bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Flavor Compounds in Chinese Indigenous Sheep Breeds Using Gas Chromatography–Ion Mobility Spectrometry and Chemometrics
Authors: Wang Fang , Wang Hongbo , Liang Zeyi , Liu Jing , Yang Chen , Zhai Huan , Chen Anle , Lu Zengkui , Gao Yaqin , Ding Xuezhi , Liu Jianbin
Published: August 2024

This study analyzed the flavor compounds in the meat of four indigenous breeds of Chinese sheep through the use of gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS). GC-IMS provided information on the characteristics and strength of 71 volatile flavor compounds (monomers and dimers), with aldehydes, alcohols and ketones being the most abundant in all types of sheep meat. The compounds with higher intensity peaks in the sheep meat were aldehydes (n-nonanal, octanal, heptanal, 3-methylbutanal, and hexanal), alcohols (1-octen-3-ol, hexanol, and pentanol), ketones (3-hydroxy-2-butanon, 2-butanone, and 2-propanone), esters (methyl benzoate), and thiazole (trimethylthiazole). The volatile flavor components in the meat of the different breeds of sheep obtained via GC-IMS were further differentiated using principal component analysis. In addition, orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and variable importance on projection (VIP) were used to determine the characteristic flavor compounds in the meats of different breeds of sheep, and 21 differentially volatile components were screened out based on having a VIP above 1. These results indicate that GC-IMS combined with multivariate analysis is a convenient and powerful method for characterizing and discriminating sheep meat.
Phytochemical and Flavor Characteristics of Mulberry Juice Fermented with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BXM2
Authors: Guan Xuefang , Zhao Dazhou , Yu Tian , Liu Shaoquan , Chen Shuying , Huang Junyang , Lai Gongti , Lin Bin , Huang Juqing , Lai Chengchun , Wang Qi
Published: August 2024

Fermentation of mulberry juice not only improves its shelf life, but also effectively enhances their flavor and nutritional quality. This study elucidated the phytochemical and flavor characteristics of mulberry juice fermented with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BXM2, originally isolated from naturally fermented fruit beverage, through widely targeted metabolomics. The fermentation produced the unique flavor of fermented juice and decreased the pH from 4.15 to 3.19. The metabolomic analysis detected 907 non-volatile metabolites, from which 359 significantly different non-volatile metabolites (up 238, down 121) were screened out. Among 731 identified volatile metabolites, 26 flavor substances were the major contributors to the flavor differences between fermented and unfermented mulberry juices. It is hypothesized that lipid metabolism and amino acid catabolism are crucial pathways for the flavor enhancement of mulberry juice fermented with L. plantarum BXM2. Meanwhile, significant increases of the contents of a variety of bioactive substances, such as indole-3-lactic acid, octadeca-9,12,15-trienoic acid, di-/tri-peptides, etc., conferred additional health potential to BXM2-fermented mulberry juice.
Foods of the Future: Challenges, Opportunities, Trends, and Expectations
Authors: Çakmakçı Songül , Polatoğlu Bilgehan , Çakmakçı Ramazan
Published: August 2024

Creating propositions for the near and distant future requires a design to catch the tide of the times and move with or against trends. In addition, appropriate, adaptable, flexible, and transformational projects are needed in light of changes in science, technology, social, economic, political, and demographic fields over time. Humanity is facing a period in which science and developing technologies will be even more important in solving food safety, health, and environmental problems. Adapting to and mitigating climate change; reducing pollution, waste, and biodiversity loss; and feeding a growing global population with safe food are key challenges facing the agri-food industry and the food supply chain, requiring systemic transformation in agricultural systems and sustainable future agri-food. The aim of this review is to compile scientific evidence and data, define, and create strategies for the future in terms of food security, safety, and sufficiency; future sustainable foods and alternative protein sources; factors affecting food and nutrition security and agriculture; and promising food systems such as functional foods, novel foods, synthetic biology, and 3D food printing. In this review, the safety, conservation, nutritional, sensory, welfare, and potential challenges and limitations of food systems and the opportunities to overcome them on the basis of new approaches, innovative interpretations, future possibilities, and technologies are discussed. Additionally, this review also offers suggestions for future research and food trends in light of future perspectives. This article focuses on future sustainable foods, alternative protein sources, and novel efficient food systems, highlights scientific and technological advances and new research directions, and provides a significant perspective on sustainability.
X-ray Polarization of Blazars and Radio Galaxies Measured by the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer
Authors: Marscher Alan P. , Di Gesu Laura , Jorstad Svetlana G. , Kim Dawoon E. , Liodakis Ioannis , Middei Riccardo , Tavecchio Fabrizio
Published: August 2024

X-ray polarization, which now can be measured by the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE), is a new probe of jets in the supermassive black hole systems of active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Here, we summarize IXPE observations of radio-loud AGNs that have been published thus far. Blazars with synchrotron spectral energy distributions (SEDs) that peak at X-ray energies are routinely detected. The degree of X-ray polarization is considerably higher than at longer wavelengths. This is readily explained by energy stratification of the emission regions when electrons lose energy via radiation as they propagate away from the sites of particle acceleration as predicted in shock models. However, the 2–8 keV polarization electric vector is not always aligned with the jet direction as one would expect unless the shock is oblique. Magnetic reconnection may provide an alternative explanation. The rotation of the polarization vector in Mrk421 suggests the presence of a helical magnetic field in the jet. In blazars with lower-frequency peaks and the radio galaxy Centaurus A, the non-detection of X-ray polarization by IXPE constrains the X-ray emission mechanism.
Topical Probiotic Hydrogels for Burn Wound Healing
Authors: Arshad Tavinda , Mundrathi Varsha , Perez Victoria E. , Nunez Jeilyn M. , Cho Hyunah
Published: August 2024

Hydrogels have increasingly been used to enhance the effective healing of various wounds, including burn wounds. Similarly, the application of probiotics has recently been explored in wound healing and skin repairs. While probiotics have been consumed to provide therapeutic effects that aid with improving gut health, topical applications have been found to accelerate wound healing both in vitro and in vivo. For wounds that have complex healing mechanisms, such as burn wounds which depend on factors such as the depth of the burn, size of the afflicted area, and cause of the injury, probiotics with or without conventional therapeutic agents topically delivered via hydrogel technology are proven to be effective in the recovery of the damaged skin. This article aims to investigate the microorganisms present in the human skin microbiome and observe the effects of probiotics delivered by hydrogels on burn wound healing.
Deep Cleaning of Crystal Violet and Methylene Blue Dyes from Aqueous Solution by Dextran-Based Cryogel Adsorbents
Authors: Lazar Maria Marinela , Damaschin Roxana P. , Volf Irina , Dinu Maria Valentina
Published: August 2024

Polysaccharides have recently attracted growing attention as adsorbents for various pollutants, since they can be extracted from a variety of renewable sources at low cost. An interesting hydrophilic and biodegradable polysaccharide is dextran (Dx), which is well-known for its applications in the food industry and in medicine. To extend the application range of this biopolymer, in this study, we investigated the removal of crystal violet (CV) and methylene blue (MB) dyes from an aqueous solution by Dx-based cryogels using the batch technique. The cryogel adsorbents, consisting of cross-linked Dx embedding a polyphenolic (PF) extract of spruce bark, were prepared by the freeze-thawing approach. It was shown that the incorporation of PF into the Dx-based matrix induced a decrease in porosity, pore sizes and swelling ratio values. Moreover, the average pore sizes of the DxPF cryogels loaded with dyes further decreased from 42.30 ± 7.96 μm to 23.68 ± 2.69 μm, indicating a strong interaction between the functional groups of the cryogel matrix and those of the dye molecules. The sorption performances of the DxPF adsorbents were evaluated in comparison to those of the Dx cryogels and of the PF extract. The experimental sorption capacities of the DxPF cryogel adsorbents were higher in comparison to those of the Dx cryogels and the PF extract. The DxPF cryogels, particularly those with the highest PF contents (sample DxPF2), demonstrated sorption capacities of 1.2779 ± 0.0703 mmol·g−1, for CV, and 0.3238 ± 0.0121 mmol·g−1, for MB. The sorption mechanisms were analyzed using mathematical models, including Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms, and kinetic models, like pseudo-first-order (PFO), pseudo-second-order (PSO), Elovich and intra-particle diffusion (IPD). The sorption process was best described by the Sips isotherm and PSO kinetic models, indicating chemisorption as the dominant mechanism. This study outlines the importance of developing advanced renewable materials for environmental applications.
Age-Related Differences in the Functional Demand Placed on the Lumbar Spine during Walking in Healthy Older versus Younger Men
Authors: Dallaway Alexander , Duncan Michael , Griffen Corbin , Renshaw Derek , Tallis Jason , Hattersley John
Published: August 2024

Age-related declines in the musculoskeletal system may place additional demands on the lumbar spine during everyday activities such as walking. This study aimed to investigate age-related differences in the functional demand (FD) of walking on the lumbar spine in older and younger adults. A motion analysis system with integrated force plates was used to acquire kinematic and kinetic data on 12 older (67.3 ± 6.0 years) and 12 younger (24.7 ± 3.1 years) healthy men during walking at a self-selected speed along a 10 m walkway. Isokinetic dynamometry was used to acquire the maximal joint moment capacity of the lumbar spine. The FD of the lumbar spine was calculated as the muscle moment during key phases of the gait cycle (GC) relative to the maximum moment capacity of the lumbar spine. The difference in FD between age groups was not significant (p = 0.07) and there were no significant differences between the young group (YG) and older group (OG) for any individual phase in the GC. Despite the lack of statistical significance, the results indicate that a practical difference may exist, as walking was approximately 20% more functionally demanding on the lumbar spine in the OG compared to the YG. Therefore, older adults may employ modified gait strategies to reduce mechanical load whilst walking to fall within the limits of their maximal force-producing capacity in the lumbar spine, which may have implications for injury risk.
Public Perceptions on the Use of the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire
Authors: Venkataraman Anantharaman , Hong Ian Zhirui , Ho Lisa Cuiying , Teo Tess Lin , Ang Stefanie Hwee-Chee
Published: August 2024

Self-administered pre-participation screening for physical activity (PA) requires an instrument that should be easily used and identify individuals at high risk. The Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+) has been used for many years. Its ease of use and ability to identify those not fit to undergo PA has not been assessed. This study was to determine the rates of the PAR-Q+ in identifying adults who may not be fit for moderate or intense PA and obtain feedback on the use of this tool. A randomized, cross-sectional study involving a wide spectrum of members of the public was carried out. Participants were asked to provide their bio-characteristics, complete the PARQ+, and provide feedback on the questionnaire. With 1019 participants, about 33.1% of the participants using the PARQ+ would have required further medical evaluation. Except for those patients with respiratory illness, there was no difference in levels of PA in those who answered yes or no to the seven PARQ+ questions. Only 4 of the 7 main PAR-Q+ questions were perceived by the public as easily understood. Difficulties were encountered with 21 of the 45 follow-up questions, especially amongst those with co-morbidities. The wordiness of the questions and the large number of technical terms were also sources of concern. Suggestions were provided by participants on areas where improvements may be made to the wording of the questions. The study suggests that the PAR-Q+ probably over-identified those who require further medical evaluation. In addition, the wordiness of the questions and frequent use of medical jargon made the PARQ+ challenging to understand and use. The suggestions provide opportunities to review areas for possible improvements.
Fructose-Based Metal–Organic Framework as a Means to Synthesize Sr-Loaded Chitosan Nanospheres with NLO Properties for Theranostic Applications in Radiotherapy
Authors: Cioci Alma , Benzi Paola , Canepa Carlo , Mortati Leonardo , Alvarez de la Paz Antonio , Garnica-Palafox Itzel Marisol , Sánchez-Arévalo Francisco Manuel , Dante Roberto C. , Marabello Domenica
Published: August 2024

Chitosan is a biodegradable polymer derived from chitin, which is a versatile material for various biological applications due to its attractive properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-toxicity. Furthermore, chitosan possesses Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) properties that are useful for biosensing applications. In this work, we explored the possibility of exploiting chitosan-based nanospheres as SHG-based biosensors, and also as carriers of 89Sr radionuclide, an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) for radiopharmaceutical treatments in cancer therapy. To opportunely load the Sr ion on the nanospheres, we used a fructose-based Metal–Organic Framework, with the formula [Sr(C6H12O6)2(H2O)2]Cl2·H2O, because the sugar was able to drive the Sr ions on the chitosan matrix. Sr-loaded chitosan nanospheres were synthesized, characterized, and their SHG response was measured. The results encouraged us to propose the nanospheres for theranostic purposes, i.e., valuable for both therapeutic and diagnostic applications at the same time.
Epidemiological and Prognostic Importance of New-Onset Cancer as a Net Adverse Clinical Outcome after ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Fujii Toshiharu , Ikari Yuji
Published: August 2024

The study assessed the epidemiological frequency and prognostic impact of new-onset cancer as an additional net adverse clinical outcome in patients after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), considering its potential clinical significance alongside classical endpoints. This study was designed as a single-center observational study, including 1285 consecutive patients who were diagnosed as STEMI patients as the subject, and the frequency and prognosis of new-onset cancer after STEMI onset were assessed. The incidence of all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and bleeding were analyzed as classical endpoints. Throughout an average of a 1241.4 days observation period, cancers were observed in 7.0% of patients (n = 90), showing development at a constant rate throughout this period (incidence rate, 0.06/1000 person-years). The average duration from STEMI onset to cancer diagnosis was 1371.4 days. Death, MI, or stroke were observed in 21.3%, 4.0%, 6.5%, and 12.8%, giving incidence rates of 0.18, 0.03, 0.06, and 0.11/1000 person-years, respectively. Long-term mortality was higher in patients with newly diagnosed cancer than in patients without cancer (36.7% vs. 20.1%, p < 0.01). Cancer after STEMI should be considered as an additional major adverse clinical event because of its high incidence, constant development, and high mortality in comparison to classical endpoints.
Circulating Interleukin-22 in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Correia Augusto Ferreira , Oliveira Carolina Gomes Cavalcanti de , Oliveira Dinaldo Cavalcanti de , Pereira Michelly Cristina , Carvalho Flavio Alisson , Martins Estevão Campos Carvalho , Oliveira Dinaldo Cavalcanti de
Published: August 2024

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) represents an important clinical manifestation of coronary artery disease (CAD) and is characterized by a particularly poor prognosis. Myocardial reperfusion through primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is imperative in the event of acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Interleukin-22 (IL-22) regulates immune and inflammatory responses. This interleukin has been described in the scenario of the CAD, but there are no data in patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI. Objectives: The goals of this study were to investigate the differences in circulating IL-22 levels between patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI and healthy controls and to determine whether these differences were associated with the culprit coronary artery, door-to-balloon time (DBT), final angiographic result, CAD classification, and presence of diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: A total of 280 participants were recruited, comprising 210 STEMI cases and 70 healthy controls. Participants underwent clinical and angiographic evaluations, and serum IL-22 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney and Fisher tests, with p < 0.05 indicating significance. Results: Serum IL-22 levels were lower in cases (149.63, 84.99–294.56) than in the controls (482.67, 344.33–641.00); p < 0.001. Lower IL-22 levels were associated with the right coronary artery (RCA) (144.57, 70.84–242.43; 146.00, 63.60–279.67; 191.71, 121.80–388.97); p = 0.033. IL-22 was lower with shorter DBT (≤60 min, 106.00, 49.60–171.71; >60 min, 153.00, 88.86–313.60); p = 0.043. Conclusions: IL-22 levels were significantly lower in patients with STEMI than in healthy controls.
A New Perspective of the Spring Predictability Barrier Based on the Zonal Sea Level Pressure Gradient
Authors: Tan Jing , Zheng Fei , Cao Tingwei , Huang Yongyong , Wang Haiyan
Published: August 2024

Currently, the “spring predictability barrier” (SPB) is still a controversial problem in many atmosphere–ocean coupled models and has significant impacts on degrading the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) predictions across the boreal spring. In this study, unlike previous studies that viewed the SPB issue from the perspective of sea surface temperature (SST), based on the Bjerknes feedback theory and the decadal variations in Walker circulation over the tropical Pacific, a new perspective of the SPB is revealed by the seasonal variations in the observed zonal sea level pressure (SLP) gradient, which can reflect the stability and variability of the atmosphere–ocean interactions during the ENSO’s evolution. More importantly, a significant decadal variation of SPB strength (SPBS) is exhibited in the last 3 decades, from 1991 to 2020, which is strongly controlled by the dominant patterns of sea surface temperature (SST) and Walker circulation, and associated with the background mean atmosphere–ocean states. That is to say, the atmosphere–ocean interaction pattern over the tropical Pacific has undergone decadal variations over the past 3 decades which determine the decadal variations in SPBS. International Research Institute for Climate and Society/Climate Prediction Center (IRI/CPC) multi-models show stronger SPBS during 2001–2010 than during 2011–2020, indicating that the decadal variations in SPBS from statistical analysis also exist in actual model predictions, which further confirms the rationality of this perspective of SPB based on the zonal SLP gradient.
MSFE-UIENet: A Multi-Scale Feature Extraction Network for Marine Underwater Image Enhancement
Authors: Zhao Shengya , Mei Xinkui , Ye Xiufen , Guo Shuxiang
Published: August 2024

Underwater optical images have outstanding advantages for short-range underwater target detection tasks. However, owing to the limitations of special underwater imaging environments, underwater images often have several problems, such as noise interference, blur texture, low contrast, and color distortion. Marine underwater image enhancement addresses degraded underwater image quality caused by light absorption and scattering. This study introduces MSFE-UIENet, a high-performance network designed to improve image feature extraction, resulting in deep-learning-based underwater image enhancement, addressing the limitations of single convolution and upsampling/downsampling techniques. This network is designed to enhance the image quality in underwater settings by employing an encoder–decoder architecture. In response to the underwhelming enhancement performance caused by the conventional networks’ sole downsampling method, this study introduces a pyramid downsampling module that captures more intricate image features through multi-scale downsampling. Additionally, to augment the feature extraction capabilities of the network, an advanced feature extraction module was proposed to capture detailed information from underwater images. Furthermore, to optimize the network’s gradient flow, forward and backward branches were introduced to accelerate its convergence rate and improve stability. Experimental validation using underwater image datasets indicated that the proposed network effectively enhances underwater image quality, effectively preserving image details and noise suppression across various underwater environments.
Becoming Protactile: Interactional Foundations of Protactile Language Development and Language Emergence
Authors: Lu Jenny C. , Nuccio Jelica , Anderson Halene , Edwards Terra
Published: August 2024

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many DeafBlind children were left without access to educational services when schools went remote. This article presents findings from a project that brought DeafBlind adults into the homes of DeafBlind children during a historically unprecedented time, when a new language was emerging among DeafBlind people who call themselves “Protactile”. In analyzing interactions between the DeafBlind adults and children, we have gained new insights into how novel communication channels are forged intersubjectively. We focus our analysis on Jelica, a DeafBlind member of the research team and experienced Protactile educator, and her interactions with two DeafBlind children. Grounding her extensive field notes in an anthropological theory on intersubjectivity, her insights show how they gradually became attuned to each other and their environment, thereby laying the foundation for intention attribution and joint attention. Jelica does this, in part, via frequent use of “Protactile taps”, which have attention-modulating and demonstrative functions among adults. Jelica’s taps perform a “meta-channel” function to direct the child to use particular parts of their bodies for communication and exploration. This study shows how Jelica establishes an operable environment, within which the vocabulary and grammar she exposes them to will take on situated meaning. This research builds on previous work on language emergence by showing that both children and adults contribute to language emergence as they adjust to one another in the unfolding of interaction. Finally, this research calls attention to the need for DeafBlind adults to have institutional authority to shape communication practices for DeafBlind children.
Robust a Posteriori Error Estimates of Time-Dependent Poisson–Nernst–Planck Equations
Authors: Fu Keli , Hao Tingting
Published: August 2024

The paper considers the a posteriori error estimates for fully discrete approximations of time-dependent Poisson–Nernst–Planck (PNP) equations, which provide tools that allow for optimizing the choice of each time step when working with adaptive meshes. The equations are discretized by the Backward Euler scheme in time and conforming finite elements in space. Overcoming the coupling of time and the space with a full discrete solution and dealing with nonlinearity by taking G-derivatives of the nonlinear system, the computable, robust, effective, and reliable space–time a posteriori error estimation is obtained. The adaptive algorithm constructed based on the estimates realizes the parallel adaptations of time steps and mesh refinements, which are verified by numerical experiments with the time singular point and adaptive mesh refinement with boundary layer effects.
Impact of Ascending HPV Infection on Colorectal Cancer Risk: Evidence from a Nationwide Study
Authors: Pan Pin-Ho , Luo Ci-Wen , Ting Wen-Chien , Shiu Bei-Hao , Huang Jing-Yang , Tsai Stella Chin-Shaw , Lin Frank Cheau-Feng
Published: August 2024

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent and escalating health issue in Taiwan. This nationwide study delves into the relationship between Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and CRC risk, employing population datasets from 2007 to 2017. Cox regression analyses revealed a statistically significant hazard ratio (HR) of 1.73 (95% CI: 1.63–1.83) for CRC in HPV-positive patients, indicating a considerably elevated risk compared to non-infected individuals. Further, stratification by sex showed males with HPV have a higher CRC risk (HR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.40–1.58) compared to females. Age-related analysis uncovered a progressive increase in CRC risk with advancing age (HR = 34.69 for over 80 years). The study of specific CRC subtypes showed varying risks: HR = 1.74 for the colon, HR = 1.64 for the rectum, and a notably higher HR = 4.72 for the anus. Comorbid conditions such as hypertension (HR = 1.26), diabetes mellitus (HR = 1.32), and abnormal liver function (HR = 1.18) also correlate with significantly increased CRC risks. These findings suggest that HPV is a significant risk factor for CRC, with disparities in risk based on anatomical location, demographic characteristics, and comorbidities, highlighting the need for intervention strategies and targeted prevention.
The Role of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in IBD
Authors: Fanizzi Fabrizio , D’Amico Ferdinando , Zanotelli Bombassaro Isadora , Zilli Alessandra , Furfaro Federica , Parigi Tommaso Lorenzo , Cicerone Clelia , Fiorino Gionata , Peyrin-Biroulet Laurent , Danese Silvio , Allocca Mariangela
Published: August 2024

Gut microbiota dysbiosis has a critical role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases, prompting the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches like fecal microbiota transplantation, which involves the transfer of fecal microbiota from a healthy donor to a recipient with the aim of restoring a balanced microbial community and attenuating inflammation. Fecal microbiota transplantation may exert beneficial effects in inflammatory bowel disease through modulation of immune responses, restoration of mucosal barrier integrity, and alteration of microbial metabolites. It could alter disease course and prevent flares, although long-term durability and safety data are lacking. This review provides a summary of current evidence on fecal microbiota transplantation in inflammatory bowel disease management, focusing on its challenges, such as variability in donor selection criteria, standardization of transplant protocols, and long-term outcomes post-transplantation.
Broad-Spectrum Legionaminic Acid-Specific Antibodies in Pooled Human IgGs Revealed by Glycan Microarrays with Chemoenzymatically Synthesized Nonulosonosides
Authors: Kooner Anoopjit Singh , Yu Hai , Leviatan Ben-Arye Shani , Padler-Karavani Vered , Chen Xi
Published: August 2024

The presence and the level of antibodies in human sera against bacterial glycans are indications of prior encounters with similar antigens and/or the bacteria that express them by the immune system. An increasing number of pathogenic bacteria that cause human diseases have been shown to express polysaccharides containing a bacterial nonulosonic acid called 5,7-di-N-acetyllegionaminic acid (Leg5,7Ac2). To investigate the immune recognition of Leg5,7Ac2, which is critical for the fight against bacterial infections, a highly effective chemoenzymatic synthon strategy was applied to construct a library of α2–3/6-linked Leg5,7Ac2-glycans via their diazido-derivatives (Leg5,7diN3-glycans) formed by efficient one-pot three-enzyme (OP3E) synthetic systems from a diazido-derivative of a six-carbon monosaccharide precursor. Glycan microarray studies using this synthetic library of a Leg5,7Ac2-capped collection of diverse underlying glycan carriers and their matched sialoside counterparts revealed specific recognition of Leg5,7Ac2 by human IgG antibodies pooled from thousands of healthy donors (IVIG), suggesting prior human encounters with Leg5,7Ac2-expressing pathogenic bacteria at the population level. These biologically relevant Leg5,7Ac2-glycans and their immune recognition assays are important tools to begin elucidating their biological roles, particularly in the context of infection and host–pathogen interactions.
Enhancing the Performance of MoS2 Field-Effect Transistors Using Self-Assembled Monolayers: A Promising Strategy to Alleviate Dielectric Layer Scattering and Improve Device Performance
Authors: Cao Li , Wei Junqing , Li Xianggao , Wang Shirong , Qin Guoxuan
Published: August 2024

Field-effect transistors (FETs) based on two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (2D-MoS2) have great potential in electronic and optoelectronic applications, but the performances of these devices still face challenges such as scattering at the contact interface, which results in reduced mobility. In this work, we fabricated high-performance MoS2-FETs by inserting self-assembling monolayers (SAMs) between MoS2 and a SiO2 dielectric layer. The interface properties of MoS2/SiO2 were studied after the inductions of three different SAM structures including (perfluorophenyl)methyl phosphonic acid (PFPA), (4-aminobutyl) phosphonic acid (ABPA), and octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA). The SiO2/ABPA/MoS2-FET exhibited significantly improved performances with the highest mobility of 528.7 cm2 V−1 s−1, which is 7.5 times that of SiO2/MoS2-FET, and an on/off ratio of ~106. Additionally, we investigated the effects of SAM molecular dipole vectors on device performances using density functional theory (DFT). Moreover, the first-principle calculations showed that ABPA SAMs reduced the frequencies of acoustic and optical phonons in the SiO2 dielectric layer, thereby suppressing the phonon scattering to the MoS2 channel and further improving the device’s performance. This work provided a strategy for high-performance MoS2-FET fabrication by improving interface properties.
Methodology Approach for Microplastics Isolation from Samples Containing Sucrose
Authors: Kadac-Czapska Kornelia , Bochentyn Beata , Maślarz Aleksandra , Mahlik Sebastian , Grembecka Małgorzata
Published: August 2024

The growing production and use of plastics significantly contribute to microplastics (MPs) contamination in the environment. Humans are exposed to MPs primarily through the gastrointestinal route, as these particles are present in beverages and food, e.g., sugar. Effective isolation and identification of MPs from food is essential for their elimination. This study aimed to evaluate factors influencing the isolation of MPs from sucrose solutions to determine optimal conditions for the process. Polyethylene particles were used to test separation methods involving chemical digestion with acids and filtration through membrane filters made of nylon, mixed cellulose ester, and cellulose acetate with pore sizes of 0.8 and 10 µm. The effects of temperature and acid type and its concentration on plastic particles were examined using scanning electron microscopy and µ-Raman spectroscopy. The results indicate that increased temperature reduces solution viscosity and sucrose adherence to MPs’ particles, while higher acid concentrations accelerate sucrose hydrolysis. The optimal conditions for MPs’ isolation were found to be 5% HCl at 70 °C for 5 min, followed by filtration using an efficient membrane system. These conditions ensure a high recovery and fast filtration without altering MPs’ surface properties, providing a reliable basis for further analysis of MPs in food.
Impact of Five Types of Front-of-Package Nutrition Labels on Consumer Behavior among Young Adults: A Systematic Review
Authors: Guo Zhiyi , Ning Yueyue , Mustafa Muhizam
Published: August 2024

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that governments promote and implement front-of-package (FoP) nutrition labels to prevent noncommunicable diseases. Recently, additional research has focused on various views on FoP label creation. However, few review studies have examined how different FoP labels affect young consumer behavior. Therefore, this study thoroughly analyzed the evidence on how FoP labels in five categories affect young consumer purchasing intention and behavior. We searched for keywords in the Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCO databases and screened study samples according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Fourteen studies that matched the criteria were included in this review. We discovered that numerous studies support the efficacy of the “graded indicators” category labels, with the “color-coded” and “positive logos” categories trailing closely behind. The effectiveness of the “warning” FoP label category is mixed on consumers’ healthy purchasing behavior and intention. The numerical FoP labels were most commonly used to indicate ineffectiveness. Future studies should investigate the effects of FoP labels on various subpopulations and conduct thorough evaluations of the design elements of FoP labels. Also, they should offer evidence-based recommendations, supported by both quantitative and qualitative data, for regions that have not yet implemented FoP labeling systems.
Transcriptome Analysis Revealed ZmPTOX1 Is Required for Seedling Development and Stress Tolerance in Maize
Authors: Peng Yixuan , Liang Zhi , Qing Xindong , Wen Motong , Yuan Zhipeng , Chen Quanquan , Du Xuemei , Gu Riliang , Wang Jianhua , Li Li
Published: August 2024

Plant seedling morphogenesis is considerably related to photosynthesis, pigment synthesis, and circadian periodicity during seedling development. We identified and cloned a maize zebra or crossbanding leaves mutant wk3735, which produces pale white kernels and was identified and plays a role in the equilibrium of the Redox state the in/out of ETC by active oxygen scavenging. Interestingly, it produces the zebra leaves during the production of the first seven leaves, which is apparently different from the mutation of homologs AtPTOX in Arabidopsis. It is intriguing to investigate how and why yellow crossbands (zebra leaf phenotype) emerge on leaves. As expected, chlorophyll concentration and photosynthetic efficiency both significantly declined in the yellow sector of wk3735 leaves. Meanwhile, we observed the circadian expression pattern of ZmPTOX1, which was further validated by protein interaction assays of the circadian clock protein TIM1 and ZmPTOX1. The transcriptome data of yellow (muW) and green (muG) sectors of knock-out lines and normal leaves of overexpression lines (OE) at the 5th-leaf seedling stage were analyzed. Zebra leaf etiolated sections exhibit a marked defect in the expression of genes involved in the circadian rhythm and rhythmic stress (light and cold stress) responses than green sections. According to the analysis of co-DEGs of muW vs. OE and muG vs. OE, terms linked to cell repair function were upregulated while those linked to environmental adaptability and stress response were downregulated due to the mutation of ZmPTOX1. Further gene expression level analyses of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging enzymes and detection of ROS deposition indicated that ZmPTOX1 played an essential role in plant stress resistance and ROS homeostasis. The pleiotropic roles of ZmPTOX1 in plant ROS homeostasis maintenance, stress response, and circadian rhythm character may collectively explain the phenotype of zebra leaves during wk3735 seedling development.
A Novel Chaotic Particle Swarm-Optimized Backpropagation Neural Network PID Controller for Indoor Carbon Dioxide Control
Authors: Zhang Suli , Li Hui , Chang Yiting
Published: August 2024

In the continuously evolving landscape of novel smart control strategies, optimization techniques play a crucial role in achieving precise control of indoor air quality. This study aims to enhance indoor air quality by precisely regulating carbon dioxide (CO2) levels through an optimized control system. Prioritizing fast response, short settling time, and minimal overshoot is essential to ensure accurate control. To achieve this goal, chaos optimization is applied. By using the global search capability of the chaos particle swarm optimization (CPSO) algorithm, the initial weights connecting the input layer to the hidden layer and the hidden layer to the output layer of the backpropagation neural network (BPNN) are continuously optimized. The optimized weights are then applied to the BPNN, which employs its self-learning capability to calculate the output error of each neuronal layer, progressing from the output layer backward. Based on these errors, the weights are adjusted accordingly, ultimately tuning the proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller to its optimal parameters. When comparing simulation results, it is evident that, compared to the baseline method, the enhanced Chaos Particle Swarm Optimization Backpropagation Neural Network PID (CPSO-BPNN-PID) controller proposed in this study exhibits the shortest settling time, approximately 0.125 s, with a peak value of 1, a peak time of 0.2 s, and zero overshoot, demonstrating exceptional control performance. The novelty of this control algorithm lies in the integration of four distinct technologies—chaos optimization, particle swarm optimization (PSO), BPNN, and PID controller—into a novel controller for precise regulation of indoor CO2 concentration.
Indoor Infrared Sensor Layout Optimization for Elderly Monitoring Based on Fused Genetic Gray Wolf Optimization (FGGWO) Algorithm
Authors: Chen Shuwang , Chen Yajiang , Feng Meng
Published: August 2024

With the increasing aging of the global population, the efficiency and accuracy of the elderly monitoring system become crucial. In this paper, a sensor layout optimization method, the Fusion Genetic Gray Wolf Optimization (FGGWO) algorithm, is proposed which utilizes the global search capability of Genetic Algorithm (GA) and the local search capability of Gray Wolf Optimization algorithm (GWO) to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the sensor layout in elderly monitoring systems. It does so by optimizing the indoor infrared sensor layout in the elderly monitoring system to improve the efficiency and coverage of the sensor layout in the elderly monitoring system. Test results show that the FGGWO algorithm is superior to the single optimization algorithm in monitoring coverage, accuracy, and system efficiency. In addition, the algorithm is able to effectively avoid the local optimum problem commonly found in traditional methods and to reduce the number of sensors used, while maintaining high monitoring accuracy. The flexibility and adaptability of the algorithm bode well for its potential application in a wide range of intelligent surveillance scenarios. Future research will explore how deep learning techniques can be integrated into the FGGWO algorithm to further enhance the system’s adaptive and real-time response capabilities.
Temperature Compensation Method for Piezoresistive Pressure Sensors Based on Gated Recurrent Unit
Authors: Liu Mian , Wang Zhiwu , Jiang Pingping , Yan Guozheng
Published: August 2024

Piezoresistive pressure sensors have broad applications but often face accuracy challenges due to temperature-induced drift. Traditional compensation methods based on discrete data, such as polynomial interpolation, support vector machine (SVM), and artificial neural network (ANN), overlook the thermal hysteresis, resulting in lower accuracy. Considering the sequence-dependent nature of temperature drift, we propose the RF-IWOA-GRU temperature compensation model. Random forest (RF) is used to interpolate missing values in continuous data. A combination of gated recurrent unit (GRU) networks and an improved whale optimization algorithm (IWOA) is employed for temperature compensation. This model leverages the memory capability of GRU and the optimization efficiency of the IWOA to enhance the accuracy and stability of the pressure sensors. To validate the compensation method, experiments were designed under continuous variations in temperature and actual pressure. The experimental results show that the compensation capability of the proposed RF-IWOA-GRU model significantly outperforms that of traditional methods. After compensation, the standard deviation of pressure decreased from 10.18 kPa to 1.14 kPa, and the mean absolute error and root mean squared error were reduced by 75.10% and 76.15%, respectively.
An Integrated Navigation Method Aided by Position Correction Model and Velocity Model for AUVs
Authors: Lv Pengfei , Lv Junyi , Hong Zhichao , Xu Lixin
Published: August 2024

When autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) perform underwater tasks, the absence of GPS position assistance can lead to a decrease in the accuracy of traditional navigation systems, such as the extended Kalman filter (EKF), due to the accumulation of errors. To enhance the navigation accuracy of AUVs in the absence of position assistance, this paper proposes an innovative navigation method that integrates a position correction model and a velocity model. Specifically, a velocity model is developed using a dynamic model and the Optimal Pruning Extreme Learning Machine (OP-ELM) method. This velocity model is trained online to provide velocity outputs during the intervals when the Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) is not updating, ensuring more consistent and reliable velocity estimation. Additionally, a position correction model (PCM) is constructed, based on a hybrid gated recurrent neural network (HGRNN). This model is specifically designed to correct the AUV’s navigation position when GPS data are unavailable underwater. The HGRNN utilizes historical navigation data and patterns learned during training to predict and adjust the AUV’s estimated position, thereby reducing the drift caused by the lack of real-time position updates. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed VM-PCM-EKF algorithm can significantly improve the positioning accuracy of the navigation system, with a maximum accuracy improvement of 87.2% compared to conventional EKF algorithms. This method not only improves the reliability and accuracy of AUV missions but also opens up new possibilities for more complex and extended underwater operations.
Application of Artificial Neural Networks to a Model of a Helicopter Rotor Blade for Damage Identification in Realistic Load Conditions
Authors: Ballarin Pietro , Sala Giuseppe , Macchi Marco , Roda Irene , Baldi Andrea , Airoldi Alessandro
Published: August 2024

Monitoring the integrity of aeronautical structures is fundamental for safety. Structural Health Monitoring Systems (SHMSs) perform real-time monitoring functions, but their performance must be carefully assessed. This is typically done by introducing artificial damages to the components; however, such a procedure requires the production and testing of a large number of structural elements. In this work, the damage detection performance of a strain-based SHMS was evaluated on a composite helicopter rotor blade root, exploiting a Finite Element (FE) model of the component. The SHMS monitored the bonding between the central core and the surrounding antitorsional layer. A damage detection algorithm was trained through FE analyses. The effects of the load’s variability and of the damage were decoupled by including a load recognition step in the algorithm, which was accomplished either with an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) or a calibration matrix. Anomaly detection, damage assessment, and localization were performed by using an ANN. The results showed a higher load identification and anomaly detection accuracy using an ANN for the load recognition, and the load set was recognized with a satisfactory accuracy, even in damaged blades. This case study was focused on a real-world subcomponent with complex geometrical features and realistic load conditions, which was not investigated in the literature and provided a promising approach to estimate the performance of a strain-based SHMS.
Shape Classification Using a Single Seal-Whisker-Style Sensor Based on the Neural Network Method
Authors: Mao Yitian , Lv Yingxue , Wang Yaohong , Yuan Dekui , Liu Luyao , Song Ziyu , Ji Chunning
Published: August 2024

Seals, sea lions, and other aquatic animals rely on their whiskers to identify and track underwater targets, offering valuable inspiration for the development of low-power, portable, and environmentally friendly sensors. Here, we design a single seal-whisker-like cylinder and conduct experiments to measure the forces acting on it with nine different upstream targets. Using sample sets constructed from these force signals, a convolutional neural network (CNN) is trained and tested. The results demonstrate that combining the seal-whisker-style sensor with a CNN enables the identification of objects in the water in most cases, although there may be some confusion for certain targets. Increasing the length of the signal samples can enhance the results but may not eliminate these confusions. Our study reveals that high frequencies (greater than 5 Hz) are irrelevant in our model. Lift signals present more distinct and distinguishable features than drag signals, serving as the primary basis for the model to differentiate between various targets. Fourier analysis indicates that the model’s efficacy in recognizing different targets relies heavily on the discrepancies in the spectral features of the lift signals.
Research on Corn Leaf and Stalk Recognition and Ranging Technology Based on LiDAR and Camera Fusion
Authors: Hu Xueting , Zhang Xiao , Chen Xi , Zheng Lu
Published: August 2024

Corn, as one of the three major grain crops in China, plays a crucial role in ensuring national food security through its yield and quality. With the advancement of agricultural intelligence, agricultural robot technology has gained significant attention. High-precision navigation is the basis for realizing various operations of agricultural robots in corn fields and is closely related to the quality of operations. Corn leaf and stalk recognition and ranging are the prerequisites for achieving high-precision navigation and have attracted much attention. This paper proposes a corn leaf and stalk recognition and ranging algorithm based on multi-sensor fusion. First, YOLOv8 is used to identify corn leaves and stalks. Considering the large differences in leaf morphology and the large changes in field illumination that lead to discontinuous identification, an equidistant expansion polygon algorithm is proposed to post-process the leaves, thereby increasing the average recognition completeness of the leaves to 86.4%. Secondly, after eliminating redundant point clouds, the IMU data are used to calculate the confidence of the LiDAR and depth camera ranging point clouds, and point cloud fusion is performed based on this to achieve high-precision ranging of corn leaves. The average ranging error is 2.9 cm, which is lower than the measurement error of a single sensor. Finally, the stalk point cloud is processed and clustered using the FILL-DBSCAN algorithm to identify and measure the distance of the same corn stalk. The algorithm combines recognition accuracy and ranging accuracy to meet the needs of robot navigation or phenotypic measurement in corn fields, ensuring the stable and efficient operation of the robot in the corn field.