The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
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15 pages, 3737 KiB  
Article
Robust Enhancement of Direct Air Capture of CO2 Efficiency Using Micro-Sized Anion Exchange Resin Particles
by Shuohan Liu, Junqiang Hu, Fan Zhang, Jianzhong Zhu, Xiaoyang Shi and Lei Wang
Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3601; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093601 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
In the quest to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions, it becomes essential to address the existing atmospheric CO2. Effective and economical methodologies, particularly those without additional energy consumption, are crucial. Currently, a leading method is the direct capture of CO2 using [...] Read more.
In the quest to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions, it becomes essential to address the existing atmospheric CO2. Effective and economical methodologies, particularly those without additional energy consumption, are crucial. Currently, a leading method is the direct capture of CO2 using ion exchange resins, which achieve the adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide simply by using the humidity variations. This technology, though minimizing additional energy cost, still needs improvement in its efficiency in CO2 capture capacity and compared to other methods. In this work, we develop low-cost techniques to reduce the AmberLite™ IRA900 Cl (IRA-900) anion exchange resin to micro size, and observe significant performance enhancement on CO2 capture efficiency contingent on reducing the particle diameters. This performance disparity is attributed to the differential water adsorption capacities inherent in particles of diverse diameters. Our results reveal that smaller resin particles outperform their larger counterparts, exhibiting accelerated adsorption rates and expedited transitions from wet to dry states. Notably, these smaller particles display a quintupled enhancement in adsorption efficacy relative to non-treated particles and a marked increase in relative adsorption capacity. Upon treatment, IRA-900 demonstrates robust CO2 processing efficiency, achieving a peak adsorption rate of 1.28 g/mol·h and a maximum desorption rate of 1.18 g/mol·h. Also, the material is subjected to almost 100 cycles of testing, and even after 100 cycles, the resin particles maintain a capacity of 100%. Moreover, our material can be fully regenerated to 100% efficiency by simply immersing it in water. Simultaneously, storing it in water allows for the long-term maintenance of its performance without other treatment methods. A key observation is the resin’s sustained performance stability post extended exposure to humid conditions. These outcomes offer substantial practical implications, emphasizing the relevance of our study in practical environmental applications. Full article
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23 pages, 881 KiB  
Review
Neuropsychopharmacological Induction of (Lucid) Dreams: A Narrative Review
by Abel A. Oldoni, André D. Bacchi, Fúlvio R. Mendes, Paula A. Tiba and Sérgio Mota-Rolim
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(5), 426; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14050426 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
Lucid dreaming (LD) is a physiological state of consciousness that occurs when dreamers become aware that they are dreaming, and may also control the oneiric content. In the general population, LD is spontaneously rare; thus, there is great interest in its induction. Here, [...] Read more.
Lucid dreaming (LD) is a physiological state of consciousness that occurs when dreamers become aware that they are dreaming, and may also control the oneiric content. In the general population, LD is spontaneously rare; thus, there is great interest in its induction. Here, we aim to review the literature on neuropsychopharmacological induction of LD. First, we describe the circadian and homeostatic processes of sleep regulation and the mechanisms that control REM sleep with a focus on neurotransmission systems. We then discuss the neurophysiology and phenomenology of LD to understand the main cortical oscillations and brain areas involved in the emergence of lucidity during REM sleep. Finally, we review possible exogenous substances—including natural plants and artificial drugs—that increase metacognition, REM sleep, and/or dream recall, thus with the potential to induce LD. We found that the main candidates are substances that increase cholinergic and/or dopaminergic transmission, such as galantamine. However, the main limitation of this technique is the complexity of these neurotransmitter systems, which challenges interpreting results in a simple way. We conclude that, despite these promising substances, more research is necessary to find a reliable way to pharmacologically induce LD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Dreaming and Sleep-Related Metacognitions)
23 pages, 14439 KiB  
Article
Research on Active Disturbance Rejection Control with Parameter Autotuning for a Moving Mirror Control System Based on Improved Snake Optimization
by Liangjie Zhi, Min Huang, Lulu Qian, Zhanchao Wang, Qin Wen and Wei Han
Electronics 2024, 13(9), 1650; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13091650 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
In order to improve the control of a moving mirror control system and enhance the anti-interference ability of the system, active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) with parameter autotuning is proposed and applied to control a rotary voice coil motor (RVCM). Improved snake optimization [...] Read more.
In order to improve the control of a moving mirror control system and enhance the anti-interference ability of the system, active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) with parameter autotuning is proposed and applied to control a rotary voice coil motor (RVCM). Improved snake optimization (I-SO) was applied to tune and optimize ADRC’s key parameters. To obtain excellent parameters efficiently, in the population initialization phase of SO, the quality and diversity of initial solutions were improved through a chaotic elite opposition learning algorithm. In the local search phase, a sine and cosine (SC) search mode was introduced to enhance the local search ability of SO. The simulation results show that I-SO can effectively find the ideal parameters. I-SO has excellent search capability and stability. The experimental control system of a moving mirror was established, and the effectiveness of the parameters optimized by I-SO was verified. ADRC with parameter autotuning showed excellent control in the moving mirror control system, and the stability of the optical path scanning speed reached 99.2%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Systems & Control Engineering)
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17 pages, 1287 KiB  
Article
Two-Level Dynamic Programming-Enabled Non-Metric Data Aggregation Technique for the Internet of Things
by Syed Roohullah Jan, Baraq Ghaleb, Umair Ullah Tariq, Haider Ali, Fariza Sabrina and Lu Liu
Electronics 2024, 13(9), 1651; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13091651 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
The Internet of Things (IoT) has become a transformative technological infrastructure, serving as a benchmark for automating and standardizing various activities across different domains to reduce human effort, especially in hazardous environments. In these networks, devices with embedded sensors capture valuable information about [...] Read more.
The Internet of Things (IoT) has become a transformative technological infrastructure, serving as a benchmark for automating and standardizing various activities across different domains to reduce human effort, especially in hazardous environments. In these networks, devices with embedded sensors capture valuable information about activities and report it to the nearest server. Although IoT networks are exceptionally useful in solving real-life problems, managing duplicate data values, often captured by neighboring devices, remains a challenging issue. Despite various methodologies reported in the literature to minimize the occurrence of duplicate data, it continues to be an open research problem. This paper presents a sophisticated data aggregation approach designed to minimize the ratio of duplicate data values in the refined set with the least possible information loss in IoT networks. First, at the device level, a local data aggregation process filters out outliers and duplicates data before transmission. Second, at the server level, a dynamic programming-based non-metric method identifies the longest common subsequence (LCS) among data from neighboring devices, which is then shared with the edge module. Simulation results confirm the approach’s exceptional performance in optimizing the bandwidth, energy consumption, and response time while maintaining high accuracy and precision, thus significantly reducing overall network congestion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Big Data Analysis for High-Dimensional Internet of Things)
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14 pages, 3712 KiB  
Article
Molecular and Cytological Identification of Wheat-Thinopyrum intermedium Partial Amphiploid Line 92048 with Resistance to Stripe Rust and Fusarium Head Blight
by Xiaoqin Luo, Yuanjiang He, Xianli Feng, Min Huang, Kebing Huang, Xin Li, Suizhuang Yang and Yong Ren
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1198; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091198 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
Thinopyrum intermedium (2n = 6x = 42, EeEeEbEbStSt or JJJsJsStSt) contains a large number of genes that are highly adaptable to the environment and immune to a variety of wheat diseases, [...] Read more.
Thinopyrum intermedium (2n = 6x = 42, EeEeEbEbStSt or JJJsJsStSt) contains a large number of genes that are highly adaptable to the environment and immune to a variety of wheat diseases, such as powdery mildew, rust, and yellow dwarf, making it an important gene source for the genetic improvement of common wheat. Currently, an important issue plaguing wheat production and breeding is the spread of pests and illnesses. Breeding disease-resistant wheat varieties using disease-resistant genes is currently the most effective measure to solve this problem. Moreover, alien resistance genes often have a stronger disease-resistant effect than the resistance genes found in common wheat. In this study, the wheat-Th. intermedium partial amphiploid line 92048 was developed through hybridization between Th. intermedium and common wheat. The chromosome structure and composition of 92048 were analyzed using ND-FISH and molecular marker analysis. The results showed that the chromosome composition of 92048 (Octoploid Trititrigia) was 56 = 42W + 6J + 4Js + 4St. In addition, we found that 92048 was highly resistant to a mixture of stripe rust races (CYR32, CYR33, and CYR34) during the seedling stage and fusarium head blight (FHB) in the field during the adult plant stage, suggesting that the alien or wheat chromosomes in 92048 had disease-resistant gene(s) to stripe rust and FHB. There is a high probability that the gene(s) for resistance to stripe rust and FHB are from the alien chromosomes. Therefore, 92048 shows promise as a bridge material for transferring superior genes from Th. intermedium to common wheat and improving disease resistance in common wheat. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Broad-Spectrum Disease Resistance in Plants)
12 pages, 12739 KiB  
Article
High-Bandwidth Lumped Mach-Zehnder Modulators Based on Thin-Film Lithium Niobate
by Peng Yang, Siwei Sun, Yuqiang Zhang, Rui Cao, Huimin He, Haiyun Xue and Fengman Liu
Photonics 2024, 11(5), 399; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics11050399 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
Recently, lumped Mach-Zehnder Modulators (MZMs) have received renewed attention due to their potential for low power consumption and compact size. However, the practicality of lumped MZMs with conventional lumped electrodes (C-LEs) is limited by their lower electro-optical (EO) bandwidth. The reduction in EO [...] Read more.
Recently, lumped Mach-Zehnder Modulators (MZMs) have received renewed attention due to their potential for low power consumption and compact size. However, the practicality of lumped MZMs with conventional lumped electrodes (C-LEs) is limited by their lower electro-optical (EO) bandwidth. The reduction in EO bandwidth results from the inherent trade-off between EO bandwidth and half-wave voltage length product (VπL) within the C-LE architecture. This paper proposes a thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN)-based lumped MZM with capacitively-loaded lumped electrodes (CL-LEs). The purely linear EO effect of the LN eliminates the parasitic capacitance in the doped PN junction and enhances the EO bandwidth. Furthermore, the CL-LE structure can break the limitation between EO bandwidth and VπL inherent in the C-LE design. Simulations show the proposed device achieves a high EO bandwidth of 32.4 GHz and a low VπL of 1.15 V·cm. Due to the reduced capacitance and lower VπL, the power consumption of the device is as low as 0.1 pJ/bit. Simulation results indicate that the open-eye diagrams are achieved at 64 Gb/s for 1.5 mm TFLN lumped MZM, with an ER of 2.97 dB. Consequently, the proposed device architecture substantially enhances the performance of lumped MZMs, showing promise for application in short-reach optical interconnects within data centers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Optoelectronics and Optical Materials)
15 pages, 706 KiB  
Article
Behavior Selection Models of Fire Evacuations with the Consideration of Adaptive Evacuation Psychologies
by Lixiao Wang, Zhenya Zhang, Shijun Lu and Jianhu Wang
Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3607; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093607 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
With the acceleration of urbanization, the increasing frequency of building fires has caused a large number of deaths and economic losses. In order to delve into the evacuation route selection behaviors seen in library fires and analyze the impacts of individual evacuation psychologies [...] Read more.
With the acceleration of urbanization, the increasing frequency of building fires has caused a large number of deaths and economic losses. In order to delve into the evacuation route selection behaviors seen in library fires and analyze the impacts of individual evacuation psychologies on route decisions during escaping, based on practical survey data from the library on the Boda campus of Xinjiang University, this study built a mixed Logit (ML) model irrespective of latent psychological variables and a hybrid choice model (HCM) considering the latent variables of adaptive evacuation psychologies to investigate the internal formation mechanism of evacuees’ route decisions. The results indicate that evacuees’ non-adaptive conformity psychology, adaptive altruism psychology, and environmental familiarity have significant impacts on their route decisions. The stronger the evacuees’ non-adaptive inertia psychology, the more they lean towards the shortest route. Meanwhile, altruistic adaptive evacuation psychology has a significant negative impact on the probability of choosing the longest route. The stronger the evacuees’ environmental familiarity, the more they tend to choose the evacuation route with good emergency lighting. Personal socio-economic attributes have varying impacts on peoples’ evacuation route decisions. The findings of our study provide theoretical support for sustainable planning, preparedness, and the design of fire evacuations. This contribution aids in advancing sustainable practices for emergency responses. Full article
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12 pages, 457 KiB  
Article
Relationship between Sleep Bruxism Determined by Non-Instrumental and Instrumental Approaches and Psychometric Variables
by Nicole Pascale Walentek, Ralf Schäfer, Nora Bergmann, Michael Franken and Michelle Alicia Ommerborn
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(5), 543; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21050543 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
Sleep bruxism (SB) can be determined with different diagnostic procedures. The relationship between psychometric variables and SB varies depending on the diagnostic method. The aim of the study was to compare the association between SB and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL; measured [...] Read more.
Sleep bruxism (SB) can be determined with different diagnostic procedures. The relationship between psychometric variables and SB varies depending on the diagnostic method. The aim of the study was to compare the association between SB and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL; measured by the Oral Health Impact Profile, OHIP), anxiety (measured by the State-Trait anxiety inventory, STAI), and stress (single scale variable) depending on the diagnostic method in the same sample. N = 45 participants were examined by non-instrumental (possible/probable SB) and instrumental methods (definite SB). The OHIP differed significantly between possible SB (median = 4) and non-SB (median = 0) with W = 115, p = 0.01, and probable SB (median = 6) and non-SB (median = 0) with W = 101, p = 0.01). There was no significant difference in the OHIP score between definite SB and non-SB. For the other psychometric variables, the analyses revealed no significant differences between SB and non-SB in all diagnostic procedures. The results suggest that there is a difference between possible/probable and definite SB with respect to the association with OHRQoL. Certain aspects of possible/probable SB might be responsible for the poor OHRQoL, which are not measured in definite SB. Full article
13 pages, 428 KiB  
Article
Effects of Hypopressive Abdominal Training on Ventilatory Capacity and Quality of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by Maria del Carmen Herena-Funes, Caroline Correia de Alencar, Dara María Velázquez-Torres, Elisenda Marrero García, Yolanda Castellote-Caballero, Felipe León-Morillas, Aday Infante-Guedes and David Cruz-Díaz
Healthcare 2024, 12(9), 893; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12090893 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
Pelvic floor dysfunctions, associated with alterations in respiratory mechanics and, consequently, quality of life, are the cause of the most frequent gynecological problems. Pelvic floor muscle training emerges as a first-line treatment, with new approaches such as hypopressive exercises. The aim of this [...] Read more.
Pelvic floor dysfunctions, associated with alterations in respiratory mechanics and, consequently, quality of life, are the cause of the most frequent gynecological problems. Pelvic floor muscle training emerges as a first-line treatment, with new approaches such as hypopressive exercises. The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy of an 8-week supervised training program of hypopressive exercises on the pelvic floor and its impact on improving the ventilatory mechanics and quality of life in women. Analysis of the spirometric parameters showed a significant main Group × Time effect for three parameters: the ratio of FEV1/FVC (p = 0.030), the forced expiratory flow at 75% of the expired vital capacity (p < 0.001), and the forced expiratory flow over the middle half of the forced vital capacity (p = 0.005). No statistical significance was found regarding the SF-12 questionnaire components; only differences were found over time in the physical role (p = 0.023), bodily pain (p = 0.001), and vitality (p < 0.010) domains and in the physical component summary score (p = 0.010). After an 8-week intervention of hypopressive exercises, an improvement in the ventilatory and pulmonary capacities can be observed. Full article
20 pages, 4686 KiB  
Article
Temporal Dynamics of Fungal Communities in Alkali-Treated Round Bamboo Deterioration under Natural Weathering
by Shuaibo Han, Xiaojiao An, Xiaolong He, Xin Ren, John Sichone, Xinxing Wu, Yan Zhang, Hui Wang and Fangli Sun
Microorganisms 2024, 12(5), 858; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12050858 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
Microbes naturally inhabit bamboo-based materials in outdoor environments, sequentially contributing to their deterioration. Fungi play a significant role in deterioration, especially in environments with abundant water and favorable temperatures. Alkali treatment is often employed in the pretreatment of round bamboo to change its [...] Read more.
Microbes naturally inhabit bamboo-based materials in outdoor environments, sequentially contributing to their deterioration. Fungi play a significant role in deterioration, especially in environments with abundant water and favorable temperatures. Alkali treatment is often employed in the pretreatment of round bamboo to change its natural elastic and aesthetic behaviors. However, little research has investigated the structure and dynamics of fungal communities on alkali-treated round bamboo during natural deterioration. In this work, high-throughput sequencing and multiple characterization methods were used to disclose the fungal community succession and characteristic alterations of alkali-treated round bamboo in both roofed and unroofed habitats throughout a 13-week deterioration period. In total, 192 fungal amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) from six phyla were identified. The fungal community richness of roofed bamboo samples declined, whereas that of unroofed bamboo samples increased during deterioration. The phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota exhibited dominance during the entire deterioration process in two distinct environments, and the relative abundance of them combined was more than 99%. A distinct shift in fungal communities from Basidiomycota dominant in the early stage to Ascomycota dominant in the late stage was observed, which may be attributed to the increase of moisture and temperature during succession and the effect of alkali treatment. Among all environmental factors, temperature contributed most to the variation in the fungal community. The surface of round bamboo underwent continuous destruction from fungi and environmental factors. The total amount of cell wall components in bamboo epidermis in both roofed and unroofed conditions presented a descending trend. The content of hemicellulose declined sharply by 8.3% and 11.1% under roofed and unroofed environments after 9 weeks of deterioration. In addition, the contact angle was reduced throughout the deterioration process in both roofed and unroofed samples, which might be attributed to wax layer removal and lignin degradation. This study provides theoretical support for the protection of round bamboo under natural weathering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Microbe Interactions)
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11 pages, 3712 KiB  
Article
A Hybrid Scheme for TX I/Q Imbalance Self-Calibration in a Direct-Conversion Transceiver
by Ruhao Wang, Peng Gao, Jiarui Liu, Zhiyu Wang, Chenge Wang and Faxin Yu
Electronics 2024, 13(9), 1653; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13091653 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
A generic transmitter (TX) I/Q imbalance self-calibration method, which was designed based on a hybrid analog and digital structure, is proposed in this paper. The whole calibration scheme was implemented using low-complexity digital–analog circuits based on a zero-force feedback loop. In order to [...] Read more.
A generic transmitter (TX) I/Q imbalance self-calibration method, which was designed based on a hybrid analog and digital structure, is proposed in this paper. The whole calibration scheme was implemented using low-complexity digital–analog circuits based on a zero-force feedback loop. In order to eliminate the negative effect of local oscillator (LO) harmonics on the calibration, we used a variable-delay line (VDL) in the analog domain instead of the digital phase compensator. The prototype chip was fabricated within a 0.2∼5.0 GHz direct-conversion transmitter in a 65 nm CMOS process, and measurements found an image rejection ratio (IRR) of 65 dBc. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Circuit and Signal Processing)
17 pages, 867 KiB  
Article
Repellent and Attractant Activities of Organic Compounds on Female and Male Philonthus decorus (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae)
by Liudmyla Faly, Viktor Brygadyrenko and Algimantas Paulauskas
Biology 2024, 13(5), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13050294 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
The use of organic compounds in different spheres of human activity is accompanied by their influx to and accumulation in the environment. The negative impact of those compounds can be one of the reasons for a decline in populations and biodiversity of aboveground [...] Read more.
The use of organic compounds in different spheres of human activity is accompanied by their influx to and accumulation in the environment. The negative impact of those compounds can be one of the reasons for a decline in populations and biodiversity of aboveground invertebrates. Chemical compounds can potentially cause a variety of effects (attractant or repellent) on insects, including species of the Staphylinidae family. In a laboratory experiment, we identified repellent and attractant influence of 40 organic compounds and mixtures of compounds (acids, alcohols, ketones, phenols, aldehydes, aromatic carbohydrates solvents, and vehicle fuels) on Philonthus decorus Gravenhorst, 1802. The ambulatory responses of the males and females to the same chemical compounds most often varied. A strong repellent activity against both sexes of Ph. decorus was caused by oleic acid, while hexane repelled the males. Acetic acid, 1-butanol, and ammonia solution were found to be strongly repellent against females. A moderate (average) repellent activity towards male Ph. decorus was displayed by organic solvents and fuels, some alcohols (isopropanol, isoamyl alcohol, methanol, ethanol), acids (acetic, formic acid), aromatic carbohydrates (toluene, xylene), and formaldehyde. Female Ph. decorus in general were less sensitive to the odors. The list of repellents with moderate activity against the females was much shorter: solvent 646, white spirit, toluene, isopropanol, isoamyl alcohol, citric and oxalic acids, and glycerol. Moderate attractant activity for Ph. decorus was exhibited by some amino acids, alcohols, and fuel mixes: glycine and L-cysteine (for the males), and phenylalanine, methanol, and diesel fuel (for the females). The rest of the 40 chemical compounds we studied caused no ambulatory responses in Ph. decorus. The difficulties we encountered in the interpretation of the results suggest a need for further experimental studies that would expand the knowledge of the chemoecology of insects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Behavioural Biology)
12 pages, 940 KiB  
Article
How Do Healthcare Professionals Develop the Communication Process to Promote Patients’ Health Literacy?
by Flaviane Cristina Rocha Cesar, Lizete Malagoni de Almeida Cavalcante Oliveira, Mariana Cristyen Galvão and Ana Luiza Andrade Lacerda
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(5), 536; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21050536 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
This study aimed to analyze the communication process of healthcare professionals for the promotion of health literacy. It is a qualitative study that utilized individual online interviews with 46 healthcare professionals working in Brazil. The thematic content analysis technique proposed by Bardin was [...] Read more.
This study aimed to analyze the communication process of healthcare professionals for the promotion of health literacy. It is a qualitative study that utilized individual online interviews with 46 healthcare professionals working in Brazil. The thematic content analysis technique proposed by Bardin was employed, and Atlas Ti software assisted in the assessment and interpretation of the texts. Content categorization revealed 26 sub-themes, and the coding of these identified nine themes and three categories. The communication process in health literacy education was composed of a set of interdependent and interrelated variables termed emotions, professional preparedness, interprofessional collaboration, patient needs assessment, building rapport, family inclusion in the educational process, environmental aspects, strategies, and resources for teaching and learning. These data may support the analysis of health communication in healthcare services, the creation of data collection instruments, and the development of training programs to enhance skills within the context of the identified variables. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Mass Communication, Digital Media, and Public Health)
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16 pages, 2838 KiB  
Article
Study on the Influence of Moisture Content and Void Ratio on the Disintegration of Red Clay
by Hongming Wang, Zhikui Liu, Yongxiong Xie and Yuantao Li
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 3652; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093652 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
Guilin is a famous karst area, and currently the view that the disintegration of red clay will cause soil cave collapse is increasingly recognized. In order to study the influence of the coupling effect of moisture content and void ratio on the disintegration [...] Read more.
Guilin is a famous karst area, and currently the view that the disintegration of red clay will cause soil cave collapse is increasingly recognized. In order to study the influence of the coupling effect of moisture content and void ratio on the disintegration of red clay, different moisture contents and void ratios of Guilin red clay were placed on a self-made disintegration apparatus to record the real-time disintegration amount and observe the disintegration phenomenon. Images of the structural characteristics of soil were obtained by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Additionally, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was applied to analyze the distribution of water in both natural and saturated states. The results show that the disintegration rate of red clay decreases as the initial moisture content increases, but increases with the increase of void ratio. Both moisture content and void ratio affect the structural characteristics of red clay. When the moisture content remains constant, the soil changes from a three-peak to a two-peak structure as the void ratio increases. The total area and secondary peak area of the T2 spectrum increase, while the starting T2 value of the main peak shifts to the right and the area decreases. Meanwhile, the starting T2 value of the secondary peak shifts to the right and the area increases. When the void ratio remains constant, the starting T2 value of the main peak gradually shifts to the left and the area decreases as the moisture content increases. However, the starting T2 value of the secondary peak shifts to the right and the area decreases or first decreases and then increases. The disintegration rate does not exhibit a significant relationship with either pore volume or macropore volume. The combined water saturation shows a bilinear relationship with both the moisture content and void ratio, where it increases as the initial moisture content increases, but decreases as the void ratio increases, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9929. The disintegration rate has an exponential relationship with the combined water saturation, and it decreases as the combined water saturation increases, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9934. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Earth Sciences)
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12 pages, 2554 KiB  
Article
Rubber-like PTFE Thin Coatings Deposited by Pulsed Electron Beam Deposition (PED) Method
by Agata Niemczyk, Roman Jędrzejewski, Joanna Piwowarczyk and Jolanta Baranowska
Polymers 2024, 16(9), 1205; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091205 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
PTFE coatings were manufactured using the pulsed electron beam deposition (PED) technique and deposited on Si substrates. The deposition was carried out at constant parameters: temperature 24 °C, discharge voltages 12 kV, and 5000 electron pulses with a pulse frequency of 5 Hz. [...] Read more.
PTFE coatings were manufactured using the pulsed electron beam deposition (PED) technique and deposited on Si substrates. The deposition was carried out at constant parameters: temperature 24 °C, discharge voltages 12 kV, and 5000 electron pulses with a pulse frequency of 5 Hz. Nitrogen was used as the background gas. The gas pressure varied from 3 to 11 mTorr. The coating adhesion was evaluated using micro scratch testing and the residual scratch morphology was characterized by atomic force microscopy. Detailed studies of the chemical and physical structure were conducted using infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. These analyses were then correlated with the mechanical response of the coatings observed during the scratch tests. Drawing upon a review of the literature concerning energetic beam interactions with PTFE material, hypotheses were posed to explain why only specific conditions of the PED process yielded PTFE coatings with rubber-like properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymeric Films II)
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13 pages, 2245 KiB  
Article
Preparation of Gel Forming Polymer-Based Sprays for First Aid Care of Skin Injuries
by Patrícia Alves, Diana Luzio, Kevin de Sá, Ilídio Correia and Paula Ferreira
Gels 2024, 10(5), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10050297 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
Currently, there are several types of materials for the treatment of wounds, burns, and other topical injuries available on the market. The most used are gauzes and compresses due to their fluid absorption capacity; however, these materials adhere to the surface of the [...] Read more.
Currently, there are several types of materials for the treatment of wounds, burns, and other topical injuries available on the market. The most used are gauzes and compresses due to their fluid absorption capacity; however, these materials adhere to the surface of the lesions, which can lead to further bleeding and tissue damage upon removal. In the present study, the development of a polymer-based gel that can be applied as a spray provides a new vision in injury protection, respecting the requirements of safety, ease, and quickness of both applicability and removal. The following polymeric sprays were developed to further obtain gels based on different polymers: hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a plasticizer. The developed sprays revealed suitable properties for use in topical injuries. A protective film was obtained when sprayed on a surface through a casting mechanism. The obtained films adhered to the surface of biological tissue (pig muscle), turning into a gel when the exudate was absorbed, and proved to be washable with saline solution and contribute to the clotting process. Moreover, biocompatibility results showed that all materials were biocompatible, as cell viability was over 90% for all the materials. Full article
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22 pages, 2812 KiB  
Review
Anti-Cancer, Anti-Angiogenic, and Anti-Atherogenic Potential of Key Phenolic Compounds from Virgin Olive Oil
by Ana Dácil Marrero, Ana R. Quesada, Beatriz Martínez-Poveda and Miguel Ángel Medina
Nutrients 2024, 16(9), 1283; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16091283 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
The Mediterranean diet, renowned for its health benefits, especially in reducing cardiovascular risks and protecting against diseases like diabetes and cancer, emphasizes virgin olive oil as a key contributor to these advantages. Despite being a minor fraction, the phenolic compounds in olive oil [...] Read more.
The Mediterranean diet, renowned for its health benefits, especially in reducing cardiovascular risks and protecting against diseases like diabetes and cancer, emphasizes virgin olive oil as a key contributor to these advantages. Despite being a minor fraction, the phenolic compounds in olive oil significantly contribute to its bioactive effects. This review examines the bioactive properties of hydroxytyrosol and related molecules, including naturally occurring compounds (-)-oleocanthal and (-)–oleacein, as well as semisynthetic derivatives like hydroxytyrosyl esters and alkyl ethers. (-)-Oleocanthal and (-)–oleacein show promising anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties, which are particularly underexplored in the case of (-)–oleacein. Additionally, hydroxytyrosyl esters exhibit similar effectiveness to hydroxytyrosol, while certain alkyl ethers surpass their precursor’s properties. Remarkably, the emerging research field of the effects of phenolic molecules related to virgin olive oil on cell autophagy presents significant opportunities for underscoring the anti-cancer and neuroprotective properties of these molecules. Furthermore, promising clinical data from studies on hydroxytyrosol, (-)–oleacein, and (-)–oleocanthal urge further investigation and support the initiation of clinical trials with semisynthetic hydroxytyrosol derivatives. This review provides valuable insights into the potential applications of olive oil-derived phenolics in preventing and managing diseases associated with cancer, angiogenesis, and atherosclerosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of Dietary Bioactive Compounds on Cancer Prevention)
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13 pages, 3592 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of High Thermal Conductivity Aluminum Nitride Ceramics via Digital Light Processing 3D Printing
by Yuxin Tang, Zhenhai Xue, Guohong Zhou and Song Hu
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2010; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092010 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
The sintering of high-performance ceramics with complex shapes at low temperatures has a significant impact on the future application of ceramics. A joint process of digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing technology and a nitrogen-gas pressure-assisted sintering method were proposed to fabricate AlN [...] Read more.
The sintering of high-performance ceramics with complex shapes at low temperatures has a significant impact on the future application of ceramics. A joint process of digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing technology and a nitrogen-gas pressure-assisted sintering method were proposed to fabricate AlN ceramics in the present work. Printing parameters, including exposure energy and time, were optimized for the shaping of green bodies. The effects of sintering temperature, as well as nitrogen pressure, on the microstructure, density, and thermal conductivity of AlN ceramics were systematically discussed. A high thermal conductivity of 168 W·m−1·K−1 was achieved by sintering and holding at a significantly reduced temperature of 1720 °C with the assistance of a 0.6 MPa nitrogen-gas pressure. Further, a large-sized AlN ceramic plate and a heat sink with an internal mini-channel structure were designed and successfully fabricated by using the optimized printing and sintering parameters proposed in this study. The heat transfer performance of the ceramic heat sink was evaluated by infrared thermal imaging, showing excellent cooling abilities, which provides new opportunities for the development of ceramic heat dissipation modules with complex geometries and superior thermal management properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Additive Manufacturing of Ceramics and Composites)
12 pages, 2264 KiB  
Article
Temporal–Spatial Characteristics and Trade-Off–Synergy Relationships of Water-Related Ecosystem Services in the Yangtze River Basin from 2001 to 2021
by Hongbo Du, Jianping Wu, Wenjie Li, Yu Wan, Ming Yang and Peng Feng
Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3605; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093605 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
The Yangtze River Basin serves as an essential ecological shelter in China, yet it has encountered escalating aquatic ecological challenges. Exploring the spatial–temporal changes and the trade-off–synergy relationships of water-related ecosystem services (WESs) is necessary for formulating management and planning policies targeting the [...] Read more.
The Yangtze River Basin serves as an essential ecological shelter in China, yet it has encountered escalating aquatic ecological challenges. Exploring the spatial–temporal changes and the trade-off–synergy relationships of water-related ecosystem services (WESs) is necessary for formulating management and planning policies targeting the sustainable development of watersheds. In this study, the InVEST model is utilized to evaluate the spatial–temporal variations in water yield (WY), water purification (WP), and soil conservation (SC) in the Yangtze River Basin using remote-sensed data from 2001 to 2021. The spatial overlay method and a correlation analysis were adopted to reveal the trade-off–synergy relationship among the three WESs. Additionally, we performed a comparative analysis across the grid and sub-basin scales. The results showed that the multi-year average WY, WP, and SC were 536.10 mm, 1.32 kg/ha, and 250.08 t/ha, representing increasing rates of 4.74 mm/a, −0.001 kg/ha/a, and 1.88 t/ha/a, respectively. Moreover, the trade-off–synergy relationships of WESs exhibited spatial variability; specifically, the WY-WP, WP-SC, and WY-SC pairs demonstrated reduced synergy magnitude over time. The WES interactions were stable across the scales of interest, while synergy strength showed noticeable variability. The findings may contribute to the sustainable development of the Yangtze River Basin and enhance the comprehensive management of WESs. Full article
13 pages, 795 KiB  
Article
Probing the Immunoreceptor Tyrosine-Based Inhibition Motif Interaction Protein Partners with Proteomics
by Yujun Gao, Shu Xing and Lianghai Hu
Molecules 2024, 29(9), 1977; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29091977 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
Phosphorylation of tyrosine is the basic mode of protein function and signal transduction in organisms. This process is regulated by protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and protein tyrosinases (PTPs). Immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM) has been considered as regulating the PTP activity through the [...] Read more.
Phosphorylation of tyrosine is the basic mode of protein function and signal transduction in organisms. This process is regulated by protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and protein tyrosinases (PTPs). Immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM) has been considered as regulating the PTP activity through the interaction with the partner proteins in the cell signal pathway. The ITIM sequences need to be phosphorylated first to active the downstream signaling proteins. To explore potential regulatory mechanisms, the ITIM sequences of two transmembrane immunoglobulin proteins, myelin P0 protein-related protein (PZR) and programmed death 1 (PD-1), were analyzed to investigate their interaction with proteins involved in regulatory pathways. We discovered that phosphorylated ITIM sequences can selectively interact with the tyrosine phosphatase SHP2. Specifically, PZR-N-ITIM (pY) may be critical in the interaction between the ITIM and SH2 domains of SHP2, while PD1-C-ITSM (pY) may play a key role in the interaction between the ITIM and SH2 domains of SHP2. Quite a few proteins were identified containing the SH2 domain, exhibiting phosphorylation-mediated interaction with PZR-ITIM. In this study, 14 proteins with SH2 structural domains were identified by GO analysis on 339 proteins associated to the affinity pull-down of PZR-N-ITIM (pY). Through the SH2 domains, these proteins may interact with PZR-ITIM in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Biology in Asia)
11 pages, 714 KiB  
Article
First Report of Endemic Frog Virus 3 (FV3)-like Ranaviruses in the Korean Clawed Salamander (Onychodactylus koreanus) in Asia
by Jongsun Kim, Haan Woo Sung, Tae Sung Jung, Jaejin Park and Daesik Park
Viruses 2024, 16(5), 675; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16050675 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
Frog virus 3 (FV3) in the genus Ranavirus of the family Iridoviridae causes mass mortality in both anurans and urodeles worldwide; however, the phylogenetic origin of FV3-like ranaviruses is not well established. In Asia, three FV3-like ranaviruses have been reported in farmed populations [...] Read more.
Frog virus 3 (FV3) in the genus Ranavirus of the family Iridoviridae causes mass mortality in both anurans and urodeles worldwide; however, the phylogenetic origin of FV3-like ranaviruses is not well established. In Asia, three FV3-like ranaviruses have been reported in farmed populations of amphibians and reptiles. Here, we report the first case of endemic FV3-like ranavirus infections in the Korean clawed salamander Onychodactylus koreanus, caught in wild mountain streams in the Republic of Korea (ROK), through whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Two isolated FV3-like ranaviruses (Onychodactylus koreanus ranavirus, OKRV1 and 2) showed high similarity with the Rana grylio virus (RGV, 91.5%) and Rana nigromaculata ranavirus (RNRV, 92.2%) but relatively low similarity with the soft-shelled turtle iridovirus (STIV, 84.2%) in open reading frame (ORF) comparisons. OKRV1 and 2 formed a monophyletic clade with previously known Asian FV3-like ranaviruses, a sister group of the New World FV3-like ranavirus clade. Our results suggest that OKRV1 and 2 are FV3-like ranaviruses endemic to the ROK, and RGV and RNRV might also be endemic strains in China, unlike previous speculation. Our data have great implications for the study of the phylogeny and spreading routes of FV3-like ranaviruses and suggest the need for additional detection and analysis of FV3-like ranaviruses in wild populations in Asian countries. Full article
15 pages, 496 KiB  
Article
A New Generalized Definition of Fractal–Fractional Derivative with Some Applications
by Francisco Martínez and Mohammed K. A. Kaabar
Math. Comput. Appl. 2024, 29(3), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/mca29030031 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
In this study, a new generalized fractal–fractional (FF) derivative is proposed. By applying this definition to some elementary functions, we show its compatibility with the results of the FF derivative in the Caputo sense with the power law. The main elements of classical [...] Read more.
In this study, a new generalized fractal–fractional (FF) derivative is proposed. By applying this definition to some elementary functions, we show its compatibility with the results of the FF derivative in the Caputo sense with the power law. The main elements of classical differential calculus are introduced in terms of this new derivative. Thus, we establish and demonstrate the basic operations with derivatives, chain rule, mean value theorems with their immediate applications and inverse function’s derivative. We complete the theory of generalized FF calculus by proposing a notion of integration and presenting two important results of integral calculus: the fundamental theorem and Barrow’s rule. Finally, we analytically solve interesting FF ordinary differential equations by applying our proposed definition. Full article
9 pages, 313 KiB  
Article
Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Golf Athletes: A Championship in Portugal
by Beatriz Minghelli, Ana Sofia Palma Soares, Carolina Duarte Cabrita and Claudia Coelho Martins
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(5), 542; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21050542 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
Although golf is a low-impact sport without physical contact, its movements are carried out over a large range of motion, and their repetition can predispose athletes to the development of injuries. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries in golf [...] Read more.
Although golf is a low-impact sport without physical contact, its movements are carried out over a large range of motion, and their repetition can predispose athletes to the development of injuries. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries in golf athletes who participated in championships in southern Portugal, determining the types, locations and mechanisms of injury and their associated risk factors. The sample consisted of 140 athletes aged between 18 and 72 years, 133 (95%) being male. The measuring instrument was a questionnaire about sociodemographics, modality and injuries’ characteristics. Throughout golf practice, 70 (50%) athletes reported injuries, totaling 133 injuries. In the 12-month period, 43 (30.7%) athletes suffered injuries, totaling 65 injuries. The injury proportion was of 0.31, and the injury rate was of 0.33 injuries per 1000 h of golf training. The most common injury type was muscle sprain or rupture (19; 30.9%), located in the lumbar spine (17; 27%), in which the repetitive movements were the main injury mechanism (42; 66.7%). The athletes who trained 4 times or more per week were 3.5 more likely (CI: 0.97–12.36; p = 0.056) to develop an injury while playing golf. Moderate injury presence was observed, with the high training frequency being an associated risk factor. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity, Sport and Health in Children and Adults)

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