bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vis-NIR and SWIR hyperspectral imaging method to detect bruises in pomegranate fruit
Authors: Okere Emmanuel Ekene , Ambaw Alemayehu , Perold Willem Jacobus , Opara Umezuruike Linus 
Published: April 2023

IntroductionFresh pomegranate fruit is susceptible to bruising, a common type of mechanical damage during harvest and at all stages of postharvest handling. Accurate and early detection of such damages in pomegranate fruit plays an important role in fruit grading. This study investigated the detection of bruises in fresh pomegranate fruit using hyperspectral imaging technique.MethodsA total of 90 sample of pomegranate fruit were divided into three groups of 30 samples, each representing purposefully induced pre-scanning bruise by dropping samples from 100 cm and 60 cm height on a metal surface. The control has no pre-scanning bruise (no drop). Two hyperspectral imaging setups were examined: visible and near infrared (400 to 1000 nm) and short wavelength infrared (1000 to 2500 nm). Region of interest (ROI) averaged reflectance spectra was implemented to reduce the image data. For all hypercubes a principal components analysis (PCA) based background removal were done prior to segmenting the region of interest (ROI) using the Evince® multi-variate analysis software 2.4.0. Then the average spectrum of the ROI of each sample was computed and transferred to the MATLAB 2022a (The MathWorks, Inc., Mass., USA) for classification. A two-layer feed-forward artificial neural network (ANN) is used for classification.Results and discussionThe accuracy of bruise severity classification ranged from 80 to 96.7%. When samples from both bruise severity (Bruise damage induced from a 100cm and 60 cm drop heights respectively) cases were merged, class recognition accuracy were 88.9% and 74.4% for the SWIR and Vis-NIR, respectively. This study implemented the method of selecting out informative bands and disregarding the redundant ones to decreases the data size and dimension. The study developed a more compact classification model by the data dimensionality reduction method. This study demonstrated the potential of using hyperspectral imaging technology in sensing and classification of bruise severity in pomegranate fruit. This work provides the foundation to build a compact and fast multispectral imaging-based device for practical farm and packhouse applications.
Cutaneous tuberculosis—ambiguous transmission, bacterial diversity with biofilm formation in humoral abnormality: case report illustration
Authors: Zdziarski Przemysław , Paściak Mariola , Chudzik Anna , Kozińska Monika , Augustynowicz-Kopeć Ewa , Gamian Andrzej 
Published: April 2023

BackgroundCutaneous tuberculosis (CTB) and its paucibacillary forms are rare and difficult to diagnose, especially in immunocompromised patients with significant comorbidity. The aim of the study was to introduce the modern concept of the microbiome and diagnostic chain into clinical practice (patient-centered care) with the presentation of an atypical form of cutaneous tuberculosis with necrotizing non-healing ulcers leading to polymicrobial infection.MethodsThe study material included samples from sputum, broncho-alveolar lavage and skin ulcer, taken from a patient developing cutaneous tuberculosis. The microbiological investigation was performed, and identification of the isolates was carried out using genotyping and the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry.ResultsThe immunocompromised patient with humoral abnormality (plasma cell dyscrasia) and severe paraproteinemia developed multiorgan tuberculosis. Although cutaneous manifestation preceded systemic and pulmonary symptoms (approximately half a year), the mycobacterial genotyping confirmed the same MTB strain existence in skin ulcers and the respiratory system. Therefore, the infectious chain: transmission, the portal of entry, and bacterial spreading in vivo, were unclear. Microbial diversity found in wound microbiota (among others Gordonia bronchialis, Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and Pseudomonas oryzihabitans) was associated with the spread of a skin lesion. The in vitro biofilm-forming capacity of strains isolated from the wound may represent the potential virulence of these strains. Thus, the role of polymicrobial biofilm may be crucial in ulcer formation and CTB manifestation.ConclusionsSevere wound healing as a unique biofilm-forming niche should be tested for Mycobacterium (on species and strain levels) and coexisting microorganisms using a wide range of microbiological techniques. In immunodeficient patients with non-typical CTB presentation, the chain of transmission and MTB spread is still an open issue for further research.
Geographic heterogeneity of the epidemiological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy using a socioeconomic proxy-based classification of the national territory
Authors: Petrelli Alessio , Ventura Martina , Di Napoli Anteo , Mateo-Urdiales Alberto , Pezzotti Patrizio , Fabiani Massimo 
Published: April 2023

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the differences in incidence, non-intensive care unit (non-ICU) and intensive care unit (ICU) hospital admissions, and COVID-19-related mortality between the “inner areas” of Italy and its metropolitan areas.Study designRetrospective population-based study conducted from the beginning of the pandemic in Italy (20 February 2020) to 31 March 2022.MethodsThe municipalities of Italy were classified into metropolitan areas, peri-urban/intermediate areas and “inner areas” (peripheral/ultra-peripheral). The exposure variable was residence in an “inner area” of Italy. Incidence of diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, non-ICU and ICU hospital admissions and death within 30 days from diagnosis were the outcomes of the study. COVID-19 vaccination access was also evaluated. Crude and age-standardized rates were calculated for all the study outcomes. The association between the type of area of residence and each outcome under study was evaluated by calculating the ratios between the standardized rates. All the analyses were stratified by period of observation (original Wuhan strain, Alpha variant, Delta variant, Omicron variant).ResultsIncidence and non-ICUs admissions rates were lower in “inner areas.” ICU admission and mortality rates were much lower in “inner areas” in the early phases of the pandemic, but this protection progressively diminished, with a slight excess risk observed in the “inner areas” during the Omicron period. The greater vaccination coverage in metropolitan areas may explain this trend.ConclusionPrioritizing healthcare planning through the strengthening of the primary prevention policies in the peripheral areas of Italy is fundamental to guarantee health equity policies.
Antioxidant enzyme and DNA base repair genetic risk scores’ associations with systemic oxidative stress biomarker in pooled cross-sectional studies
Authors: Mao Ziling , Gray Abigail L. H. , Thyagarajan Bharat , Bostick Roberd M. 
Published: April 2023

Background: Oxidative stress is hypothesized to contribute to the pathogenesis of several chronic diseases. Numerous dietary and lifestyle factors are associated with oxidative stress; however, little is known about associations of genetic factors, individually or jointly with dietary and lifestyle factors, with oxidative stress in humans.Methods: We genotyped 22 haplotype-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 3 antioxidant enzyme (AE) genes and 79 SNPs in 14 DNA base excision repair (BER) genes to develop oxidative stress-specific AE and BER genetic risk scores (GRS) in two pooled cross-sectional studies (n = 245) of 30–74-year-old, White, cancer- and inflammatory bowel disease-free adults. Of the genotypes, based on their associations with a systemic oxidative stress biomarker, plasma F2-isoprostanes (FiP) concentrations, we selected 4 GSTP1 SNPs for an AE GRS, and 12 SNPs of 5 genes (XRCC1, TDG, PNKP, MUTYH, and FEN1) for a BER GRS. We also calculated a previously-reported, validated, questionnaire-based, oxidative stress biomarker-weighted oxidative balance score (OBS) comprising 17 anti- and pro-oxidant dietary and lifestyle exposures, with higher scores representing a higher predominance of antioxidant exposures. We used general linear regression to assess adjusted mean FiP concentrations across GRS and OBS tertiles, separately and jointly.Results: The adjusted mean FiP concentrations among those in the highest relative to the lowest oxidative stress-specific AE and BER GRS tertiles were, proportionately, 11.8% (p = 0.12) and 21.2% (p = 0.002) higher, respectively. In the joint AE/BER GRS analysis, the highest estimated mean FiP concentration was among those with jointly high AE/BER GRS. Mean FiP concentrations across OBS tertiles were similar across AE and BER GRS strata.Conclusion: Our pilot study findings suggest that DNA BER, and possibly AE, genotypes collectively may be associated with systemic oxidative stress in humans, and support further research in larger, general populations.
A comprehensive assessment of self-reported symptoms among patients harboring an unruptured intracranial aneurysm
Authors: Hackett Ashia M. , Koester Stefan W. , Rhodenhiser Emmajane G. , Scherschinski Lea , Rulney Jarrod D. , Naik Anant , Nico Elsa , Eberle Adam T. , Hartke Joelle N. , Fox Brandon M. , Winkler Ethan A. , Catapano Joshua S. , Lawton Michael T. 
Published: April 2023

BackgroundApproximately 3.2%–6% of the general population harbor an unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA). Ruptured aneurysms represent a significant healthcare burden, and preventing rupture relies on early detection and treatment. Most patients with UIAs are asymptomatic, and many of the symptoms associated with UIAs are nonspecific, which makes diagnosis challenging. This study explored symptoms associated with UIAs, the rate of resolution of such symptoms after microsurgical treatment, and the likely pathophysiology.MethodsA retrospective review of patients with UIAs who underwent microsurgical treatment from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2020, at a single quaternary center were identified. Analyses included the prevalence of nonspecific symptoms upon clinical presentation and postoperative follow-up; comparisons of symptomatology by aneurysmal location; and comparisons of patient demographics, aneurysmal characteristics, and poor neurologic outcome at postoperative follow-up stratified by symptomatic versus asymptomatic presentation.ResultsThe analysis included 454 patients; 350 (77%) were symptomatic. The most common presenting symptom among all 454 patients was headache (n = 211 [46%]), followed by vertigo (n = 94 [21%]), cognitive disturbance (n = 68[15%]), and visual disturbance (n = 64 [14%]). Among 328 patients assessed for postoperative symptoms, 258 (79%) experienced symptom resolution or improvement.ConclusionThis cohort demonstrates that the clinical presentation of patients with UIAs can be associated with vague and nonspecific symptoms. Early detection is crucial to prevent aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. It is imperative that physicians not rule out aneurysms in the setting of nonspecific neurologic symptoms.
The Utility of Minimally Invasive Surgery in the Emergency Management of Femoral Hernias: A Systematic Review
Authors: Shuttleworth Paul , Sabri Shariq , Mihailescu Andrei 
Published: April 2023

Background: Femoral hernias are a relatively rare type of hernia but have a high complication rate, with a high proportion either presenting as an emergency or requiring emergency management. Minimal access surgery has been shown to be safe, with good results, in an elective setting, but there is little published evidence of its utility in an emergency.Methods: A systematic review was conducted searching PubMed, OVID, Embase, and Cochrane reviews for ((Femoral hernia) AND (laparoscop* OR minimal access OR robotic)) AND (strangulat* OR obstruct* OR incarcerat*).Results: 286 manuscripts were identified of which 33 were relevant. 24 were individual case reports, 3 case series, 4 cohort studies or case control series, and 2 high level reviews of National registers.Conclusion: Minimal access surgery can avoid an unnecessary laparotomy for the assessment of hernial contents, especially via a TAPP approach. Minimal access repair of femoral hernias as an emergency is feasible and can be done safely with results similar to open surgery but good quality evidence is lacking.
Impact of Growth Conditions on the Viability of Trichoderma asperellum during Storage
Authors: Rimkus Alina , Namina Agne , Dzierkale Marija Tereze , Grigs Oskars , Senkovs Maris , Larsson Simona 
Published: April 2023

As excellent biocontrol agents and plant growth promoters, Trichoderma species are agriculturally important. Trichoderma spp. cultures can be produced using solid-state or submerged cultivation, the latter being much less labor intensive and easier to control and automate. The aim of the study was to investigate the ability to increase the shelf-life of T. asperellum cells by optimizing cultivation media and upscaling the submerged cultivation process. Four different cultivation media were used with or without the addition of Tween 80 and stored with or without incorporation into peat, and viability, expressed as CFU/g, was assessed during one year of storage in an industrial warehouse. The addition of Tween 80 had a positive effect on the biomass yield. The culture medium played a major role in the ability of the mycelium to produce spores, which in turn influenced the amount of CFU. This effect was less pronounced when the biomass was mixed with peat prior to storage. A procedure that increases the number of CFU in a peat-based product formulation is recommended, namely, incubation of the mixture at 30 °C for 10 days prior to storage at 15 °C over an extended period of time.
Temporal Synchrony in Satellite-Derived Ocean Parameters in the Inner Sea of Chiloé, Northern Patagonia, Chile
Authors: Muñoz Richard , Lara Carlos , Arteaga Johny , Vásquez Sebastián I. , Saldías Gonzalo S. , Flores Raúl P. , He Junyu , Broitman Bernardo R. , Cazelles Bernard 
Published: April 2023

Spatial synchrony occurs when geographically separated time series exhibit correlated temporal variability. Studies of synchrony between different environmental variables within marine ecosystems worldwide have highlighted the extent of system responses to exogenous large-scale forcing. However, these spatial connections remain largely unstudied in marine systems, particularly complex coastlines, where a paucity of field observations precludes the analysis of time series. Here, we used time-frequency analyses based on wavelet and wavelet coherence (WC) analysis to quantify the synchrony (co-variations) between environmental time series derived from MODIS (moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer) in the topographically complex inner sea of Chiloé (ISC, 41–44°S) for the 2003–2022 period. We find that the strength of the synchrony between chlorophyll a (Chla) and turbid river plumes (for which we use remote sensing reflectance at 645 nm, Rrs645) varies between the northern and southern areas of the ISC; higher synchrony, measured as the WC between these variables, is observed along the northern basin where water and particle exchanges with the Pacific Ocean are reduced. The WC analysis showed higher synchrony between these variables, with dominant periodicities of 0.5 and 1 year resulting from the hydrological regime of the freshwater input in the area that persisted throughout the 2004–2018 period. Our results suggest that the strong and significant spatial synchrony at the regional scale is likely related to the phases of large-scale climatic oscillations, as inferred through the partial wavelet coherence analysis. Potential mechanisms driving spatial synchrony are discussed in the context of climate and oceanographic regimes in the area.
PROFESSOR A. YU. TSYNA’S PERSPECTIVE SCIENTIFIC SCHOOL «PERSONAL FOCUS OF LABOUR TRAINING AND STUDY OF PROFESSIONALLY-ORIENTED DISCIPLINES»
Authors: Tytarenko O. 
Published: April 2023

The article analyzes the process of formation and development of the scientific school of Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor Tsyna Andrii Yuriiovych. He is the Head of the Department of Theory and Methods of Technological Education of Poltava V. G. Korolenko National Pedagogical University, Member of the All-Ukrainian Association of Scientific and Practical Workers of Technological Education and the Union of Designers of Ukraine. The presented scientific school is promising in the issues of training future teachers of labor training and technology to solve professional tasks related to their personally oriented professional training, theory, and methodology of labor training and technology training. This publication also presents a chronology of Professor A. Yu. Tsyna’s scientific and pedagogical activities and the list of the scholar’s scientific achievements, namely defense of dissertations, certificates for fruitful work, and a significant contribution to the development of theory and methods of labor training and technologies, management of problem groups, and research of winners of the All-Ukrainian competition of student scientific works, etc.
It is noted that N. Nahorna and O. Rutkovska defended dissertations for the degree of Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences under the guidance of Professor Andrii Tsyna in 2021. Five scientific studies are carried out within the educational-scientific program «Secondary Education (Labor Training and Technologies)» of the third (educational-scientific) level of higher education. Besides Professor A. Yu. Tsyna’s monograph and textbooks are briefly described.
It has been concluded that Professor A. Yu. Tsyna’s scientific school is aimed at ensuring the multifaceted issues of children’s education (labor training, technology, and design training, graduate secondary school, polytechnic education, out-of-school education in labor training and technology, implementation of the principle of the unity of labor and industrial training, etc.) and training of future labor teachers, technologies and the basics of design (search for new forms of development of professional education, formulation of competency requirements for teachers of labor education and technology, clarification of regional features of training of pedagogical workers, formation and reform of labor education and technology as a specific type of social practice, etc.).
THE IDEA OF TEACHING AND RESEARCH COMBINATION IN THE UNIVERSITY ACTIVITIES (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC LEVEL OF THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY)
Authors: Kravchenko L. , Srybna Yu. 
Published: April 2023

In the article, based on the traditional vision of the university as an educational and research center for highly qualified personnel training, which ensures the continuity of the intellectual activity of the individual on the way to teach skills and high scientific achievements, the results of the implementation of the educational and scientific programs (ESP) «Professional education» and «Secondary education. Labor training and technologies» for the third level of training (doctor of philosophy) are revealed. Taking into account the need to reflect the integrity of methodological, theoretical, and value guidelines of society, an analysis of the ways and means of implementing the idea of the unity of learning, research, and the formation of the personality of a doctor of philosophy as a teacher and scientist in the activities of postgraduate students of Poltava V.G. Korolenko National Pedagogical University within educational and scientific programs (ESP) «Professional education» and «Secondary education. Labor training and technologies» (specialties 015 and 014) at the Faculty of Technology and Design was carried out.
Examples of the effective implementation of the provision regarding the integrity of the educational and scientific components of doctor of philosophy training while working on scientific topics, which are managed by leading scientists of the departments of theory and methods of technological education (V. Tytarenko), cultural studies (L. Kravchenko), fundamentals of production and design (E. Kulyk), and relevant scientific schools. The results of postgraduate students’ participation in international and all-Ukrainian conferences, publication data in specialized Ukrainian and international publications and collective monographs, and areas of research approval in institutions of higher and general secondary education of the region and the country are systematized.
The university academic council recommendations regarding the improvement of the process of combining education and scientific research in the vocational education and training majors «Professional education» and «Secondary education. Labor training and technologies» are presented.
OF THE QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF FUTURE TECHNOLOGY TEACHER TRAINING IN HEALTH-PRESERVING ACTIVITIES WITH PUPILS WHILE TEACHING THE DISCIPLINE «FUNDAMENTALS OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY IN WORKSHOPS»
Authors: Tytarenko V. 
Published: April 2023

In the article, taking into account the urgent need for future technology teacher training in health-preserving activities with pupils, especially in educational workshops at a secondary education institution, diagnostic pedagogical conditions for such training are proposed while studying the discipline «Fundamentals of industrial safety in workshops (a system of criteria and indicators of the readiness formation; characteristic quality levels; application of a set of assessment methods; determination of implementation efficiency)». The specificity of the technology teacher's health-preserving activity is related to the components of competence (general cultural, production-technological, organizational-management, project-design), criteria for their display (motivational-value, cognitive, activity), and levels of readiness (high, sufficient, average, initial).
A logical system of matching criteria and indicators of future technology teacher's readiness to the formation of health-preserving competence of elementary school children in the process of work training is proposed, as well as the content of the level characteristics of such readiness, a set of methods for assessing the state, level, and quality of training of future technology teachers in the process of studying the educational discipline «Fundamentals of Industrial Safety in Workshops» are characterized.
A conclusion was made regarding the possibilities of introducing the proposed diagnostic conditions into the work practice of general and higher education institutions.