bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preliminary Study on Microbial Deterioration Control and Effectiveness Evaluation in the Neolithic Prehistoric Archaeological Site of Dadiwan, Northwest China
Authors: Xu Ruihong , Chen Yuxin , He Dongpeng , Zhang Guobin , Luo Qiang , Zhan Hongtao , Wu Fasi
Published: January 2024

Microbial deterioration as one of the widespread problems in archaeological site museums significantly affects their safety and exhibits. This paper systemically investigated the environments and conditions of microbial outbreaks in the Dadiwan No. F901 site museum, which is a representative archaeological site of prehistoric Yangshao culture. The morphology and harmful characteristics of the outbreak microorganisms were analyzed by microscopic techniques. The ultraviolet resistance of harmful microorganisms was also studied. Combining these findings with the original facilities of the site museum, a scientific and reasonable project was proposed to control and prevent the activity of harmful microorganisms. In addition, a 1% OIT/DCOIT biocide concentration was applied to inhibit microorganism-caused deterioration, in combination with mechanical removal based on laboratory tests and screening in situ. The effectiveness of microbial control was assessed using a portable microscope, ATP bioluminescence assay, and color difference detection. As a long-lasting preventive measure for microbial deterioration, an ultraviolet sterilization system can efficaciously prevent the re-outbreak of microbial deterioration to form a relatively stable dynamic balance for the surroundings of the site. This study is a resultful exploration in terms of microbial control and plays an important role in the sustainable protection of archaeological site museums.
A Novel Model for Economic Recycle Quantity with Two-Level Piecewise Constant Demand and Shortages
Authors: Attia El-Awady , Miah Md Maniruzzaman , Arif Abu Sayeed , AlArjani Ali , Hasan Mahmud , Uddin Md Sharif
Published: January 2024

This paper focuses on the production systems that may produce a proportion of recyclable defective products. The developed model is called an Economic Recycle Quantity (ERQ) model with the assumption of a full recovery of defective items. The defective parts are collected during the production-off time and can be used during the next production cycle of the same category. The demand rate of the non-defective items is a two-level piecewise factor—one during the production-run time and another during the production-off time. The developed model aims to optimize the total inventory cost, the order quantity, and the amount of recyclable defective items that represent the ERQ. The mathematical formulations of the model are deduced theoretically. The model was solved analytically, and the optimal results are illustrated. Sensitivity analysis is carried out to investigate the effect of varying system parameters and validate the proposed model. Results of the sensitivity analysis show that the consideration of defective part recycling reduces the total inventory cost where the raw material is reduced. The cost reduction is about 1%; of course, the environmental impact is more appreciated. Furthermore, the managerial implications are described, and the future perspectives are discussed.
COVID-19 in New Zealand: The Moderating Effect of Involvement on the Roles of Attitudes and Subjective Norms
Authors: Kaine Geoff , Wright Vic
Published: January 2024

Popular theories that explain or predict behavioural intentions are based on people’s attitudes and subjective norms. Their application is based on the (often implicit) assumption that people regard a subject (e.g., preventing the spread of COVID-19) as sufficiently important for them to formulate stable attitudes and subjective norms about it. As this assumption rarely holds for all people, the influence of attitudes and subjective norms in determining behavioural intentions changes depending on the importance of the subject. In other words, importance has a moderating effect on the relationship between intentions, attitudes, and subjective norms. We hypothesise that, as importance declines, the influence on intentions of attitudes decreases and the influence of subjective norms increases. This has important implications for efforts to encourage the adoption of preventative behaviours in relation to COVID-19 because promotional strategies designed to modify attitudes differ markedly from those designed to modify subjective norms. We test this hypothesis by analysing three different large-scale surveys about people’s intentions, involvement, attitudes, and subjective norms regarding the spread of COVID-19 in New Zealand. The results support our hypothesis and highlight the importance of distinguishing between when the formation of behavioural intentions depends mainly on attitudes and when it depends mainly on subjective norms.
Biogeography and History of the Prehuman Native Mammal Fauna of the New Zealand Region
Authors: King Carolyn M.
Published: January 2024

The widespread perception of New Zealand is of a group of remote islands dominated by reptiles and birds, with no native mammals except a few bats. In fact, the islands themselves are only part of a wider New Zealand Region which includes a large section of Antarctica. In total, the New Zealand Region has at least 63 recognised taxa (species, subspecies and distinguishable clades) of living native mammals, only six of which are bats. The rest comprise a large and vigorous assemblage of 57 native marine mammals (9 pinnipeds and 48 cetaceans), protected from human knowledge until only a few centuries ago by their extreme isolation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Even after humans first began to colonise the New Zealand archipelago in about 1280 AD, most of the native marine mammals remained unfamiliar because they are seldom seen from the shore. This paper describes the huge contrast between the history and biogeography of the tiny fauna of New Zealand’s native land mammals versus the richly diverse and little-known assemblage of marine mammals.
GeMSyD: Generic Framework for Synthetic Data Generation
Authors: Tolas Ramona , Portase Raluca , Potolea Rodica
Published: January 2024

In the era of data-driven technologies, the need for diverse and high-quality datasets for training and testing machine learning models has become increasingly critical. In this article, we present a versatile methodology, the Generic Methodology for Constructing Synthetic Data Generation (GeMSyD), which addresses the challenge of synthetic data creation in the context of smart devices. GeMSyD provides a framework that enables the generation of synthetic datasets, aligning them closely with real-world data. To demonstrate the utility of GeMSyD, we instantiate the methodology by constructing a synthetic data generation framework tailored to the domain of event-based data modeling, specifically focusing on user interactions with smart devices. Our framework leverages GeMSyD to create synthetic datasets that faithfully emulate the dynamics of human–device interactions, including the temporal dependencies. Furthermore, we showcase how the synthetic data generated using our framework can serve as a valuable resource for machine learning practitioners. By employing these synthetic datasets, we perform a series of experiments to evaluate the performance of a neural-network-based prediction model in the domain of smart device interaction. Our results underscore the potential of synthetic data in facilitating model development and benchmarking.
Well-Differentiated Papillary Mesothelial Tumor of the Scrotum with Suspicious Invasion
Authors: Im Soyoung , Yoo Je Mo , Cho Uiju
Published: January 2024

Well-differentiated papillary mesothelial tumor (WDPMT) is a distinct form of mesothelioma with low malignant potential and is mostly found in the peritoneal cavity. It consists of mesothelial cells with papillary structure and bland cytology. We report a rare case of WDPMT with suspicious invasive foci in the tunica vaginalis. WDPMT with invasive foci is known to have a tendency for recurrence. Therefore, careful attention should be given to properly diagnosing and treating this rare entity.
Improving Health through Sustainable and Healthy Urban Food System Policy in Nigeria
Authors: Ani Onyedika Gabriel , Boateng Isaac Duah
Published: January 2024

Diet-related diseases and mortalities are assuming epidemic proportions globally. It is more worrisome in the Global South, especially in Africa, where the healthcare system is not resilient to the public health burden. There is a growing effort around the world to foster urban food system policies that would checkmate the failing health of the public and ensure improved quality of life. However, these efforts seem non-existent in many African regions. Therefore, there is a need for heightened efforts in these areas to address the food system and ensure a global healthy society. This study identified Nnewi, Nigeria, in sub-Saharan Africa, a typical urban area in Nigeria, and analyzed the public health challenges attributed to the non-existent food system policy and poor nutritional practices. The Milan Urban Food Policy Pact model, which has been successfully implemented in many cities, was adopted to propose a sustainable food system policy for Nnewi. Key policies proposed include autonomous local government power, government-assisted programs, clean and sustainable amenities, agricultural reforms, nutrition education, and reductions in food wastage to achieve a circular economy. An evaluation tool for implementing the food system policy was also developed. Overall, implementing the food system policies proposed herein would improve the quality of life of Nnewi residents. Other urban areas could also adopt similar food system policies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of a healthy and resilient global society.
Assessing the Quality of Life, Coping Strategies, Anxiety and Depression Levels in Patients with Long-COVID-19 Syndrome: A Six-Month Follow-Up Study
Authors: Bota Adrian Vasile , Bratosin Felix , Bogdan Iulia , Septimiu-Radu Susa , Ilie Adrian Cosmin , Burtic Sonia-Roxana , Razvan David Vladut , Tudor Raluca , Indries Mirela Florica , Csep Andrei Nicolae , Fildan Ariadna Petronela , Budea Camelia Melania , Marincu Iosif
Published: January 2024

This longitudinal study investigates the psychosocial effects of long-COVID Syndrome, a domain still not extensively researched. It specifically evaluates the quality of life, coping mechanisms, anxiety and depression levels in COVID-19 survivors, differentiating between those with and without long-COVID Syndrome. Conducted at the Victor Babes Hospital for Infectious Diseases and Pulmonology in Timisoara, Romania, the study utilized a cohort of patients diagnosed with mild to moderate COVID-19. The following standardized tools: WHOQOL-BREF for quality of life, COPE-60 for coping strategies, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), were employed for the assessment. The sample consisted of 86 patients displaying persistent post-acute symptoms and 432 asymptomatic patients at the 6-month post-discharge mark. Patients with frequent post-acute symptoms reported significantly higher levels of fatigue (8.2 ± 1.4), cognitive difficulties (7.5 ± 1.6), and respiratory challenges (7.8 ± 1.3), along with a markedly lower overall quality of life (7.0 ± 1.5) compared to their asymptomatic counterparts. HADS scores revealed elevated depression (6.8 ± 1.9) and anxiety (7.1 ± 2.3) in the symptomatic group. Quality of life, as evaluated through the use of WHOQOL-BREF, showed lower scores in the symptomatic cohort across physical (58.8 ± 15.8), mental (56.3 ± 16.4), and social domains (50.2 ± 17.5). COPE-60 findings indicated a higher prevalence of disengagement (56.4%) and emotion-focused coping strategies (61.8%) in the symptomatic group, in contrast to 30.1% and 37.0%, respectively, in the asymptomatic group. The study highlights that long-COVID Syndrome significantly deteriorates the quality of life and is associated with increased depression and anxiety levels. The prevalent use of disengagement and emotion-focused coping strategies among patients with persistent symptoms suggests a need for enhanced psychosocial support tailored to this subgroup.
A Current Overview of the Use of Learning Analytics Dashboards
Authors: Masiello Italo , Mohseni Zeynab (Artemis) , Palma Francis , Nordmark Susanna , Augustsson Hanna , Rundquist Rebecka
Published: January 2024

The promise of Learning Analytics Dashboards in education is to collect, analyze, and visualize data with the ultimate ambition of improving students’ learning. Our overview of the latest systematic reviews on the topic shows a number of research trends: learning analytics research is growing rapidly; it brings to the front inequality and inclusiveness measures; it reveals an unclear path to data ownership and privacy; it provides predictions which are not clearly translated into pedagogical actions; and the possibility of self-regulated learning and game-based learning are not capitalized upon. However, as learning analytics research progresses, greater opportunities lie ahead, and a better integration between information science and learning sciences can bring added value of learning analytics dashboards in education.
Research on Vehicle Detection in Infrared Aerial Images in Complex Urban and Road Backgrounds
Authors: Yu Chengrui , Jiang Xiaonan , Wu Fanlu , Fu Yao , Zhang Yu , Li Xiangzhi , Fu Tianjiao , Pei Junyan
Published: January 2024

The detection of vehicle targets in infrared aerial remote sensing images captured by drones presents challenges due to a significant imbalance in vehicle distribution, complex backgrounds, the large scale of vehicles, and the dense and arbitrarily oriented distribution of targets. The RYOLOv5_D model is proposed based on the YOLOv5-obb rotation model. Firstly, we reconstruct a new vehicle remote sensing dataset, BalancedVehicle, to achieve data balance. Secondly, given the challenges of complex backgrounds in infrared remote sensing images, the AAHE method is proposed to highlight infrared remote sensing vehicle targets while reducing background interference during the detection process. Moreover, in order to address the issue of detecting challenges under complex backgrounds, the CPSAB attention mechanism is proposed, which could be used together with DCNv2. GSConv is also used to reduce the model parameters while ensuring accuracy. This combination could improve the model’s generalization ability and, consequently, enhance the detection accuracy for various vehicle categories. The RYOLOv5s_D model, trained on the self-built dataset BalancedVehicle, demonstrates a notable improvement in its mean average precision (mAP), increasing from 73.6% to 78.5%. Specifically, the average precision (AP) for large aspect ratio vehicles such as trucks and freight cars increases by 11.4% and 8%, respectively. The RYOLOv5m_D and RYOLOv5l_D models achieve accuracies of 82.6% and 84.3%. The Param of RYOLOv5_D is similar to that of the YOLOv5-obb, while possessing a decrease in computational complexity of 0.6, 4.5, and 12.8GFLOPS. In conclusion, the RYOLOv5_D model’s superior accuracy and real-time capabilities in infrared remote sensing vehicle scenarios are validated by comparing various advanced models based on rotation boxes on the BalancedVehicle dataset.
Augmenting Large Language Models with Rules for Enhanced Domain-Specific Interactions: The Case of Medical Diagnosis
Authors: Panagoulias Dimitrios P. , Virvou Maria , Tsihrintzis George A.
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we present a novel Artificial Intelligence (AI) -empowered system that enhances large language models and other machine learning tools with rules to provide primary care diagnostic advice to patients. Specifically, we introduce a novel methodology, represented through a process diagram, which allows the definition of generative AI processes and functions with a focus on the rule-augmented approach. Our methodology separates various components of the generative AI process as blocks that can be used to generate an implementation data flow diagram. Building upon this framework, we utilize the concept of a dialogue process as a theoretical foundation. This is specifically applied to the interactions between a user and an AI-empowered software program, which is called “Med|Primary AI assistant” (Alpha Version at the time of writing), and provides symptom analysis and medical advice in the form of suggested diagnostics. By leveraging current advancements in natural language processing, a novel approach is proposed to define a blueprint of domain-specific knowledge and a context for instantiated advice generation. Our approach not only encompasses the interaction domain, but it also delves into specific content that is relevant to the user, offering a tailored and effective AI–user interaction experience within a medical context. Lastly, using an evaluation process based on rules, defined by context and dialogue theory, we outline an algorithmic approach to measure content and responses.
Study on Reliability of PACSs with Integrated Consideration of Both Basic and Mission Reliability
Authors: Chen Xinzhi , Jin Long
Published: January 2024

Protective relays play a fundamental role in power systems, whose functions consist of three parts, namely protection, automation, and control, thus called the PAC altogether. It turns out that the architecture of a PACS (protection, automation, and control system) may exert a direct impact on the reliability of protective relay systems, previous studies of which are often conducted on the assumption that intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) have a constant fault rate with only mission reliability of the systems considered. To obtain a more accurate evaluation of system reliability bearing system maintenance in mind, this article proposes a novel method to appraise the reliability of PACSs with integrated consideration of basic and mission reliability. Firstly, the basic reliability of IEDs is calculated by parts count prediction, which will provide a more precise fault rate of IEDs. Secondly, the reliability of PACSs is analyzed by the reliability diagram and Markov model. By using the parts count prediction method to calculate the failure rate of the device, the steady-state probability rate will be accurate more than 0.0107%. At last, a quantitative criterion is finalized for selecting a suitable architecture easily.
Comprehensive Study on Microscopic Pore Structure and Displacement Mechanism of Tight Sandstone Reservoirs: A Case Study of the Chang 3 Member in the Weibei Oilfield, Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Tang Ying , Wang Ruifei , Yin Shuai
Published: January 2024

With the continuous growth in global energy demand, research and development of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs have become crucial in the field of energy. This study focuses on the Chang 3 reservoir of the Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin, Weibei Oilfield, China. This reservoir is a typical tight sandstone reservoir, and its microscopic pore structure and displacement mechanism are essential for the efficient development of tight oil. However, the reservoir faces challenges such as complex microscopic pore structures and unclear displacement mechanisms, which hinder the efficient development of tight oil. In light of these challenges, through various studies including core observation, high-pressure mercury injection tests, water flooding experiments, oil-water two-phase relative permeability measurements, and stress sensitivity experiments, it was found that the Chang 3 reservoir exhibits strong microscopic heterogeneity. The pore-throat distribution characteristics mainly present two types: single peak and double peak, with the double peak type being predominant. The reservoir was classified and evaluated based on these characteristics. The improved injection ratio and properties enhance oil displacement efficiency, but an increase in irreducible water saturation has a negative impact on efficiency. The stress sensitivity of the reservoir fluctuates between weak and strong, with permeability being sensitive to net confining pressure. It is recommended to pay particular attention to the stress-sensitivity characteristics during reservoir development. The research results provide a scientific basis for the optimized development of tight oil reservoirs in this region, promote the sustainable development of unconventional oil and gas resources, and have significant theoretical and practical implications.
Impacts of Electric Vehicle Charging Station with Photovoltaic System and Battery Energy Storage System on Power Quality in Microgrid
Authors: Stanko Pavel , Tkac Matej , Kajanova Martina , Roch Marek
Published: January 2024

The expected increase in electric vehicles necessitates an expansion in charging stations. However, this increase could introduce issues to the power grid, such as the deterioration of voltage stability and an increase in microgrid loading. To address these issues, innovative solutions are imperative. One potential solution is the implementation of charging control mechanisms. This paper analyzes the impact of a residential charging station on a low voltage microgrid from the power quality point of view using a one-year operation simulation. Thirty-seven charging station scenarios with different locations within the network were examined, including instances with no charging control and various combinations involving charging control, photovoltaic power plant, and battery energy storage system. The simulation results of the charging station without charging control show a decrease in some power quality indicators, such as exceeding voltage change thresholds after charging station connection and increasing power losses. On the contrary, the scenarios implementing charging control and local resources effectively mitigate the adverse effects of charging stations on the microgrid.
Forestry Resource Efficiency, Total Factor Productivity Change, and Regional Technological Heterogeneity in China
Authors: Shah Wasi Ul Hassan , Hao Gang , Yan Hong , Shen Jintao , Yasmeen Rizwana
Published: January 2024

The efficient and sustainable management of forestry resources is crucial in ensuring economic and societal sustainability. The Chinese government has invested significantly in regulations, afforestation, and technology to enhance the forest resource efficiency, reduce technological disparities, and boost productivity growth. However, the success level of this undertaking is unclear and worth exploring. To this end, this study applied DEA-SBM, meta-frontier analysis, and the Malmquist productivity index to gauge the forest resource efficiency (FRE), regional technology heterogeneity (TGR), and total factor productivity growth (MI) in 31 Chinese provinces for a study period of 2001–2020. Results revealed that the average FRE was 0.5430, with potential growth of 45.70%, to enhance the efficiency level in forestry resource utilization. Anhui, Tibet, Fujian, Shanghai, and Hainan were found to be the top performers in forestry utilization during the study period. The southern forest region was ranked highest, with the highest TGR of 0.915, indicating advanced production technologies. The average MI score was 0.9644, signifying a 3.56% decline in forestry resource productivity. This deterioration is primarily attributed to technological change (TC), which decreased by 5.2%, while efficiency change (EC) witnessed 1.74% growth over the study period. The Southern Chinese forest region, indicating an average 3.06% increase in total factor productivity, ranked highest in all four regions. Guangxi, Tianjin, Shandong, Chongqing, and Jiangxi were the top performers, with prominent growth in MI. Finally, the Kruskal–Wallis test found a significant statistical difference among all four regions for FRE and TGR.
Fermentation of Kalamata Natural Black Olives Using Selected Lactic Acid Bacteria as Starters
Authors: Vougiouklaki Despina , Letsiou Sophia , Mavrokefalidou Iliana , Tsakali Efstathia , Akkermans Simen , Van Impe Jan F. M. , Houhoula Dimitra
Published: January 2024

Fermented foods such as table olives are produced through a spontaneous process that has been improved over the years, ensuring the safety and quality of the final product. The aim of the present work was to study the action of starter cultures of lactic acid bacteria (Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC53103, Levilactobacillus brevis ATCC8287, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC14917) which were previously shown to have probiotic and antioxidant potential during the fermentation of natural Greek-style black olives (Kalamata) in brine containing 6% (w/v) NaCl at a temperature of 20 °C for a period of 150 days. At a molecular level, the main metabolites in every fermentation process were identified using an HPLC method. The results showed that the concentration of the metabolites increased gradually, developing a stable pattern after the 90th day of fermentation. In addition, the DL-p-hydroxyphenyllactic acid (OH-PLA) was identified as the phenolic acid with the highest concentration, independently of the selected starter culture. Microbial genomic DNA was also extracted from the olives’ surface at the final stages of fermentation (150 days) and was subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing using the Nanopore MinION™ NGS tool, enabling a comprehensive analysis of the microbial community. According to the findings, the most abundant genera were Lactobacillus and Leuconostoc. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study exploring these particular starters for olive fermentation.
Investigation of the Alternations in Lipid Oxidation and Lipase Activity in Air-Dried Hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) during Chilled Storage
Authors: Zhan Yuexiang , Li Jiagen , Li Taiyu , Xie Kai , Tu Chuanhai , Liu Zhiyu , Pang Jie , Zhang Bin
Published: January 2024

The effects of water content and water activity on the lipid stability of air-dried hairtail (Trichiurus haumela) were investigated during chilled storage. Air-dried hairtail samples with high and low water contents were comparatively analyzed over 8 days of storage at 4 °C. The results indicated that the decreases in water activity and increases in the NaCl content significantly inhibited lipid oxidation in the air-dried hairtail samples. The peroxidation value (PV), conjugated diene value (CD), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) value, and p-anisidine value (p-AnV) of the air-dried hairtail significantly increased with the extension of storage time. The low water content significantly inhibited the activity of neutral and alkaline lipase, in addition to lipoxygenase, and retarded the rapid increases in the non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) content in the hairtail samples. The correlation analysis results showed that the TBARS, p-AnV, and lipase activity were positively correlated in the air-dried hairtail samples, and the lower water content significantly inhibited the progress of lipid oxidation. This study offers a theoretical framework for the industrial processing and storage of air-dried hairtail products.
Quality Characterization of Fava Bean-Fortified Bread Using Hyperspectral Imaging
Authors: Olakanmi Sunday J. , Jayas Digvir S. , Paliwal Jitendra , Chaudhry Muhammad Mudassir Arif , Findlay Catherine Rui Jin
Published: January 2024

As the demand for alternative protein sources and nutritional improvement in baked goods grows, integrating legume-based ingredients, such as fava beans, into wheat flour presents an innovative alternative. This study investigates the potential of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) to predict the protein content (short-wave infrared (SWIR) range)) of fava bean-fortified bread and classify them based on their color characteristics (visible–near-infrared (Vis-NIR) range). Different multivariate analysis tools, such as principal component analysis (PCA), partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and partial least square regression (PLSR), were utilized to assess the protein distribution and color quality parameters of bread samples. The result of the PLS-DA in the SWIR range yielded a classification accuracy of ˃99%, successfully classifying the samples based on their protein contents (low protein and high protein). The PLSR model showed an RMSEC of 0.086% and an RMSECV of 0.094%. Also, the external validation resulted in an RMSEP of 0.064%. The PLSR model possessed the capability to efficiently predict the protein content of the bread samples. The results suggest that HSI can be successfully used to classify bread samples based on their protein content and for the prediction of protein composition. Hyperspectral imaging can therefore be reliably implemented for the quality monitoring of baked goods in commercial bakeries.
Combined Widely Targeted Metabolomic, Transcriptomic, and Spatial Metabolomic Analysis Reveals the Potential Mechanism of Coloration and Fruit Quality Formation in Actinidia chinensis cv. Hongyang
Authors: Mao Jipeng , Gao Zhu , Wang Xiaoling , Lin Mengfei , Chen Lu , Ning Xinyi
Published: January 2024

Postharvest kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis cv. Hongyang) pulp is mainly composed of outer yellow-flesh (LR) and inner red-flesh (HR). However, information about the differences in coloration and fruit quality between these two parts are limited. In this study, widely targeted metabolomic, transcriptomic, and spatial metabolomic analyses were used to reveal the potential mechanism of coloration and fruit quality formation. The results show that a total of 1001 metabolites were identified in Hongyang kiwifruit, and the accumulation of 211 metabolites were significantly higher in the HR than LR, including 69 flavonoids, 53 phenolic acids, and 38 terpenoids. There were no significant differences in the content of citric acid, quinic acid, glucose, fructose, or sucrose between the LR and HR. These results were consistent with the results from the RNA-seq profile and spatial metabolomic analysis. In addition, a total of 23 key candidate genes related to flesh color and fruit quality formation were identified and validated by qRT-PCR analysis. This study provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the underlying mechanism of the formation of kiwifruit flesh color and fruit quality.
Potential Regulatory Gene Network Associated with the Ameliorative Effect of Oat Antibacterial Peptides on Rat Colitis
Authors: Wang Helin , Chi Xiaoxing , Zhang Dongjie
Published: January 2024

Oat protein is unstable in intestinal fluid digestion, and it is easily degraded by trypsin and chymotrypsin, producing low molecular weight peptides. Endopeptidase hydrolysis can improve the bioavailability of active peptides and avoid further digestion in the gastrointestinal tract. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) can effectively improve host immunity, but most related studies focus on physiology and ecology, and there are few reports on their molecular level. Therefore, in this article, oat peptides were prepared via the simulated digestion method in vitro, and the main metabolites and action factors affecting colitis were screened by using the multi-omics methods in a high-throughput mode to analyze the effect and mechanism of colitis. Firstly, oat antimicrobial peptides were prepared from cationic resin combined with HPLC, and the anti-inflammatory effects of antimicrobial peptides were analyzed in vitro through the use of human colon epithelial (HCoEpiC) anti-inflammatory cells. In vivo experiments using rats have verified that AMPs can effectively prevent colitis caused by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), reduce intestinal inflammatory cell infiltration and glandular disappearance in the colon, and reduce the apoptosis rate of colon cells. Secondly, metabolomics and transcriptomics were combined to analyze the mechanism of preventing enteritis, and it was found that oat antimicrobial peptides can promote DAG diglycerol production and inhibit the activation of T helper cells (TH), resulting in the down-regulation of key factors in the main downstream pathways of TH1, TH2 and TH17, and inhibit the production of inflammatory cells. At the same time, AMP can activate the wnt pathway, improve the expression of key genes of wnt and frizzled, promote the generation of intestinal stem cells, facilitate the differentiation and repair of intestinal epithelial cells, and prevent the generation of enteritis. Finally, the underlying genetic regulatory network of the important pathway was constructed from the effect of AMP on rat colitis.
The Cardioprotective Properties of Selected Nuts: Their Functional Ingredients and Molecular Mechanisms
Authors: Olas Beata
Published: January 2024

Nuts have been known as a nutritious food since ancient times and can be considered part of our original diet: they are one of the few foods that have been eaten in the same form for thousands of years. They consist of various dry fruits and seeds, with the most common species being almonds (Prunus dulcis), hazelnuts (Corylus avellana), cashews (cashew nuts, Anacardium occidentale), pistachios (Pistacia vera), walnuts (Italian nuts, Juglans regia), peanuts (Arachia hypogaca), Brazil nuts (Bartholletia excels), pecans (Corya illinoinensis), macadamia nuts (Macademia ternifolia) and pine nuts. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have found nuts to possess a range of bioactive compounds with cardioprotective properties, and hence, their consumption may play a role in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The present work reviews the current state of knowledge regarding the functional ingredients of various nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, peanuts, pecan nuts, pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts) and the molecular mechanisms of their cardioprotective action. The data indicate that almonds, walnuts and pistachios are the best nut sources of bioactive ingredients with cardioprotective properties.
Studies on Loading Salicylic Acid in Xerogel Films of Crosslinked Hyaluronic Acid
Authors: Mamaligka Anastasia Maria , Dodou Kalliopi
Published: January 2024

During the last decades, salicylic acid (SA) and hyaluronic acid (HA) have been studied for a wide range of cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications. The current study investigated the drug loading potential of SA in HA-based crosslinked hydrogel films using a post-loading (osmosis) method of the unmedicated xerogels from saturated aqueous solutions of salicylic acid over a range of pH values. The films were characterized with Fourier-transform infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry in order to elucidate the drug loading profile and the films’ integrity during the loading process. Additional studies on their weight loss (%), gel fraction (%), thickness increase (%) and swelling (%) were performed. Overall, the studies showed significant film disintegration at highly acidic and basic solutions. No drug loading occurred at neutral and basic pH, possibly due to the anionic repulsion between SA and HA, whereas at, pH 2.1, the drug loading was promising and could be detected via UV-Vis analysis of the medicated solutions, with the SA concentration in the xerogel films at 28% w/w.
Reliability and Validity of the Variability Model Testing Procedure for Somatic Dysfunction Assessment: A Comparison with Gait Analysis Parameters in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Vismara Luca , Bergna Andrea , Tarantino Andrea Gianmaria , Dal Farra Fulvio , Buffone Francesca , Vendramin Davide , Cimolin Veronica , Cerfoglio Serena , Pradotto Luca Guglielmo , Mauro Alessandro
Published: January 2024

Somatic dysfunction (SD) is an altered body function involving the musculoskeletal system. However, its clinical signs—tissue texture abnormalities, positional asymmetry, restricted range of motion, and tissue tenderness—did not achieve satisfactory results for reliability. A recent theoretical model proposed a revision assessing the movement variability around the joint rest position. The asymmetry and restriction of motion may characterize functional assessment in osteopathic clinical practice, demonstrating the reliability required. Hence, this study investigated the reliability of the new variability model (VM) with gait analysis (GA). Three blind examiners tested 27 young healthy subjects for asymmetry of motion around rest position and the SD grade on six body regions. The results were compared to the VICON procedure for 3D-GA. The inter-rater agreement for the detection of reduced movement variability ranged from 0.78 to 0.54, whereas for SD, grade ranged from 0.64 to 0.47. VM had a sensitivity and specificity of 0.62 and 0.53, respectively, in SD detection compared to step length normality. Global severity grade of SD demonstrated moderate to good correlation with spatial-temporal parameters. The VM showed palpatory reliability and validity with spatial–temporal parameters in GA. Those findings contribute to the innovation for SD examination with implications for the clinical practice.
Paramedic Education and Training for the Management of Patients Presenting with Low-Acuity Clinical Conditions: A Scoping Review
Authors: Carnicelli Anthony , Williams Anne-Marie M. , Edwards Dale G.
Published: January 2024

Ambulance services around the world are increasingly attending to calls for non-emergency conditions. These lower-acuity conditions do not always require patients to be transported to the emergency department. Consequently, over the past two decades, ambulance services have implemented strategies to support paramedics in diverting non-urgent patients to alternative care pathways. However, assessing and managing low-acuity conditions can be challenging for paramedics, especially when education and training has traditionally focussed on emergency care. This scoping review explores the education and training provided to paramedics on low-acuity clinical conditions and the use of alternative care pathways. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews was applied. The databases searched included Scopus, CINAHL, Embase, Emcare, and MEDLINE (PubMed). The search identified one-hundred sixty-six records, with a total of nine articles reviewed after the removal of duplicates and the screening process. The articles were diverse, with education and training ranging from university degrees for extended care practitioners to short in-service-based training for a suite of protocols or assessment tools. However, the literature addressing education and training on low-acuity conditions and alternative care pathways is limited, with the type and length of education programs appearing to influence practice. There is a need for further research to establish a low acuity education model.
Concussion-Related Decision-Making by Certified Athletic Trainers: Implications for Concussion Prevention and Care
Authors: Kossman Melissa K. , Kerr Zachary Yukio , DeFreese J. D. , Kucera Kristen L. , Petschauer Meredith A. , Ribisl Kurt M. , Register-Mihalik Johna K.
Published: January 2024

Concussions are a common sport-related injury that require appropriate initial care. Athletic trainers, often a primary source of healthcare for student-athletes, are key individuals involved in initial concussion diagnostic and management decisions. Challenges exist within the athletic environment that may hinder the consistency, efficacy, and/or effectiveness of concussion-related decision-making by athletic trainers, thereby impacting secondary concussion prevention and patient health. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that impact the intentions of athletic trainers to make appropriate concussion-related decisions under various circumstances. Overall, 1029 participants completed a survey examining educational precursors (quantity and quality of healthcare communication educational focus), demographic precursors (age, gender, educational degree, and employment setting), theory-based mediators (attitudes, perceived norms, and personal agency), and external mediators (knowledge, salience, and communication/collaboration practices) on appropriate concussion-related decision-making intentions. Data were analyzed using a two-step structural equation modeling approach. Quality of healthcare communication educational focus indirectly impacted appropriate concussion-related decision-making intentions via perceived behavioral control and communication/collaboration practices. Additionally, several factors impacted intentions to make appropriate concussion-related decisions directly including employment setting, self-efficacy, and general attitudes towards decision-making and concussions. Concussion prevention is aided by the initial and appropriate action taken by a healthcare professional to reduce immediate consequences; however, this action may be influenced by stakeholder relationships. These influential factors of decision-making may place athletes at further injury risk and negatively impact overall athlete health. As such, a sound theoretical framework incorporating the complexity of factors that may influence decision-making is needed.
Student’s Self-Reported Experience of Soundscape: The Link between Noise, Psychological and Physical Well-Being
Authors: Renaud Florence , Verduyckt Ingrid , Chang Tiffany , Lacerda Adriana , Borges Cecilia , Bockstael Annelies , Bouserhal Rachel E.
Published: January 2024

Extensive research has shown that noise has detrimental effects on learning in classrooms, yet schools remain noisy environments. In addition, little is known about the students’ insight into their subjective reaction to noise. Students’ awareness of noise, as well as their perception of its effects on their affective and bodily states, remain unanswered. In the current study, the self-reported experience of noise and reaction towards noise, which was collected by way of a questionnaire, was assessed for 408 students in primary and secondary schools in Québec. Results suggest that about half of the students experience affective and bodily reactions to noise, and students who report having a negative affective reaction to noise are also more prone to report feeling this noise in their bodies. The results of this study offer a comprehensive picture of the students’ subjective (affective and bodily) state in relation to noise in schools.
Market Shocks and Stock Volatility: Evidence from Emerging and Developed Markets
Authors: Tabash Mosab I. , Chalissery Neenu , Nishad T. Mohamed , Al-Absy Mujeeb Saif Mohsen
Published: January 2024

Market turbulences and their impact on the financial market, particularly on the stock market, is a financial topic that has received significant research attention recently. This study compared the characteristics of stock return and volatility in selected developed and emerging markets between the 2008 financial crisis and the 2019 worldwide pandemic. In this sense, we seek to answer two concerns. First, do the developed and emerging markets behave similarly during crisis periods? Second, does economic strength always shield markets from poor economic circumstances? For this purpose, the daily return data of E7 (Emerging 7) and G7 (Developed 7) countries for two sample periods—namely, the financial crisis period of 2007–2009 and the global pandemic period of 2019–2021—were chosen. By using univariate GARCH models, namely GARCH, EGARCH, and TGARCH, the study discovered that developing and developed markets reacted differently to these two financial crises. While emerging markets responded similarly to these two crises, developed economies acted differently, being more volatile and sensitive to the worldwide pandemic of 2019 than the financial crisis of 2008. Moreover, a country’s economic prowess does not always shield it from economic turmoil. This study will help investors identify diversification opportunities among the developed and emerging markets during a crisis period. Additionally, this will help portfolio and fund managers understand the behaviour of stock markets during times of market crisis and thus give advice to investors.
Human Fallopian Tube-Derived Organoids with TP53 and RAD51D Mutations Recapitulate an Early Stage High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Phenotype In Vitro
Authors: Dai Yilin , Xu Jing , Gong Xiaofeng , Wei Jinsong , Gao Yi , Chai Ranran , Lu Chong , Zhao Bing , Kang Yu
Published: January 2024

RAD51D mutations have been implicated in the transformation of normal fallopian tube epithelial (FTE) cells into high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), one of the most prevalent and aggressive gynecologic malignancies. Currently, no suitable model exists to elucidate the role of RAD51D in disease initiation and progression. Here, we established organoids from primary human FTE and introduced TP53 as well as RAD51D knockdown to enable the exploration of their mutational impact on FTE lesion generation. We observed that TP53 deletion rescued the adverse effects of RAD51D deletion on the proliferation, stemness, senescence, and apoptosis of FTE organoids. RAD51D deletion impaired the homologous recombination (HR) function and induced G2/M phase arrest, whereas concurrent TP53 deletion mitigated G0/G1 phase arrest and boosted DNA replication when combined with RAD51D mutation. The co-deletion of TP53 and RAD51D downregulated cilia assembly, development, and motility, but upregulated multiple HGSOC-associated pathways, including the IL-17 signaling pathway. IL-17A treatment significantly improved cell viability. TP53 and RAD51D co-deleted organoids exhibited heightened sensitivity to platinum, poly-ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPi), and cell cycle-related medication. In summary, our research highlighted the use of FTE organoids with RAD51D mutations as an invaluable in vitro platform for the early detection of carcinogenesis, mechanistic exploration, and drug screening.
Bacteriophage T5 dUTPase: Combination of Common Enzymatic and Novel Functions
Authors: Glukhov Anatoly , Marchenkov Victor , Dzhus Ulyana , Krutilina Antonina , Selikhanov Georgii , Gabdulkhakov Azat
Published: January 2024

The main function of dUTPases is to regulate the cellular levels of dUTP and dTTP, thereby playing a crucial role in DNA repair mechanisms. Despite the fact that mutant organisms with obliterated dUTPase enzymatic activity remain viable, it is not possible to completely knock out the dut gene due to the lethal consequences of such a mutation for the organism. As a result, it is considered that this class of enzymes performs an additional function that is essential for the organism’s survival. In this study, we provide evidence that the dUTPase of bacteriophage T5 fulfills a supplemental function, in addition to its canonical role. We determined the crystal structure of bacteriophage T5 dUTPase with a resolution of 2.0 Å, and we discovered a distinct short loop consisting of six amino acid residues, representing a unique structural feature specific to the T5-like phages dUTPases. The removal of this element did not affect the overall structure of the homotrimer, but it had significant effects on the development of the phage. Furthermore, it was shown that the enzymatic function and the novel function of the bacteriophage T5 dUTPase are unrelated and independent from each other.