bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-Motor Symptoms in PLA2G6-Associated Dystonia-Parkinsonism: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Vela-Desojo Lydia , Urso Daniele , Osuna-López Mireia , Hoenicka Janet
Published: March 2022

PLA2G6-dystonia-parkinsonism (PLAN-DP) is characterized by levodopa responsive parkinsonism and dystonia. While neuropsychiatric symptoms and early cognitive decline are also common in this entity there is little information regarding other non-motor symptoms (NMS). Here, we describe a 26-year-old patient with PLAN-DP whose motor symptoms were preceded by mild cognitive impairment and anxiety, and who developed many other NMS as the disease evolved. Furthermore, we reviewed the NMS described in all the PLAN-DP patients published to date. A total of 50 patients with PLAN-DP were identified, 42 of whom developed NMS and in 23 of these cases, NMS preceded the motor symptoms of the disease. Neuropsychiatric symptoms dominated the premotor phase of this condition and cognitive impairment/dementia was the most prevalent NMS. Other NMS were reported infrequently like sleep disorders, autonomic symptoms, pain and hyposmia, and mostly as the disease evolved. NMS are very frequent in PLAN-DP and they may appear before diagnosis or during the course of the disease. Neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive decline are the most frequent NMS. The appearance of neuropsychiatric symptoms like depression, anxiety or personality changes prior to a diagnosis of parkinsonism in younger individuals might suggest the presence of PLA2G6 gene mutations.
A Global Overview of Aquaculture Food Production with a Focus on the Activity’s Development in Transitional Systems—The Case Study of a South European Country (Portugal)
Authors: Rocha Carolina P. , Cabral Henrique N. , Marques João C. , Gonçalves Ana M. M.
Published: March 2022

World aquaculture food production rises every year, amounting, by 2018, to another all-time record of 82.1 million tonnes of farmed seafood, with Asia leading global production. In Europe, although coastal countries present historical fishing habits, aquaculture is in true expansion. Norway, the leading European producer, is the eighth main producer worldwide. Portugal is a traditional fishing country but has invested in the development of aquaculture for the past decade, attaining, by 2018, 13.3 tonnes produced, making Portugal the 16th main producer amongst European Union member states that year. Most Portuguese aquaculture facilities operate in coastal systems, resorting to extensive and semi-intensive rearing techniques. In Portugal, marine food production in transitional systems is particularly interesting as the practice has, worldwide, been continuously substituted by intensive methods. In fact, facilities in transitional systems have developed over time and products gained higher commercial value. Clams and oysters corresponded, together, to over three quarters of total mollusc production in Portugal in 2018, while gilthead seabream and European seabass made up nearly all fish production in coastal environments. The state of aquaculture practices worldwide is reviewed in the present work, providing a particular focus on Portugal, where considerable development of the aquaculture sector is expected.
Impacts of Discretization and Numerical Propagation on the Ability to Follow Challenging Square Wave Commands
Authors: Koo Sung Mo , Travis Henry , Sands Timothy
Published: March 2022

This study determines the threshold for the computational rate of actuator motor controllers for unmanned underwater vehicles necessary to accurately follow discontinuous square wave commands. Motors must track challenging square-wave inputs, and identification of key computational rates permit application of deterministic artificial intelligence (D.A.I.) to achieve tracking to a machine-precision degree of accuracy in direct comparison to other state-of-art approaches. All modeling approaches are validated in MATLAB simulations where the motor process is discretized at varying step-sizes (inversely proportional to computational rate). At a large step-size (fast computational rate), discrete D.A.I. shows a mean error more than three times larger than that of a ubiquitous model-following approach. Yet, at a smaller step size (slower computational rate), the mean error decreases by a factor of 10, only three percent larger than that of continuous D.A.I. Hence, the performance of discrete D.A.I. is critically affected by the sampling period for discretization of the system equations and computational rate. Discrete D.A.I. should be avoided when small step-size discretization is unavailable. In fact, continuous D.A.I. has surpassed all modeling approaches, which makes it the safest and most viable solution to future commercial applications in unmanned underwater vehicles.
Land Suitability Analysis for Vineyard Cultivation in the Izmir Metropolitan Area
Authors: Salata Stefano , Ozkavaf-Senalp Sila , Velibeyoğlu Koray , Elburz Zeynep
Published: March 2022

The grapevine, so-called Vitis vinifera L., is one of the most diffuse perennial crop plantations in the world due to a flourishing market that shaped the landscape and the societal values. Turkey has been a historical vine producer, counting on an overall vineyard extension of 550,000 hectares. Besides, Turkey has some favorable pre-requisites to be one of the most fertile lands for vineyard production: variegated topography, rich soil diversity, heterogeneous morphology, and several micro-climatic conditions. However, establishing a flourishing and fully productive vineyard requires many years, and therefore, the selection and management of sites should be considered with great attention. Within this work, a first land suitability analysis for vineyard production has been established for the entire metropolitan area of Izmir according to the most scientifically-agreed criteria: elevation, slope, aspect, land capability, and solar radiation. These criteria were superimposed through spatial overlay analysis using Esri ArcGIS (ver.10.8) and evaluated using the Principal Component Analysis technique. The first three bands were then extracted to define the most suitable areas for vineyard production in Izmir. The final layer has been used to define which areas can be considered for future strategic expansion and management. The discussion focuses on the Kozak plateau, where a new policy of vineyard plantation will be promoted with techniques that aim to maintain and revalorize the traditional vineyard landscapes and conserve traditional methods and practices that have evolved with the cultural values of the villagers and producers.
Autophagy Pathways in the Genesis of Plasmodium-Derived Microvesicles: A Double-Edged Sword?
Authors: Leleu Inès , Alloo Jeremy , Cazenave Pierre-André , Roland Jacques , Pied Sylviane
Published: March 2022

Malaria, caused by Plasmodium species (spp.), is a deadly parasitic disease that results in approximately 400,000 deaths per year globally. Autophagy pathways play a fundamental role in the developmental stages of the parasite within the mammalian host. They are also involved in the production of Plasmodium-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), which play an important role in the infection process, either by providing nutrients for parasite growth or by contributing to the immunopathophysiology of the disease. For example, during the hepatic stage, Plasmodium-derived EVs contribute to parasite virulence by modulating the host immune response. EVs help in evading the different autophagy mechanisms deployed by the host for parasite clearance. During cerebral malaria, on the other hand, parasite-derived EVs promote an astrocyte-mediated inflammatory response, through the induction of a non-conventional host autophagy pathway. In this review, we will discuss the cross-talk between Plasmodium-derived microvesicles and autophagy, and how it influences the outcome of infection.
Mechanical and Lubrication Properties of Double Network Ion Gels Obtained by a One-Step Process
Authors: Arafune Hiroyuki , Watarai Yuma , Kamijo Toshio , Honma Saika , Sato Takaya
Published: March 2022

Human joints support us to reduce the impact on our body and move them smoothly. As they are composed of gel-like structures, gel materials with soft and resilient properties are expected, as lubricants, to provide high efficiency and a long lifetime for mechanical parts. While double network gels including ionic liquids as swelling agents possess high mechanical strength and stable low friction under high temperature or vacuum, their fabrication process is complex and time-consuming. In this study, we applied one-pot synthesis to a double network ion gel (DNIG) to obtain a thin gel film by a simple coating method and examined its thermal, mechanical and tribological properties. The DNIG was obtained by one-pot synthesis (DNIG-1) combining polycondensation of tetraethoxysilane and radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate to form silica and poly(methyl methacrylate) as a 1st and 2nd network, respectively. Such obtained DNIG-1 was characterized and compared with DNIG obtained by a conventional two-step process (DNIG-2). Thermogravimetric analysis and the compressive stress–strain test showed high thermal stability and mechanical strength of DNIG-1. As friction at the glass/DNIG-1 interface showed high friction compared with that at glass/DNIG-2, various counterface materials were applied to examine their effect on the friction of DNIG-1. As SUS304/DNIG-1 showed much lower friction compared with glass/DNIG-1, the difference in the friction was presumably due to the different adsorption forces and compatibility between the materials.
Developing a Novel Fair-Loan Classifier through a Multi-Sensitive Debiasing Pipeline: DualFair
Authors: Singh Arashdeep , Singh Jashandeep , Khan Ariba , Gupta Amar
Published: March 2022

Machine learning (ML) models are increasingly being used for high-stake applications that can greatly impact people’s lives. Sometimes, these models can be biased toward certain social groups on the basis of race, gender, or ethnicity. Many prior works have attempted to mitigate this “model discrimination” by updating the training data (pre-processing), altering the model learning process (in-processing), or manipulating the model output (post-processing). However, more work can be done in extending this situation to intersectional fairness, where we consider multiple sensitive parameters (e.g., race) and sensitive options (e.g., black or white), thus allowing for greater real-world usability. Prior work in fairness has also suffered from an accuracy–fairness trade-off that prevents both accuracy and fairness from being high. Moreover, the previous literature has not clearly presented holistic fairness metrics that work with intersectional fairness. In this paper, we address all three of these problems by (a) creating a bias mitigation technique called DualFair and (b) developing a new fairness metric (i.e., AWI, a measure of bias of an algorithm based upon inconsistent counterfactual predictions) that can handle intersectional fairness. Lastly, we test our novel mitigation method using a comprehensive U.S. mortgage lending dataset and show that our classifier, or fair loan predictor, obtains relatively high fairness and accuracy metrics.
Total Coloring of Dumbbell Maximal Planar Graphs
Authors: Zhou Yangyang , Zhao Dongyang , Ma Mingyuan , Xu Jin
Published: March 2022

The Total Coloring Conjecture (TCC) states that every simple graph G is totally (Δ+2)-colorable, where Δ denotes the maximum degree of G. In this paper, we prove that TCC holds for dumbbell maximal planar graphs. Especially, we divide the dumbbell maximal planar graphs into three categories according to the maximum degree: J9, I-dumbbell maximal planar graphs and II-dumbbell maximal planar graphs. We give the necessary and sufficient condition for I-dumbbell maximal planar graphs, and prove that any I-dumbbell maximal planar graph is totally 8-colorable. Moreover, a linear time algorithm is proposed to compute a total (Δ+2)-coloring for any I-dumbbell maximal planar graph.
Polylinear Transformation Method for Solving Systems of Logical Equations
Authors: Barotov Dostonjon Numonjonovich , Barotov Ruziboy Numonjonovich
Published: March 2022

In connection with applications, the solution of a system of logical equations plays an important role in computational mathematics and in many other areas. As a result, many new directions and algorithms for solving systems of logical equations are being developed. One of these directions is transformation into the real continuous domain. The real continuous domain is a richer domain to work with because it features many algorithms, which are well designed. In this study, firstly, we transformed any system of logical equations in the unit n-dimensional cube Kn into a system of polylinear–polynomial equations in a mathematically constructive way. Secondly, we proved that if we slightly modify the system of logical equations, namely, add no more than one special equation to the system, then the resulting system of logical equations and the corresponding system of polylinear–polynomial equations in Kn+1 is equivalent. The paper proposes an algorithm and proves its correctness. Based on these results, further research plans are developed to adapt the proposed method.
Study of Electrochemical and Biological Characteristics of As-Cast Ti-Nb-Zr-Ta System Based on Its Microstructure
Authors: Rossi Mariana Correa , Ventura Beatriz Navarro , Milián Lara , Escuder Angel Vicente , Amigó Borrás Vicente
Published: March 2022

The quaternary Ti-Nb-Zr-Ta (TNZT) alloy was successfully cast-fabricated with the objective to be used in the medical field. Samples’ microstructure was compared to CP-Ti and Ti-6Al-4V (control samples) and related to corrosion, ion release and biological properties. As-cast TNZT was formed with large β grain sizes (285 µm) compared to the ultrafine α grain sizes of CP-Ti (11 µm) and the α + β ultrafine grain sizes of 1.45 µm and 0.74 µm. Hardness and flexural elastic moduli (94 HV and 43 GPa) came close to the biological structures, such as dentin and enamel values. The ion release mechanism of as-cast TNZT was significantly lesser than CP-Ti and Ti-6Al-4V, which can be related to the difference in samples’ grain sizes and chemical compositions. However, the corrosion rate was higher than for the control samples; this way offers corrosion properties inferior with respect to the properties obtained in the reference materials. Biological assays demonstrated that the two-cell (hDPSCs and MG-63) lineage studied presented good adhesion and capability to differentiate in bone cells on the as-cast TNZT surface, and no cytotoxicity effects were found. Details and reasons based on samples’ microstructure are discussed.
Fabrication and Characterization of the Broccoli-like Structured CuO Thin Films Synthesized by a Facile Hydrothermal Method and Its Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Application
Authors: Lam Nguyen Hoang , Truong Nguyen Tam Nguyen , Thuy Chau Thi Thanh , Tamboli Mohaseen S. , Tamboli Asiya M. , Jung Jinjoo , Ahn Kwang-soon , Kim Chang-Duk , Jung Jae Hak
Published: March 2022

CuO thin films with broccoli-like structure were prepared using a facile hydrothermal method to construct photocathodes for water-splitting application. The morphological, structural, and optical properties of thin films were characterized and measured using several techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence (PL), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The thickness, structure, and morphology of CuO thin films can be controlled by varying the precursor concentration (Cp) and reaction temperature (Tr), which are also discussed. Moreover, the electrical properties of CuO thin films were also measured in the three-electrode system. The photocurrent density of photocathodes, when synthesized by a 0.5 M solution at 150 °C for 12 h, was 0.5 mA/cm2 at −0.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl, which is 1.8 times higher than that of photocathodes synthesized in a 0.1 M solution at 100 °C with the same reaction time. In addition, increasing the reaction temperature and precursor concentration aided in the enhancement of the IPCE and APCE values, which peaked at a wavelength range of 330–400 nm.
Robust Optimal Control Design for Performance Enhancement of PWM Voltage Source Inverter
Authors: Chang En-Chih , Cheng Hung-Liang , Chang Chien-Hsuan , Wu Rong-Ching , Cheng Chun-An , Xiao Zheng-Kai , Lu Wen-Jie , Wei Zhi-Yu
Published: March 2022

PWM (pulse-width modulation) voltage source inverters are used in a wide range of AC power systems where the output voltage must be controlled to follow a sinusoidal reference waveform. In order to achieve precision and fast-tracking control, restrictive sliding mode control (RSMC) provides a fast system state convergence time. However, the RSMC still suffers from the chattering problem, which leads to high harmonic distortion and slow response of the inverter output state. Furthermore, the load of the inverter may be severe load changing and the control parameters become difficult to adjust, worsening the adaptability to achieve the desired control of the inverter output. In this paper, a robust optimal control design comprised of an enhanced restrictive sliding mode control (ERSMC) and density particle swarm optimization (DPSO) algorithm is proposed, and then applied to PWM voltage source inverters. The ERSMC not only has finite time convergence but also provides chatter elimination. The DPSO is highly adaptable for acquiring the control parameters of the ERSMC and finding the best solution in the global domain. The proposed controller is realized for the actual PWM voltage source inverter controlled by a TI DSP-based development platform, so that the inverter output voltage has fast dynamic response and satisfactory steady-state behavior despite high load changing and non-linear disturbances.
A Novel Self-Temperature Compensation Method for Mode-Localized Accelerometers
Authors: Cai Pengcheng , Xiong Xingyin , Wang Kunfeng , Ma Liangbo , Wang Zheng , Liu Yunfei , Zou Xudong
Published: March 2022

Mode-localized sensing paradigms applied to accelerometers have recently become popular research subjects. However, the output of mode-localized accelerometers is influenced by environment temperature due to the difference in the thermal properties of the coupling resonators and the temperature dependence of coupling stiffness. To improve the performance of mode-localized accelerometers against temperature, we proposed an in situ self-temperature compensation method by utilizing the resonant frequency besides of amplitude ratios, which can be implied online. Experimental results showed that there were nearly 79-times and 87-times improvement in zeros bias and scale factor, respectively.
Apatite U-Pb Dating and Composition Constraints for Magmatic–Hydrothermal Evolution in the Giant Renli Nb-Ta Deposit, South China
Authors: Cheng Yongsheng , Xu Zhuobin , Di Hongfei , Zhang Zewen , Mao Chunwang , Tan Huajie , Huang Jianzhong , Zhou Fangchun , Zhang Liping , Chen Jianfeng , Wen Chunhua
Published: March 2022

Apatite is a nearly ubiquitous accessory phase in igneous rocks that crystallizes during the entire magma evolution process and has great implications for geochronology and petrogenesis. Previous studies suggested that Nb-Ta mineralization in the giant Renli deposit was genetically related to Late Jurassic two-mica monzogranite or Early Cretaceous muscovite monzogranite. Moreover, the magmatic–hydrothermal evolution of these two stages is poorly understood. In our study, we confirm that the muscovite monzogranite, biotite monzogranite, and two-mica monzogranite are all spatially associated with Nb-Ta pegmatites. We present new apatite U-Pb ages to constrain the timing of Nb-Ta mineralization and related magmatism. The results show that apatite from the two-mica pegmatite yield a lower intercept age of 130 ± 2 Ma (2σ), and apatite grains from two two-mica pegmatite samples yield a lower intercept age of 135 ± 8 Ma (2σ) and 134 ± 3 Ma (2σ), respectively. Apatite and whole-rock geochemistry suggest the oxidation degree of the Nb-Ta mineralization increases from north (RL-6) to south (RL-16) in the giant Renli deposit. This study demonstrates that a combination of apatite composition and U-Pb ages can be used to constrain the magmatic–hydrothermal evolution of granite and pegmatite-type Nb-Ta deposits.
Probing Optical Nonlinearities of Unconventional Glass Nanocomposites Made of Ionic Liquid Crystals and Bimetallic Nanoparticles
Authors: Rudenko Valentyn , Tolochko Anatolii , Bugaychuk Svitlana , Zhulai Dmytro , Klimusheva Gertruda , Yaremchuk Galina , Mirnaya Tatyana , Garbovskiy Yuriy
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we report the synthesis and characterization of unconventional nanocomposites made of bimetallic nanoparticles dispersed in a liquid crystal glass. Core-shell bimetallic nanoparticles (Ag/Au or Au/Ag) and Ag-Au bimetallic nanoalloys are synthesized using cadmium alkanoate glass-forming liquid crystals as nanoreactors. Optical spectra of the produced glassy nanocomposites exhibit a distinctive absorption peak due to a surface plasmon resonance. In addition, these unusual materials demonstrate a strong nonlinear–optical response probed by means of the Z-scan technique. The use of near-infrared (1064 nm) and visible (532 nm) nanosecond laser pulses reveal a variety of nonlinear–optical mechanisms that depend on the composition of the studied nanocomposites. Our results indicate that metal alkanoate-based glass-forming ionic liquid crystals with embedded plasmonic nanoparticles are promising, yet they are overlooked photonic nanomaterials suitable for optical and nonlinear-optical applications.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Docetaxel Adsorption on Graphene Quantum Dots Surface Modified by PEG-b-PLA Copolymers
Authors: Yoosefian Mehdi , Fouladi Mitra , Atanase Leonard Ionut
Published: March 2022

Cancer is associated with a high level of morbidity and mortality, and has a significant economic burden on health care systems around the world in almost all countries due to poor living and nutritional conditions. In recent years, with the development of nanomaterials, research into the drug delivery system has become a new field of cancer treatment. With increasing interest, much research has been obtained on carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs); however, their use has been limited, due to their impact on human health and the environment. The scientific community has turned its research efforts towards developing new methods of producing CBN. In this work, by utilizing theoretical methods, including molecular dynamics simulation, graphene quantum dots (GQD) oxide was selected as a carbon-based nanocarriers, and the efficiency and loading of the anticancer drug docetaxel (DTX) onto GQD oxide surfaces in the presence and in the absence of a PEG-b-PLA copolymer, as a surface modifier, were investigated. According to the results and analyzes performed (total energy, potential energy, and RMSD), it can be seen that the two systems have good stability. In addition, it was determined that the presence of the copolymer at the interface of GQD oxide delays the adsorption of the drug at first; but then, in time, both the DTX adsorption and solubility are increased.
pH-Responsive Emission of Novel Water-Soluble Polymeric Iridium(III) Complexes
Authors: Tsakaraki Dafnianna , Andreopoulou Aikaterini K. , Bokias Georgios
Published: March 2022

The synthesis and characterization of water-soluble copolymers containing N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAM) and a vinylic monomer containing an Iridium(III), Ir(III), complex substituted with the quinoline-based unit 2-(pyridin-2-ylo)-6-styrene-4-phenylquinoline (VQPy) as ligand are reported. These copolymers were prepared through pre- or post-polymerization complexation of Ir(III) with the VQPy units. The first methodology led to copolymer P1 having fully complexed VQPy units, whereas the latter methodology allowed the preparation of terpolymers containing free and Ir(III)-complexed VQPy units (copolymer P2). The optical properties of the copolymers were studied in detail through UV-Vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy in aqueous solution. It is shown that the metal-to-ligand charge transfer (ΜLCT) emission is prevailing in the case of P1, regardless of pH. In contrast, in the case of terpolymer P2 the MLCT emission of the Ir(III) complex is combined with the pH-responsive emission of free VQPy units, leading to characteristic pH-responsive color changes under UV illumination in the acidic pH region.
Broadband Tamm Plasmons in Chirped Photonic Crystals for Light-Induced Water Splitting
Authors: Pyatnov Maxim , Bikbaev Rashid , Timofeev Ivan , Ryzhkov Ilya , Vetrov Stepan , Shabanov Vasily
Published: March 2022

An electrode of a light-induced cell for water splitting based on a broadband Tamm plasmon polariton localized at the interface between a thin TiN layer and a chirped photonic crystal has been developed. To facilitate the injection of hot electrons from the metal layer by decreasing the Schottky barrier, a thin n-Si film is embedded between the metal layer and multilayer mirror. The chipping of a multilayer mirror provides a large band gap and, as a result, leads to an increase in the integral absorption from 52 to 60 percent in the wavelength range from 700 to 1400 nm. It was shown that the photoresponsivity of the device is 32.1 mA/W, and solar to hydrogen efficiency is 3.95%.
VO2 as a Highly Efficient Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Choi Yun-Hyuk
Published: March 2022

Herein, we report high electrocatalytic activity of monoclinic VO2 (M1 phase) for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) for the first time. The single-phase VO2 (M1) nanoparticles are prepared in the form of uniformly covering the surface of individual carbon fibers constituting a carbon fiber paper (CFP). The VO2 nanoparticles reveal the metal-insulator phase transition at ca. 65 °C (heating) and 62 °C (cooling) with low thermal hysteresis, indicating a high concentration of structural defect which is considered a grain boundary among VO2 nanoparticles with some particle coalescence. Consequently, the VO2/CFP shows a high electrocatalytic OER activity with the lowest η10 (350 mV) and Tafel slope (46 mV/dec) values in a 1 M aqueous solution of KOH as compared to those of the vacuum annealed V2O5 and the hydrothermally grown VO2 (M1), α-V2O5, and γ′-V2O5. The catalytically active site is considered V4+ components and V4+/5+ redox couples in VO2. The oxidation state of V4+ is revealed to be more favorable to the OER catalysis compared to that of V5+ in vanadium oxide through comparative studies. Furthermore, the amount of V5+ component is found to be increased on the surface of VO2 catalyst during the OER, giving rise to the performance degradation. This work suggests V4+ and its redox couple as a novel active component for the OER in metal-oxide electrocatalysts.
Freestanding Translucent ZnO–Cellulose Nanocomposite Films for Ultraviolet Sensor Applications
Authors: Komatsu Hiroaki , Kawamoto Yurika , Ikuno Takashi
Published: March 2022

The rapidly advancing technology of wearable and miniaturized electronics has increased the demand for low-cost high-performance flexible sensors. Herein, the preparation of translucent freestanding films consisting of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) via a simple spray coating method is presented. The obtained nanocomposite films were thin (~10 µm) and flexible. The scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy analysis revealed that the nanocomposite film was composed of regions of ZnO NP-modified CNFs and regions of aggregation of ZnO NPs with each other. The electrical conductance of the films was rapidly increased beyond 40 wt.% ZnO and reached up to >50 nA at 60 wt.% ZnO. This was attributed to the increased number of conductive paths formed by the ZnO NPs in the nanocomposite film when a certain threshold was crossed. The ZnO–CNF nanocomposite film exhibited a stable response over on/off cycles of UV light exposure. The responsivity and sensitivity of the nanocomposite film with 60 wt.% ZnO were 36.5 mA/W and 247, respectively. Even when the device was curved (radius of curvature: 3 mm), the response and sensitivity remained high. The developed nanocomposite films are expected to be applied as environmentally friendly flexible UV sensors.
Spatial Variability in Inorganic Soil Nitrogen Production in a Mixed-Vegetation Urban Landscape
Authors: Bukomba Juma , Lusk Mary G.
Published: March 2022

Urban landscapes are not homogeneous, and small-scale variations in plant community or management inputs can give rise to a large range of environmental conditions. In this paper, we investigated the small-scale variability of soil nitrogen (N) properties in a single urban landscape that has distinctly different patches or types of cover. We specifically measured soil net N mineralization, nitrification, and exchangeable forms of inorganic N for patches with traditional turfgrass versus patches with common turfgrass alternatives such as ornamental grasses, groundcovers, and mulches. All soil N properties were variable among landscape patches, showing that soil N processing can vary on scales of a few meters. Notably, both mineralization and nitrification were the highest in a patch covered with perennial peanut, but exchangeable nitrate (NO3−) was low for the same soil, indicating that soils under perennial peanut may be producing high levels of inorganic N but that the produced N does not stay in the soil, possibly leaching to underlying groundwater. We recommend future studies on the mechanisms that drive the variable N properties seen under distinct urban landscape patches, with special emphasis on potential patterns in N losses for mixed-vegetation landscapes.
Searching for a Longevity Food, We Bump into Hericium erinaceus Primordium Rich in Ergothioneine: The “Longevity Vitamin” Improves Locomotor Performances during Aging
Authors: Roda Elisa , Ratto Daniela , De Luca Fabrizio De , Desiderio Anthea , Ramieri Martino , Goppa Lorenzo , Savino Elena , Bottone Maria Grazia , Locatelli Carlo Alessandro , Rossi Paola
Published: March 2022

Phenotypic frailty is characterized by a progressive decline in physical functioning. During ageing, morphological and functional alterations involve the brain, and chief theories involve oxidative stress, free radical accumulation, and reduced antioxidant defenses as the most implicated mechanisms. From boosting the immune system to fighting senescence, medicinal mushrooms have been found to have a number of health and longevity benefits. Among them, Hericium erinaceus (He) has been demonstrated to display a variety of physiological effects, including anti-aging properties. Thus, He represents an attractive natural source for developing novel medicines and functional foods, based on the identification of its active ingredients and metabolites. Particularly, H. erinaceus primordium (He2) extract contains a high amount of Ergothioneine (ERGO), the longevity vitamin. Herein, we revealed the preventive effect of ERGO-rich He2 extract in a preclinical model, focusing on locomotor decline during ageing monitored through spontaneous behavioral test. This effect was accompanied by a significant decrease in some oxidative stress markers (NOS2, COX2) paralleled by an increase in P53, showed in cerebellar cortex cells and fibres by immunohistochemistry. In summary, we demonstrated the neuro-protective and preventive effects of He2 extract during aging, probably due to its peculiarly high ERGO content.
Nutrient Intake with Early Progressive Enteral Feeding and Growth of Very Low-Birth-Weight Newborns
Authors: Brinkis Rasa , Albertsson-Wikland Kerstin , Tamelienė Rasa , Vinskaitė Asta , Šmigelskas Kastytis , Verkauskienė Rasa
Published: March 2022

Early nutrition is one of the most modifiable factors influencing postnatal growth. Optimal nutrient intakes for very preterm infants remain unknown, and poor postnatal growth is common in this population. The aim of this study was to assess nutrient intake during the first 4 weeks of life with early progressive enteral feeding and its impact on the in-hospital growth of very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. In total, 120 infants with birth weights below 1500 g and gestational ages below 35 weeks were included in the study. Nutrient intakes were assessed daily for the first 28 days. Growth was measured weekly until discharge. Median time of parenteral nutrition support was 6 days. Target enteral nutrient and energy intake were reached at day 10 of life, and remained stable until day 28, with slowly declining protein intake. Median z-scores at discharge were −0.73, −0.49, and −0.31 for weight, length, and head circumference, respectively. Extrauterine growth restriction was observed in 30.3% of the whole cohort. Protein, carbohydrates, and energy intakes correlated positively with weight gain and head circumference growth. Early progressive enteral feeding with human milk is well tolerated in VLBW infants. Target enteral nutrient intake may be reached early and improve in-hospital growth.
Unraveling the Metabolic Hallmarks for the Optimization of Protein Intake in Pre-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
Authors: Gonzalez Patricia , Lozano Pedro , Solano Francisco
Published: March 2022

The daily amount and quality of protein that should be administered by enteral nutrition in pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients is a widely studied but still controversial issue. This is due to a compromise between the protein necessary to maintain muscular proteostasis avoiding sarcopenia, and the minimal amount required to prevent uremia and the accumulation of nitrogenous toxic substances in blood because of the renal function limitations. This review underlines some intracellular and extracellular features that should be considered to reconcile those two opposite factors. On one hand, the physiological conditions and usual side effects associated with CKD, mTOR and other proteins and nutrients involved in the regulation of protein synthesis in the muscular tissue are discussed. On the other hand, the main digestive features of the most common proteins used for enteral nutrition formulation (i.e., whey, casein and soy protein) are highlighted, due to the importance of supplying key amino acids to serum and tissues to maintain their concentration above the anabolic threshold needed for active protein synthesis, thereby minimizing the catabolic pathways leading to urea formation.
Comparison of Discretionary Food and Drink Intake Based on a Short Web-Based Sugar-Rich Food Screener and a Validated Web-Based 7-Day Dietary Record
Authors: Cramer-Nielsen Amanda , Bestle Sidse Marie Sidenius , Biltoft-Jensen Anja Pia , Matthiessen Jeppe , Lassen Anne Dahl , Christensen Bodil Just , Gibbons Sarah Jegsmark , Trolle Ellen
Published: March 2022

A high consumption of discretionary foods and drinks has been associated with increased risk of multiple adverse health outcomes, including risk of overweight and dental caries. The family-based cluster randomized intervention study “Are you too sweet?” aimed at reducing the intake of discretionary foods and drinks in a population of children starting pre-school. As part of the intervention a new short web-based sugar-rich food screener (SRFS), was developed to make the parents and the school health nurses aware of the children’s intake of discretionary foods and drinks. In addition to the short assessment tool the parents also completed a validated web-based 7-day dietary record for the children. In the present study, estimates for intake of discretionary foods and drinks from the two assessment tools were compared (n = 80). There was significant correlation between estimates from the two assessment tools, but the SRFS provided lower estimates for intake of discretionary foods and drinks compared to the 7-day dietary record. The correlation coefficient between the two assessment tools was 0.49 (p < 0.001) and Kappa coefficient was 0.33. It is concluded that the SRFS can provide a fairly ranking of participants according to their intake of discretionary foods and drinks when compared to a validated 7-day dietary record. The screener may be a useful tool in practical settings, such as school health nurse consultations, in order to gain insight into the child’s sweet intake habits.
Exploratory Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Panax Genus Plant Ingestion Evaluation in Exercise Endurance
Authors: Ikeuchi Shingo , Minamida Mika , Nakamura Touma , Konishi Masatoshi , Kamioka Hiroharu
Published: March 2022

Background: Many studies that use food containing Panax genus plants (PGPs) have been conducted but most of them have not mentioned the effective compounds ginsenosides and their composition. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of time to exhaustion as an index of exercise endurance with ingestion of PGPs or ginsenosides to reveal their effects. Methods: We performed a systematic review with a comprehensive and structured literature search using seven literature databases, four clinical trial databases, and three general web search engines during 15–22 March 2021. A random-effects model was applied to calculate the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) as the difference between the mean in the treatment and placebo groups. We evaluated the risk of bias of individual studies along with the risk of bias tool in the Cochrane handbook. This study was funded by Maruzen Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (Hiroshima, Japan). The protocol for this study was registered with the UMIN-CTR (No. UMIN000043341). Results: Five studies met the inclusion criteria. The number of total participants was 90, with 59 in the ingestion-PGPs group and 64 in the control group, because three studies were crossover-design trials. We found that ingestion of PGPs or ginsenosides significantly improved exercise endurance (SMD [95% CI]: 0.58 [0.22–0.95], I2 = 0%). It was suggested that ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) and PGPs extract containing Rg1 were significantly effective in improving exercise endurance (SMD [95% CI]: 0.70 [0.14–1.27], I2 = 30%) by additional analysis. Conclusions: This systematic review suggests that the ingestion of PGPs or ginsenosides, especially Rg1, is effective in improving exercise endurance in healthy adults. However, further high-quality randomized controlled trials are required because imprecision and publication bias cannot be ignored in this systematic review.
Legume Proteins and Peptides as Compounds in Nutraceuticals: A Structural Basis for Dietary Health Effects
Authors: Carbonaro Marina , Nucara Alessandro
Published: March 2022

In the current climate of food security, quality aspects of legume crops have primary market economic and health impact. Legume proteins and peptides have been discovered to have a role far beyond supplying amino acids for growth and maintenance of body tissues. Several proteins (enzymatic inhibitors, lectins, storage globulins) and peptides derived from them (lunasin, hydrophobic peptides) have shown anticarcinogenic, hypocholesterolemic, glucose-lowering, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunostimulant properties. Further understanding of how structural features of legume proteins affect in vivo digestion and production of bioactive sequences represents a key step in the valorization of nutraceutical potentiality of legume proteins and peptides derived from them. In this work, the relationship between structure and bioavailability of protein and peptides are reviewed and discussed.
Beneficial Effects of Saw Palmetto Fruit Extract on Urinary Symptoms in Japanese Female Subjects by a Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Yamada Shizuo , Shirai Michiyo , Ono Ken , Kageyama Shinji
Published: March 2022

Saw palmetto berry extract (SPE) is the most commonly consumed supplement by men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The oral administration of SPE was previously shown to significantly attenuate urodynamic symptoms in the hyperactive bladders of female rats by increasing bladder capacity and prolonging the micturition interval. The amelioration of urodynamic symptoms by SPE may be partly attributed to its binding to muscarinic receptors in the urinary bladder and its inhibition of vanilloid receptors on afferent nerves. Therefore, SPE may be pharmacologically effective at mitigating lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in women. The efficacy and safety of a 12-week treatment with SPE in adult women with urinary symptoms were examined herein. The daytime frequency score in the core lower urinary symptom score (CLSS) questionnaire was significantly lower in women with LUTS treated with SPE for 12 weeks than in the placebo group. A subgroup analysis revealed that SPE alleviated the symptoms of daytime frequency (CLSS Q1) and nocturia (CLSS Q2) in a subset of subjects with a CLSS Q5 score of 1 or higher. The daytime frequency of urination in overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) Q1 was also significantly improved by the SPE treatment. In conclusion, the present study is the first to demonstrate the potential of SPE to mitigate LUTS in adult women.
Ketogenic Effects of Multiple Doses of a Medium Chain Triglycerides Enriched Ketogenic Formula in Healthy Men under the Ketogenic Diet: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Nakamura Kentaro , Hagihara Keisuke , Nagai Naoko , Egashira Ryuichiro , Takeuchi Mariko , Nakano Mai , Saito Hitomi , Moriguchi Misaki , Tonari Satoko , Watanabe Satoshi , Miyake Akimitsu , Ashida Kinya
Published: March 2022

Ketogenic diets, which are carbohydrate-restricted high-fat diets, may have therapeutic effects on various diseases, including cancer. However, ketogenic diets are often not standardized and, therefore, results are difficult to interpret. We previously investigated the usefulness of ketogenic diets in cancer therapy, where ketogenic formulas (KF) were used as supplements to enhance blood ketone bodies; however, the amount of KF was determined empirically with reference to blood ketone bodies levels. Here, to determine a standardized optimal amount of KF, we investigated temporal changes in blood ketone bodies (acetoacetic acid (AcAc), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB)) and safety in 20 healthy individuals when KF was taken repeatedly under the conditions of a ketogenic diet (UMIN000034216). The diurnal variation in total ketone bodies, and AcAc and BHB levels significantly increased after lunch and after dinner, on the 4th day of KF administration. There were no significant safety issues related to KF in the context of anthropometric, metabolic, nutritional, urological and gastrointestinal parameters. In addition, ketogenic diets lead to changes in gut microbiota. KF showed a decrease in phylum Firmicutes. Our study provides baseline data of the usefulness of KF in a ketogenic diet.
A Double-Blind, Randomized Intervention Study on the Effect of a Whey Protein Concentrate on E. coli-Induced Diarrhea in a Human Infection Model
Authors: Ulfman Laurien H. , Schloesser Joyce E. L. , Kortman Guus A. M. , van den Belt Maartje , Lucas-van de Bos Elly , Roggekamp Joris , van Neerven R. J. Joost , Porbahaie Mojtaba , van Hoffen Els , Kardinaal Alwine F. M.
Published: March 2022

Infectious diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Nutritional interventions may enhance resistance to infectious diseases or help to reduce clinical symptoms. Here, we investigated whether a whey protein concentrate (WPC) could decrease diarrheagenic Escherichia coli-induced changes in reported stool frequency and gastrointestinal complaints in a double-blind, parallel 4-week intervention study. Subjects were randomly assigned to a whey hydrolysate placebo group, a low-dose WPC group or a high-dose WPC group. After 2 weeks of consumption, subjects (n = 121) were orally infected with a high dose of live but attenuated diarrheagenic E. coli (strain E1392/75-2A; 1E10 colony-forming units). Subjects recorded information on stool consistency and the frequency and severity of symptoms in an online diary. The primary outcome parameters were a change in stool frequency (stools per day) and a change in Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) diarrhea score between the first and second days after infection. Neither dose of the whey protein concentrate in the dietary treatment affected the E. coli-induced increase in stool frequency or GSRS diarrhea score compared to placebo treatment. The composition of the microbiota shifted between the start of the study and after two weeks of consumption of the products, but no differences between the intervention groups were observed, possibly due to dietary guidelines that subjects had to adhere to during the study. In conclusion, consumption of the whey protein concentrate by healthy adults did not reduce diarrhea scores in an E. coli infection model compared to a whey hydrolysate placebo control.
Independent and Combined Association of Lifestyle Behaviours and Physical Fitness with Body Weight Status in Schoolchildren
Authors: Aragón-Martín Rubén , Gómez-Sánchez María del Mar , Martínez-Nieto José Manuel , Novalbos-Ruiz José Pedro , Segundo-Iglesias Carmen , Santi-Cano María José , Castro-Piñero José , Lineros-González Carmen , Hernán-García Mariano , Schwarz-Rodríguez Mónica , Jiménez-Pavón David , Rodríguez-Martín Amelia
Published: March 2022

(1) Background: Lifestyle behaviours and physical fitness play a critical role in the development of childhood obesity. It has been demonstrated in this study that self-reported physical fitness is representative of a healthy lifestyle and thus is associated with a lower incidence of overweight/obesity. The objective of this study was to analyse the independent and combined association of lifestyles (physical activity, screen time, diet and hours of sleep) and self-reported physical fitness with body weight in schoolchildren. (2) Methods: This study performed a descriptive and cross-sectional analysis. The study sample consisted of 864 schoolchildren between 8–9 years old from 26 schools of the province of Cádiz. To measure lifestyles and self-reported physical fitness, questionnaires were administered to both schoolchildren and families. To obtain the body weight status, the children were measured by body mass index (BMI). To verify the influence of lifestyles and self-reported physical fitness on the body weight status of schoolchildren, a combined score of lifestyles and self-reported physical fitness was calculated. (3) Results: Schoolchildren who followed healthier lifestyles and presented good physical fitness had a better body weight status (p < 0.001). Schoolchildren who had less healthful lifestyles and bad physical fitness had a 10.34 times higher risk of being overweight or obese (p = 0.004). (4) Conclusions: It has been shown that there is an independent and combined association between lifestyles and physical fitness on the body weight of the schoolchildren. We have suggested strategies to get children to adopt healthy lifestyles and good physical fitness to maintain a healthy body weight and prevent obesity.