The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
11 pages, 712 KiB  
Article
Challenges in Media Attention toward COVID-19-Preventive Behaviors: Dual Roles of Threat and Perceived Capability for Information Systems and Health Care
by Suyu Chou and Rebecca Katherine Britt
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(5), 377; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14050377 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Based on the extended parallel process model, this study investigated the relationship between young adults’ media exposure to COVID-19 and their adoption of protective behaviors. This study surveyed 141 college students and found that increased risk perceptions led to greater intentions to engage [...] Read more.
Based on the extended parallel process model, this study investigated the relationship between young adults’ media exposure to COVID-19 and their adoption of protective behaviors. This study surveyed 141 college students and found that increased risk perceptions led to greater intentions to engage in COVID-19-preventive behaviors and that these intentions were mediated by normative beliefs. There was no significant difference in risk perceptions between traditional media and social media. The results showed that college students took precautions against COVID-19 because they perceived themselves to be both vulnerable and capable. Full article
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25 pages, 1131 KiB  
Review
Improving Human Diets and Welfare through Using Herbivore-Based Foods: 2. Environmental Consequences and Mitigations
by John R. Caradus, David F. Chapman and Jacqueline S. Rowarth
Animals 2024, 14(9), 1353; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091353 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Animal-sourced foods are important for human nutrition and health, but they can have a negative impact on the environment. These impacts can result in land use tensions associated with population growth and the loss of native forests and wetlands during agricultural expansion. Increased [...] Read more.
Animal-sourced foods are important for human nutrition and health, but they can have a negative impact on the environment. These impacts can result in land use tensions associated with population growth and the loss of native forests and wetlands during agricultural expansion. Increased greenhouse gas emissions, and high water use but poor water quality outcomes can also be associated. Life cycle analysis from cradle-to-distribution has shown that novel plant-based meat alternatives can have an environmental footprint lower than that of beef finished in feedlots, but higher than for beef raised on well-managed grazed pastures. However, several technologies and practices can be used to mitigate impacts. These include ensuring that grazing occurs when feed quality is high, the use of dietary additives, breeding of animals with higher growth rates and increased fecundity, rumen microbial manipulations through the use of vaccines, soil management to reduce nitrous oxide emission, management systems to improve carbon sequestration, improved nutrient use efficacy throughout the food chain, incorporating maize silage along with grasslands, use of cover crops, low-emission composting barns, covered manure storages, and direct injection of animal slurry into soil. The technologies and systems that help mitigate or actually provide solutions to the environmental impact are under constant refinement to enable ever-more efficient production systems to allow for the provision of animal-sourced foods to an ever-increasing population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pastoralism and Animal Management within Agroecosystems and Society)
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16 pages, 1073 KiB  
Article
Effect of Miscellaneous Meals Replacing Soybean Meal in Feed on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Parameters, and Microbiota Composition of 25–50 kg Growing Pigs
by Xianliang Zhan, Lei Hou, Zhentao He, Shuting Cao, Xiaolu Wen, Shuai Liu, Yaojie Li, Shaozhen Chen, Huayu Zheng, Dongyan Deng, Kaiguo Gao, Xuefen Yang, Zongyong Jiang and Li Wang
Animals 2024, 14(9), 1354; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091354 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The present study aims to determine the effect of miscellaneous meals (rapeseed meal, cottonseed meal, and sunflower meal) replacing soybean meal in feed on growth performance, apparent digestibility of nutrients, serum biochemical parameters, serum free amino acid content, microbiota composition and SCFAs content [...] Read more.
The present study aims to determine the effect of miscellaneous meals (rapeseed meal, cottonseed meal, and sunflower meal) replacing soybean meal in feed on growth performance, apparent digestibility of nutrients, serum biochemical parameters, serum free amino acid content, microbiota composition and SCFAs content in growing pigs (25–50 kg). A total of 72 (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) growing pigs with initial weights of 25.79 ± 0.23 kg were randomly divided into three treatments. The pigs were fed corn–soybean meal (CON), corn–soybean–miscellaneous meals (CSM), and corn–miscellaneous meals (CMM). Each treatment included six replicates with four pigs per pen (n = 24, 12 barrows and 12 gilts). Soybean meal accounted for 22.10% of the basal diet in the CON group. In the CSM group, miscellaneous meals partially replaced soybean meal with a mixture of 4.50% rapeseed meal, 3.98% cottonseed meal, and 4.50% sunflower meal. In the CMM group, miscellaneous meals entirely replaced soybean meal with a mixture of 8.50% rapeseed meal, 8.62% cottonseed meal, and 8.5% sunflower. The results showed that compared with the CON, the CSM and CMM groups significantly improved the average daily gain (ADG) of growing pigs during the 25–50 kg stage (p < 0.05) but had no effects on average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily feed intake/average daily gain (F/G) (p > 0.05). Moreover, the CMM group significantly reduced nutrient apparent digestibility of gross energy compared with the CON group. The serum biochemical parameters results showed that the CSM group significantly improved the contents of total protein (TP) compared with the CON group (p < 0.05). The CMM group significantly improved the contents of total protein (TP), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) compared with the CON group in serum (p < 0.05). In comparison with the CON group, the CMM group also significantly improved lysine (Lys), threonine (Thr), valine (Val), isoleucine (Ile), leucine (Leu), phenylalanine (Phe), arginine (Arg), and citrulline (Cit) levels in serum (p < 0.05). However, the CMM group significantly decreased non-essential amino acid content glycine (Gly) in serum compared with CON (p < 0.05), while compared with the CON group, the CSM and CMM groups had no significant effects on the relative abundance, the alpha-diversity, or the beta-diversity of fecal microbiota. Moreover, compared with the CON group, the CSM group significantly increased butyric acid and valeric acid contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces (p < 0.05). In contrast to the CON group, the CMM group significantly reduced the contents of SCFAs in feces, including acetic acid, propionic acid, and isobutyric acid (p < 0.05). Collectively, the results of the present study indicate that miscellaneous meals (rapeseed meal, cottonseed meal, and sunflower meal) can partially replace the soybean meal and significantly improve the growth performance of growing pigs during the 25–50 kg stage. Thus, miscellaneous meals are a suitable protein source as basal diets to replace soybean meals for 25–50 kg growing pigs. These results can be helpful to further develop miscellaneous meals as a functional alternative feed ingredient to soybean meal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploration of Sustainable Feed Resources and Pig Dietary Strategies)
17 pages, 4635 KiB  
Article
Diversity and Population Sizes of Wintering Waterbirds in the Wetlands of the Saïss–Middle Atlas Region (North–Central Morocco): Main Survival Factors and Evaluation of Habitat Loss
by Wafae Squalli, Ismail Mansouri, Ikram Douini, Hamid Achiban, Hamza Saghrouchni, Abdelbari El Agy, Fatima Fadil, Michael Wink and Mohamed Dakki
Animals 2024, 14(9), 1352; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091352 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Moroccan wetlands host up to half a million wintering birds and provide a stopover for tens of thousands of migrants, while they are inhabited by few nesting species. Most of this avifauna prefers to use the large coastal wetlands or reservoirs, while many [...] Read more.
Moroccan wetlands host up to half a million wintering birds and provide a stopover for tens of thousands of migrants, while they are inhabited by few nesting species. Most of this avifauna prefers to use the large coastal wetlands or reservoirs, while many species are dispersed across hundreds of small inland wetlands of various types. In this study, we monitored the wintering avifauna of 11 wetlands of the Saïss plain and its adjacent Atlas Mountains (north–center of Morocco), during six wintering seasons (2017–2018 to 2022–2023), with the objective of assessing the importance of this region as a waterbird wintering area. Using the richness of the species, we determine the bird population changes during this pentad and between the different types of wetlands (natural, human-made, and natural wetlands). During this study, we recorded 51 species, belonging to 17 families, among which exist four remarkable birds: the endangered Oxyura leucocephala, the vulnerable Aythya ferina and the near-threatened Aythya nyroca and Limosa limosa. Bird diversity is higher in human-made ecosystems than in peri-urban and natural ecosystems, while the populations’ size is similar in urban and non-urban wetlands. With regard to bird conservation, these inland wetlands, mainly the small ones, are threatened by recurrent droughts and various anthropic stressors, which we describe using our observations of the two last decades (2003–2023). The loss of habitat is significant, reaching 348.5 hectares, while the impacts of reduced precipitation and temperature increase are particularly evident in the mountainous natural lakes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Birds)
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14 pages, 1218 KiB  
Article
A Pilot Study of the Clinical Effectiveness of a Single Intra-Articular Injection of Stanozolol in Canines with Knee Degenerative Joint Disease and Its Correlation with Serum Interleukin-1β Levels
by L. Miguel Carreira, João Cota, Joao Alves, Filipa Inácio, Graça Alexandre-Pires and Pedro Azevedo
Animals 2024, 14(9), 1351; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091351 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Stanozolol shows promise as an anabolic and anti-catabolic agent for treating degenerative joint disease (DJD). This study assessed the clinical efficacy of a single intra-articular stanozolol injection in canine knees with DJD and its correlation with serum IL-1β levels. Thirty dogs (n = [...] Read more.
Stanozolol shows promise as an anabolic and anti-catabolic agent for treating degenerative joint disease (DJD). This study assessed the clinical efficacy of a single intra-articular stanozolol injection in canine knees with DJD and its correlation with serum IL-1β levels. Thirty dogs (n = 30) were divided into a control group (CG, n = 10) and a study group (SG, n = 20) with DJD. Pain levels were assessed using the Brown query, and radiographs were taken at T0 and T3. IL-1β levels were quantified via ELISA. Apart from 2 patients, all showed reduced pain intensity, with 15 patients showing improvement at T1 and 3 patients at T2. A positive correlation (r = 0.84; p < 0.01) was found between pain level and IL-1β in 15 patients. No systemic effects were observed. Most patients (18/20) experienced reduced pain. This pilot study suggests stanozolol’s potential in managing DJD in dogs. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and understand stanozolol’s mechanism in DJD treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Clinical Studies)
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13 pages, 4147 KiB  
Article
Age-Related Variations in the Population of Active Secondary Hair Follicles, Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Parameters in Cashmere Goats
by Junxia Li, Zhenguo Wang, Xiayuan Wang, Jingxin Guo, Liujia Wang, Dong He, Xinming Duan, Chunxiang Zhang, Youshe Ren and Chunhe Yang
Animals 2024, 14(9), 1350; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091350 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate age-related changes in cashmere production and the population of active secondary hair follicles in cashmere goats across different age groups as well as to explore the association between secondary hair follicle activity and oxidative stress. [...] Read more.
The objective of this study was to investigate age-related changes in cashmere production and the population of active secondary hair follicles in cashmere goats across different age groups as well as to explore the association between secondary hair follicle activity and oxidative stress. A total of 104 adult Inner Mongolian ewe goats, aged between 2 and 7 years old, were randomly selected as experimental subjects. Skin samples were collected in August 2020 and cashmere samples were collected in April 2021. The cashmere fiber yield, staple length, and diameter showed age-related variations in cashmere goats aged 2 to 7 years (p < 0.05). Cashmere production was higher in goats aged 2–4 years compared to those aged 5–7 years (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the population of primary and secondary hair follicles among goats aged 2 to 7 years. However, the population of active secondary hair follicles varied significantly with age, with the younger group (aged 2–4 years) having a higher population than those aged 5–7 years (p < 0.05). A moderate negative correlation was observed between cashmere fiber diameter and the population of active secondary hair follicles (p < 0.05). Age-related variations in skin antioxidant capacity and oxidative damage were observed among cashmere goats aged 2 to 7 years old (p < 0.05). Goats aged 2 to 4 years exhibited higher antioxidant capacity and lower oxidative damage (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the skin’s antioxidant capacity and oxidative damage exhibited significant positive and negative correlations with the population of active secondary hair follicles (p < 0.05). This study presents a novel approach to enhance the activity of secondary hair follicles and improve cashmere production performance through the regulation of oxidative stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Animal Products)
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17 pages, 7884 KiB  
Article
Seismic Fragility Estimation Based on Machine Learning and Particle Swarm Optimization
by Qingzhao Kong, Jiaxuan Liu, Xiaohan Wu and Cheng Yuan
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1263; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051263 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
In seismic performance assessment, the development of building fragility curves is critical for performance-based engineering. Traditional methods for time history analysis, reliant on detailed ground motion (GM) inputs, often suffer from inefficiency and a lack of automation. This study proposes an accurate fragility [...] Read more.
In seismic performance assessment, the development of building fragility curves is critical for performance-based engineering. Traditional methods for time history analysis, reliant on detailed ground motion (GM) inputs, often suffer from inefficiency and a lack of automation. This study proposes an accurate fragility assessment methodology, which is assisted by machine learning (ML) and particle swarm optimization (PSO), adept at handling scenarios with both scarce and sufficient fragility data. Under scenarios of scarce data, the integrated algorithms of PSO and ML are utilized, focusing on selecting GMs that may induce maximum inter-story drifts. When the dataset is sufficient, an ML fusion model is utilized to predict engineering demand parameters (EDPs), facilitating the generation of more accurate fragility curves. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated through a case study on a high-rise reinforced concrete (RC) building, revealing a marked improvement in the precision of GM selection and the estimated range of fragility curves over traditional approaches. The proposed methodology aids in advancing structural optimization and the development of early-warning systems for seismic events, thus holding the potential to enhance current seismic risk mitigation strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Building Structures)
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22 pages, 4064 KiB  
Article
Quantifying the Impact of Carbon Reduction Interventions and Incentive Mechanisms in Campus Buildings: A Case Study from a Chinese University
by Li Xue, Hejun Xu, Zixuan Zhang and Nan Li
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1262; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051262 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
With the development of sustainable cities, densely populated higher education institutions increasingly emphasize the sustainability of campuses and their impact on the environment. However, there is a lack of means to quantify emission reduction measures. This study aims to propose an evaluation framework [...] Read more.
With the development of sustainable cities, densely populated higher education institutions increasingly emphasize the sustainability of campuses and their impact on the environment. However, there is a lack of means to quantify emission reduction measures. This study aims to propose an evaluation framework that can quantify energy conservation and emission reduction measures and incentive policies. To this end, this study adopts a mixed methods approach, using questionnaires to assess the effectiveness of management and communication interventions and the impact of incentives on residents’ willingness to participate in emission reduction efforts. The survey results show that although the support for the intervention measures is slightly higher than the average, specific measures such as adjusting dormitory lights-out time and providing sports equipment show superior emission reduction potential. Universities could reduce carbon emissions by about 560 tons per year without incentives and just using interventions. However, when incentives and interventions are combined, the university’s annual emissions reductions are expected to increase to 800 to 1045 tons. Research also highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between occupant behavior, energy consumption, and building carbon emissions. By quantifying the impact of carbon reduction measures and incentives on the daily behaviors of residents, universities can more effectively implement sustainable campus strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Building Design and Construction for a Sustainable Future)
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19 pages, 283 KiB  
Article
Do Government Subsidies Induce Green Transition of Construction Industry? Evidence from Listed Firms in China
by Feifei Zhang, Bingquan Liu and Guixin An
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1261; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051261 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The construction industry is a major energy consumer and carbon emitter, and identifying the key drivers for its green transition has attracted increasing attention. Although government subsidies are one of the most effective and direct ways to induce a green transition, few academics [...] Read more.
The construction industry is a major energy consumer and carbon emitter, and identifying the key drivers for its green transition has attracted increasing attention. Although government subsidies are one of the most effective and direct ways to induce a green transition, few academics have examined their effects at a micro level. Therefore, this study used the Chinese construction industry as an example to study the influence of subsidies on its green transition. Given the ambiguity of the green transition concept, this study employed the number of green patents and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings to represent the narrow sense and the wide sense of green transition, respectively. According to the empirical findings, subsidies can successfully induce green technology innovation and thus facilitate a green transition. The results of heterogeneity analysis show that government subsidies have a significant incentive-based effect solely on state-owned firms, but an insufficient effect on private and other enterprises. Furthermore, while government subsidies have little effect on ESG ratings, they can promote green transition of enterprises by increasing ESG ratings. The government should increase the types of subsidy packages available to enterprises, while attaching more importance to social responsibility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Green and Low-Carbon Buildings)
22 pages, 3566 KiB  
Article
Applying Building Information Modelling (BIM) Technology in Pre-Tender Cost Estimation of Construction Projects: A Case Study in Iran
by Amirreza Rashidi, Daniel W. M. Chan, Mehdi Ravanshadnia, Hadi Sarvari and Abbas Tajaddini
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1260; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051260 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The pre-tender cost estimation serves as the foundation for determining the project cost in the early stages and is crucial for all parties involved in the tendering process. It is expected to be highly accurate. However, industry surveys have advocated that in the [...] Read more.
The pre-tender cost estimation serves as the foundation for determining the project cost in the early stages and is crucial for all parties involved in the tendering process. It is expected to be highly accurate. However, industry surveys have advocated that in the Iranian construction industry, the pre-tender estimated costs of construction projects are not sufficiently accurate during the bidding stage. Building information modelling (BIM) technology is a modern digital tool deployed in the construction industry that has seen substantial growth of application. It employs useful tools in different sectors and has extended its involvement in various stages of the project lifecycle, including feasibility studies, planning, design, construction, and operation and maintenance. This study examines and assesses the status of BIM development in Iran for its applicability in the pre-tender cost estimating process in construction projects. The findings of this study indicate that while there is a limited number of Iranian building projects’ BIM models that possess the required quality and capabilities for BIM-based cost estimation, the results obtained are more precise when compared to existing manual methods. Additionally, utilising BIM-based cost estimation significantly reduces the time required for this process by enhancing the speed of cost estimation operations. An innovative evaluation framework for assessing the quality and functionalities of BIM models is presented, which improves the accuracy of cost estimation before the bidding process in Iran’s construction industry. The research findings demonstrate the enhanced accuracy and effectiveness of BIM as compared to conventional approaches. It also suggests the incorporation of AI technology for model evaluation, which has the potential to become an established global industry standard. Full article
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14 pages, 3703 KiB  
Article
Effect of Stevioside (Stevia rebaudiana) on Entamoeba histolytica Trophozoites
by Karla Jocelyn Ortega-Carballo, Karla Montserrat Gil-Becerril, Karla Berenice Acosta-Virgen, Sael Casas-Grajales, Pablo Muriel and Víctor Tsutsumi
Pathogens 2024, 13(5), 373; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13050373 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Human amoebiasis still represents a major health problem worldwide. Metronidazole has been used as the most common drug to treat the disease; however, it is also known that the drug causes undesirable side effects. This has led to the search for new pharmacological [...] Read more.
Human amoebiasis still represents a major health problem worldwide. Metronidazole has been used as the most common drug to treat the disease; however, it is also known that the drug causes undesirable side effects. This has led to the search for new pharmacological alternatives which include phytochemical compounds with antiamoebic effects. We analyzed the amoebicidal activity of stevioside (STV), a diterpene glycoside present in Stevia rebaudiana, on trophozoites of E. histolytica. Different concentrations of STV were tested, and an inhibitory concentration of 50% of cell viability (IC50) was determined with an exposition of 9.53 mM for 24 h. Trophozoites exposed to STV showed morphological changes evidenced by the decrease in the basic structures related to the movement and adherence to the substrate, as well as ultrastructural features characterized by a loss of regularity on the cell membrane, an increase in cytoplasmic granularity, and an increase in apparent autophagic vacuoles. Also, the decrease in cysteine protease expression and the proteolytic activity of trophozoites to degrade the cell monolayer were analyzed. A histological analysis of hamster livers inoculated with trophozoites and treated with STV showed changes related to the granulomatous reaction of the liver parenchymal tissue. Our results constitute the first report related to the possible use of STV as a therapeutic alternative in amoebiasis. Full article
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22 pages, 8658 KiB  
Article
Insights into Wheat Genotype‒Sphaerodes mycoparasitica Interaction to Improve Crop Yield and Defence against Fusarium graminearum: An Integration of FHB Biocontrol in Canadian Wheat Breeding Programmes
by Antonia Powell, Seon Hwa Kim, Pierre Hucl and Vladimir Vujanovic
Pathogens 2024, 13(5), 372; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13050372 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a major threat to wheat crop production and food security worldwide. The creation of resistant wheat cultivars is an essential component of an integrated strategy against Fusarium graminearum, the primary aetiological agent that causes FHB. The results [...] Read more.
Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a major threat to wheat crop production and food security worldwide. The creation of resistant wheat cultivars is an essential component of an integrated strategy against Fusarium graminearum, the primary aetiological agent that causes FHB. The results of this study show that the deployment of proto-cooperative interactions between wheat genotypes and mycoparasitic biocontrol agents (BCAs) can improve crop yield and plant resistance in controlling the devastating effects of FHB on wheat agronomic traits. A Fusarium-specific mycoparasite, Sphaerodes mycoparasitica, was found to be compatible with common and durum wheat hosts, thus allowing the efficient control of F. graminearum infection in plants. Four genotypes of wheat, two common wheat, and two durum wheat cultivars with varying FHB resistance levels were used in this greenhouse study. The BCA treatments decreased FHB symptoms in all four cultivars and improved the agronomic traits such as spike number, spike weight, seed weight, plant biomass, and plant height which are vital to grain yield. Conversely, the F. graminearum 3ADON chemotype treatment decreased the agronomic trait values by up to 44% across cultivars. Spike number, spike weight, and seed weight were the most improved traits by the BCA. A more measurable improvement in agronomic traits was observed in durum wheat cultivars compared to common wheat. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research on Fusarium: 2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 5365 KiB  
Article
Anatomical Vascular Differences and Leishmania-Induced Vascular Morphological Changes Are Associated with a High Parasite Load in the Skin of Dogs Infected with Leishmania infantum
by Francini N. Ribeiro, Tainã L. de Souza, Rodrigo C. Menezes, Lucas Keidel, João Paulo R. dos Santos, Igor J. da Silva, Marcelo Pelajo-Machado, Fernanda N. Morgado and Renato Porrozzi
Pathogens 2024, 13(5), 371; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13050371 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL), caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum, affects several organs, including the skin. Dogs are considered the major domestic reservoir animals for leishmaniasis, and through their highly parasitized skin, they can serve as a source of infection for sandfly [...] Read more.
Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL), caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum, affects several organs, including the skin. Dogs are considered the major domestic reservoir animals for leishmaniasis, and through their highly parasitized skin, they can serve as a source of infection for sandfly vectors. Therefore, studies of the skin parasite–host relationship can contribute to the understanding of the infectious dissemination processes of parasites in the dermis and help to identify targets for diagnosis and treatment. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association of anatomical vascular differences and Leishmania-induced vascular morphological changes with clinical signs and parasite load by analyzing the ear and abdominal skin from dogs naturally infected with L. infantum. Paired samples of ear and abdominal skin from L. infantum-positive dogs (n = 26) were submitted for histological and immunohistochemistry analyses. The ear skin samples showed a more intense and more diffusely distributed granulomatous inflammatory reaction, a higher number and larger diameter of blood vessels, increased parasite load, higher expression of VEGF+ (vascular endothelial growth factor) and MAC 387+ (calprotectin) recently infiltrating cells, and more intense collagen disruption compared to the abdominal skin samples. Intracellular amastigotes were observed in blood vessels and inside endothelial cells and were diffusely distributed throughout the dermis in the ear skin samples. The NOS2/MAC387+ cell ratio was lower in the ear skin samples than in those of the abdomen, suggesting that in the ear dermis, the inflammatory infiltrate was less capable of producing NO and thereby control the parasite load. Together, these findings indicate how parasites and immune cells are distributed in the skin and suggest an important role for dermal vascularization in cellular influx and thereby in parasite dissemination through the skin of naturally infected dogs. Full article
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12 pages, 4281 KiB  
Article
Effect of Wear on Alternating Bending Fatigue Life of 20CrNi2Mo Martensitic Steel
by Xinmao Qin, Xixia Liu, Huaze Huang and Cunhong Yin
Lubricants 2024, 12(5), 157; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12050157 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Bending fatigue failures are commonly related to the wear behavior in an active system. The surface wear and plastic deformation of the tribolayer play crucial roles in the wear–bending fatigue behaviors of steels. In particular, the lamellar structure of martensitic steel leads to [...] Read more.
Bending fatigue failures are commonly related to the wear behavior in an active system. The surface wear and plastic deformation of the tribolayer play crucial roles in the wear–bending fatigue behaviors of steels. In particular, the lamellar structure of martensitic steel leads to its unique wear–bending fatigue behavior. In this work, the wear–bending fatigue testing method and device were introduced to explore the wear–bending fatigue behavior of the martensitic steel. The effect of wear on the alternating bending fatigue life of 20CrNi2Mo martensitic steel was studied under low and high fatigue stress. The influence of wear debris on the fatigue life at two different sliding speeds was also analyzed. The results show that the fatigue life decreased with the wear load increased under high bending stress. Moreover, for systems with nanoscale wear debris on the steel surface, the wear–bending fatigue lifetimes are significantly enhanced compared with large wear debris. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Friction and Wear of Alloys)
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18 pages, 3172 KiB  
Article
Transformer-Based Approach to Pathology Diagnosis Using Audio Spectrogram
by Mohammad Tami, Sari Masri, Ahmad Hasasneh and Chakib Tadj
Information 2024, 15(5), 253; https://doi.org/10.3390/info15050253 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Early detection of infant pathologies by non-invasive means is a critical aspect of pediatric healthcare. Audio analysis of infant crying has emerged as a promising method to identify various health conditions without direct medical intervention. In this study, we present a cutting-edge machine [...] Read more.
Early detection of infant pathologies by non-invasive means is a critical aspect of pediatric healthcare. Audio analysis of infant crying has emerged as a promising method to identify various health conditions without direct medical intervention. In this study, we present a cutting-edge machine learning model that employs audio spectrograms and transformer-based algorithms to classify infant crying into distinct pathological categories. Our innovative model bypasses the extensive preprocessing typically associated with audio data by exploiting the self-attention mechanisms of the transformer, thereby preserving the integrity of the audio’s diagnostic features. When benchmarked against established machine learning and deep learning models, our approach demonstrated a remarkable 98.69% accuracy, 98.73% precision, 98.71% recall, and an F1 score of 98.71%, surpassing the performance of both traditional machine learning and convolutional neural network models. This research not only provides a novel diagnostic tool that is scalable and efficient but also opens avenues for improving pediatric care through early and accurate detection of pathologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Deep Learning for Image, Video and Signal Processing)
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14 pages, 5021 KiB  
Article
Research on Multi-System Coupling Vibration of a Hot Tandem Mill
by Yujie Liu, Shen Wang, Xuewei Wang and Xiaoqiang Yan
Machines 2024, 12(5), 302; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050302 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Vibration in hot tandem rolling mills has been a problem in the iron and steel industry mainly due to its unpredictability. In this work, vibration data of the second finishing mill (F2) stand of a hot tandem rolling mill are collected and analyzed, [...] Read more.
Vibration in hot tandem rolling mills has been a problem in the iron and steel industry mainly due to its unpredictability. In this work, vibration data of the second finishing mill (F2) stand of a hot tandem rolling mill are collected and analyzed, and a mathematical model based on the coupling of a non-uniform deformation process, mill structure and hydraulic control system is constructed. The influence of different inlet thickness fluctuation forms, structural parameters and control parameters on the vibration behavior is analyzed. It is concluded that the low-frequency thickness fluctuation with additional skewness can cause the resonance of each subsystem of the rolling mill. The deviation angle of the roll system influences the vibration harmonic output of the rolling mill under a single low-frequency thickness fluctuation excitation. The compensation parameter in the thickness control system affects the natural frequency of the vertical system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Machine Design and Theory)
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19 pages, 8974 KiB  
Article
Flood Water Depth Prediction with Convolutional Temporal Attention Networks
by Priyanka Chaudhary, João P. Leitão, Konrad Schindler and Jan Dirk Wegner
Water 2024, 16(9), 1286; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16091286 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Robust and accurate flood hazard maps are essential for early warning systems and flood risk management. Although physically based models are effective in estimating pluvial flooding, the computational burden makes them difficult to use for real-time flood prediction. In contrast, data-driven models can [...] Read more.
Robust and accurate flood hazard maps are essential for early warning systems and flood risk management. Although physically based models are effective in estimating pluvial flooding, the computational burden makes them difficult to use for real-time flood prediction. In contrast, data-driven models can provide faster flood predictions if trained offline. While most studies have focused on predicting maximum water depth, in this study, we predict pixel-wise water depth maps for entire catchments at a lead time of 2 h. To that end, we propose a deep learning approach that uses a sequence encoding network with temporal self-attention. We also adapt the popular hydrological performance metric Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) as our loss function. We test the effectiveness and generalizability of our method using a new dataset called SwissFlood, which consists of 100 catchments and 1500 rainfall events extracted from real observations in Switzerland. Our method produces 2 m spatial resolution flood maps with absolute error as low as 27 cm for water depth exceeding 1 m. Full article
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14 pages, 24885 KiB  
Article
A Case Study and Numerical Modeling of Post-Wildfire Debris Flows in Montecito, California
by Diwakar K. C., Mohammad Wasif Naqvi and Liangbo Hu
Water 2024, 16(9), 1285; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16091285 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Wildfires and their long-term impacts on the environment have become a major concern in the last few decades, in which climate change and enhanced anthropogenic activities have gradually led to increasingly frequent events of such hazards or disasters. Geological materials appear to become [...] Read more.
Wildfires and their long-term impacts on the environment have become a major concern in the last few decades, in which climate change and enhanced anthropogenic activities have gradually led to increasingly frequent events of such hazards or disasters. Geological materials appear to become more vulnerable to hazards including erosion, floods, landslides and debris flows. In the present study, the well-known 2017 wildfire and subsequent 2018 debris flows in the Montecito area of California are examined. It is found that the post-wildfire debris flows were initiated from erosion and entrainment processes and triggered by intense rainfall. The significant debris deposition in four major creeks in this area is investigated. Numerical modeling of the post-wildfire debris flows is performed by employing a multi-phase mass flow model to simulate the growth in the debris flows and eventual debris deposition. The debris-flow-affected areas estimated from the numerical simulations fairly represent those observed in the field. Overall, the simulated debris deposits are within 7% error of those estimated based on field observations. A similar simulation of the pre-wildfire scenario indicates that the debris would be much less significant. The present study shows that proper numerical simulations can be a promising tool for estimating post-wildfire erosion and the debris-affected areas for hazard assessment and mitigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Flowing Mechanism of Debris Flow and Engineering Mitigation)
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15 pages, 5069 KiB  
Article
A Study on the Preparation of a Vulcanizing Mixture and Its Application in Natural Rubber Latex
by Haobin Fang, Yingping He, Yulan Li and Jie Du
Polymers 2024, 16(9), 1256; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091256 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The traditional preparation process of natural rubber latex requires tedious treatment of a variety of rubber additives. In this paper, a new process of wet mixed grinding was used to prepare a reinforced vulcanization mixture and a rapid vulcanization effect. The effect of [...] Read more.
The traditional preparation process of natural rubber latex requires tedious treatment of a variety of rubber additives. In this paper, a new process of wet mixed grinding was used to prepare a reinforced vulcanization mixture and a rapid vulcanization effect. The effect of different amounts of vulcanization mixtures on the mechanical properties of natural latex film was studied, and the pre-vulcanization process of latex and the vulcanization process of film were optimized. The results showed that with the increase in the amount of vulcanization mixture, the tensile strength increased from 5.96 MPa to 29.28 MPa, and the tear strength increased from 7.59 kN/m to 52.81 kN/m. When the vulcanization temperature of the latex film is heated from 80 °C to 100 °C, the vulcanization time is shortened by 5~6 times. The new vulcanization mixture prepared in this work has the characteristics of simple production and fast vulcanization speed, which provides a new solution for the development of the latex product industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biomacromolecules, Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers)
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30 pages, 8736 KiB  
Review
An Overview of Recycling Phenolic Resin
by Bing Zhu, Xinyao Jiang, Songjun Li and Maiyong Zhu
Polymers 2024, 16(9), 1255; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091255 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Over a century ago, phenolic formaldehyde (PF) resin was developed and continues to increase in yield due to its diverse applications. However, PF resin is a thermosetting plastic lacking fluidity and moldability, which are nondegradable in natural environments, leading to severe threats to [...] Read more.
Over a century ago, phenolic formaldehyde (PF) resin was developed and continues to increase in yield due to its diverse applications. However, PF resin is a thermosetting plastic lacking fluidity and moldability, which are nondegradable in natural environments, leading to severe threats to fossil resources as well as global environmental crises. As a result, recycling PF resin is extremely important. In this review, we provide the recent advances in the recycling of PF resin, which includes mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, and utilization of carbon-based materials. The advantages and disadvantages of each strategy are evaluated from a green chemistry perspective. This article aims to attract interest in PF resin design, synthesizing, application and recycling, offering useful suggestions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Circular and Green Polymer Science)
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27 pages, 3040 KiB  
Review
Application of PLGA in Tumor Immunotherapy
by Jiashuai Wu, Xiaopeng Wang, Yunduan Wang, Zhe Xun and Shuo Li
Polymers 2024, 16(9), 1253; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091253 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Biodegradable polymers have been extensively researched in the field of biomedicine. Polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), a biodegradable polymer material, has been widely used in drug delivery systems and has shown great potential in various medical fields, including vaccines, tissue engineering such as bone regeneration [...] Read more.
Biodegradable polymers have been extensively researched in the field of biomedicine. Polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), a biodegradable polymer material, has been widely used in drug delivery systems and has shown great potential in various medical fields, including vaccines, tissue engineering such as bone regeneration and wound healing, and 3D printing. Cancer, a group of diseases with high mortality rates worldwide, has recently garnered significant attention in the field of immune therapy research. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the delivery function of PLGA in tumor immunotherapy. In tumor immunotherapy, PLGA can serve as a carrier to load antigens on its surface, thereby enhancing the immune system’s ability to attack tumor cells. Additionally, PLGA can be used to formulate tumor vaccines and immunoadjuvants, thereby enhancing the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy. PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) can also enhance the effectiveness of tumor immunotherapy by regulating the activity and differentiation of immune cells, and by improving the expression and presentation of tumor antigens. Furthermore, due to the diverse physical properties and surface modifications of PLGA, it has a wider range of potential applications in tumor immunotherapy through the loading of various types of drugs or other innovative substances. We aim to highlight the recent advances and challenges of plga in the field of oncology therapy to stimulate further research and development of innovative PLGA-based approaches, and more effective and personalized cancer therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Polymer Applications)
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27 pages, 2359 KiB  
Article
Poly(DL-Lactide) Polymer Blended with Mineral Phases for Extrusion 3D Printing—Studies on Degradation and Biocompatibility
by Corina Vater, Christian Bräuer, Stefanie Grom, Tatjana Fecht, Tilman Ahlfeld, Max von Witzleben, Anna-Maria Placht, Kathleen Schütz, Jan Marc Schehl, Tobias Wolfram, Frank Reinauer, Martin Scharffenberg, Jakob Wittenstein, Andreas Hoess, Sascha Heinemann, Michael Gelinsky, Günter Lauer and Anja Lode
Polymers 2024, 16(9), 1254; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091254 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
A promising therapeutic option for the treatment of critical-size mandibular defects is the implantation of biodegradable, porous structures that are produced patient-specifically by using additive manufacturing techniques. In this work, degradable poly(DL-lactide) polymer (PDLLA) was blended with different mineral phases with the aim [...] Read more.
A promising therapeutic option for the treatment of critical-size mandibular defects is the implantation of biodegradable, porous structures that are produced patient-specifically by using additive manufacturing techniques. In this work, degradable poly(DL-lactide) polymer (PDLLA) was blended with different mineral phases with the aim of buffering its acidic degradation products, which can cause inflammation and stimulate bone regeneration. Microparticles of CaCO3, SrCO3, tricalcium phosphates (α-TCP, β-TCP), or strontium-modified hydroxyapatite (SrHAp) were mixed with the polymer powder following processing the blends into scaffolds with the Arburg Plastic Freeforming 3D-printing method. An in vitro degradation study over 24 weeks revealed a buffer effect for all mineral phases, with the buffering capacity of CaCO3 and SrCO3 being the highest. Analysis of conductivity, swelling, microstructure, viscosity, and glass transition temperature evidenced that the mineral phases influence the degradation behavior of the scaffolds. Cytocompatibility of all polymer blends was proven in cell experiments with SaOS-2 cells. Patient-specific implants consisting of PDLLA + CaCO3, which were tested in a pilot in vivo study in a segmental mandibular defect in minipigs, exhibited strong swelling. Based on these results, an in vitro swelling prediction model was developed that simulates the conditions of anisotropic swelling after implantation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extrusion of Polymer Blends and Composites)
19 pages, 6161 KiB  
Article
Green and Heavy-Duty Anticorrosion Coatings: Waterborne Epoxy Thermoset Composites Modified through Variation of Zinc Dust Loading and Incorporation of Amine-Capped Aniline Trimer and Graphene Oxide
by Yun-Xiang Lan, Yun-Hsuan Chen, Ying-Lung Chao, Yu-Hsuan Chang, Yu-Chi Huang, Wei-Ren Liu, Wei-Tsan Wong, Andrew Chi-Fa Sun, Karen S. Santiago and Jui-Ming Yeh
Polymers 2024, 16(9), 1252; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091252 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
In this study, an array of environmentally friendly and heavy-duty anticorrosion composite coatings were prepared. The synthesis involved amine-capped aniline trimer (ACAT) produced by an oxidative coupling reaction and graphene oxide (GO) prepared based on Hummer’s method, and later, the waterborne epoxy thermoset [...] Read more.
In this study, an array of environmentally friendly and heavy-duty anticorrosion composite coatings were prepared. The synthesis involved amine-capped aniline trimer (ACAT) produced by an oxidative coupling reaction and graphene oxide (GO) prepared based on Hummer’s method, and later, the waterborne epoxy thermoset composite (WETC) coatings were prepared by thermal ring-opening polymerization of EP 147w, a commercial waterborne epoxy resin, in the presence of ACAT and/or GO with zinc dust (ZD). A synergistic effect was observed by replacing a significant amount of the ZD loading in the WETC by simultaneously incorporating a small amount of ACAT and GO. The electrochemical corrosion measurements of the as-prepared WETC coatings indicated that incorporating 5% w/w ACAT or 0.5% w/w GO separately replaced approximately 30% w/w or 15% w/w of the ZD, respectively. Moreover, the WETC coatings containing 5% w/w ACAT and 0.5% w/w GO simultaneously were found to replace 45% w/w of the ZD. A salt spray test based on ASTM B-117 also showed a consistent trend with the electrochemical results. Incorporating small amounts of ACAT and GO in WETC coatings instead of ZD not only maintains the anticorrosion performance but also enhances adhesion and abrasion resistance, as demonstrated by the adhesion and abrasion tests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Composites II)
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