The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
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20 pages, 386 KiB  
Article
The Challenge of Defining the Secular
by Georgina Clarke and Renae Barker
Laws 2024, 13(3), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/laws13030028 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
Judges have long wrestled with the gigantean task of defining religion, with some describing the task as being ‘called upon to ponder the imponderable’, an impossible task, and even misguided. Despite these sentiments, and comments in almost every legal definition expressing the impossibility [...] Read more.
Judges have long wrestled with the gigantean task of defining religion, with some describing the task as being ‘called upon to ponder the imponderable’, an impossible task, and even misguided. Despite these sentiments, and comments in almost every legal definition expressing the impossibility of the task, judges have, in fact, been able to come up with numerous legal definitions for religion. These have been applied in myriad circumstances to define the outer limits of the rights and responsibilities of states, religious communities, organisations, and individuals. By contrast, the term secular has rarely been judicially defined. However, it is no-less important in defining the rights and responsibilities of states and their citizens and residents, particularly in light of the number of states that claim, implicitly or explicitly, to be secular. This paper, therefore, (re)examines the definition of the secular as it pertains to the concept of the secular state. It considers the need for a legal definition of the secular with particular reference to constitutional and other legal instruments that include the term. It then examines the difference between the terms secular, secularisation and secularism, noting the often erroneous conflation as well as the inevitable interaction and overlap between these key concepts. Finally, drawing on existing classifications of legal definitions of religion, the paper classifies definitions of the secular into three overarching classifications, namely ‘historical’, ‘substantive’ and ‘characteristic’. Full article
15 pages, 769 KiB  
Review
The Possible Roles of IL-4/IL-13 in the Development of Eosinophil-Predominant Severe Asthma
by Kazuyuki Nakagome and Makoto Nagata
Biomolecules 2024, 14(5), 546; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14050546 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
Bronchial asthma is characterized by airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airway obstruction. Eosinophils contribute to the pathogenesis of airway disease mainly by releasing eosinophil-specific granules, lipid mediators, superoxide anions, and their DNA. Type-2 cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 also play [...] Read more.
Bronchial asthma is characterized by airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airway obstruction. Eosinophils contribute to the pathogenesis of airway disease mainly by releasing eosinophil-specific granules, lipid mediators, superoxide anions, and their DNA. Type-2 cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 also play roles in the development of bronchial asthma. Among these cytokines, IL-4 is involved in T-cell differentiation, B-cell activation, B-cell differentiation into plasma cells, and the production of immunoglobulin E. Although IL-13 has similar effects to IL-4, IL-13 mainly affects structural cells, such as epithelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts. IL-13 induces the differentiation of goblet cells that produce mucus and induces the airway remodeling, including smooth muscle hypertrophy. IL-4 and IL-13 do not directly activate the effector functions of eosinophils; however, they can induce eosinophilic airway inflammation by upregulating the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (for adhesion) and CC chemokine receptor 3 ligands (for migration). Dupilumab, a human anti-IL-4 receptor α monoclonal antibody that inhibits IL-4 and IL-13 signaling, decreases asthma exacerbations and mucus plugs and increases lung function in moderate to severe asthma. In addition, dupilumab is effective for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and for atopic dermatitis, and IL-4/IL-13 blocking is expected to suppress allergen sensitization, including transcutaneous sensitization and atopic march. Full article
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22 pages, 8260 KiB  
Article
Spatiotemporal Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Freeze–Thaw Erosion in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
by Zhenzhen Yang, Wankui Ni, Fujun Niu, Lan Li and Siyuan Ren
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(9), 1629; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16091629 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
Freeze–thaw (FT) erosion intensity may exhibit a future increasing trend with climate warming, humidification, and permafrost degradation in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP). The present study provides a reference for the prevention and control of FT erosion in the QTP, as well as for [...] Read more.
Freeze–thaw (FT) erosion intensity may exhibit a future increasing trend with climate warming, humidification, and permafrost degradation in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP). The present study provides a reference for the prevention and control of FT erosion in the QTP, as well as for the protection and restoration of the regional ecological environment. FT erosion is the third major type of soil erosion after water and wind erosion. Although FT erosion is one of the major soil erosion types in cold regions, it has been studied relatively little in the past because of the complexity of several influencing factors and the involvement of shallow surface layers at certain depths. The QTP is an important ecological barrier area in China. However, this area is characterized by harsh climatic and fragile environmental conditions, as well as by frequent FT erosion events, making it necessary to conduct research on FT erosion. In this paper, a total of 11 meteorological, vegetation, topographic, geomorphological, and geological factors were selected and assigned analytic hierarchy process (AHP)-based weights to evaluate the FT erosion intensity in the QTP using a comprehensive evaluation index method. In addition, the single effects of the selected influencing factors on the FT erosion intensity were further evaluated in this study. According to the obtained results, the total FT erosion area covered 1.61 × 106 km2, accounting for 61.33% of the total area of the QTP. The moderate and strong FT erosion intensity classes covered 6.19 × 105 km2, accounting for 38.37% of the total FT erosion area in the QTP. The results revealed substantial variations in the spatial distribution of the FT erosion intensity in the QTP. Indeed, the moderate and strong erosion areas were mainly located in the high mountain areas and the hilly part of the Hoh Xil frozen soil region. Full article
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27 pages, 2276 KiB  
Review
Sentiment Dimensions and Intentions in Scientific Analysis: Multilevel Classification in Text and Citations
by Kampatzis Aristotelis, Sidiropoulos Antonis, Diamantaras Konstantinos and Ougiaroglou Stefanos
Electronics 2024, 13(9), 1753; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13091753 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
Sentiment Analysis in text, especially text containing scientific citations, is an emerging research field with important applications in the research community. This review explores the field of sentiment analysis by focusing on the interpretation of citations, presenting a detailed description of techniques and [...] Read more.
Sentiment Analysis in text, especially text containing scientific citations, is an emerging research field with important applications in the research community. This review explores the field of sentiment analysis by focusing on the interpretation of citations, presenting a detailed description of techniques and methods ranging from lexicon-based approaches to Machine and Deep Learning models. The importance of understanding both the emotion and the intention behind citations is emphasized, reflecting their critical role in scientific communication. In addition, this study presents the challenges faced by researchers (such as complex scientific terminology, multilingualism, and the abstract nature of scientific discourse), highlighting the need for specialized language processing techniques. Finally, future research directions include improving the quality of datasets as well as exploring architectures and models to improve the accuracy of sentiment detection. Full article
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15 pages, 4636 KiB  
Article
Impact of Rheology-Based Optimum Parameters on Enhancing the Mechanical Properties and Fatigue of Additively Manufactured Acrylonitrile–Butadiene–Styrene/Graphene Nanoplatelet Composites
by Soran Hassanifard and Kamran Behdinan
Polymers 2024, 16(9), 1273; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091273 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
This study investigates the interaction between static and fatigue strength and the rheological properties of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) polymer reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) in both filament and 3D-printed forms. Specifically focusing on the effects of 1.0 wt.% GNPs, the study examines their influence [...] Read more.
This study investigates the interaction between static and fatigue strength and the rheological properties of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) polymer reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) in both filament and 3D-printed forms. Specifically focusing on the effects of 1.0 wt.% GNPs, the study examines their influence on static/fatigue responses. The rheological behaviour of pure ABS polymer and ABS/GNPs nanocomposite samples, fabricated through material extrusion, is evaluated. The results indicated that the addition of 1.0 wt.% GNPs to the ABS matrix improved the elastic modulus of the nanocomposite filaments by up to about 34%, while reducing their ductility by approximately 60%. Observations revealed that the static and fatigue responses of the composite filament materials and 3D-printed parts were not solely attributed to differences in mechanical properties, but were also influenced by extrusion-related process parameters. The shark-skin effect, directly related to the material’s rheological properties, had a major impact on static strength and fatigue life. The proposed method involved adjusting the temperature of the heating zones of the extruder during filament production to enhance the static response of the filament and using a higher nozzle temperature (270 °C) to improve the fatigue life of the 3D-printed samples. The findings reveal that the proposed parameter optimisation led to filaments with minimised shark-skin effects, resulting in an improvement in ultimate tensile strength compared to pure ABS. Moreover, the 3D-printed samples produced with a higher nozzle temperature exhibited increased fatigue lives compared to those manufactured under identical conditions as pure ABS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Three-Dimensional Printing of Polymer Materials)
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12 pages, 1267 KiB  
Article
Integrating Routine Hematological and Extended Inflammatory Parameters as a Novel Approach for Timely Diagnosis and Prognosis in Sepsis Management
by Sianny Herawati, I Ketut Agus Somia, Sully Kosasih, I Nyoman Wande, Jethro Felim and I Made Dwi Payana
Diagnostics 2024, 14(9), 956; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14090956 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
Sepsis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in hospitals, especially in low- and middle-income countries, and represents a challenge to health care providers to carry out early detection, and accurate diagnosis and prognosis with cost-effective diagnostic tools. An observational [...] Read more.
Sepsis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in hospitals, especially in low- and middle-income countries, and represents a challenge to health care providers to carry out early detection, and accurate diagnosis and prognosis with cost-effective diagnostic tools. An observational prospective study was conducted from December 2021 to December 2022 to investigate the extended inflammatory parameters (EIPs) for sepsis management and analyze the survival of septic patients in the emergency unit, intensive care unit (ICU) and inpatient ward. Patients suspected of having sepsis underwent a sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) evaluation and had blood drawn for complete blood counts (CBCs). Significant changes were observed in various CBC parameters and EIPs, and the sepsis group was followed up with for 30-day mortality. The study highlighted a significant difference yet strong discriminatory power to differentiate sepsis with an AUC of 0.924 against the non-sepsis group and an AUC of 0.991 against the healthy control group using combination of white blood cells and EIPs. Furthermore, the study showed good predictive ability for 30-day mortality with a hazard ratio of 2.311. In summary, this study provides evidence that the utilization of EIPs may be valuable in diagnosing and predicting patient outcomes, and thus will be beneficial for sepsis management in the hospital. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Cell-Based Technologies for Precision Diagnostics)
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18 pages, 11407 KiB  
Article
Estimation of Rice Plant Coverage Using Sentinel-2 Based on UAV-Observed Data
by Yuki Sato, Takeshi Tsuji and Masayuki Matsuoka
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(9), 1628; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16091628 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
Vegetation coverage is a crucial parameter in agriculture, as it offers essential insight into crop growth and health conditions. The spatial resolution of spaceborne sensors is limited, hindering the precise measurement of vegetation coverage. Consequently, fine-resolution ground observation data are indispensable for establishing [...] Read more.
Vegetation coverage is a crucial parameter in agriculture, as it offers essential insight into crop growth and health conditions. The spatial resolution of spaceborne sensors is limited, hindering the precise measurement of vegetation coverage. Consequently, fine-resolution ground observation data are indispensable for establishing correlations between remotely sensed reflectance and plant coverage. We estimated rice plant coverage per pixel using time-series Sentinel-2 Multispectral Instrument (MSI) data, enabling the monitoring of rice growth conditions over a wide area. Coverage was calculated using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) data with a spatial resolution of 3 cm with the spectral unmixing method. Coverage maps were generated every 2–3 weeks throughout the rice-growing season. Subsequently, crop growth was estimated at 10 m resolution through multiple linear regression utilizing Sentinel-2 MSI reflectance data and coverage maps. In this process, a geometric registration of MSI and UAV data was conducted to improve their spatial agreement. The coefficients of determination (R2) of the multiple linear regression models were 0.92 and 0.94 for the Level-1C and Level-2A products of Sentinel-2 MSI, respectively. The root mean square errors of estimated rice plant coverage were 10.77% and 9.34%, respectively. This study highlights the promise of satellite time-series models for accurate estimation of rice plant coverage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Satellite and UAV Data in Precision Agriculture)
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9 pages, 473 KiB  
Article
Assessment of The Factors Related to The Spontaneous Passage of Common Bile Duct Stones
by Bayram İnan, Ahmet Akbay, İbrahim Ethem Güven and Osman Ersoy
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(9), 2672; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092672 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
Background: Common bile duct (CBD) stones may pass spontaneously without any intervention. Assessment of the predictors of spontaneous passage can contribute to avoiding unnecessary endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) implementation. This study aimed to investigate the factors related to spontaneous passage of CBD stones. [...] Read more.
Background: Common bile duct (CBD) stones may pass spontaneously without any intervention. Assessment of the predictors of spontaneous passage can contribute to avoiding unnecessary endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) implementation. This study aimed to investigate the factors related to spontaneous passage of CBD stones. Methods: From January 2021 to August 2023, patients with naïve papilla who had undergone biliary ERCP and with CBD stones detected by MRCP before the procedure were analyzed retrospectively. Subjects were divided into two groups on the basis of the presence of stones during the ERCP procedure: the spontaneous passage group and the non-passage group. Groups were compared in terms of demographic, laboratory, and radiological data. Results: A total of 236 patients, including 26 in the spontaneous passage group and 210 in the non-passage group, were involved. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that only stone size was significantly associated with spontaneous passage. From ROC curve analysis, stone size with a cut-off value of 4.3 mm predicted spontaneous passage with 58% sensitivity and 85% specificity. Conclusions: Stones with a size of less than 4.3 mm are more likely to pass spontaneously without endoscopic intervention. Paying attention to the stone diameter before ERCP procedures can contribute to avoiding unnecessary ERCP implementation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endoscopic Management of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Disease)
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27 pages, 2892 KiB  
Article
Valorization of Red Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) Pomace Combined with Golden Linseed (Lini semen) for the Development of Vegetable Crispbreads as Gluten-Free Snacks Rich in Bioactive Compounds
by Julia Niemira and Sabina Galus
Molecules 2024, 29(9), 2105; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092105 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
This work aimed to develop gluten-free snacks such as crispbread based on beetroot pomace (Beta vulgaris L.) and golden linseed (Lini semen). Beetroot is attracting more and more consumer attention because of its nutritional and health properties. The use of [...] Read more.
This work aimed to develop gluten-free snacks such as crispbread based on beetroot pomace (Beta vulgaris L.) and golden linseed (Lini semen). Beetroot is attracting more and more consumer attention because of its nutritional and health properties. The use of beet pomace contributes to waste management. Linseed, known as a superfood with many health-promoting properties, was used to produce crispbreads as an alternative to cereals, which are allergens. Beetroot pomace and whole or ground linseed were used in different proportions to produce crispbread snacks. Chemical and physical analyses were performed including water activity, dry matter, betalains, and polyphenols content, as well as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). A sensory evaluation and microstructure observations were also performed. The obtained snacks were characterized by low water activity (0.290–0.395) and a high dry matter content (93.43–97.53%), which ensures their microbiological stability and enables longer storage. Beetroot pomace provided betalains—red (14.59–51.44 mg betanin/100 g d.m.) and yellow dyes (50.02–171.12 mg betanin/100 g d.m.)—while using linseed enriched the product with polyphenols (730–948 mg chlorogenic acid/100 g d.m.). FTIR analysis showed the presence of functional groups such as the following: -OH, -C-O, -COOH, and -NH. The most desired overall consumer acceptability was achieved for snacks containing 50% beetroot pomace and 50% linseed seeds. The obtained results confirmed that beetroot pomace combined with linseed can be used in the production of vegetable crispbread snacks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods and Dietary Bioactives in Human Health)
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16 pages, 1497 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Profiling of Klebsiella in Surface Waters from Northern Portugal: Understanding Patterns in Prevalence, Antibiotic Resistance, and Biofilm Formation
by Sara Araújo, Vanessa Silva, Maria de Lurdes Enes Dapkevicius, José Eduardo Pereira, Ângela Martins, Gilberto Igrejas and Patricia Poeta
Water 2024, 16(9), 1297; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16091297 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
This study investigates the prevalence of resistance and virulence genes in Klebsiella isolates from surface waters in Northern Portugal, within the broader context of freshwater quality challenges in Southern Europe. The aim of this research is to explain how Klebsiella dynamics, antibiotic resistance, [...] Read more.
This study investigates the prevalence of resistance and virulence genes in Klebsiella isolates from surface waters in Northern Portugal, within the broader context of freshwater quality challenges in Southern Europe. The aim of this research is to explain how Klebsiella dynamics, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm formation interact in surface waters. Antimicrobial susceptibility was examined using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method against 11 antibiotics and screening for Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) production using the double-disk synergy. PCR was employed to detect resistance and virulence genes, while biofilm production was assessed using the microplate method. Out of 77 water isolates, 33 Klebsiella (14 Klebsiella spp. and 19 K. pneumoniae strains) were isolated. ESBL production was observed in 36.8% of K. pneumoniae and 28.6% of Klebsiella spp. High resistance rates to blaCTX-U were observed in both. The papC gene was prevalent, signifying potential environmental risks. Biofilm production averaged 81.3% for K. pneumoniae and 86.9% for Klebsiella spp. These findings underscore the intricate interplay between Klebsiella’s dynamics and freshwater quality, with ESBL’s prevalence raising concerns about waterborne dissemination and public health implications. This work supports the need for vigilance of Klebsiella in surface waters in Southern Europe. Full article
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9 pages, 884 KiB  
Article
Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus and Clinical Differences in Patients with Severe Osteoporosis and Fragility Fractures
by Isabella Nardone, Rossella Antonelli, Simona Zaccaria, Sium Wolde Sellasie, Stefania Falcone, Chiara Pecchioli, Laura Giurato and Luigi Uccioli
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(9), 2670; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092670 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and osteoporosis are two of the most widespread metabolic diseases in the world. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of DM among patients affected by osteoporosis and fragility fractures, and to search for differences in [...] Read more.
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and osteoporosis are two of the most widespread metabolic diseases in the world. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of DM among patients affected by osteoporosis and fragility fractures, and to search for differences in clinical characteristics. Methods: This is a single-center retrospective, case–controlled study. A total of 589 patients attending CTO Bone Unit between 2 January 2010 and 31 May 2023, due to osteoporosis and fragility fractures, were divided into two groups, according to the diagnosis of DM. The clinical and bone characteristics of patients were compared. Results: Prevalence of DM was 12.7%. Compared to patients without DM, the median age at the time of first fracture was similar: 72 years ± 13.5 interquartile range (IQR) vs. 71 years ± 12 IQR; prevalence of combination of vertebral and hip fractures was higher (p = 0.008), as well as prevalence of males (p = 0.016). Bone mineral density (BMD) at all sites was higher in DM group; trabecular bone score (TBS), instead, was significantly lower (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with fragility fractures and DM more frequently show combination of major fractures with higher BMD levels. In these patients, TBS could be a better indicator of bone health than BMD and, therefore, might be used as a diagnostic tool in clinical practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Endocrinology & Metabolism)
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11 pages, 2474 KiB  
Article
First Report of Fusarium vanettenii Causing Fuarium Root Rot in Fatsia japonica in China
by Xiaoqiao Xu, Tingting Dai and Cuiping Wu
Forests 2024, 15(5), 805; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15050805 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
Fatsia japonica plays an important role as a commonly used plant in urban landscaping. From 2022 to 2023, a root rot infestation was observed that caused extensive wilting of Fatsia japonica without leaf shedding and eventual death of the plant, severely reducing the [...] Read more.
Fatsia japonica plays an important role as a commonly used plant in urban landscaping. From 2022 to 2023, a root rot infestation was observed that caused extensive wilting of Fatsia japonica without leaf shedding and eventual death of the plant, severely reducing the ornamental qualities of the plant as well as the vigor of its growth. Fusarium species were isolated from the roots of the affected plants, exhibiting abundant and dense yellow mycelial colonies that proliferated radially from the center of the Petri dishes. Morphological examinations revealed the presence of falciform macro- and microconidia consistent with Fusarium, as well as chlamydospores characterized by their thick walls. For further identification, the amplification and sequencing of the ITS, TEF1 alpha, and RPB2 alpha genes were performed. Finally, healthy Fatsia japonica plants were inoculated with a spore suspension of the pathogen, to confirm that the disease symptoms were compatible with naturally occurring infection. Fusarium vanettenii was identified as the causative agent of Fatsia japonica root rot. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of F. vanettenii causing root rot of Fatsia japonica in China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Health)
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22 pages, 46483 KiB  
Article
SWIFT: Simulated Wildfire Images for Fast Training Dataset
by Luiz Fernando, Rafik Ghali and Moulay A. Akhloufi
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(9), 1627; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16091627 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
Wildland fires cause economic and ecological damage with devastating consequences, including loss of life. To reduce these risks, numerous fire detection and recognition systems using deep learning techniques have been developed. However, the limited availability of annotated datasets has decelerated the development of [...] Read more.
Wildland fires cause economic and ecological damage with devastating consequences, including loss of life. To reduce these risks, numerous fire detection and recognition systems using deep learning techniques have been developed. However, the limited availability of annotated datasets has decelerated the development of reliable deep learning techniques for detecting and monitoring fires. For such, a novel dataset, namely, SWIFT, is presented in this paper for detecting and recognizing wildland smoke and fires. SWIFT includes a large number of synthetic images and videos of smoke and wildfire with their corresponding annotations, as well as environmental data, including temperature, humidity, wind direction, and speed. It represents various wildland fire scenarios collected from multiple viewpoints, covering forest interior views, views near active fires, ground views, and aerial views. In addition, three deep learning models, namely, BoucaNet, DC-Fire, and CT-Fire, are adopted to recognize forest fires and address their related challenges. These models are trained using the SWIFT dataset and tested using real fire images. BoucaNet performed well in recognizing wildland fires and overcoming challenging limitations, including the complexity of the background, the variation in smoke and wildfire features, and the detection of small wildland fire areas. This shows the potential of sim-to-real deep learning in wildland fires. Full article
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11 pages, 881 KiB  
Article
Understanding How Green Space Naturalness Impacts Public Well-Being: Prospects for Designing Healthier Cities
by Adriano Bressane, Mirela Beatriz Silva, Ana Paula Garcia Goulart and Líliam César de Castro Medeiros
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(5), 585; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21050585 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
Statement of problem: Urbanization has brought significant advancements in human well-being; however, it poses challenges to urban green spaces (UGSs), affecting environmental quality and public health. Research gap: Previous studies have established the importance of UGSs for urban well-being but have [...] Read more.
Statement of problem: Urbanization has brought significant advancements in human well-being; however, it poses challenges to urban green spaces (UGSs), affecting environmental quality and public health. Research gap: Previous studies have established the importance of UGSs for urban well-being but have not sufficiently explored how the naturalness of these spaces—ranging from untouched natural areas to human-designed landscapes—affects mental health outcomes in the context of developing countries, particularly Brazil. Purpose: This study aimed to bridge the research gap by investigating the relationship between the degree of naturalness in UGSs and mental health among residents of Brazilian metropolitan areas. Method: Data were collected through an online survey involving 2136 respondents from various Brazilian urban regions. The study used Welch’s ANOVA and Games–Howell post hoc tests to analyze the impact of UGS naturalness on mental health, considering depression, anxiety, and stress levels. Results and conclusions: The findings revealed that higher degrees of naturalness in UGSs significantly correlate with lower levels of mental distress. These results underscore the necessity of integrating natural elements into urban planning to enhance public health. Practical implications: Urban planners and policymakers are encouraged to prioritize the preservation and creation of naturalistic UGSs in urban environments to improve mental health outcomes. Future directions: Further research should explore the specific attributes of naturalness that most contribute to well-being and examine the scalability of these findings across different cultural and environmental contexts. Full article
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11 pages, 1100 KiB  
Article
Comorbidities and Complications in People Admitted for Leprosy in Spain, 1997–2021
by Blanca Figueres-Pesudo, Héctor Pinargote-Celorio, Isabel Belinchón-Romero and José-Manuel Ramos-Rincón
Life 2024, 14(5), 586; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14050586 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
This study aims to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics and trends of these admissions in Spain. This retrospective study drew data from the Hospital Discharge Records Database of the Spanish National Health System. We used the diagnostic codes for leprosy from the [...] Read more.
This study aims to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics and trends of these admissions in Spain. This retrospective study drew data from the Hospital Discharge Records Database of the Spanish National Health System. We used the diagnostic codes for leprosy from the International Classification of Diseases, ninth and tenth revisions, to retrieve leprosy admissions from 1997 to 2021. There were 1387 hospitalizations for leprosy The number of annual cases decreased gradually, from 341 cases in 1997–2001 to 232 in 2017–2021 (p < 0.001). Patients’ median age increased, from 65 years in 1997–2001 to 76 years in 2017–2021 (p < 0.001), as did the prevalence of some comorbidities, such as hypertension (15% in 1997–2001 to 27.6% in 2017–2021; p < 0.001). The mortality rate (6%) and the frequency of leprosy complications remained stable. After Spain (79.1%), the most common country of origin was Paraguay (4.4%). Admissions decreased significantly in Andalusia, from 42% in 1997–2001 to 10.8% in 2017–2021 (p < 0.001), and in the Canary Islands, from 7.9% in 1997–2001 to 2.6% in 2017–2021 (p = 0.001), whereas they increased in Madrid, from 5.9% in 1997–2001 to 12.1% in 2017–2021 (p = 0.005). Overall, leprosy admissions in Spain have declined, even in the regions with the highest prevalence. Patients admitted for leprosy have become older and sicker. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Epidemiology)
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19 pages, 3476 KiB  
Article
In Vitro Effect of 9,9′-Norharmane Dimer against Herpes Simplex Viruses
by María Micaela Gonzalez, Maria Guadalupe Vizoso-Pinto, Rosa Erra-Balsells, Thomas Gensch and Franco M. Cabrerizo
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(9), 4966; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25094966 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are highly widespread among humans, producing symptoms ranging from ulcerative lesions to severe diseases such as blindness and life-threatening encephalitis. At present, there are no vaccines available, and some existing antiviral treatments can be ineffective or lead to [...] Read more.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are highly widespread among humans, producing symptoms ranging from ulcerative lesions to severe diseases such as blindness and life-threatening encephalitis. At present, there are no vaccines available, and some existing antiviral treatments can be ineffective or lead to adverse effects. As a result, there is a need for new anti-HSV drugs. In this report, the in vitro anti-HSV effect of 9,9′-norharmane dimer (nHo-dimer), which belongs to the β-carboline (βC) alkaloid family, was evaluated. The dimer exhibited no virucidal properties and did not impede either the attachment or penetration steps of viral particles. The antiviral effect was only exerted under the constant presence of the dimer in the incubation media, and the mechanism of action was found to involve later events of virus infection. Analysis of fluorescence lifetime imaging data showed that the nHo-dimer internalized well into the cells when present in the extracellular incubation medium, with a preferential accumulation into perinuclear organelles including mitochondria. After washing the host cells with fresh medium free of nHo-dimer, the signal decreased, suggesting the partial release of the compound from the cells. This agrees with the observation that the antiviral effect is solely manifested when the alkaloid is consistently present in the incubation media. Full article
15 pages, 4589 KiB  
Article
Domain Feature Decomposition for Efficient Object Detection in Aerial Images
by Ren Jin, Zikai Jia, Xingyu Yin, Yi Niu and Yuhua Qi
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(9), 1626; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16091626 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
Object detection in UAV aerial images faces domain-adaptive challenges, such as changes in shooting height, viewing angle, and weather. These changes constitute a large number of fine-grained domains that place greater demands on the network’s generalizability. To tackle these challenges, we initially decompose [...] Read more.
Object detection in UAV aerial images faces domain-adaptive challenges, such as changes in shooting height, viewing angle, and weather. These changes constitute a large number of fine-grained domains that place greater demands on the network’s generalizability. To tackle these challenges, we initially decompose image features into domain-invariant and domain-specific features using practical imaging condition parameters. The composite feature can improve domain generalization and single-domain accuracy compared to the conventional fine-grained domain-detection method. Then, to solve the problem of the overfitting of high-frequency imaging condition parameters, we mixed images from different imaging conditions in a balanced sampling manner as input for the training of the detection network. The data-augmentation method improves the robustness of training and reduces the overfitting of high-frequency imaging parameters. The proposed algorithm is compared with state-of-the-art fine-grained domain detectors on the UAVDT and VisDrone datasets. The results show that it achieves an average detection precision improvement of 5.7 and 2.4, respectively. The airborne experiments validate that the algorithm achieves a 20 Hz processing performance for 720P images on an onboard computer with Nvidia Jetson Xavier NX. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Deep Learning for the Analysis of Multi-/Hyperspectral Images II)
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14 pages, 1593 KiB  
Article
Keap1 Negatively Regulates Transcription of Three Counter-Defense Genes and Susceptibility to Plant Toxin Gossypol in Helicoverpa armigera
by Xingcheng Xie, Qian Wang, Zhongyuan Deng, Shaohua Gu, Gemei Liang and Xianchun Li
Insects 2024, 15(5), 328; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15050328 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
Expressions of a wide range of cytoprotective counter-defense genes are mainly regulated by the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway in response to oxidative stress from xenobiotics. Gossypol is the major antiherbivore secondary metabolite of cotton, but how the polyphagous pest Helicoverpa armigera copes with this [...] Read more.
Expressions of a wide range of cytoprotective counter-defense genes are mainly regulated by the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway in response to oxidative stress from xenobiotics. Gossypol is the major antiherbivore secondary metabolite of cotton, but how the polyphagous pest Helicoverpa armigera copes with this phytochemical to utilize its favorite host plant cotton remains largely elusive. In this study, we first suppressed the Keap1 gene in newly hatched larvae of cotton bollworm by feeding them the siRNA diet for 4 days. All of the larvae were subsequently fed the artificial diet supplied with gossypol or the control diet for 5 days. We identified that the knockdown of the Keap1 gene significantly decreased larval mortality and significantly increased the percentages of larval survival, reaching the fourth instar, compared with ncsiRNA when exposed to a diet containing gossypol. Three counter-defense genes CYP9A17, CYP4L11 and UGT41B3, which were related to the induction or metabolism of gossypol according to the report before, were all significantly up-regulated after the knockdown of the Keap1 gene. The Antioxidant Response Elements (AREs) were also detected in the promoter regions of the three counter-defense genes above. These data indicate that the suppression of the Keap1 gene activates the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway, up-regulates the expressions of counter-defense genes involved in the resistance of oxidative stress and finally contributes to reducing the susceptibility of gossypol. Our results provide more knowledge about the transcriptional regulation mechanisms of counter-defense genes that enable the cotton bollworm to adapt to the diversity of host plants including cotton. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue How the Detoxification Genes Increase Insect Resistance)
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14 pages, 3286 KiB  
Article
Structural and Immunological Features of PR-10 Allergens: Focusing on the Major Alder Pollen Allergen Aln g 1
by Daria N. Melnikova, Ekaterina I. Finkina, Andrey E. Potapov, Yulia D. Danilova, Ilia Y. Toropygin, Natalia S. Matveevskaya, Tatiana V. Ovchinnikova and Ivan V. Bogdanov
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(9), 4965; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25094965 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
Today, allergies have become a serious problem. PR-10 proteins are clinically relevant allergens that have the ability to bind hydrophobic ligands, which can significantly increase their allergenicity potential. It has been recently shown that not only the birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 [...] Read more.
Today, allergies have become a serious problem. PR-10 proteins are clinically relevant allergens that have the ability to bind hydrophobic ligands, which can significantly increase their allergenicity potential. It has been recently shown that not only the birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 but also the alder pollen allergen Aln g 1, might act as a true sensitizer of the immune system. The current investigation is aimed at the further study of the allergenic and structural features of Aln g 1. By using qPCR, we showed that Aln g 1 was able to upregulate alarmins in epithelial cells, playing an important role in sensitization. With the use of CD-spectroscopy and ELISA assays with the sera of allergic patients, we demonstrated that Aln g 1 did not completely restore its structure after thermal denaturation, which led to a decrease in its IgE-binding capacity. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we revealed that the replacement of two residues (Asp27 and Leu30) in the structure of Aln g 1 led to a decrease in its ability to bind to both IgE from sera of allergic patients and lipid ligands. The obtained data open a prospect for the development of hypoallergenic variants of the major alder allergen Aln g 1 for allergen-specific immunotherapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms and Treatment of Allergic Reactions)
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16 pages, 4686 KiB  
Article
Fully Bio-Based Polymer Composites: Preparation, Characterization, and LCD 3D Printing
by Giovanna Colucci, Francesca Sacchi, Federica Bondioli and Massimo Messori
Polymers 2024, 16(9), 1272; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091272 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
The present work aimed to prepare novel bio-based composites by adding fillers coming from agro-wastes to an acrylate epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) resin, using liquid crystal display (LCD) 3D printing. Different photocurable formulations were prepared by varying the reactive diluents, iso-bornyl methacrylate (IBOMA) [...] Read more.
The present work aimed to prepare novel bio-based composites by adding fillers coming from agro-wastes to an acrylate epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) resin, using liquid crystal display (LCD) 3D printing. Different photocurable formulations were prepared by varying the reactive diluents, iso-bornyl methacrylate (IBOMA) and tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate (THFA). Then, two fillers derived from different industrial wastes, corn (GTF) and wine (WPL-CF) by-products, were added to the AESO-based formulations to develop polymer composites with improved properties. The printability by LCD of the photocurable formulations was widely studied. Bio-based objects with different geometries were realized, showing printing accuracy, layer adhesion, and accurate details. The thermo-mechanical and mechanical properties of the 3D-printed composites were tested by TGA, DMA, and tensile tests. The results revealed that the agro-wastes’ addition led to a remarkable increase in the elastic modulus, tensile strength, and glass transition temperature in the glassy state for the systems containing IBOMA and for flexible structures in the rubbery region for systems containing THFA. AESO-based polymers demonstrated tunable properties, varying from rigid to flexible, in the presence of different diluents and biofillers. This finding paves the way for the use of this kind of composite in applications, such as biomedical for the realization of prostheses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Advances in Photopolymerization)
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15 pages, 11848 KiB  
Article
Dynamic Gastrointestinal Digestion of Bovine, Caprine and Ovine Milk Reconstituted from Commercial Whole Milk Powders
by Siqi Li, Aiqian Ye, Jian Cui, Yu Zhang, Lara Ware, Jody C. Miller, Holly Abbotts-Holmes, Nicole C. Roy, Harjinder Singh and Warren McNabb
Foods 2024, 13(9), 1403; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13091403 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
The global dairy market has been increasingly diversified with more dairy product offerings of milk products from different animal species. Meanwhile, milk powders remain the main exported dairy product format due to their ease of transportation. In this work, we studied the structural [...] Read more.
The global dairy market has been increasingly diversified with more dairy product offerings of milk products from different animal species. Meanwhile, milk powders remain the main exported dairy product format due to their ease of transportation. In this work, we studied the structural changes, protein hydrolysis and nutrient delivery during dynamic gastric digestion and small intestinal digestion of cow, goat and sheep milk reconstituted from commercial whole milk powders. The results show that the reconstituted milks digest similarly to processed fresh milk. The digestion behaviors of the three reconstituted ruminant milks are broadly similar (gastric coagulation, kinetics of gastric emptying of protein and fat and the high digestibility in the small intestine) with some differences, which are likely contributed by the processing history of the milk powders. The delivery of individual amino acids to the small intestine differed between the early and late stages of gastric digestion, which were primarily affected by the abundance of amino acids in caseins and whey proteins but also by the difference between milk types associated with their gastric coagulation behaviors. This work showed that powdered milk is similar to fresh processed milk in digestion behavior, and the inherent differences between ruminant milks can be modified by processing treatments. Full article
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20 pages, 14427 KiB  
Article
Virtual Simulation Design and Debugging of Lift-and-Transverse Stereo Garage Based on the Digital Twin
by Ke Zhang and Ziyang Ding
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 3896; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093896 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
In the face of the challenges of limited urban space and the continuous increase of vehicles, stereo garages have been widely used as a solution in cities. In order to improve the automation and intelligence level of the stereo garage, this paper applies [...] Read more.
In the face of the challenges of limited urban space and the continuous increase of vehicles, stereo garages have been widely used as a solution in cities. In order to improve the automation and intelligence level of the stereo garage, this paper applies the digital twin technology to the lift-and-transverse stereo garage. A five-dimensional model of a digital twin has been developed based on an actual stereo garage. Combined with S7-PLCSIM Advanced, Botu TIA Portal, and NX MCD to build a virtual simulation platform, realizing the virtual simulation design and debugging of the digital twin-based stereo garage. This approach allows to test and optimize operational processes without relying on physical equipment, reducing labor and field debugging costs, shortening deployment cycles, and significantly reducing development costs. In addition, MCD allows real-time monitoring and control of security risks and failures detected. Finally, the feasibility of the virtual simulation and debugging scheme based on digital twin is verified by comparing the operation data of the virtual model and the actual stereo garage, which provides new ideas for the intelligent development of stereo garage but also can be used as an important reference for the development of equipment in other areas. Full article
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22 pages, 368 KiB  
Review
Techniques for Penile Augmentation Surgery: A Systematic Review of Surgical Outcomes, Complications, and Quality of Life
by Ugo Giovanni Falagario, Federico Piramide, Karl H. Pang, Emil Durukan, Lazaros Tzelves, Anna Ricapito, Loic Baekelandt, Enrico Checcucci, Diego M. Carrion, Carlo Bettocchi and Francesco Esperto
Medicina 2024, 60(5), 758; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60050758 (registering DOI) - 02 May 2024
Abstract
The increase in practices related to enhancing penile size can be attributed to the belief that an improved genital appearance contributes to a man’s virility, coupled with an altered self-perception of his body. It is crucial to tailor interventions to meet the genuine [...] Read more.
The increase in practices related to enhancing penile size can be attributed to the belief that an improved genital appearance contributes to a man’s virility, coupled with an altered self-perception of his body. It is crucial to tailor interventions to meet the genuine needs of patients by thoroughly assessing their history, psychological state, and potential surgical benefits, all while considering the associated risks of complications. This systematic review aims to summarize the available evidence on outcomes, complications, and quality of life after penile augmentation surgery, examining both minimally invasive and more radical techniques. A search of the PubMed and Scopus databases, focusing on English-language papers published in the last 15 years, was performed in December 2023. Papers discussing surgery in animal models and case reports were excluded from the present study unless further evaluated in a follow-up case series. The primary outcomes were changes in penile dimensions, specifically in terms of length and girth, as well as the incidence of surgical complications and the impact on quality of life. A total of 1670 articles were retrieved from the search and 46 were included for analysis. Procedures for penile length perceived enhancements include lipoplasty, skin reconstruction plasty, V-Y and Z plasty, flap reconstruction, scrotoplasty, ventral phalloplasty, and suspensory ligament release; techniques for increasing corporal penile length include penile disassembly, total phalloplasty, and sliding elongation. Finally, penile girth enhancement may be performed using soft tissue fillers, grafting procedures, biodegradable scaffolds, and Penuma®. In conclusion, while penile augmentation surgeries offer potential solutions for individuals concerned about genital size, the risks and complexities need to be accounted for. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Surgery)

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