The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
38 pages, 6475 KiB  
Article
Theory of Majorana-Type Heavy Ion Double Charge Exchange Reactions by Pion–Nucleon Isotensor Interactions
by Horst Lenske, Jessica Bellone, Maria Colonna and Danilo Gambacurta
Universe 2024, 10(5), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe10050202 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The theory of heavy ion double charge exchange (DCE) reactions proceeding by effective rank-2 isotensor interactions is presented. Virtual pion–nucleon charge exchange interactions are investigated as the source for induced isotensor interactions, giving rise to the Majorana DCE (MDCE) reaction mechanism. MDCE is [...] Read more.
The theory of heavy ion double charge exchange (DCE) reactions proceeding by effective rank-2 isotensor interactions is presented. Virtual pion–nucleon charge exchange interactions are investigated as the source for induced isotensor interactions, giving rise to the Majorana DCE (MDCE) reaction mechanism. MDCE is of a generic character, proceeding through pairs of complementary (π±,π) reactions in the projectile and target nucleus. The dynamics of the elementary processes is discussed, where the excitation of pion–nucleon resonances are of central importance. Investigations of initial and final state ion–ion interactions show that these effects are acting as vertex renormalizations. In closure approximation, well justified by the finite pion mass, the second-order transition matrix elements reduce to pion potentials and effective two-body isotensor DCE interactions, giving rise also to two-body correlations in either of the participating nuclei. Connections to neutrinoless Majorana double beta decay (MDBD) are elucidated at various levels of the dynamics, from the underlying fundamental electro-weak and QCD scales to the physical scales of nuclear MDBD and MDCE physics. It is pointed out that heavy ion MDCE reactions may also proceed by competing electro-weak charge exchange processes, leading to lepton MDCE by electrons, positrons, and neutrinos. Full article
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15 pages, 809 KiB  
Article
Epidemiology Tools to Evaluate the Control of Proliferative Enteropathy in Commercial Pig Herds
by Alison Collins and Cherie Collins
Animals 2024, 14(9), 1357; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091357 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Proliferative enteropathy (PE) is characterized by diarrhea and reduced weight gains in growing pigs and intestinal hemorrhage in finishers. Vaccination, antibiotic medication, and improved hygiene can control PE, but their efficacy depends upon the epidemiology of PE. This study monitored the timing and [...] Read more.
Proliferative enteropathy (PE) is characterized by diarrhea and reduced weight gains in growing pigs and intestinal hemorrhage in finishers. Vaccination, antibiotic medication, and improved hygiene can control PE, but their efficacy depends upon the epidemiology of PE. This study monitored the timing and severity of PE in 84 commercial pens across seven treatments, including disinfection, vaccination, no treatment, medication with olaquindox (50, 25 and 12.5 ppm), and combined disinfection and vaccination. Vaccination with or without lime disinfection suppressed clinical signs of PE and reduced the number of excreted L. intracellularis relative to untreated pigs housed in cleaned or cleaned and disinfected pens between 9 and 17 weeks of age. Continuous olaquindox mediation to 17 weeks of age prevented L. intracellularis infection, leaving finisher pigs naïve. These finisher pigs suffered an outbreak of hemorrhagic enteropathy with significant reductions in weight gain, feed intake, and mortalities of 4.6%. Over the 13 week grow/finish period, vaccinated pigs housed in disinfected pens showed significantly higher weight gain and feed intake relative to all other treatments, equating to a weight gain difference of between 3.6 and 3.9 kg per pig. Monitoring the immune response and fecal excretion of L. intracellularis in pens of pigs enabled effective PE control strategies to be evaluated on the farm. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Disease Epidemiology in Farm Animal Production)
11 pages, 403 KiB  
Review
Targeting Plasmodium Life Cycle with Novel Parasite Ligands as Vaccine Antigens
by Shan Khan, Manas Paresh Patel, Aleem Damji Patni and Sung-Jae Cha
Vaccines 2024, 12(5), 484; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12050484 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The WHO reported an estimated 249 million malaria cases and 608,000 malaria deaths in 85 countries in 2022. A total of 94% of malaria deaths occurred in Africa, 80% of which were children under 5. In other words, one child dies every minute [...] Read more.
The WHO reported an estimated 249 million malaria cases and 608,000 malaria deaths in 85 countries in 2022. A total of 94% of malaria deaths occurred in Africa, 80% of which were children under 5. In other words, one child dies every minute from malaria. The RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine, which uses the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP) to target sporozoite infection of the liver, achieved modest efficacy. The Malaria Vaccine Implementation Program (MVIP), coordinated by the WHO and completed at the end of 2023, found that immunization reduced mortality by only 13%. To further reduce malaria death, the development of a more effective malaria vaccine is a high priority. Three malaria vaccine targets being considered are the sporozoite liver infection (pre-erythrocytic stage), the merozoite red blood cell infection (asexual erythrocytic stage), and the gamete/zygote mosquito infection (sexual/transmission stage). These targets involve specific ligand-receptor interactions. However, most current malaria vaccine candidates that target two major parasite population bottlenecks, liver infection, and mosquito midgut infection, do not focus on such parasite ligands. Here, we evaluate the potential of newly identified parasite ligands with a phage peptide-display technique as novel malaria vaccine antigens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Malaria Vaccine Development)
17 pages, 9162 KiB  
Article
MFACNet: A Multi-Frame Feature Aggregating and Inter-Feature Correlation Framework for Multi-Object Tracking in Satellite Videos
by Hu Zhao, Yanyun Shen, Zhipan Wang and Qingling Zhang
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(9), 1604; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16091604 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Efficient multi-object tracking (MOT) in satellite videos is crucial for numerous applications, ranging from surveillance to environmental monitoring. Existing methods often struggle with effectively exploring the correlation and contextual cues inherent in the consecutive features of video sequences, resulting in redundant feature inference [...] Read more.
Efficient multi-object tracking (MOT) in satellite videos is crucial for numerous applications, ranging from surveillance to environmental monitoring. Existing methods often struggle with effectively exploring the correlation and contextual cues inherent in the consecutive features of video sequences, resulting in redundant feature inference and unreliable motion estimation for tracking. To address these challenges, we propose the MFACNet, a novel multi-frame features aggregating and inter-feature correlation framework for enhancing MOT in satellite videos with the idea of utilizing the features of consecutive frames. The MFACNet integrates multi-frame feature aggregation techniques with inter-feature correlation mechanisms to improve tracking accuracy and robustness. Specifically, our framework leverages temporal information across the features of consecutive frames to capture contextual cues and refine object representations over time. Moreover, we introduce a mechanism to explicitly model the correlations between adjacent features in video sequences, facilitating a more accurate motion estimation and trajectory associations. We evaluated the MFACNet using benchmark datasets for satellite-based video MOT tasks and demonstrated its superiority in terms of tracking accuracy and robustness over state-of-the-art performance by 2.0% in MOTA and 1.6% in IDF1. Our experimental results highlight the potential of precisely utilizing deep features from video sequences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section AI Remote Sensing)
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14 pages, 811 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Organic Food Purchase Intention on Household Food Waste: Insights from Brazil
by Lucas Rodrigues Deliberador, Alexandre Borges Santos, Geandra Alves Queiroz, Aldara da Silva César and Mário Otávio Batalha
Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3795; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093795 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
An emerging trend among consumers is the pursuit of healthier eating habits while minimizing environmental damage, thus increasing the intention for consumption of organic foods. In this context, this study hypothesizes that household food waste is influenced by organic food purchase intention, which, [...] Read more.
An emerging trend among consumers is the pursuit of healthier eating habits while minimizing environmental damage, thus increasing the intention for consumption of organic foods. In this context, this study hypothesizes that household food waste is influenced by organic food purchase intention, which, in turn, is influenced by environmental concern, health consciousness, hedonic shopping, and negatively affected by price. Hence, the objective of this study is to propose and empirically test a theoretical framework with Brazilian consumers. Data from 240 respondents were electronically collected and analyzed through structural equation modeling. The results suggest that environmental concern, price consciousness, and health consciousness significantly influence organic food purchase intention, while hedonic shopping value does not. Furthermore, although organic food purchase intention reduced household food waste, the effect size of this relationship was found to be extremely low, suggesting it to be a poor predictor. This paper contributes to the existing literature on consumer behavior and waste management further by not only examining the relationship between two research streams but also by shedding light on unique aspects of an emerging country. Full article
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4 pages, 224 KiB  
Editorial
In Vitro Growth of Mammalian Follicles and Oocytes
by Kenichiro Sakaguchi
Animals 2024, 14(9), 1355; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091355 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Mammalian ovaries contain a large number of immature follicles, most of which are destined to degenerate before ovulation [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue In Vitro Growth of Mammalian Follicles and Oocytes)
28 pages, 3586 KiB  
Article
Delineating Source and Sink Zones of Trip Journeys in the Road Network Space
by Yan Shi, Bingrong Chen, Jincai Huang, Da Wang, Huimin Liu and Min Deng
ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2024, 13(5), 150; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi13050150 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Source–sink zones refer to aggregated adjacent origins/destinations with homogeneous trip flow characteristics. Current relevant studies mostly detect source–sink zones based on outflow/inflow volumes without considering trip routes. Nevertheless, trip routes detail individuals’ journeys on road networks and give rise to relationships among human [...] Read more.
Source–sink zones refer to aggregated adjacent origins/destinations with homogeneous trip flow characteristics. Current relevant studies mostly detect source–sink zones based on outflow/inflow volumes without considering trip routes. Nevertheless, trip routes detail individuals’ journeys on road networks and give rise to relationships among human activities, road network structures, and land-use types. Therefore, this study developed a novel approach to delineate source–sink zones based on trip route aggregation on road networks. We first represented original trajectories using road segment sequences and applied the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model to associate trajectories with route semantics. We then ran a hierarchical clustering operation to aggregate trajectories with similar route semantics. Finally, we adopted an adaptive multi-variable agglomeration strategy to associate the trajectory clusters with each traffic analysis zone to delineating source and sink zones, with a trajectory topic entropy defined as an indicator to analyze the dynamic impact between the road network and source–sink zones. We used taxi trajectories in Xiamen, China, to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. Full article
8 pages, 289 KiB  
Article
Prevalence of the Oral Corticosteroid Exposure and Excessive Use in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Data from Four French Referral Centers of the International DICE Study
by Stéphane Nancey, Xavier Hébuterne, Cyrielle Gilletta, Evguenia Hacques and Xavier Roblin
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(9), 2652; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092652 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Corticosteroids used to induce a response in Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) may cause adverse reactions. The DICE study aimed to quantify and investigate factors associated with their use. Methods: This cross-sectional, non-interventional study conducted in seven countries allowed us [...] Read more.
Corticosteroids used to induce a response in Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) may cause adverse reactions. The DICE study aimed to quantify and investigate factors associated with their use. Methods: This cross-sectional, non-interventional study conducted in seven countries allowed us to collect data on oral corticosteroid exposure and excessive use (cf. British Society of Gastroenterology) over the past 12 months in adult patients with CD or UC for more than a year. The factors associated with these practices were investigated using marginal logistic models. We present the results from the four participating French expert centers. Results: Corticosteroid exposure over the past 12 months was observed in 20.1% of 324 CD patients and 30.2% of 205 UC patients. Excessive use was reported in 13.3% and 17.1% of patients, respectively. Corticosteroid exposure and excessive use were less frequently observed in CD than in UC (OR: 0.56, p < 0.0001, and 0.69, p = 0.0042). A disease activity assessment at patient’s last visit was the main factor (p < 0.01) associated with the risk of corticosteroid exposure and excessive use in CD (OR: 3.41 and 3.44) and UC (OR: 7.29 and 6.90). Conclusions: Corticosteroid exposure and excessive use continue to be frequently observed in CD and UC in France. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Gastroenterology & Hepatopancreatobiliary Medicine)
12 pages, 751 KiB  
Article
Relationship between Preoperative Maxillomandibular Transverse Discrepancy and Post-Surgical Stability in Class II Malocclusion
by Chae-kyung Lee, Kyung-Ho Kim, Kee-Joon Lee, Jung-Yul Cha, Sang-Sun Han and Hyung-Seog Yu
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 3866; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093866 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the presurgical maxillomandibular transverse index and post-surgical stability one year after mandibular advancement. For the material and methods, twenty-two subjects who were treated with mandibular advancement were enrolled in this study. Postsurgical [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the presurgical maxillomandibular transverse index and post-surgical stability one year after mandibular advancement. For the material and methods, twenty-two subjects who were treated with mandibular advancement were enrolled in this study. Postsurgical stability was defined as the horizontal mandibular position change of <2 mm in lateral cephalogram 1 year after surgery. Subjects were divided into two groups according to the maintenance of postsurgical stability: a stable group (group S) and a less stable group (group LS). Presurgical maxillomandibular transverse index was determined as Yonsei transverse index (YTI) one month before surgery. A logistic analysis was performed on the postsurgical stability according to the YTI value. The presurgical, post-expansion target YTI value was obtained using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. There were no notable differences in the baseline characteristics of the two groups except for vertical positions of point A, B, and gender distribution. Before surgery, however, there was a significant difference in YTI at both the fossa and CR level between the groups. The amount of mandibular advancement did not show a significant difference. The odds ratio for YTI was 0.35 (p = 0.024). The prediction of stability of presurgical YTI yielded an area under the ROC curve of 0.88. The cut-off value for YTI was 1.45 mm. It can thus be concluded that presurgical transverse index showed a correlation with postsurgical stability, and correcting it in the presurgical phase to a certain level appears to aid in securing postsurgical stability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biotechnology Applied to Orthodontic TSADs and CBCT)
15 pages, 3154 KiB  
Article
Synthetic Peptides Selected by Immunoinformatics as Potential Tools for the Specific Diagnosis of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis
by Gabriel Moreira, Rodrigo Maia, Nathália Soares, Thais Ostolin, Wendel Coura-Vital, Rodrigo Aguiar-Soares, Jeronimo Ruiz, Daniela Resende, Rory de Brito, Alexandre Reis and Bruno Roatt
Microorganisms 2024, 12(5), 906; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12050906 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Diagnosing canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in Brazil faces challenges due to the limitations regarding the sensitivity and specificity of the current diagnostic protocol. Therefore, it is urgent to map new antigens or enhance the existing ones for future diagnostic techniques. Immunoinformatic tools are [...] Read more.
Diagnosing canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in Brazil faces challenges due to the limitations regarding the sensitivity and specificity of the current diagnostic protocol. Therefore, it is urgent to map new antigens or enhance the existing ones for future diagnostic techniques. Immunoinformatic tools are promising in the identification of new potential epitopes or antigen candidates. In this study, we evaluated peptides selected by epitope prediction for CVL serodiagnosis in ELISA assays. Ten B-cell epitopes were immunogenic in silico, but two peptides (peptides No. 45 and No. 48) showed the best performance in vitro. The selected peptides, both individually and in combination, were highly diagnostically accurate, with sensitivities ranging from 86.4% to 100% and with a specificity of approximately 90%. We observed that the combination of peptides showed better performance when compared to peptide alone, by detecting all asymptomatic dogs, showing lower cross-reactivity in sera from dogs with other canine infections, and did not detect vaccinated animals. Moreover, our data indicate the potential use of immunoinformatic tools associated with ELISA assays for the selection and evaluation of potential new targets, such as peptides, applied to the diagnosis of CVL. Full article
27 pages, 3083 KiB  
Article
Design and Experimental Tests of a Four-Way Valve with the Determination of Flow Characteristics for Building Central Heating Installations Using Solid Modeling
by Mariusz Niekurzak and Jerzy Mikulik
Energies 2024, 17(9), 2152; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17092152 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The article presents the design of a four-way valve, implemented in SolidWorks software (SOLIDWORKS® i 3DEXPERIENCE® Works Simulation) and used for central heating installations in buildings. The project was carried out in order to examine the innovative design of the medium [...] Read more.
The article presents the design of a four-way valve, implemented in SolidWorks software (SOLIDWORKS® i 3DEXPERIENCE® Works Simulation) and used for central heating installations in buildings. The project was carried out in order to examine the innovative design of the medium mixing mechanism and to conduct strength and FMEA analysis. The innovative solutions proposed by the authors in this work will allow valves of this type to meet stringent environmental standards. These standards are currently being introduced for this type of structural element of machine parts as part of the energy transformation of buildings. Potential failures occurring in individual elements of the four-way valve were also tested using Failure mode and effects analysis. In addition, strength tests were performed in SolidWorks software using static analysis, and optimization tests were performed on the refrigerant in terms of its impact on the environment. The characteristics of the tested materials in the valve design show that the best materials are brass and stainless steel. Brass has a Poisson’s ratio of 0.33, a tensile strength of 478.4 MPa and a yield strength of 239.7 MPa. In turn, stainless steel is characterized by the following parameters: Poisson’s ratio of 0.27, tensile strength of 685 MPa and yield strength of 292 MPa. The designed valve reduces energy consumption by 30% through a properly designed medium flow with the appropriate selection of materials. Moreover, the design reduces the thickness of the contaminant layer by 0.17 mm, with a capacity factor of −2.50% and an evaporator Δp of 3.10% (53 kPa). The performed research provides knowledge on the subject selection of appropriate material, a description of the potential failures of the structural elements of the designed four-way valve and methods of counteracting these failures. The article presents the optimization role of the tested component in the context of sustainable development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Research on Heat and Mass Transfer in Buildings)
9 pages, 264 KiB  
Communication
Molecular Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. and Microsporidia in Human and Animal Stool Samples
by María Teresa Gómez-Romano, Manuel Antonio Rodríguez-Iglesias and Fátima Galán-Sánchez
Microorganisms 2024, 12(5), 918; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12050918 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Cryptosporidium spp. and Microsporidia are opportunistic microorganisms with remarkable zoonotic transmission potential due to their capacity to infect humans and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of these microorganisms in stool samples of animal and human origin. In [...] Read more.
Cryptosporidium spp. and Microsporidia are opportunistic microorganisms with remarkable zoonotic transmission potential due to their capacity to infect humans and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of these microorganisms in stool samples of animal and human origin. In total, 369 stool samples (205 from human patients with diarrhea and 164 of animal origin) were included in the study. Cryptosporidium spp. and Microsporidia presence were determined by using multiplex nested PCR. Positive results were analyzed by using Sanger sequencing of the amplicon, utilizing BLASTN and ClustalX software to confirm identification. Cryptosporidium spp. were found in 0.97% and 4.26% of human and animal samples, respectively. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was detected in human and animal stools in 6.82% and 3.05% of the samples, respectively. No associations were found when analyzing the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. and E. bieneusi and the demographic and clinical variables of patients and animals. This study demonstrates the presence of these microorganisms in human and animal samples from different species, and the most interesting findings are the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in pets (e.g., rodents) that are not usually included in this type of study, and the identification of E. bieneusi in patients with diarrhea without underlying disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Parasitology)
17 pages, 9400 KiB  
Article
The Study on Anomalies of the Geomagnetic Topology Network Associated with the 2022 Ms6.8 Luding Earthquake
by Zining Yu, Xilong Jing, Xianwei Wang, Chengquan Chi and Haiyong Zheng
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(9), 1613; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16091613 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
On 5 September 2022, the Ms 6.8 Luding earthquake occurred at 29.59°N and 102.08°E in China. To investigate the variations in geomagnetic signals before the earthquake, this study analyzes the geomagnetic data from nine stations around the epicenter. First, we apply the Multi-channel [...] Read more.
On 5 September 2022, the Ms 6.8 Luding earthquake occurred at 29.59°N and 102.08°E in China. To investigate the variations in geomagnetic signals before the earthquake, this study analyzes the geomagnetic data from nine stations around the epicenter. First, we apply the Multi-channel Singular Spectrum Analysis to reconstruct the periodic components of the geomagnetic data from multiple stations. Second, we employ K-means clustering to rule out the possibility of occasional anomalies caused by a single station. Subsequently, we construct a geomagnetic topology network considering the remaining stations. Network centrality is defined as a measure of overall network connectivity, where the higher the correlation between multiple stations, the greater the network centrality. Finally, we examine the network centrality 45 days before and 15 days after the Luding earthquake. The results show that several anomalies in network centrality are extracted about one week before the earthquake. We further validate the significance of the anomalies in terms of time as well as space and verify the utility of the centrality anomalies through the SEA technique. The anomalies are found to have a statistical correlation with the earthquake event. We consider that this study provides a new way and a novel observational perspective for earthquake precursor analysis of ground-based magnetic data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Remote Sensing Data Application for Early Warning System)
10 pages, 398 KiB  
Article
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among HIV Positive Patients under Surveillance in Greek Infectious Disease Units: A Screening Study with Comparative Evaluation of Serological Methods
by Chrysa Voyiatzaki, Apollon Dareios Zare Chormizi, Maria E. Tsoumani, Antonia Efstathiou, Konstantinos Konstantinidis, Dimitrios Chaniotis, Georgios Chrysos, Aikaterini Argyraki, Vasilios Papastamopoulos and Marika Kotsianopoulou
Pathogens 2024, 13(5), 375; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13050375 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
This study aims to screen for IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in the sera of 155 newly diagnosed Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive patients under surveillance in Greek Infectious Disease Units. Additionally, risk factors based on patient demographics were [...] Read more.
This study aims to screen for IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in the sera of 155 newly diagnosed Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive patients under surveillance in Greek Infectious Disease Units. Additionally, risk factors based on patient demographics were examined, and a comparative evaluation of commercially available serological methods was conducted. Three methods were employed to detect IgG antibodies against T. gondii: Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Indirect Immunofluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT), and Western Blot (WB), which was used as a reference here. Forty-nine sera samples were true-positive for IgG antibodies against T. gondii, resulting in a 31.61% positivity rate, and the immunoassay test statistical reliability analysis resulted in higher IFAT accuracy (90.97%) compared to ELISA (76.26%). Furthermore, statistical analysis of demographic and immunological data included in the study placed female and foreign/non-Greek individuals at 2.24 (p = 0.0009) and 2.34 (p = 0.0006) times higher risk of positive T. gondii IgG testing compared to their male and Greek counterparts, respectively. Our findings on positivity rates and comparative serology underscore the importance of early and suitable screening measures for newly diagnosed HIV+ patients to mitigate the life-threatening outcomes that may arise from a potential subsequent T. gondii activation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue One Health: New Approaches, Research and Innovation to Zoonoses)
14 pages, 273 KiB  
Article
Examining Variability in Intra-Hospital Patient Referrals to Specialized Palliative Care: A Comprehensive Analysis of Disciplines and Mortality
by Claudia Fischer, Katharina Dirschmid and Eva Katharina Masel
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(9), 2653; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092653 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
In Austria, specialized palliative care (SPC) access is limited, with unclear referral criteria, making it challenging to identify hospitalized patients requiring SPC and determine referral timing and mortality at the palliative care unit (PCU). Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed patients who underwent [...] Read more.
In Austria, specialized palliative care (SPC) access is limited, with unclear referral criteria, making it challenging to identify hospitalized patients requiring SPC and determine referral timing and mortality at the palliative care unit (PCU). Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed patients who underwent a palliative care (PC) needs assessment between March 2016 and November 2021 and were subsequently admitted to the PCU of Austria’s largest academic hospital. Demographic, clinical, and standardized referral form data were used for analysis, employing descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: Out of the 903 assessed patients, 19% were admitted to the PCU, primarily cancer patients (94.7%), with lung (19%) and breast cancer (13%) being most prevalent. Common referral reasons included pain (61%) and nutritional problems (46%). Despite no significant differences in referral times, most patients (78.4%) died in the PCU, with varying outcomes based on cancer type. Referral reasons like pain (OR = 2.3), nutritional problems (OR = 2.4), and end-of-life care (OR = 6.5) were significantly associated with the outcome PCU mortality. Conclusions: This study underscores Austria’s SPC access imbalance and emphasizes timely PC integration across disciplines for effective advance care planning and dignified end-of-life experiences in PCUs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Management of Palliative Medicine)
14 pages, 1477 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of an Fe-Doped ZIF-67 Derived Magnetic Fe/Co/C Composite for Effective Removal of Congo Red
by Yu Cao, Zeming Dai, Xuan Zhou, Yuting Lin and Jianhua Hou
Molecules 2024, 29(9), 2078; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092078 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The dyes in printing and dyeing wastewater are harmful to the human body and the environment. It is essential to develop practical and effective adsorbents to deal with them. In this study, an Fe-doped, ZIF-67 derived Fe/Co/C composite material with strong magnetism was [...] Read more.
The dyes in printing and dyeing wastewater are harmful to the human body and the environment. It is essential to develop practical and effective adsorbents to deal with them. In this study, an Fe-doped, ZIF-67 derived Fe/Co/C composite material with strong magnetism was successfully synthesized. The effects of pH, initial concentration, and adsorption time on the properties of the adsorbent were investigated. To further improve the removal efficiency and enhance the practicality, potassium peroxymonosulfate (PMS) was added to the system due to its Fenton-like effect. Then, an Fe/Co/C composite was used with PMS to remove Congo red (CR) with a 98% removal of 250 mg·L−1. Moreover, for its high saturation magnetization of 85.4 emu∙g−1, the Fe/Co/C composite can be easily recovered by applying a magnetic field, solving the problem that powdery functional materials are difficult to recover and, thus, avoiding secondary pollution. Furthermore, since the composite material was doped before carbonization, this synthetic strategy is flexible and the required metal elements can be added at will to achieve different purposes. This study demonstrates that this Fe-doped, ZIF-67 derived magnetic material has potential application prospects for dye adsorption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Adsorbents for Environmental Pollutants' Removal)
20 pages, 4925 KiB  
Article
Pyroclastic Dust from Arequipa-Peru Decorated with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Ecotoxicological Properties in Water Flea D. magna
by Juan A. Ramos-Guivar, Yacu V. Alca-Ramos, Erich V. Manrique-Castillo, F. Mendoza-Villa, Noemi-Raquel Checca-Huaman, Renzo Rueda-Vellasmin and Edson C. Passamani
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(9), 785; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14090785 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
A novel magnetic composite made of Peruvian pyroclastic dust material decorated with maghemite nanoparticles was synthesized and characterized using a variety of analytic techniques. The 13 nm maghemite nanoparticles were grown on the pyroclastic dust using the conventional coprecipitation chemical route. A short-term [...] Read more.
A novel magnetic composite made of Peruvian pyroclastic dust material decorated with maghemite nanoparticles was synthesized and characterized using a variety of analytic techniques. The 13 nm maghemite nanoparticles were grown on the pyroclastic dust using the conventional coprecipitation chemical route. A short-term acute assay was developed to study the ecotoxicological behavior of the water flea, Daphnia magna. A 24 h-lethal concentration (LC50) value equal to 123.6 mg L−1 was determined only for the magnetic composite. While the pyroclastic dust material did not exhibit a lethal concentration, it caused morphologically significant changes (p < 0.05) for heart and tail parameters at high concentrations. Morphologies exposed to the magnetic composite above the 24 h-LC50 revealed less tolerance and significant changes in the body, heart, antenna, and eye. Hence, it affects biomarker growth and swimming. The reproduction rate was not affected by the raw pyroclastic dust material. However, the number of individuals showed a decrease with increasing composite concentrations. The present study indicates the LC50 value, which can be used as a reference concentration for in-situ water cleaning with this material without damaging or changing the Daphnia magna ecosystem. Full article
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19 pages, 7184 KiB  
Article
Monitoring of Plant Ecological Units Cover Dynamics in a Semiarid Landscape from Past to Future Using Multi-Layer Perceptron and Markov Chain Model
by Masoumeh Aghababaei, Ataollah Ebrahimi, Ali Asghar Naghipour, Esmaeil Asadi and Jochem Verrelst
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(9), 1612; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16091612 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities and natural disturbances cause changes in natural ecosystems, leading to altered Plant Ecological Units (PEUs). Despite a long history of land use and land cover change detection, the creation of change detection maps of PEUs remains problematic, especially in arid and [...] Read more.
Anthropogenic activities and natural disturbances cause changes in natural ecosystems, leading to altered Plant Ecological Units (PEUs). Despite a long history of land use and land cover change detection, the creation of change detection maps of PEUs remains problematic, especially in arid and semiarid landscape. This study aimed to determine and describe the changes in PEUs patterns in the past and present, and also predict and monitor future PEUs dynamics using the multi-layer perceptron-Markov chain (MLP-MC) model in a semiarid landscape in Central Zagros, Iran. Analysis of PEUs classification maps formed the basis for the identification of the main drivers in PEUs changes. First, an optimal time-series dataset of Landsat images were selected to derive PEUs classification maps in three periods, each separated by 16 years. Then, PEUs multi-temporal maps classified for period 1 (years 1986–1988) period 2 (years 2002–2004), and period 3 (years 2018–2020) were employed to analyze and predict PEUs dynamics. The dominant transitions were identified, and the transition potential was determined by developing twelve sub-models in the final change prediction process. Transitions were modeled using a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) algorithm. To predict the PEU map for period 3, two PEUs classification maps of period 1 and period 2 were used using the MLP-MC method. The classified map and the predicted map of period 3 were used to evaluate and validate the predicted results. Finally, based on the results, transitions of future PEUs were predicted for the year 2036. The MLP-MC model proved to be a powerful model that can predict future PEUs dynamics that are the result of current human and managerial activities. The findings of this study demonstrate that the impact of anthropogenic processes and management activities will become visible in the natural environment and ecosystem in less than a decade. Full article
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44 pages, 4636 KiB  
Review
Transforming Waste into Wealth: Advanced Carbon-Based Electrodes Derived from Refinery and Coal By-Products for Next-Generation Energy Storage
by Ar Rafi Ferdous, Syed Shaheen Shah, Syed Niaz Ali Shah, Bashir Ahmed Johan, Md Abdullah Al Bari and Md. Abdul Aziz
Molecules 2024, 29(9), 2081; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092081 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
This comprehensive review addresses the need for sustainable and efficient energy storage technologies against escalating global energy demand and environmental concerns. It explores the innovative utilization of waste materials from oil refineries and coal processing industries as precursors for carbon-based electrodes in next-generation [...] Read more.
This comprehensive review addresses the need for sustainable and efficient energy storage technologies against escalating global energy demand and environmental concerns. It explores the innovative utilization of waste materials from oil refineries and coal processing industries as precursors for carbon-based electrodes in next-generation energy storage systems, including batteries and supercapacitors. These waste-derived carbon materials, such as semi-coke, coal gasification fine ash, coal tar pitch, petroleum coke, and petroleum vacuum residue, offer a promising alternative to conventional electrode materials. They present an optimal balance of high carbon content and enhanced electrochemical properties while promoting environmental sustainability through effectively repurposing waste materials from coal and hydrocarbon industries. This review systematically examines recent advancements in fabricating and applying waste-derived carbon-based electrodes. It delves into the methodologies for converting industrial by-products into high-quality carbon electrodes, with a particular emphasis on carbonization and activation processes tailored to enhance the electrochemical performance of the derived materials. Key findings indicate that while higher carbonization temperatures may impede the development of a porous structure, using KOH as an activating agent has proven effective in developing mesoporous structures conducive to ion transport and storage. Moreover, incorporating heteroatom doping (with elements such as sulfur, potassium, and nitrogen) has shown promise in enhancing surface interactions and facilitating the diffusion process through increased availability of active sites, thereby demonstrating the potential for improved storage capabilities. The electrochemical performance of these waste-derived carbon materials is evaluated across various configurations and electrolytes. Challenges and future directions are identified, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of the microstructural characteristics that influence electrochemical performance and advocating for interdisciplinary research to achieve precise control over material properties. This review contributes to advancing electrode material technology and promotes environmental sustainability by repurposing industrial waste into valuable resources for energy storage. It underscores the potential of waste-derived carbon materials in sustainably meeting global energy storage demands. Full article
25 pages, 811 KiB  
Article
Innovation-Based Strategic Roadmap for Economic Sustainability and Diversity in Hydrocarbon-Driven Economies: The Qatar Perspective
by Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, Abdel Magid Hamouda, Hussein Al-Yafei and Galal M. Abdella
Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3770; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093770 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
This research addresses the critical opportunities and challenges confronting economic sustainability for hydrocarbon-based economies. The primary objective is to advocate for a transformative shift towards diversified and knowledge-centric economic models to ensure long-term sustainability. The literature review exposes vulnerabilities in hydrocarbon-based economies. The [...] Read more.
This research addresses the critical opportunities and challenges confronting economic sustainability for hydrocarbon-based economies. The primary objective is to advocate for a transformative shift towards diversified and knowledge-centric economic models to ensure long-term sustainability. The literature review exposes vulnerabilities in hydrocarbon-based economies. The study innovatively explores multifaceted dimensions of economic diversification, including governance issues, societal well-being, and the necessity for robust ecosystem frameworks. Utilizing a qualitative case study methodology, the research investigates Qatar’s initiatives, such as the Qatar National Vision 2030 and government programs, aiming to reduce dependence on hydrocarbons and foster innovation. Insightful semi-structured interviews provide nuanced perspectives on innovation in the hydrocarbon context with business and academic professionals. The primary data collection method involved the following distinct groups: five business professionals and eleven academic experts, representing eight outstanding local and external organizations. Key findings underscore a holistic view of innovation, associating it with practical solutions, adaptability, and transformative potential, showcasing diverse approaches ranging from business-centric to collaborative and user-centric methods. Identified challenges in the education system, the urgency for a matured innovation ecosystem, and opportunities in sustainable energy further enrich the study. Moreover, this research examines the challenges and mitigation strategies associated with economic diversification in hydrocarbon-driven economies, focusing on Qatar. The research recommends sustained efforts in economic diversification, educational reform, and technological integration for hydrocarbon-based economies. Policymakers, businesses, and academics can leverage these insights to navigate the complexities of resource dependency and ensure long-term viability. The commitment to addressing challenges faced by hydrocarbon-dependent nations remains crucial, with a dedication to fostering economic diversity, innovation, and educational excellence for a resilient and prosperous future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in SMEs)
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34 pages, 19682 KiB  
Article
Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Ameliorates Detrusor Hyperactivity with Impaired Contractility via Transient Potential Vanilloid Channels: A Rat Model for Ovarian Hormone Deficiency
by Kuang-Shun Chueh, Tai-Jui Juan, Jian-He Lu, Bin-Nan Wu, Rong-Jyh Lin, Jing-Wen Mao, Hung-Yu Lin, Shu-Mien Chuang, Chao-Yuan Chang, Mei-Chen Shen, Ting-Wei Sun and Yung-Shun Juan
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(9), 4927; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25094927 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
This study explores low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LiESWT)’s efficacy in alleviating detrusor hyperactivity with impaired contractility (DHIC) induced by ovarian hormone deficiency (OHD) in ovariectomized rats. The rats were categorized into the following four groups: sham group; OVX group, subjected to bilateral [...] Read more.
This study explores low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LiESWT)’s efficacy in alleviating detrusor hyperactivity with impaired contractility (DHIC) induced by ovarian hormone deficiency (OHD) in ovariectomized rats. The rats were categorized into the following four groups: sham group; OVX group, subjected to bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) for 12 months to induce OHD; OVX + SW4 group, underwent OHD for 12 months followed by 4 weeks of weekly LiESWT; and OVX + SW8 group, underwent OHD for 12 months followed by 8 weeks of weekly LiESWT. Cystometrogram studies and voiding behavior tracing were used to identify the symptoms of DHIC. Muscle strip contractility was evaluated through electrical-field, carbachol, ATP, and KCl stimulations. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses were performed to assess the expressions of various markers related to bladder dysfunction. The OVX rats exhibited significant bladder deterioration and overactivity, alleviated by LiESWT. LiESWT modified transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) channel expression, regulating calcium concentration and enhancing bladder capacity. It also elevated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress proteins, influencing ER-related Ca2+ channels and receptors to modulate detrusor muscle contractility. OHD after 12 months led to neuronal degeneration and reduced TRPV1 and TRPV4 channel activation. LiESWT demonstrated potential in enhancing angiogenic remodeling, neurogenesis, and receptor response, ameliorating DHIC via TRPV channels and cellular signaling in the OHD-induced DHIC rat model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics)
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12 pages, 1865 KiB  
Article
Dual-Mode Solidly Mounted Resonator-Based Sensor for Temperature and Humidity Detection and Discrimination
by José Manuel Carmona-Cejas, Teona Mirea, Ricardo Hervás-García, Jimena Olivares and Marta Clement
Sensors 2024, 24(9), 2877; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24092877 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Sensors based on solidly mounted resonators (SMRs) exhibit a good set of properties, such as high sensitivity, fast response, low resolution limit and low production cost, which makes them an appealing technology for sensing applications. However, they can suffer from cross-sensitivity issues, as [...] Read more.
Sensors based on solidly mounted resonators (SMRs) exhibit a good set of properties, such as high sensitivity, fast response, low resolution limit and low production cost, which makes them an appealing technology for sensing applications. However, they can suffer from cross-sensitivity issues, as their response can be altered by undesirable ambient factors, such as temperature and humidity variations. In this work we propose a method to discriminate humidity variations from the general frequency response using an SMR specifically manufactured to operate in a dual-mode (displaying two close resonances). The two modes behave similarly towards humidity changes (−1.94 kHZ/(%RH)) for resonance one and −1.62 kHZ/(%RH) for resonance two), whereas their performance under temperature changes is significantly different, displaying 2.64 kHZ/°C for resonance one and 34.21 kHZ/°C for resonance two. This allows for the decoupling process to be carried out in a straightforward manner. Frequency response is tracked under different humidity conditions, in the −20 °C to room temperature region, proving that this behavior is reproducible in any given environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Intelligent Sensors 2024)
19 pages, 2218 KiB  
Article
Real-Time Multi-Sensor Joint Fault Diagnosis Method for Permanent Magnet Traction Drive Systems Based on Structural Analysis
by Weiwei Gan, Xueming Li, Dong Wei, Rongjun Ding, Kan Liu and Zhiwen Chen
Sensors 2024, 24(9), 2878; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24092878 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Sensor faults are one of the most common faults that cause performance degradation or functional loss in permanent magnet traction drive systems (PMTDSs). To quickly diagnose faulty sensors, this paper proposes a real-time joint diagnosis method for multi-sensor faults based on structural analysis. [...] Read more.
Sensor faults are one of the most common faults that cause performance degradation or functional loss in permanent magnet traction drive systems (PMTDSs). To quickly diagnose faulty sensors, this paper proposes a real-time joint diagnosis method for multi-sensor faults based on structural analysis. Firstly, based on limited monitoring signals on board, a structured model of the system was established using the structural analysis method. The isolation and detectability of faulty sensors were analyzed using the Dulmage–Mendelsohn decomposition method. Secondly, the minimum collision set method was used to calculate the minimum overdetermined equation set, transforming the higher-order system model into multiple related subsystem models, thereby reducing modeling complexity and facilitating system implementation. Next, residual vectors were constructed based on multiple subsystem models, and fault detection and isolation strategies were designed using the correlation between each subsystem model and the relevant sensors. The validation results of the physical testing platform based on online fault data recordings showed that the proposed method could achieve rapid fault detection and the localization of multi-sensor faults in PMTDS and had a good application value. Full article

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