bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ghrelin and Leptin among Patients with Urolithiasis with Concomitant Hyperuricemia and Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Lubawy Michalina , Blacha Anna , Nowicki Marcin , Deja Tomasz , Wałkowski Krzysztof , Formanowicz Dorota
Published: January 2023

Introduction: The study evaluated the selected appetite hormones (ghrelin, leptin) and inflammatory parameters (tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6)) in patients with urolithiasis, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and hyperuricemia. Materials: 57 patients with urolithiasis, MetS and hyperuricemia (UP group) and 29 healthy people as the control group (CG group) were recruited to the study. All persons were 22–60 age. Methods: After preliminary testing, the qualified participants were evaluated for fasting serum levels of ghrelin, leptin, IL-6, and TNF-α. Results: Our results revealed differences between average values of leptin (p = 0.045), ghrelin (p < 0.001), IL-6 (p < 0.001), and TNF-α (p < 0.001) in the studied groups. Moreover, in the UP group, significant correlations were found between ghrelin and leptin; between these hormones and IL-6, and between leptin and uric acid (UA). Besides, leptin concentration increased significantly along with the changes in the body mass index (BMI) categories in the UP group. Conclusions: This study showed that patients with urolithiasis, concomitant MetS, and high UA levels may have problems managing appetite hormones.
Inhibition of microRNA-328 Increases Ocular Mucin Expression and Conjunctival Goblet Cells
Authors: Choo Jackson , Liao Chun-Huei , Tseng Ching-Li , Chen Jiunn-Liang , Cheng Huey-Chuan , Liang Chung-Ling , Juo Suh-Hang Hank
Published: January 2023

We previously reported anti-miR-328 therapy for dry eye disease (DED). Since decreased mucin secretion is a risk factor for DED, we aimed to explore whether anti-miR-328 affects mucin expression and goblet cells. MiR-328 was increased in goblet cells when they were under desiccating stress or treated with benzalkonium chloride (BAC), both of which are risk factors for DED. Based on bioinformatics tool results, miR-328 was predicted to directly target the transcription factor CREB1 that has been known to promote the expression of mucin5AC. The inhibitory effect of miR-328 on CREB1 was confirmed by the transfection assay. A miR-328 binding site on the CREB1 gene was confirmed by the luciferase assay. Furthermore, anti-miR-328 increased CREB1 and mucin5AC in cultured goblet cells according to qPCR, Western blot, and IF staining experiments. Anti-miR-328 increased mucin5AC secretion from the cultured goblet cells based on an ELISA assay for the cultured medium. Finally, impression cytology data revealed anti-miR-328 increased conjunctival goblet cells in the DED rabbits induced by BAC. In conclusion, anti-miR-328 increases CREB1 expression leading to an increase in mucin5AC production and secretion. Furthermore, anti-miR-328 also increases conjunctival goblet cells. These results warrant the further development of anti-miR-328 therapy for DED.
Molecular Abnormalities in BTBR Mice and Their Relevance to Schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Overview of Transcriptomic and Proteomic Studies
Authors: Kisaretova Polina , Tsybko Anton , Bondar Natalia , Reshetnikov Vasiliy
Published: January 2023

Animal models of psychopathologies are of exceptional interest for neurobiologists because these models allow us to clarify molecular mechanisms underlying the pathologies. One such model is the inbred BTBR strain of mice, which is characterized by behavioral, neuroanatomical, and physiological hallmarks of schizophrenia (SCZ) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Despite the active use of BTBR mice as a model object, the understanding of the molecular features of this strain that cause the observed behavioral phenotype remains insufficient. Here, we analyzed recently published data from independent transcriptomic and proteomic studies on hippocampal and corticostriatal samples from BTBR mice to search for the most consistent aberrations in gene or protein expression. Next, we compared reproducible molecular signatures of BTBR mice with data on postmortem samples from ASD and SCZ patients. Taken together, these data helped us to elucidate brain-region-specific molecular abnormalities in BTBR mice as well as their relevance to the anomalies seen in ASDs or SCZ in humans.
Sensing Bisphenol A by Means of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy and DFT Calculations to Elucidate the Enhancement Mechanism That Dominates the Spectrum
Authors: De Souza Michele Lemos , Valdivia Samuel , Otero Juan Carlos , López-Tocón Isabel
Published: January 2023

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) was employed as a spectroscopic tool to detect Bisphenol A (BPA), a building block in polycarbonate and epoxy resins or an additive in other polymer plastics like PVC, which has an endocrine disruptor effect. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized by using different reducing agents such as hydroxylamine (Ag@HX), citrate (Ag@Cit), borohydride (Ag@BH), and β-cyclodextrin (Ag@βCD) were employed, aiming to select the best standard SERS substrate. The lowest limit of quantification was reached at a concentration of 0.01 mM (2.3 μg/mL) of a sonicated aqueous solution by using Ag@Cit NPs and identifying two enhanced bands recorded at about 350 and 460 cm−1. In order to gain insight into the nature of the enhanced bands, and therefore into which mechanism governs the SERS signal, electrochemical spectra recorded at different electrode potentials were acquired and TD-DFT calculations were applied to a neutral silver complex of BPA, Ag2-BPA, and to its monohydroxylated chemical specie, Ag2-BPA(OH), which is present in sonicated solution. The calculated electronic structure and the resonance Raman spectra point out that a surface plasmon-like resonance inside the silver cluster dominates the SERS spectrum corresponding to the physisorbed BPA(OH) species, a charge transfer enhancement mechanism or an intramolecular resonance transition localized in the phenolic framework was then discarded.
Monitoring of Auditory Function in Newborns of Women Infected by SARS-CoV-2 during Pregnancy
Authors: Apa Enrico , Presutti Maria Teresa , Rossi Cecilia , Roversi Maria Federica , Neri Salvatore , Gargano Giancarlo , Bianchin Giovanni , Polizzi Valeria , Caragli Valeria , Monzani Daniele , Berardi Alberto , Palma Silvia , Genovese Elisabetta
Published: January 2023

Background: Gestational SARS-CoV-2 infection can impact maternal and neonatal health. The virus has also been reported to cause newborn sensorineural hearing loss, but its consequences for the auditory system are not fully understood. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy on newborn’ hearing function during the first year of life. Methods: An observational study was conducted from 1 November 2020 to 30 November 2021 at University Modena Hospital. All newborns whose mother had been infected by SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy were enrolled and underwent audiological evaluation at birth and at 1 year of age. Results: A total of 119 neonates were born from mothers infected by SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy. At birth, five newborns (4.2%) presented an increased threshold of ABR (Auditory Brainstem Evoked Response), but the results were confirmed only in 1.6% of cases, when repeated 1 month later, while the ABR thresholds in all other children returned to normal limits. At the 1-year follow-up, no cases of moderate or severe hearing loss were observed, while concomitant disorders of the middle ear were frequently observed. Conclusions: Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection, regardless of the trimester in which it was contracted, appears not to induce moderate or severe hearing loss in infants. It is important to clarify the possible effect of the virus on late-onset hearing loss and future research is needed.
Development and Evaluation of a Virtual Model for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Assessment and Diagnosis in Children: A Pilot Study
Authors: King Seema , Burns Colleen , Symes Brent , Jessiman ShawnaLee , Bell Amber , Rajani Hasu
Published: January 2023

The diagnostic process for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) involves a multi-disciplinary team and includes neurodevelopmental, physical, and facial assessments and evidence of prenatal alcohol exposure during the index pregnancy. With the increased use of virtual care in health care due to the pandemic, and desire of clinics to be more efficient when providing timely services, there was a need to develop a virtual diagnostic model for FASD. This study develops a virtual model for the entire FASD assessment and diagnostic process, including individual neurodevelopmental assessments. It proposes a virtual model for assessment and diagnosis of FASD in children and evaluates the functionality of this model with other national and international FASD diagnostic teams and caregivers of children being assessed for FASD.
Non-Solvent- and Temperature-Induced Phase Separations of Polylaurolactam Solutions in Benzyl Alcohol as Methods for Producing Microfiltration Membranes
Authors: Ilyina Svetlana O. , Anokhina Tatyana S. , Ilyin Sergey O.
Published: January 2023

The possibility of obtaining porous films through solutions of polylaurolactam (PA12) in benzyl alcohol (BA) was considered. The theoretical calculation of the phase diagram showed the presence of the upper critical solution temperature (UCST) for the PA12/BA system at 157 °C. The PA12 completely dissolved in BA at higher temperatures, but the resulting solutions underwent phase separation upon cooling down to 120–140 °C because of the PA12’s crystallization. The viscosity of the 10–40% PA12 solutions increased according to a power law but remained low and did not exceed 5 Pa·s at 160 °C. Regardless of the concentration, PA12 formed a dispersed phase when its solutions were cooled, which did not allow for the obtention of strong films. On the contrary, the phase separation of the 20–30% PA12 solutions under the action of a non-solvent (isopropanol) leads to the formation of flexible microporous films. The measurement of the porosity, wettability, strength, permeability, and rejection of submicron particles showed the best results for a porous film produced from a 30% solution by non-solvent-induced phase separation. This process makes it possible to obtain a membrane material with a 240 nm particle rejection of 99.6% and a permeate flow of 1.5 kg/m2hbar for contaminated water and 69.9 kg/m2hbar for pure water.
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Computation in 2022
Authors:   Computation Editorial Office
Published: January 2023

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]
Methods to Create Novel La2−xSrxCuO4 Devices with Multiple Atomically Sharp Interfaces
Authors: Bollinger Anthony T. , He Xi , Caruso Roberta , Xu Xiaotao , Shi Xiaoyan , Božović Ivan
Published: January 2023

We present methods to create devices that utilize the high-temperature superconductor La2-xSrxCuO4 grown by atomic layer-by-layer molecular beam epitaxy (ALL-MBE). The ALL-MBE synthesis technique provides atomically precise interfaces necessary for the tunnel junctions, Josephson junctions, and dyon detection devices that will be considered. A series of microfabrication processing steps using established techniques are given for each device, and their details are discussed. These procedures are easily extended to generate more complex designs and could be suitable for a wider variety of materials.
Backhaul-Aware User Association and Throughput Maximization in UAV-Aided Hybrid FSO/RF Network
Authors: Nafees Muhammad , Huang Shenjie , Thompson John , Safari Majid
Published: January 2023

Free-space optical (FSO) communication is expected to play an indispensable role with high data rates and low system complexity in beyond fifth-generation (B5G) networks. However, infrequent adverse weather conditions can incapacitate its performance. The combination of FSO and radio frequency (RF) has emerged as an effective alternative for meeting the growing need for high data rates in wireless communication networks. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are also anticipated to play an instrumental role in B5G networks due to their flexible movement and deployment. In this paper, a UAV-aided hybrid FSO/RF backhauling system using a matching game theory (GT) and reinforcement learning (RL) framework is investigated. We deploy a UAV to provide a user offloading service to an already existing ground base station (GBS), which is facing a reduced backhaul capacity due to weather attenuation (e.g., fog). It is considered that the GBS has a pre-installed FSO backhaul connection to a macro-base station (MBS). However, during adverse weather conditions, the FSO backhaul is severely affected, compromising the reliability of the FSO link. With the reduced FSO backhaul capacity, the GBS needs an additional backhaul link to support its backhaul data transmission to the destination MBS. As a result, instead of building an expensive permanent parallel RF link for the rare foggy situation, a UAV can be hired to serve a portion of the users, thereby reducing the GBS load. The users perform a matching game-based procedure to select the base station (BS) of their choice to maximize their utility. The UAV is deployed at an optimal altitude, and the bandwidth partition between the GBS and the UAV is optimized to maximize the system throughput using RL. Real weather data from the cities of Edinburgh and London in the U.K. are used to evaluate the performance of the system. The numerical results show the superiority and effectiveness of the proposed scheme compared to conventional methods.
Sulfur Loading as a Manufacturing Key Factor of Additive-Free Cathodes for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries Prepared by Composite Electroforming
Authors: El Mofid Wassima , Sörgel Timo
Published: January 2023

The promised prospects of Li–S technology, especially within the energy situation of the 21st century, have sparked a renewed interest from the scientific community in the 2000s. In this context, we present our new vision for the fabrication of novel cathodes for Li–S batteries that were synthesized using the first combination of composite plating and electroforming (composite electroforming). The latter consists of electroforming the current collector foil directly in a one-step process. Simultaneously, the active material is introduced into the metal matrix by means of composite plating. Reduced technological steps, better performance and resource-saving production, combined with a potentially easier and highly efficient way of recycling electrodes, are achievements of the current method. In the present work, novel cathodes for lithium–sulfur batteries were synthesized by composite electroforming of AlSi10Mg0.4@Ni foil from a nickel sulfamate-based electrolyte with AlSi10Mg0.4 particles used as dispersoids. The composite foil is subsequently etched in order to increase the specific surface area of the aluminum alloy particles. The last manufacturing and key step of the ready-to-use cathodes for Li–S batteries is the sulfur loading, which was conducted using two different ways: by spin coating in melted sulfur at 160 °C or electrochemically from a sodium sulfide aqueous solution (Na2S(aq)). Morphological and electrochemical characterization by SEM and galvanostatic cycling, respectively, exhibited a remarkable difference in terms of the sulfur distribution and the surface morphology as well as a considerable improvement of the rate capability and cyclability for the electrochemically loaded cathode as against the spin-coated one.
Hybrid Condition Monitoring System for Power Transformer Fault Diagnosis
Authors: Baker Engin , Nese Secil Varbak , Dursun Erkan
Published: January 2023

The important parts of a transformer, such as the core, windings, and insulation materials, are in the oil-filled tank. It is difficult to detect faults in these materials in a closed area. Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA)-based fault diagnosis methods predict a fault that may occur in the transformer and take the necessary precautions before the fault grows. Although these fault diagnosis methods have an accuracy of over 95%, their validity is controversial since limited data are used in the studies. The success rates and reliability of fault diagnosis methods in transformers, one of the most important pieces of power systems equipment, should be increased. In this study, a hybrid fault diagnosis system is designed using DGA-based methods and Fuzzy Logic. A mathematical approach and support vector machines (SVMs) were used as decision-making methods in the hybrid fault diagnosis systems. The results of tests performed with 317 real fault data sets relating to transformers showed accuracy of 95.58% using a mathematical approach and 96.23% using SVMs.
Review and Comparison of Genetic Algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization in the Optimal Power Flow Problem
Authors: Papazoglou Georgios , Biskas Pandelis
Published: January 2023

Metaheuristic optimization techniques have successfully been used to solve the Optimal Power Flow (OPF) problem, addressing the shortcomings of mathematical optimization techniques. Two of the most popular metaheuristics are the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The literature surrounding GA and PSO OPF is vast and not adequately organized. This work filled this gap by reviewing the most prominent works and analyzing the different traits of GA OPF works along seven axes, and of PSO OPF along four axes. Subsequently, cross-comparison between GA and PSO OPF works was undertaken, using the reported results of the reviewed works that use the IEEE 30-bus network to assess the performance and accuracy of each method. Where possible, the practices used in GA and PSO OPF were compared with literature suggestions from other domains. The cross-comparison aimed to act as a first step towards the standardization of GA and PSO OPF, as it can be used to draw preliminary conclusions regarding the tuning of hyper-parameters of GA and PSO OPF. The analysis of the cross-comparison results indicated that works using both GA and PSO OPF offer remarkable accuracy (with GA OPF having a slight edge) and that PSO OPF involves less computational burden.
Uncertainty Quantification in Reservoir Simulation Using Modern Data Assimilation Algorithm
Authors: Tuczyński Tomasz , Stopa Jerzy
Published: January 2023

Production forecasting using numerical simulation has become a standard in the oil and gas industry. The model construction process requires an explicit definition of multiple uncertain parameters; thus, the outcome of the modelling is also uncertain. For the reservoirs with production data, the uncertainty can be reduced by history-matching. However, the manual matching procedure is time-consuming and usually generates one deterministic realization. Due to the ill-posed nature of the calibration process, the uncertainty cannot be captured sufficiently with only one simulation model. In this paper, the uncertainty quantification process carried out for a gas-condensate reservoir is described. The ensemble-based uncertainty approach was used with the ES-MDA algorithm, conditioning the models to the observed data. Along with the results, the author described the solutions proposed to improve the algorithm’s efficiency and to analyze the factors controlling modelling uncertainty. As a part of the calibration process, various geological hypotheses regarding the presence of an active aquifer were verified, leading to important observations about the drive mechanism of the analyzed reservoir.
Microclimatic Monitoring—The Beginning of Saving Historical Sacral Buildings in Europe
Authors: Poljak Michal , Ponechal Radoslav
Published: January 2023

A suitable indoor climate positively affects the lifespan of historical building structures. The path to an agreeable climate begins with monitoring current conditions. Considerable attention is given to monitoring the indoor climate of historical buildings. The motivation for monitoring air temperature and surface temperatures, relative air humidity or airflow can be, for example, the installation of heating, the occurrence of biotic damage, and others. Through the analysis of the most frequently used keywords, a strong connection was found, for example, between thermal comfort and the church. This review also summarises the various reasons for conducting microclimate monitoring studies in historical religious buildings on the European continent. It is supplemented with an evaluation of the monitoring methodology from the chosen period of the year point of view, the measured parameters, and the length of the interval between the recordings of quantities. It was found that in more than one-third of the cases, the recording time was less than or equal to 15 min, but mostly less than or equal to 1 h. Quite often, monitoring results are used to calibrate a simulation model describing the hydrothermal behaviour of a historical object under various operation alternatives (e.g., influence of ventilation, climate change, occupancy, etc.). This way, it is possible to test various intelligent systems in the virtual world without much risk before they are used in an actual building application.
An Installed Hybrid Direct Expansion Solar Assisted Heat Pump Water Heater to Monitor and Modeled the Energy Factor of a University Students’ Accommodation
Authors: Tangwe Stephen , Mukumba Patrick , Makaka Golden
Published: January 2023

This paper focused on the performance monitoring and modeling of a 6.0 kW, 2000 L hybrid direct expansion solar assisted heat pump (DX-SAHP) water heater used for the production of hot water in a university students’ accommodation with 123 females. The data of total electrical energy consumed, volume of hot water consumed, ambient temperature, relative humidity, and solar irradiance were obtained from the data acquisition systems and analyzed in conjunction with the energy factor (EF) of the system. A multiple linear regression model was developed to predict the EF. The EF of the hybrid DX-SAHP water heater was determined from the summation of the coefficient of performance (COP) of the heat pump unit and the solar fraction (SF) of the solar collectors. The operations of the hybrid energy system were analyzed based on three phases (first phase from 00:00–08:00, second phase from 08:30–18:30, and third phase from 19:00–23:30) over 24 h for the entire monitoring period. The average EF of the hybrid energy system per day during the second phase of operation was 4.38, while the SF and COP were 0.697 and 3.683, respectively. The developed multiple linear regression model for the hybrid DX-SAHP water heater accurately predicted the determined EF.
Feasibility and Mechanism of Deep Heavy Oil Recovery by CO2-Energized Fracturing Following N2 Stimulation
Authors: Sun Shuaishuai , Wu Yongbin , Ma Xiaomei , Liu Pengcheng , Zhang Fujian , Liu Peng , Zhang Xiaokun
Published: January 2023

There are large, heavy oil reserves in Block X of the Xinjiang oilfields, China. Due to its large burial depth (1300 m) and low permeability (26.0 mD), the traditional steam-injection technology cannot be used to obtain effective development benefits. This paper conducts experimental and simulation research on the feasibility and mechanism of CO2-energized fracturing of horizontal wells and N2 foam huff-n-puff in deep heavy oil reservoirs with low permeability in order to further explore the appropriate production technology. The foaming volume of the foaming agent at different concentrations and the oil displacement effect of N2 foam at different gas/liquid ratios were compared by the experiments. The results show that a high concentration of foaming agent mixed with crude oil is more conducive to increasing the foaming volume and extending the half-life, and the best foaming agent concentration is 3.0∼4.0%. The 2D micro-scale visualization experiment results show that N2 foam has a good selective blocking effect, which increases the sweep area. The number of bubbles per unit area increases as the gas/liquid ratio increases, with 3.0∼5.0 being the optimal gas/liquid ratio. Numerical simulation results show that, when CO2-energized fracturing technology takes into account the advantages of fracturing and crude oil viscosity reduction by CO2 dissolution, the phased oil recovery factor in the primary production period can reach approximately 13.7%. A solvent pre-slug with N2 foam huff-n-puff technology is applied to improve oil recovery factor following primary production for 5∼6 years, and the final oil recovery factor can reach approximately 35.0%. The methodology formulated in this study is particularly significant for the effective development of this oil reservoir with deeply buried depth and low permeability, and would also guide the recovery of similar oil deposits.
Integration of Corn and Cane for Ethanol Production: Effects of Lactobacilli Contamination on Fermentative Parameters and Use of Ionizing Radiation Treatment for Disinfection
Authors: Silva Ana Paula Maria da , Sica Pietro , Pires Lucas de Almeida Nobre , Spironello Liandra , Mota Layna Amorim , Peixoto Gustavo Theodoro , Calegari Rubens Perez , Basso Thiago Olitta , Tonso Aldo , Gomes Marcelo Pego , Somessari Samir Luiz , Duarte Heitor Gameiro , Somessari Elizabeth S. Ribeiro , Carvalho Renan de Souza , Baptista Antonio Sampaio
Published: January 2023

Recently, in Brazil, corn ethanol industries are being installed and the integration with sugar/energy-cane has been proposed, using bagasse for cogeneration and the juice to dilute the corn. However, this integration may have some limitations, such as the quality of the cane juice and potential contamination by microorganisms brought with the cane from the field. In this article, we first tested the effects of mixing energy cane juice with corn on fermentative parameters. We also assessed the effects of Lactobacilli. contamination on organic acids produced during the fermentation and fermentation parameters and proposed the use of ionizing radiation to replace antibiotics as a disinfection control method. Our results showed that mixing energy cane juice with corn does not have any negative effect on fermentation parameters, including ethanol production. The contamination with Lactobacilli. considerably increased the production of acetic, lactic, and succinic acid, reducing the pH and ethanol content from 89.2 g L−1 in the sterilized treatment to 72.9 g L−1 in the contaminated treatment. Therefore, for the integration between corn and cane to be applied on an industrial scale, it is essential to have effective disinfection before fermentation. Ionizing radiation (20 kGy) virtually disinfected the wort, showing itself to be a promising technology; however, an economic viability study for adopting it in the industry should be carried out.
Therapeutic and Anti-Thrombotic Properties of Some Naturally Fermented Soybean Foods of the Eastern Himalayas
Authors: Kharnaior Pynhunlang , Das Mayouri , Tamang Jyoti Prakash
Published: January 2023

Naturally fermented soybean foods have anti-thrombotic properties due to the presence of microbial fibrinolytic enzymes. However, fibrinolytic enzyme-producing bacteria from naturally fermented soybean foods of the Eastern Himalayas viz. kinema, grep-chhurpi, peha, peron namsing, peruñyaan and bemerthu have not been screened yet. Therefore, this study aims to screen the fibrinolytic enzyme-producing bacteria from these naturally fermented soybean foods and also to assess their therapeutic properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, flavones, isoflavones, anti-obesity and anti-diabetic properties of samples. A total of 877 bacteria were isolated, out of which Bacillus subtilis (ten strains), B. velezensis (three strains), B. inaquosorum (two strains) and B. halotolerans (one strain) showed fibrinolytic enzyme activity ranging from 775.70 U/mL to 1230.61 U/mL, with a blood clot-degrading property of more than 50%. A remarkable DPPH radical scavenging property (>50%), flavone (278.98 ± 7.06 µg QE/g) and isoflavone (394.13 ± 11.68 µg GEN/g) contents were observed. The Himalayan fermented soybean foods have shown anti-thrombotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and anti-obesity properties indicating their therapeutic values.
Impacts of Proanthocyanidin Binding on Conformational and Functional Properties of Decolorized Highland Barley Protein
Authors: Li Juan , Zhang Xin , Zhou Wenju , Tu Zhaoxin , Yang Xijuan , Hao Jing , Liang Feng , Chen Zhengxing , Du Yan
Published: January 2023

The impacts of interaction between proanthocyanidin (PC) and decolorized highland barley protein (DHBP) at pH 7 and 9 on the functional and conformational changes in DHBP were investigated. It was shown that PC strongly quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of DHBP primarily through static quenching. PC and DHBP were mainly bound by hydrophobic interactions. Additionally, free sulfhydryl groups and surface hydrophobicity obviously decreased in DHBP after combining with PC. The zeta potential of DHBP–PC complexes at pH 7 increased significantly. A change in the structure of DHBP was caused by interactions with PC, resulting in an increase in the number of β-sheets, a decrease in the number of α-helixes, and a spectral shift in the amide Ⅱ band. Furthermore, the presence of PC enhanced the foaming properties and antioxidant activity of DHBP. Overall, this study suggests that DHBP–PC complexes at pH 7 could be designed as a stable additive, and illustrates the potential applications of DHBP–PC complexes in the food industry.
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Forensic Sciences in 2022
Authors:   Forensic Sciences Editorial Office
Published: January 2023

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Fuels in 2022
Authors:   Fuels Editorial Office
Published: January 2023

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]
The Troubled House: Families, Heritance and the Reckoning of Empire
Authors: May Andrew J.
Published: January 2023

Critical family history expands the frame of a life story beyond the accumulation of facts and figures to an acknowledgement of context, a deeper understanding of structure, a reckoning of circumstance and response and a comparison across time and space. This article explores the complexity of family history in the context of colonial pasts in British India; the possibilities offered by group analysis of colonial actors; and the moral obligation of the family historian to address difficult pasts in all their complexity. Through the migratory careers and migration stories of colonial actors—the dislocated people, objects and memories that sustain identity—a longitudinal dimension is added to family history. Taken collectively, the family history of a domiciled British community in India reveals not just important blood ties, but critical associational links and shared characteristics that structure experience and enhance power. Colonial power must always be measured by its negative effects, but is also relational, situational, variable, commutable and resisted. The article further reflects on the ways in which critical research into settler-colonial migrations delivers our family histories to the doorstep of the present; their possibilities for informing truth-telling at individual and national levels; and the need for a pedagogy of historical contextualisation and ethical citizenship.
Information Technology-Enhanced Telehealth Consultations Reduce Preoperative Evaluation Center Visits in a Bariatric Surgery Population
Authors: Zafar Jill E. , Chan Kathleen T. , Ryder Lori J. , Duffy Andrew J. , Dai Feng , Carr Zyad J. , Charchaflieh Jean G.
Published: January 2023

Background: Preoperative patient evaluation and optimization in a preoperative evaluation center (PEC) has been shown to improve operating room (OR) efficiency and patient care. However, performing preoperative evaluation on all patients scheduled for surgery or procedure would be time- and resource-consuming. Therefore, appropriate patient selection for evaluation at PECs is one aspect of improving PEC efficiency. In this study, we evaluate the effect of an enhanced preoperative evaluation process (PEP), utilizing a nursing triage phone call and information technology (IT) optimizations, on PEC efficiency and the quality of care in bariatric surgery patients. We hypothesized that, compared to a traditional PEP, the enhanced PEP would improve PEC efficiency without a negative impact on quality. Methods: The study was a retrospective cohort analysis of 1550 patients from January 2014 to March 2017 at a large, tertiary care academic health system. The study was a before/after comparison that compared the enhanced PEP model to the traditional PEP model. The primary outcome was the efficiency of the PEC, which was measured by the reduction of in-person patient visits at the PEC. The secondary outcome was the quality of care, which was measured by delays, cancellations, and the need for additional testing on the day of surgery (DOS). Results: The enhanced PEP improved the primary outcome of efficiency, as evident by an 80% decrease in in-person patient visits to the PEC. There was no reduction in the secondary outcome of the quality of care as measured by delays, cancellations, or the need for additional testing on the DOS. The implementation of the enhanced PEP did not result in increased costs or resource utilization. Conclusions: The enhanced PEP in a multi-disciplinary preoperative process can improve the efficiency of PEC for bariatric surgery patients without any decrease in the quality of care. The enhanced PEP process can be implemented without an increase in resource utilization and can be particularly useful during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Geophysical Investigations within the Latus Dextrum of Porolissum Fort, Northwestern Romania—The Layout of a Roman Edifice
Authors: Hegyi Alexandru , Lăzărescu Vlad , Pisz Michał , Lenkey László , Pethe Mihály , Onaca Alexandru , Nica Mădălina
Published: January 2023

This paper summarizes the results of a recent geophysical investigation carried out at Porolissum, which is considered to be one of the most significant Roman sites in Romania. The geophysical survey was carried out within the latus dextrum of the fort, which is the same location that had been the subject of earlier geophysical surveys as well as older archaeological excavations (1970s) that had uncovered a multiroom building. A cesium vapor total field magnetometer and a multi-electrode resistivity meter for a dense Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) survey were used. Eighty parallel ERT profiles in combination with the emerging total field magnetic data and an antecedent magnetic survey allowed us to complete a more precise interpretation regarding the building that once existed on the left side of Porolissum’s Principia (the commander’s house). In contrast to the magnetic survey, which only reveals a part of the building’s architecture, the ERT survey provides a comprehensive view of the structure’s layout. More than 20 rooms could be positively identified, and the existence of further rooms might be deduced from the data. The ERT scan revealed the existence of the building’s northern external wall as well, which is not reflected on the magnetic map. Because some parts of the building are not visible on the magnetic map, we can assume that the building was constructed with at least two types of rocks (magmatic and sedimentary). In addition to the archaeological interpretation of the geophysical anomalies, a number of discussions concerning the connection between our survey and the geology of the area were held. The complementarity of the magnetic and resistivity results prompted us to conceive a preliminary 3D reconstruction of the building. Even if the building function is unknown in the absence of reliable archaeological data, it could have been a storage building, a second praetorium, a valetudinarium (hospital), or an armamentarium (weapons storage building). The illustrative reconstruction was completed taking into consideration that the building was a Roman military hospital, which, based on the available data, may be considered a credible assumption.
Nitric Oxide Is Essential to Keep the Postharvest Quality of Fruits and Vegetables
Authors: Liu Yuhan , Chen Tong , Tao Ning , Yan Ting , Wang Qingguo , Li Qingqing
Published: January 2023

Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous free radical that has been become a potential tool to maintain the quality of postharvest horticultural produce. It plays important roles in delaying ripening, alleviating chilling injury, preventing browning, and enhancing disease resistance. The regulatory function of NO is achieved through the post-transcriptional modification of proteins, such as tyrosine nitration, S-nitrosylation, and nitroalkylation. Secondly, NO can also induce the expression of stress-related genes by synergistically interacting with other signaling substances, such as Ca2+, ethylene (ETH), salicylic acid (SA), and jasmonic acid (JA). Here, research progress on the role of NO and its donors in regulating the quality of postharvest fruits and vegetables under storage is reviewed. The function of NO crosstalk with other phytohormones is summarized. Future research directions for NO commercial application and the endogenous NO regulatory mechanism are also discussed.
An Economic Method to Identify Cultivars and Elite Lines in Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) for Small Seed Companies and Independent Breeders
Authors: Hong Huiyeon , Lee Junho , Chae Wonbyoung
Published: January 2023

Radish is a root vegetable crop, and many F1 cultivars have been developed by exploiting heterosis. Considerable time and resources are required to test the performance and combining ability of F1 cultivars and parental lines; therefore, economical methods to identify them are needed before field tests. This study was conducted to determine the minimum number of markers needed to identify cultivars and elite lines. PCR-based markers were applied to radish cultivars and elite lines and selected based on chromosomal location, polymorphic information content, and allele frequency. The power of selected marker sets to detect genetically similar cultivars or elite lines was confirmed using cultivars with high genetic similarity and elite lines with the same parents. Eleven markers successfully identified not only all 105 radish cultivars tested but also cultivars with high genetic similarity reported in previous studies. Fourteen markers, including the nine among 11 markers for cultivar identification, also successfully distinguished all 115 elite lines tested, including ones with the same parents and separated at F2–F6 generations. The markers developed for the identification of radish cultivars and elite lines require only 11 and 14 markers, respectively, and simple PCR and gel electrophoresis instruments. This method is very simple and can be easily applied to other crops.
Prolonged Sitting in University Students: An Intra-Individual Study Exploring Physical Activity Value as a Deterrent
Authors: Garn Alex C. , Simonton Kelly L.
Published: January 2023

University students are a subpopulation of young adults highly susceptible to prolonged bouts of sitting. The purpose of this study was to investigate university students’ intra-individual patterns of prolonged daily sitting, exploring gender and physical activity value beliefs as covariates. A total of 71 students reported the number of days each week they spent in bouts of prolonged sitting (2 + continuous hours) over a five-week timeframe. The findings revealed that at the beginning of the study, the students spent about four days per week in prolonged bouts of sitting although there was substantial variability in the sample. Intra-individual changes over the five weeks occurred in a non-linear fashion with a variability in these trajectories. Men reported approximately one less day of prolonged sitting per week although gender did not predict changes over time. Physical activity value beliefs were negatively related to prolonged bouts of sitting when averaged across time. The results illustrate the variable nature of prolonged sitting in university student populations, highlighting the need for implementing individualized intervention strategies targeting sedentary behavior.
Arsenic: A Perspective on Its Effect on Pioglitazone Bioavailability
Authors: Terrones-Gurrola María Cruz del Rocío , Ponce-Peña Patricia , Salas-Pacheco José Manuel , Camacho-Luis Abelardo , Pozos-Guillén Amaury de Jesús , Nieto-Delgado Guillermo , López-Guzmán Olga Dania , Vértiz-Hernández Angel Antonio
Published: January 2023

Arsenic (As) is a common contaminant in drinking water in northeastern Mexico, which reduces the expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP 450). This enzyme group metabolizes numerous drugs, such as oral antidiabetic drugs such as pioglitazone (61% CYP 3A4, 49% CYP 2C8). When CYP 450’s function is inadequate, it has decreased therapeutic activity in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to establish the effect of As on pioglitazone metabolism in patients with T2DM. Methodology: Urine, water, and plasma samples from a healthy population (n = 11) and a population with T2DM (n = 20) were obtained. Samples were analyzed by fluorescence spectroscopy/hydride generation (As) and HPLC (pioglitazone). Additionally, CYP 3A4 and CYP 2C8 were studied by density functional theory (DFT). Results: The healthy and T2DM groups were exposed via drinking water to >0.010 ppm, Ka values with a factor of 4.7 higher, Cl 1.42 lower, and ABCt 1.26 times higher concerning the healthy group. In silico analysis (DFT) of CYP 3A4 and CYP 2C8 isoforms showed the substitution of the iron atom by As in the active sites of the enzymes. Conclusions: The results indicate that the substitution of Fe for As modifies the enzymatic function of CYP 3A4 and CYP 2C8 isoforms, altering the metabolic process of CYP 2D6 and CYP 3A4 in patients with T2DM. Consequently, the variation in metabolism alters the bioavailability of pioglitazone and the expected final effect.
Acute Effects of Exergaming on Students’ Executive Functions and Situational Interest in Elementary Physical Education
Authors: Kolovelonis Athanasios , Papastergiou Marina , Samara Evdoxia , Goudas Marios
Published: January 2023

Two studies were conducted to examine the acute effects of exergaming on students’ executive functions and to explore their situational interest regarding these games in elementary physical education. The first study involved a two-group, repeated measures, cross-over quasi-experimental design. Participants were 74 (36 boys) fourth- and fifth-grade students who were assigned to the experimental (38 students) and the waiting list control (36 students) group. The single physical education session with exergames was first implemented with the initial experimental group and after the post-test, the waiting list control group received the intervention. In the second study, a pre-test post-test, within-subjects design was involved with the experimental group students (48 fourth- and fifth-grade students, 27 boys) who participated in a booster single physical education session with exergames two months after their involvement in a four-week intervention with cognitively challenging physical activity games. Both studies involved pre- and post-intervention measures for executive functions using the design fluency test and a post-test measure for situational interest. During the acute session, students had to follow the movements of an on-screen dancing character in time to a chosen song of the Just Dance 2015 exergame. The results of the first study showed that experimental group students improved significantly from pre- to post-test their scores in design fluency and in cognitive flexibility and in the total score of the design fluency test and their improvements were higher compared to the waiting list control group. The waiting list control group students, after receiving the acute session with exergames, significantly improved their scores in design fluency, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility and in the total score of the design fluency test compared to their pre-intervention scores. Moreover, the second study showed that students’ total score in the design fluency test improved significantly from pre- to post-intervention. In both studies, students reported generally high scores in all subscales of the situational interest questionnaire. These results suggested that an acute exergame-based physical education session attracted students’ interest and positively triggered their executive functions.
Study on Emotional Perception of Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area in Spring under the Influence of Meteorological Environment
Authors: Mei Yi , Xu Lili , Li Zhixing
Published: January 2023

Human perception of the meteorological environment is an important research area in the context of global climate change. Human physical and mental health can be affected by the meteorological environment, which can manifest in emotional responses. The experiment was conducted at spring in Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area (China). Three types of weather circumstances were examined by four emotional measures. The purpose of this study was to examine how meteorological parameters influence an individual’s emotional perception, such as air temperature, ground temperature, wind direction, precipitation, and relative humidity. Box plots were used to examine the distribution of scores on each emotional scale index. Perceptual models of positive, negative, regenerative, state anxiety, trait anxiety, and subjective vitality were developed using multiple linear regressions. The results indicate that meteorological conditions have a significant impact on human emotions: (1) there are other meteorological factors that affect individual emotions, besides precipitation; (2) the meteorological factors do not affect negative emotions; and (3) on sunny days, subjective energy and positive emotions are stronger, and on rainy days, perceptions of recovery are more favorable.
Attitude of Parents of Children with Cerebral Palsy Towards COVID-19 Vaccination
Authors: Ghazy Ramy Mohamed , Sallam Malik , Fadl Noha , Bouraad Etwal , Youssef Naglaa , Ghoneim Omnya Samy A.
Published: January 2023

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) are at a greater risk of respiratory complications from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, this study aimed to assess COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (VH) among parents of CP children in Egypt, using the Arabic version of the Parental Attitude about Childhood Vaccination (PACV) questionnaire. This cross-sectional survey study was conducted at the outpatient clinics of two hospitals in Cairo, Egypt. Parents of children with CP were recruited using a simple random sampling technique. A total of 321 parents were enrolled; more than half of them were mothers of the children (61.37%); and the majority were Egyptians (87.23%) and living in urban areas (84.42%). Nearly 70% of the parents were hesitant to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to their children. A multiple linear regression model revealed that the PACV mean scores were lower among the following categories: (1) parents who could pay back loans, compared to those who could not pay back loans and who reported insufficient income (β = −2.39, p = 0.030); (2) non-Egyptian parents (β = −1.54, p = 0.002); (3) those who were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 themselves or had the intention to receive the complete COVID-19 vaccination (β = −6.28, p < 0.001); (4) those who had the intention to give the COVID-19 vaccination to their children (β = −3.04, p < 0.001); and (5) parents whose children received routine vaccines (β = −2.86, p < 0.045). After adjusting for other covariates, the parental COVID-19 vaccine status (β = −6.28, p < 0.001) and parents who experienced a COVID-19-related death in the family (β = −1.75, p < 0.001) showed significantly lower mean PACV scores. However, higher mean PACV scores were reported among parents who had a COVID-19 infection (β = 2.77, p < 0.001) or who were not sure (β = 2.94, p < 0.001). Our findings suggest the need to increase COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among parents of vulnerable children to reduce the negative consequences of COVID-19.