All articles published by MDPI are made immediately available worldwide under an open access license. No special
permission is required to reuse all or part of the article published by MDPI, including figures and tables. For
articles published under an open access Creative Common CC BY license, any part of the article may be reused without
permission provided that the original article is clearly cited. For more information, please refer to
https://www.mdpi.com/openaccess.
Feature papers represent the most advanced research with significant potential for high impact in the field. A Feature
Paper should be a substantial original Article that involves several techniques or approaches, provides an outlook for
future research directions and describes possible research applications.
Feature papers are submitted upon individual invitation or recommendation by the scientific editors and must receive
positive feedback from the reviewers.
Editor’s Choice articles are based on recommendations by the scientific editors of MDPI journals from around the world.
Editors select a small number of articles recently published in the journal that they believe will be particularly
interesting to readers, or important in the respective research area. The aim is to provide a snapshot of some of the
most exciting work published in the various research areas of the journal.
by
István Lakatos, Bianka Babarczi, Zsófia Molnár, Arnold Tóth, Gabriella Skoda, Győző F. Horváth, Adrienn Horváth, Dániel Tóth, Farkas Sükösd, László Szemethy and Zsuzsanna Szőke
Animals2024, 14(7), 1039; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071039 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Reproductive abnormalities have been observed in fallow deer populations in Hungary. We supposed mycotoxin contamination to be one of the possible causes because multi-mycotoxin contamination is known to be dangerous even at low toxin levels, especially for young animals. We investigated the spatial
[...] Read more.
Reproductive abnormalities have been observed in fallow deer populations in Hungary. We supposed mycotoxin contamination to be one of the possible causes because multi-mycotoxin contamination is known to be dangerous even at low toxin levels, especially for young animals. We investigated the spatial pattern of mycotoxin occurrences and the relationship between maternal and fetal mycotoxin levels. A total of 72 fallow deer embryos and their mothers were sampled in seven forested regions in Hungary in the 2020/2021 hunting season. We analyzed Aflatoxin (AF), Zearalenone (ZEA), Fumonizin B1 (FB1), DON, and T2-toxin concentrations in maternal and fetal livers by ELISA. AF was present in 70% and 82%, ZEA in 41% and 96%, DON in 90% and 98%, T2-toxin in 96% and 85%, and FB1 in 84% and 3% of hind and fetus livers, respectively. All mycotoxins passed into the fetus, but only Fumonizin B1 rarely passed. The individual variability of mycotoxin levels was extremely high, but the spatial differences were moderate. We could not prove a relation between the maternal and fetal mycotoxin concentrations, but we found an accumulation of ZEA and DON in the fetuses. These results reflect the possible threats of mycotoxins to the population dynamics and reproduction of wild fallow deer.
Full article
Shiga toxin (Stx), the main virulence factor of Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), was first discovered in Shigella dysenteriae strains. While several other bacterial species have since been reported to produce Stx, STEC poses the most significant risk to human health due to its
[...] Read more.
Shiga toxin (Stx), the main virulence factor of Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), was first discovered in Shigella dysenteriae strains. While several other bacterial species have since been reported to produce Stx, STEC poses the most significant risk to human health due to its widespread prevalence across various animal hosts that have close contact with human populations. Based on its biochemical and molecular characteristics, Shiga toxin can be grouped into two types, Stx1 and Stx2, among which a variety of variants and subtypes have been identified in various bacteria and host species. Interestingly, the different Stx subtypes appear to vary in their host distribution characteristics and in the severity of diseases that they are associated with. As such, this review provides a comprehensive overview on the bacterial species that have been recorded to possess stx genes to date, with a specific focus on the various Stx subtype variants discovered in STEC, their prevalence in certain host species, and their disease-related characteristics. This review provides a better understanding of the Stx subtypes and highlights the need for rapid and accurate approaches to toxin subtyping for the proper evaluation of the health risks associated with Shiga-toxin-related bacterial food contamination and human infections.
Full article
The enteric nervous system (ENS), consisting of neurons and glial cells, is situated along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract’s wall and plays a crucial role in coordinating digestive processes. Recent research suggests that the optimal functioning of the GI system relies on intricate connections
[...] Read more.
The enteric nervous system (ENS), consisting of neurons and glial cells, is situated along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract’s wall and plays a crucial role in coordinating digestive processes. Recent research suggests that the optimal functioning of the GI system relies on intricate connections between the ENS, the intestinal epithelium, the immune system, the intestinal microbiome, and the central nervous system (CNS). Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses a group of chronic inflammatory disorders, such as Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), characterized by recurring inflammation and damage to the GI tract. This review explores emerging research in the dynamic field of IBD and sheds light on the potential role of ENS alterations in both the etiology and management of IBD. Specifically, we delve into IBD-induced enteric glial cell (EGC) activation and its implications for persistent enteric gliosis, elucidating how this activation disrupts GI function through alterations in the gut–brain axis (GBA). Additionally, we examine IBD-associated ENS alterations, focusing on EGC senescence and the acquisition of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). We highlight the pivotal role of these changes in persistent GI inflammation and the recurrence of IBD. Finally, we discuss potential therapeutic interventions involving senotherapeutic agents, providing insights into potential avenues for managing IBD by targeting ENS-related mechanisms. This approach might represent a potential alternative to managing IBD and advance treatment of this multifaceted disease.
Full article
This paper explores: How has wisdom pedagogy research emerged in higher education during 1980–2022? This study is the first to explore the emergence of wisdom pedagogy research in higher education applying Bipartite network analysis for detecting clusters of 24 wisdom pedagogy articles of
[...] Read more.
This paper explores: How has wisdom pedagogy research emerged in higher education during 1980–2022? This study is the first to explore the emergence of wisdom pedagogy research in higher education applying Bipartite network analysis for detecting clusters of 24 wisdom pedagogy articles of 53 authors and 161 keywords. Results are visualized with WoS analytics, word-clouds, and with Bipartite network. Wisdom research in higher education is two decades late compared with other disciplines. In higher education n= 524 wisdom, n = 33 wisdom pedagogy publications were detected in the Web of Science Core Collection database. This paper analyzed n = 24 wisdom pedagogy articles published during the 1980–2022 period. There were only two articles found dealing directly with wisdom pedagogy. Therefore, this study has several further research implications for educational researchers. Firstly, they need to conduct a more comprehensive search for wisdom pedagogy models by extending the scope of this study to other databases, books, book chapters, and to conference papers. Secondly, they need to synthesize and theorize their findings by building a wisdom pedagogy model. Thirdly, researchers need to develop detailed guidelines for educational practitioners on how to apply wisdom pedagogy in practice. This study is only at the beginning of this journey. However, it would be important for educating students with wisdom pedagogy in higher education because it would facilitate students’ thinking, judgements, and actions based on their moral and ethical values in a highly interconnected and complex world.
Full article
by
Costanza Rossi, Alessandro Buizza, Giuseppe Alessio, Massimiliano Borselli, Andrea Taloni, Adriano Carnevali, Giovanna Carnovale Scalzo, Andrea Lucisano, Vincenzo Scorcia and Giuseppe Giannaccare
Ocular complications can occur in up to 90% of patients with blood malignancies. Such complications range from direct infiltration to local hemostatic imbalance and treatment-related toxicity. This narrative review is based on a systematic computerized search of the literature conducted until January 2024
[...] Read more.
Ocular complications can occur in up to 90% of patients with blood malignancies. Such complications range from direct infiltration to local hemostatic imbalance and treatment-related toxicity. This narrative review is based on a systematic computerized search of the literature conducted until January 2024 and examines the common ocular complications associated with blood cancers. Ocular complications from primary disease include mass effects from ocular adnexal lymphomas and intraocular lymphomas, with B-cell lymphomas accounting for 95% of primary ocular presentations. Secondary disease involvement from systemic hematological malignancies can lead to a wide range of ocular manifestations, such as leukemic retinopathy. Furthermore, toxicity from antineoplastic therapies and ocular graft versus host disease (oGVHD) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation present additional risks to ocular health. In conclusion, ocular complications in blood cancer patients are an integral part of patient management, requiring regular ophthalmic evaluations and close collaboration between oncologists and ophthalmologists. Advances in therapy and an increased focus on early symptom recognition are essential for preserving vision and enhancing patient quality of life.
Full article
Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial components of innate immunity, known for their potent tumor surveillance abilities. Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) have shown promise in cancer targeting, but optimizing CAR designs for NK cell functionality remains challenging. CAR-NK cells have gained attention for
[...] Read more.
Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial components of innate immunity, known for their potent tumor surveillance abilities. Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) have shown promise in cancer targeting, but optimizing CAR designs for NK cell functionality remains challenging. CAR-NK cells have gained attention for their potential to reduce side effects and enable scalable production in cancer immunotherapy. This study aimed to enhance NK cell anti-tumor activity by incorporating PD1-synthetic Notch (synNotch) receptors. A chimeric receptor was designed using UniProt database sequences, and 3D structure models were generated for optimization. Lentiviral transduction was used to introduce PD1-Syn receptors into NK cells. The expression of PD1-Syn receptors on NK cell surfaces was assessed. Engineered NK cells were co-cultured with PDL1+ breast cancer cells to evaluate their cytotoxic activity and ability to produce interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferon-gamma (IFNγ) upon interaction with the target cells. This study successfully expressed the PD1-Syn receptors on NK cells. CAR-NK cells secreted IL-12 and exhibited target-dependent IFNγ production when engaging PDL1+ cells. Their cytotoxic activity was significantly enhanced in a target-dependent manner. This study demonstrates the potential of synNotch receptor-engineered NK cells in enhancing anti-tumor responses, especially in breast cancer cases with high PDL1 expression.
Full article
by
Giovanni Tuè, Oriana Masuzzo, Francesco Tucci, Marco Cavallo, Anna Parmeggiani, Fabio Vita, Alberto Patti, Danilo Donati, Alessandro Marinelli, Marco Miceli and Paolo Spinnato
Background: Adhesive capsulitis (AC) of the glenohumeral joint is a recognized cause of pain associated with both active and passive restricted ranges of movement. AC can be subdivided into primary and secondary forms. Trauma, surgery, immobilization, and diabetes mellitus are the leading well-recognized
[...] Read more.
Background: Adhesive capsulitis (AC) of the glenohumeral joint is a recognized cause of pain associated with both active and passive restricted ranges of movement. AC can be subdivided into primary and secondary forms. Trauma, surgery, immobilization, and diabetes mellitus are the leading well-recognized causes of secondary AC. Calcific tendinitis/tendinitis (CT) of the rotator cuff is considered a possible trigger for AC, as reported in a few previous articles. However, there are no original investigations that assess the frequency and characteristics of this association. The aim of our research was to evaluate the presence of AC in a cohort of patients with a known CT condition of the rotator cuff by an ultrasound (US) examination. Materials and methods: We prospectively enrolled all the patients admitted at our single institution (October 2022–June 2023) for the preoperative US evaluation of a known CT condition. In these patients, we searched for parameters related to secondary AC. An axillary pouch (AP) thickness equal to or greater than 4 mm (or greater than 60% of the contralateral AP) was considered diagnostic of AC. Moreover, rotator interval (RI) thickness and the presence of effusion within the long-head biceps tendon (LHBT) sheath was also assessed in all patients. Results: A total of 78 patients (54F, 24M—mean age = 50.0 and range = 31–71 y.o.) were enrolled in the study. In 26 of those patients (26/78—33.3%), US signs of AC were detected. Notably, the mean AP thickness in patients with AC and CT was 3.96 ± 1.37 mm (Group 1) and 2.08 ± 0.40 mm in patients with CT only (Group 2). RI thickness was significantly greater in patients with superimposed AC: 2.54 ± 0.38 mm in Group 1 and 1.81 ± 0.41 mm in Group 2 (p < 0.00001). Moreover, effusion within the LHBT was significantly more frequently detected in patients with AC: 84.61% in Group 1 versus 15.79% in Group 2—p < 0.00001. Conclusion: US signs of AC are found in one-third of patients with CT of the rotator cuff, demonstrating that AC represents a frequent complication that should be routinely evaluated during US investigation to provide more personalized treatment strategies.
Full article
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major contributor to the world’s cancer burden. Understanding the HCC incidence rate in Taiwan is thus an interesting avenue of research. Methods: From an NHI database, those patients who had been newly diagnosed with HCC and who
[...] Read more.
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major contributor to the world’s cancer burden. Understanding the HCC incidence rate in Taiwan is thus an interesting avenue of research. Methods: From an NHI database, those patients who had been newly diagnosed with HCC and who had been listed on a registry in a catastrophic illness dataset during the years 2013–2021 were enrolled in this study. Antineoplastic agent usage and comorbidities were also studied. Results: The incidence rate of HCC decreased from 57.77 to 44.95 in 100,000 from 2013 to 2021. The average age of patients with HCC increased from 65.54 years old with a CCI score of 4.98 in 2013 to 67.92 years old with a CCI score of 5.49 in 2021. Among these HCC patients, the patients under antineoplastic agent treatment decreased from 53.47% to 31.41% from 2013 to 2021. The presence of comorbidities in HCC patients was about 55.77–83.01% with mild liver disease and 29.93–37.30% with diabetes (without complications) in the period 2013–2021. Conclusions: The incidence rate of HCC slightly decreased in Taiwan. Due to antineoplastic agent usage decreasing over time, these results may indicate that more early-stage HCC patients detected in recent years were mainly treated with surgeries.
Full article
Long-COVID afflicts millions with relentless fatigue, disrupting daily life. The objective of this narrative review is to synthesize current evidence on the role of the basal ganglia in long-COVID fatigue, discuss potential mechanisms, and highlight promising therapeutic interventions. A comprehensive literature search was
[...] Read more.
Long-COVID afflicts millions with relentless fatigue, disrupting daily life. The objective of this narrative review is to synthesize current evidence on the role of the basal ganglia in long-COVID fatigue, discuss potential mechanisms, and highlight promising therapeutic interventions. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Mounting evidence from PET, MRI, and functional connectivity data reveals basal ganglia disturbances in long-COVID exhaustion, including inflammation, metabolic disruption, volume changes, and network alterations focused on striatal dopamine circuitry regulating motivation. Theories suggest inflammation-induced signaling disturbances could impede effort/reward valuation, disrupt cortical–subcortical motivational pathways, or diminish excitatory input to arousal centers, attenuating drive initiation. Recent therapeutic pilots targeting basal ganglia abnormalities show provisional efficacy. However, heterogeneous outcomes, inconsistent metrics, and perceived versus objective fatigue discrepancies temper insights. Despite the growing research, gaps remain in understanding the precise pathways linking basal ganglia dysfunction to fatigue and validating treatment efficacy. Further research is needed to advance understanding of the basal ganglia’s contribution to long-COVID neurological sequelae and offer hope for improving function across the expanding affected population.
Full article
This research work arises from the need to design specific techniques for the characterisation of cultural sites. Assuming the increasing complexity of the protection typologies, the expansion of working scales gives thanks to technology and the pursuit of social sustainability objectives. Thus, its
[...] Read more.
This research work arises from the need to design specific techniques for the characterisation of cultural sites. Assuming the increasing complexity of the protection typologies, the expansion of working scales gives thanks to technology and the pursuit of social sustainability objectives. Thus, its main objective is to search for innovative tools that other disciplines can contribute to the work of architects specialising in heritage studies. To this end, the research explores the main methodologies, maps, guides, and registers of landscape and historic landscape characterisation developed in Europe, particularly in Spain, over the last 40 years. Considering this intense and profound evolution of landscape analysis, useful strategies for the assessment of cultural sites from their conception in the 21st century arise. Nevertheless, landscape characterisation methods have been mainly developed and applied by geographers and are absent in many urban and territorial heritage studies. In response, this article proposes a new methodological approach focusing on contextual values to be used in the assessment of architectural heritage at the territorial scale.
Full article
This article considers the Dirac field in polar formulation and shows that when torsion is taken in effective approximation the theory has the thermodynamic properties of a van der Waals gas. It is then shown that in the limit of zero chiral angle
[...] Read more.
This article considers the Dirac field in polar formulation and shows that when torsion is taken in effective approximation the theory has the thermodynamic properties of a van der Waals gas. It is then shown that in the limit of zero chiral angle the van der Waals gas reduces to a Weyssenhoff fluid, and in spinlessness regime the Weyssenhoff fluid further reduces to a Newton particle. This nesting of approximations allows us to interpret the various spinor quantities. We will see that torsion will provide a form of negative pressure, while the chiral angle will be related to a type of temperature.
Full article
by
Philippa Lantwin, Adam Kaczorowski, Cathleen Nientiedt, Constantin Schwab, Martina Kirchner, Viktoria Schütz, Magdalena Görtz, Markus Hohenfellner, Anette Duensing, Albrecht Stenzinger and Stefan Duensing
Onco2024, 4(2), 56-67; https://doi.org/10.3390/onco4020005 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Introduction: DNA damage repair gene deficiency defines a subgroup of prostate cancer patients with early metastatic progression and unfavorable disease outcome. Whether deficiency in DNA damage repair genes directly promotes metastatic dissemination is not completely understood. Methods: The migratory behavior of prostate cancer
[...] Read more.
Introduction: DNA damage repair gene deficiency defines a subgroup of prostate cancer patients with early metastatic progression and unfavorable disease outcome. Whether deficiency in DNA damage repair genes directly promotes metastatic dissemination is not completely understood. Methods: The migratory behavior of prostate cancer cells was analyzed after siRNA-mediated knockdown of DNA damage repair and checkpoint proteins, including BRCA2, ATM, and others, using transwell migration assays, scratch assays and staining for F-actin to ascertain cell circularity. Cells deficient in BRCA2 or ATM were tested for oxidative stress by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS). The effects of ROS inhibition on cell migration were analyzed using the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC). The correlation between BRCA2 deficiency and oxidative stress was ascertained via immunohistochemistry for methylglyoxal (MG)-modified proteins in 15 genetically defined primary prostate cancers. Results: Prostate cancer cells showed a significantly increased migratory activity after the knockdown of BRCA2 or ATM. There was a significant increase in ROS production in LNCaP cells after BRCA2 knockdown and in PC-3 cells after BRCA2 or ATM knockdown. Remarkably, the ROS scavenger NAC abolished the enhanced motility of prostate cancer cells after the knockdown of BRCA2 or ATM. Primary prostate cancers harboring genetic alterations in BRCA2 showed a significant increase in MG-modified proteins, indicating enhanced oxidative stress in vivo. Conclusions: Our results indicate that DNA damage repair gene deficiency may contribute to the metastatic dissemination of prostate cancer through enhanced tumor cell migration involving oxidative stress.
Full article
CLL B cells express elevated pro-survival BCL2, and its selective inhibitor, venetoclax, significantly reduces leukemic cell load, leading to clinical remission. Nonetheless, relapses occur. This study evaluates the hypothesis that progressively diminished BCL2 protein in cycling CLL cells within patient lymph node niches
[...] Read more.
CLL B cells express elevated pro-survival BCL2, and its selective inhibitor, venetoclax, significantly reduces leukemic cell load, leading to clinical remission. Nonetheless, relapses occur. This study evaluates the hypothesis that progressively diminished BCL2 protein in cycling CLL cells within patient lymph node niches contributes to relapse. Using CFSE-labeled, purified CLL populations known to respond with vigorous cycling in d6 cultures stimulated with TLR9-activating ODN (oligodeoxynucleotide) + IL15, we show that BCL2 protein progressively declines during consecutive cell divisions. In contrast, MCL1 and survivin are maintained/slightly elevated during cycling. Delayed pulsing of quiescent and activated CLL cultures with selective inhibitors of BCL2 or survivin revealed selective targeting of noncycling and cycling populations, respectively, raising implications for therapy. To address the hypothesis that BCL2-repressive miRs (miR15a/miR16-1), encoded in Chr13, are mechanistically involved, we compared BCL2 protein levels within ODN + IL15-stimulated CLL cells, with/without del(13q), yielding results suggesting these miRs contribute to BCL2 reduction. In support, within ODN-primed CLL cells, an IL15-driven STAT5/PI-3K pathway (required for vigorous cycling) triggers elevated p53 TF protein known to directly activate the miR15a/miR16-1 locus. Furthermore, IL15 signaling elicits the repression of BCL2 mRNA within 24 h. Additional comparisons of del(13q)+ and del(13q)−/− cohorts for elevated p53 TF expression during cycling suggest that a documented miR15a/miR16-1-mediated negative feedback loop for p53 synthesis is active during cycling. Findings that robust CLL cycling associates with progressively decreasing BCL2 protein that directly correlates with decreasing venetoclax susceptibility, combined with past findings that these cycling cells have the greatest potential for activation-induced cytosine deaminase (AICDA)-driven mutations, suggest that venetoclax treatment should be accompanied by modalities that selectively target the cycling compartment without eliciting further mutations. The employment of survivin inhibitors might be such an approach.
Full article
Background: Although positive associations between life satisfaction, self-esteem, and body image have previously been established, differences in these variables by gender and age have yielded mixed results. Moreover, little is known about the interplay between self-esteem and body appreciation on life satisfaction. This
[...] Read more.
Background: Although positive associations between life satisfaction, self-esteem, and body image have previously been established, differences in these variables by gender and age have yielded mixed results. Moreover, little is known about the interplay between self-esteem and body appreciation on life satisfaction. This study aims to investigate the moderating effect of body appreciation on the relationship between self-esteem and life satisfaction, considering disparities between females and males and also between emerging adults (before the age of thirty) and older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was performed in Poland with a sample of 449 adults aged between 18 and 75 (M = 30.41, SD = 12.72), including 68% of women. The survey included the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Body Appreciation Scale (BAS-2). Results: Men scored higher than women in terms of life satisfaction and self-esteem, while older participants (age > 30) scored higher than younger individuals (age ≤ 30) in terms of life satisfaction, self-esteem, and body appreciation. The study confirmed positive and moderate correlations between life satisfaction, self-esteem, and body appreciation. The interactive effect of self-esteem and body appreciation on life satisfaction was also found by controlling for age and gender. Conclusions: Some intervention programs focused on increasing levels of self-esteem and body appreciation should be implemented, especially among women and emerging adults, to improve their well-being.
Full article
Nocturnal smartphone use emits blue light, which can adversely affect sleep, leading to a variety of negative effects, particularly in children. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effect of acute (AC) (one night) and repeated (RC) (five nights) nocturnal smartphone exposure
[...] Read more.
Nocturnal smartphone use emits blue light, which can adversely affect sleep, leading to a variety of negative effects, particularly in children. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effect of acute (AC) (one night) and repeated (RC) (five nights) nocturnal smartphone exposure on sleep, cortisol, and next-day performance in Tunisian children. Thirteen participants (seven girls and six boys, age 9 ± 0.6, height 1.32 ± 0.06, weight 34.47 ± 4.41) attended six experimental nights. The experiment started with a baseline night (BL) with no smartphone exposure, followed by repeated sessions of nocturnal smartphone exposure lasting 90 minutes (08:00 pm–09:30 pm). Actigraphy; salivary cortisol; the Stroop test (selective attention); choice reaction time (CRT); N-back (working memory); counter-movement jump (CMJ), composed of flight time (time spent in the CMJ flight phase) and jump height; and a 30 m sprint were assessed the morning after each condition. Both AC and RC shortened total sleep time (TST) (p < 0.01), with a greater decrease with RC (−46.7 min, ∆% = −9.46) than AC (−28.8 min, ∆% = −5.8) compared to BL. AC and RC significantly increased waking after sleep onset (3.5 min, ∆% = 15.05, to 9.9 min, ∆% = 43.11%) and number of errors made on the Stroop test (1.8 error, ∆% = 74.23, to 3.07 error, ∆% = 97.56%). Children made 0.15 and 0.8 more errors (∆% = 6.2 to 57.61%) and spent 46.9 s and 71.6 s more time on CRT tasks (∆% = 7.22 to 11.11%) with AC and RC, respectively, compared to BL. The high-interference index of the Stroop task, CMJ performance, and 30 m sprint speed were only altered (p < 0.01) following RC (0.36, Δ% = 41.52%; −34 s, Δ% = −9.29%, for flight time and −1.23 m, −8.72%, for jump height; 0.49 s, Δ% = 6.48, respectively) when compared to BL. In conclusion, one- or five-night exposure to smartphones disturbed the children’s sleep quality and their performance, with more pronounced effects following RC.
Full article
Background: In 2022, suicide was the second leading cause of external death in Spain (the first among young people aged 15–29 years). This study aims to analyze the presence of myths among emergency first responders and identify the most prevalent false beliefs among
[...] Read more.
Background: In 2022, suicide was the second leading cause of external death in Spain (the first among young people aged 15–29 years). This study aims to analyze the presence of myths among emergency first responders and identify the most prevalent false beliefs among them. Methods: The research is a observational and descriptive study carried out using a questionnaire composed of a total of 25 myths, with the response options being true or false. A total of 543 professionals took part in the study. All of them could intervene before, during, and after a suicide attempt. Results: The main finding of the study is that more than 50% of the participants accept as true the statement "There are more serious and less serious problems", underlining the idea that caring for patients could be related to the importance the health professional gives to the patients’ problem. Myths such as “The suicidal person wants to die” and “The suicidal person is determined to die” are also evident. Conclusion: The subjective thought the first responder has about suicide could affect their acts, and there is a need to train first responders in suicidal behavior to be able to create an adequate approach.
Full article
The problem addressed in this article consists of the motion control of a quadrotor affected by model disturbances and uncertainties. In order to tackle model uncertainty, adaptive control based on reinforcement learning is used. The distinctive feature of this article, in comparison with
[...] Read more.
The problem addressed in this article consists of the motion control of a quadrotor affected by model disturbances and uncertainties. In order to tackle model uncertainty, adaptive control based on reinforcement learning is used. The distinctive feature of this article, in comparison with other works on quadrotor control using reinforcement learning, is the exploration of the underlying optimal control problem in which a quadratic cost and a linear dynamics allow for an algorithm that runs in real time. Instead of identifying a plant model, adaptation is obtained by approximating the performance index given by the Q-function using directional forgetting recursive least squares that rely on a linear regressor built from quadratic functions of input/output data. The adaptive algorithm proposed is tested in simulation in a cascade control structure that drives a quadrotor. Simulations show the improvement in performance that results when the proposed algorithm is turned on.
Full article
Gastronomy represents one of the main defining national cultural elements and is essential for shaping territorial identities and for tourism development, attracting both domestic and international tourists. The landscape in the center of Bucharest has gradually changed under the influence of entrepreneurial initiatives
[...] Read more.
Gastronomy represents one of the main defining national cultural elements and is essential for shaping territorial identities and for tourism development, attracting both domestic and international tourists. The landscape in the center of Bucharest has gradually changed under the influence of entrepreneurial initiatives within the hospitality industry, showing at present a rather cosmopolitan urban environment. Despite the significant number of international catering units, better adapted to global tastes, Romanian-themed restaurants represent a landmark of the capital city. In this context, our study focuses on the Romanian authentic local gastronomy offered by the themed traditional restaurants in the center of Bucharest as a stimulating factor for different types of consumers. Aiming to answer several research questions, this research has a complex multi-fold methodological approach, appealing to triangulation which gathered, as main analytic methods, mapping, semantic analyses, and text visualisation, and the interview method (originally and appropriately applied for this case study to experienced employees). The main results show a complex gastronomic landscape that gathers various types of restaurants but outlines those with a Romanian ethnic theme in the center of Bucharest. The study of Romanian restaurants’ menus reveals elements of authenticity (e.g., traditional dishes and their regional denominations, local rural ingredients, old recipes, and cuisine techniques) as factors of attractiveness for consumers and as competitive advantages in their market. Moreover, interviews with staff representatives outline restaurants’ atmosphere, originality, and price–quality ratio of their food as the main attractive elements for both autochtonous customers and tourists and which offer an advantage in the market. The present study may interest multiple stakeholders, focusing on the development and evolution of the hospitality industry in Romania.
Full article
Tomato cultivation grapples with salt stress, disrupting growth parameters and physiological processes. High salinity levels induce osmotic stress, impacting cellular integrity and hindering metabolic activities. Salt accumulation at the root zone alters key physiological attributes, compromising overall harvestable output. Seed priming emerges as
[...] Read more.
Tomato cultivation grapples with salt stress, disrupting growth parameters and physiological processes. High salinity levels induce osmotic stress, impacting cellular integrity and hindering metabolic activities. Salt accumulation at the root zone alters key physiological attributes, compromising overall harvestable output. Seed priming emerges as a potential solution to enhance plant resilience. A research gap exists in understanding the combined influence of polyethylene glycol and sodium chloride as seed priming agents under salt stress conditions. The study occurred in the Greenhouse of Laboratory Horticultural Science at Tokyo University of Agriculture. Micro Tom seeds underwent a factorial randomized design, involving five salinity and four priming treatments. Replicated ten times, totaling 200 plants, seed priming used polyethylene glycol, inducing salinity stress with sodium chloride. Meticulous measurements of growth parameters, photosynthetic traits, yield attributes, and electrolyte leakage were conducted. Statistical analyses discerned treatment effects at a 5% significance level. Seed priming, especially with ‘PEG plus NaCl’, effectively mitigated salt stress effects on tomato plants. Under severe salt stress, primed plants exhibited increased plant height, trusses, leaves, and leaf area. Photosynthetic efficiency and yield attributes demonstrated significant improvements with seed priming. Electrolyte leakage, indicative of leaf damage, was notably reduced by seed priming treatments, with ‘PEG plus NaCl’ exhibiting the highest efficacy. These results offer valuable guidance for optimizing agricultural practices in saline environments, contributing to sustainable strategies for food security amidst escalating environmental challenges.
Full article
by
Ashim Pramanik, Martina Maria Calvino, Luisa Sciortino, Pooria Pasbakhsh, Giuseppe Cavallaro, Giuseppe Lazzara, Fabrizio Messina and Alice Sciortino
Photochem2024, 4(2), 151-162; https://doi.org/10.3390/photochem4020009 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
This study explores the use of Halloysite NanoTubes (HNTs) as photocatalysts capable of decomposing organic dyes under exposure to visible or ultraviolet light. Through a systematic series of photocatalytic experiments, we unveil that the photodegradation of Rhodamine B, used as a model cationic
[...] Read more.
This study explores the use of Halloysite NanoTubes (HNTs) as photocatalysts capable of decomposing organic dyes under exposure to visible or ultraviolet light. Through a systematic series of photocatalytic experiments, we unveil that the photodegradation of Rhodamine B, used as a model cationic dye, is significantly accelerated in the presence of HNTs. We observe that the extent of RhB photocatalytic degradation in 100 min in the presence of the HNTs is ~four times higher compared to that of bare RhB. Moreover, under optimized conditions, the as-extracted photodegradation rate of RhB (~0.0022 min−1) is comparable to that of the previously reported work on the photodegradation of RhB in the presence of tubular nanostructures. A parallel effect is observed for anionic Coumarin photodegradation, albeit less efficiently. Our analysis attributes this discrepancy to the distinct charge states of the two dyes, influencing their attachment sites on HNTs. Cationic Rhodamine B molecules preferentially attach to the outer surface of HNTs, while anionic Coumarin molecules tend to attach to the inner surface. By leveraging the unique properties of HNTs, a family of naturally occurring nanotube structures, this research offers valuable insights for optimizing photocatalytic systems in the pursuit of effective and eco-friendly solutions for environmental remediation.
Full article
In 2015, the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University began an ambitious plant acquisition program: The Campaign for the Living Collections. Prior to the initiative’s launch, the Arboretum underwent several years of strategic planning to assess the values, strengths, and gaps within its renowned
[...] Read more.
In 2015, the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University began an ambitious plant acquisition program: The Campaign for the Living Collections. Prior to the initiative’s launch, the Arboretum underwent several years of strategic planning to assess the values, strengths, and gaps within its renowned living collection of temperate woody plants and then set goals that would profoundly shape the collection and its research and conservation potential for decades if not for centuries. Core genera, conservation value, phylogenetic breadth, biogeography, and climate change responses were among the priority themes used to generate a targeted list of 395 desiderata to acquire from wild populations. In only a few years, the Campaign’s 26 formal expeditions and other acquisition efforts have yielded 631 accessions of 263 highest-priority desiderata, representing 66.6% of the overall goal. This venture represents one of the most transformative and deliberate collection development activities at the Arnold Arboretum and among botanical gardens in the current era. These successes are due to a combination of factors that include visionary yet realistic strategic planning and goal setting, adherence to high standards of documentation and reporting, and authentic relationship building among collaborators.
Full article
Remote sensing technology currently facilitates the monitoring of crop development, enabling detailed analysis and monitoring throughout the crop’s growing stages. This research analyzed the winter wheat growth dynamics of experimental plots at the Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station, Thunder Bay, Canada using high
[...] Read more.
Remote sensing technology currently facilitates the monitoring of crop development, enabling detailed analysis and monitoring throughout the crop’s growing stages. This research analyzed the winter wheat growth dynamics of experimental plots at the Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station, Thunder Bay, Canada using high spatial and temporal resolution remote sensing images. The spectral signatures for five growing stages were prepared. NIR reflectance increased during the growing stages and decreased at the senescence, indicating healthy vegetation. The space–time cube provided valuable insight into how canopy height changed over time. The effect of nitrogen treatments on wheat did not directly influence the plant count (spring/autumn), and height and volume at maturity. However, the green and dry weights were different at several treatments. Winter wheat yield was predicted using the XGBoost algorithm, and moderate results were obtained. The study explored different techniques for analyzing winter wheat growth dynamics and identified their usefulness in smart agriculture.
Full article
Heparan sulfate proteoglycans are highly glycosylated proteins in which heparan sulfate, a glycosaminoglycan sugar chain, is an acidic sugar chain consisting of a repeating disaccharide structure of glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine is locally sulfated. Syndecan, one of the transmembrane HSPGs, functions as a
[...] Read more.
Heparan sulfate proteoglycans are highly glycosylated proteins in which heparan sulfate, a glycosaminoglycan sugar chain, is an acidic sugar chain consisting of a repeating disaccharide structure of glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine is locally sulfated. Syndecan, one of the transmembrane HSPGs, functions as a receptor that transmits signals from the extracellular microenvironment to the inside of the cell. In the vascular system, heparan sulfate proteoglycans, a major component of the glycocalyx, enable the binding of various plasma-derived molecules due to their diversity, epimerization of glycosaminoglycans chains, long chains, and sulfation. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans present in the extracellular matrix serve as a reservoir for bioactive molecules such as chemokines, cytokines, and growth factors. Aberrant expression of heparan sulfate proteoglycans, heparanase, and sulfatase is observed in many pathological conditions. Therefore, it can be applied to therapeutic strategies for a wide range of fields including Alzheimer’s disease, heart failure, cancer, organ transplants, diabetes, chronic inflammation, aging, and autoimmune diseases.
Full article