bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Indirect Costs of Avoidance in Food Allergy Management: A Scoping Review
Authors: Protudjer Jennifer L. P. , Engel Melissa L.
Published: April 2024

Background: Food allergy management requires avoidance of allergenic food. While the direct costs of food allergy management have been described, avoidance may also contribute to time and opportunity costs. We aimed to conduct a scoping review of the peer-reviewed literature on the indirect costs of food allergy, and to characterise these costs through a series of fictitious case studies. Methods: We performed a scoping review, guided by Arskey and O’Malley’s methodological framework, and reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. Eligible studies included original, peer-reviewed, English language literature with no lower limits to publication dates, which addressed the indirect costs of food allergy, including time and opportunity costs. A search strategy was developed by content experts with experience performing multi-database scoping reviews. The search was performed on 10 July 2023, managed using Rayyan (Cambridge, USA), and screened for eligibility. Results: Searches yielded 104 articles. After deduplication, 96 articles were screened at the title and abstract level; 12 articles were included following full-text screening. Of these, three studies were performed on adults with food allergy, eight studies were based on data collected from caregivers of children with food allergy, and one study made use of data reflecting adults and caregivers of children with food allergy. Collectively, indirect costs were identified as higher amongst those with vs. without food allergy. The few studies on age and food allergy differences (e.g., type and number of food allergies, history of reaction) are equivocal. Conclusions: The limited body of peer-reviewed literature supports that food allergy commonly carries substantial indirect costs across diverse measurement tools, albeit with age-group differences.
Cytoarchitectonic Analysis and 3D Maps of the Mesial Piriform Region in the Human Brain
Authors: Kedo Olga , Bludau Sebastian , Schiffer Christian , Mohlberg Hartmut , Dickscheid Timo , Amunts Katrin
Published: April 2024

The mesial piriform region plays a central role in olfaction. Its small size and complex geometry, however, make it a difficult target in functional neuroimaging studies, while histological maps often represent schematic drawings, which are not compatible with requirements for modern imaging. To bridge this gap, cytoarchitectonic analysis and mapping of the region was performed in serial histological sections over their full extent in 10 postmortem brains. The temporobasal areas PirTBd and PirTBv and temporal areas PirTu and PirTit were identified and analyzed. Probabilistic cytoarchitectonic maps of the piriform areas in MNI reference space and high-resolution maps of the amygdala-piriform region on the BigBrain model were calculated as part of the Julich-Brain. Differences in the cytoarchitectonic “texture” of the region were quantified based on the Gray Level Co-Occurrence Matrix. Results showed that allocortical areas were not consistently associated with the rostral Limen insulae, although it was often suggested as a landmark in neuroimaging protocols. PirTu was associated with the uncal tip. PirTit was the largest area, reaching to the temporal pole, with a “temporal” (caudal) and a “temporopolar” (rostral) part having complex neighborhood relationships. The probabilistic maps reflect interindividual variability; they are openly available via the digital EBRAINS platform to serve as an anatomical reference for studies related to olfaction.
Form Matters—Technical Cues in the Single Leg Heel Raise to Failure Test Significantly Change the Outcome: A Study of Convergent Validity in Australian Football Players
Authors: Green Brady , Coventry Molly , Pizzari Tania , Rio Ebonie K. , Murphy Myles C.
Published: April 2024

Practitioners routinely use the single leg heel raise (SLHR) to quantify calf function in healthy and injured populations. Despite this, approaches vary and the impact of cueing on SLHR performance and results interpretation in athletesis unknown. The primary aim of this study was to quantify the level of agreement of the cued versus non-cued SLHR tests. The secondary aim was to explore test outcomes and the potential impact of intrinsic factors. Cued and non-cued SLHR tests were conducted in fifty-one Australian football players (23 women, 28 men). Metronome pacing (60 bpm) and five key cues were included in the cued condition. The level of agreement (Bland–Altman) between tests was measured for capacity (repetitions to failure) and asymmetry. Data from 100 legs were included. The non-cued and cued SLHR tests demonstrated poor agreement in both capacity and asymmetry. More repetitions to failure were performed in the non-cued SLHR [Mean (SD) = 33.9 (10.3) vs. 21.9 (5.3), p < 0.001)], and men had greater capacity (36.8 (10.4) vs. 30.3 (9.2), p < 0.001). During the cued SLHR, older players (age ≥ 30 years: −5.1 repetitions, p = 0.01) and Indigenous players (−3.4 repetitions, p = 0.002) and had reduced calf muscle function. Cueing the SLHR test significantly changes the result—outcomes are not comparable or interchangeable with the commonly used non-cued SLHR. These findings can guide practitioners quantifying calf capacity.
RETRACTED: Utilizing Generative Adversarial Networks for Acne Dataset Generation in Dermatology
Authors: Sankar Aravinthan , Chaturvedi Kunal , Nayan Al-Akhir , Hesamian Mohammad , Braytee Ali , Prasad Mukesh
Published: April 2024

Background: In recent years, computer-aided diagnosis for skin conditions has made significant strides, primarily driven by artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. However, despite this progress, the efficiency of AI-enabled systems remains hindered by the scarcity of high-quality and large-scale datasets, primarily due to privacy concerns. Methods: This research circumvents privacy issues associated with real-world acne datasets by creating a synthetic dataset of human faces with varying acne severity levels (mild, moderate, and severe) using Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). Further, three object detection models—YOLOv5, YOLOv8, and Detectron2—are used to evaluate the efficacy of the augmented dataset for detecting acne. Results: Integrating StyleGAN with these models, the results demonstrate the mean average precision (mAP) scores: YOLOv5: 73.5%, YOLOv8: 73.6%, and Detectron2: 37.7%. These scores surpass the mAP achieved without GANs. Conclusions: This study underscores the effectiveness of GANs in generating synthetic facial acne images and emphasizes the importance of utilizing GANs and convolutional neural network (CNN) models for accurate acne detection.
Correction: Toader et al. Cognitive Crescendo: How Music Shapes the Brain’s Structure and Function. Brain Sci. 2023, 13, 1390
Authors: Toader Corneliu , Tataru Calin Petru , Florian Ioan-Alexandru , Covache-Busuioc Razvan-Adrian , Bratu Bogdan-Gabriel , Glavan Luca Andrei , Bordeianu Andrei , Dumitrascu David-Ioan , Ciurea Alexandru Vlad
Published: April 2024

In the original publication [...]
Single-Cell DNA Sequencing Reveals an Evolutionary Pattern of CHIP in Transplant Eligible Multiple Myeloma Patients
Authors: Borsi Enrica , Vigliotta Ilaria , Poletti Andrea , Mazzocchetti Gaia , Solli Vincenza , Zazzeroni Luca , Martello Marina , Armuzzi Silvia , Taurisano Barbara , Kanapari Ajsi , Pistis Ignazia , Zamagni Elena , Pantani Lucia , Rocchi Serena , Mancuso Katia , Tacchetti Paola , Rizzello Ilaria , Rizzi Simonetta , Dan Elisa , Sinigaglia Barbara , Cavo Michele , Terragna Carolina
Published: April 2024

Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) refers to the phenomenon where a hematopoietic stem cell acquires fitness-increasing mutation(s), resulting in its clonal expansion. CHIP is frequently observed in multiple myeloma (MM) patients, and it is associated with a worse outcome. High-throughput amplicon-based single-cell DNA sequencing was performed on circulating CD34+ cells collected from twelve MM patients before autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Moreover, in four MM patients, longitudinal samples either before or post-ASCT were collected. Single-cell sequencing and data analysis were assessed using the MissionBio Tapestri® platform, with a targeted panel of 20 leukemia-associated genes. We detected CHIP pathogenic mutations in 6/12 patients (50%) at the time of transplant. The most frequently mutated genes were TET2, EZH2, KIT, DNMT3A, and ASXL1. In two patients, we observed co-occurring mutations involving an epigenetic modifier (i.e., DNMT3A) and/or a gene involved in splicing machinery (i.e., SF3B1) and/or a tyrosine kinase receptor (i.e., KIT) in the same clone. Longitudinal analysis of paired samples revealed a positive selection of mutant high-fitness clones over time, regardless of their affinity with a major or minor sub-clone. Copy number analysis of the panel of all genes did not show any numerical alterations present in stem cell compartment. Moreover, we observed a tendency of CHIP-positive patients to achieve a suboptimal response to therapy compared to those without. A sub-clone dynamic of high-fitness mutations over time was confirmed.
Stimulus-Induced Activation of the Glycoprotein Hormone α-Subunit Promoter in Human Placental Choriocarcinoma Cells: Major Role of a tandem cAMP Response Element
Authors: Bürvenich Lars , Rössler Oliver G. , Thiel Gerald
Published: April 2024

The glycoprotein hormones LH, FSH, TSH and chorionic gonadotropin consist of a common α-subunit and a hormone-specific β-subunit. The α-subunit is expressed in the pituitary and the placental cells, and its expression is regulated by extracellular signal molecules. Much is known about the regulation of the α-subunit gene in the pituitary, but few studies have addressed the regulation of this gene in trophoblasts. The aim of this study was to characterize the molecular mechanism of stimulus-induced α-subunit gene transcription in JEG-3 cells, a cellular model for human trophoblasts, using chromatin-embedded reporter genes under the control of the α-subunit promoter. The results show that increasing the concentration of the second messengers cAMP or Ca2+, or expressing the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in the nucleus activated the α-subunit promoter. Similarly, the stimulation of p38 protein kinase activated the α-subunit promoter, linking α-subunit expression to stress response. The stimulation of a Gαq-coupled designer receptor activated the α-subunit promoter, involving the transcription factor CREB, linking α-subunit expression to hormonal stimulation and an increase in intracellular Ca2+. Deletion mutagenesis underscores the importance of a tandem cAMP response element within the glycoprotein hormone α-subunit promoter, which acts as a point of convergence for a multiple signaling pathway.
Formation Mechanism of Ti–Si Multi-Layer Coatings on the Surface of Ti–6Al–4V Alloy
Authors: Zhao Yu , Liang Guodong , Zhang Xinjian , Zhao Xudong , Li Wensheng , Seniuts Uladzimir , Viktor Zhornik , Cheng Bo
Published: April 2024

Titanium alloys are widely used in aerospace applications due to their high specific strength and exceptional corrosion resistance. In this study, a silicide coating with a multi-layer structure was designed and prepared via a pack cementation process to improve the high-temperature oxidation resistance of titanium alloy. A new theory based on the Le Chatelier’s principle is proposed to explain the generation mechanism of active Si atoms. Taking the chemical potential as a bridge, a functional model of the relationship between the diffusion driving force and the change in the Gibbs free energy of reaction diffusion is established. Experimental results indicate that the depth of the silicide coating increases with the siliconization temperature (1000–1100 °C) and time (0–5 h). The multi-layer coating prepared at 1075 °C for 3 h exhibits a thick and dense structure with a thickness of 23.52 μm. This coating consists of an outer layer of TiSi2 (9.40 μm), a middle layer of TiSi (3.36 μm), and an inner layer of Ti5Si3 (10.76 μm). Under this preparation parameter, increasing the temperature or prolonging the holding time will cause the outward diffusion flux of atoms in the substrate to be much larger than the diffusion flux of silicon atoms to the substrate, thus forming pores in the coating. The calculated value of the diffusion driving force FTiSi = 2.012S is significantly smaller than that of FTiSi2 = 13.120S and FTi5Si3 = 14.552S, which perfectly reveals the relationship between the thickness of each layer in the Ti–Si multi-layer coating.
Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children and Adolescents with Disabilities: A Systematic Review
Authors: Álvarez-Guerrero Garazi , Fry Deborah , Lu Mengyao , Gaitis Konstantinos Kosmas
Published: April 2024

Online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA) is a rising global problem affecting children and adolescents worldwide. Despite the escalating prevalence of OCSEA, there is limited research specifically focusing on children and adolescents with disabilities. To bridge this gap, this systematic review was conducted to identify the prevalence, nature and associated risk factors of OCSEA of children and adolescents with disabilities. Following the PRISMA Statement, this systematic review included scientific evidence from 12 academic databases and the gray literature published between 1993 and 2023. A total of 13 studies were extracted, and thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the data. The findings of this systematic review reveal the characteristics such as the gender, age and type of disabilities of OCSEA victims. Perpetrators use diverse techniques, including online grooming, manipulation, and cyber-threats, resulting in consequences such as mental health issues and social isolation of victims. The associated risk factors include lack of parental monitoring, social isolation, and low risk perception. The results of this research provide crucial insights into OCSEA of children and adolescents with disabilities, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and further exploration in this understudied area.
Exploring the Roles of Different DNA Repair Proteins in Short Inverted Repeat Mediated Genomic Instability: A Pilot Study
Authors: Mandke Pooja , Vasquez Karen M.
Published: April 2024

Repetitive DNA sequences are abundant in the human genome and can adopt alternative (i.e., non-B) DNA structures. These sequences contribute to diverse biological functions, including genomic instability. Previously, we found that Z-DNA-, H-DNA- and cruciform DNA-forming sequences are mutagenic, implicating them in cancer etiology. These sequences can stimulate the formation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), causing deletions via cleavage by the endonuclease ERCC1-XPF. Interestingly, the activity of ERCC1-XPF in H-DNA-induced mutagenesis is nucleotide excision repair (NER)-dependent, but its role in Z-DNA-induced mutagenesis is NER-independent. Instead, Z-DNA is processed by ERCC1-XPF in a mechanism dependent on the mismatch repair (MMR) complex, MSH2-MSH3. These observations indicate distinct mechanisms of non-B-induced genomic instability. However, the roles of NER and MMR proteins, as well as additional nucleases (CtIP and MRE11), in the processing of cruciform DNA remain unknown. Here, we present data on the processing of cruciform-forming short inverted repeats (IRs) by DNA repair proteins using mammalian cell-based systems. From this pilot study, we show that, in contrast to H-DNA and Z-DNA, short IRs are processed in a NER- and MMR-independent manner, and the nucleases CtIP and MRE11 suppress short IR-induced genomic instability in mammalian cells.
Influence of Cell Characteristics on the Construction of Structural Color Layers on Wood Surfaces
Authors: Hu Jing , Liu Yi , Xu Wei
Published: April 2024

When utilizing microspheres to construct structural color layers on wood surfaces, the cellular structure of wood can influence the self-assembly of microspheres and the resulting structural color layers. To investigate this influence, seven types of wood were selected in this study, and structural color layers were constructed on their surfaces. A comparative analysis was conducted on the color production and macro and micro morphologies of the structural color layers on different wood surfaces, along with an examination of the types and causes of surface defects. The study found that when a microsphere-containing emulsion was applied to a wood surface, the emulsion tended to flow along the vessels of hardwood and the tracheids of softwood. Overflow or seepage of the emulsion could lead to a reduction in the number of microspheres per unit area, resulting in uneven thickness and uneven color generation of the structural color layers. Although the structural color layers on different wood exhibited the same color, there were variations in their tones, appearance, and morphology. Defects such as minor bumps and pits were present on the structural color layers. Bump defects might originate from microsphere encapsulation of fiber bundles or the displacement of air within vessel lumens by emulsion, while pits were mainly caused by the inflow of emulsion into the vessel lumens. This study clarified the influence of wood surface cells, particularly vessels and tracheids, on the construction and color production of structural color layers, providing support for the controllable modification of wood surfaces using structural colors.
Response of Soil Physicochemical Properties and Microbial Community Composition in Larix olgensis Plantations to Disturbance by a Large Outbreak of Bark Beetle
Authors: Zhang Yuqi , Sun Zhihu , Yin Sainan
Published: April 2024

Forests are affected by a wide range of disturbances globally, resulting in the decline or death of large areas of them. There is a lack of comparative studies on how soil properties change in forests that die under the influence of disturbances, especially considering different levels of disturbance. For this study, we took Larix olgensis—a major plantation forest species in northeast China—as the research object, one in which a large outbreak of bark beetle led to large-scale forest death, and set up fixed sample plots characterized by different disturbance intensities. We investigated the responses of soil physicochemical properties and microbial community compositions to different disturbance intensities through the determination of soil nutrient indices and high-throughput sequencing. The results show that there were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the effects of different disturbance intensities on soil physicochemical properties, where the soil moisture content, total nitrogen, total carbon, and total phosphorus in the control group were significantly higher than those in the disturbed groups. The soil pH was highest under low-intensity disturbance and the soil total potassium content was highest under high-intensity disturbance. At different disturbance intensities, the highest soil moisture content was found in the high-intensity group. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Acidobacteria, Candidatus_Rokubacteria, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes, and Thaumarchaeota were the dominant populations with higher abundances; meanwhile, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Tenericutes, and a tentatively unclassified fungus differed significantly (p < 0.05) across disturbance intensities. Among the dominant microbial populations, Acidobacteria showed a significant negative correlation with soil pH and a significant positive correlation with total potassium content, Thaumarchaeota showed significant positive correlations with soil moisture content and total nitrogen content, and Firmicutes and Gemmatimonadetes showed significant negative correlations with total carbon content in the soil. Furthermore, soil total nitrogen content was the key factor driving changes in microbial communities. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the study of the long-term effects of tree mortality caused by insect pests on soil microbial communities and their response mechanisms, which is of great theoretical value for the establishment of scientific and effective methods for woodland restoration.
Towards the Isothermal Gas Compression—A Novel Finned Piston-Cylinder with Increased Efficiency
Authors: Rufer Alfred
Published: April 2024

In this paper, a novel concept of a finned piston system is presented and analyzed in which the compression heat is continuously extracted from the compression chamber. The resulting compression characteristic moves in the direction of an isothermal process, reducing the temperature of the compressed fluid in the compression chamber and reducing the necessary mechanical work required to carry out the process. The finned piston concept consists in an integrated heat exchanger inside of the chamber that is constituted of imbricated flat fins placed on the stator part and on the mobile piston. The internal heat exchange on the surface is strongly increased in comparison with a classical piston/cylinder. The energetic performance of the new system is evaluated with the help of simulation. The pressures, forces, and temperature of the compressed gas are simulated as well as the mechanical work needed. The different curves are compared with the system’s adiabatic and isothermal characteristics.
The Optimization Study of Rheological Characteristics of Wind Power Grease Based on Gel-State
Authors: Peng Han , Zhao Defang , Shangguan Linjian , Li Songyin , Cheng Ruixue , Li Yanchi
Published: April 2024

The gel-state grease plays a vital and indispensable role in the long-term operation of wind turbines. To reduce carbon emissions and increase the reliability of wind turbines, this paper takes the gel-state Mobil SHC 461WT grease as the study object. Firstly, the rheological properties of the gel-state Mobil SHC 461WT grease were investigated using the Anton Paar MCR302 rotational rheometer. Secondly, the rheological characteristics of three different gel states of the Mobil SHC 461WT grease (additive content of 0.1% of RFM3000, SK3115, and PV611, respectively, in the gel-state Mobil SHC 461WT grease) were optimized under the same conditions. Finally, according to the experimental results and the Herschel–Bulkley (H–B) model, the RFM3000 additive has the best effect on improving the rheological characteristics of the gel-state Mobil SHC 461WT grease. This research provides a new idea and direction for the technological advancement of the gel-state grease industry.
Factors Influencing Mortality in Children with Central Nervous System Tumors: A Cohort Study on Clinical Characteristics and Genetic Markers
Authors: Torres-Espíndola Luz María , Pérez-De Marcos Juan Carlos , Castillejos-López Manuel , Velasco-Hidalgo Liliana , Cárdenas-Cardós Rocío , De Uña-Flores Armando , Salinas-Lara Citlaltepetl , Caballero-Salazar Silvia , Fernández-Plata Rosario , Aquíno-Gálvez Arnoldo
Published: April 2024

Multidrug resistance (MDR) commonly leads to cancer treatment failure because cancer cells often expel chemotherapeutic drugs using ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, which reduce drug levels within the cells. This study investigated the clinical characteristics and single nucleotide variant (SNV) in ABCB1, ABCC1, ABCC2, ABCC4, and ABCG2, and their association with mortality in pediatric patients with central nervous system tumors (CNST). Using TaqMan probes, a real-time polymerase chain reaction genotyped 15 SNPs in 111 samples. Patients were followed up until death or the last follow-up day using the Cox proportional hazards model. An association was found between the rs1045642 (ABCB1) in the recessive model (HR = 2.433, 95% CI 1.098–5.392, p = 0.029), and the ICE scheme in the codominant model (HR = 9.810, 95% CI 2.74–35.06, p ≤ 0.001), dominant model (HR = 6.807, 95% CI 2.87–16.103, p ≤ 0.001), and recessive model (HR = 6.903, 95% CI 2.915–16.544, p = 0.038) significantly increased mortality in this cohort of patients. An association was also observed between the variant rs3114020 (ABCG2) and mortality in the codominant model (HR = 5.35, 95% CI 1.83–15.39, p = 0.002) and the dominant model (HR = 4.421, 95% CI 1.747–11.185, p = 0.002). A significant association between the ICE treatment schedule and increased mortality risk in the codominant model (HR = 6.351, 95% CI 1.831–22.02, p = 0.004, HR = 9.571, 95% CI 2.856–32.07, p ≤ 0.001), dominant model (HR = 6.592, 95% CI 2.669–16.280, p ≤ 0.001), and recessive model (HR = 5.798, 95% CI 2.411–13.940, p ≤ 0.001). The genetic variants rs3114020 in the ABCG2 gene and rs1045642 in the ABCB1 gene and the ICE chemotherapy schedule were associated with an increased mortality risk in this cohort of pediatric patients with CNST.
Artificial Intelligence, Lymphoid Neoplasms, and Prediction of MYC, BCL2, and BCL6 Gene Expression Using a Pan-Cancer Panel in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Carreras Joaquim , Nakamura Naoya
Published: April 2024

Background: Artificial intelligence in medicine is a field that is rapidly evolving. Machine learning and deep learning are used to improve disease identification and diagnosis, personalize disease treatment, analyze medical images, evaluate clinical trials, and speed drug development. Methods: First, relevant aspects of AI are revised in a comprehensive manner, including the classification of hematopoietic neoplasms, types of AI, applications in medicine and hematological neoplasia, generative pre-trained transformers (GPTs), and the architecture and interpretation of feedforward neural net-works (multilayer perceptron). Second, a series of 233 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients treated with rituximab-CHOP from the Lymphoma/Leukemia Molecular Profiling Project (LLMPP) was analyzed. Results: Using conventional statistics, the high expression of MYC and BCL2 was associated with poor survival, but high BCL6 was associated with a favorable overall survival of the patients. Then, a neural network predicted MYC, BCL2, and BCL6 with high accuracy using a pan-cancer panel of 758 genes of immuno-oncology and translational research that includes clinically relevant actionable genes and pathways. A comparable analysis was performed using gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Conclusions: The mathematical way in which neural networks reach conclusions has been considered a black box, but a careful understanding and evaluation of the architectural design allows us to interpret the results logically. In diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, neural networks are a plausible data analysis approach.
A Comparative Study of Calcium Sulfate Alternatives in Compost Production for White Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus)
Authors: Misz András , Szőke Amanda Sándorné , Bajzát Judit , Kökény Dániel , Visnyei Marianna , Kredics László , Allaga Henrietta , Szűcs Attila , Kocsubé Sándor , Csutorás Csaba , Vágvölgyi Csaba
Published: April 2024

This study explores various potential substitutes for gypsum in the production of compost for white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus). During compost preparation, calcium sulfate (CaSO4) was replaced with calcium carbonate (CaCO3), ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4), and monocalcium phosphate (Ca(H2PO4)2). Complete replacement of gypsum with calcium carbonate led to a significant pH increase during the second phase of composting, adversely affecting mushroom mycelium growth. Compost parameters were observed to be similar in scenarios where calcium sulfate was supplemented with calcium carbonate in 8:2 and 6:4 ratios, both with and without the presence of ammonium sulfate, and in 3:1 and 1:1 mixtures of calcium sulfate and monocalcium phosphate, when compared to traditional gypsum-based processes. All experimental compost mixtures yielded comparable mushroom crops in cultivation trials. Notably, the 8:2 mixture of calcium sulfate and calcium carbonate demonstrated superior performance in cultivation trials relative to the 6:4 mixture. However, supplementing these mixtures with ammonium sulfate resulted in similar crop yields. Monocalcium phosphate also emerged as a promising partial gypsum substitute, showing comparable crop production in both 3:1 and 1:1 ratios to the technological optimum. The exploration of alternative calcium sources like calcium carbonate and monocalcium phosphate reflects the adaptability of the industry in response to resource availability challenges. The potential use of byproducts like ammonium sulfate from the composting process itself offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach to compost formulation, underscoring its worldwide relevance.
A Comparative Study of Five Apple Cultivars Linking Biochemical Changes at Different Developmental Stages with Storage Textural Quality
Authors: Ross Kelly , DeLury Naomi , Li Adrian , Fukumoto Lana , Zurowski-Tiffin Kandace
Published: April 2024

Biochemical changes in the cell wall composition and activity of cell wall-modifying enzymes of five apple cultivars, Royal Gala (Gala), Aurora Golden Gala (Aur), Splendour (Spl), Honeycrisp (HC), and Ambrosia (Amb), collected from the 2016 growing season in the early growth phases, namely 40 and 70 days after full bloom (DAFB), at harvest maturity, and after 20 weeks of storage were investigated in relation to the textural changes at harvest maturity through to 20 weeks of storage. Assessing apple texture with a single-point measurement of firmness using a penetration test to a depth of approximately 8 mm in apples may not be an ideal measurement for assessing apple textural quality. Pectin methyl esterase (PME) activity at early developmental stages may be predictive of textural quality after storage. This work also found that β-D-galactosidase (BGAL) and α-L-arabinofuranosidase (AFAS) activities at early developmental stages may be important factors affecting textural quality after storage. Additionally, the degree of methylesterification (DME) assessed with FTIR on apple flesh material at the early developmental stages was strongly positively correlated (r2 ≥ +0.891 to +0.963, p ≤ 0.05) with textural quality after storage, including crispness, indicating that FTIR could serve as a rapid screening tool for textural quality at early developmental stages on minimally processed starting material.
Effect of Pre-Harvest Calcium Treatment on Post-Harvest Fruit Quality of Nanfeng Tangerine
Authors: Chen Ziwen , Ma Qiaoli , Zheng Shuang , Liu Xiangling , Wu Dan , Gu Qingqing , Wei Qingjiang
Published: April 2024

To investigate the effect of calcium (Ca) application on post-harvest fruit quality in Nanfeng tangerines, this study sprayed three calcium fertilizers (Calbit, Larry 8 Calcium, and Suspended Calcium) before harvesting. The fruit quality was assessed over a storage period of 0–60 d at a controlled room temperature of 20 ± 5 °C. The evaluation methods included principal component analysis (PCA) and linearly weighted summation. Pre-harvest calcium treatments increased the fruit calcium content and maintained higher firmness and shear. Compared to the control group, fruits treated with Calbit exhibited decreased levels of decay, weight loss, and respiration rates. Additionally, they demonstrated higher values of L*, b*, C*, and H° and lower values of a* and CCI. Moreover, the Larry 8 Calcium and Calbit treatments increased the levels of soluble solids, total soluble sugars, titratable acids, and VC content in the fruit. They accelerated the decomposition of tartaric, oxalic, and citric acids in the pulp, promoting the accumulation of sucrose and glucose. PCA and comprehensive evaluation scores indicated that the comprehensive scores assessing the storage quality of Nanfeng tangerine fruits treated with pre-harvest Larry 8 Calcium and Calbit were higher than those of the control group. The highest composite quality scores for Calbit-treated fruits were observed at 40 and 60 d, and the highest scores for Larry 8 Calcium were recorded at other intervals. These findings suggest that pre-harvest calcium application improved the post-harvest fruit quality of Nanfeng tangerines, with Larry 8 Calcium and Calbit emerging as favorable options.
Morphosyntactic Annotation in Literary Stylometry
Authors: Gorman Robert
Published: April 2024

This article investigates the stylometric usefulness of morphosyntactic annotation. Focusing on the style of literary texts, it argues that including morphosyntactic annotation in analyses of style has at least two important advantages: (1) maintaining a topic agnostic approach and (2) providing input variables that are interpretable in traditional grammatical terms. This study demonstrates how widely available Universal Dependency parsers can generate useful morphological and syntactic data for texts in a range of languages. These data can serve as the basis for input features that are strongly informative about the style of individual novels, as indicated by accuracy in classification tests. The interpretability of such features is demonstrated by a discussion of the weakness of an “authorial” signal as opposed to the clear distinction among individual works.
Using Machine Learning with Impulse Oscillometry Data to Develop a Predictive Model for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma
Authors: Huang Chien-Hua , Chou Kun-Ta , Perng Diahn-Warng , Hsiao Yi-Han , Huang Chien-Wen
Published: April 2024

We aimed to develop and validate a machine learning model using impulse oscillometry system (IOS) profiles for accurately classifying patients into three assessment-based categories: no airflow obstruction, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our research questions were as follows: (1) Can machine learning methods accurately classify obstructive disease states based solely on multidimensional IOS data? (2) Which IOS parameters and modeling algorithms provide the best discrimination? We used data for 480 patients (240 with COPD and 240 with asthma) and 84 healthy individuals for training. Physiological and IOS parameters were combined into six feature combinations. The classification algorithms tested were logistic regression, random forest, neural network, k-nearest neighbor, and support vector machine. The optimal feature combination for identifying individuals without pulmonary obstruction, with asthma, or with COPD included 15 IOS and physiological features. The neural network classifier achieved the highest accuracy (0.786). For discriminating between healthy and unhealthy individuals, two combinations of twenty-three features performed best in the neural network algorithm (accuracy of 0.929). When distinguishing COPD from asthma, the best combination included 15 features and the neural network algorithm achieved an accuracy of 0.854. This study provides compelling technical evidence and clinical justifications for advancing IOS data-driven models to aid in COPD and asthma management.
Simulation Modeling and Analysis on the Value-Added Service of the Third-Party E-Commerce Platform Supporting Multi-Value Chain Collaboration
Authors: Li Wenbo , Zhang Yajie , Dan Bin , Zhang Xumei , Sui Ronghua
Published: April 2024

Service-oriented third-party e-commerce platforms have emerged as a new trend in the manufacturing industry. This paper aims to investigate the platforms’ value-added service (VAS) and charging strategies with a dynamic evolution analysis. Considering the change in the user numbers and characteristics of the e-commerce industry, this paper proposes a system dynamics model composed of multi-value chains and a third-party e-commerce platform. The simulation results indicate that the platform should reduce VAS investment and appropriately increase the VAS fee in the early development period. After the number of users stabilizes, the platform should appropriately increase its VAS investment and reduce the VAS fee. When the VAS fee is low, the platform profit first increases and then decreases as the VAS level increases. Differently, the platform profit will first decrease, then increase, and finally decrease as the VAS level improves when the VAS fee is low. This paper further finds that the strong cross-network effect of manufacturers is not always beneficial to the platform.
3D-CFD Modeling of Hollow-Fiber Membrane Contactor for CO2 Absorption Using MEA Solution
Authors: Bozonc Alexandru-Constantin , Sandu Vlad-Cristian , Cormos Calin-Cristian , Cormos Ana-Maria
Published: April 2024

Membrane technology is considered an innovative and promising approach due to its flexibility and low energy consumption. In this work, a comprehensive 3D-CFD model of the Hollow-Fiber Membrane Contactor (HFMC) system for CO2 capture into aqueous MEA solution, considering a counter-current fluid flow, was developed and validated with experimental data. Two different flow arrangements were considered for the gas mixture and liquid solution inside the HFMC module. The simulation results showed that the CO2 absorption efficiency was considerably higher when the gas mixture was channeled through the membranes and the liquid phase flowed externally between the membranes, across a wide range of gas and liquid flow rates. Sensitivity studies were performed in order to determine the optimal CO2 capture process parameters under different operating conditions (flow rates/flow velocities and concentrations) and HFMC geometrical characteristics (e.g., porosity, diameter, and thickness of membranes). It was found that increasing the membrane radius, while maintaining a constant thickness, positively influenced the efficiency of CO2 absorption due to the higher mass transfer area and residence time. Conversely, higher membrane thickness resulted in higher mass transfer resistance. The optimal membrane thickness was also investigated for various inner fiber diameters, resulting in a thickness of 0.2 mm as optimal for a fiber inner radius of 0.225 mm. Additionally, a significant improvement in CO2 capture efficiency was observed when increasing membrane porosity to values below 0.2, at which point the increase dampened considerably. The best HFMC configuration involved a combination of low porosity, moderate thickness, and large fiber inner diameter, with gas flow occurring within the fiber membranes.
Training to Achieve Sustainable Employment for Youth and Young Adults
Authors: de Sousa Cristina , Romana Fernando Acabado
Published: April 2024

This paper presents the outcomes of the “Training for Sustainable Employment of Youth and Young Adults” project, originally developed with the assistance of a consortium of institutions in six countries. These countries comprised five EU member states, Portugal, Italy, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Spain, and an EU candidate, Turkey. The main objective of the project was to analyse the gap between the needs of employers and the skill sets of youth and young adults, in order to assess the training needs of young people to equip them to be sustainably employed. In addition, the project set out to create a course programme that contained targeted training to meet the identified training needs of both employers and young people. The data collection was performed using a focus group (n = 144) and an online survey aimed at a convenience sample of the target groups (n = 244) in the six participating countries. The data were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. The findings indicated six main competencies to develop in training: flexibility, inclusivity, diversity, and wellbeing; innovation and knowledge management; mobilisation of human resources; international orientation; entrepreneurship; and presentation. In conclusion, this study illustrated the need for a course programme to be established, structured around the six categories that correspond to the main topics obtained through the consortium’s research. Therefore, the main gain of the project study was the creation of a course programme, focused on improving young people’s inclusion in the job market and meeting companies’ needs for skilled employees.
Late Effects of Ionizing Radiation on the Ultrastructure of Hepatocytes and Activity of Lysosomal Enzymes in Mouse Liver Irradiated In Vivo
Authors: Łysek-Gładysińska Małgorzata , Wieczorek Anna , Walaszczyk Anna , Jelonek Karol , Pietrowska Monika , Widłak Piotr , Kulik Roland , Gabryś Dorota
Published: April 2024

The study aimed to investigate late radiation-induced changes in the histology, ultrastructure, and activity of lysosomal enzymes in mouse liver exposed to ionizing radiation. The experiment was conducted on C57BL/6J male mice whose distal part of the liver was exposed occasionally to single doses of radiation (6 MV photons) during targeted heart irradiation; estimated doses delivered to analyzed tissue were 0.025 Gy, 0.25 Gy, 1 Gy, and 2 Gy. Tissues were collected 40 weeks after irradiation. We have observed that late effects of radiation have an adaptive nature and their intensity was dose-dependent. Morphological changes in hepatocytes included an increased number of primary lysosomes and autophagic vacuoles, which were visible in tissues irradiated with 0.25 Gy and higher doses. On the other hand, a significant increase in the activity of lysosomal hydrolases was observed only in tissues exposed to 2 Gy. The etiology of these changes may be multifactorial and result, among others, from unintentional irradiation of the distal part of the liver and/or functional interaction of the liver with an irradiated heart. In conclusion, we confirmed the presence of late dose-dependent ultrastructural and biochemical changes in mouse hepatocytes after liver irradiation in vivo.
Recent Progress in Intestinal Toxicity of Microplastics and Nanoplastics: Systematic Review of Preclinical Evidence
Authors: Djouina Madjid , Loison Suzie , Body-Malapel Mathilde
Published: April 2024

The tremendous plastic production and poor post-use management are current and future sources of environmental and human contamination due to their degradation products: microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPLs). Methodological developments have allowed MNPLs to be detected in an increasing variety of human foods, as well as in stool and colonic mucosa. It was suggested early that the direct contact between MNPLs and intestinal tissues could represent a potential risk for human health. In order to assess this, over the last 3 years, numerous studies have evaluated the impact of MNPL ingestion on intestinal homeostasis in rodents. This comprehensive review reports the preclinical studies published between January 2021 and January 2024, and analyzes their contributions as well as their shortcomings. It shows that evidence is accumulating of the intestinal toxicity of spherical MNPLs, which lead to pro-inflammatory, pro-oxidative, barrier-disruptive and dysbiotic effects. However, the available literature has addressed only a minor part of the potential health issues of MNPLs. Many parameters contributing to MNPL toxicity need to be better taken into account in future studies. Particular attention should be paid to improve the representativeness of MNPLs, as well as to better consider the susceptibility factors of MNPL toxicity, generated especially by an underlying pathology or pathological imprinting.
Herbal Polyphenols as Selenium Reducers in the Green Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles: Antibacterial and Antioxidant Capabilities of the Obtained SeNPs
Authors: Sentkowska Aleksandra , Konarska Julia , Szmytke Jakub , Grudniak Anna
Published: April 2024

Selenium is an essential trace element for the proper functioning of the human body. In recent years, great attention has been paid to selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) due to their potential for medicinal applications. In this study, herbal extracts were used in the green synthesis of SeNPs. The influence of herbal species, the ratio of the reagents, and post-reaction heating on the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of obtained SeNPs were investigated. The relationship between these properties and the physical parameters of obtained nanoparticles (e.g., size, shape) was also studied. It has been proven that SeNPs showed higher antioxidant and antibacterial properties in comparison to herbal extracts taken for their synthesis. Heating of the post-reaction mixture did not affect the SeNP size, shape, or other studied properties.
UHPLC-HRMS/MS Chemical Fingerprinting of the Bioactive Partition from Cultivated Piper aduncum L.
Authors: de Luna Adélia Viviane , Fagundes Thayssa da Silva Ferreira , Ramos Ygor Jessé , de Araújo Marlon Heggdorne , Muzitano Michelle Frazão , Calixto Sanderson Dias , Simão Thatiana Lopes Biá Ventura , de Queiroz George Azevedo , Guimarães Elsie Franklin , Marques André Mesquita , Moreira Davyson de Lima
Published: April 2024

Piper aduncum L. is widely distributed in tropical regions and the ethnobotanical uses of this species encompass medicinal applications for the treatment of respiratory, antimicrobial, and gynecological diseases. Chemical studies reveal a diverse array of secondary metabolites, including terpenes, flavonoids, and prenylated compounds. Extracts from P. aduncum have shown antibacterial, antifungal, and larvicidal activities. Our study explores the activity of extracts and partitions against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv, as well as the chemical diversity of the bioactive partition. This marks the first investigation of the bioactive partition of P. aduncum from agroecological cultivation. The ethyl acetate partition from the ethanolic leaf extract (PAEPL) was found to be the most active. PAEPL was subjected to column chromatography using Sephadex LH-20 and the obtained fractions were analyzed using UHPLC-HRMS/MS. The MS/MS data from the fractions were submitted to the online GNPS platform for the generation of the molecular network, which displayed 1714 nodes and 167 clusters. Compounds were identified via manual inspection and different libraries, allowing the annotation of 83 compounds, including flavonoids, benzoic acid derivatives, glycosides, free fatty acids, and glycerol-esterified fatty acids. This study provides the first chemical fingerprint of an antimycobacterial sample from P. aduncum cultivated in an agroecological system.
Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to CO by Molecular Cobalt–Polypyridine Diamine Complexes
Authors: Yang Yong , Xie Fang , Chen Jiahui , Qiu Si , Qiang Na , Lu Ming , Peng Zhongli , Yang Jing , Liu Guocong
Published: April 2024

Cobalt complexes have previously been reported to exhibit high faradaic efficiency in reducing CO2 to CO. Herein, we synthesized capsule-like cobalt–polypyridine diamine complexes [Co(L1)](BF4)2 (1) and [Co(L2) (CH3CN)](BF4)2 (2) as catalysts for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2. Under catalytic conditions, complexes 1 and 2 demonstrated the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO in the presence or absence of CH3OH as a proton source. Experimental and computational studies revealed that complexes 1 and 2 undergo two consecutive reversible one-electron reductions on the cobalt core, followed by the addition of CO2 to form a metallocarboxylate intermediate [CoII(L)–CO22−]0. This crucial reaction intermediate, which governs the catalytic cycle, was successfully detected using high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). In situ Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) analysis showed that methanol can enhance the rate of carbon–oxygen bond cleavage of the metallocarboxylate intermediate. DFT studies on [CoII(L)–CO22−]0 have suggested that the doubly reduced species attacks CO2 on the C atom through the dz2 orbital, while the interaction with CO2 is further stabilized by the π interaction between the metal dxz or dxz orbital with p orbitals on the O atoms. Further reductions generate a metal carbonyl intermediate [CoI(L)–CO]+, which ultimately releases CO.