bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Flammulina velutipes Soluble Dietary Fiber on Dough Processing Characteristics and Micro-Fermented Dried Noodles Quality Properties
Authors: Wang Wenliang , Yang Shuang , Wang Lihong , Hou Furong , Song Shasha , Wang Yansheng , Gong Zhiqing , Jia Fengjuan
Published: August 2024

Our research focused on the integration of Flammulina velutipes soluble dietary fiber (Fv-SDF) into wheat flour during the production of dried noodles, delving into the impact of different addition ratios of Fv-SDF on both dough processing characteristics and the quality of the micro-fermented dried noodles. The viscometric and thermodynamic analyses revealed that Fv-SDF notably improved the thermal stability of the mix powder, reduced viscosity, and delayed starch aging. Additionally, Fv-SDF elevated the gelatinization temperature and enthalpy value of the blend. Farinograph Properties and dynamic rheology properties further indicated that Fv-SDF improved dough formation time, stability time, powder quality index, and viscoelasticity. Notably, at a 10% Fv-SDF addition, the noodles achieved the highest sensory score (92) and water absorption rate (148%), while maintaining a lower dry matter loss rate (5.2%) and optimal cooking time (142 s). Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) analysis showed that 67 volatile substances were detected, and the contents of furfural, 1-hydroxy-2-acetone, propionic acid, and 3-methylbutyraldehyde were higher in the Fv-SDF 10% group. These 10% Fv-SDF micro-fermented noodles were not only nutritionally enhanced, but also had a unique flavor. This study provides a valuable theoretical basis for the industrial application of F. velutipes and the development of high-quality dried noodles rich in Fv-SDF.
Polyphenol-Rich Aronia melanocarpa Fruit Beneficially Impact Cholesterol, Glucose, and Serum and Gut Metabolites: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Chamberlin Morgan L. , Peach Jesse T. , Wilson Stephanie M.G. , Miller Zachary T. , Bothner Brian , Walk Seth T. , Yeoman Carl J. , Miles Mary P.
Published: August 2024

Polyphenol-rich Aronia fruits have great potential as a functional food with anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, and hypoglycemic biologic activities. However, clinical intervention trials investigating the impact of Aronia fruit consumption on human health are limited. A randomized, controlled, double-blinded, parallel intervention trial was conducted using 14 human subjects who ingested either 0 mL or 100 mL of Aronia juice daily for 30 days. Anthropometric measurements, fasting, and postprandial measures of glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammation, 16S rRNA fecal microbial composition data, and mass spectrometry-acquired serum and fecal metabolomic data were collected before and after the intervention period. Data were analyzed using general linear models, ANOVA, and t-tests. Daily consumption of Aronia prevented a rise in cholesterol levels (β = −0.50, p = 0.03) and reduced postprandial glucose (β = −3.03, p < 0.01). No difference in microbial community composition by condition was identified at any taxonomic level, but a decrease (β = −18.2, p = 0.04) in microbial richness with Aronia was detected. Serum and fecal metabolomic profiles indicated shifts associated with central carbon and lipid metabolism and decreases in pro-inflammatory metabolites. Our study further informs the development of polyphenol-based dietary strategies to lower metabolic disease risk.
From Food Waste to Sustainable Agriculture: Nutritive Value of Potato By-Product in Total Mixed Ration for Angus Bulls
Authors: Shi Changxiao , Li Yingqi , Wang Huili , Zhang Siyu , Deng Jiajie , Aziz-ur-Rahman Muhammad , Cui Yafang , Lu Lianqiang , Zhao Wenxi , Qiu Xinjun , He Yang , Cao Binghai , Abbas Waseem , Ramzan Faisal , Ren Xiufang , Su Huawei
Published: August 2024

Raw potato fries are a type of potato by-product (PBP), and they have great potential as a partial replacement of grain in animal feeds to improve the environmental sustainability of food production. This study aimed to investigate the effects of replacing corn with different levels of PBP (0%, 12.84%, 25.65%, and 38.44%) in the total mixed ration (TMR) of Angus bull. Sixty 16-month-old Angus bulls (548.5 ± 15.0 kg, mean ± SD) were randomly assigned to four treatments. The results indicated that with the increase in the substitution amount of PBP, the body weight decreased significantly. The dry matter apparent digestibility and starch apparent digestibility linearly decreased as PBP replacement increased. The feed ingredient composition in the TMR varied, leading to a corresponding change in the rumen microbiota, especially in cellulolytic bacteria and amylolytic bacteria. The abundance of Succiniclasticum in the 12.84% PBP and 38.44% PBP diets was significantly higher than that in the 0% PBP and 25.65% PBP diets. The abundance of Ruminococcus linearly increased. In conclusion, using PBP to replace corn for beef cattle had no negative impact on rumen fermentation, and the decrease in apparent digestibility explained the change in growth performance. Its application in practical production is highly cost-effective and a strategy to reduce food waste.
Multifractal Analysis of Neuronal Morphology in the Human Dorsal Striatum: Age-Related Changes and Spatial Differences
Authors: Nedeljković Zorana , Krstonošić Bojana , Milošević Nebojša , Stanojlović Olivera , Hrnčić Dragan , Rajković Nemanja
Published: August 2024

Multifractal analysis offers a sophisticated method to examine the complex morphology of neurons, which traditionally have been analyzed using monofractal techniques. This study investigates the multifractal properties of two-dimensional neuron projections from the human dorsal striatum, focusing on potential morphological changes related to aging and differences based on spatial origin within the nucleus. Using multifractal spectra, we analyzed various parameters, including generalized dimensions and Hölder exponents, to characterize the neurons’ morphology. Despite the detailed analysis, no significant correlation was found between neuronal morphology and age. However, clear morphological differences were observed between neurons from the caudate nucleus and the putamen. Neurons from the putamen displayed higher morphological complexity and greater local homogeneity, while those from the caudate nucleus exhibited more scaling laws and higher local heterogeneity. These findings suggest that while age may not significantly impact neuronal morphology in the dorsal striatum, the spatial origin within this brain region plays a crucial role in determining neuronal structure. Further studies with larger samples are recommended to confirm these findings and to explore the full potential of multifractal analysis in neuronal morphology research.
A Practical Approach to Identify Non-Adherence to Mesalamine Therapy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Vernia Filippo , Burrelli Scotti Giorgia , Borghini Raffaele , Muselli Mario , Necozione Stefano , Moretta Giovanni , Scurti Lorenza , Donato Giuseppe
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Adherence to mesalamine therapy in ulcerative colitis is often inadequate. This affects long-term remission and to some extent the risk of colon cancer. Means for assessing non-adherent behavior are cumbersome, expensive, and/or time consuming. Unless multiple tools are used in association, a proportion of patients with volitional and non-volitional non-adherence is nonetheless undetected. The study was aimed at evaluating to which extent rephrasing a single question on adherence to mesalamine therapy may help identifying patients who are not compliant with medication prescription. Methods: One-hundred and seventy-four inflammatory bowel disease outpatients were asked in two consecutive visits, in random order, if they “regularly assumed the prescribed dose of mesalamine” (adherence-centered question—AQ) or “how often they skipped mesalamine pills” (non-adherence centered question—NQ). Answer concordance was evaluated in relation to clinical and demographic variables. Results: The concordance between AQ and NQ was low (K = 0.22). Lower compliance to therapy was admitted in 37.4% more patients following NQ than AQ. The reported adherence to AQ was invariably higher than that of NQ, irrespective of the variable taken into consideration. The likelihood of non-concordant answers was non-significantly higher in CD patients than in UC and in patients with shorter disease duration than in those with longstanding disease, but the logistic regression model did not identify individual variables responsible for the different answers. Conclusions: Being simple and not requiring additional time expense, centering the question on medication non-adherence identifies a large proportion of patients who would not admit non-adherence or underestimate the number of skipped doses of medication, when directly asked if they are compliant to therapy.
Molecular Characterizations of FAM13A and Its Functional Role in Inhibiting the Differentiation of Goat Intramuscular Adipocytes through RIG-I Receptor Signaling Pathway
Authors: Li Xuening , Ran Li , Li Yanyan , Wang Yong , Xiong Yan , Wang Youli , Xing Jiani , Lin Yaqiu
Published: August 2024

The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of FAM13A on the differentiation of goat intramuscular precursor adipocytes and its mechanism of action. Here, we cloned the CDS region 2094 bp of the goat FAM13A gene, encoding a total of 697 amino acid residues. Functionally, overexpression of FAM13A inhibited the differentiation of goat intramuscular adipocytes with a concomitant reduction in lipid droplets, whereas interference with FAM13A expression promoted the differentiation of goat intramuscular adipocytes. To further investigate the mechanism of FAM13A inhibiting adipocyte differentiation, 104 differentially expressed genes were screened by RNA-seq, including 95 up-regulated genes and 9 down-regulated genes. KEGG analysis found that the RIG-I receptor signaling pathway, NOD receptor signaling pathway and toll-like receptor signaling pathway may affect adipogenesis. We selected the RIG-I receptor signaling pathway enriched with more differential genes as a potential adipocyte differentiation signaling pathway for verification. Convincingly, the RIG-I like receptor signaling pathway inhibitor (HY-P1934A) blocked this pathway to save the phenotype observed in intramuscular adipocyte with FAM13A overexpression. Finally, the upstream miRNA of FAM13A was predicted, and the targeted inhibition of miR-21-5p on the expression of FAM13A gene was confirmed. In this study, it was found that FAM13A inhibited the differentiation of goat intramuscular adipocytes through the RIG-I receptor signaling pathway, and the upstream miRNA of FAM13A (miR-21-5p) promoted the differentiation of goat intramuscular adipocytes. This work extends the genetic regulatory network of IMF deposits and provides theoretical support for improving human health and meat quality from the perspective of IMF deposits.
Advancements and Future Prospects of CRISPR-Cas-Based Population Replacement Strategies in Insect Pest Management
Authors: Zhao Yu , Li Longfeng , Wei Liangzi , Wang Yifan , Han Zhilin
Published: August 2024

Population replacement refers to the process by which a wild-type population of insect pests is replaced by a population possessing modified traits or abilities. Effective population replacement necessitates a gene drive system capable of spreading desired genes within natural populations, operating under principles akin to super-Mendelian inheritance. Consequently, releasing a small number of genetically edited insects could potentially achieve population control objectives. Currently, several gene drive approaches are under exploration, including the newly adapted CRISPR-Cas genome editing system. Multiple studies are investigating methods to engineer pests that are incapable of causing crop damage or transmitting vector-borne diseases, with several notable successful examples documented. This review summarizes the recent advancements of the CRISPR-Cas system in the realm of population replacement and provides insights into research methodologies, testing protocols, and implementation strategies for gene drive techniques. The review also discusses emerging trends and prospects for establishing genetic tools in pest management.
Comprehensive Screening and Validation of Stable Internal Reference Genes for Accurate qRT-PCR Analysis in Holotrichia parallela under Diverse Biological Conditions and Environmental Stresses
Authors: Gong Zhongjun , Zhang Jing , Chen Qi , Li Huiling , Zhang Ziqi , Duan Yun , Jiang Yueli , Li Tong , Miao Jin , Wu Yuqing
Published: August 2024

Holotrichia parallela is among the world’s most destructive pests. For accurate qPCR and gene expression studies, the selection of stable and appropriate reference genes is crucial. However, a thorough evaluation of potential reference genes for use in H. parallela research is lacking. In this study, 11 reference genes (GAPDH, RPL32, RPL7A, RPS18, RPL13a, RPL18, Actin, RPS7, RPS3, VATB,and EF1A) were evaluated under different biological conditions and environmental stresses. The stability of 11 potential reference gene transcripts was evaluated through various computational tools, including geNorm, BestKeeper, NormFinder, theΔCt method, and the RefFinder program. Under various developmental stages and RNAi conditions, RPL18 and RPL13a exhibited the greatest stability. RPL13a, RPL18, and RPL32 were the most stable genes in both male and female adults. Under differing tissue conditions, RPL13a and RPS3 stood out as the most reliable. Moreover, under varying photoperiod conditions, RPL13a, RPS3 and RPL32 were the most stable genes. Lastly, Actin and RPL13a were the most stable genes across different temperatures. These findings offer essential criteria for selecting suitable reference genes across diverse experimental settings, thereby establishing a solid basis for accurate gene expression studies in H. parallela using RT-qPCR.
On the Maximum ABS Index of Fixed-Order Trees with a Given Maximum Degree
Authors: Maitreyi Venkatesan , Elumalai Suresh , Ali Akbar , Balachandran Selvaraj , Saber Hicham , Attiya Adel A.
Published: August 2024

The ABS (atom-bond sum-connectivity) index of a graph G is denoted by ABS(G) and is defined as ∑xy∈E(G)(dx+dy)−1(dx+dy−2), where dx represents the degree of the vertex x in G. In this paper, we derive the best possible upper bounds on the ABS index for fixed-order trees possessing a given maximum degree, which provides a solution to the open problem proposed quite recently by Hussain, Liu and Hua.
Modelling the Dependence between a Wiener Process and Its Running Maxima and Running Minima Processes
Authors: Da̧browski Karol , Jaworski Piotr
Published: August 2024

We study a triple of stochastic processes: a Wiener process Wt, t≥0, its running maxima process Mt=sup{Ws:s∈[0,t]}, and its running minima process mt=inf{Ws:s∈[0,t]}. We derive the analytical formula for the corresponding copula and show that it is supported on the hemicube, a convex hexahedron with seven vertices. As an application, we draw out an analytical formula for pricing of a double barrier option.
Transfer Elastic Net for Developing Epigenetic Clocks for the Japanese Population
Authors: Tomo Yui , Nakaki Ryo
Published: August 2024

The epigenetic clock evaluates human biological age based on DNA methylation patterns. It takes the form of a regression model where the methylation ratio at CpG sites serves as the predictor and age as the response variable. Due to the large number of CpG sites and their correlation, Elastic Net is commonly used to train the models. However, existing standard epigenetic clocks, trained on multiracial data, may exhibit biases due to genetic and environmental differences among specific racial groups. Developing epigenetic clocks suitable for a specific single-race population requires collecting and analyzing hundreds or thousands of samples, which costs a lot of time and money. Therefore, an efficient method to construct accurate epigenetic clocks with smaller sample sizes is needed. We propose Transfer Elastic Net, a transfer learning approach that trains a model in the target population using the information of parameters estimated by the Elastic Net in a source population. Using this method, we constructed Horvath’s, Hannum’s, and Levine’s types of epigenetic clocks from blood samples of 143 Japanese subjects. The DNA methylation data were transformed through principal component analysis to obtain more reliable clocks. The developed clocks demonstrated the smallest prediction errors compared to both the original clocks and those trained with the Elastic Net on the same Japanese data. Transfer Elastic Net can also be applied to develop epigenetic clocks for other specific populations, and is expected to be applied in various fields.
Sitting Interruption Modalities during Prolonged Sitting Acutely Improve Postprandial Metabolome in a Crossover Pilot Trial among Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Patterson Jeffrey S. , Rana Brinda K. , Gu Haiwei , Sears Dorothy D.
Published: August 2024

Older adults sit during most hours of the day; more than 30% are considered physically inactive. The accumulation of prolonged sitting time is an exercise-independent risk factor for aging-related conditions such as cardiometabolic disease and cancer. Archival plasma samples from a randomized controlled, four-condition crossover study conducted in 10 postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity were analyzed. During 5-hour conditions completed on separate days, the trial tested three interruption modalities: two-minute stands each 20 min (STS), hourly ten-minute standing breaks (Stand), hourly two-minute walks (Walk), and a controlled sit. Fasting baseline and 5-hour end point (2 h postprandial) samples were used for targeted metabolomic profiling. Condition-associated metabolome changes were compared using paired t-tests. STS eliminated the postprandial elevation of amino acid metabolites that was observed in the control. A norvaline derivative shown to have anti-hypertensive and -hyperglycemic effects was significantly increased during Stand and STS. Post-hoc testing identified 19 significantly different metabolites across the interventions. Tight metabolite clustering by condition was driven by amino acid, vasoactive, and sugar metabolites, as demonstrated by partial least squares-discriminant analyses. This exploratory study suggests that brief, low-intensity modalities of interrupting prolonged sitting can acutely elucidate beneficial cardiometabolic changes in postmenopausal women with cardiometabolic risk.
Design, Fabrication, and Characterization of Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers for Transcranial, Multifocus Neurostimulation
Authors: Ibn Minhaj Tamzid , Annayev Muhammetgeldi , Adelegan Oluwafemi J. , Biliroğlu Ali Önder , Yamaner Feysel Yalçın , Oralkan Ömer
Published: August 2024

In a recent study using 3-D fullwave simulations, it was shown for a nonhuman primate model that a helmet-shaped 3D array of 128 transducer elements can be assembled for neurostimulation in an optimized configuration with the accommodation of an imaging aperture. Considering all acoustic losses, according to this study, for a nonhuman primate skull, the assembly of the proposed transducers was projected to produce sufficient focusing gain in two different focal positions at deep and shallow brain regions, thus providing sufficient acoustic intensity at these distinct focal points for neural stimulation. This array also has the ability to focus on multiple additional brain regions. In the work presented here, we designed and fabricated a single 15 mm diameter capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) element operating at 800 kHz central frequency with a 480 kHz 3 dB bandwidth, capable of producing a 190 kPa peak negative pressure (PNP) on the surface. The corresponding projected transcranial spatial peak pulse average intensity (ISPPA) was 28 Wcm−2, and the mechanical index (MI) value was 1.1 for an array of 128 of these elements.
Correction: Leeman et al. U-Pb LA-ICP-MS Zircon Dating of Crustal Xenoliths: Evidence of the Archean Lithosphere Beneath the Snake River Plain. Minerals 2024, 14, 578
Authors: Leeman William P. , Vervoort Jeffrey D. , DuFrane S. Andrew
Published: August 2024

There were three errors in the original publication [...]
3D Geostatistical Modeling and Metallurgical Investigation of Cu in Tailings Deposit: Characterization and Assessment of Potential Resources
Authors: Koucham M’hamed , Ait-Khouia Yassine , Soulaimani Saâd , El-Adnani Mariam , Khalil Abdessamad
Published: August 2024

The management of mine tailings presents a global challenge. Re-mining these tailings to recover remaining metals could play a crucial role in reducing the volume of stored tailings, as historical mining methods were less efficient than those used today. Consequently, mine wastes have the potential to become unconventional resources for critical minerals. To assess this potential, critical minerals and metals in the mine tailings were investigated through sampling, characterization, and 3D geostatistical modeling. The Bleïda copper mine tailings in Morocco were modeled, and residual copper resources were estimated using ordinary kriging (OK). Tailings were systematically sampled at a depth of 1.8 m using a triangular grid and tubing method. The metallic and mineralogical content of the samples was analyzed, and a numerical 3D model of the tailing’s facility was created using topographic drone surveys, geochemical data, and geostatistical modeling. The results from the 3D block model of the Bleïda tailings facility reveal that the volume of deposited tailings is 3.73 million cubic meters (mm3), equivalent to 4.85 million tonnes (Mt). Furthermore, based on the average copper grade (~0.3% by weight) in the studied part of the tailings pond, the copper resources are estimated at 2760 tonnes. Mineralogical characterization indicates that this metallic content is mainly associated with sulfide and carbonate minerals, which exhibit a low degree of liberation. This study aims to serve as a reference for assessing the reprocessing feasibility of tailings in both abandoned and active mines, thereby contributing to the sustainable management of mine tailings facilities. Geostatistical modeling has proven effective in producing tonnage estimates for tailings storage facilities and should be adopted by the industry to reduce the technical and financial uncertainties associated with re-mining.
Controlling Gold-Assisted Exfoliation of Large-Area MoS2 Monolayers with External Pressure
Authors: Chen Sikai , Li Bingrui , Dai Chaoqi , Zhu Lemei , Shen Yan , Liu Fei , Deng Shaozhi , Ming Fangfei
Published: August 2024

Gold-assisted exfoliation can fabricate centimeter- or larger-sized monolayers of van der Waals (vdW) semiconductors, which is desirable for their applications in electronic and optoelectronic devices. However, there is still a lack of control over the exfoliation processes and a limited understanding of the atomic-scale mechanisms. Here, we tune the MoS2-Au interface using controlled external pressure and reveal two atomic-scale prerequisites for successfully producing large-area monolayers of MoS2. The first is the formation of strong MoS2-Au interactions to anchor the top MoS2 monolayer to the Au surface. The second is the integrity of the covalent network of the monolayer, as the majority of the monolayer is non-anchored and relies on the covalent network to be exfoliated from the bulk MoS2. Applying pressure or using smoother Au films increases the MoS2-Au interaction, but may cause the covalent network of the MoS2 monolayer to break due to excessive lateral strain, resulting in nearly zero exfoliation yield. Scanning tunneling microscopy measurements of the MoS2 monolayer-covered Au show that even the smallest atomic-scale imperfections can disrupt the MoS2-Au interaction. These findings can be used to develop new strategies for fabricating vdW monolayers through metal-assisted exfoliation, such as in cases involving patterned or non-uniform surfaces.
Cellulose Nanofibrils Dewatered with Poly(Lactic Acid) for Improved Bio-Polymer Nanocomposite Processing
Authors: Collins Alexander , Tajvidi Mehdi
Published: August 2024

Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) have theoretically ideal properties for bio-based composite applications; however, the incorporation of these materials into polymers is made challenging by the strong binding of water to CNFs and the irreversible agglomeration of CNFs during drying. Previous methods used “contact dewatering”, wherein the addition of wood flour (WF) to CNFs facilitated the mechanical removal of water from the system via cold pressing, which showed potential in producing dried CNF fibrils attached to wood fibers for biocomposite applications. In this work, the viability of contact dewatering with poly(lactic) acid (PLA) powder for PLA/CNF composites was evaluated. The energy efficiency of dewatering, preservation of nanoscale CNF morphology, and mechanical properties were examined by mixing wet CNFs with pulverized PLA at various loading levels, pressing water out of the system, and compression molding and shear mixing composites for testing. The most impressive results from this dewatering method were the preservation of micron-to-nanoscale fibers with high aspect ratios in PLA-CNF composites; increased strength and modulus of 1.7% and 4.2%, respectively, compared to neat PLA; equivalent or better properties than spray-dried nanocellulose at similar loading levels; and an 11-194x reduction in drying energy compared to spray-drying CNFs.
Optimization of Thermoelectric Properties and Physical Mechanisms of Cu2Se-Based Thin Films via Heat Treatment
Authors: Li Haobin , Li Fu , Chen Yuexing , Liang Guangxing , Luo Jingting , Wei Meng , Zheng Zhi , Zheng Zhuanghao
Published: August 2024

Cu2Se is an attractive thermoelectric material due to its layered structure, low cost, environmental compatibility, and non-toxicity. These traits make it a promising replacement for conventional thermoelectric materials in large-scale applications. This study focuses on preparing Cu2Se flexible thin films through in situ magnetron sputtering technology while carefully optimizing key preparation parameters, and explores the physical mechanism of thermoelectric property enhancement, especially the power factor. The films are deposited onto flexible polyimide substrates. Experimental findings demonstrate that films grown at a base temperature of 200 °C exhibit favorable performance. Furthermore, annealing heat treatment effectively regulates the Cu element content in the film samples, which reduces carrier concentration and enhances the Seebeck coefficient, ultimately improving the power factor of the materials. Compared to the unannealed samples, the sample annealed at 300 °C exhibited a significant increase in room temperature Seebeck coefficient, rising from 9.13 μVK−1 to 26.73 μVK−1. Concurrently, the power factor improved from 0.33 μWcm−1K−2 to 1.43 μWcm−1K−2.
Reducing the Number of Times Eating Out Helps to Decrease Adiposity (Overweight/Obesity) in Children
Authors: Parra-Solano Arturo , Hernández-Flores Minerva , Sánchez Bernarda , Paredes Carolina , Monroy Luis , Palacios Florinda , Almaguer Laura , Rodriguez-Ventura Ana
Published: August 2024

Adiposity is a chronic disease that must be treated from childhood. Despite the transcendence of improving habits, few interventions report their contribution to decreasing adiposity. Methods: This cohort enrolled children and teens of any gender, 8–18 years old, and with a body mass index (BMI) z-score of ≥1 into “Sacbe”, a comprehensive program to identify which eating habits could reduce BMI z-score. The sample size calculated was 110 participants. We recorded anthropometric measures, clinical history, and habits. A clinically relevant reduction in BMI z-score was defined as ≥0.5 over 12 months or its equivalent according to the months of follow-up. Results: 58.2% were female, the median age was 12 years (range: 9.1–14.7), and the mean BMI z-score was 2.30 ± 0.83. The 82.7% achieved a reduced BMI z-score but 41.8% achieved a clinically relevant reduction with a median follow-up of 6.7 months. Eating out less than once per week was associated with this outcome, even after adjusting for energy intake, other eating patterns, sedentary screen time, physical activity, sleep duration, and sitting time (HR 2.12; 95% CI: 1.07–4.21). Conclusions: Eating out < once/week implicates less processed food exposition and better quality of food; this habit could be the most effective to reduce childhood adiposity.
Bile Acids and Liver Cancer: Molecular Mechanism and Therapeutic Prospects
Authors: Zhang Xuemei , Shi Lei , Lu Xiaona , Zheng Wenlan , Shi Jia , Yu Shihan , Feng Hai , Yu Zhuo
Published: August 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly aggressive liver malignancy and one of the most lethal cancers globally, with limited effective therapeutic options. Bile acids (BAs), as primary metabolites of hepatic cholesterol, undergo enterohepatic circulation involving secretion into the intestine and reabsorption into the liver, and their composition is modulated in this process. Recent clinical observations have revealed a correlation between alteration in the BAs profile and HCC incidence, and the effect of various species of BAs on HCC development has been investigated. The regulatory effect of different BA species on cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis in tumor cells, as well as their interaction with gut microbiota, inflammation, and immunity have been identified to be involved in HCC progression. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the diverse functions of BAs in HCC pathogenesis and therapy, from elucidating the fundamental mechanisms underlying both tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressive consequences of various BA species to exploring potential strategies for leveraging BAs for HCC therapy. We also discuss ongoing efforts to target specific BA species in HCC treatment while highlighting new frontiers in BA biology that may inspire further exploration regarding their connection to HCC.
Safety of Nintedanib in a Patient with Chronic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Kidney Disease
Authors: Maggisano Marta , Mondini Lucrezia , Chernovsky Maria , Confalonieri Paola , Salton Francesco , Reccardini Nicolò , Kodric Metka , Geri Pietro , Confalonieri Marco , Hughes Michael , Cifaldi Rossella , Ruaro Barbara
Published: August 2024

Nintedanib, an intracellular inhibitor that targets multiple tyrosine kinase, is an important drug for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. Until now, no studies have been published reporting the nintedanib tolerability or its efficacy in patients with chronic pulmonary lung disease and chronic kidney disease comorbidity. The safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of nintedanib have not been studied in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min) and for this reason it is contraindicated in these patients. We describe a case of use of nintedanib in a patient affected by idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who started, from 2022, nintedanib 150 mg twice a day with careful monitoring of liver and kidney function. Due to the onset of stage 3/4 chronic kidney disease associated with proteinuria, nintedanib was suspended for two months, and the patient received Prednisone at a dose of 12.5 mg/day. During the two months of suspension, the renal function did not improve, unlike the respiratory status worsened. In the past a renal biopsy was performed which showed no correlation with nintedanib use. Nintedanib therapy started again following the decline in lung function and desaturation below 90% in the 6-min walking test (6MWT). Patient showed a good tolerability of nintedanib with sporadic episode of diarrhea and an improvement of pulmonary function leading to a stable state of chronic pulmonary fibrosis disease. For this reason, in mutual agreement with the patient, we decided to maintain nintedanib therapy even when the patient required hemodialysis. No toxic effects appeared. This case report revealed the safety of nintedinab in patient with concomitant kidney failure, but more studies are necessary.
Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in Immunocompromised Patients
Authors: Duhaniuc Alexandru , Păduraru Diana , Nastase Eduard-Vasile , Trofin Felicia , Iancu Luminița-Smaranda , Sima Cristina-Mihaela , Dorneanu Olivia-Simona
Published: August 2024

The increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a major problem in terms of therapeutic options, especially in immunocompromised patients, such as patients from intensive care units (ICUs), HIV-positive patients, patients with malignancies or transplant patients. Commensal bacteria, especially anaerobes, serve to maintain microbial stability by preventing overpopulation with pathogenic bacteria. In immunocompromised patients, microbiota imbalance caused by antibiotic therapy and decreased host immunity favors intestinal overpopulation with pathogenic species, leading to increased bacterial translocation and susceptibility to systemic infections. Infections with multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria pose major challenges to the establishment of appropriate treatment and lead to increased mortality. Asymptomatic colonization with MDR bacteria usually precedes infection and tends to persist for long periods of time, and in immunocompromised patients, colonization with MDR bacteria is a risk factor for systemic infections. This review aims to assess the relation between colonization and infection with MDR bacteria in immunocompromised patients such as ICU patients, HIV-positive patients and cancer patients and to identify the prevalence and patterns of MDR bacterial colonization and infection in this category of patients.
Numerical Simulation of Salmon Freezing Using Pulsating Airflow in a Model Tunnel
Authors: Tabilo Edgardo J. , Lemus-Mondaca Roberto , Puente Luis , Moraga Nelson O.
Published: August 2024

Food freezing is an energy-intensive thermal process that has required exploring new technologies to enhance productivity and efficiency. This work provides a detailed insight into the energy analysis for the improved cooling of solid food during the freezing process, which originated by imposing a pulsating airflow at the entrance of a convective freezer tunnel. Continuity, linear momentum, and energy equations described simultaneously the conjugate transient heat conduction with liquid-to-solid phase change of the water content of a square salmon piece and the unsteady heat transfer by mixed convection in the surrounding airflow. The Finite Volume Method and a recently developed fast-accurate pressure-correction algorithm allowed an accurate prediction for the effects of imposing an inlet pulsating cooling airflow on the evolution of vortex-shedding, food freezing, cooling rate, heat flow, and energy savings. The variation in the values of the local heat fluxes at the food surface was reported, analyzed, and discussed by the evolution of the local Nusselt number around the square salmon piece. The study found that using an inlet pulsed airflow during salmon freezing improved temperature distribution and reduced energy consumption by 21% compared to using an inlet constant velocity airflow. The findings conclude that using pulsed airflow can improve temperature distribution in the food and significantly reduce energy consumption. Future investigations should consider a three-dimensional analysis, real salmon shape, turbulent conjugate convective freezing, an ensemble of salmon pieces, and exergy analysis to improve freezing tunnel design.
Photo(solar)-Activated Hypochlorite Treatment: Radicals Analysis Using a Validated Model and Assessment of Efficiency in Organic Pollutants Degradation
Authors: Amichi Hayet , Merouani Slimane , Dehane Aissa , Bouchoucha Hana , Hamdaoui Oualid
Published: August 2024

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive chlorine species (RCS) and their involvement in the degradation process are explored in this work by thorough kinetic modeling of the solar-activated hypochlorite degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye. The kinetic modeling enabled the determination of rate constants for both radical and non-radical pathways of hypochlorite and the oxidation of RhB by free radicals. Using COPASI® software, fed with a kinetics mechanism of 144 chemical reactions, the free radical kinetic model accurately fitted experimental data under various conditions, including temperatures ranging from 25 to 55 °C and initial hypochlorite concentrations from 300 to 1000 µM, at a controlled pH of 11. Results indicate that increasing hypochlorite dosages and temperatures enhance free radical concentrations and RhB degradation rates. •OH and ClO• radicals were quantified as primary contributors to RhB degradation, while ozone played a minor role. The model provides profiles for ROS and RCS, details on radicals distribution in RhB degradation, and predictions of rate constants for the photolysis of ClO−: kR1 = 2.67 × 10−4 s−1 for the radical pathway (ClO− →hν O•− + Cl•), and kR2 = 1.88 × 10−5 s−1 and kR3 = 0 s−1 for the non-radical pathway (i.e., ClO− →hν O(3P) + Cl− and ClO− →hν O(1D) + Cl−, respectively). The rate constants for RhB reactions with O•−, Cl•, Cl2•− and ClO• were predicted to be 4.8 × 109 M−1 s−1, 1.45 × 109 M−1 s−1, 2.5 × 107 M−1 s−1 and 8.7 × 104 M−1 s−1, respectively. Lower rate constants were predicted for RhB reactions with HOCl•−, HO2•, O2•−, and O(3P), with values of 4.1 × 104 M−1 s−1, 7.3 × 105 M−1 s−1, 3.6 × 104 M−1 s−1, and 0.40 M−1 s−1, respectively.
The Transmission and Textual Transformation of the Shisong lü 十誦律 from the 6th to 13th Centuries
Authors: Chi Limei
Published: August 2024

The Shisong lü 十誦律, translated in the early 5th century, remains the only complete version of this Buddhist Vinaya text preserved to date and represents the first Vinaya text translated into Chinese. This Vinaya text introduced standardized terminology that significantly influenced subsequent translations of Vinaya texts and profoundly impacted Chinese Buddhism during the Six Dynasties period. Due to its complex translation history, the text is bifurcated into two lineages: the Northern lineage, featuring an initial 58-scroll version (without a preface), and the Southern lineage, with an expanded 61-scroll version (including a preface). This study examines the two oldest extant manuscripts of the Lüxu 律序 (Preface to the Shisong lü) from the Southern lineage—one from the Dunhuang collection currently preserved in Japan and the other from the Nara Japan. Through intensive comparisons with woodblock editions, these manuscripts from Dunhuang, and ancient Japanese manuscript Buddhist canons, this study not only traces the textual evolution of the Southern lineage of the Shisong lü from the 6th to the 13th centuries but also offers new insights into both the historical development and the relationship between these two lineages of the text. Methodologically, this paper provides inspiration for textual criticism of the Vinaya in particular and Buddhist studies in general.
Pathways to Flourishing: The Roles of Self- and Divine Forgiveness in Mitigating the Adverse Effects of Stress and Substance Use among Adults in Trinidad and Tobago
Authors: Skalski-Bednarz Sebastian Binyamin , Webb Jon R. , Wilson Colwick M. , Toussaint Loren L. , Surzykiewicz Janusz , Reid Sandra D. , Williams David R. , Worthington Everett L.
Published: August 2024

The present study focused on the roles of self-forgiveness and feeling divine forgiveness in mitigating the adverse effects of stress on substance use cravings in Trinidad and Tobago. We assessed 869 individuals (62 percent of whom were women) through self-report online questionnaires. A moderation analysis using the PROCESS macro and a bootstrapping strategy (N = 5000) revealed that greater levels of self-forgiveness weakened the positive relationship between stress and substance use cravings, though the relationship remained significant. This moderating effect was evident only when individuals reported high levels of feeling divine forgiveness. The findings suggest that both forms of forgiveness lessen the impact of stress on substance use cravings, highlighting their potential as protective factors and underscoring the importance of incorporating religious and spiritual dimensions into psychological education and intervention. However, the study’s cross-sectional nature makes it difficult to make causal inferences, indicating a need for longitudinal research.
Spatiotemporal Patterns of Vegetation Evolution in a Deep Coal Mining Subsidence Area: A Remote Sensing Study of Liangbei, China
Authors: Yan Weitao , Chen Zhiyu , Chen Junjie , Zhao Chunsu
Published: August 2024

This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the impacts of high-intensity coal mining on vegetation in Liangbei Town, a typical deep coal mining area in central of China. Using Landsat remote sensing data from 2000 to 2023, processed by the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, the study calculates the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Temporal and spatial distribution patterns of vegetation were assessed using LandTrendr algorithm, Sen’s slope estimation, the Mann–Kendall test, the coefficient of variation, and the Hurst index. Vegetation growth dynamics were further analyzed through transfer matrix and intensity analysis frameworks. Driving factors influencing vegetation trends were evaluated using local climate data and surface deformation variables from SAR imagery. Temporal Dimension: From 2000 to 2023, the annual NDVI in Liangbei Township showed an upward trend with a growth rate of 0.0894 (10a)−1, peaking at 0.51 in 2020. Spatial Dimension: The NDVI distribution in Liangbei Township displayed a pattern of being lower in the center and higher around the edges, with values concentrated between 0.4 and 0.51, covering 50.34% of the total area. Trend of Change: Between 2000 and 2023, 83.28% of the area in Liangbei Township experienced significant improvement in the NDVI, with vegetation growth trends shifting primarily from slight to significant improvement, encompassing a total area of 10.98 km². This shift exhibited a marked tendency. Driving Factors: Deep mining in Liangbei Township is concentrated in the eastern part, with SAR imagery indicating a maximum surface subsidence of 0.26 m. As surface subsidence increases, the NDVI significantly decreases. The findings suggest that in the future, 91.13% of the vegetation in Liangbei Township will display an antipersistent change trend. The study offers critical insights into the interaction between mining activities and vegetation cover can serve as a reference for environmental evolution and management in similar mining areas.
Inferring the Variability of Dielectric Constant on the Moon from Mini-RF S-Band Observations
Authors: Shukla Shashwat , Patterson Gerald Wesley , Maiti Abhisek , Kumar Shashi , Dutton Nicholas
Published: August 2024

The physical properties of lunar regolith are crucial for exploration planning, hazard assessment, and characterizing scientific targets at global and polar scales. The dielectric constant, a key property, offers insights into lunar material distribution within the regolith and serves as a proxy for identifying volatile-rich regoliths. Miniature radio frequency (Mini-RF) on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) provides a potential tool for mapping the lunar regolith’s physical nature and assessing the lunar volatile repository. This study presents global and polar S-band Mini-RF dielectric signatures of the Moon, obtained through a novel deep learning inversion model applied to Mini-RF mosaics. We achieved good agreement between training and testing of the model, yielding a coefficient of determination (R2 value) of 0.97 and a mean squared error of 0.27 for the dielectric constant. Significant variability in the dielectric constant is observed globally, with high-Ti mare basalts exhibiting lower values than low-Ti highland materials. However, discernibility between the South Pole–Aitken (SPA) basin and highlands is not evident. Despite similar dielectric constants on average, notable spatial variations exist within the south and north polar regions, influenced by crater ejecta, permanently shadowed regions, and crater floors. These dielectric differences are attributed to extensive mantling of lunar materials, impact cratering processes, and ilmenite content. Using the east- and west-looking polar mosaics, we estimated an uncertainty (standard deviation) of 1.01 in the real part and 0.03 in the imaginary part of the dielectric constant due to look direction. Additionally, modeling highlights radar backscatter sensitivity to incidence angle and dielectric constant at the Mini-RF wavelength. The dielectric constant maps provide a new and unique perspective of lunar terrains that could play an important role in characterizing lunar resources in future targeted human and robotic exploration of the Moon.
Unsupervised Noise-Resistant Remote-Sensing Image Change Detection: A Self-Supervised Denoising Network-, FCM_SICM-, and EMD Metric-Based Approach
Authors: Xie Jiangling , Li Yikun , Yang Shuwen , Li Xiaojun
Published: August 2024

The detection of change in remote-sensing images is broadly applicable to many fields. In recent years, both supervised and unsupervised methods have demonstrated excellent capacity to detect changes in high-resolution images. However, most of these methods are sensitive to noise, and their performance significantly deteriorates when dealing with remote-sensing images that have been contaminated by mixed random noises. Moreover, supervised methods require that samples are manually labeled for training, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. This study proposes a new unsupervised change-detection (CD) framework that is resilient to mixed random noise called self-supervised denoising network-based unsupervised change-detection coupling FCM_SICM and EMD (SSDNet-FSE). It consists of two components, namely a denoising module and a CD module. The proposed method first utilizes a self-supervised denoising network with real 3D weight attention mechanisms to reconstruct noisy images. Then, a noise-resistant fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm (FCM_SICM) is used to decompose the mixed pixels of reconstructed images into multiple signal classes by exploiting local spatial information, spectral information, and membership linkage. Next, the noise-resistant Earth mover’s distance (EMD) is used to calculate the distance between signal-class centers and the corresponding fuzzy memberships of bitemporal pixels and generate a map of the magnitude of change. Finally, automatic thresholding is undertaken to binarize the change-magnitude map into the final CD map. The results of experiments conducted on five public datasets prove the superior noise-resistant performance of the proposed method over six state-of-the-art CD competitors and confirm its effectiveness and potential for practical application.
A Non-Uniform Grid Graph Convolutional Network for Sea Surface Temperature Prediction
Authors: Lou Ge , Zhang Jiabao , Zhao Xiaofeng , Zhou Xuan , Li Qian
Published: August 2024

Sea surface temperature (SST) is an important factor in the marine environment and has significant impacts on climate, ecology, and maritime activities. Most existing SST prediction methods consider the ocean as a uniform field and use a uniform grid to predict SST. However, the marine environment is a complex system, and factors such as solar radiation, differences in land and sea thermal properties, and ocean circulation lead to uneven spatial distributions of SSTs. We propose a non-uniform grid construction method based on an SST spatial gradient to encode SST data, as well as a Non-uniform Grid Graph Convolutional Network (NGGCN) model. The NGGCN consists of two spatiotemporal modules, each of which extracts spatial features from the GCN module, captures temporal correlations through the GRU module, and performs feature restoration and output results through the fully connected module. We selected data from the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea to validate the effectiveness of the NGGCN in predicting SST at different time scales and prediction steps. The results indicate that our model shows a significant improvement in prediction performance compared to other models.