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13 pages, 2972 KiB  
Article
Life Cycle Assessment of a Vegetable Tannin-Based Agent Production for Waters Treatment
by Lucas de Lima Casseres dos Santos, Jean Bruno Melo Silva, Luisa Soares Neves, Natalia dos Santos Renato, Julia Moltó, Juan Antonio Conesa and Alisson Carraro Borges
Water 2024, 16(7), 1007; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16071007 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The scarcity of natural resources makes it essential to develop products that meet environmental requirements. This is also true for the water and wastewater treatment business, where even consolidated processes, such as coagulation and flocculation, must be improved, opening opportunities for searching for [...] Read more.
The scarcity of natural resources makes it essential to develop products that meet environmental requirements. This is also true for the water and wastewater treatment business, where even consolidated processes, such as coagulation and flocculation, must be improved, opening opportunities for searching for alternative options to conventional processes. Among the existing options, tannin-based agents (TBAs) have been highlighted in recent years due to their biodegradability and proven efficiency. However, little is known about the impacts of the production process of these agents on an operational/industrial scale. In this study, an examination of the environmental impacts of the full-scale production (more than 500 tons yearly) of a TBA from Acacia spp. (known as black acacia or mimosa) was carried out. To accomplish this, a life cycle assessment (LCA) was developed using openLCA version 2.0.0 to assess a cradle-to-gate system of 1 kg of packed TBA produced. Additionally, a comparison was made between the impacts of the production of TBA and a conventional water treatment agent, aluminum sulfate, to verify the benefits of producing the former. The most relevant impacts resulting from the production of 1 kg of TBA are observed in the following categories: global warming (1.52 kgCO2-eq); terrestrial (7.67 kg1.4-DCB-eq), freshwater (0.06 kg1.4-DCB-eq), and marine (0.08 kg1.4-DCB-eq) ecotoxicities; carcinogenic (0.10 kg1.4-DCB-eq) and non-carcinogenic (1.36 kg1.4-DCB-eq) human toxicities; and water use (0.02 m3). The main contributors to the impacts were the chemicals ammonium chloride and formaldehyde used, the transport of inputs, and the energy used. The aluminum sulfate showed better performance than the TBA for a greater number of categories; however, the normalization of the impacts showed the TBA as a very interesting option. The results obtained here can be used by TBA producers to act on the most impactful categories so that the production process becomes increasingly sustainable. Full article
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20 pages, 3032 KiB  
Article
Genome-Wide Identification, Expression Analysis under Abiotic Stress and Co-Expression Analysis of MATE Gene Family in Torreya grandis
by Hang Shen, Ying Hou, Xiaorong Wang, Yaru Li, Jiasheng Wu and Heqiang Lou
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(7), 3859; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073859 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The multidrug and toxin efflux (MATE) family participates in numerous biological processes and plays important roles in abiotic stress responses. However, information about the MATE family genes in Torreya grandis remains unclear. In this study, our genome-wide investigation identified ninety MATE genes in [...] Read more.
The multidrug and toxin efflux (MATE) family participates in numerous biological processes and plays important roles in abiotic stress responses. However, information about the MATE family genes in Torreya grandis remains unclear. In this study, our genome-wide investigation identified ninety MATE genes in Torreya grandis, which were divided into five evolutionary clades. TgMATE family members are located on eleven chromosomes, and a total of thirty TgMATEs exist in tandem duplication. The promoter analysis showed that most TgMATEs contain the cis-regulatory elements associated with stress and hormonal responses. In addition, we discovered that most TgMATE genes responded to abiotic stresses (aluminum, drought, high temperatures, and low temperatures). Weighted correlation network analysis showed that 147 candidate transcription factor genes regulated the expression of 14 TgMATE genes, and it was verified through a double-luciferase assay. Overall, our findings offer valuable information for the characterization of the TgMATE gene mechanism in responding to abiotic stress and exhibit promising prospects for the stress tolerance breeding of Torreya grandis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Genetics and Phylogenomics of Tree)
18 pages, 6540 KiB  
Article
Biomass Combustion in Boiler: Environmental Monitoring of Sugar Markers and Pollutants
by Enrico Paris, Monica Carnevale, Adriano Palma, Beatrice Vincenti, Mariangela Salerno, Andrea Rosario Proto, Salvatore Papandrea, Ettore Guerriero, Mattia Perilli, Marina Cerasa, Valerio Di Stefano and Francesco Gallucci
Atmosphere 2024, 15(4), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15040427 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The need to use renewable sources and matrices with energy potential is widely recognized. The development of innovative technologies aimed at the improvement of energy conversion processes and reducing environmental impacts is currently receiving increasing attention from the scientific community and policymakers. The [...] Read more.
The need to use renewable sources and matrices with energy potential is widely recognized. The development of innovative technologies aimed at the improvement of energy conversion processes and reducing environmental impacts is currently receiving increasing attention from the scientific community and policymakers. The presence of sugars in airborne particle materials is attributed to biomass combustion. For this reason, these compounds are considered markers of biomass burning. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the emissions produced by agroforestry biomass burning (citrus pruning) by simultaneously sampling both stack emissions and atmospheric particulates in the area around a biomass boiler to understand the real contribution of biomass burning to atmospheric pollution. The combustion tests were carried out by comparing the processes with and without particulate abatement system to see how biomass combustion’s contribution to particulate emission can be controlled and reduced. During the tests, the focus was on particulate matter (PM) speciation in terms of sugar marker identification and determination. This study aims to increase knowledge to better understand the contribution of biomass plants to air pollution and differentiate it from the contributions of other sources, such as vehicular traffic or domestic heating. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Combustion and Emission Analysis)
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17 pages, 2770 KiB  
Article
Design of a High-Speed, Low-Power PTL-CMOS Hybrid Multiplier Using Critical-Path Evaluation Model
by Yihe Yu, Wanyuan Pan, Chengcheng Tang, Ningyuan Yin and Zhiyi Yu
Electronics 2024, 13(7), 1284; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13071284 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The multiplier is the fundamental component of many computing modules. As the most important component of a multiplier, the full adder (FA) also has a significant impact on the overall performance. Full adders based on pass transistor logic (PTL) have been a very [...] Read more.
The multiplier is the fundamental component of many computing modules. As the most important component of a multiplier, the full adder (FA) also has a significant impact on the overall performance. Full adders based on pass transistor logic (PTL) have been a very popular research field in recent years, but the uneven delay makes it difficult to analyze the critical path of multipliers based on PTL full adders. In this paper, we propose a model to evaluate the critical path of the carry save array (CSA) multiplier that could reduce the size of the simulation input set from 4 G to 93 K to finally obtain the maximum delay of the multiplier. We propose a novel low-power, high-speed CSA multiplier based on both PTL full adders and CMOS full adders, using our critical-path evaluation model. The proposed work is implemented in the 28 nm process. We use the model to reduce the worst-case delay by 14.5%. The proposed multiplier improved the power delay product by 9.4% over the conventional full CMOS multiplier. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Low Powered Circuits Design and Their Application)
24 pages, 15088 KiB  
Article
Analysis and Experimental Tests of Potential New Mounting Techniques for Use in Vibration Testing of Electric Vehicle Battery Packs on Electromagnetic Exciters: Advantages and Disadvantages
by Grzegorz ?laski, Miko?aj Spad?o, Jacek Marcinkiewicz and Wojciech Konieczny
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(7), 2920; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14072920 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The use of electric drives and energy storage devices in vehicles presents fresh challenges for system designers. Among these is addressing the susceptibility of battery packs to mechanical vibrations, necessitating vibration testing. In failure scenarios, like a battery fire, swiftly detaching the battery [...] Read more.
The use of electric drives and energy storage devices in vehicles presents fresh challenges for system designers. Among these is addressing the susceptibility of battery packs to mechanical vibrations, necessitating vibration testing. In failure scenarios, like a battery fire, swiftly detaching the battery pack from the vibration platform is vital. It is also essential to ensure that the mounting system—fixture and fastener—effectively transfers vibration between the exciter and the battery pack. The article discusses the basic requirements for the fixture of specimens subjected to vibration testing and fastening it to a slip table of head expander, giving a better understanding of its role. It then presents the results of a theoretical analysis of the fixing forces and their laboratory testing using prototype customized fastening solutions with potential for use in vibration testing. The results of the conducted research and analyses demonstrate that non-standard mounting techniques have limited potential to replace screw mountings in vibration testing, particularly as fully universal techniques. However, the generated mounting forces, with potential resulting from the possibility of tailored implementation of the tested mounting techniques in the design of tables or head expanders, appropriately designed, justify further research work in this area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mechanical Engineering)
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21 pages, 7157 KiB  
Article
Development of Analytical Method for the Quantitation of Monoclonal Antibodies Solutions via Raman Spectroscopy: The Case of Bevacizumab
by Michail Lykouras, Panagiota Papaspyridakou, Olga E. Makri, Constantine D. Georgakopoulos and Malvina G. Orkoula
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(4), 446; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17040446 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Personalized dosages of monoclonal antibodies are being used more regularly to treat various diseases, rendering their quantitation more essential than ever for the right dose administration to the patients. A promising alternative, which overcomes the obstacles of the well-established chromatographic techniques regarding the [...] Read more.
Personalized dosages of monoclonal antibodies are being used more regularly to treat various diseases, rendering their quantitation more essential than ever for the right dose administration to the patients. A promising alternative, which overcomes the obstacles of the well-established chromatographic techniques regarding the quantification of biopharmaceuticals, is Raman spectroscopy. This study aimed to develop and validate a novel analytical method for the quantitation of bevacizumab in solutions via Raman spectroscopy. For this purpose, a droplet of the solution was left to dry on a highly reflective carrier and a home-made apparatus was employed for rotation of the sample. Hence, each recorded Raman spectrum was the average of the signal acquired simultaneously from multiple points on a circular circumference. The method was validated, and the detection limit of the antibody was found to be 1.06 mg/mL. Bevacizumab was found to be highly distributed at the formed coffee ring of the dried droplet, though this was a function of solution concentration. Finally, Raman spectra at different distances on the coffee ring were obtained from the four quarters. The lowest bevacizumab detection limit was found at a distance of 75 μm from the external side of the coffee ring and it was determined to be equal to 0.53 mg/mL. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Drug Analysis and Drug Development)
20 pages, 2224 KiB  
Review
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in the Identification and Evaluation of Bone Fractures
by Andrew Tieu, Ezriel Kroen, Yonaton Kadish, Zelong Liu, Nikhil Patel, Alexander Zhou, Alara Yilmaz, Stephanie Lee and Timothy Deyer
Bioengineering 2024, 11(4), 338; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11040338 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly deep learning, has made enormous strides in medical imaging analysis. In the field of musculoskeletal radiology, deep-learning models are actively being developed for the identification and evaluation of bone fractures. These methods provide numerous benefits to radiologists such as [...] Read more.
Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly deep learning, has made enormous strides in medical imaging analysis. In the field of musculoskeletal radiology, deep-learning models are actively being developed for the identification and evaluation of bone fractures. These methods provide numerous benefits to radiologists such as increased diagnostic accuracy and efficiency while also achieving standalone performances comparable or superior to clinician readers. Various algorithms are already commercially available for integration into clinical workflows, with the potential to improve healthcare delivery and shape the future practice of radiology. In this systematic review, we explore the performance of current AI methods in the identification and evaluation of fractures, particularly those in the ankle, wrist, hip, and ribs. We also discuss current commercially available products for fracture detection and provide an overview of the current limitations of this technology and future directions of the field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Radiomics and Artificial Intelligence in the Musculoskeletal System)
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16 pages, 4429 KiB  
Article
Lake Surface Temperature Retrieval Study Based on Landsat 8 Satellite Imagery—A Case Study of Poyang Lake
by Xudong Kong, Yajun Li, Lingli Wang and Huijie Liu
Atmosphere 2024, 15(4), 428; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15040428 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Poyang Lake is the largest freshwater lake in China and forms an essential component of the hydrological, nutrient, and carbon cycles, providing various ecosystem services to the local environment. Since changes in Poyang Lake’s water temperature can significantly affect the surrounding environment and [...] Read more.
Poyang Lake is the largest freshwater lake in China and forms an essential component of the hydrological, nutrient, and carbon cycles, providing various ecosystem services to the local environment. Since changes in Poyang Lake’s water temperature can significantly affect the surrounding environment and social development, continuous monitoring of lake temperature changes is required. Traditional water monitoring methods are resource intensive and cannot simultaneously conduct extensive water monitoring. Remote sensing of temperature inversion has the advantages of all-weather, efficient, and large-scale real-time monitoring. Six Landsat 8 images from August to October in 2020 and 2021 were utilized to extract lake surface temperature (LST), and the variations in LST over the two years were analyzed to determine the impact of global climate anomalies on inland lakes. The results indicate that the LST in August and October 2021 was significantly higher than that in the same periods of the previous year, and the temperature difference in October reached 8 °C. In contrast to the overall normal distribution pattern of the water temperature in 2020, 2021 exhibited a relatively concentrated, unimodal distribution pattern. A trend analysis of the driving factors suggests that the LST of Poyang Lake is influenced by the global climate, and the artificial heat sources around the lake clearly alter the distribution characteristics of the LST simultaneously. Full article
16 pages, 5999 KiB  
Article
Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) Supply through Internal Cooling Channels in Drilling Processes
by Lukas Schumski, Teresa Tonn, Jens S?lter, Kerstin Avila, Lizoel Buss, Bernhard Karpuschewski and Udo Fritsching
J. Manuf. Mater. Process. 2024, 8(2), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmmp8020069 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) technologies possess great potential for improving the sustainability of manufacturing processes, which can reduce the absolute quantity of metalworking fluid (MWF) and also enable near-dry chips that are easier to recycle. During drilling in particular, the MWF is transported [...] Read more.
Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) technologies possess great potential for improving the sustainability of manufacturing processes, which can reduce the absolute quantity of metalworking fluid (MWF) and also enable near-dry chips that are easier to recycle. During drilling in particular, the MWF is transported to the contact zone through internal cooling channels of the drilling tool. The MWF supply and its associated flow behaviour in the transfer from the outlet of the cooling channels to the contact zone have not been sufficiently investigated yet. Great potential is seen in the proper delivery of the MQL into the contact zone. This work aims to visualize and quantify the cooling lubricant supply into the cutting zone using the MQL technique. The visualization of the MQL application is made possible by high-speed shadowgraphic imaging. Detailed image processing is used to evaluate the resulting images. The developed evaluation routine allows for the assessment of the impact of the main process parameters such as the varying pressure of the aerosol generator and the cooling channel diameter. It is found that the oil leaves the cooling channels at the tip of the drill bit in the form of ligaments. An increase in pressure and cooling channel diameter leads to an increase in the frequency of oil ligament separation. Three main flow regimes are identified with different separation frequencies. Low inlet pressures result in intermittently dispersed droplets. The most upper pressure levels lead to an almost continuous dispersion of the oil. At the same time, the air and oil mass flow rates also increase. Full article
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14 pages, 404 KiB  
Review
Measuring Community Response to Noise—Factors Affecting the Results of Annoyance Surveys
by Truls Gjestland
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 420; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040420 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Social surveys are conducted to determine how annoyed people are in a certain noise situation. The results are typically presented as exposure–response curves showing the percentage of the area population that are highly annoyed as a function of the noise exposure level. It [...] Read more.
Social surveys are conducted to determine how annoyed people are in a certain noise situation. The results are typically presented as exposure–response curves showing the percentage of the area population that are highly annoyed as a function of the noise exposure level. It is a well-known fact that the survey results are not only dependent on the accumulated noise exposure, DNL, DENL, or similar, but also on various other factors such as maximum levels, exposure patterns, noise spectra, etc. A re-analysis of previously reported surveys shows that the results are also, to a large extent, dependent on survey-specific factors like the wording of the annoyance questions, how the questionnaires are presented, response scales, methods of scoring highly annoyed, etc. This paper discusses and quantifies the influence of such factors and suggests ways of comparing results from surveys that have been conducted according to different protocols and different analysis methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Community Response to Environmental Noise)
17 pages, 2916 KiB  
Article
Impact of Recombinant VSV-HIV Prime, DNA-Boost Vaccine Candidates on Immunogenicity and Viremia on SHIV-Infected Rhesus Macaques
by Alice Berger, Jannie Pedersen, Monika M. Kowatsch, Florine Scholte, Marc-Alexandre Lafrance, Hiva Azizi, Yue Li, Alejandro Gomez, Matthew Wade, Hugues Fausther-Bovendo, Marc-Antoine de La Vega, Joseph Jelinski, George Babuadze, Marie-Edith Nepveu-Traversy, Claude Lamarre, Trina Racine, Chil-Yong Kang, Bruno Gaillet, Alain Garnier, Rénald Gilbert, Amine Kamen, Xiao-Jian Yao, Keith R. Fowke, Eric Arts and Gary Kobingeradd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Vaccines 2024, 12(4), 369; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12040369 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Currently, no effective vaccine to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is available, and various platforms are being examined. The vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vaccine vehicle can induce robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, making it a suitable candidate for the development of [...] Read more.
Currently, no effective vaccine to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is available, and various platforms are being examined. The vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vaccine vehicle can induce robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, making it a suitable candidate for the development of an HIV vaccine. Here, we analyze the protective immunological impacts of recombinant VSV vaccine vectors that express chimeric HIV Envelope proteins (Env) in rhesus macaques. To improve the immunogenicity of these VSV-HIV Env vaccine candidates, we generated chimeric Envs containing the transmembrane and cytoplasmic tail of the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), which increases surface Env on the particle. Additionally, the Ebola virus glycoprotein was added to the VSV-HIV vaccine particles to divert tropism from CD4 T cells and enhance their replications both in vitro and in vivo. Animals were boosted with DNA constructs that encoded matching antigens. Vaccinated animals developed non-neutralizing antibody responses against both the HIV Env and the Ebola virus glycoprotein (EBOV GP) as well as systemic memory T-cell activation. However, these responses were not associated with observable protection against simian-HIV (SHIV) infection following repeated high-dose intra-rectal SHIV SF162p3 challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section HIV Vaccines)
15 pages, 1608 KiB  
Article
Real-World Video Super-Resolution with a Degradation-Adaptive Model
by Mingxuan Lu and Peng Zhang
Sensors 2024, 24(7), 2211; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24072211 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Video super-resolution (VSR) remains challenging for real-world applications due to complex and unknown degradations. Existing methods lack the flexibility to handle video sequences with different degradation levels, thus failing to reflect real-world scenarios. To address this problem, we propose a degradation-adaptive video super-resolution [...] Read more.
Video super-resolution (VSR) remains challenging for real-world applications due to complex and unknown degradations. Existing methods lack the flexibility to handle video sequences with different degradation levels, thus failing to reflect real-world scenarios. To address this problem, we propose a degradation-adaptive video super-resolution network (DAVSR) based on a bidirectional propagation network. Specifically, we adaptively employ three distinct degradation levels to process input video sequences, aiming to obtain training pairs that reflect a variety of real-world corrupted images. We also equip the network with a pre-cleaning module to reduce noise and artifacts in the low-quality video sequences prior to information propagation. Additionally, compared to previous flow-based methods, we employ an unsupervised optical flow estimator to acquire a more precise optical flow to guide inter-frame alignment. Meanwhile, while maintaining network performance, we streamline the propagation network branches and the structure of the reconstruction module of the baseline network. Experiments are conducted on datasets with diverse degradation types to validate the effectiveness of DAVSR. Our method exhibits an average improvement of 0.18 dB over a recent SOTA approach (DBVSR) in terms of the PSNR metric. Extensive experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our network in handling real-world video sequences with different degradation levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Intelligent Sensors)
16 pages, 5096 KiB  
Article
Equivalent Circuits for Microwave Metamaterial Planar Components
by Romolo Marcelli
Sensors 2024, 24(7), 2212; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24072212 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Metamaterial components and antennas are based on the general understanding that an artificial structure composed of adequately designed and manufactured elementary cells or arrays has unusual resonance and propagation properties. Metamaterials exhibit equivalent values of the dielectric constant and magnetic permeability that are [...] Read more.
Metamaterial components and antennas are based on the general understanding that an artificial structure composed of adequately designed and manufactured elementary cells or arrays has unusual resonance and propagation properties. Metamaterials exhibit equivalent values of the dielectric constant and magnetic permeability that are both negative simultaneously, in contrast with ordinary materials. Single elements, periodic, or quasi-periodic configurations can be suitable for a metamaterial response. In this paper, equivalent circuits for microwave propagation and resonance are compared, deriving a lumped element modeling complementary to those already available in the literature, with a particular focus on planar resonating devices and calculating the effective value for the dielectric constant and the magnetic permeability directly from experimental findings using the impedance (Z-parameters) notation. Full article
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22 pages, 3014 KiB  
Review
A Mini Review on Borate Photocatalysts for Water Decomposition: Synthesis, Structure, and Further Challenges
by Xiaorui Sun and Jia Yang
Molecules 2024, 29(7), 1549; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29071549 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The development of novel photocatalysts, both visible and UV-responsive, for water decomposition reactions is of great importance. Here we focused on the application of the borates as photocatalysts in water decomposition reactions, including water splitting reaction, hydrogen evolution half-reaction, and oxygen evolution half-reaction. [...] Read more.
The development of novel photocatalysts, both visible and UV-responsive, for water decomposition reactions is of great importance. Here we focused on the application of the borates as photocatalysts in water decomposition reactions, including water splitting reaction, hydrogen evolution half-reaction, and oxygen evolution half-reaction. In addition, the rates of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution by these borate photocatalysts in different water decomposition reactions were summarized. Further, the review summarized the synthetic chemistry and structural features of existing borate photocatalysts for water decomposition reactions. Synthetic chemistry mainly includes high-temperature solid-state method, sol-gel method, precipitation method, hydrothermal method, boric acid flux method, and high-pressure method. Next, we summarized the crystal structures of the borate photocatalysts, with a particular focus on the form of the B-O unit and metal-oxygen polyhedral in the borates, and used this to classify borate photocatalysts, which are rarely mentioned in the current photocatalysis literature. Finally, we analyzed the relationship between the structural features of the borate photocatalysts and photocatalytic performance to discuss the further challenges faced by the borate photocatalysts for water decomposition reactions. Full article
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11 pages, 865 KiB  
Review
The Many Faces of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease Treatment: From the Mediterranean Diet to Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
by Ludovico Abenavoli, Maria Luisa Gambardella, Giuseppe Guido Maria Scarlata, Ilaria Lenci, Leonardo Baiocchi and Francesco Luzza
Medicina 2024, 60(4), 563; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60040563 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract is inhabited by the gut microbiota. The main phyla are Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. In non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, now renamed metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), an alteration in Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes abundance promotes its pathogenesis and evolution into non-alcoholic [...] Read more.
The gastrointestinal tract is inhabited by the gut microbiota. The main phyla are Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. In non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, now renamed metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), an alteration in Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes abundance promotes its pathogenesis and evolution into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. For this reason, early treatment is necessary to counteract its progression. The aim of the present narrative review is to evaluate the different therapeutic approaches to MAFLD. The most important treatment for MAFLD is lifestyle changes. In this regard, the Mediterranean diet could be considered the gold standard in the prevention and treatment of MAFLD. In contrast, a Western diet should be discouraged. Probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation seem to be valid, safe, and effective alternatives for MAFLD treatment. However, more studies with a longer follow-up and with a larger cohort of patients are needed to underline the more effective approaches to contrasting MAFLD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novelties in Chronic Liver Diseases)
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17 pages, 8111 KiB  
Article
Impacts of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Metabolites of an Invasive Weed Wedelia trilobata
by Xinqi Jiang, Daiyi Chen, Yu Zhang, Misbah Naz, Zhicong Dai, Shanshan Qi and Daolin Du
Microorganisms 2024, 12(4), 701; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12040701 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The invasive plant Wedelia trilobata benefits in various aspects, such as nutrient absorption and environmental adaptability, by establishing a close symbiotic relationship with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). However, our understanding of whether AMF can benefit W. trilobata by influencing its metabolic profile remains [...] Read more.
The invasive plant Wedelia trilobata benefits in various aspects, such as nutrient absorption and environmental adaptability, by establishing a close symbiotic relationship with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). However, our understanding of whether AMF can benefit W. trilobata by influencing its metabolic profile remains limited. In this study, Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was conducted to analyze the metabolites of W. trilobata under AMF inoculation. Metabolomic analysis identified 119 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) between the groups inoculated with AMF and those not inoculated with AMF. Compared to plants with no AMF inoculation, plants inoculated with AMF showed upregulation in the relative expression of 69 metabolites and downregulation in the relative expression of 50 metabolites. AMF significantly increased levels of various primary and secondary metabolites in plants, including amino acids, organic acids, plant hormones, flavonoids, and others, with amino acids being the most abundant among the identified substances. The identified DEMs mapped 53 metabolic pathways, with 7 pathways strongly influenced by AMF, particularly the phenylalanine metabolism pathway. Moreover, we also observed a high colonization level of AMF in the roots of W. trilobata, significantly promoting the shoot growth of this plant. These changes in metabolites and metabolic pathways significantly affect multiple physiological and biochemical processes in plants, such as free radical scavenging, osmotic regulation, cell structure stability, and material synthesis. In summary, AMF reprogrammed the metabolic pathways of W. trilobata, leading to changes in both primary and secondary metabolomes, thereby benefiting the growth of W. trilobata and enhancing its ability to respond to various biotic and abiotic stressors. These findings elucidate the molecular regulatory role of AMF in the invasive plant W. trilobata and provide new insights into the study of its competitive and stress resistance mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Microbe Interactions)
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12 pages, 604 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Tumor-Specific Markers in Breast Cancer on Other Blood Parameters
by Vlad Bogdan Varzaru, Anca-Elena Eftenoiu, Daliborca Cristina Vlad, Cristian Sebastian Vlad, Aurica Elisabeta Moatar, Roxana Popescu and Ionut Marcel Cobec
Life 2024, 14(4), 458; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14040458 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women, responsible for the highest number of cancer-related deaths worldwide. There is limited data available related to serum tumor markers in breast cancer and other blood parameters or other glandular laboratory parameters. This [...] Read more.
Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women, responsible for the highest number of cancer-related deaths worldwide. There is limited data available related to serum tumor markers in breast cancer and other blood parameters or other glandular laboratory parameters. This study aims to evaluate the correlation of tumor-specific markers for breast cancer with other blood parameters and how these correlations could impact clinical management. Material and Method: This retrospective study represents a data analysis from 1 January 2020 to 31 May 2023, in the County Hospital of Timisoara, Romania. We reviewed all the cases where, in the laboratory analyses, the serum tumor specific biomarkers for breast cancer were analyzed. Results: A statistical analysis was performed in order to identify a possible relationship between CA 15-3 and the various biomarkers and blood parameters included in the present study. Values were classified according to reference ranges. The tests revealed no statistically significant associations between CA 15-3 values and the levels of CA125 (χ2(1) = 1.852, p = 0.174), CEA (χ2(1) = 1.139, p = 0.286), AFP (Fisher’s exact test, p = 0.341), fT4 (Fisher’s exact test, p = 0.310), TSH (Fisher’s exact test, p = 0.177), or PTH (Fisher’s exact test, p = 0.650). Conclusion: The findings indicate a lack of strong correlation between CA 15-3 and CA125, CEA, AFP, thyroid function markers, or PTH within this cohort. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Breast Cancer: Pathology, Biomarkers and Treatment)
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19 pages, 572 KiB  
Review
Targeting Vascular Impairment, Neuroinflammation, and Oxidative Stress Dynamics with Whole-Body Cryotherapy in Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
by Angela Dziedzic, Karina Maciak, El?bieta Dorota Miller, Micha? Starosta and Joanna Saluk
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(7), 3858; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073858 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS), traditionally perceived as a neurodegenerative disease, exhibits significant vascular alternations, including blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption, which may predispose patients to increased cardiovascular risks. This vascular dysfunction is intricately linked with the infiltration of immune cells into the central nervous system [...] Read more.
Multiple sclerosis (MS), traditionally perceived as a neurodegenerative disease, exhibits significant vascular alternations, including blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption, which may predispose patients to increased cardiovascular risks. This vascular dysfunction is intricately linked with the infiltration of immune cells into the central nervous system (CNS), which plays a significant role in perpetuating neuroinflammation. Additionally, oxidative stress serves not only as a byproduct of inflammatory processes but also as an active contributor to neural damage. The synthesis of these multifaceted aspects highlights the importance of understanding their cumulative impact on MS progression. This review reveals that the triad of vascular damage, chronic inflammation, and oxidative imbalance may be considered interdependent processes that exacerbate each other, underscoring the need for holistic and multi-targeted therapeutic approaches in MS management. There is a necessity for reevaluating MS treatment strategies to encompass these overlapping pathologies, offering insights for future research and potential therapeutic interventions. Whole-body cryotherapy (WBCT) emerges as one of the potential avenues for holistic MS management approaches which may alleviate the triad of MS progression factors in multiple ways. Full article
9 pages, 1956 KiB  
Article
Tunable near and Mid-Infrared (1.3–5 µm) Picosecond Pulsed Optical Vortex Parametric Oscillator
by Mailikeguli Aihemaiti, Dulikun Sulaiman, Dana Jashaner, Yuxia Zhou, Xining Yang, Zhaoxue Li, Bilali Muhutijiang and Taximaiti Yusufu
Photonics 2024, 11(4), 319; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics11040319 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
In this paper, we present a picosecond pulsed, synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator producing vortex beam output with tunable wavelengths in the near- to mid-infrared range. The system utilizes a Nd:YVO4 picosecond pulsed solid-state laser emitting at a wavelength of 1.064 µm [...] Read more.
In this paper, we present a picosecond pulsed, synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator producing vortex beam output with tunable wavelengths in the near- to mid-infrared range. The system utilizes a Nd:YVO4 picosecond pulsed solid-state laser emitting at a wavelength of 1.064 µm to pump a Z-shaped, singly resonant OPO which contains a MgO:PPLN crystal with a fan-shaped grating. The wavelength tuning characteristics of the OPO output are examined both as a function of the MgO:PPLN grating period and crystal temperature. The orbital angular momentum of the pump field can be selectively transferred to either the signal or idler fields by appropriately adjusting the location of the MgO:PPLN crystal within the OPO cavity. The maximum output power of the signal and idler vortex fields are 5.12 W and 3.46 W, respectively, for an incident pump power of 19 W. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structured Light Beams: Science and Applications)
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14 pages, 258 KiB  
Article
Access to Oncology Medicines in Canada: Consensus Forum for Recommendations for Improvement
by Sandeep R. Sehdev, Nigel S. B. Rawson, Olexiy I. Aseyev, Catriona J. Buick, Marcus O. Butler, Scott Edwards, Sharlene Gill, Joanna M. Gotfrit, Cyrus C. Hsia, Rosalyn A. Juergens, Mita Manna, Joy S. McCarthy, Som D. Mukherjee, Stephanie L. Snow, Silvana Spadafora, David J. Stewart, Jason R. Wentzell, Ralph P. W. Wong and Pawel G. Zalewski
Curr. Oncol. 2024, 31(4), 1803-1816; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31040136 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Patient access to new oncology drugs in Canada is only possible after navigating multiple sequential systemic checkpoints for national regulatory approval, health technology assessment (HTA) and collective government price negotiation. These steps delay access and prevent health care providers from being able to [...] Read more.
Patient access to new oncology drugs in Canada is only possible after navigating multiple sequential systemic checkpoints for national regulatory approval, health technology assessment (HTA) and collective government price negotiation. These steps delay access and prevent health care providers from being able to prescribe optimal therapy. Eighteen Canadian oncology clinicians from the medicine, nursing and pharmacy professions met to develop consensus recommendations for defining reasonable government performance standards around process and timeliness to improve Canadian cancer patients’ access to best care. A modified Delphi methodology was used to identify consensus on 30 questions involving five themes: accountability, disparities, endpoints, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness. It was agreed that greater transparency is required across regulatory and HTA processes. Health professionals in oncology are frustrated for their patients because they are unable to deliver the modern guideline-supported therapies they want to provide due to delays in approval or funding. Canadian health care providers request improvements in timely access to life-saving therapeutics in line with other comparator countries. Clinicians expect urgent improvements in Canadian health systems to give our patients their best chance of survival. Full article
19 pages, 1306 KiB  
Article
Genetic Algorithm-Based Framework for Optimization of Laser Beam Path in Additive Manufacturing
by Primo? Poto?nik, Andrej Jeromen and Edvard Govekar
Metals 2024, 14(4), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14040410 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
In this study, a genetic algorithm-based laser beam (LB) path optimization method is presented to improve laser-based additive manufacturing (LBAM). To emulate the LBAM process, LB irradiation of a thin metal substrate is applied. The LB path generation is formulated as the search [...] Read more.
In this study, a genetic algorithm-based laser beam (LB) path optimization method is presented to improve laser-based additive manufacturing (LBAM). To emulate the LBAM process, LB irradiation of a thin metal substrate is applied. The LB path generation is formulated as the search for the optimal sequence of LB irradiation into the cells on the substrate that minimizes the fitness function, which is composed of two components, i.e., thermal fitness and process fitness. The thermal fitness is expressed by the average thermal gradient, and a simple thermal model is developed to simulate the effects of laser-induced heat input on the temperature distribution in the substrate. The process fitness regulates the suitability of the proposed LB path for the implementation of the LBAM process. In addition to standardized tool paths (i.e., raster, spiral, etc.), novel LB path generators are proposed to define the initial population of LB path solutions. To implement a genetic algorithm-based LB path optimization, a framework is proposed, and custom initialization, crossover, and mutation operators are developed for application in LBAM. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated through a simulation case study aiming to identify LB paths that minimize the fitness function and thus provide more suitable LB path solutions with respect to the defined fitness function. Compared with the traditional trial-and-error LB path formulations, the proposed approach provides an improved and automated method for an efficient laser beam path selection in LBAM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Laser Processing and Additive Manufacturing of Metallic Materials)
16 pages, 983 KiB  
Article
The Development of Innovated Complex Process for Treatment of Old Flotation Tailings of Copper-Zinc Sulfide Ore
by Khussain Valiyev, Aliya Bugubaeva, Aleksandra Nechaeva, Alena Artykova, Vitaliy Melamud, Devard Stom, Anna Boduen and Aleksandr Bulaev
Molecules 2024, 29(7), 1550; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29071550 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The possibility of selective Cu and Zn leaching from the sample of old pyrite tailings, which is one of the most widespread types of solid waste forming during non-ferrous metal production, using sulfuric acid solutions and water was studied. It was shown that [...] Read more.
The possibility of selective Cu and Zn leaching from the sample of old pyrite tailings, which is one of the most widespread types of solid waste forming during non-ferrous metal production, using sulfuric acid solutions and water was studied. It was shown that water leaching provided selective extraction of Cu and Zn and comparatively low iron ion extraction. At the same time, acid leaching provided the obtainment of pregnant solutions with high ferric ion concentration, which can be used for oxidative leaching of substandard copper concentrates. Water and acid leaching also provided increased Au recovery by cyanidation. The results suggest that acid leaching can be an effective approach for processing old flotation tailings, which allows the extraction of base metals from these wastes and treating flotation tailings for subsequent cyanidation. Effective flotation treatment methods should also provide environmental load reduction, which is caused by the long-term storage of metal-bearing wastes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Waste and Fly Ash Chemical Treatment Methods)
11 pages, 747 KiB  
Review
Prospects for Controlling Hepatitis B Globally
by Vicente Soriano, Víctor Moreno-Torres, Ana Trevi?o, Fernando de Jesús, Octavio Corral and Carmen de Mendoza
Pathogens 2024, 13(4), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13040291 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is highly prevalent globally. Over 250 million people suffer from chronic hepatitis B, and more than 800,000 patients die each year due to hepatitis B complications, including liver cancer. Although protective HBV vaccines are recommended for [...] Read more.
Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is highly prevalent globally. Over 250 million people suffer from chronic hepatitis B, and more than 800,000 patients die each year due to hepatitis B complications, including liver cancer. Although protective HBV vaccines are recommended for all newborns, global coverage is suboptimal. In adults, sexual transmission is by far the most frequent route of contagion. The WHO estimates that 1.5 million new HBV infections occur annually. Oral nucleos(t)ide analogues entecavir and tenofovir are the most frequent antivirals prescribed as HBV therapy. Almost all patients adherent to the medication achieve undetectable plasma viremia beyond 6 months of monotherapy. However, less than 5% achieve anti-HBs seroconversion, and viral rebound occurs following drug discontinuation. Therefore, nucleos(t)ide analogues need to be lifelong. New long-acting formulations of tenofovir and entecavir are being developed that will maximize treatment benefit and overcome adherence barriers. Furthermore, new antiviral agents are in development, including entry inhibitors, capside assembly modulators, and RNA interference molecules. The use of combination therapy pursues a functional HBV cure, meaning it is negative for both circulating HBV-DNA and HBsAg. Even when this goal is achieved, the cccDNA reservoir within infected hepatocytes remains a signal of past infection, and HBV can reactivate under immune suppression. Therefore, new gene therapies, including gene editing, are eagerly being pursued to silence or definitively disrupt HBV genomes within infected hepatocytes and, in this way, ultimately cure hepatitis B. At this time, three actions can be taken to push HBV eradication globally: (1) expand universal newborn HBV vaccination; (2) perform once-in-life testing of all adults to identify susceptible HBV persons that could be vaccinated (or re-vaccinated) and unveil asymptomatic carriers that could benefit from treatment; and (3) provide earlier antiviral therapy to chronic HBV carriers, as being aviremic reduces the risk of both clinical progression and transmission. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viral Infections of Humans: Epidemiology and Control)

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