bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Ascorbic Acid on Salt Tolerance and Seedling Performance in Triticum durum Defs. ‘Douma 3’ Under Salinity Stress in Syria
Authors: Ali Nour , Nyéki Anikó , Jalloul Aïda , Alahmad Tarek
Published: December 2024

This study was conducted to evaluate the laboratory tolerance of the durum wheat cultivar (Douma 3) when treated with two levels of ascorbic acid (5 ppm and 10 ppm, in addition to a control treatment soaked in water) under two levels of salt stress (50 mM and 100 mM NaCl, in addition to a control). The experiment took place at the Field Crops Department labs, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, University of Damascus, during the 2022–2023 agricultural season. The aim was to study the effect of ascorbic acid on seed reserve utilization efficiency, peroxidase enzyme activity, and its role in salt stress tolerance. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) using factorial ANOVA with two replicates. The results showed significant differences between the treatments, with the priming of seeds soaked in a 5 ppm ascorbic acid solution (A1) significantly outperforming in terms of seedling dry weight (22.67 mg/seedling), remaining seed dry weight (7.5 mg/seed), seed reserve utilization efficiency (0.47 mg/mg), and salt tolerance index (89.80%). Simple correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between seedling dry weight (SDW), seed reserve utilization efficiency (SRUE) (0.881), and salt tolerance index (STI) (0.746 *). However, a negative and non-significant relationship was observed between the remaining seed dry weight (RSDW) and other traits. Moreover, SRUE had a significant positive correlation with STI (0.814). Both total soluble protein concentrations and peroxidase enzyme activity increased under salt stress conditions following pre-treatment with ascorbic acid compared to the control. The highest protein concentration and peroxidase enzyme activity were observed with the 5 ppm ascorbic acid treatment (A1).
Fusarium Wilt of Banana Latency and Onset Detection Based on Visible/Near Infrared Spectral Technology
Authors: Li Cuiling , Xiang Dandan , Yang Shuo , Wang Xiu , Li Chunyu
Published: December 2024

Fusarium wilt of banana is a soil-borne vascular disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense. The rapid and accurate detection of this disease is of great significance to controlling its spread. The research objective was to explore rapid banana Fusarium wilt latency and onset detection methods and establish a disease severity grading model. Visible/near-infrared spectroscopy analysis combined with machine learning methods were used for the rapid in vivo detection of banana Fusarium wilt. A portable visible/near-infrared spectrum acquisition system was constructed to collect the spectra data of banana Fusarium wilt leaves representing five different disease grades, totaling 106 leaf samples which were randomly divided into a training set with 80 samples and a test set with 26 samples. Different data preprocessing methods were utilized, and Fisher discriminant analysis (FDA), an extreme learning machine (ELM), and a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN) were used to establish the classification models of the disease grades. The classification accuracies of the FDA, ELM, and 1D-CNN models reached 0.891, 0.989, and 0.904, respectively. The results showed that the proposed visible/near infrared spectroscopy detection method could realize the detection of the incubation period of banana Fusarium wilt and the classification of the disease severity and could be a favorable tool for the field diagnosis of banana Fusarium wilt.
Could Milkability Parameters Serve as a Reliable Tool to Predict the Morphology of Teat Structures and Their Milking-Induced Changes?
Authors: Szencziová Iveta , Gašparík Matúš , Ducháček Jaromír , Tóthová Tarová Eva , Nagy Melinda , Stádník Luděk , Mičiaková Mária , Codl Radim
Published: December 2024

The study aimed to explore if milkability parameters could reliably predict the dimensions of teat structures and their milking-induced changes. Ultrasonography repeatedly measured the teat structures of 48 Holstein cows from mid to late lactation. We found that milking-induced changes in each structure are affected by different milkability parameters. Regression models for teat canal change and length change were significant, and variability was found to be 46.03% and 21.50%, respectively. Similarly, the teat structure’s dimensions significantly affected milkability parameters, which differed for each structure. However, regression models only explained between 3.36% (teat length) and 7.59% (cistern) of variability. The prediction potential, performed based on milkability, is limited if the initial dimensions of structures are not provided. If teat dimensions were measured at the beginning of the production life, automatically collected milkability data could be used to calculate milking-induced changes incurred with each milking and the development of teat dimensions over the production life. If perfected, this tool could provide alerts about critical milking-induced changes and risky teat conformation traits, as they have a proven effect on udder health and are reliable indicators of milking effectiveness.
Thermal Behavior of Tropical Sea Cucumber of Isostichopus isabellae: Preliminary Issues
Authors: Rodríguez-Forero Adriana , Villacob-Royerth Jose , Hernández Rodríguez Mónica
Published: December 2024

We investigated the growth, preferences, and thermal resistance of the sea cucumber Isostichopus isabellae to understand its thermal biology. Sixty individuals were kept in tanks at two temperatures (23 °C and 26 °C) for 30 days to determine their favorable maintenance temperature. Their survival rates and specific growth rates were measured to establish their ideal conditioning temperature in the laboratory. The sea cucumbers’ thermal preference was evaluated over a gradient from 20 °C to 29 °C, and their behavior was monitored for 4 h. They preferred the temperature to which they were acclimated, aligning with the favorable temperature identified in this study. We did not find differences in the average weight loss between the two experimental temperatures. The highest survival rate (86%) was observed at 23 °C, which can be considered to be the most favorable maintenance temperature. The critical thermal maximum (CTMax) and minimum (CTMin) were determined by gradually heating or cooling the water until the sea cucumbers showed a loss of podia movement and body relaxation. CTMax was established at 36.5 ± 0.3 °C and CTMin at 8 ± 0.5 °C. Based on these results, Isostichopus isabellae could negatively respond to increased temperatures, so we recommend maintaining a favorable temperature of 23 ± 2.3 °C in captivity for its use in aquaculture.
Growth Superiority and Genetic Characterization of the Hybrid from Female Ussuri Catfish (Pseudobagrus ussuriensis) and Male Longsnout Catfish (Leiocassis longirostris)
Authors: Xie Minghua , Zhou Yulin , Gong Yi , Liu Min , Zhen Peng , Li Zhi , Zhou Li , Gui Jianfang , Wang Zhongwei
Published: December 2024

Crossbreeding is a traditional breeding technique and has been performed successfully in many fish species. However, distant hybridization between different genera is hard to be successful because of reproductive isolation. In this study, diploid hybrids (PL) were successfully derived from the hybridization of Ussuri catfish (Pseudobagrus ussuriensis, PU, ♀, 2n = 52) and longsnout catfish (Leiocassis longirostris, LL, ♂, 2n = 52). And the morphological data, external frame parameters, chromosomal karyotypes, DNA content measurement, mitochondrial DNA control region, and species-specific marker identification were applied to investigate the traits and genetic characterization of the PL hybrid offspring and their parents. Both quantifiable traits and shape frame parameters of the PL hybrid offspring were revealed to be intermediate between those of their parents; however, cluster analysis showed that their external morphology was more in favor of the maternal PU. The growth comparisons showed that the hybrids had significant growth advantages over maternal PU. Based on karyotype patterns, DNA contents and mitochondrial DNA, the hybrid origin and maternal inheritance of hybrid offspring were further confirmed. According to the sequence variations identified from the genome sequences of the two catfish species, one species-specific marker was developed to distinguish the PL hybrid offspring and their parents. Therefore, this study provides a successful case for intergeneric hybridization and hybrid superiority, and the PL hybrid shows promise for commercial application, pending further studies into its husbandry, health, and welfare with larger populations of fish.
The Political Salience of Animal Protection in the Republic of Ireland (2011–2020): What Do Irish Political Parties Pledge on Animal Welfare and Wildlife Conservation?
Authors: Hus Annick , McCulloch Steven P.
Published: December 2024

Ireland is the largest beef trader and a major dairy exporter within the European Union. Horse racing holds significant cultural value, while greyhound racing is economically important at the regional level. As public concern about farm animal welfare rises and biodiversity loss intensifies, this research examines the political salience of animal protection in Ireland across the 2011, 2016, and 2020 general elections. Political salience measures the degree of public concern about political issues, with party manifestos serving as indicators of this concern. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, this study analysed 364 statements on animal protection from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Green Party, the Labour Party, and Sinn Féin. The results show a significant increase in the frequency and positivity of animal protection statements over the course of the election period, with a shift in the attitudes of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. The Green Party has consistently promoted progressive animal protection policies. Key issues such as farmed animal welfare, wildlife and biodiversity, and horse and greyhound racing have gained prominence in party manifestos, also reflecting economic influences. Despite this growing focus, critical issues such as the puppy trade and certain aspects of farmed animal welfare remain underrepresented. This research provides the first comprehensive academic analysis of animal protection policy in political party manifestos in the Republic of Ireland.
Epidemiological Investigation and Genetic Analysis of Duck Circovirus in Korea from 2013 to 2022
Authors: Yu Cheng-Dong , Kim Sang-Won , Liu Cun-Xia , Gao Yue-Hua , Li Yu-Feng , Park Jong-Yeol , Cha Se-Yeoun , Jang Hyung-Kwan , Kang Min , Wei Bai
Published: December 2024

Duck circovirus (DuCV) infections cause immunosuppression in ducks, potentially leading to significant economic losses for the duck farming industry. This study investigates the prevalence, genetic characteristics, and evolutionary trends of DuCV in Korea between 2013 and 2022. Samples from 184 farms across seven provinces were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The overall DuCV infection rate was 29.4% (54/184), with Jeollanam-do showing the highest prevalence (37.5%, 15/40). Ducks aged 3–6 weeks were most susceptible to infection, while ducklings younger than one week were rarely infected. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 24 positive samples with phylogenetic analysis revealing that DuCV-1b is the predominant subtype in Korea (23/24 strains). Notably, a Korean DuCV-1a subtype strain was identified for the first time, showing close genetic relatedness to Chinese DuCV 1a strains. Novel subtype-specific amino acid variations in ORF1 and ORF2 were statistically analyzed and classified. Recombination analysis suggested some Korean DuCV-1b strains may have resulted from recombination events involving strains from different countries. This comprehensive study provides crucial insights into the current prevalence, genetic diversity, and evolutionary dynamics of DuCV in Korea, offering valuable data for developing effective control strategies and understanding the global epidemiology of this economically important avian pathogen.
Identification of Factors Determining Patterns of Serum C-Reactive Protein Level Reduction in Response to Treatment Initiation in Patients with Drug-Susceptible Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Kivrane Agnija , Ulanova Viktorija , Grinberga Solveiga , Sevostjanovs Eduards , Viksna Anda , Ozere Iveta , Bogdanova Ineta , Simanovica Ilze , Norvaisa Inga , Pahirko Leonora , Bandere Dace , Ranka Renate
Published: December 2024

Background: Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels vary depending on radiological and bacteriological findings at the time of tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis. However, the utility of this biomarker in monitoring response to anti-TB treatment and identifying patients at risk of treatment failure is not well established. Objectives: This study evaluated the impact of patients’ baseline characteristics and anti-TB drug plasma exposure on the early reduction in serum CRP levels and its relationship with treatment response. Methods: We enrolled 42 patients with drug-susceptible pulmonary TB, who received a standard six-month regimen. The plasma concentrations of four anti-TB drugs were analysed using LC-MS/MS. Clinically relevant data, including serum CRP levels before and 10–12 days after treatment initiation (CRP10–12d), were obtained from electronic medical records and patient questionnaires. Results: In 10–12 days, the median serum CRP level decreased from 21.9 to 6.4 mg/L. Lower body mass index, positive sputum-smear microscopy results, and lung cavitations at diagnosis were related to higher biomarker levels at both time points; smoking had a more pronounced effect on serum CRP10–12d levels. Variability in anti-TB drug plasma exposure did not significantly affect the reduction in serum CRP levels. The serum CRP10–12d levels, or fold change from the baseline, did not predict the time to sputum culture conversion. Conclusions: Disease severity and patient characteristics may influence the pattern of early CRP reduction, while anti-TB drug plasma exposure had no significant effect at this stage. These early changes in serum CRP levels were not a predictor of response to anti-TB therapy.
Bacterial Infections, Trends, and Resistance Patterns in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Romania—A Systematic Review
Authors: Vulcanescu Dan Dumitru , Bagiu Iulia Cristina , Avram Cecilia Roberta , Oprisoni Licinia Andrada , Tanasescu Sonia , Sorescu Teodora , Susan Razvan , Susan Monica , Sorop Virgiuliu Bogdan , Diaconu Mircea Mihai , Dragomir Tiberiu Liviu , Harich Octavia Oana , Horhat Razvan Mihai , Dinu Stefania , Horhat Florin George
Published: December 2024

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified concerns over bacterial infections and antimicrobial resistance, particularly in Romania. This systematic review explores bacterial infection patterns and resistance during the pandemic to address critical gaps in knowledge. Methods: A systematic review, following PRISMA guidelines, was conducted using databases such as PubMed and Scopus, focusing on studies of bacterial infections from 2020 to 2022. Articles on bacterial infections in Romanian patients during the pandemic were analyzed for demographic data, bacterial trends, and resistance profiles. Results: A total of 87 studies were included, detailing over 20,000 cases of bacterial infections. The review found that Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, were the most frequently identified pathogens, alongside Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus spp. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was noted in 24% of the reported strains, with common resistance to carbapenems and cephalosporins. Conclusions: The pandemic has amplified the complexity of managing bacterial infections, particularly in critically ill patients. The rise in MDR bacteria underscores the need for stringent antimicrobial stewardship and infection control measures. Continuous monitoring of bacterial trends and resistance profiles will be essential to improve treatment strategies in post-pandemic healthcare settings.
Role of NRF2 in Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Chu Ching-Tung , Uruno Akira , Katsuoka Fumiki , Yamamoto Masayuki
Published: December 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a polygenic, multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder and remains the most prevalent form of dementia, globally. Despite decades of research efforts, there is still no effective cure for this debilitating condition. AD research has increasingly focused on transcription factor NRF2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) as a potential therapeutic target. NRF2 plays a crucial role in protecting cells and tissues from environmental stressors, such as electrophiles and reactive oxygen species. Recently, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated that NRF2 is a key regulator in AD pathology. NRF2 is highly expressed in microglia, resident macrophages in the central nervous system, and contributes to neuroinflammation, phagocytosis and neurodegeneration in AD. NRF2 has been reported to modulate microglia-induced inflammation and facilitate the transition from homeostatic microglia to a disease-associated microglia subset. Genetic and pharmacological activation of NRF2 has been demonstrated to improve cognitive function. Here, we review the current understanding of the involvement of NRF2 in AD and the critical role that NRF2 plays in microglia in the context of AD. Our aim is to highlight the potential of targeting NRF2 in the microglia as a promising therapeutic strategy for mitigating the progression of AD.
Valorization of Legume By-Products Based on Polyphenols and Protein Contents for Potential Nutraceutical Applications
Authors: Terenzi Cristina , Bermudez Gabriela , Medri Francesca , Montanari Serena , Bucar Franz , Andrisano Vincenza
Published: December 2024

A significant amount of agri-food by-products is generated by large food industry production lines. Aligned with the principles of a circular economy, this project aims to recycle and valorize legumes, such as beans, green beans and soy by-products characterized by different heat treatments, maturation stages and cultivation methods. The valorization of food waste involved the development of an Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) method to isolate polyphenols. Analytical techniques, including UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn, were used to identify polyphenols in legume, green bean and soy extracts obtained through UAE. Additionally, UV-Vis spectrophotometric assays measured the Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Total Antioxidant Status (TAS), while the Kjeldahl method was employed to assess the protein content in each UAE extract. The analyses revealed a variety of valuable polyphenols in legume, green bean and soy by-products. For instance, bean by-products contain feruloyl glucaric acid derivatives, green beans by-products have different types of flavonols such as quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, and soy by-products are rich in isoflavones. These findings demonstrate the potential for formulating nutraceuticals from these by-products’ extracts.
A Novel PPARγ Modulator Falcarindiol Mediates ER Stress-Mediated Apoptosis by Regulating NOX4 and Overcomes Radioresistance in Breast Cancer
Authors: Kim Tae Woo , Ko Seong-Gyu
Published: December 2024

The extract of the rhizome of Cnidium officinale Makino has potential anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects in many diseases, such as cancer. However, the biological functions of falcarindiol (FAD) in breast cancer are not fully understood. This study proved the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects of FAD in breast cancer. Breast cancer models confirmed that FAD reduces cell viability and decreases the tumor volume of xenograft mouse models in a dose-dependent manner. FAD mediated caspase-3-dependent apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells, whereas Z-VAD-FMK in combination with FAD inhibited caspase-3-induced apoptosis. FAD mediates apoptosis through cytosolic reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium (Ca2+) production and ER stress signaling pathways. In addition, FAD combined with thapsigargin (TG) exerts a synergistic apoptotic cell death effect. In the loss-of-function experiments, PERK or CHOP ablation suppressed intracellular ROS and Ca2+ release and ER stress-induced apoptosis in FAD-treated breast cancer models. Since there is a relationship between ROS and NADPH Oxidase 4 (NOX4), Nox4 ablation blocked ER stress-mediated apoptotic cell death by inhibiting ROS release in FAD-induced breast cancer models. Radioresistant models, such as MCF-7R and MDA-MB-231R, were developed to address the cellular radioresistance in clinical radiotherapy. FAD combined with radiation (2 Gy) overcame radioresistance via the inhibition of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenomenon, such as the upregulation of PPARγ, VIM, and CDH2 and the downregulation of CDH1. Consequently, these results show that FAD may be a novel treatment as a breast cancer therapy.
JP4-039 Mitigates Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Blocking Apoptosis and Ferroptosis in Mice
Authors: Airik Merlin , Clayton Kacian , Wipf Peter , Airik Rannar
Published: December 2024

Cisplatin is a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of a wide array of cancers. Due to its active transport into the kidney proximal tubule cells, cisplatin treatment can cause a buildup of this nephrotoxic compound in the kidney, resulting in acute kidney injury (AKI). About 30% of patients receiving cisplatin chemotherapy develop cisplatin-induced AKI. JP4-039 is a mitochondria-targeted reactive oxygen species (ROS) and electron scavenger. Recent studies have shown that JP4-039 mitigates a variety of genotoxic insults in preclinical studies in rodents by suppressing oxidative stress-mediated tissue damage and blocking apoptosis and ferroptosis. However, the benefits of JP4-039 treatment have not been tested in the setting of AKI. In this study, we investigated the potential renoprotective effect of JP4-039 on cisplatin-induced AKI. To address this goal, we treated mice with JP4-039 before or after cisplatin administration and analyzed them for functional and molecular changes in the kidney. JP4-039 co-administration attenuated cisplatin-induced renal dysfunction and histopathological changes. Upregulation of tubular injury markers was also suppressed by JP4-039. Mechanistically, JP4-039 suppressed lipid peroxidation, prevented tissue oxidative stress, and preserved the glutathione levels in cisplatin-injected mice. An increase in cisplatin-induced apoptosis and ferroptosis was also alleviated by the compound. Moreover, JP4-039 inhibited cytokine overproduction in cisplatin-injected mice. Together, our findings demonstrate that JP4-039 is a promising therapeutic agent against cisplatin-induced kidney injury.
Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant Capacity and Bioavailability of Whey Protein Concentrate-Based Coenzyme Q10 Nanoparticles
Authors: Sun Yuxue , Liu Jiafei , Pi Xiaowen , Kemp Alyssa H. , Guo Mingruo
Published: December 2024

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a powerful antioxidant. However, the poor water solubility and low bioavailability still remain challenges for its application. An embedded delivery system of CoQ10 based on whey protein concentrate (WPC) and polymerized whey protein concentrate (PWPC) was prepared, and the physicochemical properties, antioxidant capacity and bioavailability were characterized in this study. Both groups of nanoparticles showed a particle size distribution from 241 to 331 nm in the protein-to-CoQ10 mass ratio range of 100:1 to 20:1. In addition, the minimum polydispersity index value was observed at the mass ratio of 20:1. Differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectra analysis revealed that the CoQ10 was successfully dispersed in the WPC and PWPC particles through hydrophobic interaction in both groups in addition to the hydrogen bond present in the WPC group. All nanoparticles exhibited irregular spherical or aggregate structure in the transmission electron microscopy diagram. The PWPC-based nanoparticles showed a slightly higher antioxidant capacity than that of the WPC, and both values were significantly higher than that of its corresponding physical mixture and free CoQ10 (p < 0.05). The results of the simulated gastrointestinal digestion experiments denoted that these two nanoparticles could protect CoQ10 from gastric digestion and then deliver it to the intestine. Compared with its free state, the bioavailability of CoQ10 embedded in WPC and PWPC increased by nearly 7.58 times and 7.48 times, respectively. The data indicated that WPC and PWPC could be effective delivery carriers to enhance the bioavailability of active substances like CoQ10.
Identification of Chemical Constituents from Leaves and Stems of Alpinia oxyphylla: Potential Antioxidant and Tyrosinase Inhibitory Properties
Authors: Chen Huiqin , Su Xin , Xiang Pan , Wei Yanmei , Wang Hao , Li Juntao , Liu Shoubai , Mei Wenli , Dai Haofu
Published: December 2024

Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. is an important undergrowth species in southern China. The fruits of A. oxyphylla are recognized as one of “the four famous south medicines” and are also used in the production of preserved fruit. However, as non-medicinal parts, their stems and leaves are unutilized. In order to promote resource recycling, the chemical components of such stems and leaves were investigated, and we evaluated their melanin inhibitory potential through DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging, tyrosinase inhibition, and melanin production inhibition in B16 cells. Five new compounds, aloxy A (1), kaempferol 3-O-α-L-rhamnosyl-(1 → 2)-(3″,4″-diacetyl-β-D-glucuronate methyl ester) (2), quercetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnosyl-(1 → 2)-(3″,4″-diacetyl-β-D-glucuronate methyl ester) (3), kaempferol 3-O-α-L-rhamnosyl-(1 → 3)-(4″-acetyl-β-D-glucuronate methyl ester) (4), and kaempferol 3-O-α-L-rhamnosyl-(1 → 2)-(3″-acetyl-β-D-glucuronate methyl ester) (5), and seventeen known ones (6–22) were isolated and identified from the stems and leaves of A. oxyphylla. Among these compounds, 19 compounds presented tyrosinase inhibitory activities, among which aloxy A (1), hexahydrocurcumin (7), gingerenone A (8) and 4,4′-dimethoxy-3′-hydroxy-7,9′:7′,9-diepoxylignan-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (22) showed strong inhibitory activity, with IC50 values between 6.26 ± 0.42 and 22.04 ± 1.09 μM, lower than the positive control (Kojic acid, IC50 = 37.22 ± 1.64 μM). A total of 15 compounds exhibited varying degrees of DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities. In addition, 1, 2, and 7 showed melanin production inhibition activity in B16 cells, and the effects presented as concentration-dependent. The above results indicate that the stems and leaves of A. oxyphylla are rich with phenolic compounds, and display tyrosinase inhibition and antioxidant activities, which could lead to potential applications related to melanin production inhibition such as in the development of cosmetics.
Limonin Exhibits Anti-Inflammatory Effects by Inhibiting mTORC1 and Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species in Psoriatic-like Skin Inflammation
Authors: Lee Seung Taek , Lee Jong Yeong , Kim Ha Eun , Park Jun-Young , Choi Jin Kyeong
Published: December 2024

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by abnormal immune responses and keratinocyte hyperproliferation. Limonin, a bioactive compound found in citrus fruits, has anti-inflammatory properties in various models; however, its effects on psoriasis are not fully understood. We investigated the therapeutic potential of limonin in a 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced psoriasis mouse model. Mice were treated with TPA to induce psoriasis-like skin lesions, followed by intraperitoneal administration of limonin (200 or 400 μg/mouse) for six days. The results showed that limonin improved psoriasis-related symptoms in a psoriasis-like mouse model by suppressing the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammation-related antimicrobial peptides and regulating the expansion of myeloid cells and T cells. Specifically, limonin reduced glucose uptake and oxidative phosphorylation to shift the metabolic program in the inflamed skin cells of psoriasis-like mice. Limonin activates AMPK and proteins related to mTOR inhibition, thereby suppressing the mTOR signaling pathway. It also inhibits mitochondrial mass and mitochondrial ROS production, thereby preventing the development of dysfunctional mitochondria in inflamed skin cells. Overall, limonin modulates key immune responses and metabolic pathways related to inflammation and mitochondrial health in psoriasis. Therefore, it is a promising natural candidate for the treatment of psoriasis and various inflammatory skin diseases.
Efficient Optimization-Based Trajectory Planning for Truck–Trailer Systems
Authors: Ozana Stepan , Krupa Filip , Slanina Zdenek
Published: December 2024

This paper tackles the complex problem of trajectory planning for trucks with multiple trailers, with a specific focus on autonomous parking assistance applications. These systems aim to autonomously guide vehicles from a starting position to a target location while effectively navigating real-world obstacles. We propose a novel six-phase approach that combines global and local optimization techniques, enabling the efficient and accurate generation of reference trajectories. Our method is validated in a case study involving a truck with two trailers, illustrating its capability to handle intricate parking scenarios requiring precise obstacle avoidance and high maneuverability. Results demonstrate that the proposed strategy significantly improves trajectory planning efficiency and robustness in challenging environments.
eJamar: A Novel Exergame Controller for Upper Limb Motor Rehabilitation
Authors: Cela Andrés F. , Oña Edwin Daniel , Jardón Alberto
Published: December 2024

This work presents the design of a new game controller device and the development of two exergames (Peter Jumper and Andromeda) for upper limb rehabilitation. The eJamar controller is a novel electromechanical device designed to measure wrist and hand movements, such as pronation/supination, flexion/extension, and ulnar/radial deviation, enabling users to perform control actions in the exergames. One of eJamar’s most significant features is its ability to measure hand grip strength, a function not available in commercial gaming controllers. The exergame Peter Jumper involves a character jumping over obstacles in various environments, promoting hand grip exercises. The exergame Andromeda involves shooting enemy ships, promoting coordination between hand movements and grip strength, making it suitable for different rehabilitation techniques. A testing protocol was applied with eight healthy participants (5F and 3M), who completed a survey evaluating gameplay, usability, and satisfaction of the system. The results demonstrated that the developed exergames are intuitive and easy to play, with participants reporting that a therapist’s presence is not required for gameplay. Hence, it suggests that the developed system can improve the rehabilitation process, promoting wrist–arm movements and grasping actions.
Model Predictive Control for Six-Phase Induction Machines with Insight into Past Current Errors
Authors: Carrillo-Ríos Juan , González-Prieto Ignacio , González-Prieto Ángel , Durán Mario J. , Aciego Juan José
Published: December 2024

Multi-phase electric drives can act as a competitive solution for high-power applications. To take advantage of the multi-phase benefits, the design of high-performance control techniques is a crucial task. In this regard, the inherent features of model predictive control (MPC) have aroused the interest of the scientific community in the last decade. This control solution, based on the usage of a cost function, provides notable flexibility to the control designer to select diverse regulation goals. Although the use of some weighting factors is a common trend to prioritize control purposes, the internal behavior of each term of the cost function is commonly ignored since the cost function is only focused on minimizing the total error. With this issue in mind, this work firstly performs a detailed analysis about the behavior of each cost function term in a standard MPC. The mentioned study permits identifying a certain pattern of the internal mechanics of the cost function that can disturb the current quality. To solve this limitation, the cost function of the MPC scheme is redefined. The proposed strategy permits improving current quality without increasing the number of switching states applied per control period, as it is validated with experimental results in six-phase electric drives.
Nonlinear Analysis of Bridges Considering Soil–Structure Interaction and Travelling Wave Effects Under Combined Train and Near-Fault Seismic Loads
Authors: Katsimpini Panagiota S. , Papagiannopoulos George , Hatzigeorgiou George
Published: December 2024

This paper presents a comprehensive method for analyzing prestressed concrete bridges subjected to multiple concurrent dynamic loads, incorporating soil–structure interaction (SSI) and seismic wave propagation effects. The study develops a comprehensive numerical framework that simultaneously accounts for traveling seismic waves, train-induced vibrations, and soil–foundation dynamics. Three-dimensional finite element modeling captures the complex interaction between the bridge structure, foundation system, and surrounding soil medium. The investigation considers the spatial variability of ground motion and its influence on the bridge’s dynamic response, particularly examining how different wave velocities and coherency patterns affect structural behavior. Advanced material constitutive models based on damage mechanics theory are implemented to represent both linear and non-linear structure responses under dynamic loading conditions. The analysis reveals that traditional simplified approaches, which neglect SSI, train, and seismic loading combinations, and traveling wave effects may significantly misestimate the structural demands. The results demonstrate how wave passage effects can either amplify or attenuate the combined response depending on the relationship between seismic wave velocity, the frequency content of the ground motion recordings, and the local soil conditions. These findings could contribute to the development of more reliable design methodologies for prestressed bridges in seismically active regions with significant railway traffic.
Emergency Dental Care During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic and Its Effect on Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: A Retrospective Study in Hungary
Authors: Kammerhofer Gabor , Vegh Daniel , Papocsi Petra , Major Martin , Fuzes Patrik , Vaszilko Mihaly , Ujpal Marta , Haba Kata Sara , Szabo Gyorgy , Nemeth Zsolt
Published: December 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted healthcare systems worldwide, including dental care. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the pandemic on the management of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). Abnormal blood glucose levels may contribute to the development of MRONJ and act as an important risk factor. This retrospective study included 217 patients with MRONJ. The patients were divided into two groups: the pre-COVID-19 group (16 March 2018 to 16 March 2020; 75 patients; 46 females and 29 males; average age, 74.5 years) and the post-COVID-19 group (1 June 2022 to 1 June 2024; 142 patients; 91 females and 51 males; average age, 69.6 years). Data pertaining to demographic characteristics, length of hospital stay, glucose levels, location of lesions, and underlying diseases were collected. The average length of hospital stays was 4 and 5 days in the pre- and post-COVID-19 groups, respectively. The average fasting glucose levels were 5.5 and 5.9 mmol/L in the pre- and post-COVID-19 groups, respectively. Localization patterns shifted, with a higher incidence in the maxilla in the post-COVID-19 group. These findings suggest a significant increase in MRONJ cases and changes in clinical outcomes due to the pandemic. The increase in the number of patients treated after the pandemic highlights the importance of ongoing vigilance and adaptation in preventing MRONJ, with a particular focus on risk factors.
Casualty Analysis of the Drivers in Traffic Accidents in Turkey: A CHAID Decision Tree Model
Authors: Kuyumcu Zeliha Cagla , Aslan Hakan , Yurtay Nilufer
Published: December 2024

The number of traffic accidents in a region rises as the vehicle–km value in traffic increases. Furthermore, since automobiles make up the highest proportion of vehicles in traffic, they represent the greatest weight in traffic accidents. This study aims to establish a model to predict the driver’s status (survived–injured–dead) as a result of the fatal-injury type of accident. The size of the vehicles suppresses the direct factors related to drivers by having a significant and dominant effect on the analysis of the results of the accidents by concealing the other important factors which must be taken into consideration with regard to the casualty levels of the drivers. Consequently, this paper focuses on automobiles, which are the most frequently involved vehicle type in accidents. Furthermore, the dataset representing the accidents that occurred in Turkey between 2015 and 2021 was employed for the analysis of the effects of the attributes of the drivers on the outcome of casualties for automobile-related accidents alone. The uniqueness of this research stems from being the first study in Turkey to investigate the severity levels of the drivers involved in automobile-related accidents. In addition, this study highlights the preventable factors investigated relatively less than other factors in the literature in order to establish a successful model. The difference between the success of the models with regard to accuracy obtained through dominant and investigated factors is only 5.0%. Random Forests, Naïve Bayes, and CHAID (Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection) models were established and compared as decision tree algorithms. The results revealed the fact that the CHAID model produced the most successful outcomes among them. Driver fault, gender, education level, and age, along with alcohol usage and surface condition, were found to be significant influential factors for the severity of traffic accidents.
Experimental Study of Material Proportioning for Similar Modeling of Brittle Rocks
Authors: Zhang Chaojun , Chu Chaoqun , Wu Shunchuan , Pang Rui , Xia Zhiyuan
Published: December 2024

Over the past 30 years, China has emerged as the country with the world’s largest engineering construction industry. However, rockbursts induced by tunnel excavation in rock engineering have resulted in a substantial number of casualties and extensive property damage. Understanding the brittle failure behavior of rock masses and identifying the mechanism of rockbursts have become critical challenges in the field. Physical model tests can provide a more intuitive simulation of the rockburst process. The selection and proportioning of materials similar to brittle rocks are crucial factors for the success of these model tests. This study selected refined iron powder, barite powder, quartz sand, gypsum powder, and a rosin–alcohol solution to prepare rockburst simulation materials characterized by a low strength and high brittleness. The rockburst tendency and brittleness indices were introduced, and an orthogonal experimental design was used to establish 25 different formulation schemes. The influence of the material component proportions on the physical and mechanical properties of the specimens, as well as their brittleness characteristics, was systematically analyzed. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to derive linear regression equations for the physical and mechanical parameters of the brittle rock simulation materials. In addition, simulation materials and standard specimens of Jinping marble were prepared. The brittle failure modes and acoustic emission characteristics of the specimens under uniaxial compression and Brazilian splitting conditions were analyzed. The results indicate that component proportions significantly affected the physical and mechanical properties of the specimens. The refined iron powder–barite powder ratio, as well as the concentration of the rosin–alcohol solution, played a primary role in controlling the physical and mechanical parameters of the brittle rock simulation materials.
Probiotic Yeasts and How to Find Them—From Spoilage to Probiotic
Authors: Staniszewski Adam , Staniszewska Patrycja , Kordowska-Wiater Monika
Published: December 2024

In the last decade, probiotic yeasts have gained more attention from the scientific community. However, over the decades, researchers have mostly viewed spoilage yeasts as unnecessary and unwanted contamination without considering any of their potentially positive properties. This often led to oversights and the loss of many potentially interesting yeast strains. In this study, we have screened multiple spoilage yeast strains from various spoiled food products and assessed their potential as probiotic candidates. Within this research, we identified two promising probiotic candidates, 113_Metsch_pulcherrima and 101_Pich_kudriavzevii.
Robust Miner Detection in Challenging Underground Environments: An Improved YOLOv11 Approach
Authors: Li Yadong , Yan Hui , Li Dan , Wang Hongdong
Published: December 2024

To address the issue of low detection accuracy caused by low illumination and occlusion in underground coal mines, this study proposes an innovative miner detection method. A large dataset encompassing complex environments, such as low-light conditions, partial strong light interference, and occlusion, was constructed. The Efficient Channel Attention (ECA) mechanism was integrated into the YOLOv11 model to enhance the model’s ability to focus on key features, thereby significantly improving detection accuracy. Additionally, a new weighted Complete Intersection over Union (CIoU) and adaptive confidence loss function were proposed to enhance the model’s robustness in low-light and occlusion scenarios. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms various improved algorithms and state-of-the-art detection models in both detection performance and robustness, providing important technical support and reference for coal miner safety assurance and intelligent mine management.
Crystallization Kinetics of an Equimolar Liquid Crystalline Mixture and Its Components
Authors: Deptuch Aleksandra , Paliga Anna , Drzewicz Anna , Piwowarczyk Marcin , Urbańska Magdalena , Juszyńska-Gałązka Ewa
Published: December 2024

This new equimolar mixture comprises the liquid crystalline compounds MHPOBC and partially fluorinated 3F2HPhF6. The phase sequence of the mixture was determined by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and broadband dielectric spectroscopy. The enantiotropic smectic A*, C*, and CA* phases were observed for the mixture. Only partial crystallization of the mixture was observed during cooling at 2–40 K/min, and the remaining smectic CA* phase underwent vitrification. In contrast, the crystallization of the pure components was complete or almost complete for the same range of cooling rates. The kinetics of the non-isothermal and isothermal crystallization of the mixture and its pure components were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. The non-isothermal data were analyzed by the isoconversional method, while the isothermal data were analyzed using the Avrami model. As is typical, the nucleation-controlled crystallization kinetics were observed.
Impact of Sliding Window Overlap Ratio on EEG-Based ASD Diagnosis Using Brain Hemisphere Energy and Machine Learning
Authors: Falih Bashar S. , Sabir Mohannad K. , Aydın Ahmet
Published: December 2024

Early screening is a key component of intensive intervention therapy and rehabilitation for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals provide real-time, high-sensitivity monitoring of pathological activities in children with ASD. This study used a dataset of 52 samples with 19-channel sleep data and proposed a new approach to diagnosing ASD based on energy differences between the left and right hemispheres of the brain. The preprocessing stage included decimation, band-pass filtering to remove unwanted frequencies, artifact subspace reconstruction to eliminate artifacts, and amplitude normalization to preserve the relative relationships between the signal features, which were crucial for the subsequent analysis and classification. Five band-pass filters were applied to decomposing the EEG signals. For each decomposed band, the signals from each brain hemisphere were analyzed separately by calculating the peak sensor’s envelope and obtaining the mean envelope for each hemisphere, resulting in two mean signals (right and left). Features were extracted using a sliding window approach applied to the mean signals of each hemisphere, with varying overlap ratios (12.5% to 87.5%, in 12.5% steps). The maximum, mean, and minimum energy values were used individually as features. Three types of SVM kernels—linear (L), the radial basis function (RBF), and quadratic—were employed for classification. The proposed method achieved the highest accuracy, sensitivity, and F1-score of 91.7%, 91.4%, and 91.6%, respectively, in the Theta band using SVM-L with the maximum energy features and the maximum overlap ratio.
Key Parameters to Model the Mutual Effects Between Base Isolation (BI) and Soil–Structure Interaction (SSI)
Authors: Forcellini Davide
Published: December 2024

The mutual interaction between base isolation (BI) and soil–structure interaction (SSI) needs to be considered in design applications. In the literature, the key parameters that may affect such interaction have been rarely considered. Closed formulations for the assessment of the mutual role of BI and SSI have not been proposed yet. The paper aims to cover this gap by considering a 3DOF model to propose closed relationships with the most significant parameters (structural period, isolation ratio and shear wave velocity). The outcomes show that there are two different interactions. When soil deformability and structural stiffness are not significant, the isolation ratio may be used as a main parameter. However, when the foundation soil is particularly deformable and structures are significantly rigid, a more complex relationship needs to be considered. Parametric case studies have been performed with different structures, three isolation ratios and several soil conditions (soil A, B, C and D).
Macro–Micro Failure Characteristics of Soft–Hard Composite Rock with Unparallel Joints: Analysis Based on DIC and AE Technique
Authors: Feng Xinglong , Li Su , Yang Chaoyi , Li Zhengrong , Lin Hang , Wang Zeyue
Published: December 2024

Jointed composite rock masses are ubiquitous, where the interplay between fractures and bedding planes significantly complicates their failure mechanisms. This study conducted uniaxial compression tests on a composite rock material featuring soft and hard components with unparallel double joints. Leveraging the digital image correlation (DIC) method and acoustic emission (AE) technology, the investigation analyzed the influence of joint angles on the mechanical properties, failure modes, and crack propagation behaviors. The results indicate that the peak strength exhibits an ascending–descending–ascending trend with the variation of upper joint angle, peaking at 90°. The failure modes can be systematically categorized into three types. The failure of the specimen is predominantly influenced by the upper joint. However, when the lower joint angle is relatively flat, it becomes more prone to contributing to the failure of the specimen. The lower joint-dominated failure mode only occurs when the upper joint angle is 90°. As the lower joint angle remains at 90°, an augmentation in the upper joint angle initially leads to a decrease and subsequently to an increase in the proportion of shear cracks. In contrast, when the lower joint angle deviates from 90°, the increase of the upper joint angle initially boosts and then diminishes the proportion of shear cracks.