bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Additions of V and Cu on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mo-N Coatings
Authors: Mei Haijuan , Cai Zhenhao , Ding Jicheng , Yan Kai , Li Qiuguo , Zhao Zhenting , Zhao Junfeng , Cheng Lixia , Liu Min , Gong Weiping
Published: August 2022

Due to the excellent lubricity of V2O5 and soft metals, V and Cu have been added to Mo-N based coatings to further improve the tribological properties. In this study, the Mo-V-Cu-N coatings were deposited by high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HIPIMS). The effects of V and Cu on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mo-N coatings were investigated. With increasing V/Cu content ratio, the deposition rate decreased from 15.4 to 6.5 nm/min, and the microstructure transformed from a featureless structure into a dense columnar structure. At low Cu contents, less than 6.5 at.%, the Mo-V-Cu-N coatings exhibited a single solid solution phase of c-Mo2(V)N. When the Cu content reached 29.7 at.%, the Mo45V1Cu30N24 coating showed the lowest surface roughness of 2.0 nm, and the coating changed into a double-phase of c-Mo2(V)N and c-Cu. The adhesion strength gradually increased from 32.2 to 87.8 N with an increasing V/Cu content ratio. Due to the microstructure densification, a maximum hardness of 27.3 GPa was achieved for the Mo46V15Cu1N38 coating, which was accompanied by a high compressive residual stress.
Three-Dimensional Construction Method for Two-Dimensional Film Pattern Design in Sustainable Rhinoceros Skin Coating Technology
Authors: Tang Tian , Li Danyang , Li Mingyang , He Jia , Zhang Yan
Published: August 2022

In order to effectively save material- and time-related costs in sustainable rhinoceros skin lacquering technology, a three-dimensional construction method is developed based on optical microscope tomography and computer image recognition technology. By analyzing the influence of the underlying twisting method, the number of lacquer layers and the grinding process, the pattern presentation process of rhinoceros skin lacquer is shown in three-dimensional space, and the relationship between pattern style and process flow is further revealed. Computer-aided technology can design and simulate the presentation of the pattern in virtual space, providing a priori guidance for the production of rhinoceros skin lacquerware and new ideas for the innovation of process methods.
Toward Building a Functional Image of the Design Object in CAD
Authors: Shevel Vladimir , Kritskiy Dmitriy , Popov Oleksii
Published: August 2022

The paper proposes an approach to the classification of lifecycle support automation systems for engineering objects, with the proposed structure of the description of the designed object, using a triple description approach: functional, mathematical, and physical. Following this approach, an algorithm for drawing up a functional description of the lifecycle is described, which is based on the principle of unity of analysis and synthesis of the created system in the design process. The proposed solutions are considered using the traditional aircraft shaping methodology with the application of the airplane make-up algorithm as an example. Furthermore, the architecture of a multiagent platform for structural–parametric synthesis of the object was presented; for convenient usage of this architecture, it was proposed to use classification of design tasks in the form of a design cube. The proposed approach allows obtaining an accurate description of the designed object and the subtasks needed to create it, which can reduce the time of the project. Unfortunately, not all decisions can be automated at the given stage of technical development, but what is possible to automate is enough to achieve a reduction in terms of realization and an acceleration of the prototyping process, as shown in the considered example. The actual reduction throughout the lifecycle of the product ranges from 10% to 21% of the planned time.
Anion-Dependent Cu(II) Coordination Polymers: Geometric, Magnetic and Luminescent Properties
Authors: Ullah Ihsan , Shin Jong Won , Tokunaga Ryuya , Hayami Shinya , Shin Hye Jin , Min Kil Sik
Published: August 2022

A one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymer [Cu2(bpba)(CH3COO)4] (1) and a two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymer [Cu(bpba)2(H2O)(NO3)](NO3)∙2H2O∙MeOH (2) were synthesized by the reaction between Cu(CH3COO)2∙H2O/Cu(NO3)2∙3H2O and bis(4-pyridyl)benzylamine (bpba). The Cu(II) ions of 1 and 2 have distorted-square pyramidal coordination with a paddle-wheel structure and an octahedral geometry, respectively. By coordinating the Cu(II) ions and bpba ligands, 1 and 2 formed zigzag 1D and puckered 2D coordination polymers, respectively. Polymer 1 exhibits strong emissions at 355 and 466 nm, whereas polymer 2 exhibits strong emissions only at 464 nm. The emissions are strongly dependent on the geometry of the Cu(II) ions linked by the bpba and anionic ligands. Polymer 1 exhibits a very strong antiferromagnetic interaction within the paddle-wheel dimer, whereas polymer 2 exhibits a very weak antiferromagnetic interaction through the bpba linkers and/or space.
Research Progress on MXene-Based Flexible Supercapacitors: A Review
Authors: Shen Baoshou , Hao Rong , Huang Yuting , Guo Zhongming , Zhu Xiaoli
Published: August 2022

The increasing demands for portable, intelligent, and wearable electronics have significantly promoted the development of flexible supercapacitors (SCs) with features such as a long lifespan, a high degree of flexibility, and safety. MXenes, a class of unique two-dimensional materials with excellent physical and chemical properties, have been extensively studied as electrode materials for SCs. However, there is little literature that systematically summarizes MXene-based flexible SCs according to different flexible electrode construction methods. Recent progress in flexible electrode fabrication and its application to SCs is reviewed according to different flexible electrode construction methods based on MXenes and their composite electrodes, with or without substrate support. The fabrication methods of flexible electrodes, electrochemical performance, and the related influencing factors of MXene-based flexible SCs are summarized and discussed in detail. In addition, the future possibilities of flexible SCs based on MXene are explored and presented.
Detection of Large Herbivores in UAV Images: A New Method for Small Target Recognition in Large-Scale Images
Authors: Ma Jiarong , Hu Zhuowei , Shao Quanqin , Wang Yongcai , Zhou Yanqiong , Liu Jiayan , Liu Shuchao
Published: August 2022

Algorithm design and implementation for the detection of large herbivores from low-altitude (200 m–350 m) UAV remote sensing images faces two key problems: (1) the size of a single image from the UAV is too large, and the mainstream algorithm cannot adapt to it, and (2) the number of animals in the image is very small and densely distributed, which makes the model prone to missed detection. This paper proposes the following solutions: For the problem of animal size, we optimized the Faster-RCNN algorithm in terms of three aspects: selecting a HRNet feature extraction network that is more suitable for small target detection, using K-means clustering to obtain the anchor frame size that matches the experimental object, and using NMS to eliminate detection frames that have sizes inconsistent with the size range of the detection target after the algorithm generates the target detection frames. For image size, bisection segmentation was used when training the model, and when using the model to detect the whole image, we propose the use of a new overlapping segmentation detection method. The experimental results obtained for detecting yaks, Tibetan sheep (Tibetana folia), and the Tibetan wild ass in remote sensing images of low-altitude UAV from Maduo County, the source region of the Yellow River, show that the mean average precision (mAP) and average recall (AR) of the optimized Faster-RCNN algorithm are 97.2% and 98.2%, respectively, which are 9.5% and 12.1% higher than the values obtained by the original Faster-RCNN. In addition, the results obtained from applying the new overlap segmentation method to the whole UAV image detection process also show that the new overlap segmentation method can effectively solve the problems of the detection frames not fitting the target, missing detection, and creating false alarms due to bisection segmentation.
Biodiversity and Variations of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated with Roots along Elevations in Mt. Taibai of China
Authors: Zhang Mengge , Yang Mei , Shi Zhaoyong , Gao Jiakai , Wang Xugang
Published: August 2022

(1) Background: environmental gradient strongly affects microbial biodiversity, but which factors drive the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) associated with roots at relatively large spatial scales requires further research; (2) Methods: an experiment on large spatial scales of Mt. Taibai was conducted to explore the biodiversity and drivers of AMF-associated with roots using high-throughput sequencing; (3) Results: a total of 287 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) belong to 62 species representing 4 identified and 1 unclassified order were identified along different altitudinal gradients. With increasing altitude, AMF colonization could be simulated by a quadratic function trend, and altitude has a significant impact on colonization. AMF alpha diversity, including the Sobs and Shannon indexes, tended to be quadratic function trends with increasing altitude. The highest diversity indices occurred at mid-altitudes, and altitude had a significant effect on them. AMF communities have different affinities with soil and root nutrient, and Glomus is most affected by soil and root nutrient factors through the analysis of the heatmap. Glomus are the most dominant, with an occurrence frequency of 91.67% and a relative abundance of 61.29% and 53.58% at the level of species and OTU, respectively. Furthermore, AMF diversity were mostly associated with soil and root nutrients; (4) Conclusions: in general, AMF molecular diversity is abundant in Mt. Taibai, and altitude and nutrient properties of soil and root are the main influencing factors on AMF diversity and distribution.
Trophic Diversification Out of Ancestral Specialization: An Example from a Radiating African Cyprinid Fish (Genus Garra)
Authors: Komarova Aleksandra S. , Golubtsov Alexander S. , Levin Boris A.
Published: August 2022

Trophic resource partitioning is one of the main ecological mechanisms of adaptive radiation. The Garra is a highly specialized periphyton feeder that has widened jaws equipped with a horny cutting scraper. In a river located in the Ethiopian Highlands in East Africa, a diversification of Garra composed of six sympatric ecomorphs which were strikingly diverse in trophic morphology was revealed. A hypothesis on trophic resource partitioning was tested using data on diet composition, gut length, and stable isotopes. The obtained results confirmed the trophic diversification of Garra ecomorphs. Three feeding modes were revealed: (i) periphytonophagy, (ii) mixed periphytonophagy and zoophagy, and (iii) zoophagy. The periphyton feeders had a long gut and were enriched in δ13C values compared to the shorter gut and lowered δ13C values in the zoophagous ecomorphs. Therefore, Garra could respecialize out of its ancestral specialization. This finding does not support the generalists-to-specialists hypothesis on the origin of specializations, and suggests that Liem’s paradox is a more common phenomenon. In the case of specialists, we assume that new ecological opportunities can be ‘visible’ to specialists if they are preceded by relaxed selection constrains that lead to the widening of the ecological/morphological plasticity to jump out of a canalized mode of ancestral specialization.
Unique Growth Pattern Presentation of a Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Harich Octavia Oana , Olteanu Gheorghe-Emilian , Mihai Ioana Maria , Benta Marius , Isabella Gavriliuc Oana , Virgil Paunescu , Bojin Florina Maria
Published: August 2022

Papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC) is defined by the WHO 2022 classification as a malignant tumor derived from the renal tubular epithelium. However, the WHO 2016 classification subdivided PRCC into two types, with type 1 PRCC showing papillae covered by a single layer of neoplastic cells, and type II PRCC, which can show multiple types of histologies and is more aggressive. The WHO 2022 classification eliminated the subcategorization of PRCC. Here, we present a histopathological case study with a 4-year follow-up diagnosed in 2018 as type I PRCC (WHO 2016) with intra-pyelocalyceal growth pattern in a 59-year-old male patient with a history of Type II diabetes mellitus, left-sided renal–ureteral lithiasis, and benign hypertrophy of the prostate. Microscopically the tumor was composed of small cuboidal cells with inconspicuous nucleoli, arranged on a single layer of tubulo-papillary cores, and scant, foamy macrophages. The tumor had a non-infiltrative, expansive pyelocalyceal growth pattern. Immunohistochemically (IHC), the tumor cells were CK7-intense and diffusely positive, and stained granular for AMACR. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed for the tumor and the normal adjacent tissue for in-depth pathological characterization. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case where a PRCC displays this unique intra-pyelocalyceal growth pattern, mimicking a urothelial cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis system.
Radiomics Signature to Predict Prognosis in Early-Stage Lung Adenocarcinoma (≤3 cm) Patients with No Lymph Node Metastasis
Authors: Zhang Li , Lv Lv , Li Lin , Wang Yan-Mei , Zhao Shuang , Miao Lei , Gao Yan-Ning , Li Meng , Wu Ning
Published: August 2022

Objectives: To investigate the predictive ability of radiomics signature to predict the prognosis of early-stage primary lung adenocarcinoma (≤3 cm) with no lymph node metastasis (pathological stage I). Materials and Methods: This study included consecutive patients with lung adenocarcinoma (≤3 cm) with no lymph node metastasis (pathological stage I) and divided them into two groups: good prognosis group and poor prognosis group. The association between the radiomics signature and prognosis was explored. An integrative radiomics model was constructed to demonstrate the value of the radiomics signature for individualized prognostic prediction. Results: Six radiomics features were significantly different between the two prognosis groups and were used to construct a radiomics model. On the training and test sets, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value of the radiomics model in discriminating between the two groups were 0.946 and 0.888, respectively, and those of the pathological model were 0.761 and 0.798, respectively. A radiomics nomogram combining sex, tumor size and rad-score was built. Conclusion: The radiomics signature has potential utility in estimating the prognosis of patients with pathological stage I lung adenocarcinoma (≤3 cm), potentially enabling a step forward in precision medicine.
On Some Extension of Intuitionistic Fuzzy Synthetic Measures for Two Reference Points and Entropy Weights
Authors: Roszkowska Ewa , Jefmański Bartłomiej , Kusterka-Jefmańska Marta
Published: August 2022

In this paper, a novel Double Intuitionistic Fuzzy Synthetic Measure (DIFSM), based on intuitionistic fuzzy values for handling multi-criteria decision-making problems used to rank alternatives, is presented. In the studies, intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs) represented uncertain, imprecise information or human judgment. The intuitionistic fuzzy sets can also reflect the approval, rejection, and hesitation of decision-makers. The degrees of satisfiability and non-satisfiability and uncertainty of each alternative with respect to a set of criteria are described by membership functions, non-membership functions, and hesitancy indexes, respectively. The aggregation algorithm DIFSM is inspired by Hellwig’s method based on two reference points: ideal point (pattern) and anti-ideal point (anti-pattern), measuring distances between the alternative and ideal point and distance between the ideal and anti-ideal point. The proposed methods take into consideration the entropy-based weights of criteria. An illustrative example is given to demonstrate the practicality and effectiveness of the proposed approach. Additionally, the comparative analysis results, using the DIFSM and the Intuitionistic Fuzzy TOPSIS-based framework, are presented.
How Did This Happen? Xenograft Conversion to Dermal Scaffolding after Scalding Grease Burn
Authors: Tran Aurelie , Windell Elizabeth , Pumiglia Luke , Bettencourt Amanda , Vercruysse Gary
Published: August 2022

Xenograft and other biologic dressings have been an integral part of burn care for many years. Porcine graft is both inexpensive and, for partial thickness burns, provides the additional benefit of avoiding painful dressing changes when compared with topical agents. In this case, we discuss a patient suffering from deep partial thickness burns for whom xenograft was used for initial wound coverage. This porcine graft became unexpectedly incorporated, and the patient ultimately underwent operative debridement and autologous re-grafting. The case demonstrates a gap in the understanding of wound-healing mechanisms around porcine xenografts and raises the potential for future innovation in expedited wound healing using xenografting.
Investigating Various Severity Factor Behaviors for Operational Risk Assessment
Authors: Nazir Zunaira , Bollen Math H. J.
Published: August 2022

Operational risk assessment is a stochastic approach to quantify the operational security of power systems. In this study, the interrelation between severity factor and operational risk, two important parameters in operational risk assessment, is analyzed. Four different definitions of severity factor, based on the results from network studies, are proposed and applied, resulting in different values for the operational risk indices. The behavior of these indices is analyzed under varying operating conditions and compared with the behavior of the severity factor for individual contingencies. This study confirms the importance of the severity factor definition and shows that multiple operational risk indices are required to obtain a clear picture of the operational security of a transmission system. One risk index may increase while another decreases.
A Structural Framework for Assessing the Digital Resilience of Enterprises in the Context of the Technological Revolution 4.0
Authors: Mehedintu Anca , Soava Georgeta
Published: August 2022

This research aims to develop a conceptual model to establish the influence of digital core investment and digital innovation on digital resilience at the enterprise level. The data were collected through a questionnaire-based survey of managers and IT specialists of companies. The analysis was performed using structural equation modeling with SPSS Statistics and Amos software. Based on the literature review, the study identifies the main factors that can ensure digital resilience and assesses their impact on Romania’s private and public companies. The research results confirm the hypotheses presented in the article, emphasizing that digital resilience is the result of the collaboration of several factors with different effects, determined by using Industry 4.0 technologies. Thus, digital core and digital innovation investments help improve digital resilience. Moreover, digital core investments have a positive impact on the digital resilience of enterprises, mediated by digital innovation investments. The study’s novelty consists in the realization of a model of interconnected analysis of several variables specific to digital and innovative technologies to ensure the resilience framework at the company level. The research offers valuable results which can be used by companies in Romania or other European Union countries to ensure their digital resilience.
A Novel Seismocardiogram Mathematical Model for Simplified Adjustment of Adaptive Filter
Authors: Uskovas Gediminas , Valinevicius Algimantas , Zilys Mindaugas , Navikas Dangirutis , Frivaldsky Michal , Prauzek Michal , Konecny Jaromir , Andriukaitis Darius
Published: August 2022

Nonclinical measurements of a seismocardiogram (SCG) can diagnose cardiovascular disease (CVD) at an early stage, when a critical condition has not been reached, and prevents unplanned hospitalization. However, researchers are restricted when it comes to investigating the benefits of SCG signals for moving patients, because the public database does not contain such SCG signals. The analysis of a mathematical model of the seismocardiogram allows the simulation of the heart with cardiovascular disease. Additionally, the developed mathematical model of SCG does not totally replace the real cardio mechanical vibration of the heart. As a result, a seismocardiogram signal of 60 beats per min (bpm) was generated based on the main values of the main artefacts, their duration and acceleration. The resulting signal was processed by finite impulse response (FIR), infinitive impulse response (IRR), and four adaptive filters to obtain optimal signal processing settings. Meanwhile, the optimal filter settings were used to manage the real SCG signals of slowly moving or resting. Therefore, it is possible to validate measured SCG signals and perform advanced scientific research of seismocardiogram. Furthermore, the proposed mathematical model could enable electronic systems to measure the seismocardiogram with more accurate and reliable signal processing, allowing the extraction of more useful artefacts from the SCG signal during any activity.
Response Time and Intrinsic Information Quality as Criteria for the Selection of Low-Cost Sensors for Use in Mobile Weather Stations
Authors: Chodorek Agnieszka , Chodorek Robert Ryszard , Sitek Paweł
Published: August 2022

Smart-city management systems use information about the environment, including the current values of weather factors. The specificity of the urban sites requires a high density of weather measurement points, which forces the use of low-cost sensors. A typical problem of devices using low-cost sensors is the lack of legalization of the sensors and the resulting inaccuracy and uncertainty of measurement, which one can attempt to solve by additional sensor calibration. In this paper, we propose a different approach to this problem, i.e., the two-stage selection of sensors, carried out on the basis of both the literature (pre-selection) and experiments (actual selection). We formulated the criteria of the sensor selection for the needs of the sources of weather information: the major one, which is the fast response time of a sensor in a cyber-physical subsystem and two minor ones, which are based on the intrinsic information quality dimensions related to measurement information. These criteria were tested by using a set of twelve weather sensors from different manufacturers. Results show that the two-stage sensor selection allows us to choose the least energy consuming (due to the major criterion) and the most accurate (due to the minor criteria) set of weather sensors, and is able to replace some methods of sensor selection reported in the literature. The proposed method is, however, more versatile and can be used to select any sensors with a response time comparable to electric ones, and for the application of low-cost sensors that are not related to weather stations.
Improved Belief Propagation List Decoding for Polar Codes
Authors: Li Huan , Huang Jingxuan , Sun Ce
Published: August 2022

Polar codes have become the channel coding scheme for control channel of enhanced mobile broadband in the 5G communication systems. Belief propagation (BP) decoding of polar codes has advantages of low decoding latency and high parallelism but achieves worse bit error ratio (BER) performance compared with the successive cancellation list (SCL) decoding scheme. In this paper, an improved BP list (IBPL) decoding algorithm is proposed with comparable BER performance to SCL algoritm. Firstly, the optimal permuted factor graph is analyzed for polar codes, which improves the performance of the BP decoder without path extension. Furthermore, based on the optimal graph, the bit metric and decoding path metric are proposed to extend and prune the decoding path. The proposed IBPL decoder is focused on not only the permutation of polar codes but also the reliabilities of decoded codewords during each iteration of BP decoding, which has a more accurate decoding path list. The simulation results show that the proposed IBPL decoder improves the BER performance compared with the original BP decoder significantly, and can approach the performance of the SCL decoder at low signal to noise ratio regions.
Low-Carbon Supply Chain Decisions Considering Carbon Emissions Right Pledge Financing in Different Power Structures
Authors: Li Changhong , Gao Jiani , Guo Jiaqi , Wang Jialuo
Published: August 2022

While carbon emissions reduction brings about environmental benefits, it can also create financial pressure on many manufacturing enterprises. Many manufacturing enterprises have begun to pledge their own carbon emissions right quotas for financing and the funds from this financing are being used to implement energy savings and emissions reduction strategies. To investigate the impact of carbon emissions right pledge financing on supply chains, this study constructed a two-echelon low-carbon supply chain, which consisted of a capital-constrained manufacturer and a retailer. The manufacturer invested in carbon reduction technologies using carbon emissions right pledge financing. On this basis, we analyzed the carbon emissions reduction levels and profits of the supply chain in three different power structures. The results showed that the manufacturer pledged the most carbon emissions rights to finance emissions reduction in the Nash model and, in this case, the carbon emissions reduction levels and profits of the supply chain were always the highest. In the manufacturer-led Stackelberg model, the overall economic and environmental benefits of the supply chain were the lowest. In addition, we analyzed the sensitivity of the important parameters of the model and revealed some management implications.
Genetic Diversity, Population Structure, and Conservation Units of Castanopsis sclerophylla (Fagaceae)
Authors: Chen Shuang , Chen Risheng , Zeng Xiaorong , Chen Xing , Qin Xinsheng , Zhang Zhuoxin , Sun Ye
Published: August 2022

Castanopsis sclerophylla (Lindl.) Schott. is a canopy tree species of evergreen broad-leaved forests in subtropical China. In this study, the genetic diversity and population structure of C. sclerophylla were investigated by using chloroplast DNA sequences and nuclear microsatellite markers. Permutation tests with chloroplast DNA sequences indicated the presence of phylogeographic structure in C. sclerophylla. Based on nuclear microsatellite markers, Bayesian clustering analysis revealed eastern-to-western differentiation in C. sclerophylla, and the analysis of molecular variance suggested population divergence has arisen along the Xuefeng, Luoxiao, and Wuyi mountain ranges. The approximate Bayesian computation demonstrated that the genetic diversity pattern of C. sclerophylla could be explained by geographic isolation followed by secondary contact. Ecological niche modelling showed that distribution of C. sclerophylla shrank southward at the Last Glacial Maximum and expanded northward at the Mid Holocene. These results suggested that the uplift of the Xuefeng, Luoxiao, and Wuyi mountain ranges and the interglacial–glacial climate change shaped the genetic diversity of C. sclerophylla. The Luoxiao mountain range should be considered as a key conservation unit of C. sclerophylla due to its higher level of genetic diversity. Our study supplies important information for prioritizing the conservation and sustainable utilization of C. sclerophylla, and provides insight on the dynamics of evergreen broad-leaved forests in subtropical China.
Characteristics of the Complete Plastid Genome Sequences of the Monotypic Genus Dodecadenia (Family: Lauraceae) and Its Phylogenomic Implications
Authors: Liu Chao , Chen Huanhuan , Cai Jian , Tian Xiangyu , Han Lihong , Song Yu
Published: August 2022

As one of a dozen monotypic genera in the family Lauraceae, the systematic position of Dodecadenia Nees remains controversial. Here, two complete plastomes of Dodecadenia grandiflora Nees were sequenced. The two plastid genomes, with the length of 152,659 bp and 152,773 bp, had similar quadripartite structure. Both consisted of one large single-copy (LSC) region with 93,740 bp and 93,791 bp, one small single-copy region (SSC) with 18,805 bp and 18,846 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats (IR) regions with 20,057 bp and 20,068 bp. A total of 128 genes were annotated for the D. grandiflora plastid genomes (plastomes), which included 84 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 36 tRNA genes and eight rRNA genes. Codon usage analysis of the D. grandiflora plastomes showed a bias toward A/U at the third codon. A total of 122 RNA editing events were predicted, and all codon conversions were cytosine to thymine. There were 30/36 oligonucleotide repeats and 89/94 simple sequence repeats in these two plastomes of D. grandiflora. Based on 71 plastomes, both Bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses showed that D. grandiflora are nested among the species of Litsea Lam. together with Litsea auriculata Chien et Cheng and suggested that the monotypic genus Dodecadenia Nees should be revised. In addition, the highly variable loci trnG intron and ycf3-trnS could be used as excellent candidate markers for population genetic and phylogenetic analyses of D. grandiflora.
Consumption of Purple Neem Foliage Rich in Anthocyanins Improves Rumen Fermentation, Growth Performance and Plasma Antioxidant Activity in Growing Goats
Authors: Taethaisong Nittaya , Paengkoum Siwaporn , Nakharuthai Chatsirin , Onjai-uea Narawich , Thongpea Sorasak , Sinpru Boontum , Surakhunthod Jariya , Meethip Weerada , Paengkoum Pramote
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to investigate how the consumption of purple neem foliage rich in anthocyanins improves rumen fermentation, growth performance and plasma antioxidant activity in growing goats. In total, 25 Anglo-Nubian Thai native male goats (about 20 ± 2 kg body weight; mean standard deviation (SD)) were assigned to 2 × 2 + 1 factorial in a completely randomized study design. There were five treatments: (1) control, (2) 3% normal neem foliage in concentrate, (3) 6% normal neem foliage in concentrate, (4) 3% purple neem foliage in concentrate and (5) 6% purple neem foliage in concentrate. The results show that the goats that were fed 6% purple neem foliage in concentrate had a higher (p < 0.01) feed intake gDM/d, %BW, g/kgBW0.75, nutrient intake, nutrient digestion, final weight, weight change and ADG than did the goats that were fed 3% purple neem foliage in concentrate, 3% normal neem foliage in concentrate, 6% normal neem foliage in concentrate and control treatment. The feeding of 6% purple neem foliage in concentrate had higher (p < 0.01) N intake, N urine, N digestion, N digestion (%), N retention and N retention (%) than the other treatments. The goats receiving 6% purple neem foliage in concentrate had no negative effect (p < 0.01) on pH but had a higher (p < 0.01) level of ammonia nitrogen, BUN, acetic acid, propionic acid, ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid and total VFA at 2 and 4 h after feeding compared to the other treatments. The effect of anthocyanin-rich 6% purple neem foliage was shown to be higher than the other treatments (p < 0.01) for total bacteria, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Streptococcus bovis at 2 and 4 h after feeding. The goats fed 6% purple neem foliage displayed higher (p < 0.01) levels of total antioxidant (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and catalase (CAT) antioxidant activity in plasma at 2 and 4 h after feeding. The goats fed 6% purple neem foliage had lower (p < 0.01) protozoa methanogen and malondialdehyde (MDA) at 2 and 4 h after feeding. In developing growing goats, the introduction of anthocyanin-rich purple neem foliage boosted plasma antioxidant capacity, improved rumen volatile fatty acids and caused a shift in the structure and relative abundance of the ruminal microbial community.
Sustainable Design of Innovative Kiwi Byproducts-Based Ingredients Containing Probiotics
Authors: Ilie Gheorghe-Ionuț , Milea Ștefania-Adelina , Râpeanu Gabriela , Cîrciumaru Adrian , Stănciuc Nicoleta
Published: August 2022

Industrial processing of kiwifruits generates a large quantity of byproducts, estimated to be one million tons per year. The resulting byproducts are rich sources of bioactive components that may be used as additives, hence minimizing economic and environmental issues. In this study, kiwifruit byproducts were used to develop added-value food-grade ingredients containing probiotics. The byproducts were divided into peels and pomace. Both residues were inoculated with a selected strain of probiotic (Lacticaseibacillus casei 431®), and two variants were additionally enhanced with prebiotic sources (buckwheat and black rice flours). The inoculated powders were obtained by freeze-drying, and the final ingredients were coded as KP (freeze-dried kiwi peels), KBR (freeze-dried kiwi pomace and black rice flour), KPB (freeze-dried kiwi pomace and buckwheat flour), and KPO (freeze-dried kiwi pomace). The phytochemical profile was assessed using different spectrophotometric methods, such as the determination of polyphenols, flavonoids, and carotenoids. The kiwi byproduct-based formulations showed a polyphenolic content varying from 10.56 ± 0.30 mg AGE/g DW to 13.16 ± 0.33 mg AGE/g, and the survival rate of lactic acid bacteria after freeze-drying ranged from 73% to 88%. The results showed an increase in total flavonoid content from the oral to gastric environment and controlled release in the intestinal environment, whereas a maximum survival rate of probiotics at the intestinal end stage was 48%. The results of SEM and droplet size measurements revealed vesicular and polyhedral structures on curved surfaces linked by ridge sections. The CIEL*a*b* color data were strongly associated with the particular pigment in kiwi pulp, as well as the color of the additional flour. Finally, the ingredients were tested in protein bars and enhanced the value of the final food product regarding its phytochemical and probiotic content.
Quark Cheese Processed by Dense-Phase Carbon Dioxide: Shelf-Life Evaluation and Physiochemical, Rheological, Microstructural and Volatile Properties Assessment
Authors: Song Xiaoyong , Zheng Yuanrong , Zhou Xuefu , Deng Yun
Published: August 2022

Dense-phase carbon dioxide (DPCD), a novel non-thermal processing technology, has attracted extensive attention due to its excellent performance in food sterilization and enzyme inactivation without quality deterioration. In this work, we aimed to extend the shelf life of quark cheese with DPCD and explore the effect of DPCD treatment as well as storage time on the quality of quark cheese. The sterilization parameters were optimized by means of orthogonal experiments, and the physiochemical, rheological, microstructural and volatile properties of cheese were investigated. The optimal DPCD treatment (20 MPa, 45 min, 55 °C) successfully extended the shelf life of quark cheese due to its inhibition effect on yeast and was able to slow down the proteolysis and alterations in pH and color of cheese. Cheese processed using DPCD after 14-day storage even displayed similar rheological properties to the control at day 0, from which bound water significantly migrated during storage. Moreover, DPCD contributed to the retention of the volatile profile of cheese during storage. This study demonstrated that DPCD is a promising pasteurization technology for quark cheese to improve its quality stability during storage.
Mitigation of Acrylamide Content in Biscuits through Combined Physical and Chemical Strategies
Authors: Lo Faro Emanuela , Salerno Tommaso , Montevecchi Giuseppe , Fava Patrizia
Published: August 2022

Acrylamide in biscuits represents a major concern. This research work was aimed at modifying the current formulation of biscuits to reduce the acrylamide content while maintaining the chemical, physical, and sensory characteristics of the original product. A strategy based on the FoodDrinkEurope Acrylamide Toolbox was adopted. The content of the leavening agent ammonium bicarbonate, the baking temperature program, and the time duration of steam released during the baking process were the three factors evaluated through a factorial design of experiment. The partial replacement of ammonium bicarbonate (from 9.0 g to 1.5 g per 500 g of flour) with sodium bicarbonate (from 4.5 g to 12.48 g), lowering of the temperature in the central phase of the baking process (from 170 °C to 150 °C), and the release of steam for 3 min resulted in an 87.2% reduction in acrylamide concentration compared to biscuits of reference. CIELab color indices and aw were the parameters that showed the most significant correlation with acrylamide concentration in biscuits and could, therefore, become markers to predict the acrylamide content along production lines for an instant evaluation.
Shelf-Life Prediction and Thermodynamic Properties of No Added Sugar Chocolate Spread Fortified with Multiple Micronutrients
Authors: Tolve Roberta , Tchuenbou-Magaia Fideline Laure , Sportiello Lucia , Bianchi Federico , Radecka Iza , Favati Fabio
Published: August 2022

The development of fortified healthy pleasant foods, in which saturated fats are replaced with unsaturated ones, poses a challenge for the food industry due to their susceptibility to oxidative rancidity, which decreases product shelf-life, causes the destruction of health-promoting molecules, and forms potentially toxic compounds. A comparative study applying the Arrhenius model was carried out to investigate the oxidative stability and predict the shelf-life of a newly developed no added sugar chocolate spread formulated with sunflower oil, and fortified with vitamin D, Mg, and Ca checked against two commercially available spreads: No Palm and a well-known commercially available product (RB). The results obtained from the accelerated shelf-life testing for peroxide value (PV) showed relatively higher activation energy (Ea, 14.48 kJ/mol K) for RB, whereas lower Ea (11.31–12.78 kJ/mol K) was obtained for No Palm and all the experimental spread chocolates. Q10 values were comparable (1.202–1.154), indicating a similar catalytic effect of the temperature upon the oxidation rate across all the investigated samples. The positive Gibbs free energies ranged from 75.014 to 83.550 kJ/mol and pointed out that the lipid oxidation reaction in the chocolate spread was an endergonic process. The predicted shelf-life at 293.15 K was 8.57 months (RB), 7 months (No Palm), and 6.8 months for all the experimental spreadable chocolate. However, the higher production of hydroperoxides was observed in chocolate fortified with magnesium-calcium carbonate nanoparticles and stored at 313.15 and 323.15 K, suggesting these particles may enhance lipid oxidation.
Residues of Pesticides and Heavy Metals in Polish Varietal Honey
Authors: Kędzierska-Matysek Monika , Teter Anna , Skałecki Piotr , Topyła Barbara , Domaradzki Piotr , Poleszak Ewa , Florek Mariusz
Published: August 2022

The levels of chemical pollutants were determined in 30 samples of varietal honey from southeastern Poland, including 223 pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, acaricides, plant growth regulators, and veterinary drugs) and 5 heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, Cu, and Zn). In 10% of the samples, no pesticide residues were found. The most frequently identified pesticides were thiacloprid (90% of the samples, max 0.337 mg/kg), acetamiprid (86.6%, max 0.061 mg/kg), carbendazim (60%, max 0.049 mg/kg), DMF (56.6%, max 0.038 mg/kg), total amitraz (53.3%, max 0.075 mg/kg), thiamethoxam (26.6%, max 0.004 mg/kg), thiacloprid-amide (13.3%, max 0.012 mg/kg), dimethoate (10%, max 0.003 mg/kg), azoxystrobin (10%, max 0.002 mg/kg), tebuconazole (6.66%, max 0.002 mg/kg), and boscalid (3.33%, max 0.001 mg/kg). The acceptable limits for the compounds were not exceeded in any sample. The Pb content ranged between 0.044 and 0.081 mg/kg. The concentration of Hg and Cd did not exceed 5.0 µg/kg and 0.02 mg/kg, respectively. The honey variety significantly (p < 0.01) influenced the content of Cu, which ranged from 0.504 (rapeseed honey) to 1.201 mg/kg (buckwheat). A similar tendency (p > 0.05) was observed for the Zn content, which ranged from 0.657 mg/kg (linden) to 2.694 mg/kg (buckwheat). Honey produced in southeastern Poland was shown to be safe for human consumption.
Effect of Silkworm Pupa Protein Hydrolysates on Proliferation of Gastric Cancer Cells In Vitro
Authors: Li Weixin , Mu Lixia , Zou Yuxiao , Wang Weifei , Zhao Haifeng , Wu Xuli , Liao Sentai
Published: August 2022

The proliferation inhibition effects of the hydrolysates from silkworm pupa proteins on MGC-803 gastric cancer cells were investigated in this study. The specific morphological changes (cell membrane, cell nucleus and cytoskeleton) of cells were measured. In vitro, the proliferation of MGC-803 cells was inhibited by silkworm pupa protein hydrolysates (SPPHs) in a dose-dependent manner. The flow cytometry analysis showed that the blocking effect of SPPHs on the MGC-803 cells was mainly in the G0/G1-phase. The morphological changes, disintegration of the cytoskeleton and retardant cell cycles were probably related to the activation of apoptosis. Thus, SPPHs could be promising as a chemopreventive agent due to their ability to promote apoptosis of tumor cells.
Thermosensitive Injectable Hydrogels for Intra-Articular Delivery of Etanercept for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis
Authors: García-Couce Jomarien , Schomann Timo , Chung Chih Kit , Que Ivo , Jorquera-Cordero Carla , Fuentes Gastón , Almirall Amisel , Chan Alan , Cruz Luis J.
Published: August 2022

The intra-articular administration of drugs has attracted great interest in recent decades for the treatment of osteoarthritis. The use of modified drugs has also attracted interest in recent years because their intra-articular administration has demonstrated encouraging results. The objective of this work was to prepare injectable-thermosensitive hydrogels for the intra-articular administration of Etanercept (ETA), an inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor-α. Hydrogels were prepared from the physical mixture of chitosan and Pluronic F127 with β-glycerolphosphate (BGP). Adding β-glycerolphosphate to the system reduced the gelation time and also modified the morphology of the resulting material. In vitro studies were carried out to determine the cytocompatibility of the prepared hydrogels for the human chondrocyte line C28/I2. The in vitro release study showed that the incorporation of BGP into the system markedly modified the release of ETA. In the in vivo studies, it was verified that the hydrogels remained inside the implantation site in the joint until the end of the study. Furthermore, ETA was highly concentrated in the blood of the study mice 48 h after the loaded material was injected. Histological investigation of osteoarthritic knees showed that the material promotes cartilage recovery in osteoarthritic mice. The results demonstrate the potential of ETA-loaded injectable hydrogels for the localized treatment of joints.
Assessing Loss of Regulatory Divergence, Genome–Transcriptome Incongruence, and Preferential Expression Switching in Abaca × Banana Backcrosses
Authors: Ereful Nelzo C. , Lalusin Antonio G. , Laurena Antonio C.
Published: August 2022

The Musa textilis var. Abuab has high fiber quality (FQ) but is susceptible to abaca bunchy top virus (AbBTV); the Musa balbisiana var. Pacol has low FQ but is resistant against AbBTV. Their backcrosses (BC2 and BC3) possess both desirable traits. Analysis using RNA-seq showed that the regulatory divergence of Abuab and Pacol is largely explained by cis differences with 27.4% and 22.3% if we are to assess it using BC2 and BC3, respectively. Cis differences between the two genotypes are significantly reduced from BC2 to BC3 due to changes in genomic constitution. Trans, on the other hand, is robust to changes in allelic composition. All these are attributed to the loss of heterozygosity in BC3 relative to BC2. Further analysis showed that both backcrosses exhibited genome-wide preferential expression of Pacol- over Abuab-specific alleles, despite the wider genetic presence of the latter in the hybrids. The ratio of the two genotype-specific expressed transcripts and the ratio of their corresponding genetic make-up are significantly disproportionate, a phenomenon that we refer to here as “genome–transcriptome incongruence”. We also observed preferential expression switching in which several genes prefer the Abuab- (or Pacol-) specific allele in BC2 but switched to the Pacol- (or Abuab-) specific allele in the BC3 genome.
Health-Related Rumor Control through Social Collaboration Models: Lessons from Cases in China during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Yang Feng , Ren Yunyue , Wang Shusheng , Zhang Xiaoqian
Published: August 2022

Widely spread health-related rumors may mislead the public, escalate social panic, compromise government credibility, and threaten public health. Social collaboration models that maximize the functions and advantages of various agents of socialization can be a promising way to control health-related rumors. Existing research on health-related rumors, however, is limited in studying how various agents collaborate with each other to debunk rumors. This study utilizes content analysis to code the text data of health-related rumor cases in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that socialized rumor-debunking models could be divided into the following five categories: the government-led model, the media-led model, the scientific community-led model, the rumor-debunking platform-led model, and the multi-agent collaborative model. In addition, since rumors in public health crises often involve different objects, rumor refutation requires various information sources; therefore, different rumor-debunking models apply. This study verifies the value of socialized collaborative rumor debunking, advocates and encourages the participation of multiple agents of socialization and provides guidance for establishing a collaborative rumor-debunking model, thereby promoting efficient rumor-debunking methods and improving the healthcare of society.
Total Pain and Illness Acceptance in Pelvic Cancer Patients: Exploring Self-Efficacy and Stress in a Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Krok Dariusz , Telka Ewa , Zarzycka Beata
Published: August 2022

Cancer patients experience pain not only in its physical dimension, but also in a broader context that includes psychological, social, and spiritual aspects due to a higher level of anxiety and stress. The present prospective, longitudinal study examined the relationship between total pain and illness acceptance among pelvic cancer patients, taking into consideration the moderated mediation effects of self-efficacy and stress. The study involved a sample of pelvic cancer patients receiving radiotherapy treatment. Assessments were completed at T1 (before radiotherapy), T2 (after 3–4 weeks), and T3 (after radiotherapy) to assess the psychosocial dynamics of illness acceptance (N = 267). The more physical, psychological, social, and spiritual pain symptoms the patients experienced, the less they accepted negative health conditions and the effects of their illness. Stress moderated the indirect effect between total pain dimensions and illness acceptance through self-efficacy, but it did not moderate the relationship between total pain and illness acceptance. The relationships between total pain dimensions and illness acceptance thus depend on both the mediating effect of self-efficacy and the moderating effect of stress. This highlights the need to control one’s motivation and behavior and manage emotional strain or tension.