Search Results (1,287)

Code smells are indicators of potential design problems in software systems and are commonly used to guide refactoring activities. Recent advances in representation learning have enabled the use of embedding-based models for analyzing source code, offering an alternative to traditional approaches based on manually engineered metrics. However, the effectiveness of different embedding representations for multiclass code smell detection remains insufficiently explored. This study presents an empirical comparison of embedding models for the automatic detection of three widely studied code smells: Long Method, God Class, and Feature Envy. Using the Crowdsmelling dataset as an empirical basis, source code fragments were extracted from the original projects and transformed into vector representations using two embedding approaches: a general-purpose embedding model and the code-specialized CodeBERT model. The resulting representations were evaluated using several machine learning classifiers under a stratified group-based validation protocol. The results show that CodeBERT consistently outperforms the general-purpose embeddings across multiple evaluation metrics, including balanced accuracy, macro F1-score, and Matthews correlation coefficient. Dimensionality reduction analyses using PCA and t-SNE further indicate that CodeBERT organizes code smell instances in a more structured latent representation space, which facilitates the separation of smell categories. In particular, CodeBERT achieved a macro F1-score of 0.8619, outperforming general-purpose embeddings (0.7622) and substantially surpassing a classical TF-IDF baseline (0.4555). These findings highlight the value of this study as a controlled multiclass evaluation of embedding representations and demonstrate the practical value of domain-specific representations for improving automated code smell detection and class separability in real-world software engineering scenarios. Full article

Verbs of perception show complex linguistic behavior, both grammatically and in semantic terms. Owing to their connection with perceptual processes (sight, hearing, smell…), they always operate in a heterogeneous way, since these types of verbs must code highly diverse events. In light of all the above, the specialized literature has tried to systematize the use of these verbs during the last few years, for the purpose of identifying the overall patterns which govern their utilization in natural languages. To that end, numerous authors chose to formulate dichotomous oppositions (for example, active vs passive perception), aiming to describe the syntax of verbs of perception rigorously. The aim of our paper is to critically analyze such dichotomies, which will allow us to ascertain how verbs of perception relate to grammar (type of transitivity, resultative nature of perception, aspectual typology of events, link between perception and space, etc.). This work will additionally provide evidence that, contrary to what has been argued at times, the dichotomies proposed by scholars are quite gradual or prototypical rather than rigid. In short, the aim sought with our study consists of offering an up-to-date review about a topic of great interest—namely, the methodology to analyze verbs of perception—insofar as these verbs stand out for being one of the most frequently used lexical categories in all languages around the world. Full article

In order to guarantee sufficient growth, digestive stability, and long-term productivity in dairy heifers, proper nutritional management is crucial both before and after weaning. This case study assesses the impact of dietary modifications on growth performance and digestive parameters in commercial settings and details a field observation of concentrate overload in young Holstein heifers. From 77 to 165 days of age, the body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), body condition score (BCS), feed intake, and fecal characteristics of 15 calves were monitored. Infectious and parasitic causes of diarrhea were ruled out by fecal examinations. Ad libitum concentrate feeding resulted in low fecal scores with undigested grain particles and acidic smell, starch intake exceeding requirements, and concentrate intake reaching up to 6 kg as fed head×day. The BCS gradually rose, and ADG peaked at 1.64 kg/day. Forage intake increased, fecal consistency improved, and ADG stabilized after restricting concentrate allowance to 2.5% of BW. These results underline the significance of controlling starch intake and concentrate allowance to avoid excessive growth and digestive disorders in developing dairy heifers, and they support a nutritional basis for the observed digestive imbalance. Full article

Beef flavor is a trait difficult to evaluate since different senses (taste, touch, and smell) are involved in its perception. In the last 20 years, 102 Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs), associated with the variability of different beef flavor notes, have been reported. These QTLs are spread on all chromosomes, including BTA X. In these QTL regions, 2509 genes are located and, among them, 594 are involved in the metabolic processes of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates, the main meat components for the production of volatile substances responsible for flavor. Only 19 of these genes (ACSM2B, ACSM3, ACSM4, ACSM5, CHID1, DHCR7, EDEM3, GDE1, HEXB, IGF2, INS, NDUFAB1, PIGC, PNPLA2, PRDX6, SCNN1B, SIAE, SMG1, and UMOD) are also present in the QTL regions affecting pork flavor. The applied approach allowed us to strongly restrict the number of candidate genes to affect the variability of both beef and pork flavor. Full article

In (colloquial) Italian, the fixed expression mi sa functions as an evidential/epistemic marker, requiring the dative 1SG clitic experiencer and the 3SG default form of the verb sapere. Mi sa diachronically develops from the verb for taste/smell, sapere, which is still productive in contemporary Italian, and the structure that it projects. This comprises an obligatory PP introduced by di encoding the type/quality of taste/smell (often metaphorically extended); a subject expressing the perceived entity; and an optional dative experiencer. We systematically analyzed data from the KIParla corpus, comparing the distribution of mi sa to the distribution of one of the most frequent Italian epistemic verb forms, namely, credo ‘I believe’. This study aimed to establish how the original perceptual meaning of mi sa influences its epistemic meaning. The results suggest that the persistence of the original object-oriented perception verb makes mi sa more likely to appear in particular contexts, i.e., events/situations that are known by the speaker through an inferential-like process. Furthermore, mi sa can only rarely be uttered out of the blue and seems to need a situative context (a stage), often containing an explicit QUD. Full article

The sense of smell is the first sense by which horses determine the suitability of feed for consumption. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of the degree of familiarity with the smell and taste of plants on horses’ olfactory exploration. Behavioural responses of twenty adult horses to nine herbs of three degrees of familiarity—least familiar (unknown in the first trial), known only by smell, and known by smell and taste—were investigated. During the tests, the horses were allowed to explore the individual herbs placed in a crib constructed to prevent them from eating the contents. Horses’ pre-consuming behaviour towards olfactory cues of plants was mainly expressed by different times of exploration. The horses explored herbs known by smell and taste less intensively than those initially unfamiliar, but not less intensively than herbs known only by smell. Thus, having more sensory experience (taste and olfactory) with a plant in the past, horses are often quicker to recognise plants based solely on the sense of smell in the future. The sex and type of the horse (warmblood, pony) may influence responses towards herbs of different levels of familiarity. Full article

Most species belonging to the genus Artemisia are aromatic plants showing a broad diversity in their essential oil composition. Artemisia rutifolia, traditionally used in folk medicine, exhibits an atypical chemotype characterized by a high concentration of phenylbutanoids, in contrast to the profiles observed in other specimens of the same species. This study aimed to provide an in-depth chemical characterization of the phenylbutanoid-rich essential oil of A. rutifolia obtained from samples collected in the Middle Gobi province of Mongolia. Particular attention was devoted to the identification of the minor phenylbutanoids and a preliminary determination of the main contributors to the odor of the oil. Hence, the essential oil was fractionated by column chromatography and subjected to GC-MS/FID and GC-O/FID analyses. Camphor, 1,8-cineole, and 4-phenylbutan-2-one were identified as the dominant compounds, the latter being the main odorant responsible for the typical fresh-fruity smell of the plant. Moreover, α- and β-thujones were absent, and seven previously unreported 4-phenylbut-2-yl esters were unambiguously identified through combinatorial synthesis. These findings highlight the chemical distinctiveness of the Middle Gobi chemotype and support its potential for industrial essential oil production due to its high yield, lack of thujones, and pleasant fresh aroma. Full article

This study aims to compare differently processed oat products in terms of sensory and emotional perceptions by trained and untrained observers. A descriptive analysis was carried out for sensory profiling, and a hedonic test was conducted by 26 mothers. The Empathic Food Test (EFT) was used by trained subjects and 15 mothers for emotional profiling. Four products were compared: two products approved for infants (Holle and Hipp); one hydrothermally processed whole-meal oat flour (TAU^®); and oat flakes (Bauck). The sensory descriptive analysis revealed that the products for infants clearly differed from the other products in terms of their significantly lower aroma and flavor intensity. The TAU^® and Bauck products varied widely in their sensory properties regarding bitterness, sweetness, taste, and smell. The emotional profiling conducted by trained observers revealed differences between the infant products and the other products. TAU^® and Bauck scored higher than the two products approved for infants. Consumer tests indicate slightly greater differences in emotional profiling compared to hedonic sensory profiling. Intensively processed oat products can be clearly distinguished from less processed ones via sensory and emotional profiling. The results were more distinct for trained observers. Due to the small sample size, the generalizability of the results needs to be verified by further research. Full article

This pilot study investigated whether ambient biogenic volatile organic compounds (bVOCs)—scent profiles emitted by botanic glasshouse vegetation—could contribute to quantifiable human health and wellbeing outcomes. Over 11 months in 2024 (January–December), human participant trials were conducted at the Oxford Botanic Garden to compare the physiological and psychological effects associated with spending 30 min exposures in five different vegetation-rich glasshouses, each characterised by a distinct and complex bVOCs profile, with those of a plant-free room. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted on 43 participants, using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), heart-beat rate (beats per minute), and heart rate variability (HRV): the latter two are widely used as an index of regulation of the autonomic nervous system. Significant reductions in STAI anxiety scores and decreases in heart-beat rate were observed, while HRV indices remained stable, relative to the plant-free room, following glasshouse exposure. Distinct scent profiles in the glasshouses included compounds that have previously shown associations with therapeutic effects in clinical settings, indicating the potential of these scented vegetation-rich glasshouse environments to promote the beneficial health effects observed in this study. Overall, these findings highlight the potential public health value of aromatic plant species and the importance of incorporating them into urban green space planning and policy. Full article

To assess the impact of developmental stages on the postharvest quality of loquat, fruits at five distinct maturity phases (T1–T5) were systematically analyzed. This study employed a range of analytical techniques to conduct a comprehensive examination of the variations in quality, nutritional content, and volatile compounds of loquat across different developmental stages. Sensory evaluation indicated that the T4 stage achieved the highest score (93.21 ± 1.13), with significant differences observed in a* (6.56–13.08) and b* values (16.91–22.16). Both moisture content (45.45–86.94 g/100 g) and fruit firmness (8.65–3.31 N) exhibited a decline with delayed harvest (p < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that, as the developmental period progressed, the pores in the loquat cell walls enlarged, and the cellular structure became increasingly relaxed. GC–MS and GC–IMS detected 48 and 47 volatile compounds, respectively. Using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS–DA), we identified 14 key compounds that distinguish the five developmental stages. E-nose and E-tongue analyses showed significant changes in the smell and taste profiles of loquats over time, with the T1 stage notably different from later stages. This study offers important insights and guidance on the postharvest quality of loquats at various developmental stages. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dupilumab is a human monoclonal antibody that targets both IL-4 and IL-13 signaling. Eosinophilia has been reported as a potential adverse event in treated patients in randomized controlled trials and 12-month real-life studies. This real-life, 24-month prospective study investigated the prevalence of eosinophilia, its consequences, and the effectiveness of dupilumab in a cohort of patients with severe asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, and atopic dermatitis. Methods: A total of 66 adult patients treated with dupilumab were included in this study. ACT, SNOT-22, and Smell-VAS, EASI, and absolute blood eosinophil count (AEC) were assessed according to the type of diagnosis at baseline (T0), after 6 (T6), 12 (T12), 18 (T18), and 24 (T24) months post-dupilumab initiation. Results: All patients experienced significant improvement in both symptoms and disease control following dupilumab treatment. A total of 27 out of 66 (40.9%) patients developed eosinophilia within six months of treatment (AEC T6 mean ± SD 0.67 ± 0.68 10⁹/L). Eosinophilia was generally mild and lasted on average for six months (AEC T12 mean ± SD 0.66 ± 0.65 10⁹/L) with AEC normalization after 18 months of treatment (AEC T18 mean ± SD 0.58 ± 0.48 10⁹/L). Ten patients (15.15%) developed hypereosinophilia, but no symptoms or signs of eosinophilic-related organ damage have been observed, with no need for dupilumab discontinuation. Conclusions: Dupilumab-related eosinophilia was common, generally mild, and transient, whereas persistent hypereosinophilia occurred in a small group of patients in the absence of symptoms or signs of eosinophilic damage. Full article

Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are found in the olfactory sensory organs (antennae and maxillary palps) and/or gustatory sensory organs (labellum and legs) and have long been accepted to function through the binding of odorants. However, the same CSPs are also expressed in many tissues other than olfactory and gustatory organs, such as the gut, brain, fat body, wing, epidermis, Corpora allata, salivary gland, pheromone gland, prothoracic gland, etc. In this report, we suggest renaming the “chemosensory protein (CSP)” the “4-Cysteine Soluble Protein (4CSP)”. This paradigm and nomenclature shift is based on molecular characteristics, genomic mining, tissue distribution, and functional roles beyond those related to olfaction. We examined prior studies on this protein gene family to bolster the renaming, highlighting the most recent findings that we ascribe to “pleiotropic properties” and evolutionary relevance rather than smell. The scope of the report, per se, is broad, and this is especially true given the volume of data that has been gathered on 4CSP expressed in ways that are not consistent with the olfactory paradigm. Statements outlining the many chemosensory properties of 4CSPs, particularly how they activate olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs), are currently scarce, if they exist at all. Many debates currently focus on 4CSPs’ non-chemosensory functions, which are backed by a multitude of evidence, from gene evolution to tissue distribution. Therefore, strong arguments in favor of renaming chemosensory proteins are becoming evident here, outweighing the drawbacks. Full article

In the past few decades, we have seen increasing specialization within developmental science, with researchers focusing on narrowly defined research areas in child development. This specialization has yielded deep insights and methodological advances across many developmental areas. However, it has also led to siloes of expertise. In this article, we review findings on how motor, visual, auditory, olfactory and gustatory experiences affect early cognitive development. We identify some common themes across these domains, such as the role of predictive processing in early development. We argue for the importance of adopting a dynamic systems approach and considering the variabilities both within the individual and in the larger cultural environments. Finally, we conclude by outlining several avenues for future research that seek to advance integrative approaches within developmental science. Full article

Although aquatic products are abundant in premium proteins and other vital nutrients, their unique fishy smell often restricts public acceptance and the development of related products. Therefore, pre-marinating is usually used to improve sensory quality and mitigate fishy smell. In this study, sea bass filets were marinated for 1 h at a solid–liquid ratio of 3:5 (w/w) using 15% orange juice, 15% grapefruit juice, and 10% lemon juice. Subsequently, their effects on the flavor and sensory quality of sea bass were examined. The results of gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) showed that marinating the filets in citrus juice led to a notable increase in volatile compounds, including esters with fruity flavor such as ethyl butyrate and terpenes with pleasant citrus aromas such as limonene. The results of texture profile analysis (TPA) showed that pre-marinading with orange juice and grapefruit juice significantly reduced the hardness of fish and resulted in higher sensory evaluation scores (p < 0.05). Lemon juice treatment produced the most noticeable whitening effect (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that citrus juices can be effectively incorporated as marinade ingredients for sea bass, providing both theoretical insight and practical guidance for improving the marinating technology for aquatic products. Full article

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have emerged as a prevalent substitute for conventional cigarettes, garnering perceptions of being a safer option for health. Nicotine addicts use e-cigarettes to cease smoking. These products have also become common among young people because of their taste, smell, and attractive appearance. However, accumulating experimental and clinical evidence indicates that e-cigarette use is not risk-free. The inhalation of e-cigarette aerosols exposes users and their non-using peers to a complex mixture of chemical compounds, including aldehydes, heavy metals, and flavoring agents, many of which possess pro-oxidative and pro-inflammatory properties. This review summarizes and critically analyzes current evidence on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the biological effects of e-cigarette aerosols. Particular attention is given to excessive production of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage, and the activation of redox-sensitive signaling pathways, including NF-κB and NRF2. These molecular alterations may trigger acute and, with prolonged exposure, chronic oxidative stress and inflammation, which in turn can affect gene expression, protein function, and metabolic pathways. While molecular and experimental studies often demonstrate adverse biological responses to e-cigarette aerosols, the translation of these findings into long-term clinical outcomes remains an area of ongoing investigation. Full article