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Found 6342 publications
Valorization of Pea Pod (Pisum sativum L.) Waste: Application as a Functional Ingredient in Flatbreads
Publication Name: Legume Science
Publication Date: 2024-12-01
Volume: 6
Issue: 4
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Legumes provide valuable functional properties, serving as rich sources of protein, minerals, dietary fiber, and antioxidant compounds. This study evaluated the nutritional and antioxidant properties of pea pod powder (PPP) as a fortifying ingredient in flatbreads. The results indicate that PPP contains carbohydrates (55%), protein (16.7%), and dietary fiber (13.1%), with significant antioxidant properties (total polyphenol content: 463 mg GAE/100 g, total flavonoid content: 159 mg QE/100 g, DPPH radical scavenging activity: 166 mg AAE/100 g; IC50 : 2.31 mg/mL, chlorophyll a: 17.4 mg/100 g, chlorophyll b: 17.4 mg/100 g, and total chlorophyll: 32.6 mg/100 g). Rutin, chlorogenic acid, and p-coumaric acid were identified and quantified by HPLC-DAD, with concentrations of 15.2, 2.94, and 6.60 mg/100 g, respectively. Flatbreads fortified with PPP at 5%w/w and 10%w/w showed increased thickness, reduced diameter and spread ratio, and enhanced antioxidant properties. However, consumer acceptance significantly declined at the 10%w/w level, likely due to off-flavors that affected sensory appeal.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.1002/leg3.70017
Detection of tick-borne pathogens in the pangolin tick, Amblyomma javanense, from Vietnam and Laos, including a novel species of Trypanosoma
Publication Name: Acta Tropica
Publication Date: 2024-12-01
Volume: 260
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Two species of Southeast Asian pangolins (the Chinese pangolin, Manis pentadactyla and the Malayan or Sunda pangolin, Manis javanica) are critically endangered species. Therefore, knowledge on their parasitic infections is very important, especially considering ticks that can transmit which pathogens. In this study, 32 pangolin ticks (Amblyomma javanense), that were collected in Vietnam and Laos, were analyzed with molecular methods for the presence of tick-borne pathogens. Two members of the family Anaplasmataceae were shown to be present in 14 pangolin ticks, i.e., Candidatus Anaplasma pangolinii and an Ehrlichia sp. In three ticks, a single Rickettsia genotype was also detected, and in seven ticks four 18S rRNA sequence variants of a Babesia sp. Most importantly, a novel protozoan agent, tentatively called here Trypanosoma sp. “PAT14” was detected in one A. javanense nymph. These results imply the first molecular finding of any species of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Babesia in pangolin ticks from Vietnam and Laos. On the other hand, detection of a new tick-associated Trypanosoma sp. in A. javanense from Southeast Asia is not only important from a taxonomic point of view, but it is also the first finding of any trypanosomes in the genus Amblyomma in Eurasia and adds pangolins to the potential placental mammalian hosts of any trypanosomes.
Open Access: Yes
Comparison of Carbon-Dioxide Emissions of Diesel and LNG Heavy-Duty Trucks in Test Track Environment
Publication Name: Clean Technologies
Publication Date: 2024-12-01
Volume: 6
Issue: 4
Page Range: 1465-1479
Description:
Environmental protection and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are getting increasingly high priority in the area of mobility. Several regulations, goals and projects have been published in recent years that clearly encourage the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) emission, the adoption of green alternatives and the use of renewable energy sources. The study compares CO2 emissions between conventional diesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG) heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), and furthermore investigates the main influencing factors of GHG emissions. This study was carried out in a test–track environment, which supported the perfect reproducibility of the tests with minimum external influencing factors, allowing different types of measurements. At the results level, our primary objective was to collect and evaluate consumption and emission values using statistical methods, in terms of correlations, relationships and impact assessment. In this research, we recorded CO2 and pollutant emission values indirectly via the fleet management system (FMS) using controller area network (CAN) messages. Correlation, regression and statistical analyses were used to investigate the factors influencing fuel consumption and emissions. Our scientific work is a unique study in the field of HDVs, as the measurements were performed on the test track level, which provide accuracy for emission differences. The results of the project clearly show that gas technology can contribute to reducing GHG emissions of HDVs, and LNG provides a reliable alternative way forward for long-distance transportation, especially in areas of Europe where filling stations are already available.
Open Access: Yes
Molecular-phylogenetic investigation of trichomonads in dogs and cats reveals a novel Tritrichomonas species
Publication Name: Parasites and Vectors
Publication Date: 2024-12-01
Volume: 17
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Background: Trichomonosis is a common infection in small animals, mostly manifesting in gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea. Although oral trichomonads are also known, the species found colonizing the large intestine are more frequently detected protozoa. Methods: In the present study, four wildcats, 94 domestic cats, and 25 dogs, originating from 18 different locations in Hungary, were investigated for the presence of oral and large intestinal trichomonads based on the 18S rRNA gene and ITS2. Results: All oral swabs were negative by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). However, Tritrichomonas foetus was detected in a high proportion among tested domestic cats (13.8%) and dogs (16%), and Pentatrichomonas hominis only in two domestic cats. In addition, a novel Tritrichomonas genotype was identified in one cat, probably representing a new species that was shown to be phylogenetically most closely related to Tritrichomonas casperi described recently from mice. All positive dogs and half of the positive cats showed symptoms, and among cats, the most frequent breed was the Ragdoll. Conclusions: With molecular methods, this study evaluated the prevalence of oral and intestinal trichomonads in clinical samples of dogs and cats from Hungary, providing the first evidence of T. foetus in dogs of this region. In contrast to literature data, P. hominis was more prevalent in cats than in dogs. Finally, a hitherto unknown large intestinal Tritrichomonas species (closely related to T. casperi) was shown to be present in a cat, raising two possibilities. First, this novel genotype might have been a rodent-associated pseudoparasite in the relevant cat. Otherwise, the cat was actually infected, thus suggesting the role of a predator–prey link in the evolution of this trichomonad. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.)
Open Access: Yes
Walking on a Balance Beam as a New Measure of Dynamic Balance to Predict Falls in Older Adults and Patients with Neurological Conditions
Publication Name: Sports Medicine Open
Publication Date: 2024-12-01
Volume: 10
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Background: Beam walking is a new test to estimate dynamic balance. We characterized dynamic balance measured by the distance walked on beams of different widths in five age groups of healthy adults (20, 30, 40, 50, 60 years) and individuals with neurological conditions (i.e., Parkinson, multiple sclerosis, stroke, age: 66.9 years) and determined if beam walking distance predicted prospective falls over 12 months. Methods: Individuals with (n = 97) and without neurological conditions (n = 99, healthy adults, age 20–60) participated in this prospective longitudinal study. Falls analyses over 12 months were conducted. The summed distance walked under single (walking only) and dual-task conditions (walking and serial subtraction by 7 between 300 to 900) on three beams (4, 8, and 12-cm wide) was used in the analyses. Additional functional tests comprised grip strength and the Short Physical Performance Battery. Results: Beam walking distance was unaffected on the 12-cm-wide beam in the healthy adult groups. The distance walked on the 8-cm-wide beam decreased by 0.34 m in the 20-year-old group. This reduction was ~ 3 × greater, 1.1 m, in the 60-year-old group. In patients, beam walking distances decreased sharply by 0.8 m on the 8 versus 12 cm beam and by additional 1.6 m on the 4 versus 8 cm beam. Beam walking distance under single and dual-task conditions was linearly but weakly associated with age (R2 = 0.21 for single task, R2 = 0.27 for dual-task). Age, disease, and beam width affected distance walked on the beam. Beam walking distance predicted future falls in the combined population of healthy adults and patients with neurological conditions. Based on receiver operating characteristic curve analyses using data from the entire study population, walking ~ 8.0 of the 12 m maximum on low-lying beams predicted future fallers with reasonable accuracy. Conclusion: Balance beam walking is a new but worthwhile measure of dynamic balance to predict falls in the combined population of healthy adults and patients with neurological conditions. Future studies are needed to evaluate the predictive capability of beam walking separately in more homogenous populations. Clinical Trial Registration Number NCT03532984.
Open Access: Yes
A Novel Evaluation Framework for Medical LLMs: Combining Fuzzy Logic and MCDM for Medical Relation and Clinical Concept Extraction
Publication Name: Journal of Medical Systems
Publication Date: 2024-12-01
Volume: 48
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a crucial element of modern technology, especially in the healthcare sector, which is apparent given the continuous development of large language models (LLMs), which are utilized in various domains, including medical beings. However, when it comes to using these LLMs for the medical domain, there’s a need for an evaluation platform to determine their suitability and drive future development efforts. Towards that end, this study aims to address this concern by developing a comprehensive Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) approach that is specifically designed to evaluate medical LLMs. The success of AI, particularly LLMs, in the healthcare domain, depends on their efficacy, safety, and ethical compliance. Therefore, it is essential to have a robust evaluation framework for their integration into medical contexts. This study proposes using the Fuzzy-Weighted Zero-InConsistency (FWZIC) method extended to p, q-quasirung orthopair fuzzy set (p, q-QROFS) for weighing evaluation criteria. This extension enables the handling of uncertainties inherent in medical decision-making processes. The approach accommodates the imprecise and multifaceted nature of real-world medical data and criteria by incorporating fuzzy logic principles. The MultiAtributive Ideal-Real Comparative Analysis (MAIRCA) method is employed for the assessment of medical LLMs utilized in the case study of this research. The results of this research revealed that “Medical Relation Extraction” criteria with its sub-levels had more importance with (0.504) than “Clinical Concept Extraction” with (0.495). For the LLMs evaluated, out of 6 alternatives, (A4) “GatorTron S 10B” had the 1st rank as compared to (A1) “GatorTron 90B” had the 6th rank. The implications of this study extend beyond academic discourse, directly impacting healthcare practices and patient outcomes. The proposed framework can help healthcare professionals make more informed decisions regarding the adoption and utilization of LLMs in medical settings.
Open Access: Yes
An Analytical Method for Determining the Stress–Strain State of a Subgrade with Combined Reinforcement
Publication Name: Infrastructures
Publication Date: 2024-12-01
Volume: 9
Issue: 12
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
This article presents the fundamentals of an analytical method for determining the stress–strain state of a railway subgrade reinforced with geosynthetic material. The reinforcement described is a combined system where the geosynthetic material forms an open shell containing a layer of compacted crushed stone. The overall stress–strain state is proposed to be viewed as a superposition of two states of the subgrade. The stresses and displacements in the first state refer to the unreinforced subgrade (matrix), while the stress–strain state of the reinforcement element is determined using analytical constructs from composite theory. The dependencies of the overall stress–strain state are applied in a numerical analysis, which confirms the positive effect of reduced subgrade deformations. A small-scale experimental model further validates the accuracy of the analytical approach.
Open Access: Yes
Photosynthetic Activity Measured In Situ in Microalgae Cultures Grown in Pilot-Scale Raceway Ponds
Joaquín Pozo Dengra
Francisco Gabriel Acién Fernández
Bernardo Cicchi
Marta Barceló-Villalobos
João Artur Câmara Manoel
Cintia Gómez-Serrano
João Artur Câmara Manoel
Victor A. Robles Carnero
Karolína Ranglová
Juan Luis Gómez Pinchetti
Vince Ördög
Ana Margarita Silva Benavides
Giuseppe Torzillo
Jiří Masojídek
Félix Lopez Figueroa
Publication Name: Plants
Publication Date: 2024-12-01
Volume: 13
Issue: 23
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The microalga Scenedesmus sp. (Chlorophyceae) was cultured in a raceway pond (RWP) placed in a greenhouse. The objective of this case study was to monitor the photosynthesis performance and selected physicochemical variables (irradiance, temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration) of microalgae cultures in situ at various depths of RWP. The data of actual photochemical yield Y(II), the electron transport rate monitored by in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic oxygen production both in situ and ex situ revealed that (i) even in diluted cultures (0.6 g DW L−1), the active photic layer in the culture was only about 1 cm, indicating that most of the culture was “photosynthetically” inactive; (ii) the mechanism of non-photochemical quenching may not be fast enough to respond once the cells move from the surface to the deeper layers; and (iii) even when cells were exposed to a high dissolved oxygen concentration of about 200% sat and higher, the cultures retained a relatively high Y(II) > 0.35 when monitored in situ. The presented work can be used as exemplary data to optimize the growth regime of microalgae cultures in large-scale RWPs by understanding the interplay between photosynthetic activity, culture depth and cell concentration.
Open Access: Yes
Complex dental wear analysis reveals dietary shift in Triassic placodonts (Sauropsida, Sauropterygia)
Publication Name: Swiss Journal of Palaeontology
Publication Date: 2024-12-01
Volume: 143
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Placodonts were durophagous reptiles of the Triassic seas with robust skulls, jaws, and enlarged, flat, pebble-like teeth. During their evolution, they underwent gradual craniodental changes from the Early Anisian to the Rhaetian, such as a reduction in the number of teeth, an increase in the size of the posterior palatal teeth, an elongation of the premaxilla/rostrum, and a widening of the temporal region. These changes are presumably related to changes in dietary habits, which, we hypothesise, are due to changes in the type and quality of food they consumed. In the present study, the dental wear pattern of a total of nine European Middle to Late Triassic placodont species were investigated using 2D and 3D microwear analyses to demonstrate whether there could have been a dietary shift or grouping among the different species and, whether the possible changes could be correlated with environmental changes affecting their habitats. The 3D analysis shows overlap between species with high variance between values and there is no distinct separation. The 2D analysis has distinguished two main groups. The first is characterised by low number of wear features and high percentage of large pits. The other group have a high feature number, but low percentage of small pits. The 2D analysis showed a correlation between the wear data and the size of the enlarged posterior crushing teeth. Teeth with larger sizes showed less wear feature (with higher pit ratio) but larger individual features. In contrast, the dental wear facet of smaller crushing teeth shows more but smaller wear features (with higher scratch number). This observation may be related to the size of the food consumed, i.e., the wider the crown, the larger food it could crush, producing larger features. Comparison with marine mammals suggests that the dietary preference of Placochelys, Psephoderma and Paraplacodus was not exclusively hard, thick-shelled food. They may have had a more mixed diet, similar to that of modern sea otters. The diet of Henodus may have included plant food, similar to the modern herbivore marine mammals and lizards.
Open Access: Yes
