bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forecasting Flower Prices by Long Short-Term Memory Model with Optuna
Authors: Chen Chieh-Huang , Lin Ying-Lei , Pai Ping-Feng
Published: September 2024

The oriental lily ‘Casa Blanca’ is one of the most popular and high-value flowers. The period for keeping these flowers refrigerated is limited. Therefore, forecasting the prices of oriental lilies is crucial for determining the optimal planting time and, consequently, the profits earned by flower growers. Traditionally, the prediction of oriental lily prices has primarily relied on the experience and domain knowledge of farmers, lacking systematic analysis. This study aims to predict daily oriental lily prices at wholesale markets in Taiwan using many-to-many Long Short-Term Memory (MMLSTM) models. The determination of hyperparameters in MMLSTM models significantly influences their forecasting performance. This study employs Optuna, a hyperparameter optimization technique specifically designed for machine learning models, to select the hyperparameters of MMLSTM models. Various modeling datasets and forecasting time windows are used to evaluate the performance of the designed many-to-many Long Short-Term Memory with Optuna (MMLSTMOPT) models in predicting daily oriental lily prices. Numerical results indicate that the developed MMLSTMOPT model achieves highly satisfactory forecasting accuracy with an average mean absolute percentage error value of 12.7%. Thus, the MMLSTMOPT model is a feasible and promising alternative for forecasting the daily oriental lily prices.
Estimation of Hub Center Loads for Individual Pitch Control for Wind Turbines Based on Tower Loads and Machine Learning
Authors: Kiyoki Soichiro , Yoshida Shigeo , Rushdi Mostafa A.
Published: September 2024

In wind turbines, to investigate the cause of failures and evaluate the remaining lifetime, it may be necessary to measure their loads. However, it is often difficult to do so with only strain gauges in terms of cost and time, so a method to evaluate loads by utilizing only simple measurements is quite useful. In this study, we investigated a method with machine learning to estimate hub center loads, which is important in terms of preventing damage to equipment inside the nacelle. Traditionally, measuring hub center loads requires performing complex strain measurements on rotating parts, such as the blades or the main shaft. On the other hand, the tower is a stationary body, so the strain measurement difficulty is relatively low. We tackled the problem as follows: First, machine learning models that predict the time history of hub center loads from the tower top loads and operating condition data were developed by using aeroelastic analysis. Next, the accuracy of the model was verified by using measurement data from an actual wind turbine. Finally, individual pitch control, which is one of the applications of the time history of hub center loads, was performed using aeroelastic analysis, and the load reduction effect with the model prediction values was equivalent to that of the conventional method.
Vehicle-UAV Integrated Routing Optimization Problem for Emergency Delivery of Medical Supplies
Authors: Ghaffar Muhammad Arslan , Peng Lei , Aslam Muhammad Umer , Adeel Muhammad , Dassari Salim
Published: September 2024

In recent years, the delivery of medical supplies has faced significant challenges due to natural disasters and recurrent public health emergencies. Addressing the need for improved logistics operations during such crises, this article presents an innovative approach, namely integrating vehicle and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) logistics to enhance the efficiency and resilience of medical supply chains. Our study introduces a dual-mode distribution framework which employs the density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) algorithm for efficiently clustering demand zones unreachable by conventional vehicles, thereby identifying areas requiring UAV delivery. Furthermore, we categorize the demand for medical supplies into two distinct sets based on vehicle accessibility, optimizing distribution routes via both UAVs and vehicles. Through comparative analysis, our findings reveal that the artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm significantly outperforms the genetic algorithm in terms of solving efficiency, iteration counts, and delivery speed. However, the ABC algorithm’s tendency toward early local optimization and rapid convergence leads to potential stagnation in local optima. To mitigate this issue, we incorporate a simulated annealing technique into the ABC framework, culminating in a refined optimization approach which successfully overcomes the limitations of premature local optima convergence. The experimental results validate the efficacy of our enhanced algorithm, demonstrating reduced iteration counts, shorter computation times, and substantially improved solution quality over traditional logistic models. The proposed method holds promise for significantly improving the operational efficiency and service quality of the healthcare system’s logistics during critical situations.
Efficient Lossy Compression of Video Sequences of Automotive High-Dynamic Range Image Sensors for Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems and Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Pawłowski Paweł , Piniarski Karol
Published: September 2024

In this paper, we introduce an efficient lossy coding procedure specifically tailored for handling video sequences of automotive high-dynamic range (HDR) image sensors in advanced driver-assistance systems (ADASs) for autonomous vehicles. Nowadays, mainly for security reasons, lossless compression is used in the automotive industry. However, it offers very low compression rates. To obtain higher compression rates, we suggest using lossy codecs, especially when testing image processing algorithms in software in-the-loop (SiL) or hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) conditions. Our approach leverages the high-quality VP9 codec, operating in two distinct modes: grayscale image compression for automatic image analysis and color (in RGB format) image compression for manual analysis. In both modes, images are acquired from the automotive-specific RCCC (red, clear, clear, clear) image sensor. The codec is designed to achieve a controlled image quality and state-of-the-art compression ratios while maintaining real-time feasibility. In automotive applications, the inherent data loss poses challenges associated with lossy codecs, particularly in rapidly changing scenes with intricate details. To address this, we propose configuring the lossy codecs in variable bitrate (VBR) mode with a constrained quality (CQ) parameter. By adjusting the quantization parameter, users can tailor the codec behavior to their specific application requirements. In this context, a detailed analysis of the quality of lossy compressed images in terms of the structural similarity index metric (SSIM) and the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) metrics is presented. With this analysis, we extracted some codec parameters, which have an important impact on preservation of video quality and compression ratio. The proposed compression settings are very efficient: the compression ratios vary from 51 to 7765 for grayscale image mode and from 4.51 to 602.6 for RGB image mode, depending on the specified output image quality settings. We reached 129 frames per second (fps) for compression and 315 fps for decompression in grayscale mode and 102 fps for compression and 121 fps for decompression in the RGB mode. These make it possible to achieve a much higher compression ratio compared to lossless compression while maintaining control over image quality.
The Impact of Federated Learning on Improving the IoT-Based Network in a Sustainable Smart Cities
Authors: Naeem Muhammad Ali , Meng Yahui , Chaudhary Sushank
Published: September 2024

The caching mechanism of federated learning in smart cities is vital for improving data handling and communication in IoT environments. Because it facilitates learning among separately connected devices, federated learning makes it possible to quickly update caching strategies in response to data usage without invading users’ privacy. Federated learning caching promotes improved dynamism, effectiveness, and data reachability for smart city services to function properly. In this paper, a new caching strategy for Named Data Networking (NDN) based on federated learning in smart cities’ IoT contexts is proposed and described. The proposed strategy seeks to apply a federated learning technique to improve content caching more effectively based on its popularity, thereby improving its performance on the network. The proposed strategy was compared to the benchmark in terms of the cache hit ratio, delay in content retrieval, and energy utilization. These benchmarks evidence that the suggested caching strategy performs far better than its counterparts in terms of cache hit rates, the time taken to fetch the content, and energy consumption. These enhancements result in smarter and more efficient smart city networks, a clear indication of how federated learning can revolutionize content caching in NDN-based IoT.
Analyzing Mobility Patterns at Scale in Pandemic Scenarios Leveraging the Mobile Network Ecosystem
Authors: Callejo Patricia , Gramaglia Marco , Cuevas Rubén , Cuevas Ángel , Tschantz Michael Carl
Published: September 2024

The ubiquity and pervasiveness of mobile network technologies has made them so deeply ingrained in our everyday lives that by interacting with them for very simple purposes (e.g., messaging or browsing the Internet), we produce an unprecedented amount of data that can be analyzed to understand our behavior. While this practice has been extensively adopted by telcos and big tech companies in the last few years, this condition, which was unimaginable just 20 years ago, has only been mildly exploited to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we discuss the possible alternatives that we could leverage in the current mobile network ecosystem to provide regulators and epidemiologists with the right understanding of our mobility patterns, to maximize the efficiency and extent of the introduced countermeasures. To validate our analysis, we dissect a fine-grained dataset of user positions in two major European countries severely hit by the pandemic. The potential of using these data, harvested employing traditional mobile network technologies, is unveiled through two exemplary cases that tackled macro and microscopic aspects.
A Novel Modular Multilevel Converter Topology with High- and Low-Frequency Modules and Its Modulation Strategy
Authors: Huang Zejun , Bai Hao , Xu Min , Hou Yuchao , Yao Ruotian , Liu Yipeng , Guo Qi , Tu Chunming
Published: September 2024

To resolve the issue of the difficultly in effectively balancing the output performance improvement, cost reduction, and efficiency improvement of a medium-voltage modular multilevel converter (MMC), a novel MMC (NMMC) topology based on high- and low-frequency hybrid modulation is proposed in this study. Each arm of the NMMC contains a high-frequency sub-module composed of a heterogeneous cross-connect module (HCCM) and N − 1 low-frequency sub-modules composed of half-bridge converters. The high-frequency bridge arm of the HCCM in this study adopts SiC MOSFET devices, while the commutation bridge arm and low-frequency sub-module of the HCCM adopt Si IGBT devices. For the NMMC topology, this study adopts a high/low-frequency hybrid modulation strategy, which gives full play to the advantages of low switching loss in SiC MOSFET devices and low on-state loss in Si IGBT devices. In addition, a specific capacitor voltage balance strategy is proposed for the HCCM, and the working state of the HCCM is analyzed in detail. Furthermore, the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed topology, modulation strategy, and voltage balancing strategy are verified by experiments. Finally, the proposed topology is compared with the existing MMC topology in terms of device cost and operating loss, which proves that the proposed topology can better balance the cost and efficiency indicators of the device.
Hierarchical Structure-Based Wireless Active Balancing System for Power Batteries
Authors: Xie Jia , Lin Huipin , Qu Jifeng , Shi Luhong , Chen Zuhong , Chen Sheng , Zheng Yong
Published: September 2024

This paper conducts an in-depth study of a wireless, hierarchical structure-based active balancing system for power batteries, aimed at addressing the rapid advancements in battery technology within the electric vehicle industry. The system is designed to enhance energy density and the reliability of the battery system, developing a balancing system capable of managing cells with significant disparities in characteristics, which is crucial for extending the lifespan of lithium-ion battery packs. The proposed system integrates wireless self-networking technology into the battery management system and adopts a more efficient active balancing approach, replacing traditional passive energy-consuming methods. In its design, inter-group balancing at the upper layer is achieved through a soft-switching LLC resonant converter, while intra-group balancing among individual cells at the lower layer is managed by an active balancing control IC and a bidirectional buck–boost converter. This configuration not only ensures precise control but also significantly enhances the speed and efficiency of balancing, effectively addressing the heat issues caused by energy dissipation. Key technologies involved include lithium-ion batteries, battery management systems, battery balancing systems, LLC resonant converters, and wireless self-networking technology. Tests have shown that this system not only reduces energy consumption but also significantly improves energy transfer efficiency and the overall balance of the battery pack, thereby extending battery life and optimizing vehicle performance, ensuring a safer and more reliable operation of electric vehicle battery systems.
Soil and Water Bioengineering in Fire-Prone Lands: Detecting Erosive Areas Using RUSLE and Remote Sensing Methods
Authors: Maxwald Melanie , Correa Ronald , Japón Edwin , Preti Federico , Rauch Hans Peter , Immitzer Markus
Published: September 2024

Soil and water bioengineering (SWBE) measures in fire-prone areas are essential for erosion mitigation, revegetation, as well as protection of settlements against inundations and landslides. This study’s aim was to detect erosive areas at the basin scale for SWBE implementation in pre- and post-fire conditions based on a wildfire event in 2019 in southern Ecuador. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) was used in combination with earth observation data to detect the fire-induced change in erosion behavior by adapting the cover management factor (C-factor). To understand the spatial accuracy of the predicted erosion-prone areas, high-resolution data from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) served for comparison and visual interpretation at the sub-basin level. As a result, the mean erosion at the basin was estimated to be 4.08 t ha−1 yr−1 in pre-fire conditions and 4.06 t ha−1 yr−1 in post-fire conditions. The decrease of 0.44% is due to the high autonomous vegetation recovery capacity of grassland in the first post-fire year. Extreme values increased by a factor of 4 in post-fire conditions, indicating the importance of post-fire erosion measures such as SWBE in vulnerable areas. The correct spatial location of highly erosive areas detected by the RUSLE was successfully verified by the UAV data. This confirms the effectivity of combining the RUSLE with very-high-resolution data in identifying areas of high erosion, suggesting potential scalability to other fire-prone regions.
Volatile Organic Compounds Produced by Bacillus sp. Strain R2 Inhibit Aspergillus flavus Growth In Vitro and in Unhulled Rice
Authors: Wang Qingyun , Zhang Kaige , Yu Lu , Lin Qinlu , Zhou Wenhua
Published: September 2024

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by Bacillus species exhibit biocontrol activity against fungal pathogens of fruits and vegetables. However, research on the effect of VOCs on Aspergillus flavus in stored grains is limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of VOCs extracted from the strain R2, which was isolated from unhulled rice and identified as Bacillus paramycoides on A. flavus in vitro and unhulled rice. R2 VOCs effectively inhibited conidial germination and the hyphal growth of A. flavus in vitro. Moreover, R2 VOCs reduced the fungal population, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) levels, and free fatty acid (FFA) value by 90.8%, 67%, and 38.7%, respectively, in unhulled rice. Eighteen R2 VOCs were identified using headspace solid-phase micro-extraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and the individual activity of the VOCs against A. flavus was tested in vitro. Benzaldehyde (Ben) and 3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol (Dmo) showed strong inhibitory activities against A. flavus on PDA plates, with inhibition rates of 100% and 91.2%, respectively, at a concentration of 20 μL/dish. Ben at the concentration of 0.09 mg/mL, Dmo at the concentration of 0.07 mg/mL, or a mixture of both at halved concentrations could reduce the fungal population, AFB1 levels, and FFA content in unhulled rice. Our findings suggest that R2 VOCs are good alternatives to traditional chemical fumigants for suppressing A. flavus in stored grains. However, further research is necessary to establish the optimal fumigation concentration of these two components in unhulled rice. The impact of their residues on grain quality should be explored through sensory evaluation and nutritional analysis, and their safety to the environment and human body should be evaluated through safety assessment.
Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Cocrystals of Thymol and Carvacrol on Quality, Nutrient Composition, and Oxidative Stability of Broiler Meat
Authors: Li Yang , Li Changjin , Zhang Yunlong , Everaert Nadia , Comer Luke , Huang Libo , Jiao Ning , Yuan Xuejun , Yang Weiren , Jiang Shuzhen
Published: September 2024

Consumer demand for high-quality meat has increased. This study aimed to investigate the potential application of cocrystals of thymol and carvacrol in broilers for high-quality meat production. Eight hundred 1-day-old chicks were assigned to four groups fed diets supplemented with 0, 40, 60, and 80 mg/kg of Crystal EO® (CEO), containing 25% cocrystals of thymol and carvacrol in a 42-d feeding trial. The results showed that dietary CEO supplementation decreased the muscle fiber diameter and increased the muscle fiber density, glycogen content, L*45 min value, and proportion of α-linolenic acid in the breast muscle; dietary 40 and 60 mg/kg of CEO decreased the lactate content, MDA concentration, cooking loss, shear force, and thrombogenicity index and increased the proportion of lauric acid in the breast muscle; dietary 60 and 80 mg/kg of CEO increased the glucose content, total superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidant capacity levels of breast muscle. Citrate synthase activity, free radical scavenging capacity, pH24 h and a*45 min values, and the cystine content in the breast muscle were especially higher in the 60 mg/kg CEO group compared to the control group. Collectively, dietary CEO supplementation improved meat quality and nutritional values and enhanced the antioxidant capacity of broiler meat, with 60 mg/kg of CEO having the greatest effect.
Watermelon Rind Dietary Fibers as Natural Source to Enhance Texture of Wheat Bread
Authors: Ben Romdhane Molka , Bouallegue Amir , Bourhia Mohammed , Bougatef Ali , Salamatullah Ahmad Mohammad , Ellouz-Chaabouni Semia , Haddar Anissa
Published: September 2024

The objective of this study was to explore how watermelon rinds (WMRs) and their derivatives, specifically water-soluble polysaccharides (WMRPs) and hemicellulose (WMRH), as sources of dietary fiber, could enhance the quality of wheat bread. The extraction process yielded 34.4% for WMRP and 8.22% for WMRH. WMR, WMRP, and WMRH exhibited promising functional characteristics and were incorporated separately into wheat flour with low bread-making quality (FLBM) at varying proportions (0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% (w/w)). The volume, texture, and crust and crumb color underwent evaluation and were compared to the control. The findings indicated that incorporating WMR notably enhanced the alveograph profile of the dough, demonstrating a more effective impact than the addition of WMRP and WMRH. Adding WMR, WMRP, and WMRH at a 1% concentration to low-quality wheat flour for bread making increased the deformation work values by 16%, 15%, and 13%, respectively, and raised the P/L ratios by 42%, 36%, and 38%, respectively. Additionally, the assessment of the bread highlighted a substantial enhancement in both volume and texture profile when WMR was added, in contrast to the control bread (made with FLBM). These findings underscore that incorporating 1% WMR into FLBM was the most effective means of improving bread quality based on the results of this study.
Analytical Investigation of Phthalates and Heavy Metals in Edible Ice from Vending Machines Connected to the Italian Water Supply
Authors: De Vietro Nicoletta , Triggiano Francesco , Cotugno Pietro , Palmisani Jolanda , Di Gilio Alessia , Zambonin Carlo , de Gennaro Gianluigi , Mancini Giovanna , Aresta Antonella Maria , Diella Giusy , Marcotrigiano Vincenzo , Sorrenti Giovanni Trifone , Marzocca Piersaverio , Lampedecchia Michele , Sorrenti Domenico Pio , D’Aniello Ezio , Gramegna Matilde , Nencha Alessandra , Caputo Antonio , Giovine Marta , Spinelli Caterina , Caggiano Giuseppina
Published: September 2024

Edible ice is often produced by special machines that can represent a source of significant chemical and microbiological contamination. In this work, the presence of phthalic acid esters (phthalates, PAEs) and heavy metals in ice cubes distributed by 77 vending machines installed in two different zones in southern Italy and fed by water from the public water supply was investigated. Solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography−mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) was used to evaluate contamination with four PAEs, which were selected because they are commonly used in the production of food-contact plastics, while inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) was used to quantify the heavy metals. It was found that ice samples, especially those from one of the two considered zones (zone 2), exceeded the dibutyl phthalate (DBP) threshold limit value; some ice cubes from the other zone (zone 1) instead showed levels of both lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) up to one order of magnitude higher than those observed in samples collected in zone 2 and higher than the maximum permitted values (European Directive n. 2184/2020). Since the water source connected to the ice vending machines was found to be free from significant levels of all considered target compounds and metals, the high levels of DBP, Ni, and Pb in ice cubes could be attributed to the components and/or to the state of repair of the ice vending machines themselves.
Atlantic Canadians’ Sensory Perception of Couscous Made with Sugar Kelp (Saccharina latissma)
Authors: Gorman Mackenzie , Baxter Laura , Moss Rachael , McSweeney Matthew B.
Published: September 2024

Sugar kelp (Saccharina latissma) has many nutritional benefits and has been identified as a rich source of fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants. However, it is not regularly consumed in the Western world, and the sensory perception of foods containing sugar kelp must be investigated to increase acceptance in North America. This study evaluated consumers’ (n = 99) sensory perception of couscous with increasing amounts of sugar kelp (0% (control), 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% wt/wt). Furthermore, consumers’ purchase intent, liking, and emotional response to couscous with added sugar kelp was evaluated with and without nutritional information. Sugar kelp at 6% incorporation did not impact the consumers’ liking scores (“Like Slightly” on the hedonic scale), but at 8% the consumers’ liking significantly decreased (“Neither Like nor Dislike”). The 8% and 10% levels of sugar kelp addition led to astringency, bitter, hard, brackish, fishy, and chewy attributes being perceived by the consumers. The consumers identified they preferred samples that had soft, savoury, salty, and bland flavours and disliked samples that were brackish and gritty. The nutritional information did not increase overall liking scores, purchase intent, or emotional response. However, the inclusion of sugar kelp in the couscous did lead to an increased selection of positive emotions like happy, joyful, pleasant, and enthusiastic. Overall, the consumers were interested in foods containing seaweed and believed they were nutritious. The results indicated that sugar kelp could be added to couscous up to 6% wt/wt without impacting overall liking.
Effects of Cashew Nuts (Anacardium occidentale L.) and Cashew Nut Oil on Intestinal Permeability and Inflammatory Markers during an Energy-Restricted 8-Week Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial (Brazilian Nuts Study)
Authors: Meneguelli Talitha Silva , Wendling Aline Lage , Kravchychyn Ana Claudia Pelissari , Rocha Daniela Mayumi Usuda Prado , Dionísio Ana Paula , Bressan Josefina , Martino Hércia Stampini Duarte , Tako Elad , Hermsdorff Helen Hermana Miranda
Published: September 2024

Cashew nuts can contribute to improving intestinal permeability and inflammation as they contain essential nutrients and bioactive compounds, but no clinical trials have evaluated these potential effects. This randomized trial aimed to assess the effects of cashew nuts and their oil on intestinal permeability and inflammatory markers. Sixty-four adults with overweight or obesity were allocated into three groups receiving energy restriction (−500 kcal/day): control (CT, free nuts), cashew nuts (CN, 30 g/day), or cashew nut oil (OL, 30 mL/day). Urine lactulose and mannitol, plasma zonulin and the lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), plasma interleukins (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-1β, IL-8, and IL-12p70), and C-reactive proteins were analyzed. Energy restriction reduced body fat and other indicators of adiposity without differences between the groups. Only the control group increased LBPs after an 8-week intervention. There were no statistically significant differences found between the groups in terms of intestinal permeability and inflammatory markers. In conclusion, incorporating cashew nuts or cashew nut oil into an energy-restricted 8-week dietary intervention did not change intestinal permeability and inflammatory markers. As studies evaluating cashew nuts on these markers remain scarce, further research is needed, perhaps with a longer study period and a higher concentration of cashew nuts and oil.
Perception, Knowledge, and Consumption Potential of Crude and Refined Palm Oil in Brazilian Regions
Authors: Bispo Alana Moreira , Alves Agnes Sophia Braga , da Silva Edilene Ferreira , Krumreich Fernanda Doring , Nunes Itaciara Larroza , Ribeiro Camila Duarte Ferreira
Published: September 2024

Crude palm oil (CPO) is the most produced vegetable oil globally, with Brazil contributing only 0.74% of global production. Pará and Bahia account for more than 82% of Brazil’s output. Despite its widespread use in the food industry after refining, there is little research on CPO consumption and perception in Brazil, particularly regarding its nutritional aspects. This study, conducted between March and July 2022, explored Brazilians’ perceptions and the potential for CPO consumption. The results show that most participants are unfamiliar with CPO but view its nutrients favorably. Less than half regularly purchase CPO. Refined palm oil (RPO) is even less known, with many unaware that refining CPO can produce carcinogenic substances. The respondents showed little concern about RPO in their foods, rarely noticing its presence on labels. Despite limited knowledge, participants understand that refining reduces CPO’s health benefits, leading to a greater preference for crude oil over refined oil. This study highlights the need for better dissemination of information about CPO in Brazil, emphasizing its nutritional benefits and the importance of adhering to daily lipid intake limits. Adding CPO at the end of cooking or consuming it raw to preserve thermosensitive compounds is also recommended.
Unconventional Edible Plants of the Amazon: Bioactive Compounds, Health Benefits, Challenges, and Future Trends
Authors: Miranda Cynthia Tereza Corrêa da Silva , Soares Stephanie Dias , de Oliveira Williara Queiroz , Lima Adriana de Souza , Neri Numa Iramaia Angélica , Pastore Gláucia Maria
Published: September 2024

The pursuit of an improved quality of life is a major trend in the food market. This is driving the reformulation of the industry’s product portfolio, with the aim of providing nourishment while also contributing to beneficial health metabolic processes. In this context, the use of local biodiversity and the recovery of the traditional knowledge associated with the consumption of vegetables that grow spontaneously in nature emerge as more sustainable and nutritionally adequate concepts. The Amazon region is known for its abundant biodiversity, housing numerous unconventional food plants whose nutritional and biological properties remain unknown due to a lack of research. Among the different species are Xanthosoma sagittifolium, Acmella oleracea, Talinum triangulare, Pereskia bleo, Bidens bipinnata, and Costus spiralis. These species contain bioactive compounds such as apigenin, syringic acid, spilanthol, and lutein, which provide various health benefits. There are few reports on the biological effects, nutritional composition, bioactive compounds, and market prospects for these species. Therefore, this review provides an overview of their nutritional contribution, bioactive compounds, health benefits, and current market, as well as the use of new technologies that can contribute to the development of functional products/ingredients derived from them.
Phytochemical Profile of Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf Lemongrass Essential Oil from Northeastern Thailand and Its Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Attributes and Cytotoxic Effects on HT-29 Human Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cells
Authors: Luang-In Vijitra , Saengha Worachot , Karirat Thipphiya , Senakun Chadaporn , Siriamornpun Sirithon
Published: September 2024

Colorectal cancer is the third most prevalent cancer in Thailand, prompting the search for alternative or preventive treatments using natural constituents. In this study, the authors employed hydrodistillation to extract Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf (lemongrass) essential oil (LEO) from plants in northeastern Thailand and assessed its chemical profile, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. The LEO displayed potent antioxidant activities in DPPH and hydroxyl scavenging assays with IC50 values of 2.58 ± 0.08 and 4.05 ± 0.12 mg/mL, respectively, and demonstrated antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli, Cutibacterium acnes, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Staphylococcus aureus at 8–10 µg/mL. At 48 h, the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay showed the LEO exhibiting low cell viability (3%) at concentrations of 200–400 µg/mL, with an IC50 value of 82.46 ± 1.73 µg/mL, while in the clonogenic assay it exhibited a lower IC50 value of 23.11 ± 1.80 µg/mL. The GC-MS analysis identified citral (79.24%) consisting of 44.52% geranial and 34.72% neral, and β-myrcene (5.56%). The addition of LEO significantly influenced apoptotic genes (Bcl-2, Bax, p21, and Caspase-3) and proteins, as indicated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot studies. Results suggested that LEO initiated apoptosis through intrinsic pathways and demonstrated potential as a chemopreventive, antimicrobial, and antioxidant agent with substantial health advantages.
Preschool Children’s Dietary Patterns Are Associated with Food Shopping Establishments: The SENDO Project
Authors: Ródenas-Munar Marina , García Silvia , Cepeda Violeta , Martín-Calvo Nerea , Tur Josep A. , Bouzas Cristina
Published: September 2024

Background: Eating habits established during the preschool stage may last a lifetime, underlining the importance of choosing and purchasing healthy foods for proper nutrition. Aim: To assess the associations between place of food purchase and dietary intake and quality in Spanish preschool children. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was carried out within the framework of the SEguimiento del Niño para un Desarrollo Óptimo (SENDO) project. Data were collected using (1) the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), from which dietary nutrient intake and diet quality (NOVA System classification and KIDMED index) were analysed, and (2) the baseline food habits questionnaire, which asked about the food purchase outlet. Data were analysed by logistic regression, considering the intra-group correlation between siblings and using the type of food purchase outlet as a grouping variable. Results: Children from families shopping in hypermarkets consumed fewer nutrients, less minimally processed foods, as well as less fruit and vegetables than children from families shopping in specialised shops. Conclusions: Food shopping in specialised outlets can improve the quality of children’s diets, promoting healthier habits such as greater adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and increasing the consumption of minimally processed foods. This has a positive impact on children’s long-term health.
Pasta Incorporating Olive Pomace: Impact on Nutritional Composition and Consumer Acceptance of a Prototype
Authors: Ferreira Diana Melo , Oliveira Bárbara C. C. , Barbosa Carla , Costa Anabela S. G. , Nunes Maria Antónia , Oliveira Maria Beatriz P. P. , Alves Rita C.
Published: September 2024

The food industry is encouraged to develop new sustainable foodstuffs, and agri-food by-products can serve as valuable ingredients in these formulations. In this work, olive pomace (OP), a by-product of olive oil production, was incorporated as an ingredient in pasta. The changes in the nutritional composition and consumer acceptance were assessed, aiming to scale up the production. OP contains dietary fibre (55%), fat (9%), α-tocopherol (43 mg/kg), and oleic acid (76%) after moisture elimination. For that, the following two drying procedures were tested: 40 °C for 48 h (OP40) and 70 °C for 24 h (OP70). Both samples were sieved to remove the stone pieces. Drying at 70 °C (OP70) was the fastest method, revealed a better nutritional profile than OP40, and was the product selected for the incorporation into the pasta. The enriched pasta, containing 7.5% of OP70, was compared to a control. It showed an improved nutritional value with higher contents of fat, ash, fibre, vitamin E, oleic acid, phenolics, and flavonoids, a composition related to potential health benefits. Consumers appreciated the appearance, colour, shine, and aroma of the obtained pasta, making it a prototype with commercial viability. However, several improvements need to be implemented, namely, at the textural levels. Corrective actions, such as the optimisation of the amount of incorporated OP, the use of other ingredients for flavour masking, and textural adjustments, are advisable, thereby making this product more appealing and accepted by a larger number of consumers. This prototype can be a good approach for the circular economy, environmental sustainability, and food security.
Non-Additivity and Additivity in General Fractional Calculus and Its Physical Interpretations
Authors: Tarasov Vasily E.
Published: September 2024

In this work, some properties of the general convolutional operators of general fractional calculus (GFC), which satisfy analogues of the fundamental theorems of calculus, are described. Two types of general fractional (GF) operators on a finite interval exist in GFC that are conventionally called the L-type and T-type operators. The main difference between these operators is that the additivity property holds for T-type operators and is violated for L-type operators. This property is very important for the application of GFC in physics and other sciences. The presence or violation of the additivity property can be associated with qualitative differences in the behavior of physical processes and systems. In this paper, we define L-type line GF integrals and L-type line GF gradients. For these L-type operators, the gradient theorem is proved in this paper. In general, the L-type line GF integral over a simple line is not equal to the sum of the L-type line GF integrals over lines that make up the entire line. In this work, it is shown that there exist two cases when the additivity property holds for the L-type line GF integrals. In the first case, the L-type line GF integral along the line is equal to the sum of the L-type line GF integrals along parts of this line only if the processes, which are described by these lines, are independent. Processes are called independent if the history of changes in the subsequent process does not depend on the history of the previous process. In the second case, we prove the additivity property holds for the L-type line GF integrals, if the conditions of the GF gradient theorems are satisfied.
Facile Formation of Multifunctional Biomimetic Hydrogel Fibers for Sensing Applications
Authors: Jia Mengwei , Guan Mingle , Yao Ryan , Qing Yuan , Hou Xiaoya , Zhang Jie
Published: September 2024

To face the challenges in preparing hydrogel fibers with complex structures and functions, this study utilized a microfluidic coaxial co-extrusion technique to successfully form functional hydrogel fibers through rapid ionic crosslinking. Functional hydrogel fibers with complex structures, including linear fibers, core–shell structure fibers, embedded helical channels, hollow tubes, and necklaces, were generated by adjusting the composition of internal and external phases. The characteristic parameters of the hydrogel fibers (inner and outer diameter, helix generation position, pitch, etc.) were achieved by adjusting the flow rate of the internal and external phases. As biocompatible materials, hydrogel fibers were endowed with electrical conductivity, temperature sensitivity, mechanical enhancement, and freeze resistance, allowing for their use as temperature sensors for human respiratory monitoring and other biomimetic application developments. The hydrogel fibers had a conductivity of up to 22.71 S/m, a response time to respiration of 37 ms, a recovery time of 1.956 s, and could improve the strength of respiration; the tensile strength at break up to 8.081 MPa, elongation at break up to 159%, and temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) up to −13.080% °C−1 were better than the existing related research.
Chitosan/Sodium Alginate Hydrogel for the Release of Berberine as an Algae Suppressant: RSM Optimization and Analysis of Sustained Release Characteristics
Authors: Wang Yingjun , Wu Mengting , Tang Panyang , Jiang Dongmei
Published: September 2024

In this study, we used chitosan/sodium alginate hydrogel as a carrier to prepare berberine sustained-release capsule materials that can inhibit algae for a long time and safely. The preparation conditions of the material were optimized by the response surface method, and the optimized capsule material was characterized and the sustained release characteristics were analyzed to study the change of the algae inhibition effect of the material within 30 days. The results showed that the optimum preparation parameters of the material were 0.54% chitosan content, 2.46% sodium alginate content and 1.09% anhydrous calcium chloride content by response surface optimization design, which was consistent with the parameters set by each factor at the central point. The algae inhibition rate of the material under this preparation condition was 93.75 ± 1.01%, which was similar to the predicted value. The release characteristics analysis showed that the material continuously released up to 90% of berberine within 24 days, and its release characteristics were sustained release after burst release, with good sustained release effect. The results of material characterization showed that chitosan/sodium alginate hydrogel could effectively load berberine and was beneficial to the loading and release of berberine. The results of algae inhibition experiments showed that low concentration materials could control the outbreak of cyanobacterial blooms in a short time, while under high concentration conditions, the materials could inhibit Microcystis aeruginosa efficiently and for a long time.
Unraveling the Impact of the Oil Phase on the Physicochemical Stability and Skin Permeability of Melatonin Gel Formulations
Authors: Torrado Juan J. , Anaya Brayan J. , Kara Aytug , Ongoren Baris , Esteban-Ruiz Sofía , Laguna Almudena , Guillén Alicia , Saro Miguel G. , Serrano Dolores R.
Published: September 2024

Melatonin’s antioxidant properties make it a valuable component in anti-aging semisolid topical products. This study explores the role of Pemulen®, an acrylic-based viscosifying agent, in stabilizing cream-gel formulations. Remarkably, even at low concentrations (0.4%), Pemulen® successfully produced physicochemical stable topical formulations. In this work, the impact of the ratio of the oily phase—comprising olive oil and isopropyl myristate from 0 to 20%—was investigated to understand the internal microstructure effect on skin permeability, rheological properties, and stability. The formulations exhibited pseudoplastic behavior, with a significant positive correlation (p-value < 0.1) between the oily phase ratio, viscosity, spreadability, skin adhesiveness, and permeability. Formulations without the oil phase exhibited greater skin permeability. However, higher oily phase content enhanced viscosity, spreadability, and skin adhesion. Given that melatonin primarily degrades through oxidation, incorporating antioxidant excipients in semisolid formulations is crucial for maintaining its chemical stability. A quality by design (QbD) approach was used to assess the impact of four excipients—(a) DL-α-tocopheryl acetate (0.05%), (b) ascorbic acid (0.1%), (c) ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (0.1%), and (d) sodium metabisulphite (0.5%)—on melatonin’s stability. Our findings indicate that maintaining the physical stability of the formulation with a 20% oil phase is more critical for protecting melatonin from oxidation than merely adding antioxidant excipients.
Gendered Labor Continuum: Immigrant Mothers Confronting Uncertainty and Pandemic Constraints
Authors: Ugarte Villalobos Daniela , Gul Pelin
Published: September 2024

The literature on migration shows that legal status in receiving countries shapes immigrant experiences. While these studies effectively address the impact of precarious legal statuses on immigrant experiences, they often examine women’s labor in public and private spheres separately. Yet, women’s lives have long involved a continuum of paid and unpaid labor. The COVID-19 pandemic brought this continuum into sharp focus by spotlighting the influence of home and work dynamics. This study explores how immigrant women’s labor in both public and private spheres are interconnected. Drawing on 18 initial interviews with Venezuelan mothers in NYC from 2020, and 13 follow-up interviews in 2024, we examine the impacts of structural forces on these women’s labor arrangements and their strategies to navigate these impacts during and after the pandemic. Our findings reveal that while pandemic restrictions disrupted traditional labor market dynamics, they simultaneously intensified women’s engagement in domestic roles. Despite this, the mothers exercised agency by exiting the labor market and engaging in patriarchal bargaining at home. Post-pandemic, they lost access to the coping strategy, and their improved legal status did little to alleviate their labor struggles. This study highlights the significance of a “gendered labor continuum” in contexts that lack institutional support and undervalue immigrant women’s labor.
The Relationship between Training Load and Injury Risk in Basketball: A Systematic Review
Authors: Chan Chi-Chung , Yung Patrick Shu-Hang , Mok Kam-Ming
Published: September 2024

The relationship between training load and injury risk in basketball is an important area in sports injury prevention and performance enhancement; however, there is limited conclusive evidence of their associations. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the evidence of the relationship between training load and injury risk in basketball, which is one of the most common sports worldwide. This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted on the PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases up until March 2024. The search aimed to identify studies that prospectively and/or retrospectively examined the relationship between training load and injury risk in basketball. Inclusion criteria were limited to studies published before February 2024. The quality of each study was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale and Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine levels of evidence. A narrative synthesis of the findings was performed. A total of 14 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Of these, 11 studies reported at least partially statistically significant results, providing evidence of a relationship between training load and injury risk. In conclusion, the findings of this review suggest a clear relationship between training load and injury risk in basketball.
The Impact of Assessment of Nurses’ Experiences in Thoracic Surgery in Onco-Hematological Patients
Authors: Messina Gaetana , Natale Giovanni , Sagnelli Caterina , Vicidomini Giovanni , Mancino Diana , Cerullo Giuseppe , De Gregorio Simona , De Angelis Sabrina , Otranto Carmela , Leonardi Beatrice , Dattolo Silvia , Giorgiano Noemi Maria , De Masi Andrea , Esposito Francesco , Puca Maria Antonietta , Vicario Giuseppe , Fiorelli Alfonso , Sica Antonello
Published: September 2024

Background: Nowadays, Thoracic Surgery is technologically advanced; therefore, it also focuses its attention on nursing care. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of the assessment of a dedicated team of nurses (DTN) in all onco-hematological patients undergoing VATS lobectomy for lung cancer on the outcome of the patient, preventing pressure injuries, reducing perioperative stress, duration of operations, complications, and hospital stay times. Methods: We performed a single-center observational retrospective study, including 31 DTN and 760 onco-hematological patients who underwent thoracic surgery between 30 October 2018 and 30 June 2023 at “Vanvitelli” University of Naples. Results: DTN ensures good nursing care before, during, and after surgery. Operative time was reduced by approximately 20 min, decreasing hospital infections in the DNT period and reducing intraoperative complications such as bleeding and hospital costs (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Thoracic surgery nurses require more specialized training to adapt to the development of sophisticated.