bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Machine learning models for coagulation dysfunction risk in inpatients administered β-lactam antibiotics
Authors: Hua Yuqing , Li Na , Lao Jiahui , Chen Zhaoyang , Ma Shiyu , Li Xiao
Published: November 2024

The β-Lactam antibiotics represent a widely used class of antibiotics, yet the latent and often overlooked risk of coagulation dysfunction associated with their use underscores the need for proactive assessment. Machine learning methodologies can offer valuable insights into evaluating the risk of coagulation dysfunction associated with β-lactam antibiotics. This study aims to identify the risk factors associated with coagulation dysfunction related to β-lactam antibiotics and to develop machine learning models for estimating the risk of coagulation dysfunction with real-world data. A retrospective study was performed using machine learning modeling analysis on electronic health record data, employing five distinct machine learning methods. The study focused on adult inpatients discharged from 1 January 2018, to 31 December 2021, at the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University. The models were developed for estimating the risk of coagulation dysfunction associated with various β-lactam antibiotics based on electronic health record feasibility. The dataset was divided into training and test sets to assess model performance using metrics such as total accuracy and area under the curve. The study encompassed risk-factor analysis and machine learning model development for coagulation dysfunction in inpatients administered different β-lactam antibiotics. A total of 45,179 participants were included in the study. The incidence of coagulation disorders related to cefazolin sodium, cefoperazone/sulbactam sodium, cefminol sodium, amoxicillin/sulbactam sodium, and piperacillin/tazobactam sodium was 2.4%, 5.4%, 1.5%, 5.5%, and 4.8%, respectively. Machine learning models for estimating coagulation dysfunction associated with each β-lactam antibiotic underwent validation with 5-fold cross-validation and test sets. On the test set, the optimal models for cefazolin sodium, cefoperazone/sulbactam sodium, cefminol sodium, amoxicillin/sulbactam sodium, and piperacillin/tazobactam sodium yielded AUC values of 0.798, 0.768, 0.919, 0.783, and 0.867, respectively. The study findings suggest that machine learning classifiers can serve as valuable tools for identifying patients at risk of coagulation dysfunction associated with β-lactam antibiotics and intervening based on high-risk predictions. Enhanced access to administrative and clinical data could further enhance the predictive performance of machine learning models, thereby expanding pharmacovigilance efforts.
Investigating the action model of the resistance enhancement induced by bacterial volatile organic compounds against Botrytis cinerea in tomato fruit
Authors: Chen Jianhua , Cao Kexin , Lu Xuan , Huang Ding , Ming Ruhong , Lu Rumei , Huang Rongshao , Li Liangbo
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Inducing natural resistance against pathogen infection in postharvest tomatoes is a sustainable strategy for reducing postharvest losses. The action model underlying the resistance enhancement of tomatoes induced by bacterial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) against Botrytis cinerea, however, have not been explored.

Methods

In this study, RNA-seq, metabolomics and physiological analysis were used to evaluate global change of defense response induced by VOCs in tomatoes.

Results

The application of VOCs inhibited the damage to tomatoes caused by B. cinerea. VOCs treatment had remarkable beneficial effects on the activities of the main defence-related enzymes, including chitinases, glucanases, peroxidases, ascorbate peroxidases, polyphenol oxidases, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyases. The expression of response genes involved in salicylic acid and jasmonic acid biosynthesis and signalling pathways was enhanced upon VOCs treatment. Metabolomics data demonstrated that VOC treatment triggered the accumulation of phenolic acids, including substrates in phenolic acid biosynthesis pathways, hydroxycinnamic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, and their derivatives. Transcriptomics analysis and qRT-PCR verification revealed that VOCs treatment significantly upregulates the expression of core genes related to phenolic acid biosynthesis, specifically in shikimate pathway (SlDAHPS, SlSDH, SlCS, and SlADT3) and phenylalanine metabolic pathway (SlPAL, Sl4CL, SlBAHD1, SlCYP98A2 and SlCAP84A1).

Discussion

Results confirmed that VOCs enhanced tomatoes postharvest resistance against B. cinerea by regulating defence enzyme activity, SA/JA signalling, and phenolic acid biosynthesis pathway. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms by which VOCs fumigation manages postharvest grey mould in tomatoes.
Comparing self-regulation strategies among adult learners from Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic
Authors: Vaculíková Jitka
Published: November 2024

An active and constructive process whereby individuals possess the ability to develop, implement, and flexibly maintain planned behavior in order to achieve a desired achievement goal is referred to as self-regulation. The aim of the present study is to examine the factorial structure and psychometric properties of the Self-Regulation Questionnaire, validated in the Czech educational context (SRQ-CZ). The other target is to identify any usage of self-regulation strategies which may differ as nationality, gender, age, education, and internal motivation to learn come into play. A total of 1,711 adult learners from Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic who were enrolled in a formal secondary or higher education system pursuing professions in the field of humanities, social and health care sciences participated in this study. A measurement-invariant four-factor model was obtained across all countries (min. CFI, TLI = 0.918, and 0.902, max. RMSEA = 0.059; ω between 0.625 and 0.838, and Cronbach’s α between 0.622 and 0.837), including the Impulse Control, Goal Orientation, Self-Direction, and Decision Making subscales. Generally, the study confirmed a gradual increase in scores that measure positive self-regulatory qualities (Goal Orientation and Decision Making) and a decrease in unfavorable self-regulatory qualities (Impulse Control and Self-Direction) with higher age, education, and motivation, with no gender differences reported within countries. Moreover, scores on Goal Orientation and Decision Making dominated between countries. In conclusion, the SRQ-CZ demonstrated its suitability for cross-national comparisons, and personal characteristics appear to be important factors that distinguish those with high and low self-regulation.
Parental rejection and internalizing/externalizing problems among left-behind children: the moderating role of interpersonal harmony in class
Authors: Liu Zixiao , Zhao Zizheng , Chen Huijing
Published: November 2024

Background and objectives

Left-behind children are characterized by prolonged separation from one or both parents, which exposes them to a constant lack of good parenting, leading to increased risk of internalizing and (or) externalizing problems. This study explored the effects of parental rejection on internalizing and externalizing problems, and examined the moderating role of interpersonal harmony in class.

Methods

The sample comprised 3,473 left-behind children (aged 6 ~ 15; 54.1% girls) in a rural area of southwest China. Self-reported measures including Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire, Class Interpersonal Harmony Questionnaire and Child Behavior Scale were administrated. Regression analysis was employed and Hayes PROCESS macro was utilized to test the moderation effect.

Results

The analysis showed that parental rejection had a significant predictive effect on both internalizing problems (β = 0.33, p < 0.001) and externalizing problems (β = 0.40, p < 0.001) of the left-behind children. Teacher interpersonal climate (β = −0.05, p < 0.001) and peer interpersonal climate (β = −0.04, p < 0.01) significantly moderated the relationship between parental rejection and externalizing problems for children with both parents absence, but not for children with single parent absence.

Conclusion

Benign teacher interpersonal climate and peer interpersonal climate may buffer the detrimental effect of parental rejection on left-behind children’s externalizing problems.
Do problematic gamblers and loot boxers share similar fallacies of thought? A comparative analysis of cognitive biases
Authors: Sanmartín Francisco J. , Velasco Judith , Gálvez-Lara Mario , Cuadrado Fátima , Moriana Juan A.
Published: November 2024

Cognitive biases are associated with the beginning and maintenance of addictive behaviours. While these biases have been studied in gambling, they have yet to be thoroughly investigated in the context of loot boxes (LBs), largely because of the relatively recent emergence of this phenomenon. This study compared cognitive biases in problematic gamblers, non-problematic gamblers, LB purchasers, and free-LB openers. For this aim, 279 participants (63.1% males) with a mean age of 23.65 years (SD = 8.66) completed a self-report. The results showed no differences between problematic gamblers, LB purchasers and LB openers on illusion of control and predictive control. In contrast to LB openers, problematic gamblers and LB purchasers obtained statistically similar scores on interpretative biases, gambling-related expectancies and the total score of the Gambling Related Cognitions Scale (GRCS). Only problematic gamblers experienced a higher perceived inability to stop gambling. Moreover, problematic gamblers, LB purchasers and LB openers scored higher on all biases compared to non-problematic gamblers. Eighty-six participants simultaneously gambled and used LBs. When this overlap was controlled, problematic gamblers and loot boxers shared all cognitive biases but the perceived inability to stop gambling; and scored statistically higher than non-problematic gamblers in all cognitive biases except for the illusion of control. The study provides additional evidence of the relationship between gambling and LBs.
The relation between humor styles and nurse burnout: a cross-sectional study in China
Authors: Fang Cuiyun , Fan Shuanghua , Chen Di , Zhou Yuan , Fan Wei
Published: November 2024

Background

Nurse burnout is a prevalent issue in healthcare, impacting both nurses’ well-being and patient care quality. This cross-sectional study examined the association between humor styles and nurse burnout.

Methods

A total of 244 nurses in China completed an online self-report measure to assess their humor styles and burnout levels using the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS). Spearman correlation analysis and stepwise regression analysis were conducted.

Results

The results showed that affiliative and self-enhancing humor were moderately used, while aggressive and self-defeating humor were rated low among the nurses. Emotional exhaustion was moderate, depersonalization was severe, and personal accomplishment was low. Correlation analyses uncovered significant relationships between humor styles and burnout dimensions. Self-enhancing humor exhibited negative correlations with emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, while aggressive and self-defeating humor styles displayed positive correlations with these burnout factors. Affiliative humor was also negatively correlated with depersonalization. Additionally, self-enhancing humor was positively correlated with personal accomplishment, whereas aggressive humor showed negative correlations with this dimension of burnout. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that self-defeating humor positively predicted emotional exhaustion while self-enhancing humor negatively predicted it. Aggressive humor positively predicted depersonalization, and affiliative and self-enhancing humor also positively predicted this dimension of burnout. Self-enhancing humor positively predicted personal accomplishment, while aggressive and self-defeating humor negatively predicted this dimension.

Conclusion

The findings highlighted the importance of considering different types of humor in understanding the various dimensions of nurse burnout. The use of self-defeating and aggressive humor appears detrimental, while the use of self-enhancing humor may be beneficial in mitigating burnout among nurses.
Climbing the longevity pyramid: overview of evidence-driven healthcare prevention strategies for human longevity
Authors: Martinović Anđela , Mantovani Matilde , Trpchevska Natalia , Novak Eva , Milev Nikolay B. , Bode Leonie , Ewald Collin Y. , Bischof Evelyne , Reichmuth Tobias , Lapides Rebecca , Navarini Alexander , Saravi Babak , Roider Elisabeth
Published: November 2024

Longevity medicine is an emerging and iterative healthcare discipline focusing on early detection, preventive measures, and personalized approaches that aim to extend healthy lifespan and promote healthy aging. This comprehensive review introduces the innovative concept of the “Longevity Pyramid.” This conceptual framework delineates progressive intervention levels, providing a structured approach to understanding the diverse strategies available in longevity medicine. At the base of the Longevity Pyramid lies the level of prevention, emphasizing early detection strategies and advanced diagnostics or timely identification of potential health issues. Moving upwards, the next step involves lifestyle modifications, health-promoting behaviors, and proactive measures to delay the onset of age-related conditions. The Longevity Pyramid further explores the vast range of personalized interventions, highlighting the importance of tailoring medical approaches based on genetic predispositions, lifestyle factors, and unique health profiles, thereby optimizing interventions for maximal efficacy. These interventions aim to extend lifespan and reduce the impact and severity of age-related conditions, ensuring that additional years are characterized by vitality and wellbeing. By outlining these progressive levels of intervention, this review offers valuable insights into the evolving field of longevity medicine. This structured framework guides researchers and practitioners toward a nuanced strategic approach to advancing the science and practice of healthy aging.
Harnessing the Power of Radiation to Battle Cancer
Authors: Kleinendorst Simone C. , Wenker Sylvia T. M. , Heskamp Sandra , Rijpkema Mark , van Lith Sanne A. M.
Published: November 2024

Cancer is a major challenge for modern healthcare and, unfortunately, many people are confronted with this disease during their lives. Radiotherapy, which uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells, has been successfully used for many decades. However, traditional radiotherapy can only be used to treat one or a few cancer spots, and it damages the healthy tissues surrounding these spots. In this article, we introduce another treatment that uses radiation to beat multiple cancer spots in a very precise manner: targeted radionuclide therapy. You will get to know the “weapons” that kill cancer cells and how these weapons are delivered only to the cancer cells. Finally, you will learn about a powerful molecule that can be used as a “scout” to find the cancer cells and carry a “weapon” to kill those cells.
Unlocking horizontal and vertical cropping intensification potentials to address landlessness and food security challenges of rainfed crop production systems in Ethiopia: potential, performance, and gap assessment
Authors: Kassawmar Tibebu , Tadesse Matebu , Desta Gizaw , Bantider Amare , Teferi Ermias , Bewket Woldeamlak , Abraha Lemlem , Zeleke Gete , Walsh Claire L. , O’Donnell Greg
Published: November 2024

Knowledge-based evidence about potential and existing rainfed cropping is crucial for decision-making for sustainable land use and food security. Using multi-criteria spatial analysis techniques, this study assessed the current status of cropland availability and projected impacts on future crop production in Ethiopia. The study primarily defined the extent of the Rainfed Cropping Area (RCA) and assessed the performances of different cropping practices. After precisely mapping cultivated area, cropping intensification potentials were estimated. Subsequently, disregarding the existing cultivated area, completely unsuitable areas, and protected and intact forest areas, the potentially available arable land using suitability analysis techniques was determined. In addition, the performance of existing crop production systems was evaluated against the natural potential. The findings reveal that RCA covers ~60% of the country’s landmass, of which cropping is practiced in only 33%. The coverage of Potentially Available Cropland (yet uncultivated) accounts for 16% of the country’s RCA. This is dominantly located in sparsely populated western and southwestern parts of the country. This study confirms that Horizontal Cropping Intensification (HCI) in the RCA of Ethiopia reaches only 33%. On the other hand, Vertical Cropping Intensification (VCI) practices cover only 10%, while about 1/3 of the RCA is suitable for VCI strategies at various levels of suitability. The performance of existing VCI-oriented cropping (which covers only 10% of the RCA) is very poor. Challenges to the use of the available cropland and ways of addressing land shortage for needy farmers are highlighted to inform efforts to readdress landlessness and food insecurity in Ethiopia.
Drivers affecting adoption of forest landscape restoration among smallholder farmers in Central Togo
Authors: Hounkpati Kossi , Moluh Njoya Hamza , Adjonou Kossi , Kokou Kouami , Sieber Stefan , Löhr Katharina
Published: November 2024

One possible solution for regaining ecological functionality and enhancing human well-being in deforested and degraded landscapes is Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR). Togo has set a goal to restore 1.4 million hectares of lands by 2030. Despite the national commitment to FLR, no significant progress has been made and drivers that impact FLR adoption remain poorly understood. Thus, it is crucial to enhance knowledge on drivers influencing the adoption of FLR to facilitate its implementation while also providing recommendations for policy and practice. Surveying 494 Togolese smallholder farmers, this study focuses on socio-economic, biophysical, geographical, and institutional aspects of FLR as well as farmers’ perceptions. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression are employed to provide a model of the drivers affecting FLR in Togo. The results reveal that 43.62% of smallholder farmers adopt FLR practices in the study areas. FLR practices linked to agricultural land restoration, such as improved fallow and crop rotation system (33.40%) and agroforestry (32.19%), are the most widely adopted, followed by reforestation (13.36%), community forest creation (8.7%), commercial forest plantation (7.29%), and sacred forest enrichment (2.83%). Results also indicate that smallholder farmers in cooperatives and involved in restoration activities have a higher awareness of the importance of restoration and willingness to adopt practices. Similar observations are made for farmers living in a zone with high exposure to FLR activities. Secure property rights also support adopting FLR practices. Further, the services of local technicians or facilitators create favorable conditions that encourage smallholders to implement FLR practices. Perception of restoration practices and need, motivation for maintaining restoration practices, and relevance for food security greatly impact smallholder farmer adoption. These results suggest that FLR practices can be increased through training and access to seedlings, supporting reforestation and community forest creation by incentivizing smallholder participation through subsidies or technical assistance, clarifying and strengthening smallholders’ land rights, and deploying more local technicians.
Plotting the major proteins of borealpox virus
Authors: Thomas Sunil
Published: November 2024

In an era marked by rapid environmental transformations, the viability of numerous species hinges crucially on their ability to navigate and adjust to shifting climatic conditions through migration. Yet, amidst this natural quest for survival, a consequential and often overlooked consequence emerges: the inadvertent transportation of a diverse array of parasites and pathogens across landscapes. This phenomenon poses a substantial and tangible threat to global health, particularly in the wake of recent outbreaks and pandemics fueled by zoonotic viruses, which leap from animals to humans. These viruses, originating in animals but capable of infecting humans, serve as poignant reminders of the intricate relationship between human and wildlife health, and the potential dangers of disregarding this delicate balance. In 2015, the borealpox virus (BRPV) [formerly Alaskapox virus (AKPV)], classified as an Orthopoxvirus, was first identified in a woman living near Fairbanks, Alaska. The BRPV causes borealpox disease. The first recorded fatality attributed to BRPV infection occurred in January 2024. Current evidence suggests that BRPV primarily targets small mammals, particularly red-backed voles and shrews, as evidenced by sampling efforts in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. However, it is likely that the virus is more widespread among Alaska’s small mammal populations, potentially leading to undiagnosed human infections. Additionally, domestic pets, such as cats and dogs, may also contribute to the transmission of the virus. To date, no instances of human-to-human transmission have been documented, but the lack of diagnostics and vaccines for BRPV remains a concerning gap. This paper aims to address this issue by reporting the structure and epitopes of the major proteins of BRPV. This data could serve as a foundation for the development of novel diagnostics and vaccines to combat BRPV, thereby mitigating its impact on both human and animal populations.
Spinal Metastases in Non-Seminomatous Germ Cell Testicular Tumors: Prognosis and Integrated Therapeutic Approaches—A Systematic Review with an Institutional Case Illustration
Authors: Scalia Gianluca , Ferini Gianluca , Shams Zubayer , Graziano Francesca , Ponzo Giancarlo , Giurato Eliana , Galasso Maria Grazia , Pumo Vitalinda , Caruso Martina , Galvano Gianluca , Marrone Salvatore , Naimo Jessica , Nicoletti Giovanni Federico , Umana Giuseppe Emmanuele
Published: November 2024

(1) Background: Testicular cancer, although accounting for only 0.5% to 1% of all solid male cancers, is the most common malignancy in males aged 15 to 35 years. Non-seminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT) represent nearly half of all testicular germ cell tumors and are associated with a more aggressive clinical course. Spinal metastases, while rare, pose significant challenges due to their potential to cause spinal cord compression, neurological deficits, and severe pain. This systematic review aims to evaluate prognosis and treatment approaches for spinal metastases in NSGCT, with a focus on multidisciplinary care and treatment outcomes. (2) Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and Embase were searched on 18 September 2024, using the Boolean search strategy [(Nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) AND (spinal OR vertebral metastases)]. Case reports, case series, and cohort studies providing detailed patient data were included. Data on patient demographics, tumor histology, metastatic site, treatments, and outcomes were extracted for analysis. (3) Results: A total of 164 cases of NSGCT with spinal metastases were analyzed, with patients aged 23 to 40 years (median: 31.5 years). The lumbar spine was involved in all cases, and spinal cord compression occurred in 59.8% of patients, often causing severe neurological symptoms such as cauda equina syndrome. Chemotherapy, primarily cisplatin-based, was administered in all cases, while surgical interventions, including laminectomy and vertebrectomy, were performed in cases of spinal compression and instability. Complete remission occurred in only 2.4% of patients. Progressive improvement was observed in 56.7% of cases, while 20.1% of patients died. Outcomes varied, highlighting the importance of individualized, multidisciplinary care to manage both systemic and localized disease. (4) Conclusions: Spinal metastases in NSGCT represent a complex clinical scenario, requiring a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, and in some cases, radiotherapy. Chemotherapy remains essential, but surgery is critical for addressing spinal compression and instability. A multidisciplinary approach is vital for optimizing outcomes, as prognosis is variable, with some patients achieving improvement while others face progressive disease or death. Further research is needed to refine the role of radiotherapy and improve long-term treatment strategies for this rare complication.
The Potential of PD-1 and PD-L1 as Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Based on TILs Grading
Authors: Rasyid Nur Rahmah , Miskad Upik Anderiani , Cangara Muhammad Husni , Wahid Syarifuddin , Achmad Djumadi , Tawali Suryani , Mardiati Mardiati
Published: November 2024

Aim: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignancy with a high mortality rate. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) play a crucial role in the immune response against tumors. Programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) are key immune checkpoints regulating T cells in the tumor microenvironment. This study aimed to assess the relationships among PD-1 expression on TILs, PD-L1 expression in tumors, and TIL grading in colorectal adenocarcinoma. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed to analyze 130 colorectal adenocarcinoma samples. The expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 was assessed through immunohistochemistry. A semi-quantitative scoring system was applied. Statistical analysis with the chi-square test was performed to explore correlations, with the data analyzed in SPSS version 27. Results: PD-1 expression on TILs significantly correlated with a higher TIL grading (p < 0.001), while PD-L1 expression in tumors showed an inverse correlation with TIL grading (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The expression of PD-1 on TILs and PD-L1 on tumor cells correlated significantly with the grading of TILs in colorectal adenocarcinoma. This finding shows potential as a predictive biomarker for PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy. Further studies are needed to strengthen these results.
Stochastic Entropy Production Associated with Quantum Measurement in a Framework of Markovian Quantum State Diffusion
Authors: Clarke Claudia L. , Ford Ian J.
Published: November 2024

The reduced density matrix that characterises the state of an open quantum system is a projection from the full density matrix of the quantum system and its environment, and there are many full density matrices consistent with a given reduced version. Without a specification of relevant details of the environment, the time evolution of a reduced density matrix is therefore typically unpredictable, even if the dynamics of the full density matrix are deterministic. With this in mind, we investigate a two-level open quantum system using a framework of quantum state diffusion. We consider the pseudorandom evolution of its reduced density matrix when subjected to an environment-driven process that performs a continuous quantum measurement of a system observable, invoking dynamics that asymptotically send the system to one of the relevant eigenstates. The unpredictability is characterised by a stochastic entropy production, the average of which corresponds to an increase in the subjective uncertainty of the quantum state adopted by the system and environment, given the underspecified dynamics. This differs from a change in von Neumann entropy, and can continue indefinitely as the system is guided towards an eigenstate. As one would expect, the simultaneous measurement of two non-commuting observables within the same framework does not send the system to an eigenstate. Instead, the probability density function describing the reduced density matrix of the system becomes stationary over a continuum of pure states, a situation characterised by zero further stochastic entropy production. Transitions between such stationary states, brought about by changes in the relative strengths of the two measurement processes, give rise to finite positive mean stochastic entropy production. The framework investigated can offer useful perspectives on both the dynamics and irreversible thermodynamics of measurement in quantum systems.
Technological Improvement of Brined Black Table Olives Processed Using Two-Phase and Single-Phase Methods Under Slight CO2 Pressure and Low Salt Content
Authors: Zullo Biagi Angelo , Ciafardini Gino
Published: November 2024

The aim of this work was to study the fermentation of black table olives under slightly pressurized CO2 (spCO2). The olives were marinated in brine with a low salt content and processed using both the traditional two-phase method and a new single-phase method. SpCO2 is a new technical tool, positively tested in previous studies on the production of low-salt table olive, as a third barrier to microbial growth in brine. The tests performed with the cultivar Leccino, using a brine acidified with 0.5% (w v−1) citric acid and enriched with 0%, 3%, and 6% (w v−1) NaCl, showed the absence of bacteria and molds in the brine from the first days of incubation. Fermentation was governed by six yeast species, mainly represented by Candida boidinii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, with a maximum total number of 6.30 Log CFU mL−1 and 4.28 Log CFU mL−1 in the brine with 3% and 6% (w v−1) NaCl, respectively. The best debittering results were obtained when the olives were processed in the presence of spCO2 with the single-phase method, using brine with 6% (w v−1) NaCl, validating the important role played by spCO2 in the production of low-salt black table olives.
Geochemical Anomaly Detection and Pattern Recognition: A Combined Study of the Apriori Algorithm, Principal Component Analysis, and Spectral Clustering
Authors: Hajihosseinlou Mahsa , Maghsoudi Abbas , Ghezelbash Reza
Published: November 2024

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of combining Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the Apriori algorithm for feature selection, alongside Spectral clustering, to detect geochemical anomalies in Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT) Pb-Zn deposits in western Iran. First, PCA and Apriori enabled the identification of both syngenetic and epigenetic components, which helped in recognizing elements associated with mineralization. These elements were then modeled using Spectral clustering to detect geochemical anomalies. Unlike traditional methods like k-means, Spectral clustering does not require spherical clusters and is adept at identifying clusters of arbitrary shapes. This made it particularly suitable for analyzing the irregular shapes of geochemical anomalies in the study area. By incorporating Spectral clustering, the method effectively separated geochemical groups, revealing the underlying structure of the data. This was crucial for identifying anomalous geochemical zones and delineating areas with a high potential for Pb-Zn mineralization. The performance of the Spectral clustering algorithm was thoroughly evaluated using the Silhouette Score, the Davies–Bouldin Index, and Dunn Index. Subsampling was employed to assess the algorithm’s stability, providing a comprehensive evaluation of its effectiveness in identifying geochemical anomalies and mapping mineralization potential.
Anti-Melanogenic Effects of Umbelliferone: In Vitro and Clinical Studies
Authors: Kim Da Jung , Jung Min Sook , Jin Hee Un , Kim Mi Sun , An Chae Eun
Published: November 2024

Melanin overexpression causes skin hyperpigmentation, which is associated with various skin disorders and cosmetic concerns. Umbelliferone, a natural coumarin found widely in plant species, has been noted for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects but has received little attention for its impact on melanogenesis. Here, the effects of umbelliferone on melanogenesis were investigated in vitro and in clinical studies. The results showed that umbelliferone was non-cytotoxic to human skin and B16F10 melanoma cells. It also exhibited significant anti-melanogenic effects, reducing both melanin production and tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was achieved through a decrease in tyrosinase mRNA levels. Furthermore, umbelliferone in a formulation was stable under different temperature conditions, and after four weeks of topical application, it significantly decreased the melanin index and increased skin lightness (L*) values compared to those at the baseline. Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential of umbelliferone as a promising skin-lightening agent in the cosmetics industry.
Improved Sensitivity of a Taste Sensor Composed of Trimellitic Acids for Sweetness
Authors: Watanabe Tatsukichi , Kumura Sojiro , Kimura Shunsuke , Toko Kiyoshi
Published: November 2024

Currently, lipid/polymer membranes are used in taste sensors to quantify food taste. This research aims to improve sweetness sensors by more selectively detecting uncharged sweetening substances, which have difficulty obtaining a potentiometric response. Lipid/polymer membranes with varying amounts of tetradodecylammonium bromide (TDAB) and 1,2,4-benzene tricarboxylic acid (trimellitic acid) were prepared. The carboxyl groups of trimellitic acid bind metal cations, and the sweetness intensity is estimated by measuring the potential change, as a sensor response, when these cations are complexed with sugars. This research showed that the potential of a sensor using the membrane with enough trimellitic acid in a sucrose solution remained constant, regardless of TDAB amounts, but the potential in the tasteless, so-called reference solution, depended on TDAB. By optimizing the content of TDAB and trimellitic acid, a sensor response of −100 mV was achieved, which is over 20% more sensitive than a previous sensor. This sensor also demonstrated increased selectivity to sweetness, with similar interference from other tastes (saltiness, sourness, umami, and bitterness) compared to previous sensors. As a result, the sensitivity to sweetness was successfully improved. This result contributes to the development of novel sensors, further reducing the burden on humans in quality control and product development.
Diet Biofunctionality in Modulating Cardiovascular Parameters in Obese Patients After Bioenteric Intragastric Balloon Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Balejko Edyta Barbara , Lichota Jarosław
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Adiposopathy is the cause of many secondary disorders in the function and structure of many organs and systems in the body. In the progression of obesity and the increasing dysfunction of anti-inflammatory me-diators, chronic inflammation occurs. This may be accompanied by the development of metabolic complications. Methods: A diet with highly bioactive properties was formulated, and an element of diet therapy was introduced as a key component to support treatment in obese patients following bariatric surgery. Patients underwent a BIB (Bioenteric Intragastric Balloon) procedure. As obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, this study aimed to regulate cardiovascular factors in adiposopathy. Anti-inflammatory dietary components with modulating properties were included, with increased bioflavonoids, vitamins A, E, C, folic acid, and synbiotics, and altered fatty acid composition. Results: The results showed satisfactory effects on fat reduction and the regulation of isoprostanes, plasminogen, angiotensin, prostacyclin, triglycerides, blood pressure, and blood rheology parameters. Cardiovascular co-morbidities are common in obesity. This is due to the endocrine function of adipocytes. As such, we decided to investigate the possibility of using bioactive dietary components as an adjunct to the safety of reducing prothrombotic parameters in obese patients after BIB surgery. This study hypothesised that the enrichment of the recommended diet after bariatric surgery with the addition of n-3 EFAs, bioflavonoids, vitamins, and synbiotics might result in comparable or greater fat mass loss in the subjects. In addition, the use of a functional diet might show a beneficial modifying effect on antihyperglycemic parameter values. We then compared the results to those obtained among patients fed a reducing, standard diet. Conclusions: Using a functional diet, a significant reduction in visceral fat was achieved. A decrease in VFA was shown to reduce whole-blood viscosity. Furthermore, this study showed a significant effect of bioactive components on pro-thrombotic parameters in obese patients.
Culture War: Exploring the Backing from the Portuguese Catholic Church and Christian Movements to Populist Party Chega
Authors: Batista Francisco
Published: November 2024

The endorsement from Christian circles in facilitating the rise of radical right-wing populism in Brazil and the United States, as well as the support and alliance of the Polish Catholic Church with the Law and Justice (PiS) government, are widely acknowledged. Embedded within the intricate fabric of multifaceted factors contributing to the surge of right-wing populism, the Culture War assumes a pivotal yet often underestimated role. Manifesting as a profound confrontation, the Culture War signifies an existential clash between contrasting perspectives concerning socio-cultural values grounded in religious scripture. The research employs a qualitative methodology and a singular case study focused on Portugal, owing to the nation’s enduring relationship with Catholicism. Portugal emerges as indisputably one of the most religious countries in the Western world, akin to Poland. The research question aims to understand the support or relationship from the Portuguese Catholic Church (PCC) and Christian (social) movements to the populist right-wing Chega (lit. ‘Enough!’), slightly departing from their traditional center-right support for PSD and CDS in the Culture War. The results show that the support extended to Chega by the PCC and the Portuguese Episcopal Conference is non-existent in a formal manner. Despite this fact and the lack of formal backing for Chega, some Christian social movements have shown their approval or support for Chega, as the party has some roots in the movement sector, but not as strongly as the Front Nationale. Further research is suggested in order to attain deeper conclusions from both the Portuguese Catholic Church and Christian social movements using other methods for a deeper understanding, such as semi-structured interviews and participant observation of events.
Integrating Remote Photoplethysmography and Machine Learning on Multimodal Dataset for Noninvasive Heart Rate Monitoring
Authors: Buyung Rinaldi Anwar , Bustamam Alhadi , Ramazhan Muhammad Remzy Syah
Published: November 2024

Non-contact heart monitoring is crucial in advancing telemedicine, fitness tracking, and mass screening. Remote photoplethysmography (rPPG) is a non-contact technique to obtain information about heart pulse by analyzing the changes in the light intensity reflected or absorbed by the skin during the blood circulation cycle. However, this technique is sensitive to environmental lightning and different skin pigmentation, resulting in unreliable results. This research presents a multimodal approach to non-contact heart rate estimation by combining facial video and physical attributes, including age, gender, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI). For this purpose, we collected local datasets from 60 individuals containing a 1 min facial video and physical attributes such as age, gender, weight, and height, and we derived the BMI variable from the weight and height. We compare the performance of two machine learning models, support vector regression (SVR) and random forest regression on the multimodal dataset. The experimental results demonstrate that incorporating a multimodal approach enhances model performance, with the random forest model achieving superior results, yielding a mean absolute error (MAE) of 3.057 bpm, a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 10.532 bpm, and a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 4.2% that outperforms the state-of-the-art rPPG methods. These findings highlight the potential for interpretable, non-contact, real-time heart rate measurement systems to contribute effectively to applications in telemedicine and mass screening.
Planetary Gearboxes Fault Diagnosis Based on Markov Transition Fields and SE-ResNet
Authors: Liu Yanyan , Gao Tongxin , Wu Wenxu , Sun Yongquan
Published: November 2024

The working conditions of planetary gearboxes are complex, and their structural couplings are strong, leading to low reliability. Traditional deep neural networks often struggle with feature learning in noisy environments, and their reliance on one-dimensional signals as input fails to capture the interrelationships between data points. To address these challenges, we proposed a fault diagnosis method for planetary gearboxes that integrates Markov transition fields (MTFs) and a residual attention mechanism. The MTF was employed to encode one-dimensional signals into feature maps, which were then fed into a residual networks (ResNet) architecture. To enhance the network’s ability to focus on important features, we embedded the squeeze-and-excitation (SE) channel attention mechanism into the ResNet34 network, creating a SE-ResNet model. This model was trained to effectively extract and classify features. The developed method was validated using a specific dataset and achieved an accuracy of about 98.1%. The results demonstrate the effectiveness and reliability of the developed method in diagnosing faults in planetary gearboxes under strong noise conditions.
Metrology-Assisted Production in Agriculture and Forestry
Authors: Bogena H. R. , Brogi C. , Hübner C. , Panagopoulos A.
Published: November 2024

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, climate change will negatively affect food security and increase pressure on freshwater resources [...]
Development of an Integrating Sphere-Based Wide-Range Light Source System for the Linearity Evaluation of a Photodetector Used in Radiation Detection and Bioanalysis Instruments
Authors: Matsumoto Tetsuro , Masuda Akihiko , Tanabe Minoru , Manabe Seiya , Harano Hideki , Niwa Kazuki
Published: November 2024

We developed a compact wide-range light source system for evaluating the linearity of photomultiplier tube (PMT) output. This system utilizes two integrating spheres equipped with a continuously variable slit and output aperture to modulate a stabilized light-emitting diode light source, producing an output light range as wide as seven orders of magnitude. To verify the wide linearity range of the integrating sphere system, three silicon photodiodes coupled with electric current readers monitored the light intensity and simultaneously confirmed each other’s linearity. Using this system, we evaluated the linearity of the PMT used in a neutron detector we are currently developing and found it to have a linear range of more than four orders of magnitude. Non-linearity characteristics were also successfully measured in detail at a higher output range. Neutron detector operation requires both calibration of the detection efficiency and evaluation of the linearity between the neutron dose and its output. These results indicate that this system is a simple and useful method to evaluate the linearity of photodetectors used in radiation detectors and other applications.
An Optimized SVR Algorithm for Pulse Pile-Up Correction in Pulse Shape Discrimination
Authors: Liu Xianghe , Liu Bingqi , Liu Mingzhe , Tang Yufeng , Li Haonan , Huang Yao
Published: November 2024

Pulse pile-up presents a significant challenge in nuclear radiation measurements, particularly in neutron-gamma pulse shape discrimination, as it causes pulse distortion and diminishes identification accuracy. To address this, we propose an optimized Support Vector Regression (SVR) algorithm for correcting pulse pile-up. Initially, the Dung Beetle Optimizer (DBO) and Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) are integrated to refine the correction process, with performance evaluated using charge comparison methods (CCM) for pulse shape discrimination. Leveraging prior knowledge from simulated data, we further analyze the relationships between various types of pulse pile-ups, including their combinations, inter-peak distances, and the accuracy of corrections. Extensive experiments conducted in a mixed neutron-gamma radiation field using plastic scintillators demonstrate that the proposed method effectively corrects pulse pile-up and accurately discriminates between neutron and gamma. Moreover, our approach significantly improves the fidelity of pulse shape discrimination and enhances the overall reliability of radiation detection systems in high-interference environments.
The Impact of E-WOM, Accessibility, and Attractiveness on Revisit Intention to Wediombo Beach Yogyakarta
Authors: Amali Muhammad Thoyib , Tunggal Immanuel Dwi Asmoro , Rohima Alfiatu
Published: November 2024

The aim of this research is to examine the influence of electronic word-of-mouth, accessibility, and attractiveness on the intention to revisit Wediombo Beach, as influenced by the tourist experience. This research uses an explanatory quantitative approach with data collected from a survey of 120 respondents who have visited Wediombo Beach. Path analysis, utilizing the SmartPLS program and the Sobel test to measure mediation variables, serves as the analysis technique. Hypothesis testing reveals that electronic word of mouth and attractiveness have a positive and significant influence on revisit intention, with the tourist experience acting as a mediator. The tourist experience also mediates the significant impact of accessibility, despite its negative value, on revisit intention. In regulating the impact of electronic word of mouth, accessibility, and attractiveness on revisit intention, the tourist experience serves as a partial mediating factor. Furthermore, researchers can suggest managerial implications for the Special Region of Yogyakarta Tourism Office and related tourism managers to improve the accessibility factor, which can start with making clear directions and improving the road quality to Wediombo Beach.