Abstract: A decoupled model predictive control (MPC) power balancing strategy for a coupled inductor-based flying capacitor DC–DC converter (FCDC) is a proposed to solve the power imbalance caused by the parameter differences in the coupled inductor. The decoupled mathematical model of coupled inductor FCDC is firstly derived by analyzing the converter operation state under various modes. On this basis, the control relationship between inductor current and flying capacitor (FC) voltage is redefined and an MPC power balance strategy based on the inductor current with single-step optimization is proposed. The proposed MPC strategy not only achieves decoupled power balancing control but also solves multi-objective dynamic optimization control of the inductor current and FC voltage, greatly reducing the computation load. A detailed theoretical analysis of the proposed strategy is presented and the balancing performance is effectively verified through the experiments. Full article

In recent years, the clinical cases of ENTV-2 infection have increased and become prevalent in several provinces of China. In this study, we reported the occurrence of ENTV-2 in one goat farm in Chongqing, southwest China. The complete genome of an emerged ENTV-2 isolate (designated as CQ2) was sequenced with 7468 bp in length. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that ENTV-2 consisted of two main lineages. Lineage 1 was composed of Chinese strains and could be subdivided into five sublineages. CQ2 and the other six recent isolates from China were clustered in sublineage 1.5; however, CQ2 was significantly different from the other six isolates. Furthermore, recombination analysis suggested that CQ2 might be a recombinant variant derived from sublineage 1.5 and sublineage 1.2 strains, with the recombination region in areas of pro and pol genes. In conclusion, we sequenced and analyzed the complete genome of a potential ENTV-2 recombinant, which may contribute to our understanding of the genetic variation and evolution of ENTV-2 in China. Full article

The air permeability of a textile fabric belongs to the parameters which characterize its potential applications as garments, filters, airbags, etc. Calculating the air permeability is complicated due to its dependence on many other fabric parameters, such as porosity, thickness, weaving parameters and others, which is why the air permeability is usually measured. Standardized measurement instruments according to EN ISO 9237, however, are expensive and complex, prohibiting small companies or many universities from using them. This is why a simpler and inexpensive test instrument was suggested in a previous paper. Here, we show correlations between the results of the standardized and the custom-made instrument and verify this correlation using fluid dynamics calculations. Full article

Abstract: Bromocriptine (BCR) presents poor bioavailability when administered orally because of its low solubility and prolonged first-pass metabolism. This poses a significant challenge in its utilization as an effective treatment for managing Parkinson’s disease (PD). The utilization of lipid nanoparticles can be a promising approach to overcome the limitations of BCR bioavailability. The aim of the research work was to develop and evaluate bromocriptine-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (BCR-SLN) and bromocriptine-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (BCR-NLC) employing the Box-Behnken design (BBD). BCR-SLNs and BCR-NLCs were developed using the high-pressure homogenization method. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized for particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), and entrapment efficiency (EE). In vitro drug release, cytotoxicity studies, in vivo plasma pharmacokinetic, and brain distribution studies evaluated the optimized lipid nanoparticles. The optimized BCR-SLN had a PS of 219.21 ± 1.3 nm, PDI of 0.22 ± 0.02, and EE of 72.2 ± 0.5. The PS, PDI, and EE of optimized BCR-NLC formulation were found to be 182.87 ± 2.2, 0.16 ± 0.004, and 83.57 ± 1.8, respectively. The in vitro release profile of BCR-SLN and BCR-NLC showed a biphasic pattern, immediate release, and then trailed due to the sustained release. Furthermore, a pharmacokinetic study indicated that both the optimized BCR-SLN and BCR-NLC formulations improve the plasma and brain bioavailability of the drug compared to the BCR solution. Based on the research findings, it can be concluded that the BCR-loaded lipid nanoparticles could be a promising carrier by enhancing the BBB penetration of the drug and helping in the improvement of the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of BCR in the management of PD. Full article

In pregnant women with multiple infections, nutrient deficiencies, and inflammation (MINDI), the study of anemia and iron status is limited. For this cross-sectional study (n = 213 Panamanian indigenous women), we investigated if hemoglobin, anemia (Hb < 110 g/L), ferritin, serum iron, serum transferrin receptor, and hepcidin were associated with (1) maternal nutritional status and supplementation practices, (2) biomarkers of inflammation, and (3) presence/absence of infections. Hierarchical generalized linear and logistic regression models and dominance analyses identified the relative importance of these predictors. Anemia (38%), which was likely underestimated due to low plasma volume (95%), was associated with lower ferritin, vitamin A, and weight-for-height, suggesting anemia of undernutrition. Inflammation was not associated with Hb or anemia; nevertheless, higher CRP was associated with increased odds of low serum iron and higher ferritin and hepcidin, indicating iron restriction due to inflammation. The length of iron supplementation did not enter models for anemia or iron indicators, but a multiple nutrient supplement was associated with higher ferritin and hepcidin. Moreover, iron supplementation was associated with higher odds of vaginal trichomoniasis but lower odds of caries and bacterial vaginosis. The complex pathogenesis of anemia and iron deficiency in MINDI settings may require other interventions beyond iron supplementation. Full article

Lightweight LiDAR, characterized by its ease of use and cost-effectiveness, offers advantages in road intersection information acquisition. This study used lightweight LiDAR to collect 3D point cloud data from an urban road intersection and propose a semantic segmentation model based on the improved RandLA-Net. Initially, raw data from multiple positions and perspectives were obtained, and complete road intersection point clouds were stitched together using the iterative closest point algorithm for sequential registration. Subsequently, a semantic segmentation method for point clouds based on the improved RandLA-Net was proposed. This method included a spatial information encoding module based on feature similarities and a feature enhancement module based on multi-pooling fusion. This model optimized the feature aggregation capabilities during downsampling with the weighted cross-entropy loss function applied to reduce the impact of input sample scale imbalances. In comparisons of the improved RandLA-Net with PointNet++ and RandLA-Net on the same dataset, our method showed improved segmentation accuracy for various categories. The overall prediction accuracy on two road intersection point cloud test sets was 87.68% and 89.61%, with average F1 scores of 82.76% and 80.61%, respectively. Most notably, the prediction accuracy for road surface areas reached 94.48% and 94.79%. The results show that our model can enrich the spatial feature expression of input data and enhance semantic segmentation performance in road intersection scenarios. Full article

The eggs of the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella, are frequently utilized as alternative diets and have demonstrated promising outcomes when consumed by various insects. Nonetheless, the specific reasons for their effectiveness remain unclear. In our study, we assessed the developmental performance of the ladybird Propylea japonica when fed E. kuehniella eggs, alongside 12 factitious prey or artificial diets. Our findings revealed that ladybirds fed E. kuehniella eggs displayed a performance comparable to those fed the natural prey Megoura crassicauda. Transcriptome profiling of larvae raised on E. kuehniella eggs and M. crassicauda revealed that genes upregulated in the former group were enriched in metabolic pathways associated with carbohydrates, lipids, and other essential nutrients. This suggests that E. kuehniella eggs may have a higher nutrient content compared to natural prey. Furthermore, a notable downregulation in the expression of immune effector genes, such as Attacin and Coleoptericin, was observed, which might be attributed to the lower microbial content in E. kuehniella eggs compared to M. crassicauda. We suggest that the difference between E. kuehniella eggs and M. crassicauda as food sources for P. japonica lies in their nutrient and microbial contents. These findings provide valuable insights for the advancement of innovative artificial breeding systems for natural enemies. Full article

(1) Objectives: Traditional kombucha (K) is a fermented beverage obtained from black or green tea infusion. Besides traditional substrates, the possibility of using alternative ingredients resulted in changes in metabolic profile and biological activity. The aim of this work was to study an alternative kombucha (KJ) prepared by the addition of jujube powder to black tea. (2) Materials and Methods: Changes in pH, protein, sugars, phenolic (TPC), flavonoid (TFC), and vitamin C and B12 content were evaluated at different time points over a period of 45 days. The identification of polyphenols by HPLC DAD and the antioxidant capacity by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP tests of all samples was also carried out. (3) Results: The results showed higher protein, total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity in KJ samples than in K ones. Vitamin C content increased during fermentation and reached its maximum concentration on day 45 (7.1 ± 0.3 mg/100 mL) for KJ. Caffeine in the supplemented samples was the main biocompound among those identified. Vitamin B12 formed on day 4 in K and after 24 h in KJ samples, remaining constant at the initial value of 2.30 ± 0.01 mg/100 mL up to day 45. (4) Conclusions: The results highlight that the fortification of kombucha with jujubes improved its biological activity and the content of bioactive compounds. Full article

SiC ceramics are typically hard and brittle materials. Serious surface/subsurface damage occurs during the grinding process due to the poor self-sharpening ability of monocrystalline diamond grits. Nevertheless, recent findings have demonstrated that porous diamond grits can achieve high-efficiency and low-damage machining. However, research on the removal mechanism of porous diamond grit while grinding SiC ceramic materials is still in the bottleneck stage. A discrete element simulation model of the porous diamond grit while grinding SiC ceramics was established to optimize the grinding parameters (e.g., grinding wheel speed, undeformed chip thickness) and pore parameters (e.g., cutting edge density) of the porous diamond grit. The influence of these above parameters on the removal and damage of SiC ceramics was explored from a microscopic perspective, comparing with monocrystalline diamond grit. The results show that porous diamond grits cause less damage to SiC ceramics and have better grinding performance than monocrystalline diamond grits. In addition, the optimal cutting edge density and undeformed chip thickness should be controlled at 1–3 and 1–2 um, respectively, and the grinding wheel speed should be greater than 80 m/s. The research results lay a scientific foundation for the efficient and low-damage grinding of hard and brittle materials represented by SiC ceramics, exhibiting theoretical significance and practical value. Full article

The menace of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections among low- and middle-income countries with no access to a free HPV vaccine is a public health concern. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Nigeria, while the most known types of HPV genotypes being transmitted are the high-risk HPV-16 and 18 genotypes. In this study, we explored the predictors of self-reported HPV infections and HPV genital warts infection among a population of students, non-academic staff, and academic staff of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) University located in Lapai, Nigeria. We also assessed their knowledge about HPV infections and genotypes, and sexual behaviors. An online cross-sectional study was conducted by setting up a structured questionnaire on Google Forms and it was distributed to the university community via Facebook and other social media platforms of the university. The form captured questions on HPV infection, and knowledge about HPV infection and genotypes, as well as the sexual health of the participants. All variables were described using frequencies and percentage distribution; chi-squared test statistics were used to explore the association between HPV infection (medical records of HPV infection) and the participants’ profile, and a logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the factors associated with HPV genital warts infection among the population. This study reveals those participants between the ages of 26–40 years (81.3%) and those currently not in a sexually active relationship—single/divorced (26.4%)—who have self-reported having the HPV-16 and -18 genotypes. Moreover, participants between 26–40 years of age (OR: 0.45, 95%CI: 0.22–0.89) reported themselves to be carriers of HPV genital warts. Therefore, this study reveals the factors associated with HPV infection and genital warts peculiar to IBB university students and staff. Hence, we suggest the need for HPV awareness programs and free HPV vaccine availability at IBB university. Full article

In this paper, results of research on the reactivities of selected biomass types considering their application in pyrometallurgical processes of metal production are presented. Walnut shells, sunflower husk pellets and spent coffee grounds were selected as biomass materials. Their use as potential reducers in the process of metallurgical slag decopperisation is an innovative approach to this subject. The thermogravimetric findings show that all three tested biomass types are classified as highly reactive. The time to reach maximum reactivity ranges from 1.5 to 3 min and, the lowest value is recorded for the sample of spent coffee grounds. The sample hold time of two hours enables copper content reduction to approx. 1 wt% for practically all the reducers tested. A longer duration of liquid slag contact with the reducer results in a decreased copper content in the slag to a value below 1 wt%. Copper concentrations of 0.5 wt% and lower are observed with a hold time of 4 h. The preliminary results indicate that there is great potential for the use of this type of material in non-ferrous metallurgy, which may translate into replacing fossil raw materials and thus introducing the principles of a sustainable process in this case of metal production. Full article

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating autoimmune condition primarily affecting young adults, and its rise is evident globally. Despite this, its precise etiology remains elusive. Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to MS susceptibility; however, the link between diet and MS lacks substantial evidence due to limited large-scale studies. We exploited the UK Biobank resources to explore the nexus between diet, lifestyle, and MS risk. The dietary and lifestyle habits of MS incident cases, derived from a general food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) completed by all participants at study enrollment, were compared to those of subjects who did not develop MS during the follow-up. Our findings suggest the protective role of moderate oily fish consumption and weekly alcohol intake. Furthermore, by analyzing food intake data obtained through 24 h recall, completed by a subset of participants, we found a protective, though non-significant, trend of an increased adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD). These findings, derived from the analysis of the UK Biobank and representing an unprecedented approach for this inquiry, warrant further exploration and integration in future research. Full article

Methods based on light field information have shown promising results in depth estimation and underwater image restoration. However, improvements are still needed in terms of depth estimation accuracy and image restoration quality. Previous work on underwater image restoration employed an image formation model (IFM) that overlooked the effects of light attenuation and scattering coefficients in underwater environments, leading to unavoidable color deviation and distortion in the restored images. Additionally, the high blurriness and associated distortions in underwater images make depth information extraction and estimation very challenging. In this paper, we refine the light propagation model and propose a method to estimate the attenuation and backscattering coefficients of the underwater IFM. We simplify these coefficients into distance-related functions and design a relationship between distance and the darkest channel to estimate the water coefficients, effectively suppressing color deviation and distortion in the restoration results. Furthermore, to increase the accuracy of depth estimation, we propose using blur cues to construct a cost for refocusing in the depth direction, reducing the impact of high signal-to-noise ratio environments on depth information extraction, and effectively enhancing the accuracy and robustness of depth estimation. Finally, experimental comparisons show that our method achieves more accurate depth estimation and image restoration closer to real scenes compared to state-of-the-art methods. Full article

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway is a key signaling cascade responsible for the regulation of cell survival, proliferation, and metabolism in the ovarian microenvironment. The optimal finetuning of this pathway is essential for physiological processes concerning oogenesis, folliculogenesis, oocyte maturation, and embryo development. The dysregulation of PI3K/Akt can impair molecular and structural mechanisms that will lead to follicle atresia, or the inability of embryos to reach later stages of development. Due to its pivotal role in the control of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and survival mechanisms, the dysregulation of this molecular pathway can trigger the onset of pathological conditions. Among these, we will focus on diseases that can harm female fertility, such as polycystic ovary syndrome and premature ovarian failure, or women’s general health, such as ovarian cancer. In this review, we report the functions of the PI3K/Akt pathway in both its physiological and pathological roles, and we address the existing application of inhibitors and activators for the balancing of the molecular cascade in ovarian pathological environments. Full article

This study compares the effects of modern colony cage systems and traditional floor systems on the production and welfare of broiler chickens. Through two trials spanning 35 days each, we evaluated various physiological parameters, including growth performance, bone health, stress responses, and meat quality. Colony cages demonstrated superior thermal regulation and growth performance compared to traditional floor systems, but also exhibited higher frequencies of leg deformity and reduced standing ability. Conversely, the broilers in traditional floor systems experienced heat stress-related challenges, impacting the meat quality. Our findings underscore the need to balance productivity with animal welfare in broiler farming practices. By understanding the distinct impacts of different housing systems, we can work towards improving broiler rearing methods to ensure optimal welfare and production outcomes. Full article

Ultraviolet (UV) curing is an efficient and environmentally friendly curing method. In this paper, UV-cured polyurethane acrylates (PUAs) were investigated as potential military coatings to serve as barriers against chemical warfare agents (CWAs). Seven UV-cured PUA coatings were formulated utilizing hydroxyethyl methacrylate-capped hexamethylene diisocyanate trimer (HEMA-Htri) and trimethylolpropane triacrylate-capped polycarbonate prepolymer (PETA-PCDL) as the PUA monomers. Isobornyl acrylate (IBOA) and triethyleneglycol divinyl ether (DVE-3) were employed as reactive diluents. Gas chromatography was utilized to investigate the constitutive relationships between the structures of the PUA coatings and their protective properties against simulant agents for CWAs, including dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), a nerve agent simulant, and 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES), a mustard simulant. The glass transition temperature (T_g) and crosslinking density (υ_e) of PUAs were found to be crucial factors affecting their ability to serve as barriers against CWAs. The incorporation of IBOA units led to enhanced T_g and barrier performance of the PUAs, resulting in a DMMP retention of less than 0.5% and nearly 0 retention of CEES. However, an excessive introduction of polycarbonate chains decreased the υ_e and barrier performance of the PUAs. These findings may offer valuable insights for enhancing the protection of UV-cured PU coatings against CWAs. Full article

This study explores the feasibility of analyzing soil organic carbon (SOC) in carbonate-rich soils using visible near-infrared spectroscopy (VIS-NIR). Employing a combination of datasets, feature groups, variable selection methods, and regression models, 22 modeling pipelines were developed. Spectral data and spectral data combined with carbonate contents were used as datasets, while raw reflectance, first-derivative (FD) reflectance, and second-derivative (SD) reflectance constituted the feature groups. The variable selection methods included Spearman correlation, Variable Importance in Projection (VIP), and Random Frog (Rfrog), while Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR), Random Forest Regression (RFR), and Support Vector Regression (SVR) were the regression models. The obtained results indicated that the FD preprocessing method combined with RF, results in the model that is sufficiently robust and stable to be applied to soils rich in calcium carbonate. Full article

(1) Background: Social distancing and closing down public spaces associated with learning, leisure and physical activity limited the spread of COVID-19. These measures had an impact not only on the economy and education but also on health behaviours and the quality of life of individuals affected by the restrictions. The aim of this study was to identify the role of health behaviours in the perception of the quality of life of students during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Methods: This study was conducted among 796 students of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn in the first quarter of 2022. Subgroup 1 consisted of students at the Public Health School (n = 428; 53.8%) and subgroup 2 consisted of students belonging to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (n = 368; 46.2%). The diagnostic survey method was applied, and an original survey questionnaire, the Health Behaviour Inventory and the Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQoL-Bref version) were used. (3) Results: The largest contribution to the prediction of quality of life of students in subgroup 1 was made by a positive mental attitude related to avoiding too strong emotions, which explained 19% of the result variability in the somatic domain (ßeta = 0.24; R² = 0.21), 20% of the result variability in the psychological domain (ßeta = 0.36; R² = 0.20), 16% of the result variability in the social domain (ßeta = 0.52; R² = 0.17) and 17% of the result variability in the environmental domain (ßeta = 0.19; R² = 0.19). Moreover, in subgroup 2, a predominantly positive mental attitude significantly predicted quality of life in the somatic domain, explaining 23% of the result variability (ßeta = 0.24; R² = 0.26), while it explained 25% of the result variability in the psychological domain (ßeta = 0.47; R² = 0.25), 16% of the result variability in the social domain (ßeta = 0.46; R² = 0.17) and 21% of the result variability in the environmental domain (ßeta = 0.38; R² = 0.23). (4) Conclusions: Positive correlations between health behaviours and the quality of life among the study participants were determined. Health-promoting behaviours had a beneficial impact on the respondents’ quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. The category of health behaviours described as a positive mental attitude was an important predictor for the participants’ quality of life. Full article

Essential oils (EOs), as rumen additives, decreased CH₄ emissions in in vitro trials but results from in vivo studies are still limited. We investigated the effects of Origanum vulgare (OEO) and Thymus vulgaris (TEO) EOs on in vivo methane emissions from Nellore beef cattle. Six adult rumen-cannulated Nellore cattle were used in a double 3 × 3 Latin square design. Treatments consisted of three diets containing either 3 mL OEO per kg of concentrate, 3 mL TEO/kg of concentrate, or no EO addition. The experimental period consisted of three 21 d feeding periods and methane production was measured using the sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) technique from Day 16 to Day 21 of each feeding period. Intake, total apparent digestibility (dry matter as well as neutral and acid detergent fiber), and rumen parameters (pH, ammoniacal nitrogen concentration, and short-chain fatty acids) were also evaluated. The EOs did not decrease CH₄ emissions and had no effect on rumen parameters. Full article

Despite several promising preclinical studies performed over the past two decades, there remains a paucity of market-approved drugs to treat chronic lower extremity wounds in humans. This translational gap challenges our understanding of human chronic lower extremity wounds and the design of wound treatments. Current targeted drug treatments and delivery systems for lower extremity wounds rely heavily on preclinical animal models meant to mimic human chronic wounds. However, there are several key differences between animal preclinical wound models and the human chronic wound microenvironment, which can impact the design of targeted drug treatments and delivery systems. To explore these differences, this review delves into recent new drug technologies and delivery systems designed to address the chronic wound microenvironment. It also highlights preclinical models used to test drug treatments specific for the wound microenvironments of lower extremity diabetic, venous, ischemic, and burn wounds. We further discuss key differences between preclinical wound models and human chronic wounds that may impact successful translational drug treatment design. Full article

Background: Patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) experience a high disease-related symptom burden. A specific instrument to evaluate quality of life (QoL), i.e., the MPN Symptom Assessment Form Total Symptom Score (MPN-SAF TSS; MPN-10), was developed. We conducted the translation, cultural adaptation, and validation into Romanian of the MPN-10. Methods: We translated the MPN-10 and tested its psychometric properties. Results: We recruited 180 MPN patients: 66 polycythemia vera (36.67%), 61 essential thrombocythemia (33.89%), 51 primary and secondary myelofibrosis (SMF) (28.33%), and 2 MPN-unclassifiable (1.11%). The mean TSS was 19.51 ± 16.51 points. Fatigue, inactivity, and concentration problems were the most cumbersome symptoms. We detected scoring differences between MPN subtypes regarding weight loss (p < 0.001), fatigue (p = 0.006), early satiety (p = 0.007), night sweats (p = 0.047), pruritus (p = 0.05), and TSS (p = 0.021). There were strong positive associations between TSS and inactivity, fatigue, and concentration problems, and moderate negative correlations between QoL scores and all MPN-10 items. Cronbach’s α internal consistency coefficient was 0.855. The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin construct validity test result was 0.870 and the Bartlett Sphericity Test was significant (p < 0.001). Symptom scores were loaded into one single factor according to the exploratory factor analysis. Conclusions: The Romanian MPN-10 version displayed excellent psychometric properties and is a reliable instrument for assessing symptom burden and QoL in Romanian MPN patients. Full article

Hypergolic ignition of H₂O₂ and MEA-NaBH₄ by off-center collision of their droplets was experimentally studied, focusing on the characteristics and mechanism of droplet mixing, droplet heating and evaporation, and gas-phase ignition. The whole collision ignition process was divided into five stages, which were compared, respectively, with that of head-on collision. Under the condition of a slightly off-center collision (for cases where B < 0.35), H₂O₂ droplets penetrate MEA-NaBH₄ droplets after the collision and coalesce with it, but the internal H₂O₂ drop inside the MEA-NaBH₄ droplet does not form a stable sphere. Instead, it rotates and expands inside the mixed droplet. With B increasing to 0.59, the droplets no longer coalesce after collision but separate away, forming satellite droplets. In such cases, multi-ignition mode is observed. When B increases to a certain extent, specifically, 0.85, a grazing collision is observed such that no mass transfer exists during the interaction of droplets, which leads to ignition failure. A theoretical model quantifying droplet swelling rate was established to calculate the volume change of the droplet. It was found that the swelling can be attributed to the flash boiling of superheated internal H₂O₂ fluid. Meanwhile, the ignition delay time was found to linearly decrease with B at various Wes until the extent where the chemical reaction takes over control, leading to an almost constant time delay defined as RDT. Additionally, the regime of ignition modes corresponding to different droplet mixing features is summarized in the We-B parametric space. Full article