bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breast Cancer Cell Type and Biomechanical Properties of Decellularized Mouse Organs Drives Tumor Cell Colonization
Authors: Pospelov Anton D. , Kutova Olga M. , Efremov Yuri M. , Nekrasova Albina A. , Trushina Daria B. , Gefter Sofia D. , Cherkasova Elena I. , Timofeeva Lidia B. , Timashev Peter S. , Zvyagin Andrei V. , Balalaeva Irina V.
Published: August 2023

Tissue engineering has emerged as an indispensable tool for the reconstruction of organ-specific environments. Organ-derived extracellular matrices (ECM) and, especially, decellularized tissues (DCL) are recognized as the most successful biomaterials in regenerative medicine, as DCL preserves the most essential organ-specific ECM properties such as composition alongside biomechanics characterized by stiffness and porosity. Expansion of the DCL technology to cancer biology research, drug development, and nanomedicine is pending refinement of the existing DCL protocols whose reproducibility remains sub-optimal varying from organ to organ. We introduce a facile decellularization protocol universally applicable to murine organs, including liver, lungs, spleen, kidneys, and ovaries, with demonstrated robustness, reproducibility, high purification from cell debris, and architecture preservation, as confirmed by the histological and SEM analysis. The biomechanical properties of as-produced DCL organs expressed in terms of the local and total stiffness were measured using our facile methodology and were found well preserved in comparison with the intact organs. To demonstrate the utility of the developed DCL model to cancer research, we engineered three-dimensional tissue constructs by recellularization representative decellularized organs and collagenous hydrogel with human breast cancer cells of pronounced mesenchymal (MDA-MB-231) or epithelial (SKBR-3) phenotypes. The biomechanical properties of the DCL organs were found pivotal to determining the cancer cell fate and progression. Our histological and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study revealed that the larger the ECM mean pore size and the smaller the total stiffness (as in lung and ovary), the more proliferative and invasive the mesenchymal cells became. At the same time, the low local stiffness ECMs (ranged 2.8–3.6 kPa) did support the epithelial-like SKBR-3 cells’ viability (as in lung and spleen), while stiff ECMs did not. The total and local stiffness of the collagenous hydrogel was measured too low to sustain the proliferative potential of both cell lines. The observed cell proliferation patterns were easily interpretable in terms of the ECM biomechanical properties, such as binding sites, embedment facilities, and migration space. As such, our three-dimensional tissue engineering model is scalable and adaptable for pharmacological testing and cancer biology research of metastatic and primary tumors, including early metastatic colonization in native organ-specific ECM.
Linkage Pathways of DNA–Nanoparticle Conjugates and Biological Applications
Authors: Huang Shan , Zhu Jun-Jie
Published: August 2023

DNA–nanoparticle conjugates have extraordinary optical and catalytic properties that have attracted great interest in biosensing and biomedical applications. Combining these special qualities has made it possible to create extremely sensitive and selective biomolecule detection methods, as well as effective nanopharmaceutical carriers and therapy medications. In particular, inorganic nanoparticles, such as metal nanoparticles, metal–organic framework nanoparticles, or upconversion nanoparticles with relatively inert surfaces can easily bind to DNA through covalent bonds, ligand bonds, electrostatic adsorption, biotin–streptavidin interactions and click chemistry to form DNA–nanoparticle conjugates for a broad range of applications in biosensing and biomedicine due to their exceptional surface modifiability. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the assembly mechanism of DNA–nanoparticle conjugates and their biological applications. The challenges of designing DNA–nanoparticle conjugates and their further applications are also discussed.
GC/MS Profile and Antifungal Activity of Zanthoxylum caribaeum Lam Essential Oil against Moniliophthora roreri Cif and Par, a Pathogen That Infects Theobroma cacao L Crops in the Tropics
Authors: Fuentes-Estrada Marcial , Jiménez-González Andrea , Duarte Diannefair , Saavedra-Barrera Rogerio , Areche Carlos , Stashenko Elena , Pino Benítez Nayive , Bárcenas-Pérez Daniela , Cheel José , García-Beltrán Olimpo
Published: August 2023

The species Zanthoxylum caribaeum belongs to the Rutaceae family, from which several chemical nuclei are known, including alkaloids and coumarins. In addition, its essential oil has been characterized, showing differences in composition and various antimicrobial activities. In the present study, the essential oil of Z. caribaeum collected in the department of Tolima, central Colombia, was characterized by gas chromatography with mass selective detector (GC-MS). The essential oil showed a composition of about 43 compounds (including major and minor), whose main components, according to their abundance, are the following: germacrene D (228.0 ± 1.6 mg/g EO), (E)-β-farnesene (128.0 ± 1.5 mg/g EO), β-elemene (116.0 ± 1.6 mg/g EO) and (E)-nerolidol (74.0 ± 2.2 mg/g EO). This oil was tested against microorganisms that affect cocoa production in Colombia and in tropical countries where the production of this commodity is very important for the economy. The antifungal tests were performed on the fungal species Moniliophthora roreri and showed promising and significant activity, inhibiting growth by more than 95% at concentrations of 50 µL/mL and 100 µL/mL. This remarkable antifungal activity could be due to the presence of major and minor compounds that synergistically enhance the activity.
Use of a Hybrid Approach to Estimate Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Transport Sector in Palestine
Authors: Jafar Hanan A. , Shahrour Isam , Mroueh Hussein
Published: August 2023

The transport sector is the second leading emitter of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs) from fuel combustion activities on a global scale. Reducing emissions related to this sector requires detailed data about the emissions by vehicle type and traveled distance. Generally, these data are missing in developing countries, which makes difficult the establishment of effective policies for the reduction of these emissions. This paper presents a hybrid method to estimate these emissions using the IPCC 2006 guidelines. The method combines bottom-up and top-down approaches to estimate vehicular emissions using data about the vehicle type, vehicle kilometers traveled, and fuel consumption. This method is applied for the first time for the Palestinian territory. Data have been collected from the administration, official reports, and papers. The results show a significant increase in the total vehicles in Palestine, particularly diesel vehicles. Emissions from the on-road transport system were approximately 2,207,834 tons of CO2eq in 2019. Diesel vehicles were responsible for about 75% of these emissions. Private cars were the most significant contributor to these emissions, with a share exceeding 50% of the total emissions, followed by commercial vehicles and light trucks (20%), public taxis (9%), and buses (7%). These results show clearly that the GHGEs reduction policies in Palestine should focus on diesel and private vehicles by developing the public transport systems and replacing diesel and gasoline vehicles with more environmentally friendly vehicles, such as hybrid and electric cars.
Non-Destructive Elemental Analysis of Raster Roller Damage Using X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Authors: Małachowska Edyta , Lipkiewicz Aneta , Dubowik Marcin , Drozd Robert , Przybysz Piotr
Published: August 2023

Despite numerous methods to optimise their operation and parameters, anilox rolls are subject to rapid wear during use and due to improper cleaning processes. Therefore, regular diagnosis is needed. In this study, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis based on Fe and Cr was used to determine the elemental compositions of raster cylinder coatings. Due to the layered composition of the anilox roll, where Cr2O3 coating is applied on the iron core, evaluation of the composition of the roll surface can be used to detection of anilox damage. A portable XRF apparatus was used to identify selected elements even at low concentrations of <1%. In this work, it was proved that XRF can be a preliminary, rapid method for assessing the technical condition of an anilox cylinder. The XRF technique can be safely used in non-destructive chemical analyses of the anilox rollers’ condition in flexographic printing technology, and chemical information that aids in their use may be routinely obtained, thus enabling high-quality printing. This is a pioneering study in which the XRF spectroscopy technique was successfully used to anilox roll condition assessment.
Microstructure and Properties of FeCrMnxAlCu High-Entropy Alloys and Coatings
Authors: Ma Kai , Feng Li , Wang Zhipeng
Published: August 2023

FeCrMnxAlCu (x = 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2) high-entropy alloys (HEA) and coatings were prepared through vacuum arc melting and cold spray-assisted induction remelting processes. This study investigated the effect of different Mn contents on the microstructure and wear resistance of HEAs and coatings. The results showed that the high-entropy FeCrMnxAlCu alloy prepared through vacuum arc melting and cold spray-assisted induction remelting processes comprised simple body-centered cubic and face-centered cubic phases with dendritic + interdendrite structures. The coating of the prepared alloys exhibited superior performance compared with the cast alloy. In addition, the hardness of the FeCrMnxAlCu HEA coatings synthesized through induction remelting was 1.4 times higher than that of the cast FeCrMnxAlCu HEA. Moreover, the wear rate of induction-remelted produced HEA coating was reduced by 24% compared with that of vacuum arc-melted produced HEA. The hardness of the induction-remelted produced FeCrMnxAlCu HEA coating initially increased and then decreased with increasing Mn contents. At x = 1, the hardness of FeCrMnAlCu HEA coating reached a maximum value of 586 HV, with a wear rate of 2.95 × 10−5 mm3/(N·m). The main wear mechanisms observed in the FeCrMnxAlCu HEA coatings were adhesive, abrasive, and oxidative.
CEAT: Categorising Ethereum Addresses’ Transaction Behaviour with Ensemble Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Pragasam Tiffany Tien Nee , Thomas John Victor Joshua , Vensuslaus Maria Anu , Radhakrishnan Subhashini
Published: August 2023

Cryptocurrencies are rapidly growing and are increasingly accepted by major commercial vendors. However, along with their rising popularity, they have also become the go-to currency for illicit activities driven by the anonymity they provide. Cryptocurrencies such as the one on the Ethereum blockchain provide a way for entities to hide their real-world identities behind pseudonyms, also known as addresses. Hence, the purpose of this work is to uncover the level of anonymity in Ethereum by investigating multiclass classification models for Externally Owned Accounts (EOAs) of Ethereum. The researchers aim to achieve this by examining patterns of transaction activity associated with these addresses. Using a labelled Ethereum address dataset from Kaggle and the Ethereum crypto dataset by Google BigQuery, an address profiles dataset was compiled based on the transaction history of the addresses. The compiled dataset, consisting of 4371 samples, was used to tune and evaluate the Random Forest, Gradient Boosting and XGBoost classifier for predicting the category of the addresses. The best-performing model found for the problem was the XGBoost classifier, achieving an accuracy of 75.3% with a macro-averaged F1-Score of 0.689. Following closely was the Random Forest classifier, with an accuracy of 73.7% and a macro-averaged F1-Score of 0.641. Gradient Boosting came in last with 73% accuracy and a macro-averaged F1-Score of 0.659. Owing to the data limitations in this study, the overall scores of the best model were weaker in comparison to similar research, with the exception of precision, which scored slightly higher. Nevertheless, the results proved that it is possible to predict the category of an Ethereum wallet address such as Phish/Hack, Scamming, Exchange and ICO wallets based on its transaction behaviour.
Study on the Purification Effect and Equilibrium Distribution Coefficient of Impurities during Zone Refining of Fluorene
Authors: Shang Yifeng , Li Jun , Chen Ming
Published: August 2023

High-purity fluorene is widely used in optoelectronic materials, biology, medicine, and other fields. It is a kind of industrial chemical with high added value. In this paper, zone melting purification technology was used to study the purification effect of fluorene on the zone travel rate, the zone length, the zone passing number, and the zone temperature difference. The concentration distribution of fluorene and the impurities 2-methylbiphenyl, 4-methylbiphenyl, 4-methyldibenzofuran, and dibenzofunan along the moving direction of the melting zone was obtained. A one-pass zone refining model of fluorene was established; the effective distribution coefficients of the four impurities above were obtained via mathematical software fitting; and the equilibrium distribution coefficients were further calculated, which were 0.2441, 0.5850, 0.2377, and 0.3497, respectively. The k0 of all impurities was less than 1. The purification effect of fluorene can be improved by using a larger zone length in the initial zone melting purification process, a smaller zone travel rate in the whole zone melting purification process, multiple zone melting purification processes, and a larger zone temperature difference. After four zone melting purification processes, the purity of fluorene increased from 97.62% to 99.08%, which was nearly 1.5% higher than the initial purity of fluorene. Zone melting purification technology provides a new idea for the preparation of high-purity fluorene.
Towards Action-State Process Model Discovery
Authors: Bottrighi Alessio , Guazzone Marco , Leonardi Giorgio , Montani Stefania , Striani Manuel , Terenziani Paolo
Published: August 2023

Process model discovery covers the different methodologies used to mine a process model from traces of process executions, and it has an important role in artificial intelligence research. Current approaches in this area, with a few exceptions, focus on determining a model of the flow of actions only. However, in several contexts, (i) restricting the attention to actions is quite limiting, since the effects of such actions also have to be analyzed, and (ii) traces provide additional pieces of information in the form of states (i.e., values of parameters possibly affected by the actions); for instance, in several medical domains, the traces include both actions and measurements of patient parameters. In this paper, we propose AS-SIM (Action-State SIM), the first approach able to mine a process model that comprehends two distinct classes of nodes, to capture both actions and states.
Draft Genome Sequence Data of Streptomyces anulatus, Strain K-31
Authors: Bogoyavlenskiy Andrey P. , Alexyuk Madina S. , Sadanov Amankeldi K. , Berezin Vladimir E. , Trenozhnikova Lyudmila P. , Baymakhanova Gul B.
Published: August 2023

Streptomyces anulatus is a typical representative of the Streptomyces genus synthesizing a large number of biologically active compounds. In this study, the draft genome of Streptomyces anulatus, strain K-31 is presented, generated from Illumina reads by SPAdes software. The size of the assembled genome was 8.548838 Mb. Annotation of the S. anulatus genome assembly identified C. hemipterus genome 7749 genes, including 7149 protein-coding genes and 92 RNA genes. This genome will be helpful to further understand Streptomyces genetics and evolution and can be useful for obtained biological active compounds.
Association of Obesity with SARS-CoV-2 and Its Relationship with the Humoral Response Prior to Vaccination in the State of Mexico: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Montes-Herrera Daniel , Muñoz-Medina José Esteban , Fernandes-Matano Larissa , Salas-Lais Angel Gustavo , Hernández-Cueto Ma. De Los Ángeles , Santacruz-Tinoco Clara Esperanza , Monroy-Muñoz Irma Eloisa , Angeles-Martínez Javier
Published: August 2023

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of contracting infections. This study aimed to estimate the risk of COVID-19 infection associated with obesity and to assess its role in the specific antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 in 2021. This study included 980 participants from the State of Mexico who participated in a serological survey where they were tested for SARS-CoV-2 IgG anti-S1/S2 and anti-RBD antibodies and asked for height, weight, and previous infection data via a questionnaire. Of the cohort of 980 participants, 451 (46.02%) were seropositive at the time of recruitment (45.2% symptomatic and 54.8% asymptomatic). The risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection with obesity was 2.18 (95% CI: 1.51–3.16), 2.58 (95% CI: 1.63–4.09), and 1.88 (95% CI: 1.18–2.98) for seropositive, asymptomatic, and symptomatic individuals, respectively, compared to those with normal weight. Anti-S1/S2 and anti-RBD IgG antibodies tended to be higher in overweight and obese participants in the seropositive group and stratified by different obesity classes. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between anti-S1/S2 and anti-RBD IgG antibodies and BMI in both men and women in the seropositive group. Obesity is an independent risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection when adjusted for confounding variables; however, the relationship between BMI and anti-S1/S2 and anti-RBD IgG antibody levels differed markedly in the presence or absence of symptoms.
Mechanism Analysis of Vascular Calcification Based on Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Xu Shuwan , Wang Feng , Mai Peibiao , Peng Yanren , Shu Xiaorong , Nie Ruqiong , Zhang Huanji
Published: August 2023

Vascular calcification is the abnormal deposition of calcium phosphate complexes in blood vessels, which is regarded as the pathological basis of multiple cardiovascular diseases. The flowing blood exerts a frictional force called shear stress on the vascular wall. Blood vessels have different hydrodynamic properties due to discrepancies in geometric and mechanical properties. The disturbance of the blood flow in the bending area and the branch point of the arterial tree produces a shear stress lower than the physiological magnitude of the laminar shear stress, which can induce the occurrence of vascular calcification. Endothelial cells sense the fluid dynamics of blood and transmit electrical and chemical signals to the full-thickness of blood vessels. Through crosstalk with endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells trigger osteogenic transformation, involved in mediating vascular intima and media calcification. In addition, based on the detection of fluid dynamics parameters, emerging imaging technologies such as 4D Flow MRI and computational fluid dynamics have greatly improved the early diagnosis ability of cardiovascular diseases, showing extremely high clinical application prospects.
Special Issue “Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management of COPD and Asthma”
Authors: Nishimura Koichi
Published: August 2023

It has been my great pleasure to publish 17 papers in the Special Issue “Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management of COPD and Asthma” [...]
Possible Risk Factors for Dental Fear and Anxiety in Children Who Suffered Traumatic Dental Injury
Authors: Kvesić Anka Jurišić , Hrelja Miroslav , Lovrić Željka , Šimunović Luka , Špiljak Bruno , Supina Nika , Vranić Lara , Vranić Dubravka Negovetić
Published: August 2023

Background: Children who undergo painful experiences such as traumatic dental injury (TDI) during their early years are more likely to be at an increased risk of developing dental fear and anxiety (DFA). The purpose of this study was to identify potential risk factors for DFA of these children. Methods: The study participants were 220 parents/caregivers and their children who experienced TDI. Their socio-demographic backgrounds were investigated with the modified WHO Oral Health Questionnaire for Children that included questions about parents’ knowledge and attitudes, while the DFA level was determined using the Children’s Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) and the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S Index) was used to assess oral hygiene status. Results: The confirmed risk factors are parental knowledge, female gender, and degree of oral hygiene and pain in the last three months, while age, type of TDI, presence of soft-tissue injury, and number of subjective complaints were not confirmed. The overall model predicted approximately 54% of variance in DFA, R2 = 0.545, F (4.215) = 64.28 p < 0.001. Conclusions: These findings emphasise the importance of addressing pain management, improving oral hygiene, and enhancing parental knowledge to mitigate DFA in children with TDIs.
Sliding-Mode Control for Flight Stability of Quadrotor Drone Using Adaptive Super-Twisting Reaching Law
Authors: Ahn Hyeongki , Hu Mingyuan , Chung Yoonuh , You Kwanho
Published: August 2023

In this study, a sliding-mode controller is designed using an adaptive reaching law with a super-twisting algorithm. A dynamic model of a drone is designed with a quadrotor that has four motors and considers disturbances and model uncertainties. Given that the drone operates as an under-actuated system, its flight stability and maneuverability are influenced by the discontinuous signal produced by the reaching law of the sliding-mode control. Therefore, this study aims to improve the sliding-mode control and stability of drone flight using the proposed adaptive law, which is based on exponential properties. The discontinuous signal of a conventional strategy is overcome using the super-twisting algorithm, and the drone rapidly reaches equilibrium using the proposed adaptive law that utilizes the sliding surface value. The proposed control strategy covers a higher dimension than the conventional sliding-mode control strategy; the system stability is proven using the strict Lyapunov function. The reaching time estimation results are introduced and used to compare the respective reaching times of the control strategies. To verify the superior performance of the proposed control method, multiple experiments are conducted under various situations and realizations. The simulation results prove that the proposed control method achieved a superior rapid response, stable maneuvering, and robustness with shorter reaching time.
The Why of the Teaching Profession: Validation of a Structural Model of Teacher Motivations
Authors: Rodríguez-Rivero Eligia Rosa , Rodríguez Hernández Antonio Francisco , Hernández-Jorge Carmen Mercedes , Duarte-Lores Isabel
Published: August 2023

The aim of this work was to validate an empirical model that integrates the different motivational categories that explain the decision to become a teacher. This work provides empirical evidence of the psychometric quality of the instrument used, CUMODE. On the basis of this instrument, a structural model is validated that integrates the different types of motivations associated with teaching. The participants in the study were 228 active teachers and 389 trainee teachers. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was applied to the data in order to extract their structure. Cronbach’s test was used to analyze the internal consistency of each item. The results showed an adequate KMO index of 0.907. The third refined model consisted of 14 items and obtained adequate fit indexes: χ2 (df = 129) = 2.74, CFI = 0.94, GFI = 0.88, RMSEA = 0.09 (90% CI = 0.07–11), and SRMR = 0.07. Finally, a confirmatory factor analysis was applied with a sample of trainee teachers to validate the model. The model is equally valid for the sample of trainee teachers.
Using a Profiling System to Recommend Employees to Carry out a Project
Authors: Rafae Abderrahim , Erritali Mohammed
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we introduce the application of a profiling system to suggest appropriate employee profiles for project assignments based on task specifications. The primary objective of this system is to assist managers in gaining a comprehensive understanding of their employees’ profiles and motivations. Our research introduces a recommendation system that relies on a profiling approach, analyzing messages and publications shared within a professional network. The proposed system is composed of two main components. The first component focuses on profiling, extracting relevant information from the company’s Human resources (HR) data, identifying interests, and establishing a psychological profile from publications exchanged within the professional platform. The second component is dedicated to recommending profiles that closely align with the specific requirements of each project. Our system yields promising results in predicting favored candidates for projects, achieving an accuracy of 0.92 and an F-score of 0.94. By integrating message-based profiling and leveraging data from professional networks, our approach proves to be effective in recommending well-suited candidates for various projects.
Adaptive Image Size Padding for Load Balancing in System-on-Chip Memory Hierarchy
Authors: Kim So-Yeon , Hur Jae-Young
Published: August 2023

The conventional address map often incurs traffic congestion in on-chip memory components and degrades memory utilization when the access pattern of an application is not matched with the address map. To reduce traffic congestion and improve the memory system performance, we propose an adaptive image size padding technique for a given address mapping and a hardware configuration. In the presented software approach, the system can adaptively determine the image pad size at the application-invoke time to enhance the load balancing across the on-chip memory hierarchy. Mainly targeting a high-bandwidth image processing application running in a device accelerator of an embedded system, we present the design, describe the algorithm, and conduct the performance experiment. As a result, the experiments indicate the presented design can improve load balancing up to 95% and performance up to 35%, with insignificant memory footprint overheads.
Graphene Deposited on Glass Fiber Using a Non-Thermal Plasma System
Authors: Gomes Paulo V. R. , Bonifacio Rafael N. , Silva Barbara P. G. , Ferreira João C. , de Souza Rodrigo F. B. , Otubo Larissa , Lazar Dolores R. R. , Neto Almir O.
Published: August 2023

This study reports a bottom-up approach for the conversion of cyclohexane into graphene nanoflakes, which were then deposited onto fiberglass using a non-thermal generator. The composite was characterized using transmission electron microscopy, which revealed the formation of stacked few-layer graphene with a partially disordered structure and a d-spacing of 0.358 nm between the layers. X-ray diffraction confirmed the observations from the TEM images. SEM images showed the agglomeration of carbonaceous material onto the fiberglass, which experienced some delamination due to the synthesis method. Raman spectroscopy indicated that the obtained graphene exhibited a predominance of defects in its structure. Additionally, atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses revealed the formation of graphene layers with varying levels of porosity.
A Low Power Low Inrush Current LDO with Different Techniques for PSR and Stability Improvement
Authors: Hammam Hazem H. , Hosny Mostafa A. , Omran Hesham A. , Ibrahim Sameh A.
Published: August 2023

One of the most popular power management regulators is the low drop-out voltage regulator (LDO). LDOs have different specifications such as the power supply rejection (PSR) over different frequencies, stability over different load ranges, inrush current spike flows through the input supply, and power consumption. In this work, we present a low power low inrush current LDO design with different techniques for PSR and stability improvement across different frequencies. The LDO presented in this work is a low-power and small area LDO but achieves a high PSR over a wide range of frequencies. The LDO is designed in 65 nm CMOS technology and achieves a PSR better than 80 dB up to 30 MHz for an output load current of 25 mA using an output load capacitor of 4 µF. The design can be used in capless/capped LDOs with wide load current ranges as high as 200 mA and load capacitor range from 1 nF to 12 µF with inrush current improvement by more than 2×. The presented LDO consumes a zero-load quiescent current of 10 µA and its area of 180 µm × 180 µm.
Comparison of Intra-Event Characteristics of Hydrogen and Oxygen Stable Isotopes between Rainfall and Throughfall and the Effects of Pre-Event Precipitation
Authors: Xia Chengcheng , Liu Guodong , Meng Yuchuan , Chen Ke
Published: August 2023

The isotopic composition of precipitation provides valuable information about its source and transportation. However, raindrops interact with vegetation before reaching the earth’s surface, leading to isotopic changes in the infiltrating water. Comparing isotopic composition between rainfall and throughfall helps to understand canopy processes and their impact on isotopic variation. Based on observational data collected during the periods of July 2019, July–August 2020, and July–August 2021 in a planted forest located in the southwest monsoon region of China, this study examines hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in rainfall and throughfall at event and intra-event scales, and investigates the effects of pre-event precipitation (PEP) on the isotopic composition. The results indicate that during the initial stage of precipitation, δ18O was enriched in rainfall and it presented a dilution effect gradually, while the d-excess exhibits a low initial value followed by an increasing trend. The difference in δ18O between throughfall and rainfall initially increased and subsequently converged around 0, whereas the difference in d-excess experiences a decreasing phase, followed by an increasing phase, and finally a decreasing phase. Canopy interception led to a lag effect during the early stage of precipitation; the forest exhibited higher water vapor content compared to open land in the intermediate stage, which reduced the degree of non-equilibrium fractionation in throughfall, and the flow pathway enhanced in the later stage. Evaporation processes become more prominent as precipitation intensity weakens. The rainfall and throughfall were influenced by distinct meteorological factors in different precipitation events, and the role of the forest canopy varied across different precipitation periods. PEP was found to augment the intercept and slope of the linear relationship between the H-O isotopic composition of throughfall and rainfall. This pre-event effect also contributes to heightened fluctuations in the δ18O and d-excess values during subsequent precipitation events. The findings contribute to understanding water dynamics, vegetation interception, and mechanisms governing water input in forested areas during precipitation events, which provides valuable insights for analyzing factors influencing water movement in forest ecosystems.
Spatio-Temporal Evolution of Forest Landscape in China’s Giant Panda National Park: A Case Study of Jiudingshan Nature Reserve
Authors: Wang Juan , Zhao Dan , Liu Xian’an , Shao Qiufang , Yang Danli , Zeng Fanru , Feng Yu , Zhang Shiqi , Peng Peihao , Liu Jinping
Published: August 2023

The continuous prohibition of commercial logging and intensifying conservation endeavors have encompassed the implementation of the Natural Forest Conservation Program (NFCP) and the Grain-to-Green Program (GTGP) by the Chinese government since 1999. Nevertheless, the efficacy of the commercial logging ban and its effectiveness in halting deforestation remain uncertain. Likewise, the destructive aftermath of the 7.9 magnitude Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 continues to be under scrutiny, necessitating ongoing study and analysis. Thus, there exists a pressing need to comprehensively monitor the spatio-temporal evolution of the forest habitat and assess the ecological status over the past two decades. The Jiudingshan Nature Reserve (JNR) is situated in the upper reaches of the Tuojiang River basin in Sichuan province, China, constituting an integral part of the Giant Panda National Park (GPNP). In this study, we classified land cover types and conducted a meticulous monitoring of forest habitat alterations within JNR, by a multilayer perceptron model (MLP) with a highly learning-sensitive algorithm. To quantify these changes, the Simple Ratio Index (SRI) and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were computed from Landsat TM/OLI images of four years (i.e., 1997, 2007, 2008, and 2018). Additionally, elevation, slope, aspect, and other topographic data were acquired from the Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The findings of our study unveil a notable expansion in both the scope and proportion of mixed conifer and broadleaf forest from 1997 to 2004. The growth of coniferous forest and the augmented areas of mixed conifer and broadleaf forest signify a substantial improvement in panda habitat. However, the seismic event of 2008 exhibited a pronounced adverse impact on vegetation, particularly within forested regions. Although there is evidence of forest recovery spanning 21 years, concerns regarding fragmentation linger. It is pivotal to acknowledge the potential long-term adverse implications arising from widespread socio-economic development and a multitude of geohazards. Hence, sustained long-term monitoring coupled with effective management strategies remain pivotal for the preservation and rehabilitation of the Giant Panda National Park (GPNP) and giant panda habitat in the future.
Mapping EEG Alpha Activity: Assessing Concentration Levels during Player Experience in Virtual Reality Video Games
Authors: GomezRomero-Borquez Jesus , Del Puerto-Flores J. Alberto , Del-Valle-Soto Carolina
Published: August 2023

This work presents a study in which the cognitive concentration levels of participants were evaluated using electroencephalogram (EEG) measures while they were playing three different categories of virtual reality (VR) video games: Challenging Puzzlers, Casual Games, and Exergames. Thirty-one voluntary participants between the ages of 17 and 35 were recruited. EEG data were processed to analyze the brain’s electrical activity in the alpha band. The values of power spectral density (PSD) and individual alpha frequency (IAF) of each participant were compared to detect changes that could indicate a state of concentration. Additionally, frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) between the left and right hemispheres of the brain was compared. The results showed that the Exergame category of video games elicited higher average cognitive concentration in players, as indicated by the IAF and FAA values. These findings contribute to understanding the cognitive effects of VR video games and their implications for designing and developing VR experiences to enhance cognitive abilities.
Processing and Bread-Making Quality Profile of Spanish Spelt Wheat
Authors: Huertas-García Ana Belén , Guzmán Carlos , Ibba Maria Itria , Rakszegi Marianna , Sillero Josefina C. , Alvarez Juan B.
Published: August 2023

Spelt wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ssp. spelta Thell.) is an ancient wheat that has been widely cultivated for hundreds of years. Recently, this species has been neglected in most of Europe; however, the desire for more natural and traditional foods has driven a revival of the crop. In the current study, eighty-eight traditional spelt genotypes from Spain, together with nine common wheat cultivars and one modern spelt (cv. Anna Maria) were grown during a period of two years in Andalucia (southern Spain). In each, several traits were measured in to evaluate their milling, processing, and end-use quality (bread-making). The comparison between species suggested that, in general, spelt and common wheat showed differences for most of the measured traits; on average, spelt genotypes had softer grains, higher protein content (14.3 vs. 11.9%) and gluten extensibility (alveograph P/L 0.5 vs. 1.8), and lower gluten strength (alveograph W 187 vs. 438 × 10−4 J). In the baking test, both species showed similar values. Nevertheless, the analysis of this set of spelt genotypes showed a wide range for all measured traits, with higher values than common wheat in some spelt genotypes for some traits. This opens up the possibility of using these materials in future breeding programs, to develop either new spelt or common wheat cultivars.
Comparative Study of In Situ Gel Formulation Based on the Physico-Chemical Aspect: Systematic Review
Authors: Kurniawansyah Insan Sunan , Rusdiana Taofik , Sopyan Iyan , Desy Arya Insi Farisa , Wahab Habibah A. , Nurzanah Dela
Published: August 2023

In recent years, in situ gel delivery systems have received a great deal of attention among pharmacists. The in situ gelation mechanism has several advantages over ointments, the most notable being the ability to provide regular and continuous drug delivery with no impact on visual clarity. Bioavailability, penetration, duration, and maximum medication efficacy are all improved by this mechanism. Our review systematically synthesizes and discusses comparisons between three types of in situ gelling system according to their phase change performance based on the physicochemical aspect from publications indexed in the Pubmed, ResearchGate, Scopus, Elsevier, and Google Scholar databases. An optimal temperature-sensitive in situ gelling solution must have a phase change temperature greater than ambient temperature (25 °C) to be able to be readily delivered to the eye; hence, it was fabricated at 35 °C, which is the precorneal temperature. In a pH-sensitive gelling system, a gel develops immediately when the bio-stimuli come into contact with it. An in situ gelling system with ionic strength-triggered medication can also perhaps be used in optical drug-delivery mechanisms. In studies about the release behavior of drugs from in situ gels, different models have been used such as zero-order kinetics, first-order kinetics, the Higuchi model, and the Korsmeyer-Peppas, Peppas-Sahlin and Weibull models. In conclusion, the optimum triggering approach for forming gels in situ is determined by a certain therapeutic delivery application combined with the physico-chemical qualities sought.
Critical Family History and Migration: Introductory Essay
Authors: Byrnes Giselle , Coleborne Catharine
Published: August 2023

Inspired by the work of Christine Sleeter and Avril Bell, among others, the articles that comprise this Special Issue seek to respond to questions focused on the relationship between family history and the processes of migration and colonisation and how this might impact on a family’s sense of itself today [...]
Changes in Interleukin-1β, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, and Interleukin-10 Cytokines in Older People with Periodontitis
Authors: Sumbayak Ines Augustina , Masulili Sri Lelyati C. , Tadjoedin Fatimah Maria , Sulijaya Benso , Mutiara Arrum , Khoirowati Diana , Soeroso Yuniarti , Bachtiar Boy M.
Published: August 2023

Aging can change the ability to respond to various stimuli and physical conditions. A decreased immune response is a form of deterioration of function in older people, who then become more vulnerable when exposed to pathogens. Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the periodontal tissues that often occurs in older people. This study aimed to clinically analyze the periodontal status and cytokine levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-10 in older people and adults with periodontitis. This clinical study examined 20 persons in a group of older people and 20 persons in a group of adults. The clinical measurements of periodontal status included the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S), Plaque Index (PlI), and Papilla Bleeding Index (PBI). The cytokine levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were quantified by using ELISA kits. The OHI-S, PlI, and PBI were found to be higher in the older group. The mean values of cytokines were higher in the older group than in adults, although no statistically significant differences were found. A strong correlation was found between the clinical measurements and the cytokine levels in the GCF. There was an increasing tendency of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the older group compared to the adult group.
Priority Health Needs and Challenges in New Zealand Pacific Communities—A Qualitative Analysis of Healthcare Delivery during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Reddy Ravi , Sluyter John , Kiadarbandsari Atefeh , Ofanoa Malakai , Heather Maryann , Fa’alau Fuafiva , Nosa Vili
Published: August 2023

Background: The Pacific community in New Zealand experienced an increased risk of COVID-19 transmission due to delayed contact tracing, along with a disproportionate prevalence of health challenges. The community is representative of a diverse population who proudly identify with the vibrant Pacific Island nations of Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Niue, Fiji, etc. Pacific communities in New Zealand face a higher burden of health challenges compared to other groups. These challenges include obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, mental health disorders, respiratory issues, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, disabilities, and chronic conditions. Concerns were raised regarding the oversight of Pacific community views in the initial pandemic response planning. Pacific healthcare professionals expressed concerns about inadequate state support and the need for active involvement in decision making. Methods: This article reports thematic analyses of text data gained from open-ended questions from a purposive anonymous online survey completed by Pacific healthcare professionals in New Zealand. Results: The participants shared their experiences and opinions, which generated four major themes highlighting priority health needs and challenges. These themes included the necessity for a culturally appropriate healthcare plan, adequate resourcing, addressing discrimination, and emphasising a united and collaborative effort for consistency. The research’s limitation is the narrow scope of open-ended questions in the questionnaire survey. However, conducting semi-structured face-to-face interviews can provide more in-depth data and offer further insights beyond the four broad themes identified in the analysis. Conclusions: The findings can inform the development of future research to provide more in-depth data and offer further insights beyond the four broad themes identified in the analysis. This will help develop future tailored healthcare delivery plans that address specific Pacific community needs.
A Systematic Review to Manage Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorders in Pediatric Gastroenterological Practice
Authors: Cucinotta Ugo , Romano Claudio , Dipasquale Valeria
Published: August 2023

Avoidant/Restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a feeding disorder characterized by persistent difficulty eating, such as limited choices of preferred foods, avoidance or restriction of certain foods or food groups, and negative emotions related to eating or meals. Although ARFID mainly affects children, it can also occur in adolescents and adults. ARFID can have serious physical and mental health consequences, including stunted growth, nutritional deficiencies, anxiety, and other psychiatric comorbidities. Despite its increasing importance, ARFID is relatively underrecognized and undertreated in clinical practice. Treatment consists of a multidisciplinary approach involving pediatric gastroenterologists, nutritionists, neuropsychiatrists, and psychologists. However, there are several gaps in the therapeutic approach for this condition, mainly due to the lack of interventional trials and the methodological variability of existing studies. Few studies have explored the nutritional management of ARFID, and no standardized guidelines exist to date. We performed a systematic literature review to describe the different nutritional interventions for children and adolescents diagnosed with ARFID and to assess their efficacy and tolerability. We identified seven retrospective cohort studies where patients with various eating and feeding disorders, including ARFID, underwent nutritional rehabilitation in hospital settings. In all studies, similar outcomes emerged in terms of efficacy and tolerability. According to our findings, the oral route should be the preferred way to start the refeeding protocol, and the enteral route should be generally considered a last resort for non-compliant patients or in cases of clinical instability. The initial caloric intake may be adapted to the initial nutritional status, but more aggressive refeeding regimens appear to be well tolerated and not associated with an increased risk of clinical refeeding syndrome (RS). In severely malnourished patients, however, phosphorus or magnesium supplementation may be considered to prevent the risk of electrolyte imbalance, or RS.
Social Support among Older Persons and Its Association with Smoking: Findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2018
Authors: Krishnapillai Ambigga , Kee Chee Cheong , Ariaratnam Suthahar , Jaffar Aida , Omar Mohd Azahadi , Sanaudi Ridwan B. , Sooryanarayana Rajini , Kiau Ho Bee , Ghazali Sazlina Shariff , Mohd Tohit Noorlaili , Zainal Abidin Sheleaswani Inche
Published: August 2023

Background: Globally, the average age of the world’s population of older people continues to rise and having a good social support network becomes increasingly relevant with the aging populace. Overall, in Malaysia, social support prevalence was low among older persons. This study was conducted to determine the association between social support and smoking status among the older Malaysian population. Methods: Data were obtained from the National Health and Morbidity (NHMS) 2018 survey on the health of older Malaysian adults and analyzed. This cross-sectional population-based study used a two-stage stratified random sampling design. Sociodemographic characteristics, smoking status, and social support data were collected from respondents aged 60 years and more. A validated Malay language interviewer-administered questionnaire of 11-items, the Duke Social Support Index, was utilized to assess the social support status. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of social support and smoking status among the respondents. Results: The prevalence of good social support was significantly higher among the 60–69 years old (73.1%) compared to the ≥80 years old respondents (50%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that respondents aged ≥80 years old were 1.7 times more likely to have poor social support compared to those aged 60–69 years. Respondents with no formal education were 1.93 times more likely to have poor social support compared to respondents who had tertiary education. Respondents with an income of MYR 3000. Former smokers had good social support compared to current smokers (73.6% vs. 78.7%). For current smokers, they had poor social support, which is almost 1.42 times higher than that for non-smokers. Conclusion: There was poor social support among older people who were current smokers, had an increased age, had no formal education and had a low income. The findings obtained from this study could assist policymakers to develop relevant strategies at the national level to enhance the social support status among older smokers and aid in their smoking cessation efforts.