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23 pages, 1554 KiB  
Article
A Novel Machine Learning-Based Approach for Fault Detection and Location in Low-Voltage DC Microgrids
by Sirus Salehimehr, Seyed Mahdi Miraftabzadeh and Morris Brenna
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2821; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072821 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
DC microgrids have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential to enhance energy efficiency, integrate renewable energy sources, and improve the resilience of power distribution systems. However, the reliable operation of DC microgrids relies on the early detection and location [...] Read more.
DC microgrids have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential to enhance energy efficiency, integrate renewable energy sources, and improve the resilience of power distribution systems. However, the reliable operation of DC microgrids relies on the early detection and location of faults to ensure an uninterrupted power supply. This paper aims to develop fast and reliable fault detection and location mechanisms for DC microgrids, thereby enhancing operational efficiency, minimizing environmental impact, and contributing to resource conservation and sustainability goals. The fault detection method is based on compressed sensing (CS) and Regression Tree (RT) techniques. Besides, an accurate fault location method using the feature matrix and long short-term memory (LSTM) model combination has been provided. To implement the proposed fault detection and location method, a DC microgrid equipped with photovoltaic (PV) panels, the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging station, and a hybrid energy storage system (ESS) are used. The simulation results represent the proposed methods’ superiority over the recent studies. The fault occurrence in the studied DC microgrid is detected in 1 ms, and the proposed fault location method locates the fault with an accuracy of more than 93%. The presented techniques enhance DC microgrid reliability while conserving renewable resources, vital to promoting a greener and more sustainable power grid. Full article
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10 pages, 2413 KiB  
Brief Report
A Case Study of a Rare Undifferentiated Spindle Cell Sarcoma of the Penis: Establishment and Characterization of Patient-Derived Models
by Ariane Cavalcante dos Santos Sousa, Bruno Leonardo Nascimento Correa Fernandes, Jeronimo Paulo Assis da Silva, Paulo Roberto Stevanato Filho, Luiza Bitencourt de Carvalho Terci Coimbra, Adriano de Oliveira Beserra, Ana Luiza Alvarenga, Giovanna Maida, Camila Tokumoto Guimaraes, Ingrid Martinez Nakamuta, Fabio Albuquerque Marchi, Camila Alves, Martina Lichtenfels, Caroline Brunetto de Farias, Bruna Elisa Catin Kupper, Felipe D’Almeida Costa, Celso Abdon Lopes de Mello, Dirce Maria Carraro, Giovana Tardin Torrezan, Ademar Lopes and Tiago Goss dos Santosadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Genes 2024, 15(4), 424; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15040424 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Rare sarcomas present significant treatment challenges compared to more prevalent soft tissue sarcomas due to limited treatment options and a poor understanding of their biology. This study investigates a unique case of penile sarcoma, providing a comprehensive morphological and molecular analysis. Through the [...] Read more.
Rare sarcomas present significant treatment challenges compared to more prevalent soft tissue sarcomas due to limited treatment options and a poor understanding of their biology. This study investigates a unique case of penile sarcoma, providing a comprehensive morphological and molecular analysis. Through the creation of experimental patient-derived models—including patient-derived xenograft (PDX), 3D, and monolayer primary cultures—we successfully replicated crucial molecular traits observed in the patient’s tumor, such as smooth muscle actin and CD99 expression, along with specific mutations in genes like TSC2 and FGFR4. These models are helpful in assessing the potential for an in-depth exploration of this tumor’s biology. This comprehensive approach holds promise in identifying potential therapeutic avenues for managing this exceedingly rare soft tissue sarcoma. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Genetic Investigation of Rare Cancers)
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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
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20 pages, 6001 KiB  
Review
Why Do Nasolabial Folds Appear? Exploring the Anatomical Perspectives and the Role of Thread-Based Interventions
by Gi-Woong Hong, Sehyun Song, Soo Yeon Park, Sang-Bong Lee, Jovian Wan, Kyung-Seok Hu and Kyu-Ho Yi
Diagnostics 2024, 14(7), 716; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14070716 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
The classification of nasolabial folds into three types, each with distinct causative factors and mechanisms, is explored. Age-related changes in facial skin and connective tissues are examined in detail, revealing variations across different facial regions due to variances in tissue firmness and thickness. [...] Read more.
The classification of nasolabial folds into three types, each with distinct causative factors and mechanisms, is explored. Age-related changes in facial skin and connective tissues are examined in detail, revealing variations across different facial regions due to variances in tissue firmness and thickness. The innovative ‘Reverse Technique,’ involving cog threads to enhance tissue traction and effectiveness in thread-lifting procedures, is introduced. Detailed technical guidelines, anatomical considerations, and safety measures are provided, emphasizing the importance of identifying optimal vectors and fixing points to achieve maximum lifting effects while minimizing potential risks, particularly those associated with vascular structures. Additionally, the ‘Cross Technique using volumizing thread’ is discussed, designed to smooth tissue boundaries and rejuvenate sagging areas. Facial anatomy, including the positioning of arteries and ligaments, is underscored as essential for ensuring the safety and efficacy of procedures. In conclusion, this review stands as a comprehensive guide for practitioners, offering insights into innovative thread-lifting methods and their applications in addressing nasolabial folds. The primary focus is on achieving optimal aesthetic results while prioritizing patient safety. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Anatomy—Third Edition)
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14 pages, 706 KiB  
Article
Diverse Feature-Level Guidance Adjustments for Unsupervised Domain Adaptative Object Detection
by Yuhe Zhu, Chang Liu, Yunfei Bai, Caiju Wang, Chengwei Wei, Zhenglin Li and Yang Zhou
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(7), 2844; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14072844 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Unsupervised Domain Adaptative Object Detection (UDAOD) aims to alleviate the gap between the source domain and the target domain. Previous methods sought to plainly align global and local features across domains but adapted numerous pooled features and overlooked contextual information, which caused incorrect [...] Read more.
Unsupervised Domain Adaptative Object Detection (UDAOD) aims to alleviate the gap between the source domain and the target domain. Previous methods sought to plainly align global and local features across domains but adapted numerous pooled features and overlooked contextual information, which caused incorrect perceptions of foreground information. To tackle these problems, we propose Diverse Feature-level Guidance Adjustments (DFGAs) for two-stage object detection frameworks, including Pixel-wise Multi-scale Alignment (PMA) and Adaptative Threshold Confidence Adjustment (ATCA). Specifically, PMA adapts features within diverse hierarchical levels to capture sufficient contextual information. Through a customized PMA loss, features from different stages of a network facilitate information interaction across domains. Training with this loss function contributes to the generation of more domain-agnostic features. To better recognize foreground and background samples, ATCA employs adaptative thresholds to divide the foreground and background samples. This strategy flexibly instructs the classifier to perceive the significance of box candidates. Comprehensive experiments are conducted on Cityscapes, Foggy Cityscapes, KITTI, and Sim10k datasets to further demonstrate the superior performance of our method compared to the baseline method. Full article
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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
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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)
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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
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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

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