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8 pages, 211 KiB  
Opinion
Religion as Memory
by Johannes Bronkhorst
Psychol. Int. 2024, 6(2), 454-461; https://doi.org/10.3390/psycholint6020028 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
This paper will argue that memory from early childhood underlies many practices and beliefs that we commonly refer to as “religious”. The consciousness of young children does not yet have certain features that characterize adult consciousness. This paper will concentrate on four of [...] Read more.
This paper will argue that memory from early childhood underlies many practices and beliefs that we commonly refer to as “religious”. The consciousness of young children does not yet have certain features that characterize adult consciousness. This paper will concentrate on four of these: (I) a reality that is recognizable; (II) a sense of temporal duration; (III) a sense of self; (IV) an experience of the world that is deeply affected by our acquaintance with (a) language. The absence of these features presumably characterizes the consciousness of infants. It also often characterizes mystical experiences. The paper will argue that the human tendency to engage in so-called religious practices and beliefs makes the most sense based on the assumption that adults somehow preserve the memory of their state of being in childhood. Full article
16 pages, 3386 KiB  
Article
Conjugation of Soybean Proteins 7S/11S Isolate with Glucose/Fructose in Gels through Wet-Heating Maillard Reaction
by Jalal Ud Din, He Li, You Li, Xinqi Liu and Sam Al-Dalali
Gels 2024, 10(4), 237; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10040237 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Conjugation with glucose (G) and fructose (F) via the Maillard reaction under the wet-heating condition is a natural and non-toxic method of improving the technological functions of 7S/11S proteins in different kinds of gels. It may be used as an affordable supply of [...] Read more.
Conjugation with glucose (G) and fructose (F) via the Maillard reaction under the wet-heating condition is a natural and non-toxic method of improving the technological functions of 7S/11S proteins in different kinds of gels. It may be used as an affordable supply of emulsifiers and an excellent encapsulating matrix for gels. This study aimed to create a glucose/fructose-conjugated 7S/11S soy protein via the Maillard reaction. The conjugation was confirmed by determining the SDS-PAGE profile and circular dichroism spectra. In addition, these conjugates were comprehensively characterized in terms of grafting degree, browning degree, sulfhydryl content, surface hydrophobicity (H0), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) through various reaction times (0, 24, 48, and 72 h) to evaluate their ability to be used in food gels. The functional characteristics of the 7S/11S isolate–G/F conjugate formed at 70 °C, with a high degree of glycosylation and browning, were superior to those obtained at other reaction times. The SDS-PAGE profile indicated that the conjugation between the 7S and 11S proteins and carbohydrate sources of G and F through the Maillard reaction occurred. Secondary structural results revealed that covalent interactions with G and F affected the secondary structural components of 7S/11S proteins, leading to increased random coils. When exposed to moist heating conditions, G and F have significant potential for protein alteration through the Maillard reaction. The results of this study may provide new insights into protein modification and establish the theoretical basis for the therapeutic application of both G and F conjugation with soy proteins in different food matrixes and gels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gels for Plant-Based Food Applications)
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17 pages, 1821 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Heat Treatment on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a Selective Laser Melted AlCoFeNi Medium-Entropy Alloy
by Xinyang Han, Xiangwei Li, Bokai Liao, Youzhao Zhang, Lei Xu, Xingpeng Guo and Shuyan Zhang
Materials 2024, 17(7), 1582; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17071582 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
A single body-centered cubic (BCC)-structured AlCoFeNi medium-entropy alloy (MEA) was prepared by the selective laser melting (SLM) technique. The hardness of the as-built sample was around 32.5 HRC. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) was around 1211 MPa, the yield strength (YS) was around [...] Read more.
A single body-centered cubic (BCC)-structured AlCoFeNi medium-entropy alloy (MEA) was prepared by the selective laser melting (SLM) technique. The hardness of the as-built sample was around 32.5 HRC. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) was around 1211 MPa, the yield strength (YS) was around 1023 MPa, and the elongation (El) was around 10.8%. A novel BCC + B2 + face-centered cubic (FCC) structure was formed after aging. With an increase in aging temperature and duration, the number of fine grains increased, and more precipitates were observed. After aging at 450 ℃ for 4 h, the formed complex polyphase structure significantly improved the mechanical properties. Its hardness, UTS, YS, and El were around 45.7 HRC, 1535 MPa, 1489 MPa, and 8.5%, respectively. The improvement in mechanical properties was mainly due to Hall–Petch strengthening, which was caused by fine grains, and precipitation strengthening, which was caused by an increase in precipitates after aging. Meanwhile, the FCC precipitates made the alloy have good toughness. The complex interaction of multiple strengthening mechanisms leads to a good combination of strength, hardness, and toughness. Full article
20 pages, 1588 KiB  
Protocol
Semi-Quantitative Categorization Method for the Corrosion Behavior of Metals Based on Immersion Test
by Francisco Malaret
Metals 2024, 14(4), 409; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14040409 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Corrosion processes are complex in nature and their studies have become an interdisciplinary research field, combining fundamental sciences and engineering. As the quantification of corrosion processes is affected by many variables, standard guidelines to study such phenomena had been developed, such as ASME [...] Read more.
Corrosion processes are complex in nature and their studies have become an interdisciplinary research field, combining fundamental sciences and engineering. As the quantification of corrosion processes is affected by many variables, standard guidelines to study such phenomena had been developed, such as ASME and ISO, and are broadly used in industry and academics. They describe methods to perform immersion test experiments and to quantify the corrosion rates of metals exposed to corrosive environments, but do not provide any guidelines for post-exposure analysis of the as-obtained corroded samples, which might provide useful information to understand the underlying physicochemical mechanisms of corrosion. This knowledge is useful for selecting optimal construction materials and developing corrosion prevention strategies. In this work, a semi-quantitative categorization method of the corrosion behavior of metals exposed to a corrosive medium based on their mass loss and aspect is presented. For each category, the mathematical aspects of gravimetric measurements of mass change rate and the analytical techniques that can be used for the characterization of materials are discussed. The following method does not intend to replace industrial standards, but to expand them in order to maximize the amount of information that can be extracted from immersion tests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Passivity and Localized Corrosion of Metallic Materials)
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17 pages, 6640 KiB  
Article
Thermal Management for a Stadium Power Supply Container Using a Rack-Level Air Cooling Strategy
by Yue Dong, Yi Ding, Karem Elsayed Elfeky, Yu Qi, Wenxiao Chu and Qiuwang Wang
Energies 2024, 17(7), 1654; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17071654 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
This study investigates the airflow and thermal management of a compact electric energy storage system by using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation. A porous medium model for predicting the flow resistance performance of the battery modules in a battery cabinet is developed. By [...] Read more.
This study investigates the airflow and thermal management of a compact electric energy storage system by using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation. A porous medium model for predicting the flow resistance performance of the battery modules in a battery cabinet is developed. By studying the influence of rack shapes, the effects of heat exchanger arrangements and other parameters on the airflow and battery thermal distribution are analyzed. When applying a larger bottom air channel, the inlet flow uniformity of each battery cabin in the cabinet increases by 5%. Meanwhile, temperature standard deviation decreases by 0.18 while raising the flow rate from 3 m/s to 8 m/s, indicating better temperature uniformity in the battery cabin. When the charge–discharge ratio reaches 0.5 C, the temperature deviation of the entire cabinet significantly increases, reaching 8 K. Furthermore, a rack-level thermal management scheme is proposed to effectively reduce the thermal deviation of the container electric energy storage system and improve the overall temperature uniformity. Results reveal that the rack-level thermal management of the wavy cabinet in the electric storage container can effectively improve the thermal uniformity of the distributed battery cabin, and the overall thermal deviation is controlled within 1.0 K. Full article
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16 pages, 7122 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Dynamic Wear Characteristics of Joint Contact Friction Pair of Excavators Working Device
by Xuehui Chen, Lei Zhang, Wei Li, Zijian Wang, Zhengbin Zhang, Ting Gao and Wei Liu
Lubricants 2024, 12(4), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12040113 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The working device of an excavator in construction machinery is prone to damage and wear under ordinary working conditions. Based on a model of an excavator under typical working conditions, the dynamic load-bearing situation of the three main joint friction subsets of the [...] Read more.
The working device of an excavator in construction machinery is prone to damage and wear under ordinary working conditions. Based on a model of an excavator under typical working conditions, the dynamic load-bearing situation of the three main joint friction subsets of the working device is simulated by using the virtual prototype technology; the location of the functional device with high stress is identified based on finite element analysis, and the correctness of the simulation results is verified by designing strain gauges. Based on this, the dynamic contact stress variation law of the contact surface of the end-face friction subsets was explored, and the end-face wear depth was calculated by combining Archard wear theory and finite element wear simulation technology; the specimens were worn on the end-face wear tester, and the surface wear was observed under the scanning electron microscope to summarize the wear mechanism and analyze the element content changes of the worn surface. The results show that the three main joints of the working device produce large dynamic fluctuations and are prone to wear, and the destructive degree is more prominent; the wear process is accompanied by higher temperatures, fatigue wear, and abrasive wear on the wear surface, and the wear depth value of the right end face is significantly larger than that of the left end face. This method has a significant reference value for reliability analysis and optimization improvement when using construction machinery’s main joint friction pairs. Full article
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31 pages, 2088 KiB  
Article
Chemometric Analysis Evidencing the Variability in the Composition of Essential Oils in 10 Salvia Species from Different Taxonomic Sections or Phylogenetic Clades
by Ekaterina-Michaela Tomou, Panagiota Fraskou, Konstantina Dimakopoulou, Eleftherios Dariotis, Nikos Krigas and Helen Skaltsa
Molecules 2024, 29(7), 1547; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29071547 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Essential oil (EO) of Salvia spp. has been widely used for culinary purposes and in perfumery and cosmetics, as well as having beneficial effects on human health. The present study aimed to investigate the quantitative and qualitative variations in EOs in wild-growing and [...] Read more.
Essential oil (EO) of Salvia spp. has been widely used for culinary purposes and in perfumery and cosmetics, as well as having beneficial effects on human health. The present study aimed to investigate the quantitative and qualitative variations in EOs in wild-growing and cultivated pairs of samples from members in four Salvia sections or three clades, namely S. argentea L. (Sect. Aethiopis; Clade I-C), S. ringens Sm. (Sect. Eusphace; Clade I-D), S. verticillata L. (Sect. Hemisphace; Clade I-B), S. amplexicaulis Lam., and S. pratensis L. (Sect. Plethiosphace; Clade I-C). Furthermore, the natural variability in EO composition due to different genotypes adapted in different geographical and environmental conditions was examined by employing members of three Salvia sections or two phylogenetic clades, namely S. sclarea L. (six samples; Sect. Aethiopis or Clade I-C), S. ringens (three samples; Sect. Eusphace or Clade I-D), and S. amplexicaulis (five samples; Sect. Plethiosphace or Clade I-C). We also investigated the EO composition of four wild-growing species of two Salvia sections, i.e., S. aethiopis L., S. candidissima Vahl, and S. teddii of Sect. Aethiopis, as well as the cultivated material of S. virgata Jacq. (Sect. Plethiosphace), all belonging to Clade I-C. The EO composition of the Greek endemic S. teddii is presented herein only for the first time. Taken together, the findings of previous studies are summarized and critically discussed with the obtained results. Chemometric analysis (PCA, HCA, and clustered heat map) was used to identify the sample relationships based on their chemical classes, resulting in the classification of two distinct groups. These can be further explored in assistance of classical or modern taxonomic Salvia studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils in Human Health)
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19 pages, 1261 KiB  
Article
Identification of Interpretable Clusters and Associated Signatures in Breast Cancer Single-Cell Data: A Topic Modeling Approach
by Gabriele Malagoli, Filippo Valle, Emmanuel Barillot, Michele Caselle and Loredana Martignetti
Cancers 2024, 16(7), 1350; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16071350 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Topic modeling is a popular technique in machine learning and natural language processing, where a corpus of text documents is classified into themes or topics using word frequency analysis. This approach has proven successful in various biological data analysis applications, such as predicting [...] Read more.
Topic modeling is a popular technique in machine learning and natural language processing, where a corpus of text documents is classified into themes or topics using word frequency analysis. This approach has proven successful in various biological data analysis applications, such as predicting cancer subtypes with high accuracy and identifying genes, enhancers, and stable cell types simultaneously from sparse single-cell epigenomics data. The advantage of using a topic model is that it not only serves as a clustering algorithm, but it can also explain clustering results by providing word probability distributions over topics. Our study proposes a novel topic modeling approach for clustering single cells and detecting topics (gene signatures) in single-cell datasets that measure multiple omics simultaneously. We applied this approach to examine the transcriptional heterogeneity of luminal and triple-negative breast cancer cells using patient-derived xenograft models with acquired resistance to chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Through this approach, we identified protein-coding genes and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that group thousands of cells into biologically similar clusters, accurately distinguishing drug-sensitive and -resistant breast cancer types. In comparison to standard state-of-the-art clustering analyses, our approach offers an optimal partitioning of genes into topics and cells into clusters simultaneously, producing easily interpretable clustering outcomes. Additionally, we demonstrate that an integrative clustering approach, which combines the information from mRNAs and lncRNAs treated as disjoint omics layers, enhances the accuracy of cell classification. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Application of Bioinformatics in Cancers)
16 pages, 2421 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Unsteady Flow Characteristics near the Cutwater by Cutting Impeller Hub in a High-Speed Centrifugal Pump
by Baoling Cui and Mingyu Shi
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(4), 587; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12040587 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Centrifugal pumps are essential fluid transfer devices in marine engineering. As the two most critical components of a centrifugal pump, the dynamic–static interference between the volute and the impeller makes the flow near the cutwater highly unstable, with significant and erratic pressure pulsation, [...] Read more.
Centrifugal pumps are essential fluid transfer devices in marine engineering. As the two most critical components of a centrifugal pump, the dynamic–static interference between the volute and the impeller makes the flow near the cutwater highly unstable, with significant and erratic pressure pulsation, which seriously affects the stability of the operation. The impeller can be improved by cutting the hub, which helps stabilize the flow and reduce pressure pulsation near the cutwater, thus minimizing hydraulic loss. In this study, four different cutting angles were applied to the impeller hub. Computations are conducted using large eddy simulation to analyze the flow and pressure pulsation near the cutwater. Compared to the prototype pump, the modified impeller exhibits a significant reduction in pressure gradient near the blade outlet close to the cutwater. The modified impeller also shows a more uniform flow and lower amplitude of pressure pulsation. Furthermore, under various flow conditions, the centrifugal pump with the modified impeller exhibits lower hydraulic loss compared to the prototype pump, indicating that this method effectively suppresses hydraulic loss. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)
14 pages, 567 KiB  
Article
Comparative Performance in the Detection of Four Coronavirus Genera from Human, Animal, and Environmental Specimens
by Supaporn Wacharapluesadee, Nattakarn Thippamom, Piyapha Hirunpatrawong, Khwankamon Rattanatumhi, Spencer L. Sterling, Wiparat Khunnawutmanotham, Kirana Noradechanon, Patarapol Maneeorn, Rome Buathong, Leilani Paitoonpong and Opass Putcharoen
Viruses 2024, 16(4), 534; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16040534 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Emerging coronaviruses (CoVs) are understood to cause critical human and domestic animal diseases; the spillover from wildlife reservoirs can result in mild and severe respiratory illness in humans and domestic animals and can spread more readily in these naïve hosts. A low-cost CoV [...] Read more.
Emerging coronaviruses (CoVs) are understood to cause critical human and domestic animal diseases; the spillover from wildlife reservoirs can result in mild and severe respiratory illness in humans and domestic animals and can spread more readily in these naïve hosts. A low-cost CoV molecular method that can detect a variety of CoVs from humans, animals, and environmental specimens is an initial step to ensure the early identification of known and new viruses. We examine a collection of 50 human, 46 wastewater, 28 bat, and 17 avian archived specimens using 3 published pan-CoV PCR assays called Q-, W-, and X-CoV PCR, to compare the performance of each assay against four CoV genera. X-CoV PCR can detect all four CoV genera, but Q- and W-CoV PCR failed to detect δ-CoV. In total, 21 (42.0%), 9 (18.0%), and 21 (42.0%) of 50 human specimens and 30 (65.22%), 6 (13.04%), and 27 (58.70%) of 46 wastewater specimens were detected using Q-, W-, and X-CoV PCR assays, respectively. The X-CoV PCR assay has a comparable sensitivity to Q-CoV PCR in bat CoV detection. Combining Q- and X-CoV PCR assays can increase sensitivity and avoid false negative results in the early detection of novel CoVs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Coronaviruses)
18 pages, 1645 KiB  
Article
The Use of Glenoid Structural Allografts for Glenoid Bone Defects in Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty
by Helen Ingoe, Kristine Italia, Luke Gilliland, Hean Wu Kang, Mirek Karel, Jashint Maharaj, Kenneth Cutbush and Ashish Gupta
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(7), 2008; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13072008 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Background: The use of reverse shoulder arthroplasty as a primary and revision implant is increasing. Advances in implant design and preoperative surgical planning allow the management of complex glenoid defects. As the demand for treating severe bone loss increases, custom allograft composites are [...] Read more.
Background: The use of reverse shoulder arthroplasty as a primary and revision implant is increasing. Advances in implant design and preoperative surgical planning allow the management of complex glenoid defects. As the demand for treating severe bone loss increases, custom allograft composites are needed to match the premorbid anatomy. Baseplate composite structural allografts are used in patients with eccentric and centric defects to restore the glenoid joint line. Preserving bone stock is important in younger patients where a revision surgery is expected. The aim of this article is to present the assessment, planning, and indications of femoral head allografting for bony defects of the glenoid. Methods: The preoperative surgical planning and the surgical technique to execute the plan with a baseplate composite graft are detailed. The preliminary clinical and radiological results of 29 shoulders which have undergone this graft planning and surgical technique are discussed. Clinical outcomes included visual analogue score of pain (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (ASES), Constant–Murley score (CS), satisfaction before and after operation, and active range of motion. Radiological outcomes included graft healing and presence of osteolysis or loosening. Results: The use of composite grafts in this series has shown excellent clinical outcomes, with an overall graft complication rate in complex bone loss cases of 8%. Conclusion: Femoral head structural allografting is a valid and viable surgical option for glenoid bone defects in reverse shoulder arthroplasty. Full article
12 pages, 4786 KiB  
Article
A Superimposed Codebook Design for Downlink Sparse Code Multiple Access Visible Light Communication System
by Jingxuan Dong, Zixiong Wang, Jinlong Yu and Yang Jiang
Photonics 2024, 11(4), 321; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics11040321 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The capacity performance of visible light communication (VLC) systems can be improved by using sparse code multiple access (SCMA). Since SCMA is a codebook-based multiple access scheme, the design of the codebook is crucial. SCMA codebook performance is severely affected by shot noise. [...] Read more.
The capacity performance of visible light communication (VLC) systems can be improved by using sparse code multiple access (SCMA). Since SCMA is a codebook-based multiple access scheme, the design of the codebook is crucial. SCMA codebook performance is severely affected by shot noise. Although several codebook design metrics have been proposed to compensate for the constellation distortion caused by shot noise, the improvement in performance is limited. In order to solve this problem, we use a separable codebook design structure to derive the analytical expression of the symbol error rate (SER) for the SCMA-VLC system under shot noise. According to the SER expression, we formulate an optimization problem and obtain a multi-user superimposed codebook to achieve a minimum SER for the SCMA-VLC system. The simulation results show that the proposed codebook significantly improves the performance of the SCMA-VLC system, especially in the case of high shot noise. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Optical Wireless Communication)
37 pages, 1011 KiB  
Review
Analgesic Peptides: From Natural Diversity to Rational Design
by Katarzyna Gach-Janczak, Monika Biernat, Mariola Kuczer, Anna Adamska-Bart?omiejczyk and Alicja Kluczyk
Molecules 2024, 29(7), 1544; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29071544 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Pain affects one-third of the global population and is a significant public health issue. The use of opioid drugs, which are the strongest painkillers, is associated with several side effects, such as tolerance, addiction, overdose, and even death. An increasing demand for novel, [...] Read more.
Pain affects one-third of the global population and is a significant public health issue. The use of opioid drugs, which are the strongest painkillers, is associated with several side effects, such as tolerance, addiction, overdose, and even death. An increasing demand for novel, safer analgesic agents is a driving force for exploring natural sources of bioactive peptides with antinociceptive activity. Since the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a crucial role in pain modulation, the discovery of new peptide ligands for GPCRs is a significant challenge for novel drug development. The aim of this review is to present peptides of human and animal origin with antinociceptive potential and to show the possibilities of their modification, as well as the design of novel structures. The study presents the current knowledge on structure-activity relationship in the design of peptide-based biomimetic compounds, the modification strategies directed at increasing the antinociceptive activity, and improvement of metabolic stability and pharmacodynamic profile. The procedures employed in prolonged drug delivery of emerging compounds are also discussed. The work summarizes the conditions leading to the development of potential morphine replacements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Antinociceptive Agents against Persistent Pain)
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15 pages, 557 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Dietary n-3 Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids on Growth, Antioxidant Capacity, Immunity, and Oxylipin Profiles in Acipenser dabryanus
by Jinping Wu, Wei Xiong, Wei Liu, Jinming Wu, Rui Ruan, Peng Fu, Yuqi Wang, Yuan Liu, Xiaoqian Leng, Pengcheng Li, Jia Zhong, Chuang Zhang and Hao Du
Antioxidants 2024, 13(4), 421; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13040421 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Currently, the effects of dietary levels of n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immunity, and serum oxylipin profiles of female F2-generation Yangtze sturgeon remain unknown. A total of 75 Yangtze sturgeons, an endangered freshwater fish [...] Read more.
Currently, the effects of dietary levels of n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immunity, and serum oxylipin profiles of female F2-generation Yangtze sturgeon remain unknown. A total of 75 Yangtze sturgeons, an endangered freshwater fish species, with an average body weight of 3.60 ± 0.83 kg, were randomly allocated to 15 concrete pools, with each dietary group represented by 5 fish per pool. The fish were fed five different experimental diets containing various levels of n-3 HUFAs (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, and 2.4%). After a feeding period of 5 months, no significant differences in the growth performances of the fish were observed among the five dietary groups (p > 0.05). However, we did note that the serum levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TGs), and total cholesterol (TCHO) exhibited a marked increase in the fish that consumed higher dietary n-3 HUFA levels (p < 0.05). Conversely, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities showed a notable decrease as dietary n-3 HUFA levels increased (p < 0.05). Serum antioxidant indices, such as the activity levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), were significantly higher in the 2.4% HUFA group compared to the 0.5% HUFA group. Additionally, muscle antioxidant indices, including total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), catalase (CAT), and SOD activity, exhibited notable increases as dietary n-3 HUFA levels increased (p < 0.05). Furthermore, there was a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as dietary n-3 HUFA levels increased (p < 0.05). In relation to immune indices, only serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) and muscle complement 3 (C3) were found to be influenced by dietary n-3 HUFA levels (p < 0.05). A total of 80 oxylipins were quantified, and our subsequent K-means cluster analysis resulted in the classification of 62 oxylipins into 10 subclasses. Among the different n-3 HUFA diets, a total of 14 differential oxylipins were identified in the sera. These findings demonstrate that dietary supplementation with n-3 HUFAs exceeding a 1.0% level can enhance antioxidant capacity and regulate serum lipid metabolism, potentially through modulation of oxylipins derived from ARA, DHA, and EPA. These insights provide novel perspectives on the mechanisms underlying these observations. Full article
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24 pages, 1346 KiB  
Article
A Novel Therapeutic Approach of 980 nm Photobiomodulation Delivered with Flattop Beam Profile in Management of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis in Paediatrics and Adolescents—A Case Series with 3-Month Follow-Up
by Reem Hanna, Ioana Cristina Miron and Stefano Benedicenti
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(7), 2007; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13072007 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common oral mucosal lesions and a very debilitating lesion, especially in paediatric and adolescent patients. The current pharmacotherapy offers a pain relief but not without side effects, and therefore photobiomodulation (PBM) can [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common oral mucosal lesions and a very debilitating lesion, especially in paediatric and adolescent patients. The current pharmacotherapy offers a pain relief but not without side effects, and therefore photobiomodulation (PBM) can be an alternative therapy. To the authors’ best knowledge, no published study has explored the efficacy of λ 980 nm laser PBM in the management of all RAS subtypes in paediatric and adolescent patients, and therefore, this prospective observational clinical study was conducted to bridge this gap by evaluating λ 980 nm laser PBM efficacy in symptomatic RAS management in paediatric and adolescent patients. The objectives were to evaluate (1) pain intensity alleviation; (2) wound healing rate; (3) wound size closure; (4) a complete resolution; (5) evidence of recurrence; and (6) patients’ treatment satisfaction. Methods: The study’s variables were assessed at the following timepoints: T0: pre-treatment; T1: immediately after first PBM session; T2: 5 hours (h) post first PBM session (via telephone call); T3: immediately after second PBM session (three days post first PBM session); T4: three-day follow-up (after complete PBM treatments); T5: two-week follow-up; and T6: three-month follow-up. The following PBM dosimetry and treatment protocols were employed: λ 980 nm; 300 mW; 60 s; 18 J; CW; flattop beam profile of 1 cm2 spot size; 18 J/cm2; and twice-a-week irradiation (72 h interval). Results: At T1, significant immediate pain intensity relief was reported. 33.33% recorded “4” and 66.67% reported “5” on the quantitative numeric pain intensity scale (NPIS), and this continued to improve significantly (83.33%) at T2. All the subjects reported “0” on the NPIS at T3, T4, T5 and T6. There was a significant reduction in the lesion surface area (>50% complete healing) at T3 compared to T0. Complete healing (100%) with no evidence of scarring and lesion recurrence observed at T4, T5 and T6. Very good patients’ satisfaction was reported at all timepoints. Conclusions: This is the first report demonstrating λ980 nm efficacy in all RAS subtype management in paediatric and adolescent patients with a 3-month follow-up, whereby its PBM dosimetry and treatment protocols were effective from scientific and practical standpoints, and hence multicentre RCTs with large data are warranted to validate its reproducibility and to enrich the knowledge of PBM application in all RAS subtypes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Challenges in Clinical Dentistry)
17 pages, 656 KiB  
Review
Behçet’s Disease, Pathogenesis, Clinical Features, and Treatment Approaches: A Comprehensive Review
by Salvatore Lavalle, Sebastiano Caruso, Roberta Foti, Caterina Gagliano, Salvatore Cocuzza, Luigi La Via, Federica Maria Parisi, Christian Calvo-Henriquez and Antonino Maniaci
Medicina 2024, 60(4), 562; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60040562 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Behçet’s disease is a systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology. The disease manifests with diverse clinical symptoms, most commonly recurrent oral and genital ulcers, skin lesions, and uveitis, though it can affect multiple organ systems. Diagnosis is primarily clinical due to the lack [...] Read more.
Behçet’s disease is a systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology. The disease manifests with diverse clinical symptoms, most commonly recurrent oral and genital ulcers, skin lesions, and uveitis, though it can affect multiple organ systems. Diagnosis is primarily clinical due to the lack of a definitive diagnostic test, and management involves a multidisciplinary approach to control inflammation and manage symptoms. Current treatment strategies involve corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, and, increasingly, biological therapies. Behçet’s disease exhibits a higher prevalence along the Silk Road, suggesting a role of environmental and genetic factors. Despite significant progress in understanding its clinical characteristics and treatment approaches, gaps remain in our understanding of its pathogenesis. Future research is needed to elucidate the disease’s pathophysiology and optimize treatment strategies. Full article
14 pages, 1548 KiB  
Article
Sleep and Thermoregulation in Birds: Cold Exposure Reduces Brain Temperature but Has Little Influence on Sleep Time and Sleep Architecture in Jackdaws (Coloeus monedula)
by Sjoerd J. van Hasselt, Massimiliano Coscia, Giancarlo Allocca, Alexei L. Vyssotski and Peter Meerlo
Biology 2024, 13(4), 229; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13040229 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Birds have an electrophysiological sleep state that resembles mammalian rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep. However, whether its regulation and function are similar is unclear. In the current experiment, we studied REM sleep regulation in jackdaws (Coloeus monedula) by exposing the birds to low [...] Read more.
Birds have an electrophysiological sleep state that resembles mammalian rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep. However, whether its regulation and function are similar is unclear. In the current experiment, we studied REM sleep regulation in jackdaws (Coloeus monedula) by exposing the birds to low ambient temperature, a procedure that selectively suppresses REM sleep in mammals. Eight jackdaws were equipped with electrodes to record brain activity and neck muscle activity and a thermistor to record cortical brain temperature. Recordings covered a three-day period starting with a 24 h baseline day at an ambient temperature of 21 °C, followed by a 12 h cold night at 4 °C, after which the ambient temperature was restored to 21 °C for the remaining recovery period. Cold exposure at night caused a significant drop in brain temperature of 1.4 °C compared to the baseline night. However, throughout the cold night, jackdaws expressed NREM sleep and REM sleep levels that were not significantly different from the baseline. Also, EEG spectral power during NREM sleep was unaffected by cold exposure. Thus, while cold exposure had a clear effect on brain temperature in jackdaws, it did not have the same REM sleep suppressing effect reported for mammals. These findings suggest that the REM-sleep-like state in birds, unlike REM sleep in mammals, is protected against the influence of low temperature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Zoology)
49 pages, 7321 KiB  
Review
Planar Printed Structures Based on Matryoshka Geometries: A Review
by Alfredo Gomes Neto, Jefferson Costa e Silva, Joabson Nogueira de Carvalho and Custódio Peixeiro
Micromachines 2024, 15(4), 469; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15040469 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
A review on planar printed structures that are based on Matryoshka-like geometries is presented. These structures use the well-known principle of Matryoshka dolls that are successively nested inside each other. The well-known advantages of the planar printed technology and of the meandered nested [...] Read more.
A review on planar printed structures that are based on Matryoshka-like geometries is presented. These structures use the well-known principle of Matryoshka dolls that are successively nested inside each other. The well-known advantages of the planar printed technology and of the meandered nested Matryoshka geometries are combined to generate miniaturized, multi-resonance, and/or wideband configurations. Both metal and complementary slot structures are considered. Closed and open configurations were analyzed. The working principles were explored in order to obtain physical insight into their behavior. Low-cost and single-layer applications as frequency-selective surfaces, filters, antennas, and sensors, in the microwave frequency region, were reviewed. Potential future research perspectives and new applications are then discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Electromagnetic Devices)
15 pages, 299 KiB  
Article
Some Remarks on Smooth Mappings of Hilbert and Banach Spaces and Their Local Convexity Property
by Yarema A. Prykarpatskyy, Petro Ya. Pukach, Myroslava I. Vovk and Michal Gregu?
Axioms 2024, 13(4), 227; https://doi.org/10.3390/axioms13040227 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
We analyze smooth nonlinear mappings for Hilbert and Banach spaces that carry small balls to convex sets, provided that the radii of the balls are small enough. We focus on the study of new and mildly sufficient conditions for the nonlinear mapping of [...] Read more.
We analyze smooth nonlinear mappings for Hilbert and Banach spaces that carry small balls to convex sets, provided that the radii of the balls are small enough. We focus on the study of new and mildly sufficient conditions for the nonlinear mapping of Hilbert and Banach spaces to be locally convex, and address a suitably reformulated local convexity problem analyzed within the Leray–Schauder homotopy method approach for Hilbert spaces, and within the Lipschitz smoothness condition for both Hilbert and Banach spaces. Some of the results presented in this work prove to be interesting and novel, even for finite-dimensional problems. Open problems related to the local convexity property for nonlinear mappings of Banach spaces are also formulated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Hilbert’s Sixth Problem)
30 pages, 662 KiB  
Article
Structural Properties of the Wyner–Ziv Rate Distortion Function: Applications for Multivariate Gaussian Sources
by Michail Gkagkos and Charalambos D. Charalambous
Entropy 2024, 26(4), 306; https://doi.org/10.3390/e26040306 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The main focus of this paper is the derivation of the structural properties of the test channels of Wyner’s operational information rate distortion function (RDF), R¯(ΔX), for arbitrary abstract sources and, subsequently, the derivation of additional properties [...] Read more.
The main focus of this paper is the derivation of the structural properties of the test channels of Wyner’s operational information rate distortion function (RDF), R¯(ΔX), for arbitrary abstract sources and, subsequently, the derivation of additional properties for a tuple of multivariate correlated, jointly independent, and identically distributed Gaussian random variables, {Xt,Yt}t=1, Xt:ΩRnx, Yt:ΩRny, with average mean-square error at the decoder and the side information, {Yt}t=1, available only at the decoder. For the tuple of multivariate correlated Gaussian sources, we construct optimal test channel realizations which achieve the informational RDF, R¯(ΔX)=infM(ΔX)I(X;Z|Y), where M(ΔX) is the set of auxiliary RVs Z such that PZ|X,Y=PZ|X, X^=f(Y,Z), and E{||XX^||2}ΔX. We show the following fundamental structural properties: (1) Optimal test channel realizations that achieve the RDF and satisfy conditional independence, PX|X^,Y,Z=PX|X^,Y=PX|X^,EX|X^,Y,Z=EX|X^=X^. (2) Similarly, for the conditional RDF, RX|Y(ΔX), when the side information is available to both the encoder and the decoder, we show the equality R¯(ΔX)=RX|Y(ΔX). (3) We derive the water-filling solution for RX|Y(ΔX). Full article
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35 pages, 11322 KiB  
Article
SNC_Net: Skin Cancer Detection by Integrating Handcrafted and Deep Learning-Based Features Using Dermoscopy Images
by Ahmad Naeem, Tayyaba Anees, Mudassir Khalil, Kiran Zahra, Rizwan Ali Naqvi and Seung-Won Lee
Mathematics 2024, 12(7), 1030; https://doi.org/10.3390/math12071030 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The medical sciences are facing a major problem with the auto-detection of disease due to the fast growth in population density. Intelligent systems assist medical professionals in early disease detection and also help to provide consistent treatment that reduces the mortality rate. Skin [...] Read more.
The medical sciences are facing a major problem with the auto-detection of disease due to the fast growth in population density. Intelligent systems assist medical professionals in early disease detection and also help to provide consistent treatment that reduces the mortality rate. Skin cancer is considered to be the deadliest and most severe kind of cancer. Medical professionals utilize dermoscopy images to make a manual diagnosis of skin cancer. This method is labor-intensive and time-consuming and demands a considerable level of expertise. Automated detection methods are necessary for the early detection of skin cancer. The occurrence of hair and air bubbles in dermoscopic images affects the diagnosis of skin cancer. This research aims to classify eight different types of skin cancer, namely actinic keratosis (AKs), dermatofibroma (DFa), melanoma (MELa), basal cell carcinoma (BCCa), squamous cell carcinoma (SCCa), melanocytic nevus (MNi), vascular lesion (VASn), and benign keratosis (BKs). In this study, we propose SNC_Net, which integrates features derived from dermoscopic images through deep learning (DL) models and handcrafted (HC) feature extraction methods with the aim of improving the performance of the classifier. A convolutional neural network (CNN) is employed for classification. Dermoscopy images from the publicly accessible ISIC 2019 dataset for skin cancer detection is utilized to train and validate the model. The performance of the proposed model is compared with four baseline models, namely EfficientNetB0 (B1), MobileNetV2 (B2), DenseNet-121 (B3), and ResNet-101 (B4), and six state-of-the-art (SOTA) classifiers. With an accuracy of 97.81%, a precision of 98.31%, a recall of 97.89%, and an F1 score of 98.10%, the proposed model outperformed the SOTA classifiers as well as the four baseline models. Moreover, an Ablation study is also performed on the proposed method to validate its performance. The proposed method therefore assists dermatologists and other medical professionals in early skin cancer detection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medical Imaging Analysis with Artificial Intelligence)
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14 pages, 2476 KiB  
Article
Aerobic Oxidative Desulfurization by Supported Polyoxometalate Ionic Liquid Hybrid Materials via Facile Ball Milling
by Qian Wang, Tianqi Huang, Shuang Tong, Chao Wang, Hongping Li and Ming Zhang
Molecules 2024, 29(7), 1548; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29071548 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
With the increasingly strict limitations on emission standards of vehicles, deep desulfurization in fuel is indispensable for social development worldwide. In this study, a series of hybrid materials based on SiO2-supported polyoxometalate ionic liquid were successfully prepared via a facile ball [...] Read more.
With the increasingly strict limitations on emission standards of vehicles, deep desulfurization in fuel is indispensable for social development worldwide. In this study, a series of hybrid materials based on SiO2-supported polyoxometalate ionic liquid were successfully prepared via a facile ball milling method and employed as catalysts in the aerobic oxidative desulfurization process. The composition and structure of prepared samples were studied by various techniques, including FT-IR, UV-vis DRS, wide-angle XRD, BET, XPS, and SEM images. The experimental results indicated that the synthesized polyoxometalate ionic liquids were successfully loaded on SiO2 with a highly uniform dispersion. The prepared catalyst (C16PMoV/10SiO2) exhibited good desulfurization activity on different sulfur compounds. Moreover, the oxidation product and active species in the ODS process were respectively investigated via GC-MS and ESR analysis, indicating that the catalyst can activate oxygen to superoxide radicals during the reaction to convert DBT to its corresponding sulfone in the fuel. Full article
18 pages, 591 KiB  
Review
Lipid-Derived Biomarkers as Therapeutic Targets for Chronic Coronary Syndrome and Ischemic Stroke: An Updated Narrative Review
by Thomas Gabriel Schreiner, Bogdan Emilian Ignat, Cristina Grosu, Alexandru Dan Costache, Maria Magdalena Leon and Florin Mitu
Medicina 2024, 60(4), 561; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60040561 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The incidence and prevalence of cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases are constantly increasing, with chronic coronary syndrome and ischemic stroke as the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. According to current knowledge, the heart–brain axis is more than a theoretical concept, with many [...] Read more.
The incidence and prevalence of cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases are constantly increasing, with chronic coronary syndrome and ischemic stroke as the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. According to current knowledge, the heart–brain axis is more than a theoretical concept, with many common pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the onset and evolution of both coronary and cerebral ischemia. Moreover, the focus is on the prevention and early intervention of risk factors in searching for targeted and personalized medical treatment. In this context, this narrative review aims to offer, in a didactic and practice-oriented manner, an up-to-date overview of the role played by lipid-derived biomarkers (from low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to oxylipin and apolipoproteins) in chronic coronary syndrome and ischemic stroke. Firstly, the authors highlight, via relevant epidemiological data, the significant burden of chronic coronary syndrome and ischemic stroke in the general population, thus explaining the need for updated information on this topic. Subsequently, the most important lipid-derived biomarkers and their multiple roles in the pathogenesis of these two disorders are listed. Currently available and experimental targeted therapies based on these lipid-derived biomarkers are presented in the final part of this paper, representing this manuscript’s original and novel input. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chronic Coronary Syndrome and Coronary Heart Disease)
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