bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Behaviour, Attitudes and Knowledge of Healthcare Workers on Breastfeeding
Authors: Čatipović Marija , Puharić Zrinka , Puharić Drita , Čatipović Paula , Grgurić Josip
Published: August 2022

The aim of this paper is to determine the current state of behavior, attitudes, and knowledge of health professionals about breastfeeding in Croatia. Data were collected via a breastfeeding behavior, attitudes, and knowledge questionnaire, which has already been validated and used in Croatia. The secondary aim is to identify differences in outcomes of respondents by occupation (nurses versus others health professionals). In the study, 374 health professionals participated (37 males and 337 females). Respondents completed the questionnaire online. Respondents were rarely involved in breastfeeding education. On the behavior scale, the worst answer was given to the question of advising mothers on breastfeeding after 24 months. On the attitude scale, the worst result was achieved in terms of public breastfeeding and the support of the child’s father for the breastfeeding mother. Respondents demonstrated the worst knowledge of The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and the use of medications while breastfeeding. There was no statistically significant difference between the results of respondents in relation to the occupation of the respondents. In the preparation of future breastfeeding education for health professionals in Croatia, particular attention should be given to these issues.
A Novel Data-driven Approach to Examine Children’s Movements and Social Behaviour in Schoolyard Environments
Authors: Nasri Maedeh , Tsou Yung-Ting , Koutamanis Alexander , Baratchi Mitra , Giest Sarah , Reidsma Dennis , Rieffe Carolien
Published: August 2022

Social participation in schoolyards is crucial for children’s development. Yet, schoolyard environments contain features that can hinder children’s social participation. In this paper, we empirically examine schoolyards to identify existing obstacles. Traditionally, this type of study requires huge amounts of detailed information about children in a given environment. Collecting such data is exceedingly difficult and expensive. In this study, we present a novel sensor data-driven approach for gathering this information and examining the effect of schoolyard environments on children’s behaviours in light of schoolyard affordances and individual effectivities. Sensor data is collected from 150 children at two primary schools, using location trackers, proximity tags, and Multi-Motion receivers to measure locations, face-to-face contacts, and activities. Results show strong potential for this data-driven approach, as it allows collecting data from individuals and their interactions with schoolyard environments, examining the triad of physical, social, and cultural affordances in schoolyards, and identifying factors that significantly impact children's behaviours. Based on this approach, we further obtain better knowledge on the impact of these factors and identify limitations in schoolyard designs, which can inform schools, designers, and policymakers about current problems and practical solutions.
A Review of Adrenomedullin in Pediatric Patients: A Useful Biomarker
Authors: Solé-Ribalta Anna , Bobillo-Pérez Sara , Jordan-García Iolanda
Published: August 2022

Adrenomedullin has several properties. It acts as a potent vasodilator, has natriuretic effects, and reduces endothelial permeability. It also plays a role in initiating the early hyperdynamic phase of sepsis. Since its discovery, many articles have been published studying the uses and benefits of this biomarker. The aim of this review is to determine the usefulness of adrenomedullin in pediatric patients. Relevant studies covering adrenomedullin in pediatrics (<18 years) and published up until August 2021 were identified through a search of MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane. Seventy studies were included in the present review, most of them with a low level of evidence (IV to VI). Research on adrenomedullin has primarily been related to infection and the cardiovascular field. The performance of adrenomedullin to quantify infection in children seems satisfactory, especially in sepsis. In congenital heart disease, this biomarker seems to be a useful indicator before, during, and after cardiopulmonary bypass. Adrenomedullin seems to be useful in the pediatric population for a large variety of pathologies, especially regarding infection and cardiovascular conditions. However, it should be used in combination with other biomarkers and clinical or analytical variables, rather than as a single tool.
Neonatal Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis and the Main Perinatal Risk Factors—A Retrospective Unicentric Study
Authors: Filip Catalina , Zonda Gabriela Ildiko , Vasilache Ingrid-Andrada , Scripcariu Ioana Sadiye , Vicoveanu Petronela , Dima Vlad , Socolov Demetra , Paduraru Luminita
Published: August 2022

(1) Background: Neonatal cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT) is a rare disorder, associated with long-term neurological sequelae. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the most commonly encountered perinatal risk factors for this disease in a cohort of newborns from Romania. (2) Methods: The medical records of neonatal CSVT patients treated between January 2017 and December 2021 were descriptively assessed. (3) Results: The study included nine neonates, five males (55.56%) and four females (44.44%), who were born at term. The most commonly presented clinical manifestations were feeding difficulties, lethargy, respiratory distress, loss of consciousness, and seizures. Maternal-inherited thrombophilia, male sex, complicated delivery, perinatal asphyxia, and mechanical ventilation were frequently identified as potential risk factors for developing CSVT. The lesions were more frequently localized in the superior sagittal sinus (n = 7; 77.78%), followed by the transverse (n = 4; 44.44%), sigmoid (n = 2; 22.22%), and cavernous (n = 1; 11.11%) sinuses. Low-molecular-weight heparin was administered to all patients, and two of them died from thrombotic complications. (4) Conclusions: Recognition of potential risk factors and a prompt diagnosis of neonatal CSVT could lead to better patient management and to a reduction of severe complications.
Increased Total Serum Bilirubin Level Post-Ibuprofen Use Is Inversely Correlated with Neonates’ Body Weight
Authors: Lee Zon-Min , Yang Yao-Hsu , Chang Ling-Sai , Chen Chih-Cheng , Yu Hong-Ren , Kuo Kuang-Che
Published: August 2022

Backgrounds: Drugs with the ability to displace bilirubin from albumin-binding sites subsequently leading to an increased bilirubin level may cause hyperbilirubinemia in neonates. Ibuprofen is commonly used to treat patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in neonates, yet the use of ibuprofen has drawn mixed conclusions. We performed a retrospective study to determine how ibuprofen use influences the total serum bilirubin (TSB) level in neonates of differing birth weight (BW). Materials and methods: Neonates (including premature infants) born at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan during January 2004 to July 2020 were entered into this study. We recorded the phototherapy duration, including the initial day and end day, and determined the average influence of one-day phototherapy on TSB level. The highest monitored TSB level post-ibuprofen use minus the one measured prior to ibuprofen use was considered the TSB change following ibuprofen administration in this study, and the above-mentioned influence of daily phototherapy on the TSB level was used to correlate the results. Neonates with any of the following conditions were excluded: those who received ceftriaxone, those with intraventricular hemorrhage, and those infected with TORCH. Results: The average daily influence of phototherapy on the TSB level of neonates was −0.20 (−0.57~0.05) mg/dL, −0.28 (−0.84~0.13) mg/dL, −0.75 (−1.77~0.10) mg/dL, and −1.60 (−2.70~−0.50) mg/dL in neonates with BWs of <1 kg, 1–1.49 kg, 1.5–2.49 kg, and ≥2.5 kg, respectively, indicating that neonates with a BW ≥ 1.5 kg experienced a greater reduction in TSB level following phototherapy as compared with those with a BW < 1.5 kg. The average TSB increase following ibuprofen use in neonates was 3.38 ± 2.77 mg/dL, 2.04 ± 2.53 mg/dL, and 1.34 ± 2.24 mg/dL in neonates with BWs of <1 kg, 1–1.49 kg, and ≥1.5 kg, respectively, i.e., an elevated TSB change with a decreased neonate BW was noted post-ibuprofen use (p = 0.026, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)). Conclusions: As ibuprofen use is correlated with an apparent increase in TSB level in neonates with a lower BW, especially in those with a BW < 1 kg, iv acetaminophen can be an appropriate alternative to ibuprofen for ELBW neonates for the treatment of PDA if they are experiencing severe unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia.
Surface Characterization of Current Dental Ceramics Using Scanning Electron Microscopic and Atomic Force Microscopic Techniques
Authors: Kaczmarek Katarzyna , Konieczny Bartlomiej , Siarkiewicz Przemyslaw , Leniart Andrzej , Lukomska-Szymanska Monika , Skrzypek Slawomira , Lapinska Barbara
Published: August 2022

Dental ceramics is a highly esthetic material and its surface properties can impact its roughness, bonding properties, as well as strength and wear. The aim of the study is to analyze the surface characteristics by the determination of the roughness parameters of three dental ceramics used in computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technique: lithium disilicate (LS2), zirconium oxide-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS), and zirconium oxide (ZrO2), prepared using two different processing techniques, polishing (self-glaze) and glazing with three different glazes. Both glass ceramics, pre-crystallized LS2 and crystallized ZLS, were cut into disks, and the surface was ground and polished. Crystallization was performed for LS2 samples, while ZrO2 samples were fabricated using CAD/CAM and sintered. Then, the glaze was applied and the samples were reheated as per the manufacturer’s instructions. The contact surface topographies of the tested ceramics were measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the roughness parameters: average surface roughness (Ra), root-mean-square roughness (Rq), and surface area difference (SAD) were evaluated. Changes in the morphological characteristics of the tested ceramics were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the surface chemical composition was determined by attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT—IR). In the spectroscopic analysis, a characteristic signal for ZrO2 was obtained for ZLS samples. A significant decrease in surface roughness was observed after glazing in all tested ceramics (p < 0.05). The abstract should be an objective representation of the article and it must not contain results that are not presented and substantiated in the main text and should not exaggerate the main conclusions.
Studies on the Thermodynamic Properties of C/ph Irradiated by Intense Electron Beams
Authors: Lin Peng , Chen Ruohan , Wang Dengwang
Published: August 2022

The thermal shock wave and blow-off impulse are important phenomena of the thermodynamic effects produced in material bombarded by electron beams. The experimental results of the blow-off impulse in an improved carbon fiber-reinforced phenolic material (referred to, in short, as C/ph) exposed to intense electron beams are presented. Used to generate electron beams, the “FLASH II” accelerator has energy fluences ranging from 150 to 350 J·cm−2, and average energies of 0.5 or 0.6 MeV. The experimental results showed that the coupling coefficient of the blow-off impulse of C/ph was 0.42 ± 0.02 Pa∙s/(J·cm−2). The thermal shock waves and the blow-off impulse were numerically calculated separately by using a one-dimensional elastic–plastic hydrodynamic model. Attenuating with propagating distances, the peak values of the thermal shock waves during experiments were 0.6~1.5 GPa at the location of x = 8 mm in targets. The results of the numerical calculations were in good agreement with experimental data. The results obtained provide a basis for nuclear hardness and survivability assessments of aerospace.
Advances of Nanoparticles and Thin Films
Authors: Borca Bogdana , Bartha Cristina
Published: August 2022

Nanoparticles and thin films are currently among the most active research fields in materials sciences for technological applications [...]
Rice Husk Ash as Pore Former and Reinforcement on the Porosity, Microstructure, and Tensile Strength of Aluminum MMC Fabricated via the Powder Metallurgy Method
Authors: Mohamed Ariff Azmah Hanim , Jun Lin Ong , Jung Dong-Won , Mohd Tahir Suraya , Sulaiman Mohd Hafis
Published: August 2022

The handling of rice husk ash (RHA) has been raising environmental concerns, which led to the consideration of incorporating RHA in aluminum metal matrix composite fabrication. Due to the high silicon dioxide content of RHA, it can assist in enhancing both the properties and functionality of pure aluminum. In this research, the fabrication of aluminum metal matrix composite was carried out by utilizing different compositions of RHA, including weight fractions of 10 wt.%, 15 wt.%, and 20 wt.% via a powder metallurgy approach. The element powders, including aluminum and RHA, and magnesium stearate as a binder, were mixed, compacted, and sintered to attain a composite sample in the form of a pellet. The pellet was then characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM-EDX) to identify the pore structure and size for each RHA composition. The samples were also mechanically tested via Archimedes’ Principle and Brazilian Testing to identify their density, porosity, and tensile strength, respectively. The total porosity of RHA-15 wt.% was found to be the highest at 19.19%, yet with the highest tensile strength at 5.19 MPa due to its low open porosity at 4.65%. In contrast, the total porosity of RHA-20 wt.% was found to be slightly lower at 15.38%, with the highest open porosity at 6.95%, which reduced its tensile strength to 5.10 MPa, therefore indicating that reducing open porosity through controlling the composition of reinforcement tends to enhance the mechanical strength of aluminum metal matrix composites.
Investigation into Micro-Polishing Photonic Crystal Fibers for Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensing
Authors: Liu Qingmin , Chen Junpeng , Hou Shanglin , Lei Jingli
Published: August 2022

In this work, we propose and demonstrate a micro-polishing-fiber (MPF)-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor. The structure of the sensor is simple and consists of three layers of regular air holes and two small air holes. The sensitivity seldom depends on the sizes of the air holes, which leads to a sensor with high structure tolerance. A tiny polishing depth ensures the mechanical strength of the polished fiber. There are three decisive factors for mass production and application of the sensor. A thin layer of indium tin oxide (ITO) film is applied to the polished surface to excite plasmonic interactions and facilitate refractive index (RI) detection. The SPR sensor is designed and analyzed by the finite element method (FEM), and optimized in terms of the air holes’ diameter, the ITO film thickness, and the core-to-surface interval. In the wide detection range between 1.32 and 1.39, the wavelength sensitivity can reach up to 11,600 nm/RIU. The MPF–SPR sensor exhibits great potential in the fields of optics, biomedicine, and chemistry.
Comparison Analysis of the Calculation Methods for Particle Diameter
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxue , Wang Hongyang , Luo Liqun
Published: August 2022

Accurately obtaining the particle diameter is a chief prerequisite to calculating the growth dynamics of metallic iron during the deep reduction of Fe-bearing minerals. In this work, spherical copper powder with a volume moment mean of 70.43 μm was used as a benchmark for measuring the authenticity of the data of the main calculation methods, including the Feret, diameter, equivalent diameter, and equivalent diameter plus correction factor methods. The results show that the measured particle count was less than the theoretical particle count. The particle diameters obtained through the Feret, diameter and equivalent diameter methods were all less than the benchmark, with deviations of 11.15 μm, 14.09 μm, and 12.71 μm, respectively. By contrast, the particle diameter obtained through the equivalent diameter plus correction factor method was slightly higher than the benchmark, with a deviation of 3.09 μm. Therefore, the equivalent diameter plus correction factor method is the most suitable for accurately obtaining the particle diameter, because most profiles do not pass through the particles’ centroid during sample preparation.
Comprehensive Approach to Genomic and Immune Profiling: Insights of a Real-World Experience in Gynecological Tumors
Authors: Prieto-Potin Iván , Idrovo Franklin , Suárez-Gauthier Ana , Díaz-Blázquez María , Astilleros-Blanco de Córdova Laura , Chamizo Cristina , Zazo Sandra , Carvajal Nerea , López-Sánchez Almudena , Pérez-Buira Sandra , Aúz-Alexandre Carmen Laura , Manso Rebeca , Plaza-Sánchez Jenifer , de Lucas-López Virginia , Pérez-González Nuria , Martín-Valle Sara , Cristóbal Ion , Casado Victoria , García-Foncillas Jesús , Rojo Federico
Published: August 2022

Gynecological cancer accounts for an elevated incidence worldwide requiring responsiveness regarding its care. The comprehensive genomic approach agrees with the classification of certain tumor types. We evaluated 49 patients with gynecological tumors undergoing high-throughput sequencing to explore whether identifying alterations in cancer-associated genes could characterize concrete histological subtypes. We performed immune examination and analyzed subsequent clinical impact. We found 220 genomic aberrations mostly distributed as single nucleotide variants (SNV, 77%). Only 3% were classified as variants of strong clinical significance in BRCA1 and BRCA2 of ovarian high-grade serous (HGSC) and uterine endometrioid carcinoma. TP53 and BRCA1 occurred in 72% and 28% of HGSC. Cervical squamous cell carcinoma was entirely HPV-associated and mutations occurred in PIK3CA (60%), as well as in uterine serous carcinoma (80%). Alterations were seen in PTEN (71%) and PIK3CA (60%) of uterine endometrioid carcinoma. Elevated programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) was associated with high TILs. Either PD-L1 augmented in deficient mis-matched repair (MMR) proteins or POLE mutated cases when compared to a proficient MMR state. An 18% received genotype-guided therapy and a 4% immunotherapy. The description of tumor subtypes is plausible through high-throughput sequencing by recognizing clinically relevant alterations. Additional concomitant assessment of immune biomarkers identifies candidates for immunotherapy.
Time to Death and Associated Factors among Tuberculosis Patients in South West Ethiopia: Application of Shared Frailty Model
Authors: Jabir Yasin Negash , Aniley Tafere Tilahun , Bacha Reta Habtamu , Debusho Legesse Kassa , Chikako Teshita Uke , Hagan John Elvis , Seidu Abdul-Aziz , Ahinkorah Bright Opoku
Published: August 2022

(1) Background: Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease mainly caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is one of the major public health problems in the world and now ranks alongside human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as the leading infectious cause of death. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential risk factors affecting the time to death of TB patients in southwest Ethiopia using parametric shared frailty models. (2) Methods: A retrospective study design was used to collect monthly records of TB patients in three selected hospitals in southwest Ethiopia. The data used in the study were obtained from patients who took part in the directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) program from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2019. The survival probability was analyzed by the Kaplan–Meier method. Log-rank tests and parametric shared frailty models were applied to investigate factors associated with death during TB treatment. (3) Results: Out of the total sample of 604 registered TB patients, 46 (7.6%) died during the study period and 558 (92.4%) were censored. It was found that the median time of death for TB patients was 5 months. Hospitals were used to assess the cluster effect of the frailty model. A Gamma shared frailty model with Weibull distribution for baseline hazard function was selected among all models considered and was used for this study. It was found that the covariates, age, initial weight, extrapulmonary type of TB patient, patient category, and HIV status of TB patient were significant risk factors associated with death status among TB patients. (4) Conclusions: The risk of death was high, especially with cases of HIV co-infected, retreated, and returned-after-treatment categories of TB patients. During the treatment period, the risk of death was high for older TB patients and patients with low baseline body weight measurements. Therefore, health professionals should focus on the identified factors to improve the survival time of TB patients.
Multi-UAV Collaboration to Survey Tibetan Antelopes in Hoh Xil
Authors: Huang Rui , Zhou Han , Liu Tong , Sheng Hanlin
Published: August 2022

Reducing the total mission time is essential in wildlife surveys owing to the dynamic movement of animals throughout their migrating environment and potentially extreme changes in weather. This paper proposed a multi-UAV path planning method for counting various flora and fauna populations, which can fully use the UAVs’ limited flight time to cover large areas. Unlike the current complete coverage path planning methods, based on sweep and polygon, our work encoded the path planning problem as the satisfiability modulo theory using a one-hot encoding scheme. Each instance generated a set of feasible paths at each iteration and recovered the set of shortest paths after sufficient time. We also flexibly optimized the paths based on the number of UAVs, endurance and camera parameters. We implemented the planning algorithm with four UAVs to conduct multiple photographic aerial wildlife surveys in areas around Zonag Lake, the birthplace of Tibetan antelope. Over 6 square kilometers was surveyed in about 2 h. In contrast, previous human-piloted single-drone surveys of the same area required over 4 days to complete. A generic few-shot detector that can perform effective counting without training on the target object is utilized in this paper, which can achieve an accuracy of over 97%.
An Efficient Design of High Step-Up Switched Z-Source (HS-SZSC) DC-DC Converter for Grid-Connected Inverters
Authors: Kumar Rahul , Kannan Ramani , Singh Narinderjit Singh Sawaran , Abro Ghulam E. Mustafa , Mathur Nirbhay , Baba Maveeya
Published: August 2022

With the increasing trend in the energy demand, power networks are transitioning from conventional generation systems to renewable energy sources (RESs). The energy is harvested from these RESs and fed to grid-connected inverters (GCIs), as the output power of major sources (e.g., solar and fuel cell) is mainly DC. However, owing to the lower output voltage of renewable RESs, power converters play a vital role in two-stage power systems for enhancing its lower value to a higher value. The basic requirement for the GCI is to maintain the constant output voltage for which it is essential to have a constant input voltage. Therefore, high gain and efficient power boost converters are required for a robust and reliable two-stage power system. This paper investigates the performance of an efficient model of a high step-up switched Z-source DC-DC converter (HS-SZSC) for grid-connected 3-phase H-bridge inverter applications. The proposed design achieves high voltage gain and eliminates the problems of circuit complexity by utilizing a smaller number of components, which makes it cost effective and highly efficient. The working principle is discussed in detail. To validate the proposed model, the performance of the conventional Z-source converter (ZSC) and proposed HS-SZSC employed with GCI is analyzed and compared for both normal and transient states through MATLAB simulations. The HS-SZSC with an open- and closed-loop system is tested at different loads (AC), representing varying power factor conditions, and results verify the suitability of the proposed design for grid-connected inverters. Lastly, another model is presented to resolve the issue of grid islanding in GCIs.
Maintaining Effective Node Chain Connectivity in the Network with Transmission Power of Self-Arranged AdHoc Routing in Cluster Scenario
Authors: Devi Murugavel Kiruthiga , Ramadass Parthasarathy , Mahendran Rakesh Kumar , Khan Arfat Ahmad , Haq Mohd Anul , Alharby Sultan , Alhussen Ahmed
Published: August 2022

Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs) are intended to work without a fixed framework and provide dependable interchanges to ground vehicles, boats, airplanes, or people and structure a self-mending process that will empower persistent correspondences in any event, when at least one of its nodes are debilitated or briefly expelled from the system. Notwithstanding, MANETs demonstrate themselves to be progressively harder to create for enormous systems with hundreds or thousands more nodes than initially envisioned. In our proposed technique, the node switches its communication mode depending on the connectivity of the adjacent nodes. The transmission power of each node will be calculated with the help of two major scenarios i.e., tree scenario and zone scenario. The autonomous clustering of the nodes among the tree and the zone scenario will be channelized by a comparison of the transmission power (residual energy) among the nodes. The inter and the intra communication of the node is also discussed in the paper. The result will be carried out by the simulation work in various perspectives, such as checking the percentage level of malicious nodes, traffic density, transmission power, and the longevity of nodes.
Predicting the Impact of Utility Lighting Rebate Programs on Promoting Industrial Energy Efficiency: A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Shook Phillip , Choi Jun-Ki
Published: August 2022

Implementation costs are a major factor in manufacturers’ decisions to invest in energy-efficient technologies. Emerging technologies in lighting systems, however, typically require small investment costs and offer short, simple payback periods, due, in part, to federal, state, and utility incentive programs. Recently, however, certain state and federal mandates have reduced the support for and efficacy of electricity utility incentivizing programs. To determine the impact of such support programs, this study examined historical data regarding lighting retrofit savings, implementation costs, and utility rebates gathered from 13 years of industrial energy audits by a U.S. Department of Energy Industrial Assessment Center in a midwestern state. It uses a machine learning approach to evaluate the industrial energy and cost-saving opportunities that may have been lost due to decisions attributable to legislative mandates, utility policies, and manufacturers’ calculations and to evaluate the potential effect of lighting rebates on manufacturers’ decisions to implement industrial energy-efficient lighting retrofits. The results indicate that the decision not to implement lighting energy efficiency recommendations resulted in a loss of more than USD800,000 in potential rebates by industries during the study period and that the implementation of lighting energy assessment recommendations could have increased by about 50% if electric utility rebates had been available. These findings can help industries evaluate the benefits of implementing lighting efficiency improvements, and help utilities determine feasible lighting retrofit rebate values for incentivizing such changes by the industries they serve.
Field Measurements of Tree Dynamics with Accelerometers
Authors: Giachetti Andrea , Zini Giacomo , Giambastiani Yamuna , Bartoli Gianni
Published: August 2022

A comprehensive understanding of the dynamic behavior of a tree can play a key role in the tree stability analysis. Indeed, through an engineering approach, the living tree can be modeled as a mechanical system and monitored observing its dynamic properties. In the current work, procedures of dynamic identification used in civil engineering are applied to the case study of a black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.). The tree was instrumented with 13 seismic, high-sensitivity accelerometers. Time histories of the tree response under ambient vibration were recorded. Three representative sections of the trunk (the collar, the diameter at breast height, and the tree fork) were equipped with three accelerometers, in order to obtain lateral and torsional vibrations. Moreover, two pairs of accelerometers were fixed on the two main branches. The results show that it is possible to identify the natural frequencies of a tree under ambient vibrations, thanks also to the support of a preliminary finite element model. Even though the optimal position is under the tree fork, the sensors fixed at the diameter at breast height allow a clear identification of the main peaks in the frequency domain.
Assessment of Ecological and Economic Efficiency of Agroforestry Systems in Arid Conditions of the Lower Volga
Authors: Korneeva Evgenia A. , Belyaev Alexander I.
Published: August 2022

The aim of this study was to research the cost effectiveness of creating forest reclamation complexes on slopes, as well as to determine the patterns of their orographic dynamics, taking into account environmental aspects in arid conditions. With the help of modeling agroforestry landscapes, we established forest plantations created from Lanceolate ash (Fraxinus lanceolata) in arid climatic conditions on sloping lands, the cost of planting of which is EUR 1202–EUR 1453 per ha of forest. The specific capital intensity of the arrangement of land use by forest stands is EUR 24–EUR 63 per hectare of afforested plot, while 5–11% accounts for the cost of logging of forest care and 2–30% for the inclusion of a hydraulic element in forest reclamation systems. The monetary equivalent of the return on these investments in the form of prevented damage from soil erosion and air pollution is EUR 333–EUR 940 per hectare of afforested plot per year. This economic effect increases with the growth of the protective forest cover of the plot (by reducing the interband space) by almost 3 times. The benefit–cost ratio for all forest reclamation strategies on slopes is greater than 1, which confirms the high efficiency and expediency of capital investments in forest reclamation activities on slope lands to preserve the land resources of various regions.
The Sensorial and Chemical Changes in Beer Brewed with Yeast Genetically Modified to Release Polyfunctional Thiols from Malt and Hops
Authors: Molitor Richard W. , Roop Jeremy I. , Denby Charles M. , Depew Charles J. , Liu Daniel S. , Stadulis Sara E. , Shellhammer Thomas H.
Published: August 2022

The biotransformation of hop aroma, particularly by the cysteine S-conjugate beta-lyase enzyme (CSL), has been a recent topic of tremendous interest among brewing scientists and within the brewing community. During a process often referred to as biotransformation, yeast-encoded enzymes convert flavorless precursor molecules found in barley and hops into volatile thiols that impart a variety of desirable flavors and aromas in beer. Two volatile thiols of particular interest are 3-mercaptohexan-1-ol (3MH) and its acetate ester, 3-mercaptohexyl acetate (3MHA), which impart guava and passionfruit flavors, respectively. In this study, a parental Saccharomyces cerevisiae brewing strain that displayed low thiol biotransformation activity was genetically manipulated (GM) to substantially increase its thiol biotransformation potential. Construction of this GM strain involved integration of a gene encoding a highly active CSL enzyme that converts thiol precursors into the volatile thiol, 3MH. Three additional strains were subsequently developed, each of which paired CSL expression with expression of an alcohol acyltransferase (AAT) gene. It was hypothesized that expression of an AAT in conjunction with CSL would increase production of 3MHA. Fermentation performance, sensory characteristics, and 3MH/3MHA production were evaluated for these four GM strains and their non-GM parent in 1.5hL fermentations using 100% barley malt wort hopped at low levels with Cascade hops. No significant deviations in fermentation performance (time to attenuation, final gravity, alcohol content, wort fermentability) or finished beer chemistry were observed between the GM strains and the parent strain with the exception of the speed of vicinal diketones reduction post-fermentation, which was quicker for the GM strains. The GM strains produced beer that had up to 73-fold and 8-fold higher 3MH and 3MHA concentrations than the parent strain, achieving concentrations that were up to 79-fold greater than their sensory detection thresholds. The beers were described as intensely tropical and fruity, and were associated with guava, passionfruit, mango, pineapple and sweaty aromas. These experiments demonstrate the potential of genetic modification to dramatically enhance yeast biotransformation ability without creating off flavors or affecting fermentation performance.
Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Yeasts for Aroma Compound Production
Authors: Tekarslan-Sahin Seyma Hande
Published: August 2022

Aroma compounds are important in the food and beverage industry, as they contribute to the quality of fermented products. Yeasts produce several aroma compounds during fermentation. In recent decades, production of many aroma compounds by yeasts obtained through adaptive laboratory evolution has become prevalent, due to consumer demand for yeast strains in the industry. This review presents general aspects of yeast, aroma production and adaptive laboratory evolution and focuses on the recent advances of yeast strains obtained by adaptive laboratory evolution to enhance the production of aroma compounds.
Strategy Development for Microalgae Spirulina platensis Biomass Cultivation in a Bubble Photobioreactor to Promote High Carbohydrate Content
Authors: Saxena Rohit , Rodríguez-Jasso Rosa M. , Chávez-Gonzalez Mónica L. , Aguilar Cristóbal N. , Quijano Guillermo , Ruiz Héctor A.
Published: August 2022

As a counter to climate change, energy crises, and global warming, microalgal biomass has gained a lot of interest as a sustainable and environmentally favorable biofuel feedstock. Microalgal carbohydrate is considered one of the promising feedstocks for biofuel produced via the bioconversion route under a biorefinery system. However, the present culture technique, which uses a commercial medium, has poor biomass and carbohydrate productivity, creating a bottleneck for long-term microalgal-carbohydrate-based biofuel generation. This current investigation aims toward the simultaneous increase in biomass and carbohydrate accumulation of Spirulina platensis by formulating an optimal growth condition under different concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorous in flasks and a bubble photobioreactor. For this purpose, the lack of nitrogen (NaNO3) and phosphorous (K2HPO4) in the culture medium resulted in an enhanced Spirulina platensis biomass and total carbohydrate 0.93 ± 0.00 g/L and 74.44% (w/w), respectively. This research is a significant step in defining culture conditions that might be used to tune the carbohydrate content of Spirulina.
Assessment of Changes in Environmental Factors Affecting Aquaculture Production and Fisherfolk Incomes in China between 2010 and 2020
Authors: Wang Peiwen , Mendes Isabel
Published: August 2022

The vast expanse of China’s land surface results in the country’s environment varying from region to region. Environmental changes impact on China’s industries, markets, and trade, indirectly affecting not only the country’s economy but also the people who depend on aquaculture resources. Regional differentiation leads to an imbalance that severely affects social fairness and equity, which becomes a key factor limiting the sustainable development of the economy and society. Analysis and assessment of the changes in environmental factors affecting aquaculture production and fisherfolk’s income in 31 regions of China between 2010 and 2020 aim to provide a reference for regional differentiation in the economic development of aquaculture in the different regions in China, representing an essential step towards achieving the coordinated development of rural regional areas. This study’s assessment and analysis procedures adopted the principal component analysis method. The findings suggest that regional differences in Chinese fisherfolk’s income and the environmental factors affecting China’s aquaculture production are veritable. There have been subtle changes in regional differentiation over a decade. It is necessary to implement contextualized environmental management measures, concessionary taxation, and additional subsidies to address the different characteristics of China’s different regions for the future development of environmental management and narrowing the income gap, to address both the income disparities in Chinese fisherfolk’s income and environmental factors affecting Chinese aquaculture production, to achieve the harmonious development of rural regional areas.
Differential Effects of Food Restriction and Warming in the Two-Spotted Goby: Impaired Reproductive Performance and Stressed Offspring
Authors: Lopes Ana F. , Murdoch Robyn , Martins-Cardoso Sara , Madeira Carolina , Costa Pedro M. , Félix Ana S. , Oliveira Rui F. , Bandarra Narcisa M. , Vinagre Catarina , Lopes Ana R. , Gonçalves Emanuel J. , Faria Ana Margarida
Published: August 2022

Climate change is a growing threat to marine organisms and ecosystems, and it is already modifying ocean properties by, for example, increasing temperature and decreasing pH. Increasing water temperature may also lead to an impairment of primary productivity and an overall depletion of available zooplankton. Understanding how the crossover between warming and zooplankton availability impacts fish populations has paramount implications for conservation and mitigation strategies. Through a cross factorial design to test the effects of ocean temperature and food availability in a temperate marine teleost, Pomatochistus flavescens, we showed that hindered feeding impacted sheltering and avoidance behaviour. Also, low food availability impaired fish reproduction, particularly male reproduction, as the expression of cyp11b1, a gene with a pivotal role in the synthesis of the most important fish androgen, 11-ketotestosterone, was significantly reduced under a low food regime. In contrast, temperature alone did not affect reproductive success, but offspring showed increased saturated fatty acid content (embryos) and increased lipid peroxidation (larvae). Altogether, food availability had a stronger effect on fitness, showing that coping with elevated temperatures, an ability that may be expected in shallow-water fish, can be indirectly impacted, or even overwhelmed, by the effects of ocean warming on primary productivity and downstream ecological processes.
The Potential Compatibility of Designating Offshore Wind Farms within Wider Marine Protected Areas—Conservation of the Chinese White Dolphin Regarding Fishers’ Perception
Authors: Jhan Hao-Tang , Lee Hsin-Ta , Ting Kuo-Huan
Published: August 2022

The population of the Chinese white dolphin along Taiwan’s west coast is under a range of threats. The designation of marine protected areas (MPA) is urgently required for their protection. However, conflicts between specific species conservation and fishing rights mean that the success of such a designation relies on the fishers’ perceptions and awareness of an MPA. Designating offshore wind farms within MPAs can be a mechanism for minimizing conflicts between fisheries and conservation. The purpose of this study is to examine the potential for designating an offshore wind farm within an MPA for Chinese white dolphin conservation by exploring the attitudes of local fishers. This study used face-to-face questionnaires. The results show that the main challenges are conflicts of interest, insufficient science-based information, and inadequate law enforcement. Offshore wind farms could be a way to maximize the benefits for different stakeholders and positively impact the marine environment and ecosystem. This study makes feasible recommendations on how to improve conservation, promote renewable energy, and encourage sustainable fisheries.
Evaluation of Microwave-Assisted Extraction as a Potential Green Technology for the Isolation of Bioactive Compounds from Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Floral By-Products
Authors: Cerdá-Bernad Débora , Baixinho João P. , Fernández Naiara , Frutos María José
Published: August 2022

The saffron flower stigmas are used for the saffron spice production while the remaining saffron floral by-products, that are a valuable source of natural bioactive compounds, remain underutilized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) through response surface methodology to obtain high value-added compounds from saffron tepals as ingredients with potential application in the food, pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic industries. A central composite design was applied to optimize process variables: temperature, time and ethanol solvent concentration. Extracts were characterized in terms of total phenolic and total flavonoid content, and antioxidant capacity (ORAC and HOSC assays), being the maximum values obtained: 126.20 ± 2.99 mg GAE/g dry matter; 8.05 ± 0.11 mg CE/g dry matter; 6219 ± 246 μmol TEAC/dry matter; 3131 ± 205 μmol TEAC/dry matter, respectively. Results indicated that the optimal extraction conditions were the combination of low temperature (25 °C)—high extraction time (5 min) using ethanol as solvent (100%). MAE revealed to be an efficient technique to isolate bioactive compounds from saffron floral by-products with a low energy footprint.
Antioxidant and Cytoprotective Capacities of Various Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cultivars in Korea
Authors: Heo Huijin , Lee Hana , Park Jinhee , Kim Kyeong-Hoon , Jeong Heon-Sang , Lee Junsoo
Published: August 2022

Whole wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a rich source of bioactive compounds with health benefits such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative activities. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant and cytoprotective capacities of 41 wheat cultivars. The antioxidant capacities of whole wheat grain extracts (WWE) from various wheat cultivars were evaluated using total phenolic content and ABTS and DPPH radical-scavenging activities. The relative antioxidant capacity index (RACI) was calculated to integrate different chemical methods of antioxidant capacity. The cytoprotective capacity of the WWE was investigated using hepatocytes (HepG2), myoblasts (C2C12), and endothelial (EA.hy926) cells. The RACI was the highest and lowest for Dajoong (1.71) and Topdong (−1.96), respectively. Pearson correlation tests were conducted to determine the correlation between the antioxidant and cytoprotective activities. However, no significant correlations between RACI and the cytoprotective capacities were ascertained. Principal component analysis revealed that the first two components represented 68.93% of the total variability. Hierarchical cluster analysis classified WWE into three groups based on measured parameters. The results of this study highlight the variation in the antioxidant and cytoprotective capacities of 41 different wheat cultivars. This study provides basic information that can guide decisions in wheat breeding programs for the development of functional food crops and new dietary ingredients.
Distinguishing Different Varieties of Oolong Tea by Fluorescence Hyperspectral Technology Combined with Chemometrics
Authors: Hu Yan , Wu Youli , Sun Jie , Geng Jinping , Fan Rongsheng , Kang Zhiliang
Published: August 2022

Oolong tea is a semi-fermented tea that is popular among people. This study aims to establish a classification method for oolong tea based on fluorescence hyperspectral technology(FHSI) combined with chemometrics. First, the spectral data of Tieguanyin, Benshan, Maoxie and Huangjingui were obtained. Then, standard normal variation (SNV) and multiple scatter correction (MSC) were used for preprocessing. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used for data visualization, and with tolerance ellipses that were drawn according to Hotelling, outliers in the spectra were removed. Variable importance for the projection (VIP) > 1 in partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS–DA) was used for feature selection. Finally, the processed spectral data was entered into the support vector machine (SVM) and PLS–DA. MSC_VIP_PLS–DA was the best model for the classification of oolong tea. The results showed that the use of FHSI could accurately distinguish these four types of oolong tea and was able to identify the key wavelengths affecting the tea classification, which were 650.11, 660.29, 665.39, 675.6, 701.17, 706.31, 742.34 and 747.5 nm. In these wavelengths, different kinds of tea have significant differences (p < 0.05). This study could provide a non-destructive and rapid method for future tea identification.
Characterization, Classification and Authentication of Spanish Blossom and Honeydew Honeys by Non-Targeted HPLC-UV and Off-Line SPE HPLC-UV Polyphenolic Fingerprinting Strategies
Authors: García-Seval Víctor , Martínez-Alfaro Clàudia , Saurina Javier , Núñez Oscar , Sentellas Sònia
Published: August 2022

Honey is a highly consumed natural product produced by bees which is susceptible to fraudulent practices, some of them regarding its botanical origin. Two HPLC-UV non-targeted fingerprinting approaches were evaluated in this work to address honey characterization, classification, and authentication based on honey botanical variety. The first method used no sample treatment and a universal reversed-phase chromatographic separation. On the contrary, the second method was based on an off-line SPE preconcentration method, optimized for the isolation and extraction of polyphenolic compounds, and a reversed-phase chromatographic separation optimized for polyphenols as well. For the off-line SPE method, the use of HLB (3 mL, 60 mg) cartridges, and 6 mL of methanol as eluent, allowed to achieve acceptable recoveries for the selected polyphenols. The obtained HPLC-UV fingerprints were subjected to an exploratory principal component analysis (PCA) and a classificatory partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) to evaluate their viability as sample chemical descriptors for authentication purposes. Both HPLC-UV fingerprints resulted to be appropriate to discriminate between blossom honeys and honeydew honeys. However, a superior performance was accomplished with off-line SPE HPLC-UV polyphenolic fingerprints, being able to differentiate among the different blossom honey samples under the study (orange/lemon blossom, rosemary, thyme, eucalyptus, and heather). In general, this work demonstrated the feasibility of HPLC-UV fingerprints, especially those obtained after off-line SPE polyphenolic isolation and extraction, to be employed as honey chemical descriptors to address the characterization and classification of honey samples according to their botanical origin.