bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods and Sociodemographic Characteristics in Brazilian Adolescents
Authors: Gonçalves Hélida Ventura Barbosa , Batista Letícia Spricido , de Amorim Ana Laura Benevenuto , Bandoni Daniel Henrique
Published: April 2023

Background: The consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with several negative health outcomes. Studies on adolescents have shown that this population has a high consumption of these foods, especially in high-income countries. However, there are no studies on the types of ultra-processed foods consumed. The present study evaluated secondary data from a representative sample of the National School Health Survey, the consumption of ultra-processed foods by 159,245 Brazilian adolescents. Methods: Data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire using a mobile device. A Poisson regression model was used to assess the prevalence of ultra-processed food consumption and its correlation with sociodemographic characteristics. Results: The consumption of ultra-processed foods was significant among Brazilian adolescents, and almost half of the participants reported consumption the day before. We observed that sociodemographic characteristics such as school type, race/skin color, region, municipality type, age, living with mother, living with father, and maternal education level were associated with greater or lesser consumption of ultra-processed foods. Adolescents who study in private schools, are female, white, and live in non-capital cities consume more ultra-processed foods. Conclusions: Access to in natura and minimally processed foods must be on the agenda of governments and encouraged by food and nutrition education to guarantee the right to adequate and healthy food.
Cyclitols: From Basic Understanding to Their Association with Neurodegeneration
Authors: Derkaczew Maria , Martyniuk Piotr , Osowski Adam , Wojtkiewicz Joanna
Published: April 2023

One of the most common cyclitols found in eukaryotic cells—Myo-inositol (MI) and its derivatives play a key role in many cellular processes such as ion channel physiology, signal transduction, phosphate storage, cell wall formation, membrane biogenesis and osmoregulation. The aim of this paper is to characterize the possibility of neurodegenerative disorders treatment using MI and the research of other therapeutic methods linked to MI’s derivatives. Based on the reviewed literature the researchers focus on the most common neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease and Spinocerebellar ataxias, but there are also works describing other seldom encountered diseases. The use of MI, d-pinitol and other methods altering MI’s metabolism, although research on this topic has been conducted for years, still needs much closer examination. The dietary supplementation of MI shows a promising effect on the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and can be of great help in alleviating the accompanying depressive symptoms.
The Influence of APOE Genotype, DHA, and Flavanol Intervention on Brain DHA and Lipidomics Profile in Aged Transgenic Mice
Authors: Martinsen Anneloes , Saleh Rasha N. M. , Chouinard-Watkins Raphael , Bazinet Richard , Harden Glenn , Dick James , Tejera Noemi , Pontifex Matthew G. , Vauzour David , Minihane Anne-Marie
Published: April 2023

The apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) genotype is predictive of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The brain is highly enriched with the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n3-PUFA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA’s metabolism is defective in APOE4 carriers. Flavanol intake can play a role in modulating DHA levels. However, the impact of flavanol co-supplementation with fish oil on brain DHA uptake, status and partitioning, and according to APOE genotype is currently unknown. Here, using a humanised APOE3 and APOE4 targeted replacement transgenic mouse model, the interactive influence of cocoa flavanols (FLAV) and APOE genotype on the blood and subcortical brain PUFA status following the supplementation of a high fat (HF) enriched with DHA from fish oil (FO) was investigated. DHA levels increased in the blood (p < 0.001) and brain (p = 0.001) following supplementation. Compared to APOE3, a higher red blood cell (RBC) DHA (p < 0.001) was evident in APOE4 mice following FO and FLAV supplementation. Although FO did not increase the percentage of brain DHA in APOE4, a 17.1% (p < 0.05) and 20.0% (p < 0.001) higher DHA level in the phosphatidylcholine (PC) fraction in the HF FO and HF FO FLAV groups, and a 14.5% (p < 0.05) higher DHA level in the phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) fraction in the HF FO FLAV group was evident in these animals relative to the HF controls. The addition of FLAV (+/− FO) did not significantly increase the percentage of brain DHA in the group as a whole. However, a higher brain: RBC DHA ratio was evident in APOE3 only (p < 0.05) for HF FLAV versus HF. In conclusion, our data shows only modest effects of FLAV on the brain DHA status, which is limited to APOE3.
Prenatal Vitamin D Levels Influence Growth and Body Composition until 11 Years in Boys
Authors: Sanguesa Julia , Marquez Sandra , Bustamante Mariona , Sunyer Jordi , Iniguez Carmen , Vioque Jesus , Rodriguez Loreto Santa-Marina , Jimeno-Romero Alba , Torrent Matias , Casas Maribel , Vrijheid Martine
Published: April 2023

Background: Gestational vitamin D levels may influence offspring growth and modulate adipogenesis. Findings from prospective studies are inconsistent, and few have evaluated the persistence of these associations into late childhood. Objective: To examine the association between prenatal vitamin D levels and growth and adiposity in late childhood. Methods: We included 2027 mother–child pairs from the INMA birth cohort. 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (vitamin D3) levels were measured in serum at 13 weeks of pregnancy. Sex- and age-specific body mass index z-scores were calculated at 7 and 11 years, overweight was defined as z-score ≥ 85th percentile, and body fat mass was measured at 11 years. Z-score body mass index (zBMI) trajectories from birth to 11 years were identified using latent class growth analysis. Results: The prevalence of vitamin D3 deficiency (<20 ng/mL) was 17.5%, and around 40% of the children had overweight at both ages. Associations between vitamin D levels and outcomes differed by sex. In boys, maternal vitamin D3 deficient status was associated with higher zBMI, higher fat mass percentage, higher odds of being overweight, and with an increased risk of belonging to lower birth size followed by accelerated BMI gain trajectory. In girls no associations were observed. Conclusion: Our results support a sex-specific programming effect of early pregnancy vitamin D3 levels on offspring body composition into late childhood observed in boys.
The Nutrition Knowledge Level and Influencing Factors among Chinese Women Aged 18–49 Years in 2021: Data from a Nationally Representative Survey
Authors: Qiu Yujie , Ding Caicui , Zhang Yan , Yuan Fan , Gong Weiyan , Zhou Ying , Song Chao , Feng Jingwen , Zhang Wenbin , Liu Ailing
Published: April 2023

Women aged 18–49 years are women of childbearing age. Their nutrition knowledge (NK) is not only related to their physical health but also affects the diet quality of the entire family and the health status of the next generation. Studies that assess the NK level of women of childbearing age using representative data in China are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the NK level of Chinese women aged 18–49 years and explore influencing factors at both the individual and provincial levels. Data were from the Chinese Nutrition and Health Knowledge Survey 2021. A total of 38,065 females aged 18–49 years were included in the analysis. A face-to-face validated standard questionnaire was used to collect NK from respondents. The full score of the questionnaire was 100. Respondents who scored higher than 75 were considered to have NK. The Rao-Scott chi-square test was used to compare the differences in the NK awareness rate between or among the subgroups. A multilevel logistic regression model was used to explore influencing factors at the individual and provincial levels. All analyses accounted for complex sample design including clustering, stratification, and sample weights. The mean score of NK among Chinese women aged 18–49 years was 65.1 ± 11.8, and the awareness rate was 20.9% (95% CI: 19.6−22.3%). Among the five dimensions, the awareness rate of food safety was the highest (74.0%, 95% CI: 72.8−75.3%), and the dietary recommendation was the lowest (16.4%, 95% CI: 15.3−17.5%). The two-level logistic regression model analysis revealed that at the individual level, age, education level, occupation, chronic disease status and residence were the main influencing factors of the NK level. At the provincial level, the region and the female illiteracy rate were associated with the NK level. Dependent children ratio, per capita income, and health expenditure were not significantly associated with the NK level. The model accounted for 58.8% of the variance in the NK level. The NK level of Chinese women aged 18–49 years was low. Knowledge of dietary recommendations was weakest. Both individual and provincial-level factors were associated with the NK level. There is an urgent need to strengthen nutrition education actions for enhancing the NK of reproductive-age women effectively to improve their dietary behaviors.
Pterostilbene Attenuates High-Intensity Swimming Exercise-Induced Glucose Absorption Dysfunction Associated with the Inhibition of NLRP3 Inflammasome-Induced IECs Pyroptosis
Authors: Zheng Lin , Hou Pengfei , Jing Jinjin , Zhou Min , Wang Le , Wu Luting , Zhu Jundong , Yi Long , Mi Mantian
Published: April 2023

The study investigated the effect of pterostilbene (PTE) on intestinal glucose absorption and its underlying mechanisms in high-intensity swimming exercise (HISE)-treated mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with PTE for 4 weeks and performed high-intensity swimming training in the last week. Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) were pretreated with 0.5 and 1.0 μM PTE for 24 h before being incubated in hypoxia/reoxygenation condition. Intestinal glucose absorption was detected by using an oral glucose tolerance test and d-xylose absorption assay, and the levels of factors related to mitochondrial function and pyroptosis were measured via western blot analyses, cell mito stress test, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. In vivo and in vitro, the results showed that PTE attenuated HISE-induced intestinal glucose absorption dysfunction and pyroptosis in mice intestine. Moreover, PTE inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome and the mitochondrial homeostasis as well as the ROS accumulation in IEC in vitro. Additionally, knockdown of SIRT3, a major regulator of mitochondria function, by siRNA or inhibiting its activity by 3-TYP abolished the effects of PTE on pyroptosis, mitochondrial homeostasis, and ROS generation of IEC in vitro. Our results revealed that PTE could alleviate HISE-induced intestinal glucose absorption dysfunction associated with the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome-induced IECs pyroptosis.
Impact of the FTO Gene Variation on Appetite and Fat Oxidation in Young Adults
Authors: Ponce-Gonzalez Jesús G. , Martínez-Ávila Ángel , Velázquez-Díaz Daniel , Perez-Bey Alejandro , Gómez-Gallego Félix , Marín-Galindo Alberto , Corral-Pérez Juan , Casals Cristina
Published: April 2023

The FTO rs9939609 gene, which presents three polymorphisms (AA, AT, and TT), has been associated with the development of obesity through an increased fat accumulation; however, the associations of the gene with other physiological mechanisms, such as appetite or fat oxidation, are still unclear. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the influence of the FTO rs9939609 gene on different obesity-related factors in young adults. The FTO rs9939609 polymorphism was genotyped in 73 participants (28 women, 22.27 ± 3.70 years). Obesity-related factors included dietary assessment, physical activity expenditure, body composition, appetite sensation, resting metabolic rate, maximal fat oxidation during exercise (MFO), and cardiorespiratory fitness. Our results showed that TT allele participants expressed higher values of hunger (p = 0.049) and appetite (p = 0.043) after exercising compared to the AT allele group. Moreover, the TT allele group showed significantly higher values of MFO (p = 0.031) compared to the AT group, regardless of sex and body mass index. Thus, our results suggest that the FTO rs9939609 gene has an influence on appetite, hunger, and fat oxidation during exercise, with TT allele participants showing significantly higher values compared to the AT allele group. These findings may have practical applications for weight loss and exercise programs.
The Impact of Whey Protein Supplementation on Sarcopenia Progression among the Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kamińska Magdalena Sylwia , Rachubińska Kamila , Grochans Szymon , Skonieczna-Żydecka Karolina , Cybulska Anna Maria , Grochans Elżbieta , Karakiewicz Beata
Published: April 2023

We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to investigate the role of whey protein supplementation in the functioning of the elderly with sarcopenia. The aim was to investigate the available scientific evidence and determine the best recommendations with respect to whey protein supplementation in sarcopenic patients. Methods: Databases, including CINAHL, Embase PubMed, and Web of Science, were searched from database inception until 31 December 2022 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of whey protein supplementation in the elderly with sarcopenia. Data on study design, risk of bias, patient, illness, and treatment characteristics from each study were independently extracted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The tool “assessing risk of bias” from the Cochrane Handbook was used to evaluate the quality of the included papers. Results: The search identified 629 records; 590 articles were excluded as duplicates or after evaluation at the title or abstract level. Out of 39 full-text articles that were reviewed, 29 were excluded for not fulfilling the inclusion criteria. There is some evidence that whey protein supplementation combined with age-appropriate physical exercise might improve muscle mass and lower limb function in the elderly with sarcopenia. The present meta-analysis demonstrated overall that whey supplementation does not improve any of the tested sarcopenia-linked parameters. However, we found that study duration (weeks) and age significantly affect the handgrip strength rate and the chair and stand test rate, respectively, so consideration should be given to oral supplementation combined with the age of participants and an appropriate physical activity as a form of sarcopenia prevention in the high-risk group.
The Mediterranean Diet and Age-Related Eye Diseases: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wu Yi , Xie Ye , Yuan Yixiong , Xiong Ruilin , Hu Yuxin , Ning Kang , Ha Jason , Wang Wei , Han Xiaotong , He Mingguang
Published: April 2023

The Mediterranean diet (MD) is a healthy diet pattern that can prevent chronic age-related diseases, especially age-related eye diseases (AREDs) including cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and dry eye syndrome (DES). In this study, we systematically reviewed studies in the literature that had reported associations between adherence to the MD and the five above-mentioned AREDs. Randomized controlled trials as well as prospective and retrospective observational studies were included; 1164 studies were identified, of which 1, 2, 9, 2 and 4 studies met our eligibility criteria for cataract, glaucoma, AMD, DR, and DES, respectively. According to these studies, higher MD adherence was associated with reduced risks of incident DR, incident AMD and progression to late AMD, but whether early and neovascular AMD could be alleviated remained to be debated. The results regarding the effects of the MD on DES were mixed, with three studies reporting an associations between MD and decreased severity or incidence of DES, whereas one study reported the opposite. No significant associations were observed between the MD and cataract or glaucoma. Generally, convincing evidence suggested a protective effect of the MD against AMD and DR. However, the evidence for cataract, glaucoma, and DES was less conclusive, and high-quality studies are needed for comprehensive evaluations of the potential benefits of MD on these eye diseases.
Significance of 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 on Overall Mortality in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients with COVID-19
Authors: Baralić Marko , Robajac Dragana , Penezić Ana , Brković Voin , Gligorijević Nikola , Bontić Ana , Pavlović Jelena , Nikolić Jelena , Miljuš Goran , Dobrijević Zorana , Šunderić Miloš , Pažitná Lucia , Katrlík Jaroslav , Nedić Olgica , Laušević Mirjana
Published: April 2023

In previous publications, we pointed out the importance of mannosylation of fibrinogen for the development of cardiovascular complications and fucosylation as a predictor of peritoneal membrane dysfunction in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). After a follow-up period of 30 months from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we evaluated the significance of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) therapy, primary disease, biochemical and hematologic analyzes, and previously performed glycan analysis by lectin-based microarray as predictors of mortality in this patient group. After univariate Cox regression analysis, diabetes mellitus (DM) and calcitriol therapy were found to be potential predictors of mortality. Additional multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that only DM was a predictor of mortality. Nevertheless, the use of calcitriol in therapy significantly reduced mortality in this patient group, as shown by the Kaplan–Meier survival curve. The presence of DM as a concomitant disease proved to be a strong predictor of fatal outcome in PD patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. This is the first study to indicate the importance and beneficial effect of calcitriol therapy on survival in PD patients with COVID-19 infection. In addition, this study points to the possibility that adverse thrombogenic events observed in PD patients during the pandemic may be caused by aberrant fibrinogen glycosylation.
Empirical Anthelmintic Therapy for Patients with Eosinophilia in Nepal: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Badarni Karawan , Poudyal Prithuja , Shrestha Sudeep , Madhup Surendra Kumar , Azzam Mohje , Neuberger Ami , Zmora Niv , Paran Yael , Gorelik Yuri , Schwartz Eli
Published: April 2023

Eosinophilia is common in low-resource countries and usually implies helminthiasis. Since helminthiasis is a common cause of eosinophilia and its diagnosis is cumbersome, we hypothesized that broad-spectrum anthelmintic therapy may decrease the eosinophil count and eventually cure helminthiasis, whether microbiologic diagnosis is established or not. We recruited patients with eosinophilia aged 5 years and older who presented to Dhulikhel hospital, Nepal. Patients were treated with albendazole and ivermectin. A stool sample for microscopy was obtained. Of a total of 113 patients, 106 had a follow-up visit and 56 were classified as responders to treatment (defined as a decrease in eosinophil count to below 500 cells/µL, or an absolute decrease of more than 1000 cells/µL). For all patients, we found an absolute decrease in the eosinophil count and for the responding group (more than 50% of the whole cohort), the eosinophil count decreased substantially. All stool samples were negative. The reason for a lack of response in the remaining patients is unclear. In order to ascertain whether eosinophilia should be an indication for anthelmintic treatment, a randomized controlled study of empirical treatment after a thorough microbiologic workup is needed.
Synthesis, Fluorine-18 Radiolabeling, and In Vivo PET Imaging of a Hydrophilic Fluorosulfotetrazine
Authors: Beaufrez Jason , Guillouet Stéphane , Seimbille Yann , Perrio Cécile
Published: April 2023

The development of 18F-fluorotetrazines, suitable for the radiolabeling of biologics such as proteins and antibodies by IEDDA ligation, represents a major challenge, especially for pre-targeting applications. The hydrophilicity of the tetrazine has clearly become a crucial parameter for the performance of in vivo chemistry. In this study, we present the design, the synthesis, the radiosynthesis, the physicochemical characterization, the in vitro and in vivo stability, as well as the pharmacokinetics and the biodistribution determined by PET imaging in healthy animals of an original hydrophilic 18F-fluorosulfotetrazine. This tetrazine was prepared and radiolabelled with fluorine-18 according to a three-step procedure, starting from propargylic butanesultone as the precursor. The propargylic sultone was converted into the corresponding propargylic fluorosulfonate by a ring-opening reaction with 18/19F-fluoride. Propargylic 18/19F-fluorosulfonate was then subject to a CuACC reaction with an azidotetrazine, followed by oxidation. The overall automated radiosynthesis afforded the 18F-fluorosulfotetrazine in 29–35% DCY, within 90–95 min. The experimental LogP and LogD7.4 values of −1.27 ± 0.02 and −1.70 ± 0.02, respectively, confirmed the hydrophilicity of the 18F-fluorosulfotetrazine. In vitro and in vivo studies displayed a total stability of the 18F-fluorosulfotetrazine without any traces of metabolization, the absence of non-specific retention in all organs, and the appropriate pharmacokinetics for pre-targeting applications.
Pharmacological Activities and Chemical Stability of Natural and Enzymatically Acylated Anthocyanins: A Comparative Review
Authors: Yañez-Apam Jimena , Domínguez-Uscanga Astrid , Herrera-González Azucena , Contreras Jonhatan , Mojica Luis , Mahady Gail , Luna-Vital Diego A.
Published: April 2023

Anthocyanins (ANCs) are naturally occurring water-soluble pigments responsible for conferring red, blue, and purple colors to fruits, vegetables, flowers, and grains. Due to their chemical structure, they are highly susceptible to degradation by external factors, such as pH, light, temperature, and oxygen. Naturally acylated anthocyanins have proven to be more stable in response to external factors and exhibit superior biological effects as compared with their non-acylated analogues. Therefore, synthetic acylation represents a viable alternative to make the application of these compounds more suitable for use. Enzyme-mediated synthetic acylation produces derivatives that are highly similar to those obtained through the natural acylation process, with the main difference between these two pathways being the catalytic site of the enzymes involved in the synthesis; acyltransferases catalyze natural acylation, while lipases catalyze synthetic acylation. In both cases, their active sites perform the addition of carbon chains to the hydroxyl groups of anthocyanin glycosyl moieties. Currently, there is no comparative information regarding natural and enzymatically acylated anthocyanins. In this sense, the aim of this review is to compare natural and enzyme-mediated synthetic acylated anthocyanins in terms of chemical stability and pharmacological activity with a focus on inflammation and diabetes.
Veering to a Continuous Platform of Fused Deposition Modeling Based 3D Printing for Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Understanding the Effect of Layer Orientation on Formulation Performance
Authors: Kulkarni Vineet R. , Chakka Jaidev , Alkadi Faez , Maniruzzaman Mohammed
Published: April 2023

Three-dimensional (3D) printing of pharmaceuticals has been centered around the idea of personalized patient-based ‘on-demand’ medication. Fused deposition modeling (FDM)-based 3D printing processes provide the capability to create complex geometrical dosage forms. However, the current FDM-based processes are associated with printing lag time and manual interventions. The current study tried to resolve this issue by utilizing the dynamic z-axis to continuously print drug-loaded printlets. Fenofibrate (FNB) was formulated with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC AS LG) into an amorphous solid dispersion using the hot-melt extrusion (HME) process. Thermal and solid-state analyses were used to confirm the amorphous state of the drug in both polymeric filaments and printlets. Printlets with a 25, 50, and 75% infill density were printed using the two printing systems, i.e., continuous, and conventional batch FDM printing methods. Differences between the two methods were observed in the breaking force required to break the printlets, and these differences reduced as the infill density went up. The effect on in vitro release was significant at lower infill densities but reduced at higher infill densities. The results obtained from this study can be used to understand the formulation and process control strategies when switching from conventional FDM to the continuous printing of 3D-printed dosage forms.
Homology-Directed-Repair-Based Genome Editing in HSPCs for the Treatment of Inborn Errors of Immunity and Blood Disorders
Authors: Allen Daniel , Kalter Nechama , Rosenberg Michael , Hendel Ayal
Published: April 2023

Genome engineering via targeted nucleases, specifically CRISPR-Cas9, has revolutionized the field of gene therapy research, providing a potential treatment for diseases of the blood and immune system. While numerous genome editing techniques have been used, CRISPR-Cas9 homology-directed repair (HDR)-mediated editing represents a promising method for the site-specific insertion of large transgenes for gene knock-in or gene correction. Alternative methods, such as lentiviral/gammaretroviral gene addition, gene knock-out via non-homologous end joining (NHEJ)-mediated editing, and base or prime editing, have shown great promise for clinical applications, yet all possess significant drawbacks when applied in the treatment of patients suffering from inborn errors of immunity or blood system disorders. This review aims to highlight the transformational benefits of HDR-mediated gene therapy and possible solutions for the existing problems holding the methodology back. Together, we aim to help bring HDR-based gene therapy in CD34+ hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs) from the lab bench to the bedside.
Physiological Responses of Anemic Women to Exercise under Hypoxic Conditions
Authors: Koskolou Maria D. , Komboura Stamatia , Zacharakis Emmanouil , Georgopoulou Olga , Keramidas Michail E. , Geladas Nickos
Published: April 2023

When combining two conditions of reduced oxygen availability, anemia and hypoxia, human physiological responses are highly challenged to maintain arterial oxygen delivery, especially during whole-body exercise. The aim of this study was to compare the cardiorespiratory responses of mildly anemic women with those of healthy controls, while cycling in normobaric hypoxia. Two groups of young females were matched for age, weight, height, and involvement in physical activity, one with normal hemoglobin, hematocrit, and ferritin levels and another suffering from mild iron deficiency anemia (10 < (Hb) < 12 g/dL, 34 < Hct < 37%, ferritin < 15 μg/L). They cycled to exhaustion under normoxia and hypoxia (FIO2 0.21 and 0.14), and their physiological responses were compared at 40, 80, and 100% VO2max of the specific condition. The two groups differed (p < 0.05) mainly at the higher exercise intensities; the anemic participants exhibited similar heart rate but lower oxygen pulse than their control counterparts, as well as a larger drop in maximal oxygen uptake. However, they sustained maximal effort by employing the anaerobic metabolism to a larger extent, which stimulated a greater ventilatory response. It appears that iron deficiency anemia of mild severity, which is commonly observed in young athletic females, impacts physiological responses during whole-body exercise in the presence of moderate hypoxia.
Effect of Hybrid Filler, Carbon Black–Lignocellulose, on Fire Hazard Reduction, including PAHs and PCDDs/Fs of Natural Rubber Composites
Authors: Rybiński Przemysław , Mirkhodjaev Ulugbek Zakirovich , Żukowski Witold , Bradło Dariusz , Gawlik Adam , Zamachowski Jakub , Żelezik Monika , Masłowski Marcin , Miedzianowska Justyna
Published: April 2023

The smoke emitted during thermal decomposition of elastomeric composites contains a significant number of carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds from the group of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs, as well as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans, PCDDs/Fs. By replacing carbon black with a specific amount of lignocellulose filler, we noticeably reduced the fire hazard caused by elastomeric composites. The lignocellulose filler reduced the parameters associated with the flammability of the tested composites, decreased the smoke emission, and limited the toxicity of gaseous decomposition products expressed as a toximetric indicator and the sum of PAHs and PCDDs/Fs. The natural filler also reduced emission of gases that constitute the basis for determination of the value of the toximetric indicator WLC50SM. The flammability and optical density of the smoke were determined in accordance with the applicable European standards, with the use of a cone calorimeter and a chamber for smoke optical density tests. PCDD/F and PAH were determined using the GCMS-MS technique. The toximetric indicator was determined using the FB-FTIR method (fluidised bed reactor and the infrared spectrum analysis).
Simulation of Wood Polymer Composites with Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Nukala Satya Guha , Kong Ing , Kakarla Akesh Babu , Patel Vipulkumar Ishvarbhai , Abuel-Naga Hossam
Published: April 2023

Wood is a cellulosic material that is most abundantly available in nature. Wood has been extensively used as reinforcement in polymer composite materials. Wood polymer composite (WPC) is an environmentally friendly and sustainable material exploited in building and construction within the marine, packaging, housewares, aerospace, and automotive industries. However, the precision of testing equipment for finding the properties of WPCs becomes less feasible compared to experimental analysis due to a high degree of differences in the measurement of properties such as stress, strain and deformation. Thus, evaluating the mechanical properties of WPCs using finite element analysis (FEA) can aid in overcoming the inadequacies in measuring physical properties prior to experimental analyses. Furthermore, the prediction of mechanical properties using simulation tools has evolved to analyze novel material performance under various conditions. The current study aimed to examine the mechanical properties of saw dust-reinforced recycled polypropylene (rPP) through experimentation and FEA. A model was developed using SolidWorks, and simulation was performed in ANSYS to predict the mechanical properties of the WPCs. To validate the obtained results, the simulated static tension test results were confirmed with experimental tension tests, and both assessments were well in accordance with each other. Using FEA to predict material properties could be a cost-effective technique in studying new materials under varied load conditions.
Numerical Approach to Simulate the Mechanical Behavior of Biodegradable Polymers during Erosion
Authors: Vieira André F. C. , Da Silva Enio H. P. , Ribeiro Marcelo L.
Published: April 2023

Biodegradable polymers find applications in many market segments. The ability to meet mechanical requirements within a certain time range, after which it degrades and is naturally absorbed, can be used to produce short-term use products that can be easily disposable with less environmental impact. In the segment of medical devices used in regenerative medicine, these materials are used to produce temporary implants that are naturally assimilated by the human body, avoiding a removal surgery. However, the design of these temporary devices still presents great challenges, namely in the verification of the main requirement: the lifetime of the device, associated with the progressive loss of mechanical properties, until its complete erosion and assimilation. Thus, in this study, a numerical approach is proposed to simulate the polymeric device’s mechanical behavior during its hydrolytic degradation by combining the hydrolysis kinetics, that depends on mechanical factors and promotes a decrease of molecular weight and consequent decrease of mechanical performance, and erosion, when molecular weight reaches a threshold value and the polymer becomes soluble and diffuses outward, resulting in mass loss and decreasing cross-sectional area, which also contributes to the mechanical performance reduction of the device. A phenomenological approach, using the combination of continuum-based hydrolytic damage for the evolution of mechanical properties that depends on the stress field and further removal of the degraded element (to simulate mass loss) was used. Both elastoplastic and hyperelastic constitutive models were applied on this study, where the material model parameters locally depend on the molecular weight.
Development of Hybrid DSPC:DOPC:P(OEGMA950-DIPAEMA) Nanostructures: The Random Architecture of Polymeric Guest as a Key Design Parameter
Authors: Triantafyllopoulou Efstathia , Selianitis Dimitriοs , Pippa Natassa , Gazouli Maria , Valsami Georgia , Pispas Stergios
Published: April 2023

Hybrid nanoparticles have gained a lot of attention due to their advantageous properties and versatility in pharmaceutical applications. In this perspective, the formation of novel systems and the exploration of their characteristics not only from a physicochemical but also from a biophysical perspective could promote the development of new nanoplatforms with well-defined features. In the current work, lipid/copolymer bilayers were formed in different lipid to copolymer ratios and examined via differential scanning calorimetry as a preformulation study to decipher the interactions between the biomaterials, followed by nanostructure preparation by the thin-film hydration method. Physicochemical and toxicological evaluations were conducted utilizing light scattering techniques, fluorescence spectroscopy, and MTS assay. 1,2-dioctadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC) and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) in different weight ratios were the chosen lipids, while a linear random copolymer with pH- and thermoresponsive properties comprised of oligo (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (OEGMA) and 2-(diisopropylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DIPAEMA) in different ratios was used. According to our results, non-toxic hybrid nanosystems with stimuli-responsive properties were successfully formulated, and the main parameters influencing their overall performance were the hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance, lipid to polymer ratio, and more importantly the random copolymer topology. Hopefully, this investigation can promote a better understanding of the factors affecting the behavior of hybrid systems.
Luminescent Materials for Volumetric Three-Dimensional Displays Based on Photoactivated Phosphorescence
Authors: Gu Yuhan , Wan Shigang , Liu Qing , Ye Changqing
Published: April 2023

True three-dimensional (3D) displays are the best display technologies and their breakthrough is primarily due to advancements in display media. In this paper, we propose two luminescent materials for a static volumetric 3D display based on photoactivated phosphorescence. The luminescent materials include (1) dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) or tetramethylene sulfoxide (TMSO) as the solvent and photochemically-deoxygenating reagent; (2) a metal phthalocyanine complex as the sensitizer; (3) a phosphorescent platinum complex as the emitter. The metal phthalocyanine complex, PdPrPc (PdBuPc), absorbs the light beam of 635 nm and the solvent scavenges the sensitized singlet oxygen. Light beams pass through a deoxygenated zone. The phosphorescent emitter, PtNI, absorbs the 440 nm light beam and phosphoresces only in the deoxygenated zone generated by the sensitizer. Phosphorescent voxels and high-contrast 3D images are well-defined at the intersection of 635 and 440 nm light beams.
A PVDF/g−C3N4-Based Composite Polymer Electrolytes for Sodium-Ion Battery
Authors: Shu Kewei , Zhou Jiazhen , Wu Xiaojing , Liu Xuan , Sun Liyu , Wang Yu , Tian Siyu , Niu Huizhu , Duan Yihao , Hu Guangyu , Wang Haihua
Published: April 2023

As one of the most promising candidates for all-solid-state sodium-ion batteries and sodium-metal batteries, polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) and amorphous hexafluoropropylene (HFP) copolymerized polymer solid electrolytes still suffer from a relatively low room temperature ionic conductivity. To modify the properties of PVDF-HEP copolymer electrolytes, we introduce the graphitic C3N4 (g−C3N4) nanosheets as a novel nanofiller to form g−C3N4 composite solid polymer electrolytes (CSPEs). The analysis shows that the g−C3N4 filler can not only modify the structure in g−C3N4CSPEs by reducing the crystallinity, compared to the PVDF−HFP solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs), but also promote a further dissociation with the sodium salt through interaction between the surface atoms of the g−C3N4 and the sodium salt. As a result, enhanced electrical properties such as ionic conductivity, Na+ transference number, mechanical properties and thermal stability of the composite electrolyte can be observed. In particular, a low Na deposition/dissolution overpotential of about 100 mV at a current density of 1 mA cm−2 was found after 160 cycles with the incorporation of g−C3N4. By applying the g−C3N4 CSPEs in the sodium-metal battery with Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode, the coin cell battery exhibits a lower polarization voltage at 90 mV, and a stable reversible capacity of 93 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at 1 C.
The Flow of Institutional Charisma: Quanzhen Taoism and Local Performing Arts in Republic Shandong and Henan
Authors: Qin Guoshuai , Zhang Wanrong
Published: April 2023

Quanzhen Taoism and its relationship with local performing arts is an important yet inadequately studied subject, to date, due to the shortage of and limited access to new sources. However, on the basis of historical documents, oral statements and field research, we determined at least eight genres of local performing arts closely related to Quanzhen Taoism, especially its sublineage, the Longmen School, in Republic Shandong and Henan. They traced back their own history to Quanzhen Taoist patriarch WANG Chongyang, adopted the Quanzhen Taoist lineage poem to name their disciples, and created the Ever Spring Guild (Changchun hui 長春會), in the name of Quanzhen Taoist QIU Changchun 丘長春, to assist each other. In other words, the Quanzhen Taoist institution was imitated by the local performing arts and, at the same time, the local artists performed some reasonable adaptations and accommodations to meet their own needs. By reviewing the local performing arts in Shangdong and Henan provinces, we can further understand Quanzhen Taoism in popular cultural traditions and local societies.
Optimizing Observation Plans for Identifying Faxon Fir (Abies fargesii var. Faxoniana) Using Monthly Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Imagery
Authors: Shi Weibo , Liao Xiaohan , Sun Jia , Zhang Zhengjian , Wang Dongliang , Wang Shaoqiang , Qu Wenqiu , He Hongbo , Ye Huping , Yue Huanyin , Tagesson Torbern
Published: April 2023

Faxon fir (Abies fargesii var. faxoniana), as a dominant tree species in the subalpine coniferous forest of Southwest China, has strict requirements regarding the temperature and humidity of the growing environment. Therefore, the dynamic and continuous monitoring of Faxon fir distribution is very important to protect this highly sensitive ecological environment. Here, we combined unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery and convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to identify Faxon fir and explored the identification capabilities of multispectral (five bands) and red-green-blue (RGB) imagery under different months. For a case study area in Wanglang Nature Reserve, Southwest China, we acquired monthly RGB and multispectral images on six occasions over the growing season. We found that the accuracy of RGB imagery varied considerably (the highest intersection over union (IoU), 83.72%, was in April and the lowest, 76.81%, was in June), while the accuracy of multispectral imagery was consistently high (IoU > 81%). In April and October, the accuracy of the RGB imagery was slightly higher than that of multispectral imagery, but for the other months, multispectral imagery was more accurate (IoU was nearly 6% higher than those of the RGB imagery for June). Adding vegetation indices (VIs) improved the accuracy of the RGB models during summer, but there was still a gap to the multispectral model. Hence, our results indicate that the optimized time of the year for identifying Faxon fir using UAV imagery is during the peak of the growing season when using a multispectral imagery. During the non-growing season, RGB imagery was no worse or even slightly better than multispectral imagery for Faxon fir identification. Our study can provide guidance for optimizing observation plans regarding data collection time and UAV loads and could further help enhance the utility of UAVs in forestry and ecological research.
A Spatiotemporal Drought Analysis Application Implemented in the Google Earth Engine and Applied to Iran as a Case Study
Authors: Taheri Qazvini Adel , Carrion Daniela
Published: April 2023

Drought is a major problem in the world and has become more severe in recent decades, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. In this study, a Google Earth Engine (GEE) app has been implemented to monitor spatiotemporal drought conditions over different climatic regions. The app allows every user to perform analysis over a region and for a period of their choice, benefiting from the huge GEE dataset of free and open data as well as from its fast cloud-based computation. The app implements the scaled drought condition index (SDCI), which is a combination of three indices: the vegetation condition index (VCI), temperature condition index (TCI), and precipitation condition index (PCI), derived or calculated from satellite imagery data through the Google Earth Engine platform. The De Martonne climate classification index has been used to derive the climate region; within each region the indices have been computed separately. The test case area is over Iran, which shows a territory with high climate variability, where drought has been explored for a period of 11 years (from 2010 to 2021) allowing us to cover a reasonable time series with the data available in the Google Earth Engine. The developed tool allowed the singling-out of drought events over each climate, offering both the spatial and temporal representation of the phenomenon and confirming results found in local and global reports.
A Dual-Input Moving Object Detection Method in Remote Sensing Image Sequences via Temporal Semantics
Authors: Wang Bo , Liu Jinghong , Zhu Shengjie , Xu Fang , Liu Chenglong
Published: April 2023

Moving object detection in remote sensing image sequences has been widely used in military and civilian fields. However, the complex background of remote sensing images and the small sizes of moving objects bring great difficulties for effective detection. To solve this problem, we propose a real-time moving object detection method for remote sensing image sequences. This method works by fusing the semantic information from a single image extracted by the object detection branch with the motion information of multiple frames extracted by the motion detection branch. Specifically, in the motion detection branch, we design a motion feature enhancement module (MFE) to improve the interframe motion information. Then, we design a Motion Information Extraction network (MIE) to extract motion information. Finally, the moving object information is directly output by fusing the motion and semantic information extracted by the object detection branch. Based on the experimental results of the two datasets, the proposed method achieves an accuracy rate of 93.21%, a recall rate of 92.72%, an average frame rate of 25.25 frames (fps), and a performance of 96.71% in terms of AP@0.5. The performance of the proposed method is better than that of other methods, and the overall detection effect is better; therefore, it meets the needs of the detection task.
Cropland Extraction in Southern China from Very High-Resolution Images Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Xie Dehua , Xu Han , Xiong Xiliu , Liu Min , Hu Haoran , Xiong Mengsen , Liu Luo
Published: April 2023

Accurate cropland information is crucial for the assessment of food security and the formulation of effective agricultural policies. Extracting cropland from remote sensing imagery is challenging due to spectral diversity and mixed pixels. Recent advances in remote sensing technology have facilitated the availability of very high-resolution (VHR) remote sensing images that provide detailed ground information. However, VHR cropland extraction in southern China is difficult because of the high heterogeneity and fragmentation of cropland and the insufficient observations of VHR sensors. To address these challenges, we proposed a deep learning-based method for automated high-resolution cropland extraction. The method used an improved HRRS-U-Net model to accurately identify the extent of cropland and explicitly locate field boundaries. The HRRS-U-Net maintained high-resolution details throughout the network to generate precise cropland boundaries. Additionally, the residual learning (RL) and the channel attention mechanism (CAM) were introduced to extract deeper discriminative representations. The proposed method was evaluated over four city-wide study areas (Qingyuan, Yangjiang, Guangzhou, and Shantou) with a diverse range of agricultural systems, using GaoFen-2 (GF-2) images. The cropland extraction results for the study areas had an overall accuracy (OA) ranging from 97.00% to 98.33%, with F1 scores (F1) of 0.830–0.940 and Kappa coefficients (Kappa) of 0.814–0.929. The OA was 97.85%, F1 was 0.915, and Kappa was 0.901 over all study areas. Moreover, our proposed method demonstrated advantages compared to machine learning methods (e.g., RF) and previous semantic segmentation models, such as U-Net, U-Net++, U-Net3+, and MPSPNet. The results demonstrated the generalization ability and reliability of the proposed method for cropland extraction in southern China using VHR remote images.
Radiometric Calibration of GF5-02 Advanced Hyperspectral Imager Based on RadCalNet Baotou Site
Authors: Tang Hongzhao , Xiao Chenchao , Shang Kun , Wu Taixia , Li Qi
Published: April 2023

In this study, an on-orbit radiometric calibration campaign of the GF5-02 AHSI was performed at the RadCalNet Baotou site, based on the automated observation of reflectance and atmospheric parameters of a 300 m × 300 m homogeneous desert area. The consistency of the radiometric calibration coefficients was validated both at the Dunhuang calibration site and the Baotou site. The average relative difference between the calibrated top-of-atmospheric (TOA) radiance and the predicted TOA radiance were less than 7%. The R2 of these two TOA radiances were all higher than 0.99. These results showed that the accuracy of calibration coefficients could meet the requirements of hyperspectral quantification applications. The uncertainty of GF5-02 AHSI radiometric calibration was 6.18%. This study also demonstrated that automated observation data of the Baotou site were reliable for high-frequency radiometric calibration and radiometric performance monitoring of GF5-02 AHSI.