In unconventional oil and gas development, the hydraulic fracturing (HF) technique is adopted to inject high-pressure fluid into the reservoir and change its pore-fracture connection structure to enhance production. HF causes the rocks to crack and generates microseismic events (with moment magnitudes of $M_{\mathrm{w}}\le 3$). Studying the microseismic focal mechanisms (shear/tensile/compressive HF cracks) is helpful for characterizing fracture geometry, monitoring the in situ stress state, and evaluating the HF effects to optimize the reservoir reconstruction for increasing production. Due to fluid injection activity, there may be non-double-couple (non-DC) mechanisms associated with HF cracks, and the commonly used double-couple (DC) source model may not be suitable. For the moment tensor (MT) source model, which is commonly used to describe the non-DC mechanism, inversion is challenging in single-well monitoring. The shear-tensile general dislocation (GD) model includes a non-DC mechanism, and its inversion is more constrained than the full MT model by specifying the focal mechanism as shear-tensile (or compressive) faulting. This paper reports a focal mechanism inversion case study of HF shear/tensile/compressive cracks in a tight oil reservoir in the Ordos Basin, China. We perform inversions based on the DC, GD, and MT source models, respectively. The results indicate that, for the downhole monitoring geometry in this study, most of the DC inversions fail to obtain proper synthetic and observed waveform fitting results, and the MT inversion results of different microseismic events exhibit worse consistencies than the GD results. According to the GD results, almost all the HF cracks can be explained as strike-slip faulting and most cracks correspond to non-negligible tensile/compressive mechanisms. Our study suggests that the GD source model is preferred in downhole microseismic monitoring to obtain reliable shear/tensile/compressive HF cracks, and the inverted non-zero slope angle reduces the uncertainty in fracturing geometry characterization, which will help improve microseismic studies and HF evaluations for enhanced resource recovery. Full article

Over the past twenty years, scientific research on body representations has grown significantly, with Body Memory (BM) emerging as a prominent area of interest in neurorehabilitation. Compared to other body representations, BM stands out as one of the most obscure due to the multifaceted nature of the concept of “memory” itself, which includes various aspects (such as implicit vs. explicit, conscious vs. unconscious). The concept of body memory originates from the field of phenomenology and has been developed by research groups studying embodied cognition. In this narrative review, we aim to present compelling evidence from recent studies that explore various definitions and explanatory models of BM. Additionally, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the empirical settings used to examine BM. The results can be categorized into two main areas: (i) how the body influences our memories, and (ii) how memories, in their broadest sense, could generate and/or influence metarepresentations—the ability to reflect on or make inferences about one’s own cognitive representations or those of others. We present studies that emphasize the significance of BM in experimental settings involving patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders, ultimately analyzing these findings from an ontogenic perspective. Full article

Spondylodiscitis is a rather rare condition with an annual incidence of 1–7 per 100,000. Thus, empirical data on the treatment of this disease are limited. In 2020, the first German guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of spondylodiscitis was published. In a 5-year retrospective analysis, we examined the patient collective, the current diagnosis and treatment strategy, and the effect of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) diagnostics on therapeutic decisions of a consecutive monocentric cohort of 66 patients without neurological symptoms. The majority of the patients were male (55%) with a mean age of 74 years. Non-operative therapy was found to be associated with short-term treatment success in 54 (82%) of the patients. In 12 patients, who underwent surgical therapy, MRI diagnostics and clinical findings were equally important for the decision to perform a surgery. Patients treated operatively stayed for an average of 33.6 (±12.9) days in the hospital and thus significantly longer than non-operatively treated patients with 22.2 (±8.0) days. The in-house standard of care did not essentially deviate from the guideline’s recommendations. Future research should address early detection of the need for surgical therapy, and immediate anti-infective treatment appropriate to the detected pathogen. Full article

This systematic review meticulously explores the transformative impact of digital technologies on the grid planning, grid operations, and energy market dynamics of power distribution grids. Utilizing a robust methodological framework, over 54,000 scholarly articles were analyzed to investigate the integration and effects of artificial intelligence, machine learning, optimization, the Internet of Things, and advanced metering infrastructure within these key subsections. The literature was categorized to show how these technologies contribute specifically to grid planning, operation, and market mechanisms. It was found that digitalization significantly enhances grid planning through improved forecasting accuracy and robust infrastructure design. In operations, these technologies enable real-time management and advanced fault detection, thereby enhancing reliability and operational efficiency. Moreover, in the market domain, they support more efficient energy trading and help in achieving regulatory compliance, thus fostering transparent and competitive markets. However, challenges such as data complexity and system integration are identified as critical hurdles that must be overcome to fully harness the potential of smart grid technologies. This review not only highlights the comprehensive benefits but also maps out the interdependencies among the planning, operation, and market strategies, underlining the critical role of digital technologies in advancing sustainable and resilient energy systems. Full article

Cellulose hydrogels, formed either through physical or chemical cross-linking into a three-dimensional network from cellulose or its derivatives, are renowned for their exceptional water absorption capacities and biocompatibility. Rising demands for sustainable materials have spurred interest in cellulose hydrogels, attributed to their abundant supply, biodegradability, and non-toxic nature. These properties highlight their extensive potential across various sectors including biomedicine, the food industry, and environmental protection. Cellulose hydrogels are particularly advantageous in applications such as drug delivery, wound dressing, and water treatment. Recent large-scale studies have advanced our understanding of cellulose preparation and its applications. This review delves into the fundamental concepts, preparation techniques, and current applications of cellulose hydrogels in diverse fields. It also discusses the latest advances in nano-lignin-based hydrogels, providing a comprehensive overview of this promising material and offering insights and guidance for future research and development. Full article

Verticillium stripe, caused by Verticillium longisporum, is an emerging disease of canola (Brassica napus) in Canada. Studies were conducted to assess the impact of pH on both the growth of V. longisporum and its virulence on the canola host. Fungal growth was assessed by measuring the colony diameter following 14 and 21 days of incubation on potato dextrose agar at varying pH levels (4.7, 5.5, 6.5, 7.4, or 8.6). The results indicated that colonies of V. longisporum were approximately 16% greater in diameter at pH 7.4 and 8.6 compared with those at pH 5.5. The impact of pH on disease development at the seedling stage was investigated using a semi-hydroponic system with different pH levels of 4.4, 5.4, 6.3, 7.5, and 8.4 in half-strength Hoagland’s solution. Verticillium stripe was most severe at pH 7.5 and 8.4 after a 10-day period in the semi-hydroponic system. In a second inoculation experiment, canola seedlings previously inoculated with the fungus were transplanted into potting mix amended to four pH levels (5.6, 6.4, 7.2, and 7.8). The transplants were cultivated under greenhouse conditions and evaluated for Verticillium stripe severity at plant maturity. Disease severity was greatest at pH 7.8. This is the first study on the effects of pH on V. longisporum in canola. It suggests a substantial risk of increased disease severity and yield losses due to Verticillium stripe in regions with neutral to slightly alkaline soils. Full article

Acidogenic fermentation is a technology that involves halting methanogenesis in the conventional anaerobic digestion process to produce mainly volatile fatty acids (VFAs). VFAs serve as direct precursors to energy-rich or higher value-added products upon undergoing additional processing. In this study, batch reactors were utilized to assess the individual and interaction effects of fermentation time and pH variables on VFA production from acidogenic fermentation of cassava wastewater through the establishment of a completely randomized design and a second-order response surface (rotatable central composite design), respectively. The maximum VFA production observed was 3444.04 mg of acetic acid (HAc)/L (0.58 gCOD_VFA/gCOD) in a fermentation time of 6 days, with acetic (48.5%), propionic (28.3%), and butyric (13.6%) acids identified as the main metabolites. Additionally, in the assessment of the effect of pH, the maximum VFA production reached 2547.72 mgHAc/L (0.34 gCOD_VFA/gCOD) at pH 5.9, and acetic acid was identified as the predominant organic acid. Statistically, the fermentation time and pH variables individually affect VFA production from cassava wastewater; however, the interaction between them generated a non-significant effect. Full article

Given the crucial predictive implications of microsatellite instability (MSI) in colorectal cancer (CRC), MSI screening is commonly performed in those with and at risk for CRC. Here, we compared results from immunohistochemistry (IHC) and the droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) MSI assay on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor samples from 48 patients who underwent surgery for colon and rectal cancer by calculating Cohen’s kappa measurement (k), revealing high agreement between the methods (k = 0.915). We performed Kaplan–Meier survival analyses and univariate and multivariate Cox regression to assess the prognostic significance of ddPCR-based MSI and to identify clinicopathological features associated with CRC outcome. Patients with MSI-high had better overall survival (OS; p = 0.038) and disease-free survival (DFS; p = 0.049) than those with microsatellite stability (MSS). When stratified by primary tumor location, right-sided CRC patients with MSI-high showed improved DFS, relative to those with MSS (p < 0.001), but left-sided CRC patients did not. In multivariate analyses, MSI-high was associated with improved OS (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.221, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.026–0.870, p = 0.042), whereas the loss of DNA mismatch repair protein MutL homolog 1 (MLH1) expression was associated with worse OS (HR = 0.133, 95% CI: 0.001–1.152, p = 0.049). Our results suggest ddPCR is a promising tool for MSI detection. Given the opposing effects of MSI-high and MLH1 loss on OS, both ddPCR and IHC may be complementary for the prognostic assessment of CRC. Full article

We develop a frequency domain template subtraction approach to attenuate the maternal ECG in the abdominal ECG measured from pregnant women. The proposed approach was tested on five public fetal ECG datasets simultaneously measured with ECG from the fetal scalp. The method’s performance was compared with the template subtraction approach in the time domain using the accuracy and association metrics. The accuracy was calculated by counting the number of fetal complexes in the processed data that coincided with the fetal complexes in the scalp fetal ECG. The association is quantified as the coherence between the processed data and the gold standard. The maximum coherence values calculated for each approach were compared using the paired t-test. Our results showed no difference in the accuracy between the frequency and time domain approach (p = 0.733). However, the association was higher between the frequency domain data and the gold standard compared to the template subtraction data and the gold standard (p = 0.049), indicating that the frequency domain approach yielded a signal that resembled that of the scalp ECG compared to the time domain approach. Full article

Viruses exploit the host cell machinery to enable infection and propagation. This review discusses the complex landscape of DNA virus–host interactions, focusing primarily on herpesviruses and adenoviruses, which replicate in the nucleus of infected cells, and vaccinia virus, which replicates in the cytoplasm. We discuss experimental approaches used to discover and validate interactions of host proteins with viral genomes and how these interactions impact processes that occur during infection, including the host DNA damage response and viral genome replication, repair, and transcription. We highlight the current state of knowledge regarding virus–host protein interactions and also outline emerging areas and future directions for research. Full article

The combustion characteristics of micro-combustors significantly impact the performance of micro-thermophotovoltaic (MTPV) systems. This study aims to investigate the effects of sinusoidal-shaped walls and catalyst segmentation on flame stability and combustion performance in a micro-combustor by using numerical methods. The numerical simulation with detailed gas-phase and surface reaction mechanisms is reliable, as the results of numerical simulation align with experimental data. The results show that the interplay between flame stability and sinusoidal-shaped walls is crucial, particularly because of the cavities formed by the sinusoidal-shaped walls of the micro-combustor. The gas-phase ignition position of the sinusoidal-shaped wall combustor moves upstream by 0.050 m compared to the planar-wall combustor, but the flame is stretched. The catalyst segments coated on the crest can shorten the flame length and increase the average temperature by a maximum 62 K, but delay the gas-phase ignition. Conversely, catalyst segments coated on the trough can advance ignition, but this results in flame elongation and a decrease in the average temperature. The rational combination of catalyst segmentation and sinusoidal-shaped walls facilitates moving the ignition position upstream by a maximum of 0.065 m while substantially reducing the length of the combustor required for complete fuel conversion by more than 60%. These attributes are highly beneficial for improving efficiency and minimizing the length of the micro-combustor for MTPV application. Full article

The relationship between DM yield/cutting and the fermentable organic matter (FOM) content of tropical grasses was appropriately investigated to re-assess optimal grass maturity to feed dairy cattle. Nine different grass species belonging to the genera Brachiaria spp. (Mulato II, Ruzi), Panicum spp. (Guinea, Hamil, Mombasa, TD58), and Pennisetum spp. (King, Napier, VA06) were chemically analysed and subjected to an in vitro gas production (IVGP) test. For 72 h, gas production (GP) was continuously recorded with fully automated equipment. A triphasic, nonlinear, regression procedure was applied to analyse GP profiles. Across all the grasses, it was found that the neutral detergent fibre (NDF) contents increased with increasing maturity of the grass while the CP contents decreased with increasing NDF contents. In all nine grasses, digestible organic matter (dOM) was significantly affected by the week of cutting but IVGP was similar between the weeks of cutting in Ruzi, Hamil, Mombasa, and Napier grasses. Except for Guinea grass, the lowest dOM values were found when the grasses were cut after ≥5 weeks of regrowth. Harvesting grass one or two weeks earlier than the normal cutting time is a practically relevant intervention in increasing forage quality and productivity of dOM and fermentation potential. Full article

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) results from protozoa Leishmania infantum and L. donovani infection. This study investigated whether host factors would explain the relapses. First, susceptibility to amphotericin B of L. infantum isolates was evaluated in vitro. Then, clinical data and the lipid profile of patients with relapsing and non-relapsing VL were assessed. Susceptibility to amphotericin B was similar between the isolates. CD4+ lymphocytes were reduced in both groups of patients in the first episode and with relapsing VL. Still, the strongest blood cell indicator associated with relapses was low total lymphocyte counts. Total plasma cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and, uniquely, triglycerides of the six individuals in the first episode and twenty-three with relapsing VL were lower in relapsing patients than those in the first episode. Deceased patients had extremely low low-density lipoprotein. After CD4+ decreases, lymphocyte CD8+ reduction is the final stage of immunological failure. The lower lipid concentrations appear to be secondary to the depletion of fat stores by inflammation-induced cachexia and fat exhaustion provoked by the co-occurrence of both diseases, which can finally lead to death. Full article

In orthopedics and dentistry, there is an urgent need to obtain low-stiffness implants that suppress the stress shielding caused by the use of metallic implants. In this study, we aimed to fabricate alloys that can reduce the stiffness by increasing the strength while maintaining a low Young’s modulus based on the metastable β-Ti alloy. We designed alloys in which Ti was partially replaced by Zr based on the ISO-approved metastable β-Ti alloy Ti-15Mo-5Zr-3Al. All alloys prepared by arc melting and subsequent solution treatment showed a single β-phase solid solution, with no formation of the ω-phase. The alloys exhibited a low Young’s modulus equivalent to that of Ti-15Mo-5Zr-3Al and a high strength superior to that of Ti-15Mo-5Zr-3Al and Ti-6Al-4V. This strengthening was presumed to be due to solid-solution strengthening. The biocompatibility of the alloys was as good as or better than that of Ti-6Al-4V. These alloys have potential as metallic materials suitable for biomedical applications. Full article

The skin mycobiota plays a significant role in infection risk, pathogen transmission, and personalized medicine approaches in intensive care settings. This prospective multicenter study aimed to enhance our understanding of intensive care units’ (ICUs’) Candida colonization dynamics, identify modifiable risk factors, and assess their impact on survival risk. Specimens were taken from 675, 203, and 110 patients at the admission (D1), 5th (D5), and 8th (D8) days of ICU stay, respectively. The patient’s demographic and clinical data were collected. Candida isolates were identified by conventional culture-based microbiology combined with molecular approaches. Overall, colonization was 184/675 (27.3%), 87/203 (42.8%), and 58/110 (52.7%) on D1, D5, and D8, respectively. Candida colonization dynamics were significantly associated with ICU type (odds ratio (OR) = 2.03, 95% CI 1.22–3.39, p = 0.007), respiratory infection (OR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.17–2.58, p = 0.006), hemodialysis (OR = 2.19, 95% CI 1.17–4.10, p = 0.014), COVID-19 (OR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.14–0.99, p = 0.048), and with a poor 3-month outcome (p = 0.008). Skin Candida spp. colonization can be an early warning tool to generate valuable insights into the epidemiology, risk factors, and survival rates of critically ill patients, and should be considered for epidemiological surveillance. Full article

Background: Recognizing the positive or negative effects of students’ mental health promotes personal development, well-being, and academic success. Academic life exposes college students to multiple adjustments, demands, and vulnerabilities that can cause stress and mental health problems. This study aims to identify psychological well-being and psychological distress effects on college students’ mental health. Methods: A correlational study was designed involving a non-probabilistic 560 sample of students (446 women) aged 18 to 41 years (M = 19.6; SD = 1.68). An online self-report questionnaire was used including demographic, relational, academic, and health behaviors variables, and the measures: Mental Health Inventory; Satisfaction with Social Support Scale; Academic Life Satisfaction Scale; and Psychological Vulnerability Scale. Results: Regression analyses indicate that male students, dating, good academic performance, exercise, sleeping seven hours, satisfaction with social support, and academic life satisfaction were significant correlates (p < 0.05) of psychological well-being, with the last two having great weight in the model. Females, low income, aged 21–24 years, sleeping less than 6 h, moderate psychological vulnerability, and perception of vulnerability were significant (p < 0.05) negative effects of psychological distress. Conclusions: This study addresses the positive and negative effects of psychological well-being and distress in college students. Specific mental health promotion and morbidity prevention programs can improve students’ mental health literacy and resilience. Full article

Undeniably, COVID-19 disrupted higher education. The concepts of traditional learning were challenged, online learning was thrust into the mainstream in colleges and universities, and the student population was unavoidably affected. It became apparent that maintaining the status quo that existed prior to the pandemic was not the path to the future sustainability of higher education. As higher education institutions began the long road to recovery, important challenges emerged due to increased demand for online learning and emotional health concerns for students. The current research collected data from online undergraduates at private and public universities in the United States for multivariate data analyses to examine controllable elements in the online learning environment that can enhance student quality of life and psychological well-being. These elements relate to perseverance for students and may promote the sustainability of higher education institutions. The focus of this study is to emphasize the importance of reinforcing online students’ emotional health as an important sustainability strategy for higher education. The findings confirm that higher education institutions can facilitate online students’ quality of life and psychological well-being by implementing elements into the classroom that create procedural and interpersonal justice, which enhances the formation of social and structural bonds. Full article

Background and Objectives: In recent years, there has been a notable increase in university students experiencing severe mental illness. The transition to university life can be demanding, leading to mental health disorders. Persistent stress and anxiety can cause demotivation, difficulties with concentration, cognitive impairment, and reduced academic performance. Mental health issues can also impact social relationships and overall well-being. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the mental health of medical students and compare it with the mental health of the non-student population. Materials and Methods: The survey collected demographic information such as age and gender. Participants were questioned about their self-perceived mental distress, diagnosed mental disorders, and history of therapy for mental distress. Various validated assessment tools were utilized to assess mental health and quality of life. Results: Medical students exhibit a higher self-perception of mental symptoms that does not translate into a significantly higher prevalence of diagnosed mental disorders. Medical students experience higher levels of anxiety and subclinical depressive symptoms and lower quality of life. Female participants reported lower QoL scores and higher levels of anxiety symptoms compared with male participants. While the prevalence of mental disorders did not differ significantly between genders (except for clinical anxiety), females tended to perceive a higher burden of mental health challenges. Conclusions: By addressing mental health issues among medical students, especially females, institutions can create a more supportive and conducive learning environment. Encouraging open conversations about mental health and providing accessible mental health services can help in destigmatizing mental health challenges and promoting early intervention when needed. Full article

Multidrug- and artemisinin-resistant (ART-R) Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) parasites represent a challenge for malaria elimination worldwide. Molecular monitoring in the Kelch domain region (pfk13) gene allows tracking mutations in parasite resistance to artemisinin. The increase in illegal miners in the Roraima Yanomami indigenous land (YIL) could favor ART-R parasites. Thus, this study aimed to investigate ART-R in patients from illegal gold mining areas in the YIL of Roraima, Brazil. A questionnaire was conducted, and blood was collected from 48 patients diagnosed with P. falciparum or mixed malaria (Pf + P. vivax). The DNA was extracted and the pfk13 gene was amplified by PCR. The amplicons were subjected to DNA-Sanger-sequencing and the entire amplified fragment was analyzed. Among the patients, 96% (46) were from illegal mining areas of the YIL. All parasite samples carried the wild-type genotypes/ART-sensitive phenotypes. These data reinforce the continued use of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) in Roraima, as well as the maintenance of systematic monitoring for early detection of parasite populations resistant to ART, mainly in regions with an intense flow of individuals from mining areas, such as the YIL. This is especially true when the achievement of falciparum malaria elimination in Brazil is planned and expected by 2030. Full article

Environmental decontamination and water disinfection practices are hallmarks of disease prevention and control in agricultural and public health settings. Informed fit-to-purpose biocontainment is thus dependent on methodologies accurately assessing microbial burden and viability. Also, rigorous evaluation of the efficacy of biocontrol measures implies monitoring microbial inactivation after decontamination/disinfection procedures. In this study, we used flow cytometry coupled with a resuscitation protocol to monitor the metabolic inactivation of bacteria capable of entering non-cultivable states, after the application of a chlorine-based water disinfectant. For this purpose, we used Mycobacterium bovis BCG as a model of slow-growing bacteria able to enter dormancy and representing a multi-host pathogen in a zoonotic disease system—animal tuberculosis—thriving both across temperate and semi-arid regions and involving environmental contamination. The biocide activity of a commercial sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) disinfectant against M. bovis BCG was evaluated through mock environmental matrix tests. Using the manufacturer-recommended dosage of NaDCC, BCG cells were apparently inactivated after 24 h upon exposure. However, we show via flow cytometry that, upon exposure to optimal growth conditions, mycobacterial cells were able to regain metabolic activity shortly after, highlighting a sublethal effect of NaDCC at the recommended commercial dosage due to reversible BCG cell damage. In contrast, increasing twice the disinfectant dosage completely inactivated BCG cells after 24 h of exposure, with full irreversible loss of metabolic activity. Methodological workflows based on conventional culture or PCR would have missed the detection of these dormant subpopulations that were in fact able to resume growth when following the recommendations of a commercial disinfectant. This study highlights the superior, high-resolution value of single-cell approaches, such as flow cytometry, to accurately assess the activity of biocides against metabolically heterogeneous and dormant pathogenic bacteria with environmental cycles, supporting data-driven prioritization of environmental management and disinfection options in contaminated vulnerable settings. Full article

In the present study, a Google Forms survey open questionnaire was applied to identify variables in hygiene habits that influence the contamination of toothbrushes in Mexican homes. A total of 275 questionnaires were validated, and 18 samples were analyzed to determine microbiology indicator groups (Mesophilic Aerobic Bacteria [MAB], Coliform Organisms [CO], and Yeast and Molds [Y/M]) with dilution and plate casting methods. Results were compared with data obtained from surveys, which were encoded to construct conglomerates. Interestingly, a higher microbial count was found in toothbrushes stored in cases (4.9 × 10⁹ CFU/mL for MAB, 4.43 × 10⁹ CFU/mL for CO, and 4.38 × 10⁹ CFU/mL for Y/M), while the use and disposal of toothbrushes following recommendations of life expectancy limited bacterial growth (<10 CFU/mL for CO and Y/M), reducing the possible growth of pathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Pseudomonas, among others. Finally, most people do not have the habit of disinfecting their toothbrushes periodically. Further, the survey revealed that disinfection techniques applied by a limited group (14% of the respondents) are improvised and are not standardized with the objective of disinfection. Full article