bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Secondary Breast Cancer in Vital Organs through the Integration of Machine Learning and Microarrays
Authors: Riaz Faisal , Abid Fazeel , Din Ikram Ud , Kim Byung-Seo , Almogren Ahmad , Durar Shajara Ul
Published: June 2022

Breast cancer includes genetic and environmental factors and is the most prevalent malignancy in women contributing to the pathogenesis and progression of cancer. Breast cancer prognosis metastasizes towards bones, the liver, brain, and lungs, and is the main cause of death in patients. Furthermore, the selection of features and classification is significant in microarray data analysis, which suffers from huge time consumption. To address these issues, this research uniquely integrates machine learning and microarrays to identify secondary breast cancer in vital organs. This work firstly imputes the missing values using K-nearest neighbors and improves the recursive feature elimination with cross-validation (RFECV) using the random forest method. Secondly, the class imbalance is handled by employing K-means synthetic object oversampling technique (SMOTE) to balance minority class and prevent noise. We successfully identified the 16 most essential Entrez gene ids responsible for predicting metastatic locations in the bones, brain, liver, and lungs. Extensive experiments are conducted on NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus GSE14020 and GSE54323 datasets. The proposed methods have handled class imbalance, prevented noise, and appropriately reduced time consumption. Reliable results were obtained on four classification models: decision tree; K-nearest neighbors; random forest; and support vector machine. Results are presented having considered confusion matrices, accuracy, ROC-AUC and PR-AUC, and F1-score.
Code Smell Prioritization with Business Process Mining and Static Code Analysis: A Case Study
Authors: Islam Md Rofiqul , Al Maruf Abdullah , Cerny Tomas
Published: June 2022

One of the most significant impediments to the long-term maintainability of software applications is code smells. Keeping up with the best coding practices can be difficult for software developers, which might lead to performance throttling or code maintenance concerns. As a result, it is imperative that large applications be regularly monitored for performance issues and code smells, so that these issues can be corrected promptly. Resolving code smells in software systems can be done in a variety of ways, but doing so all at once would be prohibitively expensive and can be out of budget. Prioritizing these solutions are therefore critical. The majority of current research prioritizes code smells according to the type of smell they cause. This method, however, is not sufficient because of a lack of knowledge regarding the frequency of code usage and code changeability behavior. Even the most complex programs have some components that are more important than others. Maintaining the functionality of certain parts is essential since they are often used. Identifying and correcting code smells in places that are frequently utilized and subject to rapid change should take precedence over other code smells. A novel strategy is proposed for finding frequently used and change-prone areas in a codebase by combining business logic, heat map information, and commit history analysis in this study. It examines the codebase, commits, and log files of Java applications to identify business processes, heat map graphs, and severity levels of various types of code smells and their commit history. This is done in order to present a comprehensive, efficient, and resource-friendly technique for identifying and prioritizing performance throttling with also handling code maintenance concerns.
Monitoring of Cardiovascular Diseases: An Analysis of the Mobile Applications Available in the Google Play Store
Authors: Denysyuk Hanna Vitaliyivna , Amado João , Gonçalves Norberto Jorge , Zdravevski Eftim , Garcia Nuno M. , Pires Ivan Miguel
Published: June 2022

Cardiovascular diseases have always been here, but there has been an increase in their numbers over time. Even though there are in the digital world a few applications to help with this kind of problem, there are not enough to fulfill the needs of the patients. This study reviews mobile applications that allow patients to monitor and report cardiovascular diseases. It presents a review of 14 mobile applications that were free to download in Portugal and classified and compared according to their characteristics. The selection criteria combined the following keywords: “patient”, “cardiac/or heart”, “report”, and (“tracking” or “monitoring”). Based on the analysis, we point out the errors of the applications and present some solutions. To finish, we investigated how mobile applications can help patients track and self-report cardiovascular diseases.
Computational Intelligence Application in Electrical Engineering
Authors: Barukčić Marinko , Šarac Vasilija , Raičević Nebojša
Published: June 2022

Nowadays, scientists and practitioners in the field of electrical engineering observe the increasing application of information technology, computers, and computing techniques [...]
An Improved Generating Energy Prediction Method Based on Bi-LSTM and Attention Mechanism
Authors: He Bo , Ma Runze , Zhang Wenwei , Zhu Jun , Zhang Xingyuan
Published: June 2022

The energy generated by a photovoltaic power station is affected by environmental factors, and the prediction of the generating energy would be helpful for power grid scheduling. Recently, many power generation prediction models (PGPM) based on machine learning have been proposed, but few existing methods use the attention mechanism to improve the prediction accuracy of generating energy. In the paper, a PGPM based on the Bi-LSTM model and attention mechanism was proposed. Firstly, the environmental factors with respect to the generating energy were selected through the Pearson coefficient, and then the principle and implementation of the proposed PGPM were detailed. Finally, the performance of the proposed PGPM was evaluated through an actual data set collected from a photovoltaic power station in Suzhou, China. The experimental results showed that the prediction error of proposed PGPM was only 8.6 kWh, and the fitting accuracy was more than 0.99, which is better than existing methods.
Development of a Hairstyle Conversion System Based on Mask R-CNN
Authors: Jang Seong-Geun , Man Qiaoyue , Cho Young-Im
Published: June 2022

Interest in hairstyling, which is a means of expressing oneself, has increased, as has the number of people who are attempting to change their hairstyles. A considerable amount of time is required for women to change their hair back from a style that does not suit them, or for women to regrow their long hair after changing their hair to a short hairstyle that they do not like. In this paper, we propose a model combining Mask R-CNN and a generative adversarial network as a method of overlaying a new hairstyle on one’s face. Through Mask R-CNN, hairstyles and faces are more accurately separated, and new hairstyles and faces are synthesized naturally through the use of a generative adversarial network. Training was performed over a dataset that we constructed, following which the hairstyle conversion results were extracted. Thus, it is possible to determine in advance whether the hairstyle matches the face and image combined with the desired hairstyle. Experiments and evaluations using multiple metrics demonstrated that the proposed method exhibits superiority, with high-quality results, compared to other hairstyle synthesis models.
Fault Detection and Diagnosis Encyclopedia for Building Systems: A Systematic Review
Authors: Melgaard Simon P. , Andersen Kamilla H. , Marszal-Pomianowska Anna , Jensen Rasmus L. , Heiselberg Per K.
Published: June 2022

This review aims to provide an up-to-date, comprehensive, and systematic summary of fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) in building systems. The latter was performed through a defined systematic methodology with the final selection of 221 studies. This review provides insights into four topics: (1) glossary framework of the FDD processes; (2) a classification scheme using energy system terminologies as the starting point; (3) the data, code, and performance evaluation metrics used in the reviewed literature; and (4) future research outlooks. FDD is a known and well-developed field in the aerospace, energy, and automotive sector. Nevertheless, this study found that FDD for building systems is still at an early stage worldwide. This was evident through the ongoing development of algorithms for detecting and diagnosing faults in building systems and the inconsistent use of the terminologies and definitions. In addition, there was an apparent lack of data statements in the reviewed articles, which compromised the reproducibility, and thus the practical development in this field. Furthermore, as data drove the research activity, the found dataset repositories and open code are also presented in this review. Finally, all data and documentation presented in this review are open and available in a GitHub repository.
Laser Doppler Vibrometry for Evaluating the Quality of Welds in Lithium-Ion Supercells
Authors: Ratner Alon , Wood Michael , Chowanietz Maximilian , Kumar Nikhil , Patel Rashik , Hadlum Paul , Das Abhishek , Masters Iain
Published: June 2022

The inspection of the quality of welds in battery packs plays an important role in ensuring safety during the manufacturing and operation of energy-storage devices in automotive vehicles during service. This research investigated the novel application of laser Doppler vibrometry, a widely used non-destructive optical technique for modal analysis, to the post-weld evaluation of micro-TIG-welded interconnections in lithium-ion supercells. The experimental modal analysis showed features in the modal models of the supercells that were unique to their welding conditions. The comparisons between the supercells showed an absence of linear correlations between the modal parameters and the welding current, as well as differences in the welding parameters obtained from the negative and positive terminals of the cylindrical cells. These findings suggested that the modal parameters of the supercells were more strongly influenced by the rigidity of the structural materials than by the localized compliance of the welded interconnections. While this investigation demonstrated a method for using laser Doppler vibrometry to distinguish between different welding conditions in lithium-ion supercells at a structural level, further development is needed to identify the weld quality of individual interconnections.
Analogue Application of Behaviour and Transport of Naturally Occurring Strontium in Cold-Region Aquatic Environments to 90Sr
Authors: Zanacic Enisa , McMartin Dena W.
Published: June 2022

Quantification and scientific observations of the fate and transport of dissolved strontium in water systems, particularly cold climate water systems, are severely lacking. In this work, in an experiment conducted at a temperature of 6 °C, the observation of strontium precipitation along with calcium carbonate minerals from cold wastewater is investigated. ICP-MS is used for metal analyses where the distribution of the species and saturation state of minerals along with a surface complexation model was performed using the public-use USGS geochemical modeling software, PHREEQC (PH Redox Equilibrium (in C language)). Sample media were analyzed using XPS and Raman spectroscopy. The results suggest that the loss of strontium from natural waters is via the process of co-precipitation with calcite, a calcium carbonate polymorph. The observations and findings are intended to be useful to quantify the loss of 90Sr from the water, in the case of an unplanned release from a nuclear reactor-operated facility. The results indicate that the precipitation model is a robust and reliable approach to predicting and monitoring the behaviour and transport of strontium that may occur in natural environments as a result of an accidental nuclear release.
Germination and Growth Characteristics of Quercus myrsinifolia Blume Seedlings According to Seed Coat Removal, Type of Potting Soil and Irrigation Cycle
Authors: Choi Eun-Ji , Yong Seong-Hyeon , Park Dong-Jin , Park Kwan-Been , Kim Do-Hyun , Jin Eon-Ju , Choi Myung-Suk
Published: June 2022

The importance of evergreen oak species is increasing due to changes in the ecosystem caused by climate change and environmental changes such as fine dust and carbon dioxide. The Quercus myrsinifolia Blume seeds showed a recalcitrant seed property, where the germination rate decreased when the moisture content was decreased. For seedling propagation of evergreen oak, the effect of oak seed coat (pericarp and testa) removal on germination and seedling growth as well as the effect of potting soil and irrigation cycle on seedling quality were investigated. The germination rate and germination characteristics of Q. myrsinifolia evergreen oak seeds showed significant differences depending on the storage period and the presence or absence of seed coat. Seed coat removal significantly increased germination rate compared to intact seeds, accelerated mean germination time, and increased germination rate and germination value. There was no significant difference in germination rate according to the storage period. The growth of Q. myrsinifolia seedlings was much better in the seeds with the seed coat removed than the intact seeds. The root collar diameter of seedlings germinated from intact seeds was 2.44 mm, and the root collar diameter of seedlings from which the seed coat was removed was 3.38 mm. As a result of the growth characteristics according to the potting soil, 1- and 3-year-old Q. myrsinifolia seedlings showed excellent root growth in commercial potting soil and sand mixed potting soil. Consequently, seedling quality index was 0.124–0.257 according to irrigation and 0.149–0.262 according to potting soil. From observing the root growth of the seedlings according to the irrigation treatment, in the case of 3-year-old seedlings, the total root length was 432 cm when irrigated every 3 days, and the growth was the best. The above results are expected to contribute significantly to the mass propagation of Q. myrsinifolia, which is important for warming and urban greening.
Windstorm Impacts on Forest-Related Socio-Ecological Systems: An Analysis from a Socio-Economic and Institutional Perspective
Authors: Romagnoli Federica , Masiero Mauro , Secco Laura
Published: June 2022

Windstorms are considered among the most impacting natural events for European forests and related Socio-Ecological Systems (SES). Given that their intensity and frequency are increasing, an in-depth understanding of their impacts is crucial to mitigate risks and potential negative effects. However, so far, scientific research on windstorm impacts has mainly focused on environmental dimensions, while socio-economic and institutional ones are rarely taken into consideration. Our analysis aims at enriching the current scientific knowledge on windstorm impacts on forest SES by providing an overview of the state-of-the-art academic investigations on windstorm impacts on socio-economic and institutional dimensions. Overall, 46 papers were reviewed to identify the most recurrent post-windstorm dynamics and drivers that influence resilience and adaptation of socio-economic, institutional and related governance dimensions of European forest SES. Results show that the current scientific knowledge on socio-economic impacts of windstorms mainly concentrates on forest-related stakeholders and sectors, paying little attention to the broader social, cultural and institutional drivers that contribute to forest SES resilience. Further, cascade effects linking environmental, social and institutional dimensions are poorly analyzed. This restricted focus could lead to an incomplete understanding of the dynamics shaping socio-economic adaptability to windstorms, affecting long-term and sustainable recovery from extreme natural events. To correctly frame effective, intersectoral and coordinated recovery strategies gaining a deeper understanding of human–environment interactions is needed, as well as acknowledging the positive influence of causal relationships in improving forest-related SES resilience.
Aided Phytoremediation in Fire-Affected Forest Soil
Authors: Barroso Petra Martínez , Winkler Jan , Vaverková Magdalena Daria , Oulehla Jan
Published: June 2022

Wildfires are occurring with an increasing frequency, and substances they generate can negatively affect the environment. A pot experiment with Lolium perrene was performed on burnt soil supplemented with organic (biochar, compost) and inorganic (NPK fertilizer) supplements and combinations of soil amendments in order to assess the possibility of aided phytomanagement of fire-affected areas. Soil amendments affect more aboveground biomass growth than underground biomass growth. Organic amendment, biochar, and compost promoted aboveground biomass growth; however, they did not increase the bioconcentration of metal elements in the roots. Unamended burnt soil achieved the highest bioconcentration of metal elements in underground biomass, while it produced significantly less aboveground biomass than burnt soil amended with biochar and with compost. Based on the ash composition from this study, aided phytostabilization appears to be a suitable phytomanagement method, as the priority is to rapidly recover vegetation in order to prevent soil erosion. This study therefore recommends selecting a suitable phytoremediation method based on the composition of ash.
Why Being ‘Stressed’ Is ‘Desserts’ in Reverse—The Effect of Acute Psychosocial Stress on Food Pleasure and Food Choice
Authors: Hyldelund Nikoline Bach , Dalgaard Vita Ligaya , Byrne Derek Victor , Andersen Barbara Vad
Published: June 2022

The link between acute stress, food pleasure and eating behavior in humans by employing measures of individual reward mechanisms has not been investigated as of yet. Having these insights is key to understanding why many people experience a change in eating behavior when experiencing stress. Thirty-five Danes (mean age 21.71 years) underwent a stress-inducing and relaxation-inducing task based on a randomized cross-over study design. Both tasks were combined with the Leeds Food Preference Questionnaire, to investigate the effect of stress on specific measures of food reward. Furthermore, participants chose a snack, as a covert measure of actual food choice. The study found no effect on explicit liking, explicit wanting or relative preference. For implicit wanting, an effect was detected on high-fat sweet foods, with increasing scores for the stress-induced condition. Moreover, 54% chose a different snack following the stress-inducing condition. Interestingly, 14% chose to change their snack choice to no snack at all. Results suggest acute psychosocial stress can increase cravings for highly palatable foods for some, while for others an experience of loss of appetite prevails. Overall, this study points to a further understanding of why consumers have issues with making healthy food choices, ultimately affecting public health too.
Investigations on Backflush Cleaning of Spent Grain-Contaminated Filter Cloths Using Continuous and Pulsed Jets
Authors: Werner Roman Alejandro , Hummel Alexander Michael , Geier Dominik Ulrich , Becker Thomas
Published: June 2022

This study investigated the continuous and pulsed backflush cleaning of woven fabrics that act as filter media in the food and beverage industry. Especially in breweries, they are commonly used in mash filters to separate solid spent grains from liquid wort. After filtration, the removal of such cereal residues via self-discharge is necessary. However, this filter cake discharge is typically incomplete, and various spots remain contaminated. In addition to the reduced filter performance of subsequent batches, cross-contamination risk increases significantly. A reproducible contamination method focusing on the use case of a mash filter was developed for this study. Additionally, a residue analysis based on microscopical image processing helped to assess cleaning efficiency. The experimental part compared two backflushing procedures for mash filters and demonstrated fluid dynamical, procedural, and economic differences in cleaning. Specifically, pulsed jets show higher efficiency in reaching cleanliness faster, with fewer cleaning agents and less time. According to the experimental results, the fluid flow conditions depended highly on cloth geometry and mesh sizes. Larger mesh sizes significantly favored the cloth’s cleanability as a larger backflush volume can reach contamination. With these results, cloth cleaning can be improved, enabling the realization of demand-oriented cleaning concepts.
Novel Approaches to Environmental Monitoring and Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Food Production Facilities
Authors: Gupta Priyanka , Adhikari Achyut
Published: June 2022

Listeria monocytogenes is a serious public health hazard responsible for the foodborne illness listeriosis. L. monocytogenes is ubiquitous in nature and can become established in food production facilities, resulting in the contamination of a variety of food products, especially ready-to-eat foods. Effective and risk-based environmental monitoring programs and control strategies are essential to eliminate L. monocytogenes in food production environments. Key elements of the environmental monitoring program include (i) identifying the sources and prevalence of L. monocytogenes in the production environment, (ii) verifying the effectiveness of control measures to eliminate L. monocytogenes, and (iii) identifying the areas and activities to improve control. The design and implementation of the environmental monitoring program are complex, and several different approaches have emerged for sampling and detecting Listeria monocytogenes in food facilities. Traditional detection methods involve culture methods, followed by confirmation methods based on phenotypic, biochemical, and immunological characterization. These methods are laborious and time-consuming as they require at least 2 to 3 days to obtain results. Consequently, several novel detection approaches are gaining importance due to their rapidness, sensitivity, specificity, and high throughput. This paper comprehensively reviews environmental monitoring programs and novel approaches for detection based on molecular methods, immunological methods, biosensors, spectroscopic methods, microfluidic systems, and phage-based methods. Consumers have now become more interested in buying food products that are minimally processed, free of additives, shelf-stable, and have a better nutritional and sensory value. As a result, several novel control strategies have received much attention for their less adverse impact on the organoleptic properties of food and improved consumer acceptability. This paper reviews recent developments in control strategies by categorizing them into thermal, non-thermal, biocontrol, natural, and chemical methods, emphasizing the hurdle concept that involves a combination of different strategies to show synergistic impact to control L. monocytogenes in food production environments.
Strategy Optimization of Quality Improvement and Price Subsidy of Agri-Foods Supply Chain
Authors: Xu Jing , Cai Jiajia , Yao Guanxin , Dai Panqian
Published: June 2022

Based on the realistic concerns about the improvement of the quality of agricultural foods (agri-foods), the optimal supply quality and price subsidy strategies of producers and sellers for the two-level agricultural supply chain, composed of a producer and a seller, are studied. The differences in the quality safety, price, and market demand of agri-foods in the supply chain are compared and analyzed. The study found that the maximum profit of supply chain participants decreases with the increase of price elasticity of demand. When the quality of agri-foods is upgraded in a producer-led manner, the quality of agri-foods in the supply chain does not undergo substantial improvement, and the maximum profit of agri-foods operators is insensitive to the price elasticity of demand at this time. When the seller-led quality upgrading is launched, the maximum profit of the producer decreases with the increase of the quality elasticity of demand, the maximum profit of the seller increases with the increase of the quality elasticity of demand, and the total profit of the supply chain also increases with the increase of the quality elasticity of demand under the centralized decision situation. The quality and safety of agri-foods as well as the overall profit of the supply chain can be improved most effectively under the centralized control decision with the goal of maximizing the supply chain benefits. In terms of quality and price, quality improvement actions of agri-foods driven by supply-side producers are less effective than those driven by demand-side consumption. In addition, cost-sharing contracts can significantly improve the quality of agri-foods in the supply chain and make them more “high-quality and low-price” than before the adoption of cost-sharing contracts.
Shelf-Life Prediction and Critical Value of Quality Index of Sichuan Sauerkraut Based on Kinetic Model and Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Du Jie , Zhang Min , Zhang Lihui , Law Chung Lim , Liu Kun
Published: June 2022

Kinetic models and accelerated shelf-life testing were employed to estimate the shelf-life of Sichuan sauerkraut. The texture, color, total acid, microbe, near-infrared analysis, volatile components, taste, and sensory evaluation of Sichuan sauerkraut stored at 25, 35, and 45 °C were determined. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Fisher discriminant analysis (FDA) were used to analyze the e-tongue data. According to the above analysis, Sichuan sauerkraut with different storage times can be divided into three types: completely acceptable period, acceptable period, and unacceptable period. The model was found to be useful to determine the critical values of various quality indicators. Furthermore, the zero-order kinetic reaction model (R2, 0.8699–0.9895) was fitted better than the first-order kinetic reaction model. The Arrhenius model (Ea value was 47.23–72.09 kJ/mol, kref value was 1.076 × 106–9.220 × 1010 d−1) exhibited a higher fitting degree than the Eyring model. Based on the analysis of physical properties, the shelf-life of Sichuan sauerkraut was more accurately predicted by the combination of the zero-order kinetic reaction model and the Arrhenius model, while the error back propagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN) model could better predict the chemical properties. It is a better choice for dealers and consumers to judge the shelf life and edibility of food by shelf-life model.
Antimicrobial Properties of Chilean Native Plants: Future Aspects in Their Application in the Food Industry
Authors: Otero María Carolina , Fuentes Juan A. , Atala Cristian , Cuadros-Orellana Sara , Fuentes Camila , Gordillo-Fuenzalida Felipe
Published: June 2022

Food contamination with microorganisms is responsible for food spoilage, deterioration and change of organoleptic properties of foods. Besides, the growth of pathogenic microorganisms can provoke serious health problems if food is consumed. Innovative packaging, such as active packaging, is increasing rapidly in the food industry, especially in applying antimicrobials into delivery systems, such as sachets. Chile is a relevant hotspot for biodiversity conservation and a source of unique bio-resources with antimicrobial potential. In this review, fifteen native plants with antimicrobial properties are described. Their antimicrobial effects include an effect against human pathogens. Considering the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, searching for new antimicrobials to design new strategies for food pathogen control is necessary. Chilean flora is a promising source of antimicrobials to be used in active packaging. However, further studies are required to advance from laboratory tests of their antimicrobial effects to their possible effects and uses in active films.
Effects of Commercial Polysaccharides Stabilizers with Different Charges on Textural, Rheological, and Microstructural Characteristics of Set Yoghurts
Authors: Ge Zhiwen , Yin Dongjie , Li Zhiyu , Chen Xiaohong , Dong Mingsheng
Published: June 2022

The study investigated the preparation of set yoghurts by adding three common commercial polysaccharide stabilizers, namely sodium alginate (SA), gellan gum (GG), and konjac gum (KGM), in milk fermentation to evaluate their effects on the texture, rheology, and microstructure of set yoghurts. The physicochemical properties, water-holding capacity (WHC), texture, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR), rheology, and microstructure of set yoghurts added with different kinds and quantities of polysaccharides were compared and analyzed. The results showed that the set yoghurts added with anionic polysaccharide GG had more obvious effects on improving WHC, firmness, and rheological properties compared with the set yoghurt added with KGM and SA. The firmness of set yoghurts with 0.02% (w/v) GG increased from 1.17 N to 1.32 N, which significantly improved the gel structure. The transverse relaxation time (T2) of set yoghurts added with GG was the closest to that of the control. Compared with the set yoghurts added with 0.02% SA and KGM, the free water area (A23) of the one added with 0.02% GG decreased most significantly. Moreover, all samples showed shear-thinning behavior, and the apparent elastic and viscous modulus (G′, G″) increased with the increase of GG concentration. The G′ and G″ of set yoghurts with 0.005% SA and KGM were higher than those in the control, decreased when adding 0.010%, and then increased with the increase of SA and KGM. Additionally, the microscopic observation demonstrated that the addition of GG in set yoghurts significantly promoted the formation of larger protein clusters and showed a tighter and more uniform protein network comparing with the other two polysaccharides (SA, KGM).
A Study on the Mechanisms of Nanoparticle-Stabilized High Internal Phase Emulsions Constructed by Cross-Linking Egg White Protein Isolate with Different Transglutaminase Concentrations
Authors: Zhao Yanjie , Wang Peng , Xu Yujuan , Zeng Xianming , Xu Xinglian
Published: June 2022

There is an increasing interest in the development of high internal phase emulsions (HIPE) stabilized by food-grade nanoparticles due to their potential applications in the food industry. In this study, cross-linked egg white protein isolates (cEPIs) are prepared by adding 10 u/g, 20 u/g, and 40 u/g of transglutaminase (TG), and the impacts of interface properties of cEPIs and emulsifying of HIPEs are investigated. Relative to the native EPI, the cEPIs have more irregular and agglomerated morphology, and the turbidity and hydrophobicity are significantly increased. The particle size and zeta potential of cEPIs considerably varied with the addition of TG. In HIPE, the formation, physical properties, and microstructure are characterized by visual observations, the Turbiscan stability index, and CLSM. The results indicated that stable and gel-like HIPEs are formed by cEPIs at oil internal phase (φ) values of 0.75–0.90. Especially for the enzyme additions of 20 u/g, the cEPIs had the best storage stability and the lowest TSI value (2.50) and formed a gel network structure at φ values of 0.9 microscopically. Overall, this study can enrich the theoretical frame of interface properties by enzyme treatment. Besides, it would be of great importance for the research of HIPE stabilized by cEPIs appropriate to be applied in food formulations.
Correlation between Multilocus Sequence Typing and Antibiotic Resistance, Virulence Potential of Campylobacter jejuni Isolates from Poultry Meat
Authors: Wang Xiang , Zhuo Qiyun , Hong Yi , Wu Yufan , Gu Qiang , Yuan Dawei , Dong Qingli , Shao Jingdong
Published: June 2022

Campylobacter jejuni is a major foodborne pathogen and can be transmitted to human beings via the consumption of poultry products. This study aimed to determine antibiotic resistance and virulence potential of one hundred C. jejuni isolates from poultry meat and to explore the correlation between them and the multilocus sequence types (MLST). A total of 29 STs and 13 CCs were identified by MLST, of which 8 STs were first identified. The dominant ST was ST583 (21%), followed by ST42 (15%), ST61 (12%), and ST2276 (10%). Eighty-eight isolates showed resistance to at least one antibiotic. The resistance rate to fluoroquinolones was the highest (81%), followed by tetracycline (59%), whereas all the isolates were susceptible to erythromycin and telithromycin. Multi-antibiotic resistance was detected in 18 C. jejuni isolates. Great variability in the adhesion and invasion ability to Caco-2 cells was observed for the 100 isolates, with adhesion rates varying between 0.02% and 28.48%, and invasion rates varied from 0 to 6.26%. A correlation between STs and antibiotic resistance or virulence was observed. The ST61 isolates were significantly sensitive to CIP, while the TET resistance was significantly associated with ST354 and ST6175 complex. ST11326 showed substantially higher resistance to gentamicin and higher adhesion and invasion abilities to Caco-2 cells. The results helped improve our understanding of the potential hazard of different genotypes C. jejuni and provided critical information for the risk assessment of campylobacteriosis infection.
Kinetics Crystallization and Polymorphism of Cocoa Butter throughout the Spontaneous Fermentation Process
Authors: Castro-Alayo Efraín M. , Torrejón-Valqui Llisela , Medina-Mendoza Marleni , Cayo-Colca Ilse S. , Cárdenas-Toro Fiorella P.
Published: June 2022

The spontaneous fermentation process of Criollo cocoa is studied for its importance in the development of chocolate aroma precursors. This research supports the importance of spontaneous fermentation, which was studied through the crystallization behavior and polymorphisms of cocoa butter (CB), the most abundant component of chocolate that is responsible for its quality physical properties. The k-means technique was used with the CB crystallization kinetics parameters to observe the division of the process during the first stage (day 0–3). The experimental crystallization time was 15.78 min and the second stage (day 4–7) was 17.88 min. The Avrami index (1.2–2.94) showed that the CB crystallizes in the form of a rod/needle/fiber or plate throughout the process. CB produced metastable crystals of polyforms β1′ and β2′. Three days of fermentation are proposed to generate Criollo cocoa beans with acceptable CB crystallization times.
Nutritional and Chemical Composition of Sargassum zhangii and the Physical and Chemical Characterization, Binding Bile Acid, and Cholesterol-Lowering Activity in HepG2 Cells of Its Fucoidans
Authors: Lin Peichun , Chen Suhua , Zhong Siyan
Published: June 2022

Fucoidan is a marine sulfated polysaccharide that is rich in Sargassum and has a wide range of biological activities. In this study, the chemical composition and bile acid binding ability of six crude fucoidans were compared, the nutrition and chemical composition of Sargassum zhangii were analyzed, and fucoidan from Sargassum zhangii was extracted and purified. The purified fractions (ZF1, ZF2, and ZF3) were analyzed by physicochemical characterization, and the ability of binding bile acid and cholesterol lowering in HepG2 cells were evaluated. The results showed that the contents of sulfate in crude fucoidan from Sargassum Zhangii (ZF) was as high as13.63%. Its ability of binding bile acid was better than other five crude fucoidans. Sargassum zhangii was a kind of brown seaweed with high carbohydrate, and low fat and rich in minerals. The sulfate content of ZF1, ZF2, and ZF3 was 3.29%, 19.39%, and 18.89% respectively, and the molecular weight (Mw) was 4.026 × 105, 2.893 × 105, and 3.368 × 105, respectively. Three fucoidans all contained the characteristic absorption bands of polysaccharides and sulfate groups and were rich in fucose. Three fucoidans can bind to bile acid, and ZF2 showed the best binding capability. In vitro experiments showed that ZF1, ZF2, and ZF3 could reduce intracellular total cholesterol (TC) content in HepG2 cells without affecting their viability. ZF2 showed the best ability to reduce TC.
The Texture Change of Chinese Traditional Pig Trotter with Soy Sauce during Stewing Processing: Based on a Thermal Degradation Model of Collagen Fibers
Authors: Lin Yuhai , Wang Ying , Jin Guofeng , Duan Junjie , Zhang Yuemei , Cao Jinxuan
Published: June 2022

In order to clarify the influence of the thermal degradation of collagen fibers on the texture profile analysis (TPA) parameters of pig trotter stewed with soy sauce (PTSWSS), TPA (springiness, chewiness, hardness, and gumminess), the secondary structures, the cross-linkage, decorin (DCN) and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) levels, and the histochemical morphology of collagen fibers during the stewing process (0, 30, 60, 120 min) were assessed. The springiness and hardness increased after 30 min of stewing, along with the denaturation of collagen proteins. TPA parameters improved with the prolonged stewing times of 60 and 120 min, along with the ultra-structural dissolution of collagen fibers, and a substantial reduction in cross-linkage, DCN, and GAG levels, and the unfolded triple-helix structure. This study concluded that the TPA parameters of PTSWSS were dependent on the stewing time, and that the improvement in TPA parameters with longer stewing time could primarily be attributed to the thermal degradation of collagen fibers.
Heterozygous NPR2 Variants in Idiopathic Short Stature
Authors: Stavber Lana , Gaia Maria Joao , Hovnik Tinka , Jenko Bizjan Barbara , Debeljak Maruša , Kovač Jernej , Omladič Jasna Šuput , Battelino Tadej , Kotnik Primož , Dovč Klemen
Published: June 2022

Heterozygous variants in the NPR2 gene, which encodes the B-type natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR-B), a regulator of skeletal growth, were reported in 2–6% cases of idiopathic short stature (ISS). Using next-generation sequencing (NGS), we aimed to assess the frequency of NPR2 variants in our study cohort consisting of 150 children and adolescents with ISS, describe the NPR2 phenotypic spectrum with a growth pattern including birth data, and study the response to growth hormone (GH) treatment. A total of ten heterozygous pathogenic/likely pathogenic NPR2 variants and two heterozygous NPR2 variants of uncertain significance were detected in twelve participants (frequency of causal variants: 10/150, 6.7%). During follow-up, the NPR2 individuals presented with a growth pattern varying from low–normal to significant short stature. A clinically relevant increase in BMI (a mean gain in the BMI SDS of +1.41), a characteristic previously not reported in NPR2 individuals, was observed. In total, 8.8% participants born small for their gestational age (SGA) carried the NPR2 causal variant. The response to GH treatment was variable (SDS height gain ranging from −0.01 to +0.74). According to the results, NPR2 variants present a frequent cause of ISS and familial short stature. Phenotyping variability in growth patterns and variable responses to GH treatment should be considered.
Genome-Wide Analysis of the WRKY Gene Family in Malus domestica and the Role of MdWRKY70L in Response to Drought and Salt Stresses
Authors: Qin Ying , Yu Haixia , Cheng Siyuan , Liu Zhu , Yu Cheng , Zhang Xiaoli , Su Xinjian , Huang Jingwen , Shi Shuting , Zou Yangjun , Ma Fengwang , Gong Xiaoqing
Published: June 2022

The WRKY transcription factors are unique regulatory proteins in plants, which are important in the stress responses of plants. In this study, 113 WRKY genes were identified from the apple genome GDDH13 and a comprehensive analysis was performed, including chromosome mapping, and phylogenetic, motif and collinearity analysis. MdWRKYs are expressed in different tissues, such as seeds, flowers, stems and leaves. We analyzed seven WRKY proteins in different groups and found that all of them were localized in the nucleus. Among the 113 MdWRKYs, MdWRKY70L was induced by both drought and salt stresses. Overexpression of it in transgenic tobacco plants conferred enhanced stress tolerance to drought and salt. The malondialdehyde content and relative electrolyte leakage values were lower, while the chlorophyll content was higher in transgenic plants than in the wild-type under stressed conditions. In conclusion, this study identified the WRKY members in the apple genome GDDH13, and revealed the function of MdWRKY70L in the response to drought and salt stresses.
FIDChain: Federated Intrusion Detection System for Blockchain-Enabled IoT Healthcare Applications
Authors: Ashraf Eman , Areed Nihal F. F. , Salem Hanaa , Abdelhay Ehab H. , Farouk Ahmed
Published: June 2022

Recently, there has been considerable growth in the internet of things (IoT)-based healthcare applications; however, they suffer from a lack of intrusion detection systems (IDS). Leveraging recent technologies, such as machine learning (ML), edge computing, and blockchain, can provide suitable and strong security solutions for preserving the privacy of medical data. In this paper, FIDChain IDS is proposed using lightweight artificial neural networks (ANN) in a federated learning (FL) way to ensure healthcare data privacy preservation with the advances of blockchain technology that provides a distributed ledger for aggregating the local weights and then broadcasting the updated global weights after averaging, which prevents poisoning attacks and provides full transparency and immutability over the distributed system with negligible overhead. Applying the detection model at the edge protects the cloud if an attack happens, as it blocks the data from its gateway with smaller detection time and lesser computing and processing capacity as FL deals with smaller sets of data. The ANN and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) models were evaluated using the BoT-IoT dataset. The results show that ANN models have higher accuracy and better performance with the heterogeneity of data in IoT devices, such as intensive care unit (ICU) in healthcare systems. Testing the FIDChain with different datasets (CSE-CIC-IDS2018, Bot Net IoT, and KDD Cup 99) reveals that the BoT-IoT dataset has the most stable and accurate results for testing IoT applications, such as those used in healthcare systems.
Severe Ground Fall Injury Associated with Alcohol Consumption in Geriatric Patients
Authors: Hwang Jung Sung , Kim Sun Hyu
Published: June 2022

This study investigated characteristics of geriatric patients sustaining ground fall injury related to alcohol consumption and analyzed factors associated with the severity of such injuries in both alcohol- and non-alcohol-related cases. We retrospectively reviewed geriatric patients sustaining ground falls who were admitted to six university hospitals from 2011 to 2018. Patients were classified into alcohol and non-alcohol groups. Their general characteristics, clinical characteristics, and factors of injury severity were analyzed. A total of 31,177 patients were reviewed. Factors significantly associated with alcohol-related ground-fall injuries were: male, 65~84 years old, injury time other than 06:00~11:59, transportation to emergency department (ED) by ambulance and from other hospitals, injured in residential facilities, transportation areas, public or commercial facilities, activities other than paid or unpaid, non-slippery floor, obstacles, concrete floor, and absence of lights. Factors associated with severe injury after ground fall in alcohol-related cases were: male, injury time at between 06:00 and 17:59, transportation to the ED via ambulance from other hospitals, injured in residential facility, and slippery floor. Risk factors for severity in alcohol-related geriatric fall injury included: male sex, daytime injury, transportation by ambulance, injury in a residential facility, and slippery floor condition. Prophylactic measures and therapeutic interventions by ED teams are needed for the management of such cases.
A Design Approach to Optimise Secure Remote Three-Dimensional (3D) Printing: A Proof-of-Concept Study towards Advancement in Telemedicine
Authors: Kok Xiao Wen , Singh Anisha , Raimi-Abraham Bahijja Tolulope
Published: June 2022

Telemedicine is defined as the delivery of healthcare services at a distance using electronic means. The incorporation of 3D printing in the telemedicine cycle could result in pharmacists designing and manufacturing personalised medicines based on the electronic prescription received. Even with the advantages of telemedicine, numerous barriers to the uptake hinder the wider uptake. Of particular concern is the cyber risk associated with the remote digital transfer of the computer-aided design (CAD) file (acting as the electronic prescription) to the 3D printer and the reproducibility of the resultant printed medicinal products. This proof-of-concept study aimed to explore the application of secure remote 3D printing of model solid dosage forms using the patented technology, DEFEND3D, which is designed to enhance cybersecurity and intellectual property (IP) protection. The size, shape, and colour of the remote 3D-printed model medicinal products were also evaluated to ensure the end-product quality was user-focused. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and poly(lactic) acid (PLA) were chosen as model polymers due to their flexibility in preventing breakage printing and ease of printing with fused deposition modelling (FDM). Our work confirmed the potential of secure remote 3D (FDM) printing of prototype solid dosage forms resulting in products with good reproducibility, resolution, and quality towards advancements in telemedicine and digital pharmacies. The limitation of the work presented here was the use of model polymers and not pharmaceutically relevant polymers. Further work could be conducted using the same designs chosen in this study with pharmaceutically relevant polymers used in hot-melt extrusion (HME) with shown suitability for FDM 3D printing. However, it should be noted that any challenges that may occur with pharmaceutically relevant polymers are likely to be related to the polymer’s printability and printer choice as opposed to the ability of the CAD file to be transferred to the printer remotely.