bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid Biomarker-Based Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Related Rheumatologic Disorders by Portable FT-IR Spectroscopic Techniques
Authors: Yao Siyu , Bao Haona , Nuguri Shreya Madhav , Yu Lianbo , Mikulik Zhanna , Osuna-Diaz Michelle M. , Sebastian Katherine R. , Hackshaw Kevin V. , Rodriguez-Saona Luis
Published: February 2023

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM), one of the most common illnesses that cause chronic widespread pain, continues to present significant diagnostic challenges. The objective of this study was to develop a rapid vibrational biomarker-based method for diagnosing fibromyalgia syndrome and related rheumatologic disorders (systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)) through portable FT-IR techniques. Bloodspot samples were collected from patients diagnosed with FM (n = 122) and related rheumatologic disorders (n = 70), including SLE (n = 17), RA (n = 43), and OA (n = 10), and stored in conventional protein saver bloodspot cards. The blood samples were prepared by four different methods (blood aliquots, protein-precipitated extraction, and non-washed and water-washed semi-permeable membrane filtration extractions), and spectral data were collected with a portable FT-IR spectrometer. Pattern recognition analysis, OPLS-DA, was able to identify the signature profile and classify the spectra into corresponding classes (Rcv > 0.93) with excellent sensitivity and specificity. Peptide backbones and aromatic amino acids were predominant for the differentiation and might serve as candidate biomarkers for syndromes such as FM. This research evaluated the feasibility of portable FT-IR combined with chemometrics as an accurate and high-throughput tool for distinct spectral signatures of biomarkers related to the human syndrome (FM), which could allow for real-time and in-clinic diagnostics of FM.
On the Highly Ordered Graphene Structure of Non-Graphitic Carbons (NGCs)—A Wide-Angle Neutron Scattering (WANS) Study
Authors: Osswald Oliver , Loeh Marc O. , Badaczewski Felix M. , Pfaff Torben , Fischer Henry E. , Franz Alexandra , Hoffmann Jens-Uwe , Reehuis Manfred , Klar Peter J. , Smarsly Bernd M.
Published: February 2023

Non-graphitic carbons (NGCs), such as glass-like carbons, pitch cokes, and activated carbon consist of small graphene layer building stacks arranged in a turbostratic order. Both structure features, including the single graphene sheets as well as the stacks, possess structural disorder, which can be determined using wide-angle X-ray or neutron scattering (WAXS/WANS). Even if WANS data of NGCs have already been extensively reported and evaluated in different studies, there are still open questions with regard to their validation with WAXS, which is usually used for routine characterization. In particular, using WAXS for the damping of the atomic form factor and the limited measured range prevent the analysis of higher-ordered reflections, which are crucial for determining the stack/layer size (La, Lc) and disorder (σ1, σ3) based on the reflection widths. Therefore, in this study, powder WANS was performed on three types of carbon materials (glass-like carbon made out of a phenol-formaldehyde resin (PF-R), a mesophase pitch (MP), and a low softening-point pitch (LSPP)) using a beamline at ILL in Grenoble, providing a small wavelength and thus generating WANS data covering a large range of scattering vectors (0.052 Å−1 < s < 3.76 Å−1). Merging these WANS data with WANS data from previous studies, possessing high resolution in the small s range, on the same materials allowed us to determine both the interlayer and the interlayer structure as accurately as possible. As a main conclusion, we found that the structural disorder of the graphene layers themselves was significantly smaller than previously assumed.
Measuring the Diffusion Coefficient of Paste and Concrete by Using Dental X-ray Equipment
Authors: Behravan Amir , Ley M. Tyler , Cook Dan , Hu Qinang , Rywelski Anna , Brorsen Russell
Published: February 2023

The penetration of ions plays an important role in the durability of concrete structures. This study aims to establish the feasibility of using dental X-ray equipment to measure the concentration and penetration of iodide within cementitious systems. This technique is known as checking ion penetration (CHIP). This test uses iodide as a tracer because it has a high electron density, and so it can be observed with X-ray imaging as it penetrates the concrete. Concentration profiles from CHIP are used to calculate the apparent diffusion coefficient (Dac). These results are similar to measurements from bulk chloride ponding tests. The Dac is used to predict the service life or evaluate the quality of an as-built concrete structure or concrete mixture. Because of the wide availability of dental equipment, CHIP shows promise to be used as a method to measure the in-place quality control of the concrete.
Political and Social Drivers of COVID-19 Prevention and Climate Change Behaviors and Attitudes
Authors: Latkin Carl , Hendrickson Zoé , Dayton Lauren , Bonneau Haley
Published: February 2023

Attitudes and behaviors related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate change crisis might be driven by similar political beliefs and attitudes. The current study used a neo-Gramsci perspective to examine how political attitudes may be linked to COVID-19 prevention and climate change attitudes and behaviors. A longitudinal online survey in the US assessed climate change and COVID-19 attitudes and behaviors, and wave 7 (2021) data were used to predict outcomes at wave 8 (2022) among 572 respondents. There were significant correlations among the variables of political ideology, climate change concerns, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, COVID-19 skepticism, COVID-19 vaccine as a personal choice, COVID-19 conspiracy, political correctness, percent of Republican friends, and dislike of the Democratic Party. In the multivariate models, COVID-19 vaccination as a personal choice was significantly associated with the four outcomes: vaccination status, climate change actions, vaccine hesitancy, and climate change concerns. COVID-19 skepticism was significantly associated with vaccination status, vaccine hesitancy, and climate change concerns. These findings suggest that there are similar drivers of COVID-19 prevention and climate change attitudes and behaviors, and interventions need to be tailored to target individual-level and societal-level factors.
Direct Comparison of Two Different Definitions with Biochemical Recurrence after Low-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Takeuchi Shinichi , Iinuma Koji , Nakane Keita , Nakano Masahiro , Kawase Makoto , Kawase Kota , Takai Manabu , Kato Daiki , Mori Takayuki , Takano Hirota , Kumano Tomoyasu , Matsuo Masayuki , Koie Takuya
Published: February 2023

We aimed to determine whether biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS) of patients with prostate cancer (PCa) who received low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) differed according to the definition of biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP) and the definition given by the Japanese Prostate Cancer Outcome Study of Permanent Iodine-125 Seed Implantation (J-POPS). We reviewed the clinical records of 476 consecutive patients with PCa who received LDR-BT at the Gifu University Hospital. The primary endpoint of this study was the difference in BRFS between the two aforementioned definitions. When the follow-up period ended, 74 (15.5%) and 20 (4.2%) patients had BCR according to the RP and J-POPS definitions, respectively. The 5-year BRFS rates were 85.0% and 96.9% for the RP and J-POPS definitions, respectively (p < 0.005). According to the RP definition, the 5-year BRFS rates were 80.6% in the group aged <63 years and 86.6% in those aged ≥63 years (p = 0.050). According to the J-POPS definition, the 5-year BRFS rates were 94.1% and 97.8% in the groups aged <63 years and ≥63 years, respectively (p = 0.005). The definition of recurrence in LDR-BT may need to be reconsidered.
A Dataset of Service Time and Related Patient Characteristics from an Outpatient Clinic
Authors: Feng Haolin , Jia Yiwu , Zhou Siyi , Chen Hongyi , Huang Teng
Published: February 2023

Outpatient clinics’ productivity largely depends on their appointment scheduling systems. It is crucial for appointment scheduling to understand the intrinsic heterogeneity in patient and service types and act accordingly. This article describes an outpatient clinic dataset of consultation service time with heterogeneous characteristics. The dataset contains 6637 consultation records collected from 381 half-day sessions between 2018 and 2019. Each record includes encrypted session and patient IDs, consultation start and (approximated) end times, the month and day of the week, whether it was on a holiday, the patient’s visit count for a specific medical condition, gender, whether the consultation was cancer-related, and the distance from the patient’s mailing address to the clinic. These features can be used to classify patients into heterogeneous groups in studies of appointment scheduling. Therefore, this dataset with rich, heterogeneous patient characteristics provides a valuable opportunity for healthcare operations management researchers to develop, test, and benchmark the performance of their models and methods. It can also be used for studying appointment scheduling in other service industries. More generally, it provides pedagogical value in areas related to management science and operations research, applied statistics, and machine learning.
Application of Fault Diagnosis Method Combining Finite Element Method and Transfer Learning for Insufficient Turbine Rotor Fault Samples
Authors: Zhang Qinglei , He Qunshan , Qin Jiyun , Duan Jianguo
Published: February 2023

Deep learning has led to significant progress in the fault diagnosis of mechanical systems. These intelligent models often require large amounts of training data to ensure their generalization capabilities. However, the difficulty of obtaining turbine rotor fault data poses a new challenge for intelligent fault diagnosis. In this study, a turbine rotor fault diagnosis method based on the finite element method and transfer learning (FEMATL) is proposed, ensuring that the intelligent model can maintain high diagnostic accuracy in the case of insufficient samples. This method fully exploits the finite element method (FEM) and transfer learning (TL) for small-sample problems. First, FEM is used to generate data samples with fault information, and then the one-dimensional vibration displacement signal is transformed into a two-dimensional time-frequency diagram (TFD) by taking advantage of the deep learning model to recognize the image. Finally, a pre-trained ResNet18 network was used as the input to carry out transfer learning. The feature extraction layer of the network was trained on the ImageNet dataset and a fully connected layer was used to match the specific classification problems. The experimental results show that the method requires only a small amount of training data to achieve high diagnostic accuracy and significantly reduces the training time.
Quantized Information in Spectral Cyberspace
Authors: Garcés Milton A.
Published: February 2023

The constant-Q Gabor atom is developed for spectral power, information, and uncertainty quantification from time–frequency representations. Stable multiresolution spectral entropy algorithms are constructed with continuous wavelet and Stockwell transforms. The recommended processing and scaling method will depend on the signature of interest, the desired information, and the acceptable levels of uncertainty of signal and noise features. Selected Lamb wave signatures and information spectra from the 2022 Tonga eruption are presented as representative case studies. Resilient transformations from physical to information metrics are provided for sensor-agnostic signal processing, pattern recognition, and machine learning applications.
An Entropy-Based Condition Monitoring Strategy for the Detection and Classification of Wear Levels in Gearboxes
Authors: Elvira-Ortiz David A. , Saucedo-Dorantes Juan J. , Osornio-Rios Roque A. , Romero-Troncoso Rene de J.
Published: February 2023

Gears are reliable and robust elements that are found in any power transmission system. However, gears are prone to present incipient faults, such as wear, since they are constantly subjected to contact forces. Due to gears playing a key role in many industrial processes, it is important to develop condition monitoring strategies that ensure the proper functioning of the related power transmission system and the overall components. In this regard, the data on entropy provide relevant information that allow us to identify and quantify the effect of different wear levels in gears. Therefore, in this work, we proposed the use of seven entropy-related features to perform the identification of different wear severities in a gearbox. The novelty of this proposal lies in the use of the entropy features to carry out a high-performance characterization of the available vibration signals that are acquired from experimental tests. The novelty of this proposal lies in the fusion of three different techniques: entropy features, linear discriminant analysis, and artificial neural networks to obtain a machine learning approach for improving the detection of different wear severities in gears compared to other reported methodologies. This situation is achieved due to the high-performance characterization of the available vibration signals that are acquired from experimental tests. Additionally, the entropy features are subjected to a feature space transformation by means of linear discriminant analysis to obtain a 2D representation and, finally, the set of features extracted by linear discriminant analysis are used as inputs of a neural network-based classifier to determine the severity of wear that is present in the gears. The proposed methodology is validated and compared with a conventional statistical approach to show the improvement in the classification.
Extending Hilbert–Schmidt Independence Criterion for Testing Conditional Independence
Authors: Zhang Bingyuan , Suzuki Joe
Published: February 2023

The Conditional Independence (CI) test is a fundamental problem in statistics. Many nonparametric CI tests have been developed, but a common challenge exists: the current methods perform poorly with a high-dimensional conditioning set. In this paper, we considered a nonparametric CI test using a kernel-based test statistic, which can be viewed as an extension of the Hilbert–Schmidt Independence Criterion (HSIC). We propose a local bootstrap method to generate samples from the null distribution H0:X⫫Y∣Z. The experimental results showed that our proposed method led to a significant performance improvement compared with previous methods. In particular, our method performed well against the growth of the dimension of the conditioning set. Meanwhile, our method can be computed efficiently against the growth of the sample size and the dimension of the conditioning set.
Characterization of Sparkling Wine Based on Polyphenolic Profiling by Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Oliva Eleonora , Mir-Cerdà Aina , Sergi Manuel , Sentellas Sònia , Saurina Javier
Published: February 2023

Polyphenols are phytochemicals naturally present in wines that arouse much interest in the scientific community due to their healthy properties. In addition, their role as descriptors of various wine qualities, such as the geographical origin or the grape variety, cannot be underestimated. Here, Pinot Noir and Xarel·lo monovarietal samples belonging to the sparkling wine production process have been studied, corresponding to base wines from a first alcoholic fermentation (plus malolactic in some cases), base wines resulting from tartaric stabilization, and sparkling wines from a second alcoholic fermentation aged for 3 and 7 months. One of the objectives of this paper is to obtain valuable chemical and oenological information by processing a huge amount of data with suitable chemometric methods. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet spectroscopy and tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-UV-MS/MS) has been used for the determination of polyphenols in wines and related samples. The method relies on reversed-phase mode and further detection by multiple reaction monitoring. Concentrations of relevant phenolic compounds have been determined, and the resulting compositional data have been used for characterization purposes. Exploratory studies by principal component analysis have shown that samples can be discriminated according to varietal and quality issues. Further classification models have been established to assign unknown samples to their corresponding classes. For this purpose, a sequential classification tree has been designed involving both variety and quality classes, and an excellent classification rate has been achieved.
Performance and Bacterial Characteristics of Aerobic Granular Sludge in Treatment of Ultra-Hypersaline Mustard Tuber Wastewater
Authors: Yue Jingxue , Han Xushen , Jin Yan , Yu Jianguo
Published: February 2023

Mustard tuber wastewater (MTW) is an ultra-hypersaline high-strength acid organic wastewater. Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) has been demonstrated to have high tolerance to high organic loading rate (OLR), high salinity, and broad pH ranges. However, most studies were conducted under single stress, and the performance of AGS under multiple stresses (high salinity, high OLR, and low pH) was still unclear. Herein, mature AGS was used to try to treat the real MTW at 9% salinity, pH of 4.1–6.7, and OLR of 1.8–7.2 kg COD/m3·d. The OLR was increased, and the results showed that the upper OLR boundary of AGS was 5.4 kg COD/m3·d (pH of 4.2) with relatively compact structure and high removal of TOC (~93.1%), NH4+-N (~88.2%), and TP (~50.6%). Under 7.2 kg COD/m3·d (pH of 4.1), most of the AGS was fragmented, primarily due to the multiple stresses. 16S rRNA sequencing indicated that Halomonas dominated the reactor during the whole process with the presence of unclassified-f-Flavobacteriaceae, Aequorivita, Paracoccus, Bradymonas, and Cryomorpha, which played key roles in the removal of TOC, nitrogen, and phosphorus. This study investigated the performance of AGS under multiple stresses, and also brought a new route for highly-efficient simultaneous nitrification–denitrifying phosphorus removal of real MTW.
Comparison of Commercial Fish Proteins’ Chemical and Sensory Properties for Human Consumption
Authors: Partanen Moona , Honkapää Kaisu , Hiidenhovi Jaakko , Kakko Tanja , Mäkinen Sari , Kivinen Sanni , Aitta Ella , Väkeväinen Kati , Aisala Heikki
Published: February 2023

To stop overfishing and meet the protein needs of a growing population, more information is needed on how to use marine by-catches, by-products, and undervalued fish species for human consumption. Turning them into protein powder is a sustainable and marketable way to add value. However, more knowledge of the chemical and sensory properties of commercial fish proteins is needed to identify the challenges in developing fish derivatives. This study aimed to characterize the sensory and chemical properties of commercial fish proteins to compare their suitability for human consumption. Proximate composition, protein, polypeptide and lipid profiles, lipid oxidation, and functional properties were analyzed. The sensory profile was compiled using generic descriptive analysis, and odor-active compounds were identified with gas-chromatography–mass spectrometry-olfactometry (GC-MS/O). Results indicated significant differences in chemical and sensory properties between processing methods but not between fish species. However, the raw material had some influence in the proteins’ proximate composition. Bitterness and fishiness were the main perceived off-flavors. All samples, apart from hydrolyzed collagen, had intense flavor and odor. Differences in odor-active compounds supported the sensory evaluation results. The chemical properties revealed that the lipid oxidation, peptide profile, and raw material degradation are likely affecting the sensory properties of commercial fish proteins. Limiting lipid oxidation during processing is crucial for the development of mild-tasting and -smelling products for human consumption.
Benchmarking and Validation of a Bioinformatics Workflow for Meat Species Identification Using 16S rDNA Metabarcoding
Authors: Denay Grégoire , Preckel Laura , Petersen Henning , Pietsch Klaus , Wöhlke Anne , Brünen-Nieweler Claudia
Published: February 2023

DNA-metabarcoding is becoming more widely used for routine authentication of meat-based food and feed products. Several methods validating species identification methods through amplicon sequencing have already been published. These use a variety of barcodes and analysis workflows, however, no methodical comparison of available algorithms and parameter optimization are published hitherto for meat-based products’ authenticity. Additionally, many published methods use very small subsets of the available reference sequences, thereby limiting the potential of the analysis and leading to over-optimistic performance estimates. We here predict and compare the ability of published barcodes to distinguish taxa in the BLAST NT database. We then use a dataset of 79 reference samples, spanning 32 taxa, to benchmark and optimize a metabarcoding analysis workflow for 16S rDNA Illumina sequencing. Furthermore, we provide recommendations as to the parameter choices, sequencing depth, and thresholds that should be used to analyze meat metabarcoding sequencing experiments. The analysis workflow is publicly available, and includes ready-to-use tools for validation and benchmarking.
Prunus lusitanica L. Fruits: A Promising Underexploited Source of Nutrients with Potential Economic Value
Authors: Abraão Ana , Yu Manyou , Gouvinhas Irene , Ferreira Luís , Silva Amélia M. , Domínguez-Perles Raúl , Barros Ana
Published: February 2023

In recent times, less-known fruit species have increasingly attracted worldwide attention and their health benefits are at the forefront. The fruits of plants from the genus Prunus are good sources of nutrients due to their economic, agronomic, and healthy values. However, Prunus lusitanica L., commonly known as Portuguese laurel cherry is considered an endangered species. Thus, the present work aimed to monitor the nutritional components of P. lusitanica fruits grown in three locations in northern Portugal for four consecutive years (2016–2019), using AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists), spectrophotometric, and chromatographic analysis. The results evidenced the abundance of phytonutrients in P. lusitanica, such as proteins, fat, carbohydrates, soluble sugars, dietary fibre, amino acids, and minerals. It was also highlighted that the variation of nutritional components was relatively linked to the year factor, being especially relevant in the frame of the current changing climate, among others. These findings suggest that P. lusitanica L. deserves to be conserved and planted because of its food and nutraceutical applications. However, more detailed information on this rare plant species, such as phytophysiology, phytochemistry, bioactivity, pharmacology, etc., is certainly required for the design and development of appropriate uses and valorization alternatives for this species.
Relative Bioavailability of Cadmium in Rice: Assessment, Modeling, and Application for Risk Assessment
Authors: Yang Likun , Zhang Xiaoyue , Zhao Di , Wang Peng , Zhao Fangjie
Published: February 2023

Rice consumption is the primary route of cadmium (Cd) exposure to the populations with rice as the staple food. To accurately assess the potential health risks of Cd exposure via rice consumption, determination of Cd relative bioavailability (RBA) in rice is necessary. However, large variations exist in Cd-RBA, hindering the application of source-specific Cd-RBA values to different rice samples. In this study, we collected 14 rice samples from Cd contaminated areas and determined both rice compositions and Cd-RBA using in vivo mouse bioassay. Total Cd concentration varied from 0.19 to 2.54 mg/kg in the 14 rice samples, while Cd-RBA in rice ranged from 42.10% to 76.29%. Cadmium-RBA in rice correlated positively with calcium (Ca) (R = 0.76) and amylose content (R = 0.75) but negatively with the concentrations of sulfur (R = −0.85), phosphorus (R = −0.73), phytic acid (R = −0.68), and crude protein (R = −0.53). Cd-RBA in rice can be predicted by Ca and phytic acid concentrations in a regression model (R2 = 0.80). Based on the total and bioavailable Cd concentrations in rice, weekly dietary Cd intake for adults was estimated to be 4.84–64.88 and 2.04–42.29 μg/kg bw/week, respectively. This work demonstrates the possibility of Cd-RBA prediction based on rice compositions and provides valuable suggestions for health risk assessment with consideration of Cd-RBA.
The Use of Ozone Technology: An Eco–Friendly Method for the Sanitization of the Dairy Supply Chain
Authors: Botondi Rinaldo , Lembo Micaela , Carboni Cristian , Eramo Vanessa
Published: February 2023

The dairy field has considerable economic relevance in the agri-food system, but also has the need to develop new ‘green’ supply chain actions to ensure that sustainable products are in line with consumer requirements. In recent years, the dairy farming industry has generally improved in terms of equipment and product performance, but innovation must be linked to traditional product specifications. During cheese ripening, the storage areas and the direct contact of the cheese with the wood must be carefully managed because the proliferation of contaminating microorganisms, parasites, and insects increases significantly and product quality quickly declines, notably from a sensory level. The use of ozone (as gas or as ozonated water) can be effective for sanitizing air, water, and surfaces in contact with food, and its use can also be extended to the treatment of waste and process water. Ozone is easily generated and is eco-sustainable as it tends to disappear in a short time, leaving no residues of ozone. However, its oxidation potential can lead to the peroxidation of cheese polyunsaturated fatty acids. In this review we intend to investigate the use of ozone in the dairy sector, selecting the studies that have been most relevant over the last years.
Insights into the Chemical Composition and In Vitro Bioactive Properties of Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) Pericarp
Authors: Albuquerque Bianca R. , Dias Maria Inês , Pinela José , Calhelha Ricardo C. , Pires Tânia C. S. P. , Alves Maria José , Corrêa Rúbia C. G. , Ferreira Isabel C. F. R. , Oliveira Maria Beatriz P. P. , Barros Lillian
Published: February 2023

The industrial processing of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) generates high amounts of waste, as ~60% of the fruit is formed by an inedible pericarp. However, its pericarp has been explored as a source of xanthones; nevertheless, studies addressing the recovery of other chemical compounds from such biomass are still scarce. Hence, this study intended to elucidate the chemical composition of the mangosteen pericarp, including fat-soluble (tocopherols and fatty acids) and water-soluble (organic acids and phenolic compound non-xanthones) compounds present in the following extracts: hydroethanolic (MT80), ethanolic (MTE), and aqueous (MTW). In addition, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and antibacterial potentials of the extracts were assessed. The mangosteen pericarp showed a composition with seven organic acids, three tocopherol isomers, four fatty acids and fifteen phenolic compounds. Regarding the extraction of phenolics, the MT80 was the most efficient (54 mg/g extract), followed by MTE (19.79 mg/g extract) and MTW (4.011 mg/g extract). All extracts showed antioxidant and antibacterial activities; however, MT80 and MTE extracts were more efficient than MTW. Only MTW did not show anti-inflammatory properties, whereas MTE and MT80 showed inhibitory activities towards tumor cell lines. Notwithstanding, MTE showed cytotoxicity towards normal cells. Our findings support the idea that the ripe mangosteen pericarp is a source of bioactive compounds, although their recovery is dependent on the extraction solvent.
Hierarchical Effects of Lactic Fermentation and Grain Germination on the Microbial and Metabolomic Profile of Rye Doughs
Authors: Mancino Walter , Carnevali Paola , Terzi Valeria , Pérez Pascual García , Zhang Leilei , Giuberti Gianluca , Morelli Lorenzo , Patrone Vania , Lucini Luigi
Published: February 2023

A multi-omics approach was adopted to investigate the impact of lactic acid fermentation and seed germination on the composition and physicochemical properties of rye doughs. Doughs were prepared with either native or germinated rye flour and fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, combined or not with a sourdough starter including Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Weissella confusa and Weissella cibaria. LAB fermentation significantly increased total titrable acidity and dough rise regardless of the flour used. Targeted metagenomics revealed a strong impact of germination on the bacterial community profile of sprouted rye flour. Doughs made with germinated rye displayed higher levels of Latilactobacillus curvatus, while native rye doughs were associated with higher proportions of Lactoplantibacillus plantarum. The oligosaccharide profile of rye doughs indicated a lower carbohydrate content in native doughs as compared to the sprouted counterparts. Mixed fermentation promoted a consistent decrease in both monosaccharides and low-polymerization degree (PD)-oligosaccharides, but not in high-PD carbohydrates. Untargeted metabolomic analysis showed that native and germinated rye doughs differed in the relative abundance of phenolic compounds, terpenoids, and phospholipids. Sourdough fermentation promoted the accumulation of terpenoids, phenolic compounds and proteinogenic and non-proteinogenic amino acids. Present findings offer an integrated perspective on rye dough as a multi-constituent system and on cereal-sourced bioactive compounds potentially affecting the functional properties of derived food products.
Polyphenol Release and Antioxidant Activity of the Encapsulated Antioxidant Crude Extract from Cold Brew Spent Coffee Grounds under Simulated Food Processes and an In Vitro Static Gastrointestinal Model
Authors: Chongsrimsirisakhol Onamon , Pirak Tantawan
Published: February 2023

An ionic gelation technique based on an alginate-calcium-based encapsulation process was prepared as the delivery matrix for antioxidant crude extracts from cold brew spent coffee grounds (350 mg/mL). All the encapsulated samples were treated with different simulated food processes, namely pH 3, pH 7, low-temperature long-time (LTLT) pasteurization, and high-temperature short-time (HTST) pasteurization, to evaluate the stability of the encapsulated matrices. The results showed that alginate (2%, w/v)/maltodextrin (2%, w/v) (CM), and alginate (2%, w/v)/inulin (5%, w/v) (CI) could enhance encapsulation efficiency (89.76 and 85.78%, respectively) and provide lower swelling behavior after being treated using the simulated food processes. Both CM and CI could control the release of antioxidants during the gastric phase (2.28–3.98 and 2.52–4.00%, respectively) and gradual release in the intestinal phase (6.80–11.78 and 4.16–12.72%, respectively) compared to pure alginate (CA). In addition, pasteurization treatment at pH 7.0 produced the highest accumulated release of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (DPPH) after digestion in the in vitro gastrointestinal system compared to the other simulated food processes. The thermal process resulted in a greater release of compounds from the encapsulated matrix during the gastric phase. On the other hand, the treatment with pH 3.0 resulted in the lowest accumulated release of TPC and DPPH (5.08 and 5.12%, respectively), which indicated phytochemical protection.
Fermentation for Designing Innovative Plant-Based Meat and Dairy Alternatives
Authors: Boukid Fatma , Hassoun Abdo , Zouari Ahmed , Tülbek Mehmet , Mefleh Marina , Aït-Kaddour Abderrahmane , Castellari Massimo
Published: February 2023

Fermentation was traditionally used all over the world, having the preservation of plant and animal foods as a primary role. Owing to the rise of dairy and meat alternatives, fermentation is booming as an effective technology to improve the sensory, nutritional, and functional profiles of the new generation of plant-based products. This article intends to review the market landscape of fermented plant-based products with a focus on dairy and meat alternatives. Fermentation contributes to improving the organoleptic properties and nutritional profile of dairy and meat alternatives. Precision fermentation provides more opportunities for plant-based meat and dairy manufacturers to deliver a meat/dairy-like experience. Seizing the opportunities that the progress of digitalization is offering would boost the production of high-value ingredients such as enzymes, fats, proteins, and vitamins. Innovative technologies such as 3D printing could be an effective post-processing solution following fermentation in order to mimic the structure and texture of conventional products.
Recognition of Potential Geosites Utilizing a Hydrological Model within Qualitative–Quantitative Assessment of Geodiversity in the Manawatu River Catchment, New Zealand
Authors: Zakharovskyi Vladyslav , Németh Károly
Published: February 2023

Hydrology is one of the most influential elements of geodiversity, where geology and geomorphology stand as the main values of abiotic nature. Hydrological erosion created by river systems destructing rock formations (eluvial process) from streams’ sources and then transporting and redepositing (alluvial process) the rock debris into the main river channels, make it an ongoing transformation element of the abiotic environment along channel networks. Hence, this manuscript demonstrates the influence of hydrological elements on geosite recognition, specifically for qualitative–quantitative assessment of geodiversity, which is based on a combination of geological and geomorphological values. In this concept, a stream system will be treated as an additional element. The basement area of the Manawatu Region has been utilized as the territory for the research of hydrological assessment. The region is in the southern part of the North Island of New Zealand and has relatively low geological and geomorphological values and diversity. The Strahler order parameter will be demonstrated as a hydrological element for geodiversity assessment. This parameter has been chosen as one of the most common and acceptable within geographical information system (GIS) environments. The result of this assessment compares the influences of Strahler order on qualitative–quantitative assessment of geodiversity and provides its drawbacks. Additionally, the places with high values will be considered for more accurate field observation to be nominated as potential geosites with an opportunity for geoeducational and geotouristic significance.
The Effects of Aerobic and Resistance Exercises on the Cognitive and Physical Function of Persons with Mild Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol
Authors: Papatsimpas Vasileios , Vrouva Sotiria , Papadopoulou Marianna , Papathanasiou George , Bakalidou Daphne
Published: February 2023

Dementia causes deterioration in cognitive and physical functions. The scope of this study is to investigate the effect of different exercise programs on cognitive functions and functionality of persons suffering from mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by generating information on the exercise types and their parameters. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be performed involving aerobic and resistance exercise interventions, taking place both at the sample collection center and at home. Participants will be randomly divided into two different intervention groups and a control group. All groups will be assessed twice; once at baseline and once after 12 weeks. The primary outcome shall comprise the effect of exercise programs on cognitive functions using cognitive testing, such as Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination—Revisited (ACE-R), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Trail Making Test A-Β (TMT A-B), and Digit Span Test (DST): Digit Span Forward (DSF) and Digit Span Backward (DSB). The effect on functionality will be assessed using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include the effect of exercise on depression using the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15), on physical activity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), as well as the participants’ compliance with the intervention. This study will investigate the possible effect of intervention of different exercise types and the comparison between them. Exercise forms a low-cost and reduced-risk intervention.
Evaluation of the Association of VDR rs2228570 Polymorphism with Elite Track and Field Athletes’ Competitive Performance
Authors: Bulgay Celal , Bayraktar Işık , Kazan Hasan Huseyin , Yıldırım Damla Selin , Zorba Erdal , Akman Onur , Ergun Mehmet Ali , Cerit Mesut , Ulucan Korkut , Eken Özgür , Ceylan Halil İbrahim , Badicu Georgian , Grosz Wilhelm Robert , Mijaică Raluca
Published: February 2023

The present study aimed to examine the vitamin D receptor (VDR), rs2228570 polymorphism, and its effect on elite athletes’ performance. A total of 60 elite athletes (31 sprint/power and 29 endurance) and 20 control/ physically inactive, aged 18–35, voluntarily participated in the study. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) score scale was used to determine the performance levels of the athletes’ personal best (PB). Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed by the genomic DNA isolated from the peripheral blood of the participants. Sports type, sex, and competitive performance were chosen as the parameters to compare within and between the groups by linear regression models. The results showed no statistically significant difference between the CC, TC, and TT genotypes within and between the groups (p > 0.05). Additionally, our results underlined that there were no statistically significant differences for the association of rs2228570 polymorphism with PBs within the groups of the (p > 0.05) athletes. The genetic profile in the selected gene was similar in elite endurance, sprint athletes, and in controls, suggesting that rs2228570 polymorphism does not determine competitive performance in the analyzed athlete cohort.
Living with Epilepsy in Adolescence in Italy: Psychological and Behavioral Impact
Authors: Turner Katherine , La Briola Francesca , Vignoli Aglaia , Zambrelli Elena , Chiesa Valentina , Fongoni Laura , Baldi Olivia , Canevini Maria Paola
Published: February 2023

Background: People with epilepsy have a higher prevalence of behavioral and neuropsychiatric comorbidities compared to the general population and those with other chronic medical conditions, although the underlying clinical features remain unclear. The goal of the current study was to characterize behavioral profiles of adolescents with epilepsy, assess the presence of psychopathological disorders, and investigate the reciprocal interactions among epilepsy, psychological functioning, and their main clinical variables. Methods: Sixty-three adolescents with epilepsy were consecutively recruited at the Epilepsy Center, Childhood and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit of Santi Paolo e Carlo hospital in Milan (five of them were excluded) and assessed with a specific questionnaire for psychopathology in adolescence, such as the Questionnaire for the Assessment of Psychopathology in Adolescence (Q-PAD). Q-PAD results were then correlated with the main clinical data. Results: 55.2% (32/58) of patients presented at least one emotional disturbance. Body dissatisfaction, anxiety, interpersonal conflicts, family problems, uncertainty about the future, and self-esteem/well-being disorders were frequently reported. Gender and poor control of seizures are associated with specific emotional features (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of screening for emotional distress, recognition of the impairments, and provision of adequate treatment and follow-up. A pathological score on the Q-PAD should always require the clinician to investigate the presence of behavioral disorders and comorbidities in adolescents with epilepsy.
Physical Activity Alters Functional Connectivity of Orbitofrontal Cortex Subdivisions in Healthy Young Adults: A Longitudinal fMRI Study
Authors: Claus Jannik , Upadhyay Neeraj , Maurer Angelika , Klein Julian , Scheef Lukas , Daamen Marcel , Martin Jason Anthony , Stirnberg Rüdiger , Radbruch Alexander , Attenberger Ulrike , Stöcker Tony , Boecker Henning
Published: February 2023

Physical activity (PA) plays an important role in affect processing. Studies describe the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) as a major hub for emotion processing and the pathophysiology of affective disorders. Subregions of the OFC show diverse functional connectivity (FC) topographies, but the effect of chronic PA on subregional OFC FC still lacks scientific understanding. Therefore, we aimed at investigating the effects of regular PA on the FC topographies of OFC subregions in healthy individuals within a longitudinal randomized controlled exercise study. Participants (age: 18–35 years) were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (IG; N = 18) or a control group (CG; N = 10). Fitness assessments, mood questionnaires, and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) were performed four times over the duration of 6 months. Using a detailed parcellation of the OFC, we created subregional FC topography maps at each time point and applied a linear mixed model to assess the effects of regular PA. The posterior–lateral right OFC showed a group and time interaction, revealing decreased FC with the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in the IG, while FC in the CG increased. Group and time interaction in the anterior–lateral right OFC with the right middle frontal gyrus was driven by increased FC in the IG. The posterior–lateral left OFC showed a group and time interaction based on differential change in FC to the left postcentral gyrus and the right occipital gyrus. This study emphasized regionally distinctive FC changes induced by PA within the lateral OFC territory, while providing aspects for further research.
Morphological Characteristics of Proximal Ulna Fractures: A Proposal for a New Classification and Agreement for Validation
Authors: Labronici Pedro José , Belangero William Dias , Zublin Carlos Miguel , Gonçalves Lucas Braga Jaques , Fajardo Humberto , Pires Robinson Esteves , Giordano Vincenzo
Published: February 2023

Historically, proximal ulna fractures have been simplistically diagnosed and treated as simple olecranon fractures, leading to an unacceptable number of complications. Our hypothesis was that the recognition of lateral, intermediate, and medial stabilizers of the proximal ulna and ulnohumeral and proximal radioulnar joints would facilitate decision-making, including the choice of approach and type of fixation. The primary aim was to propose a new classification for complex fractures of the proximal ulna based on morphological characteristics seen on three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT). The secondary aim was to validate the proposed classification regarding its intra- and inter-rater agreement. Three raters with different levels of experience analyzed 39 cases of complex fractures of the proximal ulna using radiographs and 3D CT scans. We presented the proposed classification (divided into four types with subtypes) to the raters. In this classification, the medial column of the ulna involves the sublime tubercle and is where the anterior medial collateral ligament is inserted, the lateral column contains the supinator crest and is where the lateral ulnar collateral ligament is inserted, and the intermediate column involves the coronoid process of the ulna, olecranon, and anterior capsule of the elbow. Intra- and inter-rater agreement was analyzed for two different rounds, and the results were evaluated according to Fleiss kappa, Cohen kappa, and Kendall coefficient. Intra- and inter-rater agreement values were very good (0.82 and 0.77, respectively). Good intra- and inter-rater agreement attested to the stability of the proposed classification among the raters, regardless of the level of experience of each one. The new classification proved to be easy to understand and had very good intra- and inter-rater agreement, regardless of the level of experience of each rater.
At Risk Safety Behaviors of the Perioperative Nursing Team: A Direct Observational Study
Authors: Letvak Susan , Apple Brandi , Jenkins Marjorie , Doss Carrie , McCoy Thomas P.
Published: February 2023

Background: The operating room setting has unique workforce hazards and extremely high ergonomic demands due to patient lifting/positioning requirements, long periods of standing, and the heavy equipment and supplies that are needed for surgical procedures. Despite worker safety policies, injuries among registered nurses are increasing. Most of the research on the ergonomic safety of nurses is conducted utilizing survey methodology, which may not provide accurate data. It is imperative to understand the at-risk safety behaviors that perioperative nurses face if we are to design interventions to prevent injury. Methods: Two perioperative nurses were directly observed during 60 different operating room surgical procedures (n = 120 different nurses). Data were collected utilizing the job safety behavioral observation process (JBSO), which is designed specifically for the operating room environment. Results: There were 82 total at-risk behaviors observed amongst the 120 perioperative nurses. More specifically, 13 (11%) of the surgical procedures had at least one perioperative nurse observed in a position of at-risk behavior, and a total of 15 (12.5%) individual perioperative nurses performed at least one at-risk behavior. Conclusion: More attention must be placed on the safety of the perioperative nurse if we are to retain a healthy, productive workforce to provide the highest quality patient care.
“The Stuff That Dreams Are Made of”—Restoring Cinema Colors: A Roadmap for Real Research
Authors: Mazzanti Nicola
Published: February 2023

Since 1895, through the analog and the digital eras, color is among the many narrative and aesthetic tools cinema language used in its creative process to shape a unique, multi-sensorial experience for its audience. Over these 120+ years, endless cinema color techniques, technologies, aesthetics, and ideologies came and went. One thing that stayed the same is that color in cinema, more than a technology, is a complex system made up by many components: filmmakers’ ideas and intent, negotiations with the audience, technologies (such as film stocks, chemicals, cameras, printers, developing machines, projectors), and laboratory processes and practices. Taken individually, none of these elements tells the whole story of color use and experience in cinematographic works. This complexity adds to the fact that much of film color technology history is not recorded in books, journals and patents and is often forgotten as so much of it relies on individuals’ practices and memories. Consequently, a novel and more comprehensive theoretical and methodological approach is needed in order to make it possible to preserve and restore cinema colors, that is, to faithfully recreate their original chromatic effects in a modern, completely different environment.