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16 pages, 5224 KiB  
Article
The Role of Macrophage Efferocytosis in the Pathogenesis of Apical Periodontitis
by Xiaoyue Guan, Yuting Wang, Wenlan Li, Wenli Mu, Yifei Tang, Mingfei Wang, Abdelrahman Seyam, Yao Yang, Lifei Pan and Tiezhou Hou
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(7), 3854; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073854 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Macrophages (Mφs) play a crucial role in the homeostasis of the periapical immune micro-environment caused by bacterial infection. Mφ efferocytosis has been demonstrated to promote the resolution of multiple infected diseases via accelerating Mφ polarization into M2 type. However, the Mφ efferocytosis–apical periodontitis [...] Read more.
Macrophages (Mφs) play a crucial role in the homeostasis of the periapical immune micro-environment caused by bacterial infection. Mφ efferocytosis has been demonstrated to promote the resolution of multiple infected diseases via accelerating Mφ polarization into M2 type. However, the Mφ efferocytosis–apical periodontitis (AP) relationship has not been elucidated yet. This study aimed to explore the role of Mφ efferocytosis in the pathogenesis of AP. Clinical specimens were collected to determine the involvement of Mφ efferocytosis in the periapical region via immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining. For a further understanding of the moderator effect of Mφ efferocytosis in the pathogenesis of AP, both an in vitro AP model and in vivo AP model were treated with ARA290, a Mφ efferocytosis agonist. Histological staining, micro-ct, flow cytometry, RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to detect the inflammatory status, alveolar bone loss and related markers in AP models. The data showed that Mφ efferocytosis is observed in the periapical tissues and enhancing the Mφ efferocytosis ability could effectively promote AP resolution via facilitating M2 Mφ polarization. Collectively, our study demonstrates the functional importance of Mφ efferocytosis in AP pathology and highlights that accelerating Mφ efferocytosis via ARA290 could serve as an adjuvant therapeutic strategy for AP. Full article
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14 pages, 5668 KiB  
Article
A Method for Evaluating the Spatial Layout of Fire Stations in Chemical Industrial Parks
by Liming Li, Ningning Li, Xiaochuan Wu and Bo Liu
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(7), 2918; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14072918 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The development of chemical industrial parks has resulted in the accumulation of a significant amount of hazardous substances, thereby increasing the demand for enhanced firefighting security, which directly relates to fire stations. This article presents a method for the layout evaluation of fire [...] Read more.
The development of chemical industrial parks has resulted in the accumulation of a significant amount of hazardous substances, thereby increasing the demand for enhanced firefighting security, which directly relates to fire stations. This article presents a method for the layout evaluation of fire stations within chemical industrial parks. A practical technique for conducting fire risk assessments of each point to be rescued (PTBR) is proposed. The PTBRs are categorized according to their levels of fire risk. The required rescue time for each PTBR is determined based on the fire risk assessment. The estimated rescue times from each PTBR to each fire station are evaluated based on the actual road network and the speed of the fire engines. The adequacy of the fire stations is assessed through comparing the required and estimated rescue times. The working process of this method is illustrated using an engineering instance. The evaluation results of this engineering instance indicate its feasibility. This method takes into account the impact of irregular road paths and the influence of PTBR fire risks on the layouts of fire stations, which results in a more objective evaluation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Applied Industrial Technologies)
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20 pages, 961 KiB  
Article
Research on the Short-Term Economic Dispatch Method of Power System Involving a Hydropower-Photovoltaic-Pumped Storage Plant
by Liang Guo, Shudi Liu, Litang Xi, Guofang Zhang, Ziqi Liu, Qi Zeng, Feipeng Lü and Yuhong Wang
Electronics 2024, 13(7), 1282; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13071282 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The auxiliary regulation capacity of pumped-storage power stations can be utilized as an effective method to regulate the output of a hydro-photovoltaic complementary system, further mitigating the power fluctuations of the system and enhancing the photovoltaic absorption. This study aims to minimize power [...] Read more.
The auxiliary regulation capacity of pumped-storage power stations can be utilized as an effective method to regulate the output of a hydro-photovoltaic complementary system, further mitigating the power fluctuations of the system and enhancing the photovoltaic absorption. This study aims to minimize power fluctuations and maximize the economic benefits of electricity generation in a hydropower-photovoltaic-pumped-storage complementary system (HPPCS), which are treated as the objective functions. It explores the participation of the HPPCS in grid active power balance auxiliary services. By modulating the participation ratio of the HPPCS in the grid’s active balance service, the system output is aligned to fluctuate proportionally with the daily load curve trend. Consequently, a short-term economic dispatch model for the integrated HPPCS is developed. The case study focuses on the considerable impact of weather conditions on photovoltaic (PV) power generation. In this model, the outputs of cascading hydro-power stations and pumped-storage power stations are considered as the decision variables. A decomposition-based multi-objective evolutionary algorithm is applied to derive an optimized intra-day dispatch Pareto solution set for the cascading HPPCS in each of these scenarios. Additionally, this study compares the Pareto solution sets for the HPPCS in various extents of its participation in grid auxiliary services. The results of the case study suggest that the system is capable of timely adjustments during the peak and trough periods of load demand. Considering the economic benefits, it enables the pumped-storage station to generate electricity for the grid during periods of high electricity prices and to store energy by pumping water when prices are low. Full article
16 pages, 5249 KiB  
Article
Reverse Engineering of Radical Polymerizations by Multi-Objective Optimization
by Jelena Fiosina, Philipp Sievers, Gavaskar Kanagaraj, Marco Drache and Sabine Beuermann
Polymers 2024, 16(7), 945; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16070945 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Reverse engineering is applied to identify optimum polymerization conditions for the synthesis of polymers with pre-defined properties. The proposed approach uses multi-objective optimization (MOO) and provides multiple candidate polymerization procedures to achieve the targeted polymer property. The objectives for optimization include the maximal [...] Read more.
Reverse engineering is applied to identify optimum polymerization conditions for the synthesis of polymers with pre-defined properties. The proposed approach uses multi-objective optimization (MOO) and provides multiple candidate polymerization procedures to achieve the targeted polymer property. The objectives for optimization include the maximal similarity of molar mass distributions (MMDs) compared to the target MMDs, a minimal reaction time, and maximal monomer conversion. The method is tested for vinyl acetate radical polymerizations and can be adopted to other monomers. The data for the optimization procedure are generated by an in-house-developed kinetic Monte-Carlo (kMC) simulator for a selected recipe search space. The proposed reverse engineering algorithm comprises several steps: kMC simulations for the selected recipe search space to derive initial data, performing MOO for a targeted MMD, and the identification of the Pareto optimal space. The last step uses a weighted sum optimization function to calculate the weighted score of each candidate polymerization condition. To decrease the execution time, clustering of the search space based on MMDs is applied. The performance of the proposed approach is tested for various target MMDs. The suggested MOO-based reverse engineering provides multiple recipe candidates depending on competing objectives. Full article
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16 pages, 2010 KiB  
Article
Retinoic Acid Treatment Mitigates PM2.5-Induced Type 2 Inflammation: Insights into Modulation of Innate Immune Responses
by Hyun-Joo Lee and Dong-Kyu Kim
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(7), 3856; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073856 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Some studies have demonstrated the effects of particulate matter (PM) on chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) development, as well as the therapeutic role of retinoic acid (RA) in nasal polypogenesis. However, the immunologic effect of PM in innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) and [...] Read more.
Some studies have demonstrated the effects of particulate matter (PM) on chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) development, as well as the therapeutic role of retinoic acid (RA) in nasal polypogenesis. However, the immunologic effect of PM in innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) and the exact mechanism of the therapeutic effect of RA remain unclear. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of fine-dust-induced inflammation in CRSwNP and the mechanisms of the therapeutic effect of RA. PM2.5 exposure exacerbated pathological damage in the nasal mucosa of mice with nasal polyps (NP) via upregulation of type 2 inflammation. Additionally, PM2.5 exposure increased the expression of type 2 cytokines and epithelial-cell-derived cytokines (IL-33 and IL-25) significantly, as well as the ILC populations in human-NP-derived epithelial cells (HNECs). Moreover, RA supplementation significantly increased the expression of ILCreg in Lin−CD45+CD127+ cells, which in turn increased the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. The findings suggest that PM2.5 exposures could aggravate the CRSwNP type 2 inflammation, and RA treatment may ameliorate fine-dust-induced inflammation by modulating the innate immune response. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chronic Rhinosinusitis: Aetiology, Immunology and Treatment 2.0)
21 pages, 1151 KiB  
Article
Assessment and Empirical Research on the Suitability of Eco-Tourism Development in Nature Reserves of China: A Multi-Type Comparative Perspective
by Shengrui Zhang, Zhenqi Zhang, Hu Yu and Tongyan Zhang
Land 2024, 13(4), 438; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13040438 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The assessment of suitability is the cornerstone for the development of ecotourism in nature reserves. This paper adopts the Delphi method to invite 30 experts to score and screen a series of indicators and then calculates the weight of each indicator through the [...] Read more.
The assessment of suitability is the cornerstone for the development of ecotourism in nature reserves. This paper adopts the Delphi method to invite 30 experts to score and screen a series of indicators and then calculates the weight of each indicator through the hierarchical analysis method (AHP) to establish a comprehensive evaluation index system for the suitability of ecotourism development. The AHP method includes four constraints layers (tourism resources, socio-economic environment, ecological conditions, and tourism market), in addition to eleven element layers and thirty-eight indicators. It establishes overarching criteria for evaluating ecotourism suitability. Our research focuses on Dinghushan, Xilin Gol Grassland, Hongze Lake Wetland, and Jiuzhai valley, and the results are as follows: (1) Ecotourism suitability evaluation level is divided into five levels, level I (0 ≤ S < 30) ecotourism development suitability is the lowest, meaning an area is extremely unsuitable for ecotourism development. Level V (90 ≤ S <100) has a very high ecotourism value, meaning an area is highly suitable for ecotourism development. (2) Jiuzhai valley scored the highest ecotourism suitability evaluation score of 87.63, and Xilingol Grassland scored the lowest score of 81.27. However, the composite scores of all the nature reserves were above 80, placing them at Suitability Level IV, and thereby indicating a high suitability for ecotourism development. (3) Divergences in ecotourism suitability emerge among various nature reserve types, with grassland and meadow reserves exhibiting lower suitability levels. Addressing this, a robust management and monitoring system is imperative, alongside intensified efforts in ecological restoration, vegetation protection, community engagement, education, awareness, and increased policy support and tourism capital investment. (4) The results of the expert questionnaire showed that the maximum weight of the indicators affecting the evaluation of the suitability of ecotourism was the satisfaction of tourists (0.120), and the minimum weight was the accommodation facilities (0.002), which illustrated the important role of tourists in the ecotourism development carried out in the nature reserve. (5) Through empirical analysis of numerous cases, the study validates the practicality and effectiveness of the index system and provides scientific guidelines for the suitability of existing nature reserves for further ecotourism development. This contributes to the research theory on the suitability evaluation of ecotourism development and serves as a valuable reference for the future ecotourism development of diverse nature reserves. Full article
20 pages, 406 KiB  
Article
Contributions to the Numerical Solutions of a Caputo Fractional Differential and Integro-Differential System
by Abdelkader Moumen, Abdelaziz Mennouni and Mohamed Bouye
Fractal Fract. 2024, 8(4), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/fractalfract8040201 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The primary goal of this research is to offer an efficient approach to solve a certain type of fractional integro-differential and differential systems. In the Caputo meaning, the fractional derivative is examined. This system is essential for many scientific disciplines, including physics, astrophysics, [...] Read more.
The primary goal of this research is to offer an efficient approach to solve a certain type of fractional integro-differential and differential systems. In the Caputo meaning, the fractional derivative is examined. This system is essential for many scientific disciplines, including physics, astrophysics, electrostatics, control theories, and the natural sciences. An effective approach solves the problem by reducing it to a pair of algebraically separated equations via a successful transformation. The proposed strategy uses first-order shifted Chebyshev polynomials and a projection method. Using the provided technique, the primary system is converted into a set of algebraic equations that can be solved effectively. Some theorems are proved and used to obtain the upper error bound for this method. Furthermore, various examples are provided to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm when compared to existing approaches in the literature. Finally, the key conclusions are given. Full article
13 pages, 699 KiB  
Review
Immunological Mechanisms behind Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint Blockade: Intratumoral Reinvigoration or Systemic Induction?
by Zhikun Guo, Jiangnan Yu, Zihan Chen, Shuxian Chen and Lei Wang
Biomedicines 2024, 12(4), 764; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12040764 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has been widely used to treat many types of cancer. It is well established that PD-L1 expressing cancer cells could directly inhibit the cytotoxicity of PD-1+ T cells via PD-L1-PD-1 interaction. However, histological quantification of intratumoral PD-L1 [...] Read more.
Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has been widely used to treat many types of cancer. It is well established that PD-L1 expressing cancer cells could directly inhibit the cytotoxicity of PD-1+ T cells via PD-L1-PD-1 interaction. However, histological quantification of intratumoral PD-L1 expression provides limited predictive value and PD-L1 negative patients could still benefit from ICB treatment. Therefore, the current major clinical challenges are low objective response rate and unclear immunological mechanisms behind responding vs. non-responding patients. Here, we review recent studies highlighting the importance of longitudinal pre- and post-ICB treatment on patients with various types of solid tumor to elucidate the mechanisms behind ICB treatment. On one hand, ICB induces changes in the tumor microenvironment by reinvigorating intratumoral PD-1+ exhausted T cells (“releasing the brakes”). On the other hand, ICB can also affect systemic antitumor immunity in the tumor-draining lymph node to induce priming/activation of cancer specific T cells, which is evident by T cell clonal expansion/replacement in peripheral blood. These studies reveal that ICB treatment not only acts on the tumor microenvironment (“battlefield”) but also acts on immune organs (“training camp”) of patients with solid tumors. A deeper understanding of the immunological mechanisms behind ICB treatment will pave the way for further improvements in clinical response. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Immunotherapy for Solid Tumors)
18 pages, 2195 KiB  
Article
Performance Analysis of Multi-GNSS Real-Time PPP-AR Positioning Considering SSR Delay
by Xuefeng Mu, Li Wang, Bao Shu, Yunqing Tian, Xinrui Li, Tijun Lei, Guanwen Huang and Qin Zhang
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(7), 1213; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16071213 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
For real-time (RT) precise point positioning (PPP), the state space representation (SSR) information is often delayed due to possible communication delays and specific broadcast intervals. In this case, the positioning results will diverge and re-converge due to the increase of SSR products extrapolation [...] Read more.
For real-time (RT) precise point positioning (PPP), the state space representation (SSR) information is often delayed due to possible communication delays and specific broadcast intervals. In this case, the positioning results will diverge and re-converge due to the increase of SSR products extrapolation errors. In addition, RT orbit and clock offset accuracy, as well as their extrapolation errors, will vary in different systems and satellites. We propose a PPP with ambiguity resolution (PPP-AR) method that combines a time-differenced carrier phase (TDCP) model, in which the characteristics of the orbit and clock are considered. Under normal communication, the PPP-AR solution is obtained by fixing satellites with small SSR product errors. When the communication is abnormal, the TDCP model is utilized to extrapolate user coordinates by considering different extrapolation error characteristics of satellites. The experimental results show that GPS and Galileo SSR products have better accuracy than BDS, with signal-in-space user ranger errors (SISREs) of 2.7, 2.2, and 8.6 cm, respectively. Optimizing the PPP stochastic model based on SISREs can effectively reduce the convergence time. Under 5 min SSR delay, SISREs caused by clock and orbit extrapolation for GPS/Galileo/BDS are 3.5, 1.4, and 2.6 cm, respectively. After optimizing the TDCP stochastic model based on extrapolation errors, the horizontal and vertical positioning accuracies can be maintained at 0.7 cm and 5.0 cm. For multi-GNSS, the combination of the TDCP and PPP-AR can overcome the influence of short delay. After optimizing the stochastic model, the GPS/Galileo/BDS positioning accuracy can be maintained at about 2.4 cm under 3 min delay, showing an accuracy improvement rate of 59.3% compared with the traditional method using only PPP. Additionally, the rapid PPP convergence results can be obtained by inheriting previous filter state information when the communication recovers normally. Full article
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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14 pages, 2799 KiB  
Review
Cardiovascular Disease from Pathophysiology to Risk Estimation: Is Inflammation Estimated through Perivascular Attenuation on Computed Tomography the Key?
by Domenico Tuttolomondo, Giampaolo Niccoli, Chiara Martini, Fabrizio D’Ascenzo, Ovidio De Filippo, Francesco Nicolini, Francesco Formica, Davide Carino, Filippo Luca Gurgoglione, Andrea Denegri, Giulia Magnani, Luigi Vignali, Massimo De Filippo, Nicola Sverzellati, Andrea Ticinesi, Luca Bergamaschi, Carmine Pizzi, Elisa Gherbesi, Sergio Suma and Nicola Gaibazzi
Life 2024, 14(4), 457; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14040457 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
(1) Background: Systemic inflammation stands as a well-established risk factor for ischemic cardiovascular disease, as well as a contributing factor in the development of cardiac arrhythmias, notably atrial fibrillation. Furthermore, scientific studies have brought to light the pivotal role of localized vascular inflammation [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Systemic inflammation stands as a well-established risk factor for ischemic cardiovascular disease, as well as a contributing factor in the development of cardiac arrhythmias, notably atrial fibrillation. Furthermore, scientific studies have brought to light the pivotal role of localized vascular inflammation in the initiation, progression, and destabilization of coronary atherosclerotic disease. (2) Methods: We comprehensively review recent, yet robust, scientific evidence elucidating the use of perivascular adipose tissue attenuation measurement on computed tomography applied to key anatomical sites. Specifically, the investigation extends to the internal carotid artery, aorta, left atrium, and coronary arteries. (3) Conclusions: The examination of perivascular adipose tissue attenuation emerges as a non-invasive and indirect means of estimating localized perivascular inflammation. This measure is quantified in Hounsfield units, indicative of the inflammatory response elicited by dense adipose tissue near the vessel or the atrium. Particularly noteworthy is its potential utility in assessing inflammatory processes within the coronary arteries, evaluating coronary microvascular dysfunction, appraising conditions within the aorta and carotid arteries, and discerning inflammatory states within the atria, especially in patients with atrial fibrillation. The widespread applicability of perivascular adipose tissue attenuation measurement underscores its significance as a diagnostic tool with considerable potential for enhancing our understanding and management of cardiovascular diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physiology and Pathology: Feature Review Papers)
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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
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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15 pages, 2453 KiB  
Article
Experimental and Analytical Study of Directional Isothermal Fatigue in Additively Manufactured Ti-TiB Metal Matrix Composites
by Thevika Balakumar, Reza A. Riahi and Afsaneh Edrisy
Metals 2024, 14(4), 408; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14040408 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Additive manufacturing (AM) techniques are widely investigated for the cost-effective use of titanium (Ti) alloys in various aerospace applications. One of the AM techniques developed for such applications is plasma transferred arc solid free-form fabrication (PTA-SFFF). Materials manufactured through AM techniques often exhibit [...] Read more.
Additive manufacturing (AM) techniques are widely investigated for the cost-effective use of titanium (Ti) alloys in various aerospace applications. One of the AM techniques developed for such applications is plasma transferred arc solid free-form fabrication (PTA-SFFF). Materials manufactured through AM techniques often exhibit anisotropies in mechanical properties due to the layer-by-layer material build. In this regard, the present study investigates the isothermal directional fatigue of a Ti-TiB metal matrix composite (MMC) manufactured by PTA-SFFF. This investigation includes a rotating beam fatigue test in the fully reversed condition (stress ratio, R = −1), electron microscopy, and calculations for fatigue life predictions using Paris’ and modified Paris’ equations. The fatigue experiments were performed at 350 °C using specimen with the test axis oriented diagonally (45°) and parallel (90°) to the AM builds directions. The fatigue values from the current experiments along with literature data find that the Ti MMC manufactured via PTA-SFFF exhibit fatigue anisotropy reporting highest strength in 90° and lowest in perpendicular (0°) AM build directions. Furthermore, calculations were performed to evaluate the optimum values of the stress intensity modification factor (λ) for fatigue life prediction in 0°, 45°, and 90° AM build directions. It was found that for the specimens with 45°, and 90° AM build directions, the computed intensity modification factors were very similar. This suggests that the initial fatigue crack characteristics such as location, shape, and size were similar in both 45°, and 90° AM build directions. However, in 0° AM build direction, the computed stress intensity modification factor was different from that of the 45°, and 90° AM build directions. This indicates that the fatigue crack initiation at 0° AM build direction is different compared to the other two directions considered in this study. Moreover, the quality of fatigue life prediction was assessed by calculating R2 values for both Paris and modified Paris predictions. Using the R2 values, it was found that the fatigue life predictions made by the modified Paris equation resulted in improved prediction accuracy for all three builds, and the percentage improvement ranged from 30% to 60%. Additionally, electron microscopy investigations of 0°, 45°, and 90° AM build specimens revealed extensive damage to the TiB particle compared to the Ti matrix as well as frequent TiB clusters in all three AM build directions. These observations suggest that the spread of these TiB clusters plays a role in the fatigue anisotropy of Ti-TiB MMCs. Full article
19 pages, 6747 KiB  
Article
Colonic Dysregulation of Major Metabolic Pathways in Experimental Ulcerative Colitis
by Ji Yeon Noh, Naser Farhataziz, Michael T. Kinter, Xin Yan and Yuxiang Sun
Metabolites 2024, 14(4), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14040194 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease in the gastrointestinal tract, affecting patients’ quality of life profoundly. The incidence of IBD has been on the rise globally for the last two decades. Because the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease remain not [...] Read more.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease in the gastrointestinal tract, affecting patients’ quality of life profoundly. The incidence of IBD has been on the rise globally for the last two decades. Because the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease remain not well understood, therapeutic development is significantly impeded. Metabolism is a crucial cellular process to generate the energy needed for an inflammatory response and tissue repair. Comprehensive understanding of the metabolic pathways in IBD would help to unravel the disease pathogenesis/progression and facilitate therapeutic discoveries. Here, we investigated four metabolic pathways altered in experimental colitis. C57BL/6J mice were treated with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 7 days to induce experimental ulcerative colitis (UC). We conducted proteomics analysis for the colon samples using LC/MS, to profile key metabolic intermediates. Our findings revealed significant alterations in four major metabolic pathways: antioxidative defense, β-oxidation, glycolysis, and TCA cycle pathways. The energy metabolism by β-oxidation, glycolysis, and TCA cycle pathways were downregulated under UC, together with reduced antioxidative defense pathways. These results reveal metabolic re-programming in intestinal cells under UC, showing dysregulation in all four major metabolic pathways. Our study underscores the importance of metabolic drivers in the pathogenesis of IBD and suggests that the modification of metabolism may serve as a novel diagnostic/therapeutic approach for IBD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Endocrinology and Clinical Metabolic Research)
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17 pages, 814 KiB  
Review
Functions of RNAi Pathways in Ribosomal RNA Regulation
by Aleksei S. Shatskikh, Elena A. Fefelova and Mikhail S. Klenov
Non-Coding RNA 2024, 10(2), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/ncrna10020019 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Argonaute proteins, guided by small RNAs, play crucial roles in gene regulation and genome protection through RNA interference (RNAi)-related mechanisms. Ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), encoded by repeated rDNA units, constitute the core of the ribosome being the most abundant cellular transcripts. rDNA clusters also [...] Read more.
Argonaute proteins, guided by small RNAs, play crucial roles in gene regulation and genome protection through RNA interference (RNAi)-related mechanisms. Ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), encoded by repeated rDNA units, constitute the core of the ribosome being the most abundant cellular transcripts. rDNA clusters also serve as sources of small RNAs, which are loaded into Argonaute proteins and are able to regulate rDNA itself or affect other gene targets. In this review, we consider the impact of small RNA pathways, specifically siRNAs and piRNAs, on rRNA gene regulation. Data from diverse eukaryotic organisms suggest the potential involvement of small RNAs in various molecular processes related to the rDNA transcription and rRNA fate. Endogenous siRNAs are integral to the chromatin-based silencing of rDNA loci in plants and have been shown to repress rDNA transcription in animals. Small RNAs also play a role in maintaining the integrity of rDNA clusters and may function in the cellular response to rDNA damage. Studies on the impact of RNAi and small RNAs on rRNA provide vast opportunities for future exploration. Full article
17 pages, 985 KiB  
Article
Implementing Federated Governance in Data Mesh Architecture
by Anton Dolhopolov, Arnaud Castelltort and Anne Laurent
Future Internet 2024, 16(4), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/fi16040115 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Analytical data platforms have been used for decades to improve organizational performance. Starting from the data warehouses used primarily for structured data processing, through the data lakes oriented for raw data storage and post-hoc data analyses, to the data lakehouses—a combination of raw [...] Read more.
Analytical data platforms have been used for decades to improve organizational performance. Starting from the data warehouses used primarily for structured data processing, through the data lakes oriented for raw data storage and post-hoc data analyses, to the data lakehouses—a combination of raw storage and business intelligence pre-processing for improving the platform’s efficacy. But in recent years, a new architecture called Data Mesh has emerged. The main promise of this architecture is to remove the barriers between operational and analytical teams in order to boost the overall value extraction from the big data. A number of attempts have been made to formalize and implement it in existing projects. Although being defined as a socio-technical paradigm, data mesh still lacks the technology support to enable its widespread adoption. To overcome this limitation, we propose a new view of the platform requirements alongside the formal governance definition that we believe can help in the successful adoption of the data mesh. It is based on fundamental aspects such as decentralized data domains and federated computational governance. In addition, we also present a blockchain-based implementation of a mesh platform as a practical validation of our theoretical proposal. Overall, this article demonstrates a novel research direction for information system decentralization technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Security in the Internet of Things (IoT))
14 pages, 6400 KiB  
Article
A Time–Frequency Image Quality Evaluation Method Based on Improved LIME
by Yihao Bai, Weidong Cheng, Weigang Wen and Yang Liu
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(7), 2917; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14072917 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Deep learning has the characteristics of high efficiency, high accuracy and low knowledge dependence, and has become a hot method in the research field of rotating machinery fault diagnosis. The time–frequency transform can show both the time and frequency characteristics of the vibration [...] Read more.
Deep learning has the characteristics of high efficiency, high accuracy and low knowledge dependence, and has become a hot method in the research field of rotating machinery fault diagnosis. The time–frequency transform can show both the time and frequency characteristics of the vibration signal, so the time–frequency image is often used as the input of deep learning networks. At present, there are many time–frequency transform methods, and how to choose one is a problem worth discussing. This paper proposed a time–frequency image quality evaluation method based on improved local interpretable model-agnostic explanations (LIME). With the input of deep learning networks as the application background, this method evaluates the time–frequency image quality of rotating machinery vibration signals from two aspects: the accuracy of the diagnosis results and the consistency of the interpretation results with prior knowledge. The feasibility of the proposed evaluation method is verified by experiments on the measured data set, and engineers’ trust in the deep learning model is improved. Full article
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30 pages, 8242 KiB  
Article
Differentiated Impacts of Land-Use Changes on Landscape and Ecosystem Services under Different Land Management System Regions in Sanjiang Plain of China from 1990 to 2020
by Letian Ning, Tao Pan, Quanjing Zhang, Mingli Zhang, Zhi Li and Yali Hou
Land 2024, 13(4), 437; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13040437 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Currently, impacts of rapid cropland reclamation and its intense structural changes in internal paddy-upland on ecosystem service are insufficient in Sanjiang Plain, China. Further, land management systems of Sanjiang Plain consist of state-owned and private farms; however, exploring the impact of different land [...] Read more.
Currently, impacts of rapid cropland reclamation and its intense structural changes in internal paddy-upland on ecosystem service are insufficient in Sanjiang Plain, China. Further, land management systems of Sanjiang Plain consist of state-owned and private farms; however, exploring the impact of different land management systems on “land use–landscape–ecosystem service” is still lacking. To reveal this issue, the integrated methodology of “land dynamic tracking–landscape index–improved ecosystem service assessment” was established. Results are displayed below: From 1990 to 2020, land use was featured by decreases in forest (−3308.62 km2), grassland (−6030.86 km2), waters (−475.81 km2), and unused land (−3037.27 km2), with a slight increase in constructed land (+403.25 km2) and a rapid increase in cropland (+12,447.56 km2). Although nearly equal increments of cropland on state-owned and private farms (i.e., 6156.70 km2 vs. 6290.86 km2) were monitored, different cropland structure changes were still revealed, namely a drastic expansion of paddy fields (13,788.32 km2) and an acute decrease in upland crops (−7631.62 km2) on state-owned farms, but both a slight increments in paddy fields (5920.08 km2) and upland crops (370.78 km2) on private farms. For landscape, private farms were more fragmented (SHDI = +0.63%), causing a decrease in aggregation (AI = −0.56%) and a more complex shape (LSI = +23.3%), by contrast, state-owned farms displayed an increased integrity (SHDI = −9.88%), along with an increase in aggregation (AI = +0.43%) and simplified shape (LSI = −13.30%). Evaluated ecosystem service value changed from 338.62 to 296.25 billion yuan from 1990 to 2020, a loss rate of 12.58% in Sanjiang Plain. Then, a new finding showed a higher loss rate on state-owned than private farms (i.e., 30.15% vs. only 6.18%). This study revealed differentiated processes of “land use–landscape–ecosystem service” in different land management system regions in China, providing new findings in the fields of land management system, ecological landscape, and environment. Full article
39 pages, 10864 KiB  
Review
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections in Recipients of Bone Marrow Transplants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Matteo Riccò, Salvatore Parisi, Silvia Corrado, Federico Marchesi, Marco Bottazzoli and Davide Gori
Infect. Dis. Rep. 2024, 16(2), 317-355; https://doi.org/10.3390/idr16020026 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common cause of respiratory tract infections. Usually associated with infants and children, an increasing amount of evidence suggests that RSV can cause substantial morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals, including recipients of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). [...] Read more.
Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common cause of respiratory tract infections. Usually associated with infants and children, an increasing amount of evidence suggests that RSV can cause substantial morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals, including recipients of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The present systematic review was therefore designed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines to collect available evidence about RSV infections in BMT recipients. Three medical databases (PubMed, Embase, and MedRxiv) were therefore searched for eligible observational studies published up to 30 September 2023 and collected cases were pooled in a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. Reporting bias was assessed by means of funnel plots and regression analysis. Overall, 30 studies were retrieved, including 20,067 BMT cases and 821 RSV infection episodes. Of them, 351 were lower respiratory tract infections, and a total of 78 RSV-related deaths were collected. A pooled attack rate of 5.40% (95% confidence interval [95%CI] 3.81 to 7.60) was identified, with a corresponding incidence rate of 14.77 cases per 1000 person-years (95%CI 9.43 to 20.11), and a case fatality ratio (CFR) of 7.28% (95%CI 4.94 to 10.60). Attack rates were higher in adults (8.49%, 95%CI 5.16 to 13.67) than in children (4.79%, 95%CI 3.05 to 7.45), with similar CFR (5.99%, 95%CI 2.31 to 14.63 vs. 5.85%, 95%CI 3.35 to 10.02). By assuming RSV attack rates as a reference group, influenza (RR 0.518; 95%CI 0.446 to 0.601), adenovirus (RR 0.679, 95%CI 0.553 to 0.830), and human metapneumovirus (RR 0.536, 95%CI 0.438 to 0.655) were associated with a substantially reduced risk for developing corresponding respiratory infection. Despite the heterogeneous settings and the uneven proportion of adult and pediatric cases, our study has identified high attack rates and a substantial CFR of RSV in recipients of BMT, stressing the importance of specifically tailored preventive strategies and the need for effective treatment options. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Infections in the Immuncompromised Host)
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11 pages, 270 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial Properties of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), Sage (Salvia officinalis L.), Lavender (Lavandula officinalis L.), Immortelle (Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don), and Savory (Satureja montana L.) and Their Application in Hard Cheese Production
by Nevijo Zdolec, Marijana Frani?evi?, Lucija Klanac, Ivana Kavain, Josip Batini?, Manuela Zadravec, Jelka Pleadin, Darko ?obanov and Marta Ki?
Hygiene 2024, 4(2), 135-145; https://doi.org/10.3390/hygiene4020010 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the extracted plants basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), sage (Salvia officinalis L.), lavender (Lavandula officinalis L.), immortelle (Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don), savory (Satureja montana L.), and [...] Read more.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the extracted plants basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), sage (Salvia officinalis L.), lavender (Lavandula officinalis L.), immortelle (Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don), savory (Satureja montana L.), and rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus Spenn.) against foodborne and clinical pathogens. Dried plants were used in the production of Dalmatian cow’s milk hard cheese at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2% to evaluate the microbiological safety and sensory properties of novel cheeses. The broadest antimicrobial activity was found in rosemary and sage, inhibiting ten indicator pathogens, and the strongest antimicrobial activity was found in immortelle and sage, which showed the widest zones of inhibition. The most sensitive indicators were Staphylococcus species and Yersinia enterocolitica. The supplemented cheeses met the official microbiological criteria and were mycotoxin negative. The surface mycobiota of control and experimental cheeses consisted mainly of Penicillium sollitum, based on the sequence analysis of the beta-tubulin and calmodulin genes. The antifungal effect of the added plants was clearly demonstrated in cheeses with added basil and sage (p < 0.05). Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Food Hygiene and Safety)
16 pages, 2740 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Overlength Main Noncoding Region in Metacarcinus magister (Decapoda: Brachyura) and a Phylogenetic Study of the Cancroidea Species
by Zhengfei Wang, Xinyi Xu, Yuqing Zheng, Zhiwen Xu, Yunjie Li and Huohuo Chen
Genes 2024, 15(4), 437; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15040437 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) can provide important information regarding the molecular evolution and phylogenetic relationships of marine invertebrates, especially in Brachyura. Only one Cancroidea species of mitogenomes has been sequenced before; in this research, the mitogenomic characteristics of Metacarcinus magister (Cancridae: Cancroidea) are newly [...] Read more.
Complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) can provide important information regarding the molecular evolution and phylogenetic relationships of marine invertebrates, especially in Brachyura. Only one Cancroidea species of mitogenomes has been sequenced before; in this research, the mitogenomic characteristics of Metacarcinus magister (Cancridae: Cancroidea) are newly studied. The length of the M. magister mitogenome was 48,820 bp, and it contained the typical 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes. We performed a series of analyses on the characteristics of the mNCR of M. magister. The phylogenetics, life circumstances, and selective pressures were all analyzed to explain the formation of this length, which revealed the length of the M. magister mitogenome to be approximately three times greater than the normal length of Brachyuran mitogenomes. Phylogenetic analyses based on a dataset of 215 Decapodan mitogenomes indicated that all Eriphioidea crabs were clustered together as a group. Moreover, the rearrangement mechanism of the Cancroidea species was predicted to provide stronger evidence for the phylogenetic analysis. In general, the results obtained in this study will contribute to a better understanding of the cause of the unusual length of the M. magister mitogenome and provide new insights into the phylogeny of Brachyura. Full article
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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

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