bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Listening Inventory for Education-Revised in Italian
Authors: Nicastri Maria , Dincer D’Alessandro Hilal , Anderson Karen , Ciferri Miriana , Cavalcanti Luca , Greco Antonio , Giallini Ilaria , Portanova Ginevra , Mancini Patrizia
Published: September 2024

Background: Listening difficulties may frequently occur in school settings, but so far there were no tools to identify them for both hearing and hearing-impaired Italian students. This study performed cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Listening Inventory for Education-Revised for Italian students (LIFE-R-ITA). Methods: The study procedure followed the stages suggested by the Guidelines for the Process of Cross-cultural Adaptation of Self-Report Measures. For the content validation, six cochlear implanted students (8–18 years old) pre-tested the initial version. Whenever any situation did not occur in Italy, the item was adapted to more typical listening situations in Italy. The final version of LIFE-R-ITA was administered to a sample of 223 hearing students from different school settings and educational degrees in order to collect normative data. Results: For the LIFE-R-ITA, hearing students showed an average score of 72.26% (SD = 11.93), reflecting some listening difficulties. The subscales (LIFE total, LIFE class, and LIFE social) indicated good internal consistency. All items were shown to be relevant. Most challenging situations happened when listening in large rooms, especially when other students made noise. LIFE social scores were significantly worse than those of LIFE class (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The present study provides cross-cultural adaptation and validation for the LIFE-R-ITA along with the normative data useful to interpret the results of students with hearing loss. The LIFE-R-ITA may support teachers and clinicians in assessing students’ self-perception of listening at school. Such understanding may help students overcome their listening difficulties, by planning and selecting the most effective strategies among classroom interventions.
Robust State Feedback Control with D-Admissible Assurance for Uncertain Discrete Singular Systems
Authors: Huang Chih-Peng
Published: September 2024

This study addresses the state feedback control associated with D-admissible assurance for discrete singular systems subjected to parameter uncertainties in both the difference term and system matrices. Firstly, a refined analysis criterion of D-admissible assurance is presented, where the distinct form embraces multiple slack matrices and has lessened linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) constraints, which may be beneficial for reducing the conservatism of admissibility analysis. In consequence, by hiring the state feedback control, controller design issues with pole locations, which directly dominate the system performance, are mainly treated. For all the presented criteria can be formulated by the strict LMIs, they are thus suitably solved via current LMI solvers to conduct a state feedback controller with specific poles’ locations of system’s performance requirements. Finally, two numerical examples illustrate that the presented results are efficient and practicable.
Necessary and Sufficient Criteria for a Four-Weight Weak-Type Maximal Inequality in the Orlicz Class
Authors: Zhang Erxin
Published: September 2024

Let Φi(i=1,2) be two N-functions, f be a μ-measurable function, and ωi(i=1,2,3,4) be four weight functions. This study presents necessary and sufficient conditions for weight functions (ω1,ω2,ω3,ω4) such that the inequality ∫{x:Mf(x)>λ}Φ1(λω1(x))ω2(x)dμ(x)≤c1∫XΦ2(c1|f(x)|ω3(x))ω4(x)dμ(x) holds, which extends several established results.
On Spacelike Hypersurfaces in Generalized Robertson–Walker Spacetimes
Authors: Alessa Norah , Guediri Mohammed
Published: September 2024

This paper investigates generalized Robertson–Walker (GRW) spacetimes by analyzing Riemannian hypersurfaces within pseudo-Riemannian warped product manifolds of the form (M¯,g¯), where M¯=R×fM and g¯=ϵdt2+f2(t)gM. We focus on the scalar curvature of these hypersurfaces, establishing upper and lower bounds, particularly in the case where (M¯,g¯) is an Einstein manifold. These bounds facilitate the characterization of slices in GRW spacetimes. In addition, we use the vector field ∂t and the so-called support function θ to derive generalized Minkowski-type integral formulas for compact Riemannian and spacelike hypersurfaces. These formulas are applied to establish, under certain conditions, results concerning the existence or non-existence of such compact hypersurfaces with scalar curvature, either bounded from above or below.
Mathematical Model for the Control of Red Palm Weevil
Authors: Alqahtani Zuhur , Almuneef Areej , El-Shahed Moustafa
Published: September 2024

The red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) is a highly destructive pest, causing severe damage to palm trees and significantly reducing their productivity. This paper aims to develop and analyze a mathematical model that captures the interactions between palm trees, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, and entomopathogenic nematodes as a means of integrated control. We identify the equilibrium points of the system and perform a stability analysis to assess the system’s behavior. Additionally, we design a linear quadratic regulator (LQR) to limit the spread of the red palm weevil within a locally linearized framework. The feedback control law, which is both straightforward and immediately implementable, is employed to avoid the need for complex cost calculations, thus simplifying the solution to the optimal control problem. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the proposed control strategy is effective in reducing the number of infected palm trees. The results indicate that increasing the population of entomopathogenic nematodes can significantly decrease the red palm weevil population, offering a promising approach to mitigating this pest’s impact.
Extension of Meir-Keeler-Khan (ψ − α) Type Contraction in Partial Metric Space
Authors: Singh Dimple , Goel Priya , Behl Ramandeep , Sarría Iñigo
Published: September 2024

In numerous scientific and engineering domains, fractional-order derivatives and integral operators are frequently used to represent many complex phenomena. They also have numerous practical applications in the area of fixed point iteration. In this article, we introduce the notion of generalized Meir-Keeler-Khan-Rational type (ψ−α)-contraction mapping and propose fixed point results in partial metric spaces. Our proposed results extend, unify, and generalize existing findings in the literature. In regards to applicability, we provide evidence for the existence of a solution for the fractional-order differential operator. In addition, the solution of the integral equation and its uniqueness are also discussed. Finally, we conclude that our results are superior and generalized as compared to the existing ones.
Craft Beer in Food Science: A Review and Conceptual Framework
Authors: Gobbi Laura , Stanković Marino , Ruggeri Marco , Savastano Marco
Published: September 2024

Craft beer represents a dynamic and creative segment within the food and beverage industry, emphasizing quality, aroma, health, sustainability, locality, and tailored brewing techniques. This paper explores the multifaceted roles of craft beer’s production and consumption growth dynamics. Both a bibliometric analysis and a systematic literature review were conducted on a sample of 239 scientific papers to provide an in-depth evaluation of the main characteristics and influences that craft beer has in the field of food science. Based on the identified roles of craft beer/breweries in the selected sample of literature, a conceptual framework was constructed to serve as a guideline for policymakers and different stakeholders. In this way, our findings enrich the existing literature and contribute to a better understanding of craft beer production and surroundings, which can be beneficial for promoting sustainable policies and innovative strategies for the growth of small/micro-producers and entrepreneurs in this niche market. Furthermore, this evidence can stimulate clear and ethical information to enhance consumers’ knowledge and agendas to strengthen the identity of local communities.
Comparison of Bioengineered Scaffolds for the Induction of Osteochondrogenic Differentiation of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells
Authors: Fiorelli Elena , Scioli Maria Giovanna , Terriaca Sonia , Ul Haq Arsalan , Storti Gabriele , Madaghiele Marta , Palumbo Valeria , Pashaj Ermal , De Matteis Fabio , Ribuffo Diego , Cervelli Valerio , Orlandi Augusto
Published: September 2024

Osteochondral lesions may be due to trauma or congenital conditions. In both cases, therapy is limited because of the difficulty of tissue repair. Tissue engineering is a promising approach that relies on designed scaffolds with variable mechanical attributes to favor cell attachment and differentiation. Human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) are a very promising cell source in regenerative medicine with osteochondrogenic potential. Based on the assumption that stiffness influences cell commitment, we investigated three different scaffolds: a semisynthetic animal-derived GelMA hydrogel, a combined scaffold made of rigid PEGDA coated with a thin GelMA layer and a decellularized plant-based scaffold. We investigated the role of different biomechanical stimulations in the scaffold-induced osteochondral differentiation of hASCs. We demonstrated that all scaffolds support cell viability and spontaneous osteochondral differentiation without any exogenous factors. In particular, we observed mainly osteogenic commitment in higher stiffness microenvironments, as in the plant-based one, whereas in a dense and softer matrix, such as in GelMA hydrogel or GelMA-coated-PEGDA scaffold, chondrogenesis prevailed. We can induce a specific cell commitment by combining hASCs and scaffolds with particular mechanical attributes. However, in vivo studies are needed to fully elucidate the regenerative process and to eventually suggest it as a potential approach for regenerative medicine.
Orbital Adipose Tissue: The Optimal Control for Back-Table Fluorescence Imaging of Orbital Tumors
Authors: Yao Lan , Zhang Wenhua , Wang Xuedong , Guo Lishuang , Liu Wenlu , Li Yueyue , Ma Rui , Hei Yan , Yang Xinji , Zhang Zeyu , Wu Wei
Published: September 2024

Control tissue is essential for ensuring the precision of semiquantitative analysis in back-table fluorescence imaging. However, there remains a lack of agreement on the appropriate selection of control tissues. To evaluate the back-table fluorescence imaging performance of different normal tissues and identify the optimal normal tissue, a cohort of 39 patients with orbital tumors were enrolled in the study. Prior to surgery, these patients received indocyanine green (ICG) and following resection, 43 normal control tissues (34 adipose tissues, 3 skin tissues, 3 periosteal tissues, and 3 muscle tissues) were examined using back-table fluorescence imaging. The skin tissue demonstrated significantly elevated fluorescence intensity in comparison to the diseased tissue, whereas the muscle tissue exhibited a broad range and standard deviation of fluorescence signal intensity. Conversely, the adipose and periosteum displayed weak fluorescence signals with a relatively consistent distribution. Additionally, no significant correlations were found between the signal-to-background ratio (SBR) of adipose tissue and patients’ ages, genders, weights, disease duration, tumor origins, dosing of administration of ICG infusion, and the time interval between ICG infusion and surgery. However, a positive correlation was observed between the SBR of adipose tissue and its size, with larger adipose tissues (>1 cm) showing an average SBR 27% higher than smaller adipose tissues (≤1 cm). In conclusion, the findings of this study demonstrated that adipose tissue consistently exhibited homogeneous hypofluorescence during back-table fluorescence imaging, regardless of patient clinical variables or imaging parameters. The size of the adipose tissue was identified as the primary factor influencing its fluorescence imaging characteristics, supporting its utility as an ideal control tissue for back-table fluorescence imaging.
Artifact Management for Cerebral Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Signals: A Systematic Scoping Review
Authors: Bergmann Tobias , Vakitbilir Nuray , Gomez Alwyn , Islam Abrar , Stein Kevin Y. , Sainbhi Amanjyot Singh , Froese Logan , Zeiler Frederick A.
Published: September 2024

Artifacts induced during patient monitoring are a main limitation for near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as a non-invasive method of cerebral hemodynamic monitoring. There currently does not exist a robust “gold-standard” method for artifact management for these signals. The objective of this review is to comprehensively examine the literature on existing artifact management methods for cerebral NIRS signals recorded in animals and humans. A search of five databases was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The search yielded 806 unique results. There were 19 articles from these results that were included in this review based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria. There were an additional 36 articles identified in the references of select articles that were also included. The methods outlined in these articles were grouped under two major categories: (1) motion and other disconnection artifact removal methods; (2) data quality improvement and physiological/other noise artifact filtering methods. These were sub-categorized by method type. It proved difficult to quantitatively compare the methods due to the heterogeneity of the effectiveness metrics and definitions of artifacts. The limitations evident in the existing literature justify the need for more comprehensive comparisons of artifact management. This review provides insights into the available methods for artifact management in cerebral NIRS and justification for a homogenous method to quantify the effectiveness of artifact management methods. This builds upon the work of two existing reviews that have been conducted on this topic; however, the scope is extended to all artifact types and all NIRS recording types. Future work by our lab in cerebral NIRS artifact management will lie in a layered artifact management method that will employ different techniques covered in this review (including dynamic thresholding, autoregressive-based methods, and wavelet-based methods) amongst others to remove varying artifact types.
Tailoring Plasmonic Nanoheaters Size for Enhanced Theranostic Agent Performance
Authors: Pedrosa Túlio de L. , de Oliveira Gabrielli M. F. , Pereira Arthur C. M. V. , Crispim Mariana J. B. da S. , da Silva Luzia A. , da Silva Marcilene S. , de Souza Ivone A. , Melo Ana M. M. de A. , Gomes Anderson S. L. , de Araujo Renato E.
Published: September 2024

The introduction of optimized nanoheaters, which function as theranostic agents integrating both diagnostic and therapeutic processes, holds significant promise in the medical field. Therefore, developing strategies for selecting and utilizing optimized plasmonic nanoheaters is crucial for the effective use of nanostructured biomedical agents. This work elucidates the use of the Joule number (Jo) as a figure of merit to identify high-performance plasmonic theranostic agents. A framework for optimizing metallic nanoparticles for heat generation was established, uncovering the size dependence of plasmonic nanoparticles optical heating. Gold nanospheres (AuNSs) with a diameter of 50 nm and gold nanorods (AuNRs) with dimensions of 41×10 nm were identified as effective nanoheaters for visible (530 nm) and infrared (808 nm) excitation. Notably, AuNRs achieve higher Jo values than AuNSs, even when accounting for the possible orientations of the nanorods. Theoretical results estimate that 41×10 nm gold nanorods have an average Joule number of 80, which is significantly higher compared to larger rods. The photothermal performance of optimal and suboptimal nanostructures was evaluated using photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy procedures. The photoacoustic images indicate that, despite having larger absorption cross-sections, the large nanoparticle volume of bigger particles leads to less efficient conversion of light into heat, which suggests that the use of optimized nanoparticles promotes higher contrast, benefiting photoacoustic-based procedures in diagnostic applications. The photothermal therapy procedure was performed on S180-bearing mice inoculated with 41×10 nm and 90×25 nm PEGylated AuNRs. Five minutes of laser irradiation of tumor tissue with 41×10 nm produced an approximately 9.5% greater temperature rise than using 90×25 AuNRs in the therapy trials. Optimizing metallic nanoparticles for heat generation may reduce the concentration of the nanoheaters used or decrease the light fluence for bioscience applications, paving the way for the development of more economical theranostic agents.
Pretreatment of Vine Shoot Biomass by Choline Chloride-Based Deep Eutectic Solvents to Promote Biomass Fractionation and Enhance Sugar Production
Authors: Cañadas Raquel , Duque Aleta , Bahíllo Alberto , Iglesias Raquel , Manzanares Paloma
Published: September 2024

Vine shoots hold promise as a biomass source for fermentable sugars with efficient fractionation and conversion processes. The study explores vine shoots as a biomass source for fermentable sugars through pretreatment with two deep eutectic solvents mixtures: choline chloride:lactic acid 1:5 (ChCl:LA) and choline chloride:ethylene glycol 1:2 (ChCl:EG). Pretreatment conditions, such as temperature/time, solid/liquid ratio, and biomass particle size, were studied. Chemical composition, recovery yields, delignification extent, and carbohydrate conversion were evaluated, including the influence of washing solvents. Temperature and particle size notably affected hemicellulose and lignin dissolution, especially with ChCl:LA. Pretreatment yielded enriched cellulose substrates, with high carbohydrate conversion rates up to 75.2% for cellulose and 99.9% for xylan with ChCl:LA, and 54.6% for cellulose and 60.2% for xylan with ChCl:EG. A 50% acetone/water mixture increased the delignification ratios to 31.5%. The results underscore the potential of this pretreatment for vine shoot fractionation, particularly at 30% solid load, while acknowledging the need for further process enhancement.
Intact FGF23 and Markers of Iron Homeostasis, Inflammation, and Bone Mineral Metabolism in Acute Pediatric Infections
Authors: Papastergiou Eleni , Rallis Dimitrios , Papagianni Afroditi , Cholevas Vasileios , Katzilakis Nikolaos , Siomou Ekaterini , Stiakaki Eftichia , Makis Alexandros
Published: September 2024

We intend to evaluate the association of intact Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (i-FGF23), a phosphaturic hormone that contributes to anemia of inflammation, with markers of iron homeostasis, inflammation, and bone mineral metabolism in acute pediatric infections. Seventy-nine children, aged 1 month–13 years, out of which forty-two were males and thirty-seven females, participated in this study. Children with diseases and nutrient deficiencies causing anemia were excluded. Twenty-six patients had bacterial infections, twenty-six had viral infections, and twenty-seven children served as healthy controls. Complete blood count, markers of inflammation, iron and mineral metabolism, serum hepcidin, and i-FGF23 were compared between the groups. Thirty-nine percent of patients with bacterial infection and twelve percent of patients with viral infection presented characteristics of anemia of inflammation (p < 0.001). Ninety-two percent of patients with bacterial infection and eighty-one percent of patients with viral infection had functional iron deficiency (p < 0.001). Hepcidin was significantly positively correlated with the duration of fever, markers of inflammation, and negatively with iron, mineral metabolism parameters, and i-FGF23. i-FGF23 was positively correlated with iron metabolism parameters and negatively with the duration of fever, markers of inflammation, and hepcidin. Hepcidin levels increase, whereas i-FGF23 levels decrease in acute pediatric infections. Further research is required to understand the role of FGF23 in the hepcidin–ferroportin axis and for hepcidin in the diagnosis of bacterial infections and mineral metabolism.
Development of DNA Markers for Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease Tolerance in Litopenaeus vannamei through a Genome-Wide Association Study
Authors: Whankaew Sukhuman , Suksri Phassorn , Sinprasertporn Ammara , Thawonsuwan Jumroensri , Sathapondecha Ponsit
Published: September 2024

Shrimp aquaculture is facing a serious disease, acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND), caused by Vibrio paraheamolyticus (VpAPHND). For sustainable shrimp aquaculture, massive losses of shrimp infected with VpAPHND must be prevented. Research and selection of shrimp tolerant to VpAPHND infection is a sustainable approach to reducing the risk of AHPND. This study focused on the identification and development of potential DNA markers associated with AHPND using DArT sequencing (DArTSeq) and a genome-wide association study. Three populations of post-larval Litopenaeus vannamei were immersed in VpAPHND to collect susceptible (D) and tolerant (S) samples. The 45 D and 48 S shrimp had their genotypes analyzed using DArTSeq. A total of 108,983 SNPs and 17,212 InDels were obtained from the DArTseq data, while the biallelic 516 SNPs and 2293 InDels were finally filtered with PIC < 0.1, MAF < 0.05, and a call rate ≥ 80%. The filtered variants were analyzed for their association with AHPND tolerance. Although there were no significantly associated SNPs and InDels above the Bonferroni correction threshold, candidate variants, four SNPs and 17 InDels corresponding to p < 0.01, were provided for further validation of the AHPND tolerance trait. The candidate SNPs are located on an exon of the zinc finger protein 239-like gene, an intron of an uncharacterized gene, and in intergenic regions. Most of the candidate InDels are in the intergenic regions, with fewer in the intronic and exonic regions. This study provides information on SNPs and InDels for white shrimp. These markers will support the variant database of shrimp and be useful in shrimp aquaculture for breeding selection.
Are Small Molecules Effective in Treating Inflammatory Pouch Disorders Following Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis for Ulcerative Colitis? Here Is Where We Stand
Authors: Gravina Antonietta Gerarda , Pellegrino Raffaele , Palladino Giovanna , Imperio Giuseppe , Calabrese Francesco , Pasta Andrea , Giannini Edoardo Giovanni , Federico Alessandro , Bodini Giorgia
Published: September 2024

Ulcerative colitis (UC) management encompasses conventional and advanced treatments, including biological therapy and small molecules. Surgery, particularly in the form of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), is indicated in cases of refractory/severe disease. IPAA can lead to acute complications (e.g., acute pouchitis) as well as late complications, including chronic inflammatory disorders of the pouch. Chronic pouchitis, including the antibiotic-dependent (CADP) and antibiotic-refractory (CARP) forms, represents a significant and current therapeutic challenge due to the substantial need for evidence regarding viable treatment options. Biological therapies have shown promising results, with infliximab, adalimumab, ustekinumab, and vedolizumab demonstrating some efficacy in chronic pouchitis; however, robust randomized clinical trials are only available for vedolizumab. This narrative review focuses on the evidence concerning small molecules in chronic pouchitis, specifically Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1P-R) modulators. According to the preliminary studies and reports, Tofacitinib shows a potential effectiveness in CARP. Upadacitinib presents variable outcomes from the case series, necessitating further evaluation. Filgotinib and ozanimod demonstrate anecdotal efficacy. This review underscores the need for high-quality studies and real-world registries to develop robust guidelines for advanced therapies in post-IPAA inflammatory disorders, supported by vigilant clinical monitoring and ongoing education from international IBD specialist societies.
Clinical Features and Survival Analysis of Lupus Nephritis among Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Three-Decade-Long Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Perge Bianka , Papp Gábor , Bói Bernadett , Nagy Nikolett , Gáspár-Kiss Eszter , Tarr Tünde
Published: September 2024

Background/Objectives: Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most severe organ manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of our retrospective cohort study was to compare the clinical characteristics, therapy, survival, causes of death, and prognostic factors of LN and non-LN lupus patients. Moreover, we compared a wide spectrum of clinical data of LN patients diagnosed before and since 2005 to determine any changes in disease course and outcomes. Methods: We assessed the clinical and laboratory data of 384 SLE patients, out of whom, 127 patients were diagnosed with LN between 1990 and 2020. Results: Based on our observations, discoid LE, subacute cutaneous LE, antiphospholipid syndrome, Sjögren’s syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis were more common in non-LN patients, while anemia and anti-RNP positivity were more frequent in LN patients. Development of LN did not affect survival rates; male sex and presence of APS were negative prognostic parameters in the non-LN group while achieving remission was a positive prognostic factor in both groups. Death caused by sepsis was more prevalent in the LN group. Serositis and neurological manifestations occurred less frequently in LN patients diagnosed after 2005. The use of mycophenolate mofetil became more common, and the cumulative corticosteroid dose decreased. The SLICC Damage Index score also decreased. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that the disease course has changed in recent years, and the main therapeutic goal in both SLE and lupus nephritis should be to achieve remission because this significantly improves long-term prognosis and patient survival.
Navigating the Neurobiology of Parkinson’s: The Impact and Potential of α-Synuclein
Authors: Paulėkas Erlandas , Vanagas Tadas , Lagunavičius Saulius , Pajėdienė Evelina , Petrikonis Kęstutis , Rastenytė Daiva
Published: September 2024

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease worldwide; therefore, since its initial description, significant progress has been made, yet a mystery remains regarding its pathogenesis and elusive root cause. The widespread distribution of pathological α-synuclein (αSyn) aggregates throughout the body raises inquiries regarding the etiology, which has prompted several hypotheses, with the most prominent one being αSyn-associated proteinopathy. The identification of αSyn protein within Lewy bodies, coupled with genetic evidence linking αSyn locus duplication, triplication, as well as point mutations to familial Parkinson’s disease, has underscored the significance of αSyn in initiating and propagating Lewy body pathology throughout the brain. In monogenic and sporadic PD, the presence of early inflammation and synaptic dysfunction leads to αSyn aggregation and neuronal death through mitochondrial, lysosomal, and endosomal functional impairment. However, much remains to be understood about αSyn pathogenesis, which is heavily grounded in biomarkers and treatment strategies. In this review, we provide emerging new evidence on the current knowledge about αSyn’s pathophysiological impact on PD, and its presumable role as a specific disease biomarker or main target of disease-modifying therapies, highlighting that this understanding today offers the best potential of disease-modifying therapy in the near future.
Salmonella Detection in Food Using a HEK-hTLR5 Reporter Cell-Based Sensor
Authors: Eser Esma , Felton Victoria A. , Drolia Rishi , Bhunia Arun K.
Published: September 2024

The development of a rapid, sensitive, specific method for detecting foodborne pathogens is paramount for supplying safe food to enhance public health safety. Despite the significant improvement in pathogen detection methods, key issues are still associated with rapid methods, such as distinguishing living cells from dead, the pathogenic potential or health risk of the analyte at the time of consumption, the detection limit, and the sample-to-result. Mammalian cell-based assays analyze pathogens’ interaction with host cells and are responsive only to live pathogens or active toxins. In this study, a human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cell line expressing Toll-Like Receptor 5 (TLR-5) and chromogenic reporter system (HEK dual hTLR5) was used for the detection of viable Salmonella in a 96-well tissue culture plate. This cell line responds to low concentrations of TLR5 agonist flagellin. Stimulation of TLR5 ligand activates nuclear factor-kB (NF-κB)—linked alkaline phosphatase (AP-1) signaling cascade inducing the production of secreted embryonic alkaline phosphatase (SEAP). With the addition of a ρ-nitrophenyl phosphate as a substrate, a colored end product representing a positive signal is quantified. The assay’s specificity was validated with the top 20 Salmonella enterica serovars and 19 non-Salmonella spp. The performance of the assay was also validated with spiked food samples. The total detection time (sample-to-result), including shortened pre-enrichment (4 h) and selective enrichment (4 h) steps with artificially inoculated outbreak-implicated food samples (chicken, peanut kernel, peanut butter, black pepper, mayonnaise, and peach), was 15 h when inoculated at 1–100 CFU/25 g sample. These results show the potential of HEK-DualTM hTLR5 cell-based functional biosensors for the rapid screening of Salmonella.
Haemosporidian Infection Is Associated with the Oxidative Status in a Neotropical Bird
Authors: Poblete Yanina , Contreras Carolina , Ávila Miguel , Carmona María Paz , Fernández Carolina , Flores Cristian R. , Sabat Pablo
Published: September 2024

Haemosporidians are common blood parasites in wild bird populations, yet their effects on oxidative status remain understudied. Here, we measured the levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) as an indicator of reactive oxygen species (ROS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) as an indicator of non-enzymatic molecular antioxidants, and TBARS/TAC ratio as an indicator of oxidative status. We also used parasite genus-specific primers and PCR techniques to detect haemosporidians in 117 adults of Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) from four locations in south–central Chile. Mixed-effect models were employed to compare oxidative indicators between infected and uninfected birds. Infected birds showed significantly higher TBARS levels, but no significant differences in TAC, leading to a higher TBARS/TAC ratio, especially in reproductive individuals. This suggests increased oxidative damage in infected birds, irrespective of sex or body condition. A positive relationship between TBARS and TAC was observed in both groups, but the antioxidant response was weaker in infected birds, indicating differential oxidative stress responses based on infection status. Body condition did not differ significantly between infected and uninfected individuals. These results demonstrate that haemosporidian infections impose oxidative costs on birds, potentially compounding the oxidative costs associated with reproduction.
Blockchain on Sustainable Environmental Measures: A Review
Authors: Vladucu Maria-Victoria , Wu Hailun , Medina Jorge , Salehin Khondaker M. , Dong Ziqian , Rojas-Cessa Roberto
Published: September 2024

Blockchain has emerged as a solution for ensuring accurate and truthful environmental variable monitoring needed for the management of pollutants and natural resources. The immutability property of blockchain helps protect the measured data on pollution and natural resources to enable truthful reporting and effective management and control of polluting agents. However, specifics on what to measure, how to use blockchain, and highlighting which blockchain frameworks have been adopted need to be explored to fill the research gaps. Therefore, we review existing works on the use of blockchain for monitoring and managing environmental variables in this paper. Specifically, we examine existing blockchain applications on greenhouse gas emissions, solid and plastic waste, food waste, food security, water usage, and the circular economy and identify what motivates the adoption of blockchain, features sought, used blockchain frameworks and consensus algorithms, and the adopted supporting technologies to complement data sensing and reporting. We conclude the review by identifying practical works that provide implementation details for rapid adoption and remaining challenges that merit future research.
Investigation of Deficits in Auditory Emotional Content Recognition by Adult Cochlear Implant Users through the Study of Electroencephalographic Gamma and Alpha Asymmetry and Alexithymia Assessment
Authors: Cartocci Giulia , Inguscio Bianca Maria Serena , Giorgi Andrea , Rossi Dario , Di Nardo Walter , Di Cesare Tiziana , Leone Carlo Antonio , Grassia Rosa , Galletti Francesco , Ciodaro Francesco , Galletti Cosimo , Albera Roberto , Canale Andrea , Babiloni Fabio
Published: September 2024

Background/Objectives: Given the importance of emotion recognition for communication purposes, and the impairment for such skill in CI users despite impressive language performances, the aim of the present study was to investigate the neural correlates of emotion recognition skills, apart from language, in adult unilateral CI (UCI) users during a music in noise (happy/sad) recognition task. Furthermore, asymmetry was investigated through electroencephalographic (EEG) rhythm, given the traditional concept of hemispheric lateralization for emotional processing, and the intrinsic asymmetry due to the clinical UCI condition. Methods: Twenty adult UCI users and eight normal hearing (NH) controls were recruited. EEG gamma and alpha band power was assessed as there is evidence of a relationship between gamma and emotional response and between alpha asymmetry and tendency to approach or withdraw from stimuli. The TAS-20 questionnaire (alexithymia) was completed by the participants. Results: The results showed no effect of background noise, while supporting that gamma activity related to emotion processing shows alterations in the UCI group compared to the NH group, and that these alterations are also modulated by the etiology of deafness. In particular, relative higher gamma activity in the CI side corresponds to positive processes, correlated with higher emotion recognition abilities, whereas gamma activity in the non-CI side may be related to positive processes inversely correlated with alexithymia and also inversely correlated with age; a correlation between TAS-20 scores and age was found only in the NH group. Conclusions: EEG gamma activity appears to be fundamental to the processing of the emotional aspect of music and also to the psychocognitive emotion-related component in adults with CI.
Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback Training of Selective Attention in Older Adults
Authors: Lin Tian , Rana Mohit , Liu Peiwei , Polk Rebecca , Heemskerk Amber , Weisberg Steven M. , Bowers Dawn , Sitaram Ranganatha , Ebner Natalie C.
Published: September 2024

Background: Selective attention declines with age, due to age-related functional changes in dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rtfMRI) neurofeedback has been used in young adults to train volitional control of brain activity, including in dACC. Methods: For the first time, this study used rtfMRI neurofeedback to train 19 young and 27 older adults in volitional up- or down-regulation of bilateral dACC during a selective attention task. Results: Older participants in the up-regulation condition (experimental group) showed greater reward points and dACC BOLD signal across training sessions, reflective of neurofeedback training success; and faster reaction time and better response accuracy, suggesting behavioral benefits on selective attention. These effects were not observed for older participants in the down-regulation condition (inverse condition control group), supporting specificity of volitional dACC up-regulation training in older adults. These effects were, unexpectedly, also not observed for young participants in the up-regulation condition (age control group), perhaps due to a lack of motivation to continue the training. Conclusions: These findings provide promising first evidence of functional plasticity in dACC in late life via rtfMRI neurofeedback up-regulation training, enhancing selective attention, and demonstrate proof of concept of rtfMRI neurofeedback training in cognitive aging.
Smartphone Distraction and Academic Anxiety: The Mediating Role of Academic Procrastination and the Moderating Role of Time Management Disposition
Authors: Jin Yuanting , Zhou Wanqi , Zhang Yueling , Yang Zeyang , Hussain Zaheer
Published: September 2024

The present study investigated the relationship between smartphone distraction, academic procrastination, academic anxiety, and time management disposition. A total of 474 college students were recruited to complete a survey comprising measures of smartphone distraction, academic procrastination, academic anxiety, and time management disposition. The hypothesised moderated mediation model was tested using Model 4 and Model 15 of the PROCESS macro for SPSS. Results showed that smartphone distraction was positively and significantly correlated with academic anxiety (r = 0.40, p < 0.001) and academic procrastination (r = 0.42, p < 0.001). Academic procrastination mediated the relationship between smartphone distraction and academic anxiety. Time management disposition moderated the paths from academic procrastination and smartphone distraction to academic anxiety. The present study suggests that smartphone distraction could predict increased levels of academic procrastination, which could then lead to higher academic anxiety. However, the predicting effects in this mediation model could fluctuate across individuals with different time management dispositions. Further studies are needed to explore the mechanism of smartphone distraction using different methods.
Psychological Well-Being of Young Athletes with Physical Disabilities: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zabala-Dominguez Olatz , Lázaro Fernández Yolanda , Rubio Florido Isabel , Olasagasti-Ibargoien Jurgi
Published: September 2024

Currently, young people with disabilities practice less sport than people without disabilities, which is a risk to their health and affects their well-being. The aim of this research was to identify the specific dimensions and tools used to measure psychological well-being (PWB) in young athletes with physical disabilities and to analyze the influence of sport. A systematic review was conducted using PUBMED/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Sportdiscus databases, and the search was completed without limitation to any specific year, including results up to and including 29 May, 2023. A total of 2112 articles were obtained in the initial search. Eligibility criteria were: (i) athletes with a physical disability, (ii) performing adapted and non-adapted physical activity and/or sport, (iii) the study aimed to analyse well-being, and (iv) outcomes of psychological well-being variables were identified. Exclusion criteria were (i) people with injury or transient difficulty, (ii) rehabilitative physical activity, and (iii) the results did not show any psychological well-being variables or mentions. This review identified that the most used dimension was mastery of the environment, together with the autonomy. All studies showed a positive correlation between sport practice and psychological well-being. Five measurement tools were identified knowing the state of psychological well-being of young athletes with disabilities is essential to promote successful participation in sports activities.
Reliability and Validity of the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality—Self-Report—German Version (CAPP-SR-GV) in a German Non-Criminal Sample
Authors: Köhler Denis , Boegel-Driessen Josephine Alexandra , Josupeit Jan , Issa-Keller Sarah-Joelle , Müller Romina , Stricker Johannes
Published: September 2024

The structure of psychopathy is conceptualized differently in various models and no consensus has yet been reached. This study aimed to further clarify psychopathy’s content and structure by validating the German Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality—Self-Report (CAPP-SR). For this purpose, we used a sample of n = 458 participants. The CAPP’s six factors were replicated in an exploratory factor analysis. Further confirmatory analysis revealed recommendations for optimizing the CAPP. Thus, both an optimized version and the original CAPP-SR were examined. The construct validity of both versions was then examined using a different self-rating instrument for psychopathy, the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure. The implications of the findings and further research directions are discussed.
Addressing Prompt Dependency in the Treatment of Challenging Behavior Maintained by Access to Tangible Items
Authors: Weyman Jennifer R. , Imler Madison , Kelly Danielle A.
Published: September 2024

Prompt dependency is a common concern for individuals with developmental disabilities, particularly autism spectrum disorder. Previous research has shown that different interventions can be used to decrease prompt dependency. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of various treatments to decrease prompt dependency during functional communication training in the treatment of challenging behavior maintained by access to tangible items in a 16-year-old female diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Specifically, we compared the effects of differential reinforcement, vocal prompt fading, extended response intervals, and full physical prompts with a constant prompt delay to increase independent functional communication responses. The results of the study suggest that the prompt dependency treatment evaluation was efficacious in increasing independent functional communication responses and subsequently reducing challenging behavior to zero rates.
Age Modifies the Interactive Effect of Loneliness and Social Support on Financial Exploitation Vulnerability in Older Adults
Authors: Weissberger Gali H.
Published: September 2024

Social support and loneliness have been identified as important correlates of financial exploitation vulnerability (FEV) in older adults. However, the potential combined effect of these social factors on FEV remains unclear. Moreover, given that social support and loneliness may become more important as age increases, age may have a moderating effect on the loneliness-social support interaction. Participants were 342 community-living Israeli older adults aged 60 or over (M age = 73.37, SD = 7.82, 69.1% female) who responded to questionnaires assessing FEV (Financial Exploitation Vulnerability Scale), perceived social support (The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support), loneliness (UCLA Three-item Loneliness Scale), and sociodemographic characteristics. Two hierarchical linear regression models covarying for demographic variables examined study hypotheses. In a first model, a significant interaction between social support and loneliness was discovered such that high levels of perceived social support attenuated the positive loneliness–FEV association. In a second model, a significant three-way interaction between social support, loneliness, and age was discovered. Probing the interaction revealed that the attenuating effect of social support on the loneliness–FEV link increased with increasing age. Findings suggest that effects of social factors on FEV may interact with each other and with age to predict FEV, and provide insights into when social support may be most relevant in mitigating FEV.
Correlates of Exercise Behavior Based on Socio-Ecological Theoretical Model among Chinese Urban Adults: An Empirical Study
Authors: Zhang Yong , Zhang Ya-Jun , Qian Yongdong , Meng Zhaofeng , Ying Xiaofang
Published: September 2024

Background: Identifying the correlates of exercise behavior is essential to combating physical inactivity as a public health concern. The purpose of this study is to identify the correlates of physical activity among urban Chinese adults under the social-ecological theoretical model in order to facilitate targeted interventions to promote physical activity. Methods: Using the socio-ecological model, we conducted a questionnaire survey among 1459 urban residents in Zhejiang and Shaanxi provinces of China, collecting data on individual demographic factors, sociological factors, environmental perception, and exercise behavior. Binary logistic regression models were employed to analyze the relationships between exercise behavior and socio-ecological factors. Results: Male gender (p < 0.01), advanced age (p < 0.001), higher education level (p < 0.05), living independently from parents (p < 0.05), absence of childcare responsibilities (p < 0.01), residence in a county/prefecture-level city (p < 0.001), favorable neighborhood esthetics (p < 0.001), available greenways/parks (p < 0.001), and family support for exercise participation (p < 0.05) were significantly correlated with an increased likelihood of participating in physical activity. Male gender (p < 0.001), advanced age (p < 0.001), absence of childcare responsibilities (p < 0.05), good neighborhood vegetation (p < 0.01), availability of free neighborhood exercise facilities (p < 0.05), and support from friends for exercise participation (p < 0.01) were significantly correlated with an increased likelihood of engaging in physical activity for more than 150 min per week. BMI, community air quality, traffic safety, public safety, and level of social development were not major correlates. Conclusions: To promote exercise behavior, more attention should be paid to individuals who are female, young, have lower levels of education, bear childcare responsibilities, or reside in provincial capitals in China. Improving the habitat environment and providing convenient and affordable facilities should also be considered. Furthermore, support from family and friends can positively reinforce exercise behavior.
“It Is as if I Gave a Gift to Myself”: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study on Working Adults’ Leisure Meaning, Experiences, and Participation
Authors: Sezer Kubra Sahadet , Aki Esra
Published: September 2024

Leisure participation is a fundamental human and occupational right throughout life for working people, particularly in adulthood. A total of 28 working adults representing diverse regions of Turkey, from middle-class backgrounds, aged between 25 and 50, and without any known health conditions, were interviewed to gain insights into their leisure participation during the period September 2021–May 2022. The acquired data were analysed using the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach. The analysis identified six main themes and twenty-two subthemes: the meaning of leisure, recovery from work, facilitators and barriers, well-being, occupational injustice, and flow of life. Participants distinguished between “free time” and “leisure time”, defining the latter as purposeful engagement in enjoyable, meaningful activities. This study emphasises the dynamic interplay of factors influencing leisure participation among Turkish working adults, including working conditions, financial resources, social support systems, and opportunities for participation, with some effects of COVID-19 pandemic. One can shift from well-being to a lack of well-being, and this can result in occupational injustices that may arise in the flow of life, as unsupportive consequences of participation limitations among working adults. By acknowledging and enhancing leisure as a crucial aspect of well-being, this research underscores the importance of promoting resilience and holistic health among working individuals.