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20 pages, 4738 KiB  
Article
Trans-Boundary Dust Transport of Dust Storms in Northern China: A Study Utilizing Ground-Based Lidar Network and CALIPSO Satellite
by Zhisheng Zhang, Zhiqiang Kuang, Caixia Yu, Decheng Wu, Qibing Shi, Shuai Zhang, Zhenzhu Wang and Dong Liu
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(7), 1196; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16071196 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
During 14–16 March 2021, a large-scale dust storm event occurred in the northern region of China, and it was considered the most intense event in the past decade. This study employs observation data for PM2.5 and PM10 from the air quality monitoring station, [...] Read more.
During 14–16 March 2021, a large-scale dust storm event occurred in the northern region of China, and it was considered the most intense event in the past decade. This study employs observation data for PM2.5 and PM10 from the air quality monitoring station, the HYSPLIT model, ground-based polarized Lidar networks, AGRI payload data from Fengyun satellites and CALIPSO satellite Lidar data to jointly explore and scrutinize the three-dimensional spatial and temporal characteristics of aerosol transport. Firstly, by integrating meteorological data for PM2.5 and PM10, the air quality is assessed across six stations within the Lidar network during the dust storm. Secondly, employing a backward trajectory tracking model, the study elucidates sources of dust at the Lidar network sites. Thirdly, deploying a newly devised portable infrared 1064 nm Lidar and a pulsed 532 nm Lidar, a ground-based Lidar observation network is established for vertical probing of transboundary dust transport within the observed region. Finally, by incorporating cloud imagery from Fengyun satellites and CALIPSO satellite Lidar data, this study revealed the classification of dust and the height distribution of dust layers at pertinent sites within the Lidar observation network. The findings affirm that the eastward movement and southward compression of the intensifying Mongolian cyclone led to severe dust storm weather in western and southern Mongolia, as well as Inner Mongolia, further transporting dust into northern, northwestern, and northeastern parts of China. This dust event wielded a substantial impact on a broad expanse in northern China, manifesting in localized dust storms in Inner Mongolia, Beijing, Gansu, and surrounding areas. In essence, the dust emanated from the deserts in Mongolia and northwest China, encompassing both deserts and the Gobi region. The amalgamation of ground-based and spaceborne Lidar observations conclusively establishes that the distribution height of dust in the source region ranged from 3 to 5 km. Influenced by high-pressure systems, the protracted transport of dust over extensive distances prompted a gradual reduction in its distribution height owing to sedimentation. The comprehensive analysis of pertinent research data and information collectively affirms the precision and efficacy of the three-dimensional aerosol monitoring conducted by the ground-based Lidar network within the region. Full article
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10 pages, 248 KiB  
Article
Nursing Practice of Airway Care Interventions and Prone Positioning in ICU Patients with COVID-19—A Dutch National Survey
by Andrea A. Esmeijer, Fleur van der Ven, Eveline Koornstra, Laurien Kuipers, Paula van Oosten, Pien Swart, Christel M. Valk, Marcus J. Schultz, Frederique Paulus and Willemke Stilma
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(7), 1983; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13071983 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Background: Airway care interventions and prone positioning are used in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) to improve oxygenation and facilitate mucus removal. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the decision-making process [...] Read more.
Background: Airway care interventions and prone positioning are used in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) to improve oxygenation and facilitate mucus removal. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the decision-making process regarding the practice of airway care interventions and prone positioning was challenging. Objective: To provide an overview of the practice of airway care interventions and prone positioning during the second wave of the pandemic in the Netherlands. Method: Web-based survey design. Seventy ICU nurses, each representing one intensive care in the Netherlands, were contacted for participation. Potential items were generated based on a literature search and formulated by a multidisciplinary team. Questions were pilot tested for face and construct validity by four intensive care nurses from four different hospitals. Results: The response rate was 53/77 (69%). This survey revealed widespread use of airway care interventions in the Netherlands in COVID-19 patients, despite questionable benefits. Additionally, prone positioning was used in invasively and non–invasively ventilated patients. Conclusions: The use of airway care interventions and prone positioning is time consuming and comes with the production of waste. Further research is needed to assess the effectiveness, workload, and environmental impact of airway care interventions and prone positioning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Critical Care during COVID-19 Pandemic)
13 pages, 4554 KiB  
Article
Polypropylene Composites Reinforced with Lignocellulose Nanocrystals of Corncob: Thermal and Mechanical Properties
by Edgar Mauricio Santos-Ventura, Marcos Alfredo Escalante-?lvarez, Rubén González-Nu?ez, Marianelly Esquivel-Alfaro and Belkis Sulbarán-Rangel
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(4), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8040125 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Composites based on recycled polypropylene (PP) reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals whit lignin corncob were prepared. The effect of the ratio composites prepared via a compression molding process on the mechanical and thermal properties was analyzed. Corncobs is a little-used agroindustrial residue with a [...] Read more.
Composites based on recycled polypropylene (PP) reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals whit lignin corncob were prepared. The effect of the ratio composites prepared via a compression molding process on the mechanical and thermal properties was analyzed. Corncobs is a little-used agroindustrial residue with a high cellulose content. The corncob was milled and then delignified via the organosolve process in order to get the cellulose unbleached. An acid hydrolysis process was then carried out to obtain lignocellulose nanocrystals (LCNCs). Subsequently, LCNC/PP composites were obtained via termocompression molding using different concentrations of LCNC (0, 0.5, 1 and 2% by weight) previously mixed via extrusion. The residual lignin present in the LCNCs improved the compatibility between the reinforcement and the PP matrix. This was evidenced by the increase in mechanical properties and the stabilization of thermal properties. The results of the mechanical tests showed that the LCNC increases the tensile and flexural modules and strength with respect to neat PP. Composites with 2% of LCNC showed an increase of 36% and 43% in modulus and tensile strength, respectively, while the flexural modulus and strength increased by 7.6%. By using reinforcements of natural and residual origin (corncob) and improving the properties of recycled polymers, their reuse will increase, and this can lead to reducing waste in the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycled Polymer Composites: Futuristic Sustainable Material)
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15 pages, 8960 KiB  
Article
A Signal-Processing-Based Simulation System for High-End Stereo Headsets
by Anna Zuccante, Alessandro Fiordelmondo, Pierluigi Bontempi and Sergio Canazza
Sensors 2024, 24(7), 2190; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24072190 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
In recent years, headphones have become increasingly popular worldwide. There are numerous models on the market today, varying in technical characteristics and offering different listening experiences. This article presents an application for simulating the sound response of specific headphone models by physically wearing [...] Read more.
In recent years, headphones have become increasingly popular worldwide. There are numerous models on the market today, varying in technical characteristics and offering different listening experiences. This article presents an application for simulating the sound response of specific headphone models by physically wearing others. In the future, for example, this application could help to guide people who already own a pair of headphones during the decision-making process of purchasing a new headphone model. However, the potential fields of application are much broader. An in-depth study of digital signal processing was carried out with the implementation of a computational model. Prior to this, an analysis was performed on impulse response measurements of specific headphones, which allowed for a better understanding of the behavior of each set of headphones. Finally, an evaluation of the entire system was conducted through a listening test. The analysis of the results showed that the software works reasonably well in replicating the target headphones. We hope that this work will stimulate further efforts in the same direction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Signal Processing and Machine Learning for Sensor Systems)
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25 pages, 3360 KiB  
Article
Temporal Changes in Biochemical Responses to Salt Stress in Three Salicornia Species
by Hengameh Homayouni, Hooman Razi, Mahmoud Izadi, Abbas Alemzadeh, Seyed Abdolreza Kazemeini, Ali Niazi and Oscar Vicente
Plants 2024, 13(7), 979; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13070979 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Halophytes adapt to salinity using different biochemical response mechanisms. Temporal measurements of biochemical parameters over a period of exposure to salinity may clarify the patterns and kinetics of stress responses in halophytes. This study aimed to evaluate short-term temporal changes in shoot biomass [...] Read more.
Halophytes adapt to salinity using different biochemical response mechanisms. Temporal measurements of biochemical parameters over a period of exposure to salinity may clarify the patterns and kinetics of stress responses in halophytes. This study aimed to evaluate short-term temporal changes in shoot biomass and several biochemical variables, including the contents of photosynthetic pigments, ions (Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+), osmolytes (proline and glycine betaine), oxidative stress markers (H2O2 and malondialdehyde), and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase) activities of three halophytic Salicornia species (S. persica, S. europaea, and S. bigelovii) in response to non-saline, moderate (300 mM NaCl), and high (500 mM NaCl) salinity treatments at three sampling times. Salicornia plants showed maximum shoot biomass under moderate salinity conditions. The results indicated that high Na+ accumulation in the shoots, coupled with the relative retention of K+ and Ca2+ under salt stress conditions, contributed significantly to ionic and osmotic balance and salinity tolerance in the tested Salicornia species. Glycine betaine accumulation, both constitutive and salt-induced, also seems to play a crucial role in osmotic adjustment in Salicornia plants subjected to salinity treatments. Salicornia species possess an efficient antioxidant enzyme system that largely relies on the ascorbate peroxidase and peroxidase activities to partly counteract salt-induced oxidative stress. The results also revealed that S. persica exhibited higher salinity tolerance than S. europaea and S. bigelovii, as shown by better plant growth under moderate and high salinity. This higher tolerance was associated with higher peroxidase activities and increased glycine betaine and proline accumulation in S. persica. Taking all the data together, this study allowed the identification of the biochemical mechanisms contributing significantly to salinity tolerance of Salicornia through the maintenance of ion and osmotic homeostasis and protection against oxidative stress. Full article
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21 pages, 8259 KiB  
Article
Advance Analysis of the Obtained Recycled Materials from Used Disposable Surgical Masks
by Alen Erjavec, Julija Volmajer Valh, Silvo Hribernik, Tja?a Kra?evac Glaser, Lidija Fras Zemlji?, Toma? Vuherer, Branko Neral and Mihael Brun?ko
Polymers 2024, 16(7), 935; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16070935 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The production of personal protective equipment (PPE) has increased dramatically in recent years, not only because of the pandemic, but also because of stricter legislation in the field of Employee Protection. The increasing use of PPE, including disposable surgical masks (DSMs), is putting [...] Read more.
The production of personal protective equipment (PPE) has increased dramatically in recent years, not only because of the pandemic, but also because of stricter legislation in the field of Employee Protection. The increasing use of PPE, including disposable surgical masks (DSMs), is putting additional pressure on waste collectors. For this reason, it is necessary to find high-quality solutions for this type of waste. Mechanical recycling is still the most common type of recycling, but the recyclates are often classified as low-grade materials. For this reason, a detailed analysis of the recyclates is necessary. These data will help us to improve the properties and find the right end application that will increase the value of the materials. This work represents an extended analysis of the recyclates obtained from DSMs, manufactured from different polymers. Using surface and morphology tests, we have gained insights into the distribution of different polymers in polymer blends and their effects on mechanical and surface properties. It was found that the addition of ear loop material to the PP melt makes the material tougher. In the polymer blends obtained, PP and PA 6 form the surface (affects surface properties), while PU and PET are distributed mainly inside the injection-molded samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Composites in Waste Recycling)
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12 pages, 3551 KiB  
Article
Spiral Structured Cellulose Acetate Membrane Fabricated by One-Step Electrospinning Technique with High Water Permeation Flux
by Allison A. Kim and Milan Babu Poudel
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(4), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8040127 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
A functionally graded membrane (FGM) with a special spiral-structured cellulose acetate (CA) membrane was prepared by electrospinning under different collection distances. The membrane morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FESEM images revealed that the high concentration shows the formation of fibers [...] Read more.
A functionally graded membrane (FGM) with a special spiral-structured cellulose acetate (CA) membrane was prepared by electrospinning under different collection distances. The membrane morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FESEM images revealed that the high concentration shows the formation of fibers with an irregular diameter, with a large diameter distribution range. The fiber collected at a short distance of 10 cm experiences the strong electrostatic force, resulting in the short flight time for the polymer jet. This causes the bending instability of the polymer jet forming the comparatively thick fiber diameters, whereas the fiber collected at 15 cm shows the presence of a smooth, homogeneous diameter. Furthermore, the water flux of the membrane was determined using 50 mL of Amicon stirred cells. The fiber collected at different distances showed diameter variation, which is used to design a special spiral structure on the membrane by auto-moving the collector between the fixed distances of 10–20 cm. This technique will reveal a new approach for the fabrication of a special spiral structure on the nanofibrous membrane for different biomedical applications from different polymers. Meanwhile, the fabricated FGM with a special spiral-structure CA membrane demonstrates high water permeation flux. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Composites, Volume III)
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12 pages, 3445 KiB  
Article
Exploring Dielectric and Magnetic Properties of Ni and Co Ferrites through Biopolymer Composite Films
by J. C. Góes, S. D. Figueiró, K. D. A. Sabóia, Y. L. Nunes, A. C. H. Barreto, P. B. A. Fechine, S. Devesa, A. S. B. Sombra, M. A. Valente, S. R. Gavinho and M. P. F. Gra?a
Magnetochemistry 2024, 10(4), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/magnetochemistry10040020 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
This study explores the synthesis and characterization of chitosan/gelatine films incorporating nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) and cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles. The magnetic nanoparticles exhibit superparamagnetic behaviour, making them attractive for various applications, including biomedical uses. The [...] Read more.
This study explores the synthesis and characterization of chitosan/gelatine films incorporating nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) and cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles. The magnetic nanoparticles exhibit superparamagnetic behaviour, making them attractive for various applications, including biomedical uses. The X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the successful synthesis of NiFe2O4 and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles, and the scanning electron micrographs illustrated well-dispersed ferrite nanoparticles within the biopolymer network, despite the formation of some aggregates attributed to magnetic interactions. Magnetization loops revealed lower saturation magnetization values for the composites, attributed to the chitosan/gelatine coating and the dielectric studies, indicating increased dielectric losses in the presence of ferrites, particularly pronounced in the case of NiFe2O4, suggesting interactions at the interface region between the polymer and ferrite particles. The AC conductivity shows almost linear frequency dependence, associated with proton polarization and conduction processes, more significant at higher temperatures for samples with ferrite particles. Full article
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16 pages, 3618 KiB  
Review
Axial Tomography in Live Cell Microscopy
by Herbert Schneckenburger and Christoph Cremer
Biophysica 2024, 4(2), 142-157; https://doi.org/10.3390/biophysica4020010 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
For many biomedical applications, laser-assisted methods are essential to enhance the three-dimensional (3D) resolution of a light microscope. In this report, we review possibilities to improve the 3D imaging potential by axial tomography. This method allows us to rotate the object in a [...] Read more.
For many biomedical applications, laser-assisted methods are essential to enhance the three-dimensional (3D) resolution of a light microscope. In this report, we review possibilities to improve the 3D imaging potential by axial tomography. This method allows us to rotate the object in a microscope into the best perspective required for imaging. Furthermore, images recorded under variable angles can be combined to one image with isotropic resolution. After a brief review of the technical state of the art, we show some biomedical applications, and discuss future perspectives for Deep View Microscopy and Molecular Imaging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Optics 2.0)
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20 pages, 17545 KiB  
Article
Impact Characteristics and Repair Approaches of Distinct Bio-Based Matrix Composites: A Comparative Analysis
by Bharath Ravindran, Timotheos Agathocleous, Beate Oswald-Tranta, Ewald Fauster and Michael Feuchter
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(4), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8040126 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Increasing global concerns regarding environmental issues have driven significant advancements in the development of bio-based fiber reinforced polymer composites. Despite extensive research on bio-composites, there remains a noticeable gap in studies specifically addressing the challenges of repairing bio-composites for circular economy adoption. Traditional [...] Read more.
Increasing global concerns regarding environmental issues have driven significant advancements in the development of bio-based fiber reinforced polymer composites. Despite extensive research on bio-composites, there remains a noticeable gap in studies specifically addressing the challenges of repairing bio-composites for circular economy adoption. Traditional repair techniques for impacted composites, such as patching or scarf methods, are not only time-consuming but also require highly skilled personnel. This paper aims to highlight cost-effective repair strategies for the restoration of damaged composites, featuring flax fiber as the primary reinforcement material and distinct matrix systems, namely bio-based epoxy and bio-based vitrimer matrix. Glass fiber was used as a secondary material to validate the bio-based vitrimer matrix. The damage caused specifically by low impact is detrimental to the structural integrity of the composites. Therefore, the impact resistance of the two composite materials is evaluated using instrumented drop tower tests at various energy levels, while thermography observations are employed to assess damage evolution. Two distinct repair approaches were studied: the resin infiltration repair method, employing bio-based epoxy, and the reconsolidation (self-healing) repair method, utilizing the bio-based vitrimer matrix. The efficiency of these repair methods was assessed through active thermography and compression after impact tests. The repair outcomes demonstrate successful restoration and the maintenance of ultimate strength at an efficiency of 90% for the re-infiltration repair method and 92% for the reconsolidation repair method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Modelling of Composites, Volume III)
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17 pages, 1762 KiB  
Article
GDF-15 Levels and Other Laboratory Findings as Predictors of COVID-19 Severity and Mortality: A Pilot Study
by Luka ?vitek, Dubravka Li?nji?, Barbara Grubi?i?, Mihaela Zlosa, Ema Sch?nberger, Nika Vlahovi? Vla?i?, Petra Smaji?, Dario Sabadi, Tara Roli?, Kristina Kralik and Sanja Mandi?
Biomedicines 2024, 12(4), 757; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12040757 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is a stress-induced cytokine associated with acute and chronic inflammatory states. This prospective observational study aimed to investigate the prognostic roles of GDF-15 and routine clinical laboratory parameters in COVID-19 patients. Upon the admission of 95 adult hospitalized [...] Read more.
Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is a stress-induced cytokine associated with acute and chronic inflammatory states. This prospective observational study aimed to investigate the prognostic roles of GDF-15 and routine clinical laboratory parameters in COVID-19 patients. Upon the admission of 95 adult hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Croatia, blood analysis was performed, and medical data were collected. The patients were categorized based on survival, ICU admission, and hospitalization duration. Logistic regression and ROC curve methods were employed for the statistical analysis. Logistic regression revealed two independent predictors of negative outcomes: CURB-65 score (OR = 2.55) and LDH (OR = 1.005); one predictor of ICU admission: LDH (OR = 1.004); and one predictor of prolonged hospitalization: the need for a high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) upon admission (OR = 4.75). The ROC curve showed diagnostic indicators of negative outcomes: age, CURB-65 score, LDH, and GDF-15. The largest area under the curve (AUC = 0.767, specificity = 65.6, sensitivity = 83.9) was represented by GDF-15, with a cutoff value of 3528 pg/mL. For ICU admission, significant diagnostic indicators were LDH, CRP, and IL-6. Significant diagnostic indicators of prolonged hospitalization were CK, GGT, and oxygenation with an HFNC upon admission. This study reaffirms the significance of the commonly used laboratory parameters and clinical scores in evaluating COVID-19. Additionally, it introduces the potential for a new diagnostic approach and research concerning GDF-15 levels in this widespread disease. Full article
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9 pages, 296 KiB  
Article
Virtual Reality-Based Assessment for Rehabilitation of the Upper Limb in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study
by Luciano Bissolotti, Justo Artiles-Sánchez, José Luís Alonso-Pérez, Josué Fernández-Carnero, Vanesa Abuín-Porras, Pierluigi Sinatti and Jorge Hugo Villafa?e
Medicina 2024, 60(4), 555; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60040555 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Background and Objectives: This study aimed to examine the responsiveness and concurrent validity of a serious game and its correlation between the use of serious games and upper limbs (UL) performance in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patients. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four consecutive [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: This study aimed to examine the responsiveness and concurrent validity of a serious game and its correlation between the use of serious games and upper limbs (UL) performance in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patients. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four consecutive upper limbs (14 males, 8 females, age: 55–83 years) of PD patients were assessed. The clinical assessment included: the Box and Block test (BBT), Nine-Hole Peg test (9HPT), and sub-scores of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating-Scale Motor section (UPDRS-M) to assess UL disability. Performance scores obtained in two different tests (Ex. A and Ex. B, respectively, the Trolley test and Mushrooms test) based on leap motion (LM) sensors were used to study the correlations with clinical scores. Results: The subjective fatigue experienced during LM tests was measured by the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE, 0–10); the BBT and 9HPT showed the highest correlation coefficients with UPDRS-M scores (ICCs: −0.652 and 0.712, p < 0.05). Exercise A (Trolley test) correlated with UPDRS-M (ICC: 0.31, p < 0.05), but not with the 9HPT and BBT tests (ICCs: −0.447 and 0.390, p < 0.05), while Exercise B (Mushroom test) correlated with UPDRS-M (ICC: −0.40, p < 0.05), as did these last two tests (ICCs: −0.225 and 0.272, p < 0.05). The mean RPE during LM tests was 3.4 ± 3.2. The evaluation of upper limb performance is feasible and does not induce relevant fatigue. Conclusions: The analysis of the ICC supports the use of Test B to evaluate UL disability and performance in PD patients, while Test A is mostly correlated with disability. Specifically designed serious games on LM can serve as a method of impairment in the PD population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Neurology)
9 pages, 843 KiB  
Article
Dosing Regimen for Cefotaxime Should Be Adapted to the Stage of Renal Dysfunction in Critically Ill Adult Patients—A Retrospective Study
by Théo Dillies, Sophie Perinel-Ragey, Patricia Correia, Jér?me Morel, Guillaume Thiery and Manon Launay
Antibiotics 2024, 13(4), 313; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13040313 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Cefotaxime administration is recommended in doses of 3–12 g/day in adults with a Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) > 5 mL/min. This study aimed to assess the impact of renal function and obesity on cefotaxime concentrations in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. A retrospective [...] Read more.
Cefotaxime administration is recommended in doses of 3–12 g/day in adults with a Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) > 5 mL/min. This study aimed to assess the impact of renal function and obesity on cefotaxime concentrations in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on consecutive ICU patients receiving continuous cefotaxime infusion between 2020 and 2022 [IRBN992021/CHUSTE]. Doses were not constant; consequently, a concentration-to-dose ratio (C/D) was considered. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the relationship between cefotaxime concentrations, renal function, and obesity. A total of 70 patients, median age 61 years, were included, with no significant difference in cefotaxime concentrations between obese and non-obese patients. However, concentrations varied significantly by GFR, with underdosing prevalent in patients with normal to increased renal function and overdosing in those with severely impaired renal function. Adjustment of cefotaxime dosing according to GFR was associated with improved target attainment. Cefotaxime dosing in critically ill patients should consider renal function, with higher initial doses required in patients with normal to increased GFR and lower doses in those with severely impaired renal function. Therapeutic drug monitoring may aid in optimising dosing regimens. Prospective studies are warranted to validate these findings and inform clinical practice. Full article
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10 pages, 347 KiB  
Review
Damage Control Interventional Radiology in Liver Trauma: A Comprehensive Review
by Fabio Corvino, Francesco Giurazza, Paolo Marra, Anna Maria Ierardi, Antonio Corvino, Antonio Basile, Massimo Galia, Agostino Inzerillo and Raffaella Niola
J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(4), 365; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14040365 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The liver is the second most common solid organ injured in blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma. Non-operative management (NOM) has become the standard of care for liver injuries in stable patients, where transarterial embolization (TAE) represents the main treatment, increasing success rates and [...] Read more.
The liver is the second most common solid organ injured in blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma. Non-operative management (NOM) has become the standard of care for liver injuries in stable patients, where transarterial embolization (TAE) represents the main treatment, increasing success rates and avoiding invasive surgical procedures. In hemodynamically (HD) unstable patients, operative management (OM) is the standard of care. To date, there are no consensus guidelines about the endovascular treatment of patients with HD instability or in ones that responded to initial infusion therapy. A review of the literature was performed for published papers addressing the outcome of using TAE as the primary treatment for HD unstable/transient responder trauma liver patients with hemorrhagic vascular lesions, both as a single treatment and in combination with surgical treatment, focusing additionally on the different definitions used in the literature of unstable and transient responder patients. Our review demonstrated a good outcome in HD unstable/transient responder liver trauma patients treated with TAE but there still remains much debate about the definition of unstable and transient responder patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interventional Radiology: Towards Personalized Medicine)
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15 pages, 1322 KiB  
Article
Implementing a New Algorithm for Reinterpretation of Ambiguous Variants in Genetic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
by Alexandra Pérez-Serra, Rocío Toro, Estefanía Martinez-Barrios, Anna Iglesias, Anna Fernandez-Falgueras, Mireia Alcalde, Mónica Coll, Marta Puigmulé, Bernat del Olmo, Ferran Picó, Laura Lopez, Elena Arbelo, Sergi Cesar, Coloma Tiron de Llano, Alipio Mangas, Josep Brugada, Georgia Sarquella-Brugada, Ramon Brugada and Oscar Campuzano
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(7), 3807; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073807 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a heterogeneous entity that leads to heart failure and malignant arrhythmias. Nearly 50% of cases are inherited; therefore, genetic analysis is crucial to unravel the cause and for the early identification of carriers at risk. A large number of variants [...] Read more.
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a heterogeneous entity that leads to heart failure and malignant arrhythmias. Nearly 50% of cases are inherited; therefore, genetic analysis is crucial to unravel the cause and for the early identification of carriers at risk. A large number of variants remain classified as ambiguous, impeding an actionable clinical translation. Our goal was to perform a comprehensive update of variants previously classified with an ambiguous role, applying a new algorithm of already available tools. In a cohort of 65 cases diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a total of 125 genetic variants were classified as ambiguous. Our reanalysis resulted in the reclassification of 12% of variants from an unknown to likely benign or likely pathogenic role, due to improved population frequencies. For all the remaining ambiguous variants, we used our algorithm; 60.9% showed a potential but not confirmed deleterious role, and 24.5% showed a potential benign role. Periodically updating the population frequencies is a cheap and fast action, making it possible to clarify the role of ambiguous variants. Here, we perform a comprehensive reanalysis to help to clarify the role of most of ambiguous variants. Our specific algorithms facilitate genetic interpretation in dilated cardiomyopathy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Human Hereditary Diseases: Genetics and Genomics Research)
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11 pages, 8995 KiB  
Article
Influence of Zn Addition on the Aging Precipitate Behavior and Mechanical Properties of Al-Cu-Li Alloy
by Meiqi Wang, Lizhen Yan, Xiwu Li, Yongan Zhang, Zhihui Li, Kai Wen, Hongwei Liu and Baiqing Xiong
Materials 2024, 17(7), 1562; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17071562 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
In the present work, the effect of Zn on the aging precipitates and mechanical properties of Al-Cu-Li alloys was investigated by Vickers hardness, tensile tests, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results indicated that the addition of Zn reduced [...] Read more.
In the present work, the effect of Zn on the aging precipitates and mechanical properties of Al-Cu-Li alloys was investigated by Vickers hardness, tensile tests, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results indicated that the addition of Zn reduced the activation energy of the T1 phase and makes it easier to precipitate. The activation energy of the T1 phase, which was 107.02 ± 1.8 KJ/mol, 94.33 ± 1.7 KJ/mol, 90.33 ± 1.7 KJ/mol and 90.28 ± 1.6 KJ/mol for 0Zn, 0.4Zn, 0.8Zn and 1.2Zn alloy, respectively. The area number density of the T1 precipitate ranged from 97.0 ± 4.4 pcs/μm2 to 118.2 ± 2.8 pcs/μm2 as the Zn content increased from 0 to 1.2 wt.%. Consequently, the addition of Zn promoted the precipitation of the T1 phase. Therefore, the peak hardness and tensile strength of the alloy also increased with the increase in the Zn content, and the hardness of the alloy with Zn content of 1.2 wt.% increased by 16.5 ± 1.4 HV; meanwhile, the ultimate tensile strength increased by 46.5 ± 2.5 MPa. Therefore, the area number density of precipitates increased and improved the strength of the Zn-containing alloy. Full article
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5 pages, 172 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue “Molecular Mechanism in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and Fibrosis”
by Margherita Sisto and Sabrina Lisi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(7), 3808; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073808 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The process known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), fundamental for accurate development during embryogenesis, is involved in several pathological mechanisms, such as severe fibrosis and cancer [...] Full article
17 pages, 1035 KiB  
Article
Modification and Validation of the Soil–Snow Module in the INM RAS Climate Model
by Alexey Chernenkov, Evgeny Volodin, Sergey Kostrykin, Maria Tarasevich and Vasilisa Vorobyeva
Atmosphere 2024, 15(4), 422; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15040422 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
This paper describes the modification of a simple land snow cover module of the INM RAS climate model. The possible liquid water and refreezing of meltwater in the snow layer are taken into account by the proposed parameterization. This is particularly important for [...] Read more.
This paper describes the modification of a simple land snow cover module of the INM RAS climate model. The possible liquid water and refreezing of meltwater in the snow layer are taken into account by the proposed parameterization. This is particularly important for modelling the transition season, as this phenomenon is mainly observed during the formation and melting of the snow cover when the surface temperature fluctuates around 0 °C. The snow density evolution simulation is also added. This parameterization is implemented in the INM-CM snow module and verified on observation data using the ESM-SnowMIP-like protocol. As a result, the INM-CM mean climate snow melt periods are refined, particularly in middle and high latitudes. The snow-covered area according to the model is also improved. In the future, a modified version of the land snow module can be used, coupled with a snow albedo model that takes into account snow metamorphism. This module can also be applied to sea ice snow. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Atmospheric Techniques, Instruments, and Modeling)
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10 pages, 2703 KiB  
Article
Body Weight as a Preferred Method for Normalizing the Computed Tomography-Derived Liver Volume in Dogs without Hepatic Disease
by Kosuke Kinoshita, George Moore and Masahiro Murakami
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(4), 153; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11040153 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The assessment of liver size is usually performed using radiography in dogs. However, due to wide variations in patients’ sizes and body conformations, accurate diagnosis of hepatomegaly or microhepatia is difficult. Computed tomographic (CT) volumetry can quantitatively and accurately measure liver volume. However, [...] Read more.
The assessment of liver size is usually performed using radiography in dogs. However, due to wide variations in patients’ sizes and body conformations, accurate diagnosis of hepatomegaly or microhepatia is difficult. Computed tomographic (CT) volumetry can quantitatively and accurately measure liver volume. However, a reliable method for the standardization or normalization of volume in dogs without hepatic disease using CT has not yet been established. The purpose of this study was to assess seven different anatomic measures for normalizing liver volume in dogs and determine the tentative range of liver volume in dogs without hepatic disease. We retrospectively searched medical records from 1 January 2017 through to 1 June 2020 and included dogs with abdominal computed tomography without hepatic disease. The liver volume, lengths of four vertebrae (T11, T12, L2, L3), diameter of the abdominal aorta, body weight, and body condition scores (BCSs) of the dogs were recorded. Forty-one client-owned dogs without evidence of hepatic disease were included. The CT-derived liver volume was 813.8 ± 326.5 cm3 (mean ± SD). Body weight was determined to be the most reliable single-variable method for normalizing liver volume, with a raw CT-derived liver-volume-to-body-weight ratio of 22.1 cm3/kg (95% CI: 12.9–31.3 cm3/kg) and regression prediction model of volume = 19 × BWkg + 97. However, a better normalizing factor would likely be provided by the fat-free mass if it can be accurately measured. Full article
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19 pages, 5552 KiB  
Article
Soil Nitrogen and Flooding Intensity Determine the Trade-Off between Leaf and Root Traits of Riparian Plant Species
by Hang Zou, Wanyu Wang, Jinxia Huang, Xiaohong Li, Maohua Ma, Shengjun Wu and Cunfeng Zhao
Plants 2024, 13(7), 978; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13070978 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The investigation into trade-offs among plant functional traits sheds light on how plants strategically balance growth and survival when facing environmental stress. This study sought to evaluate whether trade-offs observed at both community and individual species levels could indicate adaptive fitness across an [...] Read more.
The investigation into trade-offs among plant functional traits sheds light on how plants strategically balance growth and survival when facing environmental stress. This study sought to evaluate whether trade-offs observed at both community and individual species levels could indicate adaptive fitness across an intensity of flooding intensity. The study was conducted at 25 sampling sites spanning approximately 600 km along the riparian zone in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, China. The findings revealed that, along the flooding gradient, the overall riparian community did not exhibit significant trade-offs between leaf and root traits. Examining three broadly distributed dominant species (Cynodon dactylon, Xanthium strumarium, and Abutilon theophrasti), perennial plants showed pronounced trade-offs under low flooding intensity, while annuals exhibited trade-offs under moderate and low flooding intensity. The trade-offs were evident in traits related to nitrogen-carbon resources, such as specific leaf area, root tissue density, and photosynthetic rate. However, under strong flooding intensity, the relationship between leaf and root traits of the species studied was decoupled. Furthermore, the study identified a significant correlation between soil nitrogen and the trade-off traits under moderate and low flooding intensity. Integrating results from the CSR (Competitors, Stress-tolerators, Ruderals) strategy model, species niche breath analysis, and nitrogen-regulated trade-off, the study revealed that, in the face of high flooding intensity, perennial species (C. dactylon) adopts an S-strategy, demonstrating tolerance through a conservative resource allocation that decouples leaf-root coordination. Annual species (X. strumarium and A. theophrasti), on the other hand, exhibit niche specialization along the flooding gradient, employing distinct strategies (R- and C-strategy). As flooding stress diminishes and soil nitrogen level decreases, plant strategies tend to shift towards an R-strategy with a competition for reduced N resources. In conclusion, the study highlighted the pivotal roles of soil nitrogen and flooding intensity acting as the dual determinants of species growth and tolerance. These dynamics of growth-tolerance balance were evident in the diverse trade-offs between leaf and root traits of individual plant species with different life histories, underscoring the array of adaptive strategies employed by riparian plants across the flooding intensity gradient. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Response to Abiotic Stress and Climate Change)
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21 pages, 331 KiB  
Article
All or Nothing: Polemicizing God and the Buddhist Void in the Jesuit Mission to East Asia
by James Matthew Baskind
Religions 2024, 15(4), 424; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15040424 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The Jesuit mission to East Asia highlights the polemical difficulties inherent in the process of introducing, translating, and creating a new theological paradigm within a host culture without a common religious worldview. Both Matteo Ricci in China and Ricci’s erstwhile teacher, Alessandro Valignano, [...] Read more.
The Jesuit mission to East Asia highlights the polemical difficulties inherent in the process of introducing, translating, and creating a new theological paradigm within a host culture without a common religious worldview. Both Matteo Ricci in China and Ricci’s erstwhile teacher, Alessandro Valignano, in Japan, both inveighed against Buddhism for positing a “void” as the Absolute rather than God. The East Asian Jesuit mission had an incomplete understanding of what emptiness/nothingness/void referred to until the native Japanese convert and former Zen monk, Fukansai Habian, took up the mantle as the Jesuit polemicist against native systems of thought, in particular, Buddhism. Whereas Ricci and Valignano attacked the “void” within the context of a negation of “something”, Habian correctly understood the void as akin to the pleroma, the fullness of possibility, and the creative principle, but used his more nuanced understanding as a polemical expedient to deny or negate all Buddhist doctrines as expressing nothingness (which he erroneously equates with the void), even such form-affirming schools as the Pure Land school with its clearly defined goal of a physical post-mortem Pure Land. The polemical paradigm engendered by this encounter also served as the starting point for Buddhism’s appearance in the Western imagination. This paper will make a comparative investigation of the polemical discourse between the Jesuits and Buddhists regarding the Absolute and demonstrate how this historical instance would have far-reaching consequences that have ongoing relevance regarding the interplay of Christian and Buddhist teachings. Full article
8 pages, 8123 KiB  
Case Report
Upper Respiratory Tract Disease in a Dog Infected by a Highly Pathogenic Avian A/H5N1 Virus
by Olga Szalu?-Jordanow, Anna Golke, Tomasz Dzieci?tkowski, Micha? Czopowicz, Micha? Kardas, Marcin Mickiewicz, Agata Moroz-Fik, Andrzej ?obaczewski, Iwona Markowska-Daniel and Tadeusz Frymus
Microorganisms 2024, 12(4), 689; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12040689 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
In summer 2023, during an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in cats in Poland, a 16-year-old dog was presented to the veterinary clinic with persistent, debilitating, dry cough, submandibular lymphadenomegaly, mild serous nasal discharge, and left apical heart murmur. A preliminary [...] Read more.
In summer 2023, during an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in cats in Poland, a 16-year-old dog was presented to the veterinary clinic with persistent, debilitating, dry cough, submandibular lymphadenomegaly, mild serous nasal discharge, and left apical heart murmur. A preliminary diagnosis of kennel cough was made and the treatment with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and dexamethasone was initiated. Due to the lack of improvement within 2 days, a blood check-up, thoracic radiography and ultrasonography, and echocardiography were performed. Moreover, a rapid test for orthomyxovirus type A antigen in a throat swab was carried out and proved positive. The result was verified using RT-qPCR, which yielded a positive result for A/H5N1 influenza virus and negative results for A/H1N1, A/H3N2, type B influenza, and SARS-CoV-2. This case indicates that HPAI should be considered as a differential diagnosis not only in cats, but also in dogs with upper respiratory tract disease, particularly in regions experiencing A/H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Viral Zoonoses, Second Edition)
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24 pages, 2113 KiB  
Article
Moderating the Effect of the Multidimensional Poverty Index on the Relationship between Sustainable Governance Indicators and Worldwide Governance Indicators
by Abraham Puente De La Vega Caceres, Estela Quispe Ramos and Carlos Samuel Ramos Meza
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2855; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072855 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
This research comprehensively addresses the complexity of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). The research objective is to understand the moderating effect of the MPI on the relationship between Sustainable Governance Indicators (SGIs) and World Governance Indicators (WGIs) in the context of 41 countries [...] Read more.
This research comprehensively addresses the complexity of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). The research objective is to understand the moderating effect of the MPI on the relationship between Sustainable Governance Indicators (SGIs) and World Governance Indicators (WGIs) in the context of 41 countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) while also analyzing the validity and reliability of the indicators. The applied methodology involves using Structural Equation Modeling with Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS), and data from 41 OECD countries were analyzed. Data on SGIs, WGIs, and the MPI were extracted from the SGI-2022, WGI-2022, and SGI-MPI (2022) databases. Moderating the interaction between the MPI and SGIs reveals a significant overall negative effect (−0.184) on the relationship between SGIs and WGIs (total effect = 0.474); this implies that elevated levels of the MPI negatively impact sustainable governance between SGIs and WGIs, whereas lower levels of the MPI lead to a stronger relationship between SGIs and WGIs, enhancing sustainable governance. The validity of the structural model is affected by low Average Variance Extraction (AVE) in key variables, such as Economic Policy-EP (0.470) and MPI (0.439), indicating potential limitations in their measurement. Full article
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