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5 pages, 1695 KiB  
Case Report
Intratarsal Keratinous Cyst Clinically Misdiagnosed as a Chalazion
by John Lennon Silva Cunha, Clenia E. S. Andrade, Fernando A. P. da Cunha Filho, Alexandre R. da Paz, Manuel A. Gordón-Núñez, Pollianna M. Alves and Cassiano F. W. Nonaka
Dermatopathology 2024, 11(2), 142-146; https://doi.org/10.3390/dermatopathology11020014 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
The intratarsal keratinous cyst (IKC) is a recently described entity, often clinically misdiagnosed as a chalazion. We report a case of a 61-year-old male patient with a chief complaint of a small lesion on the upper eyelid that evolved over six months. On [...] Read more.
The intratarsal keratinous cyst (IKC) is a recently described entity, often clinically misdiagnosed as a chalazion. We report a case of a 61-year-old male patient with a chief complaint of a small lesion on the upper eyelid that evolved over six months. On physical examination, an asymptomatic, firm nodule was identified on the left upper eyelid. The patient reported no history of trauma. A provisional diagnosis of chalazion was established, and an excisional biopsy was performed. Histopathologically, the lesion was lined with a stratified squamous epithelium, with a corrugated epithelial surface showing abrupt keratinization without keratohyalin granules, and compact keratinous-appearing material in the cystic lumen. The diagnosis was IKC. No signs of recurrence were observed after one year of follow-up. It is essential to accurately diagnose IKC and distinguish it from chalazion and epidermal inclusion cysts, because IKC requires complete surgical excision and can exhibit multiple recurrences if not properly removed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Educational Case Reports in Dermatopathology)
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16 pages, 1963 KiB  
Article
A Two-Dimensional Liquid Sloshing Analysis in a Partially Filled Complicated-Shape Tank by the Schwarz–Christoffel Transformation
by Jing Lü, Xiaolong Zhu and Yang Yu
Acoustics 2024, 6(2), 346-361; https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics6020018 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
The nonlinear sloshing of an incompressible fluid with irrotational flow in a complicated-shape tank due to horizontal excitation is studied with a semi-analytical method proposed in this study. In this method, the velocity potential function of a liquid in a complicated-shape tank is [...] Read more.
The nonlinear sloshing of an incompressible fluid with irrotational flow in a complicated-shape tank due to horizontal excitation is studied with a semi-analytical method proposed in this study. In this method, the velocity potential function of a liquid in a complicated-shape tank is estimated by using an approximate analytical transformation function from a complicated-shape region to a rectangular region. This function is obtained through Schwarz–Christoffel mapping and polynomial fitting. Nonlinear dynamic equations for the fluid–structure coupled system are developed based on the Hamilton–Ostrogradskiy principle. Nonlinear kinematic equations for the fluid–structure coupled system are derived based on the relationship between the liquid velocity and the free-surface equation. The Galerkin method is used to convert partial differential equations into ordinary differential equations. When tank movement is given, nonlinear models for the coupled system can be reduced to simple ones for liquid sloshing. Natural frequencies for the coupled system and liquid sloshing are analyzed, and the semi-analytical results agree with the numerical ones calculated with the software DampSlosh. Hydrodynamic forces and moments are also analyzed, and the semi-analytical results agree well with the numerical ones calculated with the Flow3D v10.1.1. Full article
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16 pages, 6450 KiB  
Communication
Mechanical Faults Analysis in Switched Reluctance Motor
by Jakub Lorencki and Stanisław Radkowski
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 3452; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14083452 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
The switched reluctance motor (SRM) is an electric motor that can function effectively in challenging operating conditions thanks to its sturdy construction and resilience to external factors. Despite somewhat weaker parameters in terms of energy and power density compared to other types of [...] Read more.
The switched reluctance motor (SRM) is an electric motor that can function effectively in challenging operating conditions thanks to its sturdy construction and resilience to external factors. Despite somewhat weaker parameters in terms of energy and power density compared to other types of electric motors, the SRM is recommended for applications such as the military, mining, industry, and other locations where the reliability of vehicle drive is essential. Therefore, monitoring the motor’s operating state and identifying the fault’s condition while it is still in the beginning phase is crucial. The paper presents SRM diagnostic methods and the authors’ research on the test stand. The examined faults were dynamic eccentricity and imbalance. Experiments were performed for various rotational speeds and loads. The analysis of the results consisted of the interpretation of the current and acceleration spectra acquired from proper sensors. The spectra bands are compared in terms of their amplitudes and frequency values. These results show the nonlinear characteristics of the motor’s operation, and interpretation of these results allows for estimating the impact of a fault parameter on a motor’s performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Transportation and Future Mobility)
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22 pages, 3982 KiB  
Article
Short-Interval, High-Severity Wildfire Depletes Diversity of Both Extant Vegetation and Soil Seed Banks in Fire-Tolerant Eucalypt Forests
by Sabine Kasel, Thomas A. Fairman and Craig R. Nitschke
Fire 2024, 7(4), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7040148 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Many plant species are well-adapted to historical fire regimes. An increase in the severity, frequency, and extent of wildfires could compromise the regenerative capacity of species, resulting in permanent shifts in plant diversity. We surveyed extant vegetation and soil seed banks across two [...] Read more.
Many plant species are well-adapted to historical fire regimes. An increase in the severity, frequency, and extent of wildfires could compromise the regenerative capacity of species, resulting in permanent shifts in plant diversity. We surveyed extant vegetation and soil seed banks across two forest types with contrasting historical fire regimes—Shrubby Dry Forest (fire return interval: 10–20 years) and Sub-Alpine Woodland (50–100 years). Over the past 20 years, both forests have been subject to repeated, high-severity wildfires at intervals significantly shorter than their historical return intervals. We examined the soil seed bank response to fire-cued germination, and whether the plant diversity in soil seed banks and extant vegetation demonstrated similar responses to short-interval, high-severity wildfires. The soil seed bank demonstrated a positive response to heat in combination with smoke, and for the Sub-Alpine Woodland, this was limited to sites more frequently burnt by fire. With an increase in fire frequency, there was a decline in species richness and Shannon’s Diversity and a shift in species composition in both extant vegetation and the soil seed bank. The fire frequency effects on the relative richness of trait associations were restricted to the Shrubby Dry Forest, and included an increase in short-lived obligate seeders, wind-dispersed species, and ant-dispersed shrubs in burnt relative to long unburnt sites in both extant vegetation and the soil seed bank. Graminoids were the most abundant component of the soil seed banks of Sub-Alpine Woodlands, and this increased with more frequent fire, with a similar trend (p = 0.06) in extant vegetation. Clear shifts in plant diversity in both soil seed banks and extant vegetation in forest types with contrasting historical fire regimes suggest that emerging fire regimes are pushing ecosystems beyond their historical range of variability, including potentially more flammable states and a decline in the buffering capacity of soil seed banks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Fires on Forest Ecosystems)
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17 pages, 16160 KiB  
Article
Last-Century Forest Dynamics in a Highland Pyrenean National Park and Implications for Conservation
by Valentí Rull, Arnau Blasco, Javier Sigro and Teresa Vegas-Vilarrúbia
Plants 2024, 13(8), 1144; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13081144 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Ecological records from before and after the creation of natural parks are valuable for informing conservation and management but are often unavailable. High-resolution paleoecological studies may bridge the gap and provide the required information. This paper presents a 20th-century subdecadal reconstruction of vegetation [...] Read more.
Ecological records from before and after the creation of natural parks are valuable for informing conservation and management but are often unavailable. High-resolution paleoecological studies may bridge the gap and provide the required information. This paper presents a 20th-century subdecadal reconstruction of vegetation and landscape dynamics in a national park of the Pyrenean highlands. The park lands had traditionally been used for cultivation, extensive grazing, forest exploitation, and hydroelectricity generation following the damming of numerous glacial lakes. A significant finding is that forests have dominated the landscape, with negligible changes in composition, and only experienced fluctuations in forest cover, influenced by both climatic and anthropogenic factors. The creation of the park (1955) and the initial restrictions on forest exploitation did not significantly affect vegetation cover or composition. Major forest expansion did not occur until several decades later, 1980, when the park was enlarged and forest exploitation was further restricted. This expansion peaked in the 1990s, coinciding with a warming trend and a decrease in fire incidence, before declining due to warmer and drier climates. This decline was coeval with the ongoing global forest dieback and may be exacerbated by the predicted global warming in this century, which could also increase fire incidence due to dead-wood accumulation. Currently, the main threats are global warming/drying, fire, and tourism intensification. Similar high-resolution paleoecological records in protected areas are globally scarce and would be capable in providing the long-term ecological scope required to properly understand forest dynamics and optimize conservation measures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Disturbance and Management)
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12 pages, 234 KiB  
Article
Cramér Moderate Deviations for a Supercritical Galton–Watson Process with Immigration
by Juan Wang and Chao Peng
Axioms 2024, 13(4), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/axioms13040272 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Consider a supercritical Galton–Watson process with immigration (Xn;n0). The Lotka–Nagaev estimator Xn+1Xn is a common estimator for the offspring mean. In this work, we used the Martingale method to establish [...] Read more.
Consider a supercritical Galton–Watson process with immigration (Xn;n0). The Lotka–Nagaev estimator Xn+1Xn is a common estimator for the offspring mean. In this work, we used the Martingale method to establish several types of Cramér moderate deviation results for the Lotka–Nagaev estimator. To satisfy our needs, we employed the well-known Cramér approach for our proofs, which establishes the moderate deviation of the sum of the independent variables. Simultaneously, we provided a concrete example of its applicability in constructing confidence intervals. Full article
14 pages, 5407 KiB  
Article
Innovative Non-Surgical Plastic Technique for Saddle Nose Correction: A Study on 97 Patients
by Riccardo Ossanna, Sara Ghazanfar Tehrani, Alessia Dallatana, Sima Khabouri, Sheila Veronese, Andrea Sbarbati and Mario Goisis
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(8), 2387; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13082387 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Background: Non-surgical rhinoplasty is one of the best choices in mild cases of the saddle nose, and it represents a solution for the aesthetical amelioration of facial deformity; nevertheless, in most critical cases, surgical intervention is still required. This study reports the experience [...] Read more.
Background: Non-surgical rhinoplasty is one of the best choices in mild cases of the saddle nose, and it represents a solution for the aesthetical amelioration of facial deformity; nevertheless, in most critical cases, surgical intervention is still required. This study reports the experience and results of a single facial plastic surgeon (M.G.) using a non-surgical technique for the correction of saddle noses in a large cohort of patients. Methods: This retrospective study assesses all patients injected from January 2017 through October 2023 in private clinics in Milan (Italy), London (UK), and Dubai (UAE). All patients were followed up for 12 months. The harvested adipose tissues were processed with different systems and with or without acoustic wave therapy (AWT). The extracted products have been characterized in terms of cellular yield and cell growth. Ninety-seven patients were injected with adipose-derived products or hyaluronic acid (HA). Patients were followed up for 12 months, and satisfaction data were analyzed. Results: The stem cells obtained from the patients who previously received AWT displayed a statistically higher cell growth ability in comparison with those of the cells derived from patients who did not receive AWT. The evolution of patient satisfaction during the time for each group of treatment was investigated, and cellular treatments show the best maintenance of patient satisfaction over time. Conclusions: Dermgraft and AWT approaches resulted in the highest patient satisfaction for the non-surgical correction of the saddle nose deformity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plastic Surgery: Innovations and Future Directions)
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21 pages, 455 KiB  
Article
Research on Energy Efficiency Optimization of Visible Light Communication Based on Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access
by Yali Wu, Lei Sun, Xiaoshuang Liu and Xiaoran Lin
Electronics 2024, 13(8), 1562; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13081562 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
As a contender in the competitive landscape of next-generation wireless communication technologies, visible light communication (VLC) stands out due to its potential for enhancing transmission rates and spectrum resource utilization. VLC offers various advantages, including license-free operation, high confidentiality, and cost-effectiveness. However, practical [...] Read more.
As a contender in the competitive landscape of next-generation wireless communication technologies, visible light communication (VLC) stands out due to its potential for enhancing transmission rates and spectrum resource utilization. VLC offers various advantages, including license-free operation, high confidentiality, and cost-effectiveness. However, practical implementation faces challenges stemming from the limited modulation bandwidth of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), constraining system capacity and VLC communication rates. To address this limitation, non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) emerges as a novel multiple access strategy, particularly suitable for enhancing the capacity and communication rates of downlink VLC systems through power multiplexing. This paper delves into the energy-efficient design of joint LED association and power allocation (LA–PA) for downlink NOMA-based VLC systems. Through an analysis of channel capacity, we transform the non-convex energy-efficient optimization model, accounting for signal non-negativity, per-LED optical power constraints, and user rate constraints, into a convex form. Subsequently, we propose an iterative power allocation algorithm to attain solutions for the optimization problem with pre-established LED associations. Furthermore, we derive a feasibility condition for an LED association, considering signal non-negativity, per-LED optical power constraints, power constraints for successive interference cancellation (SIC), and channel gain between transceiver signals. This condition identifies feasible LEDs capable of maximizing energy efficiency (EE) when combined with the aforementioned power allocation algorithm. Finally, we illustrate the superiority of the joint LA–PA scheme in terms of the EE, transmission reliability, and transmission capacity performance gain over NOMA in the context of VLC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Microwave and Wireless Communications)
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18 pages, 1207 KiB  
Article
“Only in The History of the Formation of the Self-Conscious Soul Did Bugaev Reveal His Ideas about Music”: Music in the System of Andrei Bely
by Mikhail Odesskiy and Monika Spivak
Arts 2024, 13(2), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/arts13020074 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Symbolism distinguished itself in world culture in that its representatives were inclined to a dialogue and intersection of different types of art. In Russian literature, one of the brightest examples of such a synthesis is the work of Andrei Bely (Boris Bugaev; 1880–1934). [...] Read more.
Symbolism distinguished itself in world culture in that its representatives were inclined to a dialogue and intersection of different types of art. In Russian literature, one of the brightest examples of such a synthesis is the work of Andrei Bely (Boris Bugaev; 1880–1934). The aim of the present article is to consider the writer’s ideas about music itself. As the main source we use Bely’s treatise The History of the Formation of the Self-Conscious Soul. Bely in his Symbolist articles of the 1900s laid down the idea of musical art as an antinomy, which emphasized the troubling importance of the problem, but did not principally imply any positive answer. However, in his anthroposophic treatise The History of the Formation of the Self-Conscious Soul (1926–1931), enormous in volume and scale of the material, the author’s antinomical understanding of music was transformed into a structure which is extremely complicated, but consistent. That is why Andrei Bely does not apply the word “antinomy” to music, but he extensively uses the musical term “counterpoint” (together with other musical terms). Whereas the word “antinomy” pointed at some irreconcilable conflicts, on the contrary, a “counterpoint” introduces these clashes into the frame of a single structure of a system, thus reconciling them. Accordingly, the romance “It is so sweet to be with you” by Mikhail Glinka (called in The History “the greatest genius”) contains, in Andrei Bely’s texts, the message of a wide spectrum. Full article
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18 pages, 3738 KiB  
Review
Temperature and Precipitation Significantly Affect Resource Allocation in Dioecious Plants: A Meta-Analysis
by Mingjie Zhao, Xinna Zhang, Chengyang Xu, Pin Li and Raffaele Latortezza
Forests 2024, 15(4), 720; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15040720 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Dioecious plants are often used in landscaping because of sex differences in individual appearance, resistance and ornamental value. Although a large number of studies have investigated the overall differences in resource allocation between different sexes in dioecious plants, the effects of environmental factors [...] Read more.
Dioecious plants are often used in landscaping because of sex differences in individual appearance, resistance and ornamental value. Although a large number of studies have investigated the overall differences in resource allocation between different sexes in dioecious plants, the effects of environmental factors such as temperature and precipitation on resource allocation in sex-dimorphic plants are not fully understood. In order to explore the influencing factors, 39 works of literature on dioecious plant resource allocation published in English databases from 1992 to 2023 were selected, and the biomass data of dioecious plant stems, leaves, flowers and fruits from these pieces of literature were extracted. A total of 545 independent experimental groups were obtained, which were divided into four groups for analysis, and the data were analyzed using METAWIN 2.1 software. Four sets of data were used to quantitatively study the effects of different temperatures, precipitations and life forms on the resource allocation of dioecious plants of different sexes in large-scale space. The results showed that female plants invested more resources in reproductive growth and less resources in vegetative growth. In terms of total biomass, the average biomass of female plants was 3.09% higher than that of male plants, indicating that female plants reduced nutrient investment to compensate for reproductive investment in the process of resource allocation. Temperature and precipitation significantly affect the adaptability of male and female plants to environmental changes and the cooperative relationships among the stressed components. The vegetative biomass investment of female plants showed a positive correlation with the increase in temperature, while the reproductive biomass showed a negative correlation with the decrease. The average annual precipitation had little effect on the vegetative biomass of dioecious plants, but had a significant effect on reproductive biomass. The study of this trade-off relationship is helpful in revealing the relationship between vegetative growth and reproductive growth of plants, exploring the countermeasures of plant life history, and providing a scientific basis for urban landscaping and urban forest management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forestry and Sustainable Cities)
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25 pages, 6626 KiB  
Article
Features of the Effect of Quercetin on Different Genotypes of Wheat under Hypoxia
by Larisa Ivanovna Fedoreyeva, Elena Michailovna Lazareva and Neonila Vasilievna Kononenko
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(8), 4487; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25084487 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Hypoxia is one of the common abiotic stresses that negatively affects the development and productivity of agricultural crops. Quercetin is used to protect plants from oxidative stress when exposed to environmental stressors. O2 deficiency leads to impaired development and morphometric parameters in [...] Read more.
Hypoxia is one of the common abiotic stresses that negatively affects the development and productivity of agricultural crops. Quercetin is used to protect plants from oxidative stress when exposed to environmental stressors. O2 deficiency leads to impaired development and morphometric parameters in wheat varieties Orenburgskaya 22 (Triticum aestivum L.) and varieties Zolotaya (Triticum durum Desf.). Cytological analysis revealed various types of changes in the cytoplasm under conditions of hypoxia and treatment with quercetin. The most critical changes in the cytoplasm occur in the Zolotaya variety during pretreatment with quercetin followed by hypoxia, and in the Orenburgskaya 22 variety during hypoxia. Quercetin has a protective effect only on the Orenburgskaya 22 variety, and also promotes a more effective recovery after exposure to low O2 content. Hypoxia causes an increase in reactive oxygen species and activates the antioxidant system. It has been shown that the most active components of the antioxidant system in the Orenburgskaya 22 variety are MnSOD and Cu/ZnSOD, and in the Zolotaya variety GSH. We have shown that quercetin provides resistance only to the wheat genotype Orenburgskaya 22, as a protective agent against abiotic stress, which indicates the need for a comprehensive study of the effects of exogenous protectors before use in agriculture. Full article
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20 pages, 16475 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of the Effects of Pre-Grouting in Combination with Group Holes on the Risk of Water Inrush through Coal Seam Floors
by Shiyuan Tian, Chunfang Gao, Junchao Yue, Peiguo Heng, Shuitao Guo and Xinyi Wang
Water 2024, 16(8), 1160; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16081160 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Coal mine pre-grouting is an important means to reduce the risk of coal seam floor water inrush, and the scientific evaluation of its effects is an important basis for the formulation of water control countermeasures and the realization of safe mining. This paper [...] Read more.
Coal mine pre-grouting is an important means to reduce the risk of coal seam floor water inrush, and the scientific evaluation of its effects is an important basis for the formulation of water control countermeasures and the realization of safe mining. This paper takes the Guhanshan Mine 15,051 working face grouting project as the research object and selects the grouting volume, the length of the meter grouting, the dry material value in tons of water, the complexity of faults, and the threat of water inrush at the working face as the index factors with which to evaluate the effectiveness of the grouting. The geological structure is quantified by fractal theory. The subjective, objective, and comprehensive weights of the index factors are determined by the analytic hierarchy process, the CRITIC method, and the combination weighting method. The grouting effect on the working face is quantitatively identified by the fuzzy variable set comprehensive evaluation model, and zoning is carried out. The research shows that the areas with optimal, good, qualified, and poor grouting effect at the 15,051 working face account for 4.66%, 74.34%, 21.00%, and 0% of the working face area, respectively, and the proportion at the level of qualified or above accounts for 100%. The safety results at the 15,051 working face prove that the selected evaluation index factors are representative, the established model is reliable, and the evaluation results are in line with actual conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineering Hydrogeology Research Related to Mining Activities)
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16 pages, 1731 KiB  
Article
Statistical Mechanics of Social Hierarchies: A Mathematical Model for the Evolution of Human Societal Structures
by Nestor Caticha, Rafael S. Calsaverini and Renato Vicente
Physics 2024, 6(2), 629-644; https://doi.org/10.3390/physics6020041 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Social structure may have changed from hierarchical to egalitarian and back along the evolutionary line of humans. Within the tradition of sociophysics, we construct a mathematical model of a society of agents subject to competing cognitive and social navigation constraints and predict, using [...] Read more.
Social structure may have changed from hierarchical to egalitarian and back along the evolutionary line of humans. Within the tradition of sociophysics, we construct a mathematical model of a society of agents subject to competing cognitive and social navigation constraints and predict, using statistical mechanics methods, that its degree of hierarchy decreases with encephalization and increases with group size, hence suggesting human societies were driven from hierarchical to egalitarian structures by the encephalization during the last few million years and back to hierarchical due to fast demographic changes during the Neolithic. In addition, applied to a different problem, the theory leads to the following predictions for modern pre-literary humans: (i) an intermediate hierarchy degree in mild climates. In harsher climates, societies will be (ii) more egalitarian if organized in small groups (of less than 100 persons) but (iii) more hierarchical if in larger (of more than 1000 persons) groups. The predicted bifurcation, characteristic of a phase transition, is also seen in the empirical cross-cultural record (248 cultures in the Ethnographic Atlas). Full article
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12 pages, 1913 KiB  
Article
The Helicity of Magnetic Fields Associated with Relativistic Electron Vortex Beams
by Norah Alsaawi and Vasileios E. Lembessis
Symmetry 2024, 16(4), 496; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym16040496 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
For radially extended Bessel modes, the helicity density distributions of magnetic fields associated with relativistic electron vortex beams are investigated for first time in the literature. The form of the distribution is defined by the electron beam’s cylindrically symmetric density flux, which varies [...] Read more.
For radially extended Bessel modes, the helicity density distributions of magnetic fields associated with relativistic electron vortex beams are investigated for first time in the literature. The form of the distribution is defined by the electron beam’s cylindrically symmetric density flux, which varies with the winding number and the electron spin. Different helicity distributions are obtained for different signs of the winding number ±, confirming the chiral nature of the magnetic fields associated with the electron vortex beam. The total current helicity for the spin-down state is smaller than that of the spin-up state. The different fields and helicities associated with opposite winding numbers and/or spin values will play an important role in the investigation of the interaction of relativistic electron vortices with matter and especially chiral matter. A comparison of the calculated quantities with the corresponding ones in the case of non-relativistic spin-polarized electron beams is performed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Physics)
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15 pages, 2639 KiB  
Article
Determination of Density of Starch Hydrogel Microspheres from Sedimentation Experiments Using Non-Stokes Drag Coefficient
by Margherita Cretella, Mina Fazilati, Nedim Krcic, Ivan Argatov and Vitaly Kocherbitov
Gels 2024, 10(4), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10040277 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Sedimentation is an important property of colloidal systems that should be considered when designing pharmaceutical formulations. In pharmaceutical applications, sedimentation is normally described using Stokes’ law, which assumes laminar flow of fluid. In this work we studied swelling and hydration of spherical cross-linked [...] Read more.
Sedimentation is an important property of colloidal systems that should be considered when designing pharmaceutical formulations. In pharmaceutical applications, sedimentation is normally described using Stokes’ law, which assumes laminar flow of fluid. In this work we studied swelling and hydration of spherical cross-linked amorphous starch microspheres in pure water, solutions of sodium chloride, and in pH-adjusted aqueous solutions. We demonstrated that Reynolds numbers obtained in these experiments correspond to the transition regime between the laminar flow and the turbulent flow and, hence, expressions based on the non-Stokes drag coefficient should be used for calculations of sedimentation velocity from known density or for assessment of density from observed sedimentation velocity. The density of starch microparticles hydrated in water was about 1050 kg/m3, while densities obtained from experiment with other liquids were dependent on the liquids’ densities. The data indicate that the swelling of the cross-linked starch microparticles as characterized by their densities is not sensitive to pH and salt concentration in the studied range of these parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Gel Analysis and Characterization)
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13 pages, 2673 KiB  
Article
Fire Behavior of Wood–Glass and Jute–Glass Hybrid Laminates Manufactured by Vacuum Infusion
by Letícia Zimermann Pires, Ohayna Lisboa Santos, Agnė Kairytė, Jurga Šeputytė-Jucikė, Sylwia Makowska, Daniele Battegazzore, Alberto Frache, Rafael de Avila Delucis, Pedro Henrique Gonzalez de Cademartori and Andrey Pereira Acosta
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 3450; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14083450 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
This study explores the fire behavior of wood–glass and jute–glass hybrid laminates, with a focus on the influence of jute and wood veneers as new materials for composite production. Five-layer hybrid laminates were manufactured using the vacuum infusion process (VIP). Combustion and carbonization [...] Read more.
This study explores the fire behavior of wood–glass and jute–glass hybrid laminates, with a focus on the influence of jute and wood veneers as new materials for composite production. Five-layer hybrid laminates were manufactured using the vacuum infusion process (VIP). Combustion and carbonization performances were assessed using a cone calorimeter based on the ISO 5660 method. This study evaluates flammability through key parameters including ignition time, heat release rate, and smoke production. The results indicated that the ignition time was significantly longer (ca. 64 s) for the glass–jute laminate (GJGJG), compared to the wood–glass laminate (WGWGW) (ca. 53 s). The heat release rate of laminates containing organic components was higher than the sample composed only of glass mat (G5) but their rates were all lower than the polyester reference resin. WGWGW, compared to the GJGJG sample, was able to produce a good-quality protective shield and, therefore, postpone the occurrence of the heat release peak. In this way, the fire growth rate index (FIGRA) best performance was accomplished by the WGWGW sample (2.7 ± 0.3 kW/m2 × s), which was even better than that of the G5 sample. The total-smoke-released value was highest for polyester, 7361 ± 839 m2/m2, followed by WGWGW, 2873 ± 188 m2/m2, and J5, 2484 ± 216 m2/m2. Among the hybrid laminates, the best performance was obtained by GJGJG, 1860 ± 49 m2/m2, but compared to the G5 laminates, it was only ~36% higher. The specific extinction area (SEA) is a smoke parameter related to the mass of the samples; the best result was obtained by WGWGW with 697 ± 31 m2/kg. Finally, the neat polyester and all laminates achieved UL 94HB classification, with firing rates below 40 mm/min. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Civil Structure for Fire Response Volume II)
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21 pages, 4221 KiB  
Article
The Papain-like Protease Domain of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Conjugated with Human Beta-Defensin 2 and Co1 Induces Mucosal and Systemic Immune Responses against the Virus
by Byeol-Hee Cho, Ju Kim and Yong-Suk Jang
Vaccines 2024, 12(4), 441; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12040441 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Most of the licensed vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 target spike proteins to induce viral neutralizing antibodies. However, currently prevalent SARS-CoV-2 variants contain many mutations, especially in their spike proteins. The development of vaccine antigens with conserved sequences that cross-react with variants of SARS-CoV-2 is [...] Read more.
Most of the licensed vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 target spike proteins to induce viral neutralizing antibodies. However, currently prevalent SARS-CoV-2 variants contain many mutations, especially in their spike proteins. The development of vaccine antigens with conserved sequences that cross-react with variants of SARS-CoV-2 is needed to effectively defend against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Given that viral infection is initiated in the respiratory mucosa, strengthening the mucosal immune response would provide effective protection. We constructed a mucosal vaccine antigen using the papain-like protease (PLpro) domain of non-structural protein 3 of SARS-CoV-2. To potentiate the mucosal immune response, PLpro was combined with human beta-defensin 2, an antimicrobial peptide with mucosal immune adjuvant activity, and Co1, an M-cell-targeting ligand. Intranasal administration of the recombinant PLpro antigen conjugate into C57BL/6 and hACE2 knock-in (KI) mice induced antigen-specific T-cell and antibody responses with complement-dependent cytotoxic activity. Viral challenge experiments using the Wuhan and Delta strains of SARS-CoV-2 provided further evidence that immunized hACE2 KI mice were protected against viral challenge infections. Our study shows that PLpro is a useful candidate vaccine antigen against SARS-CoV-2 infection and that the inclusion of human beta-defensin 2 and Co1 in the recombinant construct may enhance the efficacy of the vaccine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Vaccine Adjuvants)
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18 pages, 721 KiB  
Article
Influence of STAT4 Genetic Variants and Serum Levels on Multiple Sclerosis Occurrence in the Lithuanian Population
by Akvile Bruzaite, Greta Gedvilaite, Renata Balnyte, Loresa Kriauciuniene and Rasa Liutkeviciene
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(8), 2385; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13082385 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease involving demyelination, inflammation, gliosis, and the loss of neurons. MS is a growing global health problem most likely caused by genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. However, the exact etiology of the disease is still unknown. [...] Read more.
Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease involving demyelination, inflammation, gliosis, and the loss of neurons. MS is a growing global health problem most likely caused by genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. However, the exact etiology of the disease is still unknown. Since MS is related to a dysregulation of the immune system, it could be linked to signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4). To fully comprehend the significance of the STAT4 gene and STAT4 serum levels in MS, further research is required. Methods: A total of 200 MS patients and 200 healthy controls participated in the study. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted using silica-based membrane technology. Polymerase chain reaction was used in real time for genotyping. Using the ELISA technique, serum levels were measured. Results:STAT4 rs7601754 AA genotype and the A allele were statistically significantly less frequent in MS patients (p = 0.003). Also, rs7601754 was associated with 1.9-fold increased odds of MS occurrence (p = 0.004). The rs7601754 AG genotype was more common in males with MS (p = 0.011) and was associated with 2.5-fold increased odds of MS occurrence in males (p = 0.012). STAT4 serum levels were statistically significantly lower in MS patients compared to the control group (p = 0.007). Conclusions:STAT4 rs7601754 increases the odds of MS occurrence. STAT4 serum levels were statistically significantly lower in MS patients compared to the control group. Full article
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28 pages, 1780 KiB  
Review
Periparturient Mineral Metabolism: Implications to Health and Productivity
by Achilles Vieira-Neto, Ian J. Lean and José Eduardo P. Santos
Animals 2024, 14(8), 1232; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14081232 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Mineral metabolism, in particular Ca, and to a lesser extent phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg), is altered with the onset of lactation because of extensive irreversible loss to synthesize colostrum and milk. The transient reduction in the concentration of Ca in blood, particularly [...] Read more.
Mineral metabolism, in particular Ca, and to a lesser extent phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg), is altered with the onset of lactation because of extensive irreversible loss to synthesize colostrum and milk. The transient reduction in the concentration of Ca in blood, particularly when it lasts days, increases the risk of mineral-related disorders such as hypocalcemia and, to a lesser extent, hypophosphatemia. Although the incidence of clinical hypocalcemia can be reduced by prepartum dietary interventions, subclinical hypocalcemia remains prevalent, affecting up to 60% of the dairy cows in the first 3 d postpartum. More importantly, strong associations exist between hypocalcemia and increased susceptibility to other peripartum diseases and impaired reproductive performance. Mechanistic experiments have demonstrated the role of Ca on innate immune response in dairy cows, which presumably predisposes them to other diseases. Hypocalcemia is not related to inadequate Ca intake as prepartum diets marginal to deficient in Ca reduce the risk of the disease. Therefore, the understanding of how Ca homeostasis is regulated, in particular how calciotropic hormones such as parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, affect blood Ca concentrations, gastrointestinal Ca absorption, bone remodeling, and renal excretion of Ca become critical to develop novel strategies to prevent mineral imbalances either by nutritional or pharmacological interventions. A common method to reduce the risk of hypocalcemia is the manipulation of the prepartum dietary cation-anion difference. Feeding acidogenic diets not only improves Ca homeostasis and reduces hypocalcemia, but also reduces the risk of uterine diseases and improves productive performance. Feeding diets that induce a negative Ca balance in the last weeks of gestation also reduce the risk of clinical hypocalcemia, and recent work shows that the incorporation of mineral sequestering agents, presumably by reducing the absorption of P and Ca prepartum, increases blood Ca at calving, although benefits to production and health remain to be shown. Alternative strategies to minimize subclinical hypocalcemia with the use of vitamin D metabolites either fed prepartum or as a pharmacological agent administered immediately after calving have shown promising results in reducing hypocalcemia and altering immune cell function, which might prove efficacious to prevent diseases in early lactation. This review summarizes the current understanding of Ca homeostasis around parturition, the limited knowledge of the exact mechanisms for gastrointestinal Ca absorption in bovine, the implications of hypocalcemia on the health of dairy cows, and discusses the methods to minimize the risk of hypocalcemia and their impacts on productive performance and health in dairy cows. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Advances in Dairy Cow Nutrition)
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22 pages, 13445 KiB  
Article
A High-Performance Supercapacitor Based on Hierarchical Template-Free Ni/SnO2 Nanostructures via Hydrothermal Method
by Abdul Samad Shameem, Anbazhagan Murugan, Vadivel Siva, Govindasamy Palanisamy, Ikhyun Kim, Jintae Lee and Sivaprakash Paramasivam
Materials 2024, 17(8), 1894; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17081894 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Novel flake-like Ni1−xSnxO2 particles were successfully prepared by template-free hydrothermal synthesis. The prepared samples were investigated for their properties by different characterization techniques. Scanning micrographs showed that the obtained particles consisted of nanoflakes. The X-ray diffraction results of [...] Read more.
Novel flake-like Ni1−xSnxO2 particles were successfully prepared by template-free hydrothermal synthesis. The prepared samples were investigated for their properties by different characterization techniques. Scanning micrographs showed that the obtained particles consisted of nanoflakes. The X-ray diffraction results of the Ni1−xSnxO2 revealed the formation of mixed-phase Ni/SnO2 having the typical tetragonal structure of SnO2, and the cubic structure of Ni in a nanocrystalline nature. The doping with Ni had a certain influence on the host’s lattice structure of SnO2 at different doping concentrations. Confirmation of the functional groups and the elements in the nanomaterials was accomplished using FTIR and EDS analyses. The electrochemical performance analysis of the prepared nanomaterials were carried out with the help of the CV, GCD, and EIS techniques. The specific capacitance of the synthesized nanomaterials with different concentrations of Ni dopant in SnO2 was analyzed at different scanning rates. Interestingly, a 5% Ni-doped SnO2 nanocomposite exhibited a maximum specific capacitance of 841.85 F g−1 at 5 mV s−1 in a 6 M KOH electrolyte. Further, to boost the electrochemical performance, a redox additive electrolyte was utilized, which exhibited a maximum specific capacitance of 2130.33 at 5 mV s−1 and an excellent capacitance retention of 93.22% after 10,000 GCD cycles. These excellent electrochemical characteristics suggest that the Ni/SnO2 nanocomposite could be utilized as an electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors. Full article
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12 pages, 1318 KiB  
Case Report
A Rare De Novo Mutation in the TRIM8 Gene in a 17-Year-Old Boy with Steroid-Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome: Case Report
by Marta Badeńska, Małgorzata Pac, Andrzej Badeński, Karolina Rutkowska, Justyna Czubilińska-Łada, Rafał Płoski, Nadezda Bohynikova and Maria Szczepańska
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(8), 4486; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25084486 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is the most common chronic glomerular disease in children. Treatment with steroids is usually successful; however, in a small percentage of patients, steroid resistance is observed. The most frequent histologic kidney feature of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is focal segmental [...] Read more.
Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is the most common chronic glomerular disease in children. Treatment with steroids is usually successful; however, in a small percentage of patients, steroid resistance is observed. The most frequent histologic kidney feature of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Genetic testing has become a valuable diagnostic tool in defining the etiology of SRNS, leading to the identification of a genetic cause. The TRIM8 gene is expressed in various tissues, including kidney cells and the central nervous system (CNS). An association between a mutation in the TRIM8 gene and an early onset of FSGS has been proposed but is not well described. We present a 17-year-old boy with epilepsy, early mild developmental delay, a low IgG serum level, and proteinuria, secondary to FSGS. A Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based analysis revealed a heterozygous de novo pathogenic variant in the TRIM8 gene (c.1200C>G, p.Tyr400Ter). TRIM8 gene sequencing should be considered in individuals with early onset of FSGS, particularly accompanied by symptoms of cortical dysfunction, such as epilepsy and intellectual disability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renal Dysfunction, Uremic Compounds, and Other Factors 2.0)
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16 pages, 3170 KiB  
Article
NIMO: A Natural Product-Inspired Molecular Generative Model Based on Conditional Transformer
by Xiaojuan Shen, Tao Zeng, Nianhang Chen, Jiabo Li and Ruibo Wu
Molecules 2024, 29(8), 1867; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29081867 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Natural products (NPs) have diverse biological activity and significant medicinal value. The structural diversity of NPs is the mainstay of drug discovery. Expanding the chemical space of NPs is an urgent need. Inspired by the concept of fragment-assembled pseudo-natural products, we developed a [...] Read more.
Natural products (NPs) have diverse biological activity and significant medicinal value. The structural diversity of NPs is the mainstay of drug discovery. Expanding the chemical space of NPs is an urgent need. Inspired by the concept of fragment-assembled pseudo-natural products, we developed a computational tool called NIMO, which is based on the transformer neural network model. NIMO employs two tailor-made motif extraction methods to map a molecular graph into a semantic motif sequence. All these generated motif sequences are used to train our molecular generative models. Various NIMO models were trained under different task scenarios by recognizing syntactic patterns and structure–property relationships. We further explored the performance of NIMO in structure-guided, activity-oriented, and pocket-based molecule generation tasks. Our results show that NIMO had excellent performance for molecule generation from scratch and structure optimization from a scaffold. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Approaches in Drug Discovery and Design)
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13 pages, 1476 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Postharvest Storage Temperatures on Fruit Flavor Constituents in ‘Wushancuili’ Plum
by Qinyu Feng, Zhichao Wang, Wei Xiong, Wenbin Kong, Ming Huang, Wanpeng Xi and Kun Zhou
Horticulturae 2024, 10(4), 414; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10040414 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Chinese plum (Prunus salicina) cv. Wushancuili has a green coloration, high fruit quality, and is economically important in eliminating poverty and protecting ecology in the Yangtze River Three Gorges Reservoir. However, large-scale production and synchronous ripening times present a huge postharvest [...] Read more.
Chinese plum (Prunus salicina) cv. Wushancuili has a green coloration, high fruit quality, and is economically important in eliminating poverty and protecting ecology in the Yangtze River Three Gorges Reservoir. However, large-scale production and synchronous ripening times present a huge postharvest storage challenge. This study investigated the effect of different postharvest storage temperatures on the ‘Wushancuili’ plum fruit flavor. The dynamics of soluble sugars, organic acids, and aroma substances were investigated at four temperatures mimicking large-scale commercial storage applications: 0–2 °C, 4–6 °C, 8–10 °C, and 20 °C, for 0, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, and 20 days. Storage under the 0–2 °C regime was the best at preserving fruit flavor and reducing decay compared to the other settings. At 0–2 °C, fruit maintained a stable level of soluble sugars and organic acids during storage. Moreover, this storage temperature facilitated the formation of aroma compounds such as alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and acids, which contributed to the distinct fruit aromatic characteristics. Taken together, our findings indicate that 0–2 °C is the most favorable temperature for commercial storage and maintenance of the ‘Wushancuili’ plum flavor. Full article

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