bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aspects of Reaction Engineering for Biodiesel Production
Authors: Larimi Afsanehsadat , Harvey Adam P. , Phan Anh N. , Beshtar Mehdi , Wilson Karen , Lee Adam F.
Published: October 2024

Biodiesel is a non-toxic, drop-in liquid transportation fuel that is amenable to continuous production from sustainable biomass resources using catalytic technologies. A diverse range of catalysts and reactor technologies have been experimentally investigated and computationally modelled, for producing biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters) from oil feedstocks by their esterification or transesterification with short-chain alcohols. Solid-acid and base catalysts are attractive for biodiesel production from renewable oil feedstocks due to their ease of separation from the desired biodiesel and glycerol by-product, use of Earth’s abundant elements, and suitability in continuous processes. Here, we review the technical challenges and opportunities in designing catalytic reactor systems for biodiesel production.
Reply to Gijon-Nogueron, G. Comment on “Alfageme-Garcia et al. Respectful Children’s Shoes: A Systematic Review. Children 2024, 11, 761”
Authors: Alfageme-García Pilar , Hidalgo-Ruiz Sonia , Rico-Martín Sergio , Calderón-García Julián Fernando , Jimenez-Cano Víctor Manuel , Morán-Cortés Juan Francisco , Basilio-Fernández Belinda
Published: October 2024

After a hard effort to carry out this research, we are pleased to know that it causes great interest in society and in science [...]
Characterization of Mechanical Properties and Surface Wettability of Epoxy Resin/Benzoxazine Composites in a Simulated Acid Rain Environment
Authors: Narongdej Poom , Gomez Riley , Tseng Daniel , Barjasteh Ehsan , Moghtadernejad Sara
Published: October 2024

Despite the robustness of thermosetting coatings in various applications, prolonged exposure to acidic environments can cause gradual deterioration, leading to structural or functional damage. This study investigates composite materials comprised of cycloaliphatic epoxy resin (CER) and benzoxazine (BZ) at three different weight ratios: 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100. These composites were exposed to nitric acid, simulating acid rain, for durations ranging from 1 to 5 h. The specimens were characterized for weight change, mechanical properties (flexural strength and short beam strength), and surface properties (contact angle and contact angle hysteresis). Although minimal changes in the physical and mechanical properties of both homopolymer and copolymer composites were detected after short acid exposure (up to 5 h), surface wettability analysis via static contact angle and contact angle hysteresis revealed more pronounced deterioration. The static contact angle decreased by 24.96% and 28.32% for homopolymer BZ and copolymer BZ-CER composites, respectively. Contact angle hysteresis increased by 19.39% and 27.80% for 5 h acid-exposed homopolymer BZ and copolymer CER, respectively. This study underscores the utility of surface wettability analysis as a valuable tool for monitoring deterioration from acidic aging in polymers, particularly in BZ-CER systems used in structural and high-performance applications.
Technical Innovations and Social Implications: Mapping Global Research Focus in AI, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, and Privacy
Authors: Bran Emanuela , Rughiniș Răzvan , Țurcanu Dinu , Nadoleanu Gheorghe
Published: October 2024

This study examines the balance between technical and social focus in artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, and privacy publications in Web of Science across countries, exploring the social factors that influence these research priorities. We use regression analysis to identify predictors of research focus and cluster analysis to reveal patterns across countries, combining these methods to provide a broader view of global research priorities. Our findings reveal that liberal democracy index, life expectancy, and happiness are significant predictors of research focus, while traditional indicators like education and income show weaker relationships. This unexpected result challenges conventional assumptions about the drivers of research priorities in digital technologies. The study identifies distinct clusters of countries with similar patterns of research focus across the four technologies, revealing previously unrecognized global typologies. Notably, more democratic societies tend to emphasize social implications of technologies, while some rapidly developing countries focus more on technical aspects. These findings suggest that political and social factors may play a larger role in shaping research agendas than previously thought, necessitating a re-evaluation of how we understand and predict research focus in rapidly evolving technological fields. The study provides valuable information for policymakers and researchers, informing strategies for technological development and international collaboration in an increasingly digital world.
Clinical and Video-Oculographic Characteristics of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 27B (GAA-FGF14 Ataxia): A Single-Center Retrospective Study
Authors: Nuzhnyi Evgenii , Abramycheva Natalia , Protsenko Arina , Belyakova-Bodina Alexandra , Larina Ekaterina , Fedotova Ekaterina , Klyushnikov Sergey , Illarioshkin Sergey
Published: October 2024

An intronic GAA repeat expansion in the FGF14 gene was recently identified as a common cause of autosomal dominant GAA-FGF14 ataxia (SCA27B). We aimed to characterize in detail the clinical and video-oculographic features in our cohort of SCA27B patients. We genotyped the FGF14 GAA repeat expansion in 52 patients with unsolved late-onset cerebellar ataxia. Brain MRI and nerve conduction study, as well as video-oculographic (VOG) assessment, were performed. Eight patients (15.4%) with pathogenic GAA repeat expansion in the FGF14 gene were found. The median age at onset was 51 years (range—23–63 years). Sensory axonal neuropathy was found in 5/8 patients. Cerebellar atrophy was observed in 5/8 patients, and in one case, pontocerebellar atrophy was found. All tested patients had impaired smooth pursuit, 5/6 patients had impaired vestibulo-ocular reflex suppression, nystagmus, and an increased number of square wave jerks, 4/6 patients had horizontal gaze-evoked nystagmus, 3/6 had spontaneous downbeat nystagmus, and 1/6 had an upbeat one. Video head impulse test gain was lower than 0.8 on both sides in 2/4 patients, along with the presence of overt saccades. Further studies in different cohorts are needed to complete the phenotype of the FGF14-related disorders.
Keratoacanthoma versus Squamous-Cell Carcinoma: Histopathological Features and Molecular Markers
Authors: Bahmad Hisham F. , Stoyanov Kalin , Mendez Teresita , Trinh Sally , Terp Kristy , Qian Linda , Alexis John
Published: October 2024

Considerable controversy exists within the field of dermatopathology in differentiating keratoacanthoma (KA) from squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC). KAs are rapidly growing, benign squamous tumors that are typically well differentiated. This controversy stems from the diverging perspectives on the management, classification, and diagnosis of each entity. Many believe that KAs are benign neoplasms in which intervention may be unnecessary since they are self-limiting and resolve on their own. On the other hand, SCC needs to be treated, as it carries significant morbidity and mortality risks. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital to prevent serious consequences of SCC. Nevertheless, KAs may resemble SCC grossly and microscopically. Various ancillary tests, including immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, have been proposed to differentiate between these entities, though mixed patterns of expression can limit the diagnostic utility of these techniques. Research into this topic is ongoing, with newer genetic and molecular findings illuminating the previously difficult-to-understand aspects of KA and increasing our understanding of this entity. In this review, KA and SCC will be compared along the lines of histological features, genetic, immune, and molecular markers, differential diagnosis, and management to clarify the similarities, differences, and misconceptions about both entities.
A Morphological Study of HLA-DR-Immunopositive Cells in Multiple Sclerosis Lesions and Their Implications for Pathogenesis
Authors: Alturkustani Murad , Ang Lee-Cyn
Published: October 2024

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by white matter demyelinating plaques, which can be classified as active, chronic active, or chronic inactive based on the extent of demyelination, cellularity, and inflammation. Microglia and macrophages play a central role in these processes. This study aimed to investigate the morphological characteristics of HLA-DR-immunopositive cells in these plaques to improve our understanding of the roles of these cells in MS plaques. Methods: This study is a retrospective post-mortem histopathological study. We analyzed 90 plaques from 6 MS cases. Of the plaques studied, 77 were grouped into three categories: 28 active, 34 chronic active, and 15 chronic inactive. Additionally, five vacuolated white matter lesions, two axonal degeneration lesions, and six lesions with mixed histological features were included. Six control cases were also examined to assess HLA-DR-immunopositive cell expression across various age groups. The cells were classified based on their morphology into two types: round cells without processes (macrophages) and cells with varying processes and shapes (ramified microglia). Results: Both macrophages and ramified microglia were present in all lesion types, with a focus on identifying the predominant cell type. Of the 28 active plaques, macrophages were the primary cell type in 25 plaques, while ramified microglia predominated in 3. In the center of 49 chronic plaques, scattered ramified microglia were observed in 46, with three plaques showing a predominance of macrophages. Among the 34 chronic active lesions, ramified microglia were the main cell type in the periphery of 32 plaques, with the remaining two predominantly exhibiting macrophages. Conclusions: The predominance of macrophages in active lesions and the presence of scattered ramified microglia in the center of chronic plaques are consistent with the phagocytic role of macrophages. Meanwhile, the prevalence of ramified microglia at the periphery of chronic active lesions suggests a potential protective function in maintaining lesion stability.
Pre-Conception Androgen Levels and Obstetric Outcomes in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
Authors: Orosz Mónika , Borics Fanni , Rátonyi Dávid , Vida Beáta , Csehely Szilvia , Jakab Attila , Lukács Luca , Lampé Rudolf , Deli Tamás
Published: October 2024

Hyperandrogenism is a determining diagnostic factor for PCOS. If pregnancy is conceived, it is considered high-risk due to several potential complications, but the correlation between pre-pregnancy androgen levels and obstetric outcomes is poorly characterized. Objective: To determine if pre-pregnancy serum androgen concentrations and androgen indexes differed when certain obstetric and neonatal outcomes appeared in PCOS. Methods: A single-center, retrospective study was carried out. All patients were treated between 2012 and 2019. A total of 73 patients had all the endocrine and obstetric data available. Pre-pregnancy hormone levels (total testosterone-T, androstenedione-AD, DHEAS (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate), SHBG (sex-hormone-binding globulin), and TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) were collected, and T/SHBG, AD/SHBG, DHEAS/SHBG, T/AD indexes were calculated and compared. Results: When miscarriage was present in the history, significantly elevated pre-pregnancy AD levels were observed. Higher pre-pregnancy AD level was noted in PCOS patients delivering female newborns as compared to males. Additionally, a higher T/AD ratio was associated with subsequent preterm delivery, but significance was lost after age adjustment. Maternal age at delivery had a significant negative correlation with pre-pregnancy DHEAS levels and DHEAS/SHBG ratio. Pre-pregnancy SHBG displayed a significant negative correlation, while pre-pregnancy androgen/SHBG ratios exhibited positive correlations with both birth weight and birth weight percentile. Conclusions: Based on our data, AD and the T/AD ratio emerge as distinctive factors in certain outcomes, implying a potential specific role of altered 17-β-HSD (17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) enzyme activity, possibly influencing offspring outcomes. The pre-pregnancy T/SHBG ratio exhibits a potentially stronger correlation with fetal growth potential compared to SHBG alone. DHEAS and maternal age at delivery are strongly correlated in PCOS patients.
Hybrid Deep Learning Framework for Melanoma Diagnosis Using Dermoscopic Medical Images
Authors: Mateen Muhammad , Hayat Shaukat , Arshad Fizzah , Gu Yeong-Hyeon , Al-antari Mugahed A.
Published: October 2024

Background: Melanoma, or skin cancer, is a dangerous form of cancer that is the major cause of the demise of thousands of people around the world. Methods: In recent years, deep learning has become more popular for analyzing and detecting these medical issues. In this paper, a hybrid deep learning approach has been proposed based on U-Net for image segmentation, Inception-ResNet-v2 for feature extraction, and the Vision Transformer model with a self-attention mechanism for refining the features for early and accurate diagnosis and classification of skin cancer. Furthermore, in the proposed approach, hyperparameter tuning helps to obtain more accurate and optimized results for image classification. Results: Dermoscopic shots gathered by the worldwide skin imaging collaboration (ISIC2020) challenge dataset are used in the proposed research work and achieved 98.65% accuracy, 99.20% sensitivity, and 98.03% specificity, which outperforms the other existing approaches for skin cancer classification. Furthermore, the HAM10000 dataset is used for ablation studies to compare and validate the performance of the proposed approach. Conclusions: The achieved outcome suggests that the proposed approach would be able to serve as a valuable tool for assisting dermatologists in the early detection of melanoma.
Multi-UAV Cooperative Pursuit of a Fast-Moving Target UAV Based on the GM-TD3 Algorithm
Authors: Zhang Yaozhong , Ding Meiyan , Yuan Yao , Zhang Jiandong , Yang Qiming , Shi Guoqing , Jiang Frank , Lu Meiqu
Published: October 2024

Recently, developing multi-UAVs to cooperatively pursue a fast-moving target has become a research hotspot in the current world. Although deep reinforcement learning (DRL) has made a lot of achievements in the UAV pursuit game, there are still some problems such as high-dimensional parameter space, the ease of falling into local optimization, the long training time, and the low task success rate. To solve the above-mentioned issues, we propose an improved twin delayed deep deterministic policy gradient algorithm combining the genetic algorithm and maximum mean discrepancy method (GM-TD3) for multi-UAV cooperative pursuit of high-speed targets. Firstly, this paper combines GA-based evolutionary strategies with TD3 to generate action networks. Then, in order to avoid local optimization in the algorithm training process, the maximum mean difference (MMD) method is used to increase the diversity of the policy population in the updating process of the population parameters. Finally, by setting the sensitivity weights of the genetic memory buffer of UAV individuals, the mutation operator is improved to enhance the stability of the algorithm. In addition, this paper designs a hybrid reward function to accelerate the convergence speed of training. Through simulation experiments, we have verified that the training efficiency of the improved algorithm has been greatly improved, which can achieve faster convergence; the successful rate of the task has reached 95%, and further validated UAVs can better cooperate to complete the pursuit game task.
Robust Multi-UAV Cooperative Trajectory Planning and Power Control for Reliable Communication in the Presence of Uncertain Jammers
Authors: Wang Fan , Zhang Zhiqiang , Zhou Lingyun , Shang Tao , Zhang Rongqing
Published: October 2024

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become a promising application for future communication and spectrum awareness due to their favorable features such as low cost, high mobility, and ease of deployment. Nevertheless, the jamming resistance appears to be a new challenge in multi-UAV cooperative communication scenarios. This paper focuses on designing trajectory planning and power allocation for efficient control and reliable communication in a ground control unit (GCU)-controlled UAV network, where the GCU coordinates multi-UAV systems to execute tasks amidst multiple jammers with imperfect location and power information. Specifically, this paper formulates a nonconvex semi-infinite optimization problem to maximize the average worst-case signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) among multiple UAVs by designing robust flight paths and power control strategy under stringent energy and mobility constraints. To efficiently address this issue, this paper proposes a powerful iterative algorithm utilizing the S-procedure and the successive convex approximation (SCA) method. Extensive simulations validate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
Active Disturbance Rejection Flight Control and Simulation of Unmanned Quad Tilt Rotor eVTOL Based on Adaptive Neural Network
Authors: Deng Bohai , Xu Jinfa , Yuan Xingyu , Yu Shengxin
Published: October 2024

The unmanned quad tilt-rotor eVTOL (QTRV) is a variable-configuration aircraft that combines the features of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), hovering, and high-speed cruising, making its control system design particularly challenging. The flight dynamics of the QTRV differ significantly between the VTOL and cruise modes, and are further influenced by rotor tilt and external wind disturbances. Developing a unified, highly coupled nonlinear full-flight dynamics model facilitates flight control system design and simulation verification. To ensure stable tilt of the QTRV, a tilt corridor was established, along with the design of its tilt route and manipulation strategy. An adaptive neural network active disturbance rejection controller (ANN-ADRC) is proposed to ensure stable flight across all modes, reducing the control parameters and simplifying tuning while effectively estimating and compensating for unknown disturbances in real time. A hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation system was designed for full-mode flight control simulation, and the results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed control method.
Three-Stage Cascade Information Attenuation for Opinion Dynamics in Social Networks
Authors: Wang Haomin , Li Youyuan , Chen Jia
Published: October 2024

In social network analysis, entropy quantifies the uncertainty or diversity of opinions, reflecting the complexity of opinion dynamics. To enhance the understanding of how opinions evolve, this study introduces a novel approach to modeling opinion dynamics in social networks by incorporating three-stage cascade information attenuation. Traditional models have often neglected the influence of second- and third-order neighbors and the attenuation of information as it propagates through a network. To correct this oversight, we redefine the interaction weights between individuals, taking into account the distance of opining, bounded confidence, and information attenuation. We propose two models of opinion dynamics using a three-stage cascade mechanism for information transmission, designed for environments with either a single or two subgroups of opinion leaders. These models capture the shifts in opinion distribution and entropy as information propagates and attenuates through the network. Through simulation experiments, we examine the ingredients influencing opinion dynamics. The results demonstrate that an increased presence of opinion leaders, coupled with a higher level of trust from their followers, significantly amplifies their influence. Furthermore, comparative experiments highlight the advantages of our proposed models, including rapid convergence, effective leadership influence, and robustness across different network structures.
The Digital Edge: Skills That Matter in the European Labour Market after COVID-19
Authors: Țarcă Viorel , Luca Florin-Alexandru , Țarcă Elena
Published: October 2024

Following the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the emphasis on digitization and robotization has grown at an unprecedented rate in the global economy, resulting in significant changes to the labour market composition and increasing the value of digital skills. The aim of this article is to emphasize the ways in which people’s digital abilities and appetite for online activities are connected to job productivity (salary levels) and to determine which individual internet-based digital skills are genuinely important and correlated with better wages. We employed a Principal Component Analysis (PCA-type factorial analysis) with orthogonal rotation to gain a general understanding of the main components that synthesize the digital capabilities of individuals from the European countries analyzed. We decreased the dimensionality of our initial dataset to two major components, namely comprehensive online skills and digital social and media skills, keeping more than 80% of the overall variability. We then evaluated the potential association between the two created components and the average hourly wages and salaries. Since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have observed an important shift in the impact of digital and internet skills on the job market in Europe. Thus, the development of comprehensive internet skills is highly correlated with individuals’ more effective integration into the labour market in Europe in general and the EU in particular, evidenced by better wage and salary levels (r = 0.740, p < 0.001). On the other hand, we found no correlation between the possibility of obtaining higher salaries for employees and the second component, digital social and media skills. The novelty of our research lies in its specific focus on the unique and immediate impacts of the pandemic, the accelerated adoption of digital skills, the integration of comprehensive individual internet skills, and the use of the most recent data to understand the labour market’s characteristics. This new approach offers fresh insights into how Europe’s workforce could evolve in response to unprecedented challenges, making it distinct from previous studies of labour market skills.
A Tale of Two Economies: Diachronic Comparative Analysis of Diverging Paths of Growth and Inequality in the United States and the United Kingdom
Authors: Karountzos Panagiotis , Giannakopoulos Nikolaos T. , Sakas Damianos P. , Migkos Stavros P.
Published: October 2024

This study investigates the correlation between the Gini index and gross domestic product (GDP) in two of the world’s largest capitalist economies: the United States and the United Kingdom. Utilizing econometric methods, including stationarity tests and linear regression, this research work aims to elucidate the relationship between economic inequality and economic growth. The results for the United States reveal a significant positive correlation between GDP and the Gini index, suggesting that economic growth is associated with rising income inequality. In contrast, the United Kingdom shows a much weaker relationship, indicating that other factors, such as redistributive policies and social welfare programs, may mitigate the impact of economic growth on income inequality. These findings highlight the importance of national policies and institutional frameworks in shaping economic outcomes and can be used in policy making. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing a comparative analysis of the correlation between GDP and the Gini index in two major capitalist economies, offering fresh empirical insights.
Heating Energy Performance Gap in Vulnerable Households: Identification and Impact of Associated Variables
Authors: Seguel-Vargas Sebastián , Rubio-Bellido Carlos , Pereira-Ruchansky Lucía , Pérez-Fargallo Alexis
Published: October 2024

Reducing energy consumption in the construction sector is urgently needed. In Chile, where income distribution is unequal and the cost of energy is high, energy demand is seriously affected, especially in vulnerable households. Hence, it is essential to establish public policies with more realistic energy-saving goals to address this situation. However, reliably predicting the energy performance of buildings remains a challenge. For this reason, this study aims to identify and evaluate the impact of the variables associated with energy performance in vulnerable households in Central-Southern Chile and propose values that would reduce the gap. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to achieve this, adjusting the energy performance parameters in a base model with data analyzed using local standards. In addition, field information was collected in 93 households to obtain the actual energy consumption. The main results show that the variables that most impacted performance were infiltration, COP, heating setpoints, and schedules, which generated a 60% difference between the theoretical and actual consumption.
Correction: Ebner et al. Photovoltaic Roofing for Motorways and Other High-Ranking Road Networks: Technical Feasibility, Yield Estimation, and Final Demonstrator. Energies 2024, 17, 3991
Authors: Ebner Rita , Mayr Christoph , Rennhofer Marcus , Berger Karl , Heinrich Martin , Basler Felix , Beinert Andreas , Huyeng Jonas , Haider Manfred , Prammer Dominik , Vorwagner Alois , Fehringer Markus , Beck Tobias
Published: October 2024

In the published publication [...]
Analysis of Optimal HVDC Back-to-Back Placement Based on Composite System Reliability
Authors: Hariyanto Nanang , Simamora Niko B. , Banjar-Nahor Kevin M. , Paradongan Hendry Timotiyas
Published: October 2024

HVDC is a promising interconnection solution for connecting asynchronous systems and ensuring power control. In Indonesia, a remote industrial system in Sumatra is experiencing load growth and has the option to draw power from the Sumatra system. However, due to frequency differences, the use of HVDC is crucial. The Generation Expansion Planning has proposed six converters but not their interconnection points. This study will determine the most reliable interconnection locations. The chosen converters are modular multilevel converters (MMCs) with high modularity. The converter reliability modeling considers voltage levels, the number of modules, and redundancy strategies. This modeling is then implemented at the power system level to obtain the best placement at the available high-voltage (HV) substation options. Determining the best placement is based on the optimal reliability index. The optimal placement also includes the option to convert from HV to medium-voltage (MV) interconnection. MV interconnection offers higher flexibility but tends to be more expensive. The availability for HV converters is 99.69%, while for MV converters, it is slightly higher, at 99.81%. Additionally, converting from HV to MV reduces the SAIFI (system average interruption frequency index) from 0.2668 to 0.2284 occurrences per year, lowering the interruption cost from 7.804 million USD to 5.737 million USD per year. The sensitivity of interruption, investment, and maintenance costs shows that converting at least one HV converter to MV remains economical. In this case study, the optimal converter placement includes Area VI–2, recommended for conversion from HV to a more distributed MV configuration, improving reliability and economic efficiency.
Scaling Law of Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics in Turbulent Radiative Rayleigh-Bénard Convection of Optically Thick Media
Authors: Song Jiajun , Li Panxin , Chen Lu , Zhao Yuhang , Tian Fengshi , Li Benwen
Published: October 2024

Radiative natural convection is of vital importance in the process of energy storage, power generation, and thermal storage technology. As the attenuation coefficients of many heat transfer media in these fields are high enough to be considered as optically thick media, like nanofluids or molten salts in concentrated solar power or phase change thermal storage, Rosseland approximation is commonly used. In this paper, we delve into the impact of thermal radiation on the Rayleigh-Bénard (RB) convection. Theoretical analysis has been conducted by modifying the Grossmann-Lohse (GL) model. Based on turbulent dissipation theory, the corresponding scaling laws in four main regimes are proposed. Direct numerical simulation (DNS) was also performed, revealing that radiation exerts a notable influence on both flow and heat transfer, particularly on the formation of large-scale circulation. By comparing with DNS results, it is found that due to the presence of radiation, the modified Nu scaling law in small Pr range of the GL model is more suitable for predicting the transport characteristics of optical thick media with large Pr. The maximum deviation between the results of DNS and prediction model is about 10%, suggesting the summarized scaling law can effectively predict the Nu of radiative RB convection.
Development and Application of Starter Cultures
Authors: Comunian Roberta , Chessa Luigi
Published: October 2024

Driven by the imperative of reconciling food safety with the preservation of traditional sensory profiles, the landscape of starter culture research is evolving [...]
Can Consumers Judge the Freshness of Fish from Visual Cues? A Case Study of Japanese Consumers
Authors: Li Penglong , Sakai Yutaro , Kurokura Hisashi , Yagi Nobuyuki
Published: October 2024

In contemporary markets, fish are frequently wrapped in cling film, necessitating consumers’ reliance on visual cues to assess freshness. This study explores whether common Japanese consumers can accurately discern fish freshness based solely on visual information. We conducted an online experiment with 529 randomly selected participants in Japan by asking them to select the freshest fish from photographs of horse mackerel with varying freshness levels. In order to elucidate the mechanism of freshness detection, we conducted principal component analysis on the quantified body color and shape data. Additionally, we measured physical characteristics such as lipid contents, gloss, length, and weight of the fish. This study examines the correlation between these visual cues and consumers’ judgments, revealing the accuracy of visual indicators used by consumers in daily assessments of fish freshness. These findings suggest that a portion of Japanese consumers can correctly identify the freshness of fish based on appearance. They primarily rely on the brightness of the fish’s eyes and specific color combinations of the body to judge freshness, with the shape of the fish having less impact. Comparing the selection frequency between high- and low-accuracy participants, we observed that a low accuracy in freshness detection was not solely due to a lack of sensitivity to signals from photographs, but may also result from a misinterpretation of these signals by consumers.
Tailoring Fumaric Acid Delivery: The Role of Surfactant-Enhanced Solid Lipid Microparticles via Spray-Congealing
Authors: Tsai Yen-Chiu , Chen Ling , Chen Maoshen , Ma Yun , Zhong Fang , Liu Fei
Published: October 2024

Fumaric acid, a naturally occurring preservative with antimicrobial properties, has been widely used in the baking industry. However, its direct addition interferes with yeast activity and negatively impacts the gluten structure. This study investigates the potential of spray-congealing as a method for encapsulating fumaric acid within solid lipid microparticles. The selection of lipid carriers and surfactants is critical, so hydrogenated palm stearin, hydrogenated rapeseed oil, and Compritol ATO 888 (glyceryl behenate) were chosen as lipid carriers, and propylene glycol monostearate and glyceryl monolaurate were utilised as surfactants with varying concentrations. Rheological properties, encapsulation efficiency, particle size, moisture content, and thermal behaviour were assessed, along with the release profiles under different temperature conditions simulating the baking process. The findings indicate that the addition of surfactants significantly impacts the viscosity and stability of the molten mixtures, which in turn affects the spray-congealing process and the release of fumaric acid. The temperature-dependent and time-dependent release profiles demonstrate the potential for customising release kinetics to suit specific applications, such as the baking industry. This study may contribute to the development of a controlled-release system that synchronises with the baking process, thereby optimising fumaric acid’s functionality while preserving the quality of baked goods.
How Do Greeks Feel about Eating Insects? A Study of Consumer Perceptions and Preferences
Authors: Gkinali Alkmini-Anna , Matsakidou Anthia , Michailidis Anastasios , Paraskevopoulou Adamantini
Published: October 2024

Edible insects are considered among the most promising sustainable sources of protein to address the predicted deficiency of conventional food protein. Due to their nutritional and environmental benefits, there is an increasing interest in the ways insects could become part of the Western diet. Little is known about Greek consumers’ attitudes toward the habit of consuming insects as food. This study provides insight into Greek consumers’ preferences for insect-based food products. The data were collected through an online questionnaire (n = 1531). A two-step cluster analysis and a categorical regression were employed to classify the respondents into discernible clusters and determine the relationship between their socioeconomic characteristics and their willingness to adopt insect-based food products. Feelings of disgust and rejection were the predominant reactions to the concept of insects as food. The acceptance of novel foods derived from edible insects could be potentially enhanced by providing information regarding their positive effects, using familiar food products, and decreasing the insect’s degree of visibility by employing processed forms. Finally, the categories of insect protein-enriched food products (bakery, meat, snacks) that Greek consumers are more likely to consume were revealed. Such findings may be useful for promoting strategies regarding consuming insect-based products.
Development of the Liverpool Jewry Historical Database
Authors: Sapiro Philip
Published: October 2024

The Liverpool Jewish community was the earliest to be formed in the north of England (c1745) and for much of the 19th century, it was the largest UK Jewish community outside London. However, examination of this important minority community from a social, demographic, and genealogical perspective has been severely hampered by the lack of a unified source of information about Jewish individuals and families resident in the area during the 18th and 19th centuries. This paper describes how a searchable database of all Jewish persons with a documented connection with the Liverpool area, from the earliest times to 1881, has been produced as a resource for historical, demographic, sociological, and genealogical research. It explains how Jewish individuals were identified by a novel use of distinctive names, occupations, and birthplaces in the secular census and vital records and, in combination with extant records held within the Jewish community, have been used to produce a database of several thousand persons, linked into family groups. It concludes that the principal aim of the project has been achieved, and the approach could act as a template for other religion/ethnicity-based groups.
“So Beautiful That Mortal… Eyes Can’t Take It”: How Postmodernism Shows Us the Function of the Beautiful in the Landscape of the Traumatic
Authors: Pickett Griffin Lang
Published: October 2024

In her 2010 article “Aesthetic Wit(h)nessing in the Era of Trauma”, Griselda Pollock lamented the aperture between psychology, particularly that of PTSD, and esthetics in the search to bear witness to traumatic experience. This article explores the gray area that exists when the esthetic and the traumatic converge, arguing that such areas exist not only as direct representations of the difficulty of narrativizing trauma as described by such theorists as Cathy Caruth, Onno van der Hart, and Bessel van der Kolk, but also simultaneously as windows into the moments of what Dominick LaCapra calls “the sublime object of endless melancholia and impossible mourning”. Postmodernism is argued to be the organic choice of voicing traumatic retellings, and close readings of John Hersey’s proto-postmodern Hiroshima (1946), Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried (1992), and David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest (1996) work to highlight the intersections of trauma, postmodern literature, and esthetics; or, in Wallace’s case, theoretical discussions of traumatic tropes as facilitated by the postmodern tradition. In drawing attention to this tripartite convergence, this article hopes to continue in the vein of scholarship that reaffirms the need for evermore research in the field of trauma studies as well as substantiate a claim of the heightened importance of postmodern literature in the 21st century—an epoch indelibly marked by trauma, as noted by Pollock.
Evergreen Avengers: Nature and Kaijū in the Twenty-First Century
Authors: Rhoads Sean , Okazaki Brooke McCorkle
Published: October 2024

After a decade of dormancy following the release of Tōhō Studios’ Godzilla: Final Wars (2004), Godzilla and other kaijū burst back onto the scene with Legendary Pictures’ Godzilla (2014). Several American sequels and a television series set in Legendary’s MonsterVerse quickly followed over the next ten years. Meanwhile, Japan’s Tōhō used their radioactive creation’s global success to reignite their own films with Shin Godzilla (2016), an animated trilogy, and Godzilla Minus One (2023). Short-format media like Chibi Godzilla and Godziban also circulated thanks to streaming services. Similarly, Godzilla’s longtime competitor Gamera also emerged from hibernation in an animated series produced by Kadokawa Corporation, Gamera Rebirth (2023). But how do these new installations relate to or depart from their predecessors’ predilection to address environmental concerns? This article continues the ecocritical analysis of kaijū eiga, expanding it to the 2010s and 2020s, as a coda to our duograph Japan’s Green Monsters (2018). This article picks up where we left off, examining the recent releases from an ecocritical standpoint. This analysis reveals that today’s films remain steeped in environmental commentary, but both fragmented and updated for the new concerns of the twenty-first century.
A Review of the Arrival, Effects, and Management of Bagrada hilaris in South America: The Case of Chile
Authors: Albornoz Marta V. , Santander Camila C. , Alfaro-Tapia Armando
Published: October 2024

Biological invasions are partly defined by their ability to spread rapidly within invaded regions, posing threats to biodiversity and local species assemblages. The painted bug, Bagrada hilaris (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) (Burmeister, 1835), originally described as being from India, is an important pest worldwide, mainly due to the serious economic losses incurred and the large number of zones invaded. Since its initial detection in Chile in 2016, the invasive and destructive paint bug has started its invasion to the east and invaded new areas in South America. Without adequate control methods, the insect may threaten brassica crop production, resulting in yield losses greater than 70% in recently infested areas. The extraordinarily wide range of the B. hilaris invasion has necessitated studies describing its biology and ecology, as well as highlighting the urgent need for effective and long-term management techniques. Hence, thoroughly revising the data on this pest in new areas that have been invaded, as well as in the area of origin, is expected to enable the development of management programs. This review incorporates information on B. hilaris in South America, including the invasion, ecology, and potential management approaches, which may allow for efficient integrated pest management, mainly in Chile. Lastly, researchers are expected to break the bottlenecks of some key issues, offering valuable perspectives for identifying strategies that warrant additional research as potential biological control agents for B. hilaris in South America, utilizing either augmentative or conservation biological control approaches, as well as semiochemicals and cultural practices.
Research on the Mechanism of Root Endophytes of Morus alba L. and Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr., Two Host Plants Growing Inonotus hispidus (Bull.) P. Karst., with Metabarcoding and Metabolomics
Authors: Wang Qingchun , Bao Haiying
Published: October 2024

Inonotus hispidus (Bull.) P. Karst., is a medicinal fungus, which parasitizes broad-leaved tree such as Morus alba L., Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr., and Ulmus macrocarpa Hance. To elucidate the internal relationship between I. hispidus and its hosts, this study analyzed endophytic bacteria and fungi in the roots of M. alba and F. mandshurica growing I. hispidus using the 16S rDNA and ITS high-throughput sequencing technologies; and conducted widely targeted metabolomics research using UPLC-MS/MS. The results showed that Cyanobacteria and unidentified chloroplasts had the highest relative abundance at the phylum and genus levels, respectively. For endophytic fungi, Ascomycota was dominant at the phylum level, while Pleosporales gen Incertae sedis and Oncopodiella were the dominant genera in the roots of M. alba and F. mandshurica, respectively. Widely targeted metabolomics identified 562 differential metabolites and 46 metabolic pathways. Correlation analysis revealed that Xanthobacteraceae, Pseudorhodoplanes, and Bauldia were potential regulators of phenolic acids and phenylpropanoids biosynthesis. Additionally, the genus Oncopodiella was primarily associated with the enrichment of lipids, amino acids, sugars, phenolic acids, and other compounds. This result provides significant insights into the size of the fruiting body, resource development, and active ingredients of I. hispidus from different tree sources.
A Composite Approach for Evaluating Operational Cloud Seeding Effect in Stratus Clouds
Authors: Wang Fei , Chen Baojun , Yue Zhiguo , Wang Jin , Li Dejun , Lin Dawei , Tang Yahui , Luan Tian
Published: October 2024

Robust water management is in intense demand in many water scarcity areas, such as arid and semi-arid regions in the world. As part of the regional water management strategy, rain enhancement is vital to replenish groundwater reservoirs, and the key challenge is how to assess its effectiveness. Some recent weather modification experiments attained cloud seeding effect through advanced in situ measurement coupled with accurate numerical simulation. However, there is still a lack of an objective and scientific approach to quantitatively evaluate the rain enhancement effect, especially for many non-randomized operational cloud seeding activities in China. In this study, we proposed a composite evaluation approach by analyzing two operational aircraft cloud seeding cases in stratus clouds in Shaanxi, China. By calculating the aircraft cloud seeding agent plumes, the target areas (as well as the control areas) of cloud seeding were dynamically and roughly determined. Physical properties, such as radar reflectivity and precipitation, were individually quantified in these areas. The cloud seeding effect was then evaluated by calculating the difference in parameter variation between target and control areas. This approach can be applied to qualitative analysis in a single aircraft cloud seeding operation and can also provide quantitative statistical results from multiple cloud seeding cases. We found that the average precipitation enhancement percentage of 18 operational aircraft cloud seeding cases is ~4.84%. Note that the homogeneity hypothesis of the seeding cloud, the error in the calculation of the target area, and the selection of control areas are the major uncertainties likely in the evaluation of the cloud seeding effect by this approach.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions towards Hand Hygiene Practice Amongst Students at a Nursing College in Lesotho
Authors: Ntaote Malehlohonolo , Tyeshani Londele , Oladimeji Olanrewaju
Published: October 2024

Background: Hands are critical vectors for microorganisms that cause healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Hand hygiene, being done the right way, at the right time, and being given the right priority in a healthcare setting is an effective strategy to reduce HAIs and associated costs. Different strategies have been put in place to help improve hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers; amongst them, continuous training is advised at all levels of care. Aim: This study, focusing on nursing students, aimed to describe their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions towards hand hygiene, highlighting their crucial role in maintaining health and preventing infections. Methods: This study was a quantitative cross-sectional study. One hundred and fourteen questionnaires were distributed; 103 were filled out and returned by willing students at Maluti Adventist College, thus a 90% response rate. Results: 62% (64) demonstrated moderate knowledge, all had positive attitudes, and 61% (63) had a positive perception towards hand hygiene. There was a significant (p-value = 0.012) association between knowledge and training. Conclusions and recommendations: These provide valuable input for enhancing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) hand hygiene multimodal strategy, the SAFE LIFE Clean YOUR HAND campaign, and healthcare workers’ teaching curriculum. All stakeholders should implement strategies that prioritize knowledge dissemination to promote effective hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers worldwide.
Problematic and Harmful Social Media Use among Adolescents Receiving Intensive Psychiatric Care
Authors: Domoff Sarah E. , Armstrong Stacey B. , Rollings Heide , Mancuso Amy , Pacheco Mary B. , Fridson Russell , Janney Carol A.
Published: October 2024

Although research has shown both positive and negative mental health correlates of social media use, few studies focus on adolescents who are receiving intensive psychiatric care. The purpose of this study was to describe problematic media use, experiences of cybervictimization and sextortion, and correlates with adolescents’ health in a sample of adolescents (N = 97; 53.6% female) in a partial psychiatric hospitalization program. Approximately one-quarter of participants reported being cybervictimized at least once over the past month and 17.5% of participants reported ever experiencing sextortion. Greater problematic media use was associated with lower physical activity and greater feelings of loneliness. In a subsample of 51 participants, questions were asked regarding who they had gone to for support regarding experiences of online harm, and barriers to disclosing such experiences. The majority of youth who experienced cybervictimization indicated going to a friend for support but rarely endorsed telling a mental health clinician about it. Even fewer disclosed their experience of sextortion, with nearly half reporting not telling anyone (44.4%). Given the rates of online harm experienced by youth in acute psychiatric treatment, screening for and conducting brief interventions on problematic or risky social media use is recommended.