bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Vitamin D Supplementation in Critically Ill Patients—A Narrative Review of Randomized Controlled Trials Published in the Last 5 Years
Authors: Wang Shan , Ren Ruodi , Wang Kunkun , Leo Christopher , Li Mengyan , Chow Allison , Yang Andrew K. , Lu Yun
Published: February 2025

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among intensive care unit (ICU) patients is potentially associated with an increased risk of mechanical ventilation, sepsis, prolonged hospital stays, and mortality. Although ICU patient care has significantly improved in recent years, the role of vitamin D supplementation remains under investigation. A literature review was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases, focusing on randomized controlled trials published in the past five years on vitamin D supplementation in adult ICU patients. Patients’ baseline vitamin D levels, administration routes, doses, biomarker changes, mechanical ventilation duration, length of hospital stay, and mortality were analyzed. Although vitamin D supplementation appears safe and may reduce ICU stay duration and mechanical ventilation time and improve SOFA scores, its impact on overall mortality remains uncertain. Routine supplementation for all ICU patients is not currently recommended; clinical decisions should consider individual baseline vitamin D levels, patient characteristics, severity of illness, doses, and administration methods.
Genetic Diversity of Potential Drug Resistance Markers in Plasmodium vivax Isolates from Panama, Mesoamerica
Authors: Vásquez Vanessa , Santamaría Ana María , Moreno Dianik , Ruíz Fergie , Rigg Chystrie A. , Chaves Luis F. , Calzada José E.
Published: February 2025

This study evaluated the genetic diversity and potential drug resistance markers in Plasmodium vivax isolates from Panama, a country in Mesoamerica, aiming to eliminate local malaria transmission. We analyzed 70 P. vivax samples collected between 2004 and 2020 from endemic regions in Eastern and Western Panama, as well as imported cases. Four drug resistance genes (pvcrt-o, pvmdr1, pvdhfr, and pvdhps) were sequenced and analyzed. Our findings reveal low genetic diversity in P. vivax populations from Western Panama, indicating clonal expansion, while Eastern Panama exhibits higher diversity, influenced by higher transmission rates and imported cases. No mutations were detected in pvcrt-o, and the prevalence of pvmdr1 mutations (Y976F and F1076L) linked to chloroquine was observed at low frequencies, primarily in imported samples. In pvdhfr, antifolate-resistant mutations S117N and S58R were detected in 14.3% of samples, predominantly from Eastern Panama near the Colombian border. Phylogenetic and haplotype network analyses highlighted distinct genetic clustering, supporting the influence of imported cases on local parasite diversity. These results provide a baseline for the molecular surveillance of P. vivax in Panama and emphasize the need for the continued monitoring of genetic diversity and drug resistance to guide regional malaria elimination efforts, particularly in areas with high cross-border migration.
Beyond the Pet-Effect—Examining Bio-Psychosocial Aspects of Pet Ownership and Introducing the “Aunty Phenomenon”
Authors: Smetaczek Christine , Stetina Birgit Ursula
Published: February 2025

Human–animal relationships have long been idealized as universally positive, but recent studies highlight the complexities and contradictions inherent in this bond. This study re-analyzes previously published data to examine the nuanced effects of pet ownership on human well-being, particularly under stressful circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a mixed-methods approach, data from three independent surveys (n = 840) were re-analyzed to explore the bio-psychosocial implications of pet companionship. Key instruments included the Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS). Results revealed that pet ownership was significantly associated with higher levels of psychosocial stress, challenging the assumption that pets universally improve quality of life. Notably, individuals with current pet ownership reported lower quality of life compared to non-owners. However, qualitative analyses illustrated perceived emotional and social support among pet owners, reflecting the “pet-effect paradox.” Mental health variables such as depression and loneliness emerged as stronger predictors of well-being than pet attachment. This study introduces the “Aunty Phenomenon” as a conceptual framework to describe the idealization of pet relationships, while acknowledging the responsibilities they entail. These findings underscore the importance of a holistic approach to human–animal bond research.
Fibre Lasers: Promising Solutions
Authors: Kobtsev Sergey
Published: February 2025

This work analyses promising solutions for controlling the output radiation properties of fibre lasers. The design of fibre lasers is radically different from that of other laser types. This is why many conventionally used solutions and approaches are incompatible with fibre lasers. Furthermore, fibre lasers following “all-fibre” designs also allow certain solutions that are impossible in other types of lasers. This work discusses those solutions, highlighting the promising applications for all-fibre lasers. Both the advantages and disadvantages of the very low sensitivity of the fibre laser cavities to the external factors are covered. Solutions that are already available commercially or may be expected to be in the near future are highlighted. Various aspects of sensor and communications applications of fibre lasers are discussed.
Overcoming Dormancy of Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) Seeds Using Various Non-Thermal Plasma Sources
Authors: Scholtz Vladimír , Jirešová Jana , Khun Josef , Czapka Tomasz , Julák Jaroslav , Klenivskyi Myron
Published: February 2025

Black locust (Fabaceae family) seeds are known for their strong dormant state and are an excellent candidate for studying and developing methods to break dormancy. We investigated overcoming the dormancy using several different sources of non-thermal plasma, which, by modifying, etching, or disrupting the waxy seed coat, allowed water to penetrate the seeds and initiate germination. All plasma sources tested enhanced seed germination to varying degrees, with over 80% germination observed when using a dielectric barrier discharge, while control seeds showed no germination. Non-thermal plasma treatment significantly decreased the water contact angle of the seed surface from an initial 120° (for untreated seeds) to complete wetting when using a dielectric barrier discharge or atmospheric-pressure plasma jet. The experiments indicate two mechanisms for the modification of the waxy seed coat by a non-thermal plasma: hydrophilization of the wax surface through the binding of oxygen particles and etching of narrow channels in the wax layer, allowing water to penetrate the seed.
Determination of Morphological and Quality Characteristics of Naturally Growing Thymus kotschyanus Boiss. & Hohen. var. kotschyanus Populations Around of Van/Türkiye
Authors: Nohutçu Lütfi , Tunçtürk Murat , Tunçtürk Rüveyde , Şelem Ezelhan , Eroğlu Hüseyin
Published: February 2025

In this study, morphological and quality characteristics (nutritional value, EO ratio and content, TPC, TFC, and TAA) of 12 different naturally growing populations (T1 to T12) of Thymus kotschyanus var. kotschyanus were investigated. In the case of macro and micro nutrients, all the populations have a rich ingredient, and for heavy metal content, all population results are within limits. The percentage of essential oils in the population varied between 0.43% to 4.66% (v/w). Thymol was the most abundant compound in the whole population and the percentage of thymol ranged from 4.07% to 81.15%. In the study, eight populations had more than 50% thymol content and the maximum percentage was recorded from the T1 population (81.15%). The total phenolic compound ranged from 152.81 to 195.23 mg GAE/g of dry extract and total flavonoid content ranged from 145.24 to 382.74 mg QE/100 g. Total antioxidant activity varies between 78.43 and 228.55 µmol TE/g and the highest value was obtained from population T7. PCA analysis was carried out to determine the morphological and quality parameters of the populations. Four populations were superior to others for morphological analysis and two populations were superior to others for quality analysis. According to the result of the study, the T10 population has higher yield and quality compared to other populations.
Delayed Vegetation Mortality After Wildfire: Insights from a Mediterranean Ecosystem
Authors: Calderisi Giulia , Rossetti Ivo , Cogoni Donatella , Fenu Giuseppe
Published: February 2025

Wildfires, one of the most important ecological disturbances, influence the composition and dynamics of ecosystems all around the world. Changes in fire regimes brought on by climate change are making their effects worse by increasing the frequency and size of fires. This study examined the issue of delayed mortality at the species and community levels, concentrating on Mediterranean forests dominated by Quercus ilex and Quercus suber. This research examined areas lacking spectral recovery following a megafire, which, although relatively small compared to the total burned area, represented significant ecological disturbances. The results highlighted distinct post-fire dynamics at both the woodland and species levels. Q. ilex experienced higher delayed mortality, particularly in areas of lower fire severity (NR), likely due to increased intra-specific competition. Because of its thick bark, which offers stronger fire resistance and encourages regeneration even in high-severity fire zones (HR), Q. suber showed greater resilience. Responses from the shrub layer varied, and some species, such as Pteridium aquilinum and Cytisus villosus, showed post-fire proliferation. To improve our knowledge of ecosystem resilience and guide forest management in fire-prone areas, these findings highlight the intricacy of post-fire ecological processes and the need to integrate species-specific features with more general community-level patterns.
Hyperspectral Imaging and Machine Learning for Diagnosing Rice Bacterial Blight Symptoms Caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, Pantoea ananatis and Enterobacter asburiae
Authors: Zhang Meng , Tang Shuqi , Lin Chenjie , Lin Zichao , Zhang Liping , Dong Wei , Zhong Nan
Published: February 2025

In rice, infections caused by Pantoea ananatis or Enterobacter asburiae closely resemble the bacterial blight induced by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, yet they differ in drug resistance and management strategies. This study explores the potential of combining hyperspectral imaging (HSI) with machine learning for the rapid and accurate detection of rice bacterial blight symptoms caused by various pathogens. One-dimensional convolutional neural networks (1DCNNs) were employed to construct a classification model, integrating various spectral preprocessing techniques and feature selection algorithms for comparison. To enhance model robustness and mitigate overfitting due to limited spectral samples, generative adversarial networks (GANs) were utilized to augment the dataset. The results indicated that the 1DCNN model, after feature selection using uninformative variable elimination (UVE), achieved an accuracy of 86.11% and an F1 score of 0.8625 on the five-class dataset. However, the dominance of Pantoea ananatis in mixed bacterial samples negatively impacted classification performance. After removing mixed-infection samples, the model attained an accuracy of 97.06% and an F1 score of 0.9703 on the four-class dataset, demonstrating high classification accuracy across different pathogen-induced infections. Key spectral bands were identified at 420–490 nm, 610–670 nm, 780–850 nm, and 910–940 nm, facilitating pathogen differentiation. This study presents a precise, non-destructive approach to plant disease detection, offering valuable insights into disease prevention and management in precision agriculture.
Experimental Investigation of Rotating Wheel Speed and Regeneration Temperature Effects on Marine Dual-Stage Desiccant Dehumidification Fresh-Air Pre-Treatment System Performance
Authors: Yang Guanghai , Yu Wensheng , Chen Wu , Jiao Shilong
Published: February 2025

Marine air-conditioning systems face high energy consumption, particularly in humid marine environments. This study is an experimental investigation of the effects of rotating wheel speed and regeneration temperature on the performance of the system, which is a dual-stage desiccant dehumidification fresh-air pre-treatment system using ship waste heat as the regeneration heat source and seawater-assisted cooling to improve the efficiency of energy use. The results showed that the dehumidification capacity and efficiency of the system improved with an increase in the rotating wheel speed from 6 to 10 r/h and in the regeneration temperature from 80 °C to 110 °C. Optimal performance was achieved with a rotating wheel speed of 10 r/h and a regeneration temperature of 110 °C, balancing the maximum dehumidification capacity, energy efficiency, and waste heat utilization.
Comparison of Bacterial Healing Performances of Cave Bacteria and Sporosarcina pasteurii in Cement-Based Mortar
Authors: Ali Issam , Canpolat Orhan , Doğruöz Güngör Nihal , Yüzer Nabi , Uysal Mücteba , Tanyıldızı Harun , Ziada Mahmoud , Al Hayo Bashar
Published: February 2025

This research aims to study the bacterial healing process of cement mortar samples exposed to durability effects using bacteria characterized by their ability to precipitate calcium carbonate. Sporosarcina pasteurii is widely used for bacterial healing. This research investigates the performance of S. pasteurii with five types of bacteria isolated from caves (Viridibacillus arenosi, Streptomyces spororaveus, Bacillus zhangzhouensis, Stenotrophomonas rhizophila, and Serratia quinivorans). Cement mortar samples were exposed to high temperatures and freeze–thaw effects to create microcracks. Microcracks were also induced by applying flexural strength loads. Then, the formed microcracks were healed using spraying and injection of the bacterial solution for the first group for 90 days. The control and healed samples were assessed using flexural and compressive strength, water absorption, capillary water absorption, and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) tests. Microstructural analysis was also conducted to evaluate the bacterial healing products. Subsequently, statistical analysis was performed using the results of these tests to compare the various bacterial efficiencies. As a result of the statistical analysis, the total efficiency scores obtained in the statistical analysis were 119 for Stenotrophomonas rhizophila, 112 for Viridibacillus arenosi, and 105 for S. pasteurii. Thus, Stenotrophomonas rhizophila and Viridibacillus arenosi showed the best healing performance compared to the other types of bacteria.
Root Cause Analysis for Observed Increased Sedimentation in a Commercial Residue Hydrocracker
Authors: Shishkova Ivelina , Stratiev Dicho , Kirov Petko , Dinkov Rosen , Sotirov Sotir , Sotirova Evdokia , Bureva Veselina , Atanassov Krassimir , Toteva Vesislava , Vasilev Svetlin , Yordanov Dobromir , Nikolova Radoslava , Veli Anife
Published: February 2025

Ebullated bed vacuum residue hydrocracking is a well-established technology providing a high conversion level of low-value residue fractions in high-value light fuels. The main challenge in this technology when processing vacuum residues derived from different crude oils is the sediment formation rate that leads to equipment fouling and cycle length shortening. With the severity enhancement, the asphaltenes become more aromatic and less soluble which leads to sediment formation when the difference between solubility parameters of asphaltenes and maltenes goes beyond a threshold value. Although theoretical models have been developed to predict asphaltene precipitation, the great diversity of oils makes it impossible to embrace the full complexity of oil chemistry by any theoretical model making it impractical for using it in all applications. The evaluation of process data of a commercial ebullated bed vacuum residue hydrocracker, properties of different feeds, and product streams by intercriteria and regression analyses enabled us to decipher the reason for hydrocracked oil sediment content rising from 0.06 to 1.15 wt.%. The ICrA identified the presence of statistically meaningful relations between the single variables, while the regression analysis revealed the combination of variables having a statistically meaningful effect on sediment formation rate. In this study, vacuum residues derived from 16 crude oils have been hydrocracked as blends, which also contain fluid catalytic cracking heavy cycle oil and slurry oil (SLO), in a commercial H-Oil plant. It was found that the hydrocracked oil sediment content decreased exponentially with fluid catalytic cracking slurry oil augmentation. It was also established that it increased with the magnification of resin and asphaltene and the reduction in sulfur contents in the H-Oil feed.
Salt Removal and Peptide Recovery by Crossflow Membrane Filtration of Calanus finmarchicus Hydrolysate
Authors: Manamperuma Lelum Duminda , Dibdiakova Janka , Kjønnø Ocelie , Rusten Bjørn , Matic Josipa , Wubshet Sileshi Gizachew , Vik Eilen Arctander
Published: February 2025

Crossflow membrane separation was used as a scalable downstream process for the up concentrate of low-molecular-weight peptides and for the removal of salt (NaCl) from Calanus finmarchicus hydrolysate. Membrane processes are increasingly used for various applications in both upstream and downstream processing. The C. finmarchicus hydrolysate was prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis, followed by crossflow separation. The stepwise membrane nanofiltration of hydrolysate contributed to a progressive reduction in salt in the hydrolysate. The salt concentration in the concentrates decreased by 34%, 53%, and 75%, highlighting the efficiency of the filtration process in separating NaCl from peptides. This gradual reduction in salt concentration suggests that the membrane effectively facilitated NaCl removal while retaining peptides. Briefly, 75% NaCl removal was achieved, with peptide recovery reaching 57% using an NFX membrane in crossflow filtration.
Re-Examining Issues in the Study of Korean Buddhism: Questions Related to Degeneration of Chosŏn Buddhism, Colonialism, and Doctrine-Based Approaches
Authors: Kim Sung-Eun Thomas , Bang Won-il
Published: February 2025

When the historical past in the study of Chosŏn Buddhism is unearthed, one would discover that Buddhist studies was in fact closely tied to Korea’s recent history of colonization by Japan and to the postcolonial influences of the West. This paper is an effort to re-examine the modern study of Korean Buddhism to trace the effects of past colonial forces that Korean Buddhist studies have experienced. The process of Japanese colonization of Korea was similar to the pattern of subjugation initially adopted by the early European discoverers, where academic developments synchronized with the colonizing process—the labeling of the subject culture as primitive and inferior as a basis and justification for colonization. In the past, it was claimed Korean folk religions and Buddhism were rife with cultic and superstitious practices, signs of backwardness, which coincided with the view that Korean society and people were underdeveloped and uncivilized. This paper, after discussions of the colonization process and its connection to the study of Korean Buddhism, makes an argument for a shift in the methodological approach to the study of Chosŏn Buddhism from an etic to an emic approach by taking into account how Buddhism was practiced on the ground and situated within the historical context of the Chosŏn period.
Youth Being Ignored or Sidelined Is Identity Denied
Authors: Nel Malan
Published: February 2025

It has happened so many times in history: the youth being ignored or sidelined. Such behaviour was and is often motivated by culture. In most cultures, the youth, children, and adolescents are important and loved; however, in society and churches, they are on the sideline, until culture determines their real belonging. The theological departure point of inclusivity has just not been taken yet. In this article will be argued that however natural cultural behaviour might be, to ignore or sideline children and adolescents is to deny our Christian identity as the church of God. In God’s mind, children are included even before they are born. They may be man-and-woman-made, but in fact, they are God-made (Psalm 127 verse 3). They may not even have been part of a man-and-woman-made plan. Coming into being, whether planned or unplanned, does not catch God off-guard. Being is a gift of God, not only to a parent or parents but to the faith community. A theological understanding of our identity as the people of God compels us not and never to ignore or sideline the youth at any stage of life.
A Comparative Analysis of Attitudes Toward Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Minority People
Authors: Rye B. J. , Goldszmidt Rebecca
Published: February 2025

Attitudes toward sexual and gender minority people is a generative field of study leading to theoretical and practical advances. Adding to this body of literature, we sought to investigate relationships between attitudes toward different sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) minority groups. University student participants (N = 495) were asked to rate 11 targets using a 101-point feeling thermometer scale. The targets included trans, bisexual, asexual, and polyamorous men and women, along with lesbians, gay men, and gender non-conforming persons. Heterosexual men and women targets were included for comparison. Analyses addressed two main question areas: (1) Were the various SOGI minority targets rated similarly/differently? (2) Do ratings of the targets differ as a function of target and participant demographic characteristics? Generally, SOGI ratings were favourable (78–85%) except for polyamorous targets (66%). While there were some statistically significant rating differences between some SOGI targets (e.g., lesbians were rated more favourably than asexual women; 85% versus 83%, respectively), data reduction analyses (i.e., Principal Components Analysis) with the 11 SOGI target ratings supported the possibility of aggregating attitudes into a single SOGI target group variable. The second research goal involved exploring whether ratings differed as a function of participant characteristics, including sexual orientation, gender, and religiosity. The analysis revealed that attitudes significantly differed based on all three participant factors. In general, those who rated the targets most favourably were those who were queer, women, or not-at-all religious. However, the SOGI target gender did not result in differences in target ratings (e.g., asexual women and asexual men were equal). The findings further the literature on attitudes toward various SOGI minorities, providing support for the theory that there is a latent factor underlying perceiver attitudes toward SOGI minorities and indicating a need to consider demographic characteristics of social perceivers.
Comparing the Use of Ant Colony Optimization and Genetic Algorithms to Organize Kitting Systems Within Green Supply Chain Management Practices
Authors: Şenaras Onur Mesut , İnanç Şahin , Eren Şenaras Arzu , Öngen Bilir Burcu
Published: February 2025

As product diversity continues to expand in today’s market, there is an increasing demand from customers for unique and varied items. Meeting these demands necessitates the transfer of different sub-product components to the production line, even within the same manufacturing process. Lean manufacturing has addressed these challenges through the development of kitting systems that streamline the handling of diverse components. However, to ensure that these systems contribute to sustainable practices, it is crucial to design and implement them with environmental considerations in mind. The optimization of warehouse layouts and kitting preparation areas is essential for achieving sustainable and efficient logistics. To this end, we propose a comprehensive study aimed at developing the optimal layout, that is, creating warehouse layouts and kitting preparation zones that minimize waste, reduce energy consumption, and improve the flow of materials. The problem of warehouse location assignment is classified as NP-hard, and the complexity increases significantly when both storage and kitting layouts are considered simultaneously. This study aims to address this challenge by employing the genetic algorithm (GA) and Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) methods to design a system that minimizes energy consumption. Through the implementation of genetic algorithms (GAs), a 24% improvement was observed. This enhancement was achieved by simultaneously optimizing both the warehouse layout and the kitting area, demonstrating the effectiveness of integrated operational strategies. This substantial reduction not only contributes to lower operational costs but also aligns with sustainability goals, highlighting the importance of efficient material handling practices in modern logistics operations. This article provides a significant contribution to the field of sustainable logistics by addressing the vital role of kitting systems within green supply chain management practices. By aligning logistics operations with sustainability goals, this study not only offers practical insights but also advances the broader conversation around environmentally conscious supply chain practices.
Unlocking Essential Oils’ Potential as Sustainable Food Additives: Current State and Future Perspectives for Industrial Applications
Authors: Bautista-Hernández Israel , Gómez-García Ricardo , Martínez-Ávila Guillermo Cristian Guadalupe , Medina-Herrera Nancy , González-Hernández María Dolores
Published: February 2025

Essential oils (EOs) comprise a relevant bioactive fraction from diverse plant sources and vegetable tissues. Their beneficial properties have been mainly related to the presence of bioactive molecules such as monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, among others, with beneficial properties against critical issues in the food industry that could promote sustainable production beyond organoleptic boosters. This review collects up-to-date information concerning EOs and their bioactive applications in the food field. In addition, a bibliometric analysis was applied to scientific and intellectual property databases to elucidate the current technological trends for EOs in the food sector. Thus, the current information on the evaluation of EOs in food systems has demonstrated that their application guarantees safe and high-quality foods, as they have the potential to partially replace some of the conventional synthetic antioxidants and antimicrobial agents according to sustainable trends.
The Synergy of Entrepreneurial Leadership and Team Diversity: Pathways to Entrepreneurial Success in Pakistan’s SMEs
Authors: Rehman Khalid , Lim Kah Boon , Yeo Sook Fern , Ameeq Muhammad , Asad Ullah Muhammad
Published: February 2025

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in fostering economic growth and sustainability, requiring a deliberate emphasis on innovation and applying knowledge to navigate ever-changing markets. This study, grounded in resource-based view (RBV) theory, explores the synergy of entrepreneurial leadership and team diversity, exploring pathways to entrepreneurial success in Pakistan’s SMEs. This study employed a cross-sectional design, utilizing a non-probability convenience sampling approach to survey 350 owners, supervisors, managers, and employees of SMEs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Data were gathered through a survey questionnaire and subsequently analyzed using SPSS and SMART-PLS to validate the measurement model and examine the hypotheses for moderated analysis. The results indicated a significant moderating influence. Entrepreneurial leadership accounted for 15.8% of the variation in entrepreneurial success, while team diversity contributed 8.5%. Moreover, the moderating influence of team diversity substantially affected ES (59.7%), underscoring the pivotal role of team diversity in the interplay between EL and ES. Drawing from RBV theory, this study advances the framework by acknowledging that team diversity is a crucial element that strengthens the connections between EL and ES. This study enhances the existing literature by clarifying the mechanisms by which leadership and diversity collaboratively promote entrepreneurial outcomes. This highlights the necessity for SME leaders and policymakers to utilize team diversity as a strategic asset to improve competitive advantage and ensure sustainable success.
Biopolymer-Based Microencapsulation of Bioactive Compounds: Evaluation of the Impact of Encapsulated Compound Characteristics on Process Efficiency
Authors: Hamid Sarah , Moussa Hamza , Mahdjoub Mohamed Malik , Berrabah Ismail , Djihad Nadjet , Attia Amel , Oukil Naima Fadloun , Bouhenna Mustapha Mounir , Tahraoui Hichem , Amrane Abdeltif
Published: February 2025

Complex coacervation using proteins and polysaccharides enables efficient microencapsulation with high thermal stability, facilitating continuous core component release and yielding coacervates with superior properties for diverse applications. This study investigates the use of casein and pectin for microencapsulating Ocimum basilicum L. essential oil (EO) and phenolic extract (PE). Microencapsulation yield and efficiency were 85.3% and 89.8% for EO microcapsules (EO-MC) and 53.1% and 70.0% for PE microcapsules (PE-MC). Optical microscopy revealed spherical microcapsules; EO-MC had smooth surfaces, while PE-MC had porous surfaces. Thermal analysis showed stability, with both types exhibiting two stages of weight loss. XRD analysis indicated increased crystallinity in EO-MC and high crystallinity in PE-MC due to phenolic interactions. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed molecular interactions, including hydrogen bonding between phenolic compounds and the biopolymer matrix and amide bonds between the carboxyl groups of pectin and the amino groups of casein, ensuring the successful encapsulation of the bioactive compounds. These findings highlight the potential of casein and pectin for microencapsulating extracts, particularly EOs, for food industry applications.
Privacy-Preserving and Verifiable Personalized Federated Learning
Authors: Xie Dailin , Li Dan
Published: February 2025

As an important branch of machine learning, federated learning still suffers from statistical heterogeneity. Therefore, personalized federated learning (PFL) is proposed to deal with this obstacle. However, the privacy of local and global gradients is still under threat in the scope of PFL. Additionally, the correctness of the aggregated result is unable to be identified. Therefore, we propose a secure and verifiable personalized federated learning protocol that could protect privacy using homomorphic encryption and verify the aggregated result using Lagrange interpolation and commitment. Furthermore, it could resist the collusion attacks performed by servers and clients who try to pass verification. Comprehensive theoretical analysis is provided to verify our protocol’s security. Extensive experiments on MNIST, Fashion-MNIST and CIFAR-10 are carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of our protocol. Our model achieved accuracies of 88.25% in CIFAR-10, 99.01% in MNIST and 96.29% in Fashion-MNIST. The results show that our protocol could improve security while maintaining the classification accuracy of the training model.
Association Between Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and All-Cause Mortality in Diabetic Patients: Insights from a National Cohort Study and Toxicogenomic Analysis
Authors: Wei Zhengxiao , Chen Jinyu , Mei Xue , Yu Yi
Published: February 2025

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of environmental contaminants associated with various health risks; however, their relationship with all-cause mortality in individuals with diabetes remains unclear. A total of 1256 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included to explore the association between seven PFAS compounds and all-cause mortality in diabetic patients. Preliminary logistic regression identified three PFAS compounds (perfluorooctanoic acid [PFOA], perfluorooctane sulfonic acid [PFOS], and 2-(N-methyl-PFOSA) acetate acid [MPAH]) as significantly associated with mortality in the diabetic population. The optimal cut-off values for PFOS, PFOA, and MPAH were determined using the X-tile algorithm, and participants were categorized into high- and low-exposure groups. Kaplan–Meier survival curves and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the relationship between PFAS levels and mortality risk. The results showed that high levels of PFOS were significantly associated with increased all-cause mortality risk in diabetic patients (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–2.29), while PFOA and MPAH showed no significant associations. To explore mechanisms underlying the PFOS–mortality link, toxicogenomic analysis identified 95 overlapping genes associated with PFOS exposure and diabetes-related mortality using the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD) and GeneCards. Functional enrichment analysis revealed key biological processes, such as glucose homeostasis and response to peptide hormone, with pathways including the longevity regulating pathway, apoptosis, and p53 signaling pathway. Protein–protein interaction network analysis identified 10 hub genes, and PFOS was found to upregulate or downregulate their mRNA expression, protein activity, or protein expression, with notable effects on mRNA levels. These findings suggest that PFOS exposure contributes to increased mortality risk in diabetic patients through pathways related to glucose metabolism, apoptosis, and cellular signaling. Our study provides new insights into the association between PFAS and all-cause mortality in diabetes, highlighting the need for large-scale cohort studies and further in vivo and in vitro experiments to validate these findings.
N-Glycosylation Profile of Abrin Certified EU Reference Material
Authors: Josuran Roland , Wenger Andreas , Worbs Sylvia , Kampa Bettina , Rummel Andreas , Dorner Brigitte G. , Gerber Sabina
Published: February 2025

Abrin is a highly toxic plant protein encompassing four isoforms, abrin-a, -b, -c and -d. An abrin reference material was isolated from Abrus precatorius and certified (EURM-113) by the EuroBioTox consortium. Here, we present a detailed characterisation of the N-glycosylation profile of EURM-113. The monosaccharide composition of the N-glycans was determined and quantified. Release of the N-glycans yielded 13 different partially xylosylated, oligomannosidic and paucimannosidic glycan structures. Two N-glycans were found at N82 and N110 of the abrin-b A-chain and another two at N100 and N140 of the B-chains. The N-glycosylation sites N200 in the A-chain and N141 in the B-chain were non-glycosylated. Whereas N82 and N110 of abrin-b comprised paucimannosidic glycans, N100 and N140 of the B-chains revealed oligomannosidic N-glycans. Xylose was absent in the glycans at N100 but was present in about half of the glycans at N140. Hence, this study revealed substantially different types of glycan structures within the B-chains compared to the abrin-b A-chain. Furthermore, the most C-terminal N-glycosylation site in the A-chain was found to be non-glycosylated in all abrin isoforms detected. Additionally, the establishment of the N-glycosylation profile of the abrin reference material led to the identification of the abrin isoforms -a, -b and -c. In conclusion, the abrin N-glycosylation profile is highly similar to the one of ricin and yields high analytical value to be further exploited as a fingerprint in forensic investigations to uncover toxin production or toxin provenance.
Epitope-Based Vaccines: The Next Generation of Promising Vaccines Against Bacterial Infection
Authors: Li Jing , Ju Yan , Jiang Min , Li Sha , Yang Xiao-Yan
Published: February 2025

The increasing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics has underscored the need for new drugs or vaccines to prevent bacterial infections. Reducing multidrug resistance is a key objective of the WHO’s One Health initiative. Epitopes, the key parts of antigen molecules that determine their specificity, directly stimulate the body to produce specific humoral and/or cellular immune responses. Epitope-based vaccines, which combine dominant epitopes in a rational manner, induce a more efficient and specific immune response than the original antigen. While these vaccines face significant challenges, such as epitope escape or low immunogenicity, they offer advantages including minimal adverse reactions, improved efficacy, and optimized protection. As a result, epitope-based vaccines are considered a promising next-generation approach to combating bacterial infections. This review summarizes the latest advancements, challenges, and future prospects of epitope-based vaccines targeting bacteria, with a focus on their development workflow and application in antibiotic-resistant pathogens with high mortality rates, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The goal of this review is to provide insights into next-generation vaccination strategies to combat bacterial infections associated with antibiotic resistance and high mortality rates.
Evaluation of Portable, Low-Cost Autorefractor in School Students with Limited Eye Care Access in Northeastern Brazil
Authors: de Castro Neto Francisco Carlos , Louzada Ricardo Noguera , Dantas Daniel Oliveira , Amaral Dillan Cunha , Chaves Filho Claudio do Carmo , Alves Milton Ruiz
Published: February 2025

This study compared the refraction measurements of the ClickCheck™ device (CCD), Topcon KR-8000, and subjective clinical refractometry (SCR) in Brazilian public school students with limited access to eye care. Eighty-seven eyes of healthy students aged 7 to 17 underwent refractometry using the CCD, Topcon KR-8000, and SCR methods under cycloplegia, with only the right-eye data analyzed. For comparison, the measurements were converted into spherical equivalents (SEs) and vector magnitudes. The mean SE difference between CCD and Topcon KR-8000 was −0.27 ± 0.58 (p < 0.0001), while the vector magnitudes at the 90° and 135° meridians were −0.23 ± 0.55 (p = 0.0001) and +0.04 ± 0.47 (p = 0.2246), respectively, demonstrating no clinical relevance. Similarly, the mean SE difference between CCD and SCR was −0.18 ± 0.58 (p = 0.065), with vector magnitudes of −0.20 ± 0.50 (p = 0.0003) at 90° and +0.03 ± 0.46 (p = 0.3730) at 135°, also lacking clinical relevance. Despite statistically significant differences between the methods, the findings confirm strong agreement, validating CCD as an effective refractive assessment tool for children in low-resource settings. These methods can enhance access to refraction services in underserved populations.
Assessing Marine Resource Carrying Capacity: Methods, Economic Impacts, and Management Strategies
Authors: Zheng Lin , Wang Shuhong
Published: February 2025

In recent years, the marine economy has experienced rapid development, with increasing scale of marine exploration and utilization. Against this backdrop, the importance of the marine resource carrying capacity (MRCC) for sustainable development has become increasingly prominent. This paper reviews the research progress on MRCC, exploring its connotations, characteristics, measurement methods, and influencing factors. First, the paper briefly introduces MRCC from the perspectives of its connotation and characteristics, highlighting its crucial role in both marine resource development and ecological protection. Second, it summarizes relevant research on MRCC measurement methods from the viewpoints of single-factor evaluation and composite indicator assessment, analyzing the advantages, disadvantages, and appropriate application scenarios of each method. Furthermore, the paper analyzes the significant impact of human activities and economic development on MRCC, emphasizing that appropriate management strategies and policies can effectively mitigate the risk of MRCC decline. Finally, the paper suggests that future research should focus on improving the accuracy of assessment models, identifying the scope of impacts caused by carrying capacity changes, and utilizing policy and financial tools to address the challenges posed by carrying capacity decline, with the aim of achieving sustainable use of marine resources and promoting the healthy development of the marine economy.
Numerical Investigation into the Runout Dynamics of Reservoir Landslides: Insights from the Yanguan Landslide
Authors: Fang Hao , Li Bing , Liu Kai , Meng Yaobin
Published: February 2025

Understanding the dynamic behavior of landslides is essential for effective risk assessment. This study examines the Yanguan landslide, which occurred on 29 October 2017, in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) region of China. Due to its unique capability in modeling discontinuum behaviors during landslide fragmentation, the discrete element method was utilized to analyze the movement characteristics of this landslide. The investigation began with a field survey to assess the geological features and failure mechanism of the landslide, which indicates that the landslide was likely triggered by prolonged variations in reservoir water levels and heavy rainfall preceding the event. Following this, a three-dimensional numerical model of the landslide was constructed using pre- and post-event terrain data. The accuracy of the numerical model was validated by comparing its simulation results with field survey data. Finally, the landslide’s movement behavior and energy transformation were analyzed based on the validated model. This work can enhance landslide risk assessment by quantifying dynamic parameters critical for impact prediction, further provide a scientific basis for the study of the landslides in the TGR area, and contribute to disaster prevention.
Stiffness Optimization for Hybrid Electric Vehicle Powertrain Mounting System in the Context of NSGA II for Vibration Decoupling and Dynamic Reaction Minimization
Authors: Fang Zhanpeng , Li Qihang , Yao Lei , Hu Xiaojuan
Published: February 2025

In order to solve the problem of the insufficient vibration isolation performance of passenger cars in the suspension matching process, the six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) model, including three translational (x, y, z) and three rotational (roll, pitch, yaw) degrees of freedom, is established to comprehensively analyze the dynamic behavior of the powertrain mounting system. A 6-DOF dynamic model was established to analyze the decoupling rate and frequency distribution in its inherent characteristics, calculate the dynamic reaction of the suspension system, set the decoupling rate and the dynamic reaction of the suspension as optimization objectives, and use the NSGA II (Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II) optimization algorithm to optimize the stiffness of the suspension. The 6-DOF decoupling of the whole suspension system is optimized and the dynamic reaction transmitted to the body is minimized. At the same time, this ensures that each suspension has enough static load support stiffness, and that its static deformation and amplitude are within the limit allowed under various working conditions, avoiding premature fatigue damage. The vibration isolation capability of the optimized system has been significantly improved, and the centroid acceleration has been significantly reduced under start–stop and road excitation conditions. The optimization method was effectively verified. Compared with existing studies focusing on single-objective optimization, the proposed NSGA II-based approach achieves a 93.4% decoupling rate in the critical Rx direction (vs. 59% pre-optimization) and reduces dynamic reaction forces by 8.3% (from 193 N to 177 N), demonstrating superior engineering applicability compared with traditional methods. Finally, the robustness analysis of the optimized stiffness met the requirements of production and manufacturing, indicating that the improvement of the decoupling rate of the suspension system and the optimization of the dynamic reaction force can effectively improve the vibration isolation performance, thereby improving the ride comfort of the vehicle.
Relationships and Consent Education for Adolescents with Intellectual Disability: A Scoping Review
Authors: Devkota Anju , Robards Fiona , Zablotska-Manos Iryna
Published: February 2025

Adolescents with intellectual disability have a right to sexuality education, including relationships and consent education. This scoping review explored relationships and consent education for adolescents with intellectual disability. We searched across four databases (Scopus, Medline, Web of Science and PubMed) to identify studies focusing on the provision of, experiences with and needs of education on relationships and consent for adolescents aged 12–19 with intellectual disability. Based on the inclusion criteria, 20 studies were eligible to be included in the review. The findings suggest that despite adolescents’ strong desire for comprehensive, evidence-based education on relationships and consent, the depth and content of the education provided varied by the provider type. Many educators and parents felt unprepared to address complex relationship and consent topics, resulting in inconsistent and often risk-focused education. The review indicated the need for more tailored resources, engaged learning methods, increased training and support for providers, and collaborative approaches between different providers. Future consent and relationships education could benefit from moving from a risk-based approach to focus on personal development and the promotion of sexual well-being for adolescents with intellectual disability.
Modern technologies and examination methods in customs control: advantages, challenges and prospects
Authors:   FSBEI HE Kemerovo State University, Kemerovo, Pashayan U.A. , Butorina K.S. ,   FSBEI HE Kemerovo State University, Kemerovo
Published: February 2025

This article is devoted to consideration of the advantages, challenges, and prospects for the use of
new technologies in the process of customs control. The main attention is paid to various modern
technologies and examination methods to increase the effective reduction of time for customs control
procedures and improve the quality of the examination.
Analysis of consumer properties of collagen group drugs
Authors:   FSBEI HE Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Moscow, Sokolov A.Yu.
Published: February 2025

The article presents new principles for creating technologies for animal products. Despite the large
number of domestic developments, the market contains protein products or preparations mainly of
foreign origin (Great Britain, China, France, South Korea, Japan). In the current diffi cult economic
situation, it is necessary to maximally support domestic developers and distributors of protein systems
that have a very wide range of benefi cial properties, which corresponds to modern nutrition
concepts and new diets, in particular, the collagen diet by J. Axe, concept of increasing exotrophic
nutrition efficiency, current views on trophology by academician A.M. Ugolev, and others. For these
tasks, it is necessary to improve methods for studying “marker” indicators, for example, amino acids
characteristic of certain proteins.