Maryland is actively working towards doubling its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) target, aiming to increase the share of renewable energy from 25% by 2020 to 50% by 2030. Furthermore, Maryland stands out as a state that strongly supports solar initiatives, offering incentives and specialized programs to assist residents in adopting solar energy solutions. The paper presents a multi-stage approach: Stage 1—Location Selection Process, Stage 2—Technical Feasibility Study, and Stage 3—Economical Feasibility Study. In Stage 1, the study focuses on three potential solar farm locations in Maryland: Westover, Princess Anne, and Eden. Stages 2 and 3 involve a feasibility assessment with detailed technical analysis using the NREL System Advisor Model (SAM) and PVWatts to determine monthly power to the grid and Energy Yield. Subsequently, economic feasibility is assessed using the NREL Clean Renewable Energy Estimation Simulation Tool (CREST), focusing on competitive levelized costs of energy (LCOE), payback time, and cumulative cash flows. Results indicate that all three locations exhibit promising solar irradiance levels, system outputs, and potential energy yields. Due to high solar irradiation, the Westover area has the highest energy yield at 1583.13 kWh/kW, while Princess Anne boasts the highest system output at 333.59 GWh. The economic evaluation suggests that all three locations become profitable within a two-year payback time, with competitive levelized costs of energy (LCOE). Westover emerges as the most cost-effective option at 5.99 cents/kWh, attributed to its higher solar irradiation values and energy yield compared to Princess Anne and Eden. Cumulative cash flows provide insights into long-term profitability, with Princess Anne, MD, having the highest Cumulative Cash Flow over 25 years at $183,383,304. By evaluating technical and economic aspects, this feasibility study offers quantitative insights to guide decision-making for the installation of Solar PV, considering both technological and economic feasibility. Full article

In this systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA-compliant), we tried to investigate diagnostic and prognostic values of ¹⁸F-FDG PET in uveal melanoma. A systematic search was conducted on the main medical literature databases to include studies that evaluated ¹⁸F-FDG PET as the imaging modality to evaluate patients with uveal melanoma. Overall, 27 studies were included. Twelve had data about the detection rate of ¹⁸F-FDG PET in primary intra-ocular tumours. The pooled sensitivity was 45% (95%CI: 41–50%). Furthermore, studies showed that the larger the primary tumour, the higher its uptake. Among the included studies, 13 assessed ¹⁸F-FDG PET in detecting metastasis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 96% (95%CI: 81–99%) and 100% (95%CI: 94–100%), respectively. Regarding liver metastasis, they were 95% (95%CI: 79–99%) and 100% (95%CI: 91–100%), respectively. Noteworthy, the level of ¹⁸F-FDG uptake was a strong predictor of patient survival. Lastly, ¹⁸F-FDG PET could characterise lesions from the histopathology perspective, distinguishing high-risk from low-risk diseases. Overall, although not reliable in detecting primary intra-ocular tumours, ¹⁸F-FDG PET is highly accurate for diagnosing metastatic uveal melanomas. It can also be a highly valuable modality in terms of patient prognostication. Thus, ¹⁸F-FDG PET can be recommended in patients diagnosed with uveal melanoma to enhance decision-making and patient management. Full article

Background: Cholesteatoma is a lesion capable of destroying surrounding tissues, which may result in significant complications. Surgical resection is the only effective treatment; however, the presence of cholesteatoma recidivism is common. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Attic Exposure-Antrum Exclusion (AE-AE) surgical technique in treating cholesteatomas and identifying factors associated with recidivism. Additionally, the study aimed to assess the utility of non-echo-planar diffusion MRI (non-EPI-DWI MRI) in detecting cholesteatoma recidivism in patients undergoing AE-AE surgery. Methods: The study involved 63 patients who underwent AE-AE surgery for primary acquired cholesteatoma and were followed up clinically and radiologically for at least five years. The radiological follow-up included a non-EPI-DWI MRI. Results: Results showed that the AE-AE technique successfully treated cholesteatomas, with a recidivism rate of 5.2%. The study also found that non-EPI-DWI MRI was a useful diagnostic tool for detecting cholesteatoma recidivism, although false positives could occur due to the technique’s high sensitivity. As Preoperative Pure-tone average (PTA) increases, there is a higher probability of cholesteatoma recidivism in imaging tests (p = 0.003). Conclusion: Overall, the study highlights the importance of the AE-AE surgical technique and non-EPI-DWI MRI in managing cholesteatoma recidivism in patients, providing valuable insights into associated risk factors and how to manage recidivism. Non-EPI-DWI MRI can assist in patient selection for revision surgery, reducing unnecessary interventions and associated risks while improving treatment outcomes and patient care. Full article

Accurate three-dimensional (3D) cloud structure measurements are critical for assessing the influence of clouds on the Earth’s atmospheric system. This study extended the MODIS (Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) cloud vertical profile (64 × 64 scene, about 70 km in width × 15 km in height) retrieval technique based on conditional generative adversarial networks (CGAN) to construct seamless 3D cloud fields for the MODIS granules. Firstly, the accuracy and spatial continuity of the retrievals (of 7180 samples from the validation set) were statistically evaluated. Then, according to the characteristics of the retrieval error, a spatially overlapping-scene ensemble generation method and a bidirectional ensemble binning probability fusion (CGAN-BEBPF) technique were developed, which improved the CGAN retrieval accuracy and support to construct seamless 3D clouds for the MODIS granules. The CGAN-BEBPF technique involved three steps: cloud masking, intensity scaling, and optimal value selection. It ensured adequate coverage of the low reflectivity areas while preserving the high-reflectivity cloud cores. The technique was applied to retrieve the 3D cloud fields of Typhoon Chaba and a multi-cell convective system and the results were compared with ground-based radar measurements. The cloud structures of the CGAN-BEBPF results were highly consistent with the ground-based radar observations. The CGAN-EBEPF technique retrieved weak ice clouds at the top levels that were missed by ground-based radars and filled the gaps of the ground-based radars in the lower levels. The CGAN-BEBPF was automated to retrieve 3D cloud radar reflectivity along the MODIS track over the seas to the east and south of mainland China, providing valuable cloud information to support maritime and near-shore typhoons and convection prediction for the cloud-sensitive applications in the regions. Full article

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disorder with a multifactorial etiology that has not yet been fully elucidated. What is known, however, are the pathological tissue dynamics that lead to the complex symptoms that women suffer from. The known symptoms are mainly fertility problems and pain. Both dimensions have an impact that varies from case to case, but that is certainly decisive concerning a woman’s health, specifically by affecting the overall quality of life (QoL). In this publication, we will deal with the descriptive aspects of endometriosis’s pathology and then present a review of the aspects impacting QoL and their psycho-social consequences. Finally, the experience of pain in the context of the mind–brain–body relationship will be discussed, describing the complexity of this dimension and emphasizing the importance of a multi-professional approach that considers the relevance of the contribution that a psychotherapy intervention based on up-to-date neurobiological models can make for women with endometriosis. A review of the literature and current knowledge on the neural and psychological aspects of pain lead to the conclusion that it is of the utmost importance to provide informed psychological support, alongside medical treatments and sexual counseling, to patients with endometriosis. Full article

A SiC fin-channel MOSFET structure (Fin-MOS) is proposed for an enhanced gate shielding effect. The gates are placed on each side of the narrow fin-channel region, while grounded p-shield regions below the gates provide a strong shielding effect. The device is investigated using Sentaurus TCAD. For a narrow fin-channel region, there is difficulty in forming an Ohmic contact to the p-base; a floating p-base might potentially store negative charges upon high drain voltage, and, thus, causes threshold voltage instabilities. The simulation reveals that, for a fin-width of 0.2 μm, the p-shield regions provide a stringent shielding effect against high drain voltage, and the dynamic threshold voltage shift (∆V_th) is negligible. Compared to conventional trench MOSFET (Trench-MOS) and asymmetric trench MOSFET (Asym-MOS), the proposed Fin-MOS boasts the lowest OFF-state oxide field and reverse transfer capacitance (C_rss), while maintaining a similar low ON-resistance. Full article

To enhance the resistant starch (RS) content of corn starch, in this work, carboxymethyl chitosan/corn starch/sodium alginate microcapsules (CMCS/CS/SA) with varying concentrations of SA in a citric acid (CA) solution were designed. As the SA concentration increased from 0.5% to 2%, the swelling of the CMCS/CS/SA microcapsule decreased from 15.28 ± 0.21 g/g to 3.76 ± 0.66 g/g at 95 °C. Comparatively, the onset, peak, and conclusion temperatures (T_o, T_p, and T_c) of CMCS/CS/SA microcapsules were higher than those of unencapsulated CS, indicating that the dense network structure of microcapsules reduced the contact area between starch granules and water, thereby improving thermal stability. With increasing SA concentration, the intact and dense network of CMCS/CS/SA microcapsules remained less damaged after 120 min of digestion, suggesting that the microcapsules with a high SA concentration provided better protection to starch, thereby reducing amylase digestibility. Moreover, as the SA concentration increased from 0.5% to 2%, the RS content of the microcapsules during in vitro digestion rose from 42.37 ± 0.07% to 57.65 ± 0.45%, attributed to the blocking effect of the microcapsule shell on amylase activity. This study offers innovative insights and strategies to develop functional starch with glycemic control properties, holding significant scientific and practical value in preventing diseases associated with abnormal glucose metabolism. Full article

Background: Spontaneous orbital cephaloceles are a rare condition. The purpose of this study is to provide a description of a clinical case and to carry out a systematic literature review. Methods: A systematic review of the English literature published on the Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted, according to the PRISMA recommendations. Results: A 6-year-old patient was admitted for right otomastoiditis and thrombosis of the sigmoid and transverse sinuses, as well as the proximal portion of the internal jugular vein. Radiological examinations revealed a left orbital mass (22 × 14 mm) compatible with asymptomatic orbital meningocele (MC) herniated from the superior orbital fissure (SOF). The child underwent a right mastoidectomy. After the development of symptoms and signs of intracranial hypertension (ICH), endovascular thrombectomy and transverse sinus stenting were performed, with improvement of the clinical conditions and reduction of the orbital MC. The systematic literature review encompassed 29 publications on 43 patients with spontaneous orbital MC. In the majority of cases, surgery was the preferred treatment. Conclusions: The present case report and systematic review highlight the importance of ICH investigation and a pathophysiological-oriented treatment approach. The experiences described in the literature are limited, making the collection of additional data paramount. Full article

The Upper Permian Longtan Formation in the Laoshan Uplift of the South Yellow Sea Basin hosts thick and distinctive tight sandstones. However, a comprehensive understanding of its pore structure and reservoir classification remains lacking. This study investigates the fully cored well, CSDP-2, utilizing thin section analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy spectrum analysis, X-ray diffraction, high-pressure mercury intrusion, and nuclear magnetic resonance to characterize its petrophysical properties, pore space, and movable fluid characteristics. Additionally, fractal principles are further employed to examine reservoir heterogeneity and conduct a quantitative assessment, considering the complexity of tight sandstone pore structures. The findings reveal that the sandstones predominantly comprise feldspathic litharenites, with an average porosity of 1.567% and permeability of 0.099 mD, primarily containing intragranular pores. Two distinct sets of pores with significantly different sizes (r < 2 μm; r > 6 μm) were identified, displaying relatively high fractal dimensions and discrete distribution. Movable fluids primarily occupy pores with radii > 0.019 μm, reflecting pronounced overall heterogeneity. The reservoir was classified into three categories utilizing permeability, median radius, and movable fluid saturation as key evaluation parameters, with Class I representing a relatively high-quality reservoir. These findings advance our understanding of the pore development mechanism of tight sandstone reservoirs and provide geological evidence for further hydrocarbon exploration in this study area. Full article

Antibiotics are commonly used to prevent and control aquaculture diseases. However, long-term overuse of antibiotics not only leaves residues but also leads to changes in the nitrogen cycle in water, which threatens the survival of aquaculture organisms. The current results showed that sulfamethoxazole had no significant effect on the nitrogen cycle process in the actual aquaculture concentration. The inhibitory effect of 1.05 mg/L norfloxacin on ammonia-oxidizing bacteria was significantly greater than that on ammonia-oxidizing archaea, and the gene abundance of AOB amoA on the 14th day increased by 2.48 times compared with the 7th day. Under the influence of 3.9 mg/L oxytetracycline, the gene abundance of AOB amoA decreased significantly, while the number of AOA amoA genes increased, suggesting that there may be functional redundancy between AOA and AOB. At the genus level in the norfloxacin group, the relative abundance of Sva0485 increased by 14.0% on the 7th day compared with the control group but decreased 12.77% in the addition group. The relative abundance of Firmicutes, another dominant species in the oxytetracycline group, was 25.9%. This study shows that the addition of antibiotics may have a negative effect on the nitrogen-cycling microorganisms in aquaculture water. Full article

The surface modification of amorphous carbon nanospheres (ACNs) through templates has attracted great attention due to its great success in improving the electrochemical properties of lithium storage materials. Herein, a safe methodology with toluene as a soft template is employed to tailor the nanostructure, resulting in ACNs with tunable surface pores. Extensive characterizations through transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms elucidate the impact of surface pore modifications on the external structure, morphology, and surface area. Electrochemical assessments reveal the enhanced performance of the surface-pore-modified carbon nanospheres, particularly ACNs-100 synthesized with the addition of 100 μL toluene, in terms of the initial discharge capacity, rate performance, and cycling stability. The interesting phenomenon of persistent capacity increase is ascribed to lithium ion movement within the graphite-like interlayer, resulting in ACNs-100 experiencing a capacity upswing from an initial 320 mAh g⁻¹ to a zenith of 655 mAh g⁻¹ over a thousand cycles at a rate of 2 C. The findings in this study highlight the pivotal role of tailored nanostructure engineering in optimizing energy storage materials. Full article

In this study, a material based on polyethylene (PE) and microcrystalline cellulose (MC) was developed as a breathable packaging film. Surface functionalization of MC with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) has been shown to be an efficient option to tailor their properties and increase opportunities for the application of MC on the reinforcement of polymers such as polyethylene (PE). The functionalization of MC with the mentioned silane derivative was achieved using a green method and later used in the development of composites with PE in three percentages (1, 3, and 5%). All the materials were prepared by melt blending and characterized in terms of structural properties (ATR-FTIR and FTIR in transmittance mode, EDX, and SEM), thermal properties (DSC and TGA), thermomechanical properties (DMA), contact angle measurements and permeability to water vapor. The materials demonstrated the potential to be used as breathable film packaging for fresh products. Full article

This paper investigates the structure and phase composition of Al–TiB₂ metal matrix composites prepared from the Al–Ti–B system powder using self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) in semi-industrial conditions (the amount of the initial powder mixture was 1000 g). The samples produced in semi-industrial conditions do not differ from the laboratory samples, and consist of the aluminum matrix and TiB₂ ceramic particles. The temperature rise leads to the growth in the average size of TiB₂ particles from 0.4 to 0.6 µm as compared to the laboratory samples. SHS-produced composites are milled to the average particle size of 42.3 µm. The powder particles are fragmented, their structure is inherited from the SHS-produced Al–TiB₂ metal matrix composite. The obtained powder can be used as the main raw material and additive in selective laser sintering, vacuum sintering, and hot pressing products. It is worth noting that these products can find their own application in the automotive industry: brake pads, drums, rail discs, etc. Full article

Incorporating sustainability principles into university and college course offerings is pivotal in molding future leaders and innovators. This study focuses on the Philippines, where higher education institutions (HEIs) increasingly embed sustainability into their academic and operational frameworks. This study aims to quantitatively assess the level of teacher intention to integrate sustainability into curricula in higher education. Utilizing the expanded Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), it examines the relationships between sustainability knowledge, concern for sustainability, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, attitude towards sustainability integration, and the intention to integrate sustainability. The methodology involves a cross-sectional study using a web-based survey disseminated through multiple platforms. The sample size was determined through a priori calculation and proportional stratified sampling, with 227 respondents. Utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study uncovers that educators’ attitudes notably shape intentions to integrate sustainability into curricula. While the direct effect of perceived behavioral control is limited, institutional support is deemed to be crucial. Additionally, sustainability concerns strongly influence educators’ intentions, emphasizing the necessity for environmental awareness. These findings inform policymaking and underscore the significance of fostering sustainable practices in higher education through institutional support and awareness initiatives. Finally, this study aims to enhance the effectiveness of sustainability education in the Philippines and contribute to global sustainability efforts. Full article

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection represents a major issue worldwide, since it constitutes the most common viral congenital infection, with a prevalence of 0.58% and 1–5% in developed and developing countries, respectively. According to recent studies, prenatal treatment significantly decreases the risk of vertical CMV transmission, and early intervention may even prevent the termination of pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate the level of awareness of CMV among pregnant patients through a semi-systematic review. Methods: We included all of the original articles investigating knowledge and awareness about CMV infection among pregnant women. Our research included the PubMed database. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 statement, the Covidence system automatically guided us to screen the titles and/or abstracts, and then full-texts, followed by data extraction from the eligible studies. Results: We screened 764 studies altogether, with 13 studies included in this analysis. Knowledge about the existence of CMV infection risk varied between the articles, ranging from 11.4% in a study performed in Ireland to 60% reported in a study on the French population. Studies analyzing the impact of educational interventions on patients’ knowledge about preventive measures reported significant improvement compared to their level of awareness before the intervention. Conclusions: Patients’ awareness and knowledge about CMV seemed to be generally low or very low during the last decade before the development of effective secondary prevention methods. Educational interventions seem to be effective, and therefore their wide use could be of potential benefit. In the era of available secondary prevention of vertical transmission, it is crucial to concentrate the efforts of different stakeholders to increase the awareness of cCMV among pregnant women. Full article

Magnetization reduction roasting is an important method for the utilization of oolitic magnetite. In this study, the magnetization reduction behavior and kinetics of oolitic hematite in gas-based roasting were systematically investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results revealed that under optimal roasting conditions of 650 °C, a roasting time of 60 min, and a CO concentration of 30%, the magnetization reduction rate of the roasted product reached 44.34%. Furthermore, the weak magnetic separation concentrate presented a TFe of 58.09% and a concentrate iron recovery of 94.3%. The results of the XPS spectrum indicated that the peak area ratio (Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺) gradually increased with an increase in roasting temperature, roasting time, and CO concentration, while over-reduction occurred when the roasting temperature exceeded 750 °C. The investigation of magnetization roasting kinetics for varying particle sizes demonstrated that the magnetization reduction process is controlled by chemical reaction, with a corresponding activation energy range of 42.96 kJ/mol to 63.29 kJ/mol, indicating the particle size has little effect on the magnetization reduction of oolitic hematite. Full article

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a hematopoietic stem cell disorder characterized by the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome, a product of the reciprocal translocation t(9;22)(q34;q11), in the BCR and ABL genes. These rearrangements in both genes lead to the formation of various fusion mRNA products, with preferential expression of b2a2, b3a2, and other BCR::ABL1 mRNA variants, combined with additional chromosomal abnormalities. Notably, the distribution and frequency of different mRNA variants vary in different populations. However, studies concerning this in Mexico are limited, and the results have been inconclusive. This study therefore aimed to determine the distribution of BCR::ABL1 mRNA variants in different clinical phases of CML and their effect on hematological parameters and patient survival. This study included 33 patients, whose demographic, clinical, and molecular data on BCR::ABL1 mRNA variants and hematological parameters were collected to identify potential associations. A total of 84.8% (n = 28) of patients had BCR::ABL1 translocation and increased platelet and basophil counts. The most frequent mRNA variant was b3a2 (64.3%), followed by b2a2 (28.6%) and e1a2 (3.6%). Concerning the clinical phases of CML, 75.8% (n = 25), 21.2% (n = 7), and 3% (n = 1) of patients were in the chronic, blast, and accelerated phases, respectively. Moreover, the b3a2 mRNA variant was more commonly identified in patients in the chronic phase. No correlation was observed between mRNA variant expression and patient survival. However, b2a2 was indicative of patients with longer survival as well as those treated with imatinib or nilotinib. Additionally, platelet count could be a marker of BCR::ABL1 translocation. Full article

The realization of a BRST cohomology of the 4D topological gauge-affine gravity is established in terms of a superconnection formalism. The identification of fields in the quantized theory occurs directly as is usual in terms of superconnection and its supercurvature components with the double covering of the general affine group $\overline{GA}(4,\mathbb{R})$. Then, by means of an appropriate decomposition of the metalinear double-covering group $\overline{SL}(5,\mathbb{R})$ with respect to the general linear double-covering group $\overline{GL}(4,\mathbb{R})$, one can easily obtain the enlargements of the fields while remaining consistent with the BRST algebra. This leads to the descent equations, allowing us to build the observables of the theory by means of the BRST algebra constructed using a $\overline{sa}(5,\mathbb{R})$ algebra-valued superconnection. In particular, we discuss the construction of topological invariants with torsion. Full article

Given the ever-changing world of technological advances, and due to the fact that business entities strive for efficiency and cost reduction, open innovation (OI) has become the focus of academic and scholarly discussions. Furthermore, to increase their competitiveness, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have started implementing OI practices. This study aims to investigate the impact of SMEs’ internal organizational practices on OI and the impact of the latter on SMEs’ business performance. This quantitative study, which was based on gathering insights from SMEs, sought to answer two research questions related to the effects of organizational practices on the adoption and management of OI processes in SMEs and the role of OI in accelerating the business performance of SMEs. The findings revealed that not all SMEs’ internal organizational practices have a positive impact on both OI and SMEs’ business performance. This study is among the earliest studies in the UAE and GCC region to explore the impact of specific internal organizational practices on SME OI adoption and its business performance. The present study contributes theoretically and practically to OI literature and assists SME managers in evaluating their internal organizational practices’ suitability for OI adoption. Full article

Background: The periodization of physical exercise to optimize objectives is common in competitive sports. However, physical exercise programs for older adults only sometimes present periodization in their programming. Therefore, this article aims to research the results of applying the sports periodized method to older adults. Methods: A total of 137 participants over 60 years old performed a physical exercise program; 71 participated in a multi-component non-periodized program as the Control Group (CG), and 66 participated in a program periodized in blocks as the Experimental Group (EG). The block periodization program was oriented to the development of strength and was carried out in 86 sessions thrice weekly for eight months. Anthropometric assessments were made using weight, height, Body Mass Index, and electrical bioimpedance; and functional evaluations were made through standardized tests: Short Performance Physical Battery (SPPB), Timed Up & Go (TUG), handgrip, and a two-minute stair test. Results: After the intervention, the EG significantly improved TUG, weight, and BMI. On the other hand, the CG showed significant improvements in fat weight, BMI, and the 2 min stair test. The SPPB did not show changes after the intervention. Conclusion: The periodization of physical exercise for older adults does not significantly impact functional capacity in this population group. Full article

This paper reviews the dynamics of a single isotropic and homogeneous scalar field $\phi \left(t\right)$ in the context of cosmological models. A non-standard approach to the solution of the Einstein–Klein–Gordon equations is described which uses the scalar field as the evolution parameter for cosmic dynamics. General conclusions about the qualitative behaviour of the solutions can be drawn, and examples of how to obtain explicit solutions for some cosmological models of interest are given. For arbitrary potentials, analytical results can be obtained from the slow-roll approximation by using a series expansion for the Hubble parameter $H\left[\phi \right]$, from which a quantitative estimate for the number of e-folds of expansion is obtained. This approach is illustrated with the examples of quadratic potentials and hilltop models, with special consideration of Higgs-type potentials. The GUT-scale is shown to come out of such a model quite naturally. Finally, it is discussed how to find scalar potentials giving rise to a predetermined scalar-field behaviour and the associated evolution of the scale factor. Full article