bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Experimental Study for Automatic Detection of COVID-19 from Chest CT Scans. A Comparison through Deep Learning and Support Vector Machine
Authors: Rodriguez Roberto , Leon Anthony , Brito Laura , Carrasco Rocío
Published: June 2024

COVID-19 was a terrible worldwide pandemic that caused a global public health crisis, with numerous deaths and a severe economic depression. To suppress the spread of COVID-19 and initiate patient isolation and contact tracing to reduce its effect, early diagnosis was required, with real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) swab test being the most widely used. However, the RT-PCR test was sometimes found to be lengthy and inaccurate and; for that reason, in many cases of severe complications of COVID-19 pneumonia, chest screening with radiography imaging was preferred. In this paper, we carried out a study for COVID-19 detection from computed tomography images, and compared the obtained results using deep learning (DL) and support vector machine (SVM). The findings showed that, despite the excellent results shown by deep learning, the accuracy in predicting COVID-19 using SVM, in the presence of small databases, was slightly higher than DL. The execution time using SVM was also shorter
Rice Growth and Leaf Physiology in Response to Four Levels of Continuous Drought Stress in Southern China
Authors: Zhang Wenglong , Shi Hong , Cai Shuo , Guo Qiaoling , Dai Yulong , Wang Haiyuan , Wan Shaoyuan , Yuan Yizhe
Published: June 2024

Exploring the growth and physiological response mechanisms of rice under continuous drought stress circumstances can provide a significant scientific foundation and technological assistance for meeting drought difficulties, improving drought resistance and rice (Oryza sativa L.) output, and ensuring food security. In this study, a rice field experiment was conducted under a rain shelter with five different treatments set up: P1 (drought stress from tillering stage), P2 (drought stress from jointing-booting stage), P3 (drought stress from heading-flowering stage), P4 (drought stress from grain filling stage), and CK (adequate water management throughout the growth stage). Continuous drought stress from different growth stages with four levels (mild, medium, serious, and extreme). The results showed that the effects of different drought stress treatments on rice growth varied significantly. Compared with the CK treatment, plant height was reduced by 12.10%, 8.14%, 3.83%, and 1.06% in the P1, P2, P3, and P4 treatments, respectively; and the number of tillers was reduced by 23.83%, 18.91%, 13.47%, and 8.68%, respectively. With the increase in drought stress levels, SPAD values and Rubisco activity of rice leaf continued to decrease; SOD activity showed a decreasing trend, but the decreasing trend of POD and CAT activities was not significant, while MDA content showed an increasing trend. For yield components, continuous drought stress significantly reduced spike length, effective number of spikes, thousand grain weight, grain number per spike, and fruiting rate of rice compared to CK treatments during the growth period. In general, continuous drought stress during the early growth period affected the effective spike number and the grain number per spike. Continuous drought stress after the grain filling stage had the least effect on yield and water use efficiency was much higher than other treatments. The results of these studies reveal the response of rice growth and physiology to continuous drought stress, which is important for agricultural practices.
HydroSAR: A Cloud-Based Service for the Monitoring of Inundation Events in the Hindu Kush Himalaya
Authors: Meyer Franz J. , Schultz Lori A , Osmanoglu Batuhan , Kennedy Joseph H , Jo MinJeong , Thapa Rajesh Bahadur , Bell Jordan R , Pradhan Sudip , Shrestha Manish , Smale Jacquelyn , Kristenson Heidi , Kubby Brooke , Meyer Thomas Joseph
Published: June 2024

The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) is one of the most flood-prone regions in the world, yet heavy cloud cover and limited in-situ observations have hampered efforts to monitor the impact of heavy rainfall, flooding, and inundation during severe weather events. This paper introduces HydroSAR, a Sentinel-1 SAR-based hazard monitoring service that was co-developed with in-region partners to provide year-round, low-latency weather-hazards information across the HKH. The paper describes the end-user focused concept and overall design of the HydroSAR service. It introduces the main processing algorithms behind HydroSAR’s broad product portfolio, which includes qualitative visual layers as well as quantitative products measuring surface water extent and water depth. We summarize the cloud-based implementation of the developed service, which is providing capability to scale automatically with event size. A performance assessment of our quantitative algorithms is described, demonstrating capabilities to map flood extent and water depth at an accuracy of >90% and
Optimization of Grayscale Lithography for the Fabrication of Flat Diffractive Infrared Lenses on Silicon Wafers
Authors: Bouchouri Angelos , Akram Muhammad Nadeem , Øhlckers Per Alfred , Chen Xuyuan
Published: June 2024

Grayscale Lithography (GSL) is an alternative approach to the standard Binary Lithography in MEMSfabrication, enabling the fabrication of complicated arbitrary 3D structures on the wafer, without the need for multiple masks and exposure steps. Despite its advantages, GSL’s effectiveness is highly dependent on controlled lab conditions, equipment consistency, and finely-tuned photoresist exposure and etching processes. This works presents a thorough investigation of the challenges of GSL for Silicon (Si) wafers and presents a detailed approach on how to minimize the fabrication inaccuracies, aiming to replicate the intended design as closely as possible. Utilizing a maskless laser writer, all aspects of the GSL as analyzed, from photoresist (PR) exposure parameters to Si etching conditions. A practical application of GSL is demonstrated in the fabricationof 4 μm deep Silicon Fresnel Lenses for Long Wave Infrared imaging (8-12 μm). The surface topography of a Fresnel lens is a good case to apply GSL as it has varying shapes and size features that need to be preserved.. The final fabricated lens profiles show good match with the initial design and demonstrate successful etching of coarse and fine features and demonstrating images taken with an LWIR camera.
The Leaky-Wave Perspective for Array-Fed Planar Antennas: Principles, Design Criteria and Recent Developments for Advanced Radiating Systems
Authors: Madji Mikhail , Negri Edoardo , Fuscaldo Walter , Comite Davide , Galli Alessandro , Burghignoli Paolo
Published: June 2024

Leaky-wave antennas (LWAs) represent a recent class of radiating systems, first appeared in the second half of the past century. Initially treated with a certain dose of skepticism due to the apparent non-physical nature of supported wave solutions, LWAs have so far deeply evolved from the original configuration of slotted metallic lossy waveguide and adapted to a huge number of practical application fields, from microwave to millimeter waves and even up to the terahertz frequency range. Due to physics of relevant working principle, LWAs are often found in planar and low-profile configurations, being critically required in many cutting-edge applications, where device miniaturization, scaling and integration are required. Here we propose a review of some of the most recent and perspective array-fed 2-D LWAs, selecting two of most widespread categories in applications, Fabry–Perot Cavity Antennas (FPCAs) and Bull’s-Eye Antennas (BEAs), discussing and illustrating some advanced features recently proposed.
Research on Drought Stress Monitoring of Winter Wheat during Critical Growth Stages Based on Improved DenseNet-121
Authors: Yao Jianbin , Wu Yushu , Liu Jianhua , Wang Hansheng
Published: June 2024

Drought stress severely affects the normal growth and development of wheat, leading to reduced yields and quality. To address the lag and limitations of traditional drought monitoring methods, this paper proposes a drought stress monitoring model for winter wheat during critical growth stages based on deep learning. By acquiring drought stress images of winter wheat during three critical growth stages: rise-jointing, heading-flowering and flowering-maturity, a dataset correlating these images with soil moisture monitoring data was established. The DenseNet121 network model was selected as the base network to extract phenotypic features of winter wheat under drought stress. Variables such as the model's training approach, changes in learning rate, and whether an attention mechanism was included, were used to conduct eight sets of model training and optimization strategy experiments. A drought stress monitoring model for winter wheat during critical growth stages based on an improved DenseNet-121 was constructed. The results showed that the average recognition accuracy of the eighth group in the test set reached 94.67%, indicating good application prospects in the recognition of drought stress levels during critical growth stages of wheat.
Dynamic Models of Mechanical Seals for Turbomachinery Application
Authors: Badykov Renat , Falaleev Sergei , Benedyuk Maxim , Diligenskiy Dmitriy
Published: June 2024

One of the primary causes of the mechanical seal failure is rotor vibration. Traditional dynamic seal models often would not be able to fully explaining the failure mechanisms. The seal dynamic models proposed in this paper, including those developed by the authors, prove valuable in predicting seal dynamics during operation in specific turbomachinery and in explaining the causes of seal failure. The single-mass dynamic model is suitable for analyzing contact mechanical seal and simple design dry gas seals dynamics. The two-mass dynamic model is used for investigating operational dynamics processes in classical dry gas seals under complex loading conditions. The three-mass dynamic model is used to study various complex mechanical seal types. This model is able to determine the normal operating condition range and to explain leakage mechanisms in the presence of excessive rotor vibrations.
Reengineering Pediatric Services with Results-Based Financing: Evidence from Northern Uganda
Authors: Moro-Visconti Roberto , Omona Venice , Smart Godfrey , Ochola Emmanuel , D'Agostino Elisabetta , Greco Luigi
Published: June 2024

Results-Based Financing (RBF) in pediatrics, in regions with scarce resources like Northern Uganda, provides an innovative approach to enhancing healthcare delivery. RBF aligns financial incentives with desired health outcomes, boosting service quality, efficiency, and effectiveness by tying compensation to achieving specific, measurable health targets.
Lacor and Kalongo hospitals, before the introduction of RBF, faced numerous challenges, including limited resources, staffing shortages, and inconsistent quality of care. RBF adoption requires critical health outcomes to target, such as lowering child mortality rates, enhancing vaccination coverage, and increasing the frequency of timely prenatal care visits.
The empirical application of RBF in pediatric services at Lacor and Kalongo Hospital from 2018 to 2024 shows improved healthcare quality and outcomes. Healthcare systems can identify ways to implement RBF models better, ensuring that financial incentives effectively contribute to attaining superior health outcomes.
Groundwater Fluoride Contamination and Human Health Risk Assessment in Ethiopia Central Rift Valley
Authors: Abera Asmamaw , Aseffa Abraham , Mengistie Bezatu , Malmqvist Ebba , Isaxon Christina , Sahilu Geremew
Published: June 2024

: Fluoride toxicity has become a global public health concern, and its significant source of exposure is drinking water. This study aimed to determine groundwater fluoride level and assess its related human health risks. Its level was measured from groundwater samples using an ion-selective electrode. The total hazard index was assessed based on the chronic daily oral intake and dermal absorbed dose of groundwater fluoride. Analyses were conducted using ArcGIS and SPSS. This study reported groundwater fluoride ranged from 0.3 mg/L to 38 mg/L, with a mean annual level of 15 mg/L. Groundwater fluoride level above 5 mg/L was reported in 60 % of the water samples. Total hazard index values among sampled locations varied from 0.18 to 22.56. Half (51.5 %) of infants, 85.5 % of children, 82.5 % of adolescents, and 67.5 % of adults had a risk of developing a non-carcinogenic health effect. This study demonstrated that the fluoride level of the groundwater sources was high, and the water was not suitable for drinking, a result that is of special importance for children and adults since they are a hypersensitive subgroup of the population.
Innovative in/H-SSZ-39 Catalysts: A Exploration in NOx Reduction via CH4-SCR
Authors: Zhao Jiuhu , Jiang Jingjing , Wang Meng , Li Jin , Wang Xianbin , Zhu Rongshu
Published: June 2024

Nitrogen oxides (NOx), pivotal atmospheric pollutants, significantly imperil the environment and human health. The CH4-SCR process, leveraging the abundant and accessible methane (CH4), emerges as a promising avenue for NOx abatement. Previous studies have demonstrated that zeolite support with twelve-membered ring (12-MR) and five-membered ring (5-MR) structures are susceptible to framework collapse in the presence of water, leading to catalyst deactivation. Consequently, there is a necessity to explore novel zeolites with enhanced hydrothermal stability for application in CH4-SCR processes. This research introduced for the first time an investigation into a novel In-H-SSZ-39 catalyst, synthesized via ion exchange and meticulously optimized for preparation conditions, including calcination temperature, In ions concentraiton, and reaction conditions, including CH4/NO ratio, O2 concentration, water vapor content, and Gas hourly space velocity (GHSV). Notably, the In/H-SSZ-39 catalyst achieved superior performance of 42.1% at 605 °C, with a calcination temperature of 500 °C and an In ion concentration of 0.066 M, under CH4/NO ratio of 1.5:1, 10% O2, and GHSV of 21000 h-1. In addition, the catalytic performance was influenced by the concentration of water vapor and the GHSV value.
Linear Quadratic Tracking Control of Car-in-the-Loop Test Bench using Model learnt via Bayesian Optimization
Authors: Gao Guanlin , Jardin Philippe , Rinderknecht Stephan
Published: June 2024

In this paper, we introduce a control method for the linear quadratic tracking (LQT) problem with zero steady-state error. It is achieved by augmenting the original system with an additional state representing the integrated error between the reference and actual outputs. In its essence, it is a linear quadratic integral (LQI) control embedded in a general LQT control framework, with the reference trajectory generated by a linear exogenous system. During the simulative implementation for the specific real-world system Car-in-the-Loop (CiL) test bench, we assume that the 'real' system is completely known. Therefore, for the model-based control, we can have a perfect model identical to the 'real' system. It becomes clear that stable solutions can scarcely be achieved with controller designed with the perfect model of the 'real' system. Contrary, we show that a model learnt via Bayesian Optimization (BO) can facilitate a much bigger set of stable controllers. It exhibits an improved control performance. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this discovery is the first in the LQT related literature.
Central Actions of Leptin Induce an Atrophic Pattern and Improves Heart Function in Lean Normoleptinemic Rats via PPARβ/δ Activation
Authors: Rubio Blanca , Pintado Cristina , Mazuecos Lorena , Benito Marina , Andrés Antonio , Gallardo Nilda
Published: June 2024

Leptin, acting centrally or peripherally, has complex effects on cardiac remodeling and heart function. We previously reported that central leptin exerts an anti-hypertrophic effect in the heart via cardiac PPARβ/δ activation. Here, we assessed the impact of central leptin administra-tion and PPARβ/δ inhibition on cardiac function. Various cardiac properties, including QRS du-ration, R wave amplitude, heart rate (HR), ejection fraction (EF), end-diastolic left ventricular mass (EDLVM), end-diastolic volume (EDV), and cardiac output (CO) were analyzed. Central leptin infusion increased cardiac PPARβ/δ protein content and decreased HR, QRS duration and R wave amplitude. These changes induced by central leptin suggested a decrease in the ventricu-lar wall growth which was confirmed by MRI. In fact, the EDLVM was reduced by central leptin, while increased in rats co-treated with leptin and GSK0660, a selective antagonist of PPARβ/δ ac-tivity. In summary, central leptin plays a dual role in cardiac health, potentially leading to ven-tricular atrophy and improving heart function when PPARβ/δ signaling is intact. The protective effects of leptin are lost by PPARβ/δ inhibition, underscoring the importance of this pathway. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting leptin and PPARβ/δ pathways to combat cardiac alterations and heart failure, particularly, in the context of obesity
Comprehensive Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research–(CCQR): Reporting Guideline for Global Health Qualitative Research Methods
Authors: Sinha Priyanka , Paudel Binita , Ahmed Hanan , Mosimann Tamara , Phuti Angel , Kovane Gaotswake Patience , Moagi Mirian
Published: June 2024

The requirement for in-depth exploration of complex issues beyond the scope of other research methods in the health industry has increased the demand for qualitative research globally. The authors aimed to improve the accessibility and comprehensiveness of reporting guidelines for qualitative research. A comprehensive review of scientific articles was conducted on PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, and Embase, and it retrieved 1989 plus 13 more articles through the snowball method. After screening, 17 key articles were identified, which led to the development of Comprehensive Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research that comprises 14 categories, offering key elements in an organized table. This novel guideline complements the two widely used guidelines, Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research and Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research, by including additional aspects like objectives, existing knowledge, rationale behind methodologies, conclusions, recommendations, and reference citations. The study responds to the rising need for improved qualitative research reporting guidelines in global health.
Heritage Education of Memory: Gamification to Raise Awareness of the Cultural Heritage of War
Authors: Rosser Pablo , Soler Seila
Published: June 2024

This study focuses on the use of gamification, specifically the UrbanGame activity, to enhance heritage education related to the Spanish Civil War bombings in Alicante. The research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of active methodologies in raising cultural heritage awareness among university students. By employing a combination of collaborative work, meaningful learning, problem-based learning, discovery learning, concentration, and motivational strategies, the study involved 122 students from primary and secondary education programs. The methods included the design and implementation of the UrbanGame, followed by surveys to collect quantitative and qualitative data on students' perceptions, satisfaction, and learning outcomes. The results indicated that while collaborative work did not have a significant impact on content comprehension, skill acquisition, or value acquisition, meaningful learning showed a positive trend towards content comprehension. Problem-based learning had a weak but notable relationship with content comprehension, while motivation and concentration significantly influenced learning outcomes. Additionally, the UrbanGame activity promoted memory and cultural heritage by emotionally connecting students with local history. The findings suggest that an integrated approach that combines various active methodologies is essential for maximizing educational effectiveness and cultural promotion.
Sustainable Supply Chains and Green Marketing: A Qualitative Examination of Consumer Responses
Authors: Holloway Samuel
Published: June 2024

This qualitative study explores consumer responses to sustainable supply chains and green marketing strategies, aiming to uncover insights into consumer behavior, perceptions, and attitudes towards sustainability in the marketplace. Through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with 30 participants, the study examines key factors influencing consumer trust in green marketing claims, barriers to adopting sustainable products, generational differences in attitudes towards sustainability, and the impact of social media on consumer perceptions. Findings reveal that consumers value transparency and credibility in green claims, preferring products certified by trusted third parties and companies that demonstrate transparent supply chain practices. Higher pricing, concerns about product effectiveness, and limited availability emerged as significant barriers to consumer adoption of sustainable products, highlighting the need for cost competitiveness and increased market accessibility. Generational cohorts, particularly Millennials and Generation Z, exhibit strong inclinations towards sustainability-driven behaviors, shaping market trends towards ethical consumption practices. Social media plays a pivotal role in influencing consumer perceptions, disseminating information about sustainability, and fostering engagement with environmental issues. The study underscores the importance of clear communication, consumer education, and supportive regulatory frameworks in promoting sustainable consumption behaviors. Practical implications include recommendations for businesses to enhance transparency, innovate sustainable products, align with consumer values, leverage social media platforms, and advocate for regulatory measures that uphold environmental standards. By addressing these insights, businesses and policymakers can effectively meet consumer expectations and contribute to sustainable development goals in the global marketplace.
Meta-Analysis Reveals Behavioral Plasticity, Not Agonistic Behavior, Facilitates Invasion of Brown Anoles (Anolis sagrei) and Replacement of Green Anoles (Anolis carolinensis)
Authors: Jackson Maya A. , Bleicher Sonny S.
Published: June 2024

In a meta-analysis, we examined the behavioral portfolio of invasive brown anoles (Anolis sagrei) and native green anoles (Anolis carolinensis) in urban and non-urban environments. We hypothesized that invasive anoles should display more agonistic and bold signals (head bobbing, dewlap extensions and pushups) than their native range counterparts, and their native competitors. We found that in urban settings, anoles of both species signaled more with dewlap extensions than with head-bobs. The brown anoles displayed significantly higher in non-urban habitats and their native range compared to urban habitats and invasive ranges. The outcome of our analysis suggests that brown anoles have plastic behavioral portfolios, whereas the green anole have relatively balanced preferences for head-bobbing irrespective of the habitat in which the populations were collected. We attribute the success of the brown anole invasion to the flexible strategy in face of higher mate competition, higher predation risks, and less resource competition in the urban environments and invasive ranges. Lastly, we observed publication biases. More studies are conducted with urban and invasive brown anoles and specifically in manipulative mesocosm experimental settings - transplanting populations from native field settings. We show this altered the display rates across all studied signals.
Energy-Dense and Low-Fiber Dietary Pattern May Explain the Increasing Obesity Prevalence in Adults in Brazil: An Analysis of the 2017–2018 National Dietary Survey
Authors: Arruda Alves Iuna , Jessri Mahsa , Silva Monteiro Luana , da Silva Gomes Luiz Eduardo , de Souza Lopes Taís , Massae Yokoo Edna , Sichieri Rosely , Alves Pereira Rosangela
Published: June 2024

Hybrid methods are a suitable option to extract dietary patterns associated with health outcomes. This study aimed to identify dietary patterns of Brazilian adults (20-59 years old; n=28,153) related to dietary components associated with the risk of obesity. Data from the 2017-2018 Brazilian National Dietary Survey were analyzed. Food consumption was obtained through 24-hour recall. Dietary patterns were extracted using partial least squares regression. The selected response variables were energy density (ED), percentage of total fat (%TF), and fiber density (FD). In addition, 32 food groups were established as predictor variables. The first dietary pattern, named as energy-dense and low-fiber (ED-LF), included with positive factor loadings: solid fats, breads, added-sugar beverages, fast foods, sauces, pasta, and cheeses, and with negative factor loadings: rice, beans, vegetables, water, and fruits. Higher adherence to the ED-LF dietary pattern was observed for individuals >40 years old, from urban areas, in the highest income level, who were not on a diet, reporting away-from-home food consumption, and having ≥1 snack/day. Eating patterns with similar characteristics are often associated with an increased risk of obesity. The results are consistent with recommendations to increase the consumption of fresh foods and to reduce ultra-processed products.
Economic Efficiency versus Energy Efficiency of Selected Crops in EU Farms
Authors: Boczar Paweł , Błażejczyk-Majka Lucyna
Published: June 2024

The goal of farmers operating in a market economy is to maximise profit. In the face of the changing political situation, the main social interest, besides food security, should be energy security. This article aims to indicate the direction of agricultural policy development so that it guarantees both the economic security of producers—farmers—and Europe’s energy security. The work uses data obtained from the agri benchmark Cash Crop database. DEA method and stepwise multiple regression were used. The research showed that plants are already grown in Europe which will ensure high energy efficiency of production without compromising farm financial results (including oats, peas and winter rye) and that improving the involvement of certain inputs results in improved production efficiency (among others, by expenditure on agricultural advisory services). The significance of the presented research results from the fact that the recent COVID pandemic and escalation of the military conflict in Ukraine have led to a renewed interest in the concept of EU energy security, i.e. generation of generating the greatest possible amount of energy within the EU, to be used both for food and non-food purposes.
Climate-Smart Agriculture: Optimizing Input Allocation for Sustainable Productivity
Authors: Pal Samidh
Published: June 2024

These findings have several policy implications, emphasizing the need for enhanced data collection, climate-resilient agricultural policies, and continued investment in research. The study contributes to the understanding of climate-smart agriculture, providing insights for informed decision-making towards resilient and productive agricultural systems in the face of climate change challenges.
Identification of Plant Compounds from Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI)
Authors: García-Rojas Nancy Shyrley , Sierra-Álvarez Carlos Daniel , Ramos-Aboites Hilda E. , Moreno-Pedraza Abigail , Winkler Robert
Published: June 2024

The presence and localization of plant metabolites are indicative of physiological processes, e.g., under biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Further, the chemical composition of plant parts is related to their quality as food or for medicinal applications. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has become a popular analytical technique for exploring and visualizing the spatial distribution of plant molecules within a tissue. This review provides a summary of mass spectrometry methods used for mapping and identifying
metabolites in plant tissues. We present the benefits and the disadvantages of both vacuum and ambient ionization methods, considering direct and indirect approaches.
Finally, we discuss the current limitations in annotating and identifying molecules and perspectives for future investigations.
A study on the Effectiveness of Competency Mapping in Software Companies
Authors: Pothula Vinay Kumar , Naredla Suman Kumar , Manoharan Geetha , Gupta Debolina
Published: June 2024

The attempt of this study made us to Study the Competency Mapping (CM) in Software Companies”. CM is a process of categorizing the gap of a person or an employee’s performance routine or professional related skills to fill the gaps through effective programs. (1) Background: Integrating competencies such as “Developing people through Empowering and Training Programs, Providing Feedback, and Rewards, Recognizing the Employee for their work, Effective Communication, Aligning right values ensuring standards, etc. to evaluate and improve the performance an employee to get desired results; (2) Methods: This study involved 100 software employees (n = 100) to state that the competencies that are mapped have a significant impact on performance.. Chi- square and one – way ANOVA tests we used to identify the relationship between two variables; (3) Results: Goal oriented people can adopt the changes and work in any kind of circumstance for better outcomes; (4) Conclusions: competencies that are mapped have a significant impact on performance. And the person who is goal oriented will try to achieve his/her goals in any type of circumstances.
The effect of gembili flour (Dioscorea esculenta L.) substitution on dietary fiber contents, sensory, and chemical characteristics of cookies
Authors: Eko Yuliastuti Endah Sulistyawati  , Rina Rismaya  , Adhi Susilo  , Dini Nur Hakiki  , Alutsyah Luthfian
Published: June 2024

Cookies are preferred by many people of all ages but are poor in dietary fiber. Gembili (Dioscorea esculenta L.) is a high-fiber local food ingredient, which is quite abundant in Indonesia but has not been utilized optimally. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of gembili flour substitution on dietary fiber contents and chemical and sensory characteristics of cookies. This study used a one factor completely randomized design with three treatment levels of gembili flour substitution (0%, 50%, and 100%), which were repeated three times. Gembili flour substitution significantly increased the ash content and dietary fiber but significantly decreased the sensory quality and protein content of cookies. Based on the sensory evaluation, cookies with 50% substitution of gembili flour were the selected product because these did not differ significantly from the control cookies (0% gembili flour) for all sensory attributes tested, except for aroma. Although the hedonic ratings of gembili flour cookies were still lower than those of the control cookies, they contained a higher content of dietary fiber. Therefore, gembili flour, which is high in dietary fiber content, can be used as a functional ingredient in cookies and in other bakery products. These findings are expected to provide new insights for research and bakery industries in developing high fiber cookies from local food sources.
Effects of different cooking preparations on the nutritional composition and antioxidant properties of Etlingera coccinea (Blume) S. Sakai & Nagam (Tuhau)
Authors: Azmi Nur Hanisah , Jaulis Effa Zahirah
Published: June 2024

Tuhau (Etlingera coccinea) is a traditional plant widely consumed in Southeast Asia due to its unique flavor and potential health benefits. However, the influence of various cooking preparations on its nutritional composition and antioxidant activities remains understudied. This research aimed to investigate the effect of different cooking methods on Tuhau, providing valuable insights for optimizing its preparation for enhanced health benefits. Tuhau rhizomes were purchased, sliced, and divided into six groups representing different cooking preparations: control, pickled, stir-fried, deep-fried, boiled, and blanched. Proximate analysis was conducted to determine the nutritional composition, including ash, protein, fat, moisture, crude fiber, and carbohydrate content. The antioxidant activities of the cooked Tuhau samples were evaluated using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays, while the total phenolic content (TPC) was determined using the Folin-ciocalteu method. Uncooked Tuhau samples were used as a control for comparison. The findings indicate that different cooking methods significantly influence the nutritional composition and antioxidant activities of Tuhau. Cooking processes, such as boiling and blanching, increased the moisture content, while stir-frying and deep-frying led to higher fat content. Moreover, deep-fried Tuhau exhibited the highest crude fiber content and TPC, which could contribute to its enhanced antioxidant activities. However, the weak correlation between antioxidant assays and total phenolic content suggests that other compounds may also contribute to the observed antioxidant properties of Tuhau. This study demonstrates that cooking preparations impact the nutritional composition and antioxidant activities of Tuhau. The findings provide valuable insights for optimizing the cooking methods of Tuhau to enhance its health benefits. Further research is warranted toexplore other nutritional compositions and the use of Tuhau as a food ingredient in a variety of food products.
Bose-Einstein condensation of a two-magnon bound state in a spin-one triangular lattice
Authors: Wu Liusuo , Sheng Jieming , Mei Jia-Wei , Wang Le , Jiang Wenrui , Xu Lei , Ge Han , Zhao Nan , Li Tiantian , Candini Andrea , Xi Bin , Zhao Jize , Fu Ying , Yang Jiong , Zhang Yuanzhu , Biasiol Giorgio , Wang Shanmin , Zhu Jinlong , Miao Ping , Tong Xin , Yu Dapeng , Mole Richard , Ma Long , Zhang Zhitao , Ouyang Zhongwen , Tong Wei , Podlesnyak Andrey , Wang Ling , Ye Feng , Yu Dehong , Wang Zhentao
Published: June 2024

Interactions of collective excitations often lead to rich emergent phenomena in manyparticle quantum systems. In ordered magnets, the elementary excitations are spin waves (magnons), which obey Bose-Einstein statistics. Similar to the Cooper pairs in superconductors, magnons can be paired into bound states under attractive interactions. Even more interestingly, the Zeeman coupling to a magnetic field acts as a chemical potential that can tune the particle density through a quantum critical point (QCP), beyond which a “hidden order” is predicted to exist. However, experimental confirmation of this QCP and the associated new state of matter remain elusive. Here we report direct observation of the Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) of the two-magnon bound state in Na2BaNi(PO4)2. Comprehensive thermodynamic measurements confirmed the existence of a two-dimensional BEC-QCP at the saturation field. Inelastic neutron scattering experiments were performed to accurately establish the magnetic exchange model. An exact solution of the model found stable 2-magnon bound states that were further confirmed by an electron spin resonance (ESR) experiment, demonstrating that the QCP is due to the pair condensation and the phase below saturation field is the long-sought-after spin nematic (SN) phase.
Molecular and Histopathological study and first report of Lernaea cyprinacea infestation in Oncorhynchus mykiss in the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province
Authors: Momeni Hossein , Peyghan Rahim , Bashiri Masoumeh , Bahrami Somayeh
Published: June 2024

Many species of freshwater fish are known to be infested by the parasitic copepod Lernaea cyprinacea, which is not host-specific. Mass fish death may result from outbreaks of this ectoparasite infection. Ten dead fish were referred to the Aquatic Clinic to investigate the cause of mortality. After the initial examination and observation of the Lernaea on the skin, gills and oral cavity, symptoms such as increased mucus production, inflammation, redness and swelling at the attachment point were also observed. Lernaea were isolated from the external surface of fins, operculum and body surface of Oncorhynchus mykiss. The histopathological findings including ulceration, chronic inflammatory reaction, infiltration of inflammatory cells, degeneration and necrosis of the muscles and also head region of the parasite were detected. After performing morphological, histopathological and molecular examination, the Lernaea species was identified as L. cyprinacea. In the present study of L. cyprinacea was reported for the first time in the rainbow trout in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiyari province (Iran).
Brain clocks capture diversity and disparity in aging and dementia
Authors: Ibanez Agustin , Moguilner Sebastian , Baez Sandra , Hernandez Hernan , Migeot Joaquin , Legaz Agustina , Gonzalez-Gomez Raul , Farina Francesca , Prado Pavel , Cuadros Jhosmary , Tagliazucchi Enzo , Altschuler Florencia , Maito Marcelo , Godoy Maria , Cruzat Josephine , Valdes-Sosa Pedro , Lopera Francisco , Ochoa-Gómez John , Hernandez Alfredis Gonzalez , Bonilla-Santos Jasmin , Gonzalez-Montealegre Rodrigo A. , Anghinah Renato , Manfrinati Luís d'Almeida , Fittipaldi Sol , Medel Vicente , Olivares Daniela , Yener Görsev , Escudero Javier , Babiloni Claudio , Whelan Robert , Güntekin Bahar , Yırıkoğulları Harun , Santamaria-Garcia Hernando , Fernández Alberto , Huepe David , Caterina Gaetano Di , Soto-Añari Marcio , Birba Agustina , Sainz-Ballesteros Agustin , Coronel-Oliveros Carlos , Yigezu Amanuel , Herrera Eduar , Abasolo Daniel , Kilborn Kerry , Rubido Nicolás , Clark Ruaridh , Herzog Rubén , Yerlikaya Deniz , Hu Kun , Parra Mario , Reyes Pablo , García Adolfo , Matallana Diana , Avila-Funes José Alberto , Slachevsky Andrea , Behrens María , Custodio Nilton , Cardona Juan , Barttfeld Pablo , Brusco Ignacio , Bruno Martín , Ortiz Ana Sosa , Pina-Escudero Stefanie , Takada Leonel , Resende Elisa , Possin Katherine , de Oliveira Maira Okada , Lopez-Valdes Alejandro , Lawlor Brian , Robertson Ian , Kosik Kenneth , Duran-Aniotz Claudia , Valcour Victor , Yokoyama Jennifer , Miller Bruce
Published: June 2024

Brain clocks, which quantify discrepancies between brain age and chronological age, hold promise for understanding brain health and disease. However, the impact of multimodal diversity (geographical, socioeconomic, sociodemographic, sex, neurodegeneration) on the brain age gap (BAG) is unknown. Here, we analyzed datasets from 5,306 participants across 15 countries (7 Latin American countries -LAC, 8 non-LAC). Based on higher-order interactions in brain signals, we developed a BAG deep learning architecture for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI=2,953) and electroencephalography (EEG=2,353). The datasets comprised healthy controls, and individuals with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia. LAC models evidenced older brain ages (fMRI: MDE=5.60, RMSE=11.91; EEG: MDE=5.34, RMSE=9.82) compared to non-LAC, associated with frontoposterior networks. Structural socioeconomic inequality and other disparity-related factors (pollution, health disparities) were influential predictors of increased brain age gaps, especially in LAC (R²=0.37, F²=0.59, RMSE=6.9). A gradient of increasing BAG from controls to mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease was found. In LAC, we observed larger BAGs in females in control and Alzheimer’s disease groups compared to respective males. Results were not explained by variations in signal quality, demographics, or acquisition methods. Findings provide a quantitative framework capturing the multimodal diversity of accelerated brain aging.
Dorsiflexion Specific Ankle Robotics to Enhance Motor Learning After Stroke: A Preliminary Report
Authors: Roy Anindo , Hennessie Bradley , Hafer-Macko Charlene , Westlake Kelly , Macko Richard
Published: June 2024

Background
Robotics has emerged as a promising avenue for gait retraining of persons with chronic hemiparetic gait and footdrop, yet there is a gap regarding the biomechanical adaptations that occur with locomotor learning. We developed an ankle exoskeleton (AMBLE) enabling dorsiflexion assist-as-needed across gait cycle sub-events to train and study the biomechanics of motor learning stroke. This single-armed, non-controlled study investigates effects of nine hours (9 weeks x 2 sessions/week) locomotor task-specific ankle robotics training on gait biomechanics and functional mobility in persons with chronic hemiparetic gait and foot drop. Subjects include N = 16 participants (8 male, 8 female) age 53 ± 12 years with mean 11 ± 8 years since stroke. All baseline and post-training outcomes including optical motion capture for 3-D gait biomechanics are conducted during unassisted (no robot) over-ground walking conditions.
Findings:
Robotics training with AMBLE produced significant kinematic improvements in ankle peak dorsiflexion angular velocity (°/s, + 44 [49%], p < 0.05), heel-first foot strikes (%steps, + 14 [15%], p < 0.01) toe-off angle (°, + 83[162%], p < 0.05), and paretic knee flexion (°, + 20 [30%], p < 0.05). Improvements in gait temporal-spatial parameters include increased paretic step length (cm, + 12 [20%], p < 0.05), reduced paretic swing duration (%GC, -3[6%], p < 0.05), and trend toward improved step length symmetry (-16 [11%], p = 0.08). Functional improvements include 10-meter comfortable (m/s, + 13 [16%], p < 0.01) and fastest (m/s, + 13 [15%], p < 0.01) walking velocities, 6-minute timed walk distance (m, + 16 [19%], p < 0.01) and Dynamic Gait Index scores (+ 15 [15%], p < 0.01). Subjects’ perceived improvements surpassed the minimal clinically important difference on the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) mobility subscale (+ 11 [19%], p < 0.05).
Conclusions
AMBLE training improves paretic ankle neuromotor control, paretic knee flexion, and gait temporal-distance parameters during unassisted over-ground walking in persons with chronic stroke and foot drop. This locomotor learning indexed by an increase in volitional autonomous (non-robotic) control of paretic ankle across training translated to improvements in functional mobility outcomes. Larger randomized clinical trials are needed to investigate the effectiveness of task-specific ankle robotics, and precise training characteristics to durably improve gait, balance, and home and community-based functional mobility for persons with hemiparetic gait and foot drop.
Clinical trial identifier:
NCT04594837.
Mediastinal and Thoracic Hematoma Following Transradial Cerebral Angiography: a Case Report
Authors: Tu Jiashan , Qiu Wei
Published: June 2024

Background Cerebral angiography through the transradial approach (TRA) is associated with a low risk of complications, but in rare cases, these complications can be life-threatening.
Case presentation A 56-year-old female patient was admitted for transradial cerebral angiography due to the complaint of weakness of the right limbs. During the procedure, the patient coughed, spitted, and complained of throat discomfort, palpitations, and pains in the right shoulder and back. Emergency CT scan indicated hematoma in the middle mediastinum and the right thoracic cavity, and perforation of a branch of the subclavian artery was highly suspected. Subclavian artery angiography was conducted immediately, which revealed a patchy contrast medium overflow in a branch of the right costocervical trunk. Selective endovascular occlusion therapy was performed successfully with gelfoam particles and placement of 2 microcoils. At 12 days after cerebral angiography, the patient recovered well and was discharged from the hospital.
Conclusion Mediastinal and thoracic hematoma may occur due to vessel perforation during TRA cerebral angiography, in which guidewire advancement must be cautious. Early detection and appropriate countermeasures can reduce the severity of vascular perforation and subsequent hematoma.
Impact of the traffic on a population of European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) inhabiting heavily urbanized area at the city of Burgas
Authors: Natchev Nikolay , Telenchev Ivan , Nedyalkov Nikolay , Kolev Nikolay , Tsvetkov Radoslav , Marinova Pavlina , Koynova Teodora
Published: June 2024

We report on the impact of vehicle traffic on a local population of European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) inhabiting the city of Burgas (Bulgaria). We performed a six-year monitoring program to collect data on the presence of turtles on road E 87 in the south region of the city. The road section splits a Natura 2000 site and crosses through an artificial water basin with fresh to brackish water. We visited the road section in irregular intervals from 3 to over 20 days in the period March to October from 2016 to 2021. For the period of the monitoring, we were able to detect a total of over 300 specimens from all ontogenetic stages (33 juveniles, 74 subadults and 224 adults). During our field surveys in 2016, we detected a total of 47 live and 23 dead adults. In the next years, we found more dead adult turtles than live ones. Similar results were recorded for subadults. In the juveniles, the dead specimens were almost equal to those which were detected alive. Our results indicate an impact of the traffic on the local population of E. orbicularis. We discuss the design and position of constructions, which can mitigate the conflict and reduce the potential for WVC.
Long COVID: Deep single-cell immunophenotyping and machine learning reveal a general signature for fatigue.
Authors: Sommen Silke , Segtnan Sunniva , Selvakumar Joel , Havdal Lise Beier , Stiansen-Sonerud Tonje , Gjerstad Johannes , Mjaaland Siri , Nygaard Unni , Wyller Vegard , Mukherjee Ratnadeep , Berven Lise Lund
Published: June 2024

The post COVID-19 condition, commonly referred to as “Long COVID” (LC), is a constellation of long-lasting and debilitating symptoms following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, which closely resembles other post-infective fatigue states. The underlying immunological disturbances of LC are poorly understood. The present study included 12 to 25-year-olds with and without mild SARS-CoV-2 infection, who were prospectively followed for six months after infection and assessed according to the WHO definition of post COVID-19 condition, resulting in four groups (“Long COVID” (LC), recovered convalescents (RC), fatigued controls (FC), healthy controls (HC)). Mass cytometry was used to profile peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We found higher frequencies of Terminal NK cells and Double Negative B cells, and higher CD4 + T cell activation and exhaustion in the two groups characterized by persistent fatigue (LC, FC), while no specific immune abnormality pertaining only to LC. This points to a shared underlying pathophysiology in LC and other forms of fatigue.