The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
19 pages, 2954 KiB  
Protocol
Optimizing Recombinant Cas9 Expression: Insights from E. coli BL21(DE3) Strains for Enhanced Protein Purification and Genome Editing
by Shilpi Agrawal, Made Harumi Padmaswari, Abbey L. Stokes, Daniel Maxenberger, Morgan Reese, Adila Khalil and Christopher E. Nelson
Biomedicines 2024, 12(6), 1226; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12061226 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
The CRISPR-Cas9 system is a revolutionary tool in genetic engineering, offering unprecedented precision and efficiency in genome editing. Cas9, an enzyme derived from bacteria, is guided by RNA to edit DNA sequences within cells precisely. However, while CRISPR-Cas9 presents notable benefits and encouraging [...] Read more.
The CRISPR-Cas9 system is a revolutionary tool in genetic engineering, offering unprecedented precision and efficiency in genome editing. Cas9, an enzyme derived from bacteria, is guided by RNA to edit DNA sequences within cells precisely. However, while CRISPR-Cas9 presents notable benefits and encouraging outcomes as a molecular tool and a potential therapeutic agent, the process of producing and purifying recombinant Cas9 protein remains a formidable hurdle. In this study, we systematically investigated the expression of recombinant SpCas9-His in four distinct Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains (Rosetta2, BL21(DE3), BL21(DE3)-pLysS, and BL21(DE3)-Star). Through optimization of culture conditions, including temperature and post-induction time, the BL21(DE3)-pLysS strain demonstrated efficient SpCas9 protein expression. This study also presents a detailed protocol for the purification of recombinant SpCas9, along with detailed troubleshooting tips. Results indicate successful SpCas9 protein expression using E. coli BL21(DE3)-pLysS at 0.5 mM IPTG concentration. Furthermore, the findings suggest potential avenues for further enhancements, paving the way for large-scale Cas9 production. This research contributes valuable insights into optimizing E. coli strains and culture conditions for enhanced Cas9 expression, offering a step forward in the development of efficient genome editing tools and therapeutic proteins. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protein Purification)
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17 pages, 2879 KiB  
Article
Prediction Accuracy of Soil Chemical Parameters by Field- and Laboratory-Obtained vis-NIR Spectra after External Parameter Orthogonalization
by Konrad Metzger, Frank Liebisch, Juan M. Herrera, Thomas Guillaume and Luca Bragazza
Sensors 2024, 24(11), 3556; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24113556 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
One challenge in predicting soil parameters using in situ visible and near infrared spectroscopy is the distortion of the spectra due to soil moisture. External parameter orthogonalization (EPO) is a mathematical method to remove unwanted variability from spectra. We created two different EPO [...] Read more.
One challenge in predicting soil parameters using in situ visible and near infrared spectroscopy is the distortion of the spectra due to soil moisture. External parameter orthogonalization (EPO) is a mathematical method to remove unwanted variability from spectra. We created two different EPO correction matrices based on the difference between spectra collected in situ and, respectively, spectra collected from the same soil samples after drying and sieving and after drying, sieving and finely grinding. Spectra from 134 soil samples recorded with two different spectrometers were split into calibration and validation sets and the two EPO corrections were applied. Clay, organic carbon and total nitrogen content were predicted by partial least squares regression for uncorrected and EPO-corrected spectra using models based on the same type of spectra (“within domain”) as well as using laboratory-based models to predict in situ collected spectra (“cross-domain”). Our results show that the within-domain prediction of clay is improved with EPO corrections only for the research grade spectrometer, with no improvement for the other parameters. For the cross-domain predictions, there was a positive effect from both EPO corrections on all parameters. Overall, we also found that in situ collected spectra provided an equally successful prediction as laboratory-based spectra. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precision Agriculture and Sensor Systems—2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 968 KiB  
Article
Research on the Impact of Digital Inclusive Finance on Green Innovation of SMEs
by Chunli Du, Min Hu, Tao Wang and Mirakhimova Dilafruz Dilmurod Kizi
Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4700; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114700 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Green innovation is an effective driving force for high-quality development in the new era. As a new financial service model, digital inclusive finance provides a new way to solve the financing dilemma of green innovation. In order to investigate the impact of digital [...] Read more.
Green innovation is an effective driving force for high-quality development in the new era. As a new financial service model, digital inclusive finance provides a new way to solve the financing dilemma of green innovation. In order to investigate the impact of digital financial inclusion on the green innovation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), based on the panel data of SMEs in China from 2011 to 2021, this paper empirically tested the influence and mechanism of the two by using the panel fixed effect model and threshold regression model. The findings demonstrate that digital inclusive finance is effective in promoting the green innovation of SMEs and alleviates their financing constraints. The digitization level of digital inclusive finance also has a significant positive and non-linear effect of increasing “marginal effect” on the green innovation of SMEs. Notably, it has a greater significant role in driving green innovation for non-state-owned enterprises, enterprises located in the central and western regions, and SMEs with dispersed equity. Consequently, several policy implications are derived from these findings, which can provide a sustained impetus to help SMEs carry out green innovation activities and also provide a scientific basis for governments to improve digital financial inclusion policies and achieve economic equity. Full article
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9 pages, 852 KiB  
Article
Optical Quasi-Periodic Oscillation of Blazar PKS 1440-389 in the TESS Light Curve
by He Lu, Tingfeng Yi, Yanke Tang, Junjie Wang, Shun Zhang, Liang Wang, Yutong Chen, Yuncai Shen, Liang Dong and Yangwei Zhang
Universe 2024, 10(6), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe10060242 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
We report the results of time series analysis of blazar PKS 1440-389, observed by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in two sectors. We find that the source has a quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) of about 3.1 days for sector 11 and around 3.7 [...] Read more.
We report the results of time series analysis of blazar PKS 1440-389, observed by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in two sectors. We find that the source has a quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) of about 3.1 days for sector 11 and around 3.7 days for sector 38 in the optical band. We use two methods to assess the QPO and its confidence level: Lomb–Scargle periodogram and weighted wavelet Z-transforms. We explore various potential explanations for these rapid quasi-periodic variations and propose that their source most likely resides within the innermost region of the accretion disk. Within this framework, we estimate the mass of the central black hole of this blazar. We obtain black hole masses of 6.65 × 108M (Schwarzschild black hole) and 4.22 × 109M (maximally rotating Kerr black hole), with a main period of 3.7 days. Finally, we utilize the kink instability model to explain the QPO. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Blazar Bursts: Theory and Observation)
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26 pages, 9324 KiB  
Article
Architectural Framework to Enhance Image-Based Vehicle Positioning for Advanced Functionalities
by Iosif-Alin Beti, Paul-Corneliu Herghelegiu and Constantin-Florin Caruntu
Information 2024, 15(6), 323; https://doi.org/10.3390/info15060323 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
The growing number of vehicles on the roads has resulted in several challenges, including increased accident rates, fuel consumption, pollution, travel time, and driving stress. However, recent advancements in intelligent vehicle technologies, such as sensors and communication networks, have the potential to revolutionize [...] Read more.
The growing number of vehicles on the roads has resulted in several challenges, including increased accident rates, fuel consumption, pollution, travel time, and driving stress. However, recent advancements in intelligent vehicle technologies, such as sensors and communication networks, have the potential to revolutionize road traffic and address these challenges. In particular, the concept of platooning for autonomous vehicles, where they travel in groups at high speeds with minimal distances between them, has been proposed to enhance the efficiency of road traffic. To achieve this, it is essential to determine the precise position of vehicles relative to each other. Global positioning system (GPS) devices have an intended positioning error that might increase due to various conditions, e.g., the number of available satellites, nearby buildings, trees, driving into tunnels, etc., making it difficult to compute the exact relative position between two vehicles. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a new architectural framework to improve positioning accuracy using images captured by onboard cameras. It presents a novel algorithm and performance results for vehicle positioning based on GPS and video data. This approach is decentralized, meaning that each vehicle has its own camera and computing unit and communicates with nearby vehicles. Full article
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19 pages, 4884 KiB  
Article
Whey Protein Sodium-Caseinate as a Deliverable Vector for EGCG: In Vitro Optimization of Its Bioaccessibility, Bioavailability, and Bioactivity Mode of Actions
by Ali Korin, Mostafa M. Gouda, Mahmoud Youssef, Eman Elsharkawy, Amgad Albahi, Fuchao Zhan, Remah Sobhy and Bin Li
Molecules 2024, 29(11), 2588; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29112588 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the principal catechin in green tea, exhibits diverse therapeutic properties. However, its clinical efficacy is hindered by poor stability and low bioavailability. This study investigated solid particle-in-oil-in-water (S/O/W) emulsions stabilized by whey protein isolate (WPI) and sodium caseinate (NaCas) as [...] Read more.
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the principal catechin in green tea, exhibits diverse therapeutic properties. However, its clinical efficacy is hindered by poor stability and low bioavailability. This study investigated solid particle-in-oil-in-water (S/O/W) emulsions stabilized by whey protein isolate (WPI) and sodium caseinate (NaCas) as carriers to enhance the bioavailability and intestinal absorption of EGCG. Molecular docking revealed binding interactions between EGCG and these macromolecules. The WPI- and NaCas-stabilized emulsions exhibited high encapsulation efficiencies (>80%) and significantly enhanced the bioaccessibility of EGCG by 64% compared to free EGCG after simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Notably, the NaCas emulsion facilitated higher intestinal permeability of EGCG across Caco-2 monolayers, attributed to the strong intermolecular interactions between caseins and EGCG. Furthermore, the emulsions protected Caco-2 cells against oxidative stress by suppressing intracellular reactive oxygen species generation. These findings demonstrate the potential of WPI- and NaCas-stabilized emulsions as effective delivery systems to improve the bioavailability, stability, and bioactivity of polyphenols like EGCG, enabling their applications in functional foods and nutraceuticals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Natural Products Chemistry)
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17 pages, 600 KiB  
Article
Qualitative Classification of Late Systemic Symptoms in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors
by Poppy Schoenberg, Elizabeth Wulff-Burchfield, David Schlundt, Kemberlee Bonnet, Mary Dietrich and Barbara Murphy
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2106; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112106 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Improved rates of cancer control have increased the head and neck cancer survivor population. Cancer survivorship clinics are not widely available in the USA, and longitudinal supportive care for patients undergoing multimodal therapy has not advanced at a pace commensurate with improvements in [...] Read more.
Improved rates of cancer control have increased the head and neck cancer survivor population. Cancer survivorship clinics are not widely available in the USA, and longitudinal supportive care for patients undergoing multimodal therapy has not advanced at a pace commensurate with improvements in cancer control. Consequently, a large head and neck cancer survivor population whose quality of life may be chronically and/or permanently diminished presently exists. This lack of awareness perpetuates under-recognition and under-investigation, leaving survivors’ (mostly detrimental) experiences largely uncharted. We conducted a qualitative exploration of survivors’ experiences, aiming to unpack the profound impact of late systemic symptoms on daily life, encompassing work, relationships, and self-identity in the head and neck cancer survivor community. The study included 15 remitted head and neck survivors, ≥12 months from their final treatment, who participated in semi-structured interviews conducted by a medical oncologist. Data analysis comprised qualitative thematic analysis, specifically inductive hierarchical linear modeling, enriched by a deductive approach of anecdotal clinical reporting. Results highlighted that 43.36% of all quotation material discussed in the interviews pertained to chronic emotion disturbance with significant implications for other domains of life. A central symptom cluster comprised impairments in mood/emotions, daily activity, and significant fatigue. Dysfunction in sleep, other medical conditions, and cognitive deficits comprised a secondary cluster. Physical dysfunctionality, encompassing pain, appetite, and eating, and alterations in experienced body temperature, constituted a tertiary cluster, and perhaps were surprisingly the least discussed symptom burden among head and neck cancer survivors. Symptoms causing heightened long-term survivor burden may be considered epiphenomenal to central physical dysfunctionality, albeit being presently the least represented in cancer survivor care programs. Moving forward, the development of targeted and multi-dimensional treatment programs that encompass physical, psychosocial, and spiritual domains are needed to increase clinical specificity and effective holistic long-term solutions that will foster a more compassionate and informed future of care for the cancer survivorship community. Full article
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24 pages, 58272 KiB  
Article
Built On-Orbit Robotically Assembled Gigatruss (BORG): Ground Robotic Demonstration
by Samantha Chapin, Holly Everson, William Chapin and Erik Komendera
Aerospace 2024, 11(6), 447; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace11060447 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
The next generation of large space infrastructure will require crucial advancements in current technology. Current methodologies focus on large deployable structures folded into cramped payload fairings or revolutionary assembly techniques requiring many moving components. Utilizing both in-space assembly and deployable concepts, a hybrid [...] Read more.
The next generation of large space infrastructure will require crucial advancements in current technology. Current methodologies focus on large deployable structures folded into cramped payload fairings or revolutionary assembly techniques requiring many moving components. Utilizing both in-space assembly and deployable concepts, a hybrid mixed assembly scheme was posed using smaller deployable units interspersed with rigid connecting elements to assemble these large architectures. The Built On-Orbit Robotically Assembled Gigatruss (BORG) structure allows for modularity in assembly and repair with the number of separate elements comprising the structure to be reduced, compared to strut-by-strut assembly. The following documents the process of constructing and running physical trials on a prototype BORG architecture. Additionally, a Semantic and Fiducial Aided Graph Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SF-GraphSLAM) approach is taken to verify the relation of assembled and deployed truss elements to aid in error evaluation and state estimation. This technology demonstration stands as a proof of concept in verifying the viability of the BORG architecture as a method for large structure assembly. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Spacecraft/Satellite Technologies)
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13 pages, 2374 KiB  
Article
Bovine DDX3X Restrains Bovine SP110c-Mediated Activation of Inflammasome in Macrophages
by Zhunan Li, Jing Han, Jiayi Jing, Ajiao Fan, Yong Zhang and Yuanpeng Gao
Animals 2024, 14(11), 1650; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14111650 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
The inflammasome is a vital part of the host’s innate immunity activated by cellular infection or stress. Our previous research identified the bovine SP110c isoform (bSP110c) as a novel activator of the inflammasome that promoted the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 [...] Read more.
The inflammasome is a vital part of the host’s innate immunity activated by cellular infection or stress. Our previous research identified the bovine SP110c isoform (bSP110c) as a novel activator of the inflammasome that promoted the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 in macrophages infected with Listeria monocytogenes or stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, the exact molecular mechanism for inhibiting bSP110c-induced inflammasome activation requires further clarification. Here, the researchers identified bovine DDX3X (bDDX3X) as an NLRP3-associated protein and an inhibitor of the bSP110c-induced inflammasome in the human THP1 macrophage cell line. Immunoprecipitation showed that bDDX3X interacted with the bSP110c CARD domain via its helicase domain. The co-expression of bSP110c and bDDX3X in THP1 macrophages significantly prevented the bSP110c-induced activation of inflammasomes. In addition, both bDDX3X and bSP110c interacted with bovine NLRP3 (bNLRP3), and bDDX3X enhanced the interaction between bSP110c and bNLRP3. The expression of bDDX3X in nigericin-stimulated THP1 macrophages significantly suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation, ASC speck formation, and pyroptosis. These findings demonstrate that bDDX3X negatively regulates the bSP110c-mediated inflammatory response by restricting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. This discovery unveils a novel regulatory mechanism involving bDDX3X and bSP110c in coordinating inflammasome activation and subsequent cell-fate decisions in LPS-treated macrophages and, in turn, constitutes a step forward toward the implementation of marker-assisted selection in breeding programs aimed at utilizing cattle’s immune defenses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cattle)
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18 pages, 1016 KiB  
Article
The Proof Is in the Pudding: How Does Environmental, Social, and Governance Assurance Shape Non-Professional Investors’ Investment Preferences? Evidence from China
by Yingxue Gao and Yan Chen
Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4699; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114699 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
In this research, we conducted 1 × 3 and 2 × 2 between-subject experiments to delve into the impacts of ESG assurance, the assurance presentation mode, and the depth of assured ESG indicators on the investment inclination of non-professional investors. Our empirical findings [...] Read more.
In this research, we conducted 1 × 3 and 2 × 2 between-subject experiments to delve into the impacts of ESG assurance, the assurance presentation mode, and the depth of assured ESG indicators on the investment inclination of non-professional investors. Our empirical findings illuminated that non-professional investors exhibited a stronger inclination to invest in companies endorsed with ESG assurance compared to those lacking such endorsement. Furthermore, we observed that this inclination was heightened by presenting the ESG assurance report separately from the ESG report and by enriching the assured ESG indicators. Mediation analysis underscored that the influence of ESG assurance on the investment willingness of non-professional investors operated through its effect on their perception of companies’ ESG performances. This study stands as a valuable addition to the literature on non-financial information disclosure, shedding light on the pivotal role of ESG assurance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Corporate Governance in Business and Management)
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15 pages, 220 KiB  
Article
Planning and Perceptions: Exploring Municipal Officials’ Views on Residents’ Climate Preparedness
by Linn Rabe and Rolf Lidskog
Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4698; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114698 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
In Sweden, municipalities and municipal planning are central to the government’s preparedness for climate-related risks, as municipalities are the organizations that will largely have to adapt to and prepare for climate change. However, there is little government guidance in the form of clearly [...] Read more.
In Sweden, municipalities and municipal planning are central to the government’s preparedness for climate-related risks, as municipalities are the organizations that will largely have to adapt to and prepare for climate change. However, there is little government guidance in the form of clearly formulated policies, policy objectives, and detailed regulations to support municipalities in this work. In practice, municipal officials are tasked with developing climate preparedness, including facilitating citizen awareness of the need to prepare for climate-related risks. By exploring the local level of Swedish public administration, which in practice has to deal with different and sometimes divergent understandings of a situation and who should manage it, the paper explores the implications of officials’ meaning-making about local risk governance. An exploratory approach to risk governance and meaning-making rationality is used to examine Swedish municipal officials’ views of citizens’ climate crisis preparedness and the motives and barriers they perceive the citizens to have in developing this preparedness. An interview study is conducted with 23 officials in 5 municipalities. Based on the results, the paper discusses the implications of the perception that citizens have no constructive role to play in the work to better prepare municipalities for climate change. The paper concludes by discussing how officials’ meaning-making rationality needs to be addressed in the development of robust climate preparedness. Full article
17 pages, 5990 KiB  
Article
Application of Salp Swarm Algorithm and Extended Repository Feature Selection Method in Bearing Fault Diagnosis
by Chun-Yao Lee, Truong-An Le, Yung-Chi Chen and Shih-Che Hsu
Mathematics 2024, 12(11), 1718; https://doi.org/10.3390/math12111718 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Motor fault diagnosis is an important task in the operational monitoring of electrical machines in manufacturing. This study proposes an effective bearing fault diagnosis model for electrical machinery based on machine learning techniques. The proposed model is a combination of three processes: feature [...] Read more.
Motor fault diagnosis is an important task in the operational monitoring of electrical machines in manufacturing. This study proposes an effective bearing fault diagnosis model for electrical machinery based on machine learning techniques. The proposed model is a combination of three processes: feature extraction of signals collected from the motor based on multi-resolution analysis, fast Fourier transform, and envelope analysis. Next, redundant or irrelevant features are removed using the feature selection technique. A binary salps swarm algorithm combined with an extended repository is the proposed method to remove unnecessary features. As a result, an optimal feature subset is obtained to improve the performance of the classification model. Finally, two classifiers, k-nearest neighbor and support vector machine, are used to classify the fault of the electric motor. There are four input datasets used to evaluate the model performance, and UCI is the benchmark dataset to verify the effectiveness of the proposed feature selection technique. The remaining three datasets include the bearing dataset collected from experiments, with an average classification accuracy of 99.9%, as well as Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and Machinery Failure Prevention Technology (MFPT), which are public datasets with average classification accuracies of 99.6% and 98.98%, respectively. The experimental results show that this method is more effective in diagnosing bearing faults than other traditional methods and prove its robustness. Full article
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13 pages, 460 KiB  
Article
A Clinical Picture of Unselected Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Tertiary Hungarian Center—A Spectrum Ranging from Pure Lupus to Overlap Syndromes
by Dalma Loretta Csóka, Katalin T. Kovács and Gábor Kumánovics
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(11), 3251; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13113251 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multidimensional disease; however, the association of another systemic autoimmune disease further complicates its clinical presentation. Aim: We decided to investigate whether the association of overlap syndromes is linked with a different clinical picture compared [...] Read more.
Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multidimensional disease; however, the association of another systemic autoimmune disease further complicates its clinical presentation. Aim: We decided to investigate whether the association of overlap syndromes is linked with a different clinical picture compared to pure lupus and whether this association changes the sensitivity of the following commonly used criteria: the 2019 European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology (EULAR/ACR), the ACR-1997 and the 2012 Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) criteria. Method: We performed a retrospective observational study among 382 patients afflicted with lupus: we measured as much of the full clinical and laboratory picture as possible in an unselected cohort. The diagnosis of SLE and other systemic autoimmune diseases was established by the rheumatologist in routine care and then the authors compared the characteristics of patients with pure lupus and those with overlapping pathologies. The diagnosis rates were compared to those that were determined based on the three classification criteria in order to identify various sensitivities and whether the existence of an overlap affects their rates. The fulfillment of each set of criteria was calculated using an Excel-based automatic calculation. Results: Among the patients, the ACR 1997′s sensitivity was 81.2% (310 patients), and the SLICC 2012 criteria achieved 94.5% sensitivity (361 patients). The 2019 EULAR/ACR classification criteria resulted in a slightly lower sensitivity (90.3%—345 patients) when compared to the original publication (96%) due to the lower sensitivity of our anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) test (measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)). Nearly all ANA-negative (21/22—95%) patients showed a positive lupus-associated antibody test. The proportion of ANA-negative cases showed no significant difference among pure and overlap patients. No significant difference was found between patients with overlap (138 patients—36%) and pure SLE (244 patients—64%) through the use of these criteria, with the exception of the SLICC criteria (ACR: 80.4% vs. 81.6%; SLICC: 97.4% vs. 92.6%, p = 0.035; EULAR/ACR 2019: 91.4% vs. 89.6%). Patients with an overlap syndrome were significantly older (55 vs. 50 years, p = 0.001), more likely to suffer from interstitial lung disease (ILD: 20% vs. 11%, p = 0.0343) and less frequently showed class III/IV lupus nephritis (7% vs. 14%, p = 0.029) when compared with their pure lupus counterparts. Conclusion: All investigated criteria regarding sensitivity were similar to the original publication’s findings. The sensitivity of the EULAR/ACR 2019 classification criterion in cases with overlap syndrome proved excellent, with results very similar to patients afflicted with pure SLE. In the presence of an overlap syndrome, we found significantly fewer patients with lupus nephritis III/IV but no differences in other typical lupus organ manifestation beyond the kidney, whereas we found a higher proportion of ILD in patients with an overlap, indicating that the presence of an overlap syndrome significantly influences the observed clinical picture in real-world conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Immunology)
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16 pages, 7796 KiB  
Article
Effect of Negative Pulse on the Stability of Black Electrolytes for Magnesium Alloy Microarc Oxidation
by Bo Chen, Rui Tong, Hongtao Li, Wenqiang Wang, Xuanyu Chen, Hao Wang, Yifeng Yang and Shiquan Zhou
Materials 2024, 17(11), 2654; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17112654 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
The correlation between negative pulse and the black electrolyte properties of magnesium alloy micro-arc oxidation and the treated area was investigated by introducing a negative pulse electric field. The physical phase composition, microstructure, elemental distribution, and content of the coating were analyzed using [...] Read more.
The correlation between negative pulse and the black electrolyte properties of magnesium alloy micro-arc oxidation and the treated area was investigated by introducing a negative pulse electric field. The physical phase composition, microstructure, elemental distribution, and content of the coating were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that the introduction of negative pulses favored the generation of MgO and MgSiO3 contents in the coatings, and an increase in the MgO phase was found in the coatings formed in the failed electrolytes; the microporous size and microcracks of the coatings were gradually and significantly reduced; the average consumption of Cu ions was 0.0453 g/L·dm2, which is only 26% of that in the unipolar condition; the introduction of the negative pulses significantly improved the “anomalous consumption” of Cu ions. The introduction of negative pulse can significantly improve the “abnormal consumption” of copper ions, which is attributed to the change in the electric field by negative pulse, which makes the cathode-enriched Cu ions migrate to the anode and reduces the reduction and precipitation of Cu ions at the cathode. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Multifunctional Coatings for New Applications)
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18 pages, 6450 KiB  
Article
Supporting Multi-Stakeholder Participation Processes: A Serious Game Application for Watershed Management in Colombia
by Camilo Gonzalez, Angelica Moncada, Tania Fernanda Santos, Wilford Rincón, Cláudia Coleoni and Biljana Macura
Water 2024, 16(11), 1581; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111581 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Multi-stakeholder participation processes in watershed management face challenges due to limited monitoring and baseline data, resulting in a lack of awareness among stakeholders about the current state of the watershed. This knowledge gap often leads to conflicts of interest, wherein the broader impacts [...] Read more.
Multi-stakeholder participation processes in watershed management face challenges due to limited monitoring and baseline data, resulting in a lack of awareness among stakeholders about the current state of the watershed. This knowledge gap often leads to conflicts of interest, wherein the broader impacts of individual decisions are overlooked. To overcome these limitations, this paper explores the design and implementation of a Serious Game (SG) aimed at coproducing a watershed management plan at the basin scale within the specific context of the Campoalegre River basin in Colombia. By providing an interactive platform, the SG facilitates collaboration between local actors, who may be unfamiliar with existing watershed plans, and decision-makers. The goal is to create a participatory space where stakeholders can comprehend the watershed management plan structure and prioritize actions based on various climatic, social, and economic conditions. Following the application of the SG, stakeholders demonstrated an improved understanding of the basin, fostering increased participation, open debate, and the proposal of actions. These outcomes serve as valuable inputs for the implementation of water management planning policies, showcasing the potential of SGs in bridging knowledge gaps, and fostering effective multi-stakeholder engagement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Governance and Sustainable Water Resources Management)
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14 pages, 2200 KiB  
Article
Exponential Time Trends in a Fractional Integration Model
by Guglielmo Maria Caporale and Luis Alberiko Gil-Alana
Econometrics 2024, 12(2), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/econometrics12020015 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
This paper introduces a new modelling approach that incorporates nonlinear, exponential deterministic terms into a fractional integration framework. The proposed model is based on a specific test on fractional integration that is more general than the standard methods, which allow for only linear [...] Read more.
This paper introduces a new modelling approach that incorporates nonlinear, exponential deterministic terms into a fractional integration framework. The proposed model is based on a specific test on fractional integration that is more general than the standard methods, which allow for only linear trends.. Its limiting distribution is standard normal, and Monte Carlo simulations show that it performs well in finite samples. Three empirical examples confirm that the suggested specification captures the properties of the data adequately. Full article
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13 pages, 983 KiB  
Article
Human Papillomavirus Infection of the Oropharyngeal and Laryngeal Squamous Papilloma: Disparities in Prevalence and Characteristics
by Jihye Kwak, Dongbin Ahn and Mee-seon Kim
Diagnostics 2024, 14(11), 1163; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14111163 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has emerged as an etiologic factor of squamous papilloma (SP). The oropharynx and larynx are common sites of SP, but studies on the prevalence of HPV infection in these sites are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate and compare [...] Read more.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has emerged as an etiologic factor of squamous papilloma (SP). The oropharynx and larynx are common sites of SP, but studies on the prevalence of HPV infection in these sites are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the prevalence and characteristics of HPV infection in oropharyngeal SP (OPSP) and laryngeal SP (LSP). HPV detection and genotyping data of patients with pathologically confirmed OPSP and LSP were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 119 patients were enrolled, consisting of 93 patients with OPSP and 26 patients with LSP. Of those patients, 13 patients with OPSP and 14 patients with LSP were positive for HPV infection, accounting for a prevalence of 14.0% and 53.8%, respectively (p < 0.001). The most prevalent genotype was HPV16 in OPSP and HPV6 in LSP. Over two-thirds (69.2%) of HPV(+)-OPSP infections were high-risk types compared with 14.3% of HPV(+)-LSP infections (p = 0.004). The prevalence of HPV infection in patients with OPSP and LSP demonstrated no differences in terms of age, sex, and smoking status. These results could provide a better understanding of HPV infection in OPSP and LSP and serve as a background for the epidemiology of HPV-related tumorigenesis of the oropharynx and larynx. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics)
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20 pages, 873 KiB  
Systematic Review
MRI for Differentiation between HPV-Positive and HPV-Negative Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review
by Linda L. Chen, Iris Lauwers, Gerda Verduijn, Marielle Philippens, Renske Gahrmann, Marta E. Capala and Steven Petit
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2105; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112105 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an important risk factor for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). HPV-positive (HPV+) cases are associated with a different pathophysiology, microstructure, and prognosis compared to HPV-negative (HPV−) cases. This review aimed to investigate the potential of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [...] Read more.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an important risk factor for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). HPV-positive (HPV+) cases are associated with a different pathophysiology, microstructure, and prognosis compared to HPV-negative (HPV−) cases. This review aimed to investigate the potential of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to discriminate between HPV+ and HPV− tumours and predict HPV status in OPSCC patients. A systematic literature search was performed on 15 December 2022 on EMBASE, MEDLINE ALL, Web of Science, and Cochrane according to PRISMA guidelines. Twenty-eight studies (n = 2634 patients) were included. Five, nineteen, and seven studies investigated structural MRI (e.g., T1, T2-weighted), diffusion-weighted MRI, and other sequences, respectively. Three out of four studies found that HPV+ tumours were significantly smaller in size, and their lymph node metastases were more cystic in structure than HPV− ones. Eleven out of thirteen studies found that the mean apparent diffusion coefficient was significantly higher in HPV− than HPV+ primary tumours. Other sequences need further investigation. Fourteen studies used MRI to predict HPV status using clinical, radiological, and radiomics features. The reported areas under the curve (AUC) values ranged between 0.697 and 0.944. MRI can potentially be used to find differences between HPV+ and HPV− OPSCC patients and predict HPV status with reasonable accuracy. Larger studies with external model validation using independent datasets are needed before clinical implementation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma)
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14 pages, 688 KiB  
Article
Diet Quality and Resilience through Adulthood: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the WELL for Life Study
by Sparkle Springfield-Trice, Cara Joyce, Yi-Hsuan Wu, Ann W. Hsing, Kristen Cunanan and Christopher Gardner
Nutrients 2024, 16(11), 1724; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16111724 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Despite evidence suggesting the importance of psychological resilience for successful aging, little is known about the relationship between diet quality and resilience at different ages. Our study aims to examine the association between diet quality and resilience across the stages of adulthood. Using [...] Read more.
Despite evidence suggesting the importance of psychological resilience for successful aging, little is known about the relationship between diet quality and resilience at different ages. Our study aims to examine the association between diet quality and resilience across the stages of adulthood. Using Stanfords’ WELL for Life (WELL) survey data, we conducted a cross-sectional study of diet quality, resilience, sociodemographic, perceived stress, lifestyle, and mental health factors among 6171 Bay Area adults. Diet quality was measured by the WELL Diet Score, which ranges from 0–120. A higher score indicates a better diet quality. Linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between the WELL Diet Score and overall resilience and within the following age groups: early young (18–24), late young (25–34), middle (35–49), and late adulthood (≥50). To test whether these associations varied by age groups, an age group by resilience interaction term was also examined. In the fully adjusted model, the WELL Diet Score was positively and significantly associated with overall resilience (all ages (β = 1.2 ± sd: 0.2, p < 0.001)) and within each age group (early young (β = 1.1 ± sd: 0.3, p < 0.001); late young (β = 1.2 ± sd: 0.3, p < 0.001); middle (β = 0.9 ± sd: 0.3, p < 0.001); and late adulthood (β = 1.0 ± sd: 0.3, p < 0.001)). Young adults demonstrated the strongest associations between diet quality and resilience. However, there were no significant age-by-resilience interactions. Diet quality may be positively associated with resilience at all stages of adulthood. Further research is needed to determine whether assessing and addressing resilience could inform the development of more effective dietary interventions, particularly in young adults. Full article
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14 pages, 2313 KiB  
Article
The Clinical Characteristics and Antimicrobial Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Patients with Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSSS) in Southwestern China
by Yidan Wu, Hengfeng Wu, Man Wu, Wanchen Wei, Yuying Wei, Tiantian Li, Cunwei Cao and Zhijian Yao
Antibiotics 2024, 13(6), 516; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13060516 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is a rare, toxin-mediated, desquamating bacterial infectious dermatosis. So far, data from Southwestern China is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of SSSS patients in our hospital, the relative proportion of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) [...] Read more.
Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is a rare, toxin-mediated, desquamating bacterial infectious dermatosis. So far, data from Southwestern China is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of SSSS patients in our hospital, the relative proportion of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in skin and soft tissue secretions, and the drug sensitivity of S. aureus to better assist dermatologists in the diagnosis and treatment of SSSS. We reviewed the demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, treatment regimens, therapeutic efficacy, laboratory test results, drug sensitivity, and outcome data of 79 SSSS patients from January 2012 to December 2021. Statistical analysis was performed using t tests and chi-square tests. Among the 79 SSSS patients, MRSA was detected in 35 (44.3%) isolates: 34 community-acquired (CA)-MRSA (97.1%) and 1 hospital-acquired (HA)-MRSA. The SSSS incidence increased annually from 2012 to 2014 and then decreased gradually after peaking in 2015. All the isolates were sensitive to vancomycin, tigecycline, linezolid, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin; were completely resistant to penicillin; and had low sensitivity to clindamycin and erythromycin. Interestingly, the sensitivity of MRSA to tetracycline increased annually after 2015. The resistance rates to common drugs previously used to treat SSSS increased. These findings may accelerate diagnosis and improve empirical antibiotic use, suggesting that clinicians should prescribe drugs according to antimicrobial susceptibility. Full article
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23 pages, 729 KiB  
Article
Design of Secure and Privacy-Preserving Data Sharing Scheme Based on Key Aggregation and Private Set Intersection in Medical Information System
by Jihyeon Oh, Seunghwan Son, DeokKyu Kwon, Myeonghyun Kim, Yohan Park and Youngho Park
Mathematics 2024, 12(11), 1717; https://doi.org/10.3390/math12111717 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Medical data sharing is pivotal in enhancing accessibility and collaboration among healthcare providers, researchers, and institutions, ultimately leading to enhanced patient outcomes and more efficient healthcare delivery. However, due to the sensitive nature of medical information, ensuring both privacy and confidentiality is paramount. [...] Read more.
Medical data sharing is pivotal in enhancing accessibility and collaboration among healthcare providers, researchers, and institutions, ultimately leading to enhanced patient outcomes and more efficient healthcare delivery. However, due to the sensitive nature of medical information, ensuring both privacy and confidentiality is paramount. Access control-based data sharing methods have been explored to address these issues, but data privacy concerns still remain. Therefore, this paper proposes a secure and privacy-preserving data sharing scheme that achieves an equilibrium between data confidentiality and privacy. By leveraging key aggregate encryption and private set intersection techniques, our scheme ensures secure data sharing while protecting against the exposure of sensitive information related to data. We conduct informal and formal security analyses, including Burrow–Abadi–Needham logic and Scyther, to demonstrate its resilience against potential adversarial attacks. We also implement the execution time for cryptographic operations using multiprecision integer and a rational arithmetic cryptographic library and perform comparative analysis with existing related schemes in terms of security, computational cost, and time complexity. Our findings demonstrate a high level of security and efficiency, demonstrating that the proposed scheme contributes to the field by providing a solution that protects data privacy while enabling secure and flexible sharing of medical data. Full article
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19 pages, 1936 KiB  
Article
GreenLab, an IoT-Based Small-Scale Smart Greenhouse
by Cristian Volosciuc, Răzvan Bogdan, Bianca Blajovan, Cristina Stângaciu and Marius Marcu
Future Internet 2024, 16(6), 195; https://doi.org/10.3390/fi16060195 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
In an era of connectivity, the Internet of Things introduces smart solutions for smart and sustainable agriculture, bringing alternatives to overcome the food crisis. Among these solutions, smart greenhouses support crop and vegetable agriculture regardless of season and cultivated area by carefully controlling [...] Read more.
In an era of connectivity, the Internet of Things introduces smart solutions for smart and sustainable agriculture, bringing alternatives to overcome the food crisis. Among these solutions, smart greenhouses support crop and vegetable agriculture regardless of season and cultivated area by carefully controlling and managing parameters like temperature, air and soil humidity, and light. Smart technologies have proven to be successful tools for increasing agricultural production at both the macro and micro levels, which is an important step in streamlining small-scale agriculture. This paper presents an experimental Internet of Things-based small-scale greenhouse prototype as a proof of concept for the benefits of merging smart sensing, connectivity, IoT, and mobile-based applications, for growing cultures. Our proposed solution is cost-friendly and includes a photovoltaic panel and a buffer battery for reducing energy consumption costs, while also assuring functionality during night and cloudy weather and a mobile application for easy data visualization and monitoring of the greenhouse. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT): Trends and Technologies)
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33 pages, 1282 KiB  
Article
DECLAREd: A Polytime LTLf Fragment
by Giacomo Bergami
Logics 2024, 2(2), 79-111; https://doi.org/10.3390/logics2020004 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
This paper considers a specification rewriting meachanism for a specific fragment of Linear Temporal Logic for Finite traces, DECLAREd, working through an equational logic and rewriting mechanism under customary practitioner assumptions from the Business Process Management literature. By rewriting the specification [...] Read more.
This paper considers a specification rewriting meachanism for a specific fragment of Linear Temporal Logic for Finite traces, DECLAREd, working through an equational logic and rewriting mechanism under customary practitioner assumptions from the Business Process Management literature. By rewriting the specification into an equivalent formula which might be easier to compute, we aim to streamline current state-of-the-art temporal artificial intelligence algorithms working on temporal logic. As this specification rewriting mechanism is ultimately also able to determine with the provided specification is a tautology (always true formula) or a formula containing a temporal contradiction, by detecting the necessity of a specific activity label to be both present and absent within a log, this implies that the proved mechanism is ultimately a SAT-solver for DECLAREd. We prove for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that this fragment is a polytime fragment of LTLf, while all the previously-investigated fragments or extensions of such a language were in polyspace. We test these considerations over formal synthesis (Lydia), SAT-Solvers (AALTAF) and formal verification (KnoBAB) algorithms, where formal verification can be also run on top of a relational database and can be therefore expressed in terms of relational query answering. We show that all these benefit from the aforementioned assumptions, as running their tasks over a rewritten equivalent specification will improve their running times, thus motivating the pressing need of this approach for practical temporal artificial intelligence scenarios. We validate such claims by testing such algorithms over a Cybersecurity dataset. Full article
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