedanin was the most obvious component to decrease after sulfur fumigation. ADR showed anti-inflammatory activity regardless of sulfur fumigation. However, the effects on the production of cytokines in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells were different. Conclusions: Chemometric analysis and in vitro anti-inflammatory studies suggested that byakangelicol and oxypeucedanin could serve as potential quality markers for identifying sulfur-fumigated ADR. These findings provide a chemical basis for comprehensive safety and functional evaluations of sulfur-fumigated ADR, supporting further research in this field.
UV and Visible Light-Induced Photocatalytic Efficiency of Polyaniline/Titanium Dioxide Heterostructures
Authors: Fu Yongqiang , Janczarek Marcin
Published: December 2024

The concept of using polyaniline/titanium dioxide heterostructures as efficient photocatalysts is based on the synergistic effect of conducting polymer and metal oxide semiconductors. Due to inconclusive literature reports, the effect of different polyaniline/TiO2 ratios on photocatalytic activity under UV and visible light was investigated. In most papers, non-recommended dyes are used as model compounds to evaluate visible light activity. Therefore, colorless phenol was used instead of dyes in this study to clarify the real visible light-induced photocatalytic activity of polyaniline/TiO2 composites. This publication also includes a discussion of whether materials derived from bulk (non-nanostructured) polyaniline and TiO2 by the standard in situ oxidative polymerization method are suitable candidates for promising photocatalytic materials. The evaluation of photocatalytic activity was performed in both UV and visible light systems. X-ray diffraction and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy methods were applied to characterize the obtained samples. Obtained polyaniline (pure and in composites) was identified as emeraldine salt. In the UV system, none of the prepared samples with different polyaniline–titania ratios had activity better than reference P25 titania. It has been observed that the presence of polyaniline adversely affects the photocatalytic properties, as the polyaniline layer covering the titania surface can shield the UV light transmission by blocking the contact between the TiO2 surface and organic molecules. In the case of using visible light, no synergies have been observed between polyaniline and titania either. The photodegradation efficiencies of the most active samples were similar to those of pure polyaniline. In conclusion, in order to obtain efficient polyaniline/titania photocatalysts active in UV and/or visible light, it is necessary to take into account the morphological and surface properties of both components.
Amphiphilic Molecules, Interfaces and Colloids
Authors: Khristov Khristo , Tchoukov Plamen
Published: December 2024

Colloids, such as emulsions, foams, sols and gels, play integral roles in living organisms, the natural environment, resource extraction, pharmaceuticals, cleaning products, processing industries and almost all aspects of our everyday lives [...]
Human Tyrosinase Displayed on the Surface of Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells for Ligand Fishing of Tyrosinase Inhibitors from Medicinal Plants
Authors: Zhai Xiao-Rui , Li Ming-Jie , Yin Xiang , Ablat Ayzohra , Wang Yuan , Shu Peng , Liao Xun
Published: December 2024

Ligand fishing is a promising strategy for the screening of active ingredients from complex natural products. In this work, human tyrosinase (hTYR) was displayed on the surface of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells for the first time; it was then used as bait to develop a new method for ligand fishing. The localization of hTYR on the CHO cell surface was verified by an enzyme activity test and fluorescence microscopy. The displayed tyrosinase (CHO@hTYR) maintained relatively stable enzymatic activity (82.59 ± 2.70%) within 7 days. Furthermore, it can be reused for fishing five times. Guided by the proposed ligand fishing method, four tyrosinase inhibitors, including 4-methoxy-5-methyl coumarin (1), cupressuflavone (2), amentoflavone (3), and 3,4-dimethoxy-5-methyl coumarin (4), were isolated from Alhagi sparsifolia, and the active fraction with low polarity was isolated from Coffea arabica; these two medicinal plants possess skin-lightening potential. All the isolated tyrosinase inhibitors significantly reduced the intracellular tyrosinase activity and melanin level in B16 cells enhanced by α-MSH. Meanwhile, the active fraction (100 μg/mL) from C. arabica exhibited stronger inhibitory effects than the positive controls (α-arbutin and kojic acid) by recovering them to the normal levels. This work demonstrated the promising application of the cell surface display in the field of ligand fishing and is helpful in unveiling the chemical basis of the skin-lightening effect of A. sparsifolia and C. arabica.
Pre-Melting-Assisted Impurity Control of β-Ga2O3 Single Crystals in Edge-Defined Film-Fed Growth
Authors: Shin A-Ran , Gu Tae-Hun , Shin Yun-Ji , Jeong Seong-Min , Lee Heesoo , Bae Si-Young
Published: December 2024

This study reveals the significant role of the pre-melting process in growing high-quality (100) β-Ga2O3 single crystals from 4N powder (99.995% purity) using the edge-defined film-fed growth (EFG) method. Among various bulk melt growth methods, the EFG method boasts a fast growth rate and the capability of growing multiple crystals simultaneously, thus offering high productivity. The pre-melting process notably enhanced the structural, optical, and electrical properties of the crystals by effectively eliminating impurities such as Si and Fe. Specifically, employing a 100% CO2 atmosphere during pre-melting proved to be highly effective, reducing impurity concentrations and carrier scattering, which resulted in a decreased carrier concentration and an increased electron mobility in the grown Ga2O3 single crystals. These results demonstrate that pre-melting is a crucial technique for substantially improving crystal quality, thereby promising better performance in β-Ga2O3-based device applications.
Cryo-SIMPLY: A Reliable STT-MRAM-Based Smart Material Implication Architecture for In-Memory Computing
Authors: Moposita Tatiana , Garzón Esteban , Teman Adam , Lanuzza Marco
Published: December 2024

This paper presents Cryo-SIMPLY, a reliable smart material implication (SIMPLY) operating at cryogenic conditions (77 K). The assessment considers SIMPLY schemes based on spin-transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) technology with single-barrier magnetic tunnel junction (SMTJ) and double-barrier magnetic tunnel junction (DMTJ). Our study relies on a temperature-aware macrospin-based Verilog-A compact model for MTJ devices and a 65 nm commercial process design kit (PDK) calibrated down to 77 K under silicon measurements. The DMTJ-based SIMPLY demonstrates a significant improvement in read margin at 77 K, overcoming the conventional SIMPLY scheme at room temperature (300 K) by approximately 2.3 X. When implementing logic operations with the SIMPLY scheme operating at 77 K, the DMTJ-based scheme assures energy savings of about 69%, as compared to its SMTJ-based counterpart operating at 77 K. Overall, our results prove that the SIMPLY scheme at cryogenic conditions is a promising solution for reliable and energy-efficient logic-in-memory (LIM) architectures.
Body Image Dissatisfaction Is Increased in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Compared to Healthy Matched Controls but Not Diseased Controls: A Case-Control Study from New Zealand
Authors: Inns Stephen , Su Heidi , Chen Amanda , Ovenden Crispin , Alcantara Joy , Lilic Priyanka , Myint Helen
Published: December 2024

Background: Body image dissatisfaction is elevated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as well as other chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine if the higher rate of body image dissatisfaction in IBD is specific to IBD or characteristic of chronic disease in general by comparing body image dissatisfaction in IBD patients with age- and gender-matched healthy individuals and those with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods: In this New Zealand-based case-control study conducted in a secondary care hospital, consecutive IBD patients aged 16 years and older were matched 1:1 with healthy individuals and T1DM patients based on age and gender. However, availability of controls resulted in a slightly different number of pairs for each comparison between groups. Demographics were documented, and participants completed the Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire (BIDQ), RAND SF-36 Quality of Life measures, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: Forty-five matched pairs compared IBD patients to healthy controls, while 38 compared IBD patients to T1DM patients. BIDQ scores were higher for IBD patients than healthy controls (2.05 vs. 1.58, p = 0.004) but not significantly different from T1DM patients (2.03 vs. 1.72, p = 0.09). No differences were seen in BMI, smoking, or relationship status across groups. IBD patients had higher depression scores than controls (mean 6.51 vs. 3.87, p = 0.002) but similar anxiety scores (5.51 vs. 4.89, p = 0.258). A 1-point BIDQ increase in IBD patients was associated with a 4.6-fold increase in depression (p = 0.025), after adjusting for clinical and demographic factors. Conclusions: Body image dissatisfaction is prevalent in IBD patients and may be a common feature across chronic diseases. Body image dissatisfaction strongly associates with depression, highlighting the importance of addressing it in IBD management.
Oral Frailty and Its Relationship with Physical Frailty in Older Adults: A Longitudinal Study Using the Oral Frailty Five-Item Checklist
Authors: Kusunoki Hiroshi , Hasegawa Yoko , Nagasawa Yasuyuki , Shojima Kensaku , Yamazaki Hiromitsu , Mori Takara , Tsuji Shotaro , Wada Yosuke , Tamaki Kayoko , Nagai Koutatsu , Matsuzawa Ryota , Kishimoto Hiromitsu , Shimizu Hideo , Shinmura Ken
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Oral frailty, first identified in Japan in 2014, refers to a state between healthy oral function and severe decline, marked by minor issues, such as tooth loss and chewing difficulties. The oral frailty five-item checklist (OF-5) enables non-dental professionals to evaluate oral frailty using five key indicators: remaining teeth count, chewing difficulties, swallowing difficulties, dry mouth, and articulatory oral skills. Limited studies exist. Methods: This study examined the relationship between oral and physical frailties in older adults and assessed the prognosis of physical frailty using the OF-5. Participants aged ≥65 years were recruited from the frail elderly in the Sasayama–Tamba area, Hyogo, Japan, and their physical function was assessed in terms of grip strength, walking speed, and skeletal muscle mass. Blood markers, such as cystatin C, an indicator of renal function, were also analyzed. Results: A cross-sectional analysis indicated that oral frailty was correlated with reduced muscle mass, walking speed, and physical function. Women had lower hemoglobin and albumin levels and a greater prevalence of frailty than men. Longitudinal analysis revealed that initial OF-5 scores predicted increased physical frailty after 2–3 years, especially in those with higher baseline scores. The OF-5 was a significant factor for frailty progression in both sexes. Conclusions: These results suggest that early detection of oral frailty via the OF-5 may be useful in preventing the progression of overall frailty in older adults.
Vitamin D and LC-PUFA and the Presence of Fetal Heart Defects—A Further Part of a Case-Control Study
Authors: Kolmaga Agnieszka , Trafalska Elżbieta , Gaszyńska Ewelina , Gawron-Skarbek Anna , Witkowski Sławomir , Murlewska Julia , Respondek-Liberska Maria , Strzelecka Iwona
Published: December 2024

Introduction: The relationship between diet of mothers, including supplementation of vitamin D and Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LC-PUFA), and the prevalence of congenital heart defects (CHD) in the fetus has not been sufficiently studied. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the intake of vitamin D and LC-PUFA by mother (from diet and with supplementation, including its time of implementation and applied dose), and the risk of CHD in the fetus. Methods: This was a case—control study with the participation of a total of 79 women with prenatally diagnosed CHD in the fetus and 121 women without CHD in the fetus. The Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was used with particular emphasis on vitamin D and DHA supplementation. A univariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between selected dietary data and the risk of CHD in the fetus. Results: In the group of females without CHD in the fetus, the mean values of vitamin D intake, including supplementation, and dietary LC-PUFA + DHA from supplementation, were higher than in women with CHD in the fetus (41.3 ± 24.7 vs. 34.7 ± 27.8 μg; p = 0.02 and 831.0 ± 280.1 vs. 767.7 ± 287.6 mg; p = 0.008, for vitamin D and LC-PUFA + DHA respectively). No significant relationship was found between vitamin D intake (including supplementation) or between LC-PUFA + DHA supplementation by pregnant women, and the presence of CHD in their children. Conclusions: It seems that increased maternal intake of vitamin D and LC-PUFA, including DHA, through supplementation, may protect fetus against CHD, but the relationship between the occurrence of CHD and diet in this area need further studies.
The Latest Research on Probiotics: Nourishing Health or Pathways to Disease Resolution
Authors: Chen Po-Wen
Published: December 2024

The meta-analysis on probiotics’ effects on cortisol levels demonstrates their potential to modulate stress responses across diverse populations, though variability in strain efficacy highlights the need for standardization and targeted studies [...]
Predisposing Potential Risk Factors for Severe Anorexia Nervosa in Adolescents
Authors: Bozzola Elena , Cirillo Flavia , Mascolo Cristina , Antilici Livia , Raucci Umberto , Guarnieri Benedetta , Ventricelli Annamaria , De Santis Elettra , Spina Giulia , Raponi Massimiliano , Villani Alberto , Marchili Maria Rosaria
Published: December 2024

Background: Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder that mainly affects children and adolescents. Most patients present with extreme body dissatisfaction and an obsessive focus on body weight and food. Anorexia nervosa is a complex and multifactorial condition characterised by biological, psychological, and social factors. However, studies that have explored the cumulative risk that predisposes to anorexia nervosa are limited. This study aims to explore the potential risk factors for a severe form of the disease in patients affected by anorexia nervosa and to identify whether they may interact and reinforce each other, contributing to the severity of the disorder. Methods: For this study, we enrolled children and adolescents under 18 years of age hospitalised at IRCCS Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital, Rome, Italy, for anorexia nervosa from 1 December 2022 to 31 August 2024, identifying and analysing potential risk factors. Elevated shape and weight concerns were found in all patients. Psychiatric and neurodevelopment comorbidities were identified in 76 patients (51.35%), life stress events in 69 (46.62%), and a family history of eating and weight control behaviours in 39 (26.35%). Out of the sample size, 20.27% of patients did not live in a traditionally structured family. This study used the Kiddie-SADS-Present and Lifetime Version interview, the Coddington Life Events Scales, and the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children questionnaires. Results: Patients with an extreme or severe index of anorexia nervosa are more likely to have multiple predisposing factors. In detail, four predisposing factors were found in 18.6% of patients with an extreme severity index, in 15.5% of those with a severe score, and in 10.3 and 10.6% of those with a moderate and mild score, respectively. Conclusions: Cumulative potential risk factors are more likely to be found in cases of severe course disease and patients hospitalised for anorexia. Prompt identification of predisposing factors and an effective plan of action are required to avoid a severe course disorder.
Planetary Health Diet and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) Cohort
Authors: Guzmán-Castellanos Karen Berenice , Zazpe Itziar , Santiago Susana , Bes-Rastrollo Maira , Martínez-González Miguel Ángel
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Noncommunicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease (CVD), represent a significant global public health challenge, with unhealthy diets as a major risk factor. This study investigates the association between adherence to the Planetary Health Diet proposed by the EAT-Lancet Commission and CVD risk. Methods: Utilizing data from the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) cohort, which included 18,656 participants (mean age 38 years; 61% women), we assessed dietary intake using a validated food frequency questionnaire and the Planetary Health Diet Index to evaluate adherence (range 0–42). CVD was defined as new-onset stroke, myocardial infarction, or CVD death. Results: After a median follow-up time of 11.5 years, 220 cases of CVD were identified. Higher adherence to the Planetary Health Diet revealed no statistically significant reduction in CVD risk associated with the diet. Cox proportional hazard models indicated a trend towards lower CVD risk in the highest adherence quartile, but this did not reach significance (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.51–1.18, p-trend = 0.127). Sensitivity analyses corroborated these results. Discrepancies in previous studies highlight the complexity of dietary assessments and underscore the need for standardized scoring systems. Conclusions: In a large Spanish cohort, adherence to the Planetary Health Diet showed no significant reduction in CVD risk. Further research is needed to reach a consensus on the operational definition of the Planetary Health Diet and to clarify the relationship between diet and CVD risk.
Ketogenic Diet as a Nutritional Metabolic Intervention for Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: A Narrative Review
Authors: Lounici Astrid , Iacob Ana , Hongler Katarzyna , Mölling Melina A. , Drechsler Maria , Hersberger Luca , Sethi Shebani , Lang Undine E. , Liwinski Timur
Published: December 2024

The substantial evidence supporting the ketogenic diet (KD) in epilepsy management has spurred research into its effects on other neurological and psychiatric conditions. Despite differences in characteristics, symptoms, and underlying mechanisms, these conditions share common pathways that the KD may influence. The KD reverses metabolic dysfunction. Moreover, it has been shown to support neuroprotection through mechanisms such as neuronal energy support, inflammation reduction, amelioration of oxidative stress, and reversing mitochondrial dysfunction. The adequate intake of dietary nutrients is essential for maintaining normal brain functions, and strong evidence supports the role of nutrition in the treatment and prevention of many psychiatric and neurological disorders. Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a neuropsychiatric condition marked by persistent, distressing thoughts or impulses (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors performed in response to these obsessions (compulsions). Recent studies have increasingly examined the role of nutrition and metabolic disorders in OCD. This narrative review examines current evidence on the potential role of the KD in the treatment of OCD. We explore research on the KD’s effects on psychiatric disorders to assess its potential relevance for OCD treatment. Additionally, we identify key gaps in the preclinical and clinical research that warrant further study in applying the KD as a metabolic therapy for OCD.
Interaction of Straw Mulching and Nitrogen Fertilization on Ammonia Volatilization from Oilseed Rape–Maize Rotation System in Sloping Farmland in Southwestern China
Authors: Yao Li , Wang Hong , Liu Haitao , Wang Xie , Wu Yueying , Wang Lin , Chen Honglin , Lin Chaowen
Published: December 2024

Ammonia (NH3) volatilization caused by urea application has negative implications for human health, environmental quality, and the value of nitrogen fertilizers. It remains to be investigated how management strategies should be adopted to not only reduce NH3 volatilization but also improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in the agriculture industry at present. Hence, a two-year field trial, including subplots, was conducted to simultaneously evaluate the effects of mulching treatments (NM: non-mulching; SM: straw mulching) and different fertilizer treatments (U: urea; U + NBPT: urea plus 1% N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide; U + CRU: the mixture of urea and controlled-release urea at a 3:7 ratio; U + OF: urea plus commercial organic fertilizer at a 3:7 ratio) on NH3 volatilization, crop production, and NUE in an oilseed rape–maize rotation system in the sloping farmland of purple soil in southwestern China between 2021 and 2023. Compared with NM + U, NH3 volatilization losses under the NM + U + NBPT, NM + U + CRU, and NM + U + OF treatments decreased, on average, by 64.13%, 17.39%, and 15.09% during the oilseed rape growing season but by 64.01%, 11.67%, and 10.13% during the maize growing season, respectively. An average increase in NH3 volatilization of 35.65% for the straw-mulching treatment was recorded during the oilseed rape season, while during the maize season, this parameter showed an increase of 10.69%, in comparison to NM + U. With the combination of urea with NBPT, CRU, and organic fertilizer, contrastingly, a reduction in NH3 volatilization was achieved under the SM + U + NBPT, SM + U + CRU, and SM + U + OF treatments. When compared with NM + U, the difference in the NUE between the NM + U + NBPT, NM + U + CRU, and NM + U + OF treatments was not significant in the oilseed rape season. The NUE was around 4.27% higher under NM + U + NBPT during the maize season (p < 0.05). Compared with NM + U, under the NM + U + NBPT, NM + U + CRU, and NM + U + OF treatments, consistently lower values of yield-scaled NH3 volatilization were noted: 13.15–65.66% in the oilseed rape season and 10.34–67.27% in the maize season. Furthermore, SM + U, SM + U + NBPT, SM + U + CRU, and SM + U + OF showed average annual emission factors (AEFs) of 14.01%, 5.81%, 12.14%, and 11.64%, respectively. Overall, straw mulching, along with the application of the mixture of NBPT and urea, was found to be the optimal strategy to effectively reduce the NH3 emissions in the purple soil areas of southern China.
Overexpression of StBBX14 Enhances Cold Tolerance in Potato
Authors: Zhang Heng , Chen Mingjun , Luo Xiaobo , Song Li , Li Fei
Published: December 2024

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important food crop, but low temperature affects the potato growth and yield. In this study, the expression level of StBBX14 was significantly increased over 1 h and then gradually decreased under cold stress. The subcellular localization of the StBBX14 protein took place in the nucleus. The OE-StBBX14 transgenic lines showed less leaf damage and significantly lower electrolyte leakage compared with the WT under cold stress, indicating that the overexpression of StBBX14 in the potato enhanced the cold resistance. A transcriptome analysis showed that a total of 2449 and 6274 differentially expressed genes were identified in WT-1 h and WT-12 h, respectively, when compared with WT-0h. A Gene Ontology enrichment analysis revealed that photosynthesis, cell wall, thylakoid, transcription regulator activity, oxidoreductase activity and glucosyltransferase activity were significantly enriched in OE-StBBX14 and WT. A total of 14 distinct modules were generated by a WGCNA analysis based on all differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Four major modules with cold-related genes were isolated. RT-qPCR analysis showed that the expression patterns of eight DEGs were consistent between the qPCR and RNA-seq. These findings illustrate that the StBBX14 played an important role in cold stress in potato and provided a data basis for the genetic improvement of cold resistance traits of potato.
Phytochemical Profiling, Bioactivity, and Insecticidal Effectiveness of Mammea americana L. Leaf Extracts Against Ferrisia sp.
Authors: Vázquez-Torres Mike , Rivera-Portalatín Nilka , Cabrera-Asencio Irma
Published: December 2024

Plant botanical extracts are recognized for being a source of biologically active phytochemicals that potentially have diverse applications. The phytochemical composition, potential cytotoxicity, and insecticidal effectiveness of three leaf extracts from the folkloric medicinal plant Mammea americana L. (Calophyllaceae) were investigated. Micro-Soxhlet extraction with chloroform, dichloromethane, and methanol was used, and key phytochemicals were identified via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The extracts were mainly composed of sesquiterpenes, carboxylic acids, coumarins, esters, diterpenes, and other bioactive compounds. Potential cytotoxicity was assessed using brine shrimp lethality tests, where all extracts displayed high toxicity to Artemia salina. The dichloromethane extract (MAD) had the lowest LC50 value (8.39 μg/mL), followed by methanol extract (MAM, 11.66 μg/mL) and chloroform extract (MAC, 12.67 μg/mL). Insecticidal activity was tested against Ferrisia sp. (Hemiptera:Pseudococcidae), demonstrating the highest efficacy with the methanolic extract (LC50 = 5.90 mg/mL after 48 h). These findings provide a basis for further research into the bioactive components of Mammea americana leaves, particularly their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. It also highlights the potential of Mammea americana L. leaf extracts as botanical insecticides due to their high bioactivity against agricultural pests of economic significance. This is the first study that evaluates the insecticidal activity of Mammea americana leaf extracts against Ferrisia sp. insects, offering valuable insights into using plant-based natural products in pest control.
Phytotoxic Activity Analysis of 2-Methoxyphenol and 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol Present in Cistus ladanifer L. Essential Oil
Authors: Dávila Diego Orellana , Frazão David F. , Silva Amélia M. , Díaz Teresa Sosa
Published: December 2024

The evaluation of the wide variety of allelochemicals present in allelopathic plants allows the detection of safer bioherbicides with new mechanisms of action. This study tested two phenolic compounds of Cistus ladanifer essential oil (2-Methoxyphenol and 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol), which are commercially available. At 0.01 mM, these compounds, both separately and in combination (1/1), inhibited up to over 50% of germination, cotyledon emergence and seedling growth of Lactuca sativa for the tests conducted on paper. Against Allium cepa, cotyledon emergence and seedling growth were inhibited at 0.5 mM. When the tests were carried out in the soil, the mixture of the two study compounds significantly inhibited the germination of L. sativa and A. cepa when applied at 0.5 and 1 mM, respectively, and seedling growth inhibition was greater for the latter in the paper tests. The greatest inhibitions were observed, with the highest concentrations analysed. Although there was no statistically significant difference among treatments, 2-Methoxyphenol seemed to affect germination and cotyledon emergence to a greater extent, whereas 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol had a greater impact on seedling size. The effect of the mixture was greater than that of both compounds separately.
Preparation, Optical, and Heat Resistance Properties of Phenyl-Modified Silicone Gel
Authors: Chen Xueming , Wu Xuan , Jin Chen , Hou Leiyu , Zhang Shuting , Zhang Yipin , Dong Hong , Song Yanjiang , Qu Zhirong , Wu Chuan
Published: December 2024

A series of Si-H- or Si-Vi-terminated, branched and linear oligomers containing Me2SiO segments were prepared by equilibrium polymerization or non-equilibrium polymerization initiated by living anions, respectively. These oligomers were used to improve the defects of concentrated crosslinking points and the high hardness of crosslinked products when using phenyltris(dimethylsiloxy)silane or 1,1,5,5-tetramethyl-3,3-diphenyl trisiloxane as crosslinking agents in the preparation of silicone gel. NMR, FT-IR, and GPC characterized the structure and molecular weight information of the prepared oligomers. The effects of equilibrium polymerization and the anionic non-equilibrium ring-opening polymerization methods on the structure of oligomers were investigated in detail, together with the structure, the molar ratio of SiH to SiVi, and the phenyl content on the thermal properties and the transmittance retention yield of the silicone gel. The introduction of phenyl groups increases the glass transition temperature of silicone gel from −121.29 °C to −117.71 °C when the phenyl content increased from 0.88 wt% to 3.17 wt%. Meanwhile, the thermal decomposition temperature of silicone gel at 10% weight loss in the N2 atmosphere increased from 440.5 °C to 480.0 °C. When the SiH/SiVi molar ratio is close to 1.0, the transmittance retention yield of the prepared silicone gel using Si-Vi-terminated phenyl T-shaped polysiloxane as the matrix and α, ω-dimethylsiloxyl-terminated PDMS as the crosslinking agent could reach 88.9% after 25 min of UV irradiation.
A Convenient and Highly Efficient Strategy for Esterification of Poly (γ-Glutamic Acid) with Alkyl Halides at Room Temperature
Authors: Ai Youhong , Zhan Yangyang , Cai Dongbo , Chen Shouwen
Published: December 2024

The presented work discusses the highly efficient esterification of poly (γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA) with alkyl halides at room temperature. The esterification reaction was completed within 3 h, and the prepared γ-PGA esters were obtained with excellent yields (98.6%) when 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine (TMG) was used as a promoter. The influence of the amount of TMG, solvent, reaction conditions, and alkyl halides on the esterification reaction was examined. It was found that polar aprotic solvents, such as N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and 1,3-Dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (DMI), were favorable for the esterification. Non-polar or weakly polar solvents (i.e., dichloroethane, acetonitrile) were not favorable for the esterification. Water as a solvent had a negative effect on esterification. The reactivity of bromine halogenated compounds was higher than that of chlorine halogenated compounds but lower than that of iodine halogenated compounds. The structures of the prepared γ-PGA ester were confirmed by 1H NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy. Thermal stability and hydrophobic properties of the resulting product were tested. The results showed that the prepared γ-PGA propyl ester had high thermal stability (up to 267 °C) and showed good hydrophobicity (contact angle 118.7°).
Recent Advances on Starch-Based Adsorbents for Heavy Metal and Emerging Pollutant Remediation
Authors: Costa Talles B. , Matias Pedro M. C. , Sharma Mohit , Murtinho Dina , Rosa Derval S. , Valente Artur J. M.
Published: December 2024

Starch is one of the most abundant polysaccharides in nature and has a high potential for application in several fields, including effluent treatment as an adsorbent. Starch has a unique structure, with zones of different crystallinity and a glycosidic structure containing hydroxyl groups. This configuration allows a wide range of interactions with pollutants of different degrees of hydrophilicity, which includes from hydrogen bonding to hydrophobic interactions. This review article aims to survey the use of starch in the synthesis of diverse adsorbents, in forms from nanoparticles to blends, and evaluates their performance in terms of amount of pollutant adsorbed and removal efficiency. A critical analysis of the materials developed, and the results obtained is also presented. Finally, the review provides an outlook on how this polysaccharide can be used more effectively and efficiently in remediation efforts in the near future.
Control of Heat-Integrated Distillation Columns: Review, Trends, and Challenges for Future Research
Authors: Tahir Nura Musa , Zhang Jie , Armstrong Matthew
Published: December 2024

Heat-integrated distillation columns (HIDiC) are well known for their high energy efficiency, which has been demonstrated through thorough model-based simulation and practical testing. Despite this advantage, HIDiC systems are fundamentally complicated and provide major hurdles, particularly in terms of dynamic control, complicating their industrial implementation. Ongoing research is critical to improving their stability and scalability, allowing for wider incorporation into industrial processes. This review focuses on the fundamental aspects of HIDiC systems, such as heat transfer models, design improvements, experimental research, modelling, simulation, optimization, and process control techniques. This paper summarizes the present status of research and identifies significant technological obstacles that must be overcome to increase the functionality and industrial applications of HIDiC technology. In response to the increased demand for energy-efficient industrial processes, the analysis also investigates current developments in HIDiC control and optimization methodologies. It evaluates several control approaches, both model-based and data-driven, and their capacity to handle the dynamic complexities seen in HIDiC systems. Furthermore, this paper discusses the most recent optimization efforts targeted at improving product purity, operational flexibility, and overall energy efficiency.
Phospho-Proteomics Analysis of Early Response to X-Ray Irradiation Reveals Molecular Mechanism Potentially Related to U251 Cell Radioresistance
Authors: Ben Diouf Ousseynou , Gilbert Antoine , Bernay Benoit , Syljuåsen Randi G. , Tudor Mihaela , Temelie Mihaela , Savu Diana I. , Soumboundou Mamadou , Sall Cheikh , Chevalier François
Published: December 2024

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a devastating malignant brain tumor with a poor prognosis. GBM is associated with radioresistance. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as protein phosphorylation can play an important role in the cellular response to radiation. To better understand the early cellular activities after radiation in GBM, we carried out a phospho-proteomic study on the U251 cell line 3 h after X-ray irradiation (6Gy) and on non-irradiated cells. Our study showed a strong modification of proteoform phosphorylation in response to radiation. We found 453 differentially expressed phosphopeptides (DEPs), with 211 being upregulated and 242 being downregulated. A GO enrichment analysis of DEPs showed a strong enrichment of the signaling pathways involved in DNA damage response after irradiation and categorized them into biological processes (BPs), cellular components (CCs) and molecular functions (MFs). Certain accessions such as BRCA1, MDC1, H2AX, MDC1, TP53BP1 were dynamically altered in our fraction and are highly associated with the signaling pathways enriched after radiation.
Anhedonia in Youth and the Role of Internet-Related Behavior: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cangelosi Giovanni , Biondini Federico , Sguanci Marco , Nguyen Cuc Thi Thu , Ferrara Gaetano , Diamanti Orejeta , Palomares Sara Morales , Mancin Stefano , Petrelli Fabio
Published: December 2024

Introduction: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) defines depression as a persistent period of sadness or a reduced interest in everyday activities lasting at least two weeks. Anhedonia, a key symptom of depression, is notable for its significance and is regarded as the second most important factor related to non-somatic issues, following closely behind a depressed mood. This study primarily investigates how excessive or problematic use of Internet-connected devices affects the mood and emotions of young people, with a specific emphasis on anhedonia. Additionally, it explores associated socio-behavioral changes and examines the interaction between IA and depression. Methods: This systematic review was conducted following PRISMA international guidelines. Searches were performed in PubMed, Cochrane Library (Clinical Trials section), Scopus, Embase, PsycInfo, and grey literature sources like Google Scholar. A predefined search strategy using Boolean operators was employed, and two researchers independently selected papers, with a third researcher resolving any discrepancies. Manual reviews were conducted to minimize selection bias. Results: Out of 3812 records, 7 studies were included. The findings suggest that social anhedonia correlates with higher levels of IA, particularly among adolescents and young adults. In some studies, loneliness was identified as a mediator between social anhedonia and social functioning, indicating a complex interplay of emotional factors. Other investigations revealed that increased screen time is associated with a heightened risk of developing addiction-related behaviors. Practical Implications and Conclusions: This review highlights the key role of anhedonia in the development of Internet addiction (IA) among young people, particularly through its impact on emotional regulation and social interactions. Addressing psychological and environmental factors is essential for developing targeted strategies to prevent and manage IA and its related mental health challenges.
Pansharpening Techniques: Optimizing the Loss Function for Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Restaino Rocco
Published: December 2024

Pansharpening is a traditional image fusion problem where the reference image (or ground truth) is not accessible. Machine-learning-based algorithms designed for this task require an extensive optimization phase of network parameters, which must be performed using unsupervised learning techniques. The learning phase can either rely on a companion problem where ground truth is available, such as by reproducing the task at a lower scale or using a pretext task, or it can use a reference-free cost function. This study focuses on the latter approach, where performance depends not only on the accuracy of the quality measure but also on the mathematical properties of these measures, which may introduce challenges related to computational complexity and optimization. The evaluation of the most recognized no-reference image quality measures led to the proposal of a novel criterion, the Regression-based QNR (RQNR), which has not been previously used. To mitigate computational challenges, an approximate version of the relevant indices was employed, simplifying the optimization of the cost functions. The effectiveness of the proposed cost functions was validated through the reduced-resolution assessment protocol applied to a public dataset (PairMax) containing images of diverse regions of the Earth’s surface.
YOLO-IRS: Infrared Ship Detection Algorithm Based on Self-Attention Mechanism and KAN in Complex Marine Background
Authors: Guo Limin , Wang Yuwu , Guo Muran , Zhou Xiaohai
Published: December 2024

Infrared ship detection technology plays a crucial role in ensuring maritime transportation and navigation safety. However, infrared ship targets at sea exhibit characteristics such as multi-scale, arbitrary orientation, and dense arrangements, with imaging often influenced by complex sea–sky backgrounds. These factors pose significant challenges for the fast and accurate detection of infrared ships. In this paper, we propose a new infrared ship target detection algorithm, YOLO-IRS (YOLO for infrared ship target), based on YOLOv10, which improves detection accuracy while maintaining detection speed. The model introduces the following optimizations: First, to address the difficulty of detecting weak and small targets, the Swin Transformer is introduced to extract features from infrared ship images. By utilizing a shifted window multi-head self-attention mechanism, the window field of view is expanded, enhancing the model’s ability to focus on global features during feature extraction, thereby improving small target detection. Second, the C3KAN module is designed to improve detection accuracy while also addressing issues of false positives and missed detections in complex backgrounds and dense occlusion scenarios. Finally, extensive experiments were conducted on an infrared ship dataset: compared to the baseline model YOLOv10, YOLO-IRS improves precision by 1.3%, mAP50 by 0.5%, and mAP50–95 by 1.7%. Compared to mainstream detection algorithms, YOLO-IRS achieves higher detection accuracy while requiring relatively fewer computational resources, verifying the superiority of the proposed algorithm and enhancing the detection performance of infrared ship targets.
Real-Time Interference Mitigation for Reliable Target Detection with FMCW Radar in Interference Environments
Authors: Weng Youlong , Zhang Ziang , Chen Guangzhi , Zhang Yaru , Chen Jiabao , Song Hongzhan
Published: December 2024

Frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) millimeter-wave (mmWave) radar systems are increasingly utilized in environmental sensing due to their high range resolution and robust sensing ability in severe weather environments. However, mutual interference among radar systems significantly degrades the target detection capability. Recent advancements in interference mitigation utilizing deep learning (DL) approaches have demonstrated promising results. DL-based approaches typically have high computational costs, which makes them unsuitable for real-time applications with strict latency requirements and limited computing resources. In this paper, we propose an efficient solution for real-time radar interference mitigation. A lightweight transformer, which is smaller and faster than the baseline transformer, is designed to reduce interference. The integration of linear attention mechanisms with depthwise separable convolutions significantly reduces the network’s computational complexity while maintaining a comparable performance. In addition, a two-stage knowledge distillation (KD) process is deployed to compress the network and enhance its efficiency. The staged distillation approach alleviates the training difficulties associated with substantial differences between the teacher and student networks. Both simulated and real-world experiments demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms the state-of-the-art methods while achieving high processing speeds.