bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nationwide Real-World Data of Microsatellite Instability and/or Mismatch Repair Deficiency in Cancer: Prevalence and Testing Patterns
Authors: Fountzilas Elena , Papadopoulos Theofanis , Papadopoulou Eirini , Gouedard Cedric , Kourea Helen P. , Constantoulakis Pantelis , Magkou Christina , Sfakianaki Maria , Kotoula Vassiliki , Bantouna Dimitra , Raptou Georgia , Saetta Angelica A. , Christopoulou Georgia , Hatzibougias Dimitris , Michalopoulou-Manoloutsiou Electra , Siatra Eleni , Eleftheriadis Eleftherios , Kavoura Evangelia , Kaklamanis Loukas , Sourla Antigoni , Papaxoinis George , Pavlakis Kitty , Hytiroglou Prodromos , Vourlakou Christina , Arapantoni-Dadioti Petroula , Murray Samuel , Nasioulas George , Timologos Grigorios , Fountzilas George , Saridaki Zacharenia
Published: May 2024

Determination of microsatellite instability (MSI)/mismatch repair (MMR) status in cancer has several clinical implications. Our aim was to integrate MSI/MMR status from patients tested in Greece to assess the prevalence of MSI-high (MSI-H)/deficient MMR (dMMR) per tumor type, testing patterns over time and concordance between MSI and MMR status. We retrospectively recorded MSI/MMR testing data of patients with diverse tumor types performed in pathology and molecular diagnostics laboratories across Greece. Overall, 18 of 22 pathology and/or molecular diagnostics laboratories accepted our invitation to participate. In the 18 laboratories located across the country, 7916 tumor samples were evaluated for MSI/MMR status. MSI/MMR testing significantly increased in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and other tumor types overtime (p < 0.05). The highest prevalence was reported in endometrial cancer (47 of 225 patients, 20.9%). MSI-H/dMMR was observed in most tumor types, even in low proportions. Among 904 tumors assessed both for MSI and MMR status, 21 had discordant results (overall discordance rate, 2.3%). We reported MSI-H/dMMR prevalence rates in patients with diverse cancers, while demonstrating increasing referral patterns from medical oncologists in the country overtime. The anticipated high rate of concordance between MSI and MMR status in paired analysis was confirmed.
ChatGPT’s Efficacy in Queries Regarding Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Treatment Strategies for Women Experiencing Infertility
Authors: Devranoglu Belgin , Gurbuz Tugba , Gokmen Oya
Published: May 2024

This study assesses the efficacy of ChatGPT-4, an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) language model, in delivering precise and comprehensive answers to inquiries regarding managing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-related infertility. The research team, comprising experienced gynecologists, formulated 460 structured queries encompassing a wide range of common and intricate PCOS scenarios. The queries were: true/false (170), open-ended (165), and multiple-choice (125) and further classified as ‘easy’, ‘moderate’, and ‘hard’. For true/false questions, ChatGPT-4 achieved a flawless accuracy rate of 100% initially and upon reassessment after 30 days. In the open-ended category, there was a noteworthy enhancement in accuracy, with scores increasing from 5.53 ± 0.89 initially to 5.88 ± 0.43 at the 30-day mark (p < 0.001). Completeness scores for open-ended queries also experienced a significant improvement, rising from 2.35 ± 0.58 to 2.92 ± 0.29 (p < 0.001). In the multiple-choice category, although the accuracy score exhibited a minor decline from 5.96 ± 0.44 to 5.92 ± 0.63 after 30 days (p > 0.05). Completeness scores for multiple-choice questions remained consistent, with initial and 30-day means of 2.98 ± 0.18 and 2.97 ± 0.25, respectively (p > 0.05). ChatGPT-4 demonstrated exceptional performance in true/false queries and significantly improved handling of open-ended questions during the 30 days. These findings emphasize the potential of AI, particularly ChatGPT-4, in enhancing decision-making support for healthcare professionals managing PCOS-related infertility.
Investigating the Efficiency of Insurance Companies in a Developing Country: A Data Envelopment Analysis Perspective
Authors: Fotova Čiković Katerina , Cvetkoska Violeta , Mitreva Mila
Published: May 2024

Insurance companies play a pivotal role in the financial systems of developing countries, wielding substantial influence on systemic financial stability. Thus, understanding their efficiency, performance, and sustainability is paramount for policymakers and stakeholders alike. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the relative efficiency of insurance companies within the North Macedonian market spanning the years 2018 to 2022. Employing the input-oriented BCC DEA model, the study integrates capital and labour as inputs, while assessing risk-pooling/bearing services and intermediate function as outputs. Our findings underscore the fluctuating efficiency levels within North Macedonia’s insurance sector. Notably, the sector exhibited its peak efficiency in 2018 at 83.62%, dipping to its lowest point of 73.81% in 2020. Moreover, discerning between life and non-life insurers, we observe an average relative efficiency of 0.8067 for non-life insurers, contrasted with a higher average efficiency score of 0.9011 for life insurance companies over the examined period. This study contributes significantly on multiple fronts. Firstly, it pioneers empirical investigation of the efficiency on the North Macedonian insurance market, encompassing pre- and post-COVID efficiency metrics. This fills a notable gap in the literature, particularly within the context of emerging European markets. Secondly, our comprehensive approach facilitates a holistic evaluation of the insurance sector’s performance across a five-year span, offering insights into its overarching dynamics and efficacy. Thirdly, the implications of our findings extend to policymakers, regulators, and insurance company management, aiding in informed decision-making and strategic planning.
Finally Digital Natives? Changes in Media Use among Science Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Henne Anna , Möhrke Philipp , Huwer Johannes , Thoms Lars-Jochen
Published: May 2024

This study examines the development of pre-experiences with digital media at school and in university, creating and entertainment-oriented media use and attitudes towards digital media in the classroom among students in the first three years of study, particularly those enrolled in science courses, in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a questionnaire adapted from Vogelsang et al. scales were calculated and PERMANOVAs, Kruskal-Wallis tests and post-hoc Dunn tests done shedding light on the influence of graduation year and semester of study as well as the difference between the current cohort and a pre-pandemic one. Results revealed significant shifts in digital experiences, particularly among students who were still attending school during the pandemic. Compared to colleagues without school experience during the pandemic, they showed a more frequent use of digital media for communication and collaboration. Moreover, a discernible trend of increasing digital experiences with academic progression at the university level was observed. A semester-by-semester comparison between a pre-pandemic cohort and the current study also showed an increase in the use of digital media at university. However, attitudes towards digital media in teaching exhibited a slight decrease between pre-pandemic and current cohorts. These findings underscore the imperative of integrating digital tools in educational settings to bolster digital literacy and foster effective digital learning experiences, thereby equipping students with the necessary skills to navigate an increasingly digitalized world.
Image Enhancement of Steel Plate Defects Based on Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Jie Zhideng , Zhang Hong , Li Kaixuan , Xie Xiao , Shi Aopu
Published: May 2024

In this study, the problem of a limited number of data samples, which affects the detection accuracy, arises for the image classification task of steel plate surface defects under conditions of small sample sizes. A data enhancement method based on generative adversarial networks is proposed. The method introduces a two-way attention mechanism, which is specifically designed to improve the model’s ability to identify weak defects and optimize the model structure of the network discriminator, which augments the model’s capacity to perceive the overall details of the image and effectively improves the intricacy and authenticity of the generated images. By enhancing the two original datasets, the experimental results show that the proposed method improves the average accuracy by 8.5% across the four convolutional classification models. The results demonstrate the superior detection accuracy of the proposed method, improving the classification of steel plate surface defects.
Encryption Method for JPEG Bitstreams for Partially Disclosing Visual Information
Authors: Hirose Mare , Imaizumi Shoko , Kiya Hitoshi
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we propose a novel encryption method for JPEG bitstreams in which encrypted data can preserve the JPEG file format with the same size as that without encryption. Accordingly, data encrypted with the method can be decoded without any modification of header information by using a standard JPEG decoder. In addition, the method makes two contributions that conventional methods allowing bitstream-level encryption do not: spatially partial encryption and block-permutation-based encryption. To achieve this, we propose using a code called restart marker for the first time, which can be inserted at regular intervals between minimum coded units (MCUs) for encryption. This allows us to define extended blocks separated by restart markers, so the two contributions are possible with restart markers. In experiments, the effectiveness of the method is verified in terms of file size preservation and the visibility of encrypted images.
A Simple and Efficient Data Hiding Method with Error Detection and Correction
Authors: Chi Hengxiao , Liu Jui-Chuan , Chang Chin-Chen , Horng Ji-Hwei
Published: May 2024

In recent years, data hiding techniques have emerged as a prominent area of research due to the increasing demand for information security. Existing data hiding techniques typically do not prioritize the verification of the correctness of the extracted data, nor do they attempt to rectify any erroneous information extracted. This paper presents a simple yet effective method by which a recipient can perform error detection and correction on extracted data. Prior to data embedding, a preprocess is applied to secret data. After converting the secret data to a data stream, a data hider categorizes adjacent and identical bits within the data stream into groups. The number of these bits is then recorded as an indicator to extract information and perform error detection and correction. The number of bits in each group is adjusted to ensure that it is an odd number. Moreover, the collected indicator data stream is encoded using (7,4) Hamming code to compact the recorded information. Finally, the concatenation of the encoded indicator and the encoded secret is embedded into the multiple least significant bits (LSBs) of the original image pixels. As for the receiver, error correction can be applied based on the indicator after the extraction of the encoded data. Experimental results demonstrate that this method allows the data receiver to detect and correct errors while maintaining a certain level of embedding capacity and image quality. In terms of image quality, this method exhibits superior performance compared to existing research when the embedded data volume is relatively small.
Towards an AI-Enhanced Cyber Threat Intelligence Processing Pipeline
Authors: Alevizos Lampis , Dekker Martijn
Published: May 2024

Cyber threats continue to evolve in complexity, thereby traditional cyber threat intelligence (CTI) methods struggle to keep pace. AI offers a potential solution, automating and enhancing various tasks, from data ingestion to resilience verification. This paper explores the potential of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into CTI. We provide a blueprint of an AI-enhanced CTI processing pipeline and detail its components and functionalities. The pipeline highlights the collaboration between AI and human expertise, which is necessary to produce timely and high-fidelity cyber threat intelligence. We also explore the automated generation of mitigation recommendations, harnessing AI’s capabilities to provide real-time, contextual, and predictive insights. However, the integration of AI into CTI is not without its challenges. Thereby, we discuss the ethical dilemmas, potential biases, and the imperative for transparency in AI-driven decisions. We address the need for data privacy, consent mechanisms, and the potential misuse of technology. Moreover, we highlight the importance of addressing biases both during CTI analysis and within AI models, warranting their transparency and interpretability. Lastly, our work points out future research directions, such as the exploration of advanced AI models to augment cyber defenses, and human–AI collaboration optimization. Ultimately, the fusion of AI with CTI appears to hold significant potential in the cybersecurity domain.
Right Coprime Factorization-Based Simultaneous Control of Input Hysteresis and Output Disturbance and Its Application to Soft Robotic Finger
Authors: An Zizhen , Deng Mingcong , Morohoshi Yuuki
Published: May 2024

In a nonlinear control system, hysteresis exists usually as common characteristics. In addition, external output disturbances like modelling error, machine friction and so on also occur frequently. Both of them are considered to cause instability and unsatisfactory performance. In this paper, a practical nonlinear control system design is proposed so as to achieve the simultaneous control of input hysteresis and output disturbance. The system is based on RCF (right coprime factorization theory). Additionally, the proposed design has been applied to a soft robotic finger system and the results of simulations and practical experiments are exhibited, which show the effectiveness of the proposed system.
Design and Performance Evaluation of a Hybrid Active Power Filter Controller
Authors: Herman Leopold , Knez Klemen , Blažič Boštjan
Published: May 2024

This paper introduces a novel hybrid filter topology that combines passive and active components to enhance harmonic filtering and resonance damping in electrical power systems. The design integrates a three-phase two-level voltage-source converter with a double-tuned passive filter in parallel, significantly reducing the power rating and operational costs while maintaining good harmonic filtering performance and reactive current compensation. Double-tuned passive filters, compared to single-tuned ones, offer improved harmonic attenuation at multiple frequencies, enhancing overall system efficiency. Moreover, when used with the proposed hybrid filter topology, the double-tuned version allows for even lower dimensions of the active part, thereby further reducing system cost. A state-feedback controller is designed to enhance the performance of the hybrid filter, proving particularly effective in environments with complex impedance conditions. This paper also examines the impact of variations in passive component parameters, demonstrating the design’s robustness against potential deviations expected over the operational lifespan. The results indicate that the hybrid filter effectively mitigates harmonics and maintains operational stability under various transient conditions, as confirmed by analytical and simulation studies on a real industrial network model. These findings underline the hybrid filter’s potential to significantly improve power quality in modern electrical networks.
Novel Synthesis of Nanocalcite from Phosphogypsum and Cesium Carbonate: Control and Optimization of Particle Size
Authors: Bensemlali Meryem , Hatimi Badreddine , Sanad Asmae , El Gaini Layla , Joudi Meryeme , Labjar Najoua , Nasrellah Hamid , Aarfane Abdellatif , Bakasse Mina
Published: May 2024

This study investigates a controlled synthesis and particle size optimization of nanocalcite particles using phosphogypsum, a waste byproduct from the phosphate fertilizer industry, and cesium carbonate (Cs2CO3), a common carbonate source. The effects of synthesis parameters, including temperature and pH, on the size, morphology, and crystallinity of the synthesized nanocalcite particles were systematically examined. The optimized synthesis conditions for obtaining nanocalcite particles with desired properties are discussed. The synthesized nanocalcite particles were characterized using various techniques, such as XRD, FTIR, and SEM, to analyze their crystal structure, morphology, and elemental composition. Particle sizes were determined using the Debye–Scherrer method, and accordingly, nanometric sizes were achieved. The potential applications of the synthesized nanocalcite particles in cementitious materials, agriculture, and drug delivery are highlighted. This research provides valuable insights into the sustainable synthesis and size optimization of nanocalcite particles from phosphogypsum and Cs2CO3 at a controlled temperature and pH.
Post-COVID-19: Time to Change Our Way of Life for a Better Future
Authors: Maurice Roch Listz
Published: May 2024

Background and Objectives: From the year 1 anno Domini until 1855, with the third plague, major pandemics occurred on average every 348 years. Since then, they have occurred on average every 33 years, with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) now underway. Even though current technologies have greatly improved the way of life of human beings, COVID-19, with more than 700,000,000 cases and 6,950,000 deaths worldwide by the end of 2023, reminds us that much remains to be done. This report looks back at 18 months of COVID-19, from March 2020 to August 2021, with the aim of highlighting potential solutions that could help mitigate the impact of future pandemics. Materials and Methods: COVID-19 data, including case and death reports, were extracted daily from the Worldometer platform to build a database for the macroscopic analysis of the spread of the virus around the world. Demographic data were integrated into the COVID-19 database for a better understanding of the spatial spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in cities/municipalities. Without loss of generality, only data from the top 30 (out of 200 and above) countries ranked by total number of COVID-19 cases were analyzed. Statistics (regression, t-test (p < 0.05), correlation, mean ± std, etc.) were carried out with Excel software (Microsoft® Excel® 2013 (15.0.5579.1001)). Spectral analysis, using Matlab software (license number: 227725), was also used to try to better understand the temporal spread of COVID-19. Results: This study showed that COVID-19 mainly affects G20 countries and that cities/municipalities with high population density are a powerful activator of the spread of the virus. In addition, spectral analysis highlighted that the very first months of the spread of COVID-19 were the most notable, with a strong expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. On the other hand, the following six months showed a certain level of stability, mainly due to multiple preventive measures such as confinement, the closure of non-essential services, the wearing of masks, distancing of 2 m, etc. Conclusion: Given that densely populated cities and municipal areas have largely favored the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it is believed that such a demographic context is becoming a societal problem that developed countries must address in a manner that is adequate and urgent. COVID-19 has made us understand that it is time to act both preventatively and curatively. With phenomenological evidence suggesting that the next pandemic could occur in less than 50 years, it may be time to launch new societal projects aimed at relieving congestion in densely populated regions.
Nutritive and Fermentative Traits of African Stargrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst) Forage Preserved for Silage and Haylage
Authors: Picado-Pérez Tania , Lemus Rocky , Rivera Daniel , Villalobos-Villalobos Luis A.
Published: May 2024

Climate shifts have significantly affected livestock systems due to their environmental interdependence. Among the strategies adopted by livestock systems to fill the gaps in forage biomass, preserved forages are the most commonly used. This research assessed the nutritional profile of African Stargrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst) preserved as silage and haylage at different feed-out periods (45, 60, 90, and 120 days). We found greater dry matter (DM) content in haylage (29.7%), with no important variations in silage over time. Stargrass silage had crude protein (CP) levels greater (13.0%) than haylage (11.9%); the former was not affected by the duration of the preservation period. Silage had lower levels of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and higher levels of in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). The net energy for lactation (NEL) was similar for the two types of preservations evaluated. A principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that most of the variance in the dataset (69.6%) was explained by two principal components. PC1 showed that the most relevant variables were ADF, α-NDF, dNDF30, d NDF48, and NDICP, while Ash, Ca, and insoluble CP were the most relevant variables in PC2. Unlike haylage, the nutritional value of silage remained constant (p > 0.05) up to 120 days of preservation. It is important to note that haylage should not be stored beyond 90 days, regardless of the type of preservation.
Models for Wine Fermentation and Their Suitability for Commercial Applications
Authors: Nelson James , Boulton Roger
Published: May 2024

The ability to model the kinetics of wine fermentation enables the early detection of abnormal, sluggish or stuck fermentations, and the prediction of present and future rates of energy, CO2 and ethanol vapor release. While several wine fermentation models have been published, there are only a few that have been successfully adopted for commercial practice. In this work, the mathematical descriptions of wine fermentation are reviewed and compared. The common features of these include descriptions for the kinetics of yeast growth; substrate and nutrient consumption; product formation; and total and viable cell mass. Additional features include the inhibition of growth by ethanol; competitive inhibition of glucose and fructose uptake; glycerol formation; and the calculation of density from solution composition and solute properties. Three models were selected to compare their ability to describe the sugar, ethanol, biomass and nitrogen of benchtop fermentations at four temperatures, previously published. The models are assessed for their goodness of fit to the data in synthetic-medium fermentations and their suitability for analyzing and predicting commercial wine fermentations.
Impact of Long-Term Bottle Aging on Color Transition, Polymers, and Aromatic Compounds in Mulberry Wine
Authors: Cai Jieling , Peng Huihui , Zhang Wanqin , Yuan Ling , Liu Yang , Kang Wenyu , Teng Bo
Published: May 2024

Long-term aging has traditionally been associated with issues such as color fading and oxidation; therefore, it limits grape wine production. Here, we analyzed 90 bottles of mulberry wine aged for various periods (up to 12 years) and observed unique trends in color, flavor, and aroma compounds during prolonged aging. Results from Somers and methylcellulose precipitation (MCP) assays indicated that the tannin and anthocyanin concentrations in newly fermented mulberry wines were 167 to 216 mg/L and 1.04 to 1.37 g/L, respectively. The total phenolics, tannins, and anthocyanin contents exhibited significant negative correlations with aging years, while the non-bleachable pigment content and hue showed positive correlations with aging times. High-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) analysis further revealed a positive correlation between the content of pyranoanthocyanins (including cyanidin-3-O-glucoside-pyruvic acid, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside-acetaldehyde, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside-4-vinocatechol, and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside-4-vinophenol) and aging times, whereas the impacts of aging on the polymeric pigment (cyanidin-3-O-glucoside-epicatechin) were not observed. This suggests that the anthocyanins in mulberry wine primarily transformed into pyranoanthocyanins rather than polymeric pigments during aging. The aging-induced reductions in protein, polysaccharide, and key aroma compounds (contributing to the fruity, sweet and floral odors) remained unaffected by prolonged aging.
Urban Green Spaces and Mental Well-Being: A Systematic Review of Studies Comparing Virtual Reality versus Real Nature
Authors: Liang Liyuan , Gobeawan Like , Lau Siu-Kit , Lin Ervine Shengwei , Ang Kai Keng
Published: May 2024

Increasingly, urban planners are adopting virtual reality (VR) in designing urban green spaces (UGS) to visualize landscape designs in immersive 3D. However, the psychological effect of green spaces from the experience in VR may differ from the actual experience in the real world. In this paper, we systematically reviewed studies in the literature that conducted experiments to investigate the psychological benefits of nature in both VR and the real world to study nature in VR anchored to nature in the real world. We separated these studies based on the type of VR setup used, specifically, 360-degree video or 3D virtual environment, and established a framework of commonly used standard questionnaires used to measure the perceived mental states. The most common questionnaires include Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS), and Restoration Outcome Scale (ROS). Although the results from studies that used 360-degree video were less clear, results from studies that used 3D virtual environments provided evidence that virtual nature is comparable to real-world nature and thus showed promise that UGS designs in VR can transfer into real-world designs to yield similar physiological effects.
Assessing Forest Road Network Suitability in Relation to the Spatial Occurrence of Wildfires in Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems
Authors: Mostafa Mohsen , Elia Mario , Giannico Vincenzo , Lafortezza Raffaele , Sanesi Giovanni
Published: May 2024

Identifying the relationship between forest roads and wildfires in forest ecosystems is a crucial priority to integrate suppression and prevention within wildfire management. In various investigations, the interaction of these elements has been studied by using road density as one of the anthropogenic dependent variables. This study focused on the use of a broader set of metrics associated with forest road networks, such as road density, the number of links (edges), and access percentage based on two effect zones (road buffers of 75 m and 97 m). These metrics were employed as response variables to assess forest road network suitability in relation to wildfires, specifically the number and size of fires (2000–2021), using the Apulia region (Italy) as a case study. In addition, to enhance the comprehensive understanding of road networks in forest ecosystems in relation to wildfires, this study considered various affecting factors, including land-cover data (forest, maquis, natural grassland), geomorphology (slope, aspect), vegetation (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)), and morphometric indexes (Topographic Position Index (TPI), Terrain Ruggedness Index (TRI), Topographic Wetness Index (TWI)). We used geographically weighted regression (GWR) and ordinary least squares (OLS) to analyze the interaction between forest road metrics and dependent variables. Results showed that the GWR models outperformed the OLS models in term of statistical results such as R2 and the Akaike Information Criterion (AICc). We found that among road metrics, road density and number of links do not effectively demonstrate the correlation between roads and wildfires as a singular criterion. However, they prove to be a beneficial supplementary variable when considered alongside access percentage, particularly within the 75-m buffer zone. Our findings are used to discuss implications for forest road network planning in a broader wildfire management analysis. Our findings demonstrate that forest roads are not one-dimensional and static infrastructure; rather, they are a multi-dimensional and dynamic structure. Hence, they need to be analyzed from various perspectives, including accessibility and ecological approaches, in order to obtain an integrated understating of their interaction with wildfire.
Exploration of Convective and Infrared Drying Effect on Image Texture Parameters of ‘Mejhoul’ and ‘Boufeggous’ Date Palm Fruit Using Machine Learning Models
Authors: Noutfia Younes , Ropelewska Ewa
Published: May 2024

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruit samples belonging to the ‘Mejhoul’ and ‘Boufeggous’ cultivars were harvested at the Tamar stage and used in our experiments. Before scanning, date samples were dried using convective drying at 60 °C and infrared drying at 60 °C with a frequency of 50 Hz, and then they were scanned. The scanning trials were performed for two hundred date palm fruit in fresh, convective-dried, and infrared-dried forms of each cultivar using a flatbed scanner. The image-texture parameters of date fruit were extracted from images converted to individual color channels in RGB, Lab, XYZ, and UVS color models. The models to classify fresh and dried samples were developed based on selected image textures using machine learning algorithms belonging to the groups of Bayes, Trees, Lazy, Functions, and Meta. For both the ‘Mejhoul’ and ‘Boufeggous’ cultivars, models built using Random Forest from the group of Trees turned out to be accurate and successful. The average classification accuracy for fresh, convective-dried, and infrared-dried ‘Mejhoul’ reached 99.33%, whereas fresh, convective-dried, and infrared-dried samples of ‘Boufeggous’ were distinguished with an average accuracy of 94.33%. In the case of both cultivars and each model, the higher correctness of discrimination was between fresh and infrared-dried samples, whereas the highest number of misclassified cases occurred between fresh and convective-dried fruit. Thus, the developed procedure may be considered an innovative approach to the non-destructive assessment of drying impact on the external quality characteristics of date palm fruit.
The Potential of Chicken–Herb Essence to Improve Milk Production and Infant Health in the Sprague Dawley Animal Model
Authors: Puspasari Erna , Sulaeman Ahmad , Palupi Eny , Pasaribu Fachriyan Hasmi , Apriantini Astari
Published: May 2024

Breast milk serves as the primary source of nourishment for newborns. In cases of low milk production, one approach to address this challenge involves the consumption of lactagogues. Chicken–herb essence, a beverage rich in protein, amino acids, and minerals, presents itself as a viable option to supplement a lactating mother’s diet, particularly in terms of protein intake. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of chicken–herb essence on prolactin and lactoferrin in lactating rats. Furthermore, the study also assessed the lactagogue effect on IgA in offspring. The experimental research method used a completely randomized design. The animal models in this study were female Sprague Dawley rats. The result showed that there was an increase in milk production, as seen from the results of the lactagogue effect. The highest increase in prolactin and lactoferrin was obtained in treatment group II (TG II). The increases in prolactin and lactoferrin of TG II were 214.18 ± 71.99 and 904.02 ± 435.35 pg/mL, respectively. The lactagogue test showed that TG II haspotency as a milk-booster. Testing the blood serum of offspring showed that the highest concentration of IgA was also found in TG II at 398.34 ± 214.85 pg/mL.
Antibody Production and Immunoassay Development for Authenticating Chlorpheniramine Maleate Adulteration in Herbal Tea
Authors: Lin Jianhao , Liu Zhiwei , Guan Tian , Lei Yi , Pan Liangwen , Yu Xiaoqin , Zhang Shiwei , Huang Xin-An , Lei Hongtao , Chen Jiahong
Published: May 2024

Chlorphenamine maleate is a prohibited additive found in herbal teas and health foods. Excessive intake of this substance can result in adverse health effects. In this study, two novel haptens, PEM and bepotastine (PB1), mimicking chlorphenamine maleate structure were designed and synthesized based on molecular simulation for developing two corresponding polyclonal antibodies (PEM-Ab and PB1-Ab), respectively. Afterward, an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA) was developed to quickly and accurately detect chlorphenamine maleate in herbal teas using PB1-Ab, which has a high sensitivity and specificity. For chlorphenamine maleate, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) and limit of detection (LOD) of PB1-Ab under ideal circumstances were found to be 1.18 µg/L and 0.07 µg/L, respectively. Besides, an environmentally friendly sample pre-treatment strategy was employed that allowed easy and effective elimination of complex matrices. The ic-ELISA method observed the average recovery rate from 87.7% to 94.0% with the variance coefficient (CV) ranging from 2.2% to 9.4%. Additionally, the identification of 25 commercially available herbal teas using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) further confirmed the validity of our detection. The results of the two methods are consistent. Overall, the proposed ic-ELISA could be an ultrasensitive and reliable method for chlorphenamine maleate adulterated in foods or exposure to the environment.
Dynamic Changes in Qidan Aroma during Roasting: Characterization of Aroma Compounds and Their Kinetic Fitting
Authors: Wang Ying , Duan Yue , Song Huanlu
Published: May 2024

Qidan is one of the most famous varieties of Wuyi Rock tea and has a strong aroma. The aroma-active compounds in Qidan subject to different roasting times were analyzed using solid-phase microextraction two-dimensional gas chromatography–olfactometry–mass spectrometry (SPME-GC×GC-O-MS), and a total of 92 aroma-active compounds were detected. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that the roasting time had a significant effect on the aroma characteristics of Qidan, and that the key products in the Maillard reaction accumulated with the extension of the roasting time; these key products were screened out according to the calculation of the odor activity values (OAVs), from which kinetic equations were established. It was found that the levels of 2-methylbutanal, 3-methylbutanal, 2-methylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine, and benzaldehyde increased with time, while the contents of benzeneacetaldehyde showed a tendency to first increase and then decrease. This study provides a theoretical basis for flavor quality control during Qidan processing.
Forecasting and Anomaly Detection in BEWS: Comparative Study of Theta, Croston, and Prophet Algorithms
Authors: Grekov Aleksandr N. , Vyshkvarkova Elena V. , Mavrin Aleksandr S.
Published: May 2024

Evaluation of water quality and accurate prediction of water pollution indicators are key components in water resource management and water pollution control. The use of biological early warning systems (BEWS), in which living organisms are used as biosensors, allows for a comprehensive assessment of the aquatic environment state and a timely response in the event of an emergency. In this paper, we examine three machine learning algorithms (Theta, Croston and Prophet) to forecast bivalves’ activity data obtained from the BEWS developed by the authors. An algorithm for anomalies detection in bivalves’ activity data was developed. Our results showed that for one of the anomalies, Prophet was the best method, and for the other two, the anomaly detection time did not differ between the methods. A comparison of methods in terms of computational speed showed the advantage of the Croston method. This anomaly detection algorithm can be effectively incorporated into the software of biological early warning systems, facilitating rapid responses to changes in the aquatic environment.
Non-Extensive Statistical Analysis of Seismicity on the West Coastline of Mexico
Authors: Flores-Márquez Elsa Leticia , Ramírez-Rojas Alejandro , Sigalotti Leonardo Di G.
Published: May 2024

Mexico is a well-known seismically active country, which is primarily affected by several tectonic plate interactions along the southern Pacific coastline and by active structures in the Gulf of California. In this paper, we investigate this seismicity using the classical Gutenberg–Richter (GR) law and a non-extensive statistical approach based on Tsallis entropy. The analysis is performed using data from the corrected Mexican seismic catalog provided by the National Seismic Service, spanning the period from January 2000 to October 2023, and unlike previous work, it includes six different regions along the entire west coastline of Mexico. The Gutenberg–Richter law fitting to the earthquake sub-catalogs for all six regions studied indicates magnitudes of completeness between 3.30 and 3.76, implying that the majority of seismic movements occur for magnitudes less than 4. The cumulative distribution of earthquakes as derived from the Tsallis entropy was fitted to the corrected catalog data to estimate the q-entropic index for all six regions, which for values greater than one is a measure of the non-extensivity (i.e., non-equilibrium) of the system. All regions display values of the entropic index in the range 1.52≲q≲1.61, slightly lower than previously estimated ( 1.54≲q≲1.70) using catalog data from 1988 to 2010. The reason for this difference is related to the use of modern recording devices, which are sensitive to the detection of a larger number of low-magnitude events compared to older instrumentation.
Composite Hydrogel with Oleic Acid-Grafted Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Enhanced Topical Delivery of Doxorubicin
Authors: Slavkova Marta , Dimitrova Diana , Voycheva Christina , Popova Teodora , Spassova Ivanka , Kovacheva Daniela , Yordanov Yordan , Tzankova Virginia , Tzankov Borislav
Published: May 2024

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are inorganic nanocarriers presenting versatile properties and the possibility to deliver drug molecules via different routes of application. Their modification with lipids could diminish the burst release profile for water-soluble molecules. In the case of oleic acid (OA) as a lipid component, an improvement in skin penetration can be expected. Therefore, in the present study, aminopropyl-functionalized MSNs were modified with oleic acid through carbodiimide chemistry and were subsequently incorporated into a semisolid hydrogel for dermal delivery. Doxorubicin served as a model drug. The FT-IR and XRD analysis as well as the ninhydrin reaction showed the successful preparation of the proposed nanocarrier with a uniform particle size (352–449 nm) and negative zeta potential. Transmission electron microscopy was applied to evaluate any possible changes in morphology. High encapsulation efficiency (97.6 ± 1.8%) was achieved together with a sustained release profile over 48 h. The composite hydrogels containing the OA-modified nanoparticles were characterized by excellent physiochemical properties (pH of 6.9; occlusion factor of 53.9; spreadability of factor 2.87 and viscosity of 1486 Pa·s) for dermal application. The in vitro permeation study showed 2.35 fold improvement compared with the hydrogel containing free drug. In vitro cell studies showed that loading in OA-modified nanoparticles significantly improved doxorubicin’s cytotoxic effects toward epidermoid carcinoma cells (A431). All of the results suggest that the prepared composite hydrogel has potential for dermal delivery of doxorubicin in the treatment of skin cancer.
TiO2–Alginate–Chitosan-Based Composites for Skin Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Bobu Emma , Saszet Kata , Tóth Zsejke-Réka , Páll Emőke , Gyulavári Tamás , Baia Lucian , Magyari Klara , Baia Monica
Published: May 2024

The UV-B component of sunlight damages the DNA in skin cells, which can lead to skin cancer and premature aging. Therefore, it is necessary to use creams that also contain UV-active substances. Many sunscreens contain titanium dioxide due to its capacity to absorb UV-B wavelengths. In the present study, titan dioxide was introduced in alginate and chitosan–alginate hydrogel composites that are often involved as scaffold compositions in tissue engineering applications. Alginate and chitosan were chosen due to their important role in skin regeneration and skin protection. The composites were cross-linked with calcium ions and investigated using FT-IR, Raman, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The stability of the obtained samples under solar irradiation for skin protection and regeneration was analyzed. Then, the hydrogel composites were assayed in vitro by immersing them in simulated body fluid and exposing them to solar simulator radiation for 10 min. The samples were found to be stable under solar light, and a thin apatite layer covered the surface of the sample with the two biopolymers and titanium dioxide. The in vitro cell viability assay suggested that the anatase phase in alginate and chitosan–alginate hydrogel composites have a positive impact.
Identification of FASN Gene Polymorphisms, Expression and Their Relationship with Body Size Traits in Guizhou White Goat (Capra hircus) with Different Genders
Authors: An Qingming , Zeng Lingli , Wang Wenying , Yang Jiangyu , Meng Jinzhu , Zhao Yuanyuan , Song Xingchao
Published: May 2024

To investigate the nucleotide variation sites (SNPs) and expression differences of the fatty acid synthase gene (FASN) in Guizhou white goats, the relationship between the variation and body size traits was investigated. In this study, DNA was extracted from the blood of 100 samples of white goats from different regions in Guizhou province, China, and the variation sites were screened using pooled sequencing by mixing DNA samples, and 242 blood samples with body size traits were used for association analysis. The allele frequency, genotype frequency, homozygosity, heterozygosity and effective gene number were calculated by using PopGene 32.0 software, the population polymorphism information content was calculated by using PIC software (Version 0.6), and the state of genetic balance of the genes was analyzed by using the chi-square test. The mRNA of FASN gene expression levels in male and female goats were investigated by using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The general linear mixed model of MINTAB software (Version 16.0) was used to analyze the association between FASN gene nucleotide mutation sites and body size traits. The results showed that there was one nucleotide mutation site g.141 C/T in the target fragment of FASN gene amplification, and revealed two alleles, C and T, and three genotypes CC, CT and TT. The genotype frequencies for CC, CT and TT were 0.4308, 0.4205 and 0.1487, respectively. The allele frequencies for C and T were 0.6410 and 0.3590, respectively. The genetic homozygosity (Ho) was higher than the heterozygosity (He). The χ2 test showed that the mutation site was in the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium state (p > 0.05). The RT-qPCR results showed that the FASN gene had different expression levels in the longissimus dorsi muscle of male and female goats, and its expression was significantly higher in male goats than in female goats. The association analysis results showed that the mutation of the FASN gene had different effects on body size traits of male and female goats, and the presence of the populations of the T allele and the TT genotype recorded higher body size traits (body weight, heart girth and wither height) in female populations. Therefore, the site of the FASN gene can be used as a candidate marker for the early selection of growth traits in Guizhou white goats.
Factors Affecting Diagnostic Yields of Capsule Endoscopy for Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Authors: Lim Na Rae , Hong Keep Yung , Chung Woo Chul
Published: May 2024

Background/Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the factors affecting positive diagnostic yields in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) according to the guideline of small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE). Method: Patients with a complaint of melena or hematochezia who were admitted were consecutively enrolled. In patients with gastrointestinal bleeding, examination was performed according to the guideline. When OGIB was suspected, SBCE was performed. Patients were categorized into two subgroups based on the SBCE results: a positive group (n = 78) and a negative group (n = 67). Results: The rate of the positive diagnostic yield of SBCE was 53.8% (78/145). In patients over 60 years, the diagnostic yield was 61.5%, which was higher than in patients younger than 60 years (40.7%). In the multivariate analysis, there was a significant difference in the positive diagnostic yield in the patients aged over 60 years (p < 0.01). Factors related to the procedure and clinical characteristics also showed significant differences in the positive predictive rates according to the degree of bowel preparation, small bowel transit time, and transfusion requirements. Conclusions: SBCE could be recommended as a diagnostic tool for OGIB, especially in those with old ages (>60 years) and those who need transfusion, because of its relatively high diagnostic yields in these populations. Proper bowel preparation and a prolonged small bowel transit time may have clinical significance in relation to the positive diagnostic yield of SBCE in patients with OGIB.
Clinical Validation of Digital Healthcare Solutions: State of the Art, Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Gomis-Pastor Mar , Berdún Jesús , Borrás-Santos Alicia , De Dios López Anna , Fernández-Montells Rama Beatriz , García-Esquirol Óscar , Gratacòs Mònica , Ontiveros Rodríguez Gerardo D. , Pelegrín Cruz Rebeca , Real Jordi , Bachs i Ferrer Jordi , Comella Adrià
Published: May 2024

Digital health technologies (DHTs) at the intersection of health, medical informatics, and business aim to enhance patient care through personalised digital approaches. Ensuring the efficacy and reliability of these innovations demands rigorous clinical validation. A PubMed literature review (January 2006 to July 2023) identified 1250 papers, highlighting growing academic interest. A focused narrative review (January 2018 to July 2023) delved into challenges, highlighting issues such as diverse regulatory landscapes, adoption issues in complex healthcare systems, and a plethora of evaluation frameworks lacking pragmatic guidance. Existing frameworks often omit crucial criteria, neglect empirical evidence, and clinical effectiveness is rarely included as a criterion for DHT quality. The paper underscores the urgency of addressing challenges in accreditation, adoption, business models, and integration to safeguard the quality, efficacy, and safety of DHTs. A pivotal illustration of collaborative efforts to address these challenges is exemplified by the Digital Health Validation Center, dedicated to generating clinical evidence of innovative healthcare technologies and facilitating seamless technology transfer. In conclusion, it is necessary to harmonise evaluation approaches and frameworks, improve regulatory clarity, and commit to collaboration to integrate rigorous clinical validation and empirical evidence throughout the DHT life cycle.