bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bowel Management in Hirschsprung Disease—Pre-, Peri- and Postoperative Care for Primary Pull-Through
Authors: Lindert Judith , Schulze Felix , Märzheuser Stefanie
Published: May 2024

(1) Background: Bowel management contributes throughout the pathway of care for children with Hirschsprung. Preoperative bowel management prepares the child and family for the pull-through surgery. Perioperative bowel management supports early recovery and tailored bowel management in the follow-up supports the achievement of social continence. (2) Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional assessment of our institutional bowel management program to illustrate the pre-, peri- and postoperative bowel management strategies. (3) Results: A total of 31 children underwent primary pull-through, 23 without a stoma and 8 with a stoma, at a median age of 9 months. All children without a stoma were prepared for surgery by using rectal irrigations. Children with a stoma were prepared for surgery with a transfer of stoma effluent. Transanal irrigation supported early recovery. (4) Conclusions: Bowel management is a key pillar of the management of children with Hirschsprung disease. Incorporating bowel management in the pathway of care facilitates primary pull-through and supports perioperative recovery.
Onasemnogene Abeparvovec Administration via Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter: A Case Report
Authors: Pitarch Castellano Inmaculada , López Briz Eduardo , Ibáñez Albert Eugenia , Aguado Codina Cristina , Sevilla Teresa , Poveda Andrés José L.
Published: May 2024

Onasemnogene abeparvovec (OA) is the approved intravenous gene therapy for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). A functional copy of the human SMN1 gene was inserted into the target motor neuron cells via a viral vector, AAV9. In clinical trials, OA was infused through a peripheral venous catheter, and no data are available on central catheter use. Recently, we had a case where OA was administered directly into the right atrium via a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) instead of a peripheral line, as recommended. The patient was a female child aged 4 months, diagnosed as SMA type I. For practical reasons, a dose of OA according to the weight of the patient (1.1 × 1014 vectorial genomes/kg) was administered via PICC in 1 h, as the product information recommends. The drug was well tolerated, with no hypersensitivity reactions or initial elevation of transaminases or other adverse effects. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported where OA was administered via a central line. This type of administration is not contraindicated, but it is not specifically contemplated or recommended. It is unknown whether central line administration could have any implications for transduction efficiency and immunogenicity. Future studies should clarify these aspects, as each gene therapy has a specific optimal dose recorded that depends on the site and route of administration of the drug, the AAV variant and the transgene.
The Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score Combined with Procalcitonin and Lung Ultrasound (CPIS-PLUS), a Good Tool for Ventilator Associated Pneumonia Early Diagnosis in Pediatrics
Authors: Becerra-Hervás Judit , Guitart Carmina , Covas Aina , Bobillo-Pérez Sara , Rodríguez-Fanjul Javier , Carrasco-Jordan Josep L. , Cambra Lasaosa Francisco José , Jordan Iolanda , Balaguer Mònica
Published: May 2024

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is common in Pediatric Intensive Care Units. Although early detection is crucial, current diagnostic methods are not definitive. This study aimed to identify lung ultrasound (LUS) findings and procalcitonin (PCT) values in pediatric patients with VAP to create a new early diagnosis score combined with the Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS), the CPIS-PLUS score. Prospective longitudinal and interventional study. Pediatric patients with suspected VAP were included and classified into VAP or non-VAP groups, based on Centers of Disease Control (CDC) criteria for the final diagnosis. A chest-X-ray (CXR), LUS, and blood test were performed within the first 12 h of admission. CPIS score was calculated. A total of 108 patients with VAP suspicion were included, and VAP was finally diagnosed in 51 (47%) patients. CPIS-PLUS showed high accuracy in VAP diagnosis with a sensitivity (Sn) of 80% (95% CI 65–89%) and specificity (Sp) of 73% (95% CI 54–86%). The area under the curve (AUC) resulted in 0.86 for CPIS-PLUS vs. 0.61 for CPIS. In conclusion, this pilot study showed that CPIS-PLUS could be a potential and reliable tool for VAP early diagnosis in pediatric patients. Internal and external validations are needed to confirm the potential value of this score to facilitate VAP diagnosis in pediatric patients.
Classification of Rainfall Intensity and Cloud Type from Dash Cam Images Using Feature Removal by Masking
Authors: Suemitsu Kodai , Endo Satoshi , Sato Shunsuke
Published: May 2024

Weather Report is an initiative from Weathernews Inc. to obtain sky images and current weather conditions from the users of its weather app. This approach can provide supplementary weather information to radar observations and can potentially improve the accuracy of forecasts However, since the time and location of the contributed images are limited, gathering data from different sources is also necessary. This study proposes a system that automatically submits weather reports using a dash cam with communication capabilities and image recognition technology. This system aims to provide detailed weather information by classifying rainfall intensities and cloud formations from images captured via dash cams. In models for fine-grained image classification tasks, there are very subtle differences between some classes and only a few samples per class. Therefore, they tend to include irrelevant details, such as the background, during training, leading to bias. One solution is to remove useless features from images by masking them using semantic segmentation, and then train each masked dataset using EfficientNet, evaluating the resulting accuracy. In the classification of rainfall intensity, the model utilizing the features of the entire image achieved up to 92.61% accuracy, which is 2.84% higher compared to the model trained specifically on road features. This outcome suggests the significance of considering information from the whole image to determine rainfall intensity. Furthermore, analysis using the Grad-CAM visualization technique revealed that classifiers trained on masked dash cam images particularly focused on car headlights when classifying the rainfall intensity. For cloud type classification, the model focusing solely on the sky region attained an accuracy of 68.61%, which is 3.16% higher than that of the model trained on the entire image. This indicates that concentrating on the features of clouds and the sky enables more accurate classification and that eliminating irrelevant areas reduces misclassifications.
Effect of Scanning Electron Beam Pretreatment on Gas Carburization of 22CrMoH Gear Steel
Authors: Jiang Wei , Qu Jing-Jing , Liu Fei , Yue Gao , Zhou Lei , Luo Yu-Cheng , Ning Hui-Wang
Published: May 2024

22CrMoH was selected for the gear steel material in this work, and the temperature field change in the scanning electron beam was analyzed to determine the optimal scanning parameters and explored the effect of scanning electron beam pretreatment (Abbreviated as: SEBP) on gas-carburizing (GC) efficiency and organizational properties of gear steel. The results showed that the scanning electron beam caused the material to form a thermally deformed layer 110 μm thick, and it promoted the adsorption of carbon atoms on the surface and their inward diffusion. Under the same gas-carburizing conditions, the carburizing efficiency was improved, and the thickness of the carburized layer increased from 0.78 to 1.09 mm. Furthermore, the hardness of the GC specimens with the SEBP increased from 615 to 638 HV0.05 at 0.1 mm of the sample surface, whereas the hardness of the cross-sectional region decreased gradually, indicating that the scanning electron beam enhanced the adhesion between the carburized layer and matrix zone. A comparative analysis of the microstructures of the GC specimens with and without the SEBP showed that the carbide particles in the surface layer of the samples become smaller and that of volume fraction of residual austenite reduced in size. In terms of the mechanical properties, the surface friction coefficient decreased from 0.87 to 0.46 μ and the GC specimen with the SEBP had a higher cross-sectional hardness gradient. In this way, the amount of wear was reduced from 1.07 to 0.51 mg, which was only 47.7% of the amount of wear of the matrix specimen.
Effect of Asphaltenes and Asphaltene Dispersants on Wax Precipitation and Treatment
Authors: M’barki Oualid , Clements John , Nguyen Quoc P.
Published: May 2024

A detailed understanding of the interactions between wax and asphaltenes with other components of crude oils and the effect of treatments with paraffin inhibitors (PIs) and asphaltene dispersants (ADs), with a focus on identifying specific structure-activity relationships, is necessary to develop effective flow assurance strategies. The morphological and rheological consequences of treating wax and asphaltenes in oils of differing composition with a series of ADs having structural features in common with an alpha olefin-maleic anhydride (AO-MA) comb-like copolymer PI were assessed alone and in combination with said PI. Of the four ADs studied, two were identified as being effective dispersants of asphaltenes in heptane-induced instability tests and in a West Texas (WT) crude. The degree to which a low concentration of asphaltenes stabilizes wax in the absence of treatment additives is lessened in oils having greater aromatic fractions. This is because these stabilizing interactions are replaced by more energetically favorable aromatic–asphaltene interactions, increasing oil viscosity. Treatment with AD alone also reduces the extent of wax–asphaltene interactions, increasing oil viscosity. In concert with the PI, treatment with the AD having greater structural similarity with the PI appears to improve wax solubility in both the presence and absence of asphaltenes. However, the viscosity of the treated oils is greater than that of the oil treated with PI alone, while treatment with AD having lesser structural similarity with the PI does not adversely affect oil viscosity. These data suggest that rather than treating both wax and asphaltenes, AD may poison the function of the PI. These data illuminate the pitfalls of designing flow assurance additives to interact with both wax and asphaltenes and developing treatment plans.
Influence of Austenite Grain Size on the Variant Configurations of Martensite in a Fe-30.5Ni-0.155C Alloy
Authors: Malet Loïc , Godet Stéphane
Published: May 2024

A Fe-30.5wt%Ni-0.155wt%C alloy was annealed at two different temperatures to produce two different austenite grain sizes. In the coarse-grained specimen, hierarchical configurations of variants are formed and carefully analyzed using EBSD. These typical patterns result from the alternate formation of two perpendicular plate groups of variants over several length scales, and two distinct types of mechanical couplings are shown to occur sequentially in the process of the transformation of an austenitic grain. In the fine-grained specimen, the martensite start temperature is depressed below liquid nitrogen temperature, and the martensitic transformation can only occur under stress assistance. Grain size reduction brings about a dramatic change in the morphology of martensite and its configurations. Martensite is fully twinned, and martensite variants arrange themselves into self-accommodating configurations involving all four variants of the same plate group. Those specific configurations share striking similarities with those usually encountered in conventional shape memory alloys. The reversion of such microstructures upon heating is believed to be at the origin of the observed shape memory effect.
Industrial Synergy Agglomeration, Urban Innovation Capacity, and Advanced Manufacturing Development
Authors: Yin Hua , Su Wen
Published: May 2024

This paper endeavors to construct an evaluative framework to assess the level of development in advanced manufacturing across the 31 provinces in China from 2003 to 2021. Additionally, it aims to investigate the impact of industrial synergy agglomeration on the development of advanced manufacturing by employing a moderated mediation model and the Spatial Durbin Model (SDM). The research results demonstrate that industrial synergy agglomeration facilitates the development of advanced manufacturing, with particularly pronounced effects in the eastern region of China and the 18 provinces that already possess national advanced manufacturing clusters. Urban innovation capacity plays an intermediary role, and both manufacturing intelligence and international capacity cooperation exhibit positive moderating effects in the direct and indirect pathways through which industrial synergy agglomeration influences the development of advanced manufacturing. Furthermore, industrial synergy agglomeration exhibits strong spillover effects on the development of advanced manufacturing. To boost the development of the advanced manufacturing industry, it is imperative to expedite the establishment of an industrial synergy spatial layout, foster a culture of enterprise innovation and intelligent transformation, emphasize inter-provincial communication and cooperation, and facilitate cross-border resource integration.
Team- and Problem-Based Learning in Health Services: A Systematic Literature Review of Recent Initiatives in the United States
Authors: Alexander Eileen , White Ashley , Varol Ashley , Appel Kacey , Lieneck Cristian
Published: May 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a sudden shift to virtual platforms. Physical distance and limited experience with both synchronous and asynchronous teamwork at work and school hampered problem-solving and the development of critical thinking skills. Under these circumstances, the implementation of team-based and problem-based learning (TBL, PBL, respectively) required a reevaluation of how teams collaborate and engage in problem-solving remotely. The research team conducted a systematic review to identify health services studies, themes, and attributes of learning initiatives associated with the success of TBL and PBL conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. This systematic review was conducted using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The review results identified three themes associated with TBL and PBL learning initiatives in health services: (1) TBL and PBL have transformed health services education with modified TBL (mTBL) and modified PBL (mPBL) as the new norms; (2) the amplification of age-appropriate principles for professional motivation in healthcare; and (3) active learning impacts practical abilities for professional success and future leadership roles. The pandemic underscored the importance of flexibility, resilience, and innovation in TBL and PBL approaches in health services education. Despite the superiority of mPBL and mTBL, the barriers to implementation and student acceptance of active learning include inadequate resource and space allocation, and student preferences for passive, traditional lecture. Further, online learning required increased facilitator training, administration time, and time to provide feedback.
Frameworks and Models for Digital Transformation in Engineering Education: A Literature Review Using a Systematic Approach
Authors: Lyngdorf Niels Erik Ruan , Jiang Dan , Du Xiangyun
Published: May 2024

In response to the opportunities and challenges posed by rapid technological advancement, digital transformation (DT) has recently emerged as a key concept in higher engineering education. DT involves using digital technologies to transform educational and pedagogical practices to enhance the learning and teaching experiences, prepare students for the needs of industry, and foster innovation. Despite a growing number of small-scale empirical studies concentrating on digitalization at lower single-activity and classroom levels, the practices of traditional education largely remain. There is a need for more systematic and holistic frameworks to facilitate and guide DT in engineering education. This study reviews 13 studies, using a systematic approach to identify and analyze the literature on frameworks for DT of engineering education. Several characteristics are identified, including types of DT frameworks and models; drivers of DT; and digital learning tools and types. In addition, various anticipated outcomes of DT reported in the included studies are described at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Recommendations for future practices for engineering students, educators, and institutions and future research directions for engineering educational researchers are also proposed to support the further development of digital education.
Transformation of Higher Education: Discussion of the Dimensions, Trends and Scenarios of Change in Ibero-America
Authors: Fernández Cruz Manuel , Fernández García Valdecasas Borja , Muñoz López Lucas , López Rodríguez Slava
Published: May 2024

World conferences on higher education have reported the effect of social changes on university systems. Particularly, changes that induce a transformation in the academic profession. Here, we study the paradigm shift of the profession in its dimensions, trends, and future scenarios. We conduct this study in two phases: first, we applied an inventory on the perception of university teaching to a sample of 2312 professors in the region; after that, we conducted a focus group for each of the ten dimensions in which we noticed indicators of change. With the quantitative data, we performed an ANOVA to identify three clusters of professionalization with dimensions open to change and related to each other: (1) Planning, Teaching Development, and Communicative Capacity; (2) Communication, Evaluation, and Self-evaluation; (3) Professional Self-evaluation, Teaching Innovation and Improvement and Individual Learning Support. With the focus groups we have identified the need to incorporate pedagogical models of inclusive education and teaching based on technological advances as the main drivers of change. We concluded with the proposal of four possible scenarios of future professionalism: (1) entrenched professionalism; (2) semi-professionalism; (3) fragmented professionalism; or (4) balanced professionalism.
Enhancing Autonomy in Preschoolers: The Role of Motor Games in Development
Authors: Gomes Sara , Antunes Raúl , Sales Inês , Marques Regina , Oliveira Ana
Published: May 2024

This paper is based on a project which aims to understand the contribution of motricity—in particular, motor games—to the development of autonomy in preschool children, with or without special education needs. A group of 18 children, with an average age of 4.5 years, from a public school took part in the study. An intervention program based on motor games was implemented and tested to promote the children’s autonomy. The program lasted two months, with one 45-min session per week. Using a questionnaire designed for this purpose, the children’s autonomy was assessed pre- and post-intervention. The children’s satisfaction with the sessions was assessed throughout the intervention. The main results were improvements in the autonomy of all the children and their high satisfaction with the program. The participation of children, with and without specific needs, in the entire program shows the use of differentiated practices that allowed everyone to be included in this process.
Supporting Sustainable and User-Oriented Educational Technology Innovation with the University Innovation Canvas
Authors: Bangerl Mia , Dennerlein Sebastian , Maitz Katharina , Nitschke Marie , Ebner Martin , Pammer-Schindler Viktoria
Published: May 2024

Innovating higher education teaching and learning is challenging due to structural, cultural, and resource-related reasons, and research indicates that university innovation benefits from a bottom-up approach as well as strategic alignment with university objectives. In this paper, we investigate such bottom-up innovation processes within higher education as supported by a specific tool: the University Innovation Canvas (UIC). Adapted from the Business Model Canvas and Lean Canvas, the UIC is designed to promote educational technology innovation and foster alignment of the innovation process with strategic objectives of the university: namely, sustainability and user orientation. An evaluation of the UIC based on interview and questionnaire data shows that its usage differs between innovation teams (on paper vs. digital, individual vs. collaborative, co-located vs. remotely, and synchronous vs. asynchronous). UIC usability is linked with these differences and with teams’ experience in realizing innovations. Overall, the UIC is perceived to be useful by (particularly, less-experienced) innovation teams and is successful at supporting sustainable and user-oriented innovations, as 14/15 innovations are still in use after up to four years since completion. To maximize its potential, more effort needs to be devoted to improving understanding of the UIC and supporting different workflows of innovation teams in the future.
Energy-Efficient Virtual Network Embedding: A Deep Reinforcement Learning Approach Based on Graph Convolutional Networks
Authors: Zhang Peiying , Wang Enqi , Luo Zhihu , Bi Yanxian , Liu Kai , Wang Jian
Published: May 2024

Network virtualization (NV) technology is the cornerstone of modern network architectures, offering significant advantages in resource utilization, flexibility, security, and streamlined management. By enabling the deployment of multiple virtual network requests (VNRs) within a single base network through virtual network embedding (VNE), NV technology can substantially reduce the operational costs and energy consumption. However, the existing algorithms for energy-efficient VNE have limitations, including manual tuning for heuristic routing policies, inefficient feature extraction in traditional intelligent algorithms, and a lack of consideration of periodic traffic fluctuations. To address these limitations, this paper introduces a novel approach that leverages deep reinforcement learning (DRL) to enhance the efficiency of traditional methods. We employ graph convolutional networks (GCNs) for feature extraction, capturing the nuances of network graph structures, and integrate periodic traffic fluctuations as a key constraint in our model. This allows for the predictive embedding of VNRs that is both energy-efficient and responsive to dynamic network conditions. Our research aims to develop an energy-efficient VNE algorithm that dynamically adapts to network traffic patterns, thereby optimizing resource allocation and reducing energy consumption. Extensive simulation experiments demonstrate that our proposed algorithm achieves an average reduction of 22.4% in energy consumption and 41.0% in active substrate nodes, along with a 23.4% improvement in the acceptance rate compared to other algorithms.
Compact and Hybrid Dual-Band Bandpass Filter Using Folded Multimode Resonators and Second-Mode Suppression
Authors: Claus Nicolas , Kapusuz Kamil Yavuz , Verhaevert Jo , Rogier Hendrik
Published: May 2024

The proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT) propels the continuous demand for compact, low-cost, and high-performance multiband filters. This paper introduces a novel low-profile dual-band bandpass filter (BPF) constructed with a back-to-back coupled pair of shielded folded quarter-mode substrate integrated waveguide (SF-QMSIW) multimode cavities. A hybrid structure is obtained by etching a coplanar waveguide (CPW) coupling line in the folded cavity’s septum layer. It serves multiple functions: generating an additional resonance, providing a separate coupling mechanism for the upper passband, and offering the flexibility to control the passbands’ center frequency ratio. Additionally, the unused second higher-order mode is suppressed by integrating embedded split-ring resonators (ESRRs) with an inter-digital capacitor (IDC) structure into the feed lines. A filter prototype has been fabricated and experimentally tested. The measurements confirmed reliable operation in two passbands having center frequencies 3.6 GHz and 5.8 GHz, and exhibiting 3 dB fractional bandwidths (FBWs) of 6.4% and 5.3%, respectively. Furthermore, the group delay variation within both passbands equals only 0.62 ns and 1.00 ns, respectively. Owing to the second higher-order mode suppression, the filter demonstrated an inter-band rejection exceeding 38 dB, within a compact footprint of 0.71λg2 (with λg being the guided wavelength at the lower passband’s center frequency).
A Multimodal Sentiment Analysis Approach Based on a Joint Chained Interactive Attention Mechanism
Authors: Qiu Keyuan , Zhang Yingjie , Zhao Jiaxu , Zhang Shun , Wang Qian , Chen Feng
Published: May 2024

The objective of multimodal sentiment analysis is to extract and integrate feature information from text, image, and audio data accurately, in order to identify the emotional state of the speaker. While multimodal fusion schemes have made some progress in this research field, previous studies still lack adequate approaches for handling inter-modal information consistency and the fusion of different categorical features within a single modality. This study aims to effectively extract sentiment coherence information among video, audio, and text and consequently proposes a multimodal sentiment analysis method named joint chain interactive attention (VAE-JCIA, Video Audio Essay–Joint Chain Interactive Attention). In this approach, a 3D CNN is employed for extracting facial features from video, a Conformer is employed for extracting audio features, and a Funnel-Transformer is employed for extracting text features. Furthermore, the joint attention mechanism is utilized to identify key regions where sentiment information remains consistent across video, audio, and text. This process acquires reinforcing features that encapsulate information regarding consistency among the other two modalities. Inter-modal feature interactions are addressed through chained interactive attention, and multimodal feature fusion is employed to efficiently perform emotion classification. The method is experimentally validated on the CMU-MOSEI dataset and the IEMOCAP dataset. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method significantly enhances the performance of the multimodal sentiment analysis model.
Assessing the Impact of Climate Changes, Building Characteristics, and HVAC Control on Energy Requirements under a Mediterranean Climate
Authors: Raimundo António M. , Oliveira A. Virgílio M.
Published: May 2024

Despite efforts to mitigate climate change, annual greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, which may lead to the global warming of our planet. Buildings’ thermal energy needs are inherently linked to climate conditions. Consequently, it is crucial to evaluate how climate change affects these energy demands. Despite extensive analysis, a comprehensive assessment involving a diverse range of building types has not been consistently conducted. The primary objective of this research is to perform a coherent evaluation of the influence of climate changes, construction element properties, and the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system type of control on the energy requirements of six buildings (residential, services, and commercial). The buildings are considered to be located in a temperate Mediterranean climate. Our focus is on the year 2070, considering three distinct climatic scenarios: (i) maintaining the current climate without further changes, (ii) moderate climate changes, and (iii) extreme climate changes. The buildings are distributed across three different locations, each characterized by unique climatic conditions. Buildings’ envelope features a traditional External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS) and expanded polystyrene (EPS) serves as thermal insulation material. Two critical design factors are explored: EPS thickness ranging from 0 (no insulation) to 12 cm; and horizontal external fixed shading elements varying lengths from 0 (absence) to 150 cm. Six alternative setpoint ranges are assessed for the HVAC system control: three based on the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and three based on indoor air temperature (Tair). Results were obtained with a validated in-home software tool. They show that, even under extreme climate conditions, the application of thermal insulation remains energetically favorable; however, its relative importance diminishes as climate severity increases. Then, proper insulation design remains important for energy efficiency. The use of external shading elements for glazing (e.g., overhangs, louvers) proves beneficial in specific cases. As climate changes intensify, the significance of shading elements grows. Thus, strategic placement and design are necessary for good results. The HVAC system’s energy consumption depends on the level of thermal comfort requirements, on the climate characteristics, and on the building’s type of use. As climate change severity intensifies, energy demands for cooling increase, whereas energy needs for heating decrease. However, it is essential to recognize that the impact of climate changes on HVAC system energy consumption significantly depends on the type of building.
Fermentation Quality and In Vitro Digestibility of Sweet Corn Processing Byproducts Silage Mixed with Millet Hull or Wheat Bran and Inoculated with a Lactic Acid Bacteria
Authors: Yu Meng , Wang Peng , Li Fuhou , Du Jiarui , Jin Yitong , Zhao Tianyue , Yi Qixuan , Tang Hongyu , Yuan Bao
Published: May 2024

The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effect of different ratios of excipient (millet hull or wheat bran) and LAB inoculation on the fermentation quality and in vitro digestibility of a mixed silage of SCPBs. The preliminary experimental results showed that inoculating with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) directly in the fresh sweet corn processing byproduct (SCPBs) silage had a higher ammonia nitrogen/total nitrogen (AN/TN) ratio and lower silage fermentation quality due to high moisture content. Subsequently, millet hull or wheat bran were mixed with SCPBs in a 7:3 (T1), 8:2 (T2), and 9:1 (T3) ratio and ensiled with LAB. Under the condition of each mixing ratio, the silage treatments were categorized into groups without any additives (control) and with LAB. Fermentation quality, in vitro digestibility, chemical composition, and energy values were determined after 45 days of silage. The pH, AN/TN, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin were lowest in the SCPBs and millet hull mixed silage (SMH) group under the T3 treatment, whereas they were lowest in the SCPBs and wheat bran mixed silage (SWB) group under the T2 treatment. The mean lactic acid and acetic acid values were higher in the SWB group than in the SMH group (6.92, 6.81 vs. 4.00, 4.52). Under the T3 treatment in the SMH group, AN/TN was significantly reduced with the addition of LAB (4.52 vs. 4.37, p < 0.05). The SMH group had the highest crude protein (CP) under the T3 treatment, whereas the SWB group had the highest CP under the T2 treatment. The mean CP in the SWB group was higher than that of the SMH group (18.17, 19.44 vs. 10.55, 10.55). Under the T1 treatment, in the SWB group, the addition of LAB resulted in a significant increase in in vitro crude protein digestibility (p < 0.05). The results showed that silage fermentation quality and in vitro digestibilitv55y improved with the addition of LAB. The optimum mixing ratio for the SWB group was 9:1 and 8:2 for the SMH group.
Enhanced Oxygen Mass Transfer in Mixing Bioreactor Using Silica Microparticles
Authors: Pereira Matheus M. , Matos Ivus Lorenzo Oliveira , Cordeiro Filipe Moreira Mascarenhas , Silva Ana Cristina Morais da , Cavalcanti Eliane Bezerra , Lima Álvaro Silva
Published: May 2024

This work aimed to improve the oxygen transfer mass coefficient (kLa) in mixing reactors, first evaluating the effect of agitation and aeration and then evaluating the influence of the size and concentration of silica microparticles. Silicon dioxide synthesized via the sol-gel technique, commercial sand, and beach sand were characterized by particle size distribution, scanning electron microscopy, XRD, EDS, FTIR, TG/DTA, and BET. The particles presented average values of approximately 9.2, 76.9, 165.1, and 364.4 µm, with irregular surfaces and different roughness. Silica sol-gel is amorphous while beach and commercial sand have a crystalline structure consisting of silicon, oxygen, and carbon residues. Silica sol-gel presents a higher loss of mass and surface area than other silica microparticles, with a shallow mass loss and a smaller surface. Increasing aeration and agitation improves the kLa, as well as adding silica microparticles. The best kLa was found using silica microparticles with approximately 75 µm concentrations of 1.0 g L−1 (silica sol-gel) and 2.0 g L−1 (commercial and treated beach sand). All silica microparticles used in this work improve mass transfer performance in mixing bioreactors.
Detoxification Methods of Jatropha curcas Seed Cake and Its Potential Utilization as Animal Feed
Authors: de Barros Cândida Rita , Ferreira Luís Miguel Mendes , Fraga Irene , Mourão José Luís , Rodrigues Miguel António Machado
Published: May 2024

Jatropha seed cake (JSC) derived from Jatropha curcas seeds is a by-product of biodiesel production and, due to its high protein content, has been considered as a potential animal feed ingredient. However, the presence of toxic compounds such as phorbol esters and other anti-nutritional factors limits its use in animal feeding. Several detoxification approaches have been used to tackle these constraints and this review aims to summarize the recent advances in JSC treatment aiming to enhance its potential as an animal feedstuff. The review first provides an overview of the structure and composition of phorbol esters and other anti-nutritional compounds, discussing its toxic effects on different animal species. It then explores several detoxification methodologies giving special emphasis to its effects on the nutritional composition of JSC and on the use of the treated substrate as a feed ingredient in fish, poultry, pigs, and ruminants, highlighting their growth performance, nutrient utilization, and animal health issues. Overall, the review concludes that these treatments hold great potential for the detoxification and utilization of JSC as an animal feed ingredient. However, further research is needed to optimize the treatment conditions, evaluate the economic feasibility, and assess the long-term effects of treated JSC on animal health and product quality.
Enhancing Growth and Intestinal Health in Triploid Rainbow Trout Fed a Low-Fish-Meal Diet through Supplementation with Clostridium butyricum
Authors: Wang Chang’an , Li Fangyuan , Wang Di , Lu Shaoxia , Han Shicheng , Gu Wei , Jiang Haibo , Li Zhuang , Liu Hongbai
Published: May 2024

This study evaluates the effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum on growth performance and intestinal health in triploid rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Administered in a 12-week trial, five isonitrogenous and isolipidic feeds contained different C. butyricum levels [G1 (0), G2 (1.6 × 106 CFU/g), G3 (1.2 × 107 CFU/g), G4 (1.1 × 108 CFU/g), and G5 (1.3 × 109 CFU/g)]. Significant enhancements in growth performance, including improved feed conversion ratios and specific growth rates in the G4 group, were indicative of enhanced nutrient utilization, corroborated by optimal digestive enzyme activity levels. Antioxidant capabilities were also enhanced in the G4 group, indicated by increased serum superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, along with a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels. Gut microbiota analysis indicated a probiotic concentration-dependent modulation of microbial communities, with a marked enrichment in beneficial bacterial phyla like Firmicutes in the G4 group. This microbial shift correlated with significant downregulations in immune-related gene expressions, including interleukins (IL-1β, IL-8), NF-κB, MyD88, and TNF-α, highlighting an activated immune response. Correspondingly, serum lysozyme and immunoglobulin M contents were significantly elevated in the G4 group. Challenge tests with Aeromonas salmonicida exhibited the higher disease resistance of fish fed the G4 diet. In conclusion, the study shows the potential of dietary C. butyricum, especially at 1.1 × 108 CFU/g, in enhancing the growth, health, and disease resistance of triploid rainbow trout through modulating gut microflora and stimulating immune responses.
Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality of Wild-Living Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos L.) Originating from Croatia
Authors: Kelava Ugarković Nikolina , Bedeković Dalibor , Greiner Kristina , Fabijanić Nera , Prpić Zvonimir , Konjačić Miljenko
Published: May 2024

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of sex and hunting location on carcass characteristics and meat quality of wild-living mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) from Croatia. Twenty-eight mallards (14 ♂; 14 ♀) were hunted at two hunting locations (HL I = 8 ♂, 8 ♀; HL II = 6 ♂, 6 ♀) in the Croatian lowlands. The carcasses were eviscerated, dressed, and dissected, and the individual internal organs and carcass parts were weighed. The breast muscle (m. pectoralis major) was sampled and used to determine color, pH, drip loss, cooking loss, shear force, and proximate chemical and fatty acid composition. Sex and HL had a significant effect on the majority of carcass characteristics analyzed, but they had no effect on the physical meat parameters. The protein and ash content of mallard meat was significantly higher in HL II (23.16% vs. 22.67%; 1.45% vs. 1.36%, respectively) and the moisture content in females (72.40% vs. 71.59%). HL had a significant effect on SFA (II 33.96% vs. I 29.91%), PUFA n-3 (II 3.55% vs. I 2.69%), PUFA/SFA and n-6/n-3 ratios, and all lipid indices. Females had a significantly higher C22:6n-3 content, a higher PI index and a lower n-6/n-3 ratio. The data presented in this study contribute to a better understanding of game-bird meat quality originating from different regions.
Cryogenic Pretreatment Enhances Drying Rates in Whole Berries
Authors: Dalmau Esperanza , Araya-Farias Monica , Ratti Cristina
Published: May 2024

The impact of cryogenic pretreatments on drying performance was studied in blueberries, seabuckthorn fruits and green grapes. The fruits were immersed in liquid nitrogen in 2 min freezing/thawing cycles (one to five). Untreated samples were used as the control. Drying experiments were carried out on treated and non-treated berries at 50 °C and 1 m/s (hot-air-drying), 50 °C and 25″ Hg vacuum (vacuum-drying), 30 mTorr total pressure and 25 °C shelf temperature (freeze-drying). The weight loss evolution of the foodstuffs was measured as a function of time. Microscopic (SEM and optical) determinations of the epicarp were performed. A visual inspection was performed and color changes and volume reductions were assessed before and after dehydration. The thickness of the berries’ epicarp decreased between 20 and 50% (depending on the fruit) after 3–5 immersions in liquid N2. The drying kinetics was accelerated significantly for the three tested drying processes (i.e., drying time decreased from 48 to 16 h for blueberry freeze-drying). The best quality of dried berries was observed for pretreated blueberries after freeze-drying, keeping their volume, shape and color after the process. This work shows that “tailor-made” dried berry products with desired properties can be achieved and drying performance can be improved by the application of ultra-low temperature pretreatments.
Effect of Soy Protein Products on Growth and Metabolism of Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus lactis, and Streptomyces clavuligerus
Authors: Wen Wei , Hu Miao , Gao Yaxin , Zhang Pengfei , Meng Weimin , Zhang Fengxia , Fan Bei , Wang Fengzhong , Li Shuying
Published: May 2024

Microbial nitrogen sources are promising, and soy protein as a plant-based nitrogen source has absolute advantages in creating microbial culture medium in terms of renewability, eco-friendliness, and greater safety. Soy protein is rich in variety due to different extraction technologies and significantly different in the cell growth and metabolism of microorganisms as nitrogen source. Therefore, different soy proteins (soy meal powder, SMP; soy peptone, SP; soy protein concentrate, SPC; soy protein isolate, SPI; and soy protein hydrolysate, SPH) were used as nitrogen sources to culture Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus lactis, and Streptomyces clavuligerus to evaluate the suitable soy nitrogen sources of the above strains. The results showed that B. subtilis had the highest bacteria density in SMP medium; S. lactis had the highest bacteria density in SPI medium; and S. clavuligerus had the highest PMV in SPI medium. Nattokinase activity was the highest in SP medium; the bacteriostatic effect of nisin was the best in SPI medium; and the clavulanic acid concentration was the highest in SMP medium. Based on analyzing the correlation between the nutritional composition and growth metabolism of the strains, the results indicated that the protein content and amino acid composition were the key factors influencing the cell growth and metabolism of the strains. These findings present a new, high-value application opportunity for soybean protein.
Effects of the Combined Treatment of Trans-2-Hexenal, Ascorbic Acid, and Dimethyl Dicarbonate on the Quality in Fresh-Cut Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) during Storage
Authors: Liu Yu , Zhang Jiayi , Zhao Yaqin , Bao Yinqiu , Wu Zhengguo , Zheng Yonghua , Jin Peng
Published: May 2024

Fresh-cut potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) are susceptible to browning and microbial contamination during storage. In this study, the effects of trans-2-hexenal (E2H), ascorbic acid (VC), dimethyl dicarbonate (DMDC), and the combined treatment of E2H, VC, and DMDC on quality deterioration in fresh-cut potatoes were investigated. The response surface methodology (RSM) demonstrated that E2H, VC, and DMDC concentrations of 0.010%, 0.65%, and 240 mg/L, respectively, were the optimum conditions for fresh-cut potato preservation. Further analysis showed that the combined treatment of E2H, VC, and DMDC was the most effective method of reducing quality deterioration in potatoes compared to the control and individual treatments. Furthermore, the combined treatment of E2H, VC, and DMDC could decrease the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via improving antioxidant enzyme activities. Meanwhile, energy-metabolism-related enzyme activities and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity were enhanced, while γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T) activity was reduced via the combined treatment of E2H, VC, and DMDC, which contributed to maintaining high energy levels and GABA content in potatoes. These findings suggested that the combined treatment of E2H, VC, and DMDC could protect membrane integrity through enhancing antioxidant capacity, energy levels, and GABA content to maintain quality in fresh-cut potatoes.
Sulfated Hydrogels as Primary Intervertebral Disc Cell Culture Systems
Authors: Bermudez-Lekerika Paola , Crump Katherine B. , Wuertz-Kozak Karin , Le Maitre Christine L. , Gantenbein Benjamin
Published: May 2024

The negatively charged extracellular matrix plays a vital role in intervertebral disc tissues, providing specific cues for cell maintenance and tissue hydration. Unfortunately, suitable biomimetics for intervertebral disc regeneration are lacking. Here, sulfated alginate was investigated as a 3D culture material due to its similarity to the charged matrix of the intervertebral disc. Precursor solutions of standard alginate, or alginate with 0.1% or 0.2% degrees of sulfation, were mixed with primary human nucleus pulposus cells, cast, and cultured for 14 days. A 0.2% degree of sulfation resulted in significantly decreased cell density and viability after 7 days of culture. Furthermore, a sulfation-dependent decrease in DNA content and metabolic activity was evident after 14 days. Interestingly, no significant differences in cell density and viability were observed between surface and core regions for sulfated alginate, unlike in standard alginate, where the cell number was significantly higher in the core than in the surface region. Due to low cell numbers, phenotypic evaluation was not achieved in sulfated alginate biomaterial. Overall, standard alginate supported human NP cell growth and viability superior to sulfated alginate; however, future research on phenotypic properties is required to decipher the biological properties of sulfated alginate in intervertebral disc cells.
Dynamic Hydrogels against Infections: From Design to Applications
Authors: Zhang Ming , Zhu Chongyu
Published: May 2024

Human defense against infection remains a global topic. In addition to developing novel anti-infection drugs, therapeutic drug delivery strategies are also crucial to achieving a higher efficacy and lower toxicity of these drugs for treatment. The application of hydrogels has been proven to be an effective localized drug delivery approach to treating infections without generating significant systemic adverse effects. The recent emerging dynamic hydrogels further show power as injectable formulations, giving new tools for clinical treatments. In this review, we delve into the potential applications of dynamic hydrogels in antibacterial and antiviral treatments and elaborate on their molecular designs and practical implementations. By outlining the chemical designs underlying these hydrogels, we discuss how the choice of dynamic chemical bonds affects their stimulus responsiveness, self-healing capabilities, and mechanical properties. Afterwards, we focus on how to endow dynamic hydrogels with anti-infection properties. By comparing different drug-loading methods, we highlight the advantages of dynamic chemical bonds in achieving sustained and controlled drug release. Moreover, we also include the design principles and uses of hydrogels that possess inherent anti-infective properties. Furthermore, we explore the design principles and applications of hydrogels with inherent anti-infective properties. Finally, we briefly summarize the current challenges faced by dynamic hydrogels and present a forward-looking vision for their future development. Through this review, we expect to draw more attention to these therapeutic strategies among scientists working with chemistry, materials, as well as pharmaceutics.
Multimodal Genealogy: The Capitol Hill Riot and Conspiracy Iconography
Authors: Iervese Vittorio
Published: May 2024

The Capitol Hill riots on 6 January 2021 were an event of great importance not only because of their political and legal impact, but also because they allowed everyone to observe the symbols, images, masks, and other signs that were displayed in front of the cameras of many journalists and eyewitnesses. The iconography displayed on that occasion should not be dealt with as an extemporary invention but considered the result of a process of semantic and narrative accumulation produced in online and offline interactions. This article seeks to outline a theoretical–methodological framework of contemporary conspiracy images as multimodal forms of communication. Starting with images collected on Capitol Hill along with a corpus of online conversations that occurred on platforms such as Gab, in particular, between 2016 and 2021, examples of the dynamics of constitution of conspiracy images and their genealogy will be provided.