Advancing Open Science
for more than 25 years
Supporting academic communities
since 1996
 
12 pages, 3169 KiB  
Article
Phonon Pseudoangular Momentum in α-MoO3
by Meiqi Li, Zhibing Li, Huanjun Chen and Weiliang Wang
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(7), 607; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14070607 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
In recent studies, it has been discovered that phonons can carry angular momentum, leading to a series of investigations into systems with three-fold rotation symmetry. However, for systems with two-fold screw rotational symmetry, such as α-MoO3, there has been no relevant [...] Read more.
In recent studies, it has been discovered that phonons can carry angular momentum, leading to a series of investigations into systems with three-fold rotation symmetry. However, for systems with two-fold screw rotational symmetry, such as α-MoO3, there has been no relevant discussion. In this paper, we investigated the pseudoangular momentum of phonons in crystals with two-fold screw rotational symmetry. Taking α-MoO3 as an example, we explain the selection rules in circularly polarized Raman experiments resulting from pseudoangular momentum conservation, providing important guidance for experiments. This study of pseudoangular momentum in α-MoO3 opens up a new degree of freedom for its potential applications, expanding into new application domains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Nanophotonics Materials and Devices)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
15 pages, 845 KiB  
Review
Composition and Function of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps
by Yijie Wang, Chunjing Du, Yue Zhang and Liuluan Zhu
Biomolecules 2024, 14(4), 416; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14040416 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are intricate fibrous structures released by neutrophils in response to specific stimuli. These structures are composed of depolymerized chromatin adorned with histones, granule proteins, and cytosolic proteins. NETs are formed via two distinct pathways known as suicidal NETosis, which [...] Read more.
Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are intricate fibrous structures released by neutrophils in response to specific stimuli. These structures are composed of depolymerized chromatin adorned with histones, granule proteins, and cytosolic proteins. NETs are formed via two distinct pathways known as suicidal NETosis, which involves NADPH oxidase (NOX), and vital NETosis, which is independent of NOX. Certain proteins found within NETs exhibit strong cytotoxic effects against both pathogens and nearby host cells. While NETs play a defensive role against pathogens, they can also contribute to tissue damage and worsen inflammation. Despite extensive research on the pathophysiological role of NETs, less attention has been paid to their components, which form a unique structure containing various proteins that have significant implications in a wide range of diseases. This review aims to elucidate the components of NETs and provide an overview of their impact on host defense against invasive pathogens, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">
17 pages, 1539 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Genome-Wide Natural Variation and Expression Analysis of Tubby-like Proteins Gene Family in Brachypodium distachyon
by Sendi Mejia, Jose Lorenzo B. Santos and Christos Noutsos
Plants 2024, 13(7), 987; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13070987 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The Tubby-like proteins (TLPs) gene family is a group of transcription factors found in both animals and plants. In this study, we identified twelve B. distachyon TLPs, divided into six groups based on conserved domains and evolutionary relationships. We predicted cis-regulatory elements involved [...] Read more.
The Tubby-like proteins (TLPs) gene family is a group of transcription factors found in both animals and plants. In this study, we identified twelve B. distachyon TLPs, divided into six groups based on conserved domains and evolutionary relationships. We predicted cis-regulatory elements involved in light, hormone, and biotic and abiotic stresses. The expression patterns in response to light and hormones revealed that BdTLP3, 4, 7, and 14 are involved in light responses, and BdTLP1 is involved in ABA responses. Furthermore, BdTLP2, 7, 9, and 13 are expressed throughout vegetative and reproductive stages, whereas BdTLP1, 3, 5, and 14 are expressed at germinating grains and early vegetative development, and BdTLP4, 6, 8, and 10 are expressed at the early reproduction stage. The natural variation in the eleven most diverged B. distachyon lines revealed high conservation levels of BdTLP1-6 to high variation in BdTLP7-14 proteins. Based on diversifying selection, we identified amino acids in BdTLP1, 3, 8, and 13, potentially substantially affecting protein functions. This analysis provided valuable information for further functional studies to understand the regulation, pathways involved, and mechanism of BdTLPs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
14 pages, 301 KiB  
Review
Clinical Significance and Remaining Issues of Anti-HBc Antibody and HBV Core-Related Antigen
by Yoshihiko Yano, Itsuko Sato, Takamitsu Imanishi, Ryutaro Yoshida, Takanori Matsuura, Yoshihide Ueda and Yuzo Kodama
Diagnostics 2024, 14(7), 728; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14070728 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Currently, hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antibody (anti-HBc antibody) and HBV core-related antigen (HBcrAg) are widely used as serum markers for diagnosis based on the HBV core region. This review focused on anti-HBc antibodies and HBcrAg and aimed to summarize the clinical significance [...] Read more.
Currently, hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antibody (anti-HBc antibody) and HBV core-related antigen (HBcrAg) are widely used as serum markers for diagnosis based on the HBV core region. This review focused on anti-HBc antibodies and HBcrAg and aimed to summarize the clinical significance of currently used assay systems and the issues involved. While anti-HBc is very significant for clinical diagnosis, the clinical significance of quantitative assay of anti-HBc antibody has been reevaluated with improvements in diagnostic performance, including its association with clinical stage and prediction of carcinogenesis and reactivation. In addition, concerning the new HBcrAg, a high-sensitivity assay method has recently been established, and its diagnostic significance, including the prediction of reactivation, is being reevaluated. On the other hand, the quantitative level of anti-HBc antibody expressed in different units among assay systems complicates the interpretation of the results. However, it is difficult to standardize assay systems as they vary in advantages, and caution is needed in interpreting the assay results. In conclusion, with the development of highly sensitive HBcrAg and anti-HBc antibody, a rapid and sensitive detection assay system has been developed and used in clinical practice. In the future, it is hoped that a global standard will be created based on the many clinical findings. Full article
23 pages, 1640 KiB  
Review
Blue Biotechnology: Marine Bacteria Bioproducts
by Karina Maldonado-Ruiz, Ruth Pedroza-Islas and Lorena Pedraza-Segura
Microorganisms 2024, 12(4), 697; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12040697 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The ocean is the habitat of a great number of organisms with different characteristics. Compared to terrestrial microorganisms, marine microorganisms also represent a vast and largely unexplored reservoir of bioactive compounds with diverse industrial applications like terrestrial microorganisms. This review examines the properties [...] Read more.
The ocean is the habitat of a great number of organisms with different characteristics. Compared to terrestrial microorganisms, marine microorganisms also represent a vast and largely unexplored reservoir of bioactive compounds with diverse industrial applications like terrestrial microorganisms. This review examines the properties and potential applications of products derived from marine microorganisms, including bacteriocins, enzymes, exopolysaccharides, and pigments, juxtaposing them in some cases against their terrestrial counterparts. We discuss the distinct characteristics that set marine-derived products apart, including enhanced stability and unique structural features such as the amount of uronic acid and sulfate groups in exopolysaccharides. Further, we explore the uses of these marine-derived compounds across various industries, ranging from food and pharmaceuticals to cosmetics and biotechnology. This review also presents a broad description of biotechnologically important compounds produced by bacteria isolated from marine environments, some of them with different qualities compared to their terrestrial counterparts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Molecules from Microbial Sources)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
21 pages, 7653 KiB  
Article
The Use of Virtual Tissue Constructs That Include Morphological Variability to Assess the Potential of Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy to Differentiate between Thyroid and Parathyroid Tissues during Surgery
by Malwina Matella, Keith Hunter, Saba Balasubramanian and Dawn Walker
Sensors 2024, 24(7), 2198; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24072198 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been proposed as a promising noninvasive method to differentiate healthy thyroid from parathyroid tissues during thyroidectomy. However, previously reported similarities in the in vivo measured spectra of these tissues during a pilot study suggest that this separation may [...] Read more.
Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been proposed as a promising noninvasive method to differentiate healthy thyroid from parathyroid tissues during thyroidectomy. However, previously reported similarities in the in vivo measured spectra of these tissues during a pilot study suggest that this separation may not be straightforward. We utilise computational modelling as a method to elucidate the distinguishing characteristics in the EIS signal and explore the features of the tissue that contribute to the observed electrical behaviour. Firstly, multiscale finite element models (or ‘virtual tissue constructs’) of thyroid and parathyroid tissues were developed and verified against in vivo tissue measurements. A global sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the impact of physiological micro-, meso- and macroscale tissue morphological features of both tissue types on the computed macroscale EIS spectra and explore the separability of the two tissue types. Our results suggest that the presence of a surface fascia layer could obstruct tissue differentiation, but an analysis of the separability of simulated spectra without the surface fascia layer suggests that differentiation of the two tissue types should be possible if this layer is completely removed by the surgeon. Comprehensive in vivo measurements are required to fully determine the potential for EIS as a method in distinguishing between thyroid and parathyroid tissues. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
16 pages, 24589 KiB  
Article
Prediction of Sea Surface Temperature Using U-Net Based Model
by Jing Ren, Changying Wang, Ling Sun, Baoxiang Huang, Deyu Zhang, Jiadong Mu and Jianqiang Wu
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(7), 1205; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16071205 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Sea surface temperature (SST) is a key parameter in ocean hydrology. Currently, existing SST prediction methods fail to fully utilize the potential spatial correlation between variables. To address this challenge, we propose a spatiotenporal UNet (ST-UNet) model based on the UNet model. In [...] Read more.
Sea surface temperature (SST) is a key parameter in ocean hydrology. Currently, existing SST prediction methods fail to fully utilize the potential spatial correlation between variables. To address this challenge, we propose a spatiotenporal UNet (ST-UNet) model based on the UNet model. In particular, in the encoding phase of ST-UNet, we use parallel convolution with different kernel sizes to efficiently extract spatial features, and use ConvLSTM to capture temporal features based on the utilization of spatial features. Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling (ASPP) module is placed at the bottleneck of the network to further incorporate the multi-scale features, allowing the spatial features to be fully utilized. The final prediction is then generated in the decoding stage using parallel convolution with different kernel sizes similar to the encoding stage. We conducted a series of experiments on the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea SST data set, as well as the South China Sea SST data set, using SST data from the past 35 days to predict SST data for 1, 3, and 7 days in the future. The model was trained using data spanning from 2010 to 2021, with data from 2022 being utilized to assess the model’s predictive performance. The experimental results show that the model proposed in this research paper achieves excellent results at different prediction scales in both sea areas, and the model consistently outperforms other methods. Specifically, in the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea sea areas, when the prediction scales are 1, 3, and 7 days, the MAE of ST-UNet outperforms the best results of the other three compared models by 17%, 12%, and 2%, and the MSE by 16%, 18%, and 9%, respectively. In the South China Sea, when the prediction ranges are 1, 3, and 7 days, the MAE of ST-UNet is 27%, 18%, and 3% higher than the best of the other three compared models, and the MSE is 46%, 39%, and 16% higher, respectively. Our results highlight the effectiveness of the ST-UNet model in capturing spatial correlations and accurately predicting SST. The proposed model is expected to improve marine hydrographic studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence and Big Data for Oceanography)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
19 pages, 5712 KiB  
Article
Soil Sampling Map Optimization with a Dual Deep Learning Framework
by Tan-Hanh Pham and Kim-Doang Nguyen
Mach. Learn. Knowl. Extr. 2024, 6(2), 751-769; https://doi.org/10.3390/make6020035 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Soil sampling constitutes a fundamental process in agriculture, enabling precise soil analysis and optimal fertilization. The automated selection of accurate soil sampling locations representative of a given field is critical for informed soil treatment decisions. This study leverages recent advancements in deep learning [...] Read more.
Soil sampling constitutes a fundamental process in agriculture, enabling precise soil analysis and optimal fertilization. The automated selection of accurate soil sampling locations representative of a given field is critical for informed soil treatment decisions. This study leverages recent advancements in deep learning to develop efficient tools for generating soil sampling maps. We proposed two models, namely UDL and UFN, which are the results of innovations in machine learning architecture design and integration. The models are meticulously trained on a comprehensive soil sampling dataset collected from local farms in South Dakota. The data include five key attributes: aspect, flow accumulation, slope, normalized difference vegetation index, and yield. The inputs to the models consist of multispectral images, and the ground truths are highly unbalanced binary images. To address this challenge, we innovate a feature extraction technique to find patterns and characteristics from the data before using these refined features for further processing and generating soil sampling maps. Our approach is centered around building a refiner that extracts fine features and a selector that utilizes these features to produce prediction maps containing the selected optimal soil sampling locations. Our experimental results demonstrate the superiority of our tools compared to existing methods. During testing, our proposed models exhibit outstanding performance, achieving the highest mean Intersection over Union of 60.82% and mean Dice Coefficient of 73.74%. The research not only introduces an innovative tool for soil sampling but also lays the foundation for the integration of traditional and modern soil sampling methods. This work provides a promising solution for precision agriculture and soil management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Applications in Image Analysis and Pattern Recognition)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
16 pages, 3300 KiB  
Article
Myocardial Expression of Pluripotency, Longevity, and Proinflammatory Genes in the Context of Hypercholesterolemia and Statin Treatment
by Konstantinos S. Mylonas, Michail Peroulis, Emmanouil I. Kapetanakis and Alkistis Kapelouzou
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(7), 1994; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13071994 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Background: This study sought to assess the effect of statin therapy on myocardial inflammation in a White New Zealand rabbit model of atherogenesis. Methods: The mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory, pluripotency, and aging-related markers were quantified following a controlled feeding protocol and statin [...] Read more.
Background: This study sought to assess the effect of statin therapy on myocardial inflammation in a White New Zealand rabbit model of atherogenesis. Methods: The mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory, pluripotency, and aging-related markers were quantified following a controlled feeding protocol and statin treatments. Results: Following high-cholesterol diet induction, we observed significant upregulation in the myocardial mRNA levels of MYD88, NF-κB, chemokines (CCL4, CCL20, and CCR2), IFN-γ, interleukins (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-18), and novel markers (klotho, KFL4, NANOG, and HIF1α). In contrast, HOXA5 expression was diminished following a hyperlipidemic diet. Both statin treatments significantly influenced the markers studied. Nevertheless, rosuvastatin administration resulted in a greater reduction in MYD88, NF-kB, chemokines (CCL4, CCL20, and CCR2), and interleukins IL-1β, IL-8, KLF4, NANOG, and HIF1α than fluvastatin. Fluvastatin, on the other hand, led to a stronger decrease in IL-4. Downregulation of IL-2 and IL-18 and upregulation of IFNβ and HOXA5 were comparable between the two statins. Notably, rosuvastatin had a stronger effect on the upregulation of klotho and IL-10. Conclusion: Overall, statin therapy significantly attenuated inflammatory, pluripotency, and klotho expression in myocardial tissue under atherogenic conditions. Our findings also highlight the differential efficacy of rosuvastatin over fluvastatin in curtailing proatherogenic inflammation, which could have profound implications for the clinical management of cardiovascular disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Advances in Diagnosis and Management of Atherosclerosis)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
11 pages, 5484 KiB  
Article
Optimizing the Structure and Optical Properties of Lanthanum Aluminate Perovskite through Nb5+ Doping
by Wei Liu, Yang Zou, Yuang Chen, Zijian Lei, Lili Zhao and Lixin Song
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(7), 608; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14070608 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
This work involves the introduction of niobium oxide into lanthanum aluminate (LaAlO3) via a conventional solid-state reaction technique to yield LaAlO3:Nb (LaNbxAl1−xO3+δ) samples with Nb5+ doping levels ranging from 0.00 to [...] Read more.
This work involves the introduction of niobium oxide into lanthanum aluminate (LaAlO3) via a conventional solid-state reaction technique to yield LaAlO3:Nb (LaNbxAl1−xO3+δ) samples with Nb5+ doping levels ranging from 0.00 to 0.25 mol%. This study presents a comprehensive investigation of the effects of niobium doping on the phase evolution, defect control, and reflectance of LaNbxAl1−xO3+δ powder. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms the perovskite structure in all powders, and XRD and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveal successful doping of Nb5+ into LaNbxAl1−xO3+δ. The surface morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the results show that increasing the doping concentration of niobium leads to fewer microstructural defects. Oxygen vacancy defects in different compositions are analyzed at 300 K, and as the doping level increases, a clear trend of defect reduction is observed. Notably, LaNbxAl1−xO3+δ with 0.15 mol% Nb5+ exhibits excellent reflectance properties, with a maximum infrared reflectance of 99.7%. This study shows that LaNbxAl1−xO3+δ powder materials have wide application potential in the field of high reflectivity coating materials due to their extremely low microstructural defects and oxygen vacancy defects. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
12 pages, 271 KiB  
Article
Healthcare Utilization (HCU) Reduction with High-Frequency (10 kHz) Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) Therapy
by Vinicius Tieppo Francio, Logan Leavitt, John Alm, Daniel Mok, Byung-jo Victor Yoon, Niaman Nazir, Christopher M. Lam, Usman Latif, Timothy Sowder, Edward Braun, Andrew Sack, Talal W. Khan and Dawood Sayed
Healthcare 2024, 12(7), 745; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12070745 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a well-established treatment for patients with chronic pain. With increasing healthcare costs, it is important to determine the benefits of SCS in healthcare utilization (HCU). This retrospective, single-center observational study involved 160 subjects who underwent implantation of a [...] Read more.
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a well-established treatment for patients with chronic pain. With increasing healthcare costs, it is important to determine the benefits of SCS in healthcare utilization (HCU). This retrospective, single-center observational study involved 160 subjects who underwent implantation of a high-frequency (10 kHz) SCS device. We focused on assessing trends in HCU by measuring opioid consumption in morphine milligram equivalents (MME), as well as monitoring emergency department (ED) and office visits for interventional pain procedures during the 12-month period preceding and following the SCS implant. Our results revealed a statistically significant reduction in HCU in all domains assessed. The mean MME was 51.05 and 26.52 pre- and post-implant, respectively. There was a 24.53 MME overall decrease and a mean of 78.2% statistically significant dose reduction (p < 0.0001). Of these, 91.5% reached a minimally clinically important difference (MCID) in opioid reduction. Similarly, we found a statistically significant (p < 0.01) decrease in ED visits, with a mean of 0.12 pre- and 0.03 post-implant, and a decrease in office visits for interventional pain procedures from a 1.39 pre- to 0.28 post-10 kHz SCS implant, representing a 1.11 statistically significant (p < 0.0001) mean reduction. Our study reports the largest cohort of real-world data published to date analyzing HCU trends with 10 kHz SCS for multiple pain etiologies. Furthermore, this is the first and only study evaluating HCU trends with 10 kHz SCS by assessing opioid use, ED visits, and outpatient visits for interventional pain procedures collectively. Preceding studies have individually investigated these outcomes, consistently yielding positive results comparable to our findings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pain Management in Healthcare Practice)
15 pages, 4400 KiB  
Article
Short Working Memory Impairment Associated with Hippocampal Microglia Activation in Chronic Hepatic Encephalopathy
by Bilal El-Mansoury, Kamal Smimih, Abdelaati El Khiat, Ahmed Draoui, Abdelmohcine Aimrane, Redouane Chatoui, Abdesslam Ferssiwi, Abdelali Bitar, Halima Gamrani, Arumugam R. Jayakumar and Omar El Hiba
Metabolites 2024, 14(4), 193; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14040193 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a major neuropsychological condition that occursas a result of impaired liver function. It is frequently observed in patients with advanced liver disease or cirrhosis. Memory impairment is among the symptoms of HE; the pathophysiologic mechanism for this enervating condition [...] Read more.
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a major neuropsychological condition that occursas a result of impaired liver function. It is frequently observed in patients with advanced liver disease or cirrhosis. Memory impairment is among the symptoms of HE; the pathophysiologic mechanism for this enervating condition remains unclear. However, it is possible that neuroinflammation may be involved, as recent studies have emphasized such phenomena. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to assess short working memory (SWM) and examine the involvement of microglia in a chronic model of HE. The study was carried out with male Wistar rats that were induced by repeated thioacetamide (TAA) administration (100 mg/kg i.p injection for 10 days). SWM function was assessed through Y-maze, T-Maze, and novel object recognition (NOR) tests, together with an immunofluorescence study of microglia activation within the hippocampal areas. Our data showed impaired SWM in TAA-treated rats that was associated with microglial activation in the three hippocampal regions, and which contributed to cognitive impairment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Programming of Hepatic Organ Function)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
12 pages, 929 KiB  
Article
Optimal and Quasi-Optimal Automatic Tuning of Vibration Neutralizers
by Emiliano Rustighi
Vibration 2024, 7(2), 362-373; https://doi.org/10.3390/vibration7020018 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Vibration neutralizers are single-degree-of-freedom devices affixed to vibrating structures in order to reduce the response at a specific troublesome harmonic excitation frequency. As this frequency may vary over time, it becomes imperative to track and adjust the neutralizer to maintain the optimal performance. [...] Read more.
Vibration neutralizers are single-degree-of-freedom devices affixed to vibrating structures in order to reduce the response at a specific troublesome harmonic excitation frequency. As this frequency may vary over time, it becomes imperative to track and adjust the neutralizer to maintain the optimal performance. Recent years have witnessed the emergence of adaptive tunable vibration neutralizers, offering real-time adjustment capabilities through external actions. Thanks to real-time control algorithms, these devices enable the automatic mitigation of vibration levels in mechanical structures. A particularly successful algorithm for the automatic tuning of these devices leverages the phase angle between the base acceleration and the neutralizer’s mass. This study critically examines the justification for employing such an algorithm and scrutinizes its optimal applicability limits, particularly in the context of viscous and structurally damped systems. The findings reveal that this algorithm accurately approximates optimum tuning for systems with low damping. Moreover, from an engineering perspective, the algorithm remains acceptable even for heavily damped structures. Through a focused and comprehensive analysis, this paper provides valuable insights into the efficacy and limitations of the phase-angle-based tuning algorithm, contributing to the advancement of adaptive vibration control strategies in smart structures. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
19 pages, 9093 KiB  
Article
Route Risk Index for Autonomous Trucks
by Ryan Jones, Raj Bridgelall and Denver Tolliver
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(7), 2892; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14072892 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The proliferation of autonomous trucking demands a sophisticated understanding of the risks associated with the diverse U.S. interstate system. Traditional risk assessment models, while beneficial, do not adequately address the state and regional variations in factors that significantly impact the safety and efficiency [...] Read more.
The proliferation of autonomous trucking demands a sophisticated understanding of the risks associated with the diverse U.S. interstate system. Traditional risk assessment models, while beneficial, do not adequately address the state and regional variations in factors that significantly impact the safety and efficiency of autonomous freight transport. This study addresses the problem by developing a composite risk index that evaluates the safety of U.S. interstate routes for autonomous trucking, considering both state and regional differences in traffic volumes, road conditions, safety records, and weather patterns. The potential for autonomous trucking to transform the freight industry necessitates a risk assessment model that is as dynamic and multifaceted as the system it aims to navigate. This work contributes a regionally sensitive risk index using GIS methodologies, integrating data from national databases, and applying statistical analysis to normalize risk factors. The findings reveal significant state and regional disparities in risk factors, such as the predominance of precipitation-related risks in the Southeast and traffic in the Far West. This work provides a targeted approach to risk assessment for policymakers and infrastructure planners and offers a strategic tool for logistics companies in optimizing autonomous trucking routes. The long-term benefit is a scalable model that can adapt to evolving data inputs and contribute to the broader application of risk assessment strategies in various domains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Big Data Applications in Transportation)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
19 pages, 1712 KiB  
Article
Research on Joint Recommendation Algorithm for Knowledge Concepts and Learning Partners Based on Improved Multi-Gate Mixture-of-Experts
by Zhaoyu Shou, Yixin Chen, Hui Wen, Jinghua Liu, Jianwen Mo and Huibing Zhang
Electronics 2024, 13(7), 1272; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13071272 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The rise of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) has increased the large audience for higher education. Different learners face different learning difficulties in the process of online learning. In order to ensure the quality of teaching, online learning resource recommendation services should be [...] Read more.
The rise of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) has increased the large audience for higher education. Different learners face different learning difficulties in the process of online learning. In order to ensure the quality of teaching, online learning resource recommendation services should be more personalised and have more choices. In this paper, we propose a joint recommendation algorithm for knowledge concepts and learning partners based on improved MMoE (Multi-gate Mixture-of-Experts). Firstly, the heterogeneous information network (HIN) is constructed based on the MOOC platform and appropriate meta-paths are selected in order to extract the human–computer interaction information and student–student interaction information generated during the learners’ online learning processes more completely. Secondly, the temporal behavioural characteristics of students are obtained based on their learning paths as well as their knowledge of conceptual characteristics, and LSTM (Long Short-Term Memory) is used to mine students’ current learning interests. Finally, the gating network in MMoE is changed into an attention mechanism network, and for different tasks, multiple attention mechanism networks are used to fuse the learner’s human–computer interaction information, student–student interaction information, and interest characteristics to generate learner representations that are more in line with the respective task and to complete the tasks of knowledge conception and learning partner recommendation. Experiments on publicly available MOOC datasets show that the method proposed in this paper provides more accurate and varied personalization services to online learners compared to the latest proposed methods. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
21 pages, 1347 KiB  
Review
Non-Coding RNAs: Regulators of Stress, Ageing, and Developmental Decisions in Yeast?
by Michal ?áp and Zdena Palková
Cells 2024, 13(7), 599; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13070599 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Cells must change their properties in order to adapt to a constantly changing environment. Most of the cellular sensing and regulatory mechanisms described so far are based on proteins that serve as sensors, signal transducers, and effectors of signalling pathways, resulting in altered [...] Read more.
Cells must change their properties in order to adapt to a constantly changing environment. Most of the cellular sensing and regulatory mechanisms described so far are based on proteins that serve as sensors, signal transducers, and effectors of signalling pathways, resulting in altered cell physiology. In recent years, however, remarkable examples of the critical role of non-coding RNAs in some of these regulatory pathways have been described in various organisms. In this review, we focus on all classes of non-coding RNAs that play regulatory roles during stress response, starvation, and ageing in different yeast species as well as in structured yeast populations. Such regulation can occur, for example, by modulating the amount and functional state of tRNAs, rRNAs, or snRNAs that are directly involved in the processes of translation and splicing. In addition, long non-coding RNAs and microRNA-like molecules are bona fide regulators of the expression of their target genes. Non-coding RNAs thus represent an additional level of cellular regulation that is gradually being uncovered. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
17 pages, 3527 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Genomics Investigation of Neboviruses Reveals Distinct Codon Usage Patterns and Host Specificity
by Rahul Kaushik, Naveen Kumar, Pragya Yadav, Shubhankar Sircar, Anita Shete-Aich, Ankur Singh, Shailly Tomar, Thomas Launey and Yashpal Singh Malik
Microorganisms 2024, 12(4), 696; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12040696 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Neboviruses (NeVs) from the Caliciviridae family have been linked to enteric diseases in bovines and have been detected worldwide. As viruses rely entirely on the cellular machinery of the host for replication, their ability to thrive in a specific host is greatly impacted [...] Read more.
Neboviruses (NeVs) from the Caliciviridae family have been linked to enteric diseases in bovines and have been detected worldwide. As viruses rely entirely on the cellular machinery of the host for replication, their ability to thrive in a specific host is greatly impacted by the specific codon usage preferences. Here, we systematically analyzed the codon usage bias in NeVs to explore the genetic and evolutionary patterns. Relative Synonymous Codon Usage and Effective Number of Codon analyses indicated a marginally lower codon usage bias in NeVs, predominantly influenced by the nucleotide compositional constraints. Nonetheless, NeVs showed a higher codon usage bias for codons containing G/C at the third codon position. The neutrality plot analysis revealed natural selection as the primary factor that shaped the codon usage bias in both the VP1 (82%) and VP2 (57%) genes of NeVs. Furthermore, the NeVs showed a highly comparable codon usage pattern to bovines, as reflected through Codon Adaptation Index and Relative Codon Deoptimization Index analyses. Notably, yak NeVs showed considerably different nucleotide compositional constraints and mutational pressure compared to bovine NeVs, which appear to be predominantly host-driven. This study sheds light on the genetic mechanism driving NeVs’ adaptability, evolution, and fitness to their host species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Pathogenesis of Common Human and Animal Viruses)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
14 pages, 2695 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Successional Subculture Dynamics and Their Effects on the Proliferation Efficiency, Embryogenic Potential, and Genetic Stability of Embryogenic Tissues in Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr
by Xiaoyi Chen, Chengbi Liu, Deshui Yuan, Xiuqi Wang, Huanhuan Zhao, Luyao Zhang, Lisheng Kong, Jinfeng Zhang and Jian Zhao
Forests 2024, 15(4), 627; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15040627 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr, a coniferous species indigenous to Northern China, possesses significant ecological and economic value. Somatic embryogenesis offers a pathway with significant potential for large-scale propagation, long-term germplasm conservation, and genetic transformation in L. principis-rupprechtii Mayr. However, it remains unclear whether significant [...] Read more.
Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr, a coniferous species indigenous to Northern China, possesses significant ecological and economic value. Somatic embryogenesis offers a pathway with significant potential for large-scale propagation, long-term germplasm conservation, and genetic transformation in L. principis-rupprechtii Mayr. However, it remains unclear whether significant variations occur in embryogenic tissues during long-term successive subculturing, which could impact the productivity of somatic embryos. This is a pivotal concern that lacks comprehensive understanding. In this study, three embryogenic cell lines were used to explore the dynamics and relationships among proliferation rate, pre-treatment proliferation rate, and embryogenic capabilities across a series of 32 subculturing cycles. Proliferation rate, pre-treatment proliferation rate, and somatic embryo maturation rate showed no significant correlation with subculturing cycles. However, there was a positive correlation between subculturing cycles and pre-treatment proliferation rate and a negative correlation with somatic embryo maturation rate in the BFU1 cell line. In addition, we utilized ten SSR molecular markers to investigate the genetic stability in embryogenic tissues during long-term subculturing. No genomic variations were detected in any of the three embryogenic cell lines, which suggests that the observed phenotypic dynamics during subculturing may not be primarily driven by genomic alterations. This study provides novel insights into the dynamics of the long-term culture of embryogenic tissues, laying a foundation for the optimization and application of somatic embryogenesis techniques in L. principis-rupprechtii Mayr and potentially other coniferous species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Genetics and Molecular Biology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
11 pages, 243 KiB  
Review
Patients’ Perceptions and Attitudes to the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Breast Cancer Diagnosis: A Narrative Review
by Filippo Pesapane, Emilia Giambersio, Benedetta Capetti, Dario Monzani, Roberto Grasso, Luca Nicosia, Anna Rotili, Adriana Sorce, Lorenza Meneghetti, Serena Carriero, Sonia Santicchia, Gianpaolo Carrafiello, Gabriella Pravettoni and Enrico Cassano
Life 2024, 14(4), 454; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14040454 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide, necessitating advancements in diagnostic methods. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into mammography has shown promise in enhancing diagnostic accuracy. However, understanding patient perspectives, particularly considering the psychological impact of breast cancer diagnoses, [...] Read more.
Breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide, necessitating advancements in diagnostic methods. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into mammography has shown promise in enhancing diagnostic accuracy. However, understanding patient perspectives, particularly considering the psychological impact of breast cancer diagnoses, is crucial. This narrative review synthesizes literature from 2000 to 2023 to examine breast cancer patients’ attitudes towards AI in breast imaging, focusing on trust, acceptance, and demographic influences on these views. Methodologically, we employed a systematic literature search across databases such as PubMed, Embase, Medline, and Scopus, selecting studies that provided insights into patients’ perceptions of AI in diagnostics. Our review included a sample of seven key studies after rigorous screening, reflecting varied patient trust and acceptance levels towards AI. Overall, we found a clear preference among patients for AI to augment rather than replace the diagnostic process, emphasizing the necessity of radiologists’ expertise in conjunction with AI to enhance decision-making accuracy. This paper highlights the importance of aligning AI implementation in clinical settings with patient needs and expectations, emphasizing the need for human interaction in healthcare. Our findings advocate for a model where AI augments the diagnostic process, underlining the necessity for educational efforts to mitigate concerns and enhance patient trust in AI-enhanced diagnostics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment)
22 pages, 1446 KiB  
Review
The Role of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in the Molecular and Biochemical Mechanisms of Cervical Ripening: A Comprehensive Review
by Wojciech Flis and Maciej W. Socha
Cells 2024, 13(7), 600; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13070600 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The uterine cervix is one of the key factors involved in ensuring a proper track of gestation and labor. At the end of the gestational period, the cervix undergoes extensive changes, which can be summarized as a transformation from a non-favorable cervix to [...] Read more.
The uterine cervix is one of the key factors involved in ensuring a proper track of gestation and labor. At the end of the gestational period, the cervix undergoes extensive changes, which can be summarized as a transformation from a non-favorable cervix to one that is soft and prone to dilation. During a process called cervical ripening, fundamental remodeling of the cervical extracellular matrix (ECM) occurs. The cervical ripening process is a derivative of many interlocking and mutually driving biochemical and molecular pathways under the strict control of mediators such as inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, prostaglandins, and reactive oxygen species. A thorough understanding of all these pathways and learning about possible triggering factors will allow us to develop new, better treatment algorithms and therapeutic goals that could protect women from both dysfunctional childbirth and premature birth. This review aims to present the possible role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the cervical ripening process, emphasizing possible mechanisms of action and regulatory factors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Signaling Pathways in Pregnancy)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">
11 pages, 289 KiB  
Article
Risk of Eating Disorders and Social Desirability among Higher Education Students: Comparison of Nutrition Students with Other Courses
by Sandra Fernandes, Carolina Costa, Ingrid Sayumi Nakamura, Rui Poínhos and Bruno M. P. M. Oliveira
Healthcare 2024, 12(7), 744; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12070744 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The transition to college is a period of higher risk of the development of eating disorders, with nutrition/dietetics students representing a group of particular vulnerability. Hence, it is interesting to assess eating disorders, taking into consideration potential sources of bias, including social desirability. [...] Read more.
The transition to college is a period of higher risk of the development of eating disorders, with nutrition/dietetics students representing a group of particular vulnerability. Hence, it is interesting to assess eating disorders, taking into consideration potential sources of bias, including social desirability. Our aims were to compare the risk of eating disorders between students of nutrition/dietetics and those attending other courses and to study potential social desirability biases. A total of 799 higher education students (81.7% females) aged 18 to 27 years old completed a questionnaire assessing the risk of eating disorders (EAT-26) and social desirability (composite version of the Marlowe–Crowne Social Desirability Scale). The proportion of students with a high risk of eating disorders was higher among females (14.5% vs. 8.2%, p = 0.044). Nutrition/dietetics students did not differ from those attending other courses regarding the risk of eating disorders. The social desirability bias when assessing the risk of eating disorders was overall low (EAT-26 total score: r = −0.080, p = 0.024). Social desirability correlated negatively with the Diet (r = −0.129, p < 0.001) and Bulimia and food preoccupation subscales (r = −0.180, p < 0.001) and positively with Oral self-control (r = 0.139, p < 0.001). Full article
25 pages, 5087 KiB  
Review
Multi-Layered Satellite Communications Systems for Ultra-High Availability and Resilience
by Marko H?yhty?, Antti Anttonen, Mikko Majanen, Anastasia Yastrebova-Castillo, Mihaly Varga, Luca Lodigiani, Marius Corici and Hemant Zope
Electronics 2024, 13(7), 1269; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13071269 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Satellite communications systems provide a means to connect people and devices in hard-to-reach locations. Traditional geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite systems and low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations, having their own strengths and weaknesses, have been used as separate systems serving different markets and customers. [...] Read more.
Satellite communications systems provide a means to connect people and devices in hard-to-reach locations. Traditional geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite systems and low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations, having their own strengths and weaknesses, have been used as separate systems serving different markets and customers. In this article, we analyze how satellite systems in different orbits could be integrated together and used as a multi-layer satellite system (MLSS) to improve communication services. The optimization concerns combining the strengths of different layers that include a larger coverage area as one moves up by each layer of altitude and a shorter delay as one moves down by each layer of altitude. We review the current literature and market estimates and use the information to provide a thorough assessment of the economic, regulatory, and technological enablers of the MLSS. We define the MLSS concept and the architecture and describe our testbed and the simulation tools used as a comprehensive engineering proof-of-concept. The validation results confirm that the MLSS approach can intelligently exploit the smaller jitter of GEO and shorter delay of LEO connections, and it can increase the availability and resilience of communication services. As a main conclusion, we can say that multi-layered networks and the integration of satellite and terrestrial segments seem very promising candidates for future 6G systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future Generation Non-Terrestrial Networks)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">Full article ">
31 pages, 19503 KiB  
Article
An Experimental Analysis of Three-Phase Low-Voltage Power Factor Controllers Used in a Deforming Regime
by Corina Maria Dini? and Gabriel Nicolae Popa
Energies 2024, 17(7), 1647; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17071647 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
In industry, to improve the power factor in low-voltage power substations, a power factor controller (the most used method) can be installed which connects capacitors banks (connected, or not, with coils) in the electrical installation. The most important parameters of power engineering are [...] Read more.
In industry, to improve the power factor in low-voltage power substations, a power factor controller (the most used method) can be installed which connects capacitors banks (connected, or not, with coils) in the electrical installation. The most important parameters of power engineering are the power factors that indicate the efficiency of energy use. Currently, many non-linear consumers (more single-phase than three-phase) are used on low voltages. Harmonics (currents and/or voltages) are the most important dynamic component of power quality, affecting electrical equipment performance and also reducing power factors. The purpose of this analysis is to increase the displacement power factor and to decrease the total harmonic distortion (for the current) in the conditions where there are linear and non-linear consumers, where the power factor must be improved with capacitors banks. Relevant different consumers have been selected for both the industry and the home sector, as follows: inductive motors that are linear, inductive consumers, compact fluorescent lamps that are non-linear, and capacitive consumers. This analysis was carried out depending on the number of steps used for the power factor controller, the values of the capacitors banks, the AC reactor (connected in series with all consumers), and the LC shunt filters. For a slight deformation regime, a large number of capacitors banks with different values ensure a finer adjustment of the displacement factor. The maximum number of steps that regulators can command should not necessarily be used (the reliability of the installation decreases with the increase in the number of capacitors banks), but a reduced number of steps can be used, which can lead to higher values of displacement power factors. To improve the deforming regime and to increase the displacement power factor, the use of LC shunt filters, connected to a small number of steps, will also increase the displacement power factor (over 0.9) and decrease the total harmonic distortion (up to 7–10%) for the current. Weaker results were obtained with AC reactors connected to the power supply phases of consumers and, if a larger number of stages were used, to which LC shunt filters were connected, these filters become difficult to calibrate (resonances occur). Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

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

Open Access Journals

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