bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cereal Grain Arabinoxylans: Processing Effects and Structural Changes during Food and Beverage Fermentations
Authors: Tse Tianbo , Schendel Rachel R.
Published: October 2023

Arabinoxylans (AXs) enter food processing and fermentation scenarios whenever grain-based ingredients are utilized. Their impacts on process efficiency and food product quality range from strongly negative to clearly beneficial, depending on both the particular food product and the AX structure. This review will focus on two structure-function relationships between AXs and fermented food production: (1) AXs’ native structure in cereal grains and structural changes that arise during production of fermented foods and (2) the impacts of AXs on processing and production of grain-based fermented foods and beverages (bread, beer, and spirits) and how variations in AX structure shift these processing impacts. Results from recently published papers have provided new insights into the connection between AXs’ structure at the molecular level and their effects on fermented food production. The purpose of this article is to review the historical progress in this area and introduce updates from recent years. Current knowledge gaps in the area are highlighted.
kClusterHub: An AutoML-Driven Tool for Effortless Partition-Based Clustering over Varied Data Types
Authors: Gratsos  Konstantinos , Ougiaroglou  Stefanos , Margaris  Dionisis
Published: October 2023

Partition-based clustering is widely applied over diverse domains. Researchers and practitioners from various scientific disciplines engage with partition-based algorithms relying on specialized software or programming libraries. Addressing the need to bridge the knowledge gap associated with these tools, this paper introduces kClusterHub, an AutoML-driven web tool that simplifies the execution of partition-based clustering over numerical, categorical and mixed data types, while facilitating the identification of the optimal number of clusters, using the elbow method. Through automatic feature analysis, kClusterHub selects the most appropriate algorithm from the trio of k-means, k-modes, and k-prototypes. By empowering users to seamlessly upload datasets and select features, kClusterHub selects the algorithm, provides the elbow graph, recommends the optimal number of clusters, executes clustering, and presents the cluster assignment, through tabular representations and exploratory plots. Therefore, kClusterHub reduces the need for specialized software and programming skills, making clustering more accessible to non-experts. For further enhancing its utility, kClusterHub integrates a REST API to support the programmatic execution of cluster analysis. The paper concludes with an evaluation of kClusterHub’s usability via the System Usability Scale and CPU performance experiments. The results emerge that kClusterHub is a streamlined, efficient and user-friendly AutoML-inspired tool for cluster analysis.
Silver Nanoparticle Sensor Array-Based Meat Freshness Inspection System
Authors: Yu Jiahang , Huang Mingyuan , Tian Huixin , Xu Xinglian
Published: October 2023

The series of biochemical reactions, metabolic pathways, and regulatory interactions that occur during the storage of meat are the main causes of meat loss and waste. The volatile compounds produced by these reactions, such as hydrogen sulfide, acids, and amines, can directly indicate changes in the freshness of meat during storage and sales. In this study, a one-pot hydrothermal method based on a surface control strategy was used to develop nanoparticles of silver with different reactivities, which were further immobilized in agar powder to develop a colorimetric sensor array. Due to the different chemical interactions with various volatile compounds, the colorimetric sensor array exhibited distinct color changes. The study demonstrates significant differences between 12 different volatile compounds and provides a quantitative and visual method to reveal rich detection indicators. The colorimetric sensor array is an economical and practical multi-analyte identification method. It has many potential applications such as food packaging, anti-counterfeiting, health monitoring, environmental monitoring, and optical filters.
Ethyl Carbamate in Fermented Food Products: Sources of Appearance, Hazards and Methods for Reducing Its Content
Authors: Shalamitskiy Maksim Yu. , Tanashchuk Tatiana N. , Cherviak Sofia N. , Vasyagin Egor A. , Ravin Nikolai V. , Mardanov Andrey V.
Published: October 2023

Ethyl carbamate, the ethyl ester of carbamic acid, has been identified in fermented foods and alcoholic beverages. Since ethyl carbamate is a probable human carcinogen, reduction of its content is important for food safety and human health. In alcoholic beverages, ethyl carbamate is mostly formed from the reaction of ethanol with urea, citrulline and carbamyl phosphate during fermentation and storage. These precursors are generated from arginine metabolism by wine yeasts and lactic acid bacteria. This review summarizes the mechanisms of ethyl carbamate formation, its impact on human health and methods used in winemaking to minimize its content. These approaches include genetic modification of Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine strains targeting pathways of arginine transport and metabolism, the use of lactic acid bacteria to consume arginine, direct degradation of ethyl carbamate by enzymes and microorganisms, and different technological methods of grape cultivation, alcoholic fermentation, wine aging, temperature and duration of storage and transportation.
Effect of Single and Two-Cycles of High Hydrostatic Pressure Treatment on the Safety and Quality of Chicken Burgers
Authors: Timón María Luisa , Palacios Irene , López-Parra Montaña , Delgado-Adámez Jonathan , Ramírez Rosario
Published: October 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two cycles of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment on chicken burgers after storage at refrigeration (4 °C) for 15 days, in comparison with the application of a single cycle of high hydrostatic pressure treatment, as well as compared with non-treated burgers. Samples were treated at 400 and 600 MPa and a single or two cycles were applied. The results showed that mesophilic, psychrotrophic molds, yeast, and coliforms were significantly reduced by HHP treatment (p < 0.05), 600 MPa/1 s (2 cycles) leading to the maximum inactivation. Concerning color parameters, a significant increase in lightness/paleness (L*) and a reduction in redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) (p < 0.05) was observed in samples as 600 MPa were applied. Moreover, 600 MPa/1 s (2 cycles) caused the highest differences in the meat color (ΔE processing) of the chicken burgers. No HHP treatment significantly affected the degree of oxidation of samples (p > 0.05). However, 600 MPa/1 s (2 cycles) samples showed the highest values of TBA RS content after 15 days of storage (p < 0.05). Finally, the appearance, odor, taste, and global perception of cooked burgers were similar in all groups (p < 0.05). Therefore, treatments at 600 MPa produced a significant reduction in microbial counts but modified the color; however, the discoloration effect in the cooked burgers was not noticed by panelists.
Is There a Convergence between the Food Classification Adopted by Food-Based Dietary Guidelines and Food Science and Technology?
Authors: Monteiro Jordanna Santos , Botelho Raquel Braz Assunção , Zandonadi Renata Puppin , Araujo Wilma Maria Coelho
Published: October 2023

The World Health Organization (WHO) proposed the dietary guidelines presented as the Food-based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG). The FBDG classify foods according to their origin, nature, nutrient source, food group, and processing level. Food science and technology (FST) ranks food according to its origin, perishability, nutrient source, processing, food group, and formulation. This paper aimed to compare the convergence points for food classification according to the FBDG and FST. This study was carried out in two phases. The first step was identifying the Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG). For each of the FBDG, food items were grouped as fruits, vegetables, cereals, sugars, fat and oils, legumes, foods from animals, dairy products, and others. The second step aimed to identify and describe the different food classification systems. The search was performed on PubMed®, Science Direct, and Web of Science and websites of international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Codex Alimentarius. Our results show that the points of convergence between the classifications were the classification in terms of origin (animal and vegetable), nutrient sources, and food groups. However, inconsistencies were observed for the distribution of food items in each group in the 98 surveyed FBDG. As for nature, there was a convergence for in natura, minimally processed, and processed foods. However, the criteria adopted for minimally processed and processed foods described in the FBDG differ from those considered by the FST. FST also does not recognize the classification of foods concerning the level of processing.
Analysis of Oleogel Volatile Profile Formation under Ultrasonic Treatment
Authors: Frolova Yuliya , Makarenko Mariia , Kochetkova Alla
Published: October 2023

Under certain conditions, ultrasonic treatment of certain foods and ingredients can contribute to the appearance of an extraneous odor, which is not usual for them, especially in fat-containing products. Since the food sector uses high-intensity ultrasound to control the crystallization of fats, the development of foreign smells and secondary fat oxidation products may impact the quality and safety of such items. In this work, we studied the volatile compounds’ profiles of oleogels structured with individual fractions of beeswax using ultrasonic treatment. For this work, six samples of oleogels were obtained. Sunflower oil was used as a fatty base, and three fractions of beeswax were used as gelators: hydrocarbon fraction (>99%), monoester fraction (>95%), and a mixture fraction of wax di- and triesters (10.1%), free fatty acids (40.1%), and free fatty alcohols (49.8%). The influence of ultrasonic treatment on the properties of oleogels was assessed using light microscopy in polarized light, texture analysis, gas chromatography with flame ionization, and mass spectrometric detection. Ultrasonic treatment affected the crystallization of oleogels and led to the formation of smaller crystals. At the same time, sonication led to both an increase and a decrease in the firmness of oleogels, depending on the composition of the gelator. As regards volatile compounds, a total of 121 fragrant substances were identified in all samples, including such groups as alkanes, alkenes, alkadienes, alkynes, alkadiynes, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, terpenes, alkyl alkane, and alkyl benzene derivatives. Ultrasonic treatment caused formation of new volatile unsaturated compounds. Some of them are known to have an unpleasant odor and thus might be responsible for the extraneous odor formation in studied fatty systems. Those were mainly (E)-2-octene, 1-heptene, 1,3-butadiene, and 1,3-octadiene in all oleogel samples. Sonicated samples B and C additionally had but-1-en-3-yne, pentenyne, and 1,3-butadiyne, whose odor can also be characterized as extraneous and distasteful. Several volatile compounds, supposed to be products of lipid oxidation, were also identified. Here we assume a reasonable approach is needed when selecting sonication conditions to prevent undesirable taste and flavor in oleogels and oleogel-based food products.
Perceptions, Attitudes, and Knowledge toward Advance Directives: A Scoping Review
Authors: Macedo João Carlos , Rego Francisca , Nunes Rui
Published: October 2023

(1) Background: Advance directives are an expression of a person’s autonomy regarding end-of-life care. Several studies have shown that the level of completion in countries where advance directives are legalised is low. To better understand this phenomenon, it is important to know the perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge that the population has about this instrument. The aim of this article was to explore a population’s perceptions and/or attitudes and/or knowledge toward advance directives. (2) Methods: A search was conducted in March 2023 in the ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, and PubMed databases using the following keywords: “advance care directives”, “advance care planning”, “perceptions”, “attitudes”, and “knowledge”. Two hundred and twenty-four (224) articles were identified, and thirteen (13) were included for analysis. (3) Results: The selected articles point to a low level of knowledge toward advance directives: they recognise a strong positive attitude of the population toward the implementation of advance directives but a low level of achievement. (4) Conclusions: Studies on perceptions/attitudes/knowledge toward advance directives are important to understand the real needs of the population regarding this issue and to implement more adequate and effective promotion and dissemination measures.
Knowledge Is Power: Utilizing Human-Centered Design Principles with People Living with Dementia to Co-Design a Resource and Share Knowledge with Peers
Authors: Roberts Jennifer Rhiannon , Jones Catrin Hedd , Windle Gill ,   the Caban Group
Published: October 2023

This paper describes the process used by a group of people living with young-onset dementia to inform the development and delivery of a post-diagnosis peer guide. It draws on the four stages of human-centered design and applies them in a new context of supporting resilience for people following a diagnosis of dementia. (1) Discover: The group discussed in-depth their perspectives on what it takes to be resilient while living with dementia and how this can be maintained. (2) Define: The group decided to collate practical information and knowledge based on their personal experiences into a booklet to support the resilience of others following a diagnosis of dementia. (3) Develop: The booklet was designed and developed together with input from other people living with dementia, facilitated by the authors. (4) Deliver: The group guided the professional production of the booklet ‘Knowledge is Power’. Over 8000 copies have been distributed to memory clinics, post-diagnostic support organizations and people living with dementia across Wales. A bilingual English–Scottish Gaelic adaptation and an adaptation for people in England have since been developed. The success of ‘Knowledge is Power’ highlights the importance of working alongside people with dementia to share knowledge and support their resilience.
Molecular Mechanisms Provide a Landscape for Biomarker Selection for Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Psychosis
Authors: Fryar-Williams Stephanie , Strobel Jörg , Clements Peter
Published: October 2023

Research evaluating the role of the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T) gene in schizophrenia has not yet provided an extended understanding of the proximal pathways contributing to the 5-10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme’s activity and the distal pathways being affected by its activity. This review investigates these pathways, describing mechanisms relevant to riboflavin availability, trace mineral interactions, and the 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) product of the MTHFR enzyme. These factors remotely influence vitamin cofactor activation, histamine metabolism, catecholamine metabolism, serotonin metabolism, the oxidative stress response, DNA methylation, and nicotinamide synthesis. These biochemical components form a broad interactive landscape from which candidate markers can be drawn for research inquiry into schizophrenia and other forms of mental illness. Candidate markers drawn from this functional biochemical background have been found to have biomarker status with greater than 90% specificity and sensitivity for achieving diagnostic certainty in schizophrenia and schizoaffective psychosis. This has implications for achieving targeted treatments for serious mental illness.
Decreased Serum Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1 in Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia and Its Strong Correlation with Lipoprotein Subfractions
Authors: Juhász Lilla , Lőrincz Hajnalka , Szentpéteri Anita , Tóth Nóra , Varga Éva , Paragh György , Harangi Mariann
Published: October 2023

Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) is a chemokine that exerts multifaceted roles in atherosclerosis. However, its association with hyperlipidemia is contradictory. To date, serum SDF-1 and its correlations with lipid fractions and subfractions in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) have not been investigated. Eighty-one untreated patients with HeFH and 32 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study. Serum SDF-1, oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were determined by ELISA. Lipoprotein subfractions were detected by Lipoprint. We diagnosed FH using the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria. Significantly lower serum SDF-1 was found in HeFH patients compared to healthy controls. Significant negative correlations were detected between serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB100) and SDF-1. Furthermore, serum SDF-1 negatively correlated with VLDL and IDL, as well as large LDL and large and intermediate HDL subfractions, while there was a positive correlation between mean LDL-size, small HDL and SDF-1. SDF-1 negatively correlated with oxLDL and MPO. A backward stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the best predictors of serum SDF-1 were VLDL and oxLDL. The strong correlation of SDF-1 with lipid fractions and subfractions highlights the potential common pathways of SDF-1 and lipoprotein metabolism, which supports the role of SDF-1 in atherogenesis.
Finite Element Modelling of the Effect of Adhesive Z-Connections on the Swelling of a Laminated Wood Composite
Authors: Mazloomi Mohammad Sadegh , He Wenchang , Evans Philip David
Published: October 2023

This study used finite element analysis (FEA) to model the effects of adhesive Z-connections on the thickness swelling of laminated wood composites exposed to water. We hypothesized that the area density, diameter, and spatial distribution of adhesive Z-connections will influence the ability of Z-connections to restrain thickness swelling of the composites. We tested this hypothesis by modelling a wood composite in ANSYS FEA software v. 17.0 to explore the effect of moisture on the thickness swelling of the wood composite. The results were compared with those obtained experimentally. We then examined the effect of the area density, size (diam.), and spatial distribution of the adhesive Z-connections on the thickness swelling of wood composites. Our results showed a positive correlation between the number of adhesive Z-connections in the composites and restriction of thickness swelling following 72 h of simulated moisture diffusion. Similarly, increasing the size of adhesive Z-connections also restricted thickness swelling. In contrast, different spatial distributions of Z-connections had little effect on restraining thickness swelling. Our modelling approach opens up opportunities for more complex designs of adhesive Z-connections, and also to examine the effect of wood properties, such as permeability, density, and hygroscopic swelling ratios on the thickness swelling of laminated wood composites.
Exploring the Status of an Urban Coral and the Presence of Potential Probiotic Traits in Culturable Bacteria
Authors: Ruiz-Toquica Jordan Steven , Yañez-Dukon Luis Alejandro , Herrera Khenayzir Carolina , Romero Borja Isaac , Sanjuan-Muñoz Adolfo , Medina Monica , Franco-Herrera Andres
Published: October 2023

Improving the availability of new sources of probiotics is essential to continue implementing alternative solutions to improve coral health; one such source is urban corals. However, little is known about urban coral’s health status and whether they can harbor bacteria exhibiting probiotic traits. Here, we explored the status of the urban coral Madracis auretenra and the presence of probiotic traits in its associated culturable bacteria. After assessing ecological attributes, we observed a similar abundance (cover %) when comparing patches of M. auretenra occurring in both an urban site and a marine protected area. The urban patch also exhibited a high abundance of vibrios in coral tissues and signs of ecosystem deterioration. However, this patch showed a “good” health index condition; so, we hypothesized the presence of beneficial bacteria. We isolated 132 bacterial strains from this healthy urban M. auretenra. These bacteria were affiliated with 11 genera, including Vibrio, Shewanella, Bacillus, Exiguobacterium, Priestia, and Niallia, among others. Screenings revealed the predominant presence of potential probiotic traits such as catalase, antiQS, and the production of siderophores activities among the bacterial isolates. We proposed a list of 24 bacterial isolates as probiotic precandidates that jointly exhibited three or more of these traits, among which the Vibrio and Bacilli strains stand out. We provide insights into the health status of this urban coral and its potential as a source of bacteria exhibiting potential probiotic traits.
A Decoupling Algorithm-Based Technology for Predicting and Regulating the Unbalance of Aircraft Rotor Assembly Considering Manufacturing Errors
Authors: Zhao Yingjie , Mu Xiaokai , Liu Jian , Sun Qingchao , Zhou Ping , Fang Guozhen
Published: October 2023

Rotor unbalance is the most important factor affecting the dynamic performance of aircraft engines. The existing unbalance prediction and control methods are insufficient for multi-stage rotors. The post-assembly unbalance of rotors in aircraft engines is a critical factor affecting their dynamic performance. In order to predict and reduce the unbalance of multi-stage rotors after assembly, this paper establishes a measurement model for the center-of-mass offset of aircraft engine rotors through decoupled calculations of the unbalance. Furthermore, it constructs an unbalance prediction model using the spatial transfer mechanism of combined rotor offset centers under the influence of manufacturing errors. Additionally, a method for measuring rotor unbalance during the assembly phase is proposed. The experimental results of the unbalance in multi-stage combined rotor assembly indicate that the degree of agreement between the predicted results and the experimental results is 91.3%, resulting in a reduction in the mean error of 15.3% compared to before the correction. The study also investigates the impact of manufacturing errors on unbalance. This research provides robust support for controlling the unbalance in multi-stage combined rotor assembly.
The New Four-Dimensional Fractional Chaotic Map with Constant and Variable-Order: Chaos, Control and Synchronization
Authors: Hamadneh Tareq , Ahmed Souad Bensid , Al-Tarawneh Hassan , Alsayyed Omar , Gharib Gharib Mousa , Al Soudi Maha S. , Abbes Abderrahmane , Ouannas Adel
Published: October 2023

Using fractional difference equations to describe fractional and variable-order maps, this manuscript discusses the dynamics of the discrete 4D sinusoidal feedback sine iterative chaotic map with infinite collapse (ICMIC) modulation map (SF-SIMM) with fractional-order. Also, it presents a novel variable-order version of SF-SIMM and discusses their chaotic dynamic behavior by employing a distinct function for the variable fractional-order. To establish the existence of chaos in the suggested discrete SF-SIMM, some numerical methods such as phase plots, bifurcation and largest Lyapunov exponent diagrams, C0 complexity and 0–1 test are utilized. After that, two different control schemes are used for the conceived discrete system. The states are stabilized and asymptotically forced towards zero by the first controller. The second controller is used to synchronize a pair of maps with non–identical parameters. Finally, MATLAB simulations will be executed to confirm the results provided.
Extinctions in a Metapopulation with Nonlinear Dispersal Coupling
Authors: Korotkov Alexander , Petrovskii Sergei
Published: October 2023

Major threats to biodiversity are climate change, habitat fragmentation (in particular, habitat loss), pollution, invasive species, over-exploitation, and epidemics. Over the last decades habitat fragmentation has been given special attention. Many factors are causing biological systems to extinct; therefore, many issues remain poorly understood. In particular, we would like to know more about the effect of the strength of inter-site coupling (e.g., it can represent the speed with which species migrate) on species extinction or persistence in a fragmented habitat consisting of sites with randomly varying properties. To address this problem we use theoretical methods from mathematical analysis, functional analysis, and numerical methods to study a conceptual single-species spatially-discrete system. We state some simple necessary conditions for persistence, prove that this dynamical system is monotone and we prove convergence to a steady-state. For a multi-patch system, we show that the increase of inter-site coupling leads to the formation of clusters—groups of populations whose sizes tend to align as coupling increases. We also introduce a simple one-parameter sufficient condition for a metapopulation to persist.
Lanthanide-Based Organic Salts: Synthesis, Characterization, and Cytotoxicity Studies
Authors: Forte Andreia , Gago Sandra , Alves Celso , Silva Joana , Alves Joana , Pedrosa Rui , Laia César A. T. , Marrucho Isabel M. , Branco Luis C.
Published: October 2023

The formulation of magnetic ionic liquids (MILs) or organic salts based on lanthanides as anions has been explored. In this work, a set of choline-family-based salts, and two other, different cation families, were combined with Gadolinium(III) and Terbium(III) anions. Synthetic methodologies were previously optimized, and all organic salts were obtained as solids with melting temperatures higher than 100 °C. The magnetic moments obtained for the Gd(III) salts were, as expected, smaller than those obtained for the Tb(III)-based compounds. The values for Gd(III) and Tb(III) magnetic salts are in the range of 6.55–7.30 MB and 8.22–9.34 MB, respectively. It is important to note a correlation between the magnetic moments obtained for lanthanides, and the structural features of the cation. The cytotoxicity of lanthanide-based salts was also evaluated using 3T3, 293T, Caco2, and HepG2 cells, and it was revealed that most of the prepared compounds are not toxic.
Effects of Magnetite (Fe3O4) as an Electrical Conductor of Direct Interspecies Electron Transfer on Methane Production from Food Wastewater in a Plug Flow Reactor
Authors: Kim Sang-Yoon , Bae Gui-Seck , Lee Jun-Hyeong , Yoon Young-Man , Kim Chang-Hyun
Published: October 2023

This study was conducted in order to examine the impact of magnetite (Fe3O4), a conductive material capable of promoting direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) among microorganisms, on the efficiency of anaerobic digestion in a plug flow reactor (PFR) using food wastewater (FW) as the substrate. The effects of recovering and replenishing magnetite discharged along with the digestate during continuous operation of the PFR were also evaluated. A PFR with a total volume of 17 L was utilized as the reactor for anaerobic digestion. The inoculum was obtained from Icheon Biogas Research Facility, which operated with a mixture of pig slurry and FW in a 7:3 (w/w) ratio. FW was used as the substrate (volatile solids (VS) content of 85,865 mg-VS/L). The PFR was set for operation at 39 °C, and after a stabilization period of approximately 82 days, the hydraulic retention time (HRT) was set at 40 days. The study was conducted in three stages: stage 1 (83~122 days), stage 2 (123~162 days), and stage 3 (163~202 days). For the maintenance of an organic loading rate of 2.12 kg-VS/m3/d, 0.3 L/d of substrate was added every 24 h, and analysis of an equal amount of discharged digestate was performed. The experimental treatments included a control without the addition of magnetite after the stabilization period, treatment (T1) with addition of magnetite (20 mM in digestate) and subsequent recovery and replenishment of magnetite on the discharge of digestate, and treatment (T2) with addition of magnetite (20 mM) without the replenishment of magnetite. Analytical parameters included the characteristics of the discharged digestate (pH, NH4+-N, chemical oxygen demand (CODCr), total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs), and alkalinity), and methane production (Mp). During the period of operation of the PFR after the stabilization period, no significant differences in pH and NH4+-N, based on the recovery and replenishment of magnetite, were observed, and a stably functioning PFR was observed. However, in stage 2, due to the increased degradation of organic matter caused by DIET, the CODCr of T1 and T2 decreased by 9.42% compared with the control. In stage 3, the magnetite content in the reactor in T2 decreased by a maximum of 9.42% compared to T1. In stage 3, the Mp for T2 was similar to that of the control, with a maximum discharge of magnetite of 3.06%, and the Mp decreased by 5.40% compared to T1. Regarding the ratio of methanogens in the community, the results of an analysis of the digestate from stage 3 showed an increase in the community of acetotrophic methanogens, specifically Methanosarcina. The findings of this study confirm that DIET was effectively promoted by maintaining the concentration of 20 mM magnetite in the PFR while using FW as a substrate.
Validity of Actigraph for Measuring Energy Expenditure in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wu Wen-Jian , Yu Hai-Bin , Tai Wei-Hsun , Zhang Rui , Hao Wei-Ya
Published: October 2023

Purpose: The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the validity of the Actigraph triaxial accelerometer device in measuring physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) in healthy adults, with indirect calorimetry (IC) serving as the validity criterion. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, and sportdiscuss databases, in addition to manual searches for supplementary sources. Search strategies were employed that involved conducting single keyword searches using the terms “gt3x” and “Actigraph gt3x”. The literature search encompassed the timeframe spanning from 1 January 2010 to 1 March 2023. The methodological quality of the studies included in the analysis was evaluated using both the Downs and Black checklist and the Consensus-Based Criteria for Selection of Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist. The meta-analysis was conducted using the Review Manager 5.4 software. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated and expressed as a 95% confidence interval (CI). The significance level was set at α = 0.05. A systematic assessment of the Actigraph’s performance was conducted through the descriptive analysis of computed effect sizes. Results: A total of 4738 articles were retrieved from the initial search. After eliminating duplicate articles and excluding those deemed irrelevant, a comprehensive analysis was conducted on a total of 20 studies, encompassing a combined sample size of 1247 participants. The scores on the Downs and Black checklist ranged from 10 to 14, with a mean score of 11.35. The scores on the COSMIN checklist varied from 50% to 100%, with an average score of 65.83%. The meta-analysis findings revealed a small effect size (SMD = 0.01, 95% CI = 0.50–0.52, p = 0.97), indicating no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The meta-analysis revealed a small effect size when comparing the Actigraph and IC, suggesting that the Actigraph can be utilized for assessing total PAEE. Descriptive analyses have indicated that the Actigraph device has limited validity in accurately measuring energy expenditure during specific physical activities, such as high-intensity and low-intensity activities. Therefore, caution should be exercised when utilizing this device for such purposes. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between the activity counts measured by the Actigraph and the PAEE, indicating that activity counts can be utilized as a predictive variable for PAEE.
Effectiveness of Water-Based Exercise in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Benzo-Iglesias María Jesús , Rocamora-Pérez Patricia , Valverde-Martínez María Ángeles , García-Luengo Amelia Victoria , López-Liria Remedios
Published: October 2023

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory disease that, due to dyspnea, decreases patients’ physical function and quality of life. The aim of the research was to evaluate the effectiveness of water-based exercise (WE) in improving functional capacity and respiratory muscle strength in patients with COPD. It consisted of a systematic review and meta-analysis of eight randomized clinical trials (RCTs) from the last 10 years, found in PubMed, PEDro, Scopus and Web of Science databases. Methodological quality was analyzed using the PEDro scale and the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool. Regarding the evaluation of functional capacity, mainly assessed were lung function, respiratory muscle strength, and maximal or aerobic exercise. The results showed that WE improves functional capacity compared to a non-exercising control group (SMD: 73.42; IC 95%: 40.40 to 106.45; I2: 0%). There are no statistically significant differences between a WE treatment and a land exercise (LE) treatment (p = 0.24) in functional capacity, nor with respect to respiratory muscle strength (p = 0.97). These data should be interpreted with caution, as more RCTs with aquatic intervention in COPD patients are needed to elucidate whether there are differences between WE or LE according to patient characteristics and comorbidities.
In Vitro Inhibitory Activities against α-Glucosidase, α-Amylase, and Pancreatic Lipase of Medicinal Plants Commonly Used in Chocó (Colombia) for Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity Treatment
Authors: Lévuok-Mena Kevin P. , Patiño-Ladino Oscar J. , Prieto-Rodríguez Juliet A.
Published: October 2023

Plant-based therapies are widely utilized for treating diseases in approximately 80% of the global population, including Colombia’s Chocó Department. This study aimed to identify and evaluate plants with significant therapeutic value for obesity and diabetes in Chocó. The inhibitory effects of these plants on pancreatic lipase (PL), α-glucosidase (AG), and α-amylase (AA) were assessed, and the most promising species were selected to isolate and identify bioactive components. Artocarpus altilis, Momordica balsamina, Bauhinia picta, Neurolaena lobata, and Vismia macrophylla emerged as key species based on their traditional usage among the Chocó population. Notably, the extract derived from Vismia macrophylla demonstrated the most encouraging outcomes as a digestive enzyme inhibitor, exhibiting IC50 values of 0.99 ± 0.21 μg/mL, 5.61 ± 0.82 mg/mL, and 28.91 ± 2.10 μg/mL for AG, AA, and PL, respectively. Further chemical analysis led to the isolation of three bioactive compounds: 5′-demethoxycadensin G 1, para-hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester 2, and para-hydroxybenzoic acid butyl ester 3. Compound 1 displayed the highest activity against AG (IC50 = 164.30 ± 0.11 μM), while compounds 2 (IC50 = 28.50 ± 4.07 μM) and 3 (IC50 = 10.15 ± 3.42 μM) exhibited potent inhibitory effects on PL. Molecular docking and enzymatic kinetics studies indicate that these bioactive compounds primarily act as mixed inhibitors of AG and non-competitive inhibitors of PL. These findings underscore the potential of V. macrophylla and its compounds as effective inhibitors of digestive enzymes associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Mechanisms of Organophosphate Toxicity and the Role of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition
Authors: Aroniadou-Anderjaska Vassiliki , Figueiredo Taiza H. , de Araujo Furtado Marcio , Pidoplichko Volodymyr I. , Braga Maria F. M.
Published: October 2023

Organophosphorus compounds (OPs) have applications in agriculture (e.g., pesticides), industry (e.g., flame retardants), and chemical warfare (nerve agents). In high doses or chronic exposure, they can be toxic or lethal. The primary mechanism, common among all OPs, that initiates their toxic effects is the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. In acute OP exposure, the subsequent surge of acetylcholine in cholinergic synapses causes a peripheral cholinergic crisis and status epilepticus (SE), either of which can lead to death. If death is averted without effective seizure control, long-term brain damage ensues. This review describes the mechanisms by which elevated acetylcholine can cause respiratory failure and trigger SE; the role of the amygdala in seizure initiation; the role of M1 muscarinic receptors in the early stages of SE; the neurotoxic pathways activated by SE (excitotoxicity/Ca++ overload/oxidative stress, neuroinflammation); and neurotoxic mechanisms linked to low-dose, chronic exposure (Ca++ dyshomeostasis/oxidative stress, inflammation), which do not depend on SE and do not necessarily involve acetylcholinesterase inhibition. The evidence so far indicates that brain damage from acute OP exposure is a direct result of SE, while the neurotoxic mechanisms activated by low-dose chronic exposure are independent of SE and may not be associated with acetylcholinesterase inhibition.
Analytical Validation of Two Assays for Equine Ceruloplasmin Ferroxidase Activity Assessment
Authors: Cecchini Gualandi Stefano , Di Palma Tommaso , Boni Raffaele
Published: October 2023

Ceruloplasmin (Cp) assessment in biological samples exploits the oxidase activity of this enzyme against several substrates, such as p-phenylenediamine (p-P), o-dianisidine (o-D) and, most recently, ammonium iron(II) sulfate (AIS). Once developed in humans, these assays are often used in veterinary medicine without appropriately optimizing in the animal species of interest. In this study, two assays using AIS and o-D as substrates have been compared and validated for Cp oxidase activity assessment in horse’s plasma. The optimization of the assays was performed mainly by varying the buffer pH as well as the buffer and the substrate molar concentration. Under the best analytical conditions obtained, the horse blood serum samples were treated with sodium azide, a potent Cp inhibitor. In the o-D assay, 500 µM sodium azide treatment completely inhibits the enzymatic activity of Cp, whereas, using the AIS assay, a residual analytical signal was still present even at the highest (2000 µM) sodium azide concentration. Even though the analytical values obtained from these methods are well correlated, the enzymatic activity values significantly differ when expressed in Units L−1. A disagreement between these assays has also been detected with the Bland–Altman plot, showing a progressive discrepancy between methods with increasing analytical values.
Helix lucorum Linnaeus, 1758 (Gastropoda: Helicidae) – the morphological and molecular analysis of a new species to the Polish malacofauna
Authors: Zając Kamila S. , Turek Jarosława , Boroń Alicja
Published: October 2023

The native range of the Turkish snail, Helix lucorum Linnaeus, 1758 includes the Caucasus, Anatolia and probably the Balkan region. However, this species has intensively increased its distribution range to other areas. Today, it is widely distributed throughout Europe. In this
study, we characterise the first noted population of H. lucorum in Poland by means of integrative taxonomy. The population is located in the centre of Warsaw city (Poland), where both live individuals (adults and juveniles) and empty shells of H. lucorum were collected. Phylogeographic
analyses indicated that the specimens of H. lucorum from the Polish population show genetic similarities to populations from Turkey and Slovakia. It is crucial to evaluate the possible consequences of H.lucorum on the local species in newly discovered areas and to consider implementing
measures for its eradication, if necessary.
Descentralização dos recursos oriundos das atividades de prevenção do Corpo de Bombeiros Militar do Paraná
Authors: Yagui Romeu Tadashi
Published: October 2023

O Corpo de Bombeiros Militar do Paraná desponta entre as instituições de segurança pública no Estado por possuir mecanismos de arrecadação conhecidamente públicos por meio das vistorias de prevenção contra incêndio, análise de projetos, multas oriundas de processos fiscalizatórios, para citar apenas algumas das fontes de recursos. Tais recursos são arrecadados por meio das Seções de Prevenção Contra Incêndio(SPCID), seções estas que estão sob a gestão dos Grupamentos de Bombeiros e Subgrupamentos de Bombeiros Independente, que também são responsáveis por todo o trabalho de gestão de pessoal, manutenção das viaturas destinadas às vistorias e demais atividade de prevenção, atendimento ao público em geral e aos responsáveis técnicos, de forma que a destinação de parte do recurso arrecadado para estas Organizações Bombeiro Militar (OBM) pode resultar em aumento da arrecadação, pelo potencial incentivo ao perceber os investimentos retornando para a realidade local. O método utilizado foi o comparativo, foi realizado levantamento dos valores arrecadados pelas OBM, quantitativo de recursos distribuídos via Fundo Rotativo para as OBM, realizado uma pesquisa com Comandantes de OBM e por fim uma comparação dos recursos recebidos e arrecadados pelas OBM.
A rotatividade de militares estaduais no sistema de inteligência da Polícia Militar do Paraná
Authors: Kintopp Iwersen Trzeciak
Published: October 2023

A rotatividade de pessoal é uma questão crítica que afeta o funcionamento eficaz de qualquer organização, incluindo as instituições de segurança pública, como a Polícia Militar do Paraná. Este estudo examina a rotatividade no Serviço de inteligência da PMPR, analisando suas causas, consequências e possíveis estratégias de mitigação. Para isso, foram realizadas análises de dados e revisão da literatura existente sobre o assunto.
El neoclasicismo europeo y su transferencia cultural a la América colonial y republicana en los siglos XVIII y XIX
Authors: Bergallo Juan Manuel , Rosa Claudia Beatriz , Gialluca Ana Cecilia
Published: October 2023

El presente trabajo intenta explorar en la historiografía de la arquitectura Neoclásica europea y su transferencia cultural a la América Colonial y Republicana de fines del S. XVIII y hasta las primeras décadas del S XX, a partir de dos perspectivas interrelacionadas y convergentes: por un lado, la mirada de autores de origen europeo, es decir eurocéntrica, y por otro, una mirada local generada a partir de las propias realidades americanas. En un presente donde el horizonte intercultural prevalece creemos necesario distinguir, analizar e interpretar como se construyó el paradigma de la arquitectura neoclásica generando nuevas y múltiples identidades en América y específicamente en Argentina y Córdoba, reflejando a la vez, una nueva realidad postrevolucionaria. De esta forma se concreta el ideal de una sociedad culta y de un estado independiente y republicano cuya expresión urbana y arquitectónica adopta las formas neoclásicas como el símbolo de modernidad. La historiografía de la arquitectura, según Marina Waisman (1990) comparte pautas de valoración comunes y similares en sus diferentes enfoques analíticos y cronológicos. A partir de la segunda mitad del S XX, la historiografía de la arquitectura y el urbanismo permite una lectura más crítica de la historia y especialmente de la modernidad, desarrollada por críticos e historiadores latinoamericanos. Comienza, así, a aplicarse una nueva metodología para el análisis, la interpretación y la valoración de las obras arquitectónico-urbanísticas relacionándolas con el contexto histórico, la realidad en la que se insertan y con la formación e ideología del autor. Este nuevo enfoque implica una visión holística donde no sólo se valora el lenguaje y su construcción morfológica sino también su inserción social y cultural.La transferencia de estas reflexiones, a través de diferentes miradas nos posibilitan un enfoque historiográfico particular y adecuado que permita interpretar, en la enseñanza de grado, casos concretos de esta arquitectura, tanto culta como popular, en su correspondiente contexto histórico y urbano en la Ciudad de Córdoba. En definitiva, entender la historia como un instrumento de reflexión y crítica en las diversas etapas históricas con el fin de lograr un mejor abordaje proyectual y de esta forma evitar la transferencia cultural acrítica de modelos es el fin para lograr una conciencia “histórica” de la arquitectura y el urbanismo.
Die Steuerung von Lieferketten
Authors: Bleiber Reinhard
Published: October 2023

Die Abhängigkeit und Gefährdung von Unternehmen steigt mit der wachsenden Nutzung globaler Märkte. Auf diese Bedrohung muss mit einer bewussten Steuerung der Lieferketten reagiert werden. Dazu wird eine bewusste Überwachung der Lieferketten installiert, wodurch Veränderungen in den Risiken und Abhängigkeiten frühzeitig erkannt werden. Die erkannten Abweichungen in der Lieferkette müssen bewertet werden und beim Überschreiten von Grenzwerten zu einer Warnung in den zuständigen Unternehmensbereichen führen. Die Steuerung der Lieferketten erfolgt dann durch die Umsetzung geeigneter Maßnahmen, die Einfluss auf die Parameter der Lieferkette nehmen. So werden Abhängigkeiten und Gefährdungen reduziert. Die komplexen Aufgaben der Überprüfung, Warnung und Reaktion im Rahmen der Steuerung von Lieferketten erzeugen einen hohen Aufwand. Um diesen wirtschaftlich vertretbar zu gestalten, werden autonome Abläufe mit künstlicher Intelligenz eingesetzt.
Business Transformation
Authors: Schlüchter Jan , Nussbaum Julien , Riedel André , Zeier René
Published: October 2023

Unternehmen sind aktuell mit mehreren tiefgreifenden Veränderungen wirtschaftlicher Rahmenbedingungen wie Energieversorgung oder Lieferketten gefordert. Die Studie ≫Business Transformation Survey 2022≪ hat die Erfolgsfaktoren von Business-Transformationen im Rahmen des Business-Transformation-Maturity-Modells untersucht. So sind ein hoher Vorbereitungsgrad, ein effektiv durchgeführter Transformationsprozess und stark ausgeprägte organisationale Transformationsfähigkeiten entscheidend. Die Studie zeigt, dass neun von zehn Unternehmen diesbezüglich ein deutliches Verbesserungspotenzial aufweisen. Mit einer authentischen Führungskultur, zeitnahen Anpassungen, einer verständlichen Kommunikation, dem soliden Messen des Fortschritts sowie der Bestimmung der kritischsten Veränderungsfelder können Erfolge von Business-Transformationen deutlich gesteigert werden. Hierbei hat sich gezeigt, dass eine höhere Geschwindigkeit die Zufriedenheit und den Erfolg der Transformationen erhöht, wenn die entsprechenden Voraussetzungen (Transformation Readiness) geschaffen wurden.