bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soar into STEMed: Examining the Impact of a Service-Learning Internship on a Pre-Service Teacher’s Conceptions of Culturally Responsive Teaching
Authors: Smith Erin , Kayser Christy , Wallace Maria , Bosnake Alexis
Published: May 2023

Teachers’ self-efficacy and beliefs about culturally responsive teaching are intricately intertwined with their practice and influence the ways they interact with children and families in and outside the classroom. To understand how participation in a service-learning internship (i.e., Soar into STEMed) focused on promoting science and mathematics content knowledge, self-efficacy, and conceptions about culturally responsive pedagogies, we examined pre- and post-survey responses to the Culturally Responsive Teaching Self-Efficacy (CRTSE) and Culturally Responsive Teaching Expectancy (CRTOE) scales and written reflections for one pre-service teacher, Alexis. The findings indicated that Alexis’ self-efficacy and outcome expectancy beliefs declined across the internship, yet remained relatively high. Alexis’ reflections further indicated an ability to identify and implement responsive teaching practices, though many fell short of being considered culturally responsive. The findings also demonstrated that the CRTSE and CRTOE scales were unable to capture all of the teaching activities that occurred in informal settings. Consequently, this study illustrates that Alexis’ participation alone in the internship was insufficient in growing her conceptions of culturally responsive teaching, and more targeted and directed activities are necessary. Moreover, instruments that can more accurately assess pre-service teachers’ self-efficacy and outcome expectancy beliefs regarding culturally responsive teaching across contexts is needed.
Bidirectional Charging for BEVs with Reconfigurable Battery Systems via a Grid-Parallel Proportional-Resonant Controller
Authors: Buberger Johannes , Hohenegger Michael , Estaller Julian , Wiedenmann Andreas , Grupp Wolfgang , Bliemetsrieder Wolfgang , Kuder Manuel , Lesnicar Anton , Weyh Thomas
Published: May 2023

This paper investigates the potential of bidirectional charging using modular multilevel inverter-based reconfigurable battery systems via grid-parallel control. The system offers several advantages such as modularity, scalability, and fault-tolerance over conventional battery electric vehicle systems. It is designed for seamless integration with the grid, allowing bidirectional power flow and efficient energy storage. Within this study, the battery system is first simulated in Matlab/Simulink and later implemented into a hardware setup. Eventually, the simulation results and the measurements have been compared and evaluated. Thereby, startup sequences and constant current scenarios were investigated. It has been shown that the system is fully capable to charge and discharge the batteries in the grid-parallel connection, thus enabling bidirectional charging with close to full drive system power. The current total harmonic distortion complies with grid regulations and can potentially improve the grid quality. The proposed system offers significant potential for grid-integrated energy storage systems, addressing the challenges associated with renewable energy integration, grid stability, and energy management. In comparison to other publications on this topic, the proposed approach does not need additional dedicated power electronic hardware and has more degrees of freedom for current control.
Special Issue “Metamaterials and Metasurfaces”
Authors: Ojaroudi Parchin Naser , Ojaroudi Mohammad , Abd-Alhameed Raed A.
Published: May 2023

Metamaterials and metasurfaces have emerged as promising technologies in the field of antennas and wireless applications [...]
Study on the Mechanism of Surrounding Rock Deformation and Its Control for Roof Cutting Retained Gob-Side Entry in Close-Distance Coal Seams Co-Mining
Authors: Yang Yongkang , Xu Xuecong , Wang Chenlong
Published: May 2023

Sustainable development in coal mining requires a continuous and efficient method of coal extraction. Research shows that gob-side entries retained through roof cutting retained gob-side (RCGE) are vital for improving mining efficiency, enhancing coal recovery rates, and enabling continuous production. However, the mechanism of surrounding rock deformation during close-distance co-mining of coal seams with this technique is not yet clear. For the Jiaokou coal mine in China, due to an unreasonable stagger distance between upper and lower working faces, the gob-side entries retained at the 9102 tailgate and 10102 headgate experience severe rock pressure, leading to significant prop damage and a sharp reduction in the cross-section of the entry. This greatly hampers the reuse of these entries. To investigate this issue, we established a model to study the stress distribution of surrounding rocks at different stagger distances (20 m, 40 m, 60 m, 80 m, and 120 m) through numerical simulation and optimized the support parameters for the retained entries. Our research found that when the subsidence of the roof in the upper coal seam exceeds 0.74 m but is less than 1.33 m, there is sliding instability in the mining body. When the subsidence exceeds 1.33 m, the mining body will rotate and deform, causing significant mining pressure within the retained entry. A stagger distance of 40 m between the upper and lower working faces can reduce pressure on the face during the mining of the lower coal seam. Extensive field measurements of rock pressure revealed that the damage rate of the single column in the gob-side entries of the upper and lower coal seams does not exceed 5% and 1%, respectively. In summary, this study provides a practical method to reduce damage to entries during the mining process, thereby increasing the continuous production capability of the coal mine. This is critical for the sustainable development of coal mining.
Review of Recent Advances in the Physiology of the Regulation of Cellulase and Xylanase Production by Basidiomycetes
Authors: Elisashvili Vladimir , Metreveli Eka , Khardziani Tamar , Sokhadze Kakha , Kobakhidze Aza , Kachlishvili Eva
Published: May 2023

The potential of wood-rotting and litter-deconstructing basidiomycetes to convert lignocellulose into a wide variety of products has been extensively studied. In particular, wood-rotting basidiomycete secretomes are attracting much attention from researchers and biotechnology companies due to their ability to produce extracellular hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes that effectively degrade cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin of plant biomass. An analysis of the available literature data shows that Basidiomycota fungi, which are most adapted to the depolymerization of plant polysaccharides, are promising but so far unexploited sources of new hydrolytic enzymes. The review summarizes the latest data on the great variety, common features, and unique properties of individual fungi and the production of cellulases and xylanases by various physiological and ecological groups of basidiomycetes. The most important microbial cellulase-producing strains for submerged and solid-phase fermentation, as well as the main substrates, including the use of agro-industrial waste, are considered. It highlights ways to increase both cellulase and xylanase expression levels and the cost-effectiveness of producing these enzymes for various biotechnological applications. It is anticipated that this review will be particularly useful to novice scientists working in the lignocellulose biorefinery, as it describes current knowledge and issues related to the production and regulation of polysaccharide hydrolyzing enzyme synthesis.
Density Estimation by Drilling Resistance Technique to Determine the Dynamic Modulus of Elasticity of Wooden Members in Historic Structures
Authors: Brunetti Michele , Aminti Giovanni , Vicario Margherita , Nocetti Michela
Published: May 2023

(1) The assessment of the mechanical properties of old timber is essential for the proper maintenance of wooden structures. (2) Among the non-destructive properties, the dynamic modulus of elasticity is one of the best predictors of the mechanical characteristics of the members, but it requires the determination of wood density to be determined. (3) Thus, wood density was estimated by drilling resistance measurements, developing species-specific prediction equations for silver fir, chestnut and poplar. (4) The estimated density was combined with the stress wave velocity propagating longitudinally through the wooden piece, and the dynamic modulus of elasticity was calculated. (5) Medium-high coefficient determinations (R2 from 0.79 to 0.94) were found for density estimation, and medium coefficient determinations (R2 from 0.53 to 0.60) were found for the estimation of the static modulus of elasticity using the dynamic modulus.
Effect of Nitrogen Addition to the Soil on Atlantic Forest Tree Seedlings
Authors: Bardy Lara Raposo , Debiasi Tatiane Viegas , Sanada Karina , Rondina Artur Berbel Lirio , Torezan José Marcelo Domingues , Stolf-Moreira Renata , Bianchini Edmilson , Pimenta José Antonio , Oliveira Halley Caixeta
Published: May 2023

The input of large amounts of fertilizers in agricultural areas may result in nitrogen (N) leakage to nearby forest fragments, which can impact the physiology and growth of trees. The current study aimed to assess the effects of soil N addition on seedlings of four tree species in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest: Croton floribundus and Astronium graveolens (pioneer), Guarea kunthiana and Aspidosperma polyneuron (non-pioneer). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse condition with three treatments: reference (soil without addition of nutrients), N addition (N: soil with addition of ammoniacal-N), and complete (C: soil with addition of ammoniacal-N and other macro and micronutrients). Croton floribundus seedlings presented higher shoot growth with N addition, mainly in treatment C, and only this treatment increased net photosynthesis. There was great variation in the metabolic responses induced by treatments N and C, with accumulation of nitrate in the leaves and xylem sap only in seedlings in treatment N. In A. graveolens, there was a decrease in transpiration in response to treatments N and C. However, water use efficiency, leaf area, and dry mass increased only in seedlings subjected to treatment C. Regarding metabolic parameters, A. graveolens was little responsive to the treatments. In G. kunthiana seedlings, the treatments decreased net photosynthesis and increased leaf total N. Only treatment N led to decreased stem dry mass and increased nitrate contents in leaves and xylem sap. Aspidosperma polyneuron exhibited no change in growth, but there was an accumulation of N compounds in the leaves for both treatments N and C, which suggests that this species could be a good bioindicator of N addition to the soil. Although influencing different parameters, the results indicate that soil N addition affects the performance of both pioneer and non-pioneer species. Finally, the implications of these results for biomonitoring of N availability in the soil of forest fragments are discussed.
Efficacy of Fungus Comb Extracts Isolated from Indo-Malayan Termite Mounds in Controlling Wood-Decaying Fungi
Authors: Nandika Dodi , Arinana Arinana , Karlinasari Lina , Batubara Irmanida , Santoso Djoko , Witasari Lucia Dhiantika , Rachmayanti Yanti , Firmansyah Dikhi , Sudiana I Ketut , Hertanto Decsa Medika , Hadi Yusuf Sudo , Rahman Mohamad Miftah
Published: May 2023

The authors have recently investigated the chemical components and bioactivity of fungus comb from Macrotermes gilvus Hagen mounds. The ethyl acetate, methanol, and water extracts of the fungus comb contained active compounds which are preventing the growth of Aspergillus foeti-dus, one of the most economically important wood-staining fungi in Indonesia. In this present study, the bioactivity of the fungus comb extracts was examined against the white-rot fungus Schizophyllum commune Fr. For the purpose of generating a realistic in-service type of environment, the extracts were evaluated according to modified EN-113 after impregnated into wood samples by the vacuum-pressure method, following in-vitro antimicrobial susceptibility test. The results showed that ethyl acetate extract at concentrations ranging from 2 to 6% and methanol extract at a concentration of 6% presented high bioactivity against S. commune. This result was established through optical microscopy images, which demonstrated the absence of fungal mycelia in the vessels of wood samples treated with EtOAc extract at concentrations of 2%, 4%, and 6%, as well as MeOH extract with a concentration of 6%. The toxic values of the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were determined to be 6.17% and 7.72%, respectively. Based on UPLC-HRMS analysis, azelaic acid, and erucamide were discovered as the dominant components in ethyl acetate extracts, which are anticipated to be the most active compounds. It appears that ethyl acetate extract, as well as methanol extract, can be considered as novel preservative sources for controlling wood-decaying fungi.
Patterns of Forest Species Association in a Broadleaf Forest in Romania
Authors: Palaghianu Ciprian , Coșofreț Cosmin
Published: May 2023

Ecological patterns of species distribution can reveal essential information on the spatial and functional relationship between species or species and their environment. Various approaches can be used to assess species associations, and our study aimed to compare three methods at different scales: the co-occurrence indices for binary presence–absence data, principal component analysis (PCA) on species abundance and point process analysis. Our goal was to gain a deeper understanding of the species’ co-occurrence patterns and notice if the three methods capture roughly the same spatial distribution trends. Our observational study of the analysed sapling community displayed several positive relationships between species (e.g., the association between ash and linden). However, many relationships were inconsistent across different scales. Furthermore, attraction between species was more prevalent than repulsion. Overall, there is a positive association trend, with more relationships being significantly positive across all scales. This trend is consistent with other recent studies of tree–species interaction. Nonetheless, the results suggest that the scale significantly influences spatial patterns of associations. Positive associations tend to be more prevalent on larger scales, while negative associations are more commonly found on smaller scales, regardless of the analysis method used. While the PCA results are less consistent, the point process analysis allowed us to detect more refined patterns of species associations based on the distance of their interaction. In addition, the binary presence–absence analysis provided solid results, with a coarser spatial perspective but with significantly less sampling effort.
The Effect of pH on the Production and Composition of Short- and Medium-Chain Fatty Acids from Food Waste in a Leachate Bed Reactor at Room Temperature
Authors: Radadiya Pooja , Latika Ashika , Fei Xunchang , Lee Jangho , Mishra Saurabh , Hussain Abid
Published: May 2023

This study evaluated the hydrolysis and acidogenesis of food waste at different operating pHs (uncontrolled, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5) in a leachate bed reactor (LBR) at room temperature. LBR operation at pH 6.5–8.5 resulted in a hydrolysis yield of 718–729 g SCOD/kg VSadded, which was statistically (p ≤ 0.05) higher than that obtained at pH 5.5 (577 g SCOD/kg VSadded) and the uncontrolled pH (462 g SCOD/kg VSadded). The hydrolysis rate at pH 6.5 was the highest amongst all the pH values. Stabilization at pH at 6.5 also resulted in a high fatty acid (FA) yield of 643 g CODFA/kg VSadded. Butyrate was the main FA at the pH of 5.5–6.5, while acetate was the main FA at the pH of 7.5–8.5. At the uncontrolled pH, lactate production was the highest, indicating a shift in the microbial community from fatty-acid-producing bacteria to lactate-producing bacteria. The compositions of medium-chain fatty acids, such as caproate, were the highest at pH of 5.5.
Research and Design of a Decentralized Edge-Computing-Assisted LoRa Gateway
Authors: Gao Han , Huang Zhangqin , Zhang Xiaobo , Yang Huapeng
Published: May 2023

As a narrowband communication technology, long-range (LoRa) contributes to the long development of Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The LoRa gateway plays an important role in the IoT transport layer, and security and efficiency are the key issues of the current research. In the centralized working model of IoT systems built by traditional LoRa gateways, all the data generated and reported by end devices are processed and stored in cloud servers, which are susceptible to security issues such as data loss and data falsification. Edge computing (EC), as an innovative approach that brings data processing and storage closer to the endpoints, can create a decentralized security infrastructure for LoRa gateway systems, resulting in an EC-assisted IoT working model. Although this paradigm delivers unique features and an improved quality of service (QoS), installing IoT applications at LoRa gateways with limited computing and memory capabilities presents considerable obstacles. This article proposes the design and implementation of an “EC-assisted LoRa gateway” using edge computing. Our proposed latency-aware algorithm (LAA) can greatly improve the reliability of the network system by using a distributed edge computing network technology that can achieve maintenance operations, such as detection, repair, and replacement of failures of edge nodes in the network. Then, an EC-assisted LoRa gateway prototype was developed on an embedded hardware system. Finally, experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed EC-assisted LoRa gateway. Compared with the conventional LoRa gateway, the proposed edge intelligent LoRa gateway had 41.1% lower bandwidth utilization and handled more end devices, ensuring system availability and IoT network reliability more effectively.
Water Flow Requirements of Post-smolt Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) Reared in Intensive Seawater Flow-through Systems: A Physiological Perspective
Authors: Calabrese Sara , Imsland Albert K. D. , Nilsen Tom Ole , Kolarevic Jelena , Ebbesson Lars O. E. , Hosfeld Camilla Diesen , Fivelstad Sveinung , Pedrosa Cindy , Terjesen Bendik Fyhn , Stefansson Sigurd O. , Takle Harald , Sveier Harald , Mathisen Frode , Handeland Sigurd O.
Published: May 2023

Environmental challenges related to open sea cage production of Atlantic salmon have sparked interest in developing commercial-scale semi-closed sea systems for post-smolt Atlantic salmon (100–1000 g). Determining the mass-specific water flow required by post-smolts will largely influence the design and dimensioning of such systems. In this experiment, post-smolts were exposed to four levels of specific water flow: 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 L kg fish−1 min−1. All treatments involved flow-through seawater with full oxygenation, a salinity of 34‰, and a mean temperature of 9.3 °C. The stocking density was kept stable at 75 kg m−3. Water pH decreased with reduced flow, while partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) and total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) in the water increased. The increase in water CO2 was reflected in the blood with increased pCO2, HCO3−, and decreased Cl− in the lowest water flow treatment (0.2 L kg fish−1 min−1), indicating a typical regulatory response to increased water CO2 over the eight-week experimental period. No negative effects on osmoregulation, external macroscopic welfare, or performance indicators were observed, suggesting that within the time period of this experiment, post-smolts can compensate for reductions in water flow down to 0.2 L kg fish−1 min−1. However, to avoid activating and exhausting potentially energy-costly physiological regulatory mechanisms, it is suggested to keep specific water flow above 0.3 L kg fish−1 min−1 in large-scale operations with semi-closed sea systems at intermediate temperatures.
Changes in Phytochemical Content, Antioxidant Activity, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cudrania tricuspidata Fruits Treated by Roasting
Authors: Ha Si Young , Jung Ji Young , Yang Jae-Kyung
Published: May 2023

The study investigated the antioxidant effects of roasted Cudrania tricuspidata (C. tricuspidata) fruits by comparing them with unroasted C. tricuspidata fruits. The results showed that the roasted C. tricuspidata fruits (150 °C, 120 min) exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity, especially in terms of anti-inflammatory effects, than the unroasted fruits. Interestingly, there is a high correlation between the color of the roasted fruit and the antioxidant activity. Heating disrupts cells and deactivates endogenous oxidative enzymes, leading to an increase in flavonoid content. Moreover, heat treatment may also interfere with plant metabolism, thereby influencing flavonoid content. Moreover, an HPLC analysis of roasted fruits in our study showed that the increase in antioxidant activity was attributed to the increase in flavan-3-ols and phenolic acids in the roasted C. tricuspidata fruits. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time the antioxidant activity and anti-inflammation of roasted C. tricuspidata fruits was studied. The study concluded that roasted C. tricuspidata fruits could be a valuable natural source of antioxidants for various food and medicinal applications.
The Effects of Paddy Cultivation and Microbiota Members on Arsenic Accumulation in Rice Grain
Authors: Ersoy Omeroglu Esra , Bayer Asli , Sudagidan Mert , Ozalp Veli Cengiz , Yasa Ihsan
Published: May 2023

Access to safe food is one of the most important issues. In this context, rice plays a prominent role. Because high levels of arsenic in rice grain are a potential concern for human health, in this study, we determined the amounts of arsenic in water and soil used in the rice development stage, changes in the arsC and mcrA genes using qRT-PCR, and the abundance and diversity (with metabarcoding) of the dominant microbiota. When the rice grain and husk samples were evaluated in terms of arsenic accumulation, the highest values (1.62 ppm) were obtained from areas where groundwater was used as irrigation water, whereas the lowest values (0.21 ppm) occurred in samples from the stream. It was observed that the abundance of the Comamonadaceae family and Limnohabitans genus members was at the highest level in groundwater during grain formation. As rice development progressed, arsenic accumulated in the roots, shoots, and rice grain. Although the highest arsC values were reached in the field where groundwater was used, methane production increased in areas where surface water sources were used. In order to provide arsenic-free rice consumption, the preferred soil, water source, microbiota members, rice type, and anthropogenic inputs for use on agricultural land should be evaluated rigorously.
Effects of Drying Treatments on Nutritional Compositions, Volatile Flavor Compounds, and Bioactive Substances of Broad Beans
Authors: Li Si , Liu Fangwei , Wu Mulan , Li Yuhao , Song Xiaoxiao , Yin Junyi
Published: May 2023

In this study, different drying methods, including hot air drying, sun drying, and freeze drying were employed to dry fresh broad beans. The nutritional composition, volatile organic components and bioactive substances of the dried broad beans were systematically compared. The results indicated significant differences (p < 0.05) in nutritional composition, such as protein and soluble sugar content. Among the 66 identified volatile organic compounds, freeze drying and hot air drying significantly promote the production of alcohols and aldehydes, while sun drying effectively preserves esters. In terms of bioactive substances, broad beans dried by freeze drying exhibit the highest total phenol content as well as the strongest antioxidant capacity and gallic acid, followed by sun drying. The chemometric analysis revealed that the bioactive compounds in broad beans dried by three different methods were primarily composed of flavonoids, organic acids, and amino acids with significant differentiation. Notably, freeze-dried and sun-dried broad beans exhibited a higher concentration of differential substances.
Staphylococcus aureus in the Processing Environment of Cured Meat Products
Authors: Pérez-Boto David , D’Arrigo Matilde , García-Lafuente Ana , Bravo Daniel , Pérez-Baltar Aida , Gaya Pilar , Medina Margarita , Arqués Juan L.
Published: May 2023

The presence of Staphylococcus aureus in six dry-cured meat-processing facilities was investigated. S. aureus was detected in 3.8% of surfaces from five facilities. The occurrence was clearly higher during processing (4.8%) than after cleaning and disinfection (1.4%). Thirty-eight isolates were typified by PFGE and MLST. Eleven sequence types (STs) were defined by MLST. ST30 (32%) and ST12 (24%) were the most abundant. Enterotoxin genes were detected in 53% of isolates. The enterotoxin A gene (sea) was present in all ST30 isolates, seb in one ST1 isolate, and sec in two ST45 isolates. Sixteen isolates harbored the enterotoxin gene cluster (egc) with four variations in the sequence. The toxic shock syndrome toxin gene (tst) was detected in 82% of isolates. Regarding antimicrobial resistance, twelve strains were susceptible to all the antibiotics tested (31.6%). However, 15.8% were resistant to three or more antimicrobials and, therefore, multidrug-resistant. Our results showed that in general, efficient cleaning and disinfection procedures were applied. Nonetheless, the presence of S. aureus with virulence determinants and resistance to antimicrobials, particularly multidrug-resistant MRSA ST398 strains, might represent a potential health hazard for consumers.
Enrichment of Lactoferrin and Immunoglobulin G from Acid Whey by Cross-Flow Filtration
Authors: Ostertag Fabian , Hinrichs Jörg
Published: May 2023

The production of cream cheese, curd, high-protein yogurt, or caseinate results in large amounts of acid whey as a by-product. So far acid whey is often disposed as animal feed or organic fertilizer. However, these approaches ignore the valorization potential that arises from the unique composition of the whey protein fraction. Whey contains the biofunctional proteins lactoferrin and immunoglobulin G, which possess immune-supporting, antibacterial, antiviral, and numerous further health-promoting functions. However, the concentration of these proteins in bovine milk or whey is below a physiologically relevant level. Based on literature research we specified a daily intake of 200 mg lactoferrin as the minimal functional dose. By means of cross-flow ultrafiltration, an attempt was made to increase the concentration of biofunctional proteins. Therefore, a membrane for the selective retention of lactoferrin and immunoglobulin G was identified, and the process parameters were optimized. Finally, a concentration experiment was conducted, whereby the concentration of biofunctional proteins was increased up to factor 30. The biofunctionality was assessed in a microbiological assay. Surprisingly, the antimicrobial growth inhibition of the produced concentrate was even higher than in pure lactoferrin. The presented approach offers a strategy to convert an abundant but underutilized by-product into valuable products for human nutrition.
Third-Generation Snacks Manufactured from Andean Tubers and Tuberous Root Flours: Microwave Expansion Kinetics and Characterization
Authors: Acurio Liliana , Salazar Diego , García-Segovia Purificación , Martínez-Monzó Javier , Igual Marta
Published: May 2023

Andean tubers and tuberous roots have nutritional and medicinal properties transferred through ancestral generations. In this study, we aim to promote cultivation and consumption by developing a snack based on these crops. Corn grits were thoroughly mixed with sweet potato, mashua, and three varieties of oca flour (white, yellow, and red) in an 80:20 ratio, and a single-screw laboratory extruder was utilized to produce third-generation (3G) dried pellets. Microwave expansion was studied, and the dried 3G pellets and expanded snacks were characterized. The microwave expansion curves of the dried 3G pellets were adjusted to the Page, logarithmic, and Midilli–Kucuk models. During the characterization, the influence of the raw material composition was observed in sectional expansion, water content, water activity, water absorption, water solubility, swelling, optical and textural properties, and bioactive compounds. According to global color variation (mixture vs. expanded and dried vs. expanded) and bioactive compound analysis, the mashua suffered little chemical change or nutritional loss during the process. The extrusion process was shown to be an ideal method for manufacturing snacks from Andean tuber flours.
Oxygen as a Possible Technological Adjuvant during the Crushing or the Malaxation Steps, or Both, for the Modulation of the Characteristics of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Authors: Beltrán Maza Gabriel , Gila Beltrán Abraham M. , Herrera María Paz Aguilera , Jiménez Márquez Antonio , Sánchez-Ortiz Araceli
Published: May 2023

In commercial terms, Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is considered an exceptional food with excellent sensory and nutritional quality due to its taste, odor, and bioactive compounds; as such, it is of great health interest. This quality can be affected by the oxidative degradation, both chemical and enzymatic (the activity of oxidative, endogenous enzymes from the polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase olive fruit type), of essential components during the extraction and conservation of EVOO. In the bibliography, oxygen reduction during the malaxation process and oil storage has been studied in different ways. However, research concerning oxygen reduction in the crushing of the olive fruit or the malaxation of the paste, or both, in the “real extraction condition” is scarce. Oxygen reduction has been compared to control conditions (the concentration of atmospheric oxygen (21%)). Batches of 200 kg of the olive fruit, ‘Picual’ cultivar, were used and the following treatments were applied: Control (21% O2 Mill–21% O2 Mixer), “IC-NM”: Inerted crushing -Normal malaxation (6.25% O2 Mill-21% O2 Mixer), “NC-IM”: Normal crushing-Inerted malaxation (21% O2 Mill-4.39% O2 Mixer) and “IC-IM”: Inerted crushing -Inerted malaxation (5.5% O2 Mill-10.5% O2 Mixer). The parameters of commercial quality covered by regulation (free acidity, peroxide value and absorbency in ultra-violet (K232 and K270)) did not suffer any change concerning the control, and so the oils belong to the commercial category of “Extra Virgin Olive Oil”. The phenolic compounds of the olives involved in the distinctive bitter and pungent taste, health properties, and oxidative stability are increased with the downsizing amounts of oxygen in the IC-NM, NC-IM, and IC-IM treatments with an average of 4, 10, and 20%, respectively. In contrast, the total amount of volatile compounds decreases by 10–20% in all oxygen reduction treatments. The volatile compounds arising from the lipoxygenase pathway, which are responsible for the green and fruity notes of EVOO, also decreased in concentration with the treatments by 15–20%. The results show how oxygen reduction in the milling and malaxation stages of olive fruit can modulate the content of phenols, volatile compounds, carotenoids, and chlorophyll pigments in the EVOO to avoid the degradation of the compound with sensorial and nutritional interest.
Comparative Study on Nutritional Characteristics and Volatile Flavor Substances of Yak Milk in Different Regions of Gannan
Authors: Yang Guowu , Zhang Juanxiang , Dai Rongfeng , Ma Xiaoyong , Huang Chun , Ren Wenwen , Ma Xiaoming , Lu Jianwei , Zhao Xue , Renqing Ji , Zha Lao , Guo Xian , Chu Min , La Yongfu , Bao Pengjia , Liang Chunnian
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to investigate the nutritional properties of yak milk in various areas of Gannan. The milk composition analyzer, automatic amino acid analyzer, and flavor analyzer were used to detect the conventional nutrients, amino acids, and volatile flavor substances of 249 yak milks in Meiren grassland, Xiahe grassland, and Maqu grassland (hereinafter referred to as Meiren yak, Xiahe yak, and Maqu yak) in the Gannan area. The results showed that the fat content of Meiren yak milk was significantly higher than that of Maqu yak and Xiahe yak (p < 0.05). The protein content of Meiren yak milk was significantly higher than that of Xiahe yak (p < 0.05), but not significantly different from that of Maqu yak (p > 0.05). The casein content in the milk of Maqu yak was significantly higher than that of Meiren yak and Xiahe yak (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the lactose content of yak milk in the three regions (p > 0.05). The content of glutamic acid in the milk of Meiren yak, Xiahe yak, and Maqu yak was noticeably high, which was 1.03 g/100 g, 1.07 g/100 g, and 1.10 g/100 g, respectively. The total amino acid (TAA) content was 4.78 g/100 g, 4.87 g/100 g, and 5.0 g/100 g, respectively. The ratios of essential amino acids (EAA) and total amino acids (TAA) in the milk of Meiren yak, Xiahe yak, and Maqu yak were 42.26%, 41.27%, and 41.39%, respectively, and the ratios of essential amino acids (EAA) and nonessential amino acids (NEAA) were 73.19%, 70.28%, and 70.61%, respectively. In the yak milk samples collected from three different regions, a total of 34 volatile flavor compounds were detected, including 10 aldehydes, five esters, six ketones, four alcohols, two acids, and seven others. The main flavor substances qualitatively obtained from Meiren yak milk were ethyl acetate, n-valeraldehyde, acetic acid, heptanal, and n-hexanal. Xiahe yak milk mainly contains ethyl acetate, isoamyl alcohol, n-valeraldehyde, heptanal, and ethyl butyrate. Maqu yak milk mainly contains ethyl acetate, n-valeraldehyde, isoamyl alcohol, heptanal, ethyl butyrate, and n-hexanal. Principal component analysis showed that the flavor difference between Xiahe yak and Maqu yak was small, while the flavor difference between Xiahe yak, Maqu yak, and Meiren yak was large. The findings of this research can serve as a foundation for the future advancement and application of yak milk.
Existence in the Large for Caputo Fractional Multi-Order Systems with Initial Conditions
Authors: Denton Zachary , Vatsala Aghalaya S.
Published: May 2023

One of the key applications of the Caputo fractional derivative is that the fractional order of the derivative can be utilized as a parameter to improve the mathematical model by comparing it to real data. To do so, we must first establish that the solution to the fractional dynamic equations exists and is unique on its interval of existence. The vast majority of existence and uniqueness results available in the literature, including Picard’s method, for ordinary and/or fractional dynamic equations will result in only local existence results. In this work, we generalize Picard’s method to obtain the existence and uniqueness of the solution of the nonlinear multi-order Caputo derivative system with initial conditions, on the interval where the solution is bounded. The challenge presented to establish our main result is in developing a generalized form of the Mittag–Leffler function that will cooperate with all the different fractional derivative orders involved in the multi-order nonlinear Caputo fractional differential system. In our work, we have developed the generalized Mittag–Leffler function that suffices to establish the generalized Picard’s method for the nonlinear multi-order system. As a result, we have obtained the existence and uniqueness of the nonlinear multi-order Caputo derivative system with initial conditions in the large. In short, the solution exists and is unique on the interval where the norm of the solution is bounded. The generalized Picard’s method we have developed is both a theoretical and a computational method of computing the unique solution on the interval of its existence.
Breast Cancer with Brain Metastasis: Molecular Insights and Clinical Management
Authors: Ivanova Mariia , Porta Francesca Maria , Giugliano Federica , Frascarelli Chiara , Sajjadi Elham , Venetis Konstantinos , Cursano Giulia , Mazzarol Giovanni , Guerini-Rocco Elena , Curigliano Giuseppe , Criscitiello Carmen , Fusco Nicola
Published: May 2023

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy worldwide and the leading cause of cancer-related death among women. Brain metastases are a primary contributor to mortality, as they often go undetected until late stages due to their dormant nature. Moreover, the clinical management of brain metastases is complicated by the relevant issue of blood-brain barrier penetration. The molecular pathways involved in the formation, progression, and colonization of primary breast tumors and subsequent brain metastases are diverse, posing significant hurdles due to the heterogeneous nature of breast cancer subtypes. Despite advancements in primary breast cancer treatments, the prognosis for patients with brain metastases remains poor. In this review, we aim to highlight the biological mechanisms of breast cancer brain metastases by evaluating multi-step genetic pathways and to discuss currently available and emerging treatment strategies to propose a prospective overview of the management of this complex disease.
Identification of a Comprehensive Gene Co-Expression Network Associated with Autotetraploid Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Development Using WGCNA Analysis
Authors: Li Zhimin , Wang Juan , Wang Jiayin
Published: May 2023

The formation and development of potato tissues and organs is a complex process regulated by a variety of genes and environmental factors. The regulatory mechanisms underlying the growth and development are still unclear. In this work, we aimed to explore the changes in gene expression patterns and genetic characteristics of potato tissues throughout different developmental stages. To achieve this, we used autotetraploid potato JC14 as an experimental subject to analyze the transcriptome of the root, stem, and leaf at the seedling, tuber formation, and tuber expansion stages. The results revealed thousands of differentially expressed genes, predominantly involved in defense response and carbohydrate metabolism according to KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed a total of 12 co-expressed gene modules, with 4 modules showing the highest correlation with potato stem development. By calculating the connectivity of genes within the module, hub genes were identified, and functional annotations were subsequently performed. A total of 40 hub genes from the four modules were identified, and their functions were found to be related to carbohydrate metabolism, defense response, and transcription factors. These findings provide important insights for further understanding of the molecular regulation and genetic mechanisms involved in potato tissue development.
An Overview of Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Authors: Kassie Fentanesh C. , Nguepjop Joël R. , Ngalle Hermine B. , Assaha Dekoum V. M. , Gessese Mesfin K. , Abtew Wosene G. , Tossim Hodo-Abalo , Sambou Aissatou , Seye Maguette , Rami Jean-François , Fonceka Daniel , Bell Joseph M.
Published: May 2023

Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) mapping has been thoroughly used in peanut genetics and breeding in spite of the narrow genetic diversity and the segmental tetraploid nature of the cultivated species. QTL mapping is helpful for identifying the genomic regions that contribute to traits, for estimating the extent of variation and the genetic action (i.e., additive, dominant, or epistatic) underlying this variation, and for pinpointing genetic correlations between traits. The aim of this paper is to review the recently published studies on QTL mapping with a particular emphasis on mapping populations used as well as traits related to kernel quality. We found that several populations have been used for QTL mapping including interspecific populations developed from crosses between synthetic tetraploids and elite varieties. Those populations allowed the broadening of the genetic base of cultivated peanut and helped with the mapping of QTL and identifying beneficial wild alleles for economically important traits. Furthermore, only a few studies reported QTL related to kernel quality. The main quality traits for which QTL have been mapped include oil and protein content as well as fatty acid compositions. QTL for other agronomic traits have also been reported. Among the 1261 QTL reported in this review, and extracted from the most relevant studies on QTL mapping in peanut, 413 (~33%) were related to kernel quality showing the importance of quality in peanut genetics and breeding. Exploiting the QTL information could accelerate breeding to develop highly nutritious superior cultivars in the face of climate change.
Classification of Acute Myeloid Leukemia by Cell-Free DNA 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine
Authors: Shao Jianming , Shah Shilpan , Ganguly Siddhartha , Zu Youli , He Chuan , Li Zejuan
Published: May 2023

Epigenetic abnormality is a hallmark of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and aberrant 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) levels are commonly observed in AML patients. As epigenetic subgroups of AML correlate with different clinical outcomes, we investigated whether plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) 5hmC could categorize AML patients into subtypes. We profiled the genome-wide landscape of 5hmC in plasma cfDNA from 54 AML patients. Using an unbiased clustering approach, we found that 5hmC levels in genomic regions with a histone mark H3K4me3 classified AML samples into three distinct clusters that were significantly associated with leukemia burden and survival. Cluster 3 showed the highest leukemia burden, the shortest overall survival of patients, and the lowest 5hmC levels in the TET2 promoter. 5hmC levels in the TET2 promoter could represent TET2 activity resulting from mutations in DNA demethylation genes and other factors. The novel genes and key signaling pathways associated with aberrant 5hmC patterns could add to our understanding of DNA hydroxymethylation and highlight the potential therapeutic targets in AML. Our results identify a novel 5hmC-based AML classification system and further underscore cfDNA 5hmC as a highly sensitive marker for AML.
Assessing Rainfall Variability in Jamaica Using CHIRPS: Techniques and Measures for Persistence, Long and Short-Term Trends
Authors: Avalon Cullen Cheila , Al Suhili Rafea
Published: May 2023

Jamaica, as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), is highly vulnerable to weather extremes. As precipitation persistence is a critical factor in determining the susceptibility of an area to risks, this work assesses the spatial and temporal variations of rainfall persistence in Jamaica from 1981 to 2020, using satellite-based information. The Hurst exponent (H) and the serial correlation coefficient (SCC) are used to evaluate the long-term persistence of precipitation and the Persistence Threshold (PT) concept is introduced to provide a description of rainfall characteristics over short periods, specifically, the number of consecutive days with precipitation above or below a set threshold value. The PT method is a novel concept that expands upon the Consecutive Dry Days (CDD) and Consecutive Wet Days (CWD) methods that only consider a threshold of 1 mm. Results show notable temporal and spatial variations in persistence over the decades, with an overall increasing trend in high precipitation persistence and a decreasing trend in low precipitation persistence. Geographically, the northern mountainous area of Jamaica received the most persistent rainfall over the study period with an observed increase in extreme rainfall events. The excess rainfall of the 2001–2010 decade is remarkable in this study, coinciding with the global unprecedented climate extremes during this time. We conclude that the data used in this study is viable for understanding and modeling rainfall trends in SIDS like Jamaica, and the derived PT method is a useful tool for short-term rainfall trends, but it is just one step toward determining flood or drought risk. Further research will focus on developing drought and flood indices.
Detection of Pneumonia from Chest X-ray Images Utilizing MobileNet Model
Authors: Reshan Mana Saleh Al , Gill Kanwarpartap Singh , Anand Vatsala , Gupta Sheifali , Alshahrani Hani , Sulaiman Adel , Shaikh Asadullah
Published: May 2023

Pneumonia has been directly responsible for a huge number of deaths all across the globe. Pneumonia shares visual features with other respiratory diseases, such as tuberculosis, which can make it difficult to distinguish between them. Moreover, there is significant variability in the way chest X-ray images are acquired and processed, which can impact the quality and consistency of the images. This can make it challenging to develop robust algorithms that can accurately identify pneumonia in all types of images. Hence, there is a need to develop robust, data-driven algorithms that are trained on large, high-quality datasets and validated using a range of imaging techniques and expert radiological analysis. In this research, a deep-learning-based model is demonstrated for differentiating between normal and severe cases of pneumonia. This complete proposed system has a total of eight pre-trained models, namely, ResNet50, ResNet152V2, DenseNet121, DenseNet201, Xception, VGG16, EfficientNet, and MobileNet. These eight pre-trained models were simulated on two datasets having 5856 images and 112,120 images of chest X-rays. The best accuracy is obtained on the MobileNet model with values of 94.23% and 93.75% on two different datasets. Key hyperparameters including batch sizes, number of epochs, and different optimizers have all been considered during comparative interpretation of these models to determine the most appropriate model.
Understanding the Relationship between Distress Behaviour and Health Status of People with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Koceski Antonio , Smith Callum J. , Syed Yasir Ahmed , Trajkovski Vladimir
Published: May 2023

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is associated with complex distress and challenging behaviours that have a negative impact on the everyday life of those with ASD, as well as their parents and carers. These challenging behaviours include negative emotional behaviours, motor behaviours, and changes in routines. Even though challenging behaviours occur in most subjects with ASD, the cause of these largely remains unknown. It has been implicated that these challenging behaviours are associated with a change in the health of those with ASD. More research needs to be conducted that can establish a direct association. Towards this goal, the present study aimed to explore whether health status had an impact on the distressing behaviour in the subjects diagnosed with ASD. We analysed the response from the parents/carers in a Macedonian population of those with ASD, to determine which challenging behaviours were most likely to be observed during a change in health. Based on a scoring system, the manifestation of challenging behaviour was evaluated and compared with the changes in health. Changes in appetite or dietary preferences, irritability and low mood, and loss of previously acquired skills had the greatest association with a change in health. These findings provide early insight into types of challenging behaviours that are directly associated with a change in health. Our results demonstrate a relationship between health status and challenging behaviour in the subject with autism, suggesting that caregivers may need to consider this when choosing strategies for managing challenging behaviour.