bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Molecular Basis for Selectivity of the Cytotoxic Response of Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells to Cold Atmospheric Plasma
Authors: Biryukov Mikhail , Semenov Dmitriy , Kryachkova Nadezhda , Polyakova Alina , Patrakova Ekaterina , Troitskaya Olga , Milakhina Elena , Poletaeva Julia , Gugin Pavel , Ryabchikova Elena , Zakrevsky Dmitriy , Schweigert Irina , Koval Olga
Published: November 2023

The interaction of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) with biotargets is accompanied by chemical reactions on their surfaces and insides, and it has great potential as an anticancer approach. This study discovers the molecular mechanisms that may explain the selective death of tumor cells under CAP exposure. To reach this goal, the transcriptional response to CAP treatment was analyzed in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells and in lung-fibroblast Wi-38 cells. We found that the CAP treatment induced the common trend of response from A549 and Wi-38 cells—the p53 pathway, KRAS signaling, UV response, TNF-alpha signaling, and apoptosis-related processes were up-regulated in both cell lines. However, the amplitude of the response to CAP was more variable in the A549 cells. The CAP-dependent death of A549 cells was accompanied by DNA damage, cell-cycle arrest in G2/M, and the dysfunctional response of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4). The activation of the genes of endoplasmic reticulum stress and ER lumens was detected only in the A549 cells. Transmission-electron microscopy confirmed the alteration of the morphology of the ER lumens in the A549 cells after the CAP exposure. It can be concluded that the responses to nuclear stress and ER stress constitute the main differences in the sensitivity of tumor and healthy cells to CAP exposure.
Whole-Body Cryostimulation in Post-COVID Rehabilitation for Patients with Obesity: A Multidisciplinary Feasibility Study
Authors: Fontana Jacopo Maria , Alito Angelo , Piterà Paolo , Verme Federica , Cattaldo Stefania , Cornacchia Mauro , Mai Stefania , Brunani Amelia , Capodaglio Paolo
Published: November 2023

Background: A post-COVID condition can reduce activity and quality of life, resulting in a significant socioeconomic and health burden. Understanding its impact on patients’ health is important for the development of personalized rehabilitation interventions. An independent association between obesity and post-COVID condition was found because of complications and comorbidities. Methods: Sixteen patients with obesity and post-COVID symptoms (i.e., dyspnea, pain, poor sleep quality, muscle fatigue), admitted to the Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piancavallo (VB), Italy, were recruited for a four-week rehabilitation program including conventional exercise therapy, nutritional intervention, psychological support and whole-body cryostimulation (WBC). Results: All participants attended all sessions of the program. Anthropometric data showed statistically significant changes in weight, waist circumference and body mass index. Biochemical analyses showed significant reductions in lipid and inflammatory profiles. There was a significant improvement in physical performance, reduction in pain and improvement in psychological well-being. Conclusion: A multidisciplinary rehabilitation protocol including WBC, designed for patients with obesity and a post-COVID condition, is safe and feasible. The overall improvements demonstrate that multidisciplinary rehabilitation was effective on post COVID patients and suggest that the use of WBC is safe and could play a role as a booster in rehabilitation programs.
The Clinical Implication of Conversion Surgery in Patients with Stage IV Gastric Cancer Who Received Systemic Chemotherapy
Authors: Shin Min-Kyue , Choi Min-Gew , Kim Seung-Tae , Kang Won-Ki , Sohn Tae-Sung , An Ji-Yeong , Lee Joon-Ho , Lee Jeeyun
Published: November 2023

With the advances in chemotherapy and immunotherapy, a small subset of patients may be eligible for conversion surgery after achieving tumor regression with chemotherapy. This is a retrospective cohort study of 118 patients with stage IV gastric cancer who received palliative chemotherapy and conversion surgery with a negative resection margin at Samsung Medical Center. Baseline features included comorbidities, body mass index (BMI), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, primary tumor size, biopsy histology, distant metastatic sites, and molecular markers—HER2, MSI/MMR, PD-L1, and EBV. Post-chemotherapy features included BMI, CEA level, chemotherapy regimen, objective response to chemotherapy, and number of preoperative chemotherapy cycles. Post-operational features included tumor size, histologic differentiation and Lauren’s classification, pathologic tumor and nodal stages, invasion of lymphatics/vessels/nerves, peritoneal cytology, and the receipt of postoperative chemotherapy. Of 118 patients, 60 patients received total gastrectomy and 58 patients received subtotal gastrectomy. In all, 21 patients achieved a pathologic complete response, and 97 patients achieved downstaging to yp stage I, II, or III. Before conversion surgery, patients received first-line capecitabine/oxaliplatin (62%), HER2 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy (18%), immune checkpoint inhibitors (15%), and inhibitors of MET or VEGFR2 (5%). In the multivariable analysis, BMI at the time of diagnosis, either HER2 positive, high MSI, or deficient MMR, and the use of targeted agents were significant prognostic factors. Conversion surgery could be considered in patients with stage IV gastric cancer regardless of the initial disease burden. BMI and molecular markers are important prognostic factors that can be used to select candidates.
Epoxy- versus Glutaraldehyde-Treated Bovine Jugular Vein Conduit for Pulmonary Valve Replacement: A Comparison of Morphological Changes in a Pig Model
Authors: Nichay Nataliya R. , Dokuchaeva Anna A. , Kulyabin Yuriy Yu. , Boyarkin Evgeniy V. , Kuznetsova Elena V. , Rusakova Yanina L. , Murashov Ivan S. , Vaver Andrey A. , Bogachev-Prokophiev Alexander V. , Zhuravleva Irina Yu.
Published: November 2023

Valved conduits are often required to replace pulmonary arteries (PA). A widely used Contegra device is made of bovine jugular vein (BJV), preserved with glutaraldehyde (GA) and iso-propanol. However, it has several drawbacks that may be attributed to its chemical treatment. We hypothesized that the use of an alternative preservation compound may significantly improve BJV conduit performance. This study aimed to compare the macroscopic and microscopic properties of the BJV treated with diepoxide (DE) and GA in a porcine model. Twelve DE-BJVs and four Contegra conduits were used for PA replacement in minipigs. To assess the isolated influence of GA, we included an additional control group—BJV treated with 0.625% GA (n = 4). The animals were withdrawn after 6 months of follow-up and the conduits were examined. Explanted DE-BJV had a soft elastic wall with no signs of thrombosis or calcification and good conduit integration, including myofibroblast germination, an ingrowth of soft connective tissue formations and remarkable neoangiogenesis. The inner surface of DE-BJVs was covered by a thin neointimal layer with a solid endothelium. Contegra grafts had a stiffer wall with thrombosis on the leaflets. Calcified foci, chondroid metaplasia, and hyalinosis were observed within the wall. The distal anastomotic sites had hyperplastic neointima, partially covered with the endothelium. The wall of GA-BJV was stiff and rigid with degenerative changes, a substantial amount of calcium deposits and dense fibrotic formations in adventitia. An irregular neointimal layer was presented in the anastomotic sites without endothelial cover in the GA BJV wall. These results demonstrate that DE treatment improves conduit integration and the endothelialization of the inner surface while preventing the mineralization of the BJV, which may reduce the risk of early conduit dysfunction.
Maximization of Power Density of Direct Methanol Fuel Cell for Greener Energy Generation Using Beetle Antennae Search Algorithm and Fuzzy Modeling
Authors: Al Shouny Ahmed , Rezk Hegazy , Sayed Enas Taha , Abdelkareem Mohammad Ali , Issa Usama Hamed , Miky Yehia , Olabi Abdul Ghani
Published: November 2023

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are promising form of energy conversion technology that have the potential to take the role of lithium-ion batteries in portable electronics and electric cars. To increase the efficiency of DMFCs, many operating conditions ought to be optimized. Developing a reliable fuzzy model to simulate DMFCs is a major objective. To increase the power output of a DMFC, three process variables are considered: temperature, methanol concentration, and oxygen flow rate. First, a fuzzy model of the DMFC was developed using experimental data. The best operational circumstances to increase power density were then determined using the beetle antennae search (BAS) method. The RMSE values for the fuzzy DMFC model are 0.1982 and 1.5460 for the training and testing data. For training and testing, the coefficient of determination (R2) values were 0.9977 and 0.89, respectively. Thanks to fuzzy logic, the RMSE was reduced by 88% compared to ANOVA. It decreased from 7.29 (using ANOVA) to 0.8628 (using fuzzy). The fuzzy model’s low RMSE and high R2 values show that the modeling phase was successful. In comparison with the measured data and RSM, the combination of fuzzy modeling and the BAS algorithm increased the power density of the DMFC by 8.88% and 7.5%, respectively, and 75 °C, 1.2 M, and 400 mL/min were the ideal values for temperature, methanol concentration, and oxygen flow rate, respectively.
Effect of Ferrule Design on Stress Distribution of Maxillary Incisor Rehabilitated with Ceramic Crown and PEEK Post–Core Material: A 3D Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Alberto Laura H. J. , Zhang Zhaoxu , Duan Yuanyuan
Published: November 2023

Endodontic-treated teeth with massive degrees of coronal tissue loss usually require rehabilitation with post-retained unitary crowns. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ferrule design on the stress distribution of maxillary incisors rehabilitated with zirconia crowns using finite element analysis. Six three-dimensional models were generated according to the presence and location of ferrule (No Ferrule, Buccal Ferrule, Lingual Ferrule, Buccolingual Ferrule, and Full Ferrule). The post–core materials tested were Nickel–chromium (NiCr) and Polyetheretherketone (PEEK). A static load of 100 N at a 45-degree angle on the Lingual surface, in a region 2 mm below the incisive ridge, was applied. Von Mises stresses and contour plots of all of the models were collected and analyzed. A lower and more uniform stress distribution was observed in the Full Ferrule model compared with the remaining models. A reduction of 72% in the von Mises peak stresses was observed in the root when comparing the Full Ferrule and No Ferrule models, both with PEEK post–core material. In conclusion, the presence of an incomplete ferrule is beneficial to the stress distribution in restored post-retained crowns. The use of PEEK for post–core structures reduces the stress concentration on the posts, reducing the predisposition to irreparable root fracture.
Asymptomatic Infant Rib Fractures Are Primarily Non-abuse-Related and Should Not Be Used to Assess Physical Child Abuse
Authors: van Gemert Martin J. C. , Vlaming Marianne , Gabaeff Steven C. , Nikkels Peter G. J. , Neumann H. A. Martino
Published: November 2023

Finding infant rib fractures was for many years an almost undisputed proof that physical child abuse took place. Yet, these rib fractures are virtually always occult and asymptomatic and are only identified when looked for, usually with X-rays, from physical child abuse accusations related to, e.g., suspicion of the shaken baby syndrome. In a recent systematic literature review (searched in Cochran, Embase, PubMed and Sociological Abstracts), Güvensel questioned the diagnostic accuracy of rib fractures to be caused by abuse, due to lack of sufficient scientific evidence. Further, there is currently a world-wide disagreement between physicians considering themselves child abuse specialized, and physicians that explore non-abuse-related symptoms that may mimic physical abuse, which, it is hoped, will significantly reduce current unjustified child abuse diagnoses. In an attempt to help resolving this disagreement, we hypothesize that the probability of physical child abuse-related infant rib fractures is significantly lower than the probability of all other possible non-abuse-related causes of occult asymptomatic infant rib fractures, e.g., from birth trauma, prematurity, osteogenesis imperfecta, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, severe chronic placental pathology (e.g., massive perivillous fibrin depositions and severe chronic histiocytic intervillositis), and vitamin-D deficiency. As method, we attempted to assess the incidence of these various causes of infant rib fractures, in the Netherlands and the USA. The results are that the estimated Dutch and USA physical abuse-related infant rib fracture incidences are at least about 250 and 45 times lower than the sum of all the non-abuse-related estimates. Because these latter rib fractures are occult and asymptomatic, it is likely that (many) more could be out there. In conclusion, occult asymptomatic rib fractures develop perinatally, virtually always as birth trauma, in infants with sufficiently weak bones due to vitamin D deficiency, transmitted by their vitamin D deficient pregnant mothers. This group also includes cortical rib cracks due to deformation forces, with an estimated 186/100,000 incidence. And, despite obvious uncertainties in all estimated incidences, we provided strong evidence that our hypothesis has relevance, implying that the abundant occult asymptomatic rib fractures, when found in infants, should not be used to assess potential physical child abuse.
Use of the Subcutaneous Triptorelin Stimulation Test for Diagnosis of Central Precocious Puberty
Authors: Ahn Jungmin , Lee Youngin , Gim Seongmin , Jeong Hwalrim
Published: November 2023

Background: The gold standard gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test uses the response to intravenously injected gonadorelin to diagnose central precocious puberty (CPP). However, gonadorelin is not always readily available. Objective: This study investigated the diagnostic efficacy of the subcutaneous triptorelin test and the optimal blood sampling time for diagnosis of CPP. Methods: This study retrospectively examined the medical records of 220 girls who had undergone either the triptorelin or gonadorelin test and compared their clinical characteristics. We retrospectively compared clinical parameters between girls diagnosed with CPP (n = 111) and idiopathic premature thelarche (IPT) (n = 109) using three different diagnostic methods: the gonadorelin, triptorelin 120 min, and triptorelin 180 min tests. The diagnostic ability of the stimulated luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration in the triptorelin test for CPP was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: The CPP group exhibited higher basal and peak gonadotropin levels, more advanced bone age, and a lower body mass index standard deviation score than the IPT group. In the gonadorelin test group, all girls with CPP exhibited a peak LH response 30–60 min after intravenous gonadorelin injection. In the triptorelin test group, most girls with CPP exhibited a peak LH response 60–180 min after subcutaneous triptorelin injection (n = 68). On the ROC curve, a peak LH concentration of ≥ 4.52 IU/L at 120 min had the highest CPP diagnostic accuracy, with sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 95.83%, respectively.
Diagnostic Accuracy of a Portable Electromyography and Electrocardiography Device to Measure Sleep Bruxism in a Sleep Apnea Population: A Comparative Study
Authors: Cid-Verdejo Rosana , Domínguez Gordillo Adelaida A. , Sánchez-Romero Eleuterio A. , Ardizone García Ignacio , Martínez Orozco Francisco J.
Published: November 2023

Background: The gold standard for diagnosing sleep bruxism (SB) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is polysomnography (PSG). However, a final hypermotor muscle activity often occurs after apnea episodes, which can confuse the diagnosis of SB when using portable electromyography (EMG) devices. This study aimed to compare the number of SB episodes obtained from PSG with manual analysis by a sleep expert, and from a manual and automatic analysis of an EMG and electrocardiography (EKG) device, in a population with suspected OSA. Methods: Twenty-two subjects underwent a polysomnographic study with simultaneous recording with the EMG-EKG device. SB episodes and SB index measured with both tools and analyzed manually and automatically were compared. Masticatory muscle activity was scored according to published criteria. Patients were segmented by severity of OSA (mild, moderate, severe) following the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) criteria. ANOVA and the Bland–Altman plot were used to quantify the agreement between both methods. The concordance was calculated through the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: On average, the total events of SB per night in the PSG study were (8.41 ± 0.85), lower than the one obtained with EMG-EKG manual (14.64 ± 0.76) and automatic (22.68 ± 16.02) analysis. The mean number of SB episodes decreases from the non-OSA group to the OSA group with both PSG (5.93 ± 8.64) and EMG-EKG analyses (automatic = 22.47 ± 18.07, manual = 13.93 ± 11.08). However, this decrease was minor in proportion compared to the automatic EMG-EKG analysis mode (from 23.14 to 22.47). The ICC based on the number of SB episodes in the segmented sample by severity degree of OSA along the three tools shows a moderate correlation in the non-OSA (0.61) and mild OSA (0.53) groups. However, it is poorly correlated in the moderate (0.24) and severe (0.23) OSA groups: the EMG-EKG automatic analysis measures 14.27 units more than PSG. The results of the manual EMG-EKG analysis improved this correlation but are not good enough. Conclusions: The results obtained in the PSG manual analysis and those obtained by the EMG-EKG device with automatic and manual analysis for the diagnosis of SB are acceptable but only in patients without OSA or with mild OSA. In patients with moderate or severe OSA, SB diagnosis with portable electromyography devices can be confused due to apneas, and further study is needed to investigate this.
Relationship between BMI and COVID-19
Authors: Coelho Patrícia , Martins Manuel , Gavinhos Catarina , Liberal Joana , Cabral Ema , Ribeiro Inês , Rodrigues Francisco
Published: November 2023

Body mass index has been studied as one of the factors that negatively influences COVID-19. In this work, we intend to analyze this influence. A representative sample of the population of Beira Interior was used (around 2%), on which immunity research and a socio-demographic survey were carried out. It was found that obesity influences the vaccination rate, and that all other variables analyzed were not influenced by body mass index.
Development and Initial Validation of the Russian Version of the RAADS-14: A Self-Report Questionnaire to Assess Autistic Traits
Authors: Skorokhodov Ivan V. , Radygina Ksenia P. , Skorokhodova Elena Y. , Firsova Svetlana P. , Portnova Galina V. , Varlamov Anton A.
Published: November 2023

Autism is a relatively common neurodevelopmental condition that affects social communication and behavior, affecting the overall quality of life. The prevalence of autism is constantly increasing, but timely diagnosis allows for effective treatment. The aim of our research was to construct a Russian version of the RAADS-14, a brief self-report questionnaire originally designed for autism screening, and to perform its initial validation to provide a reference point in developing autism self-assessment tools for the Russian-speaking population. Psychometric properties of the RAADS-14 Rus were evaluated on a sample of 1724 participants, including a general sample of non-psychiatric young adults (n = 794) and adults with clinically established ASD (n = 49); a brief Russian inventory assessing Big Five personality traits (FFQ) was administered to a part of the sample (n = 364) to provide the first assessment of criterion validity. Confirmatory factor analysis of the RAADS-14 Rus confirmed the factor structure of the original Swedish version yielding acceptable fit indices. The discriminating properties were substantially worse than in the original study. The correlations between the RAADS-14 Rus domain scores and the Big Five factors were similar to previously obtained findings. Overall, the results suggest that the RAADS-14 Rus can be used as a screening tool for ASD in adults with proper caution and considering its discriminating properties.
Research on Vertical SEC Centrifugal Pump Multi-Fault Diagnosis Based on WPT–SVM
Authors: Zhu Rongsheng , Li Yunpeng , Huang Qian , Li Sihan , Zhang Xinyu , Li Huairui , Fu Qiang
Published: November 2023

To diagnose common failures in vertical Essential Service Water Pumps (SEC), a method combining the wavelet packet transform (WPT) and the support vector machine (SVM) was adopted. This allowed us to construct a diagnostic model capable of classifying multiple states, including the six types of faults and normal conditions in SEC pumps. The diagnostic model utilized the wavelet packet coefficients to capture sub-bands with a higher energy share and reconstruct the signals. The model inputs the 12 frequency features into the support vector machine to analyze the vibration signals gathered from the SEC pump benchmark. The study illustrates that the proposed method can accurately differentiate between various fault conditions when compared to the WPT method, combined with the artificial neural network (ANN) approach. It attains a superior overall precision of up to 94%, and it displays excellent generalization and strong adaptability.
Purified Acidic Sophorolipid Biosurfactants in Skincare Applications: An Assessment of Cytotoxic Effects in Comparison with Synthetic Surfactants Using a 3D In Vitro Human Skin Model
Authors: Adu Simms A. , Twigg Matthew S. , Naughton Patrick J. , Marchant Roger , Banat Ibrahim M.
Published: November 2023

Acidic sophorolipids (Acidic SL), congeners of sophorolipid biosurfactants, offer a potential alternative to synthetic sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES) in skincare applications. However, major challenges associated with the laboratory-based investigations of the cytotoxic effects of Acidic SL have been the utilisation of impure and/or poorly characterised congeners as well as the use of monolayers of skin cells in in vitro assays. While the former limitation makes glycolipids less attractive for use in academic research and skincare applications, the latter does not provide an accurate representation of the in vivo human skin. The present study, therefore, for the first time, assessed the cytotoxic effects of 96% pure Acidic SL on a 3D in vitro skin model in comparison with SLES, with the aim of investigating a natural alternative to synthetic surfactants for potential use in skincare applications. The 3D in vitro skin model was colonised with Staphylococcus epidermidis for 12 h, and afterwards treated with either Acidic SL or SLES at 100 μg mL−1 for a further 12 h. Subsequently, the cytotoxic effects of Acidic SL in comparison with SLES were assessed using a combination of microbiology, molecular biology techniques, immunoassays, and histological analyses. It was demonstrated that Acidic SL had no deleterious effects on the viability of S. epidermidis, tissue morphology, filaggrin expression, and the production of inflammatory cytokines in comparison to SLES. These findings, in conjunction with the possibility to produce Acidic SL from cheaper renewable natural resources, demonstrate that Acidic SL could offer a potential sustainable alternative to synthetic surfactants.
Strategies for the Biotransformation of Tung Leaves in Bioethanol Fermentation
Authors: Wang Guangtao , Lu Chaoyang , Liang Xiaoyu , Dai Kangshuai , Sun Peng , Li Hui , Zheng Tianyu , Hu Jianwei , Wang Decheng , Liu Jialu , Wang Guanshu
Published: November 2023

The tung tree (Vernicia fordii Hemsl.), as a woody oilseed crop, has been cultivated in China for thousands of years, and its leaves are rich in cellulose and proteins. The tung leaf is an alternative raw material for the traditional ethanol fermentation of food crops. In this work, the effects of the simultaneous saccharification fermentation of tung leaves at different substrate concentrations on gas production characteristics, reducing sugars, pH, oxidation–reduction potential (ORP), and ethanol yield were investigated during bioethanol production. In addition, the effect of the initial fermentation pH on the ethanol fermentation of tung leaves was explored. The results showed that during bioethanol production from tung leaves, the pH of the fermentation broth showed a continuous decreasing trend. Moreover, the ORP showed a decreasing trend and then rebounded, and the concentration of reducing sugars initially increased and then decreased. The optimal ethanol yield of 4.99 g/L was obtained when the substrate concentration was 100 g/L. Changes in the initial pH have little effect on yeast activity, but such changes can affect the yeast cell wall structure and substance transport, leading to differences in the ethanol yield. When the initial pH is 7, the maximum ethanol yield is 5.22 g/L. The experimental results indicate that the utilization of tung leaves for bioethanol production has a good potential for development.
The Bioaugmentation of Electroactive Microorganisms Enhances Anaerobic Digestion
Authors: An Zheng-Kai , Song Young-Chae , Kim Keug-Tae , Lee Chae-Young , Jang Seong-Ho , Bae Byung-Uk
Published: November 2023

Direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) between electroactive microorganisms (EAMs) offers significant potential to enhance methane production, necessitating research for its practical implementation. This study investigated enhanced methane production through DIET in an anaerobic digester bio-augmented with EAMs. A horizontal anaerobic digester (HAD) operated for 430 days as a testbed to validate the benefits of bioaugmentation with EAMs. Anaerobic digestate slurry, discharged from the HAD, was enriched with EAMs in a bioelectrochemical auxiliary reactor (BEAR) under an electric field. This slurry enriched with EAMs was then recirculated into the HAD. Results showed bio-augmentation with EAMs led to an increase in volatile solids removal from 56.2% to 77.5%, methane production rate from 0.59 to 1.00 L/L.d, methane yield from 0.26 to 0.34 L/g CODr, and biogas methane content from 59.9% to 71.6%. It suggests that bio-augmentation enhances DIET, promoting the conversion of volatile fatty acids to methane and enhancing resilience against kinetic imbalances. The enrichment of EAMs reached optimal efficacy under an electric field intensity of 2.07 V/cm with a mean exposure time of 2.53 days to the electric field in the BEAR. Bio-augmentation with externally enriched EAMs is a feasible and effective strategy to optimize anaerobic digestion processes.
An Overview of Lignocellulose and Its Biotechnological Importance in High-Value Product Production
Authors: Ojo Abidemi
Published: November 2023

Lignocellulose consists of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin and is a sustainable feedstock for a biorefinery to generate marketable biomaterials like biofuels and platform chemicals. Enormous tons of lignocellulose are obtained from agricultural waste, but a few tons are utilized due to a lack of awareness of the biotechnological importance of lignocellulose. Underutilizing lignocellulose could also be linked to the incomplete use of cellulose and hemicellulose in biotransformation into new products. Utilizing lignocellulose in producing value-added products alleviates agricultural waste disposal management challenges. It also reduces the emission of toxic substances into the environment, which promotes a sustainable development goal and contributes to circular economy development and economic growth. This review broadly focused on lignocellulose in the production of high-value products. The aspects that were discussed included: (i) sources of lignocellulosic biomass; (ii) conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into value-added products; and (iii) various bio-based products obtained from lignocellulose. Additionally, several challenges in upcycling lignocellulose and alleviation strategies were discussed. This review also suggested prospects using lignocellulose to replace polystyrene packaging with lignin-based packaging products, the production of crafts and interior decorations using lignin, nanolignin in producing environmental biosensors and biomimetic sensors, and processing cellulose and hemicellulose with the addition of nutritional supplements to meet dietary requirements in animal feeding.
Candida albicans Adhesion Measured by Optical Nanomotion Detection
Authors: Villalba Maria I. , LeibundGut-Landmann Salomé , Bougnoux Marie-Elisabeth , d’Enfert Christophe , Willaert Ronnie G. , Kasas Sandor
Published: November 2023

Cellular adhesion plays an important role in numerous fundamental physiological and pathological processes. Its measurement is relatively complex, requires sophisticated equipment, and, in most cases, cannot be carried out without breaking the links between the studied cell and its target. In this contribution, we propose a novel, nanomotion-based, technique that overcomes these drawbacks. The applied force is generated by the studied cell itself (nanomotion), whereas cellular movements are detected by traditional optical microscopy and dedicated software. The measurement is non-destructive, single-cell sensitive, and permits following the evolution of the adhesion as a function of time. We applied the technique on different strains of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans on a fibronectin-coated surface. We demonstrated that this novel approach can significantly simplify, accelerate, and make more affordable living cells–substrate adhesion measurements.
Condition, Reproductive Fitness, and Fluctuating Asymmetry in Brook Stickleback: Responses to Anthropogenic Runoff
Authors: Mundahl Neal D. , Hoffmann Kelsey A.
Published: November 2023

Multiple indicators have been used to assess the degree of exposure of fish to anthropogenic chemicals in their stream habitats. We hypothesized that brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans) in a headwater stream receiving urban and agricultural runoff (South Fork Whitewater River, SFWR) would exhibit poorer condition, reduced reproductive fitness, and a greater left side to right side morphological asymmetry (i.e., fluctuating asymmetry or FA) than fish from a nearby headwater stream with a forested drainage basin (Garvin Brook). Male and female fish were collected from both streams just prior to spawning in 2013–2015. In 2013 and 2014, fish were assessed for overall condition (Fulton’s K), internal measures of condition (hepatosomatic index, HSI) and reproductive fitness (gonadosomatic index [GSI], total oocyte count, and oocyte mass). In 2015, measurements of head length, jaw length, eye diameter, pectoral fin length, and pelvic fin length were made on both sides of each fish for assessing degree of FA. We observed declining condition with fish size, increased liver size, and reduced oocyte counts and oocyte size in female brook stickleback in SFWR relative to those from Garvin Brook. SFWR females had significantly higher FA than Garvin females for all structures assessed, except pelvic fin length. FA also was slightly higher for all structures in SFWR males compared to Garvin males, but differences were not significant. A composite FA index combining all measurements from an individual fish into a single value displayed highly significant differences for female fish (SFWR FA >> Garvin FA), but not for male fish (SFWR FA = Garvin FA). Exposure of brook stickleback to reduced water quality in SFWR during early development appears to increase morphological asymmetry in female (but not male) fish, and continuing exposure to compromised water quality throughout life impacts both general condition and reproductive fitness of stickleback, especially older female fish, in SFWR.
Investigating the Mesh Size Selectivity of Olive Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) Gillnets for Fisheries Resource Management in the East Sea
Authors: Yu Hyun-Ji , Seo Young Il , Yang Jae-Hyeong , Baek Jeong-Ik , Kim Seong hun
Published: November 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the mesh selectivity of gillnets used in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) fishing by examining the distribution of total length (TL) across various mesh sizes. A marine fishing experiment was conducted at Gajin Harbor in Goseong County, Gangwon Province, employing experimental gear with four different mesh sizes: 90, 105, 135, and 150 mm. Mesh selectivity analysis involved a comparative assessment of selectivity curve methods through normal, log-normal, and bi-normal functions. Among these, the bi-normal function demonstrated the best fit for estimating the mesh selectivity curve within the SELECT model. The critical finding was the net size at which 50% of the minimum landing size (35 cm in TL) of olive flounder was selected, ranging from 108.7 to 121.1 mm. According to the bi-normal function curve, this size was estimated as 114.0 mm. Our findings indicate that using a mesh size larger than the theoretically estimated size in mesh selectivity analysis can further decrease the catch of immature individuals. These findings provide essential data for devising strategies to efficiently utilize and manage olive flounder resources.
BE-BDF2 Time Integration Scheme Equipped with Richardson Extrapolation for Unsteady Compressible Flows
Authors: Nigro Alessandra
Published: November 2023

In this work we investigate the effectiveness of the Backward Euler-Backward Differentiation Formula (BE-BDF2) in solving unsteady compressible inviscid and viscous flows. Furthermore, to improve its accuracy and its order of convergence, we have equipped this time integration method with the Richardson Extrapolation (RE) technique. The BE-BDF2 scheme is a second-order accurate, A-stable, L-stable and self-starting scheme. It has two stages: the first one is the simple Backward Euler (BE) and the second one is a second-order Backward Differentiation Formula (BDF2) that uses an intermediate and a past solution. The RE is a very simple and powerful technique that can be used to increase the order of accuracy of any approximation process by eliminating the lowest order error term(s) from its asymptotic error expansion. The spatial approximation of the governing Navier–Stokes equations is performed with a high-order accurate discontinuous Galerkin (dG) method. The presented numerical results for canonical test cases, i.e., the isentropic convecting vortex and the unsteady vortex shedding behind a circular cylinder, aim to assess the performance of the BE-BDF2 scheme, in its standard version and equipped with RE, by comparing it with the ones obtained by using more classical methods, like the BDF2, the second-order accurate Crank–Nicolson (CN2) and the explicit third-order accurate Strong Stability Preserving Runge–Kutta scheme (SSP-RK3).
Adsorption of Safranin O Dye by Alginate/Pomegranate Peels Beads: Kinetic, Isotherm and Thermodynamic Studies
Authors: Abbaz Amina , Arris Sihem , Viscusi Gianluca , Ayat Asma , Aissaoui Halima , Boumezough Yasser
Published: November 2023

Water pollution is regarded as a dangerous problem that needs to be resolved right away. This is largely due to the positive correlation between the increase in global population and waste production, especially food waste. Hydrogel beads based on sodium alginate (Alg) and pomegranate fruit peels (PP) were developed for the adsorption of Safranin O dye (SO) in aqueous solutions. The obtained Alg−PP beads were widely characterized. The effects of the contact time (0–180 min), initial concentration (10–300 mg/L), initial pH (2–10), adsorbent dosage (1–40 g/L) and the temperature (293–333 K) were investigated through batch tests. The data proved that the adsorption kinetics of SO reached equilibrium within 30 min and up to 180 min. The dye adsorption is concentration dependent while a slight effect of pH was observed. The adsorption data of SO onto synthesized beads follow the pseudo second-order model. The experimental data fitted very well to Langmuir model with correlation factor of 0.92 which demonstrated the favourable nature of adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacity of Alg−PP could reach 30.769 mg/g at 293 K. Calculation of Gibbs free energy and enthalpy indicated that adsorption of SO onto Alg−PP is spontaneous (negative ΔG) and endothermic (ΔH = 9.30 kJ/mol). Analysis of diffusion and mass transport phenomena were presented. The removal efficiency was found to be 88% at the first cycle and decreased to 71% at the end of the seventh cycle. The reported results revealed that the Alg−PP beads could be used as a novel natural adsorbent for the removal of high concentrated solutions of Safranin O which is a cationic dye from liquid affluents and as future perspective, it can be used to remove various pollutants from wastewater.
Like Water, We Re-Member: A Conceptual Model of Identity (Re)formation through Cultural Reclamation for Indigenous Peoples of Mexico in the United States
Authors: To My Ngoc , Beltrán Ramona , Dunbar Annie Zean , Valdovinos Miriam G. , Pacheco Blanca-Azucena , Barillas Chón David W. , Hunte Olivia , Hulama Kristina
Published: November 2023

Background: Diasporic Indigenous peoples of Mexico living in the United States continue to survive and reclaim their cultures despite multiple disruptions to identity formation resulting from systematic violence and cultural silencing enacted through white settler colonialism in the United States and Mexico. Honoring Indigenous survivance, the authors present a conceptual model of Indigenous identity healing and reformation that mirrors the dynamic qualities of water for Indigenous Mexican peoples living in the United States. Methods: The conceptual model arose from a ceremony-based, participatory, digital archiving project documenting Indigenous oral histories. The model is illustrated through case analysis of three Indigenous Mexican individuals living in the United States whose stories holistically represent the model’s components. Results: The case narratives illustrate how Indigenous Mexican identities are (re)formed by moving through the model components of Rift (disconnection from land, culture, and community), Longing (yearning to find what was lost), Reconnecting (reclaiming cultural practices), and Affirmation (strengthening of identity through community), via Reflection (memory work which propels movement through each stage). Conclusions: Findings suggest that identities can be (re)formed through reclaiming cultural practices and reconnecting with the community. This conceptual model may be useful for further understanding Indigenous Latinx identity development and healing.
The Longitudinal Mediating Effect of Smartphone Dependency on the Relationship between Exercise Time and Subjective Happiness in Adolescents
Authors: Kim Inwoo , Ahn Hyoyeon
Published: November 2023

The phenomenon of adolescents engaging in less physical activity as they age raises several concerns. Among these, we hypothesized that this trend may negatively impact their mental health and smartphone dependency. Thus, the aim of this study was to longitudinally examine the mediating effect of smartphone dependency in the relationship between adolescents’ exercise time and subjective well-being. For analysis, publicly available data from the 2018 Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey were utilized, with a total of 2,242 participants’ data included in the analysis. Latent growth modeling results revealed a significant linear decrease in adolescents’ exercise time and subjective well-being each year, while smartphone dependency exhibited an increasing trend. Furthermore, the significance tests of indirect effects indicated that the mediating effect of the changing trend in smartphone dependency between the changing trends in exercise time and subjective happiness in adolescents was statistically significant. These findings suggest that as grade levels increase, reducing exercise time can lead to higher smartphone dependency among adolescents, ultimately resulting in decreased subjective well-being.
“You Need to Set a Daily Schedule”: Understanding Successful Aging via Three-Sided Viewpoints
Authors: Tsadok-Cohen Michal , Rosenblum Sara , Cohen Elimelech Ortal , Ferrante Simona , Meyer Sonya
Published: November 2023

This study aimed to identify the constructs related to successful aging in the context of engagement in social and productive activities. A qualitative design was used to explore three viewpoints on the aging period with 9 focus groups (3 each for adults 65 years or older, older adults’ family members, and health professionals) and 18 interviews with older adults (older adults Mage = 71.7 years, Standard Deviation = 4.62). The transcripts were analyzed using constructivist grounded theory principles. Three categories were identified for successful aging: (a) engagement with life, including social participation, fixed/flexible schedule, time, and meaningful occupation; (b) self-management abilities, including producing daily schedules, independence, and initiation/striving toward goals; and (c) diversity among older adults, including their views on retirement, being active or not, and their dreams/values/goals. Considering the diverse nature of older adults, recognizing the importance of life engagement and self-management abilities emphasizes the necessity for an occupation-based, self-tailored approach to enable successful aging.
The Variability of Proximate Composition, Sugars, and Vitamin C in Natural, Organic, and Biodynamic, and Fermented Leaves of Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub (Onagraceae))
Authors: Lasinskas Marius , Jariene Elvyra , Vaitkeviciene Nijole , Kulaitiene Jurgita , Trumbeckaite Sonata , Velicka Aloyzas , Hallmann Ewelina
Published: November 2023

Functional foods and herbs are becoming more and more popular as a way to improve health and at the same time improve diet. One of these plants is fireweed, which is abundant in fibers, proteins, and vitamin C in addition to polyphenols and carotenoids. Limited study is being carried out and there is limited information available about how the solid-phase fermentation and different growth systems change the proximate composition, as well as quantities of vitamin C, and sugars in the fireweeds leaves. The experiment was conducted in 2022 on an organic farm (Jonava district, Lithuania). The objective of this research was to determinate the impact of various growing systems (naturally, organically, and biodynamically) and duration (24, 48, and 72 h) effect of solid-phase aerobic fermentation on the changes of fibers, ash, proteins, vitamin C, and sugars. The fibers were established using the Kjeldahl method. High-performance liquid chromatography was used for sugars and vitamin C identification. The study found significant differences in the effects of various growing systems and solid-phase fermentation on the quantitative composition of substances in the fireweed leaves. Based on the data available, it is recommended to consume fermented fireweed leaves that are organically grown and fermented for a period of 48 h as they are a good source of vitamin C and fibers. Biodynamically grown fireweed leaves are a good source of ash and proteins. Naturally grown fireweed leaves, which are not fermented, are a good source of sugars.
Influence of Sunn Hemp Biomass Incorporation on Organic Strawberry Production
Authors: Xie Yurui , Black Zachary E. , Xu Nan , Brecht Jeffrey K. , Huff Dustin M. , Zhao Xin
Published: November 2023

Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), a warm season leguminous cover crop, is commonly used in rotation with organic strawberry production in Florida’s subtropical environment. This study was conducted to explore the impacts of sunn hemp on growth and yield performance of the subsequent organic strawberry crop in sandy soils, taking into consideration the nutrient contribution from soil incorporation of sunn hemp biomass. Sunn hemp was seeded during the summer off-season and terminated before flowering, three weeks prior to the fall planting of two strawberry cultivars (‘Strawberry Festival’ and ‘Camino Real’). With sunn hemp residues incorporated into the soil, two application rates of nitrogen (N) through pre-plant organic fertilization for the strawberry season were used, including N at a rate of 84 kg/ha, without consideration of the N credit from sunn hemp, and N at a rate of 19.8 kg/ha, with consideration of the estimated N credit from sunn hemp. A summer fallow without cover crop and with a pre-plant organic fertilizer application at the N rate of 84 kg/ha was included as the control. Overall, the sunn hemp incorporation at three weeks after termination did not benefit the strawberry plant growth or fruit yield in this study, with rather low levels of soilborne pathogen and nematode infestations. Both sunn hemp treatments exhibited a significantly lower level of total soil N compared to the summer fallow plots at the end of the strawberry season. The reduction in the pre-plant N fertilization resulted in lower above-ground plant dry weight and accumulation of N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) at the end of the strawberry season, along with fewer leaves and smaller crowns of the strawberry plants during the early season. Both sunn hemp treatments decreased early fruit yields, while the sunn hemp treatment with the reduced N fertilization also led to a significant reduction in the total fruit number and weight, although no significant differences in the whole-season marketable fruit yield were observed among the nutrient management treatments. Overall, ‘Strawberry Festival’ yielded higher than ‘Camino Real’, but the effects of nutrient management did not vary with the strawberry cultivars. Further studies are needed to enhance organic strawberry nutrient management involving rotational cover crops.
Transferring Research Innovations in Bridge Inspection Planning to Bridge Inspection Practice: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Abdallah Abdelrahman M. , Ozbek Mehmet E. , Atadero Rebecca A.
Published: November 2023

Over the last two decades, many researchers have focused on providing new ideas and frameworks to help improve conventional bridge inspection planning approaches, however, little guidance is provided for implementing these new ideas in practice, resulting in limited change. Accordingly, this qualitative study aims to identify the factors that can help improve research products and accelerate research transfer to bridge inspection departments with the goal of enhancing bridge inspection practice. This study used semi-structured interviews, written interviews, and questionnaires for data collection to provide rich results. Responses from twenty-six bridge personnel from state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) across the United States (U.S.) were included in this study. The study found that most participants support a fixed inspection interval over a variable interval since fixed intervals are easier in scheduling and budget planning. Also, participants indicated that the barriers hindering the use of nondestructive techniques are the training required by inspectors, traffic control, and the required access equipment. The study presents the factors change leaders should focus on to facilitate organizational change in DOTs such as enhancing the capacity of DOT staff members and gaining support from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)