bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Milk Quality and Antioxidant Status in Lactating Dairy Goats through the Dietary Incorporation of Purple Napier Grass Silage
Authors: Onjai-uea Narawich , Paengkoum Siwaporn , Taethaisong Nittaya , Thongpea Sorasak , Paengkoum Pramote
Published: March 2024

Oxidative stress resulting from an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants can cause damage to certain cellular components. Purple Napier grass, a semi-dwarf variety, is characterized by its purple leaves and contains anthocyanins, which provide it with antioxidant properties. This study examined the effects of feeding purple Napier grass (“Prince”) silage to lactating dairy goats on blood antioxidant activity, milk yield, and milk quality. Eighteen female Saanen crossbred goats, weighing 52.34 ± 2.86 kg and producing milk for 14 ± 2 days, were systematically divided into three groups based on their lactation period in the previous cycle as follows: early, mid, and late lactation. In a randomized complete block design (RCBD), treatments were randomly allocated to six animals in each block. The dairy goats were fed a total mixed ration (TMR) consisting of the three following treatments: control (100% Napier Pakchong 1 grass silage), 50% (a 50% replacement of the control with purple Napier grass silage), and 100% (100% purple Napier grass silage). The results show that goats who were fed a diet including 100% purple Napier grass silage showed higher levels of certain milk contents, especially with regard to lactose, when compared to those who were fed a control diet, as well as a diet with a 50% replacement of purple Napier grass silage. The somatic cell count (SCC) of these goats was reduced. In terms of antioxidant activity, dairy goats who were fed 100% purple Napier grass silage showed higher levels of enzymes in both plasma and milk, including glutathione s-transferase, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical, compared to the control group and the 50% replacement group. The plasma and milk of these goats showed lower levels of malondialdehyde. The dairy goats who were fed a 100% purple Napier grass silage diet showed higher concentrations of anthocyanins, including C3G, P3G, Peo3G, M3G, Cya, Pel, and total anthocyanins in milk, when compared to the control group and the 50% replacement group. The increased replacement of purple Napier grass silage led to significant differences in lactose levels, somatic cell count, glutathione S-transferase, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical, and the composition of anthocyanins. This study provides evidence to support the use of purple Napier grass silage as a beneficial source of roughage for lactating dairy goats.
Wild Animals in Captivity: An Analysis of Parasite Biodiversity and Transmission among Animals at Two Zoological Institutions with Different Typologies
Authors: Esteban-Sánchez Lorena , García-Rodríguez Juan José , García-García Juncal , Martínez-Nevado Eva , de la Riva-Fraga Manuel Antonio , Ponce-Gordo Francisco
Published: March 2024

We have conducted a 10-year-long coprological study of the animals housed in two zoological institutions (ZooAquarium and Faunia, Madrid, Spain) to assess the parasite biodiversity, prevalence, and their relation with host class, diet, and enclosure type (soil type and level of isolation from wild fauna). A total of 4476 faecal samples from 132 mammal species and 951 samples from 86 avian species were examined. The results indicated that only 12.8% of avian species had parasites at least once during the study period, whereas 62.1% of mammal species tested positive. Predominantly, protists (Entamoeba, flagellates, and ciliates) and nematodes (mainly Trichuris) were identified in the findings. Carnivorous species were primarily infected by nematodes, while herbivorous and omnivorous species were mainly infected by protists. The number of infected herbivorous and omnivorous species was significantly greater than carnivorous species. Differences were observed based on soil type (artificial, natural, mixed) and isolation level (isolated/accessible), but these differences were not statistically significant. Several parasites (Entamoeba spp., Giardia spp., Balantidoides coli, Trichuris spp.) could potentially be transmitted between humans and some mammals and birds. Regular animal analyses and a personnel health program in the institutions would minimise transmission risks between zoo animals, wildlife, and humans.
Special Issue “Biomechanics and Human Motion Analysis”
Authors: Leardini Alberto , Gill Harinderjit Singh , Lu Tung-Wu
Published: March 2024

In March 2021, we invited submissions to the MDPI Special Issue “Biomechanics and Human Motion Analysis”, in the form of original research papers, methodological advances, mini reviews or perspective articles [...]
Assessment of the Impact of a Cosmetic Product with Sheep Colostrum on Acne Skin
Authors: Erkiert-Polguj Anna , Kazimierska Kinga , Kalinowska-Lis Urszula
Published: March 2024

Colostrum, the first secretion of mammalian breasts after giving birth, contains a wealth of components believed to have a beneficial effect on human skin, including lactoferrin, immunoglobulin (Ig)A, beta-carotene, fat-soluble vitamins, and zinc. The present study examines the effect of a cosmetic preparation containing 15% lyophilisate of sheep colostrum on acne skin. A group of 27 volunteers with mild or moderate acne applied the cream twice a day for eight weeks. Before and after using the cream, the level of skin hydration, sebum level, and TEWL were measured using a standardized Courage–Khazaka Multi Probe Adapter. The participants also completed a survey rating the effects of using the cosmetic preparation. Regular application of the cream with sheep colostrum resulted in an objective improvement in hydration and TEWL and a reduction in sebum; this is extremely desirable for acne-prone skin. Three-quarters of the participants reported that the tested cream reduced acne lesions (blackheads, papules, pustules, and erythema) by around 40%. Moreover, the cosmetic preparation improved hydration by 40% and reduced seborrhea by 29% in 82% of subjects and kept the skin in good condition in 90%. As the cream improves the hydrobarrier and overall condition of the skin, it could serve as an addition to local acne treatment, e.g., with retinoids.
Synergizing Immune Balance: Curcumin Gold Nanoparticles and Ultrasound Irradiation for Macrophage Down-Regulation
Authors: Teixeira Bruna Henrique , Gonçalves Karina de Oliveira , Vieira Daniel Perez , Coronato Courrol Lilia
Published: March 2024

The multifaceted health benefits of curcumin (Curcuma longa), attributed to its antioxidant, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory activities, have drawn significant scientific attention. Curcumin shows promise as a potential modulator of macrophage polarization, offering a natural strategy for managing inflammation and promoting tissue repair. However, a limiting factor for this beneficial molecule is its limited bioavailability due to its low solubility in water. This study aimed to quantify the effect of curcumin gold nanoparticle (CurAuNP)-mediated ultrasound irradiation on THP-1-derived macrophages as potential therapeutic targets. The photoreduction method was applied to synthesize the gold nanoparticles with curcumin as a ligand (CurAu). The effect of adding polyethylene glycol in the synthesis process was studied (CurAuPEG). CurAuNP characterization included UV/Vis, Zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy, and FTIR. The amount of singlet oxygen released by curcumin and CurAuNPs was quantified by observing 1.3-diphenylisobenzofuran quenching upon ultrasound irradiation (1 MHz and 1 W/cm2). The results indicated that ultrasound therapy for 4 min with CurAuNPs significantly enhanced singlet oxygen generation and reduced macrophage viability compared to curcumin alone. The increased sonoluminescence and curcumin delivery facilitated by CurAuNPs led to greater curcumin activation. Consequently, CurAuNPs could offer promising therapeutic options for modulating macrophage polarization in pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory stages.
An Efficient Subspace Minimization Conjugate Gradient Method for Solving Nonlinear Monotone Equations with Convex Constraints
Authors: Song Taiyong , Liu Zexian
Published: March 2024

The subspace minimization conjugate gradient (SMCG) methods proposed by Yuan and Store are efficient iterative methods for unconstrained optimization, where the search directions are generated by minimizing the quadratic approximate models of the objective function at the current iterative point. Although the SMCG methods have illustrated excellent numerical performance, they are only used to solve unconstrained optimization problems at present. In this paper, we extend the SMCG methods and present an efficient SMCG method for solving nonlinear monotone equations with convex constraints by combining it with the projection technique, where the search direction is sufficiently descent.Under mild conditions, we establish the global convergence and R-linear convergence rate of the proposed method. The numerical experiment indicates that the proposed method is very promising.
Enhancing Supervised Model Performance in Credit Risk Classification Using Sampling Strategies and Feature Ranking
Authors: Wattanakitrungroj Niwan , Wijitkajee Pimchanok , Jaiyen Saichon , Sathapornvajana Sunisa , Tongman Sasiporn
Published: March 2024

For the financial health of lenders and institutions, one important risk assessment called credit risk is about correctly deciding whether or not a borrower will fail to repay a loan. It not only helps in the approval or denial of loan applications but also aids in managing the non-performing loan (NPL) trend. In this study, a dataset provided by the LendingClub company based in San Francisco, CA, USA, from 2007 to 2020 consisting of 2,925,492 records and 141 attributes was experimented with. The loan status was categorized as “Good” or “Risk”. To yield highly effective results of credit risk prediction, experiments on credit risk prediction were performed using three widely adopted supervised machine learning techniques: logistic regression, random forest, and gradient boosting. In addition, to solve the imbalanced data problem, three sampling algorithms, including under-sampling, over-sampling, and combined sampling, were employed. The results show that the gradient boosting technique achieves nearly perfect Accuracy, Precision, Recall, and F1score values, which are better than 99.92%, but its MCC values are greater than 99.77%. Three imbalanced data handling approaches can enhance the model performance of models trained by three algorithms. Moreover, the experiment of reducing the number of features based on mutual information calculation revealed slightly decreasing performance for 50 data features with Accuracy values greater than 99.86%. For 25 data features, which is the smallest size, the random forest supervised model yielded 99.15% Accuracy. Both sampling strategies and feature selection help to improve the supervised model for accurately predicting credit risk, which may be beneficial in the lending business.
Post-Translational Modifications and Diabetes
Authors: Sharma Chiranjeev , Hamza Abu , Boyle Emily , Donu Dickson , Cen Yana
Published: March 2024

Diabetes and its associated complications have increasingly become major challenges for global healthcare. The current therapeutic strategies involve insulin replacement therapy for type 1 diabetes (T1D) and small-molecule drugs for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Despite these advances, the complex nature of diabetes necessitates innovative clinical interventions for effective treatment and complication prevention. Accumulative evidence suggests that protein post-translational modifications (PTMs), including glycosylation, phosphorylation, acetylation, and SUMOylation, play important roles in diabetes and its pathological consequences. Therefore, the investigation of these PTMs not only sheds important light on the mechanistic regulation of diabetes but also opens new avenues for targeted therapies. Here, we offer a comprehensive overview of the role of several PTMs in diabetes, focusing on the most recent advances in understanding their functions and regulatory mechanisms. Additionally, we summarize the pharmacological interventions targeting PTMs that have advanced into clinical trials for the treatment of diabetes. Current challenges and future perspectives are also provided.
Green Synthesis of Cocos nucifera-Based Nanomaterials and Mechanistic Basis of Their Antimicrobial Action
Authors: Yajeh Tanka Zuriatou , Ankoro Naphtali Odogu , Ngouana Vincent , Tchinda Taghu Franklin Loïc , Mforbesi Abongta Lum , Nguena-Dongue Branly-Natalien , Nsami Ndi Julius , Pone Kamdem Boniface , Keilah Lunga Paul , Fekam Boyom Fabrice
Published: March 2024

Caused by pathogenic microorganisms, infectious diseases are known to cause high mortality rates, severe burdens of disability, and serious worldwide aftermaths. Drug-resistant pathogens have reduced the efficacy of available therapies against these diseases, thus accentuating the need to search for effective antimicrobials. Medicinal plants have served as starting material for the preparation of a number of antimicrobial agents. To this end, the present study highlights the green synthesis of Cocos nucifera-based nanomaterials and evaluation of the mechanistic basis of their antimicrobial action. Accordingly, Cocos nucifera extract was used for the reduction of silver nitrate solution to afford silver nanoparticles. These entities were further incorporated onto sulfuric-acid-based activated carbons to generate the nanocomposites. The antimicrobial activity of the as-prepared nanomaterials was evaluated using the broth microdilution method, while the antioxidant activity was assessed through standard methods. The cytotoxicity of potent nanomaterials was assessed on Vero cells by the spectrophotometric method. As a result, nanoparticles were successfully synthesized, as evidenced by the ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy analysis that revealed an intense absorption spectrum at 433 nm. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy presented the functional group moieties involved as a capping and reducing agent in the synthesis of the nanomaterials. The incubation of nanomaterials with selected bacterial and fungal strains has led to significant inhibitory effects of these pathogens with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 7.813 to 250 μg/mL. In antioxidant assays, the nanocomposites presented scavenging activities comparable to those of ascorbic acid. Cytotoxicity experiment revealed no toxic effects on Vero cells (range of selectivity indices: from >4 to >128). These results provide evidence of the implication of Cocos nucifera-based nanomaterials in targeting bacterial or fungal systems that mediate free-radical damage or by inhibiting the oxidative damage caused by selected bacteria and fungi, the most susceptible being Escherichia coli and Candida albicans, respectively.
The Perspectives of Platelet Proteomics in Health and Disease
Authors: Chaudhary Preeti Kumari , Upadhayaya Sachin , Kim Sanggu , Kim Soochong
Published: March 2024

Cardiovascular thromboembolic diseases and cancer continue to be a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Therefore, it is crucial to advance their diagnoses and treatment in the context of individualized medicine. However, the disease specificity of the currently available markers is limited. Based on analyses of a subset of peptides and matching proteins in disease vs. healthy platelets, scientists have recently shown that focused platelet proteomics enables the quantification of disease-specific biomarkers in humans. In this review, we explored the potential of accurate platelet proteomic research, which is required to identify novel diagnostic and pharmaceutical targets by comprehending the proteome variety of healthy individuals and patients for personalized and precision medicine.
Diabetic Neuropathic Pain: Directions for Exploring Treatments
Authors: Chen Yuchen , Song Xue-Jun
Published: March 2024

Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) is one of the common and severe late-stage complications of diabetes mellitus, which could greatly influence the patients’ quality of life. Patients with DNP often experience spontaneous pain and evoked pain such as mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, meaning that their physical and psychological health are severely impaired. Unfortunately, the mechanisms of DNP remain highly elusive, so substantial breakthrough in effective DNP targeted treatments is still clinically challenging. This article will hence summarise the main mechanisms currently known to underlie DNP pathogenesis, along with describing some of the current and potential treatment methods against diabetic neuropathic pain.
The Effect of Data Missingness on Machine Learning Predictions of Uncontrolled Diabetes Using All of Us Data
Authors: Jabbar Zain , Washington Peter
Published: March 2024

Electronic Health Records (EHR) provide a vast amount of patient data that are relevant to predicting clinical outcomes. The inherent presence of missing values poses challenges to building performant machine learning models. This paper aims to investigate the effect of various imputation methods on the National Institutes of Health’s All of Us dataset, a dataset containing a high degree of data missingness. We apply several imputation techniques such as mean substitution, constant filling, and multiple imputation on the same dataset for the task of diabetes prediction. We find that imputing values causes heteroskedastic performance for machine learning models with increased data missingness. That is, the more missing values a patient has for their tests, the higher variance there is on a diabetes model AUROC, F1, precision, recall, and accuracy scores. This highlights a critical challenge in using EHR data for predictive modeling. This work highlights the need for future research to develop methodologies to mitigate the effects of missing data and heteroskedasticity in EHR-based predictive models.
A Careful Insight into DDI-Type Receptor Layers on the Way to Improvement of Click-Biology-Based Immunosensors
Authors: Karoń Sylwia , Drozd Marcin , Malinowska Elżbieta
Published: March 2024

Protein-based microarrays are important tools for high-throughput medical diagnostics, offering versatile platforms for multiplex immunodetection. However, challenges arise in protein microarrays due to the heterogeneous nature of proteins and, thus, differences in their immobilization conditions. This article advocates DNA-directed immobilization (DDI) as a solution, emphasizing its rapid and cost-effective fabrication of biosensing platforms. Thiolated single-stranded DNA and its analogues, such as ZNA® and PNA probes, were used to immobilize model proteins (anti-CRP antibodies and SARS-CoV nucleoprotein). The study explores factors influencing DDI-based immunosensor performance, including the purity of protein-DNA conjugates and the stability of their duplexes with DNA and analogues. It also provides insight into backfilling agent type and probe surface density. The research reveals that single-component monolayers lack protection against protein adsorption, while mixing the probes with long-chain ligands may hinder DNA-protein conjugate anchoring. Conventional DNA probes offer slightly higher surface density, while ZNA® probes exhibit better binding efficiency. Despite no enhanced stability in different ionic strength media, the cost-effectiveness of DNA probes led to their preference. The findings contribute to advancing microarray technology, paving the way for new generations of DDI-based multiplex platforms for rapid and robust diagnostics.
Effect of Chitosan Degradation Products, Glucosamine and Chitosan Oligosaccharide, on Osteoclastic Differentiation
Authors: Takeuchi Tomoharu , Oyama Midori , Hatanaka Tomomi
Published: March 2024

Chitosan, a natural cationic polysaccharide derived from crustaceans and shellfish shells, is known for its advantageous biological properties, including biodegradability, biocompatibility, and antibacterial activity. Chitosan and its composite materials are studied for their potential for bone tissue repair. However, the effects of chitosan degradation products, glucosamine (GlcN) and chitosan oligosaccharide (COS), on osteoclasts remain unclear. If these chitosan degradation products promote osteoclastic differentiation, careful consideration is required for the use of chitosan and related materials in bone repair applications. Here, we assessed the effects of high (500 μg/mL) and low (0.5 μg/mL) concentrations of GlcN and COS on osteoclastic differentiation in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and murine macrophage-like RAW264 cells. A tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) enzyme activity assay, TRAP staining, and actin staining were used to assess osteoclastic differentiation. High concentrations of GlcN and COS, but not low concentrations, suppressed macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF)- and RANKL-dependent increases in TRAP enzyme activity, TRAP-positive multinuclear osteoclast formation, and actin ring formation in PBMCs without cytotoxicity. Similar effects were observed in the RANKL-dependent osteoclastic differentiation of RAW264 cells. In conclusion, chitosan degradation products do not possess osteoclast-inducing properties, suggesting that chitosan and its composite materials can be safely used for bone tissue repair.
Preserving Tradition through Evolution: Critical Review of 3D Printing for Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Identity
Authors: Moscatelli Monica
Published: March 2024

In a dynamic era of architectural innovation, Saudi Arabia is pioneering a unique approach to preserving its rich heritage. By integrating traditional Saudi architecture into 3D-printed structures, the nation is forging a path that harmoniously blends the past and the future. This paper aims to show the potential of 3D printing in incorporating aspects of the local culture into construction. Through an analysis of the literature review, this research selected three international case studies to analyze how cultural identity has been integrated and how it evolved into buildings through 3D printing technology. The results demonstrate that aligning 3D printing with authentic local cultural identity can significantly improve the built environment. This direction favors a synthesis between sustainability and cultural heritage, giving rise to the creation of innovative architectural structures that are rooted in the territory at the same time. This cultural reflection in innovative architecture aims to lead Saudi Arabia to reflect on the importance of its heritage while also ushering in a new era of sustainable construction, ensuring that the cultural fabric of the Kingdom remains vibrant for generations to come.
The Impact of Children’s and Parents’ Perceptions of Parenting Styles on Attention, Hyperactivity, Anxiety, and Emotional Regulation
Authors: Cueli Marisol , Martín Natalia , Cañamero Laura M. , Rodríguez Celestino , González-Castro Paloma
Published: March 2024

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptomatology can be studied by examining the associated neurobiological factors or by looking at the environmental factors involved, such as parenting styles. Negative parenting styles have been associated with ADHD symptoms in childhood and adolescence. The present study aimed to analyze the predictive power of two parenting style dimensions (warmth–communication and criticism–rejection) and three factors about rule-setting and compliance (inductive, strict, and indulgent styles) in the explanation of ADHD symptoms (attention and hyperactivity) and associated emotional factors (anxiety and emotional regulation) considering parents’ and children’s perspectives. The results indicate that from the parents’ perspective, the criticism–rejection variable was the most important in explaining attention difficulties, anxiety and emotional regulation. From the children’s perspective, the strict parenting style was the most important variable in explaining hyperactivity and emotional regulation. In addition, for children, warmth–communication was significant in predicting fewer emotional regulation difficulties. Our results highlight the importance of considering family dynamics when assessing ADHD in order to implement comprehensive interventions that consider parental training in positive parenting styles.
Integrating the Internet of Things (IoT) in SPA Medicine: Innovations and Challenges in Digital Wellness
Authors: Casillo Mario , Cecere Liliana , Colace Francesco , Lorusso Angelo , Santaniello Domenico
Published: March 2024

Integrating modern and innovative technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Learning (ML) presents new opportunities in healthcare, especially in medical spa therapies. Once considered palliative, these therapies conducted using mineral/thermal water are now recognized as a targeted and specific therapeutic modality. The peculiarity of these treatments lies in their simplicity of administration, which allows for prolonged treatments, often lasting weeks, with progressive and controlled therapeutic effects. Thanks to new technologies, it will be possible to continuously monitor the patient, both on-site and remotely, increasing the effectiveness of the treatment. In this context, wearable devices, such as smartwatches, facilitate non-invasive monitoring of vital signs by collecting precise data on several key parameters, such as heart rate or blood oxygenation level, and providing a perspective of detailed treatment progress. The constant acquisition of data thanks to the IoT, combined with the advanced analytics of ML technologies, allows for data collection and precise analysis, allowing real-time monitoring and personalized treatment adaptation. This article introduces an IoT-based framework integrated with ML techniques to monitor spa treatments, providing tailored customer management and more effective results. A preliminary experimentation phase was designed and implemented to evaluate the system’s performance through evaluation questionnaires. Encouraging preliminary results have shown that the innovative approach can enhance and highlight the therapeutic value of spa therapies and their significant contribution to personalized healthcare.
Subjective Well-Being and Mental Health among College Students: Two Datasets for Diagnosis and Program Evaluation
Authors: Martínez Lina , Robles Esteban , Trofimoff Valeria , Vidal Nicolás , Espada Andrés David , Mosquera Nayith , Franco Bryan , Sarmiento Víctor , Zafra María Isabel
Published: March 2024

This paper presents two datasets about college students’ subjective well-being and mental health in a developing country. The first data set of this report offers a diagnosis of the prevalence of self-reported symptoms associated with stress, anxiety, depression, and overall evaluation of subjective well-being. The study uses validated scales to measure self-reported symptoms related to mental health conditions. To measure stress, the study used the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) to measure symptoms associated with anxiety (GAD-7), and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to measure symptoms associated with depression. This diagnosis was collected in a college student sample of 3052 undergrad students in 2022 at a medium-sized university in Colombia. The second dataset reports the evaluation of a positive education intervention implemented in the same university. The Colombian Minister of Science and Technology financed the intervention to promote strategies to mitigate the consequences on college students’ well-being and mental health after the pandemic. The program evaluation data cover two years (2020–2022) with 193 college students in the treatment group (students enrolled in a class teaching evidence-based interventions to promote well-being and mental health awareness) and 135 students in the control group. Data for evaluation include a broad array of variables of life satisfaction, happiness, negative emotions, COVID-19 effects, relationships valuations, and habits and the measurement of three scales: The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), a brief measurement of depressive symptomatology (CESD-7), and the Brief Strengths Scale (BSS).
Evaluation of Stability and Accuracy Compared to the Westergren Method of ESR Samples Analyzed at VES-MATIC 5
Authors: Lorubbio Maria , Diamanti Daniela , Ghiandai Alessandro , Pieroni Carolina , Bonini Donatella , Pettinari Massimiliano , Gorini Gabriele , Bassi Stefania , Meloni Paola , Ognibene Agostino
Published: March 2024

The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) is a diagnostic estimator of systemic inflammation as a reflection of acute phase proteins circulating in the blood. The purpose of this manuscript is to evaluate the blood stability at room temperature (RT) and at 4 °C to avoid ESR diagnostic errors, as well as the accuracy of the VES-MATIC 5 analyzer. The ESR stability evaluation at RT for 24 h (4 h “T1”, 6 h “T2”, 8 h “T3”, 10 h “T4”, 24 h “T5”) and at 4 °C (24 h, 36 h, 48 h) was carried out using 635 total samples, starting with T0 (2 h of venipuncture). For method comparison, 164 patients were analyzed using VES-MATIC 5 and then the Westergren reference method. The sample at RT is established by a significant gradual decrease in correlation R = 0.99 (T0 vs. T1), R = 0.97 (T0 vs. T2), R = 0.92 (T0 vs. T3), R = 0.87 (T0 vs. T4), and R = 0.40 (T0 vs. T5). The stability at 4 °C after 24 h, 36 h, and 48 h showed a regression of R = 0.99, R = 0.97, and R = 0.95, respectively. Therefore, ESR measurements on RT samples beyond 6 h after collection cannot be carried out, but the ESR can be measured until 36 h for samples stored at 4 °C. Moreover, the VES-MATIC 5 accuracy performance compared to the Westergren method (R = 0.96) is confirmed.
Influence of Post-Curing in Nitrogen-Saturated Condition on the Degree of Conversion and Color Stability of 3D-Printed Resin Crowns
Authors: Lim Bohyun , Kim Dohyun , Song Je Seon , Kim Sunil , Kim Hoon , Shin Yooseok
Published: March 2024

Post-curing is the process of applying extra light to complete the polymerization process of 3D printing. The mechanical properties of light-cured three-dimensional (3D) printed resin can be improved by decreasing the oxygen concentrations during post-curing, and nitrogen-saturated post-curing has been applied for this purpose. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the color stability of 3D-printed resin crowns that were post-cured in both normal air and nitrogen-saturated conditions. Crowns were fabricated with a 3D printer and post-cured in normal air (control group; air) or nitrogen-saturated conditions (experimental group; nitrogen). The specimens in each group were subdivided into four subgroups, each exposed to different discoloration agents: distilled water, coffee, wine, and curry. Post-immersion color changes were measured using a digital spectrophotometer and analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy evaluated the degree of conversion of resin over immersion times for both post-curing conditions. Upon comparing the effects of post-curing conditions, a significant difference between the control and experimental groups in terms of immersion time in the wine and curry subgroups was found. FT-IR analysis showed a significant difference in the degree of conversion between the air and nitrogen groups from 10 to 300 s. These findings suggest that nitrogen-saturated post-curing can potentially enhance the conversion rate of 3D-printed resin crowns, thereby improving their color stability.
Exploring the Factors That Influence K-12 Teachers’ Use of Open Educational Resources
Authors: Kuo Yu-Chun , Kuo Yu-Tung , Tseng Hungwei
Published: March 2024

The features of open educational resources (OERs) have the potential of enhancing teaching effectiveness and student learning experiences in K-12 education. Encouraging K-12 teachers to use OERs requires an understanding of the factors that have an influence on teachers’ decisions to adopt or use OERs in their teaching. In this regard, this study explored the factors related to how teachers perceived their use of OERs, including the perceived ease of use of OERs, perceived usefulness of OERs, intention to adopt OERs, attitudes, OER self-efficacy, and so on. The relationships of several proposed factors were explored. The participants were teachers from a university in the northeastern United States. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were applied to analyze the collected data. The results indicated that teachers’ perceptions of using OERs were positive overall. Their perceived ease of use and usefulness were two significant predictors of teachers’ adoption of OERs. Other factors that addressed teachers’ willingness and challenges with the use of OER were re-ported and discussed.
Optimization and Scheduling Method for Power Systems Considering Wind Power Forward/Reverse Peaking Scenarios
Authors: Yu Hao , Wang Yibo , Liu Chuang , Wang Shunjiang , Hao Chunyang , Xiong Jian
Published: March 2024

With the promotion of the dual carbon target, the scale of the wind power grid connection will significantly increase. However, wind power has characteristics such as randomness and volatility, and its grid connection challenges the pressure of system peak shaving, making it increasingly difficult to regulate the power system. To solve the problem of wind power abandonment, the positive and negative peak shaving characteristics of wind power were first analyzed. Based on this, it is proposed that demand response resources and energy storage with adjustable characteristics are used as the new means of wind power consumption. Together with the thermal power units, they participate in the optimization and scheduling of the power grid, forming a coordinated and optimized operation mode of source load storage. With the goal of minimizing system operating costs, a two-stage economic scheduling model was formed for the day-ahead and intra-day periods. Finally, optimization software was used to solve the problem, and the simulation results showed the effectiveness of the proposed economic scheduling model, which can improve the system’s new energy consumption and reduce the system’s operating costs.
The Biological Role of the S-Layer Produced by Lactobacillus helveticus 34.9 in Cell Protection and Its Probiotic Properties
Authors: Angelescu Iulia-Roxana , Zamfir Medana , Ionetic Emanuela-Cătălina , Grosu-Tudor Silvia-Simona
Published: March 2024

Lactobacillus helveticus 34.9 was isolated from a sample of Romanian home-made fermented milk, producing both surface layer proteins and a class III bacteriocin. The present study aimed to investigate the biological and functional role of the S-layer in correlation with its probiotic properties. The presence of S-layer proteins resulted in various degrees of co-aggregation of L. helveticus 34.9 with pathogens and with other lactic acid bacteria, but the removal of these proteins reduced the co-aggregation with all the tested strains. Moreover, the S-layer proved to be involved in cell wall hydrophobicity and cellular protection during freeze-drying. In the simulated passage through the gastrointestinal tract, S-layer depleted cells exhibited increased vulnerability, with greater viability loss in low pH and pepsin treatment compared to control cells. Subsequently, in the small intestine simulation, these cells lost all viability, underscoring the vital role of extracellular proteins for cell protection. The morphological effects of these treatments were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Severe structural damage was noticed when the S-layer was absent, including loss of cell shape and integrity as well as many ghost cells emptied of their content. Finally, the elimination of surface proteins reduced the interaction between L. helveticus 34.9 and mammalian cells.
Effect of Biochar in Modulating Anaerobic Digestion Performance and Microbial Structure Community of Different Inoculum Sources
Authors: Ding Jingran , Zhen Feng , Kong Xiaoying , Hu Yunzi , Zhang Yi , Gong Lang
Published: March 2024

Biochar has attracted increasing attention as an additive for enhancing the performance of anaerobic digestion (AD), but the effect of biochar on microbial regulatory mechanisms in enhancing AD performance is unclear. To investigate how biochar modulates the process of AD, different inoculum sources including cellulose–peptone–swine inoculum (CPI) and swine manure inoculum (SMI) were designed to determine the effect of biochar on the performance and microbial communities of anaerobic digestion of the feedstock concentration from 1 to 6%. The results showed that the methane yields of CPI seeds were higher 20.3–38.7% than those of SMI seeds without a biochar addition, whereas the biochar addition reduced 5.3 and 23.1% of the corresponding methane yield of CPI and SMI, respectively. The biochar enhances the accumulation of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and weakens the potential ammonia inhibition by adsorption, and it can improve the degradation rate of organic content of soluble COD for different inoculum sources. Microbial community analyses showed that the biochar addition could facilitate the growth of Bacteroidetes and Clostridiales, and it enriched the relative abundance of hydrogenotrophic methanogens Methanobrevibacter and Methanobacterium. Overall, although the modulation of biochar possessed different effects on the anaerobic digestion performance, it contributed to the stability and degradation efficiency of the digestion system. The recycling implication of biochar is critical to realizing a low-carbon and renewable treatment system for organic wastes.
Transcriptome Analysis Revealed Potential Immune-Related Genes of Head Kidney in the Yellow Catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) Challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila
Authors: Jiang Senhao , Lei Yuting , Wang Ti , Ma Ruiting , Hou Chunqiang , Liu Qiuning
Published: March 2024

Yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) is an important freshwater fish species in aquaculture. However, as intensive farming has rapidly expanded, infectious diseases caused by various bacteria, such as Aeromonas hydrophila, have also increased. We conducted a transcriptomic analysis of head kidney from P. fulvidraco stimulated by A. hydrophila strain SHOU. A total of 43,249 unigenes with an average length of 1342 bp were obtained following assembly and annotation. By analyzing GO and KEGG enrichment, many differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and pathways related to immunity were identified. Out of the 973 DEGs that were identified, 553 were upregulated and 420 were downregulated. Moreover, KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that the innate immune system, including the TNF signaling pathway, NF-kappa B signaling pathway, and the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway involved in the defense, is activated against infectious response. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis demonstrated that immune response genes were upregulated in response to A. hydrophila stimulation compared to the control. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the immune defense mechanism of P. fulvidraco and sheds light on the host immune genes involved in the response to bacterial infection.
Characteristics of a Particle’s Incipient Motion from a Rough Wall in Shear Flow of Herschel–Bulkley Fluid
Authors: Seryakov Alexander , Ignatenko Yaroslav , Bocharov Oleg B.
Published: March 2024

A numerical simulation of the Herschel–Bulkley laminar steady state shear flow around a stationary particle located on a sedimentation layer was carried out. The surface of the sedimentation layer was formed by hemispheres of the same radius as the particle. The drag force, lift force, and torque values were obtained in the following ranges: shear Reynolds numbers for a particle ReSH=2–200, corresponding to laminar flow; power law index n=0.6–1.0; and Bingham number Bn=0–10. A significant difference in the forces and torque acting on a particle in shear flow in comparison to the case of a smooth wall is shown. It is shown that the drag coefficient is on average 6% higher compared to a smooth wall for a Newtonian fluid but decreases with the increase in non-Newtonian properties. At the edge values of n=0.6 and Bn=10, the drag is on average 25% lower compared to the smooth wall. For a Newtonian fluid, the lift coefficient is on average 30% higher compared to a smooth wall. It also decreases with the increase in non-Newtonian properties of the fluid, but at the edge values of n=0.6 and Bn=10, it is on average only 3% lower compared to the smooth wall. Approximation functions for the drag, lift force, and torque coefficient are constructed. A reduction in the drag force and lifting force leads to an increase in critical stresses (Shields number) on the wall on average by 10% for incipient motion (rolling) and by 12% for particle detachment from the sedimentation bed.
A Novel Molecularly Imprinted Quartz Crystal Microbalance Sensor Based on Erbium Molybdate Incorporating Sulfur-Doped Graphitic Carbon Nitride for Dimethoate Determination in Apple Juice Samples
Authors: Özdemir Neslihan , Karslıoğlu Betül , Bankoğlu Yola Bahar , Atar Necip , Yola Mehmet Lütfi
Published: March 2024

Dimethoate (DIM) as an organophosphorus pesticide is widely utilized especially in the cultivation of vegetables and fruits due to its killing effect on harmful insects. However, unconscious use of DIM in large amounts can also cause serious health problems. For these reasons, rapid and reliable detection of DIM from food samples is significant. In this study, a novel quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor based on erbium molybdate incorporating sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride (EM/S-g-C3N4) and a molecularly imprinting polymer (MIP) was designed for DIM detection in apple juice samples. Firstly, an EM/S-g-C3N4 nanocomposite with high purity was prepared under hydrothermal conditions at high temperatures over a long period of time. After the modification of the EM/S-g-C3N4 nanocomposite on a QCM chip, the polymerization solution including N,N′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a cross-linker, methacryloylamidoglutamic acid (MAGA) as a monomer, and DIM as an analyte was prepared. Then, the polymerization solution was dropped on an EM/S-g-C3N4 nanocomposite modified QCM chip and an ultraviolet polymerization process was applied for the formation of the DIM-imprinted polymers on the EM/S-g-C3N4 nanocomposite modified QCM chip. After the polymerization treatment, some characterization studies, including electrochemical, microscopic, and spectroscopic methods, were performed to illuminate the surface properties of the nanocomposite and the prepared QCM sensor. The values of the limit of quantification (LOQ) and the detection limit (LOD) of the prepared QCM sensor were as 1.0 × 10−9 M and 3.3 × 10−10 M, respectively. In addition, high selectivity, stability, reproducibility, and repeatability of the developed sensor was observed, providing highly reliable analysis results. Finally, thanks to the prepared sensor, it may be possible to detect pesticides from different food and environmental samples in the future.
Inclusion of Beef Heart in Ground Beef Patties Alters Quality Characteristics and Consumer Acceptability as Assessed by the Application of Electronic Nose and Tongue Technology
Authors: Douglas Savannah L. , Bernardez-Morales Gabriela M. , Nichols Brooks W. , Johnson Gabriella F. , Barahona-Dominguez Linda S. , Jessup Ainsley P. , Belk Aeriel D. , Ball Jase J. , Cho Sungeun , Sawyer Jason T.
Published: March 2024

Consumer purchasing of beef is often driven by the trinity of flavor, palatability, and convenience. Currently, beef patties in the United States are manufactured with fat and lean trimmings derived from skeletal muscles. A reduction in total beef supply may require the use of animal by-product utilization such as variety meats to achieve patty formulations. The current study aimed to assess textural, color, and flavor characteristics in addition to volatile compounds through electronic technology, e-nose and e-tongue, of ground beef patties formulated with beef heart. Ground beef patties were manufactured with 0%, 6%, 12%, or 18% beef heart, with the remainder of the meat block being shoulder clod-derived ground beef. Patties (n = 65/batch/treatment) within each batch (n = 3) with each treatment were randomly allocated to cooked color (n = 17/batch/treatment), Allo–Kramer shear force (AKSF; n = 17/batch/treatment), texture profile analysis (TPA; n = 6/batch/treatment), cooking loss (n = 17/batch/treatment), consumer panel (n = 3/batch/treatment), e-nose (n = 1/batch/treatment), and e-tongue (n = 1/batch/treatment) analysis groups. Patties containing beef heart did not require additional cooking time (p = 0.1325) nor exhibit greater cooking loss (p = 0.0803). Additionally, inclusion rates of beef heart increased hardness (p = 0.0030) and chewiness values (p = 0.0316) in TPA, were internally redder (p = 0.0001), and reduced overall liking by consumer panelists (p = 0.0367). Lastly, patties containing beef heart exhibited greater red-to-brown (p = 0.0003) and hue angle (p = 0.0001) values than control patties. The results suggest that beef heart inclusion does alter ground beef quality characteristics and consumer acceptability.
Psychiatrists’ Engagement in Research as a Pathway towards the Expansion of Distributed Medical Education (DME): A Regional Analysis across Two Provinces in Atlantic Canada
Authors: Obeng Nkrumah Samuel , Dias Raquel da Luz , Hazelton Lara , Esliger Mandy , Brown Peggy Alexiadis , Tibbo Philip G. , Sinha Nachiketa , Njoku Anthony , Satyendra Satyanarayana , Siddhartha Sanjay , Rahman Faisal , Maguire Hugh , Gray Gerald , Bosma Mark , Parker Deborah , Raji Adewale , Manning Alexandra , Bagnell Alexa , Shalaby Reham , Agyapong Vincent Israel Opoku
Published: March 2024

In the context of Canadian medical education, Distributed Medical Education (DME) plays a crucial role in addressing healthcare disparities, particularly in rural areas. This study focuses on the Department of Psychiatry at Dalhousie University, analyzing psychiatrists’ engagement and willingness to participate in research at DME sites in Nova Scotia (NS) and New Brunswick (NB). The cross-sectional study, encompassing data from an environmental scan, surveyed 60 psychiatrists involved in medical education across seven health zones. Results revealed significant associations between gender, type of graduates, and specialist training. A majority of psychiatrists (68.3%) do not currently engage in mental health or translational research, citing barriers such as a lack of protected time and financial incentives. Notably, participants expressed interest in future research areas, including health services/quality improvement and addiction research. Geriatric psychiatry, predominantly female-dominated, lacked current research activities. The study emphasizes the need to address barriers and promote motivators, both intrinsic and extrinsic, to enhance psychiatrists’ research engagement. This strategic approach is essential for fostering active participation in research, thereby contributing to the expansion of DME sites in Atlantic Canada and beyond.