bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unconventional Fossil Energy Carrier Assessment of the Influence of the Gas Permeability Coefficient on the Structure of Porous Materials: A Review
Authors: Hołaj-Krzak Jakub T. , Dybek Barbara , Szymenderski Jan , Koniuszy Adam , Wałowski Grzegorz
Published: February 2025

The issue of gas permeability of porous beds is important for the development of a new generation of clean energy sources, especially in the context of unconventional energy storage. Detailed experimental studies were carried out to demonstrate the gas permeability of porous materials: in situ karbonizat and natural and synthetic pumice. The measure of gas permeability was the volumetric gas flow velocity resulting from the permissible pressure difference forcing the gas flow in a given axis (X, Y, Z) on a sample of a cube-shaped porous material. A novelty is the indication of correlation with selected materials exhibiting features of unconventional energy storage. Assessment of the gas permeability coefficient for selected material features shows an increasing trend for epoxy resin, dacite, in situ carbonizate and pumice. On the other hand, for carbonate rocks, mudstones and shales, there is a decrease in gas permeability. The indicated porous materials can be storage tanks of unconventional energy carriers. In an innovative way, a material (halloysite) was indicated that has the ability to store and be a source of transport in the form of a cylindrical model (nanotube) for future implementation of isotropic features of porous materials.
Load Shifting and Demand-Side Management in Renewable Energy Communities: Simulations of Different Technological Configurations
Authors: Rollo Antonino , Serafini Paolo , Aleotti Federico , Cilio Debora , Morandini Enrico , Moneta Diana , Rossi Marco , Zulianello Matteo , Angelucci Valerio
Published: February 2025

This research investigates the optimization potential of Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) through advanced demand-side management strategies. The study simulates a real distribution network and analyzes load profile optimization in a residential REC configuration, comparing two distinct approaches: Demand-Side Engagement (DSE) and Optimized Demand-Side Management (Opt-DSM). The methodology encompasses load-shifting strategies at the appliance level, progressing from spontaneous behavior patterns to algorithmic optimization. Starting from a baseline scenario of conventional consumption patterns, the research evaluates the effectiveness of both user-driven load shifting (DSE) and automated redistribution through genetic algorithms (Opt-DSM). The analysis framework addresses three key dimensions: economic efficiency through incentive optimization, social cohesion via collaborative engagement, and environmental sustainability through the optimal utilization of locally generated energy. Results demonstrate that enhanced generation-consumption synchronization through Opt-DSM yields superior outcomes for both distribution network performance and participant economics compared to DSE. However, successful implementation requires substantial technological infrastructure investment at individual and community levels, alongside significant modifications to established consumption patterns. This research contributes to the understanding of RECs as innovative socio-technical systems and provides figures to support the analysis related to the balance between technological optimization and user engagement in maximizing shared energy potential.
Shale Gas Transition in China: Evidence Based on System Dynamics Model for Production Prediction
Authors: Chen Yingchao , Zhang Yang
Published: February 2025

As a clean energy source, shale gas plays a crucial role in mitigating the supply–demand imbalance of natural gas and in facilitating the transition to a low-carbon economy. This study employs a system dynamics model to forecast future production trends in shale gas in China, analyze its implications for the natural gas supply–demand structure, and explore pathways for sustainable development. Firstly, by integrating the characteristics of China’s shale gas resources, market dynamics, and policy frameworks, the key factors influencing production are identified, and their interrelationships are systematically analyzed. Subsequently, a causal loop diagram is constructed using the VENSIM software(VENSIM PLE 9.3.5 x64), a set of representative variables is selected, and the logical relationships among these variables are established through a multivariate statistical analysis, culminating in the development of a production forecasting model for China’s shale gas (stock and flow diagram). Finally, based on parameter assumptions, this study predicts the production trends in shale gas in China under multiple scenarios. The forecasting results reveal that China’s shale gas production is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 3.32% to 8.02%, with production under the reference scenario projected to reach 724.22 × 108 m3 by 2040. However, the growth of shale gas production over the next two decades remains limited, accounting for a maximum of 12.07% of the total natural gas consumption, underscoring its transitional role in the low-carbon transformation. To address these challenges, this study proposes four policy recommendations: (1) prioritize the development of shallow, high-quality gas-bearing blocks while gradually transitioning to deeper formations; (2) intensify technological innovation in deep shale gas extraction to enhance recovery rates and mitigate production decline rates; (3) implement flexible production subsidies and moderately increase natural gas sales prices to incentivize production and optimize resource allocation; and (4) strengthen ecological conservation and improve water resource management to ensure the sustainable development of shale gas.
Educational Technologies
Authors: Todino Michele Domenico
Published: February 2025

Educational technologies refer to the set of digital tools, resources, applications, and methodologies used to facilitate the teaching–learning process. These technologies include software, online platforms, hardware devices (such as tablets, computers, and interactive whiteboards), and, if one wants to give special relevance, as it should be these days, to the issue of inclusion in education, assistive technologies, all aimed at improving access to education, personalizing learning paths, and fostering a more dynamic interaction between students and teachers. This entry explores the integration of educational technologies, highlighting their role in enhancing the teaching–learning process, promoting inclusive and personalized education. It analyses the pedagogical implications of the use of digital technologies, including assistive technologies (which foster learning in a Universal Design for Learning perspective), and the need to train competent teachers to adopt innovative teaching practices. This entry concludes by emphasizing the importance of a shared commitment to prepare future generations for a technologically changing world by creating more dynamic and accessible learning environments, including through virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence.
Utilisation of Liquefied Biomass in Water Co-Electrolysis for the Production of Synthesis Gas
Authors: Martins Diogo , Cabrita Tiago , Rodrigues João , Puna Jaime , Gomes João
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a study on the addition of liquefied biomass of different lignocellulosic forest residues as a means to enhance the co-electrolysis process leading to the production of synthesis gas, composed of H2, CO, CO2, and O2, also known as syngas, with the aim of a subsequent conversion into methane and methanol. Tests were made on a 1 kW prototype unit and showed that the use of liquefied biomass clearly enhances the reaction leading to syngas production. The optimisation study performed showed that the best results are obtained with an addition of 2.5% mass of liquefied biomass obtained from Acacia melanoxylon and operating conditions of a pressure of 4 bar gauge and a temperature of 110 °C.
The Heat Treatment of a Lactobacilli Probiotic to Derive a Postbiotic Has Minor Effects on the Metabolomic Profile
Authors: Jansseune Samuel C. G. , Lammers Aart , Hendriks Wouter H. , van Baal Jürgen , Wierenga Peter A.
Published: February 2025

Lactobacillus rhamnosus CNCM I-3698 (LR98) and L. formosensis CNCM I-3699 (LF99) are two probiotic bacterial strains used in industry in a co-fermentation process to produce a probiotic (Pro) and the associated postbiotic (Post). The latter is produced through inactivation of the viable cells in the Pro by a high-temperature short-time (HTST) treatment. The impact of the inactivation process on the metabolomic profile of the Post was investigated. A growth substrate (Control) was fermented using a co-culture of LR98 and LF99 to produce the Pro and then HTST treated (~105 °C; 5 bar; 7 s) to derive the Post. Analysis of the semi-polar metabolome yielded 1412 unique features, from which 105 compounds were identified. The HTST process decreased the peak area in the Post of most features by <10%. Due to fermentation, an increase (fold change > 2; adjusted-p < 0.05) in the peak area was observed for 29 identified compounds, including 15 with known immunomodulatory, anti-oxidative or antibacterial property. The HTST treatment decreased the peak area of 4 of these compounds by >10% and 25 compounds by <10%. The HTST treatment to yield the Post induced minimal changes in the metabolomic profile, while the fermentation to produce the Pro yielded metabolites with known biological activity.
Application of UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS-Based Metabonomic Techniques to Analyze the Cordyceps cicadae Metabolic Profile Changes to the CO(NH2)2 Response Mechanism in the Process of Ergosterol Synthesis
Authors: Wang Miaomiao , Zhang Zhicai , Shi Fenghui , Wu Weijie
Published: February 2025

Nitrogen source is a necessary nutrient factor in the process of mycelial growth and metabolite synthesis. To improve the yield of ergosterol, in the previous study, we used transcriptome technology to explore the difference in gene expression of Cordyceps cicadae by CO(NH2)2 (urea) in the process of synthesizing ergosterol. In the present study, CO(NH2)2 was used to examine its effects on cell membrane permeability and metabolic flow in the process of C. cicadae fermentation and ergosterol synthesis. Metabonomic results showed that CO(NH2)2 supplementation caused significant changes in five aspects: (1) CO(NH2)2 notably increased biomass growth and extracellular ergosterol, and decreased intracellular ergosterol concentration; (2) CO(NH2)2 boosted the level of inositol 1,4-bisphosphate, which implied the acceleration of cell membrane decomposition, the weakening of integrity, and the increase in permeability and change in metabolic regionalization; (3) CO(NH2)2 changed the metabolic fluxes and metabolic speed, including increasing the levels of amino acids, vitamins, hormones, and nucleotides, which exhibited an elevated biomass growth, promoting the synthesis of intracellular flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenes, facilitating extracellular ergosterol synthesis and decreasing the degradation of ergosterol; (4) in the fermentation anaphase, CO(NH2)2 caused the inhibition of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase activities, decreased NADPH, NADH, and ATP synthesis, and finally inhibited biomass growth and ergosterol synthesis. Collectively, metabonomics was a valuable strategy to study the regulatory effects of medium composition and incubation conditions on ergosterol synthesis by C. cicadae.
The Effect of Calcium in the Fermentation of White Cabbage with Salicornia
Authors: Pires-Cabral Patrícia , Pires-Cabral Paula , Mira Helena , Quintas Célia
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the fermentation of white cabbage with salicornia and CaCl2 to assess its effect on the fermentation profiles and properties of the final products. Two sets of experiments were performed: A—cabbage with salt and salicornia, and B—cabbage with salt, salicornia, and CaCl2. The fermentative processes were studied through the microbial (lactic-acid bacteria (LAB), coliforms, and fungi), physicochemical (pH, total acidity), and mineral properties. A diminution of pH values (4.07, 3.58) and increased acidity values (0.70, 0.77 g lactic acid/100 mL) were registered at the end of the fermentation period (A and B, respectively). A stationary phase followed the exponential growth of LAB, and a slight decrease was observed (6.01, 5.51 Log CFU/g) in both experiments. A fungi decline was observed during the first week and the coliform populations disappeared after about 13 days of fermentation. Staphylococcus coagulase-positive, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella were not detected in the final products. The utilization of CaCl2 resulted in fermented cabbage with analogous microbial and sensorial characteristics to fermented cabbage without CaCl2 but with an increased hardness. However, Ca interfered with the diffusion of K, Mg, and Zn, resulting in lower levels of these elements in the final product, particularly Zn, which exhibited a reduction of 37%, reducing the nutritional value of the final products.
Assessment of Alkali-Treated Spent Mushroom Substrate Supplemented with Condensed Molasses Solubles (CMS) as an Alternative Forage Source for Ruminants Through In Vitro Fermentation
Authors: Chen Bo-Yuan , Wu Pei-Shi , Wang Han-Tsung
Published: February 2025

This study aimed to evaluate alkali-treated spent mushroom substrate (Pleurotus eryngii SMS) combined with condensed molasses solubles (CMS) as an alternative forage source for ruminants via in vitro fermentation. Pleurotus eryngii SMS was treated with different chemicals, including NaOH (at 5% in DM of SMS), H2O2 (at 3.5% in DM of SMS), and AHP (at 5% NaOH + 3.5% H2O2 in DM of SMS) to improve its fiber structure and digestibility. The NaOH and AHP treatments significantly increased the total gas production and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration and improved digestibility by about 1.5 to 1.8 times. CMS supplementation led to a 21% increase in microbial protein (MCP) synthesis in the NaOH treatment group. A replacement experiment involving a total mixed-ration diet indicated that CMS supplementation increased gas production while reducing dry matter digestibility in the NaOH treatment group. The AHP treatment group performed best at all substitution rates, particularly in digestibility and MCP synthesis. These results suggest that alkali treatment and CMS could improve the nutrient utilization efficiency of Pleurotus eryngii SMS, providing a feasible solution for the resource utilization of agricultural waste.
Enhancing Rumen-Undegradable Protein via Processing Techniques in a Dual-Flow Continuous Culture System
Authors: Loregian K. E. , Silva M. J. , Dourado S. B. , Guimarães J. , Amâncio B. R. , Magnani E. , Silva T. H. , Branco R. H. , Benedeti P. Del Bianco , Paula E. M.
Published: February 2025

The use of processing techniques to increase the rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) content of protein meals aims to enhance the nutritional performance of high-performance animals. This study evaluated the effects of various processing techniques applied to peanut and cottonseed meals on ruminal parameters using a dual-flow continuous culture system. These two feeds were individually analyzed in two experiments, each one using five fermenters (1297 ± 33 mL) in a 5 × 5 Latin square arrangement with five periods of 10 d each, with 7 d for diet adaptation and 3 d for sample collections. Five treatments were evaluated in each experiment: no processed meal (control); meal thermally treated in an autoclave with xylose (autoclave); meal thermally treated in a conventional oven with xylose (oven); meal thermally treated in a microwave with xylose (microwave); and meal treated with tannin (tannin). All diets contained 60% concentrate (corn, minerals, and processed meal). Fermenters were fed 55 g of dry matter per day, divided equally into two meals at 06:00 and 18:00 h. The solid and liquid dilution rates were adjusted daily to 5.5% and 11% per hour, respectively. On days 8, 9, and 10, 500 mL samples of solid and liquid digesta effluent were collected, mixed, homogenized, and stored at −20 °C. Subsamples of 10 mL were preserved with 0.2 mL of a 50% H2SO4 solution for later determination of NH3-N and volatile fatty acids. Microbial biomass was isolated from the fermenters for chemical analysis at the end of each experimental period. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS with a significance level of α = 0.05. Regarding cottonseed meal, the tannin treatment tended to have a lower true digestibility of DM compared to the control, autoclave, and oven treatments (p = 0.09). Additionally, tannin fermenters exhibited a lower apparent digestibility of CP compared to all other treatments (p = 0.04). The tannin and microwave treatments resulted in the highest flow of dietary nitrogen and the lowest supply of RDP-N (p < 0.01). The control treatment had a greater flow of NH3-N compared to other treatments (p < 0.01). Regarding peanut meal, the autoclave and tannin treatments exhibited the highest acetate concentration (p = 0.03) and the lowest apparent digestibility of CP (p < 0.01). The tannin treatment increased the RUP content without impairing ruminal fermentation and exhibited a greater supply of RDP-N compared to all other treatments (p = 0.02). No significant differences were observed for the other digestibility and fermentation parameters (p > 0.20). Our results indicate that tannin inclusion and microwave processing were the most effective methods for reducing the protein fraction available in the rumen for cottonseed meal. Additionally, tannin inclusion increased the RUP in peanut meal without negatively affecting ruminal fermentation.
ZSM Framework for Autonomous Security Service Level Agreement Life-Cycle Management in B5G Networks
Authors: Asensio-Garriga Rodrigo , Molina Zarca Alejandro , Ortiz Jordi , Hermosilla Ana , Pascual Hugo Ramón , Pastor Antonio , Skarmeta Antonio
Published: February 2025

In the rapidly evolving landscape of telecommunications, the integration of commercial 5G solutions and the rise of edge computing have reshaped service delivery, emphasizing the customization of requirements through network slices. However, the heterogeneity of devices and technologies in 5G and beyond networks poses significant challenges, particularly in terms of security management. Addressing this complexity, our work adopts the Zero-touch network and Service Management (ZSM) reference architecture to enable end-to-end automation of security and service management in Beyond 5G networks. This paper introduces the ZSM-based framework, which harnesses software-defined networking, network function virtualization, end-to-end slicing, and orchestration paradigms to autonomously enforce and preserve security service level agreements (SSLAs) across multiple domains that make up a 5G network. The framework autonomously manages end-to-end security slices through intent-driven closed loops at various logical levels, ensuring compliance with ETSI end-to-end network slice management standards for 5G communication services. The paper elaborates with an SSLA-triggered use case comprising two phases: proactive, wherein the framework deploys and configures an end-to-end security slice tailored to the security service level agreement specifications, and reactive, where machine learning-trained security mechanisms autonomously detect and mitigate novel beyond 5G attacks exploiting open-sourced 5G core threat vectors. Finally, the results of the implementation and validation are presented, demonstrating the practical application of this research. Interestingly, these research results have been integrated into the ETSI ZSM Proof of Concept #6: ’Security SLA Assurance in 5G Network Slices’, highlighting the relevance and impact of the study in the real world.
Optimization of Haskap Extract and Tannic Acid Combined with Mild Heat Treatment: A Predictive Study on the Inhibition of Cronobacter sakazakii
Authors: Polat Yemiş Gökçe , Yemiş Oktay , Öztürk Aysun
Published: February 2025

Cronobacter sakazakii is an opportunistic food-borne pathogen that causes severe infections with high morbidity and mortality rates in neonates, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. The plant extracts containing natural antibacterial compounds are currently under consideration as alternatives to synthetic artificial preservatives for the control of C. sakazakii. There has been increasing interest in using plant-derived antimicrobials in combination with mild heat to control pathogens in preservative-free foods. In this study, the individual and combined effects of four independent variables, i.e., polyphenol-rich haskap extract (HE) concentration (2–10%), tannic acid (TA) concentration (0.1–0.5), temperature (35–55 °C), and time (1–5 min), on C. sakazakii inactivation were investigated by response surface methodology (RSM) with a five-level four factor central composite design (CCD) and an optimal combination for maximum inhibition was determined. The statistic metrics of R2, R2adjusted, R2predicted, coefficient of variation (CV), Predicted Residual Error Sum of Squares (PRESSs), adequate precision, and lack-of-fit were used to reveal the prediction performance. The results revealed that all the independent variables, except time, influenced C. sakazakii inactivation. Among the independent variables, the temperature was the most effective variable (p < 0.0001) as regards inactivation. The synergistic effects of HE with TA and temperature were observed. Many possible optimum conditions of mild heat treatment that maximized the inhibition of C. sakazakii were obtained. The findings indicated that two distinct combinations were identified as the most effective inhibition of C. sakazakii: high concentration at low temperature and high temperature at low concentration. It can be concluded that haskap polyphenol extract, alone or in combination with tannic acid, has the potential to be used as a natural preservative to reduce the risk of C. sakazakii.
Effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CICC 32883 Fermentation on the Structural Features and Antioxidant Protection Effect of Chinese Yam Polysaccharide
Authors: Wang Zichao , Zheng Yi , Lai Ziru , Kong Zhihao , Hu Xilei , Zhang Peiyao , Yang Yahui , Li Na
Published: February 2025

In this study, Chinese yam polysaccharide (CYP) was fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae CICC 32883, and its structural features and antioxidant activities before and after fermentation were analyzed. S. cerevisiae CICC 32883-fermented CYP (CYP-SC) had higher carbohydrate content and lower protein content than the nonfermented CYP (CYP-NF). The monosaccharide composition of CYP-SC was unaffected, but the proportion was changed. Compared with CYP-NF’s molecular weight and polydispersity of 124.774 kDa and 6.58, respectively, those of CYP-SC were reduced to 20.384 kDa and 3.379. Antioxidant results showed that CYP-SC had better effects than CYP-NF in scavenging DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl, and superoxide radicals. Moreover, CYP-SC showed better activities in enhancing oxidation capacity and protecting HepG2 cells than CYP-NF. Furthermore, the effects of CYP-SC on alleviating and repairing H2O2-damaged HepG2 cells are superior to those of CYP-NF. This work offers a green and efficient method for enhancing the antioxidant activity of dietary plant polysaccharides.
Muscle Characteristics Comparison Analysis Reveal Differences in the Meat Quality and Nutritional Components of Three Shanghai Local Pig Breeds
Authors: Tu Weilong , Wang Hongyang , Zhang Yingying , Jiang Wei , He Chuan , Huang Ji , Bai Lan , Diao Yuduan , Zhou Jieke , Tan Yongsong , Wu Xiao
Published: February 2025

To study the differences in meat quality and nutritional components between the local Shanghai pig breeds Meishan pig (MS), Shawutou pig (SWT), Fengjing pig (FJ), and the commercial Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY) crossbred pigs, and to provide data support for the selection and breeding of superior pig breeds, this study selected 30 piglets each of three local pig breeds and DLY with similar birth ages and weights around 25 kg, fed them the same daily ration with uniform nutritional components, and slaughtered ten of them at around 100 kg weight for evaluation of differences in meat quality indicators (primarily intramuscular fat content, tenderness value, texture, etc.) and amino acid content among the varieties. The results indicated significant differences among the four pig breeds in intramuscular fat content, with MS having the highest content and significant differences in tenderness value compared to the other three breeds (p < 0.05). In terms of texture indicators, MS and SWT differed significantly from FJ and DLY in terms of hardness and fracturability indicators (p < 0.05), with certain differences existing among the four breeds in other indicators. In amino acid content, the differences in total amino acid content among the three Shanghai local pig breeds were not significant (p > 0.05), but all were significantly higher than DLY. Further analysis revealed significant differences in amino acid content between Shanghai local pig breeds and DLY, with Shanghai local pigs showing markedly higher levels of serine, proline, isoleucine, leucine, and histidine compared to DLY (p < 0.05). Regarding nucleotides, the cytidine monophosphate (CMP) indicator of MS differed significantly from the other three breeds (p < 0.05), SWT’s uridine monophosphate (UMP) indicator differed significantly from FJ and DLY, and FJ and DLY’s inosine monophosphate (IMP) indicator was significantly higher than MS and SWT (p < 0.05), while SWT’s adenosine monophosphate (AMP) indicator was significantly higher than the other three breeds (p < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that the meat quality and nutritional composition of Shanghai local pigs are significantly superior to DLY, with MS exhibiting significantly better meat quality and nutrition compared to SWT and FJ among the three local pig breeds.
Exploring the Factors Influencing the Acceptance of IoT Applications in Food Packaging
Authors: Rotsios Konstantinos , Folinas Dimitris , Mouchtari Chrysoula , Andreou Artemis , Fotiadis Thomas , Folina Maria-Theodora , Gasteratos Antonios
Published: February 2025

This study explores the transformative role of IoT in enhancing efficiency across the food value chain. It combines secondary and primary research to identify factors that influence IoT adoption in the food sector. A thematic–bibliometric analysis (2010–2024) highlights key themes related to IoT use in the industry, particularly in food packaging and supply chain optimization. The primary research, based on 162 questionnaires, examines factors influencing IoT adoption, such as perceived usefulness, ease of use, self-efficacy, and personal innovativeness. Results show that IoT awareness strengthens the impact of personal innovativeness on attitudes toward IoT. Additionally, a positive attitude significantly influences the intention to use IoT. These findings underline IoT’s potential to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and positively impact the food industry, emphasizing the importance of increasing awareness to foster its adoption.
Comparison of the Potential of “Green” Classical and Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents in the Production of Natural Food Colorant Extracts from the Roots of Alkanna tinctoria (L.)
Authors: Yaneva Zvezdelina , Grozeva Neli , Todorova Mima , Kamenova-Nacheva Mariana , Staleva Plamena , Memdueva Neli , Tzanova Milena Tankova
Published: February 2025

Alkanna tinctoria L. Tausch (“alkanet” or “alkanna”) is a medicinal plant. Extracts from alkanet roots have applications as natural food coloring agents. In addition, they have proven antioxidant effects. Three classical solvents (ethanol and acidified ethanol/water) and four natural eutectic solvents (NADES)—choline chloride/urea; choline chloride/citric acid; choline chloride/lactic acid; and sodium acetate/formic acid—were compared for their effectiveness as “green” solvents for the extraction of the alkanet pigment. Notably, this study is the first to apply choline chloride-based NADESs for alkanet extraction, providing a comprehensive profile of key bioactive compounds and their contributions to antioxidant activity using UV/Vis and FT-IR spectrometry, GC-MS, and HPLC-PDA-MS. Among the classical solvents, 50% acidified ethanol showed the highest extraction capacity, as indicated by its total flavonoid (708 ± 32 mgCE/L) and total phenolic (1318 ± 63 mgGAE/L) content. However, this extract exhibited the highest total alkaloid content (256 ± 15 µg/L) compared to the other classical extraction solvents. Consequently, absolute ethanol was identified as a more suitable alternative. Among the NADES, the sodium acetate/formic acid (1:2 mol/mol, NADES4) extract was the only one to show the presence of alkannins. This extract also contained high levels of phenols (355 ± 21 mg GAE/L) and tannins (163 ± 10 mg CE/L), exhibited strong antioxidant potential (DPPH: 131 µmol TE/g dw, FRAP: 7.49 mg Fe(II)/mg dw), and contained significantly lower alkaloid levels (7.0 ± 0.5 µg/L). Comparative analyses indicated that the sodium acetate/formic acid extract outperformed those prepared with ethanolic solvents and other NADES.
Cross-Cultural Comparison of the Espresso Protocol Repeatability
Authors: Choi Jisoo , Lee Jeehyun , Chambers Edgar
Published: February 2025

The Espresso Protocol (TEP) was used to assess the quality of coffee beans through espresso extraction incorporating a sensory approach. TEP includes overall quality evaluation and attribute evaluation using check-all-that-apply (CATA). This study aims to evaluate the repeatability of TEP when used by experts and to compare cross-cultural assessments to determine its applicability across different countries with diverse coffee cultures. Experts with over three years of experience in the coffee industry from five countries—France (n = 7), India (n = 12), Italy (n = 7), the Republic of Korea (n = 10), and the USA (n = 10)—participated in our study. The experiment was conducted in three replications using eight different single-origin coffee samples over two or three consecutive days. Cluster analysis using CATA data was performed to verify the repeatability of individual participants in the characterization of espresso samples, revealing that most participants were repeatable in their three-time evaluations. Moreover, a significant homogeneity index demonstrated a high degree of similarity in the sensory characteristics used by experts from each country, although cultural differences were observed in the terminology used to describe coffee. In conclusion, the repeatability of individual experts and the reliability of TEP were successfully demonstrated. However, some differences in sensory evaluations were noted across cultures; these were likely influenced by differences in the use of terminology, which emphasizes the need for training in the coffee lexicon.
The Preventive Effect of Theabrownin from Ya’an Tibetan Tea Against UVB-Induced Skin Photodamage in BALB/c Mice via the MAPK/NF-κB and Nrf2 Signaling Pathways
Authors: Xu Jingyi , Xie Mingji , Liang Xing , Luo Peida , Yang Xinyao , Zhao Jing , Bian Jinlin , Sun Bo , Tang Qian , Du Xiao , Zou Yao , Dai Weidong , He Chunlei
Published: February 2025

Ya’an Tibetan tea, renowned as a mysterious tea, has been used as a traditional remedy for disease prevention among ethnic minorities in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau region, which experiences the highest levels of UVB radiation in the world, for over 1000 years. Theabrownin (TB) from Ya’an Tibetan tea exhibits various health benefits. In this study, the preventive effects of TB on UVB-induced skin damage were investigated. The results showed that TB pretreatment significantly alleviated visible skin damage, epidermal hyperplasia, and collagen destruction in BALB/c mice. The mechanism of action involved increasing the mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2 and enhancing SOD enzyme activity, thereby reducing MDA content and improving the body’s antioxidant capacity. TB also inhibited the protein synthesis of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, as well as the expression of NF-κB mRNA and protein, thereby reducing skin inflammation. Furthermore, it suppressed the overexpression of p38 MAPK, ERK, and AP-1 mRNA and protein, along with the downstream MMP-1 protein, to prevent collagen destruction in the skin. Additionally, TB pretreatment prevented cell apoptosis by reducing Caspase-3 overexpression. These results suggest that TB can prevent UVB-induced photodamage and exert its preventive effects in a dose-dependent manner by downregulating the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway while promoting the Nrf2 signaling pathway in the skin. Consequently, TB holds promising potential for future applications in skin photodamage prevention and skin health promotion.
Post-COVID-19 Era Forensics: Hospital Autopsies, New Methodologies, and Medicolegal Perspectives
Authors: Zaami Simona , Napoletano Gabriele , Marinelli Enrico , Sablone Sara , De Paola Lina , Introna Francesco
Published: February 2025

Background: Hospital autopsies, once considered fundamental to evidence-based medicine, have declined in many Western countries due to legislative changes, faith-based objections, and inadequate funding in public healthcare. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has revitalized interest in their importance for determining the cause of death and generating public health statistics. This study analyzes the factors contributing to this decline, with a focus on the Italian context and the new medicolegal perspectives arising in the post-pandemic era. Methods: The research was conducted through an analysis of 91 relevant scientific sources, including government documents, policy briefs, and academic studies. Legislative and regulatory factors influencing the reduction in hospital autopsies were examined, along with new technological and medicolegal perspectives that have emerged following the COVID-19 pandemic. Special attention was given to the Italian context and the pandemic’s impact on autopsy practices. Results: The analysis revealed that the perceived “low value” of autopsies often stems from technological advancements, which have led to the view of these procedures as redundant. However, in the post-COVID-19 era, there has been a renewed awareness of the medicolegal value of autopsies, with significant implications for public health statistics and the evolution of forensic medicine. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vital role of autopsies in delivering accurate medical information, prompting renewed attention to these procedures in the post-pandemic era. Moving forward, hospital autopsies will need to balance technological innovations with traditional medicolegal practices, paving the way for new perspectives in forensic medicine and public health data management.
‘I Took Every Possible Care to Have Them Well Preserved’: Travelling Plants and Networks of Collection from India to England in the Letters of William Roxburgh to Sir James Edward Smith
Authors: Walchester Kathryn
Published: February 2025

The final decades of the eighteenth century saw the significant expansion of botanical propagation and collections across the globe, both as an aesthetic corollary and to provide the underpinning resources for imperialism. The focus of this article is the development of the network between botanists in India and England in the 1790s through the correspondence between William Roxburgh (1751–1815), superintendent of the Botanical Garden in Calcutta from 1793, and Sir James Edward Smith (1759–1820), who as Sarah Law notes, was ‘a focus of correspondence with every serious botanist in the world’ (Law, 2007, 184). Such networks were sustained by letters describing the plants and the treatment they needed, the habitat from which they had been taken, and details of how they had been collected and packed. Epistolary writing between plant hunters and British collectors can be understood, I suggest, as a form of travel writing. This is a form in which correspondence builds connections and relationships between fellow scientists and enthusiasts and the fragmentary focus on place, and the mobility of humans is replaced by close attention to the aesthetic and biological details of plants and the best ways of securing their successful transport across the globe. Using an ecocritical frame, this article explores the position of plants and biological specimens themselves as travellers and considers the ways in which their care and preservation have been articulated through sociable correspondence.
Voluntary HIV Testing and Counselling Initiatives in Occupational Settings: A Scoping Review
Authors: Blake Holly , Yildirim Mehmet , Lax Stephanie J. , Evans Catrin
Published: February 2025

Voluntary HIV testing and counselling (VCT) in the workplace could reach population groups who may be at risk for HIV but may not readily seek out testing from other services. We conducted a scoping review to understand (a) the nature of evidence related to initiatives and interventions for vocationally active adults on VCT in occupational settings, and (b) any facilitators and barriers to the delivery of and/or engagement with VCT initiatives/interventions in the workplace. JBI scoping review methodology was followed. The protocol was pre-registered. Included studies focused on vocationally active adults (population), VCT interventions or initiatives (concept), and workplaces in any sector or country (context). The review included studies published after 2000, in English, and of any research design. Studies relating to mandatory workplace HIV screening were excluded. MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Control Trials were searched. Sources of grey literature included Google Scholar and governmental and organisational websites. One reviewer screened titles and abstracts; a second reviewer independently screened 10%. Data extraction utilised a modified JBI data extraction tool. We identified 17 studies reporting on 12 workplace VCT interventions (20,985 participants, 15–70 years). Studies were conducted in eight countries between 2001 and 2022. Interventions were delivered in organisations of different types, sizes and sectors. Testing included rapid blood tests and oral fluid self-tests. Where reported, the average on-site HIV testing uptake rate was 63%, and the average linkage to care rate was 86.85%. Views of workers, employers and service providers were largely positive. Barriers included being male, masculinity-driven workplace culture, HIV-related stigma, poor knowledge, low risk perceptions, lack of time and low support. Facilitators included on-site testing for convenience and accessibility, rapid and free tests, organisational, managerial and peer support, and embedding HIV tests within general health checks. Evaluation methods varied, although randomised trial designs were uncommon. Despite the limited number of studies, the workplace appears to be a viable route to the delivery of community-based VCT, albeit barriers should be addressed. Reporting quality of interventions and associated evaluations is variable and could be improved with the use of appropriate checklists.
System Models for Synchronous Strategies in Operational Healthcare Forecasting
Authors: Telukdarie Arnesh , Makoni Logistic , Sarma R. Raghunatha , Munsamy Megashnee , Kumar Sunil
Published: February 2025

The delivery of healthcare in Low-to-Medium-Income Countries (LMICs) has long posed challenges, with established models predominantly found in wealthier nations. These models are found to be either strategic or operational, and very rarely combine these two perspectives. Most importantly, these models lack a comprehensive, holistic and synchronous construct that accompanies a systems thinking approach. This research evaluates international best practices, fundamental global theories and existing systems and tools in healthcare through a systems approach. It collates these data to propose a customized systems-based, comprehensive framework for modeling and optimizing both the management and operational tiers of healthcare in LMICs. The approach is based on the adoption of digital tools, inclusive of AI, to analyze, assimilate, align and develop advanced, holistic and inclusive frameworks. The current gap in global healthcare delivery is characterized by an ongoing lack of ability to provide quality and cost-effective care, especially in the LMICs. Despite the fact that developmental challenges are unique and specific to respective countries, there are commonalities with regard to healthcare processes that present opportunities for optimization. The main challenge lies in the effective collation and synchronization of data and tools with the specific contexts of each country. This situation highlights the need for a cohesive systems approach to enhance healthcare delivery in LMICs, allowing for tailored solutions that can bridge existing gaps. This paper presents a strategic model, with initial data quantification guiding the development of the system model. The practical significance of this research lies in its potential to transform healthcare delivery in LMICs, leading to enhanced access and quality of care through optimized systems.
Mental Health in the Chilean Incarcerated Population: A Screening Approach
Authors: Sanhueza Guillermo , Candia Jessica , Zúñiga Liza
Published: February 2025

From both a social and epidemiological perspective, incarcerated individuals in Latin America face a series of accumulated disadvantages in different areas, one of them being the deterioration in their mental health linked to confinement and the negative effects of incarceration. However, since mental health evaluations at the intake phase are virtually non-existent for incarcerated populations in Chile, the diagnosis of, monitoring of, and intervention initiatives on mental health issues are very limited, thus limiting the possibilities of causal relationship analysis and evidence-based interventions. Thus, the first step to making the topic of mental health more visible to public policy is to gather more evidence about it in prison settings. This article analyzed—using a screening approach—the presence, suspicion, or absence of psychopathology using the GHQ-12 instrument among a sample of 1159 incarcerated individuals grouped in 20 prisons throughout Chile. Our main results show that there are about 22.3% of Chilean inmates with presence of some form of psychopathology, plus an additional 51.8% with the criteria for suspected psychopathology; we also found significant, bivariate relationships between various mental health items and gender, the type of prison, and age, so that incarcerated women, younger inmates, and those housed in public prisons reporting more problems than their counterparts. Finally, we discuss the implications of our findings for the improvement of prison life in Chile and the possibility of social reintegration for incarcerated people.
Youth Tobacco Control in the Digital Age: Impact of South Carolina’s Youth Tobacco Education and Vaping Cessation Social Media Programs
Authors: Stalgaitis Carolyn A. , Dang Susan , Warner Catherine , Biggers Sharon , Jackson LaQuanna , Jordan Jeffrey W.
Published: February 2025

To maintain relevance, youth tobacco control programs must leverage popular social media platforms and address evolving behaviors. Recognizing this, the South Carolina Department of Public Health and Rescue Agency implemented culturally tailored social media campaigns (Down and Dirty, Fresh Empire), a broad vaping social media campaign (Behind the Haze), and an Instagram-based vaping cessation program (Quit the Hit, QTH). This study examines program impact. The social media campaigns were evaluated via online cross-sectional surveys in 2019–2023. Analyses examined awareness and reception overall and among target audiences and compared knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs between campaign-aware and unaware participants. The impact of QTH was assessed via online baseline and follow-up surveys in 2021–2023. Analyses examined program feedback and changes in cessation confidence and tobacco use from baseline to follow-up. Over one-third of participants recalled the social media campaigns, and recall of featured facts was higher among the campaign-aware participants than the unaware participants. QTH participants’ confidence in quitting increased from baseline to follow-up, while any 30-day vaping and average number of days of vaping decreased. This innovative social media program reached high-risk youth with educational content and empowered teens to quit vaping, providing a model for comprehensive youth tobacco control programs.
Musculoskeletal Complaints Among Female Childcare Workers in German Daycare Centres—A Survey Study with a Comparison Group
Authors: Dauer Roxana , Schablon Anja , Nienhaus Albert
Published: February 2025

Childcare workers are at risk of musculoskeletal complaints due to various stresses. Comparative studies focusing on this group are lacking. In a cross-sectional study, we asked female childcare workers and women from the general population (comparison group) about musculoskeletal complaints, categorised by body regions, and private/occupational risk factors. The childcare workers were recruited from Hamburg daycare centres and the comparison group from the residents’ registration office. The survey was conducted between October 2022 and July 2023. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated in logistic regressions for factors influencing the occurrence of complaints that limited participants’ work or leisure activities in the past 12 months. Questionnaires from 218 female childcare workers and 250 from the comparison group were analysed. The comparison group had a 17.3% response rate. No response rate could be calculated for childcare workers. ORs for childcare workers were statistically significantly higher for complaints relating to the neck/cervical spine, shoulders/upper arms, knees and lumbar spine/lower back (OR between 1.7 and 3.2). This is the first study to compare the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints in female childcare workers with other working women. The results show statistically significant differences, highlighting the need for interventions that address individual and workplace factors.
COVID-19 Induces Greater NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation in Obese Patients than Other Chronic Illnesses: A Case–Control Study
Authors: D’Amico Raíssa Campos , Nagashima Seigo , Carstens Lucas Baena , Bertoldi Karina de Guadalupe , Mataruco Sabrina , Honório D’Agostini Júlio Cesar , Hlatchuk Elisa Carolina , da Silva Sofia Brunoro , de Noronha Lucia , Baena Cristina Pellegrino
Published: February 2025

Obesity has been identified as an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19 unfavorable outcomes. Several factors, such as increased ACE2 receptor expression and chronic inflammation, can contribute to this relationship, yet the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway is also a key element. Our primary goal was to determine whether chronic NLRP3 inflammasome activation in people with obesity is different in critical COVID-19 and in critical chronic conditions. A retrospective analysis was conducted using clinical data and post-mortem lung tissue samples from 14 COVID-19 patients with obesity (group A) and 9 patients with obesity who died from non-COVID-19 causes (group B). Immunohistochemical analysis assessed twelve markers related to the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Group A showed a significantly higher expression of ASC (p = 0.0387) and CASP-1 (p = 0.0142). No significant differences were found for IL-8, TNF-α, NF-kB, NLRP3, IL-1β, and gasdermin-D. Group B had higher levels of IL-6 (p < 0.0001), IL-18 (p = 0.002), CASP-9 (p < 0.0001), and HIF (p = 0.0327). We concluded that COVID-19 activates the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, possibly leading to pyroptotic cell death mediated by caspase-1. In contrast, people with obesity without COVID-19, despite exhibiting some markers of the NLRP3 inflammasome, are more likely to experience necroptosis mediated by caspase-9.