bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermal Performance Characteristics of a Microchannel Gas Heater for Solar Heating Applications
Authors: Yang Bo , Sarafraz Mohammad Mohsen , Arjomandi Maziar
Published: November 2021

In the present article, the heat transfer and fluid flow of the air in a compact microchannel gas heater (MCGH) was experimentally quantified. To understand the effect of heat flux value (HFV), and inlet velocity on the heat transfer coefficient (HTC), wall temperature, friction factor, Nusselt number, average pressure-drop value (PDV) and performance index (PI), a microchannel gas heater was constructed and tested with pressurized air. The results showed that the HTC was 20 W/(sqmK) to 70 W/(sqmK), corresponding to inlet velocities 6.7 m/s and 16.7 m/s, respectively within HFV < 1 kW/m2. Also, the highest PI was 1.19 meaning that the HT rate can be increased by 19% at u = 15 m/s in comparison with the reference case (at u = 13.3 m/s). Likewise, the HTC was intensified once the inlet velocity is increased. It was also identified that increasing the HFV has a strong effect on wall temperature, however, slightly changes the HTC. By increasing the heat flux value from 200 W/sqm to 1000 W/sqm, the HTC increased only by 4.7% which was associated with the poor thermophysical properties of air flowing inside MCGH. Two main mechanisms of wall slip and viscous heating were identified as main contributors to the heat transfer enhancement in MCGH.
Techno-Economic Feasibility of Grid-Connected Solar PV System at Near East University Hospital, Northern Cyprus
Authors: Kassem Youssef , Gökçekuş Hüseyin , Güvensoy Ali
Published: November 2021

The growth of populations and economy in Northern Cyprus has led to continuing utilization of fossil fuels as the primary source of electricity, which will raise environmental pollution. Thus, utilizing renewable energy, particularly solar energy, might be a solution to minimize this issue. This paper presents the potential of grid-connected solar PV power generation at Near East University Hospital (NEU Hospital), one of the largest and leading medical facilities in Northern Cyprus, to meet the energy demand during the daytime to reduce energy bills. For this purpose, the first objective of the study is to evaluate the solar energy potential as a power source for the NEU Hospital based on four datasets (actual measurement, Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring (CMSAF), Surface Radiation Data Set-Heliosat (SARAH), and ERA-5, produced by the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecast). The results showed that the solar resource of the selected location is categorized as excellent (class 5), that is, the global solar radiation is within the range of 1843.8–2035.9 kWH/m2. The second objective is to investigate the impact of orientation angles on PV output, capacity factor, economic feasibility indicators, and CO2 emissions by using different PV modules. The results are compared with optimum orientation angles found by Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) simulation software. This objective was achieved by using RETScreen Expert software. The results demonstrated that the highest performance of the proposed system was achieved for orientation angles of 180° (azimuth angle) and −35° (tilt angle). Consequently, it is recommended that orientation angles, PV modules, and market prices are considered to maximize energy production and reduce electricity production costs.
Misinformation about COVID-19: Psychological Insights
Authors: Anastasiades Elly , Argyrides Marios , Mousoulidou Marilena
Published: November 2021

While the precise conceptualization of the term misinformation remains a subject of debate, the current entry defines misinformation as any type of information which is misleading or false, regardless of intent. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen the rapid and widespread sharing of misinformation on a global scale, which has had detrimental effects on containment efforts and public health. This entry offers psychological insights to better our understanding of what makes people susceptible to believing and sharing misinformation and how this can inform interventions aimed at tackling the issue.
Screening of Gas Substrate and Medium Effects on 2,3-Butanediol Production with C. ljungdahlii and C. autoethanogenum Aided by Improved Autotrophic Cultivation Technique
Authors: Ricci Luca , Agostino Valeria , Fino Debora , Re Angela
Published: November 2021

Gas fermentation by acetogens of the genus Clostridium is an attractive technology since it affords the production of biochemicals and biofuels from industrial waste gases while contributing to mitigate the carbon cycle alterations. The acetogenic model organisms C. ljungdahlii and C. autoethanogenum have already been used in large scale industrial fermentations. Among the natural products, ethanol production has already attained industrial scale. However, some acetogens are also natural producers of 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO), a platform chemical of relevant industrial interest. Here, we have developed a lab-scale screening campaign with the aim of enhancing 2,3-BDO production. Our study generated comparable data on growth and 2,3-BDO production of several batch gas fermentations using C. ljungdahlii and C. autoethanogenum grown on different gas substrates of primary applicative interest (CO2 · H2, CO · CO2, syngas) and on different media featuring different compositions as regards trace metals, mineral elements and vitamins. CO · CO2 fermentation was found to be preferable for the production of 2,3-BDO, and a fair comparison of the strains cultivated in comparable conditions revealed that C. ljungdahlii produced 3.43-fold higher titer of 2,3-BDO compared to C. autoethanogenum. Screening of different medium compositions revealed that mineral elements, Zinc and Iron exert a major positive influence on 2,3-BDO titer and productivity. Moreover, the CO2 influence on CO fermentation was explored by characterizing C. ljungdahlii response with respect to different gas ratios in the CO · CO2 gas mixtures. The screening strategies undertaken in this study led to the production of 2.03 ± 0.05 g/L of 2,3-BDO, which is unprecedented in serum bottle experiments.
The Standard Deviation Structure as a New Approach to Growth Analysis in Weight and Length Data of Farmed Lutjanus guttatus
Authors: Castillo-Vargasmachuca Sergio G. , Aragón-Noriega Eugenio Alberto , Rodríguez-Domínguez Guillermo , Martínez-Cárdenas Leonardo , Arámbul-Muñoz Eulalio , Burgos Arcos Álvaro J.
Published: November 2021

In the present study, size-at-age data (length and weight) of marine cage-reared spotted rose snapper Lutjanus guttatus were analyzed under four different variance assumptions (observed, constant, depensatory, and compensatory variances) to analyze the robustness of selecting the right standard deviation structure to parametrize the von Bertalanffy, Logistic, and Gompertz models. The selection of the best model and variance criteria was obtained based on the Bayesian information criterion (BIC). According to the BIC results, the observed variance in the present study was the best way to parametrize the three abovementioned growth models, and the Gompertz model best represented the length and weight growth curves. Based on these results, using the observed error structure to calculate the growth parameters in multi-model inference analyses is recommended.
Antimicrobial and Toxic Activity of Citronella Essential Oil (Cymbopogon nardus), and Its Effect on the Growth and Metabolism of Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata L.)
Authors: García-Márquez Jorge , Barany Andre , Ruiz Álvaro Broz , Costas Benjamín , Arijo Salvador , Mancera Juan Miguel
Published: November 2021

Aquaculture procedures usually induce stress that affects the physiological status of fish. For this reason, the inclusion of additives in fish feeds to palliate stress might be a good alternative. This study aimed to assess the antimicrobial activity of citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) essential oil (CEO) against bacterial pathogens and to determine its dietary impact on the growth performance of Sparus aurata. In vitro tests confirmed that CEO possesses antimicrobial activity against several fish-specific pathogens. For the in vivo tests, three experimental groups were fed for 60 days with different concentrations of CEO: CTRL (0 mL kg−1 fish feed); CEO1 (1 mL kg−1 fish feed); and CEO2 (2 mL kg−1 fish feed). At the end of the experiment, the physiological status was characterized. Subsequently, the specimens of the CTRL and CEO2 groups were subjected to a challenge with an injection of Poly I:C for immune stimulation. Although S. aurata individuals tolerated CEO inclusion without compromising growth performance, it significantly reduced glycogen in the CEO2 group, concomitant to an increment of total peripheral leucocytes. Moreover, different hematological profiles’ responsive patterns against an inflammatory stimulus were observed. In conclusion, our results suggest that the use of CEO as a fish feed additive can prevent bacterial outbreaks and improve potential in vivo disease resistance in S. aurata without negatively affecting growth.
The Role of the Double-Layer Potential in Regularised Stokeslet Models of Self-Propulsion
Authors: Smith David J. , Gallagher Meurig T. , Schuech Rudi , Montenegro-Johnson Thomas D.
Published: November 2021

The method of regularised stokeslets is widely used to model microscale biological propulsion. The method is usually implemented with only the single-layer potential, the double-layer potential being neglected, despite this formulation often not being justified a priori due to nonrigid surface deformation. We describe a meshless approach enabling the inclusion of the double layer which is applied to several Stokes flow problems in which neglect of the double layer is not strictly valid: the drag on a spherical droplet with partial-slip boundary condition, swimming velocity and rate of working of a force-free spherical squirmer, and trajectory, swimmer-generated flow and rate of working of undulatory swimmers of varying slenderness. The resistance problem is solved accurately with modest discretisation on a notebook computer with the inclusion of the double layer ranging from no-slip to free-slip limits; the neglect of the double-layer potential results in up to 24% error, confirming the importance of the double layer in applications such as nanofluidics, in which partial slip may occur. The squirming swimmer problem is also solved for both velocity and rate of working to within a small percent error when the double-layer potential is included, but the error in the rate of working is above 250% when the double layer is neglected. The undulating swimmer problem by contrast produces a very similar value of the velocity and rate of working for both slender and nonslender swimmers, whether or not the double layer is included, which may be due to the deformation’s ‘locally rigid body’ nature, providing empirical evidence that its neglect may be reasonable in many problems of interest. The inclusion of the double layer enables us to confirm robustly that slenderness provides major advantages in efficient motility despite minimal qualitative changes to the flow field and force distribution.
Relationship between Sensory Attributes, (Dis) Liking and Volatile Organic Composition of Gorgonzola PDO Cheese
Authors: Torri Luisa , Aprea Eugenio , Piochi Maria , Cabrino Giorgia , Endrizzi Isabella , Colaianni Alessia , Gasperi Flavia
Published: November 2021

Blue-veined cheese tends to polarize the consumers’ affective responses due to its strong flavor. This study aims to: (i) explore the consumers’ sensory perceptions and liking of Gorgonzola PDO cheese; (ii) identify the sensory drivers of acceptance for Gorgonzola in the function of the cheese style; (iii) characterize them by the volatile organic compounds (VOCs); and (iv) explore the relationships of the VOCs with sensory perception and liking. Six samples of Gorgonzola cheese differing in style (sweet vs. piquant), aging time (70–95 days), and production process (artisanal vs. industrial) were evaluated by 358 subjects (46% males, 18–77 years) using liking and Rate-All-That-Apply (RATA) tests. The cheese VOCs were measured by SPME/GC-MS. Liking was significantly higher for the sweet cheese than for the piquant cheese and for the artisanal cheese than for the industrial samples. Penalty Analysis showed that ‘creamy’, ‘sweet’, ‘nutty’, and ‘salty’ were significant drivers of liking while the ‘soapy’ and ‘ammonia’ flavors turned out to be drivers of disliking. Fifty-three VOCs were identified. Regression models revealed the significant highest associations between the VOCs and ‘ammonia’, ‘pungent’, ‘soapy’, and ‘moldy’ flavors. A good association was also found with the consumers’ liking. The identification of the sensory drivers of (dis) liking and their relationship with the VOCs of Gorgonzola opens up a new understanding of the consumers’ blue-veined cheese preferences.
Lectin Activity in Commonly Consumed Plant-Based Foods: Calling for Method Harmonization and Risk Assessment
Authors: Adamcová Anežka , Laursen Kristian Holst , Ballin Nicolai Zederkopff
Published: November 2021

Lectins are ubiquitous proteins characterized through their ability to bind different types of carbohydrates. It is well known that active lectins from insufficiently prepared legumes can cause adverse human health effects. The objective of this study was to determine the activity of lectins in samples across plant families representing commercially available edible plants, and the feasibility of inactivating lectins through soaking and boiling. Lectins were extracted from the plant families Adoxaceae, Amaranthaceae, Cannabaceae, Fabaceae, Gramineae, Lamiaceae, Linaceae, Pedaliaceae, and Solanaceae. A hemagglutination assay based on non-treated or trypsin treated rabbit erythrocytes was used to measure the lectin activity. The results showed the highest lectin activity in species from the Fabaceae family and demonstrated that soaking and boiling have an effect on the levels of active lectins. This is the first large study that combines lectin activity obtained from two different assays with raw and processed edible plants. In addition, we examined the current risk assessment, and regulations necessary for an adequate official reporting of results. We encourage the scientific community to further explore this field and agree on harmonized methods for analysis and interpretation, and hope that our methodology can initiate this development.
Interactions between Phenolic Acids, Proteins, and Carbohydrates—Influence on Dough and Bread Properties
Authors: Schefer Simone , Oest Marie , Rohn Sascha
Published: November 2021

The understanding of interactions between proteins, carbohydrates, and phenolic compounds is becoming increasingly important in food science, as these interactions might significantly affect the functionality of foods. So far, research has focused predominantly on protein–phenolic or carbohydrate–phenolic interactions, separately, but these components might also form other combinations. In plant-based foods, all three components are highly abundant; phenolic acids are the most important phenolic compound subclass. However, their interactions and influences are not yet fully understood. Especially in cereal products, such as bread, being a nutritional basic in human nutrition, interactions of the mentioned compounds are possible and their characterization seems to be a worthwhile target, as the functionality of each of the components might be affected. This review presents the basics of such interactions, with special emphasis on ferulic acid, as the most abundant phenolic acid in nature, and tries to illustrate the possibility of ternary interactions with regard to dough and bread properties. One of the phenomena assigned to such interactions is so-called dry-baking, which is very often observed in rye bread.
Influence of Plant Origins and Seasonal Variations on Nutritive Values, Phenolics and Antioxidant Activities of Adenia viridiflora Craib., an Endangered Species from Thailand
Authors: Wannasaksri Werawat , Temviriyanukul Piya , Aursalung Amornrat , Sahasakul Yuraporn , Thangsiri Sirinapa , Inthachat Woorawee , On-Nom Nattira , Chupeerach Chaowanee , Pruesapan Kanchana , Charoenkiatkul Somsri , Suttisansanee Uthaiwan
Published: November 2021

Adenia viridiflora Craib. is an indigenous plant found in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam that has become threatened owing to lack of knowledge about its agricultural management. This plant is now rare in the wild and was registered in the Plant Genetic Conservation Project under the initiation of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (RSPG) to promote sustainable conservation and optimally beneficial utilization. A. viridiflora has a long history of utilization as a nutrient-rich source with medicinal properties but scientific evidence of the veracity of these claims is limited. Here, the nutritional compositions, phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of different plant parts (young shoots and old leaves) of A. viridiflora were investigated using plants collected from four areas of Thailand as Kamphaeng Phet (KP), Muang Nakhon Ratchasima (MN), Pakchong Nakhon Ratchasima (PN) and Uthai Thani (UT) at different harvesting periods (March-April, May–June and July–August). Results indicated that young shoots provided higher energy, protein, fat, dietary fiber, phosphorus, sodium, and zinc than old leaves. By contrast, nutrients such as total sugar, vitamin C, carotenoids, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron contents were higher in old leaves that also exhibited higher phenolic contents and most antioxidant activities than young shoots. Generally, most nutrients, phenolic contents, and antioxidant activities exhibited no clear trend among different plant origins. The harvesting period of July–August provided a suitable climate for biosynthesis of most nutrients, while high phenolics were mainly found in samples harvested in March–April. No clear trend was observed in the prevalence of antioxidant activities that varied according to assay techniques.
Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide-Iron (III) Chelate as Peroxidase Mimics for Total Antioxidant Capacity Assay of Fruit and Vegetable Food
Authors: Shi Shuo , Feng Jianxing , Liang Yanmin , Sun Hao , Yang Xuewei , Su Zehui , Luo Linpin , Wang Jianlong , Zhang Wentao
Published: November 2021

Quantitative evaluation of the antioxidant capacity of foods is of great significance for estimating food’s nutritional value and preventing oxidative changes in food. Herein, we demonstrated an easy and selective colorimetric method for the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assay based on 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethyl-benzidine (TMB), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and synthetic Lycium barbarum polysaccharide-iron (III) chelate (LBPIC) with high peroxidase (POD)-like activity. The results of steady-state kinetics study showed that the Km values of LBPIC toward H2O2 and TMB were 5.54 mM and 0.16 mM, respectively. The detection parameters were optimized, and the linear interval and limit of detection (LOD) were determined to be 2–100 μM and 1.51 μM, respectively. Additionally, a subsequent study of the determination of TAC in six commercial fruit and vegetable beverages using the established method was successfully carried out. The results implied an expanded application of polysaccharide-iron (III) chelates with enzymatic activity in food antioxidant analysis and other biosensing fields.
Landslide Forecast by Time Series Modeling and Analysis of High-Dimensional and Non-Stationary Ground Motion Data
Authors: Qian Guoqi , Tordesillas Antoinette , Zheng Hangfei
Published: November 2021

High-dimensional, non-stationary vector time-series data are often seen in ground motion monitoring of geo-hazard events, e.g., landslides. For timely and reliable forecasts from such data, we developed a new statistical approach based on two advanced econometric methods, i.e., error-correction cointegration (ECC) and vector autoregression (VAR), and a newly developed dimension reduction technique named empirical dynamic quantiles (EDQ). Our ECC–VAR–EDQ method was born by analyzing a big landslide dataset, comprising interferometric synthetic-aperture radar (InSAR) measurements of ground displacement that were observed at 5090 time states and 1803 locations on a slope. The aim was to develop an early warning system for reliably forecasting any impending slope failure whenever a precursory slope deformation is on the horizon. Specifically, we first reduced the spatial dimension of the observed landslide data by representing them as a small set of EDQ series with negligible loss of information. We then used the ECC–VAR model to optimally fit these EDQ series, from which forecasts of future ground motion can be efficiently computed. Moreover, our method is able to assess the future landslide risk by computing the relevant probability of ground motion to exceed a red-alert threshold level at each future time state and location. Applying the ECC–VAR–EDQ method to the motivating landslide data gives a prediction of the incoming slope failure more than 8 days in advance.
Optimisation of an Automated DNA Extraction Method for Bone and Teeth Samples and Applicability to Two Forensic Cases
Authors: Zoranjic Jasmin , Tay Jasmine W. , Mountford Nicholas S. , Rye Marie S.
Published: November 2021

Bones and teeth are highly challenging sources of DNA in forensic science and human remains identification, requiring multiple laborious processing steps. In this study, we compared an organic phenol–chloroform method to the QIAamp® DNA Investigator and PrepFiler Express BTA™ methods in order to identify the most efficient automated DNA extraction method for bones and teeth. Results from individual tooth powder replicates showed that the PrepFiler Express BTA™ method extracted the highest yields of DNA per mg of tooth powder, returning a minimum of 20/21 PowerPlex® 21 loci. Samples extracted using the organic extraction or QIAamp® DNA Investigator methods produced PowerPlex® 21 profiles displaying a ski-slope morphology. The improved DNA quality and yield from the PrepFiler Express BTA™ method was verified using aged samples, where higher DNA yields per mg of powder and more informative profiles were obtained. Furthermore, the PrepFiler Express BTA™ method subsequently provided useful DNA profiles for two forensic cases involving degraded bone samples. Overall, this study showed that the PrepFiler Express BTA™ chemistry is a reliable and robust method for DNA extraction from bone and teeth samples, and will allow larger numbers of samples to be efficiently extracted in the event of a Disaster Victim Identification event.
Avoiding Dynamical Degradation in Computer Simulation of Chaotic Systems Using Semi-Explicit Integration: Rössler Oscillator Case
Authors: Tutueva Aleksandra , Butusov Denis
Published: November 2021

Dynamical degradation is a known problem in the computer simulation of chaotic systems. Data type limitations, sampling, and rounding errors give rise to the periodic behavior. In applications of chaotic systems in secure communication and cryptography systems, such effects can reduce data storage security and operation. In this study, we considered a possible solution to this problem by using semi-explicit integration. The key idea is to perturb the chaotic trajectory by switching between two integrators, which possess close but still different numerical solutions. Compared with the traditional approach based on the perturbation of the bifurcation parameter, this technique does not significantly change the nonlinear properties of the system. We verify the efficiency of the proposed perturbation method through several numerical experiments using the well-known Rössler oscillator.
Certain Recurrence Relations of Two Parametric Mittag-Leffler Function and Their Application in Fractional Calculus
Authors: Sachan Dheerandra Shanker , Jaloree Shailesh , Choi Junesang
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this paper is to develop some new recurrence relations for the two parametric Mittag-Leffler function. Then, we consider some applications of those recurrence relations. Firstly, we express many of the two parametric Mittag-Leffler functions in terms of elementary functions by combining suitable pairings of certain specific instances of those recurrence relations. Secondly, by applying Riemann–Liouville fractional integral and differential operators to one of those recurrence relations, we establish four new relations among the Fox–Wright functions, certain particular cases of which exhibit four relations among the generalized hypergeometric functions. Finally, we raise several relevant issues for further research.
Mawhin’s Continuation Technique for a Nonlinear BVP of Variable Order at Resonance via Piecewise Constant Functions
Authors: Rezapour Shahram , Souid Mohammed Said , Etemad Sina , Bouazza Zoubida , Ntouyas Sotiris K. , Asawasamrit Suphawat , Tariboon Jessada
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we establish the existence of solutions to a nonlinear boundary value problem (BVP) of variable order at resonance. The main theorem in this study is proved with the help of generalized intervals and piecewise constant functions, in which we convert the mentioned Caputo BVP of fractional variable order to an equivalent standard Caputo BVP at resonance of constant order. In fact, to use the Mawhin’s continuation technique, we have to transform the variable order BVP into a constant order BVP. We prove the existence of solutions based on the existing notions in the coincidence degree theory and Mawhin’s continuation theorem (MCTH). Finally, an example is provided according to the given variable order BVP to show the correctness of results.
FPAA-Based Realization of Filters with Fractional Laplace Operators of Different Orders
Authors: Kapoulea Stavroula , Psychalinos Costas , Elwakil Ahmed S.
Published: November 2021

A simple and direct procedure for implementing fractional-order filters with transfer functions that contain Laplace operators of different fractional orders is presented in this work. Based on a general fractional-order transfer function that describes fractional-order low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, band-stop and all-pass filters, the introduced concept deals with the consideration of this function as a whole, with its approximation being performed using a curve-fitting-based technique. Compared to the conventional procedure, where each fractional-order Laplace operator of the transfer function is individually approximated, the main offered benefit is the significant reduction in the order of the resulting rational function. Experimental results, obtained using a field-programmable analog array device, verify the validity of this concept.
Biomedical Application, Patent Repository, Clinical Trial and Regulatory Updates on Hydrogel: An Extensive Review
Authors: Mohapatra Sradhanjali , Mirza Mohd. Aamir , Hilles Ayah Rebhi , Zakir Foziyah , Gomes Andreia Castro , Ansari Mohammad Javed , Iqbal Zeenat , Mahmood Syed
Published: November 2021

Hydrogels are known for their leading role in biomaterial systems involving pharmaceuticals that fascinate material scientists to work on the wide variety of biomedical applications. The physical and mechanical properties of hydrogels, along with their biodegradability and biocompatibility characteristics, have made them an attractive and flexible tool with various applications such as imaging, diagnosis and treatment. The water-cherishing nature of hydrogels and their capacity to swell—contingent upon a few ecological signals or the simple presence of water—is alluring for drug conveyance applications. Currently, there are several problems relating to drug delivery, to which hydrogel may provide a possible solution. Hence, it is pertinent to collate updates on hydrogels pertaining to biomedical applications. The primary objective of this review article is to garner information regarding classification, properties, methods of preparations, and of the polymers used with particular emphasis on injectable hydrogels. This review also covers the regulatory and other commerce specific information. Further, it enlists several patents and clinical trials of hydrogels with related indications and offers a consolidated resource for all facets associated with the biomedical hydrogels.
New Physical Hydrogels Based on Co-Assembling of FMOC–Amino Acids
Authors: Croitoriu Alexandra , Nita Loredana E. , Chiriac Aurica P. , Rusu Alina G. , Bercea Maria
Published: November 2021

In the last years, physical hydrogels have been widely studied due to the characteristics of these structures, respectively the non-covalent interactions and the absence of other necessary components for the cross-linking processes. Low molecular weight gelators are a class of small molecules which form higher ordered structures through hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions. In this context it is known that the formation of hydrogels based on FMOC–amino acids is determined by the primary structures of amino acids and the secondary structure arrangement (alpha–helix or beta–sheet motifs). The present study aimed to obtain supramolecular gels through co-assembly phenomenon using FMOC–amino acids as low molecular weight gelators. The stability of the new structures was evaluated by the vial inversion test, while FTIR spectra put into evidence the interaction between the compounds. The gel-like structure is evidenced by viscoelastic parameters in oscillatory shear conditions. SEM microscopy was used to obtain the visual insight into the morphology of the physical hydrogel network while DLS measurements highlighted the sol-gel transition. The molecular arrangement of gels was determined by circular dichroism, fluorescence and UV-Vis spectroscopy.
Holocene Vegetation Dynamics, Landscape Change and Human Impact in Western Ireland as Revealed by Multidisciplinary, Palaeoecological Investigations of Peat Deposits and Bog-Pine in Lowland Connemara
Authors: O’Connell Michael , Jennings Eneda , Molloy Karen
Published: November 2021

Palaeoecological investigations, involving pollen analysis, dendrochronology, and radiocarbon dating of bog-pine, provide the basis for reconstruction of vegetation dynamics, landscape development, and human impact in two contrasting parts of lowland northern Connemara, western Ireland, namely Ballydoo and Derryeighter in the east, and Renvyle/Letterfrack/Cleggan at the Atlantic coast some 40 km to the west. The history of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is traced in detail. Standout features include the dominant role the tree played from the early Holocene onwards and especially at Ballydoo, its ability to grow on peat surfaces (so-called pine flush) over the course of several millennia during the mid-Holocene (centred on c. 5 ka), and its demise in a three-step fashion to become regionally extinct at c. 2.3 ka. The factors influencing these developments, including climate change, are discussed. Another natural phenomenon, namely the spread of blanket bog, is shown to be an on-going process since the early mid-Holocene, with accelerated spread taking place during the Neolithic and Bronze Age. The course of human impact, as reflected in pollen records and in archaeological field monuments, including megaliths and prehistoric stone walls, is reconstructed in detail.
MicroRNAs as Diagnostic Tools in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Evangelista Jessica , Zaninotto Elisa , Gaglio Annalisa , Ghidini Michele , Raimondi Lucrezia
Published: November 2021

Liver cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounting for approximately 80% of all liver cancers. The serum concentration of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the only validated biomarker for HCC diagnosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs of 21–30 nucleotides playing a critical role in human carcinogenesis, with types of miRNAs with oncogenic (oncomiRs) or tumor suppressor features. The altered expression of miRNAs in HCC is associated with many pathological processes, such as cancer initiation, tumor growth, apoptosis escape, promotion of migration and invasion. Moreover, circulating miRNAs have been increasingly investigated as non-invasive biomarkers for HCC diagnosis. MiRNAs’ expression patterns are altered in HCC and several single miRNAs or miRNAs panels have been found significantly up or downregulated in HCC with respect to healthy controls or non-oncological patients (cirrhotic or with viral hepatitis). However, any of the investigated miRNAs or miRNAs panels has entered clinical practice so far. This has mostly to do with lack of protocols standardization, small sample size and discrepancies in the measurement techniques. This review summarizes the major findings regarding the diagnostic role of miRNAs in HCC and their possible use together with standard biomarkers in order to obtain an early diagnosis and easier differential diagnosis from non-cancerous liver disease.
The Use of Medical and Non-Medical Services by Older Inpatients from Emergency vs. Chronic Departments, during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Poland
Authors: Demczyszak Iwona , Mazurek Justyna , Marciniak Dominik M. , Hap Katarzyna , Kuciel Natalia , Biernat Karolina , Sutkowska Edyta
Published: November 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced numerous changes in medical care. The monitoring of current needs and problems among the elderly in health care facilities seems to be essential. This study aims to assess the difference in terms of the use of medical and non-medical services before planned or emergency hospitalisation by the older population during the strict lockdown period due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Poland. The study used the FIMA (Fragebogen zur Inanspruchnahme medizinischer und nicht-medizinischer Versorgungsleistungen im Alter) questionnaire. Patients admitted on a planned basis (n = 61) were on average 4 years younger, self-administered the questionnaire more frequently and used the services of different types of therapists. Patients admitted on an emergency basis (n = 60) were more likely to visit general practitioners and other specialists and used the carer’s allowance benefits. In the case of the elderly, emergency hospitalisation during the pandemic is more frequently preceded by seeking outpatient care in specialists in various fields, covered by insurance. The chronically ill use the services of various therapists while awaiting hospitalisation, usually not covered by health insurance. For both groups, the age > 73 years is critical for the use of assisting means and completing the self-administered questionnaire, which can be used in planning the health care in these patients.
Effectiveness of Telephone Monitoring in Primary Care to Detect Pneumonia and Associated Risk Factors in Patients with SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Baena-Díez Jose Miguel , Gonzalez-Casafont Isabel , Cordeiro-Coelho Sara , Fernández-González Soledad , Rodríguez-Jorge Migdalia , Pérez-Torres Clara Uxía Fernández , Larrañaga-Cabrera Andrea , García-Lareo Manel , de la Arada-Acebes Ana , Martín-Jiménez Esther , Pérez-Orcero Almudena , Hernández-Ibáñez Rosario , Gonzalo-Voltas Ana , Bermúdez-Chillida Noemí , Simón-Muela Consuelo , del Carlo Guillermo , Bayona-Faro Carolina , Rey-Reñones Cristina , Aguilar-Palacio Isabel , Grau María
Published: November 2021

Improved technology facilitates the acceptance of telemedicine. The aim was to analyze the effectiveness of telephone follow-up to detect severe SARS-CoV-2 cases that progressed to pneumonia. A prospective cohort study with 2-week telephone follow-up was carried out March 1 to May 4, 2020, in a primary healthcare center in Barcelona. Individuals aged ≥15 years with symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 were included. Outpatients with non-severe disease were called on days 2, 4, 7, 10 and 14 after diagnosis; patients with risk factors for pneumonia received daily calls through day 5 and then the regularly scheduled calls. Patients hospitalized due to pneumonia received calls on days 1, 3, 7 and 14 post-discharge. Of the 453 included patients, 435 (96%) were first attended to at a primary healthcare center. The 14-day follow-up was completed in 430 patients (99%), with 1798 calls performed. Of the 99 cases of pneumonia detected (incidence rate 20.8%), one-third appeared 7 to 10 days after onset of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms. Ten deaths due to pneumonia were recorded. Telephone follow-up by a primary healthcare center was effective to detect SARS-CoV-2 pneumonias and to monitor related complications. Thus, telephone appointments between a patient and their health care practitioner benefit both health outcomes and convenience.
Who Cares What the Doctor Feels: The Responsibility of Health Politics for Burnout in the Pandemic
Authors: Karacic Jasna , Bursztajn Harold J. , Arvanitakis Marianna
Published: November 2021

Modern health has become a defining facet of contemporary life managed by health policy. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected mental health, resulting in stress and anxiety in doctors’ professional and private life. Since the beginning of the pandemic, doctors have been facing chronic stress, which was reported to the hospital managers and health-care agencies, but nothing was done in the practice to protect them. Although doctors are trained to stay emotionally restrained, a large number of patients in intensive care, along with the personal concerns for their families, has led to burnout. This article highlights the need for health politics to take responsibility for dealing with burnout in health-care workers with a new approach that should help doctors recognize, understand, and manage work-related stress with additional support in the pandemic.
What Difference Gender Makes: Obstetricians in Nineteenth-Century Brazil
Authors: Esteves Agostinho Marcia
Published: November 2021

Like in most places around the world, childbirth assistance in Brazil was traditionally performed by women. In 1832, however, a law was passed requiring a license for the exercise of medicine, pharmacy, and midwifery. That event marked the differentiation between the traditional and the modern kind of childbirth assistants, leading to an increasing process of medicalization of birth. Hence, the historiography on the subject has pointed out the appropriation by men of a traditional women’s world. This article seeks to understand the gender dynamics in the birthing room by focusing on the new kind of professional that emerged in Brazil in the early nineteenth century: the “graduated midwife.” To what extent was there cooperation or competition between physicians and graduated midwives? How different were their obstetrical practices? After examining the Annaes Brasiliensis de Medicina—the official publication of the Imperial Academy of Medicine—I argue that the graduated midwife was the historical intermediate in transitioning from traditional midwifery to scientific obstetrics. Finally, I conclude that, as a woman of science, the graduated midwife filled the gap that isolated the female sphere of care from the male sphere of science, paving the road for the entrance of women in medicine in 1879.
SwinGD: A Robust Grape Bunch Detection Model Based on Swin Transformer in Complex Vineyard Environment
Authors: Wang Jinhai , Zhang Zongyin , Luo Lufeng , Zhu Wenbo , Chen Jianwen , Wang Wei
Published: November 2021

Accurate recognition of fruits in the orchard is an important step for robot picking in the natural environment, since many CNN models have a low recognition rate when dealing with irregularly shaped and very dense fruits, such as a grape bunch. It is a new trend to use a transformer structure and apply it to a computer vision domain for image processing. This paper provides Swin Transformer and DETR models to achieve grape bunch detection. Additionally, they are compared with traditional CNN models, such as Faster-RCNN, SSD, and YOLO. In addition, the optimal number of stages for a Swin Transformer through experiments is selected. Furthermore, the latest YOLOX model is also used to make a comparison with the Swin Transformer, and the experimental results show that YOLOX has higher accuracy and better detection effect. The above models are trained under red grape datasets collected under natural light. In addition, the dataset is expanded through image data augmentation to achieve a better training effect. After 200 epochs of training, SwinGD obtained an exciting mAP value of 94% when IoU = 0.5. In case of overexposure, overdarkness, and occlusion, SwinGD can recognize more accurately and robustly compared with other models. At the same time, SwinGD still has a better effect when dealing with dense grape bunches. Furthermore, 100 pictures of grapes containing 655 grape bunches are downloaded from Baidu pictures to detect the effect. The Swin Transformer has an accuracy of 91.5%. In order to verify the universality of SwinGD, we conducted a test under green grape images. The experimental results show that SwinGD has a good effect in practical application. The success of SwinGD provides a new solution for precision harvesting in agriculture.
Sterols and Triterpene Diols in Virgin Olive Oil: A Comprehensive Review on Their Properties and Significance, with a Special Emphasis on the Influence of Variety and Ripening Degree
Authors: Lukić Marina , Lukić Igor , Moslavac Tihomir
Published: November 2021

Olive oil is considered one of the most valuable vegetable oils and is highly appreciated by consumers for its specific and distinguishable taste and aroma, as well as its nutritional value. Sterols and triterpene diols are important carriers of bioactive properties of olive oil and are responsible for some of the beneficial effects of its consumption on human health, such as lowering serum LDL-cholesterol levels and significantly reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The concentration of total sterols and the proportions of particular sterols and triterpene diols are among the parameters used to verify and prove the authenticity of olive oil in accordance with the EU and other countries’ regulations. Finally, their composition has been shown to have high discrimination potential for ensuring traceability with respect to variety, geographical origin, harvest date, and other factors. For these reasons, the research on sterols and triterpene diols in olive oil is an ever-growing field of scientific interest with great practical importance. This review focuses on all the important aspects of sterols and triterpene diols in olive oil, from their chemical structure, biosynthesis, occurrence and role in plants, health benefits, and their use in official controls of olive oil purity and authenticity, to a conclusive survey on the recent findings about the effects of different factors of influence on their content and composition, with a detailed comparative analysis of studies that investigated the effects of the two most important factors, variety and ripening degree.
Mango Endophyte and Epiphyte Microbiome Composition during Fruit Development and Post-Harvest Stages
Authors: Bill Malick , Chidamba Lizyben , Gokul Jarishma Keriuscia , Korsten Lise
Published: November 2021

The influence of the development stage and post-harvest handling on the microbial composition of mango fruit plays a central role in fruit health. Hence, the composition of fungal and bacterial microbiota on the anthoplane, fructoplane, stems and stem-end pulp of mango during fruit development and post-harvest handling were determined using next-generation sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer and 16S rRNA regions. At full bloom, the inflorescence had the richest fungal and bacterial communities. The young developing fruit exhibited lower fungal richness and diversities in comparison to the intermediate and fully developed fruit stages on the fructoplane. At the post-harvest stage, lower fungal and bacterial diversities were observed following prochloraz treatment both on the fructoplane and stem-end pulp. Ascomycota (52.8%) and Basidiomycota (43.2%) were the most dominant fungal phyla, while Penicillium, Botryosphaeria, Alternaria and Mucor were detected as the known post-harvest decay-causing fungal genera. The Cyanobacteria (35.6%), Firmicutes (26.1%) and Proteobacteria (23.1%) were the most dominant bacterial phyla. Changes in the presence of Bacillus subtilis following post-harvest interventions such as prochloraz suggested a non-target effect of the fungicide. The present study, therefore, provides the primary baseline data on mango fungal and bacterial diversity and composition, which can be foundational in the development of effective disease (stem-end rot) management strategies.
Inferring the Potential Geographic Distribution and Reasons for the Endangered Status of the Tree Fern, Sphaeropteris lepifera, in Lingnan, China Using a Small Sample Size
Authors: Wei Xueying , Harris AJ , Cui Yuwen , Dai Yangwu , Hu Hanjia , Yu Xiaoling , Jiang Rihong , Wang Faguo
Published: November 2021

In this study, we investigated suitable habitats for the endangered tree fern, Sphaeropteris lepifera (J. Sm. ex Hook.) R.M. Tryon, based on fieldwork, ecological niche modeling, and regression approaches. We combined these data with the characterization of spore germination and gametophytic development in the laboratory to assess the reasons why S. lepifera is endangered and to propose a conservation strategy that focuses on suitable sites for reintroduction and accounts for the ecology and biphasic life cycle of the species. Our methods represent an integration of process- and correlation-based approaches to understanding the distributional patterns of this species, and this combined approach, while uncommonly applied, is a more robust strategy than either approach used in isolation. Our ecological niche models indicated that cold temperature extremes, temperature stability over long- and short-terms, and the seasonality of precipitation were among the most important abiotic environmental factors affecting the distribution of S. lepifera among the variables that we measured. Moreover, distribution of this fern species is also strongly influenced by the timing of development of male and female gametes. Additionally, we observed that slope aspect, specifically south-facing slopes, facilitates more incoming sunlight for mature trees, and simultaneously, provides greater, much-needed shade for fiddleheads on account of the canopy being denser. We believe that our study can provide important guidance on the restoration of S. lepifera in the wild. Specifically, potential restoration areas can be screened for the specific environmental factors that we infer to have a critical impact on the survival of the species.
Application of Territorial Laser Scanning in 3D Modeling of Traditional Village: A Case Study of Fenghuang Village in China
Authors: Lin Guiye , Giordano Andrea , Sang Kun , Stendardo Luigi , Yang Xiaochun
Published: November 2021

Historical villages bear historical, cultural, architectural, aesthetic, and landscape values, but they are facing a series of dangers and problems during the process of urbanization. Digital survey for traditional villages plays a crucial role in the preservation, planning, and development of this kind of heritage. The introduction of the terrestrial laser scanning technique is essential for heritage surveying, mapping, and modeling due to its advantages of noncontact measurement, accurate sensing of complex objects, and efficient operation. In recent years, TLS and related processing software (“SCENE”) have been widely presented as effective techniques for dealing with the management and protection of historical buildings in Fenghuang village. Thus, this paper highlights the process of using laser scanning to obtain architectural data, process point clouds, and compare the characteristics of historical buildings in Fenghuang village. The cloud-to-cloud registration technique is applied to build point clouds. As a result of model construction, some architectural patterns are summarized in this village, such as the spatial sequence of ancestral halls, the dominant position of memorial halls, and the character of building decorations and roof slopes. Furthermore, a BIM model is also explained to fulfill the statistical function for architectural components. In the future, more research can be fulfilled based on the built point cloud model, which will be beneficial for the development of the whole village.