The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
14 pages, 3536 KiB  
Article
Evaluating the Impact of Probiotic Therapy on the Endocannabinoid System, Pain, Sleep and Fatigue: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Dancers
by Jakub Wiącek, Tomasz Podgórski, Krzysztof Kusy, Igor Łoniewski, Karolina Skonieczna-Żydecka and Joanna Karolkiewicz
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 5611; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25115611 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Emerging research links the endocannabinoid system to gut microbiota, influencing nociception, mood, and immunity, yet the molecular interactions remain unclear. This study focused on the effects of probiotics on ECS markers—cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH)—in dancers, a [...] Read more.
Emerging research links the endocannabinoid system to gut microbiota, influencing nociception, mood, and immunity, yet the molecular interactions remain unclear. This study focused on the effects of probiotics on ECS markers—cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH)—in dancers, a group selected due to their high exposure to physical and psychological stress. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05567653), 15 dancers were assigned to receive either a 12-week regimen of Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 and Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-17 or a placebo (PLA: n = 10, PRO: n = 5). There were no significant changes in CB2 (probiotic: 0.55 to 0.29 ng/mL; placebo: 0.86 to 0.72 ng/mL) or FAAH levels (probiotic: 5.93 to 6.02 ng/mL; placebo: 6.46 to 6.94 ng/mL; p > 0.05). A trend toward improved sleep quality was observed in the probiotic group, while the placebo group showed a decline (PRO: from 1.4 to 1.0; PLA: from 0.8 to 1.2; p = 0.07841). No other differences were noted in assessed outcomes (pain and fatigue). Probiotic supplementation showed no significant impact on CB2 or FAAH levels, pain, or fatigue but suggested potential benefits for sleep quality, suggesting an area for further research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota and Nutrition in Human Health)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 841 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Diagnostic Utility of Biochemical Markers and Intestinal Ultrasound Compared with Endoscopy in Patients with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis
by David Huynh, Denis Rubtsov, Debapama Basu and Myat Myat Khaing
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(11), 3030; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13113030 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) consists of Crohn’s disease (CD) and Ulcerative colitis (UC). The main goal of treatment is to obtain mucosal healing via endoscopy. More recently, intestinal ultrasounds, along with biochemical markers, have been increasingly popular as point-of-care testing to monitor [...] Read more.
Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) consists of Crohn’s disease (CD) and Ulcerative colitis (UC). The main goal of treatment is to obtain mucosal healing via endoscopy. More recently, intestinal ultrasounds, along with biochemical markers, have been increasingly popular as point-of-care testing to monitor treatment response. This systemic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the diagnostic test performance of ultrasonography and biochemical markers (C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin) compared with endoscopy for detecting inflammation in IBD. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed Medline, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, and CINAHL from 1 January 2018 to 1 January 2024. The included studies were prospective and retrospective observational studies, clinical trials, and cross-sectional studies investigating the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography, biochemical markers, and endoscopy. Studies were selected based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Statement (PRISMA). Results: Of the 1035 studies retrieved, 16 met the inclusion criteria, and most of the included studies were prospective observational studies. Diagnostic test accuracy was conducted, and the pooled sensitivity and specificity of all the studies revealed that ultrasonography has the highest pooled sensitivity, at 85% (95% CI, 78 to 91%), and specificity, at 92% (95% CI, 86 to 96%), as compared with biochemical markers and endoscopy. More specifically, biochemical markers had a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 85% (95% CI, 81 to 87%) and 61% (95% CI, 58 to 64%), respectively, and endoscopy had 60% (95% CI, 52 to 68%) and 82% (95% CI, 76 to 87%), respectively. However, the results also show substantial heterogeneity in the studies because of various populations, protocols, and outcomes in the studies included. This was especially noted in the assessment of biochemical markers, in which a metaregression was performed showing a nonsignificant p-value of 0.8856 for the coefficient. Conclusions: IUS was found to have the highest pooled sensitivity and specificity of all the included studies for diagnosing inflammation in patients with CD and UC, and this, coupled with biochemical markers, can improve diagnostic utility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Gastroenterology & Hepatopancreatobiliary Medicine)
14 pages, 3006 KiB  
Article
Performance of a Composite Inhibitor on Mild Steel in NaCl Solution: Imidazoline, Sodium Molybdate, and Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
by Xue Wang, Changfeng Fan, Lanyi Sun, Hongyan Shang, Duxin Zhang, Nan Xu, Bin Wang and Jianbin Xu
Coatings 2024, 14(6), 652; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14060652 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Mild steel corrosion is a significant challenge in oil and gas exploitation. Inhibitors are frequently employed to minimize the corrosive impact on mild steel. Mixing corrosion inhibitors is an effective method in reducing the dosage of toxic compounds and expanding the potential applications [...] Read more.
Mild steel corrosion is a significant challenge in oil and gas exploitation. Inhibitors are frequently employed to minimize the corrosive impact on mild steel. Mixing corrosion inhibitors is an effective method in reducing the dosage of toxic compounds and expanding the potential applications of inhibitors in NaCl solutions. Herein, a mixed corrosion inhibitor composed of imidazoline (IM), sodium molybdate, and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) for mild steel in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution are investigated by orthogonal experimental design and electrochemical measurement. The imidazoline compound was synthesized and identified using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The inhibitory effect is improved by higher concentrations of sodium molybdate and is further enhanced with the addition of 10 mg/L of SDBS. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicates that the combination of IM (100 mg/L), sodium molybdate (50 mg/L), and SDBS (100 mg/L) results in excellent performance with electrochemical impedance (1.8 kohm·cm2). The mild steel surfaces after electrochemical measurement were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The information can contribute to the development of corrosion inhibitors with high performance or to understand the influence of mixing inhibitors on corrosion processes of mild steels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Investigation on Corrosion Behaviour of Metallic Materials)
16 pages, 2007 KiB  
Article
Study on the Alkali–Sulfur Co-Activation and Mechanical Properties of Low-Carbon Cementitious Composite Materials Based on Electrolytic Manganese Residue, Carbide Slag, and Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag
by Jianbo Liang, Rongjin Liu, Daiyan Jing, Fuhua Lu, Yanrong Zhao, Zhihan Xie, Wanyu Huang and Tingchao Chen
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4355; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114355 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Industrial solid waste is characterized by complex mineral phases and various components. Low-carbon cementitious materials can be prepared through precise regulation based on the material composition and properties of various industrial solid wastes. In this study, electrolytic manganese residue (EMR), carbide slag (CS), [...] Read more.
Industrial solid waste is characterized by complex mineral phases and various components. Low-carbon cementitious materials can be prepared through precise regulation based on the material composition and properties of various industrial solid wastes. In this study, electrolytic manganese residue (EMR), carbide slag (CS), and granulated blast-furnace slag (GBFS) were used as alternatives to cement to prepare multicomponent solid waste cementitious materials. The effects of the proportions of EMR and CS on the cementitious activity of GBFS and the activation mechanism of alkali and sulfur were studied. The results showed that with increasing EMR content, the strength first increased and then decreased. At a GBFS content of 20%, CS content of 2%, and EMR content of 8%, the compressive strength was highest, reaching 45.5 MPa after 28 days of curing, mainly because the OH in CS and SO42− in EMR synergistically stimulated the active components in GBFS. Hydrated products such as ettringite and hydrated calcium silicate (C–S–H gel) were generated and interlaced with each other to improve the densification of the mortar. Overall, the proposed system provides an avenue to reduce or replace the production of cement clinker and achieve the high-value-added utilization of industrial solid waste. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Materials and Waste Recovery)
16 pages, 5025 KiB  
Article
Advanced Feature Learning on Point Clouds Using Multi-Resolution Features and Learnable Pooling
by Kevin Tirta Wijaya, Dong-Hee Paek and Seung-Hyun Kong
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(11), 1835; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16111835 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Existing point cloud feature learning networks often learn high-semantic point features representing the global context by incorporating sampling, neighborhood grouping, neighborhood-wise feature learning, and feature aggregation. However, this process may result in a substantial loss of granular information due to the sampling operation [...] Read more.
Existing point cloud feature learning networks often learn high-semantic point features representing the global context by incorporating sampling, neighborhood grouping, neighborhood-wise feature learning, and feature aggregation. However, this process may result in a substantial loss of granular information due to the sampling operation and the widely-used max pooling feature aggregation, which neglects information from non-maximum point features. Consequently, the resulting high-semantic point features could be insufficient to represent the local context, hindering the network’s ability to distinguish fine shapes. To address this problem, we propose PointStack, a novel point cloud feature learning network that utilizes multi-resolution feature learning and learnable pooling (LP). PointStack aggregates point features of various resolutions across multiple layers to capture both high-semantic and high-resolution information. The LP function calculates the weighted sum of multi-resolution point features through an attention mechanism with learnable queries, enabling the extraction of all available information. As a result, PointStack can effectively represent both global and local contexts, allowing the network to comprehend both the global structure and local shape details. PointStack outperforms various existing feature learning networks for shape classification and part segmentation on the ScanObjectNN and ShapeNetPart datasets, achieving 87.2% overall accuracy and instance mIoU. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Point Cloud Processing with Machine Learning)
27 pages, 1155 KiB  
Review
Encapsulation of Probiotics within Double/Multiple Layer Beads/Carriers: A Concise Review
by Sofia Agriopoulou, Slim Smaoui, Moufida Chaari, Theodoros Varzakas, Asli Can Karaca and Seid Mahdi Jafari
Molecules 2024, 29(11), 2431; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29112431 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
An increased demand for natural products nowadays most specifically probiotics (PROs) is evident since it comes in conjunction with beneficial health effects for consumers. In this regard, it is well known that encapsulation could positively affect the PROs’ viability throughout food manufacturing and [...] Read more.
An increased demand for natural products nowadays most specifically probiotics (PROs) is evident since it comes in conjunction with beneficial health effects for consumers. In this regard, it is well known that encapsulation could positively affect the PROs’ viability throughout food manufacturing and long-term storage. This paper aims to analyze and review various double/multilayer strategies for encapsulation of PROs. Double-layer encapsulation of PROs by electrohydrodynamic atomization or electrospraying technology has been reported along with layer-by-layer assembly and water-in-oil-in-water (W1/O/W2) double emulsions to produce multilayer PROs-loaded carriers. Finally, their applications in food products are presented. The resistance and viability of loaded PROs to mechanical damage, during gastrointestinal transit and shelf life of these trapping systems, are also described. The PROs encapsulation in double- and multiple-layer coatings combined with other technologies can be examined to increase the opportunities for new functional products with amended functionalities opening a novel horizon in food technology. Full article
21 pages, 993 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Heat Transfer in Mini-Scale Liquid-Cooled Heat Sinks by Flow Oscillation—A Numerical Analysis
by James Hockaday and Richard Law
Energies 2024, 17(11), 2459; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17112459 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Oscillatory baffled flows (OBFs) provide a combined active and passive means of achieving convective heat transfer enhancement, and previous studies at large scale have demonstrated the heat transfer benefits of OBFs. To date, however, this technology has not been scaled down for the [...] Read more.
Oscillatory baffled flows (OBFs) provide a combined active and passive means of achieving convective heat transfer enhancement, and previous studies at large scale have demonstrated the heat transfer benefits of OBFs. To date, however, this technology has not been scaled down for the purpose of heat sink performance enhancement. Presented in this study is a numerical investigation of a single baffled channel with a hydraulic diameter of 2.8 mm, containing gate baffles, with a 50% open area, which are spaced 7.5 mm apart. Three net-flow rates were investigated while varying the oscillation conditions by varying the oscillation amplitude (3 mm to 7 mm) and by varying the oscillation frequency (0 to 8 Hz). Increasing the oscillation intensity had a greater impact on the Nusselt number compared to simply increasing the net-flow rate, with Nu enhancements of up to 330% observed when imposing oscillatory flow on a purely steady flow. Ideal operating conditions were identified by grouping the data by velocity ratio (Ψ) and graphing the theoretical pumping power against the thermal resistance of the channel. The highest Nu enhancement of 330% was achieved for a net-flow Reynolds number (Ren) of 165, oscillatory amplitude of 5 mm and a frequency of 8 Hz. Ideal operating conditions can be predicted by selecting conditions with Ψ > 1. A flow with a Ren of 46, Ψ of 7 and Nu = 12 required the same pumping power as a flow with a of Ren 165, Ψ of 0.65 and Nu = 6. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for Heat Transfer Modeling)
16 pages, 493 KiB  
Article
Internal Responsiveness of EQ-5D-5L and EORTC QLQ-C30 in Dutch Breast Cancer Patients during the First Year Post-Surgery: A Longitudinal Cohort Study
by Noëlle J. M. C. Vrancken Peeters, Janine A. van Til, Anouk S. Huberts, Sabine Siesling, Olga Husson and Linetta B. Koppert
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 1952; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16111952 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
The EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) are commonly used Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) for breast cancer. This study assesses and compares the internal responsiveness of the [...] Read more.
The EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) are commonly used Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) for breast cancer. This study assesses and compares the internal responsiveness of the EQ-5D-5L and EORTC QLQ-C30 in Dutch breast cancer patients during the first year post-surgery. Women diagnosed with breast cancer who completed the EQ-5D-5L and EORTC QLQ-C30 pre-operatively (T0), 6 months (T6), and 12 months post-surgery (T12) were included. Mean differences of the EQ-5D-5L and EORTC QLQ-C30 between baseline and 6 months (delta 1) and between baseline and 12 months post-surgery (delta 2) were calculated and compared against the respective minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) of 0.08 and 5. Internal responsiveness was assessed using effect sizes (ES) and standardized response means (SRM) for both deltas. In total, 333 breast cancer patients were included. Delta 1 and delta 2 for the EQ-5D-5L index and most scales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 were below the MCID. The internal responsiveness for both PROMs was small (ES and SRM < 0.5), with greater internal responsiveness for delta 1 compared to delta 2. The EQ-5D-5L index showed greater internal responsiveness than the EORTC QLQ-C30 Global Quality of Life scale and summary score. These findings are valuable for the interpretation of both PROMs in Dutch breast cancer research and clinical care. Full article
22 pages, 850 KiB  
Article
Environmental Impacts on Soil and Groundwater of Informal E-Waste Recycling Processes in Ghana
by Karoline Owusu-Sekyere, David Alatule Aladago, Dominik Leverenz, Martin Oteng-Ababio and Martin Kranert
Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4347; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114347 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
This study examines the environmental impacts of informal e-waste recycling processes in Agbogbloshie, Ghana, which is one of the most notorious e-waste recycling sites in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite being unsafe and unorganized, the informal sector is still actively involved in dismantling, extracting, and [...] Read more.
This study examines the environmental impacts of informal e-waste recycling processes in Agbogbloshie, Ghana, which is one of the most notorious e-waste recycling sites in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite being unsafe and unorganized, the informal sector is still actively involved in dismantling, extracting, and disposing of e-waste in unauthorized locations on a considerably large scale. However, the academic research on the environmental consequences of informal recycling practices is limited. Soil and groundwater samples for five important and representative informal e-waste recycling processes and one related oil process were collected and analyzed to determine heavy metal-, PBDEs, PCBs, CBs, and PAHs concentrations. Contamination indices were used to assess and compare the effects of informal recycling processes, thereby providing a geochemical evaluation of soil conditions. As a result, the manual dismantling of CRT and ICT devices is the major source of heavy metal pollution. Furthermore, the burning of e-waste plastic for waste reduction purposes and the oil collection process substantially contribute to the input of organic pollutants. Regulatory measures for CRT and ICT recycling would result in an 85% reduction of heavy metals and the enforcement of a compulsory collection system for plastic and oil would eliminate 86% of the organic pollutants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electronic Waste Management and Sustainable Development 2nd Edition)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

24 pages, 1384 KiB  
Article
Performance Prediction of the Elastic Support Structure of a Wind Turbine Based on Multi-Task Learning
by Chengshun Zhu, Jie Qi, Zhizhou Lu, Shuguang Chen, Xiaoyan Li and Zejian Li
Machines 2024, 12(6), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12060356 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
The effectiveness of a wind turbine elastic support in reducing vibrations significantly impacts the unit’s lifespan. During the structural design process, it is necessary to consider the influence of structural design parameters on multiple performance indicators. While neural networks can fit the relationships [...] Read more.
The effectiveness of a wind turbine elastic support in reducing vibrations significantly impacts the unit’s lifespan. During the structural design process, it is necessary to consider the influence of structural design parameters on multiple performance indicators. While neural networks can fit the relationships between design parameters on multiple performance indicators, traditional modeling methods often isolate multiple tasks, hindering the learning on correlations between tasks and reducing efficiency. Moreover, acquiring training data through physical experiments is expensive and yields limited data, insufficient for effective model training. To address these challenges, this research introduces a data generation method using a digital twin model, simulating physical conditions to generate data at a lower cost. Building on this, a Multi-gate Mixture-of-Experts multi-task prediction model with Long Short-Term Memory (MMoE-LSTM) module is developed. LSTM enhances the model’s ability to extract nonlinear features from data, improving learning. Additionally, a dynamic weighting strategy, based on coefficient of variation weighting and ridge regression, is employed to automate loss weight adjustments and address imbalances in multi-task learning. The proposed model, validated on datasets created using the digital twin model, achieved over 95% predictive accuracy for multiple tasks, demonstrating that this method is effective. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Machines Testing and Maintenance)
24 pages, 10252 KiB  
Article
Synthesis of Chitosan and Ferric-Ion (Fe3+)-Doped Brushite Mineral Cancellous Bone Scaffolds
by Lemiha Yildizbakan, Neelam Iqbal, Peter V. Giannoudis and Animesh Jha
Biomimetics 2024, 9(6), 308; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9060308 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Biodegradable scaffolds are needed to repair bone defects. To promote the resorption of scaffolds, a large surface area is required to encourage neo-osteogenesis. Herein, we describe the synthesis and freeze-drying methodologies of ferric-ion (Fe3+) doped Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate mineral (DCPD), also [...] Read more.
Biodegradable scaffolds are needed to repair bone defects. To promote the resorption of scaffolds, a large surface area is required to encourage neo-osteogenesis. Herein, we describe the synthesis and freeze-drying methodologies of ferric-ion (Fe3+) doped Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate mineral (DCPD), also known as brushite, which has been known to favour the in situ condition for osteogenesis. In this investigation, the role of chitosan during the synthesis of DCPD was explored to enhance the antimicrobial, scaffold pore distribution, and mechanical properties post freeze-drying. During the synthesis of DCPD, the calcium nitrate solution was hydrolysed with a predetermined stoichiometric concentration of ammonium phosphate. During the hydrolysis reaction, 10 (mol)% iron (Fe3+) nitrate (Fe(NO3)3) was incorporated, and the DCPD minerals were precipitated (Fe3+-DCPD). Chitosan stir-mixed with Fe3+-DCPD minerals was freeze-dried to create scaffolds. The structural, microstructural, and mechanical properties of freeze-dried materials were characterized. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biomaterials, Biocomposites and Biopolymers)
14 pages, 5359 KiB  
Technical Note
Detection of Surface Rocks and Small Craters in Permanently Shadowed Regions of the Lunar South Pole Based on YOLOv7 and Markov Random Field Algorithms in SAR Images
by Tong Xia, Xuancheng Ren, Yuntian Liu, Niutao Liu, Feng Xu and Ya-Qiu Jin
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(11), 1834; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16111834 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Excluding rough areas with surface rocks and craters is critical for the safety of landing missions, such as China’s Chang’e-7 mission, in the permanently shadowed region (PSR) of the lunar south pole. Binned digital elevation model (DEM) data can describe the undulating surface, [...] Read more.
Excluding rough areas with surface rocks and craters is critical for the safety of landing missions, such as China’s Chang’e-7 mission, in the permanently shadowed region (PSR) of the lunar south pole. Binned digital elevation model (DEM) data can describe the undulating surface, but the DEM data can hardly detect surface rocks because of median-averaging. High-resolution images from a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) can be used to map discrete rocks and small craters according to their strong backscattering. This study utilizes the You Only Look Once version 7 (YOLOv7) tool to detect varying-sized craters in SAR images. It also employs the Markov random field (MRF) algorithm to identify surface rocks, which are usually difficult to detect in DEM data. The results are validated by optical images and DEM data in non-PSR. With the assistance of the DEM data, regions with slopes larger than 10° are excluded. YOLOv7 and MRF are applied to detect craters and rocky surfaces and exclude regions with steep slopes in the PSRs of craters Shoemaker, Slater, and Shackleton, respectively. This study proves SAR images are feasible in the selection of landing sites in the PSRs for future missions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Planetary Exploration Using Remote Sensing II)
Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 631 KiB  
Review
Updates on Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutics for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
by Lien Nguyen
Cells 2024, 13(11), 888; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13110888 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a motor neuron disease. In ALS, upper and lower motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord progressively degenerate during the course of the disease, leading to the loss of the voluntary movement of [...] Read more.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a motor neuron disease. In ALS, upper and lower motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord progressively degenerate during the course of the disease, leading to the loss of the voluntary movement of the arms and legs. Since its first description in 1869 by a French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot, the scientific discoveries on ALS have increased our understanding of ALS genetics, pathology and mechanisms and provided novel therapeutic strategies. The goal of this review article is to provide a comprehensive summary of the recent findings on ALS mechanisms and related therapeutic strategies to the scientific audience. Several highlighted ALS research topics discussed in this article include the 2023 FDA approved drug for SOD1 ALS, the updated C9orf72 GGGGCC repeat-expansion-related mechanisms and therapeutic targets, TDP-43-mediated cryptic splicing and disease markers and diagnostic and therapeutic options offered by these recent discoveries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Pathomechanisms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS))
15 pages, 926 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Processes of Paraffin Deposition of Oil from the Kumkol Group of Fields in Kazakhstan
by Laura Boranbayeva, Galina Boiko, Andrey Sharifullin, Nina Lubchenko, Raushan Sarmurzina, Assel Kozhamzharova and Serzhan Mombekov
Processes 2024, 12(6), 1052; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12061052 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
The oil pipeline transportation of highly waxy oils when it is cold is accompanied by the deposition of paraffins in the inner surface of the pipeline. This study of the initial properties of the oil; the composition, structure, and nature of the components [...] Read more.
The oil pipeline transportation of highly waxy oils when it is cold is accompanied by the deposition of paraffins in the inner surface of the pipeline. This study of the initial properties of the oil; the composition, structure, and nature of the components of normal alkanes in oil; and their influence on the aggregative stability of the resulting system makes it possible to find the best solutions to optimize the conditions of oil transportation with the lowest energy costs. This study shows that, according to the content of solid paraffin (14.0–16.2%), the oils of the Kumkol group of fields in Kazakhstan are highly waxy. They are characterized by high yield loss temperature values (+9–+12 °С), which also correlate with the values of the rheological parameters (t0 1.389 Pa, 3.564 Pa). The influence of the temperature and shear rate on the shear stress and effective viscosity of the initial oils was studied. At temperatures below 20 °C, depending on the shear rate, there is an increase in the effective viscosity values (0.020 Pa∙s, 0.351 Pa∙s). The influence of the nature of solid hydrocarbons on the parameters of the paraffinization process and of the intensity of the paraffinization of the metal surfaces was studied. Our study shows that the main share of n-alkanes in the Kumkol and Akshabulak oils falls on paraffins of the C15–C44 group. The greater the temperature difference between the oil and the cold steel surface (≤40 °С), the lesser the amount of asphalt–resin–paraffin deposits (ARPDs) that fall out on the surface of the rod, although the content of long-chain paraffins prevails in these ARPDs. At the same time, the consistency of the released asphalt–resin–paraffin deposits (ARPDs) becomes denser, which makes their mechanical removal more difficult. Furthermore, the results of this study of the cooling rate shows that the rapid cooling of oils leads to the formation of a large number of crystallization centers, which leads to an increase in the values of the yield loss temperature and kinematic viscosity of the oils. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Chemical Processes and Systems)
12 pages, 672 KiB  
Review
Interplay between the Chaperone System and Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Pathogenesis: Is Molecular Mimicry the Missing Link between Those Two Factors?
by Alessandra Maria Vitale, Letizia Paladino, Celeste Caruso Bavisotto, Rosario Barone, Francesca Rappa, Everly Conway de Macario, Francesco Cappello, Alberto J. L. Macario and Antonella Marino Gammazza
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 5608; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25115608 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multifactorial autoimmune disease characterized by self-immune tolerance breakdown and the production of autoantibodies, causing the deposition of immune complexes and triggering inflammation and immune-mediated damage. SLE pathogenesis involves genetic predisposition and a combination of environmental factors. Clinical [...] Read more.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multifactorial autoimmune disease characterized by self-immune tolerance breakdown and the production of autoantibodies, causing the deposition of immune complexes and triggering inflammation and immune-mediated damage. SLE pathogenesis involves genetic predisposition and a combination of environmental factors. Clinical manifestations are variable, making an early diagnosis challenging. Heat shock proteins (Hsps), belonging to the chaperone system, interact with the immune system, acting as pro-inflammatory factors, autoantigens, as well as immune tolerance promoters. Increased levels of some Hsps and the production of autoantibodies against them are correlated with SLE onset and progression. The production of these autoantibodies has been attributed to molecular mimicry, occurring upon viral and bacterial infections, since they are evolutionary highly conserved. Gut microbiota dysbiosis has been associated with the occurrence and severity of SLE. Numerous findings suggest that proteins and metabolites of commensal bacteria can mimic autoantigens, inducing autoimmunity, because of molecular mimicry. Here, we propose that shared epitopes between human Hsps and those of gut commensal bacteria cause the production of anti-Hsp autoantibodies that cross-react with human molecules, contributing to SLE pathogenesis. Thus, the involvement of the chaperone system, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and molecular mimicry in SLE ought to be coordinately studied. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Immune Mechanisms and Biomarkers in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 621 KiB  
Review
The Application of Rat Models in Staphylococcus aureus Infections
by Hongyue Liang, Yadong Wang, Fang Liu, Guangcai Duan, Jinzhao Long, Yuefei Jin, Shuaiyin Chen and Haiyan Yang
Pathogens 2024, 13(6), 434; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13060434 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a major human pathogen and can cause a wide range of diseases, including pneumonia, osteomyelitis, skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), endocarditis, mastitis, bacteremia, and so forth. Rats have been widely used in the field of [...] Read more.
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a major human pathogen and can cause a wide range of diseases, including pneumonia, osteomyelitis, skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), endocarditis, mastitis, bacteremia, and so forth. Rats have been widely used in the field of infectious diseases due to their unique advantages, and the models of S. aureus infections have played a pivotal role in elucidating their pathogenic mechanisms and the effectiveness of therapeutic agents. This review outlined the current application of rat models in S. aureus infections and future prospects for rat models in infectious diseases caused by S. aureus. Full article
14 pages, 4753 KiB  
Article
Prevalence and Evolutionary Characteristics of Bovine Coronavirus in China
by Siyuan Li, Jin Huang, Xuhang Cai, Li Mao, Lingling Xie, Fu Wang, Hua Zhou, Xuesong Yuan, Xinru Sun, Xincheng Fu, Baochao Fan, Xingang Xu, Jizong Li and Bin Li
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(6), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11060230 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Bovine coronavirus (BCoV), bovine rotavirus, bovine viral diarrhea virus, and bovine astrovirus are the most common intestinal pathogenic viruses causing diarrhea in cattle. We collected 1646 bovine fecal samples from January 2020 to August 2023. BCoV was the major pathogen detected, with a [...] Read more.
Bovine coronavirus (BCoV), bovine rotavirus, bovine viral diarrhea virus, and bovine astrovirus are the most common intestinal pathogenic viruses causing diarrhea in cattle. We collected 1646 bovine fecal samples from January 2020 to August 2023. BCoV was the major pathogen detected, with a positive rate of 34.02% (560/1646). Of the 670 diarrheal samples and 976 asymptomatic samples, 209 and 351 were BCoV-positive, respectively. Studying the relevance of diarrhea associated with BCoV has shown that the onset of diarrheal symptoms post-infection is strongly correlated with the cattle’s age and may also be related to the breed. We amplified and sequenced the hemagglutinin esterase (HE), spike protein, and whole genomes of the partially positive samples and obtained six complete HE sequences, seven complete spike sequences, and six whole genomes. Molecular characterization revealed that six strains were branched Chinese strains, Japanese strains, and partial American strains from the GⅡb subgroup. Strains HBSJZ2202 and JSYZ2209 had four amino acid insertions on HE. We also analyzed ORF1a and found disparities across various regions within GIIb, which were positioned on separate branches within the phylogenetic tree. This work provides data for further investigating the epidemiology of BCoV and for understanding and analyzing BCoV distribution and dynamics. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

28 pages, 12894 KiB  
Review
Crystal Morphology Prediction Models and Regulating Methods
by Yuan Gao, Wenxi Song, Jinyue Yang, Xiongtao Ji, Na Wang, Xin Huang, Ting Wang and Hongxun Hao
Crystals 2024, 14(6), 484; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14060484 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Growing high-quality crystals with ideal properties is of great importance. The morphology of crystal is one key factor reflecting product quality, as it can affect the performance of products and downstream operations. In this work, the current state of crystal morphology modification is [...] Read more.
Growing high-quality crystals with ideal properties is of great importance. The morphology of crystal is one key factor reflecting product quality, as it can affect the performance of products and downstream operations. In this work, the current state of crystal morphology modification is reviewed from different perspectives. First, the most widely used crystal growth models are discussed. Then, a variety of crystal morphology control methods, which include adjustment of crystallization operation parameters, addition of foreign molecules, change of different solvents, membrane assistance, the addition of external physical fields and the use of ball milling are summarized. As for applications, the control of crystal morphology has application potential in pharmaceutical and material fields, for example, energetic materials and semiconductor materials. Finally, the future development direction of crystal morphology regulation is discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Industrial Crystallization)
Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 1072 KiB  
Communication
Microstructure Dependence of Magnetic Properties for Al1.5Fe3Co3Cr1 Multi-Principal-Element Alloy
by Shaoheng Sun, Yaxia Qiao, Hao Zhang, Dejun Tu, Guojun Wang, Zhenhua Wang and Qing Wang
Metals 2024, 14(6), 608; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14060608 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
This study focuses on the microstructures and soft-magnetic properties of the Al1.5Fe3Co3Cr1 multi-principal-element alloy (MPEA) in different states. The MPEA was prepared using arc melting and suction-casting, followed by various heat treatments. The crystal structures were [...] Read more.
This study focuses on the microstructures and soft-magnetic properties of the Al1.5Fe3Co3Cr1 multi-principal-element alloy (MPEA) in different states. The MPEA was prepared using arc melting and suction-casting, followed by various heat treatments. The crystal structures were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), while the microstructures were characterized by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results reveal that the MPEA consists mainly of coherent body-centered cubic (BCC) and B2 phases, with a moderate lattice misfit (ε = 0.14~0.21%) between them. The homogenized alloy shows the presence of coarse equiaxed grains and micro-scale cells, and it has good soft-magnetic properties with MS = 127 emu/g and HC = 143.3 A/m (1.8 Oe). The thermal stability of the alloy is found to be optimal after aging at 873 K, as there are no significant changes in microstructures and soft-magnetic properties. However, when the aging temperature increases to 973 K, the BCC nanoprecipitates are coarsened, leading to a decrease in the soft-magnetic properties. Full article
31 pages, 2158 KiB  
Article
Smart Biosensor for Breast Cancer Survival Prediction Based on Multi-View Multi-Way Graph Learning
by Wenming Ma, Mingqi Li, Zihao Chu and Hao Chen
Sensors 2024, 24(11), 3289; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24113289 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Biosensors play a crucial role in detecting cancer signals by orchestrating a series of intricate biological and physical transduction processes. Among various cancers, breast cancer stands out due to its genetic underpinnings, which trigger uncontrolled cell proliferation, predominantly impacting women, and resulting in [...] Read more.
Biosensors play a crucial role in detecting cancer signals by orchestrating a series of intricate biological and physical transduction processes. Among various cancers, breast cancer stands out due to its genetic underpinnings, which trigger uncontrolled cell proliferation, predominantly impacting women, and resulting in significant mortality rates. The utilization of biosensors in predicting survival time becomes paramount in formulating an optimal treatment strategy. However, conventional biosensors employing traditional machine learning methods encounter challenges in preprocessing features for the learning task. Despite the potential of deep learning techniques to automatically extract useful features, they often struggle to effectively leverage the intricate relationships between features and instances. To address this challenge, our study proposes a novel smart biosensor architecture that integrates a multi-view multi-way graph learning (MVMWGL) approach for predicting breast cancer survival time. This innovative approach enables the assimilation of insights from gene interactions and biosensor similarities. By leveraging real-world data, we conducted comprehensive evaluations, and our experimental results unequivocally demonstrate the superiority of the MVMWGL approach over existing methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biosensors)
16 pages, 461 KiB  
Article
“Build Your Village”—Conducting the Village Test on Cognitively Impaired Patients: A First Journey into Alzheimerland
by Michelangelo Stanzani-Maserati, Maddalena De Matteis, Luca Bosco, Flavia Baccari, Corrado Zenesini, Micaela Mitolo, Chiara La Morgia, Roberto Gallassi and Sabina Capellari
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(6), 523; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14060523 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Background: This work aimed to study the Village Test (VT) in a group of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and compare the results with those of a group of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and controls. Methods: A total of 50 patients [...] Read more.
Background: This work aimed to study the Village Test (VT) in a group of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and compare the results with those of a group of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and controls. Methods: A total of 50 patients with AD, 28 patients with MCI, and 38 controls were evaluated. All participants underwent the VT and an extensive neuropsychological evaluation. Results: The mean ages of the participants were 74.4 years for those with AD, 74 for those with MCI, and 70.2 for the controls. The AD group built smaller and essential villages with a scarce use of pieces, a poor use of dynamic pieces, and scarce use of human figures. All constructions were often concentrated in the center of the table. Conclusions: The villages built by the AD group represent a cognitive and affective coarctation and indicate a sense of existential disorientation and isolation. The VT is a useful aid for getting in touch with the inner emotional and existential states of patients with AD, and it could represent a complementary screening tool for orienting cognitive impairment diagnoses. Full article
20 pages, 5979 KiB  
Article
New Branched Iron(III) Complexes in Fluorescent Environment Created by Carbazole Moieties: Synthesis and Structure, Static Magnetic and Resonance Properties
by Denis V. Starichenko, Valerya E. Vorobeva, Matvey S. Gruzdev, Ulyana V. Chervonova, Nataliya G. Bichan, Aleksander V. Korolev and Ivan V. Yatsyk
Magnetochemistry 2024, 10(6), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/magnetochemistry10060038 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
The branched complexes of Schiff bases with various iron(III) salts, named G2-[L2Fe]+A (A is NO3, Cl, PF6), were synthesized using the condensation reaction between carbazole derivatives of salicylic aldehyde [...] Read more.
The branched complexes of Schiff bases with various iron(III) salts, named G2-[L2Fe]+A (A is NO3, Cl, PF6), were synthesized using the condensation reaction between carbazole derivatives of salicylic aldehyde and N’-ethylethylenediamine and characterized by various spectroscopic methods (GPC, IR, 1H NMR, UV/Vis). The studies revealed that the coordination of the two ligand molecules to metal occurs through the nitrogen ions and oxygen atom of azomethine to form a homoleptic system. All the synthesized coordination compounds were examined for their thermal, optical, and magnetic features. Static magnetic measurements showed that only G2-[L2Fe]Cl was in a single-phase HS state, whereas the Fe(III) ions of G2-[L2Fe]NO3 and G2-[L2Fe]PF6 at room temperatures were in mixed low-spin (LS, S = 1/2) and high-spin (HS, S = 5/2) states: 58.9% LS/41.1% HS for G2-[L2Fe]NO3, 56.1% LS and 43.9% HS for G2-[L2Fe]PF6. All G2-[L2Fe]+A complexes demonstrate antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between neighboring Fe(III) ions. The ground spin state at 2.0 K revealed a Brillouin contribution from non-interacting LS ions and a proportion of the HS Fe(III) ions not participating in AFM interactions: 57%, 18%, and 16% for G2-[L2Fe]Cl, G2-[L2Fe]NO3 and G2-[L2Fe]PF6, respectively. EPR measurements confirmed the presence of magnetically active HS and LS states of Fe(III) ions and made it possible to distinguish two HS types-with strong low-symmetry (I-type) and weak, distorted octahedral environments (II-type). It was shown that G2-[L2Fe]+A complexes are magnetically inhomogeneous and consist of two magnetic sub-lattices: AFM-correlated chains in layers from the I-type HS Fe(III) centers and dynamic short-range AFM ordered LS/II-type HS Fe(III) centers in the paramagnetic phase located between the layers. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1084 KiB  
Article
Modeling and Control of Ejector-Based Hydrogen Circulation System for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Systems
by Zecheng Xu, Bo Liu, Yuqi Tong, Zuomin Dong and Yanbiao Feng
Energies 2024, 17(11), 2460; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17112460 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Ejector-based proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are of great interest due to their simplicity and feasibility. Thus, proton exchange membrane fuel cells are considered the most suitable technology for in-vehicle systems, industrial applications, etc. Despite the passive characteristics of the ejector, active [...] Read more.
Ejector-based proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are of great interest due to their simplicity and feasibility. Thus, proton exchange membrane fuel cells are considered the most suitable technology for in-vehicle systems, industrial applications, etc. Despite the passive characteristics of the ejector, active control of the hydrogen supply system is needed to ensure sufficient hydrogen, maintain the stack pressure, and ensure effective entrainment. In this research, a novel semi-empirical model is proposed to accurately predict the entrainment performance of the ejector with an 80 kW fuel cell system. According to the precise semi-empirical model, the hydrogen supply system and the anode channel are modeled. Then, a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) is developed to supply sufficient and adequate gas flow and maintain the rapid dynamic response. Compared to the conventional proportional–integral–derivative controller, the fuzzy logic controller could reduce the anode pressure variability by 5% during a stepped case and 2% during a dynamic case. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section A5: Hydrogen Energy)

Open Access Journals

Browse by Indexing Browse by Subject Selected Journals
Back to TopTop