bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical Investigation on Deformation of the Water-Rich Silt Subsoil under Different Compaction Conditions
Authors: Luo Qiqi , Kou Jingyuan , Yi Wenni , Liu Yibo , Ma Xinyan , Zhang Yuncheng , Ye Xinyu
Published: January 2024

Determining the deformation trend of silt subsoil under long-term aircraft loading by conventional numerical methods based on finite elements is challenging and poses several limitations. In this study, a boundary surface model for remolded saturated silt considering the influence of the soil dry density was developed, and an explicit integral algorithm with error control was used to incorporate the model into a user-defined material subroutine that the finite element software (ABAQUS 6.14) could call. In this way, the consolidated undrained dynamic triaxial test of a soil unit was established for simulation and model validation, which corroborated that the model could describe the dynamic properties of the saturated silt. Then, a numerical model of the runway with layered compaction and different compaction degrees was also developed to numerically analyze the deformation of the subsoil under cyclic aircraft loading. The results showed that the subsoil deformation increased continuously with the increase of cycle number. However, the deformation rate decreased gradually, and the silt subsoil deformation remained stable after 50 loading cycles. After the same number of loading cycles, the cumulative plastic deformation of the subsoil model with the overall compaction degree of 94% was smaller than that of the model with layered compaction. It was also shown that different aircraft speeds have minimal effect on the cumulative plastic deformation of the subsoil. Nevertheless, the ultimate cumulative plastic deformation is larger, as the loading duration is longer at low aircraft speeds. It indicates that strictly controlling of the compaction degree within a certain range of load influence is imperative in practical engineering, as it reduces the associated costs.
Compact Sub-6 GHz Four-Element Flexible Antenna for 5G Applications
Authors: Abdelghany Mahmoud A. , Ibrahim Ahmed A. , Mohamed Hesham. A. , Tammam Emad
Published: January 2024

This paper proposes the design of a compact sub-6 GHz four-port flexible antenna for utilization in 5G applications. A two-arm monopole with a coplanar waveguide feed line printed on a flexible substrate was proposed to shape the single-element antenna. The single element was designed, fabricated, and measured first; then, four copies of the single element were organized on a single flexible substrate to compose the four-port antenna. The MIMO antenna was simulated, fabricated, and experimentally measured. All the simulations and measurements of the flexible single element and MIMO antennas are presented. The presented MIMO antenna showed good impedance characteristics, with a deep level of −24 dB from 3 to 4.12 GHz. The antenna had omnidirectional and bi-directional patterns in the φ = 0° and φ = 90° planes. As an important parameter evaluation for MIMO, the mutual coupling between the different ports was investigated. The diversity gain (DG), the total active reflection coefficient (TARC), the mean effective gain (MEG), the envelop correlation coefficient (ECC), and the channel capacity loss (CCL) parameters were investigated and showed good performance. All the obtained simulation results were in a high degree of agreement with the measurement results, supporting the usage of the suggested antenna in 5G communications.
An Improved Gravitational Search Algorithm for Task Offloading in a Mobile Edge Computing Network with Task Priority
Authors: Xu Ling , Liu Yunpeng , Fan Bing , Xu Xiaorong , Mei Yiguo , Feng Wei
Published: January 2024

Mobile edge computing (MEC) distributes computing and storage resources to the edge of the network closer to the user and significantly reduces user task completion latency and system energy consumption. This paper investigates the problem of computation offloading in a three-tier mobile edge computing network composed of multiple users, multiple edge servers, and a cloud server. In this network, each user’s task can be divided into multiple subtasks with serial and parallel priority relationships existing among these subtasks. An optimization model is established with the objective of minimizing the total user delay and processor cost under constraints such as the available resources of users and servers and the interrelationships among the subtasks. An improved gravitational search algorithm (IGSA) is proposed to solve this optimization model. In contrast with the other gravitational search algorithm, the convergence factor is introduced in the calculation of the resultant force and the crossover operation in a genetic algorithm is performed when generating the new particles during each iteration. The simulation results show that the proposed IGSA greatly improves the system performance compared with the existing algorithms.
Double-Layer Coils Design for 11 kW Wireless Power Transfer
Authors: Herceg Dejana , Rajs Vladimir , Despotović Živadin , Popadić Bane , Šiljegović Mirjana , Kiraly Zoltan , Vizvari Zoltan , Wizner Krisztian , Felde Imre , Odry Peter , Tadic Vladimir
Published: January 2024

The design of a wireless power transfer system with double rectangular coils for 11 kW power transfer is considered. System modeling and numerical calculation of the system parameters are described. Coils are made from available Litz wire, which has a smaller than necessary diameter for the required power. Thus, a setup with double layer coils was developed, which resulted in a modified design. Starting from a system consisting of coupled coils, as suggested by the standard for wireless power transfer Level 3 in class Z1, different coil and ferrite shield layouts were tested in numerical simulations, and their parameters were calculated. The prototype was constructed based on the simulated model with the best results and properties. Numerical results were verified by laboratory measurements, and a successful power transfer at 11 kW was achieved.
Design of a 12-Bit SAR ADC with Calibration Technology
Authors: Wang Deming , Hu Jing , Huang Xin , Zhong Qinghua
Published: January 2024

Successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converters (ADC) have the advantages of a simple structure, low power consumption and a small area compared with other types of ADCs, and thus, high-performance SAR ADCs have always been a hot research topic in the industry. In this paper, a 12-bit SAR ADC design with calibration using a hybrid RC digital-to-analog converter(RC DAC) structure is proposed to improve the conversion accuracy of the ADC and reduce the circuit area at the same time. The analog supply voltage and reference voltage of the ADC are 3.3 V, and the digital supply voltage is 1.2 V. The ADC adopts a mixed digital–analog design scheme, in which the internal comparator, latch, DAC capacitor array, etc., are analog parts, and the rest of the SAR algorithms and calibration algorithms are all implemented in digital Verilog code, with a conversion accuracy of 0.8 mV and a calibration accuracy of 0.5 LSB. The ADC can be selectively calibrated, and the simulation shows that the accuracy of the calibrated ADC can be guaranteed to be within 2 LSB under a 14 MHz digital clock with a sampling rate of 1 MHz. After simulation at a sampling rate of 1 MHz and an input frequency of 244 Hz sine wave, the effective bit count of the ADC is 9.54 bits and the SFDR is 63.71 dB. The circuit consumes 1.78 mW with a 3.3 V supply voltage. The overall layout core area is 411 μm × 517 μm.
Dynamic Multi-Sleeping Control with Diverse Quality-of-Service Requirements in Sixth-Generation Networks Using Federated Learning
Authors: Pan Tianzhu , Wu Xuanli , Li Xuesong
Published: January 2024

The intensive deployment of sixth-generation (6G) base stations is expected to greatly enhance network service capabilities, offering significantly higher throughput and lower latency compared to previous generations. However, this advancement is accompanied by a notable increase in the number of network elements, leading to increased power consumption. This not only worsens carbon emissions but also significantly raises operational costs for network operators. To address the challenges arising from this surge in network energy consumption, there is a growing focus on innovative energy-saving technologies designed for 6G networks. These technologies involve strategies for dynamically adjusting the operational status of base stations, such as activating sleep modes during periods of low demand, to optimize energy use while maintaining network performance and efficiency. Furthermore, integrating artificial intelligence into the network’s operational framework is being explored to establish a more energy-efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective 6G network. In this paper, we propose a small base station sleeping control scheme in heterogeneous dense small cell networks based on federated reinforcement learning, which enables the small base stations to dynamically enter appropriate sleep modes, to reduce power consumption while ensuring users’ quality-of-service (QoS) requirements. In our scheme, double deep Q-learning is used to solve the complex non-convex base station sleeping control problem. To tackle the dynamic changes in QoS requirements caused by user mobility, small base stations share local models with the macro base station, which acts as the central control unit, via the X2 interface. The macro base station aggregates local models into a global model and then distributes the global model to each base station for the next round of training. By alternately performing model training, aggregation, and updating, each base station in the network can dynamically adapt to changes in QoS requirements brought about by user mobility. Simulations show that compared with methods based on distributed deep Q-learning, our proposed scheme effectively reduces the performance fluctuations caused by user handover and achieves lower network energy consumption while guaranteeing users’ QoS requirements.
YOLO-Rlepose: Improved YOLO Based on Swin Transformer and Rle-Oks Loss for Multi-Person Pose Estimation
Authors: Jiang Yi , Yang Kexin , Zhu Jinlin , Qin Li
Published: January 2024

In recent years, there has been significant progress in human pose estimation, fueled by the widespread adoption of deep convolutional neural networks. However, despite these advancements, multi-person 2D pose estimation still remains highly challenging due to factors such as occlusion, noise, and non-rigid body movements. Currently, most multi-person pose estimation approaches handle joint localization and association separately. This study proposes a direct regression-based method to estimate the 2D human pose from a single image. The authors name this network YOLO-Rlepose. Compared to traditional methods, YOLO-Rlepose leverages Transformer models to better capture global dependencies between image feature blocks and preserves sufficient spatial information for keypoint detection through a multi-head self-attention mechanism. To further improve the accuracy of the YOLO-Rlepose model, this paper proposes the following enhancements. Firstly, this study introduces the C3 Module with Swin Transformer (C3STR). This module builds upon the C3 module in You Only Look Once (YOLO) by incorporating a Swin Transformer branch, enhancing the YOLO-Rlepose model’s ability to capture global information and rich contextual information. Next, a novel loss function named Rle-Oks loss is proposed. The loss function facilitates the training process by learning the distributional changes through Residual Log-likelihood Estimation. To assign different weights based on the importance of different keypoints in the human body, this study introduces a weight coefficient into the loss function. The experiments proved the efficiency of the proposed YOLO-Rlepose model. On the COCO dataset, the model outperforms the previous SOTA method by 2.11% in AP.
A 48-Channel High-Resolution Ultrasound Beamforming System for Ultrasound Endoscopy Applications
Authors: Yun Soohyun , Lee Seungah , Bae Joonsung
Published: January 2024

We introduce a highly efficient 48-channel ultrasound beamforming system ideal for ultrasound endoscopy applications. The system includes a transmitter and a receiver that allows for low-area, high-resolution imaging acquisition. The transmitter uses a charge redistribution HV (high-voltage) scheme to generate three-level pulses that actuate the transducer, implemented with the standard CMOS process for optimal cost and power savings. Meanwhile, the receiver features a sub-array structure and a delay generator that reduces the area usage. To achieve high-resolution ultrasound imaging acquisition with low computational power, we developed a Shift Coherence Factor (SCF) algorithm that is hardware-friendly. This approach delivers a lateral resolution of over 20% better than that of the conventional delay and sum (DAS) algorithm, with a contrast ratio of over 30 dB. The system was implemented in a 180 nm standard CMOS process with an area of 24.98 mm2, power consumption of 8.23 mW per channel, achieving a delay resolution of 8.33 ns, and a low-area implementation of 0.52 mm2 per channel. The system offers high-quality imaging acquisition with minimal additional area and power consumption, which has great potential for 3D imaging or catheterized ultrasound systems.
Evaluation Method and Analysis on Performance of Diffuser in Heat Storage Tank
Authors: Cao Lihua , Yu Jingwen , Liu Xifeng , Wang Zhanzhou
Published: January 2024

The diffuser is a critical component in a heat storage tank, and its structure has an important influence on the thermal performance of the heat storage tank. At present, research on the structure of diffusers often focuses on the change of one single parameter, which results in the need for a comprehensive structure analysis of diffusers in heat storage tanks. This paper comprehensively considers the inlet diameter, hole distance, and hole diameter of the diffuser and the inlet conditions of the heat storage tank. Then, a new evaluation index, namely the non-uniformity coefficient of the diffuser, is proposed. The experiments verify the accuracy of numerical calculation, and the related empirical formula is summarized finally. The results show that the diffuser with a small non-uniformity coefficient can achieve thin temperature stratification and higher exergy efficiency. In other words, the non-uniformity coefficient is in good agreement with temperature stratification and the exergy efficiency of the heat storage tank. When the flow rate of the inlet device is 0.5 m/s, the exergy efficiency increases by nearly 30 percentage points and the non-uniformity coefficient of the No. 4 diffuser is 3.39%. In contrast, that of the No. 8 diffuser is 75.17%. This evaluation index is suitable for different diffuser types with high accuracy. It provides the theoretical and experimental basis for the structural design and selection of diffusers for heat storage tanks.
Angio-Long Noncoding RNA MALAT1 (rs3200401) and MIAT (rs1061540) Gene Variants in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Fawzy Manal S. , Ibrahiem Afaf T. , Osman Dalia Mohammad , Almars Amany I. , Alshammari Maali Subhi , Almazyad Layan Tariq , Almatrafi Noof Daif Allah , Almazyad Renad Tariq , Toraih Eman A.
Published: January 2024

The genotyping of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) could be associated with cancer risk and/or progression. This study aimed to analyze the angiogenesis-related lncRNAs MALAT1 (rs3200401) and MIAT (rs1061540) variants in patients with ovarian cancer (OC) using “Real-Time allelic discrimination polymerase chain reaction” in 182 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples of benign, borderline, and primary malignant ovarian tissues. Differences in the genotype frequencies between low-grade ovarian epithelial tumors (benign/borderline) and malignant tumors and between high-grade malignant epithelial tumors and malignant epithelial tumors other than high-grade serous carcinomas were compared. Odds ratios (ORs)/95% confidence intervals were calculated as measures of the association strength. Additionally, associations of the genotypes with the available pathological data were analyzed. The heterozygosity of MALAT1 rs3200401 was the most common genotype (47.8%), followed by C/C (36.3%). Comparing the study groups, no significant differences were observed regarding this variant. In contrast, the malignant epithelial tumors had a higher frequency of the MIAT rs1061540 C/C genotype compared to the low-grade epithelial tumor cohorts (56.7% vs. 37.6, p = 0.031). The same genotype was significantly higher in high-grade serous carcinoma than its counterparts (69.4% vs. 43.8%, p = 0.038). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the age at diagnosis was significantly associated with the risk of OC development. In contrast, the MIAT T/T genotype was associated with a low risk of malignant epithelial tumors under the homozygote comparison model (OR = 0.37 (0.16–0.83), p = 0.017). Also, MIAT T allele carriers were less likely to develop high-grade serous carcinoma under heterozygote (CT vs. CC; OR = 0.33 (0.12–0.88), p = 0.027) and homozygote (TT vs. CC; OR = 0.26 (0.07–0.90), p = 0.034) comparison models. In conclusion, our data provide novel evidence for a potential association between the lncRNA MIAT rs1061540 and the malignant condition of ovarian cancer, suggesting the involvement of such lncRNAs in OC development.
Using Omics Techniques to Analyze the Effects of Gene Mutations and Culture Conditions on the Synthesis of β-Carotene in Pantoea dispersa
Authors: Liu Na , Cui Tangbing
Published: January 2024

β-carotene possesses antioxidant properties and holds significant research value. In our study, we have successfully identified a strain of Pantoea dispersa MSC14 which has the capability to produce β-carotene. By incorporating corn steep liquor powder into culture medium and employing mutagenesis breeding techniques, we have successfully increased the production of β-carotene in the MSC14 strain by 13.97% and 29.22%, respectively. To gain further insights, we conducted genomic and transcriptomics analyses. These analyses revealed a significant mutation in the gndA (6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase) gene of the mutant strain 14P9, resulting in a 33.74% decrease in 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity. Using transcriptomics analysis, we investigated the impact of this mutation on β-carotene production and explored the interconnectedness between carbon metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and β-carotene synthesis. The up-regulation of the trxC (Thioredoxin-2) gene, as observed in both transcriptomics results, prompted us to construct strains that overexpress trxC. This manipulation resulted in a notable 15.89% increase in β-carotene production, highlighting the significant impact of of the trxC gene on the β-carotene content of Pantoea dispersa. In conclusion, our study has successfully identified Pantoea dispersa MSC14 as a proficient producer of β-carotene. Furthermore, we have uncovered two genes implicated in the biosynthesis of β-carotene. These findings enhance our understanding of β-carotene synthesis and provide valuable guidance for carotenoid biosynthesis.
A Review of P-Glycoprotein Function and Regulation in Fish
Authors: Johnston Christina U. , Kennedy Christopher J.
Published: January 2024

The teleost ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is an active transmembrane transporter that plays a pivotal role in facilitating the movement of both endogenous and xenobiotic substrates (moderately hydrophobic and amphipathic compounds) across cell membranes. P-gp exhibits substrate specificity often shared with other ABC transporters and solute carrier proteins, thereby ensuring the maintenance of chemical homeostasis within cells. These transporters are integral to chemical defense systems in fish, as they actively expel a wide range of substrates, primarily unmodified compounds, from cells. This transport process assists in preventing chemical absorption (e.g., intestine), safeguarding sensitive tissues (e.g., brain and gonads), and effectively excreting substances (e.g., liver and kidney). Upregulated P-gp export activity in aquatic animals results in the multi-xenobiotic resistance (MXR) phenotype that plays an essential protective role in survival in contaminated environments. Pollutants inhibiting P-gp are termed chemosensitizers and heighten fish sensitivity to toxic P-gp substrates. While the known intrinsic functions of P-gp in fish encompass steroid hormone and bile acid processing, relatively little attention has been given to endogenous substrates and inhibitors. Fish P-glycoprotein regulation is orchestrated by pivotal nuclear transcription factors, including pregnane X receptor (PXR) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). This comprehensive review provides profound insights into P-gp’s significance across diverse fish species, contributing to an enhanced understanding of fish physiology, evolution, and toxicology, and provides information with potential applications, such as environmental monitoring.
Presence and Potential Effects of Microplastics in the Digestive Tract of Two Small Species of Shark from the Balearic Islands
Authors: Torres Susana , Compa Montserrat , Box Antonio , Pinya Samuel , Sureda Antoni
Published: January 2024

In recent years, there has been an increase in the reporting of plastic pollution in the marine environment and its effects on marine animals, especially bony fish. However, the prevalence and effect, particularly concerning biomarkers of oxidative stress, in elasmobranchs remain underreported and unknown. In this study, microplastics were observed in two elasmobranch species from the Balearic Islands: the small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) with an average of 4.38 ± 1.77 items per individual, and the blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus) with an average of 8.31 ± 2.46 items per individual. Moreover, for the first time, antioxidant and pro-inflammatory responses were determined in the digestive tract of individuals of both species. Specifically, the activation of antioxidant defences, mainly superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione levels, was observed, while the pro-inflammatory marker myeloperoxidase activity was also greater in individuals with a high abundance of microplastic items. Additionally, a significant increase in glutathione S-transferase activity in catsharks with high microplastic ingestion was evidenced, suggesting that the detoxification process was activated. Overall, the results of this study highlight that both catshark species are ingesting microplastics, which, in turn, are causing physiological effects at a cellular level. Considering this, continued monitoring of these species should include the presence of microplastics, and the results from this study can serve as baseline data for future research.
Using Sustainable Development Goal Indicator 14.7.1 to Measure Sustainable Fishery: The Statistical Limitations
Authors: Liu Suyu
Published: January 2024

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Indicator 14.7.1 is the only statistical indicator under the SDG framework which measures the progress to achieve sustainable fisheries. However, despite its advantages, it suffers from substantial limitations. One main problem is that it is ambiguous what this indicator really measures and what the definition of sustainable fisheries is, which is the core concept of SDG Indicator 14.7.1. In particular, this indicator has both an environmental dimension and an economic dimension, but it is unclear how one indicator can exactly reflect these two dimensions at the same time. In addition, while SDG Indicator 14.7.1 emphasizes inclusiveness in name, its definition, methodology, and practical application reveal the exclusion of a substantial number of countries from this indicator. These limitations not only diminish the anticipated functionality of SDG Indicator 14.7.1 but also contradict the objective of inclusivity. Such shortcomings of SDG Indicator 14.7.1 are possibly a result of the non-statistical considerations during the development of this indicator, including possible political influence on the statistical scientific process. A number of implications for improving the further development and use of this indicator are provided, such as the provision of more specific data and metadata
The Chimera Revisited: Wall- and Magnetically-Bounded Turbulent Flows
Authors: Basse Nils Tångefjord
Published: January 2024

This review is a first attempt at bringing together various concepts from research on wall- and magnetically-bounded turbulent flows. Brief reviews of both fields are provided: The main similarities identified are coherent (turbulent) structures, flow generation, and transport barriers. Examples are provided and discussed.
Characterizations of Water-Soluble Chitosan/Curdlan Edible Coatings and the Inhibitory Effect on Postharvest Pathogenic Fungi
Authors: Yu Youwei , Liu Kunyu , Zhang Shaoying , Zhang Liangliang , Chang Jiaqi , Jing Ziyu
Published: January 2024

This study focused on developing a composite coating comprising water-soluble chitosan (CTS) and curdlan (CUR). Cherry tomatoes served as the test material for assessing the preservative efficacy of these coatings. The incorporation of CUR markedly enhanced the coating’s surface properties, refined its molecular structure, and improved its tensile strength and elongation at break. Additionally, the coating demonstrated enhanced permeability to water vapor, oxygen, and carbon dioxide and improved light transmission. The storage experiment, conducted at 25 ± 1 °C with a relative humidity of approximately 92% over 10 days, revealed that the CTS/CUR composite coating at a 1:1 ratio significantly outperformed the individual CTS or CUR coating and uncoated samples in maintaining the quality of postharvest cherry tomatoes. The 1:1 CTS/CUR composite coating demonstrated superior preservative effects. This study suggested that water-soluble chitosan/curdlan composite coatings have considerable potential for use in the preservation of postharvest fruits and vegetables.
An Update on Prebiotics and on Their Health Effects
Authors: Bevilacqua Antonio , Campaniello Daniela , Speranza Barbara , Racioppo Angela , Sinigaglia Milena , Corbo Maria Rosaria
Published: January 2024

Prebiotic compounds were originally defined as “a nondigestible food ingredient that beneficially affects the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in the colon, and thus improves host health”; however, a significant modulation of the definition was carried out in the consensus panel of The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), and the last definition states that “prebiotics are substrates that are selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit”. Health effects of prebiotics compounds attracted the interest of researchers, food companies and Regulatory Agencies, as inferred by the number of articles on Scopus for the keywords “prebiotic” and “health effects”, that is ca. 2000, for the period January 2021–January 2024. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to contribute to the debate on these topics by offering an overview of existing knowledge and advances in this field. A literature search was performed for the period 2012–2023 and after the selection of the most relevant items, the attention was focused on seven conditions for which at least 8–10 different studies were found, namely colorectal cancer, neurological or psychiatric conditions, intestinal diseases, obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and immune system disorders. In addition, the analysis of the most recent articles through the software VosViewer version 1.6.20 pointed out the existence of five clusters or macro-categories, namely: (i) pathologies; (ii) metabolic condvitions; (iii) structure and use in food; (iv) immunomodulation; (v) effect on gut microbiota.
Takeovers, Freezeouts, and Risk Arbitrage
Authors: Gomes Armando
Published: January 2024

This paper develops a dynamic model of tender offers in which there is trading on the target’s shares during the takeover, and bidders can freeze out target shareholders (compulsorily acquire remaining shares not tendered at the bid price), features that prevail on almost all takeovers. We show that trading allows for the entry of arbitrageurs with large blocks of shares who can hold out a freezeout—a threat that forces the bidder to offer a high preemptive bid. There is also a positive relationship between the takeover premium and arbitrageurs’ accumulation of shares before the takeover announcement, and the less liquid the target stock, the stronger this relationship is. Moreover, freezeouts eliminate the free-rider problem, but front-end loaded bids, such as two-tiered and partial offers, do not benefit bidders because arbitrageurs can undo any potential benefit and eliminate the coerciveness of these offers. Similarly, the takeover premium is also largely unrelated to the bidder’s ability to dilute the target’s shareholders after the acquisition, also due to potential arbitrage activity.
Ready for the «Check-In» of Local Products on Hotel Menus?
Authors: Vlachou Charisia , Koukousolatou Ourania , Siamagka Nikoletta Theofania
Published: January 2024

The link between tourism and the agricultural sector offers, on the one hand, authentic cultural experiences to tourists and, on the other hand, a competitive advantage to tourism businesses seeking to differentiate themselves. This research attempts to empirically investigate the organizational readiness, perceived benefits, and intention of hotels to include local agri-food products in their menus. The data collection was carried out through a questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale and the readiness was evaluated in terms of its three dimensions (organizational culture, organizational climate, and organizational capacity), as well as the perceived benefits in one hundred and twelve hotels of the Regional Unit of Kavala and Thassos in Greece. Following a cluster analysis, three categories of hotels emerged, namely, “Committed”, “Hesitant”, and “Indifferent”. This article uses elements of organizational theory in the hotel industry for the inclusion of local agri-food products in hotel menus, complementing the existing limited literature. The research also has important managerial implications and can be used for policymaking by stakeholders.
Development of a Culinary Medicine Toolkit to Improve Implementation of Virtual Cooking Classes for Low-Income Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Ai David , Heredia Natalia I. , Cruz Vanessa , Guevara Diana C. , Sharma Shreela V. , Woods Dolores , Danho Melisa , McWhorter John Wesley
Published: January 2024

Culinary medicine (CM) addresses diseases through nutrition and culinary education. To promote access to educational material for people with diabetes and engagement in virtual classes, we created a virtual culinary medicine toolkit (VCMT) sensitive to literacy levels and language preferences. The VCMT was developed to accompany existing virtual CM programs and help improve participant interaction and retention, offering educational materials for providers and participants. The provider VCMT offers level-setting education to reduce mixed nutrition messaging, including educational resources discussing inclusive nutrition and mindful eating topics. Each handout has a QR code and link to engaging, animated videos that provide further explanation. The participant VCMT offers a range of fundamental cooking skill videos and infographics, including knife skills and preparing whole grains and healthy beverages. Participant handouts and animated videos, which are played during the virtual CM class, allow participants to learn more about diabetes management and food literacy topics, including interpreting nutrition labels, and are employed during a CM to facilitate discussion and reflection. The animated videos replace a traditional slide-based lecture, allowing space for patient-centered facilitated discussions during virtual cooking sessions. The VCMT could guide the development of virtual CM interventions to shift learning from lecture-based to patient-centered discussions via a visual and inclusive medium.
Eustress and Plants: A Synthesis with Prospects for Cannabis sativa Cultivation
Authors: Berni Roberto , Thiry Margaux , Hausman Jean-Francois , Lutts Stanley , Guerriero Gea
Published: January 2024

Cannabis sativa L. is a species of great economic value. It is a medicinal plant that produces several bioactive phytochemicals, and the stems of the industrial cultivars, commonly referred to as “hemp”, are sources of both cellulosic fibers and hurds used in textiles and bio-composites. Environmental stresses of biotic and abiotic nature affect plant development and metabolism and can, consequently, impact biomass yield and phytochemical content. Stress factors can be divided into eustressors and distressors; while the former stimulate a positive response in terms of growth, productivity, and resistance, the latter impair plant development. Eustressors are factors that, applied at low–moderate doses, can improve plant performance. Several studies have investigated different types of distress in C. sativa and evaluated the impact on biomass and phytochemicals, while less attention has been paid to the study of eustress. This review discusses the concept of plant eustress by referring to the recent literature and extrapolates it to applications in C. sativa cultivation. The data available on the response of C. sativa to exogenous factors are reviewed, and then, salinity eustress applied to hemp cultivation is taken as a proof-of-concept example. The knowledge developed on plant eustress and the results collected so far are discussed in light of future applications to improve the production of biomass and phytochemicals in plants of economic interest. Emphasis is placed on the potential use of eustress in conjunction with other factors shown to impact both the physiological response and metabolism of Cannabis, among which there are macronutrients and biofertilizers. Perspectives are also drawn with respect to applying the knowledge developed on the elicitation of whole plants to Cannabis cell suspension cultures, which provide a controlled, scalable, and season-independent platform to produce secondary metabolites.
Development and Evaluation of a New Spectral Index to Detect Peanut Southern Blight Disease Using Canopy Hyperspectral Reflectance
Authors: Wen Tiantian , Liu Juan , Fu Yuanyuan , Yue Jibo , Li Yuheng , Guo Wei
Published: January 2024

Peanut southern blight is a soil-borne fungal disease caused by Agroathelia rolfsii (syn. Sclerotium rolfsii) Sacc, which seriously affects peanut yield. The disease mainly affects the stem, pod, and root of the plant, and it is difficult to detect the disease by visual interpretation. Detecting peanut southern blight using existing technology is an urgent problem that needs to be solved. To address this issue, field experiments were conducted in September 2022 to determine whether hyperspectral techniques could be used to assess the severity of peanut southern blight. In this study, we obtained 610 canopy-scale spectral data through field experiments. Firstly, 18 traditional spectral features were calculated. Then, wavelengths of 544 nm, 678 nm, and 769 nm were selected as sensitive by the Relief-F algorithm, and the NDSISB and NSISB were constructed using normalization and ratio calculation methods. Finally, Support Vector Machine (SVM), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM), Categorical Boosting (CatBoost), and ANN were used to evaluate the diagnostic ability of all spectral features to assess disease severity levels. The results showed that the NSISB had the highest association with peanut southern blight (R2 = 0.817), exceeding the other spectral features. Compared to the other three models, CatBoost demonstrated superior accuracy, with an overall accuracy (OA) and Kappa coefficient of 84.18% and 78.31%, respectively. The findings of this study can serve as a reference for estimating the severity levels of peanut southern blight using ground-based hyperspectral data.
Hydrogenation Thermodynamics of Ti16V60Cr24−xFex Alloys (x = 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24)
Authors: Ravalison Francia , Huot Jacques
Published: January 2024

The effect of the partial substitution of Cr with Fe on the thermodynamic parameters of vanadium-rich Ti16V60Cr24-xFex alloys (x = 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24) was investigated. For each composition, a pressure–concentration isotherm (PCI) was registered at 298, 308, and 323 K. The PCI curves revealed a reduction in plateau pressure and a decrease in desorbed hydrogen capacity with an increasing amount of Fe. For all alloys, about 50% or less of the initial hydrogen capacity was desorbed for all chosen temperatures. Entropy (ΔS) and enthalpy (ΔH) values were deducted from corresponding Van’t Hoff plots of the PCI curves: the entropy values ranged from −150 to −57 J/K·mol H2, while the enthalpy values ranged from −44 to −21 kJ/mol H2. They both decreased with an increasing amount of Fe. Plotting ΔS as function of ΔH showed a linear variation that seems to indicate an enthalpy–entropy compensation. Moreover, a quality factor analysis demonstrated that the present relationship between entropy and enthalpy is not of a statistical origin at the 99% confidence level.
The Curriculum Ideologies Underlying the AfriMEDS Curriculum Framework for Undergraduate Medical and Dental Education in South Africa
Authors: Mnguni Lindelani
Published: January 2024

South Africa faces healthcare challenges due to inefficiencies, resource constraints, and disease burden. The AfriMEDS curriculum framework was adopted as part of curriculum reform to facilitate the training of comprehensive healthcare professionals capable of addressing healthcare challenges. However, the curriculum ideologies underlying this framework have not been explored. This research aimed to qualitatively describe the curriculum ideologies underlying the AfriMEDS framework as a proxy to determine how it could facilitate the training of healthcare practitioners fit to address South African healthcare challenges. ChatGPT was used to extract data from the framework using a previously validated document analysis protocol. Interpretive analysis was employed to analyze the extracted data to determine inferred curriculum ideologies. A complex interplay of curriculum ideologies was found, with the discipline- and service-centered ideologies most dominant, followed by the citizenship-centered ideology, while the student-centered ideology was found the least. It was also found that the six components of curriculum ideologies exhibit varying degrees of ideological representation. It is concluded that, while the AfriMEDS curriculum framework could produce technically skilled and service-oriented practitioners, its effectiveness in nurturing well-rounded medical professionals may be limited. Integrating a balanced representation of all curriculum ideologies is recommended.
Mobility Pattern Analysis during Russia–Ukraine War Using Twitter Location Data
Authors: Shu Yupei , Chen Xu , Di Xuan
Published: January 2024

This paper aims to use location-based social media data to infer the impact of the Russia–Ukraine war on human mobility. We examine the impact of the Russia–Ukraine war on changes in human mobility in terms of the spatial range of check-in locations using social media location data. Specifically, we collect users’ check-in location data from Twitter and analyze the average gyration of check-ins from a region across the timeline of major events associated with the war. Change-point detection is performed on these time-series check-ins to identify the timeline of abrupt changes, which are shown to be consistent with the timing of a series of sanctions and policies. We find that war-related events may contribute secondary impacts (e.g., the surge in gas prices) to users’ travel patterns. The impact of the Russia–Ukraine war on users’ travel patterns can differ based on their own scope. Our case study demonstrates that users’ gyration in Warsaw, Paris, and Berlin experienced a decrease of over 50% during periods of gas price surges. These changes in users’ gyration patterns were particularly noticeable in neighboring countries like Poland compared to the other three countries. The findings of this study can assist policymakers, regulators, and urban planners to evaluate the impact of the war and to be adaptable to city planning after the war.
Treatment of Granulomatous Inflammation in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis
Authors: Gerke Alicia K.
Published: January 2024

The management of pulmonary sarcoidosis is a complex interplay of disease characteristics, the impact of medications, and patient preferences. Foremost, it is important to weigh the risk of anti-granulomatous treatment with the benefits of lung preservation and improvement in quality of life. Because of its high spontaneous resolution rate, pulmonary sarcoidosis should only be treated in cases of significant symptoms due to granulomatous inflammation, lung function decline, or substantial inflammation on imaging that can lead to irreversible fibrosis. The longstanding basis of treatment has historically been corticosteroid therapy for the control of granulomatous inflammation. However, several corticosteroid-sparing options have increasing evidence for use in refractory disease, inability to taper steroids to an acceptable dose, or in those with toxicity to corticosteroids. Treatment of sarcoidosis should be individualized for each patient due to the heterogeneity of the clinical course, comorbid conditions, response to therapy, and tolerance of medication side effects.
Lifestyle and Lipoprotein(a) Levels: Does a Specific Counseling Make Sense?
Authors: Fogacci Federica , Di Micoli Valentina , Sabouret Pierre , Giovannini Marina , Cicero Arrigo F. G.
Published: January 2024

Lipoprotein(Lp)(a) is a variant of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), bound to apolipoprotein B100, whose levels are associated with a significant increase in the risk of atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular events, but also to aortic stenosis and atrial fibrillation. Since plasma levels of Lp(a) are commonly considered resistant to lifestyle changes, we critically reviewed the available evidence on the effect of weight loss, dietary supplements, and physical activity on this risk factor. In our review, we observed that relevant body weight loss, a relatively high intake of saturated fatty acids, the consumption of red wine, and intense physical exercise seems to be associated with significantly lower plasma Lp(a) levels. On the contrary, foods rich in trans-unsaturated fatty acids are associated with increased Lp(a) levels. With regard to dietary supplements, coenzyme Q10, L-Carnitine, and flaxseed exert a mild but significant lowering effect on plasma Lp(a).
Endotypes of Paediatric Cough—Do They Exist and Finding New Techniques to Improve Clinical Outcomes
Authors: O’Farrell Hannah , Kok Hing , Goel Suhani , Chang Anne , Yerkovich Stephanie
Published: January 2024

Chronic cough is a common symptom of many childhood lung conditions. Given the phenotypic heterogeneity of chronic cough, better characterization through endotyping is required to provide diagnostic certainty, precision therapies and to identify pathobiological mechanisms. This review summarizes recent endotype discoveries in airway diseases, particularly in relation to children, and describes the multi-omic approaches that are required to define endotypes. Potential biospecimens that may contribute to endotype and biomarker discoveries are also discussed. Identifying endotypes of chronic cough can likely provide personalized medicine and contribute to improved clinical outcomes for children.
Prophylactic Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Patients at High Risk of Developing Gallbladder Cancer Peritoneal Metastases: Case Report and Rationale for a Prospective Clinical Trial
Authors: Crum Alexander E. , Sestito Michael , Garland-Kledzik Mary , Boone Brian A.
Published: January 2024

Gallbladder cancer is a devastating disease with a 5-year survival of only 18%. The majority of gallbladder cancers are discovered incidentally in patients undergoing cholecystectomy. During non-oncologic laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallbladder disease, gallbladder perforation occurs in 29% of cases and spillage of gallstones occurs in 9% of cases. Patients with gallbladder cancer frequently develop peritoneal recurrence, particularly after intra-operative bile spillage during cholecystectomy for incidental gallbladder cancer. The high likelihood of spillage and peritoneal seeding during cholecystectomy for incidental gallbladder cancer suggests the need for prophylactic strategies to prevent peritoneal carcinomatosis. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has efficacy in gallbladder cancer patients with macroscopic peritoneal disease undergoing cytoreductive surgery and has been associated with a survival advantage in a multi-institutional retrospective case series. However, the utilization of HIPEC with a prophylactic intent against the development of peritoneal disease following resection of gallbladder cancer has not yet been prospectively studied. Here, we review the literature surrounding gallbladder cancer and HIPEC, report an institutional experience utilizing prophylactic HIPEC, and discuss a recently proposed prospective clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of prophylactic HIPEC in the prevention of gallbladder peritoneal metastasis.
Early Impact of Mobilization Process on Cardiac Function and Size in Patients Undergoing Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Vaitiekiene Audrone , Kulboke Migle , Bieseviciene Monika , Bartnykaite Agne , Kireilis Benas , Rinkuniene Diana , Jankauskas Antanas , Zemaitis Justinas , Gaidamavicius Ignas , Gerbutavicius Rolandas , Vaitiekus Domas , Vaskelyte Jolanta Justina , Sakalyte Gintare
Published: January 2024

Background: The hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) process is known to cause cardiac toxicity of different grades. In this paper, we aimed to evaluate the impact of mobilization procedure of hematopoietic stem cells for autologous HSCT process for left and right ventricle sizes and functions. Material and Methods: The data of 47 patients undergoing autologous HSCT were analyzed. All patients underwent hematopoietic stem cell mobilization with chemotherapy and filgrastim at 10 µg/kg/d. Echocardiography was performed two times: before enrolling in the transplantation process and after mobilization before the conditioning regimen for transplantation. Changes in left and right ventricle (RV) diameter and systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle and systolic function of the RV were measured. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed in the change of right ventricular function (S‘)—it slightly decreased. Mean S‘ before mobilization was 13.93 ± 2.85 cm/s, and after mobilization it was 12.19 ± 2.64 cm/s (p = 0.003). No statistically significant change in left ventricular diameter and systolic and diastolic function and RV diameter was observed. Conclusions: The mobilization procedure in patients undergoing autologous HSCT is associated with reduced RV systolic function. S‘ could be used as a reliable tool to evaluate early cardiotoxicity in HSCT patients and guide further follow-up.