bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nondestructive Estimation of Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) Terminal Velocity and Drag Coefficient Based on Some Fruit Physical Properties Using Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Kabas Onder , Kayakus Mehmet , Moiceanu Georgiana
Published: July 2023

Hazelnut culture originated in Turkey, which has the highest volume and area of hazelnut production in the world. For the design and sizing of equipment and structures in agricultural operations for the hazelnut industry, especially harvesting operations and post-harvest operations, it is essential that an understanding of hazelnuts’ aerodynamic properties, i.e., terminal velocity and drag coefficient, is acquired. In this study, the moisture, mass, density, projected area, surface area, and geometric diameter were used as independent variables in the data set, and the dependent variables terminal velocity and drag coefficient estimation were determined. In this study, logistic regression (LR), support vector regression (SVR), and artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used based on machine learning methods. When the results were evaluated according to R2 (determination coefficient), MSE (mean squared error), and MAE (mean absolute error) metrics, it was seen that the most successful models were the ANN, SVR, and LR, respectively. According to the R2 metric, the ANN method achieved 91.5% for the terminal velocity of hazelnuts and 85.9% for the drag coefficient of hazelnuts. Using the independent variables in the study, it was seen that the terminal velocity and drag coefficient value of hazelnuts could be successfully estimated.
Evaluation of Dual-Band Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometric Analysis for Rapid Quantification of Multi-Quality Parameters of Soy Sauce Stewed Meat
Authors: Jiang Hongzhe , Zhou Yu , Zhang Cong , Yuan Weidong , Zhou Hongping
Published: July 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) systems operated in dual band for the non-destructive measurement of the fat, protein, collagen, ash, and Na contents of soy sauce stewed meat (SSSM). Spectra in the waveband ranges of 650–950 nm and 960–1660 nm were acquired from vacuum-packed ready-to-eat samples that were purchased from 97 different brands. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) was employed to develop models predicting the five critical quality parameters. The results showed the best predictions were for the fat (Rp = 0.808; RMSEP = 2.013 g/kg; RPD = 1.666) and protein (Rp = 0.863; RMSEP = 3.372 g/kg; RPD = 1.863) contents, while barely sufficient performances were found for the collagen (Rp = 0.524; RMSEP = 1.970 g/kg; RPD = 0.936), ash (Rp = 0.384; RMSEP = 0.524 g/kg; RPD = 0.953), and Na (Rp = 0.242; RMSEP = 2.097 g/kg; RPD = 1.042) contents of the SSSM. The quality of the content predicted by the spectrum of 960–1660 nm was generally better than that for the 650–950 nm range, which was retained in the further prediction of fat and protein. To simplify the models and make them practical, regression models were established using a few wavelengths selected by the random frog (RF) or regression coefficients (RCs) method. Consequently, ten wavelengths (1048 nm, 1051 nm, 1184 nm, 1191 nm, 1222 nm, 1225 nm, 1228 nm, 1450 nm, 1456 nm, 1510 nm) selected by RF and eight wavelengths (1019 nm, 1097 nm, 1160 nm, 1194 nm, 1245 nm, 1413 nm, 1441 nm, 1489 nm) selected by RCs were individually chosen for the fat and protein contents to build multi-spectral PLSR models. New models led to the best predictive ability of Rp, RMSEP, and RPD of 0.812 and 0.855, 1.930 g/kg and 3.367 g/kg, and 1.737 and 1.866, respectively. These two simplified models both yielded comparable performances to their corresponding full-spectra models, demonstrating the effectiveness of these selected variables. The overall results indicate that NIRS, especially in the spectral range of 960–1660 nm, is a potential tool in the rapid estimation of the fat and protein contents of SSSM, while not providing particularly good prediction statistics for collagen, ash, and Na contents.
Chemical Composition, Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Actions of Oregano (Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum) Essential Oil against Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Kolypetri Sonia , Kostoglou Dimitra , Nikolaou Anastasios , Kourkoutas Yiannis , Giaouris Efstathios
Published: July 2023

Essential oils (EOs) are plant mixtures that are known to present strong bioactivities, including a wide antimicrobial action. Biofilms are microbial sessile structures that represent the default mode of growth of microorganisms in most environments. This study focused on the antimicrobial action of the EO extracted from one of the most representative oregano species, that is, Origanum vulgare (subsp. hirtum), against two important foodborne pathogens, Salmonella enterica (serovar Typhimurium) and Listeria monocytogenes. For this, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of the EO against the planktonic and biofilm growth of each bacterium were determined (MICs, MBICs), together with the minimum bactericidal and biofilm eradication concentrations (MBCs, MBECs). The EO was also analyzed for its chemical composition by gas chromatography—mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS). The influence of EO exposure on the expression of some important virulence genes (hly, inlA, inlB and prfA) was also studied in L. monocytogenes. Results revealed a strong antibacterial and antibiofilm action with MICs and MBICs ranging from 0.03% to 0.06% (v/v) and from 0.06% to 0.13% (v/v), respectively. The application of the EO at 6.25% (v/v) for 15 min resulted in the total eradication of the biofilm cells of both pathogens. The EO was mainly composed of thymol, p-cymene, γ-terpinene and carvacrol. The 3 h exposure of L. monocytogenes planktonic cells to the EO at its MBIC (0.06% v/v) resulted in the significant downregulation of all the studied genes (p < 0.05). To sum, the results obtained advocate for the further exploitation of the antimicrobial action of oregano EO in food and health applications.
Effects of Octenyl-Succinylated Chitosan—Whey Protein Isolated on Emulsion Properties, Astaxanthin Solubility, Stability, and Bioaccessibility
Authors: Han Lingyu , Zhai Ruiyi , Hu Bing , Yang Jixin , Li Yaoyao , Xu Zhe , Meng Yueyue , Li Tingting
Published: July 2023

The synthesis of octenyl-succinylated chitosan with different degrees of substitution resulting from chemical modification of chitosan and controlled addition of octenyl succinic acid was investigated. The modified products were characterized using 1H NMR, FTIR, and XRD, and the degree of substitution was also determined. The properties of the modified chitosan oligosaccharide in solution were evaluated by surface tension and dye solubilization, finding that the molecules self-assembled when they are above the critical aggregation concentration. The two methods yielded consistent results, showing that the self-assembly was reduced with higher levels of substitution. The antimicrobial activity of the octanyl-succinylated chitosan oligosaccharide (OSA-COS) derivatives against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp cucumerinum was investigated by the Oxford cup method. While the acetylated COS derivatives were not significantly effective against either E coli or S. aureus, they showed significant antifungal activity toward F. oxysporum that was superior to that of COS. The modified product was found to form a stable emulsion when mixed with whey protein isolate. The emulsion formed by the highly substituted derivatives have a certain stability and loading efficiency, which can be used for the encapsulation and delivery of astaxanthin.
Stability and Rheological Behavior of Mayonnaise-like Emulsion Co-Emulsified by Konjac Glucomannan and Whey Protein
Authors: Pei Yaqiong , Zhang Yanqiu , Ding Hui , Li Bin , Yang Jun
Published: July 2023

The aim of this work was to study the physical stability and rheological properties of an oil-in-water emulsion stabilized by a konjac glucomannan–whey protein (KGM-WP) mixture at a konjac glucomannan concentration of 0.1–0.5% (w/w) and a whey protein concentration of 1.0–3.0% (w/w). The droplet size, microstructure, stackability, flow behavior, and viscoelastic properties were measured. The experimental results showed that with an increase in KGM and WP concentrations, the droplet size (D4,3) of the emulsion gradually decreased to 12.9 μm, and the macroscopic performance of the emulsion was a gel-like structure that can be inverted and resist flow and can also be extruded and stacked. The static shear viscosity and viscoelasticity generally increased with the increase of konjac glucomannan and whey protein concentration. Emulsions were pseudo-plastic fluids with shear thinning behavior (flow behavior index: 0.15 ≤ n ≤ 0.49) and exhibited viscoelastic behavior with a storage modulus (G′) greater than their loss modulus (G″), indicating that the samples all had gel-like behavior (0.10 < n′ < 0.22). Moreover, storage modulus and loss modulus of all samples increased with increasing KGM and WP concentrations. When the concentration of konjac glucomannan was 0.3% w/w, the emulsion had similar rheological behavior to commercial mayonnaise. These results suggested that the KGM-WP mixture can be used as an effective substitute for egg yolk to make a cholesterol-free mayonnaise-like emulsion. The knowledge obtained here had important implications for the application of protein–polysaccharide mixtures as emulsifiers/stabilizers to make mayonnaise-like emulsions in sauce and condiments.
Determination of Parabens and Phenolic Compounds in Dairy Products through the Use of a Two-Step Continuous SPE System Including an Enhanced Matrix Removal Sorbent in Combination with UHPLC−MS/MS
Authors: Palacios Colón Laura , Rascón Andrés J. , Ballesteros Evaristo
Published: July 2023

Dairy products can be contaminated by parabens and phenolic compounds from a vast variety of sources, such as packaging and manufacturing processes, or livestock through feed and environmental water. A two-step continuous solid-phase extraction (SPE) and purification methodology was developed here for the determination of both types of compounds. In the first step, a sample extract is passed in sequence through an EMR-lipid sorbent and an Oasis PRiME HBL sorbent to remove fat and preconcentrate the analytes for subsequent detection and quantification by UHPLC−MS/MS. This method enabled the determination of 28 parabens and phenolic contaminant with excellent recovery (91–105%) thanks to the SPE sorbent combination used. The proposed method was validated through the determination of the target compounds, and was found to provide low detection limits (1–20 ng/kg) with only slight matrix effects (0–10%). It was used to analyse 32 different samples of dairy products with different packaging materials. Bisphenol A and bisphenol Z were the two phenolic compounds quantified in the largest number of samples, at concentrations over the range of 24–580 ng/kg, which did not exceed the limit set by European regulations. On the other hand, ethylparaben was the paraben found at the highest levels (33–470 ng/kg).
Development and Characterization of Probiotic Beers with Saccharomyces boulardii as an Alternative to Conventional Brewer’s Yeast
Authors: Díaz Ana Belén , Durán-Guerrero Enrique , Valiente Sergio , Castro Remedios , Lasanta Cristina
Published: July 2023

The development of new non-dairy probiotic foods is interesting, given lactose intolerance, milk allergies, and the growing trend of vegetarianism. In this paper, beer has been used as a probiotic delivery matrix, using Saccharomyces boulardii as an alternative to conventional brewer’s yeast. The strain was able to grow in worts prepared with hops containing different alpha-acid concentrations, attaining in all cases a final cell concentration above 1·108 cells mL−1. Some differences were found in the physicochemical parameters of beers brewed with S. boulardii compared to those brewed with a standard brewer’s yeast. Probiotic beers turned out to be less cloudy, which could help with a possible filtering step; less alcoholic in some cases; a healthier alternative; and with a slightly lower pH, interesting for the reduction of spoilage risk. Thirty volatile compounds were determined in the samples, and, in general, the beers brewed with the probiotic yeast presented significantly higher concentrations for the majority of the studied volatile compounds. In addition, multivariate statistical analysis was successfully performed to differentiate the beers obtained in terms of their volatile composition. Probiotic and standard beers were also subjected to sensory analysis, and they presented similar results in their overall impression.
Comparison Study of the Physicochemical Properties, Amino Acids, and Volatile Metabolites of Guangdong Hakka Huangjiu
Authors: Qian Min , Ruan Fengxi , Zhao Wenhong , Dong Hao , Bai Weidong , Li Xiangluan , Liu Xiaoyan , Li Yanxin
Published: July 2023

The physicochemical properties, amino acids, and volatile metabolites of 20 types of Guangdong Hakka Huangjiu were systematically compared in this study. Lower sugar contents were detected in LPSH, ZJHL-1, and GDSY-1, but the total sugar contents of the other types of Guangdong Hakka Huangjiu were more than 100 g/L (which belonged to the sweet type). Among them, a lower alcohol content was found in GDSY-1 (8.36 %vol). There was a significant difference in the organic acid and amino acid composition among the 20 Guangdong Hakka Huangjiu samples, especially the amino acid composition. However, bitter amino acids as the major amino acids accounted for more than 50% of the total amino acids. A substantial variation in volatile profiles was also observed among all types of Guangzhou Hakka Huangjiu. Interestingly, MZSK-1 had different volatile profiles from other Guangzhou Hakka Huangjiu samples. According to gas chromatography olfactometry (GC-O), most of the aroma-active ingredients identified in Guangdong Hakka Huangjiu were endowed with a pleasant aroma of “fruity”.
Combined Effect of Cinnamon Bark Oil and Packaging Methods on Quality of Fresh Lamb Meat Patties during Storage at 4 °C
Authors: Hussain Zubair , Ijaz Muawuz , Zhang Yejun , Bai Yuqiang , Hou Chengli , Li Xin , Zhang Dequan
Published: July 2023

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of adding cinnamon bark oil (CBO) on the quality of ground lamb meat, considering different packaging conditions, including modified atmospheric packaging (MAP) using Hengxian HX-300H and overwrapped packaging. The CBO was incorporated into lamb meat samples at three different levels: 0% (control), 0.025% and 0.05% (v/w). The samples were then subjected to three packaging methods: MAP1 (80% O2 + 20% CO2), MAP2 (40% O2 + 30% CO2 + 30% N2) and overwrapped packaging and stored at 4 °C for 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 days. The findings of the present study revealed that the addition of 0.025% and 0.05% CBO under MAP1 condition significantly improved the color of the meat samples after 12 days of storage at 4 °C (p < 0.05). The overwrapped samples exhibited higher levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) compared to all other treatments, starting from day 4 of storage (p < 0.05). Furthermore, microbial counts were notably higher in the overwrapped samples than in all other samples after day 8 of storage (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the combination of 0.05% CBO with MAP proved to be an effective strategy for enhancing the color stability and oxidative stability of ground lamb meat. These results suggest that CBO can be utilized as a beneficial protective agent in meat packaging processes.
Recent Advances in the Determination of Milk Adulterants and Contaminants by Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Ceniti Carlotta , Spina Anna Antonella , Piras Cristian , Oppedisano Francesca , Tilocca Bruno , Roncada Paola , Britti Domenico , Morittu Valeria Maria
Published: July 2023

The presence of chemical contaminants, toxins, or veterinary drugs in milk, as well as the adulteration of milk from different species, has driven the development of new tools to ensure safety and quality. Several analytical procedures have been proposed for the rapid screening of hazardous substances or the selective confirmation of the authenticity of milk. Mid-infrared spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared have been two of the most relevant technologies conventionally employed in the dairy industry. These fingerprint methodologies can be very powerful in determining the trait of raw material without knowing the identity of each constituent, and several aspects suggest their potential as a screening method to detect adulteration. This paper reviews the latest advances in applying mid-infrared spectroscopy for the detection and quantification of adulterants, milk dilution, the presence of pathogenic bacteria, veterinary drugs, and hazardous substances in milk.
Derivative-Free Conformable Iterative Methods for Solving Nonlinear Equations
Authors: Candelario Giro , Cordero Alicia , Torregrosa Juan R. , Vassileva María P.
Published: July 2023

In this manuscript, we use approximations of conformable derivatives for designing iterative methods to solve nonlinear algebraic or trascendental equations. We adapt the approximation of conformable derivatives in order to design conformable derivative-free iterative schemes to solve nonlinear equations: Steffensen and Secant-type methods. To our knowledge, these are the first conformable derivative-free schemes in the literature, where the Steffensen conformable method is also optimal; moreover, the Secant conformable scheme is also a procedure with memory. A convergence analysis is made, preserving the order of classical cases, and the numerical performance is studied in order to confirm the theoretical results. It is shown that these methods can present some numerical advantages versus their classical partners, with wide sets of converging initial estimations.
An Elucidative Review of the Nanomaterial Effect on the Durability and Calcium-Silicate-Hydrate (C-S-H) Gel Development of Concrete
Authors: Al-saffar Farqad Yousuf , Wong Leong Sing , Paul Suvash Chandra
Published: July 2023

Concrete as a building material is susceptible to degradation by environmental threats such as thermal diffusion, acid and sulphate infiltration, and chloride penetration. Hence, the inclusion of nanomaterials in concrete has a positive effect in terms of promoting its mechanical strength and durability performance, as well as resulting in energy savings due to reduced cement consumption in concrete production. This review article discussed the novel advances in research regarding C-S-H gel promotion and concrete durability improvement using nanomaterials. Basically, this review deals with topics relevant to the influence of nanomaterials on concrete’s resistance to heat, acid, sulphate, chlorides, and wear deterioration, as well as the impact on concrete microstructure and chemical bonding. The significance of this review is a critical discussion on the cementation mechanism of nanoparticles in enhancing durability properties owing to their nanofiller effect, pozzolanic reactivity, and nucleation effect. The utilization of nanoparticles enhanced the hydrolysis of cement, leading to a rise in the production of C-S-H gel. Consequently, this improvement in concrete microstructure led to a reduction in the number of capillary pores and pore connectivity, thereby improving the concrete’s water resistance. Microstructural and chemical evidence obtained using SEM and XRD indicated that nanomaterials facilitated the formation of cement gel either by reacting pozzolanically with portlandite to generate more C-S-H gel or by functioning as nucleation sites. Due to an increased rate of C-S-H gel formation, concrete enhanced with nanoparticles exhibited greater durability against heat damage, external attack by acids and sulphates, chloride diffusion, and surface abrasion. The durability improvement following nanomaterial incorporation into concrete can be summarised as enhanced residual mechanical strength, reduced concrete mass loss, reduced diffusion coefficients for thermal and chloride, improved performance against sulphates and acid attack, and increased surface resistance to abrasion.
Unraveling the New Perspectives on Antimicrobial Hydrogels: State-of-the-Art and Translational Applications
Authors: Ortega Miguel A. , De Leon-Oliva Diego , Boaru Diego Liviu , Fraile-Martinez Oscar , García-Montero Cielo , Diaz Raul , Coca Santiago , Barrena-Blázquez Silvestra , Bujan Julia , García-Honduvilla Natalio , Saez Miguel A. , Álvarez-Mon Melchor , Saz Jose V.
Published: July 2023

The growing impact of infections and the rapid emergence of antibiotic resistance represent a public health concern worldwide. The exponential development in the field of biomaterials and its multiple applications can offer a solution to the problems that derive from these situations. In this sense, antimicrobial hydrogels represent a promising opportunity with multiple translational expectations in the medical management of infectious diseases due to their unique physicochemical and biological properties as well as for drug delivery in specific areas. Hydrogels are three-dimensional cross-linked networks of hydrophilic polymers that can absorb and retain large amounts of water or biological fluids. Moreover, antimicrobial hydrogels (AMH) present good biocompatibility, low toxicity, availability, viscoelasticity, biodegradability, and antimicrobial properties. In the present review, we collect and discuss the most promising strategies in the development of AMH, which are divided into hydrogels with inherent antimicrobial activity and antimicrobial agent-loaded hydrogels based on their composition. Then, we present an overview of the main translational applications: wound healing, tissue engineering and regeneration, drug delivery systems, contact lenses, 3D printing, biosensing, and water purification.
The Development of Fe3O4-Monolithic Resorcinol-Formaldehyde Carbon Xerogels Using Ultrasonic-Assisted Synthesis for Arsenic Removal of Drinking Water
Authors: Khamkure Sasirot , Gamero-Melo Prócoro , Garrido-Hoyos Sofía Esperanza , Reyes-Rosas Audberto , Pacheco-Catalán Daniella-Esperanza , López-Martínez Arely Monserrat
Published: July 2023

Inorganic arsenic in drinking water from groundwater sources is one of the potential causes of arsenic-contaminated environments, and it is highly toxic to human health even at low concentrations. The purpose of this study was to develop a magnetic adsorbent capable of removing arsenic from water. Fe3O4-monolithic resorcinol-formaldehyde carbon xerogels are a type of porous material that forms when resorcinol and formaldehyde (RF) react to form a polymer network, which is then cross-linked with magnetite. Sonication-assisted direct and indirect methods were investigated for loading Fe3O4 and achieving optimal mixing and dispersion of Fe3O4 in the RF solution. Variations of the molar ratios of the catalyst (R/C = 50, 100, 150, and 200), water (R/W = 0.04 and 0.05), and Fe3O4 (M/R = 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2), and thermal treatment were applied to evaluate their textural properties and adsorption capacities. Magnetic carbon xerogel monoliths (MXRF600) using indirect sonication were pyrolyzed at 600 °C for 6 h with a nitrogen gas flow in the tube furnace. Nanoporous carbon xerogels with a high surface area (292 m2/g) and magnetic properties were obtained. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of As(III) and As(V) was 694.3 µg/g and 1720.3 µg/g, respectively. The incorporation of magnetite in the xerogel structure was physical, without participation in the polycondensation reaction, as confirmed by XRD, FTIR, and SEM analysis. Therefore, Fe3O4-monolithic resorcinol-formaldehyde carbon xerogels were developed as a potential adsorbent for the effective removal of arsenic with low and high ranges of As(III) and As(V) concentrations from groundwater.
Genetics of Functional Seizures; A Scoping Systematic Review
Authors: Asadi-Pooya Ali A. , Hallett Mark , Mirzaei Damabi Nafiseh , Fazelian Dehkordi Khatereh
Published: July 2023

Background: Evidence on the genetics of functional seizures is scarce, and the purpose of the current scoping systematic review is to examine the existing evidence and propose how to advance the field. Methods: Web of science and MEDLINE were searched, from their initiation until May 2023. The following key words were used: functional neurological disorder(s), psychogenic neurological disorder(s), functional movement disorder(s), psychogenic movement disorder(s), functional seizures(s), psychogenic seizure(s), nonepileptic seizure(s), dissociative seizure(s), or psychogenic nonepileptic seizure(s), AND, gene, genetic(s), polymorphism, genome, epigenetics, copy number variant, copy number variation(s), whole exome sequencing, or next-generation sequencing. Results: We identified three original studies. In one study, the authors observed that six (5.9%) patients with functional seizures carried pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants. In another study, the authors observed that, in functional seizures, there was a significant correlation with genes that are over-represented in adrenergic, serotonergic, oxytocin, opioid, and GABA receptor signaling pathways. In the third study, the authors observed that patients with functional seizures, as well as patients with depression, had significantly different genotypes in FKBP5 single nucleotide polymorphisms compared with controls. Conclusion: Future genetic investigations of patients with functional seizures would increase our understanding of the pathophysiological and neurobiological problems underlying this common neuropsychological stress-associated condition.
A Lacustrine Record for the Cretaceous–Paleogene Boundary—Yacoraite Fm., (Northwest Argentina)
Authors: Montano Damaris , Gasparrini Marta , Rohais Sébastien , De Luca Ramon
Published: July 2023

The Yacoraite Fm. (Salta rift basin, Argentina) consists of a mixed carbonate–siliciclastic lacustrine succession, interbedded with volcanic ash layers and organised in four third-order stratigraphic sequences. It is one of the few sites in South America that encompass the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) transition, the position of which remains debated. Here, samples were collected along a depocentral stratigraphic section that was previously dated by zircon and carbonate U-Pb geochronology. The consistency between zircon and carbonate U-Pb ages, together with an accurate petrographic analysis, allowed the selection of carbonates potentially preserving the original geochemical signature. Accordingly, C-O stable isotopes were analysed from microbialites, oncoids, ooids and lacustrine cements. The available depositional age model from zircon geochronology defined the stratigraphic interval, potentially including the K–Pg transition. Within this interval, carbonates provided negative δ13C values consistent with the negative C anomaly recorded in various K–Pg sites elsewhere. Additionally, spherical particles resembling spherulites related to meteorite impacts were found in two samples. Accordingly, the K–Pg transition could be placed at the top of the second stratigraphic sequence. These findings encourage further investigation of the Yacoraite Fm. to gain insights into the response of South American terrestrial settings to the K–Pg palaeoenvironmental crisis.
An Ecofeminist Perspective of the Alternate-History Novel Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus
Authors: Sultan Shrouk Yasser , ElSherbini Asmaa Ahmed
Published: July 2023

Orson Scott Card’s Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus is an interesting work of fiction that belongs to the genre of Alternate History, which is a subgenre of speculative fiction. The novel poses the question of: “what would have happened to the world if the Indigenous American tribes had been stronger and had made coalitions with each other, instead of being conquered and defeated by European forces?” This paper reads the selected novel from the Ecofeminist point of view, exploring various issues that are relevant to the theory of Ecofeminism. The analysis conducted in this paper tackles the roles women perform when trying to save their world; the connections between women and nature, and how patriarchal cultures treat both of them; the role technology plays in the times of natural disasters and how it can make the world a better place for women; whether or not technology is a tool in the hands of the White savior; and the empowerment of the Indigenous Americans or lack thereof.
Videographic, Musical, and Linguistic Partnerships for Decolonization: Engaging with Place-Based Articulations of Indigenous Identity and Wâhkôhtowin
Authors: Crandall Joanie
Published: July 2023

N’we Jinan, a group of young Indigenous artists who run a mobile production studio and an integrative arts studio, travel to different Indigenous communities, where they support youth in writing and recording music that involves the local community. N’we Jinan employs social media to articulate and protect Indigeneity through the sharing of Indigenous music videos, empowering youth to resist continued colonization. These videos serve to create a sense of connection in Indigenous communities in Turtle Island (Canada) as well as offer a means by which non-Indigenous listeners can learn about contemporary Indigenous cultures. Viewed in conjunction with Nunavut’s Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and the Northwest Territories’ Dene Kede and Inuuqatigiit, which provide a framework of traditional knowledge, values, and skills specific to Indigenous communities in the Canadian Arctic, the texts implicitly invite non-Indigenous listeners’ engagement in social justice activism as settler allies. The texts invite listening to and viewing the empowering songwriting and recording practices through the lens of social justice and wâhkôhtowin or kinship relations, which involves walking together (Indigenous and settler) in a good way and engaging with Bourdieu’s influential framework of cultural capital. The themes explored in the songs include cultural identity, language, and self-acceptance. The empowering songs of N’we Jinan are place-based articulations of identity that resist coloniality and serve as calls to action, creating embodied videographic, musical, and linguistic partnerships that serve as important articulations of Indigenous identity and which promote the decolonization of reading and listening practices and, by extension, education.
Women Agro-Entrepreneurship Promoting Vegetables at a Family Level: A Healthcare Approach towards Non-Communicable Disease Risk Reduction
Authors: Shahidullah A. K. M. , Islam Anisul , Kendall Lynn
Published: July 2023

The role of women in promoting the production and consumption of vegetables at a family level towards mitigating the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is crucial. Women not only select and prepare food items consumed by their families but care about the health issues of family members. As research examining this critical role of women is scant, we attempted to understand how women as agro-entrepreneurs can promote vegetables to enhance healthcare situations. A field study was conducted in a northeastern district of Bangladesh from January to June 2019, adopting qualitative–participatory approaches that involved interviews, focus groups, and workshops. The study revealed that women play a vital role in taking care of the health of the family members, while their role in planning the family diet is exclusive. However, they have limited decision-making authority in the production and consumption of vegetables, and their knowledge and perception of NCDs are limited. The results imply that with enhanced capacity of vegetable production and better knowledge of nutrition and NCDs, women can improve family dietary habits by increasing the consumption of vegetables. Therefore, building the agro-entrepreneurial capacities of women in terms of knowledge, skills, access to finance, and decision-making authority at the family level would be a significant interventional approach for increased production and consumption of vegetables. We argue that public health strategies and policies addressing NCDs should incorporate this family-centric approach by promoting agro-entrepreneurship by women who would promote the production and consumption of vegetables.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Korean Version of the Perceived Costs and Benefits Scale for Sexual Intercourse
Authors: Jang Hee-Jung , Lee Jungmin , Nam Soo-Hyun
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Korean version of the perceived costs and benefits scale (K-PCBS) for sexual intercourse to deepen our understanding of the complex psychosocial and interpersonal elements influencing young people’s sexual decision-making. The study participants were 227 college students in South Korea aged 18–25 years. Two factors were extracted through factor analysis, accounting for 61.05% and 58.18% of the variance for perceived costs and perceived benefits, respectively, and showed a good model fit in the K-PCBS. Reliability was high, as indicated by Cronbach’s alphas of 0.87 and 0.84 for the perceived costs and perceived benefits subscales, respectively. The results indicate that the K-PCBS may serve as an appropriate instrument for measuring South Korean youth’s cost and benefit analysis regarding their sexual decision-making. Our study makes a significant contribution to the literature and field because it identifies the underlying feelings and attitudes of young adults toward engaging in sexual activities using the K-PCBS for sexual intercourse, which has good reliability, validity, and internal consistency.
Relationship between Participation in Daily Life Activities and Physical Activity in Stroke Survivors: A Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: de Diego-Alonso Cristina , Blasco-Abadía Julia , Buesa-Estéllez Almudena , Giner-Nicolás Rafael , López-Royo María Pilar , Roldán-Pérez Patricia , Doménech-García Víctor , Bellosta-López Pablo , Fini Natalie
Published: July 2023

Stroke survivors undertake low levels of physical activity and participation in daily life activities, but the correlation between these two domains still carries some degree of uncertainty. This systematic review and meta-analyses-based data synthesis will aim to describe and estimate the relationship between participation in daily life activities and physical activity in stroke survivors. Six databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PEDro, SPORTDiscus, and Rehabilitation & Sport Medicine Source) will be searched. Studies assessing participation alongside physical activity levels in adult stroke survivors in English or Spanish will be included. The study selection, assessment of the risk of bias, and data extraction will be conducted independently by two investigators. If available, correlation values between physical activity and participation outcomes will be extracted. The Hedges–Olkin method will be used for pooling correlation values between participation and physical activity measures. Subgroup analyses will be performed according to the time elapsed since the stroke (i.e., ≤6 months and >6 months). This will be the first systematic review with a meta-analysis to provide information on the relationship between physical activity and participation in stroke survivors. Findings are likely to inform the design of health prevention protocols and the development of healthy behavior change interventions.
Effect of Bed Preparation on Native Wildflower Establishment, Weed Control, and Arthropod Presence
Authors: Shelton Joseph S. , Pennisi Svoboda V. , Czarnota Mark
Published: July 2023

Native flowering forbs plantings have been found to support diverse arthropod communities by providing year-round forage and refuge from prey and chemical pollutants. Typically, pollinator habitats are planted from seeds; however, poor establishment and weed pressure often result in limited success of the planting. In this study, we evaluated two bed preparation techniques, a glyphosate treatment with no tillage and tillage with soil fumigant (dazomet) to determine their impact on herbaceous perennial transplants establishment, weed control, and arthropod presence. Our results suggest that forbs grown in beds that are tilled and treated with dazomet exhibit greater growth, produce more blooms, and experience reduced weed pressure compared to plants grown in untilled beds treated with glyphosate. We also found that the bed preparation method had no effect on arthropod activity, despite higher bloom counts in plants grown in beds prepared with tillage and dazomet applications. This research indicates that of the fifteen native flowering forbs examined in this study, a majority attracted abundant and diverse insect populations, despite variations in plant growth and bloom counts due to bed preparation treatments.
Impact of Soil Biodisinfection Techniques in Horticultural Crops on Profitability within the Framework of the Circular Economy
Authors: Castillo-Díaz Francisco José , Belmonte-Ureña Luis J. , Batlles-delaFuente Ana , Camacho-Ferre Francisco
Published: July 2023

Agricultural systems must identify fertilization strategies in line with the principles of sustainable development and the circular economy to achieve environmentally friendly food production and to meet the fertilizer-reduction targets set by some territories, such as the European Union (EU). The objective of this work was to identify the multifunctionality and cost-effectiveness in the use of the biodisinfection technique in greenhouse horticultural crops. For this purpose, a cost comparison of the different cultivation strategies was conducted, based on a systematic review of the existing literature. The results of this work suggest that the biodisinfection of soil containing agricultural biomass serves as a fertilization strategy that allows a reduction in a large part of inorganic fertilizers in protected horticultural crops of intensive nature, in addition to mitigating the expression of soil pathogens. Reducing the use of fertilizers and phytosanitary products, management fees, and important means of production, such as water, allows a reduction of up 6.1% in production costs. The biodisinfection technique is a methodology that can promote circularity in farms while favoring the use of waste, such as agricultural biomass, which can damage the environment when not properly treated.
Genome-Wide Association Study Detects Loci Involved in Scab Susceptibility in Japanese Apricot
Authors: Numaguchi Koji , Kashiwamoto Tomoaki , Ishikawa Ryo , Ishii Takashige , Kitamura Yuto
Published: July 2023

Japanese apricot (Prunus mume) is an important fruit tree in East Asia. ‘Nanko’, the primary cultivar of Japanese apricots, usually suffers from scab, a disease caused by Venturia carpophila. However, there have been few reports on the phenotypic variation in scab resistance/susceptibility and the underlying genetic factors. In this study, we investigated the severity of naturally occurring scabs based on fruit lesions in 108 Japanese apricot accessions over four consecutive years. In each year, both resistant and susceptible accessions were observed, and significant annual correlations were detected among the ratios of diseased fruits (Rt; 0.52–0.76) and among the disease severity indices (Sv; 0.55–0.79). We also conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) based on exon-targeted resequencing, and significant peaks were detected in the data from 2017 and 2018. The candidate genes involved in disease resistance are located near nine single-nucleotide polymorphisms. These genes may be associated with the susceptibility of ‘Nanko’ lineages to scab. These findings shed light on the phenotypic and genetic profiles of scab resistance in P. mume and will assist future breeding programs with improving scab resistance.
Is Ride-Hailing an Effective Tool for Improving Transportation Services in Suburban New Towns in China? Evidence from Wuhan Unicom Users’ Mobile Phone Usage Big Data
Authors: Zou Wenjun , Wu Lei , Chang Yunrui , Niu Qiang
Published: July 2023

Ride-hailing, a newly emerging mobility service that is popular worldwide, has become an efficient new mode of transportation. Nonetheless, the use and value of ride-hailing remain unclear for newly developed areas in the suburbs. We crawled through the usage data of 10 ride-hailing apps from Wuhan, China, and used Spatial Autocorrelation and Geographic Weighted Regression (GWR) to explore the role of ride-hailing in suburban new towns. We found that: (1) There is variability between urban and suburban in the use of ride-hailing, and residents in suburban new towns are more inclined to complete travel activities by ride-hailing. (2) In suburban new towns, ride-hailing has a complementary effect on public transportation, and this complementary role has differences in regional and demographic attributes. This effect is greater for high-tech industrial areas and is more in women and young people than in men and elderly people. Overall, this study confirms from a geospatial perspective that residents of suburban new towns are more likely to use ride-hailing compared to central urban areas and that ride-hailing can supplement the lack of public transportation services (PTS) in suburban areas and improve transportation services in such new towns where development and construction are not yet complete. Therefore, the integration of online taxis with traditional public transportation is expected to promote multi-modal transportation options in newly developed areas and help realize the development of suburban new towns. In addition, the study also found the effectiveness of using big data from mobile phones in studying residents’ temporal and spatial behavior.
The Influence of Street Morphology on Thermal Environment Based on ENVI-met Simulation: A Case Study of Hangzhou Core Area, China
Authors: Bao Jin , Xu Lihua , Shi Yijun , Ma Qiwei , Lu Zhangwei
Published: July 2023

The urban thermal environment has become a challenging issue. Streets, as an essential public space in cities, can be laid out in such a way to effectively alleviate a problematic urban thermal environment. In this study, we calculated the layout characteristics of various types of streets in the study area based on network big data combined with field research. We used ENVI-met thermal environment numerical simulation technology to simulate the thermal environment, with a multiple linear regression model to explore the internal relationship between the street-level thermal environment of each land use type and its layout factors. The results indicate that streets in the study area are primarily oriented north–south and east–west, with distinct layout differences among various street types. Additionally, the daily variation trend of thermal comfort PMV of all street types is similar, though north–south streets show a larger daily variation than east–west streets. Lastly, the optimal thermal environment layout differs for each type of street; the relationship between street form and thermal comfort PMV also varies across different street types. This study provides scientific evidence to better understand the relationship between a street’s layout and its thermal environment, offering a theoretical basis for street layout planning aimed at mitigating the urban thermal environment.
A Concept for a Consolidated Humus Form Description—An Updated Version of German Humus Form Systematics
Authors: Wachendorf Christine , Frank Tina , Broll Gabriele , Beylich Anneke , Milbert Gerhard
Published: July 2023

In Germany, the systematics of humus forms has been developed, which is mainly based on morphological characteristics and has been proven via detailed long-term observation. The humus form systematics presented here is an update based on a new approach, clarifying the hierarchical structure into divisions, classes, types, and subtypes. New diagnostic horizons and transition horizons are introduced, uniquely characterising types and subtypes. This paper holds that the humus form is not only a product of decomposition, humification, and bioturbation but also serves as habitat for soil organisms. The processes and the habitat are shaped by soil-forming factors with the main factor being soil water conditions. Thus, on the first level of systematics, aeromorphic and aero-hydromorphic as well as hydromorphic humus forms are differentiated. Many different features of the organic layers and the mineral topsoil can be observed in forests, open grasslands, the mountain zone above the tree line, and natural fens and bogs, as well as degraded peatlands. Features shaping the humus form, such as the proportion of organic fine material and packing of the organic matter as well as the structure of the mineral soil, have now been unambiguously described. However, site-specific soil-forming factors result in typical organic matter characteristics of individual horizons and typical combinations of different horizons. This relationship is illustrated using descriptions of distinct humus forms.
A Genetic Algorithm-Enhanced Sensor Marks Selection Algorithm for Wavefront Aberration Modeling in Extreme-UV (EUV) Photolithography
Authors: Magklaras Aris , Alefragis Panayiotis , Gogos Christos , Valouxis Christos , Birbas Alexios
Published: July 2023

In photolithographic processes, nanometer-level-precision wavefront-aberration models enable the machine to be able to meet the overlay (OVL) drift and critical dimension (CD) specifications. Software control algorithms take as input these models and correct any expected wavefront imperfections before reaching the wafer. In such way, a near-optimal image is exposed on the wafer surface. Optimizing the parameters of these models, however, involves several time costly sensor measurements which reduce the throughput performance of the machine in terms of exposed wafers per hour. In that case, photolithography machines come across the trade-off between throughput and quality. Therefore, one of the most common optimal experimental design (OED) problems in photolithography machines (and not only) is how to choose the minimum amount of sensor measurements that will provide the maximum amount of information. Additionally, each sensor measurement corresponds to a point on the wafer surface and therefore we must measure uniformly around the wafer surface as well. In order to solve this problem, we propose a sensor mark selection algorithm which exploits genetic algorithms. The proposed solution first selects a pool of points that qualify as candidates to be selected in order to meet the uniformity constraint. Then, the point that provides the maximum amount of information, quantified by the Fisher-based criteria of G-, D-, and A-optimality, is selected and added to the measurement scheme. This process, however, is considered “greedy”, and for this reason, genetic algorithms (GA) are exploited to further improve the solution. By repeating in parallel the “greedy” part several times, we obtain an initial population that will be the input to our GA. This meta-heuristic approach outperforms the “greedy” approach significantly. The proposed solution is applied in a real life semiconductors industry use case and achieves interesting industry as well as academical results.