bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The FACEmemory®, an Innovative Online Self-Administered Memory Test Designed to Detect Mild Cognitive Impairment in the Community
Authors: Alegret Montserrat , Blazquez-Folch Josep , Pérez Alba , Ortega Gemma , Espinosa Ana , Muñoz Nathalia , Sanabria Angela , García-Gutiérrez Fernando , Alarcon-Martin Emilio , Rosende-Roca Maitee , Vargas Liliana , Tartari Juan Pablo , Rentz Dorene M. , Valero Sergi , Ruiz Agustín , Boada Mercè , Marquié Marta
Published: November 2024

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) are currently underdiagnosed in the community. Early detection of cognitive deficits is crucial for timely intervention. FACEmemory®, the first completely self-administered online memory test with voice recognition, has been launched as an accessible tool to detect such deficits. This study aims to correlate FACEmemory subscores with traditional neuropsychological tests and to develop an algorithm to distinguish between cognitively healthy (CH) individuals and those with MCI. Methods: A total of 669 participants (266 CH, 206 with non-amnestic MCI -naMCI-, and 197 with amnestic MCI -aMCI-) were included. Pearson’s correlations were conducted to examine the association between FACEmemory scores, demographics, and cognitive performance on classical neuropsychological tests (the Neuropsychological battery of Ace -NBACE-). Machine learning models were compared to find the best algorithm for distinguishing between CH and MCI (whole MCI, aMCI, and naMCI). Results: FACEmemory scores showed significant correlations (p< 0.001) with memory (r= 0.53), executive functions (r= 0.43), visuospatial/visuoperceptual (r= 0.32), language (r= 0.30), praxis (r= 0.30) and attention (r= 0.26) domains of the NBACE. The best algorithm distinguished between CH and MCI (especially aMCI), with a FACEmemory cutoff score of 44.5, yielding sensitivity and specificity values of 0.81 and 0.72, respectively. Conclusions: FACEmemory is a promising online tool for detecting MCI, particularly aMCI. It could play a key role in reducing underdiagnoses of MCI and AD and supporting early intervention efforts in the community.
Enhancing PET Quantification: MRI-Guided Super-Resolution Using Latent Diffusion Models
Authors: Shah Jay , Che Yiming , Sohankar Javad , Luo Ji , Li Baoxin , Su Yi , Wu Teresa
Published: November 2024

Amyloid PET imaging plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and research of Alzheimer's disease (AD), allowing non-invasive detection of amyloid-β plaques in the brain. However, the low spatial resolution of PET scans limits accurate quantification of amyloid deposition due to partial volume effects (PVE). In this study, we propose a novel approach to addressing PVE using a latent diffusion model for resolution recovery (LDM-RR) of PET imaging. We leverage a synthetic data generation pipeline to create high-resolution PET digital phantoms for model training. The proposed LDM-RR model incorporates a weighted combination of L1, L2, and MS-SSIM losses at both noise and image scales to enhance MRI-guided reconstruction. We evaluated the model's performance in improving statistical power for detecting longitudinal changes and enhancing agreement between amyloid PET measurements from different tracers. Results demonstrate that the LDM-RR approach significantly improves PET quantification accuracy, reduces inter-tracer variability, and enhances the detection of subtle changes in amyloid deposition over time. We show that deep learning has the potential to improve PET quantification in AD, effectively contributing to early detection and monitoring of disease progression.
CRISPR/Cas9 Technology Providing a Therapeutic Landscape of Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Authors: Park Jieun , Kim Jaehong
Published: November 2024

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most prevalent malignancy and the second leading cause of can-cer-related death in men. Although current therapies can effectively manage the primary tumor, most patients with late-stage disease manifest with metastasis in different organs. From surgery to treatment intensification (TI), several combinations of therapies are administered to improve prognosis of patients with metastatic PCa. Due to the high frequency of mutation during the metastatic phase, the Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 genetic engineering tool can accelerate the effects of TI by enhancing targeted gene therapy or immunotherapy. This review describes the genetic backgrounds of metastatic PCa and how CRISPR/Cas9 technology can contribute to the field of PCa treatment development. It also dis-cusses current limitations of conventional PCa therapy and the potential of CRISPR-based-PCa therapy.
Lunar Calendar Usage to Improve Forecasting Accuracy Rainfall by Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Darmawan Gumgum , Setyanto Gatot Riwi , Faidah Defi Yusti , Handoko Budhi
Published: November 2024

The lunar calendar is often overlooked in time series data modelling, despite its importance in understanding seasonal patterns as well as economic, natural phenomena, and consumer behavior. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the lunar calendar in modelling and forecasting rainfall levels using various machine learning methods. The methods employed included Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) models to test the accuracy of rainfall forecasts based on the lunar calendar compared to those based on the Gregorian calendar. The results indicated that machine learning models incorporating the lunar calendar generally pro-vided greater accuracy in forecasting for periods of 3, 4, 6, and 12 months compared to models using the Gregorian calendar. These findings contributed to the advancement of forecasting techniques, machine learning, and the adaptation to non-Gregorian calendar systems, while also opening new opportunities for further research into lunar calendar applications across various domains.
6G Visible Providing Advanced Weather Services for Autonomous Driving
Authors: Sukuvaara¹ Timo , Mäenpää Kari , Honkanen Hannu , Pikkarainen Ari , Myllykoski Heikki , Karsisto Virve , Sebag Etienne
Published: November 2024

Business Finland 6G Visible project’s objective is the development of 6G-era service and architecture solutions utilizing autonomous and semi-autonomous driving, with both physical and logical computational elements and with the use cases for real-life verification and validation. Finnish Meteorological Institute is focusing especially on weather and safety related services for autonomous vehicles. We are tailoring our road weather services for the special needs of autonomous driving, keeping in mind that autonomous vehicle is more sensitive to the harsh winter weather conditions and benefit from more accurate weather information considering the sensor systems of each vehicle. Employing weather radar-based Nowcasting of more accurate short-term precipitation forecasting benefits autonomous traffic especially in cases of heavy local precipitation by re-routing/route-planning and avoiding heaviest precipitation. Evaluation of autonomous vehicles’ sensor systems sensitivity to harsh weather conditions allows the weather forecasting based on real vulnerability of each vehicle.
Detection of the Leg-Crossing Position Using Pressure Distribution Sensor and Machine Learning
Authors: Yuda Emi , Ando Tomoki , Yoshida Yutaka
Published: November 2024

Human often cross their legs unconsciously while sitting, which can lead to issues like shifting the center of gravity, lower back pain, decreased blood flow and pelvic distortion. Detecting unconscious leg-crossing is important for maintaining correct posture. In this study, we explored the detection of leg-crossing postures using machine learning on data from body pressure distribution sensors. Collected 180 seconds of pressure data from 4 male subjects (25.8 ± 6.29 y.o.) in three conditions: no leg crossing, right leg crossed, and left leg crossed. Seven classifiers, including SVM and RF, were evaluated using Accuracy, Recall, Precision, and Specificity. As a result, SVM was difficult to classify.
Waste SMD LEDs from end-of-life Residential LED Lamps: Presence and Characterisation of Rare Earth Elements and Precious Metals as a function of Correlated Colour Temperature
Authors: Sideris Konstantinos M. , Katsiris Ioannis , Fragkoulis Dimitrios , Stathopoulos Vassilis N. , Sinioros Panagiotis
Published: November 2024

Energy consumption in buildings is also linked to lighting technology. Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology includes lamps and luminaires for general lighting applications. Due to their structure, LED lamps are expected to generate specific e-waste streams. LEDs are the main source of luminous flux and their elemental composition is of particular interest to the recycling sector. In this study, surface mount device (SMD) LEDs from six types of LED lamps (E27, E14, G9, R7S, GU10 and MR16) were removed, collected, separated by correlated colour temperature (CCT) (2700 K, 3000 K, 4000 K and 6500 K) and characterised for the presence of rare earth elements and precious metals. They were digested with HNO3 and aqua regia in a hot plate and characterised by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The concentration of each element as a function of CCT ranged between: lanthanum (242 - 1,840) mg kg-1, cerium (132 - 284) mg kg-1, europium (15 - 69) mg kg-1, gadolinium (1.9 - 3.8) mg kg-1, terbium (0.1 - 0.4) mg kg-1, lutetium (29 - 6,381) mg kg-1, yttrium (4,804 - 11,551) mg kg-1, silver (2,712 - 5,262) mg kg-1, gold (502 - 956) mg kg-1 and palladium (32 - 110) mg kg-1. These results indicate the need for selective removal and separate recycling processes of SMD LEDs from LED lamps.
Optimizing The Mobile Pump And Its Equipment To Reduce The Risk Of Pluvial Flooding
Authors: Yosua Horas , Kusuma Muhammad Syahril Badri , Nugroho Joko , Nugroho Eka Oktariyanto , Septiadi Deni
Published: November 2024

The impact of pluvial flooding will hamper the economic process in South Jakarta. The best solution for pluvial flooding is to use mobile pumps and its equipment. There has been no previous research regarding the use of mobile pumps in pluvial floods, either in South Jakarta or elsewhere. The aim of this research is to optimize mobile pumps and their equipment for pluvial floods in South Jakarta through hydrological calculations, hydraulic engineering and risk analysis. The method used is to carry out hydrological analysis compared with the hydraulic capabilities of existing channels, correlation of rainfall intensity and flood depth and analysis of hazard risks through the impact of flood depth and duration of flooding. A depth of flood 75 cm has a 20-50% chance of occurring. The hourly rain distribution pattern in South Jakarta was in the first 2 hours with a percentage weight of 56.6% in the 1st hour and 43.4% in the 2nd hour. BMKG Radar Image as the main choice for rain detection. Optimization of mobile pumps and their equipment can be done through a hierarchy of sufficient and insufficient channel capacity, flood frequency, high impact and time of flooding, mobile pump entry access, mobile pump SOP and equipment. There are 8 locations that require mobile pumps in South Jakarta and it is possible to install these mobile pumps. Seven of them require weather prediction tools and SCADA and 3 of them require mobile pump SOP. From the simulation results using the outlet condition that is out of the system, it is found that the configuration heading to the upstream of the flooded channel cross-section shows the most optimal results. This is because the mobile pump is able to trim the flood hydrograph from the beginning, namely in the flooded upstream. In addition, the criteria for using the type of mobile pump used with weather prediction is a mobile pump with a minimum capacity of 0.5 m3/s. The use of mobile pumps is a solution to reduce the risk of pluvial flooding in South Jakarta and other urban areas.
Trends in the Management of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in the Primary Healthcare Centre in Kaunas over the Five-Year Period
Authors: Urbonas Gediminas , Šileikienė Lolita , Valius Leonas , Grigalė Evelina , Kaupas Vilius , Juška Tautvydas , Vėbraitė Gabrielė , Grabauskytė Ingrida
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a marker of cardiovascular risk and its management. This study evaluated LDL-C control trends in patients treated at a single healthcare centre in Lithuania. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at the primary healthcare centre Saulės šeimos medicinos centras. Five-year (2019-2023) data on patients aged 40 years or older diagnosed with dyslipidaemia were extracted from a real-world data and analytics platform TriNetX. For analysis, patients were grouped into three groups: patients with dyslipidaemia only (control group), patients with dyslipidaemia and diabetes, and patients with dyslipidaemia and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The following LDL-C goals were used for analysis: < 1.4 mmol/L (a goal for very-high-risk patients in primary or secondary prevention), < 1.8 mmol/L (a goal for high-risk patients), and < 3.0 mmol/L (a goal for low-risk patients). Results: There were 18646 patients with dyslipidaemia. Of them, 8.9% of patients had diabetes and 3.1% of patients had CVD. The median LDL-C concentration was significantly lower in patients with diabetes (2.82 mmol/L, p < 0.05) and in patients with CVD (2.45 mmol/L, p < 0.05) than in the control group (3.35 mmol/L). A trend of decreasing median LDL-C over the years was observed in all groups, with the lowest median values in 2023. The proportion of patients with LDL-C level < 3 mmol/L increased from 32.0% in 2019 to 41.5% in 2023. The proportion of diabetic patients achieving LDL-C < 1.8 mmol/L increased from 7.4% to 25.9% and those achieving LDL-C < 1.4 mmol/L increased from 3.1% to 10.6%. The proportion of patients with CVD achieving LDL-C < 1.8 mmol/L increased from 14.2% to 36.6% and those achieving LDL-C < 1.4 mmol/L increased from 3.0% to 14.0%. Conclusions: Trends in the control of LDL-C levels are positive over 5 years, but a significant proportion of patients still did not reach the recommended target levels.
Comparative Performance Evaluation of Continuous Monitoring Blood Culture Systems Using Simulated Septic Specimen
Authors: Ahn Kwangjin , Lee Taesic , Hwang Sangwon , Seo Dong Min , Uh Young
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Continuous Monitoring Blood Culture Systems (CMBCS) are revolutionary automated instruments that facilitate the rapid identification of pathogens in blood samples from patients with sepsis. However, with only a few CMBCS being widely used as references, user dependency on these limited options has grown. In response, a new CMBCS was developed and compared with existing systems to evaluate microbial growth. Methods: HubCentra84 was compared to BacT/Alert® 3D and BACTEC™ FX. Staphylococcus aureus (SAU), Streptococcus pneumoniae (SPN), Escherichia coli (ECO), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAE), Bacteroides fragilis (BFR), and Candida albicans (CAL) were selected as representative clinically infectious microorganisms. Colonies from pure cultures were diluted with normal saline to create simulated sepsis specimens (SSS). The SSS was injected into dedicated culture bottles for each instrument. Thirty paired tests were performed for each strain. Results: Colony-forming units of the added SSS were consistent according to bacteria, and all strains demonstrated robust growth in CMBCS. The growth alarm times were uniformly observed according to the instruments used. CMBCS detected the growth of the clinically significant bacteria SAU, SPN, ECO, and PAE approximately 2 h faster than the other two systems. However, it was approximately 200 min slower for CAL and 3,000 min for BFR. Conclusions: The novel CMBCS demonstrates advantages in detecting the growth of common clinical bacteria. Although slow growth was detected for certain microorganisms, it successfully captured the growth of all tested microorganisms.
Success of Nitric Oxide System Modulators in Pharmacocorrection of Some Indicators of Endothelial Dysfunction After Intrauterine Hypoxia
Authors: Belenichev Igor , Popazova Olena , Yadlovskyi Oleh , Bukhtiyarova Nina , Ryzhenko Victor , Pavlov Sergii V. , Oksenych Valentyn , Kamyshnyi Oleksandr
Published: November 2024

Prenatal hypoxia plays a crucial role in programming long-term cardiovascular dysfunction through mechanisms like endothelial dysfunction and nitric oxide system impairment, highlighting the potential of therapeutic agents, such as thiotriazoline, angiolin, mildronate, and L-arginine, for mitigating these adverse effects. Methods. Levels of sEPCR, Tie2 tyrosine kinase, VEGF-B, SOD1/Cu-Zn SOD, GPX4, and GPX1 were measured in the heart's cytosolic homogenate using ELISA. Results. Modeling prenatal hypoxia (PH) resulted in significant alterations in the concentrations of proteins linked to endothelial function and oxidative stress in the heart cytosol of experimental animals, including an increase in sEPCR and reductions in Tie-2, VEGF-B, Cu/ZnSOD, GPX4, and GPX1 levels. Postnatal administration of nitric oxide modulators (L-arginine, thiotriazoline, angiolin, and mildronate) demonstrated differential efficacy in normalizing these proteins. Notably, angiolin produced the most substantial therapeutic effect, restoring Tie2, VEGF-B, and antioxidant enzyme levels to near-normal levels. Our results highlight the efficacy of Angiolin and Thiotriazoline in restoring endothelial function and antioxidant enzyme levels in the car-diovascular system following prenatal hypoxia, supporting their potential as early postnatal in-terventions to prevent long-term cardiovascular dysfunction.
A Study of the Potential Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Chalcone Derivatives through the Combination of NMR Spectroscopy and Molecular Modeling
Authors: Georgiou Nikitas , Tzani Andromachi , Vavougyiou Kyriaki , Papadopoulos Christos , Eleftheriadis Nikolaos , Šket Primož , Tzeli Demeter , Niemi-aro Tuomas , Detsi Anastasia , Mavromoustakos Thomas
Published: November 2024

In this study, 2 chalcone analogues were synthesized and assessed through in silico and experimental methods for their potential to inhibit the lipoxygenase enzyme, which plays a role in the inflammation pathway. The structure elucidation of each chalcone was conducted through a combination of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Density Functional Theory (DFT). Α “LOX-chalcone” complex, predicted by docking studies, was further examined using Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations to evaluate the stability of the complex. After fully characterizing the “LOX-chalcone” complexes in silico, the atomic details of each chalcone’s interaction with LOX-1 and 5-LOX were revealed through Saturation Transfer Difference (STD) NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance). Finally, their selectivity profile was investigated for human 15-LOX-1 and general Lipoxidase activity. The in silico methods suggest that chalcones could be promising lead compounds for drug design targeting the LOX enzyme.
Production of Bio-oil via Pyrolysis of Banana Peel and Tire Waste for Energy Utilization
Authors: Rodrigues Joaquim Augusto Pinto , Pinto Natália Aguiar Brittes Tinoco , Leite Leonardo Amaral dos Santos , Pereira Jr Amaro Olimpio
Published: November 2024

The energy crisis and environmental degradation are pressing challenges, intensified by popula-tion growth and the excessive generation of solid waste. Converting waste into energy, especially through pyrolysis, is a viable and sustainable alternative. This thermal process transforms waste such as banana peels and used tires into high-value products such as gas, coal and oil. This study aims to evaluate the production of pyrolytic oil from the pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis of these ma-terials, considering different proportions and temperatures, as well as using a decision tree to predict the composition of the bio-oils. The pyrolysis tests with 100% banana peel and 75% banana peel mixed with 25% tire showed a decrease in oil yield with increasing temperature, with a drop of around 30% when comparing 500 ºC to 400 ºC. In contrast, co-pyrolysis with 50% of each ma-terial and 100% of the tire resulted in increases in oil yield as the temperature rose. FTIR analysis of the oils showed the presence of relevant functional groups, while elemental analysis and de-cision tree modeling provided accurate predictions of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen content. The results suggest that the co-pyrolysis of waste tires and banana peels is a viable alternative for the production of bio-oil.
Analysis of the Relationships among the Value, Benefit, and Activities of Forest Culture in Korea - Application of Means-Chain Value Theory
Authors: Chae Jin-Hae , Kim Seong-Hak , Choi Nak-Min , Kim Tae-kwon
Published: November 2024

Globally, the importance of sustainable forest is increasing. The forest culture (FC) products are consumed from the perspective of value consumption unlike general products. The benefits contributed by FC products differ in terms of their impact on individuals and society. In this study, we investigated how the expected benefit of FC affects pursued values (PVs) and preferred activities (PAs) from the perspective of value consumption. We (1) determined the indicators of the expected benefit of PVs and PAs in FC and (2) examined the causal relationship among these factors using Means-End Chain theory. We also reviewed relevant literature and surveyed 1,700 Koreans to explore how FC benefits, values, and activities relate to consumer behavior. Factor analysis divided 11 and 19 indicators of PVs and PAs of FC, respectively, into three factors: “symbolic, social, and consumption value” and “tourism-exploration, cultural-artistic, and living-leisure activity.” The contributing characteristics of FC affect the PVs and, in turn, the PAs of FC. In other words, the concrete attitudes of consumers toward FC were categorized by abstract concepts and influenced their practical and behavioral attitudes. In conclusion, FC products should be developed with a focus on value consumption.
Computer Vision-Based Product Quality Inspection and Novel Counting System
Authors: LEE CHANG-HYUN , KIM YUNSIK , KIM HUNKEE
Published: November 2024

In this study, we aim to enhance the accuracy of product quality inspection and counting in the manufacturing process by integrating image processing and human body detection algorithms. We employed the SIFT algorithm combined with traditional image comparison metrics such as SSIM, PSNR, and MSE to develop a defect detection system that is robust against variations in rotation and scale. Additionally, the YOLO v8 Pose algorithm was used to detect and correct errors in product counting caused by human interference on the load cell in real-time. By applying the image differencing technique, we accurately calculated the unit weight of products and determined their total count. In our experiments conducted on products weighing over 1kg, we achieved a high accuracy of 99.268%. The integration of our algorithms with the load cell-based counting system demonstrates reliable real-time quality inspection and automated counting in manufacturing environments.
Homology Analysis of Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii Genes in Different Regions of Xinjiang
Authors: Luo Bin , Li Zhiwei
Published: November 2024

Background: The prevalence of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii is gradually increasing globally, posing a serious burden on patients and society, which is a significant public health issue.Testing the homology of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clones in hospitals in Xinjiang autonomous region can enable the hospital infection control department to better monitor the source and prevent the spread of drug-resistant characteristics.
Method: Multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii detected in intensive care units of 9 urban hospitals in Xinjiang autonomous region were collected. After drug sensitivity testing, DNA was extracted, and homology analysis was performed.
Conclusion: 72 strains of carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii were multi drug resistant; The resistance rate of this bacterium to polymyxin B (1.3%) and tigecycline (1.7%) was low. The genotype of type 3 was unique to Urumqi; Type 4 is mainly distributed in Changji and Hotan, showing a unique significant band; Type 2 appeared in Urumqi and Hotan, and type 1 was prevalent throughout Xinjiang. It is distributed in all regions, and the similarity coefficient is 99%.
Effect of Mn3 Substitution on the Electric Field Gradient in HoFe1-xMnxO3 (X=0.0–0.7) System
Authors: Knyazev Yuriy , Pavlovskii Maksim S. , Balaev Timofei , Semenov Sergey , Skorobogatov Stanislav , Sokolov Aleksey , Gokhfeld Denis M. , Shaykhutdinov Kirill
Published: November 2024

The effect of the Mn3+ ion on the local distortions of the FeO6 octahedra in orthoferrite samples was investigated. Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements for a series of the HoFe1−xMnxO3 (x=0.0−0.7) orthoferrite samples with space group Pnma was carried out at temperatures above the Néel point (700 K). The electric field gradient (EFG) tensor on Fe ions for these compounds was found using the first-principle calculations. The concentration dependence of the quadrupole splitting was resulted from the experimental and theoretical data. The absence of an electron contribution to the quadrupole splitting at all the manganese concentrations was demonstrated. It was shown by the theoretical calculations that the values of all the electric field gradient components increase significantly with the manganese concentration in the system, and the eigenvectors Vxx and Vyy of the electric field gradient tensor sharply change their direction at concentrations of x > 0.1.
Methods of Protein Extraction from House Crickets (Acheta domesticus) for Food Purposes
Authors: Cunha Nair , Lopes de Andrade Vanda , Macedo Antónia , Ruivo Paula , Lima Gabriela
Published: November 2024

Global population projected to reach 10 billion by 2050 emphasizing the need for sustainable food production. Traditional protein sources present environmental and scalability challenges, demanding the diversification of protein sources. Edible insects, such as house crickets (Acheta domesticus), emerged as a promising solution due to their high nutritional value, efficient feed conversion rates, and lower environmental impact compared to conventional protein sources. Incorporating insect powders into new food products can improve consumer acceptance, but often lead to poor functionality and/or undesirable organoleptic characteristics. However, protein isolates were revealed to be effective in enhancing functionality and consumer acceptance. This study aimed to develop and compare the yield of three different protein extraction methods, using sodium hydroxide, ascorbic acid or alcalase, from house crickets (Acheta domesticus) for food applications. Protein extraction was performed on cricket powder with a mean protein content of 57.95 g/100 g, and the results were evaluated. The enzymatic method showed the highest protein extraction rate of 85.97% with a mean protein content of 74.03 g/100 g, while extraction with NaOH or ascorbic acid resulted in rates of 74.32 and 56.99%, respectively. Further studies on the functionality and sensorial evaluation of products developed with this protein extract are recommended.
Physicochemical Characterization and Extrusion Effects in the Optimization of Agro-Industrial Byproducts Flour Formulation
Authors: Navia-Porras Diana Paola , Franco-Urbano Carolina , Torres-Valenzuela Laura Sofía , Plaza-Dorado José Luis , Hoyos-Concha José Luis
Published: November 2024

During the post-harvest of coffee and plantain, organic residues with high potential for utilization are generated. This work aimed to measure the effect of extrusion on the nutritional, physicochemical, and functional properties of mixtures of coffee pulp (CP), rejected plantain (RP), and plantain rachis (PR) flours. The residues were dehydrated, milled, and mixed according to the simplex reticular experimental design. Subsequently, the mixtures were extruded. The properties before and after extrusion were determined. It was found that the effect of extrusion reduced the crude fiber and lipid content composition, but protein and ash content were not changed. A positive relation was found between coffee pulp flour and rachis plantain flour in response to total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (AA). Some blends increased the TPC and AA, but others reduced it. At the same time, water activity and water and oil absorption capacity showed a significant extrusion effect, while the pH did not. It was determined that the optimum mixture extruded was 0,364:0,333:0,303 of CP, RP, and PR, respectively. Extrusion reduced all pasting properties of the optimized blend. The flours studied presented a relevant nutritional and functional contribution, which favors their viability for use in the food industry.
Combined Effect of Temperature and Different Light Regimes on the Photosynthetic Activity and Lipid Accumulation in the Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: Díaz-Santos Encarnación , Heredia-Martínez Luis G. , López-Maury Luis , Hervás Manuel , Ortega José M. , Navarro José A. , Roncel Mercedes
Published: November 2024

The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effects of temperature and light on the photosynthetic parameters and lipid accumulation in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, a model organism widely used for studies on diatom physiology, ecology, and biotechnology. Our results highlight the importance of the interaction between temperature and light intensity in influencing growth rates, pigments and active pho-tosystems content, photosynthetic efficiency, lipid production and fatty acid composi-tion in P. tricornutum. Measurements of the maximum electron transport rate (rETRmax) and rETR at maximum PAR (830 µmol m−2 s−1) confirmed that P. tricornutum exhibits significantly higher light sensitivity as growth temperature increases under light/dark cycles at two light intensities (25–60 µmol m−2 s−1). However, this trend was reversed under continuous light (25 µmol m−2 s−1). Moreover, higher rETRmax values (up to dou-ble) were observed at higher irradiance, either in intensity or under continuous light regimes, at the two temperatures tested. On the other hand, increasing light intensity amplified the observed effect of temperature on photosystem I (PSI) activity under light/dark regimes, but not under continuous light conditions. This resulted in a greater deficiency in PSI activity, likely due to limitations in electron supply to this photosys-tem. Furthermore, increasing the culture temperature from 20 °C to 25 °C triggered an increase in the number and size of cytoplasmic lipid droplets under conditions of in-creased light intensity, with an even more pronounced effect under continuous illumi-nation. Notably, the combination of 25 °C and continuous illumination resulted in a more than twofold increase in triacylglyceride (TAG) content, reaching approximately 17 mg L⁻1. This condition also caused a substantial rise (up to ≈90%) in the proportions of palmitoleic and palmitic acids in the TAG fatty acid profile.
Comparatively Study on Nutritional Values of Cereal Crops, Their Requirements, Functions, and Deficiency in Health
Authors: Islam Md. Zaherul , Alam Mohammad Nur , Rahman Aminur , Rahman Mohammad Mokhlesur , Rahman Mohammad M , Sabagh Ayman EL
Published: November 2024

Cereals are essential for global food consumption, providing half of the world’s calorie intake and ranking as the top traded agricultural commodity. By 2032, 41% of cereals are expected to be consumed directly by humans, with 37% used as animal feed. As key sources of carbohydrates, protein, minerals, vitamins, and fiber, cereals deliver balanced nutrients for humans and livestock. Rice and wheat are the most widely consumed, yet over 3 billion people still suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, particularly iron, zinc, and vitamin A, leading to widespread malnutrition affecting over 2 billion globally. Nutrient deficiencies contribute significantly to childhood mortality, with undernutrition causing 45% of deaths in children under five. Cereals naturally contain essential micronutrients, including iron, zinc, and B vitamins, along with fiber that supports cardiovascular health and reduces cancer risks. While the growth rate of cereal consumption is slowing, it remains steady, especially in developing countries, where cereals provide 56% of daily caloric intake. To address malnutrition, biofortifying cereals to enhance iron, zinc, and vitamin A content could be transformative. This review highlights the nutritional importance of cereals, the need for balanced diets, and how biofortification and genetic editing can combat global malnutrition.
Seafood Sustainability Challenges for Import-Dependent Nations
Authors: Dominguez-Martinez Rosa Mar , Klein Carissa , Roberson Leslie , Farmery Anna , Kuempel Caitlin , Spillias Scott , Blanchard Julia , Cottrell Richard
Published: November 2024

Dependence on seafood imports is growing for many nations, effectively exporting the environmental and social impacts from consuming nations to producers. While countries have commitments to national regulations and global sustainability targets, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, sustainability standards for imported seafood are lacking. We examine the sustainability implications of high-income countries’ reliance on seafood imports, using Australia as a case study. Australia imports around 60-70% of domestically consumed seafood, with 96.5% imported from 20 countries. Compared to Australia, these countries generally have lower environmental performance, higher vulnerability to slavery, and increased risk of illicit trade in their supply chains. Yet, biophysical limits on wild catch, low demand for underutilized species, social conflict, environmental concerns over aquaculture expansion, and low domestic production, suggest imports will likely remain an important source of seafood for Australian consumers. Other high-income countries in Europe and North America face similar challenges. These countries have a pivotal role in promoting responsible trade. Comprehensive sustainability assessments that integrate environmental and social considerations of production and trade, improved mapping of seafood production activities, and more granular trade data will be critical for informed and effective trade regulations that support sustainability commitments.
Morphological Diversity and Distribution of New World Monkeys Across Brazilian Biomes
Authors: Montgomery Richard Murdoch
Published: November 2024

The morphological diversity of New World monkeys (Platyrrhini) across Brazilian biomes represents a remarkable example of adaptive radiation in Neotropical primates. This review synthesizes current knowledge about morphological adaptations and distribution patterns of platyrrhine primates across Brazil's major biomes, focusing on the relationship between form and function in different ecological contexts. Through analysis of recent geometric morphometric studies, ecological surveys, and comparative anatomical research, we identify several key patterns of morphological variation, including: a continuous gradient of postcranial adaptations rather than discrete locomotor categories, unexpected variations in temporal bone architecture across forest strata, and rapid morphological responses to local dietary conditions as evidenced by dental morphology. Our synthesis reveals that morphological adaptation in Brazilian platyrrhines involves complex trade-offs between competing functional demands, with different anatomical systems evolving at varying rates. The relationship between morphological specialization and ecological resilience emerges as particularly significant, with implications for conservation strategies in the face of habitat modification and climate change. We demonstrate that traditional views of morphological adaptation as a gradual process require revision, as populations show capacity for relatively rapid morphological responses to environmental changes. These findings have important implications for both evolutionary theory and conservation practice, suggesting the need for approaches that preserve not just species, but the full spectrum of morphological diversity and the ecological contexts that generate and maintain it.
Outcomes Of Treating Tuberculosis Patients With Drug-resistant Tuberculosis, Human Immu-nodeficiency Virus, And Nutritional Status: The Combined Impact Of Triple Challenges In Rural Eastern Cape
Authors: Dlatu Ntandazo , Faye Lindiwe Modest , Apalata Teke
Published: November 2024

Background: Treatment outcomes are vital measures of the success of TB treatment programs, especially in areas with limited re-sources, as tuberculosis continues to be a major public health issue. The study aimed to evaluate clinical data from TB-infected pa-tients' clinic files in rural areas of the Olivier Reginald Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa, to understand the treatment outcomes of tuberculosis in patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus, and nutritional status.
Methods: The study analyzed 360 patient files to investigate the treatment outcomes of patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) and HIV, as well as a body mass index (BMI) indicating moderate to severe classification. The data included patient de-mographics, clinical characteristics, and social history. The study also detailed and analyzed culture conversion, time in treatment, and treatment outcomes. Additionally, BMI data were presented using a scatter plot to display the distribution of BMI across different age groups and genders to identify patterns and trends in obesity prevalence.
Results: The study demonstrated the high rates of both overweight and underweight individuals among middle-aged and elderly people, emphasizing the need for personalized nutritional interventions. It found that Type 1 (RR-TB) and Type 2 (MDR-TB) were the most common forms of DR-TB, with a higher prevalence of HIV-positive individuals in Type 1 (RR-TB). The study also showed the distribution of different BMI categories among DR-TB types and HIV statuses. Overall, it suggests limited connections between DR-TB type, BMI category, and HIV status in the research.
Conclusion: It is imperative to prioritize the management of co-morbid conditions in DR-TB patients, as these conditions signifi-cantly influence treatment outcomes. Targeted interventions are essential for patients with severe or complex co-morbidities.
On-Site Implementation of External Wrench Measurement via Non-Linear Optimization in 6-Axis FT Sensor Calibration and Crosstalk Compensation
Authors: Shin Jiyou , Shin Jinjae , Jung Hong-ryul , Won Jaeseok , Auh Eugene , Moon Hyungpil
Published: November 2024

This study introduces a novel calibration method for accurate external wrench measurement using a 6-axis FT sensor, designed to mimic human-like capabilities in robots. While current approaches for FT sensor calibration often rely on fixed parameters, our method models and calibrates essential parameters: bias, crosstalk, CoM, and inclination, to ensure reliable force measurements in mobile and inclined environments. A mobile manipulator installed with an FT sensor and a gripper is used to demonstrate calibration effectiveness across varying postures and inclined conditions, with non-linear optimization applied to minimize sensor-data errors. The proposed method addresses typical calibration challenges, including the effects of the end tool and base inclined, which are not commonly covered in existing methods. Results show that, on a non-inclined base, crosstalk and CoM calibration reduce average error by approximately 14% and variance by 38%. On an inclined base, our full calibration process reduces mean error by 42% and variance by 65%. These findings highlight the importance of inclined calibration for achieving accurate external force estimations, especially for mobile manipulator applications where the environment changes often.
Scientific Workflow-Based Synthesis of Microgrids
Authors: Edeleva Olga , Edelev Alexei , Voskoboinikov Mikhail , Feoktistov Alexander
Published: November 2024

The nature of multi-energy systems requires the integration of interdisciplinary methodologies and complementary tools in a coherent and systematic manner. Therefore, it is imperative to develop an efficient experimental environment to effectively implement the interaction between different tools for structural and parametric optimization (synthesis) of multi-energy systems and analysis of their operation. Due to the inherent complexity of the energy system optimization model, solving the synthesis problem often leads to significant challenges in terms of required computational resources and runtime. Known synthesis approaches do not fully address these challenges. In this context, we propose a subject-oriented environment for the multi-energy system synthesis in a reasonable time considering the available computational resources. The basis of the environment is a service-oriented application. The modeling and optimization of the studied systems is performed by means of scientific workflows. The execution of the specialized tools for modeling and optimization is done through web services. The pre-selection of these tools, depending on the level of model detail of the systems under study, and the data validation are performed on the specially developed testbeds. Such testbeds are constructed as system workflows. This is one of the distinguishing features of our approach. The application of the proposed environment is demonstrated through a case study on the synthesis of a microgrid (a special case of a multi-energy system). As a result of the study, an optimal microgrid configuration was proposed. It is based on the cogeneration of heat and electricity generation using natural gas.
Immunolocalization of Na (+)-dependent glucose co-transporters in chicken’s kidneys in norm and during T-2 mycotoxicosis
Authors: Allmang Cristin , Hussar Piret , Popovska-Percinic Florina , Dūrītis Ilmārs
Published: November 2024

An essential role in proper homeostasis of glucose is played by kidneys where glucose tranport is carried out across cell membranes by two families of glucose tansporters - facilitated diffusion glucose transporters (GLUTs) and Na (+) -dependent glucose co-transporters (SGLT family). Among transporters, sodium-dependent glucose co-transporters have a major role in the kidney ‘s ability to reabsorb glucose. Although localization of glucose transporters has been extensively studied in mammals there are still gaps in knowledge of localization of SGLTs in birds. The aim of the reasarch was to study comparatively immunolocalization of sodium-dependent glucose co-transporters SGLT1 and SGLT2 in kidneys of healthy and T-2 mycotoxicated chickens. Immunohistochemical staining was carried out using polyclonal primary antibodies SGLT1 and SGLT2 (Abcam, UK) on kidney tissue derived from three healthy and three T-2 mycotoxicated 7 days old female layer-type Ross chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). Sections were stained using Immunohistochemistry kit (Abcam, UK). In kidneys of healthy birds strong staining of SGLT1 and SGLT2 was noted in cytoplasm of epithelial cells of the proximal straight and convoluted tubules. In T-2 toxin group birds' kidneys’ weak expression of SGLT1 and SGLT2 with morphological changes occurred, indicating to reduced glucose transport in urinary system during T-2 mycotoxicosis.
Not All Forms of Exercise Lead to Positive Affect: A Comparative Monitoring Between an Imposed and Self-Adjusted Prescription in Runners, a Cross-Sectional Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Monturil Izabela Linhares Campos , Sales Marcelo Magalhães , Inacio Pedro Augusto , Aprigliano Vicente , Leonardo Patricia Sardinha , Oliveira-Silva Iransé , Cunha Raphael Martins , Chiappa Gaspar R. , Fajemiroye James Oluwagbamigbe , Vieira Rodolfo de Paula , Lopes-Martins Rodrigo Alvaro Brandão , Sá Filho Alberto Souza
Published: November 2024

Objective: To evaluate the affective responses to running with imposed velocity or self-selected time trials in runners, as well as the effects on volume load (VL) and training impulse (TRIMP). Anxiety was also determined. We establish the level of association between the dependent variables. Methods: Three visits were carried out. 1st visit consisted of a maximum running effort test (VO2Max). 2nd and 3rd visits, participants were divided between the time limit (TLim) or time trial 1000m running at self-selected intensity (T1000). Participant responded to felt arousal, feeling and anxiety SUDS scale, before, during and after TLim and T1000. Results: TLim vs. T1000 (p<0.001), VPeak x V1000 (p=0.013), showed differences, but did not influence VLTLim vs. VL1000 (3181.34 ± 872.22 vs. 3570.60 ± 323.3; p=0.062). TRIMP showed no differences (p=0.068). Arousal did not differ between the pre-exercise (p=0.772) and post-exercise (p=0.083) groups, but was different during (p=0.035). There were differences between groups in the pre-exercise (p=0.012), during (p<0.001) and post-exercise (p<0.001) for feeling and anxiety scores. The correlation between TRIMP and affective scores showed association for TLim (r=0.46; p=0.043). Conclusion: The self-selected exercise generated positive affective responses, but the same did not occur for the imposed TLim. VL and TRIMP presented equality. There was association TRIMP and TLim feeling scale. TLim significantly increased anxiety scores.
Globalization or Glocalization – Managerialism Versus Sustainability in Territorial Reforms
Authors: Kachniarz Marian , Hubar Pawel
Published: November 2024

Research background: The globalization processes are not only of an economic and cultural nature but also unify trends in the organization and management of administration, including at the local level. The idea of economizing administration was promoted within the broad stream of reforms described as New Public Management (NPM). This idea was often expressed as a postulate for the territorial reorganization of local governments. These reforms, motivated by the economies of scale, aimed to eliminate the allegedly overly fragmented nature of local government structures. Critics of these reforms advocate for glocalization, which takes local institutional conditions into account. They argue that the NPM concept should emphasize a long-term balance between economics, environment, and society, which are the paradigms of sustainable development (SD). According to them, this approach provides a more holistic and effective method for public management..