bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient Resource Allocation for Beam-Hopping-Based Multi-Satellite Communication Systems
Authors: Wang Yingjie , Zeng Ming , Fei Zesong
Published: May 2023

With the rapid growth of data traffic, low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication networks have gradually ushered in a new trend of development due to its advantages of low latency, wide coverage, and high capacity. However, as a result of the limited on-board resources and rapidly changing traffic demand, it is increasingly urgent to design an efficient resource-allocation scheme to satisfy the traffic demand. In this paper, we propose two resource allocation algorithms in the multi-satellite system based on beam-hopping technology. In the offline case, it is assumed that the channel gains in all time-slots are known in advance, and we propose a heuristic algorithm to allocate time and frequency resources, and a successive convex approximation (SCA) algorithm to allocate power resources. In the online case, it is assumed that only the instant channel gains information is known; therefore, we apply the dynamic programming (DP) algorithm to maximize the system throughput. The simulation results prove that the proposed resource-allocation algorithms based on beam-hopping technology have better performance than the traditional average allocation method, and the online algorithm has acceptable performance loss compared with the offline algorithm.
Shifted Window Vision Transformer for Blood Cell Classification
Authors: Chen Shuwen , Lu Siyuan , Wang Shuihua , Ni Yiyang , Zhang Yudong
Published: May 2023

Blood cells play an important role in the metabolism of the human body, and the status of blood cells can be used for clinical diagnoses, such as the ratio of different blood cells. Therefore, blood cell classification is a primary task, which requires much time for manual analysis. The recent advances in computer vision can be beneficial to free doctors from tedious tasks. In this paper, a novel automated blood cell classification model based on the shifted window vision transformer (SW-ViT) is proposed. The SW-ViT architecture is firstly pre-trained on the ImageNet dataset and fine-tuned on the blood cell images for classification. Two transfer strategies are employed to generate better classification results. One is to fine-tune the entire SW-ViT, and the other is to only fine-tune the linear output layer of the SW-ViT while all the other parameters are frozen. A public dataset named BCCD_Dataset (Blood Cell Count and Detection) is utilized in the experiments. The results show that the SW-ViT outperforms several state-of-the-art methods in terms of classification accuracy. The proposed SW-ViT can be applied in daily clinical diagnosis.
Leading Logistics Firms’ Re-Engineering through the Optimization of the Customer’s Social Media and Website Activity
Authors: Sakas Damianos P. , Reklitis Dimitrios P. , Terzi Marina C.
Published: May 2023

To acquire competitive differentiation nowadays, logistics businesses must adopt novel strategies. Logistics companies have to consider whether redesigning their marketing plan based on client social media activity and website activity might increase the effectiveness of their digital marketing strategy. Insights from this study will be used to help logistics firms improve the effectiveness of their digital marketing as part of a marketing re-engineering and change management process. An innovative methodology was implemented. Collecting behavioral big data from the logistics companies’ social media and websites was the first step. Next, regression and correlation analyses were conducted, together with the creation of a fuzzy cognitive map simulation in order to produce optimization scenarios. The results revealed that re-engineering marketing strategies and customer behavioral big data can successfully affect important digital marketing performance metrics. Additionally, social media big data can affect change management and re-engineering processes by reducing operational costs and investing more in social media visibility and less in social media interactivity. The following figure presents the graphical presentation of the abstract.
Real-Time sEMG Pattern Recognition of Multiple-Mode Movements for Artificial Limbs Based on CNN-RNN Algorithm
Authors: Li Sujiao , Zhang Yue , Tang Yuanmin , Li Wei , Sun Wanjing , Yu Hongliu
Published: May 2023

Currently, sEMG-based pattern recognition is a crucial and promising control method for prosthetic limbs. A 1D convolutional recurrent neural network classification model for recognizing online finger and wrist movements in real time was proposed to address the issue that the classification recognition rate and time delay cannot be considered simultaneously. This model could effectively combine the advantages of the convolutional neural network and recurrent neural network. Offline experiments were used to verify the recognition performance of 20 movements, and a comparative analysis was conducted with CNN and LSTM classification models. Online experiments via the self-developed sEMG signal pattern recognition system were established to examine real-time recognition performance and time delay. Experiment results demonstrated that the average recognition accuracy of the 1D-CNN-RNN classification model achieved 98.96% in offline recognition, which is significantly higher than that of the CNN and LSTM (85.43% and 96.88%, respectively, p < 0.01). In the online experiments, the average accuracy of the real-time recognition of the 1D-CNN-RNN reaches 91% ± 5%, and the average delay reaches 153 ms. The proposed 1D-CNN-RNN classification model illustrates higher performances in real-time recognition accuracy and shorter time delay with no obvious sense of delay in the human body, which is expected to be an efficient control for dexterous prostheses.
DHD-MEPO: A Novel Distributed Coverage Hole Detection and Repair Method for Three-Dimensional Hybrid Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Gou Pingzhang , Guo Miao , Guo Baoyong , Mao Shun
Published: May 2023

A coverage hole is a problem that cannot be completely avoided in three-dimensional hybrid wireless sensor networks. It can lead to hindrances in monitoring tasks and adversely affect network performance. To address the problem of coverage holes caused by the uneven initial deployment of the network and node damage during operation, we propose a distributed hole detection and multi-objective optimization emperor penguin repair algorithm (DHD-MEPO). In the detection phase, the monitoring region is zoned as units according to the quantity of nodes and the sensing range, and static nodes use the sum-of-weights method to campaign for group nodes on their terms, determining the location of holes by calculating the coverage of each cell. In the repair phase, the set of repair nodes is determined by calculating the mobile node coverage redundancy. Based on the characteristics of complex environments, the regions of high hole levels are prioritized. Moreover, the residual energy homogeneity of nodes is considered for the design of multi-objective functions. A lens-imaging mapping learning strategy is introduced to perturb the location of repair nodes for the optimization of the emperor penguin algorithm. Experimental results illustrate that the DHD-MEPO, compared with the C-CICHH, 3D-VPCA, RA, EMSCOLER, and IERP algorithms, can balance the uniformity of the residual energy of each node while satisfying the network coverage requirements and network connectivity, which effectively improves the network coverage performance.
Hydrodynamic Investigation on Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Platform Integrated with Porous Shell
Authors: Yao Yisheng , Ning Dezhi , Deng Sijia , Mayon Robert , Qin Ming
Published: May 2023

As the siting of wind turbines increasingly transitions from shallow water to offshore deep-water locations, improving the platform stability of floating offshore wind turbines is becoming a growing concern. By coupling a porous shell commonly used in traditional marine structures, with a FOWT (floating wind turbine platform), a new spar-buoy with a porous shell was designed. A numerical model investigating the coupling effect of the aero-hydro-mooring system is developed, and the results of the motion response are compared with the OC3-Hywind spar. The motion response of the two platforms was simulated in the time-domain with the incident wave period varied in the range of 5~22 s. The exciting wave force with added mass and radiation damping of the spar with the porous shell is compared with the OC3-Hywind spar. The results demonstrate that the motion response amplitude of the spar with the porous shell decreases in all three main motion freedoms (i.e., surge, heave and pitch, etc.), among which the heave motions are most significantly attenuated. The study shows that the coupling of porous shells with a floating platform to achieve the reduced motion responses is feasible and can be an innovative structure for the development of deep-sea offshore floating wind turbines.
Study of Internal Flow Heat Transfer Characteristics of Ejection-Permeable FADS
Authors: Yang Kai , Shi Tianhao , Ming Tingzhen , Wu Yongjia , Chen Yanhua , Yu Zhongyi , Ahmadi Mohammad Hossein
Published: May 2023

A fabric air dispersion system (FADS) is a type of flexible air supply system that integrates air transmission and distribution. This innovative system has the potential to address common issues such as uneven air supply and surface condensation, which are often associated with traditional ventilation systems. Existing numerical simulation studies on fiber ducts have encountered problems with mesh generation and simulation accuracy. This work develops a simulation method based on the equivalent discounting method to overcome these challenges. The proposed method is utilized to investigate the flow and heat transfer characteristics inside fiber ducts while also examining the effects of various shapes and opening configurations. The findings indicate that the temperature rise inside the duct is positively correlated with flow rate, with higher temperatures resulting from faster flow speeds. The temperature rise of FADS with four rows of openings increased by 0.4 k compared to other opening methods. Additionally, the study shows that increasing the number of rows of openings in the fiber duct leads to a faster decay of flow velocity and a higher temperature rise. At the same time, increasing the number of openings in the duct slightly reduces flow velocity while slightly increasing the temperature rise. The presence of more fiber duct elbows leads to greater local resistance, which accelerates the decay of the flow velocity and increases the temperature rise. Compared to the “1”-shaped FADS, the temperature rises of the “L”-shaped and “U”-shaped systems have increased by 0.9 k and 2.9 k, respectively.
A New Model of Pro-Quality Decision Making in Terms of Products’ Improvement Considering Customer Requirements
Authors: Ulewicz Robert , Siwiec Dominika , Pacana Andrzej
Published: May 2023

The idea of sustainable development enforces the pro-environmental design and production of products. It also refers to products producing green energy. The current situation in the world, mainly in Europe, further intensifies these works. The new products occurring in this dynamic market are rarely known by customers. In such a case, they have the problem of proper selection based on their own needs. Hence, the purpose is to develop a method to support the customers during their choice of product. In this methodical study, the qualitative and environmental criteria and also price of purchase were simultaneously included. This method was developed using integrated selected techniques, e.g., brainstorming (BM), the SMARTER method, rule 7 ± 2, questionnaire with Likert scale, AHP method, PROMETHEE II method, and matrix data analysis. The results from the test of method allowed the development this method for possible selection of a product according to individual customer expectations but also supported by the knowledge and experience of experts. The method is dedicated to customers but also enterprises aspiring to simultaneously develop their own products. The originality of this work is the integration of the main criteria for the selection of the product by the customer, i.e., quality, impact on natural environment, and price. The novelty of the study is the ranking of selecting products by considering qualitative and environmental criteria, limiting the customer’s necessary knowledge about the analyzed products to determine the weights of criteria, and visualization of the qualitative–environmental relationship. The model test was carried out for popular solar collectors.
A Review of Power Electronic Devices for Heavy Goods Vehicles Electrification: Performance and Reliability
Authors: Alatise Olayiwola , Deb Arkadeep , Bashar Erfan , Ortiz Gonzalez Jose , Jahdi Saeed , Issa Walid
Published: May 2023

This review explores the performance and reliability of power semiconductor devices required to enable the electrification of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). HGV electrification can be implemented using (i) batteries charged with ultra-rapid DC charging (350 kW and above); (ii) road electrification with overhead catenaries supplying power through a pantograph to the HGV powertrain; (iii) hydrogen supplying power to the powertrain through a fuel cell; (iv) any combination of the first three technologies. At the heart of the HGV powertrain is the power converter implemented through power semiconductor devices. Given that the HGV powertrain is rated typically between 500 kW and 1 MW, power devices with voltage ratings between 650 V and 1200 V are required for the off-board/on-board charger’s rectifier and DC-DC converter as well as the powertrain DC-AC traction inverter. The power devices available for HGV electrification at 650 V and 1.2 kV levels are SiC planar MOSFETs, SiC Trench MOSFETs, silicon super-junction MOSFETs, SiC Cascode JFETs, GaN HEMTs, GaN Cascode HEMTs and silicon IGBTs. The MOSFETs can be implemented with anti-parallel SiC Schottky diodes or can rely on their body diodes for third quadrant operation. This review examines the various power semiconductor technologies in terms of losses, electrothermal ruggedness under short circuits, avalanche ruggedness, body diode and conduction performance.
Analysis of the Influence of the Spark Plug on Exhaust Gas Composition
Authors: Tucki Karol , Orynycz Olga , Mieszkalski Leszek , Mendes dos Reis Joao Gilberto , Matijošius Jonas , Wocial Michał , Kuric Ivan , Pascuzzi Simone
Published: May 2023

This paper analyses the influence of the type of electrode in a spark plug on exhaust gas emission. The objects of the research were the following vehicles of different years of production: the Volkswagen Beetle 1300, the Honda Nighthawk 650, the BMW e46 318i, the Hyundai i10, and the Audi A4 B6. The vehicles were powered by petrol and LPG. Spark plugs were selected for the vehicles, with different kinds of construction for the main electrodes and different numbers of poles but with similar heat values. A comparative analysis of the composition of the exhaust gas mixture was performed, depending on the set of spark plugs used. The amount of CO, HC, CO2, and O2 emissions was analysed. The results were compared with the applicable exhaust gas emission standards. Both in the case of E5 95 petrol and LPG gas, lower exhaust gas emissions were observed when iridium spark plugs were used.
RSSI and Machine Learning-Based Indoor Localization Systems for Smart Cities
Authors: Rathnayake R. M. M. R. , Maduranga Madduma Wellalage Pasan , Tilwari Valmik , Dissanayake Maheshi B.
Published: May 2023

The rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Learning (ML) has significantly increased the demand for Location-Based Services (LBS) in today’s world. Among these services, indoor positioning and navigation have emerged as crucial components, driving the growth of indoor localization systems. However, using GPS in indoor environments is impractical, leading to a surge in interest in Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and machine learning-based algorithms for in-building localization and navigation in recent years. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the technologies, applications, and future research directions of ML-based indoor localization for smart cities. Additionally, it examines the potential of ML algorithms in improving localization accuracy and performance in indoor environments.
Spruce Bark Beetle Outbreak Prediction through Automatic Classification of Sentinel-2 Imagery
Authors: Bozzini Aurora , Francini Saverio , Chirici Gherardo , Battisti Andrea , Faccoli Massimo
Published: May 2023

Extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and intensity, posing a threat to forest ecosystems and eliciting forest-pest outbreaks. In the southern Italian Alps, a dramatic windthrow called Vaia occurred in October 2018, shifting populations of the European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) from an endemic to an epidemic phase. Remote-sensing methods are often employed to detect areas affected by disturbances, such as forest-pest outbreaks, over large regions. In this study, a random forest model on the Sentinel-2 images acquired over the south-eastern Alps in 2021 and 2022 was used to detect the outbreak spots. The automatic classification model was tested and validated by exploiting ground data collected through a survey conducted in 2021 and 2022 in both healthy and infested spots, characterized by variable sizes and degrees of infestation. The model correctly identified the forest conditions (healthy or infested) with an overall accuracy of 72% for 2022 and 58% for 2021. These results highlight the possibility of locating I. typographus outbreaks, even in small spots (between 5 and 50 trees) or spots intermixed with healthy trees. The prompt detection of areas with a higher frequency of outbreaks could be a useful tool to integrate field surveys and select forest areas in which to concentrate management operations.
Influence of Mixed Conifer Forest Thinning and Prescribed Fire on Soil Temperature and Moisture Dynamics in Proximity to Forest Logs: A Case Study in New Mexico, USA
Authors: Parmenter Robert R. , Losleben Mark V.
Published: May 2023

Forest management activities often include fuels reduction through mechanized thinning followed by prescribed fire to remove slash. Management prescriptions may include the retention of logs for wildlife habitat and microsites for enhanced tree regeneration. We examined aboveground microclimate and belowground soil temperature and volumetric water content (VWC) dynamics beneath and adjacent to logs at 10, 20, and 30 cm depths in a mixed conifer forest. We assessed the soil variables over 7 years during pre-treatment, post-thinning, and post-fire using a Before–After/Control–Impact experimental design. We found that thinning and burning caused large increases in solar radiation and mean and maximum wind speeds, but only small changes in air temperature and humidity. The treatments increased the soil temperatures beneath the logs by up to 2.7 °C during spring, summer, and fall; the soil VWC increased from 0.05 to 0.08 m3/m3 year-round at 20 and 30 cm depths. Microsites 1–2 m away from the logs also showed soil temperature increases of up to 3.6 °C in spring, summer, and fall, while the measurements of the soil VWC produced variable results (moderate increases and decreases). The increased VWC in late winter/spring likely resulted from reduced plant transpiration and greater snow amounts reaching the ground without being intercepted by the forest canopy. Log retention on thinned and burned sites provided microsites with increased soil temperature and moisture in the top 30 cm, which can enhance soil ecosystem processes and provide refugia for invertebrate and vertebrate wildlife.
Harvest Residue Decomposition from Eucalyptus sp. Plantations in Temperate Climate: Indicators and Contribution to Nutrient Cycling
Authors: González Alejandro , Hernández Jorge , Pino Amabelia del , Hirigoyen Andrés , Ualde José
Published: May 2023

The sustainable management of forest plantations by keeping the harvest residues on site improves the soil’s chemical, physical and biological properties while constituting an important nutrient reserve. Our objectives were: (a) to identify and quantify the characteristics of Eucalyptus dunnii, Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus globulus that affect the decomposition rates of harvest residues, as well as indicators that can explain the process and (b) to quantify the potential recycling of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) to the soil from residue decomposition and the quantitative and qualitative differences between the species. We analyzed the information of five commercial plantations of Uruguay. At the harvest, the biomass of leaves, thin and thick branches, bark and their respective N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents were quantified. At each site, bags with samples of the different residues were left to decompose and were periodically collected throughout 24 months. Eucalyptus dunnii presented the largest amounts of residues of all parts. The decomposition rates of the different residues depended on their chemical constitution, part size and the species. Eucalyptus dunnii leaves showed the shortest half-life (0.94 years), while the bark of the same species presented the longest (5.62 years). Total nitrogen and carbon (total and soluble) contents, which can be easily determined, emerged as good predictors for half-life estimation. The release patterns of nutrients depended more on their dynamics in the plant and their parts than on the species itself. The results highlight the importance of nutrient recycling to ensure the sustainability of the productive system in the medium and long term.
Feature Construction Using Persistence Landscapes for Clustering Noisy IoT Time Series
Authors: Chen Renjie , Ravishanker Nalini
Published: May 2023

With the advancement of IoT technologies, there is a large amount of data available from wireless sensor networks (WSN), particularly for studying climate change. Clustering long and noisy time series has become an important research area for analyzing this data. This paper proposes a feature-based clustering approach using topological data analysis, which is a set of methods for finding topological structure in data. Persistence diagrams and landscapes are popular topological summaries that can be used to cluster time series. This paper presents a framework for selecting an optimal number of persistence landscapes, and using them as features in an unsupervised learning algorithm. This approach reduces computational cost while maintaining accuracy. The clustering approach was demonstrated to be accurate on simulated data, based on only four, three, and three features, respectively, selected in Scenarios 1–3. On real data, consisting of multiple long temperature streams from various US locations, our optimal feature selection method achieved approximately a 13 times speed-up in computing.
A Cartilage Matrix Protein Regulates Collagen Synthesis in Mantle of Magallana gigas (Crassostrea gigas) under Ocean Acidification
Authors: Zhu Ting , Liu Chang , Liu Zhaoqun , Gao Yuqian , Xin Xiaoyu , Wang Lingling , Song Linsheng
Published: May 2023

The shell biosynthesis of oysters plays a critical role in protection against environmental stress, in which cartilage matrix proteins (CMPs) determine the mineralogical and crystallographic properties of the shell. In the present study, a cartilage matrix protein (designated as MgCMP1) was identified from the Pacific oyster Magallana gigas (Crassostrea gigas) with the objective of understanding its possible role in shell formation. The open reading frame (ORF) of MgCMP1 was 1815 bp, encoding a polypeptide of 605 amino acids with two von Willebrand factor (VWA) domains. The mRNA transcript of MgCMP1 was expressed constitutively in all examined tissues with a higher level in the mantle, especially highest in the middle fold (MF) of the three folds of the mantle. In addition, the interaction between recombinant protein MgCMP1 (rMgCMP1) and recombinant protein bone morphogenesis protein 7 (rMgBMP7) was identified in vitro. After injection of dsRNA to inhibit the expression of MgCMP1, the mRNA expression level of Mgcollagen I and Mgcollagen X in the MF of the mantle significantly decreased. After pre-puncturing and acidification treatment (pH 7.8), the thickness and length of the new formation shells were lower than those in control group (pH 8.1), and the positive hybridization signals of the MgCMP1 mRNA transcript in the three mantle folds were obviously weakened, especially in the MF, whereas the mRNA expression level of MgCMP1, Mgcollagen I and Mgcollagen X in the MF of mantle decreased significantly. These results suggested that MgCMP1 was involved in regulating the expression of Mgcollagen I and Mgcollagen X in the MF of the mantle in response to ocean acidification (OA).
Effects of Puffing, Acid, and High Hydrostatic Pressure Treatments on Ginsenoside Profile and Antioxidant Capacity of Mountain-Cultivated Panax ginseng
Authors: Kim Jang-Hwan , Shin Jae-Sung , Kim Wooki , Lee Hyungjae , Baik Moo-Yeol
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of puffing, acid, and high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatments on the ginsenoside profile and antioxidant capacity of mountain-cultivated Panax ginseng (MCPG) before and after treatments. Puffing and HHP treatments decreased extraction yield and increased crude saponin content. The combination of puffing and HHP treatment showed significantly higher crude saponin content than each single treatment. Puffing treatment showed the highest ginsenoside conversion compared with HHP and acid treatments. Significant ginsenoside conversion was not observed in HHP treatment but was in acid treatment. When the puffing and acid treatments were combined, Rg3 and compound K content (1.31 mg and 10.25 mg) was significantly higher than that of the control (0.13 mg and 0.16 mg) and acid treatment (0.27 mg and 0.76 mg). No synergistic effect was observed between acid and HHP treatments. In the case of functional properties, the puffing treatment showed a significant increase in TFC (29.6%), TPC (1072%), and DPPH radical scavenging capacity (2132.9%) compared to the control, while acid and HHP combined treatments did not significantly increase; therefore, the synergistic effects of HHP/puffing and acid/puffing treatments were observed in crude saponin content and ginsenoside conversion, respectively. Consequently, puffing combined with acid or HHP treatments may provide new ways to produce high-value-added MCPG with a higher content of Rg3 and compound K or crude saponin compared to untreated MCPG.
Neuroprotective Effect of White Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Petal Tea in Rats Poisoned with Mancozeb
Authors: Intui Ketsarin , Nuchniyom Pimchanok , Laoung-on Jiraporn , Jaikang Churdsak , Quiggins Ranida , Sudwan Paiwan
Published: May 2023

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (N. nucifera) tea is used as food and folk medicine to reduce toxicity in Southeast Asia. Mancozeb (Mz) is used for controlling fungi in agriculture and contains heavy metals. This study aimed to examine the effect of white N. nucifera petal tea on cognitive behavior, hippocampus histology, oxidative stress, and amino acid metabolism in rats poisoned with mancozeb. Seventy-two male Wistar rats were divided into nine groups (n = 8 in each). Y-maze spontaneous alternation test was used to assess cognitive behavior, and amino acid metabolism was investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR) from blood. There was a significant increase in relative brain weight in the Mz co-administered with the highest dose (2.20 mg/kg bw) of white N. nucifera group. The levels of tryptophan, kynurenine, picolinic acid, and serotonin in blood showed a significant decrease in the Mz group and a significant increase in the Mz co-administered with low dose (0.55 mg/kg bw) of white N. nucifera group. However, there was no significant difference in cognitive behavior, hippocampus histology, oxidative stress, and corticosterone. This study demonstrated that a low dose of white N. nucifera petal tea has a neuroprotective effect against mancozeb.
Evaluation of a New Bulk Packaging Container for the Ripening of Feta Cheese
Authors: Thodis Panagiotis , Kosma Ioanna S. , Nesseris Konstantinos , Badeka Anastasia V. , Kontominas Michael G.
Published: May 2023

In the present study, the quality characteristics of Feta cheese were investigated as a function of the packaging container (a stainless-steel tank (SST), a wooden barrel (WB), and a tin can (TC)) and ripening time. The results showed that the Feta cheese’s pH, moisture, and lactose decreased, while fat, protein, and salt increased (p < 0.05) during ripening with SST and WB, showing similar behaviors versus that of the TC container. For the proteolysis indices, % TN,% WSN, 12% TCA, and 5% PTA showed the highest values (p < 0.05) for cheeses packaged in WB, followed by those in SST and TC, with all increasing (p < 0.05) during ripening. The most abundant odor-active volatiles were free fatty acids, alcohols, and esters following the order SST > WB > TC on day 60. On day 60, the cheeses packaged in SST and WB showed higher (p < 0.05) hardness and fracturability values, as well as aroma scores, compared to those in TC, with both parameter values increasing with the ripening time.
Protection Function and Mechanism of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) Extract on the Thermal Oxidative Stability of Vegetable Oils
Authors: Song Xiaoxiao , Sui Xiaonan , Jiang Lianzhou
Published: May 2023

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) extract (RE) is one of the most efficient natural antioxidants and can significantly inhibit oil oxidation during storage or heating. The present study determined the protective capacity and mechanism of RE on the thermal oxidative stability of different vegetable oils by adding RE (70% carnosic acid) to five types of vegetable oils (soybean oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, rice bran oil, and camellia oil) and measuring the physicochemical indices (fatty acid composition, tocopherol content, total phenolic content, and free radical scavenging capacity), induction period, and thermal oxidative kinetic parameters. The relationships between the antioxidant capacity and thermal stability parameters were determined. The results show that, compared with artificial antioxidants, RE significantly increased the free radical scavenging capacity, induction period, and activation energy (Ea) of thermal oxidation, decreasing the thermal oxidation reaction rate (k) of all vegetable oils, especially rice bran oil. A Spearman correlation analysis showed that the induction period (IP) and Ea showed a significant positive correlation, the combination of which effectively reflected the efficiency of antioxidants and explained the inhibition mechanism of RE towards oil thermal oxidation.
The Study of Adoption in Archaeological Human Remains
Authors: Lozano-García Manuel , Gomes Cláudia , Palomo-Díez Sara , López-Parra Ana , Arroyo-Pardo Eduardo
Published: May 2023

This review aims to establish criteria for identifying an adoption process in an archaeological context. We define adoption as raising an individual who does not belong genetically to the family. Adoption appears in different moments of past societies, and when establishing a “family” nucleus burial place we must consider certain social behaviors, such as burials under the houses, collective burials, or laying bodies in specific positions. After observing these signs, we are carrying out a genetic analysis, in order to confirm a biologically related family nucleus. These traces have been traditionally linked to family nuclei because they have been found previously in burials where biological kinship was confirmed. However, there can be cases where, after carrying out the genetic analyses, it is confirmed that certain individuals are not genetically related. In such cases, an adoption case cannot be ruled out. These cases are not easy to identify due to the differences between societies and cultures, so more in-depth studies should be carried out on the type of funeral practice in which these human remains are found to be able to discriminate an adopted individual from one who was not adopted. Therefore, the study of adoption should be carried out based on an in-depth knowledge of the cultural background, before using a powerful tool such as ancient DNA technology.
Genome-Wide Identification, Characterization and Expression Profiling of the CONSTANS-like Genes in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)
Authors: Li Ruining , Li Ting , Wu Xiang , Yao Xuyang , Ai Hao , Zhang Yingjie , Gan Zhicheng , Huang Xianzhong
Published: May 2023

CONSTANS-like (COL) genes play important regulatory roles in flowering, tuber formation and the development of the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). However, the COL gene family in S. tuberosum has not been systematically identified, restricting our knowledge of the function of these genes in S. tuberosum. In our study, we identified 14 COL genes, which were unequally distributed among eight chromosomes. These genes were classified into three groups based on differences in gene structure characteristics. The COL proteins of S. tuberosum and Solanum lycopersicum were closely related and showed high levels of similarity in a phylogenetic tree. Gene and protein structure analysis revealed similarities in the exon–intron structure and length, as well as the motif structure of COL proteins in the same subgroup. We identified 17 orthologous COL gene pairs between S. tuberosum and S. lycopersicum. Selection pressure analysis showed that the evolution rate of COL homologs is controlled by purification selection in Arabidopsis, S. tuberosum and S. lycopersicum. StCOL genes showed different tissue-specific expression patterns. StCOL5 and StCOL8 were highly expressed specifically in the leaves of plantlets. StCOL6, StCOL10 and StCOL14 were highly expressed in flowers. Tissue-specific expression characteristics suggest a functional differentiation of StCOL genes during evolution. Cis-element analysis revealed that the StCOL promoters contain several regulatory elements for hormone, light and stress signals. Our results provide a theoretical basis for the understanding of the in-depth mechanism of COL genes in regulating the flowering time and tuber development in S. tuberosum.
Structural Characteristics and Phylogenetic Analysis of the Mitochondrial Genomes of Four Krisna Species (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Iassinae)
Authors: Yang Yanqiong , Wang Jiajia , Dai Renhuai , Wang Xianyi
Published: May 2023

Krisna species are insects that have piercing–sucking mouthparts and belong to the Krisnini tribe in the Iassinae subfamily of leafhoppers in the Cicadellidae family. In this study, we sequenced and compared the mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of four Krisna species. The results showed that all four mitogenomes were composed of cyclic double-stranded molecules and contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) and 22 and 2 genes coding for tRNAs and rRNAs, respectively. Those mitogenomes exhibited similar base composition, gene size, and codon usage patterns for the protein-coding genes. The analysis of the nonsynonymous substitution rate (Ka)/synonymous substitution rate (Ks) showed that evolution occurred the fastest in ND4 and the slowest in COI. 13 PCGs that underwent purification selection were suitable for studying phylogenetic relationships within Krisna. ND2, ND6, and ATP6 had highly variable nucleotide diversity, whereas COI and ND1 exhibited the lowest diversity. Genes or gene regions with high nucleotide diversity can provide potential marker candidates for population genetics and species delimitation in Krisna. Analyses of parity and neutral plots showed that both natural selection and mutation pressure affected the codon usage bias. In the phylogenetic analysis, all subfamilies were restored to a monophyletic group; the Krisnini tribe is monophyletic, and the Krisna genus is paraphyletic. Our study provides novel insights into the significance of the background nucleotide composition and codon usage patterns in the CDSs of the 13 mitochondrial PCGs of the Krisna genome, which could enable the identification of a different gene organization and may be used for accurate phylogenetic analysis of Krisna species.
CAMK2D De Novo Missense Variant in Patient with Syndromic Neurodevelopmental Disorder: A Case Report
Authors: Tolmacheva Ekaterina R. , Shubina Jekaterina , Kochetkova Taisiya O. , Ushakova Lubov’ V. , Bokerija Ekaterina L. , Vasiliev Grigory S. , Mikhaylovskaya Galina V. , Atapina Ekaterina E. , Zaretskaya Nadezhda V. , Sukhikh Gennady T. , Rebrikov Denis V. , Trofimov Dmitriy Yu.
Published: May 2023

Background: Intellectual disability with developmental delay is the most common developmental disorder. However, this diagnosis is rarely associated with congenital cardiomyopathy. In the current report, we present the case of a patient suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy and developmental delay. Methods: Neurological pathology in a newborn was diagnosed immediately after birth, and the acquisition of psychomotor skills lagged behind by 3–4 months during the first year of life. WES analysis of the proband did not reveal a causal variant, so the search was extended to trio. Results: Trio sequencing revealed a de novo missense variant in the CAMK2D gene (p.Arg275His), that is, according to the OMIM database and available literature, not currently associated with any specific inborn disease. The expression of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II delta (CaMKIIδ) protein is known to be increased in the heart tissues from patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. The functional effect of the CaMKIIδ Arg275His mutant was recently reported; however, no specific mechanism of its pathogenicity was proposed. A structural analysis and comparison of available three-dimensional structures of CaMKIIδ confirmed the probable pathogenicity of the observed missense variant. Conclusions: We suggest that the CaMKIIδ Arg275His variant is highly likely the cause of dilated cardiomyopathy and neurodevelopmental disorders.
A Pan-Cancer Analysis of Prognostic and Immunological Roles for Cell Death Genes
Authors: Hong Ye , Yuan Yan , Liu Zekun , Liu Zexian , Zhang Yizhuo
Published: May 2023

The dysregulation of cell death is closely associated with the development, progression, tumor microenvironment (TME), and prognosis of cancer. However, there is no study that comprehensively explores the prognostic and immunological role of cell death in human pan-cancer. We used published human pan-cancer RNA-sequencing and clinical data to explore the prognostic and immunological roles of programmed cell death, which included apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis. A total of 9925 patients were included for bioinformatic analysis, with 6949 and 2976 patients in the training cohort and validation cohort, respectively. Five-hundred and ninety-nine genes were defined as programmed-cell-death-related genes. In the training cohort, 75 genes were identified to define PAGscore by survival analysis. According to the median value of PAGscore, patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups, and subsequent analyses demonstrated that the high-risk group had a higher level of genomic mutation frequency, hypoxia score, immuneScore, expression of immune genes, activity of malignant signaling pathways, and cancer immunity cycle. Most anti-tumor and pro-tumor components of the TME showed greater activity in high-risk patients. Scores of malignant cell properties were also higher in high-risk patients. These findings were confirmed in the validation cohort and external cohort. Our study constructed a reliable gene signature to distinguish prognosis-favorable and prognosis-unfavorable patients and demonstrated that cell death was significantly associated with cancer prognosis and the TME.
Awareness and Perceptions of “Age-Friendly”: Analyzing Survey Results from Voices in the United States
Authors: Dunning Lauren , Ty Diane , Shah Priyanka , McDermott Mac
Published: May 2023

The term “age-friendly” is widely used to describe cities, communities, health systems, and other environments. However, little is known about how this is interpreted or what the term means to the public. To investigate the public’s familiarity with the term and gain insights into its relevance to older adults, we utilized data generated by a survey of 1000+ adults aged 40 and above. We employed a 10-question survey, distributed online in the US from 8 to 17 March 2023 via a third-party vendor, that captured awareness and perceptions of age-friendly designations by exploring awareness of the term, contextual understanding, and influence on decision making. The resultant aggregate data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel and straightforward summary statistical analyses. The majority of respondents (81%) were aware of the term “age-friendly.” Older adults (ages 65+) lagged in the self-described extreme or moderate level of awareness compared to adults aged 40–64. In the surveyed population, the term “age-friendly” was most often understood to apply to communities (57%), followed by health systems (41%) and cities (25%). Most people believed “age-friendly” refers to all ages, even though age-friendly health systems are designed to meet the unique needs of older adults. These survey results provide the age-friendly ecosystem field with insights into the awareness and perceptions of the term “age-friendly,” highlighting opportunities to bolster understanding.
Ensuring Corporate Security and Its Strategic Communication in Healthcare Institutions in Slovenia
Authors: Kubale Valentina , Lobnikar Teja , Gabrovec Branko , Dvojmoč Miha
Published: May 2023

Ensuring corporate security is an essential and critical component of any healthcare facility to provide safe services to its patients and employees. Healthcare facilities must employ a variety of strategies to ensure corporate security. This includes developing a comprehensive communication plan that defines the roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders. The objective of our study was to present the concept of corporate security in healthcare institutions and in the Slovenian healthcare system, to highlight current threats in healthcare institutions in Slovenia, to describe the importance of strategic communication of corporate security in healthcare, and finally to define the current state of corporate security in Slovenian healthcare institutions in Slovenia. A survey was conducted and distributed to healthcare institutions in Slovenia to obtain results. A total of 154 healthcare stakeholders participated in our study. The results showed that corporate security is present in Slovenian healthcare facilities, but additional efforts are needed to improve it, especially considering the current challenges related to the measures taken after the COVID-19 epidemic and the shortage of healthcare personnel. The legal processes of corporate security in healthcare facilities comply with applicable laws and regulations to protect the interests of their patients and employees. Operational security processes are currently provided primarily by internal providers. There is a need for improvement, particularly in the training and education of staff, who play the most important role in ensuring safety. To effectively establish comprehensive corporate security, strategic communication with all stakeholders is essential to ensure that their security policies and procedures are properly implemented.
Lower Limb Unilateral and Bilateral Strength Asymmetry in High-Level Male Senior and Professional Football Players
Authors: Espada Mário C. , Jardim Marco , Assunção Rafael , Estaca Alexandre , Ferreira Cátia C. , Pessôa Filho Dalton M. , Verardi Carlos E. L. , Gamonales José M. , Santos Fernando J.
Published: May 2023

This study sought to assess the relationship between different jumping asymmetries and associated performance variables in high-level male senior and professional football players. Nineteen football players with at least 12 years of training experience (23.2 ± 3.1 years of age; 75.2 ± 4.8 kg of body mass and 181 ± 0.06 cm of height) participated in this study performing countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), single-leg CMJ and drop jump (DJ), associated performance variable eccentric utilization ratio (EUR), stretch-shortening cycle (SSC), bilateral deficit (BLD), and limb symmetry index (LSI) were determined. High correlations were observed between different methodologies of jump tests and associated performance indicators (SSC, BLD, EUR), except LSI. Moreover, CMJ and SJ results were different (p < 0.05), but no differences were found between interlimb in CMJ (p = 0.19) and DJ (p = 0.14). Between the same limbs and different jumps differences were detected in CMJ and DJ (p < 0.01), and it has also been found that the laterality effect size on strength was small in CMJ (ES = 0.30) and DJ (ES = 0.35). LSI between CMJ and DJ was not different despite higher mean values in CMJ, and although mean BLD was positive (>100%), the results highlight the need for individual evaluation since eight players scored negatively. An in-depth and accurate analysis of performance in preseason screening jump tests should be considered, aiming to detect injury risk, specifically evaluating different jumping test methodologies, and determining jumping associated performance variables for each test, namely EUR, SSC, BLD, and LSI. Specific muscle-strengthening exercises could be implemented based on this study results and outcomes, aiming to reduce injury risks and lower extremity asymmetries and to enhance individual football performance in high-level male senior and professional football players. Sports institutions should pay special attention regarding potential health problems in athletes exposed to daily high training loads.
The Perceptions of Women with Gynecological Cancer after Radiotherapy Treatment: A Gender-Based Qualitative Study
Authors: Uceda-Escobar Alicia , Guerra-Martín María Dolores , Botello-Hermosa Alicia
Published: May 2023

Gynecological cancer is on the rise and radiotherapy is resorted to for its treatment, which affects the patients. This study was conducted following qualitative methodology to analyze women’s gender-based perceptions. The data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews. Five categories were defined: 1. feelings; 2. daily living activities; 3. role in the couple/family; 4. coping; and 5. knowledge and uncertainties. There was one emerging category: embarrassment and effects of toxicity. The qualitative data analysis was performed in Nudist NVivo V.11. It was concluded that the patients presented both positive and negative feelings, there were limitations to their daily living activities, their role in the couple/family was affected, they faced problems with resignation, emotional avoidance, and spirituality, they mostly stated having incomplete information, and they underwent uncomfortable situations due to the secondary effects of radiotherapy.