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15 pages, 1227 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Mechanism of Slow-Release Fertilizer and Nitrogen Fertilizer on the Senescence Characteristics of Quinoa Leaves

by Jingying Lu, Qi Zhang, Xiaojing Sun, Yan Deng, Hongxia Guo, Chuangyun Wang and Li Zhao

Agronomy 2024, 14(5), 884; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14050884 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate how nitrogen and slow-release fertilizers affect the traits of leaf senescence and quinoa production in order to explore the optimal slow-release fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer ratios suitable for quinoa production, as well as to provide [...] Read more.

The objective of this study was to investigate how nitrogen and slow-release fertilizers affect the traits of leaf senescence and quinoa production in order to explore the optimal slow-release fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer ratios suitable for quinoa production, as well as to provide theoretical references for the planting of quinoa fertilization methods and fertilizer amount. In this experiment, the main local strain Quinoa 77 was selected as the experimental material, and six treatments were set up: CK: no nitrogen fertilizer; T₁: 100% urea (N); T₂: 100% slow-release fertilizer (C); T₃: 5:5 (C₅N₅); T₄: 3:7 (C₃N₇); and T₅: 7:3 (C₇N₃). This was done in order to investigate how various treatments affect the activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD); malondialdehyde (MDA) content; and yield of quinoa leaves. The findings revealed the following: (1) As the reproductive period progressed, the activities of CAT, POD, and SOD in quinoa leaves treated differently showed a tendency to increase and subsequently decrease, and they reached the peak value at the early stage of filling. The activity of CAT, POD, and SOD in the T₃ treatment was the highest, and the average activities were 3148.74 U·g⁻¹, 2197.84 U·g⁻¹, and 118.51 U·g⁻¹, respectively, which increased by 78.90%, 101.99%, and 108.14%, respectively, compared with CK. The content of MDA continued to increase with the progress of fertility. The average T₃ treatment was 36.41 nmol·g⁻¹, which was 46.87% lower than that of CK. (2) Out of all the treatments, T₃ had the highest yield with an average of 3829.43 kg·hm⁻², T₅ the second with an average of 3313.52 kg·hm⁻², and T₄ the third with 2847.47 kg·hm⁻², which increased yields by 96.18%, 69.75%, and 45.87%, respectively, compared with CK. (3) Yield was highly significantly and positively correlated with thousand kernel weight; number of grains per spike per plant; and the early filling stages of CAT, POD, and SOD sports, and it had a negative, extremely significant correlation with MDA content. Comprehensive analysis showed that slow-release fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer can improve the antioxidant enzyme activity of quinoa leaves, inhibit MDA content, improve the physiological characteristics of quinoa, and delay the purpose of leaf senescence, with a better effect of yield and income, of which the T₃ treatment had the high-quality impact of increasing yields and was a more scientific and reasonable fertilization method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant-Crop Biology and Biochemistry)

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9 pages, 478 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Palm Oil Deodorizer Distillate on the Ruminal Environment of Sheep

by Diego Assis das Graças, Eziquiel de Morais, Alyne C. S. Lima, Shirley M. de Souza, Luciano F. Sousa, Diego C. Franco, Artur L. C. Silva and André G. Maciel e Silva

Animals 2024, 14(9), 1269; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091269 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the impact of palm oil deodorizer distillate (POD) on the ruminal environment, including (i) microbial community, (ii) ruminal degradability, and (iii) apparent digestibility in sheep. The data used were derived from twenty rumen-cannulated sheep fed five isoproteic and [...] Read more.

This study aimed to assess the impact of palm oil deodorizer distillate (POD) on the ruminal environment, including (i) microbial community, (ii) ruminal degradability, and (iii) apparent digestibility in sheep. The data used were derived from twenty rumen-cannulated sheep fed five isoproteic and isofiber diets based on elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Roxo) silage supplemented with 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100 g kg⁻¹ POD on a dry matter (DM) basis. Rumen fluid samples were collected three hours after feeding directly from the ventral sac of the rumen via a cannula and then subjected to DNA extraction, which was subsequently used for 16S rDNA amplification, followed by sequencing and diversity analysis. In this study, the microbial diversity was dominated by Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, followed by Euryarchaetoa, Actinobacteria, and Tenericutes, in the ruminal environment, and was slightly modified when supplemented with the POD up to 100 g/kg (10%), leading to only a slight decrease in the diversity index. The ruminal degradability, ruminal fermentation parameters, and apparent digestibility were slightly compromised by the inclusion of up to 25 g of POD per kg of DM, and larger inclusions interfered with the ruminal degradability of fibrous fractions and the apparent digestibility of dry matter. This lipid supplement showed good results for feeding sheep and is an inexpensive and abundant alternative in the regional market. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Effects of Dietary Interventions on Farm Animal Welfare and Production)

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21 pages, 7171 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Lithium-Ion Battery Remaining Useful Life Prediction Model Based on CEEMDAN Data Preprocessing and HSSA-LSTM-TCN

by Shaoming Qiu, Bo Zhang, Yana Lv, Jie Zhang and Chao Zhang

World Electr. Veh. J. 2024, 15(5), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj15050177 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

Accurate prediction of the Remaining Useful Life (RUL) of lithium-ion batteries is crucial for reducing battery usage risks and ensuring the safe operation of systems. Addressing the impact of noise and capacity regeneration-induced nonlinear features on RUL prediction accuracy, this paper proposes a [...] Read more.

Accurate prediction of the Remaining Useful Life (RUL) of lithium-ion batteries is crucial for reducing battery usage risks and ensuring the safe operation of systems. Addressing the impact of noise and capacity regeneration-induced nonlinear features on RUL prediction accuracy, this paper proposes a predictive model based on Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise (CEEMDAN) data preprocessing and IHSSA-LSTM-TCN. Firstly, CEEMDAN is used to decompose lithium-ion battery capacity data into high-frequency and low-frequency components. Subsequently, for the high-frequency component, a Temporal Convolutional Network (TCN) prediction model is employed. For the low-frequency component, an Improved Sparrow Search Algorithm (IHSSA) is utilized, which incorporates iterative chaotic mapping and a variable spiral coefficient to optimize the hyperparameters of Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM). The IHSSA-LSTM prediction model is obtained and used for prediction. Finally, the predicted values of the sub-models are combined to obtain the final RUL result. The proposed model is validated using the publicly available NASA dataset and CALCE dataset. The results demonstrate that this model outperforms other models, indicating good predictive performance and robustness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicle)

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14 pages, 2158 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of Peptide-Based Magnetogels for Removing Organic Dyes from Water

by Farid Hajareh Haghighi, Roya Binaymotlagh, Paula Stefana Pintilei, Laura Chronopoulou and Cleofe Palocci

Gels 2024, 10(5), 287; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10050287 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

Water pollution by organic dyes represents a major health and environmental issue. Despite the fact that peptide-based hydrogels are considered to be optimal absorbents for removing such contaminants, hydrogel systems often suffer from a lack of mechanical stability and complex recovery. Recently, we [...] Read more.

Water pollution by organic dyes represents a major health and environmental issue. Despite the fact that peptide-based hydrogels are considered to be optimal absorbents for removing such contaminants, hydrogel systems often suffer from a lack of mechanical stability and complex recovery. Recently, we developed an enzymatic approach for the preparation of a new peptide-based magnetogel containing polyacrylic acid-modified γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (γ-Fe₂O₃NPs) that showed the promising ability to remove cationic metal ions from aqueous phases. In the present work, we tested the ability of the magnetogel formulation to remove three model organic dyes: methyl orange, methylene blue, and rhodamine 6G. Three different hydrogel-based systems were studied, including: (1) Fmoc-Phe₃ hydrogel; (2) γ-Fe₂O₃NPs dispersed in the peptide-based gel (Fe₂O₃NPs@gel); and (3) Fe₂O₃NPs@gel with the application of a magnetic field. The removal efficiencies of such adsorbents were evaluated using two different experimental set-ups, by placing the hydrogel sample inside cuvettes or, alternatively, by placing them inside syringes. The obtained peptide magnetogel formulation could represent a valuable and environmentally friendly alternative to currently employed adsorbents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gels for Removal and Adsorption (2nd Edition))

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9 pages, 224 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Low Level of First Morning Urine Cardiac Troponin I: A Specific Hallmark of Aortic Stenosis Severity

by Tomo Svaguša, Marko Žarak, Dubravka Šušnjar, Savica Gjorgjievska, Josip Varvodić, Nikola Slišković, Gloria Šestan, Marko Kušurin, Ingrid Prkačin and Igor Rudež

J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(9), 2472; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092472 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

Background: It has recently been shown that cardiac-specific troponin I concentrations in first morning urine samples can be measured with commercially available tests. Due to their accumulation in the first morning urine, scientific papers indicate a potential predictive value for cardiovascular diseases. [...] Read more.

Background: It has recently been shown that cardiac-specific troponin I concentrations in first morning urine samples can be measured with commercially available tests. Due to their accumulation in the first morning urine, scientific papers indicate a potential predictive value for cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the concentration of cardiac troponin I in the first morning urine in patients with severe aortic stenosis and the healthy population. Patients and Methods: Blood and first morning urine samples were collected from 34 healthy individuals (17 female) at University Hospital Merkur and 25 patients with severe aortic stenosis (14 female) before surgical treatment at University Hospital Dubrava. Cardiac troponin I and T values were determined using high-sensitivity assays using commercially available Abbott and Roche tests. Results: Patients with severe aortic stenosis had significantly lower troponin I concentrations in the first morning urine samples (0.3 ng/L (0.1–0.6)) as compared to the healthy population (15.2 ng/L (8.4–19.9)) (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in troponin T concentrations between healthy individuals and patients with severe aortic stenosis. In parallel, both I and T plasma troponin concentrations were significantly higher in patients with severe aortic stenosis. Conclusions: In patients with severe aortic stenosis, cardiac troponin I values in the first morning urine are significantly lower than in healthy subjects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Good Clinical Practice in Aortic Valve Surgery)

11 pages, 233 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Post-Blink Blur Time—A Simple Test to Detect Dry Eye-Related Visual Disturbances

by Igor Petriček, Dina Lešin Gaćina, Martina Tomić, Tomislav Bulum, Iva Bešlić and Sania Vidas Pauk

J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(9), 2473; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092473 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

Background: Dry eye disease (DED) stands out as one of the most common eye conditions encountered in clinical settings. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic ability and feasibility of post-blink blur time (PBBT) in detecting patients with DED symptoms. Methods: [...] Read more.

Background: Dry eye disease (DED) stands out as one of the most common eye conditions encountered in clinical settings. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic ability and feasibility of post-blink blur time (PBBT) in detecting patients with DED symptoms. Methods: The study included 200 subjects, 100 with and 100 without DED symptoms defined by the Schein questionnaire, who underwent assessment of DED signs [visual acuity, PBBT, conjunctival hyperemia, lid-parallel conjunctival folds—LIPCOF, tear film break-up time—TBUT, fluorescein corneal staining, and meibum score]. Results: DED subjects had a lower PBBT than controls (p < 0.001), with subjective (6 (1–45) s vs. 8 (1–70) s) and objective (6 (2–33) s vs. 8 (2–50) s) PBBT measurements being similar between repeats. The correlations between subjective and objective PBBT measurements were significantly positive (R = 0.873, p < 0.001). Subjective PBBT was negatively related to the Schein questionnaire (R = −0.217, p = 0.002), conjunctival hyperemia (R = −0.105, p = 0.035), and corneal staining (R = −0.153, p = 0.031), while positively related to the TBUT (R = 0.382, p < 0.001) and meibum score (R = 0.106, p = 0.033). Logistic regression analysis showed DED symptoms were significantly associated with subjective PBBT (AOR 0.91, p = 0.001), TBUT (AOR 0.79, p < 0.001), meibum score (AOR 0.65, p = 0.008), LIPCOF (AOR 1.18, p = 0.002) and corneal staining (AOR 1.14, p = 0.028). Conclusions: Subjective self-reported PBBT is a reliable and non-invasive screening test for evaluating time-wise changes in visual acuity and detecting a tear film dysfunction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dry Eye Disease: Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention Measures)

23 pages, 10180 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Degraded Finger Vein Image Recovery and Enhancement Algorithm Based on Atmospheric Scattering Theory

by Dingzhong Feng, Peng Feng, Yongbo Mao, Yang Zhou, Yuqing Zeng and Ye Zhang

Sensors 2024, 24(9), 2684; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24092684 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

With the development of biometric identification technology, finger vein identification has received more and more widespread attention for its security, efficiency, and stability. However, because of the performance of the current standard finger vein image acquisition device and the complex internal organization of [...] Read more.

With the development of biometric identification technology, finger vein identification has received more and more widespread attention for its security, efficiency, and stability. However, because of the performance of the current standard finger vein image acquisition device and the complex internal organization of the finger, the acquired images are often heavily degraded and have lost their texture characteristics. This makes the topology of the finger veins inconspicuous or even difficult to distinguish, greatly affecting the identification accuracy. Therefore, this paper proposes a finger vein image recovery and enhancement algorithm using atmospheric scattering theory. Firstly, to normalize the local over-bright and over-dark regions of finger vein images within a certain threshold, the Gamma transform method is improved in this paper to correct and measure the gray value of a given image. Then, we reconstruct the image based on atmospheric scattering theory and design a pixel mutation filter to segment the venous and non-venous contact zones. Finally, the degraded finger vein images are recovered and enhanced by global image gray value normalization. Experiments on SDUMLA-HMT and ZJ-UVM datasets show that our proposed method effectively achieves the recovery and enhancement of degraded finger vein images. The image restoration and enhancement algorithm proposed in this paper performs well in finger vein recognition using traditional methods, machine learning, and deep learning. The recognition accuracy of the processed image is improved by more than 10% compared to the original image. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applications in Image Analysis and Pattern Recognition)

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11 pages, 2688 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Etching Time and Ethanol Wet Bonding on Bond Strength and Metalloproteinase Activity in Radicular Dentin

by Allegra Comba, Andrea Baldi, Riccardo Pucci, Chiara Rolando, Mario Alovisi, Damiano Pasqualini and Nicola Scotti

J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(9), 2474; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092474 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

(1) Background: The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the impact of different etching times and ethanol pre-treatments on the immediate bond strength of a hydrophilic multi-mode universal adhesive (Clearfil Universal Bond Quick, Kuraray, UBQ) and on the consequent [...] Read more.

(1) Background: The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the impact of different etching times and ethanol pre-treatments on the immediate bond strength of a hydrophilic multi-mode universal adhesive (Clearfil Universal Bond Quick, Kuraray, UBQ) and on the consequent gelatinolytic activity of metalloproteinases (MMPs) on radicular dentin. (2) Methods: Sixty single-root teeth were selected and divided into four groups according to the adhesive protocol applied for fiber post cementation: (G1) 15 s H₃PO₄ application + UBQ; (G2) 30 s H₃PO₄ application + UBQ; (G3) 15 s H₃PO₄ application + ethanol pre-treatment + UBQ; (G4) 30 s H₃PO₄ + ethanol pre-treatment + UBQ. After adhesive procedures, fiber posts were luted into the post space with a dual-curing cement (DC Core, Kuraray) and light-cured for 40 s. To perform the push-out test and nanoleakage analyses for both coronal end apical areas, 1 mm slices were prepared, following a 24 h storage period in artificial saliva. Additionally, an in situ zymographic assay was conducted to explore endogenous MMP activity within the radicular layer. Results were statistically analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. (3) Result: ANOVA revealed a statistically significant difference in push-out bond strength related to the pre-treatment variable but did not highlight any significance of etching time. Specimens pre-treated with ethanol wet bond application showed higher bond strength (p < 0.01). In situ zymography quantification analyses revealed that all tested groups, independently of etching time end ethanol pre-treatment, activated MMP gelatinolytic activity. A significant increase in MMP activity was detected for the 30 s etching time. However, ETOH pre-treatment significantly reduced MMP activity within the adhesive interface (p < 0.01). (4) Conclusions: The tested adhesive showed similar results regardless of the etching time protocol. The gelatinolytic activity of MMPs was observed in all the groups. Further investigations and extended follow-ups are required to validate the results of the present study in vivo. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surgical and Non-surgical Endodontics in 2024 and Beyond)

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5 pages, 193 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

New Approaches and Technologies in Orthodontics

by Letizia Perillo, Fabrizia d’Apuzzo and Vincenzo Grassia

J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(9), 2470; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092470 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

In recent years, new diagnostic and treatment approaches in orthodontics have arisen, and there is thus a need for researchers and practitioners to stay up to date with these innovations [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Approaches and Technologies in Orthodontics)

4 pages, 167 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial for Special Issue “Geochemistry of Travertines and Calcareous Tufas”

by Francesca Giustini and Mauro Brilli

Minerals 2024, 14(5), 442; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14050442 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

Travertine and calcareous tufa are the lithological terms generally used to describe continental carbonates [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geochemistry of Travertines and Calcareous Tufas)

13 pages, 3835 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of S-C₃N₄/AgCdS Z-Scheme Heterojunction Photocatalyst and Its Effectively Improved Photocatalytic Performance

by Yuhong Lin, Zhuoyuan Chen, Chang Feng, Li Ma, Jiangping Jing, Jian Hou, Likun Xu, Mingxian Sun and Dongchu Chen

Molecules 2024, 29(9), 1931; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29091931 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

In this study, S-doped graphitic carbon nitride (S-C₃N₄) was prepared using the high-temperature polymerization method, and then S-C₃N₄/AgCdS heterojunction photocatalyst was obtained using the chemical deposition method through loading Ag-doped CdS nanoparticles (AgCdS NPs) on [...] Read more.

In this study, S-doped graphitic carbon nitride (S-C₃N₄) was prepared using the high-temperature polymerization method, and then S-C₃N₄/AgCdS heterojunction photocatalyst was obtained using the chemical deposition method through loading Ag-doped CdS nanoparticles (AgCdS NPs) on the surface of S-C₃N₄. Experimental results show that the AgCdS NPs were evenly dispersed on the surface of S-C₃N₄, indicating that a good heterojunction structure was formed. Compared to S-C₃N₄, CdS, AgCdS and S-C₃N₄/CdS, the photocatalytic performance of S-C₃N₄/AgCdS has been significantly improved, and exhibits excellent photocatalytic degradation performance of Rhodamine B and methyl orange. The doping of Ag in collaboration with the construction of a Z-scheme heterojunction system promoted the effective separation and transport of the photogenerated carriers in S-C₃N₄/AgCdS, significantly accelerated its photocatalytic reaction process, and thus improved its photocatalytic performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electroanalysis of Biochemistry and Material Chemistry)

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5 pages, 8689 KiB

Open AccessInteresting Images

Case of Prenatal Diagnosis of a Fetal Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation at Term

by Kristina Tchatcheva and Rumen Marinov

Diagnostics 2024, 14(9), 876; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14090876 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

In our case, the malformation was diagnosed prenatally at 40 weeks of gestation, and at the age of 14 days, the malformation was removed combined with a segmentectomy of the sixth segment of the left lung. Preoperative diagnostics focus on 3D-CT reconstruction and [...] Read more.

In our case, the malformation was diagnosed prenatally at 40 weeks of gestation, and at the age of 14 days, the malformation was removed combined with a segmentectomy of the sixth segment of the left lung. Preoperative diagnostics focus on 3D-CT reconstruction and detailing of the anatomical variations of all arterial and venous vessels, as evident from our case. Treatment includes surgical removal or a minimally invasive interventional approach through the embolization of the vessel afferent to the malformation. After the operation, the child was discharged on the 30th day after birth in good condition and is developing normally. Early operative intervention is of great importance for the favorable outcome of the condition. In our case, this was hypoxemia with a saturation of 70-75%. The rare and often missed prenatal diagnosis of fetal AV malformation is significant for the adequate postnatal treatment and development of affected children. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Echocardiography in the Diagnosis of Cardiac Disease)

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16 pages, 348 KiB

Open AccessArticle

To Speak with the Other—To Let the Other Speak: Paul Celan’s Poetry and the Hermeneutical Challenge of Mitsprechen

by Alexandra Richter

Humanities 2024, 13(3), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/h13030066 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

This essay explores the notion of Mitsprechen or “with-speaking” in Paul Celan’s poetry. “With-speaking” supposes that voices in the poems actively participate and engage in a dialogue that goes beyond traditional hermeneutic frameworks. Celan’s notion of col-loquy, distinct from the conventional sense of [...] Read more.

This essay explores the notion of Mitsprechen or “with-speaking” in Paul Celan’s poetry. “With-speaking” supposes that voices in the poems actively participate and engage in a dialogue that goes beyond traditional hermeneutic frameworks. Celan’s notion of col-loquy, distinct from the conventional sense of dialogue, challenges the separation between author and interpreter, rendering the traditional concept of intertextuality inadequate. The poems, according to Celan, give voice to human destinies, making texts audible as the voices of others. This vocal dimension of Celan’s poetry has prompted extensive discussion among philosophers, particularly in France. Levinas, Blanchot, and Derrida, influenced by German phenomenology and hermeneutics, critically examine the ethical implications of speaking “about” the other. They challenge traditional hermeneutical practices, emphasizing the responsibility of interpreters to respect the unique and untranslatable character of individual voices. This critique extends to Protestant categories of interpretation, drawing on alternative Jewish perspectives on being-in-the-world and alterity. The text explores the tensions inherent in speaking “for” or “in the name of” others, especially in the context of interpreting Celan’s work, raising questions about maintaining the fundamental difference and distance that otherness implies. The discussion concludes by highlighting Werner Hamacher’s formulation of a new philology that disrupts hermeneutical violence, influenced by the critiques of Blanchot, Levinas, and Derrida, and offering an alternative way of addressing the particular challenges posed by Celan’s poetry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Literature, Philosophy and Psychoanalysis)

9 pages, 1185 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Age on Long-Term Outcomes of Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication—A Single Center Study

by Natalia Dowgiałło-Gornowicz, Justyna Kacperczyk, Anna Masiewicz, Karolina Osowiecka and Paweł Lech

Medicina 2024, 60(5), 688; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60050688 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

Background and objectives: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disease affecting approximately 20% of the adult population. This study aimed to compare the results of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) in the treatment of GERD in patients of different age groups. Materials and [...] Read more.

Background and objectives: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disease affecting approximately 20% of the adult population. This study aimed to compare the results of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) in the treatment of GERD in patients of different age groups. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients who underwent LNF in one surgical department between 2014 and 2018. Patients were divided into three groups based on age: under 40 years of age, 40–65 years of age, and over 65 years of age. Results: A total of 111 patients (44.1% women) were analyzed in this study. The mean age was 50.2 ±15 years, and the mean follow-up was 50 months ± 16.6 months. Recurrence of symptoms occurred in 23%, 20%, and 23% in each age group, respectively (p = 0.13), and 85%, 89%, and 80% of patients from the respective groups reported that they would recommend the surgery to their relatives (p = 0.66). Furthermore, 83%, 92%, and 73% of patients from the respective age groups reported that they would undergo the surgery again with the knowledge they now had (p = 0.16). Conclusions: Given these results and observations, LNF has been shown to be a good method of treatment for GERD in every age group. In our study, there were no differences found in terms of satisfaction with surgery and associated recommendations between the studied age groups. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Esophageal Motility Disorders)

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22 pages, 69446 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Investigation of Butterfly Valve Performance in Variable Valve Sizes, Positions and Flow Regimes

by Anutam Bairagi, Mingfu He and Minghui Chen

J. Nucl. Eng. 2024, 5(2), 128-149; https://doi.org/10.3390/jne5020010 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

Reliability and efficiency of valves are necessary for precise control and sufficient heat-flow to heat application plants for the integrated energy systems of nuclear power plants (NPPs). Strategic Management Analysis Requirement and Technology (SMART) valves’ ability to control flow and assess environmental parameters [...] Read more.

Reliability and efficiency of valves are necessary for precise control and sufficient heat-flow to heat application plants for the integrated energy systems of nuclear power plants (NPPs). Strategic Management Analysis Requirement and Technology (SMART) valves’ ability to control flow and assess environmental parameters stands out for these requirements. Their ability to sustain the downstream flow rate, prevent reverse flow, and maintain pressure in the heat transport loop is much more efficient with the integration of sensors and intelligent algorithms. For assessing valve performance and monitoring, mechanical design and operating conditions are two important parameters. In this study, the butterfly valves of three different sizes are simulated with water and steam using STAR-CCM+ in various flow regimes and positions to analyze performance parameters to strategize an automated control system for efficiently balancing the heat–transport network. Also, flow behavior is studied using velocity and pressure fields for valve–body geometry optimization. It can be observed, through performance parameters, that the valves are suitable for operation between 30° and 90° positions with significantly low loss coefficients and high flow coefficients, and the performance parameters follow a certain pattern in both water and steam flow in each scenario. Full article

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13 pages, 4176 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of Anisotropic Salt Weathering through Nondestructive Techniques Mapping Using a GIS Environment

by Miguel Gomez-Heras, Laura López-González, María Teresa Gil-Muñoz, Cristina Cabello-Briones, David Benavente and Javier Martínez-Martínez

Sensors 2024, 24(9), 2686; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24092686 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

Doctrinal texts on architectural heritage conservation emphasize the importance of fully understanding the structural and material characteristics and utilizing information systems. Photogrammetry allows for the generation of detailed, geo-referenced Digital Elevation Models of architectural elements at a low cost, while GIS software enables [...] Read more.

Doctrinal texts on architectural heritage conservation emphasize the importance of fully understanding the structural and material characteristics and utilizing information systems. Photogrammetry allows for the generation of detailed, geo-referenced Digital Elevation Models of architectural elements at a low cost, while GIS software enables the addition of layers of material characteristic data to these models, creating different property maps that can be combined through map algebra. This paper presents the results of the mechanical characterization of materials and salt-related decay forms of the polygonal apse of the 13th-century monastery of Santa María de Bonaval (Guadalajara, Spain), which is primarily affected by salt crystallization. Rock strength is estimated using on-site nondestructive testing (ultrasound pulse velocity and Leeb hardness). They are mapped and combined through map algebra to derive a single mechanical soundness index (MSI) to determine whether the decay of the walls could be dependent on the orientation. The presented results show that salt decay in the building is anisotropic, with the south-facing side of the apse displaying an overall lower MSI than the others. The relative overheating of the south-facing side of the apse enhances the effect of salt crystallization, thereby promoting phase transitions between epsomite and hexahydrite. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ultrasonic Sensing and Photogrammetry for Non-destructive Testing)

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9 pages, 238 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Music Perception on Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST)

by Stefan Evers, Henning Brameyer and Esther Pogatzki-Zahn

J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(9), 2471; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092471 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

Objective: The impact of listening to music on pain perception has been evaluated using questionnaires and numeric/visual analogue scales. In this study, the impact of music perception on sensory pain functions was measured by means of quantitative sensory testing. Methods: We [...] Read more.

Objective: The impact of listening to music on pain perception has been evaluated using questionnaires and numeric/visual analogue scales. In this study, the impact of music perception on sensory pain functions was measured by means of quantitative sensory testing. Methods: We enrolled 10 female and 10 male healthy subjects (10 of them were professional musicians). All subjects underwent, in total, four quantitative sensory testing measures (first: baseline; second: after pleasant music [Johannes Brahms, 3rd symphony, 3rd movement]; third: after unpleasant music [Krzysztof Penderecki, Threnos]; fourth: after a longer break). The pleasantness of music was evaluated using the Ertel differential scale. Results: After the participants listened to pleasant music, an increased sensitivity to cold stimuli (both threshold and pain), to mechanical stimuli (only for threshold), and to repeated stimuli (wind-up reaction) was noted. Listening to unpleasant music was not associated with changes in sensitivity. We did not observe any significant differences between male and female subjects or between musicians and non-musicians. There was no significant correlation between the rating of the music as pleasant/unpleasant and the different quantitative sensory testing measures. Conclusions: Our data show that listening to music inducing a pleasant feeling can increase the sensitivity to stimuli applied during a quantitative sensory testing session. This should be considered when performing or interpreting quantitative sensory testing examinations. Interestingly, this finding is in contrast to the observation that listening to music can decrease pain perception during painful procedures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Neurology)

3 pages, 425 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial for the Special Issue “Wastewater and Waste Treatment: Overview, Challenges and Current Trends”

by Dimitris P. Zagklis and Georgios Bampos

Processes 2024, 12(5), 853; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12050853 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

Today’s environmental challenges, marked by escalating pollution levels, climate change and diminishing natural resources, urgently require innovative solutions, particularly in waste and wastewater management [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wastewater and Waste Treatment: Overview, Challenges and Current Trends)

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7 pages, 6634 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Complex Presentation of Lung Cancer with Obstructive Jaundice

by Ruxandra Oprita, Bogdan Oprita, Ioana Adriana Serban, Lidia Aurelia Stefan, Ciprian Mihai Neacsu, Alice Elena Diaconu and Valentin Enache

Reports 2024, 7(2), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/reports7020030 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

Background: Lung cancer, particularly small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), often presents with respiratory symptoms. However, atypical manifestations including jaundice and abdominal pain can obscure the diagnosis, leading to challenges in early detection and treatment. Case Presentation: A 49-year-old male, with a history of smoking [...] Read more.

Background: Lung cancer, particularly small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), often presents with respiratory symptoms. However, atypical manifestations including jaundice and abdominal pain can obscure the diagnosis, leading to challenges in early detection and treatment. Case Presentation: A 49-year-old male, with a history of smoking and diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), presented to the emergency department with a 3-day history of jaundice and a 3-week duration of mild abdominal pain. Initial investigations, including blood tests, showed hyperbilirubinemia and elevated lipase and amylase levels. An abdominal ultrasound was performed and revealed a hypoechoic, inhomogeneous mass in the head of the pancreas and multiple liver masses, suggesting a cephalo-pancreatic formation with liver metastasis. Further diagnostic procedures, including upper endoscopy and ERCP, followed by a TAP CT scan, identified a large mediastinal-pulmonary mass with invasion into major vessels and extensive metastasis. The immunohistochemical analysis of a duodenal ulcer biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of duodenal metastasis from a small-cell neuroendocrine lung carcinoma. Conclusion: Our case highlights that while rare, the possibility of metastatic spread should be included in the differential diagnosis when obstructive jaundice occurs in the context of high-risk factors for lung cancer. Full article

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22 pages, 4202 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synergistic Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Sodium Butyrate, β-Glucan and Vitamins on Growth Performance, Cortisol Level, Intestinal Microbiome and Expression of Immune-Related Genes in Juvenile African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

by Martyna Arciuch-Rutkowska, Joanna Nowosad, Łukasz Gil, Urszula Czarnik and Dariusz Kucharczyk

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(9), 4619; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25094619 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

The effect of dietary supplementation with sodium butyrate, β-glucan and vitamins (A, D3, E, K, C) on breeding indicators and immune parameters of juvenile African catfish was examined. The fish were fed with unenriched (group C) and enriched feed with a variable proportion [...] Read more.

The effect of dietary supplementation with sodium butyrate, β-glucan and vitamins (A, D3, E, K, C) on breeding indicators and immune parameters of juvenile African catfish was examined. The fish were fed with unenriched (group C) and enriched feed with a variable proportion of sodium butyrate/β-glucan, and constant content of vitamins (W1–W3). After the experiment, blood and the middle gut were collected. The microbiome of the gut was determined using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). Liver tissue was collected for determination of expression of immune-related genes (HSP70, IL-1β, TNFα). W2 and W3 were characterized by the most favorable values of breeding indicators (p < 0.05). The highest blood cortisol concentration was in group C (71.25 ± 10.45 ng/mL), and significantly the lowest in W1 (46.03 ± 7.01 ng/ mL) (p < 0.05). The dominance of Cetobacterium was observed in all study groups, with the largest share in W3 (65.25%) and W1 (61.44%). Gene expression showed an increased number of HSP70 genes in W1. IL-1β and TNFα genes peaked at W3. The W3 variant turns out to be the most beneficial supplementation, due to the improvement of breeding and immunological parameters. The data obtained can be used to create a preparation for commercial use in the breeding of this species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 25 Anniversary of Bioinformatics of Genome Regulation and Structure Conference Series)

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14 pages, 1797 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comparison of Sensorimotor Integration and Motor Fitness Components between Collegiate Athletes with and without Long COVID: A Cross-Sectional Study with Pair-Matched Controls

by Ibrahim M. Moustafa, Amal Ahbouch, Raheesa P. Kader, Tamer Mohamed Shousha and Abdulla Alrahoomi

J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(9), 2469; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092469 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

Background: Long COVID presents a concern for collegiate athletes, potentially impacting sensorimotor processing and motor fitness. This study aimed to assess these effects. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 60 athletes diagnosed with Long COVID and 60 controls. Sensorimotor processing and integration were evaluated [...] Read more.

Background: Long COVID presents a concern for collegiate athletes, potentially impacting sensorimotor processing and motor fitness. This study aimed to assess these effects. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 60 athletes diagnosed with Long COVID and 60 controls. Sensorimotor processing and integration were evaluated using neurophysiological variables (N13, P14, N20, P27, and N30), while motor fitness was assessed through balance, agility, and vertical jump testing. T-tests compared groups, and Pearson’s correlations explored relationships. Results: Significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed in neurophysiological variables and motor fitness between Long COVID and control groups. Fatigue correlated positively (p < 0.001) with neurophysiological variables in Long COVID cases but not with motor fitness (p = 0.08, p = 0.07, p = 0.09). Conclusions: Collegiate athletes with Long COVID exhibit abnormal sensorimotor processing, integration, and diminished motor fitness compared to uninfected peers. The fatigue severity of Long COVID correlates with neurophysiological changes, suggesting a link between sensorimotor deficits and fatigue. Targeted interventions for sensorimotor deficits and fatigue management are crucial for athletes recovering from Long COVID. This study underscores the importance of addressing these issues to optimize the recovery and performance of collegiate athletes affected by Long COVID. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Long COVID: Current Approaches and Clinical Challenges in Treatment and Rehabilitation—2nd Edition)

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15 pages, 4367 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Buddhist Cultural Exchange between Paekche and Ancient Japan: A Comparative Analysis of the Archaeological Remains from the Wooden Pagoda Site at Asukadera and Śarīra Reliquaries from Paekche Temple Sites

by Byongho Lee and Isahaya Naoto

Religions 2024, 15(5), 523; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15050523 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

This article provides a critical review of the results of the Asuka Historical Museum’s excavation of the Asukadera wooden pagoda site in Japan since 2015, and its implications for Buddhist cultural exchange in East Asia. The second section examines the Asuka Historical Museum’s [...] Read more.

This article provides a critical review of the results of the Asuka Historical Museum’s excavation of the Asukadera wooden pagoda site in Japan since 2015, and its implications for Buddhist cultural exchange in East Asia. The second section examines the Asuka Historical Museum’s categorization and scientific analysis of the beads, pearls, horse gear, earrings, gold and silver artifacts, mica, and śarīra containers. We assert that most objects excavated from the Asukadera wooden pagoda site are relics from the Asuka era (538–710), when the pagoda was first established in 593, and only a limited number of artifacts, such as the śarīra [relics] container, were added after the wooden pagoda was burned down in 1196. The third section compares the archeological remains from the Asukadera wooden pagoda site and the reliquary objects from the Paekche Wanghŭng-sa site (577) and Mirŭk-sa site (639), which have been conventionally considered to be its models. What the relics from these three historical sites have in common is that they include clothing accessories nobles wore as they participated in the Buddhist rituals of enshrining the śarīra in a wooden pagoda. However, some differences in the metallic craft items, such as crowns and belts, were still found between Paekche and Japan, which was due to the difference in costume styles in the respective countries at the time. Also, horse gear and lamellar armor unearthed from Asukadera sites was not found in Paekche temple sites, but is similar to earlier Japanese kofun (megalithic tumuli) grave goods, which provides evidence that as Buddhism was transferred to Japan from Paekche, it was not accepted in completely the same form. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Religions and Humanities/Philosophies)

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13 pages, 205 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Human and Divine Law at the Secular University: The Divide between Classical Liberalism and Post-Classical Liberalism

by Owen Anderson

Laws 2024, 13(3), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/laws13030025 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2024

Abstract

The American university has been guided by classical liberalism in its defense of the freedom of speech and academic freedom. The idea is that a university is a place where all ideas and perspectives can be debated. However, this idea is increasingly being [...] Read more.

The American university has been guided by classical liberalism in its defense of the freedom of speech and academic freedom. The idea is that a university is a place where all ideas and perspectives can be debated. However, this idea is increasingly being challenged by those who want the secular university to be a place that advances a social philosophy that promises to transform society by dismantling structural racism and providing for greater equity. In this article, I will argue that both of these models have been shaped by democratic legal ideals and both share a common skeptical assumption about the basic questions of meaning that each person must answer. The legal structures developed by Westphalian modernity attempt neutrality on questions about meaning. This can be seen even in recent Supreme Court decisions affirming the individual’s right to determine meaning for themselves. This skeptical root has produced the conflict between classical liberals and the social transformation that we are witnessing at our universities. I argue for a third option that I find in the Declaration of Independence, which affirms that we can and should know the answers to basic questions which then provide the foundation for education and law. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Civic Engagement, Justice, and the Law in a National and International Context)

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