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13 pages, 1837 KiB  
Article
Two New Lyophyllum Species from Yunnan, China
by Shuhong Li, Songming Tang, Jun He and Dequn Zhou
Diversity 2024, 16(4), 210; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16040210 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Two novel species of Lyophyllum are proposed based on morphological and phylogenetic investigations. Lyophyllum bulborhizum sp. nov. has abundant black scales on the surface, is a dry, dark grey at the center, grey at the margin, has a clear bulbous stipe base, and [...] Read more.
Two novel species of Lyophyllum are proposed based on morphological and phylogenetic investigations. Lyophyllum bulborhizum sp. nov. has abundant black scales on the surface, is a dry, dark grey at the center, grey at the margin, has a clear bulbous stipe base, and has a narrowly cylindrical or narrowly clavate pleurocystidia and cheilocystidia. Lyophyllum nigrum sp. nov. is tufted and has a dark grey pileus and subclavate, a greyish green-to-olive stipe, and a narrowly cylindrical or narrowly clavate pleurocystidia and cheilocystidia. In addition, L. rhombisporum is described with morphology and phylogeny and compared with the type species. Molecular analyses employing internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences strongly support the two new species to be unique in the genus Lyophyllum. Full descriptions, colour photos, illustrations, and phylogenetic analyses results of the two new taxa and the known taxon are presented in this study. Full article
13 pages, 11887 KiB  
Article
Degradation of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Catalyzed by Nonmetallic Dibasic Ionic Liquids under UV Radiation
by Ruiqi Zhang, Xu Zheng, Xiujie Cheng, Junli Xu, Yi Li, Qing Zhou, Jiayu Xin, Dongxia Yan and Xingmei Lu
Materials 2024, 17(7), 1583; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17071583 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Nonmetallic ionic liquids (ILs) exhibit unique advantages in catalyzing poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) glycolysis, but usually require longer reaction times. We found that exposure to UV radiation can accelerate the glycolysis reaction and significantly reduce the reaction time. In this work, we synthesized [...] Read more.
Nonmetallic ionic liquids (ILs) exhibit unique advantages in catalyzing poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) glycolysis, but usually require longer reaction times. We found that exposure to UV radiation can accelerate the glycolysis reaction and significantly reduce the reaction time. In this work, we synthesized five nonmetallic dibasic ILs, and their glycolysis catalytic activity was investigated. 1,8-diazabicyclo [5,4,0] undec-7-ene imidazole ([HDBU]Im) exhibited better catalytic performance. Meanwhile, UV radiation is used as a reinforcement method to improve the PET glycolysis efficiency. Under optimal conditions (5 g PET, 20 g ethylene glycol (EG), 0.25 g [HDBU]Im, 10,000 µW·cm−2 UV radiation reacted for 90 min at 185 °C), the PET conversion and BHET yield were 100% and 88.9%, respectively. Based on the UV-visible spectrum, it was found that UV radiation can activate the C=O in PET. Hence, the incorporation of UV radiation can considerably diminish the activation energy of the reaction, shortening the reaction time of PET degradation. Finally, a possible reaction mechanism of [HDBU]Im-catalyzed PET glycolysis under UV radiation was proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Researches in Polymer and Plastic Processing)
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16 pages, 488 KiB  
Review
De-Escalated Therapy and Early Treatment of Recurrences in HPV-Associated Head and Neck Cancer: The Potential for Biomarkers to Revolutionize Personalized Therapy
by Wendell G. Yarbrough, Travis P. Schrank, Barbara A. Burtness and Natalia Issaeva
Viruses 2024, 16(4), 536; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16040536 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Human papillomavirus-associated (HPV+) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the most common HPV-associated cancer in the United States, with a rapid increase in incidence over the last two decades. The burden of HPV+ HNSCC is likely to continue to rise, and [...] Read more.
Human papillomavirus-associated (HPV+) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the most common HPV-associated cancer in the United States, with a rapid increase in incidence over the last two decades. The burden of HPV+ HNSCC is likely to continue to rise, and given the long latency between infection and the development of HPV+ HNSCC, it is estimated that the effect of the HPV vaccine will not be reflected in HNSCC prevalence until 2060. Efforts have begun to decrease morbidity of standard therapies for this disease, and its improved characterization is being leveraged to identify and target molecular vulnerabilities. Companion biomarkers for new therapies will identify responsive tumors. A more basic understanding of two mechanisms of HPV carcinogenesis in the head and neck has identified subtypes of HPV+ HNSCC that correlate with different carcinogenic programs and that identify tumors with good or poor prognosis. Current development of biomarkers that reliably identify these two subtypes, as well as biomarkers that can detect recurrent disease at an earlier time, will have immediate clinical application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomarkers for Oncogenic Viruses)
16 pages, 2132 KiB  
Article
Force Production and Electromyographic Activity during Different Flywheel Deadlift Exercises
by Sergio Maroto-Izquierdo, David García-López, Marco Beato, Iker J. Bautista, José L. Hernández-Davó, Javier Raya-González and Fernando Martín-Rivera
Sports 2024, 12(4), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12040095 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
This study aimed to characterize and compare force production and muscle activity during four flywheel deadlift exercises (bilateral [Bi] vs. unilateral [Uni]) with different loading conditions (vertical [Ver] vs. horizontal [Hor]). Twenty-three team-sport athletes underwent assessments for exercise kinetics (hand-grip force), along with [...] Read more.
This study aimed to characterize and compare force production and muscle activity during four flywheel deadlift exercises (bilateral [Bi] vs. unilateral [Uni]) with different loading conditions (vertical [Ver] vs. horizontal [Hor]). Twenty-three team-sport athletes underwent assessments for exercise kinetics (hand-grip force), along with surface electromyography (sEMG) of the proximal (BFProx) and medial biceps femoris (BFMed), semitendinosus (ST), and gluteus medius (GM). Mean and peak force were highest (p < 0.001) in Bi + Ver compared with Bi + Hor, Uni + Ver, and Uni + Hor. Although no significant differences were observed between Bi + Hor and Uni + Ver, both variants showed higher (p < 0.001) average force and peak eccentric force when compared with Uni + Hor. The presence of eccentric overload was only observed in the vertically loaded variants. Bi + Ver and Uni + Ver showed higher (p < 0.05) sEMG levels in BFProx and BFMed compared with the Uni + Hor variant. In addition, Uni + Ver registered the largest GM and ST sEMG values. In conclusion, the vertical variants of the flywheel deadlift exercise led to higher muscle force production and sEMG compared with their horizontal counterparts. Both Bi + Ver and Uni + Ver may be effective in promoting an increase in hamstring muscles activity and muscle force at long muscle length, while the Uni + Ver variant may be more effective in promoting GM and ST involvement. Full article
16 pages, 1732 KiB  
Article
A New Method for Extracting Refined Sketches of Ancient Murals
by ZhiJi Yu, ShuQiang Lyu, MiaoLe Hou, YuTong Sun and LiHong Li
Sensors 2024, 24(7), 2213; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24072213 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Mural paintings, as the main components of painted cultural relics, have essential research value and historical significance. Due to their age, murals are easily damaged. Obtaining intact sketches is the first step in the conservation and restoration of murals. However, sketch extraction often [...] Read more.
Mural paintings, as the main components of painted cultural relics, have essential research value and historical significance. Due to their age, murals are easily damaged. Obtaining intact sketches is the first step in the conservation and restoration of murals. However, sketch extraction often suffers from problems such as loss of details, too thick lines, or noise interference. To overcome these problems, a mural sketch extraction method based on image enhancement and edge detection is proposed. The experiments utilize Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization (CLAHE) and bilateral filtering to enhance the mural images. This can enhance the edge features while suppressing the noise generated by over-enhancement. Finally, we extract the refined sketch of the mural using the Laplacian Edge with fine noise remover (FNR). The experimental results show that this method is superior to other methods in terms of visual effect and related indexes, and it can extract the complex line regions of the mural. Full article
18 pages, 1467 KiB  
Article
Trajectory of Particulate Waste Transported by Artificial Upwelling
by Caining Wen, Wei Fan, Canbo Xiao, Yonggang Zhao, Shicheng Hu, Lulu Yue, Mengjie Qu and Ying Chen
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(4), 591; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12040591 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The feeding activities of fish in marine aquaculture have raised concerns about severe benthic pollution within the cage area. This paper suggests removing particulate waste from the cage area through the implementation of artificial upwelling (AU), a method likely to alleviate the organic [...] Read more.
The feeding activities of fish in marine aquaculture have raised concerns about severe benthic pollution within the cage area. This paper suggests removing particulate waste from the cage area through the implementation of artificial upwelling (AU), a method likely to alleviate the organic burden within the cultivation area. A numerical model was developed to simulate AU-induced particulate matter transport under different operating conditions, with the majority of simulation results validated through flume experiments. The influence of particle characteristics, environmental conditions, and engineering parameters of AU on organic matter transport are discussed. In particular, our study offers a detailed analysis of the minimum initial upwelling velocity required to transport particulate waste to a designated distance. It also recommends situating the bottom of the cage above the maximum height of the waste plume to effectively segregate fish from the waste carried by the upwelling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Marine Environmental Science)
12 pages, 2063 KiB  
Article
Reinforcement and Deacidification for a Textile Scroll Painting (AD 1881) Using the CNF and MgO Suspensions
by Hanyu Wei, Fangnan Zhao, Yunpeng Qi, Zhihui Jia, Yajun Zhou, Xiaolian Chao, Meirong Shi, Yujia Luo and Huiping Xing
Polymers 2024, 16(7), 946; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16070946 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The scroll paintings for ancestor trees have been used to inherit the spirit of ancestor worship as a historical record of family development since the late Ming Dynasty in China. A severely degraded scroll painting of an ancestor tree (made of cotton textiles) [...] Read more.
The scroll paintings for ancestor trees have been used to inherit the spirit of ancestor worship as a historical record of family development since the late Ming Dynasty in China. A severely degraded scroll painting of an ancestor tree (made of cotton textiles) needs intervention and conservation treatment to mitigate further deterioration. On the basis of the previously reported characterization results for the painting, in this paper, a suspension that is composed of 0.6% cellulose nanofibril (CNF) and nanosized 0.15% MgO in aqueous solvent (denoted as the CNF-MgO susairpension) was prepared. Conventional characterization methods were used to assess the properties of model samples before and after treatment with the CNF-MgO suspension, as well as before and after degradation under two sets of conditions. The results show that the treated model samples are slightly alkaline, given the deposit of alkaline particles, and demonstrate good mechanical properties before and after degradation due to the increase in fiber-to-fiber bond and mitigation of acid-catalyzed hydrolysis. In spite of the non-transparency of CNF and MgO nanoparticles, they have little impact on the optical properties of textiles, as verified by transmittance data and the determination of color changes. This suspension was then used to reinforce and restore the scroll painting in a practical conservation process. The application of CNF and MgO nanoparticles on textile objects investigated in this study would expand our understanding of the conservation of such objects, especially for those that have already become acidic and degraded. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Polymer Applications)
14 pages, 1066 KiB  
Article
Brain Abnormalities in Schizophrenia: A Comparative Imagistic Study
by Paula Simina Petric, Petru Ifteni, Ana Aliana Miron, Gabriela Sechel and Andreea Teodorescu
Medicina 2024, 60(4), 564; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60040564 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Neuroimaging reveals a link between psychiatric conditions and brain structural–functional changes, prompting a paradigm shift in viewing schizophrenia as a neurodevelopmental disorder. This study aims to identify and compare structural brain changes found during the first schizophrenia episode with those [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Neuroimaging reveals a link between psychiatric conditions and brain structural–functional changes, prompting a paradigm shift in viewing schizophrenia as a neurodevelopmental disorder. This study aims to identify and compare structural brain changes found during the first schizophrenia episode with those found after more than 5 years of illness. Materials and Methods: This prospective study involved 149 participants enrolled between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2021. The participants were categorized into three groups: the first comprises 51 individuals with an initial psychotic episode, the second consists of 49 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia for over 5 years, and a control group comprising 50 individuals without a diagnosis of schizophrenia or any other psychotic disorder. All participants underwent brain CT examinations. Results: The study examined all three groups: first-episode schizophrenia (FES), schizophrenia (SCZ), and the control group. The FES group had a mean age of 26.35 years and a mean duration of illness of 1.2 years. The SCZ group, with a mean age of 40.08 years, had been diagnosed with schizophrenia for an average of 15.12 years. The control group, with a mean age of 34.60 years, had no schizophrenia diagnosis. Structural measurements revealed widening of frontal horns and lateral ventricles in the SCZ group compared to FES and the FES group compared to the control group. Differences in the dimensions of the third ventricle were noted between SCZ and FES, while no distinction was observed between FES and the control group. The fourth ventricle had similar measurements in FES and SCZ groups, both exceeding those of the control group. Our results showed higher densities in the frontal lobe in schizophrenia patients compared to FES and the control group, with the control group consistently displaying the lowest densities. Conclusions: In summary, our comparative imaging analysis of schizophrenia patients, first-episode schizophrenia, and control patients revealed distinct ventricular patterns, with SCZ showing greater widening than FES and FES wider than the control group. Frontal lobe density, assessed via cerebral CT scans, indicated a higher density in the SCZ group in both anterior and posterior cortex portions compared to FES and the control group, while the left posterior cortex in FES had the highest density. These findings highlight unique neuroanatomical features across groups, shedding light on structural differences associated with different stages of schizophrenia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Psychiatry)
13 pages, 2972 KiB  
Article
Life Cycle Assessment of a Vegetable Tannin-Based Agent Production for Waters Treatment
by Lucas de Lima Casseres dos Santos, Jean Bruno Melo Silva, Luisa Soares Neves, Natalia dos Santos Renato, Julia Moltó, Juan Antonio Conesa and Alisson Carraro Borges
Water 2024, 16(7), 1007; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16071007 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The scarcity of natural resources makes it essential to develop products that meet environmental requirements. This is also true for the water and wastewater treatment business, where even consolidated processes, such as coagulation and flocculation, must be improved, opening opportunities for searching for [...] Read more.
The scarcity of natural resources makes it essential to develop products that meet environmental requirements. This is also true for the water and wastewater treatment business, where even consolidated processes, such as coagulation and flocculation, must be improved, opening opportunities for searching for alternative options to conventional processes. Among the existing options, tannin-based agents (TBAs) have been highlighted in recent years due to their biodegradability and proven efficiency. However, little is known about the impacts of the production process of these agents on an operational/industrial scale. In this study, an examination of the environmental impacts of the full-scale production (more than 500 tons yearly) of a TBA from Acacia spp. (known as black acacia or mimosa) was carried out. To accomplish this, a life cycle assessment (LCA) was developed using openLCA version 2.0.0 to assess a cradle-to-gate system of 1 kg of packed TBA produced. Additionally, a comparison was made between the impacts of the production of TBA and a conventional water treatment agent, aluminum sulfate, to verify the benefits of producing the former. The most relevant impacts resulting from the production of 1 kg of TBA are observed in the following categories: global warming (1.52 kgCO2-eq); terrestrial (7.67 kg1.4-DCB-eq), freshwater (0.06 kg1.4-DCB-eq), and marine (0.08 kg1.4-DCB-eq) ecotoxicities; carcinogenic (0.10 kg1.4-DCB-eq) and non-carcinogenic (1.36 kg1.4-DCB-eq) human toxicities; and water use (0.02 m3). The main contributors to the impacts were the chemicals ammonium chloride and formaldehyde used, the transport of inputs, and the energy used. The aluminum sulfate showed better performance than the TBA for a greater number of categories; however, the normalization of the impacts showed the TBA as a very interesting option. The results obtained here can be used by TBA producers to act on the most impactful categories so that the production process becomes increasingly sustainable. Full article
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42 pages, 16833 KiB  
Article
Butterfly Effect in Cytarabine: Combined NMR-NQR Experiment, Solid-State Computational Modeling, Quantitative Structure-Property Relationships and Molecular Docking Study
by Jolanta Natalia Latosińska, Magdalena Latosińska, Janez Seliger, Veselko ?agar and Toma? Apih
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(4), 445; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17040445 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Cytarabine (Ara-C) is a synthetic isomer of cytidine that differs from cytidine and deoxycytidine only in the sugar. The use of arabinose instead of deoxyribose hinders the formation of phosphodiester linkages between pentoses, preventing the DNA chain from elongation and interrupting the DNA [...] Read more.
Cytarabine (Ara-C) is a synthetic isomer of cytidine that differs from cytidine and deoxycytidine only in the sugar. The use of arabinose instead of deoxyribose hinders the formation of phosphodiester linkages between pentoses, preventing the DNA chain from elongation and interrupting the DNA synthesis. The minor structural alteration (the inversion of hydroxyl at the 2′ positions of the sugar) leads to change of the biological activity from anti-depressant and DNA/RNA block builder to powerful anti-cancer. Our study aimed to determine the molecular nature of this phenomenon. Three 1H-14N NMR-NQR experimental techniques, followed by solid-state computational modelling (Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules, Reduced Density Gradient and 3D Hirshfeld surfaces), Quantitative Structure–Property Relationships, Spackman’s Hirshfeld surfaces and Molecular Docking were used. Multifaceted analysis—combining experiments, computational modeling and molecular docking—provides deep insight into three-dimensional packing at the atomic and molecular levels, but is challenging. A spectrum with nine lines indicating the existence of three chemically inequivalent nitrogen sites in the Ara-C molecule was recorded, and the lines were assigned to them. The influence of the structural alteration on the NQR parameters was modeled in the solid (GGA/RPBE). For the comprehensive description of the nature of these interactions several factors were considered, including relative reactivity and the involvement of heavy atoms in various non-covalent interactions. The binding modes in the solid state and complex with dCK were investigated using the novel approaches: radial plots, heatmaps and root-mean-square deviation of the binding mode. We identified the intramolecular OH···O hydrogen bond as the key factor responsible for forcing the glycone conformation and strengthening NH···O bonds with Gln97, Asp133 and Ara128, and stacking with Phe137. The titular butterfly effect is associated with both the inversion and the presence of this intramolecular hydrogen bond. Our study elucidates the differences in the binding modes of Ara-C and cytidine, which should guide the design of more potent anti-cancer and anti-viral analogues. Full article
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12 pages, 689 KiB  
Article
Concordance between Wada, Transcranial Manetic Stimulation, and Magnetoencephalography for Determining Hemispheric Dominance for Language: A Retrospective Study
by Negar Noorizadeh, Roozbeh Rezaie, Jackie A. Varner, James W. Wheless, Stephen P. Fulton, Basanagoud D. Mudigoudar, Leigh Nevill, Christen M. Holder and Shalini Narayana
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(4), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14040336 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Determination of language hemispheric dominance (HD) in patients undergoing evaluation for epilepsy surgery has traditionally relied on the sodium amobarbital (Wada) test. The emergence of non-invasive methods for determining language laterality has increasingly shown to be a viable alternative. In this study, we [...] Read more.
Determination of language hemispheric dominance (HD) in patients undergoing evaluation for epilepsy surgery has traditionally relied on the sodium amobarbital (Wada) test. The emergence of non-invasive methods for determining language laterality has increasingly shown to be a viable alternative. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and magnetoencephalography (MEG), compared to the Wada test, in determining language HD in a sample of 12 patients. TMS-induced speech errors were classified as speech arrest, semantic, or performance errors, and the HD was based on the total number of errors in each hemisphere with equal weighting of all errors (classic) and with a higher weighting of speech arrests and semantic errors (weighted). Using MEG, HD for language was based on the spatial extent of long-latency activity sources localized to receptive language regions. Based on the classic and weighted language laterality index (LI) in 12 patients, TMS was concordant with the Wada in 58.33% and 66.67% of patients, respectively. In eight patients, MEG language mapping was deemed conclusive, with a concordance rate of 75% with the Wada test. Our results indicate that TMS and MEG have moderate and strong agreement, respectively, with the Wada test, suggesting they could be used as non-invasive substitutes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurofunctional Basis of Language Processing)
20 pages, 3032 KiB  
Article
Genome-Wide Identification, Expression Analysis under Abiotic Stress and Co-Expression Analysis of MATE Gene Family in Torreya grandis
by Hang Shen, Ying Hou, Xiaorong Wang, Yaru Li, Jiasheng Wu and Heqiang Lou
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(7), 3859; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073859 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The multidrug and toxin efflux (MATE) family participates in numerous biological processes and plays important roles in abiotic stress responses. However, information about the MATE family genes in Torreya grandis remains unclear. In this study, our genome-wide investigation identified ninety MATE genes in [...] Read more.
The multidrug and toxin efflux (MATE) family participates in numerous biological processes and plays important roles in abiotic stress responses. However, information about the MATE family genes in Torreya grandis remains unclear. In this study, our genome-wide investigation identified ninety MATE genes in Torreya grandis, which were divided into five evolutionary clades. TgMATE family members are located on eleven chromosomes, and a total of thirty TgMATEs exist in tandem duplication. The promoter analysis showed that most TgMATEs contain the cis-regulatory elements associated with stress and hormonal responses. In addition, we discovered that most TgMATE genes responded to abiotic stresses (aluminum, drought, high temperatures, and low temperatures). Weighted correlation network analysis showed that 147 candidate transcription factor genes regulated the expression of 14 TgMATE genes, and it was verified through a double-luciferase assay. Overall, our findings offer valuable information for the characterization of the TgMATE gene mechanism in responding to abiotic stress and exhibit promising prospects for the stress tolerance breeding of Torreya grandis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Genetics and Phylogenomics of Tree)
12 pages, 1320 KiB  
Article
Association between Head and Neck Cancer and Increased Risk of Ischemic Heart Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using National Population Data
by Chulho Kim, Hyunjae Yu and Dong-Kyu Kim
Cancers 2024, 16(7), 1352; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16071352 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Although cancer and ischemic heart disease (IHD) frequently manifest in the same individual, the risk of IHD events in cancer, especially head and neck cancer (HNC), remains unclear. We aimed to examine the incidence and risk of IHD events in patients with HNC [...] Read more.
Although cancer and ischemic heart disease (IHD) frequently manifest in the same individual, the risk of IHD events in cancer, especially head and neck cancer (HNC), remains unclear. We aimed to examine the incidence and risk of IHD events in patients with HNC using a population-based cohort dataset in South Korea (2002–2013). Through rigorous propensity score matching, we compared data from 2816 individuals without HNC and 704 individuals with HNC. Key independent variables were matched between groups, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index was used to match comorbidities. The Kaplan–Meier method depicted the cumulative probability of IHD throughout the follow-up period for both the study and control groups. The overall IHD incidence was significantly higher (19.93) in patients with HNC than in those without HNC (14.81), signifying an augmented IHD risk in the HNC cohort. Subsequent temporal analysis revealed a significant surge in IHD risk commencing 4 years after HNC diagnosis and persisting throughout the follow-up period. Subgroup analysis revealed an increased IHD risk in men with HNC and patients with cancers affecting the oral and sinonasal regions. This retrospective cohort study provides valuable scientific insights into the nuanced relationship between HNC and IHD, underscoring the need for tailored monitoring protocols and specialized care for susceptible individuals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention)
18 pages, 6540 KiB  
Article
Biomass Combustion in Boiler: Environmental Monitoring of Sugar Markers and Pollutants
by Enrico Paris, Monica Carnevale, Adriano Palma, Beatrice Vincenti, Mariangela Salerno, Andrea Rosario Proto, Salvatore Papandrea, Ettore Guerriero, Mattia Perilli, Marina Cerasa, Valerio Di Stefano and Francesco Gallucci
Atmosphere 2024, 15(4), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15040427 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The need to use renewable sources and matrices with energy potential is widely recognized. The development of innovative technologies aimed at the improvement of energy conversion processes and reducing environmental impacts is currently receiving increasing attention from the scientific community and policymakers. The [...] Read more.
The need to use renewable sources and matrices with energy potential is widely recognized. The development of innovative technologies aimed at the improvement of energy conversion processes and reducing environmental impacts is currently receiving increasing attention from the scientific community and policymakers. The presence of sugars in airborne particle materials is attributed to biomass combustion. For this reason, these compounds are considered markers of biomass burning. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the emissions produced by agroforestry biomass burning (citrus pruning) by simultaneously sampling both stack emissions and atmospheric particulates in the area around a biomass boiler to understand the real contribution of biomass burning to atmospheric pollution. The combustion tests were carried out by comparing the processes with and without particulate abatement system to see how biomass combustion’s contribution to particulate emission can be controlled and reduced. During the tests, the focus was on particulate matter (PM) speciation in terms of sugar marker identification and determination. This study aims to increase knowledge to better understand the contribution of biomass plants to air pollution and differentiate it from the contributions of other sources, such as vehicular traffic or domestic heating. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Combustion and Emission Analysis)
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17 pages, 2770 KiB  
Article
Design of a High-Speed, Low-Power PTL-CMOS Hybrid Multiplier Using Critical-Path Evaluation Model
by Yihe Yu, Wanyuan Pan, Chengcheng Tang, Ningyuan Yin and Zhiyi Yu
Electronics 2024, 13(7), 1284; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13071284 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The multiplier is the fundamental component of many computing modules. As the most important component of a multiplier, the full adder (FA) also has a significant impact on the overall performance. Full adders based on pass transistor logic (PTL) have been a very [...] Read more.
The multiplier is the fundamental component of many computing modules. As the most important component of a multiplier, the full adder (FA) also has a significant impact on the overall performance. Full adders based on pass transistor logic (PTL) have been a very popular research field in recent years, but the uneven delay makes it difficult to analyze the critical path of multipliers based on PTL full adders. In this paper, we propose a model to evaluate the critical path of the carry save array (CSA) multiplier that could reduce the size of the simulation input set from 4 G to 93 K to finally obtain the maximum delay of the multiplier. We propose a novel low-power, high-speed CSA multiplier based on both PTL full adders and CMOS full adders, using our critical-path evaluation model. The proposed work is implemented in the 28 nm process. We use the model to reduce the worst-case delay by 14.5%. The proposed multiplier improved the power delay product by 9.4% over the conventional full CMOS multiplier. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Low Powered Circuits Design and Their Application)
24 pages, 15088 KiB  
Article
Analysis and Experimental Tests of Potential New Mounting Techniques for Use in Vibration Testing of Electric Vehicle Battery Packs on Electromagnetic Exciters: Advantages and Disadvantages
by Grzegorz ?laski, Miko?aj Spad?o, Jacek Marcinkiewicz and Wojciech Konieczny
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(7), 2920; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14072920 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The use of electric drives and energy storage devices in vehicles presents fresh challenges for system designers. Among these is addressing the susceptibility of battery packs to mechanical vibrations, necessitating vibration testing. In failure scenarios, like a battery fire, swiftly detaching the battery [...] Read more.
The use of electric drives and energy storage devices in vehicles presents fresh challenges for system designers. Among these is addressing the susceptibility of battery packs to mechanical vibrations, necessitating vibration testing. In failure scenarios, like a battery fire, swiftly detaching the battery pack from the vibration platform is vital. It is also essential to ensure that the mounting system—fixture and fastener—effectively transfers vibration between the exciter and the battery pack. The article discusses the basic requirements for the fixture of specimens subjected to vibration testing and fastening it to a slip table of head expander, giving a better understanding of its role. It then presents the results of a theoretical analysis of the fixing forces and their laboratory testing using prototype customized fastening solutions with potential for use in vibration testing. The results of the conducted research and analyses demonstrate that non-standard mounting techniques have limited potential to replace screw mountings in vibration testing, particularly as fully universal techniques. However, the generated mounting forces, with potential resulting from the possibility of tailored implementation of the tested mounting techniques in the design of tables or head expanders, appropriately designed, justify further research work in this area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mechanical Engineering)
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21 pages, 7157 KiB  
Article
Development of Analytical Method for the Quantitation of Monoclonal Antibodies Solutions via Raman Spectroscopy: The Case of Bevacizumab
by Michail Lykouras, Panagiota Papaspyridakou, Olga E. Makri, Constantine D. Georgakopoulos and Malvina G. Orkoula
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(4), 446; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17040446 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Personalized dosages of monoclonal antibodies are being used more regularly to treat various diseases, rendering their quantitation more essential than ever for the right dose administration to the patients. A promising alternative, which overcomes the obstacles of the well-established chromatographic techniques regarding the [...] Read more.
Personalized dosages of monoclonal antibodies are being used more regularly to treat various diseases, rendering their quantitation more essential than ever for the right dose administration to the patients. A promising alternative, which overcomes the obstacles of the well-established chromatographic techniques regarding the quantification of biopharmaceuticals, is Raman spectroscopy. This study aimed to develop and validate a novel analytical method for the quantitation of bevacizumab in solutions via Raman spectroscopy. For this purpose, a droplet of the solution was left to dry on a highly reflective carrier and a home-made apparatus was employed for rotation of the sample. Hence, each recorded Raman spectrum was the average of the signal acquired simultaneously from multiple points on a circular circumference. The method was validated, and the detection limit of the antibody was found to be 1.06 mg/mL. Bevacizumab was found to be highly distributed at the formed coffee ring of the dried droplet, though this was a function of solution concentration. Finally, Raman spectra at different distances on the coffee ring were obtained from the four quarters. The lowest bevacizumab detection limit was found at a distance of 75 μm from the external side of the coffee ring and it was determined to be equal to 0.53 mg/mL. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Drug Analysis and Drug Development)
20 pages, 2224 KiB  
Review
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in the Identification and Evaluation of Bone Fractures
by Andrew Tieu, Ezriel Kroen, Yonaton Kadish, Zelong Liu, Nikhil Patel, Alexander Zhou, Alara Yilmaz, Stephanie Lee and Timothy Deyer
Bioengineering 2024, 11(4), 338; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11040338 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly deep learning, has made enormous strides in medical imaging analysis. In the field of musculoskeletal radiology, deep-learning models are actively being developed for the identification and evaluation of bone fractures. These methods provide numerous benefits to radiologists such as [...] Read more.
Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly deep learning, has made enormous strides in medical imaging analysis. In the field of musculoskeletal radiology, deep-learning models are actively being developed for the identification and evaluation of bone fractures. These methods provide numerous benefits to radiologists such as increased diagnostic accuracy and efficiency while also achieving standalone performances comparable or superior to clinician readers. Various algorithms are already commercially available for integration into clinical workflows, with the potential to improve healthcare delivery and shape the future practice of radiology. In this systematic review, we explore the performance of current AI methods in the identification and evaluation of fractures, particularly those in the ankle, wrist, hip, and ribs. We also discuss current commercially available products for fracture detection and provide an overview of the current limitations of this technology and future directions of the field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Radiomics and Artificial Intelligence in the Musculoskeletal System)
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16 pages, 4429 KiB  
Article
Lake Surface Temperature Retrieval Study Based on Landsat 8 Satellite Imagery—A Case Study of Poyang Lake
by Xudong Kong, Yajun Li, Lingli Wang and Huijie Liu
Atmosphere 2024, 15(4), 428; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15040428 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Poyang Lake is the largest freshwater lake in China and forms an essential component of the hydrological, nutrient, and carbon cycles, providing various ecosystem services to the local environment. Since changes in Poyang Lake’s water temperature can significantly affect the surrounding environment and [...] Read more.
Poyang Lake is the largest freshwater lake in China and forms an essential component of the hydrological, nutrient, and carbon cycles, providing various ecosystem services to the local environment. Since changes in Poyang Lake’s water temperature can significantly affect the surrounding environment and social development, continuous monitoring of lake temperature changes is required. Traditional water monitoring methods are resource intensive and cannot simultaneously conduct extensive water monitoring. Remote sensing of temperature inversion has the advantages of all-weather, efficient, and large-scale real-time monitoring. Six Landsat 8 images from August to October in 2020 and 2021 were utilized to extract lake surface temperature (LST), and the variations in LST over the two years were analyzed to determine the impact of global climate anomalies on inland lakes. The results indicate that the LST in August and October 2021 was significantly higher than that in the same periods of the previous year, and the temperature difference in October reached 8 °C. In contrast to the overall normal distribution pattern of the water temperature in 2020, 2021 exhibited a relatively concentrated, unimodal distribution pattern. A trend analysis of the driving factors suggests that the LST of Poyang Lake is influenced by the global climate, and the artificial heat sources around the lake clearly alter the distribution characteristics of the LST simultaneously. Full article
16 pages, 5999 KiB  
Article
Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) Supply through Internal Cooling Channels in Drilling Processes
by Lukas Schumski, Teresa Tonn, Jens S?lter, Kerstin Avila, Lizoel Buss, Bernhard Karpuschewski and Udo Fritsching
J. Manuf. Mater. Process. 2024, 8(2), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmmp8020069 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) technologies possess great potential for improving the sustainability of manufacturing processes, which can reduce the absolute quantity of metalworking fluid (MWF) and also enable near-dry chips that are easier to recycle. During drilling in particular, the MWF is transported [...] Read more.
Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) technologies possess great potential for improving the sustainability of manufacturing processes, which can reduce the absolute quantity of metalworking fluid (MWF) and also enable near-dry chips that are easier to recycle. During drilling in particular, the MWF is transported to the contact zone through internal cooling channels of the drilling tool. The MWF supply and its associated flow behaviour in the transfer from the outlet of the cooling channels to the contact zone have not been sufficiently investigated yet. Great potential is seen in the proper delivery of the MQL into the contact zone. This work aims to visualize and quantify the cooling lubricant supply into the cutting zone using the MQL technique. The visualization of the MQL application is made possible by high-speed shadowgraphic imaging. Detailed image processing is used to evaluate the resulting images. The developed evaluation routine allows for the assessment of the impact of the main process parameters such as the varying pressure of the aerosol generator and the cooling channel diameter. It is found that the oil leaves the cooling channels at the tip of the drill bit in the form of ligaments. An increase in pressure and cooling channel diameter leads to an increase in the frequency of oil ligament separation. Three main flow regimes are identified with different separation frequencies. Low inlet pressures result in intermittently dispersed droplets. The most upper pressure levels lead to an almost continuous dispersion of the oil. At the same time, the air and oil mass flow rates also increase. Full article
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14 pages, 404 KiB  
Review
Measuring Community Response to Noise—Factors Affecting the Results of Annoyance Surveys
by Truls Gjestland
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 420; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040420 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Social surveys are conducted to determine how annoyed people are in a certain noise situation. The results are typically presented as exposure–response curves showing the percentage of the area population that are highly annoyed as a function of the noise exposure level. It [...] Read more.
Social surveys are conducted to determine how annoyed people are in a certain noise situation. The results are typically presented as exposure–response curves showing the percentage of the area population that are highly annoyed as a function of the noise exposure level. It is a well-known fact that the survey results are not only dependent on the accumulated noise exposure, DNL, DENL, or similar, but also on various other factors such as maximum levels, exposure patterns, noise spectra, etc. A re-analysis of previously reported surveys shows that the results are also, to a large extent, dependent on survey-specific factors like the wording of the annoyance questions, how the questionnaires are presented, response scales, methods of scoring highly annoyed, etc. This paper discusses and quantifies the influence of such factors and suggests ways of comparing results from surveys that have been conducted according to different protocols and different analysis methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Community Response to Environmental Noise)
17 pages, 2916 KiB  
Article
Impact of Recombinant VSV-HIV Prime, DNA-Boost Vaccine Candidates on Immunogenicity and Viremia on SHIV-Infected Rhesus Macaques
by Alice Berger, Jannie Pedersen, Monika M. Kowatsch, Florine Scholte, Marc-Alexandre Lafrance, Hiva Azizi, Yue Li, Alejandro Gomez, Matthew Wade, Hugues Fausther-Bovendo, Marc-Antoine de La Vega, Joseph Jelinski, George Babuadze, Marie-Edith Nepveu-Traversy, Claude Lamarre, Trina Racine, Chil-Yong Kang, Bruno Gaillet, Alain Garnier, Rénald Gilbert, Amine Kamen, Xiao-Jian Yao, Keith R. Fowke, Eric Arts and Gary Kobingeradd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Vaccines 2024, 12(4), 369; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12040369 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Currently, no effective vaccine to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is available, and various platforms are being examined. The vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vaccine vehicle can induce robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, making it a suitable candidate for the development of [...] Read more.
Currently, no effective vaccine to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is available, and various platforms are being examined. The vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vaccine vehicle can induce robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, making it a suitable candidate for the development of an HIV vaccine. Here, we analyze the protective immunological impacts of recombinant VSV vaccine vectors that express chimeric HIV Envelope proteins (Env) in rhesus macaques. To improve the immunogenicity of these VSV-HIV Env vaccine candidates, we generated chimeric Envs containing the transmembrane and cytoplasmic tail of the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), which increases surface Env on the particle. Additionally, the Ebola virus glycoprotein was added to the VSV-HIV vaccine particles to divert tropism from CD4 T cells and enhance their replications both in vitro and in vivo. Animals were boosted with DNA constructs that encoded matching antigens. Vaccinated animals developed non-neutralizing antibody responses against both the HIV Env and the Ebola virus glycoprotein (EBOV GP) as well as systemic memory T-cell activation. However, these responses were not associated with observable protection against simian-HIV (SHIV) infection following repeated high-dose intra-rectal SHIV SF162p3 challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section HIV Vaccines)
15 pages, 1608 KiB  
Article
Real-World Video Super-Resolution with a Degradation-Adaptive Model
by Mingxuan Lu and Peng Zhang
Sensors 2024, 24(7), 2211; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24072211 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Video super-resolution (VSR) remains challenging for real-world applications due to complex and unknown degradations. Existing methods lack the flexibility to handle video sequences with different degradation levels, thus failing to reflect real-world scenarios. To address this problem, we propose a degradation-adaptive video super-resolution [...] Read more.
Video super-resolution (VSR) remains challenging for real-world applications due to complex and unknown degradations. Existing methods lack the flexibility to handle video sequences with different degradation levels, thus failing to reflect real-world scenarios. To address this problem, we propose a degradation-adaptive video super-resolution network (DAVSR) based on a bidirectional propagation network. Specifically, we adaptively employ three distinct degradation levels to process input video sequences, aiming to obtain training pairs that reflect a variety of real-world corrupted images. We also equip the network with a pre-cleaning module to reduce noise and artifacts in the low-quality video sequences prior to information propagation. Additionally, compared to previous flow-based methods, we employ an unsupervised optical flow estimator to acquire a more precise optical flow to guide inter-frame alignment. Meanwhile, while maintaining network performance, we streamline the propagation network branches and the structure of the reconstruction module of the baseline network. Experiments are conducted on datasets with diverse degradation types to validate the effectiveness of DAVSR. Our method exhibits an average improvement of 0.18 dB over a recent SOTA approach (DBVSR) in terms of the PSNR metric. Extensive experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our network in handling real-world video sequences with different degradation levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Intelligent Sensors)

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