Advancing Open Science
for more than 25 years
Supporting academic communities
since 1996
 
23 pages, 2116 KiB  
Systematic Review
Effectiveness of Point of Entry Health Screening Measures among Travelers in the Detection and Containment of the International Spread of COVID-19: A Review of the Evidence
by Remidius Kamuhabwa Kakulu, Esther Gwae Kimaro and Emmanuel Abraham Mpolya
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040410 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
COVID-19 remains a communicable disease with the capacity to cause substantial damage to health and health systems. Enhanced health screening at points of entry (POEs) is a public health measure implemented to support early detection, prevention and response to communicable diseases, such as [...] Read more.
COVID-19 remains a communicable disease with the capacity to cause substantial damage to health and health systems. Enhanced health screening at points of entry (POEs) is a public health measure implemented to support early detection, prevention and response to communicable diseases, such as COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to review the available evidence on the effectiveness of POE health screening in the detection and containment of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was registered under PROSPERO and followed PRISMA guidelines in which the literature between 2019 and 2022 was retrieved from Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Global Health, CINAHL, Embase, Google Scholar and international organizations. A total of 33,744 articles were screened for eligibility, from which 43 met the inclusion criteria. The modeling studies predicted POE screening able to detect COVID-19 in a range of 8.8% to 99.6%, while observational studies indicated a detection rate of 2% to 77.9%, including variants of concern depending on the screening method employed. The literature also indicated these measures can delay onset of the epidemic by 7 to 32 days. Based on our review findings, if POE screening measures are implemented in combination with other public health interventions such as rapid tests, they may help detect and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">
11 pages, 376 KiB  
Article
Theoretical Study of Electric, Dielectric, and Optical Properties in Ion Doped Multiferroic SrFe12O19 Nanoparticles
by Angel T. Apostolov, Iliana N. Apostolova and Julia Mihailowa Wesselinowa
Materials 2024, 17(7), 1544; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17071544 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Electric, dielectric, and optical (band gap) properties of pure multiferroic as well as La- and Ni-doped SrFe12O19 (SFO) (at different sites) are investigated using a microscopic model and Green’s function technique. The concentration dependence of the polarization P is considered [...] Read more.
Electric, dielectric, and optical (band gap) properties of pure multiferroic as well as La- and Ni-doped SrFe12O19 (SFO) (at different sites) are investigated using a microscopic model and Green’s function technique. The concentration dependence of the polarization P is considered for substitution of rare earths ions on the Sr sites. For a small La ion doping concentration, x = 0.1, La-doped SFO is ferroelectric, whereas for a larger doping concentration, for example x = 0.5, it is antiferroelectric. The real part of the dielectric constant ϵ increases with an increasing magnetic field h. ϵ decreases with an increasing frequency and La dopants. Therefore, La-doped SFO is suitable for microwave application with a low dielectric constant. The magnetic properties of pure SFO NPs are also studied. Ni doping at the Fe site of SFO leads to enhanced ferroelectric polarization and dielectric constant. The band gap decreases or increases by substitution of Ni or In ions on the Fe site, respectively. The results reveal that the tuned band gap of Ni-doped SFO makes it a crucial candidate for optoelectronic and solid oxide fuel cell applications. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
18 pages, 1757 KiB  
Article
Hybrid Spatial-Channel Attention Mechanism for Cross-Age Face Recognition
by Wenxin An and Gengshen Wu
Electronics 2024, 13(7), 1257; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13071257 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Face recognition techniques have been widely employed in real-world biomimetics applications. However, traditional approaches have limitations in recognizing faces correctly with large age differences because of significant changes over age in the same person, leading to unsatisfactory recognition performance. To address this, previous [...] Read more.
Face recognition techniques have been widely employed in real-world biomimetics applications. However, traditional approaches have limitations in recognizing faces correctly with large age differences because of significant changes over age in the same person, leading to unsatisfactory recognition performance. To address this, previous studies propose to decompose and identify age and identity features independently in facial images across diverse age groups when optimizing the discriminative model so as to improve the age-invariant face recognition accuracy. Nevertheless, the interrelationships between these features make it difficult for the decomposition to disentangle them properly, thus compromising the recognition accuracy due to the interactive impacts on both features. To this end, this paper proposes a novel deep framework that incorporates a novel Hybrid Spatial-Channel Attention Module to facilitate the cross-age face recognition task. Particularly, the proposed module enables better decomposition of the facial features in both spatial and channel dimensions with attention mechanisms simultaneously while mitigating the impact of age variation on the recognition performance. Beyond this, diverse pooling strategies are also combined when applying those spatial and channel attention mechanisms, which allows the module to generate discriminative face representations while preserving complete information within the original features, further yielding sounder recognition accuracy. The proposed model is extensively validated through experiments on public face datasets such as CACD-VS, AgeDB-30, and FGNET, where the results show significant performance improvements compared to competitive baselines. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
8 pages, 2759 KiB  
Brief Report
Combination of Tractography, Intraoperative Computed Tomography and 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Fluorescence in Stereotactic Brain Biopsies: A Case Series
by Edoardo Mazzucchi, Gianluca Galieri, Fabrizio Pignotti, Pierluigi Rinaldi, Giovanni Sabatino and Giuseppe La Rocca
J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(4), 357; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14040357 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Stereotactic needle biopsy (SNB) may be performed to collect tissue samples from lesions not amenable to open surgery. Integration of tractography, intraoperative imaging and fluorescence has been applied to reduce risk of complications and confirm the adequacy of bioptic specimens. Clinical and radiological [...] Read more.
Stereotactic needle biopsy (SNB) may be performed to collect tissue samples from lesions not amenable to open surgery. Integration of tractography, intraoperative imaging and fluorescence has been applied to reduce risk of complications and confirm the adequacy of bioptic specimens. Clinical and radiological data from patients who underwent stereotactic needle biopsy with the use of intraoperative CT, tractography and 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) fluorescence in a single Hospital were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the accuracy and safety of the procedure. Seven patients were included in the study, and all the collected specimens showed red fluorescence. In six of them, the final histopathological diagnosis was grade 4 glioblastoma IDH-wt and in the other case it was Diffuse large B-Cell Lymphoma. The integration of tractography, intraoperative CT and 5-ALA as an intraoperative marker of diagnostic samples may be suggested in biopsies of suspect gliomas and lymphomas. The cost-effectiveness of the procedure should be evaluated in future studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Research of Precision Neuro-Oncology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">
26 pages, 9512 KiB  
Article
Post-Analysis of Daniel Extreme Flood Event in Thessaly, Central Greece: Practical Lessons and the Value of State-of-the-Art Water-Monitoring Networks
by Elias Dimitriou, Andreas Efstratiadis, Ioanna Zotou, Anastasios Papadopoulos, Theano Iliopoulou, Georgia-Konstantina Sakki, Katerina Mazi, Evangelos Rozos, Antonios Koukouvinos, Antonis D. Koussis, Nikos Mamassis and Demetris Koutsoyiannis
Water 2024, 16(7), 980; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16070980 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Storm Daniel initiated on 3 September 2023, over the Northeastern Aegean Sea, causing extreme rainfall levels for the following four days, reaching an average of about 360 mm over the Peneus basin, in Thessaly, Central Greece. This event led to extensive floods, with [...] Read more.
Storm Daniel initiated on 3 September 2023, over the Northeastern Aegean Sea, causing extreme rainfall levels for the following four days, reaching an average of about 360 mm over the Peneus basin, in Thessaly, Central Greece. This event led to extensive floods, with 17 human lives lost and devastating environmental and economic impacts. The automatic water-monitoring network of the HIMIOFoTS National Research Infrastructure captured the evolution of the phenomenon and the relevant hydrometeorological (rainfall, water stage, and discharge) measurements were used to analyse the event’s characteristics. The results indicate that the average rainfall’s return period was up to 150 years, the peak flow close to the river mouth reached approximately 1950 m3/s, and the outflow volume of water to the sea was 1670 hm3. The analysis of the observed hydrographs across Peneus also provided useful lessons from the flood-engineering perspective regarding key modelling assumptions and the role of upstream retentions. Therefore, extending and supporting the operation of the HIMIOFoTS infrastructure is crucial to assist responsible authorities and local communities in reducing potential damages and increasing the socioeconomic resilience to natural disasters, as well as to improve the existing knowledge with respect to extreme flood-simulation approaches. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
21 pages, 376 KiB  
Review
Entropy-Based Methods for Motor Fault Detection: A Review
by Sarahi Aguayo-Tapia, Gerardo Avalos-Almazan and Jose de Jesus Rangel-Magdaleno
Entropy 2024, 26(4), 299; https://doi.org/10.3390/e26040299 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
In the signal analysis context, the entropy concept can characterize signal properties for detecting anomalies or non-representative behaviors in fiscal systems. In motor fault detection theory, entropy can measure disorder or uncertainty, aiding in detecting and classifying faults or abnormal operation conditions. This [...] Read more.
In the signal analysis context, the entropy concept can characterize signal properties for detecting anomalies or non-representative behaviors in fiscal systems. In motor fault detection theory, entropy can measure disorder or uncertainty, aiding in detecting and classifying faults or abnormal operation conditions. This is especially relevant in industrial processes, where early motor fault detection can prevent progressive damage, operational interruptions, or potentially dangerous situations. The study of motor fault detection based on entropy theory holds significant academic relevance too, effectively bridging theoretical frameworks with industrial exigencies. As industrial sectors progress, applying entropy-based methodologies becomes indispensable for ensuring machinery integrity based on control and monitoring systems. This academic endeavor enhances the understanding of signal processing methodologies and accelerates progress in artificial intelligence and other modern knowledge areas. A wide variety of entropy-based methods have been employed for motor fault detection. This process involves assessing the complexity of measured signals from electrical motors, such as vibrations or stator currents, to form feature vectors. These vectors are then fed into artificial-intelligence-based classifiers to distinguish between healthy and faulty motor signals. This paper discusses some recent references to entropy methods and a summary of the most relevant results reported for fault detection over the last 10 years. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">
19 pages, 4926 KiB  
Article
Ferroelectric Properties of Polymer–Semiconductor Hybrid Material or Composite under Optical Excitation
by Michael Kober, David Smykalla, Bernd Ploss, Maria W?chtler, Krishan Kumar, Michael Stelter and Sebastian Engel
Polymers 2024, 16(7), 929; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16070929 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Polymer–semiconductor hybrid materials or composites have been investigated with respect to their microstructure, optical, photoconductive, and ferroelectric properties. For this purpose, either CdSe quantum dots or (Cd:Zn)S microparticles were dispersed in poly(vinylidenefluoride-trifluoroethylene) solution and hot pressed to films. In both material systems, the [...] Read more.
Polymer–semiconductor hybrid materials or composites have been investigated with respect to their microstructure, optical, photoconductive, and ferroelectric properties. For this purpose, either CdSe quantum dots or (Cd:Zn)S microparticles were dispersed in poly(vinylidenefluoride-trifluoroethylene) solution and hot pressed to films. In both material systems, the electrical conductivity and the polarization behavior could be controlled by the intensity of the optical excitation. The simultaneous high optical transparency of the CdSe quantum-dot-based hybrid materials makes them particularly interesting for applications in the field of flexible, high-resolution sensors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Flexible Electronics)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
14 pages, 11481 KiB  
Article
Effect of Controlling Nb Content and Cooling Rate on the Microstructure, Precipitation Phases, and Mechanical Properties of Rebar
by Bin Shen, Shangjun Gu, Jie Wang, Fulong Wei, Zhiying Li, Zeyun Zeng, Junxiang Zhang and Changrong Li
Materials 2024, 17(7), 1545; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17071545 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Seismic anti-seismic rebar, as materials for supporting structures in large buildings, need to have excellent mechanical properties. By increasing the Nb content and controlling the cooling rate, the microstructure and precipitation behavior of the steel are adjusted to develop seismic anti-seismic rebar with [...] Read more.
Seismic anti-seismic rebar, as materials for supporting structures in large buildings, need to have excellent mechanical properties. By increasing the Nb content and controlling the cooling rate, the microstructure and precipitation behavior of the steel are adjusted to develop seismic anti-seismic rebar with excellent mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and a universal tensile testing machine were used to characterize the microstructure, precipitation phases, and mechanical properties of the experimental steels. The results show that the ferrite grain size, pearlite lamellae layer (ILS), and small-angle grain boundaries (LAGB) content of the high-Nb steels decreased to 6.39 μm, 0.12 μm, and 48.7%, respectively, as the Nb content was increased from 0.017 to 0.023 wt.% and the cooling rate was increased from 1 to 3 °C·s−1. The strength of the {332}<113>α texture is the highest in the high-Nb steels. The precipitated phase is (Nb, Ti, V)C with a diameter of ~50 nm, distributed on ferrite, and the matrix/precipitated phase mismatch is 8.16%, forming a semicommon-lattice interface between the two. The carbon diffusion coefficient model shows that increasing the Nb content can inhibit the diffusion of carbon atoms and reduce the ILS. The yield strength of the high-Nb steel is 556 MPa, and the tensile strength is 764 MPa. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Metals and Alloys)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
20 pages, 1440 KiB  
Systematic Review
Is There Evidence of Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet (CDED) in Remission of Active Disease in Children and Adults? A Systematic Review
by Inês Correia, Patrícia Almeida Oliveira, Maria Luz Antunes, Maria da Gra?a Raimundo and Ana Catarina Moreira
Nutrients 2024, 16(7), 987; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16070987 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Crohn’s disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease. Previous research has explored the impact of diet on CD, as specific dietary components can influence gut microbiota and immune responses, contributing to damage in the gastrointestinal tract. The Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet (CDED) is [...] Read more.
Crohn’s disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease. Previous research has explored the impact of diet on CD, as specific dietary components can influence gut microbiota and immune responses, contributing to damage in the gastrointestinal tract. The Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet (CDED) is based on an exclusion diet; it is a recent dietary approach that is often used alongside partial enteral nutrition (PEN) and aims to induce disease remission by excluding certain dietary components. This study assesses the current evidence for the effectiveness of the CDED + PEN in achieving remission in both children and adults with active CD. Our systematic review followed PRISMA recommendations and was registered in PROSPERO with CRD number 42022335076. The searched databases were PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science. The included studies were analyzed using Rayyan software, and the risk of bias was assessed with Cochrane RevMan 5.0 software. The primary assessed outcome was clinical remission, evaluated with validated questionnaire scores such as PCDAI, CDAI, or HBI. All analyzed papers yielded promising results. Notably, the CDED + PEN demonstrated better tolerance than exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN), resulting in higher adherence rates. Therefore, the CDED + PEN appears to be a viable alternative for induction remission in active disease for both children and adults with CD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Nutrition)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
17 pages, 1964 KiB  
Article
A Potential Role of Interleukin-5 in the Pathogenesis and Progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A New Molecular Perspective
by Anca Mo????ianu, Sebastian Andone, Adina Stoian, Rodica B?la?a, Adina Hu?anu and Emanuela S?rm??an
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(7), 3782; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073782 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Cumulative data suggest that neuroinflammation plays a prominent role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathogenesis. The purpose of this work was to assess if patients with ALS present a specific peripheral cytokine profile and if it correlates with neurological disability assessed by ALSFRS-R, [...] Read more.
Cumulative data suggest that neuroinflammation plays a prominent role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathogenesis. The purpose of this work was to assess if patients with ALS present a specific peripheral cytokine profile and if it correlates with neurological disability assessed by ALSFRS-R, the rate of disease progression, and the pattern of disease progression (horizontal spreading [HSP] versus vertical spreading [VSP]). We determined the levels of 15 cytokines in the blood of 59 patients with ALS and 40 controls. We identified a positive correlation between levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-17F, IL-33, IL-31) and the age of ALS patients, as well as a positive correlation between IL-12p/70 and survival from ALS onset and ALS diagnosis. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between the ALSFRS-R score in the upper limb and respiratory domain and IL-5 levels. In our ALS cohort, the spreading pattern was 42% horizontal and 58% vertical, with patients with VSP showing a faster rate of ALS progression. Furthermore, we identified a negative correlation between IL-5 levels and the rate of disease progression, as well as a positive correlation between IL-5 and HSP of ALS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting a “protective” role of IL-5 in ALS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Study and Treatment of Motor Neuron Diseases)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
19 pages, 6803 KiB  
Article
Distributed Optimization of Islanded Microgrids Integrating Multi-Type VSG Frequency Regulation and Integrated Economic Dispatch
by Huixin Xu, Jiahang Sun, Jingguang Huang, Xinyuan Lin and Chenghao Ma
Energies 2024, 17(7), 1618; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17071618 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
The question of how to simultaneously perform frequency regulation and integrated economic scheduling for microgrids with low-inertia islanding operation under communication constraints is a difficult problem that needs to be solved for many current applications. To this end, this paper establishes a microgrid [...] Read more.
The question of how to simultaneously perform frequency regulation and integrated economic scheduling for microgrids with low-inertia islanding operation under communication constraints is a difficult problem that needs to be solved for many current applications. To this end, this paper establishes a microgrid scheduling control model containing a virtual synchronous generator (VSG) with multiple types of power sources and proposes a distributed optimization algorithm that integrates frequency regulation and comprehensive economic scheduling to simultaneously realize frequency regulation and economic scheduling in a microgrid. Firstly, a distributed economic dispatch problem is proposed based on a comprehensive consideration of the costs and benefits of various types of power VSGs, as well as the overall inertia and standby capacity requirements of the microgrid, which minimizes the integrated costs incurred by the participation of each type of VSG in the frequency regulation and improves the stable operation of the microgrid in terms of frequency under perturbation. Then, the optimal scheduling problem is solved by reconstructing the optimization problem based on considering the dynamic characteristics of microgrid inverters and using event-triggered communication to sense and compensate for the supply-demand imbalance online. The proposed method can avoid inter-layer coordination across time scales, improve the inertia, frequency regulation capability, and economy of the system, and enhance its robustness to short-term communication failures. Finally, simulation results are used to verify the effectiveness of the method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligence of Energy and Power System)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
23 pages, 3516 KiB  
Article
Lattice Model Results for Pattern Formation in a Mixture with Competing Interactions
by Andres De Virgiliis, Ariel Meyra and Alina Ciach
Molecules 2024, 29(7), 1512; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29071512 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
A monolayer consisting of two types of particles, with energetically favored alternating stripes of the two components, is studied by Monte Carlo simulations and within a mesoscopic theory. We consider a triangular lattice model and assume short-range attraction and long-range repulsion between particles [...] Read more.
A monolayer consisting of two types of particles, with energetically favored alternating stripes of the two components, is studied by Monte Carlo simulations and within a mesoscopic theory. We consider a triangular lattice model and assume short-range attraction and long-range repulsion between particles of the same kind, as well as short-range repulsion and long-range attraction for the cross-interaction. The structural evolution of the model upon increasing temperature is studied for equal chemical potentials of the two species. We determine the structure factor, the chemical potential–density isotherms, the specific heat, and the compressibility, and show how these thermodynamic functions are associated with the spontaneous formation of stripes with varying degrees of order. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
14 pages, 7898 KiB  
Review
In-Stent Restenosis Overview: From Intravascular Imaging to Optimal Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Management
by Neda Shafiabadi Hassani, Lucas Carlini Ogliari, Pedro Rafael Vieira de Oliveira Salerno, Gabriel Tensol Rodrigues Pereira, Marcelo Harada Ribeiro and Luis Augusto Palma Dallan
Medicina 2024, 60(4), 549; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60040549 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Despite ongoing progress in stent technology and deployment techniques, in-stent restenosis (ISR) still remains a major issue following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and accounts for 10.6% of all interventions in the United States. With the continuous rise in ISR risk factors such as [...] Read more.
Despite ongoing progress in stent technology and deployment techniques, in-stent restenosis (ISR) still remains a major issue following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and accounts for 10.6% of all interventions in the United States. With the continuous rise in ISR risk factors such as obesity and diabetes, along with an increase in the treatment of complex lesions with high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (CHIP), a substantial growth in ISR burden is expected. This review aims to provide insight into the mechanisms, classification, and management of ISR, with a focus on exploring innovative approaches to tackle this complication comprehensively, along with a special section addressing the approach to complex calcified lesions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutting-Edge Research in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
14 pages, 1069 KiB  
Article
Natural Compounds Oridonin and Shikonin Exhibit Potentially Beneficial Regulatory Effects on Select Functions of Microglia
by Bridget K. Greuel, Dylan E. Da Silva, Victoria N. Robert-Gostlin and Andis Klegeris
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(4), 328; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14040328 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that the adverse neuroimmune activation of microglia, brain immunocytes that support neurons, contributes to a range of neuroinflammatory disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. Correcting the abnormal functions of microglia is a potential therapeutic strategy for these diseases. Nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat [...] Read more.
Accumulating evidence indicates that the adverse neuroimmune activation of microglia, brain immunocytes that support neurons, contributes to a range of neuroinflammatory disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. Correcting the abnormal functions of microglia is a potential therapeutic strategy for these diseases. Nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor (NLRP) 3 inflammasomes are implicated in adverse microglial activation and their inhibitors, such as the natural compounds oridonin and shikonin, reduce microglial immune responses. We hypothesized that some of the beneficial effects of oridonin and shikonin on microglia are independent of their suppression of NLRP3 inflammasomes. Murine and human microglia-like cells were stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) only, which did not induce NLRP3 inflammasome activation or the resulting secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β, allowing for the identification of other anti-inflammatory effects. Under these experimental conditions, both oridonin and shikonin reduced nitric oxide (NO) secretion and the cytotoxicity of BV-2 murine microglia towards HT-22 murine neuronal cells, but upregulated BV-2 cell phagocytic activity. Only oridonin inhibited the secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) by stimulated BV-2 microglia, while only shikonin suppressed the respiratory burst response of human HL-60 microglia-like cells. This observed discrepancy indicates that these natural compounds may have different molecular targets in microglia. Overall, our results suggest that oridonin and shikonin should be further investigated as pharmacological agents capable of correcting dysfunctional microglia, supporting their potential use in neuroinflammatory disorders. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
15 pages, 250 KiB  
Article
Closing the Tobacco Treatment Gap: A Qualitative Study of Tobacco Cessation Service Implementation in Community Pharmacies
by Katy Ellis Hilts, Nervana Elkhadragy, Robin L. Corelli, Micah Hata, Elisa K. Tong, Francis M. Vitale and Karen Suchanek Hudmon
Pharmacy 2024, 12(2), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy12020059 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Tobacco use remains a leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality, with pharmacotherapy and counseling recognized as effective cessation aids. Yet, the potential role of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in tobacco cessation services is underutilized. This study explores the integration of such services [...] Read more.
Tobacco use remains a leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality, with pharmacotherapy and counseling recognized as effective cessation aids. Yet, the potential role of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in tobacco cessation services is underutilized. This study explores the integration of such services in community pharmacies, identifying facilitators and barriers to their implementation. A qualitative study was conducted across seven community pharmacies in California that were affiliated with the Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network. Participants included 22 pharmacists and 26 pharmacy technicians/clerks who completed tobacco cessation training. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focusing on experiences with implementing cessation services. The analysis was guided by Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations Theory. MAXQDA software was used for data management and thematic analysis. Sixteen pharmacy personnel participated in the study, highlighting key themes around the integration of cessation services. Compatibility with existing workflows, the importance of staff buy-in, and the crucial role of pharmacy technicians emerged as significant facilitators. Challenges included the complexity of billing for services, software limitations for documenting tobacco use and cessation interventions, and gaps in training for handling complex patient cases. Despite these barriers, pharmacies successfully initiated cessation services, with variations in service delivery and follow-up practices. Community pharmacies represent viable settings for delivering tobacco cessation services, with pharmacists and technicians playing pivotal roles. However, systemic changes are needed to address challenges related to billing, documentation, and training. Enhancing the integration of cessation services in community pharmacies could significantly impact public health by increasing access to effective cessation support. Full article
19 pages, 2220 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Importance of Environmental Complexity for Newly Hatched Zebrafish
by Maria Santacà, Elia Gatto, Marco Dadda, Matteo Bruzzone, Marco Dal Maschio and Angelo Bisazza
Animals 2024, 14(7), 1031; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071031 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
The effects of an early impoverished social or physical environment on vertebrate neural development and cognition has been known for decades. While existing studies have focused on the long-term effects, measuring adult cognitive phenotypes, studies on the effects of environmental complexity on the [...] Read more.
The effects of an early impoverished social or physical environment on vertebrate neural development and cognition has been known for decades. While existing studies have focused on the long-term effects, measuring adult cognitive phenotypes, studies on the effects of environmental complexity on the early stages of development are lacking. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) hatchlings are assumed to have minimal interaction with their environment and are routinely reared in small, bare containers. To investigate the effects of being raised under such conditions on development of behaviour and cognition, hatchlings housed for 10 days in either an enriched or a standard environment underwent two cognitive tasks. The results were mixed. Subjects of the two treatments did not differ in performance when required to discriminate two areas. Conversely, we found a significant effect in a number discrimination task, with subjects from impoverished condition performing significantly worse. In both experiments, larvae reared in impoverished environment showed a reduced locomotor activity. Given the effects that enrichment appears to exert on larvae, a third experiment explored whether hatchlings exhibit a spontaneous preference for more complex environments. When offered a choice between a bare setting and one with objects of different shapes and colors, larvae spent over 70% of time in the enriched sector. Deepening these effects of an early impoverished environment on cognitive development is crucial for the welfare of captive zebrafish populations and for enhancing the quality and reliability of studies on larval zebrafish. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Aquatic Animals)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
21 pages, 4130 KiB  
Article
Making Room for Silicon: Including SiOx in a Graphite-Based Anode Formulation and Harmonization in 1 Ah Cells
by Imanol Landa-Medrano, Idoia Urdampilleta, Iker Castrillo, Hans-Jürgen Grande, Iratxe de Meatza and Aitor Eguia-Barrio
Energies 2024, 17(7), 1616; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17071616 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Transitioning to more ambitious electrode formulations facilitates developing high-energy density cells, potentially fulfilling the demands of electric car manufacturers. In this context, the partial replacement of the prevailing anode active material in lithium-ion cells, graphite, with silicon-based materials enhances its capacity. Nevertheless, this [...] Read more.
Transitioning to more ambitious electrode formulations facilitates developing high-energy density cells, potentially fulfilling the demands of electric car manufacturers. In this context, the partial replacement of the prevailing anode active material in lithium-ion cells, graphite, with silicon-based materials enhances its capacity. Nevertheless, this requires adapting the rest of the components and harmonizing the electrode integration in the cell to enhance the performance of the resulting high-capacity anodes. Herein, starting from a replacement in the standard graphite anode recipe with 22% silicon suboxide at laboratory scale, the weight fraction of the electrochemically inactive materials was optimized to 2% carbon black/1% dispersant/3% binder combination before deriving an advantage from including single-wall carbon nanotubes in the formulation. In the second part, the recipe was upscaled to a semi-industrial electrode coating and cell assembly line. Then, 1 Ah lithium-ion pouch cells were filled and tested with different commercial electrolytes, aiming at studying the dependency of the Si-based electrodes on the additives included in the composition. Among all the electrolytes employed, the EL2 excelled in terms of capacity retention, obtaining a 48% increase in the number of cycles compared to the baseline electrolyte formulation above the threshold capacity retention value (80% state of health). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Battery Materials for Energy Storage)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
16 pages, 2885 KiB  
Article
Attenuation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH)-Induced Carcinogenesis and Tumorigenesis by Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Mice In Vivo
by Guobin Xia, Guodong Zhou, Weiwu Jiang, Chun Chu, Lihua Wang and Bhagavatula Moorthy
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(7), 3781; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073781 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are metabolized by the cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A and 1B1 to DNA-reactive metabolites, which could lead to mutations in critical genes, eventually resulting in cancer. Omega-3 fatty acids, such as [...] Read more.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are metabolized by the cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A and 1B1 to DNA-reactive metabolites, which could lead to mutations in critical genes, eventually resulting in cancer. Omega-3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are beneficial against cancers. In this investigation, we elucidated the mechanisms by which omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA will attenuate PAH-DNA adducts and lung carcinogenesis and tumorigenesis mediated by the PAHs BP and MC. Adult wild-type (WT) (A/J) mice, Cyp1a1-null, Cyp1a2-null, or Cyp1b1-null mice were exposed to PAHs benzo[a]pyrene (BP) or 3-methylcholanthrene (MC), and the effects of omega-3 fatty acid on PAH-mediated lung carcinogenesis and tumorigenesis were studied. The major findings were as follows: (i) omega-3 fatty acids significantly decreased PAH-DNA adducts in the lungs of each of the genotypes studied; (ii) decreases in PAH-DNA adduct levels by EPA/DHA was in part due to inhibition of CYP1B1; (iii) inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) enhanced the EPA/DHA-mediated prevention of pulmonary carcinogenesis; and (iv) EPA/DHA attenuated PAH-mediated carcinogenesis in part by epigenetic mechanisms. Taken together, our results suggest that omega-3 fatty acids have the potential to be developed as cancer chemo-preventive agents in people. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2.0)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
12 pages, 285 KiB  
Article
Dual Toeplitz Operators on the Orthogonal Complement of the Generalized Fock Space
by Baoli Xie, Jianxiang Dong and Caochuan Ma
Mathematics 2024, 12(7), 1010; https://doi.org/10.3390/math12071010 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
We characterize the boundedness and compactness of dual Toeplitz operators on the orthogonal complement of the generalized Fock space. We study the problem when the finite sum of the dual Toeplitz products is compact. Additionally, we also consider when the sum of the [...] Read more.
We characterize the boundedness and compactness of dual Toeplitz operators on the orthogonal complement of the generalized Fock space. We study the problem when the finite sum of the dual Toeplitz products is compact. Additionally, we also consider when the sum of the dual Toeplitz operators is equal to another dual Toeplitz operator. Full article
14 pages, 2832 KiB  
Article
Radiomodulating Properties of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticle (SPION) Agent Ferumoxytol on Human Monocytes: Implications for MRI-Guided Liver Radiotherapy
by Michael R. Shurin, Vladimir A. Kirichenko, Galina V. Shurin, Danny Lee, Christopher Crane and Alexander V. Kirichenko
Cancers 2024, 16(7), 1318; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16071318 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) have attracted great attention not only for therapeutic applications but also as an alternative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent that helps visualize liver tumors during MRI-guided stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). SPION can provide functional imaging of liver [...] Read more.
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) have attracted great attention not only for therapeutic applications but also as an alternative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent that helps visualize liver tumors during MRI-guided stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). SPION can provide functional imaging of liver parenchyma based upon its uptake by the hepatic resident macrophages or Kupffer cells with a relative enhancement of malignant tumors that lack Kupffer cells. However, the radiomodulating properties of SPION on liver macrophages are not known. Utilizing human monocytic THP-1 undifferentiated and differentiated cells, we characterized the effect of ferumoxytol (Feraheme®), a carbohydrate-coated ultrasmall SPION agent at clinically relevant concentration and therapeutically relevant doses of gamma radiation on cultured cells in vitro. We showed that ferumoxytol affected both monocytes and macrophages, increased the resistance of monocytes to radiation-induced cell death and inhibition of cell activity, and supported the anti-inflammatory phenotype of human macrophages under radiation. Its effect on human cells depended on the duration of SPION uptake and was radiation dose-dependent. The results of this pilot study support a strong mechanism-based optimization of SPION-enhanced MRI-guided liver SBRT for primary and metastatic liver tumors, especially in patients with liver cirrhosis awaiting a liver transplant. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
18 pages, 5179 KiB  
Article
Sea Cucumber and Blueberry Extracts Suppress Inflammation and Reduce Acute Lung Injury through the Regulation of NF-κB/MAPK/JNK Signaling Pathway in Lipopolysaccharide-Treated C57BL/6 Mice
by Oladapo F. Fagbohun, Wasitha P. D. W. Thilakarathna, Juan Zhou, Christian Lehmann, Guangling Jiao and H. P. Vasantha Rupasinghe
Molecules 2024, 29(7), 1511; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29071511 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Acute lung injury (ALI) represents a life-threatening condition with high morbidity and mortality despite modern mechanical ventilators and multiple pharmacological strategies. Therefore, there is a need to develop efficacious interventions with minimal side effects. The anti-inflammatory activities of sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa [...] Read more.
Acute lung injury (ALI) represents a life-threatening condition with high morbidity and mortality despite modern mechanical ventilators and multiple pharmacological strategies. Therefore, there is a need to develop efficacious interventions with minimal side effects. The anti-inflammatory activities of sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa) and wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) extracts have been reported recently. However, their anti-inflammatory activities and the mechanism of action against ALI are not fully elucidated. Thus, the present study aims to understand the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity of sea cucumber and wild blueberry extracts in the context of ALI. Experimental ALI was induced via intranasal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) instillation in C57BL/6 mice and the anti-inflammatory properties were determined by cytokine analysis, histological examination, western blot, and qRT-PCR. The results showed that oral supplementation of sea cucumber extracts repressed nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, thereby downregulating the expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the lung tissue and in the plasma. Wild blueberry extracts also suppressed the expression of IL-4. Furthermore, the combination of sea cucumber and wild blueberry extracts restrained MAPK signaling pathways by prominent attenuation of phosphorylation of NF-κB, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) while the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly suppressed. Moreover, there was a significant and synergistic reduction in varying degrees of ALI lesions such as distorted parenchyma, increased alveoli thickness, lymphocyte and neutrophil infiltrations, fibrin deposition, pulmonary emphysema, pneumonia, intra-alveolar hemorrhage, and edema. The anti-inflammatory effect of the combination of sea cucumber and wild blueberry extracts is associated with suppressing MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, thereby significantly reducing cytokine storm in LPS-induced experimental ALI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drug Candidates for Inflammatory Diseases)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
15 pages, 3270 KiB  
Article
Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Improve the Development of Chrysanthemum × morifolium (Ramat.) Hemsl. ‘Jinba’ Inflorescences
by Yanbing Li, Yushan Lu, Jiaojiao Fu, Benxue Chen, Li Fu, Xiaorong Huang, Zunzheng Wei, Yuhong Zheng and Zhen Zeng
Horticulturae 2024, 10(4), 330; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10040330 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
The application of cut flower preservation technology can significantly enhance both the ornamental and economic value of fresh-cut flowers. Research on vase solutions has become a concentrated area in current studies on cut flower preservation. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), as a type of [...] Read more.
The application of cut flower preservation technology can significantly enhance both the ornamental and economic value of fresh-cut flowers. Research on vase solutions has become a concentrated area in current studies on cut flower preservation. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), as a type of carbon nanomaterial with bactericidal and membrane-penetrating properties, can be used as a component in vase solutions. This supplementation of energy substances aims to improve antioxidant enzyme activity, thereby enhancing the postharvest quality of cut chrysanthemums. In this study, deionized water and a standard preservative solution were employed as control groups to compare the effects of MWCNTs applied at different concentrations, combined with common preservatives such as sugar and 8-hydroxyquinoline, on the postharvest flowering and preservation of Chrysanthemum × morifolium ‘Jinba’. By observing the distribution of MWCNTs in the tissues surrounding the cut and changes in water content, carbon sources, osmoregulatory substance levels, and the expression of relevant key genes, a formulation with excellent postharvest treatment effects was identified. Preliminary investigations into its action and mechanism were also conducted. The results indicated that the combined treatment with 5 mg L−1 MWCNTs, 30 g L−1 sucrose, and 0.2 g L−1 8-hydroxyquinoline effectively promoted water and sugar uptake in chrysanthemum flowers, accelerating bud opening, maintaining larger inflorescence diameter, and extending the vase life. Ultimately, this enhanced the ornamental value of cut chrysanthemums. These research findings provide theoretical and experimental foundations for the application of multi-walled carbon nanotubes as auxiliary additives to improve the ornamental quality of cut flowers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Floriculture, Nursery and Landscape, and Turf)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
26 pages, 768 KiB  
Article
Polynomial Intermediate Checksum for Integrity under Releasing Unverified Plaintext and Its Application to COPA
by Ping Zhang
Mathematics 2024, 12(7), 1011; https://doi.org/10.3390/math12071011 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
COPA, introduced by Andreeva et al., is the first online authenticated encryption (AE) mode with nonce-misuse resistance, and it is covered in COLM, which is one of the final CAESAR portfolios. However, COPA has been proven to be insecure in the releasing unverified [...] Read more.
COPA, introduced by Andreeva et al., is the first online authenticated encryption (AE) mode with nonce-misuse resistance, and it is covered in COLM, which is one of the final CAESAR portfolios. However, COPA has been proven to be insecure in the releasing unverified plaintext (RUP) setting. This paper mainly focuses on the integrity under RUP (INT-RUP) defect of COPA. Firstly, this paper revisits the INT-RUP security model for adaptive adversaries, investigates the possible factors of INT-RUP insecurity for “Encryption-Mix-Encryption”-type checksum-based AE schemes, and finds that these AE schemes with INT-RUP security vulnerabilities utilize a common poor checksum technique. Then, this paper introduces an improved checksum technique named polynomial intermediate checksum (PIC) for INT-RUP security and emphasizes that PIC is a sufficient condition for guaranteeing INT-RUP security for “Encryption-Mix-Encryption”-type checksum-based AE schemes. PIC is generated by a polynomial sum with full terms of intermediate internal states, which guarantees no information leakage. Moreover, PIC ensures the same level between the plaintext and the ciphertext, which guarantees that the adversary cannot obtain any useful information from the unverified decryption queries. Again, based on PIC, this paper proposes a modified scheme COPA-PIC to fix the INT-RUP defect of COPA. COPA-PIC is proven to be INT-RUP up to the birthday-bound security if the underlying primitive is secure. Finally, this paper discusses the properties of COPA-PIC and makes a comparison for AE modes with distinct checksum techniques. The proposed work is of good practical significance. In an interactive system where two parties communicate, the receiver can effectively determine whether the information received from the sender is valid or not, and thus perform the subsequent operation more effectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends in Cryptography and Information Security)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">

Open Access Journals

Browse by Indexing Browse by Subject Selected Journals
Back to TopTop
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news