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Copyright of Food & Fermentation Industries is the property of Food & Fermentation Industries and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Science & Technology of Food Industry is the property of Science & Technology of Food Industry Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

CRISPR-Cas system, a natural acquired immune system in prokaryotes that defends against exogenous DNA invasion because of its simple structure and easy operation, has been widely used in many research fields such as synthetic biology, crop genetics and breeding, precision medicine, and so on. The miniature CRISPR-Cas12 system has been an emerging genome editing tool in recent years. Compared to the commonly used CRISPR-Cas9 and CRISPR-Cas12a, the miniature CRISPR-Cas12 system has unique advantages, such as rich PAM sites, higher specificity, smaller volume, and cytotoxicity. However, the application of miniature Cas12 proteins and the methods to improve its editing efficiency have not been systematically summarized. In this review, we introduce the classification of CRISPR-Cas system and summarize the structural characteristics of type V CRISPR-Cas system and the cleavage mechanism of five miniature Cas12 proteins. The application of a miniature CRISPR-Cas12 system in the gene editing of animals, plants, and microorganisms is summarized, and the strategies to improve the editing efficiency of the miniature CRISPR-Cas12 system are discussed, aiming to provide reference for further understanding the functional mechanism and engineering modification of the miniature CRISPR-Cas12 system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the major criminological indicators that illustrate the practical application of criminal law provisions establishing liability for corruption crimes in official activities that are committed by officials of legal entities under public law. By analyzing the provisions of the notes to Articles 45 and 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, along with the features characterizing the perpetrators of crimes in the sphere of official activities, the author outlines the range of criminal offenses in the area under study. These offenses include, in particular, abuse of power or official position (Article 364 of the CC of Ukraine); acceptance of an offer or promise, or receipt of an undue benefit by an official (Article 368 of the CC of Ukraine), and unlawful enrichment (Articles 3681, 3682, 3685 of the CC of Ukraine). Based on official statistical sources (the Office of the Prosecutor General and the State Judicial Administration of Ukraine), the author conducted a long-term criminological analysis of the situation with the crimes under study and determined the absolute, average, and relative values in the period from 2016 to 2023, as well as the indicators reflecting the correlation between the number of recorded criminal offenses and the number of detected and convicted persons for each type of crime rime in this category. The calculated indicators revealed a dramatic gap between the number of recorded criminal offenses and the number of detected persons, as well as the number of detected and convicted persons. This discrepancy suggests that the criminal justice system has low efficiency in combating crimes of the studied category, with the real scale of these offenses, given their significant latency, far exceeding the officially recorded indicators. The study conducted by the author holds an independent value both for scientific purposes and for law enforcement activities and provides the relevant basis for information support in combating corruption crimes in official activities that are committed by officials of legal entities under public law; most importantly, it provides a clear understanding and assessment of the efficiency of the relevant criminal law provisions and serves as a prerequisite for developing the measures to improve the efficiency of criminal justice authorities in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Programmed cell death receptor (ligand)‐1 inhibitors (PD‐(L)1), as the preferred immunotherapy, have been widely used in the Chinese mainland and drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) has been reported. The study aimed to investigate the clinical features or risk factors for immunotherapy‐related DILI. Methods: Patients who received PD‐(L)1 inhibitors from January 2020 to July 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. The likelihood of DILI was adjudicated by the Roussel‐Uclaf causality assessment. Results: A total of 1175 patients were included in the study and 89 patients (7.6%) developed DILI, of which 12 (13.5%) progressed to acute liver failure (ALF) and three (3.4%) died. Among the DILI population, 56 (62.9%) had a cholestatic pattern and exhibited a prolonged treatment course and duration for resolution compared to the hepatocellular and mixed patterns. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and abnormal baseline of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) had increased risks of DILI by 2.1‐fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.231–3.621), 1.9‐fold [95% CI, 1.123–3.325] and 2.1‐fold [95% CI, 1.317–3.508], respectively. The model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score had a c‐statistic of 0.894 (95% CI, 0.778–1.000) with a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 95% for poor outcomes. COX analysis showed that the MELD ≥ 18 was predictive of immunotherapy‐related ALF or death. Conclusions: PD‐(L)1 inhibitor‐related liver injury manifests primarily as a cholestatic pattern, on which corticosteroid treatment has minimal effect compared to hepatocellular and mixed patterns. MELD score ≥ 18 at the time of liver injury performed best in the prediction of ALF or death in immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)‐related DILI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Rubber Industry is the property of Editorial Office of China Rubber Industry and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We conducted a study titled for Investigation on the characteristics of 24-hour blood pressure (BP) dipping patterns in hypertensive stroke patients. Methods: Descriptive research, analysis, and comparison, the research was conducted from July 2019 to September 2020 at the Vietnam Heart Institute - Bach Mai Hospital. There are 100 patients diagnosed with idiopathic hypertension who were divided into two groups (without stroke complications and another group with chronic stroke complications > 6 weeks), both groups were similar in age (45– 64 years old). Results: The daytime systolic BP (SBP) indices, 24-hour BP including SBP, diastolic BP (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP), and particularly night-time BP indices were elevated in the stroke group compared with those without stroke complications (p < 0.05); there were no significant differences observed in daytime DBP and MAP between the two groups. SBP indices were higher in those with hemorrhage stroke compared with those with ischemic stroke, albeit without statistical significance. The prevalence of non-dipper was significantly higher in the stroke group compared with the non-stroke group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The daytime SBP indices, 24-hour BP (SBP, DBP, MAP), and particularly night-time BP indices were elevated in the stroke group compared with those without stroke complications. The prevalence of non-dipper was significantly higher in the stroke group compared with the non-stroke group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25) is a tool to identify locomotive syndrome, however, this tool is associated with the problem of a low complete response rate. We conducted this cross-sectional study of 2,474 community-dwelling residents to investigate the clinical characteristics of individuals who are prone to provide incomplete responses to the GLFS-25 questionnaire. The participants were divided into the following four groups based on the number of the GLFS-25 items they answered: 0 (n=279), 1-21 (n=36), 22-24 (n=273), and 25 (n=1,886). We investigated clinical characteristics including age, sex, body mass index, health consciousness, housemate status, smoking and drinking habits, physical activity level, the presence of body pain, and comorbidities. To achieve the study objective, we focused on a comparison of the clinical characteristics between the group of participants who answered 22-24 items (target group) and 0 items (control group). The participants who answered 22-24 items were older, more likely to be health-conscious, more likely to live alone, less likely to have lower levels of physical activity, and were more likely to report neck pain, low back pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, wrist pain, hip pain, knee pain, ankle pain, and ophthalmic disease than those who answered 0 items. Among the significant factors, the only factor that can be changed to improve the number of answered items on the GLFS-25 is health consciousness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although hypertension is highly prevalent among the elderly and significantly contributes to cardiovascular disease risk, studies focusing on male elderly individuals over 85 years old are relatively scarce. This study aimed to investigate ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) characteristics in male hypertensive patients aged over 85 years. These included demographic characteristics, antihypertensive drug use, 24‐h ABPM values, diabetes, coronary heart disease, sleep disorders, smoking history, and drinking history, and the differences in ABPM between the age groups over and under 85 years old were analyzed. A total of 585 elderly hypertensive patients were included. The mean systolic blood pressure in individuals aged over 85 years was significantly greater throughout the day (131.57 ± 12.52 mmHg vs. 123.75 ± 2.74 mmHg, p <.001). In the 85 years older age group, the nighttime variability coefficient of SBP was lower at 7.84 ± 2.9 than the under 85 years age group 8.92 ± 3.13 (p <.001). The 85 years older age group age group presented a significantly greater whole‐day systolic blood pressure standard deviation of ABPM (13.2 ± 3.19 vs. 12.47 ± 3.05, p =.005) compared with those under the age of 85 years. In the 85 years older age group, the proportion of individuals with the reverse dipper pattern was higher (48.15% vs. 38.31%, p =.017) than under 85 years age group. This study revealed that elderly male hypertensive patients aged over 85 years presented elevated average blood pressure levels. The research investigated ABPM characteristics. Older hypertensive individuals are more likely to have a reverse‐dipper blood pressure pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the preparation and characterization of MoO3 nanoparticles for the photocatalytic degradation of dyeing wastewater. The XRD pattern of MoO3 shows distinct peaks at 2θ values of 12.8°, 23.4°, 25.7°, 27.3°, and 39.0°, corresponding to specific crystal planes and confirming its a-MoO3 phase, validated against JCPDS card number 05-0508. The morphology reveals stacked or crumpled particles with a high surface area conducive to catalytic activities. EDX analysis identifies molybdenum (Mo) and oxygen (O) with characteristic peaks at 2.29 keV (Mo La), 17.48 keV (Mo Ka), 19.63 keV (Mo Kß), and 0.52 keV (O Ka), confirming the material's composition. MoO3's layered structure, influenced by van der Waals forces, offers unique interlayer spacing advantageous for photocatalytic processes. Photodegradation experiments showed progressive efficiency: at 10 minutes, MoO3 achieved 8.58%; by 40 minutes, it increased to 30.42%, and at 50 minutes, reached 42.3%. Efficiency peaked at 60 minutes with 50.52%, progressing to 60.8% at 70 minutes and 71.03% at 90 minutes, finally achieving 75.25% at 100 minutes. These results demonstrate MoO3 nanoparticles' effectiveness in degrading dye pollutants, highlighting their potential for sustainable wastewater treatment applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Chinese Institute of Food Science & Technology / Zhongguo Shipin Xuebao is the property of Journal of Chinese Institute of Food Science & Technology Periodical Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Chinese Institute of Food Science & Technology / Zhongguo Shipin Xuebao is the property of Journal of Chinese Institute of Food Science & Technology Periodical Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Students are among the groups that use smartphones for long periods throughout the day and night. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between smartphone characteristics and the prevalence of hand discomfort among university students. Methods: This study included 204 university students, selected based on their willingness to participate and inclusion criteria. Participants reported hand pain and discomfort by completing the Cornell Hand Discomfort Questionnaire (CHDQ). Personal information was collected through a demographic questionnaire. Smartphone characteristics were obtained from the Internet based on the smartphone model self-reported by students. Results: According to the Cornell questionnaire, 59.3% of students reported experiencing discomfort in their right hand, while 38.2% reported discomfort in their left hand due to smartphone use. Furthermore, 36.3% of students reported experiencing pain in two or more regions on their right hand, while 20.1% reported pain in two or more areas on their left hand. More than half of the students in the right hand (53.5%) and more than one-third (33.3%) in the left hand obtained pain scores of more than 1.5. The chi-square test indicated a statistically significant relationship between the weight of the smartphone and the prevalence of discomfort in the right hand (χ2 = 4.80, p = 0.03). Furthermore, a statistically significant relationship was found between the discomfort or pain scores experienced in both hands and the number of painful areas in those hands (right hand: χ2 = 219.04, p = 0.00; left hand: χ2 = 213.13, p = 0.00). Conclusions: Smartphone use can cause discomfort and pain in the hands of university students. The physical characteristics of the smartphone, such as its weight, play a significant role in contributing to right-hand-related pain among students. It is important to consider ergonomic factors in smartphone design and usage to reduce musculoskeletal problems among users, especially students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Science & Technology of Food Industry is the property of Science & Technology of Food Industry Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of SPORMETRE: The Journal of Physical Education & Sport Sciences / Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of SPORMETRE: The Journal of Physical Education & Sport Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Transfer and output characteristics of fully-depleted polycrystalline silicon thin film transistors, including both tail and deep acceptor-like trap states in bulk, in the above-threshold region with low drain bias are presented under low or high state density in the situation without or with interface charge, respectively. The characteristics are calculated by a simple surface-potential-based drain current model in the strong inversion region with valid bias condition explained, and 2D-device simulation. The above-threshold region is found to be divided into Regions I and II, with Vsi, indicating the channel beginning to be completely strongly-inverted and large currents, and explication of deviations between the model and simulation in Region I. The large-traps effect on the range of Region I and Vth in the high state density situation is discovered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food Research & Development is the property of Food Research & Development Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study offers a comprehensive analysis of key parameters--volatile matter, carbon content, ash content, and gross energy--across various material samples intended for Refused Derived Fuel (RDF) briquette production. Through meticulous examination, promising trends emerge, highlighting optimal material combinations for efficient combustion and heat generation. Samples rich in volatile matter and carbon content, notably those incorporating wood powder, demonstrate elevated calorific values, indicating their potential for effective energy production. Conversely, material combinations with low ash content suggest cleaner combustion and reduced environmental impact. The gross energy analysis further validates the substantial heat generation potential of specific sample combinations, rendering them suitable for diverse heating applications. These findings emphasize the critical role of precise raw material selection and meticulous manufacturing process optimization in producing RDF briquettes with desirable properties. Such briquettes not only offer economic viability but also contribute to environmental sustainability by providing an alternative fuel source with reduced emissions. This research underscores the importance of continued exploration and refinement in the development of RDF briquettes, aiming to meet growing energy demands while mitigating environmental concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) is a popular beverage consumed worldwide. To establish fundamental scientific data, we analyzed the amino acids and volatile compounds in seven tea cultivars grown in Korea investigated phenotype also. Phenotypically, the leaf area and greenness index of young shoots and leaf blades were particularly different among the four Korean cultivars. Nine amino acids were detected from each cultivar, with the total amino acid and theanine contents being 9.08–41.42 and 2.81–24.60 mg/g, respectively. Moreover, 107 volatile compounds were identified as common components among tea cultivars using headspace solid-phase microextraction / gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS), and 38 key compounds were identified using partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). The (Z)-linalool oxide (furanoid) concentrations were significantly high in Korean tea plant cultivars, and linalool concentrations were also high or low, but had high relative contents. Linalool and its various oxides are the major compounds responsible for the tea aroma. In conclusion, Korean tea cultivars have distinct characteristics, and the results of this study will form the basis for identifying Korean tea plant cultivars that can produce high-value tea products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of the study to determine the prevalence of mother postpartum depression and to examine the association between infant characteristics and postpartum depression in the neonatal intensive care unit. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was conducted in three government teaching hospitals in Jordan. A convenience sample of 188 mothers with hospitalized 188 infants in NICU was recruited. Questionnaires were used to collect the quantitative data, which include Infant Demographic Data Questionnaire, Mother Demographic Data Questionnaire and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The study revealed that infant characteristics such as gestational age, medical condition classification, and birth weight are found to be significant factors that influence depression among mothers. Results: The results showed that mothers with infants admitted to NICU experience postpartum depression with a mean of 3.82 and median of 4.04. There were significant differences based on gestational age, birth weight, and classification of medical condition and mothers' postpartum depression. Conclusion: Knowing the relationship of certain infant's characteristics and postpartum depression can help to focus on relevant infant characteristics so that timely interventions to improve mothers' well-being can be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sago, the other source of sugar production need to be pursued in Indonesia, as Indonesia is highly dependent on sugar cane. This study aimed to analyze the production of liquid sugar based on sago by enzymatic method. The characteristics of liquid sugar made from sago has met with the standard provisions of Indonesian National Standard (SNI 01-2978992) except for the parameter of color. However, the color of sago liquid sugar is acceptable to consumers and market. The liquid sugar produced from sago could reach 0.6 to 0.8 liters per kg. If the sago is obtained from around 50,000 hectares of sago plantations and converted into liquid sugar, then around 600,000 kiloliters of sugar will be produced, or equivalent to 27% of the total national sugar production. The feasibility study showed that the sago liquid sugar business was profitable, which might be seen from the BCR value of 1.16, NPV Rp 58,754,955.64, PBP of 2 years 11 months, and IRR of 34.73%. Even though sago has a great potential, but the development still faces various problems such as unproper sago cultivation, difficulty to access sago land, limited mastery of farmer technology, and unestablished farmer institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analysis of the characteristics of automotive mass air flow sensors is made. A test system has been developed to study the sensors. The measurement data is processed with MATLAB using curve fitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lube oil cooling is a very important heat transfer process on board, and the use of liquid-liquid heat pipe heat exchangers (HPHE) is easier to maintain and save energy, and does not have the risk of leakage. In this work, the heat transfer and flow in the heat pipe row of liquid-liquid HPHE is analyzed. The numerical model of HPHE based on the thermal resistance network of heat pipe is constructed and verified with the actual experimental data, and its maximum deviation is 8.1%. Results show that increasing the working fluid temperature in the evaporative section improved the operating performance of the heat pipe inside the HPHE, with the maximum equivalent thermal conductivity reaching 7112 W·m−1·K−1 at 70 °C. Furthermore, increasing the hot fluid flow rate improved the heat transfer rate of the HPHE more than increasing the cold fluid inlet flow rate. The convective heat transfer performance equations were fitted to the HPHE, with reliable accuracy within 5% obtained for both the forced convection correlations in the condensing and evaporating sections. The pipe row effect was observed to have some variability, with the periodic variation of the heat transfer coefficient per pipe row being more pronounced. The heat transfer coefficient of the pipe row at the outlet decreased by 15.5%, and the heat transfer coefficient of the pipe row at the baffle gap was also about 15% lower than that of the middle pipe row. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Currently the use of prohibited performance-enhancing substances (PES) in fitness and gym settings is a public health concern as adverse health consequences are emerging. Understanding the characteristics of gymgoers who do not use these substances could lead to an important complement to the ongoing research about risk factors for PES use. The aim of this study was to identify the profile of PES non-use in gym-goers. Methods: In total, 453 gym-goers (mean age = 35.64 years; SD = 13.08 - measure of central tendency location and measure of absolute dispersion, respectively) completed an online survey assessing sociodemographic factors, exercise characteristics, gym modalities, peers, social influence, attitudes, subjective norms, beliefs, intentions, and self-reported use of PES. Results: Decision Trees showed that being a woman, training less frequently, not practicing bodybuilding and having a negative intention to consume PES were identified as characteristics of non-users of PES. Discussion: These results may support evidence-based anti-doping interventions to prevent abusive use of PES in the fitness context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Misan Journal of Academic Studies is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Phytogenic feed additives play an important role in broilers' nutrition, contributing to the improvement of the performance and quality of meat. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Cinnamon (Cinnamon zeylanicum) on broiler chicken production, fatty acid profile, and meat quality. In the present study, 140-day-old Vencob-400 broiler chicks were divided into 7 groups, including the control group (with no additives, T0), and T1 to T6 groups receiving varying concentrations of cinnamon and ginger. Accordingly, the chickens' diet in T1 was supplemented with 1.0% cinnamon, T2 with 2.0% cinnamon, T3 with 3.0% cinnamon, T4 with 1.0% ginger, T5 with 2.0% ginger, and T6 with 3.0% ginger, all calculated based on dry matter. The carcass traits, weight of immune organs, organoleptic tests, and fatty acid profile of meat (breast and thigh) were recorded after the age of 42 days. The findings indicated that the breast and thigh had the highest organ weights in group T4 compared to other groups, however, the neck, back, drumstick, wing, and heart were not affected. The inclusion of 2% cinnamon (T2) and 1% ginger (T4) in the diet, significantly enhanced the color, texture, flavor, juiciness, and overall acceptability of the meat, compared to the diet of the control group. Adding a supplement of 2% cinnamon or 1% ginger powder to the diet of broiler chickens significantly decreased the percentage of total saturated fatty acid and increased the total unsaturated fatty acid (breast and thigh). The improvement in fatty acid composition is beneficial for the quality of the broiler meat. Based on these findings, it is recommended to supplement the diet of the broiler with either 2% cinnamon or 1% ginger powder to improve the carcass parameters and quality of the meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Hydrometallurgy of China is the property of Hydrometallurgy of China Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Recently, more and more studies have shown that the air may be an important source of microplastics (MPs) in the environment. But there is still a lack of research on MPs in the atmosphere. Here, we obtained the results of MPs concentration in atmospheric deposition in Shaanxi Province. Sampling was carried out for 6 months in 10 cities in Shaanxi Province and three different functional areas in Xi'an City. The results show that the MPs exist widely in the air of Shaanxi Province. The lowest MPs concentration of MPs was observed in Tongchuan (TC) and the highest in Xi'an (XA). Factors affecting the distribution of MPs in the atmosphere may include climate and urban population. Spectral analysis revealed that these MPs consisted of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PET, PAN, PE, and PP constituted the majority (90%) of the detected polymer types. The current research aims to contribute to the limited existing knowledge by examining the presence of MPs in all (wet and dry) atmospheric deposition in the urban environment of Shaanxi Province. The quantity, size, shape, and polymer type are evaluated, thereby improving our understanding of the characteristics of MPs deposition in urban environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Most studies investigated the relationship between COVID-19 and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) by comparing the incidence of GBS before and during the pandemic of COVID-19. However, the findings were inconsistent, probably owing to varying degrees of the lockdown policy. The quarantine requirements and travel restrictions in China were lifted around December 7, 2022. This study aimed to explore whether the relative frequency of GBS increased during the major outbreak in the absence of COVID-19-mandated social restrictions in China. Methods: GBS patients admitted to the First Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, from December 7, 2022 to February 20, 2023, and from June, 2017 to August, 2019 were included. The relative frequencies of GBS in hospitalized patients during different periods were compared. The patients with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection within six weeks prior to GBS onset formed the COVID-GBS group and non-COVID-GBS group, respectively. Results: The relative frequency of GBS among hospitalized patients during the major outbreak of COVID-19 (13/14,408) was significantly higher than that before the COVID-19 epidemic (29/160,669, P < 0.001). More COVID-GBS patients (11/13) presented AIDP subtype than non-COVID-GBS cases (10/27, P = 0.003). The mean interval between onset of infective symptoms and GBS was longer in COVID-GBS (21.54 ± 11.56 days) than in non-COVID-GBS (5.76 ± 3.18 days, P < 0.001). Conclusions: COVID-19 significantly increased the incidence of GBS. Most COVID-GBS patients fell into the category of AIDP, responded well to IVIg, and had a favorable prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient and thorough treatment of dye wastewater is essential to achieve ecological harmony. In this study, a new type of calcium-based modified coal gangue (Ca-CG) was prepared by using solid waste coal gangue as raw material and a CaCl2 modifier, which was used for the removal of malachite green, methylene blue, crystal violet, methyl violet and other dyes in water. When the dosage of Ca-CG was 1–5 g/L, the dosage of Ca-CG was the main factor affecting the dye adsorption effect. The adsorption effects of Ca-CG on four dyes were as follows: malachite green > crystal violet > methylene blue > methyl violet. Kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamic analysis showed that the adsorption of malachite green, methyl blue, crystal violet and methyl violet by Ca-CG fitted the second-order kinetic model, and adsorption with chemical reaction is the main process. The adsorption of four dyes by Ca-CG conformed to the Freundlich model, which is dominated by multi-molecular layer adsorption, and the adsorption was easy to carry out. The adsorption process of Ca-CG on the four dyes was spontaneous. The results of FTIR, XRD and SEM showed that the calcium-based materials such as lipscombite and dolomite were the key to the adsorption of malachite green by Ca-CG, and the main mechanisms for the adsorption of malachite green by Ca-CG are surface precipitation, electrostatic action, and chelation reaction. Ca-CG adsorption has great potential for the removal of dye wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article summarizes the main treaties of the European Union, which in one way or another had a significant impact on its development. It was found that after the end of the Second World War, European leaders decided to protect themselves by uniting into a community. Thus, the first treaty where six states united to create a common coal and steel market was Paris Treaty, which was signed in 1951. Its purpose was to create interdependence of states in coal and steel, so that one state could no longer mobilize its armed forces without the knowledge of the others. This is one of the few treaties that has expired. The following treaties, which became the basis of the European integration movement in Europe, became the Rome Treaties concluded in 1957. As a result, the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community were created. Later, in 1965, the Merger Treaty was signed, the main purpose of which was to streamline the work of European institutions. This agreement has also expired. It was also found that the Single European Act of 1986 reformed the work of the EU institutions in the framework of the Alliance’s preparation for the accession of Portugal and Spain, as well as to speed up the decision-making process in preparation for the creation of the single market. In addition, it was analysed that the Maastricht Treaty was concluded in 1992, which established the modern structure of the EU. In addition, the main purpose of this Treaty is to prepare the European Union for the creation of a monetary union, as well as to introduce the elements of a political union (citizenship, common foreign and domestic policy). Another no less important treaty was concluded in 1997, which was called the Amsterdam Treaty. This Treaty was intended to prepare the EU institutions for future enlargement. It was revealed that in 2001, during the signing of the Nice Treaty, the EU member states determined the need to reform the institutions of the European Union for the purpose of their effective functioning after the expansion to 25 states, to review the system of chairmanship in the Council of the EU. In addition, the last treaty, the main goal of which was to make the EU more democratic, more efficient and capable of solving global problems, was the Lisbon Treaty signed in 2007. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coffee pulp (CP), a by-product of coffee production, is an underutilized resource with significant potential value. CP contains monosaccharides that can serve as an ideal carbon source for bacterial cultivation, enabling the production of value-added components such as medical-grade cellulose. Herein, we extracted the sugar fraction from Arabica CP and used it as a supplement in a growing media of a bacteria cellulose (BC), Komagataeibacter nataicola. The BC was then characterized and tested for cytotoxicity. The CP sugar fraction yielded approximately 7% (w/w) and contained glucose at 4.52 mg/g extract and fructose at 7.34 mg/g extract. Supplementing the sugar fraction at different concentrations (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1 g/10 mL) in sterilized glucose yeast extract broth, the highest yield of cellulose (0.0020 g) occurred at 0.3 g/10 mL. It possessed similar physicochemical attributes to the BC using glucose, with some notable improvements in fine structure and arrangement of the functional groups. In cytotoxicity assessments on HaCaT keratinocyte cells, bacterial cellulose concentrations of 2–1000 µg/mL exhibited viability of ≥ 80%. However, higher concentrations were toxic. This research innovatively uses coffee pulp for bacterial cellulose, aligning with the principles of a bio-circular economy that focuses on sustainable biomass utilization. The sugar fraction of Arabica CP (6.64 g/100 g sample) contained glucose and fructose of 4.52 and 7.34 mg/g extract respectively. Different sugar fraction concentrations (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1 g/10 mL) were tested in sterilized glucose yeast extract broth. Optimal BC yield (0.0020 g) was achieved at 0.3 g/10 mL. The BC exhibited comparable physicochemical characteristics to cellulose obtained from glucose. The cytotoxicity indicate that HaCaT cells exposed to 2–1000 µg/mL of BC had a percentage cell viability of ≥80%, but it was toxic at higher concentrations. CP represents a cheap and readily-available source for BC production, contributing to the bio-circular economic goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among central nervous system-associated malignancies, glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and has the highest mortality rate. The high heterogeneity of GBM cell types and the complex tumor microenvironment frequently lead to tumor recurrence and sudden relapse in patients treated with temozolomide. In precision medicine, research on GBM treatment is increasingly focusing on molecular subtyping to precisely characterize the cellular and molecular heterogeneity, as well as the refractory nature of GBM toward therapy. Deep understanding of the different molecular expression patterns of GBM subtypes is critical. Researchers have recently proposed tetra fractional or tripartite methods for detecting GBM molecular subtypes. The various molecular subtypes of GBM show significant differences in gene expression patterns and biological behaviors. These subtypes also exhibit high plasticity in their regulatory pathways, oncogene expression, tumor microenvironment alterations, and differential responses to standard therapy. Herein, we summarize the current molecular typing scheme of GBM and the major molecular/genetic characteristics of each subtype. Furthermore, we review the mesenchymal transition mechanisms of GBM under various regulators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed novel polynomials called delta polynomials, which are, in turn, derived from the characteristic and matching polynomials of graphs associated with polycyclic aromatic compounds. Natural logarithmic aromatic indices are derived from these delta polynomials, which are shown to provide new insights into the aromaticity of polycyclic aromatic compounds, including the highly symmetric C60 buckminsterfullerene, several other fullerenes, graphene, kekulene series and other cycloarenes, such as polycyclic circumcoronaphenes and coronoids. The newly developed aromatic index yields a value of 6.77 for graphene, 6.516865 for buckminsterfullerene C60(Ih), 5.914023 for kekulene (D6h symmetry), 6.064420 for coronene (D6h), 6.137828 for circumcoronene (D6h), 6.069668 for dicronylene and so forth. Hence, the novel scaled logarithmic aromatic delta indices developed here appear to provide good quantitative measures of aromaticity, especially when they are used in conjunction with other aromatic indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Sports science experts play a crucial role in providing insights and appropriate recommendations to delineate the desired traits of professional group exercise instructors. Objectives. The study aimed to investigate the using expert Delphi techniques in developing a core model for expected characteristics of group exercise instructors in sports science students. Materials and methods. The study involved 18 exercise experts who served as group exercise instructors and lecturers in sports science. Across three questionnaire rounds, the data was assessed using a rating scale, considering Mode (Mo), Median (Mdn), and Interquartile range (IQR). Results. The experts consistently emphasized the development of the eight core characteristics of group exercise at the highest importance level (Mo = 5, Mdn = 5, IQR = 0). Their focus encompassed areas such as knowledge in anatomy and exercise physiology, proficiency in exercise techniques, understanding of movement, psychological aspects, the role of aerobic dance leadership, and attitude towards group exercise. Additionally, knowledge related to injury prevention and nutrition received respective scores of Mo = 4, Mdn = 4, IQR = 1. Being a group exercise instructor necessitated both physical and mental preparedness. Conclusions. The desired characteristics for sports science students who will develop themselves to be group exercise leaders have to include a broad range of knowledge to become a personality model, proficiency in all 8 areas, and the ability to effectively teach that lead students to success. And most importantly, the FFITT-VS (Frequency Intensity Training Time Training Type-Volume Progression) principles of teaching should be applied in organizing the group exercise program to ensure appropriateness for each format. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mineral composition and valence state composition of vanadium clinker in vanadium slag and salt-free roasting stage at different temperature nodes were studied by photoelectron spectroscopy and mineral analyzer. The results show that the contents of vanadium spinel, ferroolivine and calciferite decrease with the increase of roasting temperature, while the contents of iron oxide, ferrotitanite and manganese vanadate increase with the increase of roasting temperature. With the increase of roasting temperature, the oxidation of vanadium slag from V3+ to V1+ is gradually transformed into the internal oxidation of V3+ to V1+ and V1+ to V5+. The valence state of vanadium in vanadium spinel is V3+ and the valence state of vanadium in oxidation state is V4+. The mineral analysis results of vanadium slag and clinker are in good agreement with the valence analysis results of vanadium element. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to develop and evaluate the properties of smoked edible film (EF) composed of carrageenan, myofibril, and collagen. The smoked EF was prepared by incorporating 0.8% liquid smoke. The analysis focused on various parameters including pH, physical properties such as thickness, solubility, tensile strength, elongation percentage, and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). Sensory evaluation was also conducted to assess the texture attributes of the coated product, including wateriness, firmness, elasticity, hardness, and juiciness. The findings revealed that the concentration of the ingredients influenced the thickness of the EF, with myofibril proteins exhibiting higher concentrations compared to carrageenan and collagen. Both collagen and myofibril demonstrated maximum solubility at a concentration of 6%, while carrageenan achieved optimal solubility at concentrations ranging from 2 to 2.5%. Carrageenan exhibited significantly higher tensile strength compared to myofibril and collagen, whereas collagen demonstrated greater elasticity than carrageenan and myofibril protein. Moreover, myofibril protein film exhibited a lower water vapor transmission rate compared to carrageenan and collagen films. In terms of sensory assessment, carrageenan displayed high elasticity and juiciness, while collagen and myofibril showed high firmness and hardness. All EFs showed better antioxidant activity compared to Trolox (EC50 < 95.57 µg/mL). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The EcRACK1 protein from Exopalaemon carinicauda has been identified and analyzed. It consists of 957 nucleotides, encoding 318 amino acids. EcRACK1 exhibits a molecular weight of approximately 35.6 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point (pI) of 7.90. Moreover, the secondary structure analysis reveals the presence of seven WD repeats in EcRACK1, which exhibit more than a 96% sequence identity with the RACK1 protein found in Penaeus species. Additionally, significant upregulation of EcRACK1 expression is observed during stages II and IV, with tissue-specific expression detected in hepatopancreas, spermary, and muscle tissues of adult E. carinicauda individuals. Furthermore, exposure to Aroclor 1254 for durations of 6, 10, 20, and 30 days significantly induces the expression level of EcRACK1 compared to the control group (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that EcRACK1 may play crucial roles in larval development as well as environmental defense mechanisms in E. carinicauda. The receptor for activated protein kinase C1 (RACK1) belongs to the typical WD repeat family, which is extremely conservative and important in multiple signal transduction pathways related to growth and development that coordinate the intracellular role of various life activities. As a novel protein with versatile functions, it was found in a variety of organisms. In a previous study, we identified the RACK1 sequence of white shrimp from transcriptome data. In this study, we employed specialized bioinformatics software to conduct an in-depth analysis of EcRACK1 and compare its amino acid sequence homology with other crustaceans. Furthermore, we investigated the expression patterns of RACK1 at different developmental stages and tissues, as well as at various time points after exposure to Aroclor 1245, aiming to elucidate its function and potential response towards Aroclor 1245 exposure. The length of EcRACK1 is 957 nucleotides, which encodes 318 amino acids. Moreover, there were seven typical WD repeats in EcRACK1, which have more than a 96% sequence identity with the RACK1 proteins of Penaeus. The results of tissue expression and spatiotemporal expression showed that it was significantly increased in the II and IV stages, but had a significant tissue specificity in the hepatopancreas, spermary, and muscle tissues of E. carinicauda, adult stage. Compared to the control, EcRACK1 was significantly induced in E. carinicauda zoea larvae exposed to Aroclor 1254 for 6, 10, 20, and 30 d (p < 0.05). These results suggested that EcRACK1 may play an important role in the larval development and environmental defense of E. carinicauda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the direct and two inverse problems for a model equation of mixed parabolic-hyperbolic type are studied. In the direct problem, the Tricomi problem for this equation with a noncharacteristic line of type change is considered. The unknown of the inverse problem is the variable coefficient at the lowest derivative in the parabolic equation. To determine it, two inverse problems are studied: with respect to the solution defined in the parabolic part of the domain, the integral overdetermination condition (inverse problem 1) and one simple observation at a fixed point (inverse problem 2) are given. Theorems on the unique solvability of the formulated problems in the sense of a classical solution are proved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the direct and inverse problems for a model equation of a mixed parabolic-hyperbolic type. In the direct problem, an analog of the Tricomi problem for this equation with a characteristic line of type change is considered. The unknown of the inverse problem is the y-dependent source function of the parabolic equation. To determine it with respect to the solution defined in the parabolic part of the domain, an overdetermination at the point for condition is specified. Local theorems on the unique solvability of the problems posed in the sense of the classical solution are proved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenge of wound healing is significantly compounded by the risk of infections, notably those caused by the pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus. Oregano (Oregano vulgaris) is a plant with strong antibacterial effects mostly due to its thymol and carvacrol components. There are attempts to employ this plant in novel ways. The present study was conducted to formulate and evaluate a hydrocarbon-based herbal ointment derived from oregano, as well as evaluate its antibacterial activity against S. aureus. Dried Oregano vulgaris leaves were extracted with 96% ethanol by maceration and oregano oil is obtained using the distillation method. The extract was further subjected to phytochemical screening. The ointment was formulated at 3, 6, and 9% concentrations. The formulated ointment was evaluated for physical properties and organoleptic characteristics, such as pH, homogeneity, spreadability, viscosity, and adhesion. The antibacterial activity against S. aureus at various concentrations (ranging from 1.5x105 to 1.5x108 CFU/ml) was also evaluated. Remarkably, the results revealed a positive correlation between the concentration of the herbal ointment and its antibacterial activity against S. aureus. The 3% Oregano vulgaris herbal ointment demonstrated ideal physical properties and antibacterial activity. The findings of the study suggest the effectiveness of oregano as a novel, natural therapeutic agent for treating skin wound infections caused by S. aureus. Future studies must seek clinical validation and formulation optimization to harness its full therapeutic benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study attempts to identify and briefly describe the current directions in applied and theoretical clinical prediction research. Context-rich chronic heart failure syndrome (CHFS) telemedicine provides the medical foundation for this effort. In the chronic stage of heart failure, there are sudden exacerbations of syndromes with subsequent hospitalizations, which are called acute decompensation of heart failure (ADHF). These decompensations are the subject of diagnostic and prognostic predictions. The primary purpose of ADHF predictions is to clarify the current and future health status of patients and subsequently optimize therapeutic responses. We proposed a simplified discrete-state disease model as an attempt at a typical summarization of a medical subject before starting predictive modeling. The study tries also to structure the essential common characteristics of quantitative models in order to understand the issue in an application context. The last part provides an overview of prediction works in the field of CHFS. These three parts provide the reader with a comprehensive view of quantitative clinical predictive modeling in heart failure telemedicine with an emphasis on several key general aspects. The target community is medical researchers seeking to align their clinical studies with prognostic or diagnostic predictive modeling, as well as other predictive researchers. The study was written by a non-medical expert. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Feed Industry is the property of Liaoning Provincial Institute of Agricultural Mechanization and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim: To analyze the relationship between maternal characteristics and actions to maintain children's oral health with oral hygiene in primary school-aged children Method: This type of research is quantitative analytical with a cross-sectional approach. The population is students from SD Negeri Seberang Mesjid 1 Banjarmasin. The sample was taken using a purposive sampling technique of 5th-grade students and their mothers. Data collection on characteristics and perspectives of maternal actions used a questionnaire instrument. Meanwhile, data on oral hygiene uses the Oral Hygiene Index Simplified (OHI-S) examination sheet. Data analysis used an alternative relationship test, namely Fisher's Exact Test. Results: Most mothers (47.1%) had actions to maintain their children's oral health in the good category. Meanwhile, most children's oral hygiene (49.4%) was in the poor category. The results of the correlation test showed (p-value) that the child's oral hygiene with the mother’s education = 0.000, the mother’s occupation = 0.001, the mother’s exposure to information = 0.000, the family’s income = 0.014, and the mother's age = 0.596. In the correlation test between the mother's actions in maintaining her child's oral health and the children's oral hygiene, it was found that p-value = 0.000. Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between maternal characteristics which include: education, occupation, family income, and the mother's actions. Meanwhile, the mother's age is not significantly related to the mother's actions. There is a significant relationship between the mother's actions in maintaining her child's oral health and the oral hygiene of primary schoolaged children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: As functional oligosaccharides, feruloyl oligosaccharides (FOs) exhibit the physiological activities of both ferulic acid and oligosaccharides. In this study, FOs were prepared by fermenting wheat bran with the generally recognised as safe (GRAS) bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens IT‐45. On the fourth day of fermentation, the activities of xylanase and cellulase reached 447.67 and 33.41 U/mL, respectively. UV, FTIR, and HPLC were used to characterise the structure properties of wheat bran FOs from B. amyloliquefaciens IT‐45 fermentation. The monosaccharide compositions of FOs were mainly composed of xylose and arabinose. Under the optimal conditions of fermentation time of 4 days, fermentation temperature of 25 °C, initial pH of 6.5 and inoculation amount of 11% (v/v), the maximum yield of FOs in the broth was 0.6397 mM. In vitro antioxidant activity analysis showed that FOs prepared by B. amyloliquefaciens fermentation had good scavenging ability against ABTS, DPPH and hydroxyl radicals, demonstrating the application potential. The results provided a relatively environmentally friendly and food‐safety way to prepare feruloyl oligosaccharides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A drug nanocrystal self-stabilized Pickering emulsion (DNSPE) is a novel Pickering emulsion with drug nanocrystals as the stabilizer. As a promising drug delivery system, DNSPEs have attracted increasing attention in recent years due to their high drug loading capacity and ability to reduce potential safety hazards posed by surfactants or specific solid particles. This paper comprehensively reviews the progress of research on DNSPEs, with an emphasis on the main factors influencing their construction, characteristics and measurement methods in vitro, and fate in vivo, and puts forward issues that need to be studied further. The review contributes to the advancement of DNSPE research and the promotion of their application in the field of drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Przegląd Elektrotechniczny is the property of Przeglad Elektrotechniczny and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

[Objectives] This study was conducted to actively carry out the breeding of new tetraploid common buckwheat varieties and its supporting breeding techniques. [Methods] Pintianqiao 3 is a new tetraploid common buckwheat variety developed by CoUege of Agriculture of Shanxi Agricultural University and Agri-cultural Genetic Resources Center of Shanxi Agricultural University, using 'Pintianqiao 1' as the parent, through mutation treatment with 0.2% colchicine aqueous solution, grain selection, plant selection, isolation and identification, variety comparison, regional test and field investigation. The variety has chromosomes 2n = 4X = 32, and shows a spring sowing period of 101 d and a summer sowing period of 80 d, large flowers and seeds & with a 1 000-grain weight of 41.4 g), and good resistance to lodging. [Results] From 2021 to 2022, Pintianqiao 3 participated in the independent joint regional test of common buckwheat varieties in Shanxi Province, and the average yield in 10 test positions was 1.8 kg, equivalent to 1 800 kg/hm², which was 8.4% higher than the control. It passed the field investigation conducted by Shanxi provincial expert group for identification of non-major crop varieties in Dongyang and Kelan experimental sites on September 2 -3, 2022. On January 4, 2024, it passed the preliminary examination of Shanxi Provincial Crop Variety Approval Committee. The seed reproduction technique of Pintianqiao 3 including land selection, preparation before sowing, sowing, field management and timely harvesting has been developed. [Conclusions] This study provides technical support for the demonstration and popularization of this new variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]