Masking Effect Research Articles

Decreased Indian Ocean Dipole variability under prolonged greenhouse warming

The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is a major climate variability mode that substantially influences weather extremes and climate patterns worldwide. However, the response of IOD variability to anthropogenic global warming remains highly uncertain. The latest IPCC Sixth Assessment Report concluded that human influences on IOD variability are not robustly detected in observations and twenty-first century climate-model projections. Here, using millennial-length climate simulations, we disentangle forced response and internal variability in IOD change and show that greenhouse warming robustly suppresses IOD variability. On a century time scale, internal variability overwhelms the forced change in IOD, leading to a widespread response in IOD variability. This masking effect is mainly caused by a remote influence of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation. However, on a millennial time scale, nearly all climate models show a long-term weakening trend in IOD variability by greenhouse warming. Our results provide compelling evidence for a human influence on the IOD.

English vowel recognition in multi-talker babbles mixed with different numbers of talkersa).

The present study examined English vowel recognition in multi-talker babbles (MTBs) in 20 normal-hearing, native-English-speaking adult listeners. Twelve vowels, embedded in the h-V-d structure, were presented in MTBs consisting of 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 talkers (numbers of talkers [N]) and a speech-shaped noise at signal-to-noise ratios of -12, -6, and 0 dB. Results showed that vowel recognition performance was a non-monotonic function of N when signal-to-noise ratios were less favorable. The masking effects of MTBs on vowel recognition were most similar to consonant recognition but less so to word and sentence recognition reported in previous studies.

Performance of T2-based PCA mix control chart with KDE control limit for monitoring variable and attribute characteristics

In this work, the mixed multivariate T2 control chart’s detailed performance evaluation based on PCA mix is explored. The control limit of the proposed control chart is calculated using the kernel density approach. Through simulation studies, the proposed chart’s performance is assessed in terms of its capacity to identify outliers and process shifts. When 30% more outliers are included in the data, the proposed chart provides a consistent accuracy rate for identifying mixed outliers. For the balanced percentage of attribute qualities, misdetection happens because of the high false alarm rate. For unbalanced attribute qualities and excessive proportions, the masking effect is the key issue. The proposed chart shows the improved performance for the shift in identifying the shift in the process.

Research on the influence mechanism of digital innovation in high‐tech enterprises — An inter‐organizational perspective

AbstractCarrying out digital innovation is the main channel for enterprises to stimulate internal vitality and enhance core competitiveness in the digital economy era. Based on the Panel data of A‐share listed high‐tech enterprises from 2011 to 2020, this paper integrates digital strategy, executive incentive, and financial flexibility into the same analytical framework from an inter‐organizational perspective and uses the random effect Tobit model to study their direct or indirect effects on digital innovation. The research results indicate that digital strategy has a significant positive impact on digital innovation, while the indirect effect of diversified management weakens the positive impact of digital strategy, specifically manifested as the masking effect; executive incentives have a significant positive impact on digital innovation, while equity concentration negatively moderates the impact of executive incentives on digital innovation; financial flexibility has an inverted U‐shaped impact on digital innovation. The research results provide a theoretical basis and practical inspiration for the implementation of digital innovation within enterprises.

Abstract 4068: In vitro masked effect, in vivo anti-tumor activity and toxicology study of KGX101, an interleukin-12 prodrug, in monotherapy or in combination with anti-PD-L1 antibody

Abstract Interleukin-12 (IL-12) has long been limited in its clinical use due to its short half-life (t1/2) and dose-related toxicity, despite its remarkable ability to activate effector functions in T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. To address these challenges, we engineered an IL-12 prodrug called KGX101. In KGX101, the C-terminus of IL-12 is fused with ADCC-impaired IgG1 Fc to extend its half-life. Meanwhile, the N-terminus is concealed with its corresponding receptor soluble domains, IL-12Rβ1 and IL-12Rβ2, using tumor-specific protease cleavable linkers. This innovative design prevents systemic immune system overactivation. Once the linker is cleaved by tumor microenvironment (TME)-specific proteases, KGX101 functions like IL-12, effectively stimulating T cells and NK cells, reshaping the TME, and displaying significant potential in cancer therapy. To confirm KGX101's masking effect, we conducted IFNγ induction efficacy tests using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from three donors. KGX101 demonstrated a 300 to 2500-fold reduction in activity compared to unmasked IL-12-Fc. Importantly, the masking effect of KGX101 was nearly abolished after protease digestion, affirming its mechanism of action. To further establish KGX101's effectiveness, we conducted in vivo antitumor studies in hPBMC xenograft mouse models using human colorectal cancer HCT116 and PD-L1-overexpressed human malignant melanoma A375. Mice were subcutaneously implanted with a specific mixture of cancer cells and hPBMCs, and then intravenously injected with PBS or KGX101 at various dose levels twice a week for 4-5 cycles. Compared to the PBS control group, KGX101 demonstrated up to a 42% tumor growth inhibition (TGI) in the HCT116 model at 0.18 mg/kg and a 76% TGI in the hPD-L1-A375 model at 0.06 mg/kg. Analysis of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) revealed that KGX101 increased the percentage of T cells in the tumor environment in a dose-dependent manner. We also evaluated the combination of KGX101 with an anti-PD-L1 antibody in an HCT116/hPBMC xenograft mouse model, which showed limited response to anti-PD-L1 monotherapy. The TGI% for KGX101 at 0.06 mg/kg, anti-PD-L1 antibody at 1 mg/kg, and their combination were 36.56%, 6.93%, and 66.22%, respectively, demonstrating a promising antitumor synergy. In terms of pharmacokinetics, a single dose of KGX101 at 0.06 mg/kg and 0.18 mg/kg in the HCT116/hPBMC xenograft mouse model resulted in a serum half-life ranging from 52.75 to 64.87 hours, while the t1/2 in Cynomolgus monkeys was approximately 3 days. In a 4-week repeat dose toxicity study in Cynomolgus monkeys, the highest non-severely toxic dose (HNSTD) of KGX101 was determined to be 0.1 mg/kg. The results from nonclinical toxicology studies support the potential of KGX101 as a well-tolerated therapy for the First-in-Human (FIH) clinical trial. Citation Format: Shumin Yang, Nuo Li, Jing Wang, Li Ma, Yi Zhao, Hui Chen, Haixiang Wu, Weidong Jiang. In vitro masked effect, in vivo anti-tumor activity and toxicology study of KGX101, an interleukin-12 prodrug, in monotherapy or in combination with anti-PD-L1 antibody [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 4068.

Phosphorus release and realignment in anaerobic digestion of thermal hydrolysis pretreatment sludge – Masking effects from high ammonium

Waste activated sludge (WAS) is a significant phosphorus (P) repository, and there is a growing interest in P recovery from WAS. Typically, the commercial technology for treating WAS involves thermal hydrolysis pretreatment (THP) coupled with anaerobic digestion (AD). However, there is ongoing debate regarding the transformation and distribution of P throughout this process. To address this, a long-term THP-AD process was operated in this study to comprehensively investigate P transformation and distribution. The results revealed that a substantial biodegradation of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) raised the pH of the digestate to 8.3 during the AD process. This increased pH facilitated the dissolution of Al, leading to a reduction of 6.92 mg/L of NaOH-P. Simultaneously, sulfate reduction contributed to a decrease of 11.04 mg/L of Bipy-P in the solid. However, the reduction of Bipy-P and NaOH-P in the solid did not result in an improved P release to the supernatant. Conversely, a decrease of 23.60 mg/L P in the aqueous phase was observed after anaerobic digestion. The disappeared P was primarily precipitated with Mg and Ca, driven by the increased pH, and it contributed to the increase of HCl-P in the solid from 107.80 to 144.52 mg/L. These findings were further confirmed by results obtained from scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and solid-state 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of P transformation during THP-AD process that is nearly opposite from conventional AD system.

Effects of the Molecular Structure of Malodor Substances and Their Masking on 1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine Molecular Layers.

Certain odors have been shown not only to cause health problems and stress but also to affect skin barrier function. Therefore, it is important to understand olfactory masking to develop effective fragrances to mask malodors. However, olfaction and olfactory masking mechanisms are not yet fully understood. To understand the mechanism of the masking effect that has been studied, the responses of several target substance (TS) molecules-1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) mixed molecular layers to odorant (OD) molecules were examined as a simple experimental model of epithelial cellular membranes injured by TS molecules. Here, we examined trans-2-nonenal, 1-nonanal, trans-2-decenal, and 1-decanal as TS molecules to clarify the effects of double bonds and hydrocarbon chain lengths on the phospholipid molecular layer. In addition, benzaldehyde and cyclohexanecarboxaldehyde were utilized as OD molecules to clarify the masking effect of the aromatic ring. Surface pressure (Π)-area (A) isotherms were measured to clarify the adsorption or desorption of TS and OD molecules on the DOPC molecular layer. In addition, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was performed to clarify the interactions among DOPC, TS, and OD molecules. We found that TS molecules with and without double bonds had different effects on the DOPC molecular layer and that molecules with shorter chain lengths had greater effects on the DOPC molecular layer. Furthermore, OD molecules with aromatic rings counteracted the effects of the TS molecules. On the basis of this research, not only a detailed mechanism by which odor molecules affect lipid membranes without mediating olfactory receptors is elucidated but also more effective OD molecules with masking effects are proposed.

The effects of anthropogenic noise on frogs housed on exhibit at a public aquarium.

Anuran behavior and reproduction are dominated by vocalizations, rendering them vulnerable to the effects of signal masking. For anurans on display in zoos and aquaria, a major source of ambient noise is visitors, which pose a unique source of potential anthropogenic signal masking. Call characteristics (total call duration, and minimum and maximum call frequencies) of three populations of dendrobatids (Dendrobates leucomelas, Epipedobates tricolor, and Ranitomeya imitator) on public display were investigated at time periods of increasing visitor-related noise (closed, off-peak, and peak aquarium visiting hours) to determine if there were changes in call characteristics that correlated with changes in visitor noise levels. The data revealed that call length increased with more visitor noise for D. leucomelas and E. tricolor, with their longest calls during peak hours, and all three species had their shortest calls during closed hours. Both minimum and maximum call frequencies increased with more visitor noise for E. tricolor and R. imitator, with their highest frequencies during peak hours, and lowest frequencies during closed hours. This study found evidence that anurans on public display adjust their vocalizations in the presence of visitor noise. These findings support expanded monitoring of ambient noise for animals on public display to determine if noise poses significant effects that might influence well-being or reproduction.

The Moderating Role of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Protective Effects of Health Behaviors among Clients Using Mental Health Services.

College-student clients using mental health services contend with increased anxiety and depressive symptoms, and their vulnerability to infectious respiratory diseases and severe clinical outcomes rises. To mitigate severe outcomes, health behaviors serve as essential protective tools to reduce the risk of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Considering the escalating prevalence of anxiety and depression among college-student clients, little is known about how anxiety and depressive symptoms could potentially attenuate the protective effects of COVID-19 health behaviors (i.e., masking, social distancing, and hygiene practice). This study aims to examine the interactive effects of anxiety/depression and health behaviors in predicting COVID-19 infection. Methods: We analyzed data from the 2020-2021 Healthy Mind Study including a random sample of 9884 college-student clients in mental health services across 140 higher education institutions in the United States. We performed multivariable logistic regression to assess whether and to what extent the associations between COVID-19 health behaviors and infection depended on severity of anxiety or depressive symptoms. Results: Anxiety symptom severity negatively moderated the protective effects of social distancing against infection after adjusting for demographic characteristics and pre-existing chronic health conditions. Depressive symptom severity negatively moderated the protective effects of masking, social distancing, or hygiene practices against infection. Conclusion: The associations between certain COVID-19 health behaviors and infection were conditional on anxiety and depressive symptom severity. Findings suggest a potential public health benefit of mental health clinicians' efforts in assessing and treating clients' anxiety and depressive symptoms, namely reducing their vulnerability to COVID-19 infection and perhaps other infectious respiratory diseases.

Alpha peak frequency affects visual performance beyond temporal resolution

Abstract Recent work suggests that the individual alpha peak frequency (IAPF) reflects the temporal resolution of visual processing: individuals with higher IAPF can segregate stimuli at shorter intervals compared to those with lower IAPF. However, this evidence mainly comes from studies focusing on short intervals, with stimulus onset asynchronies (SOA) rarely extending beyond a single alpha cycle (e.g., ~100 ms). Here, we investigated the relationship between IAPF and performance in visual backward masking (VBM), which allowed us to test the effects of IAPF for longer SOAs than an alpha cycle. A group of healthy controls (N = 79) and schizophrenia patients (N = 121), who generally exhibit lower IAPF, were tested in conditions with a Vernier shown alone, a Vernier followed by a mask at two SOAs (30 and 150 ms), or only a mask. Our results show that IAPF can predict VBM performance in all conditions with a Vernier. Furthermore, in both the control and schizophrenia groups, individuals with higher IAPF showed reduced masking effects, even when the SOA of 150 ms exceeded the alpha cycle. These findings challenge the notion that IAPF is exclusively related to temporal resolution and visual processing within a single alpha cycle. We discuss alternative mechanisms by which IAPF determines visual performance.

Effects of Face Mask Mandates on COVID-19 Transmission in 51 Countries: Retrospective Event Study.

The question of the utility of face masks in preventing acute respiratory infections has received renewed attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, given the inconclusive evidence from existing randomized controlled trials, evidence based on real-world data with high external validity is missing. To add real-world evidence, this study aims to examine whether mask mandates in 51 countries and mask recommendations in 10 countries increased self-reported face mask use and reduced SARS-CoV-2 reproduction numbers and COVID-19 case growth rates. We applied an event study approach to data pooled from four sources: (1) country-level information on self-reported mask use was obtained from the COVID-19 Trends and Impact Survey, (2) data from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker provided information on face mask mandates and recommendations and any other nonpharmacological interventions implemented, (3) mobility indicators from Google's Community Mobility Reports were also included, and (4) SARS-CoV-2 reproduction numbers and COVID-19 case growth rates were retrieved from the Our World in Data-COVID-19 data set. Mandates increased mask use by 8.81 percentage points (P=.006) on average, and SARS-CoV-2 reproduction numbers declined on average by -0.31 units (P=.008). Although no significant average effect of mask mandates was observed for growth rates of COVID-19 cases (-0.98 percentage points; P=.56), the results indicate incremental effects on days 26 (-1.76 percentage points; P=.04), 27 (-1.89 percentage points; P=.05), 29 (-1.78 percentage points; P=.04), and 30 (-2.14 percentage points; P=.02) after mandate implementation. For self-reported face mask use and reproduction numbers, incremental effects are seen 6 and 13 days after mandate implementation. Both incremental effects persist for >30 days. Furthermore, mask recommendations increased self-reported mask use on average (5.84 percentage points; P<.001). However, there were no effects of recommendations on SARS-CoV-2 reproduction numbers or COVID-19 case growth rates (-0.06 units; P=.70 and -2.45 percentage points; P=.59). Single incremental effects on self-reported mask use were observed on days 11 (3.96 percentage points; P=.04), 13 (3.77 percentage points; P=.04) and 25 to 27 (4.20 percentage points; P=.048 and 5.91 percentage points; P=.01) after recommendation. Recommendations also affected reproduction numbers on days 0 (-0.07 units; P=.03) and 1 (-0.07 units; P=.03) and between days 21 (-0.09 units; P=.04) and 28 (-0.11 units; P=.05) and case growth rates between days 1 and 4 (-1.60 percentage points; P=.03 and -2.19 percentage points; P=.03) and on day 23 (-2.83 percentage points; P=.05) after publication. Contrary to recommendations, mask mandates can be used as an effective measure to reduce SARS-CoV-2 reproduction numbers. However, mandates alone are not sufficient to reduce growth rates of COVID-19 cases. Our study adds external validity to the existing randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of face masks to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

A Study on the Impact of Pilot Carbon Emission Trading Policies on Corporate Performance

This paper uses the carbon emission trading policy as a quasi-natural experiment to comprehensively investigate its impact on the financial and market performance of firms. The study uses data from A-share listed companies for the period from 2009 to 2022 and adopts the difference-in-differences model for a rigorous analysis. The mediating effect of financing constraints and the moderating role of managerial capabilities are examined with respect to the influencing mechanisms; heterogeneity was also analyzed in terms of carbon allowance allocation methods, carbon prices, environmental enforcement efforts, and type of industry. The results of the study show that the carbon trading policy has a significant effect on improving the financial performance of firms, while also inhibiting their market performance. The feasibility of the findings was further validated after conducting robustness tests such as propensity score matching and placebo tests. The mechanism analysis finds that financing constraints play a masking effect on the impact of carbon trading policies on firms’ financial performance; managerial competence can positively moderate firms’ market performance. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the inhibitory effect of emissions trading policies on market performance is more significant for firms in regions with a smaller share of free allowances. For companies in high carbon price regions, carbon trading policies have a more significant impact on financial performance. For companies located in regions with higher levels of environmental enforcement, the positive effect of carbon trading policies on financial performance is unchanged, but the dampening effect on market performance is more significant. Carbon trading policies have a stronger positive effect on the financial performance of high-polluting firms, but a more significant dampening effect on the market performance of low-polluting firms. The findings of this study enhance China’s research framework on the economic impacts of carbon trading policies on micro-enterprises, promoting sustainable business development and serving as a useful reference for policy sustainability.

A psychoacoustic test on the effect of masking on annoyance to urban air mobility vehicle noise

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) vehicles have a large range of designs and configurations that lead to new noise characteristics and potentially different perceptual responses when compared to traditional aircraft. In addition, UAM vehicles are expected to operate around and within densely populated regions where the presence of ambient background noise is often present. Strategically, this can be leveraged to inform vehicle design and operations to partially or completely mask UAM noise, allowing for mitigation of negative responses and an increased number of allowed operations. A psychoacoustic test was conducted to investigate how masking effects can influence the annoyance response to a low frequency harmonic tone complex (80-320 Hz). To do this, five test subjects compared their annoyance response to the low frequency tonal noise with a higher frequency broadband noise (10 dB down bandwidth between 300 and 2000 Hz), with and without a masking noise present. Detection thresholds were also measured for both sounds to help fit a model to the data. Although the effect of masking on annoyance is complex, results indicate that for some individuals, masking leads to a lower annoyance than the sound level alone would predict.

Reconciling the efficacy and effectiveness of masking on epidemic outcomes.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, mask wearing in public settings has been a key control measure. However, the reported effectiveness of masking has been much lower than laboratory measures of efficacy, leading to doubts on the utility of masking. Here, we develop an agent-based model that comprehensively accounts for individual masking behaviours and infectious disease dynamics, and test the impact of masking on epidemic outcomes. Using realistic inputs of mask efficacy and contact data at the individual level, the model reproduces the lower effectiveness as reported in randomized controlled trials. Model results demonstrate that transmission within households, where masks are rarely used, can substantially lower effectiveness, and reveal the interaction of nonlinear epidemic dynamics, control measures and potential measurement biases. Overall, model results show that, at the individual level, consistent masking can reduce the risk of first infection and, over time, reduce the frequency of repeated infection. At the population level, masking can provide direct protection to mask wearers, as well as indirect protection to non-wearers, collectively reducing epidemic intensity. These findings suggest it is prudent for individuals to use masks during an epidemic, and for policymakers to recognize the less-than-ideal effectiveness of masking when devising public health interventions.

Effect of reverberation and informational masking on speech perception by adolescents and young adults with cochlear implants

Children with severe to profound hearing loss fitted with cochlear implants (CIs) can develop speech with degraded auditory inputs. Little is known about how speech perception by CI users who developed speech through electrical hearing is affected by realistic reverberation—a source of additional degradation in acoustic inputs to the CI speech processor. Moreover, how these young CI users handle competing maskers with high informational masking, such as two-talker babble, in speech-in-noise perception is not well characterized. Both reverberation and competing maskers are relevant factors in everyday classroom listening scenarios. In this work, we studied a cohort of adolescents and young adults with early fitting of CIs. Speech reception thresholds (SRTs) were measured in five types of maskers: speech-shaped noise (SSN), SSN modulated by a speech envelope, two-talker babble in English and in French, and time-reversed two-talker English babble. SRTs from each masker type were repeated in an anechoic condition and two reverberation conditions mimicking a classroom meeting classroom acoustics standard versus a lecture hall. When compared with a group of age-matched normal-hearing listeners, young CI users showed steeper increase of masked SRTs by increasing reverberation but comparable release from informational masking. [Work supported by the Hearing Health Foundation.]

Understanding speech in everyday conditions—Effects of room acoustics and noise

Understanding speech in noisy, indoor settings is a considerable challenge for listeners. Room acoustics, such as reverberation and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) noise, all contribute to such challenges. In the current study, the effects of different backgrounds were examined in anechoic versus reverberant conditions at two different signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) were examined. 60 monolingual American English listeners transcribed spoken English sentences under different noisy conditions. Overall, we tested two acoustic conditions: anechoic and reverberant, reverberation time = 1.5 s, with four speech conditions (target speech only, or combined with HVAC noise, two-talker babble, or both) and two different SNRs (0 dB and -3 dB). Both the target and babble speech were female voices speaking in English. Complex backgrounds resulted in decreased performance, and the detrimental effects of such masking were accentuated by reverberation and lower SNR. This study serves as a basis for future research exploring the effects of room acoustics on speech intelligibility to gain a more wholistic understanding of speech perception under realistic conditions.

On Gait Consistency Quantification Through ARX Residual Modeling and Kernel Two-Sample Testing.

The quantification of the way an individual walks is key to the understanding of diseases affecting the neuromuscular system. More specifically, to improve diagnostics and treatment plans, there is a continuous interest in quantifying gait consistency, allowing clinicians to distinguish natural variability of the gait patterns from disease progression or treatment effects. To this end, the current article presents a novel objective method for assessing the consistency of an individual's gait, consisting of two major components. Firstly, inertial sensor accelerometer data from both shanks and the lower back is used to fit an AutoRegressive with eXogenous input model. The model residuals are then used as a key feature for gait consistency monitoring. Secondly, the non-parametric maximum mean discrepancy hypothesis test is introduced to measure differences in the distributions of the residuals as a measure of gait consistency. As a paradigmatic case, gait consistency was evaluated both in a single walking test and between tests at different time points in healthy individuals and those affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). It was found that MS patients experienced difficulties maintaining a consistent gait, even when the retest was performed one-hour apart and all external factors were controlled. When the retest was performed one-week apart, both healthy and MS individuals displayed inconsistent gait patterns. Gait consistency has been successfully quantified for both healthy and MS individuals. This newly proposed approach revealed the detrimental effects of varying assessment conditions on gait pattern consistency, indicating potential masking effects at follow-up assessments.

Quantifying the bitter masking effect of drug-cyclodextrin complexation: NMR-ROESY mixing time approach

Taste, especially unpleasant taste, can be key for patient compliance. In the formulation development process, drug-cyclodextrin (CD) inclusion complexes are often used to improve the solubility of a drug and/or mask its bitterness. This study aimed to evaluate the bitter masking effect of CDs on different drugs using NMR-ROESY analysis, human sensory tests, and e-tongue measurements. The strength of inclusion complex formation between drugs and CDs was investigated by NMR-ROSEY, and these results were compared to human sensory test results. In the sensory test, participants identified which drug-CD inclusion complexes were not bitter. NMR-ROSEY results aligned with the sensory tests; short magnetization transfer times corresponded to masked bitterness. The electrical tongue was not able to detect the taste of any of the drug-CD inclusion complexes. Additionally, we used NMR-ROSEY to determine which drug-CD inclusion complex formed in a system with multiple drug substances present. This research offers valuable insights into the bitter masking effect of CDs on different drugs and presents a comprehensive evaluation approach using various methods. This knowledge has significant implications for the pharmaceutical industry, clinical practice, and patient care, contributing to improved patient compliance and satisfaction with bitter medications.

Investigation of the interaction between lactones and ketones in a Cheddar cheese matrix using Feller's additive model, σ-τ plots, U-models, and aroma addition experiments

The objective of this study was to examine the sensory interactions between lactones and ketones in a Cheddar simulation matrix through perceptual interaction analysis. The olfactory thresholds of 6 key lactones had values ranging from 8.32 to 58.88 μg/kg, whereas those of the 4 key ketones ranged from 6.61 to 660.69 μg/kg. Both Feller's additive model and σ-τ plots demonstrated complex interactions in 24 binary mixtures composed of the 6 lactones and 4 ketones, including synergy, addition, and masking effects. Specifically, we found that 6 binary mixtures exhibited aroma synergistic effects using both methods. Moreover, the σ-τ plot showed a synergistic effect of aroma in 3 ternary mixtures. The U-model further confirmed the synergistic effects of the 6 groups of binary systems and 3 groups of ternary systems on aroma at actual cheese concentrations. In an aroma addition experiment, the combination of δ-octalactone and diacetyl in binary mixtures had the most pronounced effect on enhancing milk flavor. In ternary mixtures, 2 combinations, namely δ-octalactone/δ-dodecalactone/diacetyl and γ-dodecalactone/δ-dodecalactone/acetoin, significantly enhanced the milky and sweet aroma properties of cheese, while also enhancing the overall acceptability of the cheese aroma.

Promotion paths for regional public brand development of agri-products in urban areas: resource and institutional perspectives

This study aimed to find the determinants of regional public brand development of agri-products in urban areas and to explore the specific enhancement paths for the regional public brand development of agri-products. The regional public brand of agri-products in Shanghai was selected as the research object. The study utilized stratified and random sampling techniques to collect data from 320 questionnaires of agricultural business entities in Shanghai. Then a covariance-based structural equation model with institutional factors as mediating variables was constructed. Furthermore, the study empirically analyzed the mechanism of the role of resource endowment on regional public brand development of agri-products. The study showed that the main factors affecting regional public brand development of agri-products are market maintenance, public marketing, industrial resources, and regional resources, in order of importance. Regional and industrial resources positively affected agricultural regional public brand development through the masking effect of public marketing and the partially mediating role of market maintenance. Among them, market maintenance reversed the significant negative impact of regional resources on the regional public brand development of agri-products. The findings of the study contribute to enriching the existing theoretical literature on regional public branding of agri-products, and provide practical implications for the government to help formulate and improve regional brand development policies in urban areas.