Thermally characterizing high-thermal conductivity materials is challenging, especially considering high temperatures. However, the modeling of heat transfer processes requires specific material information. The present study addresses an inverse approach to estimate the thermal conductivity of SAE 1020 relative to temperature during an autogenous LASER Beam Welding (LBW) experiment. The temperature profile during LBW is computed with the aid of an in-house CUDA-C algorithm. Here, the governing three-dimensional heat diffusion equation is discretized through the Finite Volume Method (FVM) and solved using the Successive Over-Relaxation (SOR) parallelized iterative solver. With temperature information, one may employ a minimization procedure to assess thermal properties or process parameters. In this work, the Quadrilateral Optimization Method (QOM) is applied to perform estimations because it allows for the simultaneous optimization of variables with no quantity restriction and renders the assessment of parameters in unsteady states valid, thereby preventing the requirement for steady-state experiments. We extended QOM’s prior applicability to account for more parameters concurrently. In Case I, the optimization of the three parameters that compose the second-degree polynomial function model of thermal conductivity is performed. In Case II, the heat distribution model’s gross heat rate (Ω) is also estimated in addition to the previous parameters. Ω [W] quantifies the power the sample receives and is related to the process’s efficiency. The method’s suitability for estimating the parameters was confirmed by investigating the reduced sensitivity coefficients, while the method’s stability was corroborated by performing the estimates with noisy data. There is a good agreement between the reference and estimated values. Hence, this study introduces a proper methodology for estimating a temperature-dependent thermal property and an LBW parameter. As the performance of the present algorithm is increased using parallel computation, a pondered solution between estimation reliability and computational cost is achieved. Full article

Dengue virus (DENV) is a continuing global threat that puts half of the world’s population at risk for infection. This mosquito-transmitted virus is endemic in over 100 countries. When a mosquito takes a bloodmeal, virus is deposited into the epidermal and dermal layers of human skin, infecting a variety of permissive cells, including keratinocytes, Langerhans cells, macrophages, dermal dendritic cells, fibroblasts, and mast cells. In response to infection, the skin deploys an array of defense mechanisms to inhibit viral replication and prevent dissemination. Antimicrobial peptides, pattern recognition receptors, and cytokines induce a signaling cascade to increase transcription and translation of pro-inflammatory and antiviral genes. Paradoxically, this inflammatory environment recruits skin-resident mononuclear cells that become infected and migrate out of the skin, spreading virus throughout the host. The details of the viral–host interactions in the cutaneous microenvironment remain unclear, partly due to the limited body of research focusing on DENV in human skin. This review will summarize the functional role of human skin, the cutaneous innate immune response to DENV, the contribution of the arthropod vector, and the models used to study DENV interactions in the cutaneous environment. Full article

(1) Background: parenteral nutrition (PN) is indispensable for patients unable to receive oral or enteral feeding. However, the complexity of PN solutions presents challenges regarding stability and compatibility. Precipitation reactions may occur. The most frequent is the formation of calcium phosphate (Ca-P). The different factors influencing these reactions must be considered to ensure patient safety. (2) Methods: eight paediatric PN solutions were prepared, following standard protocols. Samples were stored at room temperature and in a refrigerator. Electron microscopy, coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), was employed. Precipitates were analysed for composition and morphology. (3) Results: precipitates were observed in all samples, even at day 0. Crystalline structures, predominantly composed of calcium or magnesium, sometimes associated with chlorine or phosphorus, were detected. Additionally, amorphous precipitates, contained heterogeneous compositions, including unexpected elements, were identified. (4) Conclusions: various precipitates, primarily calcium- or magnesium-based, can form in PN solutions, although it is not expected that they can form under the real conditions of use. Calcium oxalate precipitation has been characterised, but the use of organic calcium and phosphate salts appears to mitigate calcium phosphate precipitation. Electron microscopy provides interesting results on NP precipitation, but sample preparation may present technical limitations that affect the interpretation of the results. Full article

The purpose of this study was to identify the asymmetries between the dimensions of the upper limbs, in relation to manual laterality, of the athletes who practice team sports with a ball and those who practice other sports without a ball. We consider the fact that ball handling influences the development of anthropometric parameters at the level of the upper limbs and especially at the level of the hand in correlation with the execution technique and with the characteristics of the practiced sport. This study included 161 student-athletes, who were male and right-handed, divided into two groups: the group of athletes practicing ball sports (G_BS) with 79 (49%) subjects and the group of athletes practicing non-ball sports (G_NBS) with 82 (51%) subjects. The anthropometric measurements of the upper limbs were performed on both sides (right and left): upper limb length, hand length, palm length, hand breadth, hand span, pinky finger, ring finger, middle finger, index finger and thumb. The most relevant symmetries, between the two groups, were recorded in the following anthropometric parameters on the right side (recording the smallest average differences): ring finger 0.412 cm and thumb 0.526 cm; for the left side, they were the ring finger 0.379 cm and thumb 0.518 cm. The biggest asymmetries between the two groups were recorded, for both the right and left sides, for the following parameters: upper limb length > 6 cm; hand span > 2 cm; and hand length > 1 cm. For all the anthropometric parameters analyzed, the athletes from the ball sports group (G_BS) recorded higher average values than those from the other group (G_NBS) for both upper limbs. The results of this study reflect the fact that handling the ball over a long period of time, starting from the beginning of practicing the sport until the age of seniority, causes changes in the anthropometric dimensions of the upper segments, causing asymmetries between the dominant (right) and the non-dominant (left) side. Full article

This paper addresses the tracking control for an n-link flexible-joint robot system with full-state constraints and external disturbances. First, a nonlinear disturbance observer (NDO) is introduced to asymptotically estimate and suppress the influence of the related disturbances. Next, the constrained system under consideration is transformed into a new unconstrained system using state-dependent function (SDF) transformations. Subsequently, a NDO-based tracking controller that combines the backstepping method and filter technique is proposed in this work. Based on stability analysis, it can be proven that the tracking error converges to a predefined compact set, which can be arbitrarily small without violating the full-state constraints. Finally, simulation results are presented to demonstrate the validity of the suggested control algorithm. Full article

Because of serious concerns about global warming, manufacturers have started phasing out high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants in commercial refrigeration equipment (e.g., R-134a). As a potential replacement, propane (R-290) is an environmentally friendly refrigerant for commercial refrigeration equipment because its GWP is only three. However, propane is flammable and is therefore classified as a Class A3 refrigerant per ASHRAE Standards, so safety is a very important consideration when propane-based equipment is designed and deployed in buildings. In the event of a refrigerant leak, flammability of the refrigerant depends on the refrigerant’s local concentration, which is highly affected by the indoor air environment, including temperature and air flow. In this study, a ventilation system attached to a commercial R-290 refrigeration device was designed to eliminate the flammability risk. Moreover, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to investigate the refrigerant leak, thereby evaluating effects of the ventilation system. The CFD model can visualize the flammable zones owing to the leak. Full article

In order to address the issues of energy depletion, more resources are being searched for in the deep sea. Therefore, research into how the deep-sea environment affects cement-based materials for underwater infrastructure is required. This paper examines the impact of ocean depth (0, 500, 1000, and 1500 m) on the ion interaction processes in concrete nanopores using molecular dynamics simulations. At the portlandite interface, the local structural and kinetic characteristics of ions and water molecules are examined. The findings show that the portlandite surface hydrophilicity is unaffected by increasing depth. The density profile and coordination number of ions alter as depth increases, and the diffusion speed noticeably decreases. The main cause of the ions’ reduced diffusion velocity is expected to be the low temperature. This work offers a thorough understanding of the cement hydration products’ microstructure in deep sea, which may help explain why cement-based underwater infrastructure deteriorates over time. Full article

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by deficiency of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Although SMA is a genetic disease, environmental factors contribute to disease progression. Common pathogen components such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are considered significant contributors to inflammation and have been associated with muscle atrophy, which is considered a hallmark of SMA. In this study, we used the SMNΔ7 experimental mouse model of SMA to scrutinize the effect of systemic LPS administration, a strong pro-inflammatory stimulus, on disease outcome. Systemic LPS administration promoted a reduction in SMN expression levels in CNS, peripheral lymphoid organs, and skeletal muscles. Moreover, peripheral tissues were more vulnerable to LPS-induced damage compared to CNS tissues. Furthermore, systemic LPS administration resulted in a profound increase in microglia and astrocytes with reactive phenotypes in the CNS of SMNΔ7 mice. In conclusion, we hereby show for the first time that systemic LPS administration, although it may not precipitate alterations in terms of deficits of motor functions in a mouse model of SMA, it may, however, lead to a reduction in the SMN protein expression levels in the skeletal muscles and the CNS, thus promoting synapse damage and glial cells’ reactive phenotype. Full article

The aim of this study was to pharmacologically induce accommodative paralysis and evaluate its effects on the bioelectrical activity of the muscular system. The study included two participant groups: those with myopia and those with normal vision (emmetropes). Electromyographic assessments were performed using the Noraxon Ultium DTS 8-K MR 3 myo Muscle Master Edition system. The muscles analyzed in this study were the temporalis, masseter, sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, abdominal muscles, biceps brachii, and the external oblique muscles of the abdomen. It is important to acknowledge that, based on the current findings, it cannot be definitively stated that the observed effects have clinical significance, and additional studies are encouraged. Full article

Objective: To examine variations in end-of-life care for breast cancer, heart failure, and dementia patients. Data and methods: Data from four Norwegian health registries were linked using a personal identification number. Longitudinal trends over 365 days and the type of care on the final day of life were analyzed using descriptive techniques and logistic regression analysis. Results: Patients with dementia were more commonly placed in nursing homes than patients in the two other groups, while patients with heart failure and breast cancer were more frequently hospitalized than the dementia patients. Breast cancer and heart failure patients had a higher likelihood of dying at home than dementia patients. The higher the number of general practitioners, the higher was the probability of home-based end-of-life care for cancer patients, while an increasing non-physician healthcare workers increased the likelihood of home-based care for the other patient groups. Conclusions: Diagnoses, individual characteristics, and service availability are all associated with the place of death in end-of-life care. The higher the availability of health care services, the higher also is the probability of ending the life at home. Full article

Terahertz (THz) sensors have attracted great attention in the biological field due to their nondestructive and contact-free biochemical samples. Recently, the concept of a quasi-bound state in the continuum (QBIC) has gained significant attention in designing biosensors with ultrahigh sensitivity. QBIC-based metasurfaces (MSs) achieve excellent performance in various applications, including sensing, optical switching, and laser, providing a reliable platform for biomaterial sensors with terahertz radiation. In this study, a structure-engineered THz MS consisting of a “double C” array has been designed, in which an asymmetry parameter α is introduced into the structure by changing the length of one subunit; the Q-factor of the QBIC device can be optimized by engineering the asymmetry parameter α. Theoretical calculation with coupling equations can well reproduce the THz transmission spectra of the designed THz QBIC MS obtained from the numerical simulation. Experimentally, we adopt an MS with α = 0.44 for testing arginine molecules. The experimental results show that different concentrations of arginine molecules lead to significant transmission changes near QBIC resonant frequencies, and the amplitude change is shown to be 16 times higher than that of the classical dipole resonance. The direct limit of detection for arginine molecules on the QBIC MS reaches 0.36 ng/mL. This work provides a new way to realize rapid, accurate, and nondestructive sensing of trace molecules and has potential application in biomaterial detection. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized, in part, by the accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) in the brain. Aβ is produced via the proteolysis of APP by BACE1 and γ-secretase. Since BACE1 is the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of Aβ, and a target for therapeutics, it is of interest to know when its proteolytic function evolved and for what purpose. Here, we take a functional evolutionary approach to show that BACE1 likely evolved from a gene duplication event near the base of the animal clade and that BACE1 APP/Aβ proteolytic function evolved during early animal diversification, hundreds of millions of years before the evolution of the APP/Aβ substrate. Our examination of BACE1 APP/Aβ proteolytic function includes cnidarians, ctenophores, and choanoflagellates. The most basal BACE1 ortholog is found in cnidarians, while ctenophores, placozoa, and choanoflagellates have genes equally orthologous to BACE1 and BACE2. BACE1 from a cnidarian (Hydra) can cleave APP to release Aβ, pushing back the date of the origin of its function to near the origin of animals. We tested more divergent BACE1/2 genes from a ctenophore (Mnemiopsis) and a choanoflagellate (Monosiga), and neither has this activity. These findings indicate that the specific proteolytic function of BACE1 evolved during the very earliest diversification of animals, most likely after a gene-duplication event. Full article

Federated learning has been a hot topic in the field of artificial intelligence in recent years due to its distributed nature and emphasis on privacy protection. To better align with real-world scenarios, federated class incremental learning (FCIL) has emerged as a new research trend, but it faces challenges such as heterogeneous data, catastrophic forgetting, and inter-client interference. However, most existing methods enhance model performance at the expense of privacy, such as uploading prototypes or samples, which violates the basic principle of only transmitting models in federated learning. This paper presents a novel selective knowledge fusion (FedSKF) model to address data heterogeneity and inter-client interference without sacrificing any privacy. Specifically, this paper introduces a PIT (projection in turn) module on the server side to indirectly recover client data distribution information through optimal transport. Subsequently, to reduce inter-client interference, knowledge of the global model is selectively absorbed via knowledge distillation and an incomplete synchronization classifier at the client side, namely an SKS (selective knowledge synchronization) module. Furthermore, to mitigate global catastrophic forgetting, a global forgetting loss is proposed to distill knowledge from the old global model. Our framework can easily integrate various CIL methods, allowing it to adapt to application scenarios with varying privacy requirements. We conducted extensive experiments on CIFAR100 and Tiny-ImageNet datasets, and the performance of our method surpasses existing works. Full article

The winemaking process generates an annual global production of about 10 million tons of waste consisting of stalks, skin, and seeds. The possible reutilization of wine pomace is strictly linked to its chemical composition. In this preliminary study, three different Sardinian white grapes (Malvasia, Vermentino and Nasco) grown in the same area were evaluated through a whole wine production chain. To reduce environmental impact, all the grapes were treated following the integrated production practice (IPP) strategies. The adopted agronomic methods and the main physico-chemical parameters of the fresh fruits and musts were evaluated. A fully qualitative and quantitative characterization of the phenolic fraction of the pomace extracts was performed by HPLC-DAD after a post-winemaking process. Water and ethanol were utilized as green solvents in the extraction process. Additionally, the entire pomace post-winemaking process was carried out within the winery facilities to reduce energy loss and road transportation. The findings demonstrated that large amounts of beneficial polyphenols are present in pomace extracts, and that the type of grape used, agronomic practices, and winemaking method all influence the quantity and quality of the extracts. The polyphenol concentrations in the Vermentino (28,391.5 ± 7.0 mg/kg) and Malvasia pomace (11,316.3 ± 6.5 mg/kg) were found to be the highest and lowest, respectively. Full article

In the hybrid bonding process, the final stage of chemical mechanical polishing plays a critical role. It is essential to ensure that the copper surface is recessed slightly from the oxide surface. However, this recess can lead to the occurrence of interfacial voids between the bonded copper interfaces. To examine the effects of copper film thickness on bonding quality and bonding mechanisms in this study, artificial voids were intentionally introduced at the bonded interfaces at temperatures of 250 °C and 300 °C. The results revealed that as the thickness of the copper film increases, there is an increase in the bonding fraction and a decrease in the void fraction. The variations in void height with different copper film thicknesses were influenced by the bonding mechanism and bonding fraction. Full article

The intelligent Liver Function Testing (iLFT) pathway is a novel, algorithm-based system which provides automated laboratory investigations and clinical feedback on abnormal liver function test (LFT) results from primary care. iLFT was introduced to NHS Tayside, Scotland, in August 2018 in response to vast numbers of abnormal LFTs, many of which were not appropriately investigated, coupled with rising mortality from chronic liver disease. Here, we outline the development and implementation of the iLFT pathway, considering the implications for the diagnostic laboratories, primary care services and specialist hepatology clinics. Additionally, we describe the utility, outcomes and evolution of iLFT, which was used over 11,000 times in its first three years alone. Finally, we will consider the future of iLFT and propose areas where similar ‘intelligent’ approaches could be used to add value to laboratory investigations. Full article

This is a protocol for comprehensive analysis of gait and affecting factors in individuals with incomplete paraplegia due to spinal cord injury (SCI). A SCI is a devastating event affecting both sensory and motor functions. Due to better care, the SCI population is changing, with a greater proportion retaining impaired ambulatory function. Optimizing ambulatory function after SCI remains challenging. To investigate factors influencing optimal ambulation, a multi-professional research project was grounded with expertise from clinical rehabilitation, neurophysiology, and biomechanical engineering from Karolinska Institutet, the Spinalis Unit at Aleris Rehab Station (Sweden’s largest center for specialized neurorehabilitation), and the Promobilia MoveAbility Lab at KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Ambulatory adults with paraplegia will be consecutively invited to participate. Muscle strength, sensitivity, and spasticity will be assessed, and energy expenditure, 3D movements, and muscle function (EMG) during gait and submaximal contractions will be analyzed. Innovative computational modeling and data-driven analyses will be performed, including the identification of clusters of similar movement patterns among the heterogeneous population and analyses that study the link between complex sensorimotor function and movement performance. These results may help optimize ambulatory function for persons with SCI and decrease the risk of secondary conditions during gait with a life-long perspective. Full article

The purpose of the study is to assess the risk of developing general eating disorders (ED), anorexia nervosa (AN), and bulimia nervosa (BN), as well as to examine the effects of gender, academic year, place of residence, faculty, and diet quality on that risk. Over two academic years, 129 first- and fourth-year Uneatlántico students were included in an observational descriptive study. The self-administered tests SCOFF, EAT-26, and BITE were used to determine the participants’ risk of developing ED. The degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) was used to evaluate the quality of the diet. Data were collected at the beginning (T1) and at the end (T2) of the academic year. The main results were that at T1, 34.9% of participants were at risk of developing general ED, AN 3.9%, and BN 16.3%. At T2, these percentages were 37.2%, 14.7%, and 8.5%, respectively. At T2, the frequency of general ED in the female group was 2.5 times higher (OR: 2.55, 95% CI: 1.22–5.32, p = 0.012). The low-moderate adherence to the MD students’ group was 0.92 times less frequent than general ED at T2 (OR: 0.921, 95%CI: 0.385–2.20, p < 0.001). The most significant risk factor for developing ED is being a female in the first year of university. Moreover, it appears that the likelihood of developing ED generally increases during the academic year. Full article

Introduction: The choice of materials for covering plantar orthoses or wearable insoles is often based on their hardness, breathability, and moisture absorption capacity, although more due to professional preference than clear scientific criteria. An analysis of the thermal response to the use of these materials would provide information about their behavior; hence, the objective of this study was to assess the temperature of three lining materials with different characteristics. Materials and Methods: The temperature of three materials for covering plantar orthoses was analyzed in a sample of 36 subjects (15 men and 21 women, aged 24.6 ± 8.2 years, mass 67.1 ± 13.6 kg, and height 1.7 ± 0.09 m). Temperature was measured before and after 3 h of use in clinical activities, using a polyethylene foam copolymer (PE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and PE-EVA copolymer foam insole with the use of a FLIR E60BX thermal camera. Results: In the PE copolymer (material 1), temperature increases between 1.07 and 1.85 °C were found after activity, with these differences being statistically significant in all regions of interest (p < 0.001), except for the first toe (0.36 °C, p = 0.170). In the EVA foam (material 2) and the expansive foam of the PE-EVA copolymer (material 3), the temperatures were also significantly higher in all analyzed areas (p < 0.001), ranging between 1.49 and 2.73 °C for EVA and 0.58 and 2.16 °C for PE-EVA. The PE copolymer experienced lower overall overheating, and the area of the fifth metatarsal head underwent the greatest temperature increase, regardless of the material analyzed. Conclusions: PE foam lining materials, with lower density or an open-cell structure, would be preferred for controlling temperature rise in the lining/footbed interface and providing better thermal comfort for users. The area of the first toe was found to be the least overheated, while the fifth metatarsal head increased the most in temperature. This should be considered in the design of new wearables to avoid excessive temperatures due to the lining materials. Full article

Ibrutinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor with a broad spectrum of action, has been successfully explored to treat hematological and solid cancers. Herein, we investigated the anti-cancer effect of Ibrutinib on melanoma cell lines. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay. Apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cell proliferation, and cell cycle stages were determined by flow cytometry. LDH release and Caspase 3/7 activity were determined by colorimetric and luminescent assays, respectively. Cell migration was evaluated by wound scratch assay. Gene expression was determined by real-time PCR. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of melanoma clinical samples was performed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). MTT assays showed that Ibrutinib is toxic for MeWo, SK-MEL-28, and WM164 cells. The annexin V/PI staining, Caspase 3/7 activity, and LDH release in MeWo cells revealed that apoptosis is the primary mechanism of death caused by Ibrutinib. Corroborating such observation, we identified that Ibrutinib treatment impairs the mitochondrial membrane potential of such cells and significantly increases the transcriptional levels of the pro-apoptotic factors ATM, HRK, BAX, BAK, CASP3, and CASP8. Furthermore, Ibrutinib showed antimetastatic potential by inhibiting the migration of MeWo cells. Finally, we performed a functional enrichment analysis and identified that the differential expression of Ibrutinib-target molecules is associated with enrichment of apoptosis and necrosis pathways in melanoma samples. Taken together, our results clearly suggest that Ibrutinib can be successfully explored as an effective therapeutic approach for melanomas. Full article

A concise synthesis of the sex pheromones of elm spanworm as well as painted apple moth has been achieved. The key steps were the alkylation of acetylide ion, Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation and Brown’s P2-Ni reduction. This approach provided the sex pheromone of the elm spanworm (1) in 31% total yield and those of the painted apple moth (2, 3) in 26% and 32% total yields. The ee values of three final products were up to 99%. The synthesized pheromones hold promising potential for use in the management and control of these pests. Full article

Pure Bi₇Fe₃Ti₃O₂₁ ceramic material and gadolinium ion (Gd³⁺)-doped ones were prepared by solid-state reaction method using simple oxides. The findings of the XRD measurements confirmed the initial author’s assumption that the dopant ions substituted in perovskite blocks influenced the dimensions of the unit cell parameters. All obtained materials are single-phase and show an orthorhombic structure with the Fm2m space group. Microstructure studies show that the admixture gadolinium doping changes the microstructure of the base material, changing grain shapes from plate-like to rounded. The temperature dependences of the electric permittivity have shown the existence of a maximum, the temperature location of which depends on both the frequency and the concentration of Gd³⁺ ions. The highest values of electric permittivity were characteristic of the material with an admixture of Gd³⁺ ions in the amount of x = 0.6 (f = 1 kHz), and the lowest values were for material with x = 0.2 (f = 1 kHz). Studies of the magnetoelectric effect have shown that the strongest coupling between magnetic and electrical properties was demonstrated by a material doped with Ga³⁺ ions in the amount of x = 0.2, for which the magnetoelectric coupling coefficient is equal to α = 12.58·10⁻⁹ s/m. Full article