P2X7 is an ATP-activated purinergic receptor implicated in pro-inflammatory responses. It is associated with the development of several diseases, including inflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions. Although several P2X7 receptor antagonists have recently been reported in the literature, none of them is approved for clinical use. However, the structure of the known antagonists can serve as a scaffold for discovering effective compounds in clinical therapy. This study aimed to propose an improved virtual screening methodology for the identification of novel potential P2X7 receptor antagonists from natural products through the combination of shape-based and docking approaches. First, a shape-based screening was performed based on the structure of JNJ-47965567, a P2X7 antagonist, using two natural product compound databases, MEGx (~5.8 × 10³ compounds) and NATx (~32 × 10³ compounds). Then, the compounds selected by the proposed shape-based model, with Shape–Tanimoto score values ranging between 0.624 and 0.799, were filtered for drug-like properties. Finally, the compounds that met the drug-like filter criteria were docked into the P2X7 allosteric binding site, using the docking programs GOLD and DockThor. The docking poses with the best score values were submitted to careful visual inspection of the P2X7 allosteric binding site. Based on our established visual inspection criteria, four compounds from the MEGx database and four from the NATx database were finally selected as potential P2X7 receptor antagonists. The selected compounds are structurally different from known P2X7 antagonists, have drug-like properties, and are predicted to interact with key P2X7 allosteric binding pocket residues, including F88, F92, F95, F103, M105, F108, Y295, Y298, and I310. Therefore, the combination of shape-based screening and docking approaches proposed in our study has proven useful in selecting potential novel P2X7 antagonist candidates from natural-product-derived compounds databases. This approach could also be useful for selecting potential inhibitors/antagonists of other receptors and/or biological targets. Full article

Rain gardens are used to solve urban problems related to the negative impact of stormwater. (1) Scientific contributions from different countries provide general guidelines for the design and operation of rain gardens in different geographical areas. Given the small spatial scale of rain gardens, the use of existing infiltration models often leads to design errors. (2) The purpose of this paper is to develop a hydrological model by introducing a system of equations that extends the ability to calculate the rate, flow rate and time of saturation of layers with moisture and rainwater leakage from the rain garden system. (3) The results obtained allow us to describe the dynamic processes of passage and saturation of layers of the rain garden at a certain point in time, which extends the ability to calculate the flow rate. It was established that the smaller the area of the rain garden compared to the area of the catchment basin, the faster it reaches its full saturation. Increasing the thickness of the rain garden layers allows for an increase in the efficiency of water retention at a lower value of the area ratio. (4) The practical significance of the results obtained is especially important for the correct description of hydrodynamics in the system and determining the optimal conditions for the effective functioning and management of the rain garden structure for any climatic region. Full article

Urban floods caused by extreme rainstorm events have increased in recent decades, particularly in concave-down bridge zones. To simulate urban flooding processes accurately, an integrated urban flood model (IUFM) was constructed by coupling a distributed urban surface runoff model based on the cellular automata framework (CA-DUSRM), a widely used pipe convergence module in the storm water management model (SWMM), with an inundation module that describes the overflow expansion process associated with terrain and land-cover. The IUFM was used in a case study of the Anhua Bridge (a typical concave-down overpass) study area in Beijing, China. The spatial-temporal variations in flood depth modeled by the IUFM were verified to be reliable by comparison with actual measurements and other simulations. The validated IUFM was used to obtain temporal variations in flood range, depth, and volume under four rainstorm scenarios (return periods of 3-year, 10-year, 50-year, and 100-year). The results showed that the surface runoff process, overflow from drainage networks, and overflow expansion process could affect the flooding status by changing the composition and spatial configuration of pervious or impervious patches, drainage capacity, and underlying surface characteristics (such as terrain and land-cover). Overall, although the simulation results from the IUFM contain uncertainties from the model structures and inputs, the IUFM is an effective tool that can provide accurate and timely information to prevent and control urban flood disasters and provide decision-making support for long-term storm water management and sponge city construction. Full article

This research emphasizes a meta-heuristic modified ant lion optimizer (MALO) optimization approach for the simultaneous utilization of DSTATCOM devices and distributed photovoltaic (PV) sources with network reconfiguration in a radial power distribution scheme. In a radial power distribution network with network reconfiguration, the majority of the research is based on constant power model analysis. However, it is noticed that load models have a substantial impact on the distributed PV sources and the DSTATCOM device’s optimal size and position. The effect of the constant power (CP) and polynomial (ZIP) with load growth load models for the simultaneous insertion of distributed PV sources and DSTATCOM devices with network reconfiguration is examined in this research work for power system planning. The penetration levels of distributed PV sources considered for the investigation are 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. The principal objective of this research is to reduce network total power losses, enhance the voltage magnitude profile at all buses, and reduce the overall operating cost while adhering to equality and inequality constraints. The proposed algorithm is verified on 118-node test systems. The investigation is carried out for planning network upgrading to a high-voltage distribution system (HVDS) on 317 nodes in the rural Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) radial distribution scheme. The simulated results obtained with this method are validated with the BAT algorithm and techniques available in the literature. It is observed that in the IEEE 118-bus system, via the simultaneous placement and sizing of PV sources considering a 25% penetration level and DSTATCOM devices during network reconfiguration, the total power loss reduction is 41.47% and 42.98% for the constant power model and ZIP with the load growth model. For the 317-bus system, the total power loss reduction observed for 11 kV is 49.77% and 59.34% for the constant power model and ZIP model with load growth. Similarly, for the 22 kV system, the power loss reduction observed is 51.69% and 55.75% for the constant power model and ZIP with the load growth model. Full article

The organizational effectiveness of nonprofit organizations (NPOs) has received considerable attention from the scientific research community and society. Nonprofit scholars call for more empirical research that tests existing theories and develops multidimensional frameworks at the organizational level, with a focus on actual management practices. Previous studies have suggested that a broad set of management practices at the program and organizational levels have positive implications for the perceived effectiveness of NPOs. This study evaluates and refines a conceptual model of the antecedents of organizational effectiveness and validates its applicability in the context of charitable foundations established by corporations. Based on survey data from their executive leaders, this study’s empirical findings suggest that perceived organizational effectiveness is less affected by a broad set of management practices and is driven by a few selected best practices that focus on specific stakeholder groups (i.e., experts). Moreover, the results show that certain organizational characteristics, such as organizational experience, can strengthen the perceived effectiveness of charitable foundations. Overall, the results of this study may help nonprofit executive leaders to better understand that a careful selection and implementation of specific practices might be more beneficial for an organization’s effectiveness than an extensive list of practices. Moreover, this study contributes on a broader theoretical level to the study of multidimensional frameworks as a suitable measure for identifying key antecedents of leader-perceived organizational effectiveness across different types of NPOs. Full article

MEK inhibitors (MEKi) represent innovative and promising treatments for managing manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). To mitigate potential ophthalmic side effects, such as MEKi-associated retinopathy (MEKAR), patients undergoing MEKi therapy routinely receive ophthalmology evaluations. Our study aims to assess the necessity of this regular screening within a predominantly pediatric NF1 population by examining the occurrence of ocular adverse events (OAE). A retrospective study evaluated 45 NF1 patients receiving MEKi. Inclusion criteria included baseline and follow-up examinations following the initiation of MEKi therapy. At each assessment, a comprehensive eye evaluation was performed, comprising a dilated fundus examination, ocular coherence tomography of the macula and nerve fiber layer, and Humphrey visual field testing. Twenty-six patients, with an average age of 13 years (range 2–23 years) and an average follow-up duration of 413 days were included in the analysis. Three different MEKi were used: selumetinib (77%), trametinib (23%), and mirdametinib (4%). None of the patients experienced retinopathy at any point during the study. Some patients had pre-existing optic neuropathies (27%), but no instances of nerve changes occurred after commencing MEKi therapy. Four patients (15%) exhibited symptoms of dry eye, all of which were effectively managed with topical lubrication. Full article

In the study of English denominal adjectives, scholarly attention has predominantly centred on those with Latinate suffixes (e.g., -al, -ary, and -ic/-ical), which are well-known as relational adjectives (RAdjs) and are extensively scrutinised in the existing literature. Conversely, those with English native suffixes (e.g., -en, -ern, -y, and -ed) have not undergone thorough examination to date. In the present study, I delve specifically into denominal adjectives with the suffix -ed (-ed Adjs), such as bearded, long-tailed, and shirt-sleeved. I present a novel basic picture of these adjectives, setting forth the following two central propositions: (i) -ed Adjs are a type of RAdj and (ii) undergo conversion to qualitative adjectives (QAdjs) (e.g., bearded man vs. bearded rock) akin to the better-known Latinate RAdjs (e.g., grammatical error vs. grammatical sentence). The analysis is conducted by examining suffixal etymology (i.e., Latinate or Germanic), suffixal properties (i.e., all-purpose or dedicated), and the driving factor for QAdj-forming conversion (i.e., the modal attribute true). These propositions and analyses collectively enrich our comprehensive understanding of the semantic and morphosyntactic properties of -ed Adjs within the realm of English morphology. Full article

Background: Additive manufacturing (AM) for patient-specific medical care products offers great opportunities. However, evidence about the supply chain (SC) performance impact based on empirical data is limited. Methods: In this case study, we gathered real-life data about a traditional manufacturing orthopedic shoe SC and developed future scenarios in which AM is introduced at various points and with different degrees of penetration in the SC. Results: Presently, AM can only replace traditional manufacturing of tools and shoe components at a higher total cost. However, with maturing technology, the complete AM production of orthopedic shoes is expected to become feasible. Theoretically, that could disrupt existing SCs, eliminating 70% of the SC steps, improving SC lead time by 90%, and altering SC relations. However, certain thresholds currently prevent disruption. Specifically, the AM of complete orthopedic shoes has to become possible, manufacturing prices have to drop, and traditional craftsmanship has to be integrated into the digital product design. Conclusions: A framework for transition pathways, including directions for future research, is formed. Findings provide valuable insights for scholars and decision makers in the patient-specific products industry, health insurance providers, and healthcare policy makers to be better prepared by adjusting SC designs, relationships, and remuneration programs while AM technology develops towards maturity. Full article

We studied some fibrotic aspects of chronic interstitial pneumonitis in the lungs of dogs infected with Leishmania infantum. The lungs of eleven naturally infected dogs, twelve experimentally infected with two distinct strains of L. infantum (BH401 and BH46), and six uninfected (controls) dogs, were analyzed by histological, parasitological, and immunohistochemical studies. Conventional histology (HE), collagen deposition (Gomori’s silver staining for reticulin collagen fibers), and immunohistochemistry for myofibroblast characterization were carried out based on the cellular expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin, vimentin, cytokeratin, E-cadherin, snail antigen homologue 1 (SNAI1) (Snail), and the cytokine expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). Parasitological screening was carried out using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the immunohistochemical reaction of streptavidin–peroxidase for visualizing Leishmania amastigotes. Dogs naturally infected with L. infantum and experimentally infected with L. infantum BH401 strains showed intense interstitial pneumonitis characterized by thickening of the alveolar septa as a consequence of an intense diffuse and focal (plaques) chronic exudate of mononuclear cells associated with fibrogenesis. The expression of alpha-actin, vimentin, and TGF-β was higher in the lung interstitium of all infected dogs than in the other two groups (BH46 strain and controls). Moreover, in both the naturally and experimentally infected dog (BH401 strain) groups, the expression of Snail was moderate to intense in contrast to the other groups. Based on these immunohistochemical results, we concluded that mesenchymal cells are active in promoting changes in the extracellular matrix in the lungs of dogs naturally and experimentally infected with L. infantum, but it depends on the virulence of the parasite. Full article

While digital twins (DTs) have recently gained prominence as a viable option for creating reliable asset representations, many existing frameworks and architectures in the literature involve the integration of different technologies and paradigms, including the Internet of Things (IoTs), data modeling, and machine learning (ML). This complexity requires the orchestration of these different technologies, often resulting in subsystems and composition frameworks that are difficult to seamlessly align. In this paper, we present a scalable compositional framework designed for the development of a DT-based production management system (PMS) with advanced production monitoring capabilities. The conducted approach used to design the compositional framework utilizes the Factory Design and Improvement (FDI) methodology. Furthermore, the validation of our proposed framework is illustrated through a case study conducted in a phosphate screening station within the context of the mining industry. Full article

This study is based on the need to improve packaging sustainability in the food industry. Its aim was to assess the performance of a recyclable plastic material for semi-hard sheep’s cheese wedges packaging as an alternative to conventional non-sustainable plastic materials. Four different packaging treatments (air, vacuum, and CO₂/N₂ gas mixtures 50/50 and 80/20% (v/v)) were studied. Changes in gas headspace composition, sensory properties, cheese gross composition, weight loss, pH, colour, and texture profile were investigated at 5 ± 1 °C storage for 56 days. The sensory analysis indicated that vacuum packaging scored the worst in paste appearance and holes, and air atmosphere the worst in flavour; it was concluded that cheeses were unfit from day 14–21 onwards. Air and vacuum packaging were responsible for most of the significant changes identified in the texture profile analysis, and most of these happened in the early stages of storage. The colour parameters a* and b* differentiated the air packaging from the rest of the conditions. As in previous studies using conventional plastic materials, modified atmosphere packaging, either CO₂/N₂ 50/50 or 80/20% (v/v), was the most effective preserving technique to ensure the quality of this type of cheese when comparing air and vacuum packaging treatments. Full article

Background: Pirfenidone and Nintedanib have significantly improved the prognosis of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), reducing mortality risk and exacerbations. This study aimed to analyze antifibrotic treatment utilization and its association with clinical outcomes (i.e., acute exacerbation or death) during 2014–2021 in newly diagnosed IPF patients, using Healthcare Utilization Databases of the Marche Region, Italy. Methods: The first 12-month adherence to antifibrotic was estimated using the Proportion of Days Covered (PDC), defining adherence as PDC ≥ 75%. State Sequence Analysis over the initial 52 weeks of treatment was used to identify adherence patterns. The role of adherence patterns on acute exacerbations/death, adjusted by demographic, clinical features, and monthly adherence after the 52-week period (time-dependent variable), was assessed with Cox regression. Results: Among 667 new IPF cases, 296 received antifibrotic prescriptions, with 62.8% being adherent in the first year. Three antifibrotic utilization patterns emerged—high adherence (37.2%), medium adherence (42.5%), and low adherence (20.3%)—with median PDCs of 95.3%, 79.5%, and 18.6%, respectively. These patterns did not directly influence three-year mortality/exacerbation probability, but sustained adherence reduced risk over time. Conclusions: Good adherence was observed in in this population-based study, emphasizing the importance of continuous antifibrotics therapy over time to mitigate adverse outcomes. Full article

This essay reads a short narrative, “Savoir” by Hélène Cixous, to describe susceptibility as a problem organized around two lines of impingement: between subject and world and between consciousness and the wayward impulses of interior life. The young girl in Cixous’s text suffers a moment of disorientation and distress one misty morning and, against presumptions of inviolability and ideals of subjective consistency, this unhappy event comes to resonate with her disappointed trust in the generosity of the world, her anxious sense of betrayal with respect to those who ought to protect her and her insecurity about her own role in this complex of associations. The frame of susceptibility thus opens up a space for Cixous’s reader and this essay to think the subject in her inconsistency and self-strangeness. Full article

Understanding pedestrian perceptions and attitudes is crucial for promoting walking as a daily transportation mode for sustainable mobility and the effective development of smart cities. Pedestrian preferences, shaped by factors such as age, gender, and urban infrastructure, play a pivotal role in travel behaviors. Based on a survey study, this paper examines the impact of individual and urban factors on pedestrian perceptions and attitudes towards walking in the cities of Bologna and Porto. Results reveal that individuals generally value short, safe, and green walking routes, appreciating walking for physical activity, cost savings, and time efficiency. Disliked aspects include adverse weather conditions and walking on inadequate sidewalks. Through carrying out Chi-square statistical analysis tests, a variety of significant correlations between individual and urban variables have been revealed on what people like or dislike about walking. For instance, males, young individuals, and students were more likely to prefer short pedestrian routes, while adults and seniors favored safe and green routes. These findings can assist urban planners in identifying factors that make walking both convenient and enjoyable and in supporting sustainable urban mobility policies. Full article

In this paper, a W-band waveguide bandpass filter with a standard fourth-order Chebyshev response is proposed based on the computer numerical control (CNC)-milling technology. The harmonics-staggered technique and orthogonal coupling method are incorporated into this waveguide filter design without increasing the complexity of the filter structure in order to suppress the intrinsic spurious responses near the passband. Furthermore, the proposed filter design maintains a simple construction, which can be conveniently fabricated using CNC milling. The fabricated waveguide filter exhibits an average insertion loss of 0.9 dB and a return loss of above 20 dB in a 3 dB fractional bandwidth (FBW) of 5.5% centered at 85 GHz. The excellent spurious suppression property can reach better than −25 dB up to 165 GHz. The wide stopband performance of the proposed W-band filter is very competitive compared with the reported waveguide filters. Full article

In this study, we have investigated the effects of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide (TP) on the pasting, rheological, structural and in vitro digestive properties of Cyperus esculentus starch (CS). The results showed that the addition of TP significantly changed the pasting characteristics of CS, increased the pasting temperature and pasting viscosity, inhibited pasting, reduced the exudation of straight-chain starch and was positively correlated with the amount of TP added. The addition of the appropriate amount of TP could increase its apparent viscosity and enhance its viscoelasticity. The composite system of CS/TP exhibited higher short-range ordered structure and solid dense structure, which protected the crystal structure of CS, but was related to the amount of TP added. In addition, the introduction of TP not only decreased the in vitro digestion rate of CS and increased the content of slow-digestible starch (SDS) and resistant starch (RS), but also reduced the degree of digestion. Correlation studies established that TP could improve the viscoelasticity, relative crystallinity and short-range order of the CS/TP composite gel, maintain the integrity of the starch granule and crystalline structure, reduce the degree of starch pasting and strengthen the gel network structure of CS, which could help to lower the digestibility of CS. Full article

Background: The recovery model assumes that the patient can experience personal growth even while maintaining symptoms of a mental disorder. In order to achieve this recovery, the practices of professionals must also change. However, in our setting, there are limited data on the implementation of practices based on the recovery model and their effect on personal recovery. Objective: To describe the association between professionals’ practices and patients’ personal recovery. Methods: An observational and cross-sectional study in which the Recovery Self-Assessment (RSA) was used to assess the degree of implementation of the different practices and the Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS) was used to assess the personal recovery of 307 patients with severe mental disorders. Results: Patients attended by professionals who followed the recovery model obtained a greater personal recovery (p < 0.001, d = 1.10). The dimension associated with greater recovery was that of working toward life goals. The least implemented dimensions had to do with offering treatment options and patient participation in decision-making. This study was conducted in accordance with STROBE (STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology). Conclusions: Although this is a cross-sectional study that does not allow us to establish causal relationships, it shows that the model with which mental health professionals work is associated with patients’ chances of recovery. We therefore consider that it is important to foster the implementation of practices based on the recovery model within mental health care. Full article

Terraces, farmlands built along hillside contours, are common anthropogenically designed landscapes. Terraces control soil and water loss and improve land productivity; therefore, obtaining their spatial distribution is necessary for soil and water conservation and agricultural production. Spatial information of large-scale terraces can be obtained using satellite images and through deep learning. However, when extracting terraces, accurately segmenting the boundaries of terraces and identifying small terraces in diverse scenarios continues to be challenging. To solve this problem, we combined two deep learning modules, ANB-LN and DFB, to produce a new deep learning framework (NLDF-Net) for terrace extraction using remote sensing images. The model first extracted the features of the terraces through the coding area to obtain abstract semantic features, and then gradually recovered the original size through the decoding area using feature fusion. In addition, we constructed a terrace dataset (the HRT-set) for Guangdong Province and conducted a series of comparative experiments on this dataset using the new framework. The experimental results show that our framework had the best extraction effect compared to those of other deep learning methods. This framework provides a method and reference for extracting ground objects using remote sensing images. Full article

We report the case of a 61-year-old woman who was referred to the Oral Surgery and Implantology Unit of the University Hospitals of Geneva to take care of edentulous sites after the dental avulsions of teeth 11 and 21 following traumatic shock due to endotracheal intubation under general anesthesia. The dental history revealed that the patient had a history of generalized chronic periodontitis that had been treated several years earlier. The treatment consisted, for the first time to our knowledge, of the immediate insertion of implants at sites 11 and 21 with simultaneous bone augmentation in a single surgical procedure and immediate restorations. Full article

The determination of illegal drugs and psychoactive substances in wastewater is increasingly being used to monitor the use of both by populations in specific areas. This article describes a method for the simultaneous determination of 78 illegal drugs and psychoactive substances in wastewater using direct-injection ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). This method includes the analysis of stimulants, opioids, antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, anti-anxiety drugs, and hallucinogens. The method was validated in terms of the selectivity, calibration range, recovery, matrix effects, accuracy, precision, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ). The correlation coefficients were higher than 0.99 for all analytes, and the calibration range was from 0.2 to 500 ng/L. The LOD and LOQ of this method were 0.1–1 ng/L and 0.2–5 ng/L, respectively. The intra- and inter-day precisions were <9.3% and 11.4%, respectively, and the recovery ranged from 81.3% to 117.7%. The method was applied to real domestic wastewater collected from wastewater treatment plants, and the results showed that morphine, codeine, and ephedrine were detected in all samples. Some samples also contained other illegal drugs and psychoactive substances (such as etomidate, methamphetamine, ketamine, and tramadol). This indicates that the direct-injection UHPLC-MS/MS method can be used for the rapid determination of illegal drugs and psychoactive substances in wastewater. Full article

To support the bankability of PV projects, PV manufacturers have been offering some of the longest warranties in the world, typically in the range of 25–30 years. During the warranty period, PV manufacturers guarantee that the degradation of PV modules will not exceed 0.4–0.6% each year, or the buyer can at any time make a claim to the manufacturer for replacement or compensation for the shortfall. Due to PV popularity, the performance warranty terms have become more and more competitive each year. However, long-term PV operating data are very limited, and the bankruptcy of PV manufacturers has been quite common. Without a proper methodology to assess the adequacy of the warranty fund (WF) reserves of PV manufacturers, the 25-year performance warranty can reflect an empty promise. To ensure sustainable development of the PV industry, this study develops a probability-weighted expected value method to determine the necessary WF reserve based on benchmark field degradation data and a prevailing degradation cap of 0.55% per year. The simulation results show that, unless the manufacturer’s degradation pattern is significantly better than the benchmark degradation profile, 1.302% of the sales value is required for the WF reserve. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that provides WF reserve requirement estimation for 25-year PV performance warranties. The results will provide transparency for PV investors and motivation for PV manufacturers to engage in continuous quality improvement, as all such achievements can now be reflected in the annual report results of manufacturers. Full article

This experimental study investigates the damage effects of nanosecond pulse laser irradiation on silicon solar cells. It encompasses the analysis of transient pulse signal waveform characteristics at the cells’ output and changes in electrical parameters, such as I–V curves before and after laser irradiation under varying laser fluence and background light intensities, and explores the underlying action mechanisms of laser irradiation. The study reveals that as the laser fluence increases up to 4.0 J/cm², the peak value of the transient pulse signal increases by 47.5%, while the pulse width augments by 88.2% compared to the initial transient pulse signal. Furthermore, certain parameters, such as open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, and peak power obtained, from the measured I–V curve indicate a threshold laser fluence for functional degradation of the solar cell at approximately 1.18 ± 0.42 J/cm². Results obtained from laser irradiation under different background light intensities underscore the significant influence of background light on laser irradiation of silicon cells, with the most severe damage occurring in the absence of light. Moreover, findings from laser irradiation at multiple locations on the silicon cell demonstrate a linear decrease in the output voltage of the silicon cell with an increase in the number of irradiation points. Full article