The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
11 pages, 459 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Impact of Fencing on Postural Parameters: Observational Study Findings on Elite Athletes
by Giulia Di Martino, Marco Centorbi, Andrea Buonsenso, Giovanni Fiorilli, Carlo della Valle, Enzo Iuliano, Giuseppe Calcagno and Alessandra di Cagno
Sports 2024, 12(5), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12050130 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the static stabilometric parameters among elite fencers, were affected by prolonged, asymmetric training regimen. A sample of 26 elite fencers of both genders, aged 19.15 ± 2.24 years, practising one of the three disciplines [...] Read more.
The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the static stabilometric parameters among elite fencers, were affected by prolonged, asymmetric training regimen. A sample of 26 elite fencers of both genders, aged 19.15 ± 2.24 years, practising one of the three disciplines foil, épée, or sabre, was recruited for the study. Anthropometric measurements including thigh and calf circumferences and postural assessment based on the weight distribution on a stabilimeter platform were performed. Postural tone, as indicated by measures such as sway length and sway area ratio was calculated.. No notable anthropometric asymmetries were detected within the examined group The weight distribution patterns on the support quadrants in static stabilometric measurements did not suggest clinically significant issues. There were no significant differences among subgroups based on gender and lower limb dominance for both anthropometric and stabilimeter variables. However, 30.8% of participants showed anomalies in postural tone (hypertonic and hypotonic condition). Five out of eight athletes found with abnormal postural tone were foil fencers, suggesting a potential discipline-specific effect. Individual adjustments were found in foil fencers. These findings provide insights into the potential effects of fencing training on postural parameters among elite athletes. Full article
12 pages, 463 KiB  
Article
Volatile Organic Compounds in Cellular Headspace after Hyperbaric Oxygen Exposure: An In Vitro Pilot Study
by Feiko J. M. de Jong, Thijs A. Lilien, Dominic W. Fenn, Thijs T. Wingelaar, Pieter-Jan A. M. van Ooij, Anke H. Maitland-van der Zee, Markus W. Hollmann, Rob A. van Hulst and Paul Brinkman
Metabolites 2024, 14(5), 281; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14050281 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) might be associated with pulmonary oxygen toxicity (POT). This pilot study aims to identify VOCs linked to oxidative stress employing an in vitro model of alveolar basal epithelial cells exposed to hyperbaric and hyperoxic conditions. In addition, the feasibility [...] Read more.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) might be associated with pulmonary oxygen toxicity (POT). This pilot study aims to identify VOCs linked to oxidative stress employing an in vitro model of alveolar basal epithelial cells exposed to hyperbaric and hyperoxic conditions. In addition, the feasibility of this in vitro model for POT biomarker research was evaluated. The hyperbaric exposure protocol, similar to the U.S. Navy Treatment Table 6, was conducted on human alveolar basal epithelial cells, and the headspace VOCs were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Three compounds (nonane [p = 0.005], octanal [p = 0.009], and decane [p = 0.018]), of which nonane and decane were also identified in a previous in vivo study with similar hyperbaric exposure, varied significantly between the intervention group which was exposed to 100% oxygen and the control group which was exposed to compressed air. VOC signal intensities were lower in the intervention group, but cellular stress markers (IL8 and LDH) confirmed increased stress and injury in the intervention group. Despite the observed reductions in compound expression, the model holds promise for POT biomarker exploration, emphasizing the need for further investigation into the complex relationship between VOCs and oxidative stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Metabolomics)
15 pages, 3545 KiB  
Article
Early Age Assessment of a New Course of Irish Fly Ash as a Cement Replacement
by Nikki Shaji, Niall Holmes and Mark Tyrer
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 4128; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14104128 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
This paper explores the potential of a new source of fly ash, deposited on the site of a coal-fired power plant in Ireland dating from 1985 to 1995, as a cement replacement material. A series of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses on binder samples [...] Read more.
This paper explores the potential of a new source of fly ash, deposited on the site of a coal-fired power plant in Ireland dating from 1985 to 1995, as a cement replacement material. A series of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses on binder samples with cement replacement levels of 0, 10, 25 and 35% was undertaken to determine the fly ash’s mineralogical composition and to determine its suitability as a supplemental cementitious material (SCM). The XRD results reveal a unique mineral composition with promising characteristics for enhancing the strength and durability of concrete. The experimental results were used to calibrate a thermodynamic model to predict changing phase assemblage and hydration behaviour over time and per replacement level. Thermodynamic models have been shown to give credible predictions of the long-term performance of cements, including SCMs. The initial experimental results’ thermodynamic modelling demonstrates the feasibility of this fly ash source as a sustainable alternative to traditional cement, paving the way for more eco-friendly construction. Ash deposits dating from 1995 to 2005 and from 2005 to the present will be presented in subsequent publications. Full article
11 pages, 952 KiB  
Communication
A Novel Indolium-Based Fluorescent Probe for Fast Detection of Cyanide
by Mei Ding, Xiao Xiao, Chen Zhou, Mingxin Luo and Jing Sun
Biosensors 2024, 14(5), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14050244 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
A novel indolium-based fluorescent probe for the detection of CN was developed based on the conjugation of 1, 2, 3, 3-Tetramethyl-3H-indolium iodide and 2-acetyl benzothiophene. The introduction of external CN caused a nucleophilic attack to the quaternary amine salt structure in [...] Read more.
A novel indolium-based fluorescent probe for the detection of CN was developed based on the conjugation of 1, 2, 3, 3-Tetramethyl-3H-indolium iodide and 2-acetyl benzothiophene. The introduction of external CN caused a nucleophilic attack to the quaternary amine salt structure in the probe and resulted in the departure of iodide ions and the steric rotation of the index salt group, which caused fluorescence quenching. The titration experiments showed that the probe had rapid qualitative and quantitative analysis capabilities for CN. Moreover, the relevant biocompatibility experiments also demonstrated the potential application value of the probe. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano-Biosensors for Detection and Monitoring (Volume II))
22 pages, 5380 KiB  
Article
Estimation of Suspended Sediment Concentration along the Lower Brazos River Using Satellite Imagery and Machine Learning
by Trevor Stull and Habib Ahmari
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(10), 1727; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16101727 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
This article focuses on developing models that estimate suspended sediment concentrations (SSCs) for the Lower Brazos River, Texas, U.S. Historical samples of SSCs from gauge stations and satellite imagery from Landsat Missions and Sentinel Mission 2 were utilized to develop models to estimate [...] Read more.
This article focuses on developing models that estimate suspended sediment concentrations (SSCs) for the Lower Brazos River, Texas, U.S. Historical samples of SSCs from gauge stations and satellite imagery from Landsat Missions and Sentinel Mission 2 were utilized to develop models to estimate SSCs for the Lower Brazos River. The models used in this study to accomplish this goal include support vector machines (SVMs), artificial neural networks (ANNs), extreme learning machines (ELMs), and exponential relationships. In addition, flow measurements were used to develop rating curves to estimate SSCs for the Brazos River as a baseline comparison of the models that used satellite imagery to estimate SSCs. The models were evaluated using a Taylor Diagram analysis on the test data set developed for the Brazos River data. Fifteen of the models developed using satellite imagery as inputs performed with a coefficient of determination R2 above 0.69, with the three best performing models having an R2 of 0.83 to 0.85. One of the best performing models was then utilized to estimate the SSCs before, during, and after Hurricane Harvey to evaluate the impact of this storm on the sediment dynamics along the Lower Brazos River and the model’s ability to estimate SSCs. Full article
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20 pages, 4110 KiB  
Article
Estimation of Artificial Reef Pose Based on Deep Learning
by Yifan Song, Zuli Wu, Shengmao Zhang, Weimin Quan, Yongchuang Shi, Xinquan Xiong and Penglong Li
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(5), 812; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12050812 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Artificial reefs are man-made structures submerged in the ocean, and the design of these structures plays a crucial role in determining their effectiveness. Precisely measuring the configuration of artificial reefs is vital for creating suitable habitats for marine organisms. This study presents a [...] Read more.
Artificial reefs are man-made structures submerged in the ocean, and the design of these structures plays a crucial role in determining their effectiveness. Precisely measuring the configuration of artificial reefs is vital for creating suitable habitats for marine organisms. This study presents a novel approach for automated detection of artificial reefs by recognizing their key features and key points. Two enhanced models, namely, YOLOv8n-PoseRFSA and YOLOv8n-PoseMSA, are introduced based on the YOLOv8n-Pose architecture. The YOLOv8n-PoseRFSA model exhibits a 2.3% increase in accuracy in pinpointing target key points compared to the baseline YOLOv8n-Pose model, showcasing notable enhancements in recall rate, mean average precision (mAP), and other evaluation metrics. In response to the demand for swift identification in mobile fishing scenarios, a YOLOv8n-PoseMSA model is proposed, leveraging MobileNetV3 to replace the backbone network structure. This model reduces the computational burden to 33% of the original model while preserving recognition accuracy and minimizing the accuracy drop. The methodology outlined in this research enables real-time monitoring of artificial reef deployments, allowing for the precise quantification of their structural characteristics, thereby significantly enhancing monitoring efficiency and convenience. By better assessing the layout of artificial reefs and their ecological impact, this approach offers valuable data support for the future planning and implementation of reef projects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Marine Biology)
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14 pages, 8707 KiB  
Article
A Disturbance Compensation Control Strategy for Rotational Speed Standard Device Based on AMB System
by Yulin Chen, Lei Du, Qiao Sun and Jie Bai
Sensors 2024, 24(10), 3093; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24103093 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The rotational speed standard device that can carry loads is the key device for calibrating passive rotational speed sensors. The rotor of the passive rotational speed sensor is connected to the rotor of the standard speed device through a coupling, and the standard [...] Read more.
The rotational speed standard device that can carry loads is the key device for calibrating passive rotational speed sensors. The rotor of the passive rotational speed sensor is connected to the rotor of the standard speed device through a coupling, and the standard reference speed is provided by the standard device. Due to the rotor eccentricity, the unbalanced force of the rotor occurs, and it can not only affect the rotational speed accuracy but can also damage the mechanical bearings of the standard speed device. To solve this issue, a method for suppressing the unbalanced force of the speed standard device based on an active magnetic bearing (AMB) force compensation system is proposed. First, the overall structure of the system is briefly introduced. Then, the force feedback control system model with the AMB as the force actuator is established, and a PI controller is designed to achieve the disturbed force control. Finally, a semi-physical simulation experimental platform is built to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The experimental results show that the AMB force compensation system can reduce 84.4%, 81.6%, and 79.8% of the unbalanced vibration force at the frequency of 30 Hz, 90 Hz, and 150 Hz, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fault Diagnosis & Sensors)
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12 pages, 1128 KiB  
Systematic Review
Misdiagnosis and Clinical Insights into Acral Amelanotic Melanoma—A Systematic Review
by Fortunato Cassalia, Andrea Danese, Enrico Cocchi, Elisabetta Danese, Francesca Ambrogio, Gerardo Cazzato, Marcodomenico Mazza, Anna Zambello, Anna Belloni Fortina and Davide Melandri
J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(5), 518; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14050518 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Background: Acral amelanotic melanomas (AAMs), a rare subset of melanomas located on acral sites such as the palms, soles, and subungual areas, are diagnostically challenging due to their lack of typical pigmentation and often benign clinical appearance. Misdiagnosis is common, leading to delays [...] Read more.
Background: Acral amelanotic melanomas (AAMs), a rare subset of melanomas located on acral sites such as the palms, soles, and subungual areas, are diagnostically challenging due to their lack of typical pigmentation and often benign clinical appearance. Misdiagnosis is common, leading to delays in treatment and potentially worse outcomes. This systematic review aims to synthesise evidence on cases of AAM initially misdiagnosed as other conditions, to better understand their clinical and epidemiological characteristics, diagnostic pitfalls, and management strategies. Methods: A comprehensive search of the MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases was conducted up to March 2024. Case reports and small case series of AAMs initially misdiagnosed as other conditions were included. Data on patient demographics, clinical presentation, and diagnostic methods were collected and analyzed. Results: Of the 152 records identified, 26 cases from 23 articles met the inclusion criteria. A demographic analysis revealed that the gender distribution appears to be perfectly balanced, with an age range of 38 to 91 years. Misdiagnoses included non-healing ulcers or traumatic lesions (37.5%), benign proliferative lesions (29.2%) and infectious lesions (20.8%). The foot was the most affected site (53.8%). Notably, a histological evaluation was performed in 50% of cases involving the upper extremities, in contrast to only 7.1% of cases involving the foot and 0% of cases of the heel. This discrepancy suggests a reluctance to perform biopsies in the lower extremities, which may contribute to a higher misdiagnosis rate in these areas. Conclusions: The underutilization of biopsy in the diagnosis of lower extremity lesions contributes significantly to the misdiagnosis and delay in treatment of AAMs. Especially when the clinical assessment and dermoscopy are inconclusive, biopsies of suspicious lesions are essential. Immunohistochemistry and markers such as PRAME are critical in differentiating melanoma from other malignancies such as clear cell sarcoma. This review highlights the need for increased vigilance and a proactive diagnostic approach to increase early detection rates and improve prognostic outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Personalized Diagnosis and Treatment in Dermatology)
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22 pages, 11327 KiB  
Article
Initial Study of Adaptive Threshold Cycle Slip Detection on BDS/GPS Kinematic Precise Point Positioning during Geomagnetic Storms
by Xing Su, Jiajun Zeng, Quan Zhou, Zhimin Liu, Qiang Li, Zhanshu Li, Guangxing Wang, Hongyang Ma, Jianhui Cui and Xin Chen
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(10), 1726; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16101726 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) provides users with all-weather, continuous, high-precision positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services. In the operation and use of GNSS, the influence of the space environment is a factor that must be considered. For example, during geomagnetic storms, a [...] Read more.
Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) provides users with all-weather, continuous, high-precision positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services. In the operation and use of GNSS, the influence of the space environment is a factor that must be considered. For example, during geomagnetic storms, a series of changes in the Earth’s magnetosphere, ionosphere, and upper atmosphere affect GNSS’s positioning performance. To investigate the positioning performance of global satellite navigation systems during geomagnetic storms, this study selected three geomagnetic storm events that occurred from September to December 2023. Utilizing the global positioning system (GPS)/Beidou navigation satellite system (BDS) dual-system, kinematic precise point positioning (PPP) experiments were conducted, and the raw observational data from 100 stations worldwide was analyzed. The experimental results show that the positioning accuracy of some stations in high-latitude areas decreases significantly when using the conventional Geometry Free (GF) cycle-slip detection threshold during geomagnetic storms, which means that the GF is no longer applicable to high-precision positioning services. Meanwhile, there is no significant change in the satellite signal strengths received at the stations during the period of the decrease in positioning accuracy. Analyzing the cycle-slip rates for stations where abnormal accuracy occurred, it was observed that stations experiencing a significant decline in positioning accuracy exhibited serious cycle-slip misjudgments. To improve the kinematic PPP accuracy during magnetic storms, this paper proposes an adaptive threshold for cycle-slip detection and designs five experimental strategies. After using the GF adaptive threshold, the station positioning accuracy improved significantly. It achieved the accuracy level of the quiet period, while the cycle-slip incidence reached the average level. During magnetic storms, the ionosphere changes rapidly, and the use of the traditional GF constant threshold will cause serious cycle-slip misjudgments, which makes the dynamic accuracy in high latitude areas and some mid-latitude areas uncommon, while the use of the GF adaptive threshold can alleviate this phenomenon and improve the positioning accuracy in the high-latitude regions and some of the affected mid-latitude areas during the magnetic storms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Developments and Solutions Integrating GNSS and Remote Sensing)
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17 pages, 1303 KiB  
Article
The Potential of AOP Pretreatment in the Biodegradation of PS and PVC Microplastics by Candida parapsilosis
by Kristina Bule Možar, Martina Miloloža, Viktorija Martinjak, Magdalena Ujević Bošnjak, Marinko Markić, Tomislav Bolanča, Matija Cvetnić, Dajana Kučić Grgić and Šime Ukić
Water 2024, 16(10), 1389; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16101389 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Microplastics are an emerging class of recalcitrant organic pollutants that are of general scientific and public interest nowadays. It would be ideal to remove microplastics from the environment through biodegradation, as biodegradation is a highly ecological and economically acceptable approach. Unfortunately, the efficiency [...] Read more.
Microplastics are an emerging class of recalcitrant organic pollutants that are of general scientific and public interest nowadays. It would be ideal to remove microplastics from the environment through biodegradation, as biodegradation is a highly ecological and economically acceptable approach. Unfortunately, the efficiency of biodegradation of conventional plastic polymers is low. The application of a suitable pretreatment could increase the efficiency of biodegradation. In this study, the applicability of UV-C/H2O2 and UV-C/S2O82− advanced oxidation processes as pretreatments for the biodegradation of polystyrene and poly(vinyl chloride) microplastics by the yeast Candida parapsilosis was investigated. For the investigated range (pH 4–10, peroxide concentration up to 20 mM and treatment duration up to 90 min), the UV-C/H2O2 process proved to be more effective in degrading polystyrene microplastics, while the UV-C/S2O82− process was more efficient at degrading poly(vinyl chloride) microplastics. Samples pretreated under optimal conditions (90 min treatment time at a pH of 5.7 and H2O2 concentration of 20.0 mM for polystyrene samples; 90 min treatment time at a pH of 8.6 and S2O82− concentration of 11.1 mM for poly(vinyl chloride) samples) were subjected to biodegradation by Candida parapsilosis. The biodegradation conditions included an agitation speed of 156 rpm and an initial pH of 5.7 for the experiments with the polystyrene samples, while an agitation speed of 136 rpm and an initial pH of 4.9 were used for the poly(vinyl chloride) experiments. The initial value of the optical density of the yeast suspension was 1.0 in both cases. The experiments showed a positive effect of the pretreatment on the number of yeast cells on the surface of the microplastics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Science and Technology for Water Purification)
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12 pages, 636 KiB  
Article
Combination of Supramicrosurgical Lymphatico-Venular Anastomosis (sLVA) and Lymph-Sparing Liposuction in Treating Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Rationale for a Regional One-Stage Approach
by Guido Gabriele, Andrea Nigri, Glauco Chisci, Olindo Massarelli, Flavia Cascino, Timek Ewa Komorowska, Kikuchi Kazuki, Hisako Hara, Makoto Mihara and Paolo Gennaro
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(10), 2872; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13102872 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Objective: Cancer-related lymphedema represents a potential complication of cancer treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of lymphatico-venular anastomosis and liposuction in the treatment of secondary lymphedema. Methods: We present a retrospective analysis of patients affected [...] Read more.
Objective: Cancer-related lymphedema represents a potential complication of cancer treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of lymphatico-venular anastomosis and liposuction in the treatment of secondary lymphedema. Methods: We present a retrospective analysis of patients affected by cancer-related unilateral limb lymphedema. Inclusion criteria included previous neoplastic pathology with the consequent development of unilateral limb lymphedema, while the exclusion criteria included the presence of comorbidities and the persistence of cancer, as well as previous lymphatic surgery. The outcomes to be included were a reduction in the limb volume and lymphangitis rate, and an improvement in the quality of life. Patients' data were assessed before surgery and 1 year after surgery. Perioperative management included clinical and ultrasonographical evaluations. Under local anesthesia, lymphatico-venular anastomosis with the supramicrosurgical technique and the liposuction of the affected limb was performed in the same surgical session. Results: A total of 24 patients were enrolled in the study. One year after the surgery, an average volume reduction of 37.9% was registered (p = 0.0000000596). The lymphangitis rate decreased after surgery from 4.67 to 0.95 per year (p = 0.000007899). The quality-of-life score improved from 68.7 to 16 according to the LLIS scale. Conclusions: The combination of LVA and liposuction represents a valid strategy for treating cancer-related lymphedema, ensuring stable results over time. In addition, it can be performed under local anesthesia, resulting in being minimally invasive and well-tolerated by patients. This paper reports on the short-term efficacy of this combined technique. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Progress in Microsurgical Reconstruction)
13 pages, 332 KiB  
Article
Health Outcome Comparison Based on Dietary Inflammatory Levels among Sample of Korean Elderly
by Seul-Ki Koo and Hee-Sook Lim
Healthcare 2024, 12(10), 1003; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12101003 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a senior-friendly diet based on the dietary inflammatory index (DII) on the nutritional status and health indicators of older people. A total of 256 participants were classified into tertiles based on their [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a senior-friendly diet based on the dietary inflammatory index (DII) on the nutritional status and health indicators of older people. A total of 256 participants were classified into tertiles based on their DII values and split into intervention (n = 201) and control (n = 55) groups. The intervention group was provided with a senior-friendly diet, and the control group was allowed to eat their usual diet. Before and after the trial, anthropometric measurements, blood analyses, and questionnaires were completed for both groups. The mean age of the participants was 82.49 years, and 66.4% were female. On average, participants had 2.5 medical conditions, with a notable prevalence of cardiovascular disease. Following the intervention, the energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fat intakes significantly increased in the intervention group compared to pre-intervention levels. Tertile 3 exhibited substantial improvements in total nutrition score, NQ-E balance, and DII total score, as well as in triglycerides and blood glucose, attributed to this dietary intervention compared to other groups. In comparison with Tertile 1, nutrient intake and nutritional status in Tertile 3 were closely associated with significant influencing factors of the dietary intervention. For the group with the worst DII (Tertile 3), this dietary intervention greatly improved nutritional status, nutrient intake, and clinical indicators; thus, this senior-friendly diet appears to be beneficial for elderly people with nutritional vulnerabilities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Patterns and Public Health)
20 pages, 1505 KiB  
Article
Advancing Survey Sampling Efficiency under Stratified Random Sampling and Post-Stratification: Leveraging Symmetry for Enhanced Estimation Accuracy in the Prediction of Exam Scores
by Gullinkala Ramya Venkata Triveni, Faizan Danish and Olayan Albalawi
Symmetry 2024, 16(5), 604; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym16050604 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
This pioneering investigation introduces two innovative estimators crafted to evaluate the finite population distribution function of a study variable, employing auxiliary variables within the framework of stratified random sampling and post-stratification while emphasizing symmetry in the sampling process. The derivation of mathematical expressions [...] Read more.
This pioneering investigation introduces two innovative estimators crafted to evaluate the finite population distribution function of a study variable, employing auxiliary variables within the framework of stratified random sampling and post-stratification while emphasizing symmetry in the sampling process. The derivation of mathematical expressions for bias and the mean square error up to the first degree of approximation fortifies the credibility of the proposed estimators. Drawing from three distinct datasets, including real-world data capturing student behaviors and exam performances from 500 students, this research highlights the superior efficiency of the proposed estimators compared to existing methods across both sampling schemes. Employing the proposed estimator, we effectively forecast students’ exam scores based on their study hours, backed by empirical evidence showcasing its precision in terms of mean square error and percentage relative efficiency. This study not only introduces inventive solutions to enduring challenges in survey sampling but also provides practical insights into enhancing predictive accuracy in educational assessments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mathematics)
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16 pages, 552 KiB  
Review
Potential Exosome Biomarkers for Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Ka Young Kim, Ki Young Shin and Keun-A Chang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5307; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105307 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide. Given its prevalence, reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis are required. Exosomal proteins within extracellular nanovesicles are promising candidates for diagnostic, screening, prognostic, and disease monitoring purposes in neurological diseases such as PD. [...] Read more.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide. Given its prevalence, reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis are required. Exosomal proteins within extracellular nanovesicles are promising candidates for diagnostic, screening, prognostic, and disease monitoring purposes in neurological diseases such as PD. This review aims to evaluate the potential of extracellular vesicle proteins or miRNAs as biomarkers for PD. A comprehensive literature search until January 2024 was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, to identify relevant studies reporting exosome biomarkers in blood samples from PD patients. Out of 417 articles screened, 47 studies were selected for analysis. Among exosomal protein biomarkers, α-synuclein, tau, Amyloid β 1-42, and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) were identified as significant markers for PD. Concerning miRNA biomarkers, miRNA-24, miR-23b-3p, miR-195-3p, miR-29c, and mir-331-5p are promising across studies. α-synuclein exhibited increased levels in PD patients compared to control groups in twenty-one studies, while a decrease was observed in three studies. Our meta-analysis revealed a significant difference in total exosomal α-synuclein levels between PD patients and healthy controls (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.369, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.893 to 1.846, p < 0.001), although these results are limited by data availability. Furthermore, α-synuclein levels significantly differ between PD patients and healthy controls (SMD = 1.471, 95% CI = 0.941 to 2.002, p < 0.001). In conclusion, certain exosomal proteins and multiple miRNAs could serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis prediction, and assessment of disease progression in PD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Review Papers in Molecular and Cellular Biology 2024)
28 pages, 3104 KiB  
Article
The Economic Feasibility of (Re-)Introducing Tram-Trains in Canada: Okanagan Valley Electric Regional Passenger Rail
by Tye Boray, Mohamed Hegazi, Holger Busche and Gord Lovegrove
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4081; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104081 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Population and tourism growth has increased congestion, collisions, climate harming emissions, and transport inequities in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia (B.C.), Canada. Surveys indicate a willingness among residents to switch from cars to public transit featuring better service levels and connections. We conducted [...] Read more.
Population and tourism growth has increased congestion, collisions, climate harming emissions, and transport inequities in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia (B.C.), Canada. Surveys indicate a willingness among residents to switch from cars to public transit featuring better service levels and connections. We conducted an analysis on the economic feasibility of an Okanagan Valley Electric Regional Passenger Rail (OVER PR) powered by zero-emission (ZE) Fuel Cell/Battery Hybrid Rail (Hydrail) technology along a 342-km route between Osoyoos, B.C., at the US Border and Kamloops, B.C., the Canadian VIA rail hub. Hydrail passenger light-rail has operated successfully since 2018 in Germany and was demonstrated in Quebec, Canada, in 2023. Technical analyses have confirmed the feasibility in B.C. on steep Highway (Hwy) 97 grades and mountainous weather, with mode shift forecasts in the range of 30%. OVER PR economic analyses were also favorable, with net present value (NPV) = CAD 40 billion (CDN, base year 2023), benefit–cost ratio (BCR) = 9:1, and Return on Investments (IRR) = 33% over 30 years. Subject to additional stakeholder consultations and final design reviews, these results were tested against risks using Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) and Reference-Class Forecasting (RCF), including worst-case risks such as 70% cost over-runs. OVER PR promises an economic transition to clean energy, sustainable transportation, and more livable communities, benefiting all Valley communities through greater transportation equity. Full article
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30 pages, 6275 KiB  
Review
Inertial Propulsion Devices: A Review
by Christopher G. Provatidis
Eng 2024, 5(2), 851-880; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng5020046 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Google Scholar produces about 278 hits for the term “inertial propulsion”. If patents are also included, the number of hits increases to 536. This paper discusses, in a critical way, some characteristic aspects of this controversial topic. The review starts with the halteres [...] Read more.
Google Scholar produces about 278 hits for the term “inertial propulsion”. If patents are also included, the number of hits increases to 536. This paper discusses, in a critical way, some characteristic aspects of this controversial topic. The review starts with the halteres of athletes in the Olympic games of ancient times and then continues with some typical devices which have been developed and/or patented from the second quarter of the twentieth century to the present day. Full article
14 pages, 808 KiB  
Article
Non-Destructive Prediction of Anthocyanin Content of Rosa chinensis Petals Using Digital Images and Machine Learning Algorithms
by Xiu-Ying Liu, Jun-Ru Yu and Heng-Nan Deng
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 503; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050503 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Anthocyanins are widely found in plants and have significant functions. The accurate detection and quantitative assessment of anthocyanin content are essential to assess its functions. The anthocyanin content in plant tissues is typically quantified by wet chemistry and spectroscopic techniques. However, these methods [...] Read more.
Anthocyanins are widely found in plants and have significant functions. The accurate detection and quantitative assessment of anthocyanin content are essential to assess its functions. The anthocyanin content in plant tissues is typically quantified by wet chemistry and spectroscopic techniques. However, these methods are time-consuming, labor-intensive, tedious, expensive, destructive, or require expensive equipment. Digital photography is a fast, economical, efficient, reliable, and non-invasive method for estimating plant pigment content. This study examined the anthocyanin content of Rosa chinensis petals using digital images, a back-propagation neural network (BPNN), and the random forest (RF) algorithm. The objective was to determine whether using RGB indices and BPNN and RF algorithms to accurately predict the anthocyanin content of R. chinensis petals is feasible. The anthocyanin content ranged from 0.832 to 4.549 µmol g−1 for 168 samples. Most RGB indices were strongly correlated with the anthocyanin content. The coefficient of determination (R2) and the ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) of the BPNN and RF models exceeded 0.75 and 2.00, respectively, indicating the high accuracy of both models in predicting the anthocyanin content of R. chinensis petals using RGB indices. The RF model had higher R2 and RPD values, and lower root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) values than the BPNN, indicating that it outperformed the BPNN model. This study provides an alternative method for determining the anthocyanin content of flowers. Full article
11 pages, 1983 KiB  
Article
Surface Ripple Formation by Bombardment with Clusters: Influence of Mass
by José Carlos Jiménez-Sáez, Sagrario Muñoz and Pablo Palacios
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 4127; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14104127 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Nanostructure formation on Co(110) surfaces was studied by using irradiation with cluster ion beams with oblique incidence and an energy of 250 eV/atom. In this work, the effect of the mass of the cluster projectiles on the process was analyzed. The launched clusters [...] Read more.
Nanostructure formation on Co(110) surfaces was studied by using irradiation with cluster ion beams with oblique incidence and an energy of 250 eV/atom. In this work, the effect of the mass of the cluster projectiles on the process was analyzed. The launched clusters were formed by different types of charged atoms: He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe. Due to the different collision processes, the formed surface patterns stand out more if the mass of the projectile atoms is greater, regardless of the angle of incidence of the clusters. Two processes control the morphological evolution of the surface during the bombardment phase: sputtering erosion and surface atomic redistribution. At grazing angles, the contribution of sputtering is greater during the process. In fact, heavier species give greater sputtering, and the redistribution factor becomes lower. The weight of redistribution is greater for intermediate angles above the critical angle (50° and 60°), since the displacement is greater for heavier species, and the redistribution factor takes substantially higher values. The experimental results point to a shift in the critical angle with the mass of the projectile atom. In the case of He, a very light ion, the results are marked by channeling and vertical displacements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface Engineering and Advanced Coatings)
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19 pages, 1479 KiB  
Article
Impact of Nanoencapsulated Rosemary Essential Oil as a Novel Feed Additive on Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization, Carcass Traits, Meat Quality and Gene Expression of Broiler Chicken
by Sheikh Adil, Mohammad T. Banday, Syed A. Hussain, Manzoor A. Wani, Ebtesam Al-Olayan, Amlan K. Patra, Shahid Rasool, Adil Gani, Islam U. Sheikh, Azmat A. Khan and Showkeen Muzamil
Foods 2024, 13(10), 1515; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13101515 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
This study evaluated the effect of free and nanoencapsulated rosemary essential oil (REO) as an antibiotic alternative in broiler diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, meat quality and gene expression. Four hundred twenty day-old commercial broiler chicks (VENCOBB) were randomly allocated [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the effect of free and nanoencapsulated rosemary essential oil (REO) as an antibiotic alternative in broiler diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, meat quality and gene expression. Four hundred twenty day-old commercial broiler chicks (VENCOBB) were randomly allocated to seven dietary treatments, each having four replicates of fifteen chicks. The dietary treatments comprised control (CON) fed a basal diet only, AB (basal diet + 10 mg enramycin/kg), CS (basal diet + 150 mg chitosan nanoparticles/kg), REOF100 and REOF200 (basal diet + 100 mg and 200 mg free REO/kg, respectively), and REON100 and REON200 (basal diet + 100 mg and 200 mg nanoencapsulated REO/kg, respectively). Overall (7–42 d), REON200 showed the highest (p < 0.001) body weight gain (1899 g/bird) and CON had the lowest gain (1742 g/bird), while the CS, REOF100 and REOF200 groups had a similar gain, but lower than that of the AB and REON100 groups. Feed intake was not affected by dietary treatments. Overall, the feed efficiency increased (p = 0.001) by 8.47% in the REON200 group and 6.21% in the AB and REON100 groups compared with the CON. Supplementation of REO improved (p < 0.05) dry matter and crude protein digestibility, with the highest values in REON100 and REON200. Ether extract, crude fiber, calcium and phosphorus digestibility values showed no difference among the groups. The dressing, breast, thigh % increased (p < 0.05) and abdominal fat % decreased (p < 0.001) more in the REON200 group than with other treatments and CON. In breast meat quality, water holding capacity and extract reserve volume increased (p < 0.05) while drip loss and cholesterol content decreased (p < 0.05) in REON100 and REON200. No change was observed in the breast meat color among dietary treatments and CON. The REON100 and REON200 groups had reduced (p < 0.05) meat lipid peroxidation as depicted by the decreased levels of TBARS, free fatty acids and peroxide value compared to other treatments and CON. The expression of the Mucin 2, PepT1 and IL-10 genes was upregulated (p < 0.001) and TNF-α downregulated (p < 0.001) by dietary addition of REO particularly in the nanoencapsulated form compared with the CON. In conclusion, nanoencapsulated REO, especially at 200 mg/kg diet, showed promising results as an antibiotic alternative in improving the performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, meat quality and upregulation of growth and anti-inflammatory genes. Full article
11 pages, 1503 KiB  
Article
Reliability and Validity of the Spanish Version of the Brief-BESTest in Stroke Patients
by Beatriz Hernández-Moreda, Inés Llamas-Ramos, Rocío Llamas-Ramos, Juan Luis Sánchez-González, Beatriz María Bermejo-Gil, Fátima Pérez-Robledo, Elisa Frutos-Bernal and Ana María Martín-Nogueras
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(10), 2873; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13102873 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Background: Balance disorders and postural control treatments play an important role in fall prevention. The Brief-BESTest is a short-scale employed to evaluate balance and fall risk in different populations. Balance assessment is a fundamental element in patients with Acquired Brain Injury rehabilitation [...] Read more.
Background: Balance disorders and postural control treatments play an important role in fall prevention. The Brief-BESTest is a short-scale employed to evaluate balance and fall risk in different populations. Balance assessment is a fundamental element in patients with Acquired Brain Injury rehabilitation since postural alteration is one of the most frequent sequelae. The objective was to validate the Spanish version of the Brief-BESTest questionnaire in the stroke population. Methods: Subjects of both sexes aged over 18 years with a diagnosis of acute/chronic stroke were included. The BESTest, Mini-BESTest, Brief-BESTest, Berg Balance Scale, and Timed Up & Go Test were used to assess balance. The scales were implemented once. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to assess the internal consistency and confirmatory factorial analysis was employed to assess validity. Results: A total of 44 patients with a mean age of 65.35 years (SD = 10.665) participated. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient showed a high internal consistency with a value of 0.839. In the criterion validity, there was a high positive correlation between the Brief-BESTest and BESTest (r = 0.879), Mini-BESTest (r = 0.808), and Berg Balance Scale (r = 0.711). Conclusion: The Spanish version of the Brief-BESTest scale is valid and reliable, showing adequate psychometric properties for balance assessment in patients with acute or chronic stroke. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Neurorehabilitation after Stroke)
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29 pages, 511 KiB  
Article
Symmetric Quantum Inequalities on Finite Rectangular Plane
by Saad Ihsan Butt, Muhammad Nasim Aftab and Youngsoo Seol
Mathematics 2024, 12(10), 1517; https://doi.org/10.3390/math12101517 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Finding the range of coordinated convex functions is yet another application for the symmetric Hermite–Hadamard inequality. For any two-dimensional interval [a0,a1]×[c0,c1]2, we introduce the notion [...] Read more.
Finding the range of coordinated convex functions is yet another application for the symmetric Hermite–Hadamard inequality. For any two-dimensional interval [a0,a1]×[c0,c1]2, we introduce the notion of partial qθ-, qϕ-, and qθqϕ-symmetric derivatives and a qθqϕ-symmetric integral. Moreover, we will construct the qθqϕ-symmetric Hölder’s inequality, the symmetric quantum Hermite–Hadamard inequality for the function of two variables in a rectangular plane, and address some of its related applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends in Convex Analysis and Mathematical Inequalities)
15 pages, 802 KiB  
Article
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Supplementation Alleviates Doxorubicin-Induced Multi-Organ Fibrosis
by Fei Wen, Anhua Xu, Wenjing Wei, Shenglong Yang, Zhiliang Xi, Yuanlong Ge, Shu Wu and Zhenyu Ju
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5303; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105303 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Doxorubicin (DOX) is a potent chemotherapeutic agent known for its multi-organ toxicity, especially in the heart, which limits its clinical application. The toxic side effects of DOX, including DNA damage, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and cell apoptosis, are intricately linked to the involvement [...] Read more.
Doxorubicin (DOX) is a potent chemotherapeutic agent known for its multi-organ toxicity, especially in the heart, which limits its clinical application. The toxic side effects of DOX, including DNA damage, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and cell apoptosis, are intricately linked to the involvement of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). To assess the effectiveness of the NAD+ precursor nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) in counteracting the multi-organ toxicity of DOX, a mouse model was established through DOX administration, which led to significant reductions in NAD+ in tissues with evident injury, including the heart, liver and lungs. NMN treatment alleviated both multi-organ fibrosis and mortality in mice. Mechanistically, tissue fibrosis, macrophage infiltration and DOX-related cellular damage, which are potentially implicated in the development of multi-organ fibrosis, could be attenuated by NAD+ restoration. Our findings provide compelling evidence for the benefits of NMN supplementation in mitigating the adverse effects of chemotherapeutic drugs on multiple organs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Pharmacology)
32 pages, 430 KiB  
Article
Mild Solutions for w-Weighted, Φ-Hilfer, Non-Instantaneous, Impulsive, w-Weighted, Fractional, Semilinear Differential Inclusions of Order μ ∈ (1,2) in Banach Spaces
by Zainab Alsheekhhussain, Ahmed Gamal Ibrahim, M. Mossa Al-Sawalha and Khudhayr A. Rashedi
Fractal Fract. 2024, 8(5), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/fractalfract8050289 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The aim of this work is to obtain novel and interesting results for mild solutions to a semilinear differential inclusion involving a w-weighted, Φ-Hilfer, fractional derivative of order μ(1,2) with non-instantaneous impulses in Banach spaces [...] Read more.
The aim of this work is to obtain novel and interesting results for mild solutions to a semilinear differential inclusion involving a w-weighted, Φ-Hilfer, fractional derivative of order μ(1,2) with non-instantaneous impulses in Banach spaces with infinite dimensions when the linear term is the infinitesimal generator of a strongly continuous cosine family and the nonlinear term is a multi-valued function. First, we determine the formula of the mild solution function for the considered semilinear differential inclusion. Then, we give sufficient conditions to ensure that the mild solution set is not empty or compact. The desired results are achieved by using the properties of both the w-weighted Φ-Laplace transform, w-weighted ψ-convolution and the measure of non-compactness. Since the operator, the w-weighted Φ-Hilfer, includes well-known types of fractional differential operators, our results generalize several recent results in the literature. Moreover, our results are novel because no one has previously studied these types of semilinear differential inclusions. Finally, we give an illustrative example that supports our theoretical results. Full article

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