bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Impact of 24-Hour Pulse Pressure Components in Treated Hypertensive Patients Older Than 65 Years
Authors: Coccina Francesca , Pierdomenico Anna M. , Cuccurullo Chiara , Pizzicannella Jacopo , Trubiani Oriana , Pierdomenico Sante D.
Published: February 2023

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic impact of 24-hour pulse pressure (PP), elastic PP (elPP) and stiffening PP (stPP) in elderly treated hypertensive patients; (2) Methods: In this retrospective study, we evaluated 745 treated hypertensive subjects older than 65 years who underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to assess 24-hour PP and 24-hour elPP and stPP, as calculated by a mathematical model. The association of these PP components with a combined endpoint of cardiovascular events was investigated; (3) Results: The 24-hour PP, elPP and stPP were 59 ± 12.5, 47.5 ± 9.5 and 11.5 ± 6.5 mmHg, respectively. During the follow-up (mean 8.4 years), 284 events occurred, including coronary events, stroke, heart failure hospitalization and peripheral revascularization. In the univariate Cox regression analysis, 24-hour PP, elPP and stPP were associated with the combined outcome. After the adjustment for covariates, per one standard deviation increase, 24-hour PP had a borderline association with risk (hazard ratio (HR) 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00–1.34), 24-hour elPP remained associated with cardiovascular events (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.05–1.36) and 24-hour stPP lost its significance. (4) Conclusions: 24-hour elPP is a predictor of cardiovascular events in elderly treated hypertensive patients.
Handheld Echocardiography Measurements Concordance and Findings Agreement: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Haji-Hassan Mariam , Duțu Bogdan , Bolboacă Sorana D.
Published: February 2023

The professional association has already developed guidelines on the appropriate use of handheld ultrasound devices, especially in an emergency setting. Handheld ultrasound devices are seen as the ‘stethoscope of the future’ to assist in physical examination. Our exploratory study evaluated whether the measurements of cardiovascular structures and the agreement in identifying aortic, mitral, and tricuspid valve pathology made by a resident with a handheld device (HH, Kosmos Torso-One) reach the results reported by an experienced examiner who used a high-end device (STD). Patients referred for cardiology examination in a single center from June to August 2022 were eligible for the study. Patients who agreed to participate underwent two heart ultrasound examinations scanned by the same two operators. A cardiology resident performed the first examination with a HH ultrasound device, and an experienced examiner performed the second examination with an STD device. Forty-three consecutive patients were eligible, and forty-two were included in the study. One obese patient was excluded because none of the examiners succeeded in performing the heart examination. The measurements obtained with HH were generally higher than those obtained with STD, with the highest mean difference of 0.4 mm, but without significant differences (all 95% confidence intervals of the differences contain the value of 0). For valvular disease, the lowest agreement was observed for mitral valve regurgitation (26/42, with a Kappa concordance coefficient of 0.5321), which was missed in almost half of the patients with mild regurgitation and underestimated in half of the patients with moderate mitral regurgitation. The measurements performed by the resident with the handheld Kosmos Torso-One device showed high concordance with those conducted by the experienced examiner with a larger high-end ultrasound device. The learning curve of the resident could explain the limited performance in identifying valvular pathologies between examiners.
MRI Radiomics and Predictive Models in Assessing Ischemic Stroke Outcome—A Systematic Review
Authors: Dragoș Hanna Maria , Stan Adina , Pintican Roxana , Feier Diana , Lebovici Andrei , Panaitescu Paul-Ștefan , Dina Constantin , Strilciuc Stefan , Muresanu Dafin F.
Published: February 2023

Stroke is a leading cause of disability and mortality, resulting in substantial socio-economic burden for healthcare systems. With advances in artificial intelligence, visual image information can be processed into numerous quantitative features in an objective, repeatable and high-throughput fashion, in a process known as radiomics analysis (RA). Recently, investigators have attempted to apply RA to stroke neuroimaging in the hope of promoting personalized precision medicine. This review aimed to evaluate the role of RA as an adjuvant tool in the prognosis of disability after stroke. We conducted a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines, searching PubMed and Embase using the keywords: ‘magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)’, ‘radiomics’, and ‘stroke’. The PROBAST tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Radiomics quality score (RQS) was also applied to evaluate the methodological quality of radiomics studies. Of the 150 abstracts returned by electronic literature research, 6 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Five studies evaluated predictive value for different predictive models (PMs). In all studies, the combined PMs consisting of clinical and radiomics features have achieved the best predictive performance compared to PMs based only on clinical or radiomics features, the results varying from an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.80 (95% CI, 0.75–0.86) to an AUC of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.87–0.97). The median RQS of the included studies was 15, reflecting a moderate methodological quality. Assessing the risk of bias using PROBAST, potential high risk of bias in participants selection was identified. Our findings suggest that combined models integrating both clinical and advanced imaging variables seem to better predict the patients’ disability outcome group (favorable outcome: modified Rankin scale (mRS) ≤ 2 and unfavorable outcome: mRS > 2) at three and six months after stroke. Although radiomics studies’ findings are significant in research field, these results should be validated in multiple clinical settings in order to help clinicians to provide individual patients with optimal tailor-made treatment.
Comparative Analysis on the Effect of Sarcopenia in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis before and after Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Tzartza Chrysanthi Liliana , Karapalis Nikolaos , Voulgaridou Gavriela , Zidrou Christiana , Beletsiotis Anastasios , Chatziprodromidou Ioanna P. , Giaginis Constantinos , Papadopoulou Sousana K.
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Primary sarcopenia is an age-related disease that occurs mainly in older adults, while its possibility of appearance increases with age. Secondary sarcopenia is related to the presence of a disease. At times, studies have implied a connection between various diseases and the appearance of sarcopenia. Due to pain, patients with knee osteoarthritis limit their everyday activities, leading to a decrease in muscle mass and physical function. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of the coexistence of sarcopenia and osteoarthritis on patients’ rehabilitation and symptoms, such as pain, after total knee arthroplasty, compared with patients with osteoarthritis without sarcopenia. Methodology: This cross-sectional study material consisted of 20 patients with osteoarthritis, who were hospitalized at Papageorgiou Hospital of Thessaloniki for total knee arthroplasty from November 2021 to April 2022. The patients were evaluated for sarcopenia according to the FNIH criteria. The two groups were asked to complete the KOOS score questionnaire in order to evaluate the condition of their knee in two phases, before surgery and 3 months after surgery. Results: The two groups, 5 sarcopenic patients and 15 non-sarcopenic, did not show a statistically significant difference in muscle strength measurements. However, the lean mass indices, ALM (15.18 ± 3.98 versus 19.96 ± 3.65, respectively; p = 0.023) and ALM/height2 (5.53 ± 1.40 versus 6.98 ± 0.75, respectively; p = 0.007) had significant differences, since the sarcopenic group showed a reduced lean mass, especially in patients with a comorbidity of cancer. Sarcopenic patients showed a smaller increase in KOOS score compared to non-sarcopenic patients before (0.38 ± 0.09 vs. 0.35 ± 0.09, respectively; p = 0.312) and after surgery (0.54 ± 0.08 vs. 0.59 ± 0.10, respectively; p = 0.909), but without a statistically significant difference. The score increased for both groups, with the time factor playing a greater role than the group. Conclusions: Both the sarcopenic group and the control group did not show significant differences in their scores for the assessment of the affected limb in any of the two phases while completing the questionnaire. However, there was an improvement in their osteoarthritis symptoms before and after arthroplasty in both groups. Further research with a larger sample and longer recovery time is needed to draw more accurate conclusions and confirm the present results.
GEM-Gate: A Low-Cost, Flexible Approach to BioBrick Assembly
Authors: Bower Chloe , Harbin Christina , Camenares Devin
Published: February 2023

Rapid and modular assembly of DNA parts is crucial to many synthetic biologists. This can be achieved through Golden Gate assembly, which often requires purchase and delivery of new primers for each part and assembly configuration. Here, we report on a small set of primers that can be used to amplify any DNA from the Registry of Standard Biological Parts for Golden Gate assembly. These primers bind to regions common to the backbone plasmid for these parts, but pair imperfectly and introduce type IIS restriction enzyme sites in a way that minimizes assembly scars. This approach makes redesign of assembly strategies faster and less expensive and can help expand access to synthetic biology to a wider group of scientists and students.
Factored Multi-Agent Soft Actor-Critic for Cooperative Multi-Target Tracking of UAV Swarms
Authors: Yue Longfei , Yang Rennong , Zuo Jialiang , Yan Mengda , Zhao Xiaoru , Lv Maolong
Published: February 2023

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the multi-target tracking (MTT) of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarms. Most existing MTT approaches rely on the ideal assumption of a pre-set target trajectory. However, in practice, the trajectory of a moving target cannot be known by the UAV in advance, which poses a great challenge for realizing real-time tracking. Meanwhile, state-of-the-art multi-agent value-based methods have achieved significant progress for cooperative tasks. In contrast, multi-agent actor-critic (MAAC) methods face high variance and credit assignment issues. To address the aforementioned issues, this paper proposes a learning-based factored multi-agent soft actor-critic (FMASAC) scheme under the maximum entropy framework, where the UAV swarm is able to learn cooperative MTT in an unknown environment. This method introduces the idea of value decomposition into the MAAC setting to reduce the variance in policy updates and learn efficient credit assignment. Moreover, to further increase the detection tracking coverage of a UAV swarm, a spatial entropy reward (SER), inspired by the spatial entropy concept, is proposed in this scheme. Experiments demonstrated that the FMASAC can significantly improve the cooperative MTT performance of a UAV swarm, and it outperforms existing baselines in terms of the mean reward and tracking success rates. Additionally, the proposed scheme scales more successfully as the number of UAVs and targets increases.
A Method for Forest Canopy Height Inversion Based on UAVSAR and Fourier–Legendre Polynomial—Performance in Different Forest Types
Authors: Luo Hongbin , Yue Cairong , Yuan Hua , Wang Ning , Chen Si
Published: February 2023

Mapping forest canopy height at large regional scales is of great importance for the global carbon cycle. Polarized interferometric synthetic aperture radar is an efficient and irreplaceable remote sensing tool. Developing an efficient and accurate method for forest canopy height estimation is an important issue that needs to be addressed urgently. In this paper, we propose a novel four-stage forest height inversion method based on a Fourier–Legendre polynomial (FLP) with reference to the RVoG three-stage method, using the multi-baseline UAVSAR data from the AfriSAR project as the data source. The third-order FLP is used as the vertical structure function, and a small amount of ground phase and LiDAR canopy height is used as the input to solve and fix the FLP coefficients to replace the exponential function in the RVoG three-stage method. The performance of this method was tested in different forest types (mangrove and inland tropical forests). The results show that: (1) in mangroves with homogeneous forest structure, the accuracy based on the four-stage FLP method is better than that of the RVoG three-stage method. For the four-stage FLP method, R2 is 0.82, RMSE is 6.42 m and BIAS is 0.92 m, while the R2 of the RVoG three-stage method is 0.77, RMSE is 7.33 m, and bias is −3.49 m. In inland tropical forests with complex forest structure, the inversion accuracy based on the four-stage FLP method is lower than that of the RVoG three-stage method. The R2 is 0.50, RMSE is 11.54 m, and BIAS is 6.53 m for the four-stage FLP method; the R2 of the RVoG three-stage method is 0.72, RMSE is 8.68 m, and BIAS is 1.67 m. (2) Compared to the RVoG three-stage method, the efficiency of the four-stage FLP method is improved by about tenfold, with the reduction of model parameters. The inversion time of the FLP method in a mangrove forest is 3 min, and that of the RVoG three-stage method is 33 min. In an inland tropical forest, the inversion time of the FLP method is 2.25 min, and that of the RVoG three-stage method is 21 min. With the application of large regional scale data in the future, the method proposed in this study is more efficient when conditions allow.
An Empirical Survey on Explainable AI Technologies: Recent Trends, Use-Cases, and Categories from Technical and Application Perspectives
Authors: Nagahisarchoghaei Mohammad , Nur Nasheen , Cummins Logan , Nur Nashtarin , Karimi Mirhossein Mousavi , Nandanwar Shreya , Bhattacharyya Siddhartha , Rahimi Shahram
Published: February 2023

In a wide range of industries and academic fields, artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly prevalent. AI models are taking on more crucial decision-making tasks as they grow in popularity and performance. Although AI models, particularly machine learning models, are successful in research, they have numerous limitations and drawbacks in practice. Furthermore, due to the lack of transparency behind their behavior, users need more understanding of how these models make specific decisions, especially in complex state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms. Complex machine learning systems utilize less transparent algorithms, thereby exacerbating the problem. This survey analyzes the significance and evolution of explainable AI (XAI) research across various domains and applications. Throughout this study, a rich repository of explainability classifications and summaries has been developed, along with their applications and practical use cases. We believe this study will make it easier for researchers to understand all explainability methods and access their applications simultaneously.
A Tensor-Based Approach to Blind Despreading of Long-Code Multiuser DSSS Signals
Authors: Li Liangliang , Liang Tao , Zhang Huaguo , Du Songmao , Gao Lin
Published: February 2023

In this paper, a tensor-based approach to blind despreading of long-code multiuser DSSS signals is proposed. We aim to generalize the tensor-based methods originally developed for blind separation of short-code multiuser DSSS signals to long-code cases. Firstly, we model the intercepted long-code multiuser DSSS signals with an antenna-array receiver as a three-order tensor with missing values, and then, the blind separation problem can be formulated as a canonical or parallel factor (CANDECOMP/PARAFAC) decomposition problem of the missing-data tensor, which can be solved using optimum methods. Secondly, a constrained Cramér–Rao Bound (CRB) is also derived to provide a performance benchmark for the proposed approach. Simulation results verify the feasibility of our proposed approach in the case of low signal-to-noise (SNR) conditions.
Study on Optimization of Copper to Aluminum for Locomotive Finned Tube Radiator
Authors: Guan Ying , Cui Hongjiang , Fei Jiyou
Published: February 2023

The influence of the improvement of the finned tube radiator unit structure on the fluid flow and heat transfer effect of the locomotive was studied. A saw-toothed fin structure with aluminum instead of copper was proposed to keep the position and size of the flat copper hot water pipe unchanged. CFD simulation analysis was carried out by ICEPAK17.0, under the conditions of an ambient temperature of 24.6 °C, atmospheric pressure of 85,040 Pa and air density ρ = 0.94 kg/m3, to compare the changes of velocity field, temperature field, turbulence field and field synergy angle. The sawtooth structure of the new heat sink increases the turbulence effect of the fluid, reduces the thickness of the outer boundary layer of the water pipe, and strengthens the heat transfer effect of the radiator. Finally, the baffle height, wing window width and sawtooth angle of the sawtooth structure were selected, and the heat transfer coefficient and pressure under three conditions of low, medium and high were used as indexes to analyze the influence of each parameter on the performance of the radiator. The results show that the heat dissipation effect of the serrated aluminum sheet is higher than that of the copper sheet, the heat transfer coefficient is increased by about 1.3%, the average pressure is reduced, the turbulence performance is improved, the synergy angle is reduced by about 2.3°, and the new radiator has better performance. The fin factor has the greatest influence on the heat transfer coefficient and the least influence on the pressure. When the baffle is about 0.15 mm high, the heat transfer coefficient is the largest, and the height change has the highest effect on the pressure. The included Angle factor has the least influence on the heat transfer effect, and the influence on the pressure is higher. By changing the fin window structure, the thermal performance of the finned tube radiator can be improved.
State of Charge Estimation of Lithium Battery Based on Integrated Kalman Filter Framework and Machine Learning Algorithm
Authors: Yuan Hongyuan , Liu Jingan , Zhou Yu , Pei Hailong
Published: February 2023

Research on batteries’ State of Charge (SOC) estimation for equivalent circuit models based on the Kalman Filter (KF) framework and machine learning algorithms remains relatively limited. Most studies are focused on a few machine learning algorithms and do not present comprehensive analysis and comparison. Furthermore, most of them focus on obtaining the state space parameters of the Kalman filter frame algorithm models using machine learning algorithms and then substituting the state space parameters into the Kalman filter frame algorithm to estimate the SOC. Such algorithms are highly coupled, and present high complexity and low practicability. This study aims to integrate machine learning with the Kalman filter frame algorithm, and to estimate the final SOC by using different combinations of the input, output, and intermediate variable values of five Kalman filter frame algorithms as the input of the machine learning algorithms of six main streams. These are: linear regression, support vector Regression, XGBoost, AdaBoost, random forest, and LSTM; the algorithm coupling is lower for two-way parameter adjustment and is not applied between the machine learning and Kalman filtering framework algorithms. The results demonstrate that the integrated learning algorithm significantly improves the estimation accuracy when compared to the pure Kalman filter framework or the machine learning algorithms. Among the various integrated algorithms, the random forest and Kalman filter framework presents the highest estimation accuracy along with good real-time performance. Therefore, it can be implemented in various engineering applications.
Methodology Presentation for the Configuration Optimization of Hybrid Electrical Energy Systems
Authors: Žigman Dubravko , Tomiša Tomislav , Osman Krešimir
Published: February 2023

The paper presents the methodology that should be used to optimize hybrid power system configurations, i.e., the chosen microgrid scenario. The methodology was developed with the aim of evaluating the different production capacities of a system and comparing them with alternative connections to the main grid. It has a step-by-step structure and includes part of the steps performed by simulations in a computer program. It provides us with not only a basic but also a representative idea of an actual microgrid configuration, which is further used as support in the system’s design. An algorithm has been developed to check the energy flows and correct the selling price. The program HOMER Pro is used as the program support in performing the hybrid optimization simulation. In the analysis, it was found that the maximum share of generation from renewable energy sources in relation to the power grid is 143%, while the share of renewable energy sources in the generated energy is 65.3%. Greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by 40.75% compared to energy generated only from the power grid. In the optimization process, four configurations of the microgrid model with 990 solutions were taken, all of which are feasible.
Model Predictive Control—A Stand Out among Competitors for Fed-Batch Fermentation Improvement
Authors: Bolmanis Emils , Dubencovs Konstantins , Suleiko Arturs , Vanags Juris
Published: February 2023

The fed-batch cultivation is in many ways a benchmark for fermentation processes, and it has been an attractive choice for the biotechnological production of various products in the past decades. The majority of biopharmaceuticals that are presently undergoing clinical trials or are available on the market are manufactured through fed-batch fermentations. A crucial process parameter in fed-batch cultivations is the substrate feed rate, which directly influences the overall process productivity, product quality and process repeatability; henceforth, effective control of this parameter is imperative for a successful fed-batch fermentation process. Two distinct control strategies can be distinguished—open-loop and closed-loop (feedback) control. Each of these methods has its own set of benefits, limitations and suitability for specific bioprocesses. This article surveys and compares the most popular open- and closed-loop methods for substrate feed rate control in fed-batch fermentations. Emphasis is placed on model-predictive feed rate control (MPC)—a stand out among other methods that offers a promising application perspective. The authors also demonstrate a practical example of the implementation of a robust, flexible MPC solution that is suitable for various cultures and runs on standard computer hardware, thus overcoming one of the main reported MPC drawbacks—high computational requirements.
Application of Transformed Cross-Section Method for Analytical Analysis of Laminated Veneer Lumber Beams Strengthened with Composite Materials
Authors: Bakalarz Michał Marcin , Kossakowski Paweł Grzegorz
Published: February 2023

Due to the high cost of laboratory testing, many researchers are considering developing methods to predict the behavior of unreinforced and reinforced wood beams. This work aims to create either numerical or analytical models useful for extrapolating already conducted tests to other schemes/materials used as reinforcement. In the case of timber structures, due to the complexity of timber, this task is difficult. The first part of the article presents an analysis of the suitability of using a simplified mathematical model based on the equivalent cross-section method to describe the behavior of unreinforced and reinforced with carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite full-size laminated veneer lumber (LVL) beams. The theoretical results were compared with the results of conducted experimental tests. The scope of the analysis includes the estimation of modulus of rupture, bending stiffness, and determination of the neutral axis position. The equivalent cross-section method showed good agreement in determining the bending stiffness and neutral axis position of the strengthened sections. However, the suitability of using the equivalent cross-section method to estimate the load-carrying capacity of a cross-section reinforced with fiber composites still needs to be confirmed, which, according to the authors, is due to the differences between the assumed (linear) and actual (nonlinear) strain distribution in the compression zone. The second part uses the equivalent cross-section method to estimate the predicted bending stiffness of LVL beams strengthened with aramid-fibre-reinforced polymer (AFRP), glass-fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP), and ultra-high modulus carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP UHM) sheets. The proposed method can be used for preliminary evaluation of strengthening effectiveness of LVL beams.
Effect of Interlayer Materials on Fire Performance of Laminated Glass Used in High-Rise Building: Cone Calorimeter Testing
Authors: Hassan Md Kamrul , Hasnat Md Rayhan , Loh Kai Png , Hossain Md Delwar , Rahnamayiezekavat Payam , Douglas Grahame , Saha Swapan
Published: February 2023

Laminated glass is prominently used nowadays as building construction material in the façade and architectural glazing of high-rise buildings. On the other hand, the fire safety of the high-rise building with laminated glass is also receiving more attention from the fire safety regulatory authorities and researchers due to recent fire incidents. Different interlayer polymeric materials are used in modern laminated glass to prevent the breakage of the glass façade, which can also increase the fire risk through a lower ignition time, and higher heat release and smoke production. Therefore, further research is required to understand the fire behaviour of laminated glass. In this study, the fire performance of the laminated glass has been investigated using cone calorimeter testing and the effect of different parameters such as glass thickness (6, 10, 12 mm), interlayer materials (PVB, SGP and EVA) and heat flux (25, 50 and 75 kW/m2) on the fire behaviour of laminated glass has been studied. It is found that the glass thickness, interlayer material and heat flux can significantly influence the reaction-to-fire properties such as peak heat release rate (pHRR), total heat release, time to ignition, and smoke production of laminated glass. In addition, total smoke production (TSP) is also very high for PVB (3.146 m2) and SGP (3.898 m2) laminated glass compared to EVA (0.401 m2) laminated glass and it is affected by these parameters. Finally, a simplified equation is developed to predict the pHRR of laminated glass by correlating the mass loss and external heat flux.
Recombinant Gonadotropins to Induce Oocyte Development In Vitro and In Vivo in the European Eel Anguilla anguilla
Authors: Jéhannet Pauline , Palstra Arjan P. , Giménez Nebot Ignacio , Schipper Henk , Swinkels William , Heinsbroek Leon T. N. , Komen Hans
Published: February 2023

Commonly, female European eels are injected weekly with pituitary extract (PE) from carp (CPE) or salmon (SPE) to induce sexual maturation. However, a PE is a mixture of gonadotropins and other hormones that are not specific for eel and rapidly cleared from circulation. The aim of this study was therefore to test the effects of highly stable eel-specific recombinant gonadotropins (rGTHs) on oocyte development in vitro and in vivo in European eels. For the in vitro trial, the dose–effect responses of maturing eel oocytes on CPE and recombinant luteinizing hormone (rLH) were studied before and after 12 and 18 h of incubation. For the in vivo experiment, sexual maturation was stimulated by treatment with (i) CPE, (ii) recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) followed by CPE and (iii) rFSH followed by rLH. For the in vitro experiment, the expression of the nuclear progestin receptor 2 (pgr2) was induced by rLH, implying that rLH was preparing the oocyte for ovulation. For the in vivo experiment, the females treated with rGTHs had high gonadosomatic index (GSI) values (rFSH-CPE: 75, 77; rFSH-rLH: 80) in comparison with the females injected with CPE (50–60), suggesting that rFSH strongly induced vitellogenic growth. Larvae were produced for all treatment groups and for the first time by rGTH treatment alone but dose and timing still need optimization.
Effect of Mixing Time on Properties of Whole Wheat Flour-Based Cookie Doughs and Cookies
Authors: Dhal Somali , Anis Arfat , Shaikh Hamid M , Alhamidi Abdullah , Pal Kunal
Published: February 2023

This study investigated if whole wheat flour-based cookie dough’s physical properties were affected by mixing time (1 to 10 min). The cookie dough quality was assessed using texture (spreadability and stress relaxation), moisture content, and impedance analysis. The distributed components were better organized in dough mixed for 3 min when compared with the other times. The segmentation analysis of the dough micrographs suggested that higher mixing time resulted in the formation of water agglomeration. The infrared spectrum of the samples was analyzed based on the water populations, amide I region, and starch crystallinity. The analysis of the amide I region (1700–1600 cm−1) suggested that β-turns and β-sheets were the dominating protein secondary structures in the dough matrix. Conversely, most samples’ secondary structures (α-helices and random coil) were negligible or absent. MT3 dough exhibited the lowest impedance in the impedance tests. Test baking of the cookies from doughs mixed at different times was performed. There was no discernible change in appearance due to the change in the mixing time. Surface cracking was noticeable on all cookies, a trait often associated with cookies made with wheat flour that contributed to the impression of an uneven surface. There was not much variation in cookie size attributes. Cookies ranged in moisture content from 11 to 13.5%. MT5 (mixing time of 5 min) cookies demonstrated the strongest hydrogen bonding. Overall, it was observed that the cookies hardened as mixing time rose. The texture attributes of the MT5 cookies were more reproducible than the other cookie samples. In summary, it can be concluded that the whole wheat flour cookies prepared with a creaming time and mixing time of 5 min each resulted in good quality cookies. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of mixing time on the physical and structural properties of the dough and, eventually, its impact on the baked product.
Composition of Nuts and Their Potential Health Benefits—An Overview
Authors: Gonçalves Berta , Pinto Teresa , Aires Alfredo , Morais Maria Cristina , Bacelar Eunice , Anjos Rosário , Ferreira-Cardoso Jorge , Oliveira Ivo , Vilela Alice , Cosme Fernanda
Published: February 2023

The possibility that nut intake may defend human health is an interesting point of view and has been investigated worldwide. Consequently, nuts are commonly promoted as healthy. In recent decades, the number of investigations proposing a correlation between nut consumption and a decrease in the risk of key chronic diseases has continued to increase. Nuts are a source of intake of fiber, and dietary fiber is associated with a reduced occurrence of obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Nuts likewise provide minerals and vitamins to the diet and supply phytochemicals that function as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and phytoestrogens agents and other protective mechanisms. Therefore, the main goal of this overview is to summarize current information and to describe the utmost new investigation concerning the health benefits of certain nuts.
An Innovative Mei-Gin Formula Exerts Anti-Adipogenic and Anti-Obesity Effects in 3T3-L1 Adipocyte and High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats
Authors: Cheng Hsin-Lin , Chang Wei-Tang , Lin Jiun-Ling , Cheng Ming-Ching , Huang Shih-Chien , Chen Shiuan-Chih , Wong Yue-Ching , Hsu Chin-Lin
Published: February 2023

Background: To investigate the potential anti-obesity properties of an innovative functional formula (called the Mei-Gin formula: MGF) consisting of bainiku-ekisu, Prunus mume (70% ethanol extract), black garlic (water extract), and Mesona procumbens Hemsl. (40% ethanol extract) for reducing lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in vitro and obese rats in vivo. Material and Methods: The prevention and regression of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity by the intervention of Japan Mei-Gin, MGF-3 and -7, and positive health supplement powder were investigated in male Wistar rats. The anti-obesity effects of MGF-3 and -7 in rats with HFD-induced obesity were examined by analyzing the role of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue in the development of obesity. Results: The results indicated that MGF-1-7 significantly suppressed lipid accumulation and cell differentiation through the down-regulation of GPDH activity, as a key regulator in the synthesis of triglycerides. Additionally, MGF-3 and MGF-7 exhibited a greater inhibitory effect on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The high-fat diet increased body weight, liver weight, and total body fat (visceral and subcutaneous fat) in obese rats, while these alterations were effectively improved by the administration of MGF-3 and -7, especially MGF-7. Conclusion: This study highlights the role of the Mei-Gin formula, particularly MGF-7, in anti-obesity action, which has the potential to be used as a therapeutic agent for the prevention or treatment of obesity.
Impact of Baking Powder and Leavening Acids on Batter and Pound Cake Properties
Authors: Asamoah Eugenia Ayebea , Le-Bail Alain , Oge Anthony , Queveau Delphine , Rouaud Olivier , Le-Bail Patricia
Published: February 2023

In most soft wheat products such as cakes, baking powder (BP) plays an important role in achieving the desired product volume through batter aeration by the release of CO2 during baking. However, the optimization of a blend of constituents in BP is minimally documented, especially the selection of acids, which is often supported by the suppliers based on their experience. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of two sodium acid pyrophosphate leavening acids (SAPP10 and SAPP40) at different levels in BP on final pound cake properties. A central composite design of the response surface methodology (RSM) was used to design the blend ratio of SAPP with different amounts of BP to investigate some selected cake parameters such as specific volume and conformation. Results showed that increasing the BP level significantly increased the batter specific volume and porosity but dropped as BP approached maximum (4.52%). The batter pH was influenced by SAPP type; SAPP40 presented a relatively sufficient neutralization of the leaving system as compared to SAPP10. Furthermore, lower BP levels resulted in cakes with large air cells, which presented a non-homogeneous crumb grain. This study therefore highlights the need to identify the optimum amount of BP to attain the desired product qualities.
Congenital Gastrointestinal Anomalies in Europe 2010–2019: A Geo-Spatiotemporal and Causal Inferential Study of Epidemiological Patterns in Relationship to Cannabis- and Substance Exposure
Authors: Reece Albert Stuart , Hulse Gary Kenneth
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Congenital anomalies (CA’s) of most of the gastrointestinal tract have been linked causally with prenatal or community cannabis exposure. Therefore, we studied this relationship in Europe. Methods: CA data were from Eurocat. Drug-use data were sourced from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Income data were taken from the World Bank. Results: When countries with increasing rates of daily cannabis use were compared with those which were not, the overall rate of gastrointestinal CA’s (GCA’s) was higher in the former group (p = 0.0032). The five anomalies which were related to the metrics of cannabis exposure on bivariate analysis were bile duct atresia, Hirschsprungs, digestive disorders, annular pancreas and anorectal stenosis or atresia. The following sequence of GCA’s was significantly linked with cannabis metrics at inverse-probability-weighted-panel modelling, as indicated: esophageal stenosis or atresia, bile duct atresia, small intestinal stenosis or atresia, anorectal stenosis or atresia, Hirschsprungs disease: p = 1.83 × 10−5, 0.0046, 3.55 × 10−12, 7.35 × 10−6 and 2.00 × 10−12, respectively. When this GCA series was considered in geospatial modelling, the GCA’s were significantly cannabis-related from p = 0.0003, N.S., 0.0086, 6.652 × 10−5, 0.0002, 71.4% of 35 E-value estimates and 54.3% minimum E-values (mEVv’s) > 9 (high zone) and 100% and 97.1% > 1.25 (causality threshold). The order of cannabis sensitivity by median mEVv was Hirschsprungs > esophageal atresia > small intestinal atresia > anorectal atresia > bile duct atresia. Conclusions: Seven of eight GCA’s were related to cannabis exposure and fulfilled the quantitative criteria for epidemiologically causal relationships. Penetration of cannabinoids into the community should be carefully scrutinized and controlled to protect against exponential and multigenerational genotoxicity ensuing from multiple cannabinoids.
Bioprinted Schwann and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Co-Cultures for Enhanced Spatial Control of Neurite Outgrowth
Authors: Alakpa Enateri V. , Bahrd Anton , Wiklund Krister , Andersson Magnus , Novikov Lev N. , Ljungberg Christina , Kelk Peyman
Published: February 2023

Bioprinting nerve conduits supplemented with glial or stem cells is a promising approach to promote axonal regeneration in the injured nervous system. In this study, we examined the effects of different compositions of bioprinted fibrin hydrogels supplemented with Schwann cells and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on cell viability, production of neurotrophic factors, and neurite outgrowth from adult sensory neurons. To reduce cell damage during bioprinting, we analyzed and optimized the shear stress magnitude and exposure time. The results demonstrated that fibrin hydrogel made from 9 mg/mL of fibrinogen and 50IE/mL of thrombin maintained the gel’s highest stability and cell viability. Gene transcription levels for neurotrophic factors were significantly higher in cultures containing Schwann cells. However, the amount of the secreted neurotrophic factors was similar in all co-cultures with the different ratios of Schwann cells and MSCs. By testing various co-culture combinations, we found that the number of Schwann cells can feasibly be reduced by half and still stimulate guided neurite outgrowth in a 3D-printed fibrin matrix. This study demonstrates that bioprinting can be used to develop nerve conduits with optimized cell compositions to guide axonal regeneration.
Application of Forensic DNA Phenotyping for Prediction of Eye, Hair and Skin Colour in Highly Decomposed Bodies
Authors: Fabbri Matteo , Alfieri Letizia , Mazdai Leila , Frisoni Paolo , Gaudio Rosa Maria , Neri Margherita
Published: February 2023

In the last few years, predicting externally visible characteristics (EVCs) by adopting informative DNA molecular markers has become a method in forensic genetics that has increased its value, giving rise to an interesting field called “Forensic DNA Phenotyping” (FDP). The most meaningful forensic applications of EVCs prediction are those in which, having only a DNA sample isolated from highly decomposed remains, it is essential to reconstruct the physical appearance of a person. Through this approach, we set out to evaluate 20 skeletal remains of Italian provenance in order to associate them with as many cases of missing persons as possible. To achieve the intended goal, in this work we applied the HIrisPlex-S multiplex system through the conventional short tandem repeats (STR) method to confirm the expected identity of subjects by evaluating phenotypic features. To investigate the reliability and accuracy of the DNA-based EVCs prediction, pictures of the cases were compared as they were available to researchers. Results showed an overall prediction accuracy greater than 90% for all three phenotypic features—iris, hair, and skin colour—at a probability threshold of 0.7. The experimental analysis showed inconclusive results in only two cases; this is probably due to the characteristics of subjects who had an intermediate eye and hair colour, for which the DNA-based system needs to improve the prediction accuracy.
Awareness of Human Papillomavirus among Male and Female University Students in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Aldawood Esraa , Alzamil Lama , Faqih Layla , Dabbagh Deemah , Alharbi Sarah , Hafiz Taghreed A. , Alshurafa Hassan H. , Altukhais Wajd F. , Dabbagh Rufaidah
Published: February 2023

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection globally. Investigating HPV awareness can reduce the burden of HPV-related cancers. Aims: (1) Assessing HPV awareness and knowledge among health college students at King Saud University, (2) comparing these outcomes across sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted from November to December 2022 and included 403 health college students. Associations of HPV awareness and knowledge with sociodemographic characteristics were assessed using logistic regression analysis and linear regression analysis, respectively. Results: Only 60% of students were aware of HPV, with awareness higher among females, although their knowledge scores were comparable to males. The odds of awareness of HPV were greater among medical students compared to other colleges and among students belonging to older age groups compared to the younger age group (18–20). The odds of HPV awareness among hepatitis B vaccinated students were 2.10 times that among unvaccinated students (AOR = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.21, 3.64). Conclusions: The low level of HPV awareness among college students warrants the need for HPV educational campaigns to improve HPV awareness and to promote HPV vaccination in the community.
Long-Term Evolution of Activities of Daily Life (ADLs) in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients, a Case Series
Authors: Ceruti Samuele , Glotta Andrea , Biggiogero Maira , Marzano Martino , Bona Giovanni , Previsdomini Marco , Saporito Andrea , Capdevila Xavier
Published: February 2023

Background: The most common long-term symptoms of critically ill COVID-19 patients are fatigue, dyspnea and mental confusion. Adequate monitoring of long-term morbidity, mainly analyzing the activities of daily life (ADLs), allows better patient management after hospital discharge. The aim was to report long-term ADL evolution in critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to a COVID-19 center in Lugano (Switzerland). Methods: A retrospective analysis on consecutive patients discharged alive from ICU with COVID-19 ARDS was performed based on a follow-up one year after hospital discharge; ADLs were assessed through the Barthel index (BI) and the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scale. The primary objective was to assess differences in ADLs at hospital discharge (acute ADLs) and one-year follow-up (chronic ADLs). The secondary objective was to explore any correlations between ADLs and multiple measures at admission and during the ICU stay. Results: A total of 38 consecutive patients were admitted to the ICU; a t-test analysis between acute and chronic ADLs through BI showed a significant improvement at one year post discharge (t = −5.211, p < 0.0001); similarly, every single task of BI showed the same results (p < 0.0001 for each task of BI). The mean KPS was 86.47 (SD 20.9) at hospital discharge and 99.6 at 1 year post discharge (p = 0.02). Thirteen (34%) patients deceased during the first 28 days in the ICU; no patient died after hospital discharge. Conclusions: Based on BI and KPS, patients reached complete functional recovery of ADLs one year after critical COVID-19.
Rapid Genetic Assessment of Carrot Varieties Based on AFLP Analysis
Authors: Domblides Arthur , Domblides Elena
Published: February 2023

It is necessary to regard the biodiversity of carrot as a genetic source of useful and indispensable components for the human diet. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were used to discriminate eight carrot genotypes with different root colors. With the combination of enzymes Tru9I, PstI, and three sets of primer pairs corresponding to adapters joint to the restricted sites, 92 loci were produced, including 60 polymorphic ones. Each of the three primer sets showed high efficiency, according to estimations of PIC (0.34, 0.34, and 0.41), D (0.36, 0.67, and 0.67), Rp (5.5, 11.3, and 15), and HE (0.32, 0.49, and 0.49). The genetic distances were calculated using values of Nei’s coefficient. The most genetically similar were Chantenay Coeur Rouge and Colmar a Coeur Rouge at a distance of 0.12, whereas the most distant were Saint Valery and Purple Dragon at the highest distance of 0.34. Confirming its genetic identity, Purple Dragon and Gelber Goliath with purple and yellow roots were the most detached varieties from others at distances of 0.23–0.34 and 0.23–0.28, respectively. Male sterile Berlicum breeding accessions were well distinct from other orange-colored varieties at the highest distance of 0.30 from Deep Purple F1. Slight modifications including the facilitation of gel staining enables the wide use of the AFLP method for genetic diversity assessment in carrot breeding accessions.
Becoming a Paralympic Champion—Analysis of the Morpho-Functional Abilities of a Disabled Female Athlete in Cross-Country Skiing over a 10-Year Period
Authors: Gawroński Wojciech
Published: February 2023

Changing medical classification into the functional one in disabled cross-country skiing means that the athlete’s predispositions and performance abilities most of all determine the final result in cross-country skiing. Thus, exercise tests have become an indispensable element of the training process. The subject of this study is to present a rare analysis of morpho-functional abilities in relation to the implementation of training workloads during the training preparation for a Paralympic champion in cross-country skiing when she was close to her maximal achievements. The study was performed to investigate abilities evaluated during laboratory tests and how they relate to performance outcomes during major tournaments. An exercise test to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer was performed three times a year on a cross-country disabled female skier over a 10-year period. The morpho-functional level which enabled the athlete to compete for gold medals in the Paralympic Games (PG) is best reflected in the results obtained by her in the tests in the period of direct preparation for the PG and confirms optimal training workloads in this time. The study showed, that the VO2max level is presently the most important determinant of physical performance achieved by the examined athlete with physical disabilities. The aim of this paper is to present the level of exercise capacity of the Paralympic champion based on the analysis of the results of the tests in relation to the implementation of training workloads.