bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mast Cells and Basophils in Major Viral Diseases: What Are the Correlations with SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A Viruses, HIV, and Dengue?
Authors: Gammeri Luca , Sanfilippo Serena , Alessandrello Clara , Gangemi Sebastiano , Minciullo Paola Lucia
Published: December 2024

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has significantly impacted global health and has led the population and the scientific community to live in fear of a future pandemic. Based on viral infectious diseases, innate immunity cells such as mast cells and basophils play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of viral diseases. Understanding these mechanisms could be essential to better study practical therapeutic approaches not only to COVID-19 but also to other viral infections widely spread worldwide, such as influenza A, HIV, and dengue. In this literature review, we want to study these concepts. Mast cells and basophils intervene as a bridge between innate and acquired immunity and seem to have a role in the damage mechanisms during infection and in the stimulation of humoral and cellular immunity. In some cases, these cells can act as reservoirs and favor the replication and spread of the virus in the body. Understanding these mechanisms can be useful not only in therapeutic but also in diagnostic and prognostic perspectives. The prospects of applying artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms for the creation of very accurate diagnostic/prognostic tools are interesting.
Clinical Outcomes and Complication Rates of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts in Hydrocephalic Infants with Meningomyelocele: A Ten-Year Review at a Single Institution
Authors: Türk Çağlar , Sevgi Umut Tan , Öncel Eda Karadağ , Çamlar Mahmut , Akgül Ozan , Özer Füsun
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the surgical treatment and management of hydrocephalus in infants with meningomyelocele and compare the single-center experience with the previous studies. Methods: This retrospective study included 81 infants (47 females and 34 males) who underwent meningomyelocele closure surgery and subsequent ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt surgery for hydrocephalus. Clinical and demographic data were retrospectively collected from hospital records, focusing on variables such as the timing of VP shunt placement relative to MMC closure, postoperative complications, and the need for shunt revisions. Patients were followed for a mean duration of 58.11 months to monitor long-term outcomes and identify factors associated with shunt failures and infections. Results: The mean follow-up period since birth was 58.11 (33.72) months. Shunt problems affected 30% (25/81) of patients with mechanical causes (8/25) and infections (6/25). A proximal mechanical malfunction/dysfunction was seen in 32% (8/25) of the shunts. Shunt infections occurred in 23% (19/81) of infants, and the mean time for shunt infection onset following the VP shunt procedure was 0 (0–39) median (min–max) months. Overall, 8 (9.9%) infants had short-term shunt infections, whereas 11 (13.6%) had long-term shunt infections. The mean length of the intensive care unit stay was 35.75 (25.28) days. Significant difference was seen in the number of shunt reoperations for short- and long-term infections (p < 0.001). All infants had at least one operation before the infection of their shunt system. Male gender was significantly associated with long-term shunt infections (p = 0.021). The study revealed methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococcus to be the most common isolated organism from infected shunts at 72.7% (6/11). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that hydrocephalic infants with meningomyelocele undergoing VP shunt surgery face notable risks of infection and mechanical complications, with methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococcus identified as the most common pathogen. The findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive postoperative care and targeted infection management to improve outcomes in this vulnerable population.
Transcriptomic Profiling of Carboplatin- and Paclitaxel-Resistant Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells Reveals CSF3 as a Potential Biomarker for the Carboplatin Plus Paclitaxel Doublet Regimens
Authors: Raungrut Pritsana , Tanyapattrapong Suchanan , Masjon Thipphanet , Maungchanburi Saowanee , Thongsuksai Paramee
Published: December 2024

This study aimed to generate Car- and Pac-resistant cell lines from the human lung adenocarcinoma H1792 cell line, designated as H1792/Car and H1792/Pac, and perform transcriptome sequencing to identify potential targets. Common differentially expressed genes (Co-DEGs) in both resistant cell lines were identified, followed by hub gene identification. Online validation was conducted through GEPIA and Kaplan–Meier Plotter platforms, with experimental validation performed using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). After six months, the H1792/Car and H1792/Pac cell lines exhibited a 10.7-fold and 5.6-fold increase in resistance to Car and Pac, respectively. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that both resistant cell lines were resistant to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induced by Car or Pac. Transcriptomic sequencing identified 123 Co-DEGs, including 72 upregulated and 51 downregulated genes, consistently expressed in both H1792/Car and H1792/Pac cell lines. Among these, 13 hub genes were identified, with colony-stimulating factor 3 (CSF3) uniquely associated with post-progression survival (PPS) in adenocarcinoma patients undergoing chemotherapy. Notably, CSF3 expression was significantly elevated in both H1792/Car and H1792/Pac compared to parental cells. These findings underscore the value of drug-resistant models in uncovering critical biomarkers. CSF3 emerges as a promising guiding marker or potential molecular target for optimizing Car- and Pac-based doublet regimens.
Abrin Toxin Paradoxically Increases Protein Synthesis in Stimulated CD4+ T-Cells While Decreasing Protein Synthesis in Kidney Cells
Authors: Hernlem Bradley , Rasooly Reuven
Published: December 2024

Abrin, a toxin of the rosary pea plant (Abras precatorius), has been implicated as causing an autoimmune demyelinating disease in humans, but the exact mechanisms responsible for the induction of these demyelinating conditions are still unknown. Certain superantigen microbial toxins such as Staphylococcus enterotoxin type A, type D, type E or streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin type C also lead to various diseases including autoimmune disorders of the nervous system. Here, the effect of abrin toxin on the immune reaction was studied in human CD4+ T-cell lines, and its inhibition of protein synthesis in kidney cells. It is shown for the first time that low concentrations of abrin toxin up to as high as 1 to 10 ng/mL amplifies superantigen activity in stimulated T-cells, leading to excessive NFAT pathway activation and secretion of cytokines, e.g., interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-γ (INFγ), in a dose-dependent manner. This behavior, except at high concentration, is contrary to the effect on other cell types. Abrin’s inhibition of protein synthesis was demonstrated with Vero (kidney) cells and milk was observed to competitively reduce this effect. This new concept in the behavior of abrin in amplifying superantigen activity may explain the mechanism by which abrin toxin triggers autoimmune demyelinating disease in people exposed to low doses of the toxin via the excessive secretion of cytokines which may create excessive inflammation leading to loss of immune tolerance and triggering an immune response against self-antigens.
Study on the Optimization of Process Parameters for Submerged Arc Welding of Hydrogen Production Reactor Material
Authors: Liu Yu , Gu Hongtao , Leng Zhiyi , Peng Chuanhao , Wang Ziguang , Zhang Shengfang
Published: December 2024

In a hydrogen production reactor based on the principle of coal-to-hydrogen, the welds, which are considered the weak points, must exhibit a good impact resistance property and high hardness under special operating conditions. This paper investigates the influence of submerged arc welding (SAW) process parameters on the hardness and the impact resistance property of welds in the steel used for a hydrogen reactor. It establishes the relationship between the microstructure of the welds and their hardness and impact resistance property under varying welding parameters. Based on orthogonal welding experiments and a comprehensive balance method, the welding parameters were optimized to obtain the best combination of parameters. The results indicate that as the current and voltage increase, the average hardness of the welds first decreases and then increases, while the impact resistance property initially improves before declining. As the welding speed increases, the average hardness of the welds initially increases and then decreases, while the impact resistance property gradually declines. After optimization under specific experimental conditions, the best welding parameters are determined to be a current (I) of 320 A, a voltage (U) of 34 V, and a welding speed (v) of 33 cm/min. Compared to the base metal, the hardness of the weld increased by 36.1%, and the impact resistance property improved by 71.5%.
Mesoscopic Pore Characteristics of Steel Slag Ultra-Thin Wear Layer Asphalt Mixture and Their Impact on Performance
Authors: Wan Cheng , Zheng Shuxin , Zhong Mengjun , Yang Jiankun , Yu Yong , Zhao Yinghao , Fang Shuai
Published: December 2024

OGFC (open-graded friction course) steel slag ultra-thin wearing courses are a drainage-type layer used in preventive maintenance and have been successfully applied in road construction in China. However, research on the use of steel slag in ultra-thin wearing courses has mainly focused on macroscopic volumetric indicators and performance, often overlooking the impact of internal mesoscopic void characteristics. This study utilized X-ray CT to scan OGFC ultra-thin wearing course steel slag asphalt mixtures with varying void ratios. A custom digital image processing program was developed to comprehensively and quantitatively characterize the mesoscopic void features of the mixtures from multiple perspectives, analyzing their influence on macroscopic performance. The results show that the surface void ratio and void number exhibited opposite trends with respect to specimen height. Compared to conventional asphalt mixtures, the OGFC steel slag mixtures had a higher average surface void number; the maximum difference between the maximum and minimum surface voids rate reached up to 14.2%. As the equivalent void radius and fractal dimension increased, both the stability and dynamic stability of the mixtures decreased, and the maximum reduction in Marshall stability reached 32.4%. Previous macroscopic-scale studies have struggled to identify these internal mesoscopic void characteristics, and this research provides a deeper understanding of the mesoscopic void structure in OGFC ultra-thin wearing course steel slag asphalt mixtures.
Carbon-Phenolic Ablators Modified by Ceramic Nanofilms Deposited via Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) Technique
Authors: Bottacchiari Rita , Borgese Laura , Paglia Laura , Pedrizzetti Giulia , Marra Francesco , Pulci Giovanni
Published: December 2024

Ablative materials are widely employed to protect space vehicles from the extreme thermal conditions experienced during their flight into a planetary atmosphere. Carbon-phenolic ablators are composed of a phenolic matrix and a fibrous carbon reinforcement. In the present study, the fibrous reinforcement has been modified through the deposition of thin protective layers of zirconium oxide and aluminum oxide, with the objective of reducing fiber recession and oxidation. The depositions were carried out via atomic layer deposition (ALD), a method that allows for the controlled deposition of uniform and conformal coatings on the carbon felt fibers. The depositions were subsequently evaluated through SEM-EDS analysis. Pristine and ALD-modified felts were impregnated with a phenolic resin matrix and the ablation performance of the composite materials was evaluated through oxyacetylene flame tests. The results demonstrated that, in comparison to uncoated ablators, the ALD-modified samples exhibited enhanced performance in terms of mass loss and surface recession: compared to uncoated ablators, the former was 14% lower and the latter was diminished by 50%. Moreover, the morphological characterization of the tested specimens revealed a significantly reduced degree of oxidation of the coated fibers which were directly exposed to the flame.
Favipiravir for COVID-19 Pneumonia: Effectiveness, Safety, and Clinical Outcomes: A Retrospective Single-Center Experience
Authors: Alqahtani Saad , Alqahtani Mushary , Amer Khaled , Ur Rahman Fasih , AlMasoudi Razan , Al-Otaibi Sahar , Alahmary Batool , Asiri Osama , Alshamrani Abdulaziz , Alshehri Razan , Asiri Fahad , Alqahtani Mohammed , Alshahrani Abdulqader , Elsharif Yahya
Published: December 2024

Background: Coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, cause a range of respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses, with COVID-19 becoming a global pandemic in 2020. Favipiravir, an antiviral drug, has shown promising results in reducing disease progression and improving recovery in COVID-19 patients. Methodology: This retrospective cohort study evaluated the efficacy, safety, and clinical outcomes of favipiravir in COVID-19 pneumonia patients admitted to the AFHSR. The analysis included patient characteristics, treatment responses, and laboratory parameters. Data were cleaned using Excel and analyzed with IBM SPSS version 29.0.0. Results: Our study included 297 COVID-19 pneumonia patients treated with favipiravir, with 129 (43.4%) females and 165 (55.6%) males with a mean age of 61.47 years. Comorbidities were present in 223 patients (75.1%), most commonly diabetes (N = 78, 33.6%) and hypertension (N = 72, 31.0%). Common symptoms were shortness of breath (N = 92, 31.0%), a cough (N = 86, 29.0%), and fever (N = 69, 23.3%). Complications occurred in 53 patients (17.8%), with acute kidney injury in 15 patients (5.1%). The overall mortality was 62 (20.9%), higher in those with comorbidities (75.7%, p = 0.017). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed worse survival for patients with comorbidities (p = 0.049) and smokers (p = 0.042). Elevated WBCs, LDH, AST, and CRP were linked to better survival (p < 0.05). Non-survivors had more severe respiratory impairment (FiO2, p = 0.035). Conclusions: Our study suggests favipiravir may help reduce ICU admissions and mortality in COVID-19 pneumonia patients, but outcomes are significantly influenced by age, comorbidities, and complications. This highlights the need for individualized treatment strategies. Further randomized controlled trials are essential to define favipiravir’s role in COVID-19 management.
Enteric Methane Emission Factor for Dairy Farming in Peru
Authors: Fernandez Melisa , Fuentes Navarro Eduardo , Viera Valencia Mario Agustín , Llacsa Javier , Carrasco Chilón William Leoncio , Altamirano Wilman , Romero Delgado Gelver , Ayala Richard , Vela-Alvarado Jorge Washinton , Zegarra Paredes Jorge Luis , Molina-Botero Isabel Cristina , Gómez Carlos
Published: December 2024

The objective of this study was to determine the enteric methane (CH4) emission factor (EF) at the national level for Peruvian dairy cattle following the IPCC Tier II (2006, 2019) methodology. Data were collected from seven regions of Peru and classified according to the type of feeding as intensive, semi-intensive or extensive. It included farm information (geolocation) and livestock information for two seasons of the year. At the national level, lactating cows obtained the highest EF with 117 kg CH4/head/year, followed by heifers from 15 to 24 months of age (91 kg), non-lactating cows (74 kg), heifers from 12 to 15 months of age (67 kg), calves (62 kg) and pre-weaned calves (16 kg). Additionally, the highest EF was reported for lactating cows in the intensive system (151.8 kg CH4/head), which is 46.8 kg CH4/head more per year than that reported in the semi-intensive and extensive systems in the same animal category. The combined uncertainty in all animal categories was low to very low (between 9.4 and 18.72%), except for that of lactating cows, which was low to medium (22.24 and 26.72%). These results allowed us to find the EF that exerts the most pressure according to the level of intensity in Peruvian dairy farming.
Optimized Hybrid Deep Learning Framework for Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease Using Adaptive Weight Selection
Authors: Gasmi Karim , Alyami Abdulrahman , Hamid Omer , Altaieb Mohamed O. , Shahin Osama Rezk , Ben Ammar Lassaad , Chouaib Hassen , Shehab Abdulaziz
Published: December 2024

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder that significantly affects middle-aged and elderly adults, leading to cognitive deterioration and hindering daily activities. Notwithstanding progress, conventional diagnostic techniques continue to be susceptible to inaccuracies and inefficiencies. Timely and precise diagnosis is essential for early intervention. Methods: We present an enhanced hybrid deep learning framework that amalgamates the EfficientNetV2B3 with Inception-ResNetV2 models. The models were integrated using an adaptive weight selection process informed by the Cuckoo Search optimization algorithm. The procedure commences with the pre-processing of neuroimaging data to guarantee quality and uniformity. Features are subsequently retrieved from the neuroimaging data by utilizing the EfficientNetV2B3 and Inception-ResNetV2 models. The Cuckoo Search algorithm allocates weights to various models dynamically, contingent upon their efficacy in particular diagnostic tasks. The framework achieves balanced usage of the distinct characteristics of both models through the iterative optimization of the weight configuration. This method improves classification accuracy, especially for early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. A thorough assessment was conducted on extensive neuroimaging datasets to verify the framework’s efficacy. Results: The framework attained a Scott’s Pi agreement score of 0.9907, indicating exceptional diagnostic accuracy and dependability, especially in identifying the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The results show its superiority over current state-of-the-art techniques.Conclusions: The results indicate the substantial potential of the proposed framework as a reliable and scalable instrument for the identification of Alzheimer’s disease. This method effectively mitigates the shortcomings of conventional diagnostic techniques and current deep learning algorithms by utilizing the complementing capabilities of EfficientNetV2B3 and Inception-ResNetV2 by using an optimized weight selection mechanism. The adaptive characteristics of the Cuckoo Search optimization facilitate its application across many diagnostic circumstances, hence extending its utility to a wider array of neuroimaging datasets. The capacity to accurately identify early-stage Alzheimer’s disease is essential for facilitating prompt therapies, which are crucial for decelerating disease development and enhancing patient outcomes.
Surgical Outcomes in Laparoscopic Hysterectomy, Robotic-Assisted, and Laparoscopic-Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy for Uterine and Cervical Cancers: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ioana Jabri Tabrizi Madalina , Voiță-Mekereș Florica , Motofelea Alexandru Catalin , Ciprian Duta , Fulger Lazăr , Alexandru Isaic , Tarta Cristi , Stelian Pantea , Bernad Elena Silvia , Teodora Hoinoiu
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the outcomes of minimally invasive techniques in gynecological cancer surgery, specifically laparoscopic hysterectomies (LHs), robotic-assisted hysterectomies (RHs), and laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomies (LAVHs). Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of electronic databases including PubMed and MedLine from January 2010 to August 2024. The search included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. Studies were selected based on inclusion criteria such as a focus on LHs, RHs, or LAVHs, and reporting on key outcomes like recovery rates, overall survival (OS) rates, disease-free survival (DFS), postoperative complications, and surgery time. Exclusion criteria were applied to omit non-randomized studies, non-English publications, and those lacking relevant data. Results: The analysis included 35 studies on gynecological cancers and surgical procedures, conducted across multiple countries. Among them, 8 were RCTs from countries like the Netherlands and Italy, while 20 were retrospective cohort studies from China and the USA. The studies varied in design, cancer type, and participant age, highlighting diverse surgical approaches and the adaptation of minimally invasive techniques in gynecological cancer treatment. LH and RH demonstrated similar oncological safety with comparable OS and DFS rates. RH was associated with reduced blood loss, but longer operative times compared to LH. LAVH showed favorable perioperative outcomes, including shorter hospital stays and faster recovery, but was less frequently studied in advanced-stage cancers. Complication rates were generally lower in minimally invasive surgeries compared to open procedures. The findings support the efficacy of LH and RH as viable alternatives to open surgery, with specific advantages depending on patient and disease characteristics. Conclusions: Minimally invasive techniques in gynecological cancer surgery offer significant advantages in terms of recovery and complication rates. Despite these benefits, further research is needed to confirm their oncological safety and overall effectiveness compared to traditional open surgeries.
Prescribed-Time Cooperative Guidance Law for Multi-UAV with Intermittent Communication
Authors: Ma Wenhui , Guo Xiaowen
Published: December 2024

Networked cooperation of multi-unmanned-aerial-vehicle (UAV) is significant, but their cooperative guidance presents challenges due to weak cross-domain communication. Given the difficulties in information transmission security, this paper proposes a prescribed-time cooperative guidance law (PTCGL) for networked multiple UAVs with intermittent communication. Supported by the directed internal communication, the proposed PTCGL can ensure the simultaneous arrival in the case of the pinning external communication is time-triggered intermittent. In the first stage, PTCGL is designed to combine with a time-scaling function and second-order intermittent pinning consensus. With the desired convergence performance, the convergence time can be pre-specified independent of initial conditions and parameter tuning in theory. In the second stage, begin with the suitable initial conditions at the prescribed convergence time, the multiple UAVs are organized by proportional navigation guidance, so as to ensure the cooperation regardless of weak communication. Finally, simulations are conducted to verify the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed cooperative guidance law.
The Socio-Economic Impact of University in Thailand: Evidence from Chiang Mai University
Authors: Chinnakum Warattaya , Intapan Chanamart , Singvejsakul Jittima , Wongsirikajorn Mattana , Thongkaw Banjaponn , Eakkapun Paponsun , Chaiboonsri Chukiat
Published: December 2024

For the success of efficient socioeconomic development, it is crucial that budget allocation in higher education is effectively managed, with a clear focus on targeting SDG 4 (Quality Education), which is vital for every country and should be prioritized globally. This research article attempts to assess the socio-economic impact of Chiang Mai University based on the impact of both its expenditure and teaching and training programs on the Northern Thailand economy. Moreover, it also aims to develop the best model to predict the SROI for academic projects before investing the budget for efficient financial management. All the data utilized in this research article come from official organizations such as Chiang Mai University, the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), and the Provincial Comptroller’s Office of each province in Northern Thailand, with the data collection covering the study period from 2023 to 2025. The key finding is that Chiang Mai University played a significant role in creating a socioeconomic impact on Northern Thailand’s economy, both in the industry sector and the service sector, totaling more than an average of THB 3 billion per year for direct and indirect effects. In addition, every THB 1 million that this university spends can create more than 703 jobs in the agribusiness sector, and, for the same budget spending, it can create 241 jobs in the service sector and 113 jobs in the industry sector, respectively. Technically, for the prediction model to predict the SROI value, it was found that the best model is the Decision Tree model. If the findings of this research can be applied to other universities in Thailand or globally, it would represent a significant initiative in optimizing budget allocation, with a particular emphasis on supporting SDG 4 (Quality Education) as a priority.
Witnessing and Experiencing Discrimination: A Study in Spanish Adolescents
Authors: Valdivieso-León Lorena , Ayuso-Lanchares Alba , Gonzalez-Sanguino Clara
Published: December 2024

Objectives: to examine the nature and context of discriminatory experiences among adolescents in Spain. Methods: A mixed study of discourse content analysis in 1000 randomly selected Spanish adolescents aged 12 to 16 years stratified by age, gender and territorial distribution. Data were analyzed to identify perpetrators, actions, and locations of discrimination. Results: Overall, 66% of adolescents reported witnessing or experiencing discrimination, primarily manifested through teasing, insults, and harassment. Peers were identified as the main perpetrators (73.9%), with schools being the primary context (69.4%) where discrimination occurs. Discrimination often lacked clear reasons (27.78%), but ethnicity (23.83%) and physical appearance (22.51%) were the most common factors, followed by gender (5.99%) or academic/ability issues (5.99%) or having an illness or developmental disorder (5.41%). Conclusions: Discrimination among adolescents is frequent, with racism and rejection of minority groups as the main causes. The findings underscore the need for interventions to address discriminatory behaviors in schools and broader society, with implications for adolescent well-being and mental health.
Lazy Modular Reduction for NTT
Authors: Kim Geumtae , Seo Eunyoung , Lee Yongwoo , Kim Young-Sik , No Jong-Seon
Published: December 2024

The number theoretic transform (NTT) is a fundamental operation in cryptography, especially for lattice-based cryptographic schemes. This paper introduces LazyNTT, a novel method that reduces the number of Montgomery multiplications required in the NTT computation by replacing some of them with standard multiplication without modular reduction. This approach enhances the performance of the NTT computation and modular polynomial multiplication in lattice-based cryptographic schemes. The proposed LazyNTT can be generalized by increasing the number of standard multiplications. The experimental results show that the proposed LazyNTT improves the cycle counts of the NTT by up to 28% and 9%, respectively, by allowing two and one standard multiplications.
Modeling of Oil–Water Two-Phase Flow in Horizontal Pipes Using CFD for the Prediction of Flow Patterns
Authors: González-Estrada Octavio Andrés , Hernández Santiago , González-Silva Germán
Published: December 2024

A computational fluid dynamics study of the horizontal oil–water flow was performed using the Eulerian–Eulerian and mixture multiphase models in conjunction with the realizable k–ε turbulence model for the characterization of flow patterns. The experimental tests were carried out using water and mineral oil with a density of 880 kg/m3 and a viscosity of 180 cP, varying the superficial velocities of both fluids in ranges of 0.1–1.2 m/s and 0.1–0.5 m/s, respectively. The numerical model was defined under the same initial and boundary conditions as in the experiment. Moreover, the model is defined such that entering the fluids in a mixed state, the stratified pattern could form adequately with the two multiphase models. Although the Eulerian–Eulerian model, together with the geometric reconstruction scheme, allowed us to visualize the three-dimensional dispersed patterns in a very similar way to the experimental results, the mixture model did not exhibit such similarity, especially in the oil-in-water dispersions. Additionally, the Eulerian–Eulerian model was able to predict the experimental holdup values with an average error of 15.2%.
Wine Yeast Strains Under Ethanol-Induced Stress: Morphological and Physiological Responses
Authors: Aiello Elisa , Arena Mattia Pia , De Vero Luciana , Montanini Carlo , Bianchi Michele , Mescola Andrea , Alessandrini Andrea , Pulvirenti Andrea , Gullo Maria
Published: December 2024

During alcoholic fermentation, ethanol accumulation significantly impacts yeast cells by disrupting membrane integrity, increasing permeability, and reducing cell viability. This study evaluated the effects of ethanol stress on the growth, membrane fluidity, and cell surface morphology of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and non-Saccharomyces yeast strains, specifically Torulaspora delbrueckii and Metschnikowia pulcherrima. These strains, commercialized by AEB SpA and preserved at the Unimore Microbial Culture Collection (UMCC), were tested for fermentative performance in grape must and grown under varying ethanol concentrations. Membrane fluidity was measured using Laurdan generalized polarization (GP), while Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) assessed cell surface morphology. Results indicated that at 10% ethanol, membrane fluidity increased, particularly in strains able to tolerate up to 16% ethanol, which also demonstrated superior fermentative performance. Less tolerant strains, such as T. delbrueckii UMCC 5 and M. pulcherrima UMCC 15, showed smaller increases in fluidity. At 18% ethanol, these strains exhibited severely altered surface morphology and larger surface roughness values, suggesting increased instability under high ethanol stress, while more tolerant strains displayed better-preserved surface morphology and lower roughness values, reflecting enhanced adaptability. These findings offer insights into yeast responses to ethanol stress, supporting the development of more resilient strains for improved fermentation.
Comparative Study on Selenium and Volatile Compounds in Selenium-Enriched Cardamine violifolia Pickles Fermented by Three Distinct Methods
Authors: Gong Jue , Rao Shen , Liu Xiaomeng , Cheng Shuiyuan , Cong Xin , Zhu Dingxiang
Published: December 2024

Cardamine violifolia is a selenium (Se)-rich vegetable crop belonging to the Brassicaceae family. This study investigated the Se concentration and volatiles in the fresh (CK) C. violifolia, natural fermented (NF), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP), and Leuconostoc mesenteroides (LM) fermented C. violifolia pickles. Results showed that fermentation promoted the levels of selenocysteine, methyl selenocysteine, and selenate. A total of 648 volatile compounds were found, including 119 terpenoids, 105 heterocyclic compounds, 103 esters, and 65 hydrocarbons. Differential analysis of volatiles indicated that fermentation induced the release of volatiles when compared to CK, whereas volatile profiles in LM and NF pickles showed notable differences from LP pickles. SeCys2, MeSeCys, and selenate significantly correlated to several volatile compounds, implying that Se metabolism may affect the formation of volatiles. Conclusively, fermentation promoted the release of aroma and bioactive volatiles and the degradation of unpleasant and harmful substances in C. violifolia pickles.
Innovations in Limnospira platensis Fermentation: From Process Enhancements to Biotechnological Applications
Authors: Spínola Maria P. , Mendes Ana R. , Prates José A. M.
Published: December 2024

The cyanobacterium Limnospira platensis, vulgarly Spirulina, has gained significant attention due to its high protein content, rich bioactive compounds, and health benefits, making it a valuable resource in biotechnology, nutraceuticals, food supplements, biopharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Recent advancements in fermentation technology have considerably improved the efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of L. platensis production while addressing environmental sustainability and enhancing product quality. Based on well-recognized databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science), this review explores the latest developments in L. platensis fermentation, emphasizing strain improvement, bioprocess engineering, and optimization of fermentation parameters. It also examines key factors such as bioreactor design, downstream processing, and innovative monitoring technologies aimed at maximizing biomass yield and bioactive compound production. Additionally, emerging applications of fermented L. platensis in various industries and future perspectives, including large-scale production, regulatory barriers, and biosafety considerations, are discussed. These insights provide a comprehensive outlook on the future of L. platensis fermentation in biotechnological applications.
Relaxation Modeling of Unidirectional Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites Before and After UV-C Exposure
Authors: Palmeri Flavia , Laurenzi Susanna
Published: December 2024

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) are widely used in aerospace for their lightweight and high-performance characteristics. This study examines the long-term viscoelastic behavior of CFRP after UV-C exposure, simulating low Earth orbit conditions. The viscoelastic properties of the polymer were evaluated using dynamic mechanical analysis and the time-temperature superposition principle on both unexposed and UV-C-exposed samples. After UV-C exposure, the polymer’s instantaneous modulus decreased by about 15%. Over a 32-year period, the modulus of the unexposed resin is expected to degrade to approximately 25% of its initial value, while the exposed resin drops to around 15%. These experimental results were incorporated into finite element method models of a unidirectional CFRP representative volume element. The simulations showed that UV-C exposure caused only a slight reduction in the CFRP’s axial relaxation coefficient along the fiber’s axis, with no significant time-dependent degradation, as the fiber dominates this behavior. In contrast, the axial relaxation coefficient perpendicular to the fiber’s axis, as well as the off-diagonal and shear relaxation coefficients, showed more notable changes, with an approximate 10% reduction in their initial values after UV-C exposure. Over 32 years, degradation became much more severe, with differences between the pre- and post-exposure coefficient values reaching up to nearly 60%.
Evaluating Landsat- and Sentinel-2-Derived Burn Indices to Map Burn Scars in Chyulu Hills, Kenya
Authors: Henry Mary C. , Maingi John K.
Published: December 2024

Chyulu Hills, Kenya, serves as one of the region’s water towers by supplying groundwater to surrounding streams and springs in southern Kenya. In a semiarid region, this water is crucial to the survival of local people, farms, and wildlife. The Chyulu Hills is also very prone to fires, and large areas of the range burn each year during the dry season. Currently, there are no detailed fire records or burn scar maps to track the burn history. Mapping burn scars using remote sensing is a cost-effective approach to monitor fire activity over time. However, it is not clear whether spectral burn indices developed elsewhere can be directly applied here when Chyulu Hills contains mostly grassland and bushland vegetation. Additionally, burn scars are usually no longer detectable after an intervening rainy season. In this study, we calculated the Differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) and two versions of the Relative Differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (RdNBR) using Landsat Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Sentinel-2 MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) data to determine which index, threshold values, instrument, and Sentinel near-infrared (NIR) band work best to map burn scars in Chyulu Hills, Kenya. The results indicate that the Relative Differenced Normalized Burn Ratio from Landsat OLI had the highest accuracy for mapping burn scars while also minimizing false positives (commission error). While mapping burn scars, it became clear that adjusting the threshold value for an index resulted in tradeoffs between false positives and false negatives. While none were perfect, this is an important consideration going forward. Given the length of the Landsat archive, there is potential to expand this work to additional years.
The Effect of Bifurcated Geometry on the Diodicity of Tesla Valves
Authors: Wiley Sean , Huang Huei-Ping
Published: December 2024

The Tesla valve is a fluidic diode that enables unidirectional flow while impeding the reverse flow without the assistance of any moving parts. Conventional Tesla valves share a distinctive feature of a bifurcated section that connects the inlet and outlet. This study uses computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations to analyze the importance of the bifurcated design to the efficiency of the Tesla valve, quantified by diodicity. Simulations over the range of the Reynolds number, Re = 50–2000, are performed for three designs: the T45-R, D-valve, and GMF valve, each with two versions with and without the bifurcated section. For the T45-R valve, removing the bifurcated section leads to a consistent increase in diodicity, particularly at high Re. In contrast, the diodicity of the GMF valve drops significantly when the bifurcated section is removed. The D-valve exhibits a mixed behavior. Without the bifurcated section, its diodicity is suppressed at low Re but begins to increase for Re > 1100, eventually matching the diodicity of the bifurcated version at Re = 2000. The results highlight the intricate relationship between valve geometry and efficiency of Tesla-type valves and the dependence of this relationship on the Reynolds number.
Optimization of Fermentation Process of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Seeds and Evaluation of Acute Toxicity of Protein Extract in Mice
Authors: Gu Xueyan , Xu Guowei , Liang Chunhua , Mektrirat Raktham , Wang Lei , Zhang Kang , Meng Bingbing , Tang Xi , Wang Xiaoya , Egide Hanyurwumutima , Liu Jiahui , Chen Haiyu , Zhang Mingxi , Zhang Jingyan , Wang Xuezhi , Li Jianxi
Published: December 2024

The seeds of Zanthoxylum bungeanum seeds, a high-quality vegetable protein source, encounter application limitations due to their high molecular weight and anti-nutritional factors. This study focused on optimizing the fermentation process by investigating key parameters such as inoculation amount, inoculation ratio, material-to-liquid ratio, fermentation temperature, and fermentation time. Both single-factor experiments and response surface methodology were used to determine the optimal conditions. The effects of fermentation on particle size, surface morphology (scanning electron microscopy), water holding capacity, oil holding capacity, solubility, and emulsification properties of Zanthoxylum bungeanum seed protein were analyzed. In addition, acute toxicity was investigated at doses of 1.5 g/kg, 3 g/kg, 6 g/kg, and 12 g/kg. The results showed that the optimal fermentation conditions were an inoculum concentration of 10%, a ratio of Bacillus subtilis to Lactobacillus plantarum of 1:1, a material-to-liquid ratio of 0.8:1, a temperature of 35 °C, and a fermentation period of 4 days. Under these optimized conditions, the soluble protein content reached 153.1 mg/g. After fermentation, the functional properties of Zanthoxylum bungeanum seed protein improved significantly: the water holding capacity increased by 89%, the oil holding capacity by 68%, while the emulsifying activity and stability indices improved by 6% and 17%, respectively. The macromolecular proteins in the seeds of Zanthoxylum bungeanum were effectively broken down into smaller fragments during fermentation, resulting in a more folded and porous surface structure. In acute toxicity tests, all mice treated with fermented Zanthoxum seed protein survived for more than 7 days after injection, and there were no significant differences in body weight, organ index, and hematological tests between groups, but FZBSP of 1.5 g/kg~12 g/kg caused varying degrees of steatosis and inflammatory damage in the heart and liver. In conclusion, this study confirms that follow-up pilot studies using 1.5 g/kg FZBSP have the potential for further development and utilization.
Food Colors’ Dietary Exposure in the Brazilian Population Using the 2008–2009 and 2017–2018 POF Food Consumption Databases
Authors: Pôrto Larissa Bertollo Gomes , Bragotto Adriana Pavesi Arisseto
Published: December 2024

Two out of the four steps of risk assessment for chemical substances in food, i.e., exposure assessment and risk characterization, merit regional evaluation based on current legislation and local food consumption data. Therefore, mean and high exposures to food colors were estimated in Brazil using a conservative approach to screen substances with a higher risk of the exceedance of safety parameters. Brazilian National Consumption Surveys from the Household Budget Surveys (POF—Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares) from 2008–2009 and 2017–2018 were combined with the maximum permitted levels of 33 food colors. Higher exposure estimates were obtained for the oldest POF database. High priority for a refined exposure assessment was identified for six food colors for which the mean and high exposures were higher than the safety parameters, while medium priority was observed for eleven food colors for which the mean exposures were below but the high exposures were above the safety parameters. Low priority was noted for 16 substances for which no exceedance was obtained despite the conservativeness of the methodology applied. The prioritization of food colors for future risk assessments was achieved to identify substances for which more refined exposure methodologies are necessary to characterize the risk to health.
Effect of Heat Treatment on Gelatin Properties and the Construction of High Internal Phase Emulsions for 3D Printing
Authors: Wang Yixiao , Zhang Ling , Cao Geng , Li Zhaorui , Du Ming
Published: December 2024

The effect of tilapia skin gelatin properties on the characteristics of high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) and the quality of 3D printing remains unidentified. In this work, HIPEs were constructed by gelatin with various properties that were obtained by heat treatment. The results indicated that the gelatin undergoes degradation gradually with an increase in heating intensity. The highest values of intrinsic fluorescence intensity, surface hydrophobicity, and emulsification were obtained when the heating time was 5 h. The gel strength and hardness of gelatin hydrogels were negatively correlated with heat treatment temperature. HIPEs constructed by gelatin extracted at 70 °C demonstrated a suitable material for 3D printing. The storage modulus (G′) and viscosity of HIPEs exhibited a similar tendency as the gel strength of gelatin. The microstructure of HIPEs revealed that gelatin established a gel network around oil droplets, and the higher G′ of HIPEs corresponded to a more compact network structure. This study elucidated the correlation between the structure and properties of gelatin, offering essential insights for the formulation of HIPEs by natural gelatin, which is suitable for applications across several domains.
Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Squalene and 2-Acetyl-1-Pyrroline from Pandan Leaf: The Effects of Drying Methods and Extraction Conditions
Authors: Cheng Yanfei , Fei Tao , Liu Yuyi , Chen Shuai , Wang Zexin , Han Yiran , Wang Lu , Li Congfa
Published: December 2024

Pandan, a tropical crop, is rich in squalene (SQ), known for its antioxidant and hypoglycemic properties, and 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP), which imparts a characteristic aroma. This study focuses on the extraction of the two bioactive compounds from Pandan leaves and investigates the effects of drying methods, extraction solvents, and conditions on the yield of SQ and 2-AP. Results show that hot air-dried Pandan leaves when extracted using the binary solvent system of ethanol and n-hexane (EH), yield higher SQ content while maintaining an adequate content of 2-AP. To further optimize the extraction process, a single-factor experiment was followed by optimization using Box–Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal extraction conditions were determined as follows: ultrasound time of 60 min, a temperature of 50 °C, power of 300 W, and a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:5 g/mL. Under these conditions, an SQ yield of 1229.98 ± 13.09 μg/DW 1 g Pandan leaves and a 2-AP yield of 80.72 ± 0.88 μg/DW 1 g Pandan leaves were achieved, representing increases of 3.30% and 9.82% compared to pre-optimization values. Additionally, the antioxidant activities of EH extracts were evaluated through various in vitro assays. The extracts demonstrated significant DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity (12.46 μmol TE/g DW and 22.14 μmol TE/g DW, respectively), along with ferric and cupric ion reducing power (10.629 μmol TE/g DW and 14.275 μmol TE/g DW, respectively). The extracts also exhibited notable inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The findings suggest that these extracts are a promising natural source of antioxidants with potential applications in health and nutrition.
Prediction of Lignite Ash Melting Behavior from Northwest Greece Based on Its Mineralogical Composition
Authors: Stratakis Antonios
Published: December 2024

The aim of this study is to predict the ash fusion temperatures of the lignite ash produced in Western Macedonia, Greece, by their composition. The lignite mined in northwest Greece feeds the power plants of Agios Dimitrios, Kardia, Ptolemais, Amyntaio, and Meliti. An extensive number of samples, which were collected by the feeders of power plants during a 10-year period, were investigated. All lignite ashes were mineralogical and chemically quantitatively analyzed by XRD and XRF, respectively. Using a heating microscope, the ash fusion temperatures of the ashes were identified. According to their chemical composition, ashes can be characterized as calcareous. Indices based on the chemical composition showed that, qualitatively, the tendencies of slagging and/or fouling were found to vary mainly between medium to high. For a quantitative estimation, correlations were identified between the quantitative mineralogical composition and the ash fusion temperatures using regression analysis. The whole study focused on creating a model for the prediction of lignite behavior during combustion in power plants. The finest models achieved a mean adjusted regression coefficient of around 0.87, while the accuracy, according to root mean square errors, was less than 40 °C.