bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advanced Static Var Generator in the Reactive Power Automatic Compensation System of an Underground Mine with a Thyristor Hoisting Machine
Authors: Hyla Marian , Latko Andrzej
Published: July 2024

In industrial plants with dynamically varying load profiles, the problem of increased charges for over-contracted reactive power consumption is very common. To eliminate these charges, reactive power compensation systems are used. This article presents a case study of an automatic reactive power compensation system in an underground mine where a thyristor hoisting machine is used. To reduce the higher current harmonics of the hoisting machine and compensate for the reactive power of the PCC (Point of Common Coupling), the main reactive power automatic compensation system and an ASVG (Advanced Static Var Generator) with a nonstandard control loop were used. The article considers aspects of the operation of the ASVG, locally with the hoisting machine, and also as a master-controlled device that is part of the reactive power automatic compensation system. This part of the article is based on measurements taken in a mine. The reactive power automatic compensation system considered in this article has been successfully implemented, improving PQ (Power Quality) and eliminating additional overcompensation charges.
An Early Warning Model for Turbine Intermediate-Stage Flux Failure Based on an Improved HEOA Algorithm Optimizing DMSE-GRU Model
Authors: Cheng Ming , Zhang Qiang , Cao Yue
Published: July 2024

As renewable energy sources such as wind and photovoltaics continue to enter the grid, their intermittency and instability leads to an increasing demand for peaking and frequency regulation. An efficient dynamic monitoring method is necessary to improve the safety level of intelligent operation and maintenance of power stations. To overcome the insufficient detection accuracy and poor adaptability of traditional methods, a novel fault early warning method with careful consideration of dynamic characteristics and model optimization is proposed. A combined loss function is proposed based on the dynamic time warping and the mean square error from the perspective of both shape similarity and time similarity. A prediction model of steam turbine intermediate-stage extraction temperature based on the gate recurrent unit is then proposed, and the change in prediction residuals is utilized as a fault warning criterion. In order to further improve the diagnostic accuracy, a human evolutionary optimization algorithm with lens opposition-based learning is proposed for model parameter adaptive optimization. Experiments on real-world normal and faulty operational data demonstrate that the proposed method can improve the detection accuracy by an average of 1.31% and 1.03% compared to the long short-term memory network, convolutional neural network, back propagation network, extreme learning machines, gradient boosting decision tree, and LightGBM models.
E-Methanol Production and Potential Export in the Northern Denmark Region for 2030 and 2045
Authors: Skov Iva Ridjan , Nielsen Frederik Dahl , Bang Aksel , Yuan Meng
Published: July 2024

Denmark has set a target of 4–6 GW electrolysis capacity by 2030, of which a part of the produced hydrogen is to be used for export, while the rest could be transformed further into electrofuels. The North Denmark Region has favourable conditions for the production of carbon-based fuels. The region has high availability of CO2 sources and a strategic position for establishing CO2 hubs in the local harbours that could support biogenic CO2 availability in the future. This paper investigates the potential of the region for exporting e-methanol through 22 energy system scenarios and the impacts on the energy system if this is to be realised by 2030 and 2045, when Denmark is expected to achieve its national climate goals. The analysis highlights the significant potential of this region to contribute to e-methanol production not only to meet the regional demand for methanol for marine transport and aviation but also for export to the rest of Denmark or beyond Danish borders.
Adaptive Fast Integral Terminal Sliding Mode Control Strategy Based on Four-Switch Buck–Boost Converters
Authors: Ma Borui , Jiao Jiye , Ye Zilong
Published: July 2024

With the rapid development of electronic power systems, DC-DC converters are widely used, including the Four-Switch Buck–Boost (FSBB) converter, which has a unique advantage in scenarios with a wide range of voltage inputs. To improve the response speed and anti-interference capability of the FSBB converter, this paper proposes an adaptive global fast integral terminal sliding mode control method. Through an in-depth analysis of the fundamental characteristics of the FSBB converter, this study employed a global fast integral terminal sliding mode controller combined with an adaptive algorithm to significantly improve the dynamic performance and robustness of the FSBB converter. The simulation and experimental results show that the proposed method could track the reference voltage quickly and accurately in different modes, exhibiting excellent system robustness compared to conventional sliding mode control, terminal sliding mode control, and PID control methods.
Dry Deposition in Urban Green Spaces: Insights from Beijing and Shanghai
Authors: Peng Hao , Shao Siqi , Xu Feifei , Dong Wen , Qiu Yingying , Qin Man , Ma Danping , Shi Yan , Chen Jian , Zhou Tianhuan , Ren Yuan
Published: July 2024

Urbanization and industrialization have escalated air pollution into a critical global issue, particularly in urban areas. Urban green infrastructures (GIs), such as parks and street trees, play a vital role in mitigating air pollution through dry deposition, the process by which air pollutants are removed by deposition onto plant surfaces or through plant uptake. However, existing studies on the dry-deposition capacity of urban green spaces are limited in their ability to reflect variations at the tree-species level, hindering comprehensive evaluations and effective management strategies. This study aims to quantitatively assess the dry-deposition capacity of the urban green spaces of Beijing and Shanghai for six major air pollutants in using an improved dry-deposition model and tree-species-specific data. Results showed that Shanghai’s urban green spaces had a monthly average dry-deposition rate of 5.5 × 10−6 s m−1, slightly higher than Beijing’s rate of 5.3 × 10−6 s m−1. Significant seasonal variations were observed, with summer showing the highest deposition rates due to favorable meteorological conditions. Broad-leaved species such as Zelkova serrata in Beijing and Photinia serratifolia in Shanghai exhibited superior dry-deposition capacities compared to coniferous species. Temperature significantly influenced dry-deposition rates for gaseous pollutants, while particulate-matter deposition was primarily affected by pollutant concentrations. This study provides critical insights into the air = purification functions of urban green spaces and underscores the importance of species selection and strategic green-space planning in urban air-quality management, informing the development of optimized urban-greening strategies for improved air quality and public health.
Visual Aesthetic Quality of Qianjiangyuan National Park Landscapes and Its Spatial Pattern Characteristics
Authors: Gao Zhiqiang , Wu Chunjin , Li Nan , Wang Peng , Li Jiang
Published: July 2024

This paper conducts a scientific assessment of aesthetic quality to provide intuitive and scientific planning strategies for national park construction. Focusing on Qianjiangyuan National Park, the study used the scenic beauty evaluation (SBE) method to subjectively assess landscape photos from 16 sample sites. Objective eye movement indicators describing visual behavior were also analyzed. A national park landscape visual quality assessment model was derived through multiple linear regressions correlating subjective evaluations with objective indicators. Spatial technologies like ArcGIS were used to analyze the visual quality and its spatial distribution. Key findings include (1) subjective evaluations showed higher SBE scores for wetland landscapes, followed by recreational, village, and forest landscapes, (2) eye movement behavior varied across landscape types, with the forest landscape having the shortest first fixation time and the lowest saccade frequency, while recreational landscapes had the lowest average saccade speed, (3) strong correlations were found between SBE and indicators such as average fixation time and saccade frequency, with fixation duration ratio being the leading factor influencing visual aesthetic quality, and (4) visual aesthetic quality was highest in the north and south areas of the park, with significant differences between sample sites in these regions compared to the central area. Among different functional zones, the ecological protection area had the highest quality, while the Suzhuang management area excelled in aesthetic quality compared to the Hetian management area.
Soil Fungal Function Centralization Enhances the Decomposition of Fine Roots at Canopy Gap Borders
Authors: Liao Haijun , Li Chaonan , Han Zhoulin , Luo Guorong , Yang Yulian , Wu Qinggui , An Aluo , Li Xianwei , Li Dehui
Published: July 2024

Canopy gaps can result in abiotic heterogeneities and diverse niches from gap borders to centers, potentially affecting fine root decompositions mediated by soil fungal communities. Despite extensive discussions on the relationship between soil fungi and fine root decomposition, the mechanism by which gap locations regulate fine root decomposition through the soil fungal community remains elusive. Here, we conducted an in situ field decomposition experiment of Chinese Toon (Toona sinensis) fine roots in a low-efficiency weeping cypress (Cupressus funebris) plantation forest across three microhabitats: gap centers, gap borders, and closed canopy areas. Soil fungal communities were determined using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing after two years of field incubation. Results showed that soil properties and nutrient content in residual roots varied across the three microhabitats, with the gap borders exhibiting the highest decomposition rates. While fungal α-diversity remained relatively consistent, taxonomic compositions differed significantly. Decomposition rates did not show significant correlations with soil properties, observed fungal ASVs, or overall community composition. However, they positively correlated with the relative abundance of saprotrophic Sordariomycetes, which in turn positively correlated with soil total nitrogen (with a highest correlation), peaking at the gap borders. Overall community variations were primarily driven by soil temperature and magnesium content in residual roots. Further analysis revealed high fungal community similarities and low dispersal limitations between the gap borders and closed canopy areas, with more phylogenetically clustered communities at the borders. These results demonstrate that the gap borders possess a high decomposition rate, likely due to the centralization of functions driven by soil fungi such as saprotrophs existing in the “microbial seed bank” or migrating from closed canopy areas. These findings highlight the key role of soil fungi, especially saprotrophic fungi, in fine root decomposition at the gap borders, stressing the importance of soil fungi-driven mechanisms in nutrient cycling, and also informing sustainable forest management practices.
Carbon (δ13C) and Nitrogen (δ15N) Isotope Dynamics during Decomposition of Norway Spruce and Scots Pine Litter
Authors: Gautam Mukesh K. , Berg Björn , Lee Kwang-Sik
Published: July 2024

We studied the dynamics of stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes in litter from Norway spruce (NSL) (Picea abies) and Scots pine (SPL) (Pinus silvestris) during in situ decomposition over a period of more than 4 years. Relative to initial values, δ13CNSL showed a weak enrichment (0.33‰), whereas δ13CSPL was depleted (−0.74‰) at the end of decomposition. Both litter types experienced a depletion in δ15N during decomposition; δ15NNSL decreased by −1.74‰ and δ15NSPL decreased by −1.99‰. The effect of the selective preservation of acid-unhydrolyzable residue (AUR) in lowering δ13C of the residual litter was evident only in SPL. In the NSL, only in the initial stage did C/N have a large effect on the δ13C values. In the later stages, there was a non-linear decrease in δ13CNSL with a simultaneous increase in AUR concentrations, but the effect size was large, suggesting the role of lignin in driving δ13C of residues in later stages. Depletion in 15N in the residual litters concomitant with the increase in N concentration suggests bacterial transformation of the litter over fungal components. A consistent decline in δ15N values further implies that bacterial dominance prompted this by immobilizing nitrate depleted in 15N in the residual litter.
Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum and Cellulase on Mixed Silages of Amaranthus hypochondriacus and Cornmeal: Fermentation Characteristics, Nutritional Value, and Aerobic Stability
Authors: Li Xinxin , Jin Yitong , Li Fuhou , Yu Meng , Du Jiarui , Yi Qixuan , Zhao Tianyue , Yuan Bao , Wang Peng
Published: July 2024

In order to develop new feed resources, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of moisture content, additives, and their interactions on the fermentation quality, aerobic stability, and in vitro digestibility of mixed silage of amaranth and cornmeal. The mass ratios of amaranth and cornmeal were 69:31, 76:24, and 84:16 for adjusting the moisture content of silage to 60% (W1), 65% (W2), and 70% (W3), respectively. The silage treatments included no additives (U), the addition of Lactobacillus plantarum (L), the addition of cellulase (E), and the addition of Lactobacillus plantarum + cellulase (M) mixed reagents. The results revealed that the pH and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N/TN) ratios were significantly lower in W1 than in W2 and W3 (3.66,19.3 g kg−1 TN vs. 3.70, 3.70, 20.0 kg−1 TN, 25.1 kg−1 TN, p < 0.05). Moreover, dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), in vitro dry matter digestibility (ivDMD), in vitro organic matter digestibility (ivOMD), and in vitro crude protein digestibility (ivCPD) significantly increased (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the aerobic stability of mixed silage containing amaranth and cornmeal decreased with increasing water content. The aerobic stability of the L, E, and M treatment groups was improved by 15, 105, and 111 h, respectively, compared with that of the control group at W1. The pH and NH3-N/TN ratios were lower with the addition of E (E and M) than with the absence of E (U and L) (3.73, 20.1 g kg−1 DM vs. 3.64, 22.9 g kg−1 DM, p < 0.05). NDF and ADF were significantly lower with the addition of E than without the addition of E (598 g kg−1 DM, 145 g kg−1 DM vs. 632 g kg−1 DM, 160 g kg−1 DM, p < 0.05). However, CP, ivDMD, ivOMD, and ivCPD were significantly higher (p < 0.05). AA and NH3-N/TN were significantly lower (p < 0.05) with the addition of L (L and M) than without the addition of L (U and E). In conclusion, the best fermentation quality, in vitro digestibility, and aerobic stability of amaranth and cornmeal mixed silage treated with Lactobacillus plantarum + cellulase (M) were achieved at 60% water content. The present study confirmed the potential of amaranth as silage and its potential application for improving feed quality and animal performance.
Leveraging Medical Knowledge Graphs and Large Language Models for Enhanced Mental Disorder Information Extraction
Authors: Park Chaelim , Lee Hayoung , Jeong Ok-ran
Published: July 2024

The accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of mental health disorders such as depression remain challenging owing to the complex underlying causes and varied symptomatology. Traditional information extraction methods struggle to adapt to evolving diagnostic criteria such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth edition (DSM-5) and to contextualize rich patient data effectively. This study proposes a novel approach for enhancing information extraction from mental health data by integrating medical knowledge graphs and large language models (LLMs). Our method leverages the structured organization of knowledge graphs specifically designed for the rich domain of mental health, combined with the powerful predictive capabilities and zero-shot learning abilities of LLMs. This research enhances the quality of knowledge graphs through entity linking and demonstrates superiority over traditional information extraction techniques, making a significant contribution to the field of mental health. It enables a more fine-grained analysis of the data and the development of new applications. Our approach redefines the manner in which mental health data are extracted and utilized. By integrating these insights with existing healthcare applications, the groundwork is laid for the development of real-time patient monitoring systems. The performance evaluation of this knowledge graph highlights its effectiveness and reliability, indicating significant advancements in automating medical data processing and depression management.
Tension Lap Splices in Recycled-Aggregate Concrete Strengthened with Steel–Polyolefin Fibers
Authors: Al-Hussein Abdullah , Majeed Fareed H. , Naser Kadhim Z.
Published: July 2024

The bond strength of tension lap splices in recycled-coarse-aggregate-reinforced concrete strengthened with hybrid (steel–polyolefin) fibers was experimentally investigated. This study was conducted with the help of twelve lap-spliced beam specimens. The replacement level of coarse natural aggregates with recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) was 100%. The following variables were investigated: various ranges of steel–polyolefin fibers—100–0%, 75–25%, 50–50%, 25–75%, and 0–100%—in which the total volume fraction of fibers (Vf) remains constant at 1%; and two lengths of lap splices for rebars of 16 mm diameter (db): 10 db and 15 db. The test results showed that the best range of steel–polyolefin fibers that gave the highest bond strength was 50–50%. The ductility of the fiber-reinforced recycled-aggregate (FR-RA) concrete was significantly improved for all the cases of various relative ratios of steel and polyolefin fibers. The bond strength was also predicted using three empirical equations proposed by Orangun et al., Darwin et al., and Harajli. This study showed that the Harajli equation gave a more accurate estimation of the bond strength of reinforcing bars embedded in FR-RA concrete than those proposed by Orangun et al. and Darwin et al.
Effects of Consuming White Button and Oyster Mushrooms within a Healthy Mediterranean-Style Dietary Pattern on Changes in Subjective Indexes of Brain Health or Cognitive Function in Healthy Middle-Aged and Older Adults
Authors: Uffelman Cassi N. , Harold Roslyn , Hodson Emily S. , Chan Nok In , Foti Daniel , Campbell Wayne W.
Published: July 2024

Limited research suggests mushroom consumption may improve indexes of brain health. Mushrooms contain bioactive compounds and antioxidants capable of crossing the blood–brain barrier and impacting vital neurological processes. We conducted a randomized controlled feeding trial assessing the effects of adopting a healthy U.S. Mediterranean-style dietary pattern (MED) with or without mushrooms on indexes of brain health and well-being. Sixty adults (aged 46 ± 12 y; BMI 28.3 ± 2.84 kg/m2; mean ± SD) without severe depression consumed a fully controlled MED diet with 84 g/d of mushrooms (4 d/week white button and 3 d/week oyster) or without (control with breadcrumbs) for 8 weeks. At baseline and post-intervention, surveys were used to evaluate anxiety, depression, mood, and well-being, and behavioral tests were used to evaluate cognition. Consumption of the MED diet, with or without mushrooms, increased (improved) self-reported vigor/activity (Time p = 0.026) and both behavioral measures of immediate memory (Time p < 0.05). Mixed effects were observed for other domains of neuropsychological function, and there were no changes in other measured indexes of brain health with the consumption of either MED diet. Adopting a healthy MED-style dietary pattern, with or without consuming white button and oyster mushrooms, may improve vigor/activity and immediate memory among middle-aged and older adults.
Global Research Network Analysis of Edible Coatings and Films for Preserving Perishable Fruit Crops: Current Status and Future Directions
Authors: Silue Yardjouma , Fawole Olaniyi Amos
Published: July 2024

Edible coatings and films have gained substantial attention as a promising and sustainable technology for fruit preservation. This study employed a bibliometric analysis to identify core research areas, research gaps, and emerging trends, thus providing a comprehensive roadmap for future research on the use of edible coatings and films for fruit quality preservation. The study involved 428 research articles related to edible coatings and films for fruit preservation published in the Scopus database before 06 October 2023. Utilizing Vosviewer and R for network analysis, we generated network visualization maps, research performance statistics, and identified key contributors and their collaborations. The results show the evolution of this field into three distinct phases: Initial Exploration (1998–2007), Growing Interest (2008–2015), and Rapid Expansion (2016–2023). The study revealed contributions from 1713 authors, with the first article appearing in 1998. Brazil and China emerged as the most productive countries in this domain. The core research areas focus on biomaterials, functional properties, and natural substances. Identified research gaps include pilot and industrial-scale applications, the lack of a regulatory framework and safety guidelines, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly deep learning and machine learning, in this field of edible coatings and films for fruit preservation. Overall, this study offers a scientific understanding of past achievements and ongoing research needs, thus aiming to boost a broader adoption of edible coatings and films by consumers and the food industry to preserve fruit quality, thereby enhancing their societal and environmental impact.
Ball Milling Improves Physicochemical, Functionality, and Emulsification Characteristics of Insoluble Dietary Fiber from Polygonatum sibiricum
Authors: Ke Jingxuan , Wang Xin , Gao Xinyu , Zhou Yuhui , Wei Daqing , Ma Yanli , Li Cuicui , Liu Yilin , Chen Zhizhou
Published: July 2024

The effects of ball milling on the physicochemical, functional, and emulsification characteristics of Polygonatum sibiricum insoluble dietary fiber (PIDF) were investigated. Through controlling milling time (4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 h), five PIDFs (PIDF-1, PIDF-2, PIDF-3, PIDF-4, and PIDF-5) were obtained. The results showed that ball milling effectively decreased the particle size and increased the zeta-potential of PIDF. Scanning electron microscope results revealed that PIDF-5 has a coarser microstructure. All PIDF samples had similar FTIR and XRD spectra. The functional properties of PIDF were all improved to varying degrees after ball milling. PIDF-3 had the highest water-holding capacity (5.12 g/g), oil-holding capacity (2.83 g/g), water-swelling capacity (3.83 mL/g), total phenol (8.12 mg/g), and total flavonoid (1.91 mg/g). PIDF-4 had the highest ion exchange capacity. Fat and glucose adsorption capacity were enhanced with ball milling time prolongation. PIDF-5 exhibited a contact angle of 88.7° and lower dynamic interfacial tension. Rheological results showed that PIDF-based emulsions had shear thinning and gel-like properties. PE-PIDF-5 emulsion had the smallest particle size and the highest zeta-potential value. PE-PIDF-5 was stable at pH 7 and high temperature. The findings of this study are of great significance to guide the utilization of the by-products of Polygonatum sibiricum.
Assessment of Multifunctional Activity of a Postbiotic Preparation Derived from Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Postbiotic-P6
Authors: Dong Hui , Ren Xianpu , Song Yaxin , Zhang Jingwen , Zhuang Haonan , Peng Chuantao , Zhao Jinshan , Shen Jinling , Yang Jielin , Zang Jinhong , Li Day , Gupta Tanushree B. , Guo Dehua , Li Zhaojie
Published: July 2024

Postbiotics possess various functional activities, closely linked to their source bacterial strains and preparation methods. Therefore, the functional activities of postbiotics need to be evaluated through in vitro and in vivo methods. This study aims to prepare a postbiotic and explore its antihemolytic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities. Specifically, a postbiotic preparation named PostbioP-6 was prepared by intercepting 1–5 kDa of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Postbiotic-P6 fermentation broth. The results demonstrate that PostbioP-6 exhibited notable biological activities across multiple assays. It showed significant antihemolytic activity, with a 4.9–48.1% inhibition rate at 10–50% concentrations. Anti-inflammatory effects were observed both in vitro, where 8–40% PostbioP-6 was comparable to 259.1–645.4 μg/mL diclofenac sodium, and in vivo, where 3.5 and 4.0 μL/mL PostbioP-6 significantly reduced neutrophil counts in inflamed zebrafish (p < 0.05). Antioxidant properties were evident through increased reducing power (OD700 increased from 0.279 to 2.322 at 1.25–12.5% concentrations), DPPH radical scavenging activity (38.9–92.4% scavenging rate at 2.5–50% concentrations), and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (4.66–10.38% scavenging rate at 0.5–4% concentrations). Additionally, PostbioP-6 demonstrated antimicrobial activity against two Gram-positive bacteria, eight Gram-negative bacteria, and one fungus. Furthermore, PostbioP-6 significantly inhibited the increase in peroxide value and malondialdehyde content in cookies, highlighting its potential application in food preservation. In conclusion, we prepared a novel postbiotic, termed PostbioP-6, which proved to have prominent anti-hemolytic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities. The multifunctional properties of PostbioP-6 position it as a potentially effective functional food supplement or preservative. In the future, further research is necessary to elucidate the precise mechanisms of action, identify the active components, and validate its biological activities in animal models or clinical trials.
γ-Conglutin Immunoreactivity Is Differently Affected by Thermal Treatment and Gastrointestinal Digestion in Lupine Species
Authors: Villa Caterina , Carriço-Sá Bruno , Teixeira Carla S. S. , Dias Catarina , Costa Renata , M. Pereira Carlos , Mafra Isabel , Costa Joana
Published: July 2024

Lupine is a legume commonly used in human diet as a functional food due to its high nutritional content and important technological properties. However, its consumption can lead to the manifestation of adverse immunological reactions, posing significant health issues in sensitized/allergic patients. This work aims to investigate the effect of food processing combined with simulated gastrointestinal (GI) digestion on the immunoreactivity of lupine γ-conglutin. Model foods of wheat pasta containing 35% of lupine flour (Lupinus albus, L. luteus, and L. angustifolius) were prepared and submitted to a boiling process. The proteins were extracted and their profiles characterized by SDS-PAGE. Simulated GI digestion was performed on thermally treated pasta using the INFOGEST harmonized digestion protocol 2.0. The IgG binding capacity of γ-conglutin was assessed by immunoblotting in non-reducing conditions and indirect ELISA with specific antibodies. Results demonstrate that the boiling treatment affected the immunoreactivity of the three lupine species differently. Simulated GI digestion led to extensive destruction of the protein structure, more significant in the intestinal phase, reducing but not abolishing the IgG affinity to γ-conglutin and its potential presentation to immunocompetent cells. This information can offer valuable insights to the food industry for developing food formulations with reduced allergenic properties.
Application of ATR-FTIR for Green Arabica Bean Shelf-Life Determination in Accelerated Storage
Authors: Aung Moon Sai , Wongsakul Sirirung , Kitazawa Hiroaki , Kittiwachana Sila , Saengrayap Rattapon
Published: July 2024

Coffee bean oxidation is associated with enzymatic and non-enzymatic browning, the degradation of desirable aromatic compounds, the development of undesirable flavors, increased susceptibility to microbial spoilage, and volatile compound losses. This study investigated natural dry process (DP) and honey process (HP) green coffee beans stored in GrainPro® bags for 0, 5, 10, and 20 days under accelerated storage conditions at 30 °C, 40 °C, and 50 °C with relative humidity of 50%. A kinetic model was used to estimate the shelf life of the green coffee beans. DP recorded durability of 45.67, 29.9, and 24.92 days at 30 °C, 40 °C, and 50 °C, respectively, with HP 60.34, 38.07, and 19.22 days. Partial least squares (PLS) analysis was performed to build the models in order to predict the shelf life of coffee based on peroxide (PV) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values. In terms of prediction with leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV), PLS provided a higher accuracy for TBARS (R2 = 0.801), while PV was lower (R2 = 0.469). However, the auto-prediction showed good agreement among the observed and predicted values in both PV (R2 = 0.802) and TBARS (R2 = 0.932). Based on the variable importance of projection (VIP) scores, the ATR-FTIR peaks as 3000–2825, 2154–2150, 1780–1712, 1487–2483, 1186–1126, 1107–1097, and 1012–949 cm−1 were identified to be the most related to PV and TBARS on green coffee beans shelf life. ATR-FITR showed potential as a fast and accurate technique to evaluate the oxidation reaction that related to the loss of coffee quality during storage.
QbD Approach in Cosmetic Cleansers Research: The Development of a Moisturizing Cleansing Foam Focusing on Thickener, Surfactants, and Polyols Content
Authors: Bogdan Cătălina , Safta Diana Antonia , Iurian Sonia , Petrușcă Dyana Roxana , Moldovan Mirela-Liliana
Published: July 2024

Cleansing products, particularly innovative cosmetic foams, must efficiently remove impurities with minimal impact on the skin barrier and have a favorable sensory profile. The choice of product ingredients is crucial to ensure the optimal characteristics. The current study aims to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the variability in the characteristics of a cleansing foam to achieve desired properties. The novelty of this study lies in the combination of ingredients for their potential synergistic and complementary effects in cleansing dry skin, as well as the application of Quality by Design (QbD) elements to develop and optimize the formulation of cleansing foam. The effects of varying the concentration of mild surfactants, polyols, and gel-forming agents on the properties of the gels and of the generated foams were studied. Significant influences of the formulation factors were observed: an increased ratio of xanthan gum positively impacted the texture properties of the gel, whereas higher concentrations of surfactants had a negative impact on these parameters. Additionally, increasing the polyols ratio was found to negatively influence the foaming property and stability of the foam. The study established an optimal formulation of a cleansing foam with a ratio of 0.45% xanthan gum, 26.19% surfactants and 2.16% polyols to be used for dry skin hygiene.
Rheological Properties of Fish and Mammalian Gelatin Hydrogels as Bases for Potential Practical Formulations
Authors: Derkach Svetlana R. , Voron’ko Nikolay G. , Kuchina Yulia A. , Kolotova Daria S. , Grokhovsky Vladimir A. , Nikiforova Alena A. , Sedov Igor A. , Faizullin Dzhigangir A. , Zuev Yuriy F.
Published: July 2024

Hydrogels have the ability to retain large amounts of water within their three-dimensional polymer matrices. These attractive materials are used in medicine and the food industry; they can serve as the basis for structured food products, additives, and various ingredients. Gelatin is one of widely used biopolymers to create hydrogels that exhibit biocompatibility and tunable rheological properties. In this study, we offer a comparative analysis of rheological properties of gelatin-based hydrogels (C = 6.67%), including mammalian gelatins from bovine and porcine skins and fish gelatins from commercial samples and samples extracted from Atlantic cod skin. Mammalian gelatins provide high strength and elasticity to hydrogels. Their melting point lies in the range from 22 to 34 °C. Fish gelatin from cod skin also provides a high strength to hydrogels. Commercial fish gelatin forms weak gels exhibiting low viscoelastic properties and strength, as well as low thermal stability with a melting point of 7 °C. Gelatins were characterized basing on the analysis of amino acid composition, molecular weight distribution, and biopolymer secondary structure in gels. Our research provides a unique rheological comparison of mammalian and fish gelatin hydrogels as a tool for the re-evaluation of fish skin gelatin produced through circular processes.
Novel Cases of Non-Syndromic Hearing Impairment Caused by Pathogenic Variants in Genes Encoding Mitochondrial Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases
Authors: Domínguez-Ruiz María , Olarte Margarita , Onecha Esther , García-Vaquero Irene , Gelvez Nancy , López Greizy , Villamar Manuela , Morín Matías , Moreno-Pelayo Miguel A. , Morales-Angulo Carmelo , Polo Rubén , Tamayo Martha L. , del Castillo Ignacio
Published: July 2024

Dysfunction of some mitochondrial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (encoded by the KARS1, HARS2, LARS2 and NARS2 genes) results in a great variety of phenotypes ranging from non-syndromic hearing impairment (NSHI) to very complex syndromes, with a predominance of neurological signs. The diversity of roles that are played by these moonlighting enzymes and the fact that most pathogenic variants are missense and affect different domains of these proteins in diverse compound heterozygous combinations make it difficult to establish genotype–phenotype correlations. We used a targeted gene-sequencing panel to investigate the presence of pathogenic variants in those four genes in cohorts of 175 Spanish and 18 Colombian familial cases with non-DFNB1 autosomal recessive NSHI. Disease-associated variants were found in five cases. Five mutations were novel as follows: c.766C>T in KARS1, c.475C>T, c.728A>C and c.1012G>A in HARS2, and c.795A>G in LARS2. We provide audiograms from patients at different ages to document the evolution of the hearing loss, which is mostly prelingual and progresses from moderate/severe to profound, the middle frequencies being more severely affected. No additional clinical sign was observed in any affected subject. Our results confirm the involvement of KARS1 in DFNB89 NSHI, for which until now there was limited evidence.
ECPUB5 Polyubiquitin Gene in Euphorbia characias: Molecular Characterization and Seasonal Expression Analysis
Authors: Cannea Faustina Barbara , Diana Daniela , Rossino Rossano , Padiglia Alessandra
Published: July 2024

The spurge Euphorbia characias is known for its latex, which is rich in antioxidant enzymes and anti-phytopathogen molecules. In this study, we identified a novel polyubiquitin protein in the latex and leaves, leading to the first molecular characterization of its coding gene and expressed protein in E. characias. Using consensus-degenerate hybrid oligonucleotide primers (CODEHOP) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (5′/3′-RACE), we reconstructed the entire open reading frame (ORF) and noncoding regions. Our analysis revealed that the polyubiquitin gene encodes five tandemly repeated sequences, each coding for a ubiquitin monomer with amino acid variations in four of the five repeats. In silico studies have suggested functional differences among monomers. Gene expression peaked during the summer, correlating with high temperatures and suggesting a role in heat stress response. Western blotting confirmed the presence of polyubiquitin in the latex and leaf tissues, indicating active ubiquitination processes. These findings enhance our understanding of polyubiquitin’s regulatory mechanisms and functions in E. characias, highlighting its unique structural and functional features.
Liver Transcriptomic Profiles of Ruminant Species Fed Spent Hemp Biomass Containing Cannabinoids
Authors: Irawan Agung , Bionaz Massimo
Published: July 2024

The inclusion of spent hemp biomass (SHB), an extracted byproduct from industrial cannabidiol (CBD) production, in the diets of dairy cows and lambs appears to be safe with minor effects on the metabolism, including a decrease in circulating cholesterol and increase bilirubinemia, both associated with liver metabolism. Those effects could be consequence of the presence of cannabinoids, particularly Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and CBD in the SHB. This study aimed to study the transcriptional profile of the liver of dairy cows and lambs fed SHB. Dairy cows received SHB or alfalfa pellet for four weeks of intervention (IP) and four weeks of withdrawal periods (WP). Finishing lambs were fed a control diet (CON), 10% (LH2), or 20% (HH2) SHB for 2 months or 1 month followed by 1-month SHB withdrawal (LH1 and HH1, respectively). RNA sequencing was performed, and the mRNA was annotated using the latest reference genomes. The RNAseq data were filtered, normalized for library size and composition, and statistically analyzed by DESeq2. The bioinformatic analysis was performed by using DAVID, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), and the Dynamic Impact Approach. Using a 0.2 FDR cut-off, we identified only ≤24 differentially expressed genes (DEG) in the liver by feeding SHB in dairy cows and a larger number of DEGs in lambs (from 71 in HH1 vs. CON to 552 in LH1 vs. CON). The KEGG analysis demonstrated that feeding SHB in dairy cows and lambs had relatively minor to moderate metabolic alterations in dairy cows and lambs mainly associated with amino acids and lipid metabolism whereas cholesterol synthesis was overall activated in lambs. GSEA identified activation of the PPAR signaling pathway only in dairy cows. We found an opposite effect on activation of metabolism of drug and xenobiotics by cytochrome P450 enzymes in dairy cows and lambs receiving less SHB but an inhibition in HH2 lambs. Immune system-related pathways were inhibited by feeding SHB in lambs, but the impact was minor. Cumulatively, inclusion of SHB containing cannabinoids in dairy and lambs demonstrate very little effects on the alteration of transcriptomic profile of the liver.
Phylogenetic and Comparative Genomics Study of Papilionidae Based on Mitochondrial Genomes
Authors: Yan Zhen-Tian , Tang Xiao-Ya , Yang Dong , Fan Zhen-Huai , Luo Si-Te , Chen Bin
Published: July 2024

Most species of Papilionidae are large and beautiful ornamental butterflies. They are recognized as model organisms in ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics, and conservation biology but present numerous unresolved phylogenetic problems. Complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) have been widely used in phylogenetic studies of butterflies, but mitogenome knowledge within the family Papilionidae is limited, and its phylogeny is far from resolved. In this study, we first report the mitogenome of Byasa confusa from the subfamily Papilioninae of Papilionidae. The mitogenome of B. confusa is 15,135 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and an AT-rich control region (CR), closely mirroring the genomic structure observed in related butterfly species. Comparative analysis of 77 Papilionidae mitogenomes shows gene composition and order to be identical to that of an ancestral insect, and the AT bias, Ka/Ks, and relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) are all consistent with that of other reported butterfly mitogenomes. We conducted phylogenetic analyses using maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian-inference (BI) methods, with 77 Papilionidae species as ingroups and two species of Nymphalidae and Lycaenidae as outgroups. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that B. confusa were clustered within Byasa. The phylogenetic trees show the monophyly of the subfamily Papilioninae and the tribes Leptocircini, Papilionini, and Troidini. The data supported the following relationships in tribe level on Papilioninae: (((Troidini + Papilionini) + Teinopalpini) + Leptocircini). The divergence time analysis suggests that Papilionidae originated in the late Creataceous. Overall, utilizing the largest number of Papilionidae mitogenomes sequenced to date, with the current first exploration in a phylogenetic analysis on Papilionidae (including four subfamilies), this study comprehensively reveals the mitogenome characteristics and mitogenome-based phylogeny, providing information for further studies on the mitogenome, phylogeny, evolution, and taxonomic revision of the Papilionidae family.
Systematic Review of the Psychopathological Symptomatology and Neuropsychological Disorders of Chronic Primary Musculoskeletal Pain
Authors: Arévalo-Martínez Alejandro , Barbosa-Torres Carlos , Moreno-Manso Juan Manuel , Cantillo-Cordero Pilar , García-Baamonde María Elena , Díaz-Muñoz César Luis
Published: July 2024

Chronic pain can develop without tissue damage, injury, or underlying illness. There are several intervening biological, psychological, and social factors involved in its appearance that significantly affect the activities of daily life. It is also associated with significant emotional anxiety and/or functional disability. This review systematically analyses works published in the last five years that evaluate the psychopathological symptomatology and neuropsychological disorders of chronic primary musculoskeletal pain (CPMP). A bibliographic search was carried out to identify articles published in English between January 2018 and March 2023 using the Medline, Scopus, PsycInfo, and Pubmed databases. Twenty articles were obtained using the PRISMA selection method. The main results of this study provided evidence of the presence of moderate and severe chronic pain in patients suffering from musculoskeletal pain. This increase in the intensity of pain correlates with greater psychopathological symptomatology, such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, lack of attention, and hyperactivity/impulsiveness, as well as the use of maladaptive coping strategies. Furthermore, there exists dysfunction in the cerebral structures related to attention and the processing of pain in patients with CPMP. This review may help to develop and optimise the multidisciplinary treatments adapted to the deficits caused by this illness.
Correction: Goździewicz et al. The Value of the COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale in the Assessment of Post-COVID among Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities. Healthcare 2024, 12, 333
Authors: Goździewicz Łukasz , Tobis Sławomir , Chojnicki Michał , Wieczorowska-Tobis Katarzyna , Neumann-Podczaska Agnieszka
Published: July 2024

In the original publication [...]
Assessment of Mental Health Comorbidities and Relief Factors in Moroccan Women during the Third Trimester of Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Guerroumi Maroua , Aquil Amina , Dahbi Noura , El Kherchi Ouassil , Bouighoulidne Salma Ait , Ami Soumia Ait , Haddou Meryam Belhaj , Jayakumar Arumugam R. , Elgot Abdeljalil
Published: July 2024

Background: During pregnancy, women can experience mental alterations, particularly anxiety and depression, which mark an important transition period in their lives. Social support appears to be a crucial alleviating factor for these disorders. The aim of this study is to assess the extent of psychological disturbances and their relieving factors by investigating correlations between mental status and different sociodemographic and clinical characteristics during the third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: A cross-sectional study including 160 pregnant women in their last trimester was carried out in Morocco, notably at the Ibn Sina University Hospital and in two health centers. A pre-structured questionnaire, including sociodemographic and clinical variables and internationally recognized scales such as the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Bergen Insomnia Scale (BIS), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), was mobilized. Results: The prevalence of depression and anxiety was 18.75% and 12.5%, respectively. A correlation between these two mental disorders and the level of education, pregnancy planning, monthly income, and provision of health coverage was found (p-value < 0.05). The main determinants of anxiety were stress (p-value = 0.047) and social support (p-value < 0.001), while depression was limited to social support (p-value < 0.001) and sleep quality (p-value = 0.015). Conclusions: It is essential to take action against these disorders and their predictive factors by raising awareness and implementing a diagnosis and care protocol with healthcare professionals to guide and orient distressed women.
Association between Polypharmacy and Hospitalization among Older Adults Admitted to Emergency Departments for Falls in Guadeloupe: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Simo-Tabue Nadine , Letchimy Laurys , Mounsamy Ludwig , Rinaldo Leila , Vainqueur Larissa , Ntsama-Essomba Marie-Josiane , Mallet Guillaume , Boucaud-Maitre Denis , Tabue Teguo Maturín
Published: July 2024

Introduction: Falls are a common geriatric syndrome in older people. Falls are associated with adverse health events such as dependency, unplanned emergency admissions and death. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with fall severity, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cognitive decline and polypharmacy, as well as sociodemographic characteristics in patients aged 70 years and over admitted to the emergency department in Guadeloupe. Method: A single-center, observational, retrospective study of patients aged 70 years and over admitted to the emergency department (ED) of the University Hospital of Guadeloupe for a fall between 1 May 2018 and 30 April 2019 was conducted. Fall severity was defined as the need for hospitalization. Bivariate analysis was used to determine the associations between fall severity and sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, history of falls and polypharmacy (defined as the daily use of at least five drugs). Polypharmacy was analyzed as a binary variable (>5 drugs daily; yes or no) in categories (0–3 (ref.), 4–6, 7–9 and ≥10 drugs). Results: During the study period, 625 patients who attended the ED for a fall were included. The mean age was 82.6 ± 7.6 years, and 51.2% were women. Of these, 277 patients (44.3%) were admitted to the hospital, and 3 patients (0.5%) died. In the bivariate analysis, only polypharmacy was associated with hospitalization for a fall (OR: 1.63 [95% CI: 1.33–2.02]). The odds ratios for the polypharmacy categories were 1.46 [95% CI 0.99–2.14], 1.65 [1.09–2.50] and 1.48 [0.76–2.85] for 4–6, 7–9 and ≥10 drugs, respectively. Conclusions: Polypharmacy was associated with hospitalization as a proxy for fall severity. A regular review of drug prescriptions is essential to reduce polypharmacy in older adults.