bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molten Alkali-Assisted Formation of Silicate Gels and Its Application for Preparing Zeolites
Authors: Ye Juan , Yang Yanchun , Zhang Li , Li Man , Wang Yiling , Chen Yuxuan , Ling Ruhui , Yan Jiefeng , Chen Yan , Hu Jinxing , Fang Zhenxing
Published: June 2024

Fly ash was used as raw material to prepare zeolites through silicate gels, assisted by the hydrothermal method. The silicate gels could be effectively formed in a few minutes in a molten alkali environment. The zeolites could be prepared by using these silicate gels through the hydrothermal method, which realizes the transformation from useless materials to highly valuable materials. The obtained zeolites were applied to the removal of ammonium in water, achieving the highvalue utilization of fly ash. The synthesized zeolites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrum (EDS), thermogravimetric (TG), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The study on the adsorption and removal of ammonium in water shows that the adsorption of ammonium is more in line with pseudo first-order kinetics, and the adsorption mainly occurs in the first 20 min. The adsorption can reach equilibrium in 30 min, and the maximum adsorption capacity can reach 49.1 mg/g. The adsorption capacity of ammonium has the best performance at pH = 5. Furthermore, within a certain range, an increase in temperature is beneficial for the removal of ammonium.
Honoring Inágofli’e’ and Alofa: Developing a Culturally Grounded Health Promotion Model for Queer and Transgender Pacific Islanders
Authors: Camacho Santino Giovanni , Ta Wilson , Haitsuka Kilohana , Velasco Såhi , Ablao Roldy Aguero , Fuamatu Falefia Jr. Brandon , Cruz Eve , Kanuha V. Kalei , Spencer Michael
Published: June 2024

(1) Background: Although culturally grounded health interventions (CGHI) have shown efficacy in improving Indigenous health, few CGHI for Queer and Transgender Pacific Islander (QTPI) communities exist to address their health promotion. This study explores QTPI experiences of health for cultural mechanisms to develop CGHI for QTPI health promotion. (2) Methods: Using Indigenist community-engaged research methodologies, we collaborated with the United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance of Washington and Guma’ Gela’ to conduct 11 exploratory semi-structured interviews with QTPI community members living in the Puget Sound area of Washington state. These interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. (3) Results: QTPI well-being was greatly influenced by how settler colonialism impacted their connectedness to their families, communities, and cultures. We also found that inágofli’e’ and alofa, relational values in CHamoru and Sāmoan culture, played essential roles in facilitating QTPI health. Many participants fostered these values through chosen family, community care, and Indigenous mobilities. (4) Conclusions: Our findings indicate a need for CGHI that facilitate inágofli’e’ and alofa for QTPI to combat settler colonialism’s impacts on QTPI well-being. Finally, we present a community-centered conceptual model for culturally grounded health promotion in QTPI communities.
Integrated Analysis of scRNA-Seq and Bulk RNA-Seq Reveals Metabolic Reprogramming of Liver Cancer and Establishes a Prognostic Risk Model
Authors: Xiong Zhuang , Li Lizhi , Wang Guoliang , Guo Lei , Luo Shangyi , Liao Xiangwen , Liu Jingfeng , Teng Wenhao
Published: June 2024

Liver cancer manifests as a profoundly heterogeneous malignancy, posing significant challenges in terms of both therapeutic intervention and prognostic evaluation. Given that the liver is the largest metabolic organ, a prognostic risk model grounded in single-cell transcriptome analysis and a metabolic perspective can facilitate precise prevention and treatment strategies for liver cancer. Hence, we identified 11 cell types in a scRNA-seq profile comprising 105,829 cells and found that the metabolic activity of malignant cells increased significantly. Subsequently, a prognostic risk model incorporating tumor heterogeneity, cell interactions, tumor cell metabolism, and differentially expressed genes was established based on eight genes; this model can accurately distinguish the survival outcomes of liver cancer patients and predict the response to immunotherapy. Analyzing the immune status and drug sensitivity of the high- and low-risk groups identified by the model revealed that the high-risk group had more active immune cell status and greater expression of immune checkpoints, indicating potential risks associated with liver cancer-targeted drugs. In summary, this study provides direct evidence for the stratification and precise treatment of liver cancer patients, and is an important step in establishing reliable predictors of treatment efficacy in liver cancer patients.
Characteristics of the Vasa Gene in Silurus asotus and Its Expression Response to Letrozole Treatment
Authors: Yu Miao , Wang Fangyuan , Li Muzi , Wang Yuan , Gao Xiangzhe , Zhang Hanhan , Liu Zhenzhu , Zhou Zhicheng , Zhao Daoquan , Zhang Meng , Wang Lei , Jiang Hongxia , Qiao Zhigang
Published: June 2024

The identification and expression of germ cells are important for studying sex-related mechanisms in fish. The vasa gene, encoding an ATP-dependent RNA helicase, is recognized as a molecular marker of germ cells and plays a crucial role in germ cell development. Silurus asotus, an important freshwater economic fish species in China, shows significant sex dimorphism with the female growing faster than the male. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these sex differences especially involving in the vasa gene in this fish remain poorly understood. In this work, the vasa gene sequence of S. asotus (named as Savasa) was obtained through RT-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE), and its expression in embryos and tissues was analyzed using qRT-PCR and an in situ hybridization method. Letrozole (LT) treatment on the larvae fish was also conducted to investigate its influence on the gene. The results revealed that the open reading frame (ORF) of Savasa was 1989 bp, encoding 662 amino acids. The SaVasa protein contains 10 conserved domains unique to the DEAD-box protein family, showing the highest sequence identity of 95.92% with that of Silurus meridionalis. In embryos, Savasa is highly expressed from the two-cell stage to the blastula stage in early embryos, with a gradually decreasing trend from the gastrula stage to the heart-beating stage. Furthermore, Savasa was initially detected at the end of the cleavage furrow during the two-cell stage, later condensing into four symmetrical cell clusters with embryonic development. At the gastrula stage, Savasa-positive cells increased and began to migrate towards the dorsal side of the embryo. In tissues, Savasa is predominantly expressed in the ovaries, with almost no or lower expression in other detected tissues. Moreover, Savasa was expressed in phase I–V oocytes in the ovaries, as well as in spermatogonia and spermatocytes in the testis, implying a specific expression pattern of germ cells. In addition, LT significantly upregulated the expression of Savasa in a concentration-dependent manner during the key gonadal differentiation period of the fish. Notably, at 120 dph after LT treatment, Savasa expression was the lowest in the testis and ovary of the high concentration group. Collectively, findings from gene structure, protein sequence, phylogenetic analysis, RNA expression patterns, and response to LT suggest that Savasa is maternally inherited with conserved features, serving as a potential marker gene for germ cells in S.asotus, and might participate in LT-induced early embryonic development and gonadal development processes of the fish. This would provide a basis for further research on the application of germ cell markers and the molecular mechanisms of sex differences in S. asotus.
Chloroplast Genomes of Vitis flexuosa and Vitis amurensis: Molecular Structure, Phylogenetic, and Comparative Analyses for Wild Plant Conservation
Authors: Kim Ji Eun , Kim Keyong Min , Kim Yang Su , Chung Gyu Young , Che Sang Hoon , Na Chae Sun
Published: June 2024

The chloroplast genome plays a crucial role in elucidating genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships. Vitis vinifera L. (grapevine) is an economically important species, prompting exploration of wild genetic resources to enhance stress resilience. We meticulously assembled the chloroplast genomes of two Korean Vitis L. species, V. flexuosa Thunb. and V. amurensis Rupr., contributing valuable data to the Korea Crop Wild Relatives inventory. Through exhaustive specimen collection spanning diverse ecological niches across South Korea, we ensured comprehensive representation of genetic diversity. Our analysis, which included rigorous codon usage bias assessment and repeat analysis, provides valuable insights into amino acid preferences and facilitates the identification of potential molecular markers. The assembled chloroplast genomes were subjected to meticulous annotation, revealing divergence hotspots enriched with nucleotide diversity, thereby presenting promising candidates for DNA barcodes. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis reaffirmed intra-genus relationships and identified related crops, shedding light on evolutionary patterns within the genus. Comparative examination with chloroplast genomes of other crops uncovered conserved sequences and variable regions, offering critical insights into genetic evolution and adaptation. Our study advances the understanding of chloroplast genomes, genetic diversity, and phylogenetic relationships within Vitis species, thereby laying a foundation for enhancing grapevine genetic diversity and resilience to environmental challenges.
Biopsychosocial Consideration of Ikigai in Older Adults in Japan through a Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Goto Takaharu , Fujiwara Shinji , Koda Tomoya , Matsuda Takashi , Kitamura Mio , Shirayama Yasuhiko , Ichikawa Tetsuo
Published: June 2024

Ikigai—a Japanese concept that includes elements such as life’s purpose and meaning—has been reported to be associated with various systemic health conditions, such as the risk of developing physical dysfunction or death in older adults. However, there are no reports that comprehensively examine the psychological and social aspects of Ikigai. We attempted to clarify the characteristics of Ikigai by examining it from a biopsychosocial model using physical, psychological, and social perspectives through a cross-sectional study on sarcopenia, frailty and healthy life expectancy in a hilly and mountainous area of Japan. Koyadaira in Mima City, which is located in a hilly and mountainous region on Shikoku Island in Japan, was targeted. This cross-sectional study included 105 outpatients aged 65 and over, with an average age of 79.02 ± 6.91 years. Ikigai (self-rating score on a scale of 0 (no Ikigai) to 5 (the highest Ikigai)) participants’ level of physical activity (the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly, PASE), degree of depression (the Geriatric Depression-15 Scale, GDS-15), cognitive function (the Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE) and social isolation (the abbreviated Lubben Social Network Scale, LSNS-6) was assessed. Significant positive correlations were found between PASE and MMSE. The LSNS-6 significantly correlated with the MMSE and GDS-15. In a path model, out of four paths from PASE, GDS-15, MMSE, and LSNS-6 to Ikigai, the path from the GDS-15 alone was significant (correlation coefficient −0.271, p < 0.01). The adaptability of this model was good. This study indicates that depressive status has a large impact on Ikigai, along with physical, cognitive, and social conditions; thus, it is appropriate to consider that an affective psychological status, such as depressive symptoms, is a fundamental condition for having Ikigai.
Towards the Improvement of Patient Experience Evaluation Items for Patient-Centered Care in Head and Neck Cancer: A Qualitative Comparative Study
Authors: Kim Eun-Jeong , Koo Yoo-Ri , Nam Inn-Chul
Published: June 2024

Owing to long-term treatment, frequent consultations, and complications, the evaluation of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) must be improved. This study explored an opportunity for improving patient experience (PE) evaluation of patients with HNC to achieve a patient-centered, integrative evaluation model based on patient needs. The study comprised four phases: (1) a systematic literature review of PE factors for patient quality of life (QoL) and establishment of PE factor categories as a framework, (2) a review of current cancer or HNC PE evaluation tools, (3) identification of potential PE evaluation items based on patient needs by conducting user research, and (4) suggestion of integrative HNC PE evaluation items through expert validation. As a result, the 39 potential items were initially identified from the literature review and user research. After conducting two survey rounds with experts, 25 items were suggested as HNC PE evaluation items. These underscore the importance of highlighting the patient’s participation, the medical staff’s comprehensive information delivery, empathy, and collaborative communication, the hospital’s support of communication channels, the medical environment for patient emotional support, the education program, and systematic patient satisfaction data management. PE evaluation items that consider the diverse perspectives of stakeholders involved in HNC treatment and factors of comprehensive PE will contribute to improving HNC patient-centered care (PCC).
Geriatric Syndromes and Their Relationship with Mortality in a Population of Mexican Older Adults Aged 65 and Over, Admitted to the Emergency Department of a Second-Level Care Hospital
Authors: Gómez-Ramos José Juan , González-Guerra Melissa , Dávalos-Rodríguez Ingrid Patricia , Pérez-Ruíz María Eloísa , Peña-Durán Emiliano , Marín-Medina Alejandro
Published: June 2024

The main objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between Geriatric Syndromes (GSs) and in-hospital mortality in adults aged 65 and older admitted to the Emergency Department (ED). The study included 202 Older Adults (OAs) who met the inclusion criteria. We conducted a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and collected clinical and demographic data. A univariate analysis was carried out for each of the GSs analyzed. Those variables with p < 0.05 were entered into a multiple logistic regression using the backward stepwise entry method to analyze the independent predictor variables. The average number of GSs per individual was 4.65 (±2.76). Frailty syndrome was the most prevalent (70.2% of patients). Our study found an association between mortality and some GSs, such as frailty (p = 0.042), risk of falls (p = 0.010), delirium, cognitive impairment, dependence, and risk of ulcers (p < 0.001). We found that cognitive impairment (adjusted OR, 6.88; 95% CI, 1.41–33.5; p = 0.017) and dependence (adjusted OR, 7.52; 95% CI, 1.95–29.98; p = 0.003) were independent predictors associated with mortality in our population. It is necessary to develop new care strategies in the ED that respond to the needs of aging societies, including the use of new technologies and personnel with experience in gerontology.
Nursing Students’ Attitudes toward Working in Mental Health Facilities in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Mahsoon Alaa , Alnakli Mortada , Azab Sameer , Abed Majd , Aabduqader Abdulaziz , Sharif Loujain , Sharif Khalid
Published: June 2024

(1) Background: There is a global demand for more psychiatric nurses, with nursing students’ attitudes toward mental illness and working in mental health facilities playing a pivotal role in their career choices. This study aims to evaluate attitudes toward working in mental health facilities among undergraduate nursing students in Saudi Arabia, both before and after exposure to psychiatry courses, and examine their relationship with perceptions of mental illness. (2) Methods: A quantitative descriptive and correlational cross-sectional design was employed. Nursing students’ attitudes toward working in mental health facilities were assessed using the Attitude Toward Psychiatry 18 (ATP-18) questionnaire and the Beliefs Toward Mental Illness (BMI) scale. (3) Results: No significant relationship has been found between the frequency of negative views of both ATP-18 and BMI, and exposure to the psychiatry course. However, nurses who completed the psychiatry course held more positive views towards psychiatrists and found psychiatric patients less demanding, were less likely to view psychological disorders as dangerous, more confident in trusting mentally ill colleagues, and felt less embarrassed by the term “psychological disorder” compared to those who had not taken the course. (4) Conclusion: Based on our findings, it is evident that exposure to psychiatric courses and training enhances the potential of nursing students to contribute effectively to the psychiatric field. Therefore, integrating mental health and illness community services training into nursing education programs can play a pivotal role in raising awareness and attracting students who may hold negative attitudes towards individuals with mental illness.
Management of SARS-CoV-2 Prevention Methods in Dental Offices—A Cross-Sectional Study in Bucharest, Romania
Authors: Nicolescu Mihnea Ioan , Lupu Oana Irina , Georgescu Raluca Ștefania , Săndulescu Mihai , Funieru Cristian
Published: June 2024

We compared the managing of prevention methods for SARS-CoV-2 infections in dental offices before and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to find out the varieties of infection prevention methods used by dentists before and during the pandemic and compare them. We designed a digital transversal questionnaire with 15 closed questions that was sent to 150 dentists in Bucharest, Romania. We received n = 112 valid answers during July-August 2021 from dentists of all age groups (25–60 years), with a sex ratio of 0.36, which agreed to anonymously participate in this study. The results showed an increase in types and amount of personal protection equipment (i.e., ocular/facial protection, supplemental gown, and upgrading the FFP1 masks to FFP2 or FFP3). Ocular protection showed statistical significance by gender but not by age group. Vaccination rate against SARS-CoV-2 was at 80% of the participant dentists at the time of the survey and had statistical significance. However, vaccination status of the patients did not alter dentists’ protection protocol.
Psychosocial Intervention for Family Caregivers of ALS Patients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Katz Leah , Gur Ayelet
Published: June 2024

Proposal: This systematic review aims to comprehensively examine all existing knowledge on psychosocial interventions for family caregivers for ALS patients. Also, the study will present the gaps in knowledge, recommendations for future research, and guidelines for psychosocial interventions that are focused and adapted to the needs of family caregivers of ALS patients. Materials and methods: The systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines and identified studies on psychosocial intervention for family caregivers of ALS patients, using five electronic databases: PsychNET, PubMed, EBSCO, PRIMO, and PROQUEST. Seven articles met the criteria and were included in the review. A thematic analysis was conducted to extract major themes. Results: Three major themes emerged from the data: (1) Personal benefits; (2) Interpersonal benefits; and (3) Charting challenges and pathways to improve psychosocial interventions. Conclusions: Based on the findings, practical guidelines were formulated that focus on the group’s composition, the facilitator’s role, the contents, the relationships within the group, and the opportunities and limitations of online interventions.
The Fate of Soil-Applied Nitrogen in the Fig Tree
Authors: Brunetto Gustavo , Sete Paula Beatriz , Marcio Norberto Paulo , Daiane Welter Paola , Thábata Silva Viana Ingrid , Paulo Andrade Marco
Published: June 2024

The timing of nitrogen fertilizer application in an orchard can determine the amount of nitrogen (N) absorbed, distributed, and accumulated in fig tree organs. This study aimed to evaluate the fate of nitrogen (N) applied to the fig tree at different times in the soil. The experiment was conducted in the 2009–2010 crop season. The planted trees belonged to the cultivar Roxo de Valinhos, in the São João Del Rei municipality of Minas Gerais state (MG), Brazil. The treatments were the application of 20 kg N ha−1 as urea, enriched with 2% excess 15N atoms, on September 30 (T1) or on October 30 (T2). In January 2010, the fig trees were cut down and separated into fruit, leaves, new shoots and shoots from previous years, and the stem. The harvested parts were dried, weighed, and ground. Soil was collected from the 0.00–0.10 and 0.10–0.20 m layers, dried, and ground. The total N and excess 15N atoms in the organs and in the soil were determined, and the N derived from the fertilizer was calculated. The annual organs of the fig tree, including leaves, fruit, and young shoots, exhibited the highest accumulation of N from soil application at both timings, with similar N uptake and accumulation levels. However, nitrogen fertilization had a minimal contribution to the overall nitrogen content in young trees and did not exceed 11%. Understanding the fate of nitrogen derived from fertilizer within the fig tree’s organs will allow for more precise adjustments when recommending nitrogen doses.
Whole-Genome Analysis of ZF-HD Genes among Three Dendrobium Species and Expression Patterns in Dendrobium chrysotoxum
Authors: He Xin , Zhao Xuewei , Zheng Qinyao , Zhang Meng-Meng , Huang Ye , Liu Zhong-Jian , Lan Siren
Published: June 2024

ZF-HD transcription factors, which are unique to land plants, are involved in the regulation of abiotic stress response and related signaling pathways, and play a crucial role in plant growth and development. Dendrobium is one of the largest genera of orchids, with a high ornamental and ecological value. However, the specific functions of the ZF-HDs in Dendrobium remain unknown. In this study, we identified a total of 53 ZF-HDs from D. chrysotoxum (17), D. catenatum (23), and D. huoshanense (13), and analyzed their physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, chromosomal locations, protein structures, conserved motifs, and expression patterns. The phylogenetic relationships revealed that 53 ZF-HDs were classified into six subfamilies (ZHDI–V and MIF), and all ZF-HD proteins contained motif 1 and motif 4 conserved domains, while a minority of these proteins had exons. The analysis of cis-elements in the promoters of ZF-HDs from three Dendrobium species showed that growth- and development-related elements were the most prevalent, followed by hormone response and abiotic stress response elements. Through collinearity analysis, 14 DchZF-HDs were found to be collinear with DhuZF-HDs, and 12 DchZF-HDs were found to be collinear with DcaZF-HDs. Furthermore, RT-qPCR analysis revealed that DchZF-HDs play a regulatory role in the development of lateral organs during the flowering process. The results indicated that DchZHD2 plays a role in the unpigmented bud stage, while DchMIF8 and DchZHD16 play significant roles during the pigmented bud and initial bloom stages. Hence, this study provides a crucial basis for further exploring ZF-HDs functions in regulating the floral organs of orchids.
Ficus Genome Database: A Comprehensive Genomics and Transcriptomics Research Platform
Authors: Sun Peng , Yang Lei , Yu Hui , Chen Lianfu , Bao Ying
Published: June 2024

Ficus is a significant genus within the Moraceae family, primarily native to tropical and subtropical regions. It plays a crucial role in the study of co-evolution and genetics in the fig–fig wasp symbiosis. Advancements in sequencing technology have facilitated whole-genome sequencing of several Ficus species, accumulating vast amounts of genomic and transcriptomic data available in public databases. To streamline data integration, display, and analysis, we developed the Ficus Genome Database (FGD), a consolidated platform for the genomic data of five Ficus species, and self-assembled transcriptome data for 24 fig ostiolar bracts. The FGD is currently home to a diverse array of data, encompassing genome and gene sequences, annotations of genes, transcriptome analyses, biochemical pathways, non-coding RNA, and findings from comparative genomic studies, such as collinear blocks across different Ficus genome assemblies. To enhance translational and practical research concerning Ficus, FGD provides an extensive suite of accessible query interfaces, analytical instruments, and visualization options. These include the NCBI BLAST sequence search tool and the JBrowse/GBrowse genome browser. FGD also offers several distinct tools, including a genome Synteny Viewer, expression heatmap display, gene family identification, Gene Ontology terms enrichment, and pathway enrichment analysis.
Complex Habitats Boost Predator Co-Occurrence, Enhancing Pest Control in Sweet Pepper Greenhouses
Authors: Bonsignore Carmelo Peter , van Baaren Joan
Published: June 2024

Sweet pepper is a crop that benefits from phytosanitary treatments with low environmental impact, especially the successful control of pests through the introduction of biological control agents in greenhouses. However, predators that naturally occur in these surroundings often enter greenhouses. The precise roles of these natural predators and their interactions with the introduced predatory insects and mites are often unknown. This study investigated the relationships between Nesidiocoris tenuis, which is naturally present, and Amblyseius swirskii and Orius laevigatus, which are two species of generalist predators released for the control of multiple pests. This study was conducted for two years on 13 commercial sweet pepper crops in various types of greenhouses (tunnels and traditional greenhouses) in Sicily. The environmental complexity value (ECV) for each site was estimated based on 18 points detected around the site according to the different habitats that occurred at each coordinate. The results showed that the occurrence of N. tenuis in greenhouses, independently of their typology (tunnel or traditional greenhouse), was mainly promoted by the greater diversification of habitats immediately surrounding the pepper crops (in a circular area with a diameter of 500 mt), with an increase in its density during the crop season. Moreover, N. tenuis–O. laevigatus’s co-occurrence in flowers suggested that they were not impacted by each other’s presence and that their co-occurrence had a significant effect on pest reduction, although their co-occurrence was density-dependent. As an intraguild predator, N. tenuis competed with O. laevigatus for Frankliniella occidentalis when many predators were present. In addition, N. tenuis also competed with A. swirskii when they both occurred in flowers at a higher density. This study highlights the importance of pepper plant flowers in promoting a higher occurrence of juvenile forms of N. tenuis within flowers. Amblyseius swirskii colonized the plants in 3 weeks, distributing itself almost uniformly over the leaves with a clear control action against not only Bemisia tabaci but also F. occidentalis when present on the flowers. Thus, this concurrent analysis of several commercial pepper sites within the same production area suggests that, even with similar pest control plans, the diverse variability in the presence of natural enemies must be considered when selecting control strategies for pepper crop pests and that N. tenuis, favored by complex surrounding habitats, contributes actively to pest reduction.
Effects of Storage Duration and Temperature on Browning and Quality of Postharvest Bamboo Shoots
Authors: Wu Pei-Rong , Hwang San-Gwang , Chen Chang-Lin , Lin Huey-Ling
Published: June 2024

Due to the high respiration rate and ethylene production at the cut surface of bamboo (Dendrocalamus latifloxus Munro) shoots after harvesting, browning and lignification at the cut surface reduce their quality and shelf life. Due to the demand of consumers, using physical treatment to inhibit microbial growth and maintain quality has become more and more popular. In this study, bamboo shoots were treated with hot water at 70 °C for 30 s after harvesting and then stored at 1, 3, or 5 °C for 4 weeks to measure the quality change. Our results show that the L* value and h° angle at the cut surface of the bamboo shoots were significantly higher, but the respiration rate was significantly lower when stored at 1 °C compared with those at 3 and 5 °C. In terms of quality, the bamboo shoots showed lower firmness and cutting force values, and no decay was observed at 1 °C. The results from the shelf simulation test with rewarming of the cold-treated bamboo shoots at ambient temperature (25 °C) for 1 day indicated that the L* value and h° angle were significantly higher for the bamboo shoots stored at 1 °C compared with those stored at 3 and 5 °C. Taken together, browning and lignification at the cut surface were effectively inhibited, quality was maintained, and the storage life could be extended to 4 weeks at 1 °C.
Comparison of the Climate Change Tolerance of Native and Non-Native Species Used or Potentially Used as Ornamentals in Mediterranean Areas
Authors: Soriano Pilar , Mora Reyes , Estrelles Elena , Martínez-Nieto M. Isabel
Published: June 2024

As a consequence of climate change, temperature and rainfall regimes are being modified, threatening the survival of the current gardening concept in many areas of the world. This situation highlights the need to investigate the potential of other species, especially in more sensitive areas such as the Mediterranean Basin. The aim of this research is to study the resilience of adapted species to promote sustainable gardening. To achieve this, seven species belonging to three families (Amaranthaceae, Lamiaceae and Asteraceae) used or potentially used as ornamentals were selected to compare their tolerance at the germinative stage to different levels of temperature (10 °C to 35 °C) and water stress created by PEG 6000 (−0.10 MPa to −2.5 MPa). Germination percentage, mean germination time, base temperature, thermal time, base water potential and hydrotime were calculated. The results showed a good response to high temperature and low osmotic potential in most of the species, and germination even increased under certain stress levels. Salsola oppositifolia presented by far the best results in terms of germination under high-water-stress conditions and the second best at high temperatures. The extraordinary response of Celosia argentea, an alien species, highlighted the risk of it becoming an invasive species.
Social-STGMLP: A Social Spatio-Temporal Graph Multi-Layer Perceptron for Pedestrian Trajectory Prediction
Authors: Meng Dexu , Zhao Guangzhe , Yan Feihu
Published: June 2024

As autonomous driving technology advances, the imperative of ensuring pedestrian traffic safety becomes increasingly prominent within the design framework of autonomous driving systems. Pedestrian trajectory prediction stands out as a pivotal technology aiming to address this challenge by striving to precisely forecast pedestrians’ future trajectories, thereby enabling autonomous driving systems to execute timely and accurate decisions. However, the prevailing state-of-the-art models often rely on intricate structures and a substantial number of parameters, posing challenges in meeting the imperative demand for lightweight models within autonomous driving systems. To address these challenges, we introduce Social Spatio-Temporal Graph Multi-Layer Perceptron (Social-STGMLP), a novel approach that utilizes solely fully connected layers and layer normalization. Social-STGMLP operates by abstracting pedestrian trajectories into a spatio-temporal graph, facilitating the modeling of both the spatial social interaction among pedestrians and the temporal motion tendency inherent to pedestrians themselves. Our evaluation of Social-STGMLP reveals its superiority over the reference method, as evidenced by experimental results indicating reductions of 5% in average displacement error (ADE) and 17% in final displacement error (FDE).
Multi-Hospital Management: Combining Vital Signs IoT Data and the Elasticity Technique to Support Healthcare 4.0
Authors: Fischer Gabriel Souto , Ramos Gabriel de Oliveira , Costa Cristiano André da , Alberti Antonio Marcos , Griebler Dalvan , Singh Dhananjay , Righi Rodrigo da Rosa
Published: June 2024

Smart cities can improve the quality of life of citizens by optimizing the utilization of resources. In an IoT-connected environment, people’s health can be constantly monitored, which can help identify medical problems before they become serious. However, overcrowded hospitals can lead to long waiting times for patients to receive treatment. The literature presents alternatives to address this problem by adjusting care capacity to demand. However, there is still a need for a solution that can adjust human resources in multiple healthcare settings, which is the reality of cities. This work introduces HealCity, a smart-city-focused model that can monitor patients’ use of healthcare settings and adapt the allocation of health professionals to meet their needs. HealCity uses vital signs (IoT) data in prediction techniques to anticipate when the demand for a given environment will exceed its capacity and suggests actions to allocate health professionals accordingly. Additionally, we introduce the concept of multilevel proactive human resources elasticity in smart cities, thus managing human resources at different levels of a smart city. An algorithm is also devised to automatically manage and identify the appropriate hospital for a possible future patient. Furthermore, some IoT deployment considerations are presented based on a hardware implementation for the proposed model. HealCity was evaluated with four hospital settings and obtained promising results: Compared to hospitals with rigid professional allocations, it reduced waiting time for care by up to 87.62%.
The Usefulness of Intravascular Ultrasound and Optical Coherence Tomography in Patients Treated with Rotational Atherectomy: An Analysis Based on a Large National Registry
Authors: Siłka Wojciech , Kuzemczak Michał , Malinowski Krzysztof Piotr , Kołtowski Łukasz , Glądys Kinga , Kłak Mariola , Kowacka Ewa , Grzegorek Damian , Waciński Piotr , Chyrchel Michał , Dziarmaga Miłosz , Iwańczyk Sylwia , Jaguszewski Miłosz , Wańha Wojciech , Wojakowski Wojciech , D’Ascenzo Fabrizio , Siudak Zbigniew , Januszek Rafał
Published: June 2024

Background: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) have been shown to improve the clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) in selected subsets of patients. Aim: The aim was to investigate whether the use of OCT or IVUS during a PCI with rotational atherectomy (RA-PCI) will increase the odds for successful revascularization, defined as thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) 3 flow. Methods: Data were obtained from the national registry of PCIs (ORPKI) maintained by the Association of Cardiovascular Interventions (AISN) of the Polish Cardiac Society. The dataset includes PCIs spanning from January 2014 to December 2021. Results: A total of 6522 RA-PCIs were analyzed, out of which 708 (10.9%) were guided by IVUS and 86 (1.3%) by OCT. The postprocedural TIMI 3 flow was achieved significantly more often in RA-PCIs guided by intravascular imaging (98.7% vs. 96.6%, p < 0.0001). Multivariable analysis revealed that using IVUS and OCT was independently associated with an increased chance of achieving postprocedural TIMI 3 flow by 67% (odds ratio (OR), 1.67; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.40–1.99; p < 0.0001) and 66% (OR, 1.66; 95% CI: 1.09–2.54; p = 0.02), respectively. Other factors associated with successful revascularization were as follows: previous PCI (OR, 1.72; p < 0.0001) and coronary artery bypass grafting (OR, 1.09; p = 0.002), hypertension (OR, 1.14; p < 0.0001), fractional flow reserve assessment during angiogram (OR, 1.47; p < 0.0001), bifurcation PCI (OR, 3.06; p < 0.0001), and stent implantation (OR, 19.6, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: PCIs with rotational atherectomy guided by intravascular imaging modalities (IVUS or OCT) are associated with a higher procedural success rate compared to angio-guided procedures.
Biochar Production and Its Potential Application for Biocomposite Materials: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Feliz Florian Guillermina , Ragoubi Mohamed , Leblanc Nathalie , Taouk Bechara , Abdelouahed Lokmane
Published: June 2024

Biochar, an organic, porous, and carbon-rich material originating from biomass via pyrolysis, showcases compelling attributes and intrinsic performances. Its appeal as a reinforcement material for biocomposites, as well as its auspicious electrical properties, has gained more attention, and makes biochar a versatile candidate for applications ranging from energy storage to catalytic devices. This scientific review undertakes a comprehensive exploration of biochar, spanning production methodologies, physicochemical intricacies, and critical process parameters. The focus of this paper extends to optimization strategies for biochar properties tailored to specific applications, with a dedicated inquiry into diverse production methods and activation strategies. This review’s second phase delves into a meticulous analysis of key properties within biochar-based composites, emphasizing limitations and unique performance characteristics crucial for diverse applications. By synthesizing a substantial body of research, this review aims to catalyze future investigations by pinpointing areas that demand attention in upcoming experiments, ultimately emphasizing the profound potential of biochar-based materials across technical and scientific domains.
Quasi-Infinite Horizon Model Predictive Control with Fixed-Time Disturbance Observer for Underactuated Surface Vessel Path Following
Authors: Li Wei , Zhou Hanyun , Zhang Jun
Published: June 2024

As a flexible, autonomous and intelligent motion platform, underactuated surface vessels (USVs) are expected to be an ideal means of transport in dangerous and complex marine environments. The success and efficiency of maritime missions performed by USVs depend on their ability to accurately follow paths and remain robust against wind and wave disturbances. To this end, this paper focuses on accurate and robust path following control for USVs under wave disturbances. Model predictive control with a quasi-infinite horizon is proposed which converts the objective function from an infinite horizon to an approximate finite horizon, providing the convergence performance in long prediction horizons and reducing the computation load explicitly. To enhance robustness against disturbances, a fixed-time disturbance observer is applied to estimate the time-varying and bounded disturbances. The estimated value is provided to the controller input to form a robust control framework with disturbance feedforward compensation and predictive control feedback correction, which is substantially different from existing works. The convergence and optimality of the proposed algorithm are presented mathematically. Finally, we demonstrate the advantages of the algorithm in both theory and simulation.
Ship Anomalous Behavior Detection in Port Waterways Based on Text Similarity and Kernel Density Estimation
Authors: Li Gaocai , Zhang Xinyu , Shu Yaqing , Wang Chengbo , Guo Wenqiang , Wang Jiawei
Published: June 2024

The navigational safety of ships on waterways plays a crucial role in ensuring the operational efficiency of ports. Ship anomalous behavior detection is an important method of water traffic surveillance that can effectively identify abnormal ship behavior, such as sudden acceleration or deceleration. In order to detect potential anomalous ship behavior in real time, a method for ship anomalous behavior detection in waterways is proposed based on text similarity and kernel density estimation. Under the assumption of known traffic patterns entering and leaving the port, this method can identify ship behaviors that violate traffic patterns in real time. Firstly, kernel density estimation is applied to construct a traffic pattern density model for ship trajectories entering and leaving the port, used to estimate the density values of ship motion states. Simultaneously, a semantic transformation method is used to convert traffic pattern trajectory into pattern trajectory text, which is used to identify the ship’s traffic pattern. Subsequently, the historical trajectory data of the target ship are transformed into textual trajectories, and text similarity is used to identify ship inbound and outbound traffic patterns. Furthermore, the constructed traffic pattern density model is used to estimate real-time density values of the state of ship motion, and the trajectory points that exceed the threshold of the anomaly factor are marked as anomalies. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is validated using simulation data, and the results indicate an accuracy of more than 90% for the comprehensive detection of anomalous behavior. This study, approaching the detection of potential ship anomalous behavior from the perspective of port traffic patterns, enriches the methods of ship anomalous behavior detection in port waterways.
Antioxidant and Metabolic Response to Acute Acidification Stress of Juvenile Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)
Authors: Wang Xiaoyan , Yang Rui , Fu Zhengyi , Zhao Lei , Ma Zhenhua
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to explore the impact of acute acidification on the antioxidant, metabolic performance, and liver histology of juvenile yellowfin tuna. The experiment subjected juvenile yellowfin tuna to a pH gradient environment of 8.1, 7.6, 7.1, and 6.6 for 48 h. The findings indicate that a seawater pH of 7.1 significantly impacts the antioxidant and metabolic systems of the juvenile yellowfin tuna in comparison to the control group. At pH 7.1, there were observed increases in glutathione reductase (GR), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), hexokinase (HK), pyruvate kinase (PK), sodium-potassium ATPase (Na+K+-ATP), and calcium-magnesium ATPase (Ca2+Mg2+-ATP). Conversely, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TGs) were not significantly different across the treatment groups. However, an increase in transaminases at pH 7.1 suggested potential liver damage, which was further supported by observed structural liver tissue degeneration and hepatocyte vacuolation. In conclusion, under conditions of acute acidification stress, there is a decrease in antioxidant capacity and a suppression of metabolic levels in juvenile yellowfin tuna, leading to oxidative damage. This study lays the foundation for an in-depth understanding of the response mechanisms of juvenile yellowfin tuna in response to seawater acidification as well as healthy tuna farming in the broader context of seawater acidification.
Natural Prevalence, Molecular Characteristics, and Biological Activity of Metarhizium rileyi (Farlow) Isolated from Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) Larvae in Mexico
Authors: Ramos Yordanys , Pineda-Guillermo Samuel , Tamez-Guerra Patricia , Orozco-Flores Alonso Alberto , Figueroa de la Rosa José Isaac , Ramos-Ortiz Selene , Chavarrieta-Yáñez Juan Manuel , Martínez-Castillo Ana Mabel
Published: June 2024

Entomopathogenic fungi have been considered potential biological control agents against the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), the world’s most important pest of maize. In this study, we evaluated the natural infection, molecular characteristics, and biological activity of Metarhizium rileyi (Farlow) isolated from S. frugiperda larvae of this insect, collected from maize crops in five Mexican locations. Natural infection ranged from 23% to 90% across all locations analyzed. Twenty-four isolates were evaluated on S. frugiperda second instars at a concentration of 1.0 × 108 conidia/mL, causing 70% to 98.7% mortality and 60.5% to 98.7% sporulation. Isolates T9-21, Z30-21, PP48-21, and L8-22 were selected to determine their phylogenetic relationships by β-tubulin gene analysis and to compare median lethal concentration (CL50), median lethal time (LT50), and larval survival. These isolates were grouped into three clades. The T9-21, PP48-21, and J10-22 isolates were closely related (clade A), but phylogenetically distant from Z30-21 (clade B) and L8-22 (clade C) isolates. These genetic differences were not always reflected in their pathogenicity characteristics since no differences were observed among the LC50 values. Furthermore, isolates T9-21, J10-22, and L8-22 were the fastest to kill S. frugiperda larvae, causing lower survival rates. We conclude that native M. rileyi isolates represent an important alternative for the biocontrol of S. frugiperda.
Resource Price Interconnections and the Impact of Geopolitical Shocks Using Granger Causality: A Case Study of Ukraine–Russia Unrest
Authors: Kostaridou Eirini , Siatis Nikolaos , Zafeiriou Eleni
Published: June 2024

Political events significantly impact economic indices, including agricultural commodities. While Granger causality is a well-established method for analyzing interdependencies between time series data, its traditional application can be challenging to interpret across multiple periods. This research enhances the Granger causality method to quantify changes in the interlinkages among variables over time, offering a more intuitive framework for analyzing how political events affect economic indices. The proposed method involves conducting Granger causality tests across different periods, forming vectors from the results to capture transitions from Granger-causing to non-Granger-causing variables. These vector amplitudes provide quantitative measures of changes with explanatory power over time. The dataset includes eight variables over a decade, focusing on the following major geopolitical events: the Russian occupation of Crimea in 2014 and the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with an intermediate “no-shocks” period as the reference. The results show significant changes in the interlinkages among the variables during crisis periods compared to stable periods. This enhanced method provides valuable insights, informing trading strategies and risk management during periods of geopolitical instability. This innovative approach offers a novel tool for market participants to better understand and respond to economic shocks caused by political events.