The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
13 pages, 564 KiB  
Article
Asymmetric Exchange Rate Effects on Trade Flows in India
by Niloufer Sohrabji
Economies 2024, 12(5), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/economies12050114 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
This paper examines the role of exchange rate changes on India’s trade. The drivers of exports and imports (income, exchange rate including sectoral differences, and exchange rate variability) are estimated for the short and long run including a structural break. Using annual data [...] Read more.
This paper examines the role of exchange rate changes on India’s trade. The drivers of exports and imports (income, exchange rate including sectoral differences, and exchange rate variability) are estimated for the short and long run including a structural break. Using annual data from 1994 to 2022, the results of dynamic fixed effects estimation show that both exports and imports are income-elastic in the short and long run, but income elasticity is far stronger for exports. Moreover, exports are responsive to the real effective exchange rate in the short run but not in the long run, and the reverse is true for imports. Furthermore, exchange rates have asymmetric effects for high-volume and primary sectors for exports and imports. The combined impacts show the ineffectiveness of using currency depreciation to address trade imbalances. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exchange Rates: Drivers, Dynamics, Impacts, and Policies)
26 pages, 3758 KiB  
Article
Unveiling a Microexon Switch: Novel Regulation of the Activities of Sugar Assimilation and Plant-Cell-Wall-Degrading Xylanses and Cellulases by Xlr2 in Trichoderma virens
by Cynthia Coccet Castañeda-Casasola, María Fernanda Nieto-Jacobo, Amanda Soares, Emir Alejandro Padilla-Padilla, Miguel Angel Anducho-Reyes, Chris Brown, Sereyboth Soth, Edgardo Ulises Esquivel-Naranjo, John Hampton and Artemio Mendoza-Mendoza
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5172; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105172 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Functional microexons have not previously been described in filamentous fungi. Here, we describe a novel mechanism of transcriptional regulation in Trichoderma requiring the inclusion of a microexon from the Xlr2 gene. In low-glucose environments, a long mRNA including the microexon encodes a protein [...] Read more.
Functional microexons have not previously been described in filamentous fungi. Here, we describe a novel mechanism of transcriptional regulation in Trichoderma requiring the inclusion of a microexon from the Xlr2 gene. In low-glucose environments, a long mRNA including the microexon encodes a protein with a GAL4-like DNA-binding domain (Xlr2-α), whereas in high-glucose environments, a short mRNA that is produced encodes a protein lacking this DNA-binding domain (Xlr2-β). Interestingly, the protein isoforms differ in their impact on cellulase and xylanase activity. Deleting the Xlr2 gene reduced both xylanase and cellulase activity and growth on different carbon sources, such as carboxymethylcellulose, xylan, glucose, and arabinose. The overexpression of either Xlr2-α or Xlr2-β in T. virens showed that the short isoform (Xlr2-β) caused higher xylanase activity than the wild types or the long isoform (Xlr2-α). Conversely, cellulase activity did not increase when overexpressing Xlr2-β but was increased with the overexpression of Xlr2-α. This is the first report of a novel transcriptional regulation mechanism of plant-cell-wall-degrading enzyme activity in T. virens. This involves the differential expression of a microexon from a gene encoding a transcriptional regulator. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Plant Sciences)
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14 pages, 960 KiB  
Review
The Role of Wheatgrass in Colorectal Cancer: A Review of the Current Evidence
by Magie Tamraz, Najib Al Ghossaini and Sally Temraz
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5166; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105166 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
The etiology of colon cancer is either genetic in nature or results from inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease; nevertheless, dietary habits play a crucial role in the disease. Wheatgrass is a dietary supplement that is rich in vitamins, [...] Read more.
The etiology of colon cancer is either genetic in nature or results from inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease; nevertheless, dietary habits play a crucial role in the disease. Wheatgrass is a dietary supplement that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which contribute to health promotion in cardiovascular diseases, liver disease, blood diseases, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel diseases, as well as in several types of cancers, such as oral squamous cell cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer. In colorectal cancer (CRC), the prospect that wheatgrass possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties, and its use as an adjunctive therapy, have been minimally investigated and evidence is still limited. In this review, we compiled the available evidence pertaining to wheatgrass and its likely impact on CRC, described the pathways of inflammation in which wheatgrass could possibly play a role, and identified future research needs on the subject. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Molecular Pathways in Oncology 2.0)
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10 pages, 979 KiB  
Article
Non-Cicatricial Alopecia and Its Association with Anthropometric Measurements and Nutritional Laboratory Markers
by Katarzyna Wróblewska-Kończalik, Mariola Pawlaczyk, Jerzy Kolasiński, Małgorzata Kolenda, Izabela Miechowicz, Agnieszka Seraszek-Jaros, Anna Kroma-Szal and Justyna Gornowicz-Porowska
Life 2024, 14(5), 609; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14050609 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Alopecia constitutes one of the most common dermatological disorders, and its steadily increasing prevalence is a cause for concern. Alopecia can be divided into two main categories, cicatricial/scarring and non-cicatricial/non-scarring, depending on the causes of hair loss and its patterns. The aim of [...] Read more.
Alopecia constitutes one of the most common dermatological disorders, and its steadily increasing prevalence is a cause for concern. Alopecia can be divided into two main categories, cicatricial/scarring and non-cicatricial/non-scarring, depending on the causes of hair loss and its patterns. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between anthropometric and nutritional laboratory parameters in Caucasian adult women and men with non-cicatricial alopecia. A total of 50 patients (37 with non-cicatricial alopecia and 13 healthy controls) were included in the study. Clinical examination and scalp trichoscopy were performed. The anthropometric and nutritional laboratory parameters were collected and analyzed. No statistically significant differences in the laboratory findings were found. The patients with non-cicatricial alopecia were statistically significantly younger as compared to the controls. An elevated risk of hair loss, which was detected among the younger participants, might be associated with a modern lifestyle and the so-called ‘Western diet’. It seems safe to assume that suboptimal nutrition and poor eating habits during childhood might constitute risk factors for early hair loss. Full article
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16 pages, 3363 KiB  
Article
Topotecan and Ginkgolic Acid Inhibit the Expression and Transport Activity of Human Organic Anion Transporter 3 by Suppressing SUMOylation of the Transporter
by Zhou Yu and Guofeng You
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(5), 638; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16050638 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Organic anion transporter 3 (OAT3), expressed at the basolateral membrane of kidney proximal tubule cells, facilitates the elimination of numerous metabolites, environmental toxins, and clinically important drugs. An earlier investigation from our laboratory revealed that OAT3 expression and transport activity can be upregulated [...] Read more.
Organic anion transporter 3 (OAT3), expressed at the basolateral membrane of kidney proximal tubule cells, facilitates the elimination of numerous metabolites, environmental toxins, and clinically important drugs. An earlier investigation from our laboratory revealed that OAT3 expression and transport activity can be upregulated by SUMOylation, a post-translational modification that covalently conjugates SUMO molecules to substrate proteins. Topotecan is a semi-synthetic derivative of the herbal extract camptothecin, approved by the FDA to treat several types of cancer. Ginkgolic acid (GA) is one of the major components in the extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves that has long been used in food supplements for preventing dementia, high blood pressure, and supporting stroke recovery. Both topotecan and GA have been shown to affect protein SUMOylation. In the current study, we tested our hypothesis that topotecan and GA may regulate OAT3 SUMOylation, expression, and transport function. Our data show that the treatment of OAT3-expressing cells with topotecan or GA significantly decreases the SUMOylation of OAT3 by 50% and 75%, respectively. The same treatment also led to substantial reductions in OAT3 expression and the OAT3-mediated transport of estrone sulfate, a prototypical substrate. Such reductions in cell surface expression of OAT3 correlated well with an increased rate of OAT3 degradation. Mechanistically, we discovered that topotecan enhanced the association between OAT3 and the SUMO-specific protease SENP2, a deSUMOylation enzyme, which contributed to the significant decrease in OAT3 SUMOylation. In conclusion, this study unveiled a novel role of topotecan and GA in inhibiting OAT3 expression and transport activity and accelerating OAT3 degradation by suppressing OAT3 SUMOylation. During comorbidity therapies, the use of topotecan or Ginkgo biloba extract could potentially decrease the transport activity of OAT3 in the kidneys, which will in turn affect the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of many other drugs that are substrates for the transporter. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Transporters in Drug Development)
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32 pages, 3996 KiB  
Article
Intelligent Geo-Tour Route Recommendation Algorithm Based on Feature Text Mining and Spatial Accessibility Model
by Xiao Zhou, Zheng Zhang, Xinjian Liang and Mingzhan Su
Electronics 2024, 13(10), 1845; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13101845 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
In view of the problems in planning and recommending tour routes, this paper constructs a feature text mining (FTM) method and spatial accessibility model (SAM) as the key factors for scenic spot recommendation (SSR) and tour route recommendation (TRR). The scenic spot clustering [...] Read more.
In view of the problems in planning and recommending tour routes, this paper constructs a feature text mining (FTM) method and spatial accessibility model (SAM) as the key factors for scenic spot recommendation (SSR) and tour route recommendation (TRR). The scenic spot clustering algorithm (SSCA) based on FTM was constructed by tourists’ text evaluation data mining. Considering the spatial attributes of scenic spots, the scenic spot topology tree algorithm (SSTTA) based on dynamic buffer spatial accessibility (DBSA) was constructed. The optimal scenic spots were recommended based on interest matching and spatial accessibility optimization. As to the recommended scenic spots, this paper proposes an optimal tour route recommendation algorithm (TRRA) based on SSTTA, which aims to determine the optimal adjacent section path structure tree (ASPST) with the lowest cost under travel constraints and transportation modes. The experiment verifies that the proposed algorithm can recommend scenic spots that match tourists’ interests and have optimal spatial accessibility, and the optimal tour routes with the lowest costs under certain travel constraints. Compared with the searched sub-optimal tour routes, the optimal tour route recommended by the proposed algorithm produces the lowest travel costs, and all the scenic spots in the tour route meet the tourists’ interests. Compared with the commonly used BDMA and GDMA methods, the proposed algorithm can determine the optimal routes with lower travel costs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Intelligent Systems and Networks, 2nd Edition)
23 pages, 516 KiB  
Article
A Net Present Value Analysis of Opportunity-Based Age Replacement Models in Discrete Time
by Jing Wu, Cunhua Qian and Tadashi Dohi
Mathematics 2024, 12(10), 1472; https://doi.org/10.3390/math12101472 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Two important opportunistic age replacement models, under replacement first and last disciplines, are generalized in discrete time. The net present value (NPV) is applied to formulate the expected total costs. The priority of multiple replacement options is considered to classify the cost model [...] Read more.
Two important opportunistic age replacement models, under replacement first and last disciplines, are generalized in discrete time. The net present value (NPV) is applied to formulate the expected total costs. The priority of multiple replacement options is considered to classify the cost model with discounting into six cases. Since the NPV method accurately calculates the expected replacement costs over an infinite horizon in an unstable economic environment, we discuss some optimal opportunistic age replacement policies which minimize the expected total discounted costs over an infinite time horizon. Furthermore, we formulate a unified model under each discipline, merging six discrete time replacement models with probabilistic priority. Finally, a case study on optimal replacement first and last policies for pole air switches in a Japanese power company is presented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reliability Estimation and Mathematical Statistics)
16 pages, 6741 KiB  
Article
Targeted Formation of Biofilms on the Surface of Graphite Electrodes as an Effective Approach to the Development of Biosensors for Early Warning Systems
by Anna Kharkova, Roman Perchikov, Saniyat Kurbanalieva, Kristina Osina, Nadezhda Popova, Andrey Machulin, Olga Kamanina, Evgeniya Saverina, Ivan Saltanov, Sergey Melenkov, Denis Butusov and Vyacheslav Arlyapov
Biosensors 2024, 14(5), 239; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14050239 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Biofilms based on bacteria Pseudomonas veronii (Ps. veronii) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) and yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) were used for novel biosensor creation for rapid biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) monitoring. Based on the electrochemical measurement [...] Read more.
Biofilms based on bacteria Pseudomonas veronii (Ps. veronii) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) and yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) were used for novel biosensor creation for rapid biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) monitoring. Based on the electrochemical measurement results, it was shown that the endogenous mediator in the matrix of E. coli and Ps. veronii biofilms and ferrocene form a two-mediator system that improves electron transport in the system. Biofilms based on Ps. veronii and E. coli had a high biotechnological potential for BOD assessment; bioreceptors based on such biofilms had high sensitivity (the lower limits of detectable BOD5 concentrations were 0.61 (Ps. veronii) and 0.87 (E. coli) mg/dm3) and high efficiency of analysis (a measurement time 5–10 min). The maximum biosensor response based on bacterial biofilms has been observed in the pH range of 6.6–7.2. The greatest protective effect was found for biofilms based on E. coli, which has high long-term stability (151 days for Ps. veronii and 163 days for E. coli). The results of the BOD5 analysis of water samples obtained using the developed biosensors had a high correlation with the results of the standard 5-day method (R2 = 0.9820, number of tested samples is 10 for Ps. veronii, and R2 = 0.9862, number of tested samples is 10 for E. coli). Thus, biosensors based on Ps. veronii biofilms and E. coli biofilms could be a novel analytical system to give early warnings of pollution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cell-Based Biosensors for Rapid Detection and Monitoring)
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30 pages, 5408 KiB  
Article
Rainfall Potential and Consequences on Structural Soil Degradation of the Most Important Agricultural Region of Mexico
by Mariano Norzagaray Campos, Patricia Muñoz Sevilla, Jorge Montiel Montoya, Omar Llanes Cárdenas, María Ladrón de Guevara Torres and Luz Arcelia Serrano García
Atmosphere 2024, 15(5), 581; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15050581 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
This study investigates the historical variability in annual average precipitation in the northwest region of Mexico, aiming to evaluate the cumulative impact of precipitation on soil degradation and associated risks posed by rainfall. Despite being known as “The Agricultural Heart of Mexico [...] Read more.
This study investigates the historical variability in annual average precipitation in the northwest region of Mexico, aiming to evaluate the cumulative impact of precipitation on soil degradation and associated risks posed by rainfall. Despite being known as “The Agricultural Heart of Mexico”, the region’s soil has experienced significant damage to its granulometric structure due to unpredictable rainfall patterns attributed to climate change. Sixteen historical series of average annual rainfall were analyzed as stationary stochastic processes for spectral analysis. The results revealed exponential decay curves in each radial spectrum, indicating a linear relationship between frequency and amplitude. These curves identified initial impulses correlated with moments of severity for structural damages caused by rainfall-induced degradation. The degradation process, exacerbated by water stress, accelerates, as evidenced by maps illustrating approximately 75% soil damage. In the context of climate change and the uncertainty surrounding soil responses to extreme meteorological events, understanding this phenomenon becomes crucial. Recognizing the dynamic nature of soil responses to environmental stressors is essential for effective soil management. Emphasizing the need to employ numerical processes tailored to new environmental considerations related to observed soil damages is crucial for sustainable soil management practices in any region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biosphere/Hydrosphere/Land–Atmosphere Interactions)
19 pages, 1162 KiB  
Article
Fake User Detection Based on Multi-Model Joint Representation
by Jun Li, Wentao Jiang, Jianyi Zhang, Yanhua Shao and Wei Zhu
Information 2024, 15(5), 266; https://doi.org/10.3390/info15050266 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
The existing deep learning-based detection of fake information focuses on the transient detection of news itself. Compared to user category profile mining and detection, transient detection is prone to higher misjudgment rates due to the limitations of insufficient temporal information, posing new challenges [...] Read more.
The existing deep learning-based detection of fake information focuses on the transient detection of news itself. Compared to user category profile mining and detection, transient detection is prone to higher misjudgment rates due to the limitations of insufficient temporal information, posing new challenges to social public opinion monitoring tasks such as fake user detection. This paper proposes a multimodal aggregation portrait model (MAPM) based on multi-model joint representation for social media platforms. It constructs a deep learning-based multimodal fake user detection framework by analyzing user behavior datasets within a time retrospective window. It integrates a pre-trained Domain Large Model to represent user behavior data across multiple modalities, thereby constructing a high-generalization implicit behavior feature spectrum for users. In response to the tendency of existing fake user behavior mining to neglect time-series features, this study introduces an improved network called Sequence Interval Detection Net (SIDN) based on Sequence to Sequence (seq2seq) to characterize time interval sequence behaviors, achieving strong expressive capabilities for detecting fake behaviors within the time window. Ultimately, the amalgamation of latent behavioral features and explicit characteristics serves as the input for spectral clustering in detecting fraudulent users. The experimental results on Weibo real dataset demonstrate that the proposed model outperforms the detection utilizing explicit user features, with an improvement of 27.0% in detection accuracy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Information Retrieval and Social Media Mining)
25 pages, 1545 KiB  
Article
A Calculation Method for Reliability Index of a Deep–Bedded Karst Tunnel Construction with Cavity Located Ahead of Tunnel Working Face
by Bo Wu, Wentao Sun and Guowang Meng
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1349; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051349 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
For the purpose of reliability quantitative assessment of the surrounding rock of the deeply embedded karst tunnel and the geological body around the cavern in the case of the cavern in the forepart of the tunnel face, on the basis of the upper [...] Read more.
For the purpose of reliability quantitative assessment of the surrounding rock of the deeply embedded karst tunnel and the geological body around the cavern in the case of the cavern in the forepart of the tunnel face, on the basis of the upper bound limit analysis method, the energy dissipation theory, as well as the reliability theory, the dimensionless performance function of each damage area of the deeply buried karst tunnels could be established in the case of the cavern in the front of the tunnel face. Subsequently, the probability of failure and the reliability index of each damage region of the deep–bedded karst tunnel in the case of the cavern in the front of this tunnel face should be calculated through the Monte Carlo simulation sampling approach. The investigation has demonstrated that the larger the cohesion of the geotechnical body and the larger the internal friction angle within the geotechnical body, the larger the reliability indexes of the geotechnical bodies around the tunnel. The larger the diameter of the cavern and the larger the tunnel burial depth, the greater the probability of failure in the left part of the geotechnical body around this cavern, and the smaller the reliability indexes of these damage areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Construction Management, and Computers & Digitization)
26 pages, 12457 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Microwave-Induced Damage in Granite Aggregates Influenced by Mineral Texture
by Yuan Yuan and Shuang Zhao
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1348; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051348 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
The use of microwave energy to recycle high-quality coarse aggregates from waste concrete or assist hard rock breakage in underground building engineering is promising. Controlling or promoting the damage of coarse aggregates, i.e., hard rocks, under microwave irradiation is a crucial issue faced [...] Read more.
The use of microwave energy to recycle high-quality coarse aggregates from waste concrete or assist hard rock breakage in underground building engineering is promising. Controlling or promoting the damage of coarse aggregates, i.e., hard rocks, under microwave irradiation is a crucial issue faced by these techniques. Understanding the damage mechanisms of hard rocks exposed to microwaves is thus urgent. Fracture toughness is a significant mechanical parameter of rocks that reflects their ability to resist crack propagation and damage evolution. In this study, the fracture toughness degradation of microwave-heated granite was investigated by combining experimental investigations and numerical simulations. A three-point-bending (TPB) experiment was conducted on granite specimens after microwave irradiation. A coupled electromagnetic–thermal–mechanical model considering the actual mineral texture of the granite specimen was established. The evolution of the temperature gradient and stress field near the initial notch tip were investigated. The results suggest that the microwave-induced maximum temperature gradient and stress in granite are at the plagioclase–quartz (Pl–Qtz) interfaces or inside the Pl near the boundary. The region of cracking initiation was defined as the damage zone, which could be obtained by comparing the microwave-induced thermal stress with the critical value. The fracture toughness degradation, which corresponds to the evolution of the damage zones, can be divided into two stages. A relatively rapid decrease in fracture toughness in the first stage is primarily caused by the spread of the scattered damage zones along the Pl–Qtz interfaces; subsequently, a gentler fracture toughness degradation results mainly from the extension of the previous damage zones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Construction Management, and Computers & Digitization)
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16 pages, 892 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Knowledge Graph Embedding with Hierarchical Self-Attention and Graph Neural Network Techniques for Drug-Drug Interaction Prediction in Virtual Reality Environments
by Lizhen Jiang and Sensen Zhang
Symmetry 2024, 16(5), 587; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym16050587 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
In biomedicine, the critical task is to decode Drug–Drug Interactions (DDIs) from complex biomedical texts. The scientific community employs Knowledge Graph Embedding (KGE) methods, enhanced with advanced neural network technologies, including capsule networks. However, existing methodologies primarily focus on the structural details of [...] Read more.
In biomedicine, the critical task is to decode Drug–Drug Interactions (DDIs) from complex biomedical texts. The scientific community employs Knowledge Graph Embedding (KGE) methods, enhanced with advanced neural network technologies, including capsule networks. However, existing methodologies primarily focus on the structural details of individual entities or relations within Biomedical Knowledge Graphs (BioKGs), overlooking the overall structural context of BioKGs, molecular structures, positional features of drug pairs, and their critical Relational Mapping Properties. To tackle the challenges identified, this study presents HSTrHouse an innovative hierarchical self-attention BioKGs embedding framework. This architecture integrates self-attention mechanisms with advanced neural network technologies, including Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and Graph Neural Network (GNN), for enhanced computational modeling in biomedical contexts. The model bifurcates the BioKGs into entity and relation layers for structural analysis. It employs self-attention across these layers, utilizing PubMedBERT and CNN for position feature extraction, and a GNN for drug pair molecular structure analysis. Then, we connect the position and molecular structure features to integrate them into the self-attention calculation of entity and relation. After that, the output of the self-attention layer is combined with the connected vectors of the position feature and molecular structure feature to obtain the final representation vector, and finally, to model the Relational Mapping Properties (RMPs), the representation vector is embedded into the complex vector space using Householder projections to obtain the BioKGs model. The paper validates HSTrHouse’s efficacy by comparing it with advanced models on three standard BioKGs for DDIs research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Computer)
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17 pages, 502 KiB  
Article
Nice for Whom? A Dangerous, Not-So-Nice, Critical Race Love Letter
by G. T. Reyes
Educ. Sci. 2024, 14(5), 508; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14050508 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
In this article, I critically analyze and respond to empirical data in the form of racialized discourse—specifically, racist messages sent directly to me as a result of my previously published article entitled, “A Love Letter to Educational Leaders of Color: CREWing UP with [...] Read more.
In this article, I critically analyze and respond to empirical data in the form of racialized discourse—specifically, racist messages sent directly to me as a result of my previously published article entitled, “A Love Letter to Educational Leaders of Color: CREWing UP with Critical Whiteness Studies”. Being informed by a robust racial analysis of acts that reinforce white supremacy, this article will likely be perceived as not nice by those who benefit from and work to protect white supremacy. Likely, I will be the one accused of being hateful, divisive, and even racist. In order to interrogate the weaponization of this conception of “niceness”, my analysis will be driven by Critical Race Hermeneutics with white emotionality and whitelashing used as interpretive lenses. As this article’s engagement with these critical race frameworks poses a threat to those who benefit from racism, this is a dangerous, not-so-nice critical race love letter. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Niceness, Leadership and Educational Equity)
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17 pages, 1166 KiB  
Article
Synthesis, Spectral Characteristics, Sensing Properties and Microbiological Activity of New Water-Soluble 4-Sulfo-1,8-naphthalimides
by Awаd I. Said, Desislava Staneva, Evgenia Vasileva-Tonkova, Petar Grozdanov, Ivanka Nikolova, Radostina Stoyanova, Albena Jordanova and Ivo Grabchev
Chemosensors 2024, 12(5), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors12050079 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
A new water-soluble polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer modified with 4-sulfo-1,8-naphthalimide (DSNI) and its monomeric structural analogue (MSDI) were synthesized. Their photophysical properties were investigated in organic solvents of different polarities and aqueous solutions. The effect of pH on fluorescence intensity was determined. It was [...] Read more.
A new water-soluble polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer modified with 4-sulfo-1,8-naphthalimide (DSNI) and its monomeric structural analogue (MSDI) were synthesized. Their photophysical properties were investigated in organic solvents of different polarities and aqueous solutions. The effect of pH on fluorescence intensity was determined. It was found that the dendrimer emits blue fluorescence in an acidic medium, which is quenched in an alkaline environment. This phenomenon is due to the possibility of suppression of nonradiative photoinduced electron transfer in acidic media. The influence of different metal ions (Cu2+, Pb2+, Sn2+, Sr2+, Mg2+, Ba2+, Co2+, Hg2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, Fe3+, Al3+) and anions (CN, S2−, S2O52−, HPO42−, H2PO4−, F, CH3COO, NO2, CO32−, SO42−) on the intensity of the emitted fluorescence was studied. Quenching was only found in the presence of Cu2+. This makes the dendrimer suitable for determining copper ions in water solutions in the presence of other metal ions and anions. Additionally, DSNI was used as a ligand to obtain a stable copper complex, the structure of which was investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), infrared spectrum, and elemental analysis. Two copper ions were found to form a complex with one dendrimer. The in vitro microbiological activity of the new compounds against bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and two viruses HRSV-2 and HAdV-5 was investigated. With a view to obtaining antibacterial and anti-viral textiles, cotton fabrics were treated with the three compounds, and then their activity against the same microbial strains was investigated. It was found that the microbiological activity was preserved after the application of the new compounds to the cotton fabrics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemosensors in Biological Challenges, Volume II)
19 pages, 1672 KiB  
Article
European Citizens’ Evaluation of the Common Agricultural Policy
by Fernando Mata and Maria J. P. L. Dos-Santos
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 3970; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16103970 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is crucial in ensuring food safety and security in Europe. Providing a stable and diverse food supply also supports rural economies and promotes social, environmental and economic sustainability. However, as CAP consumes approximately 30% of the EU budget, [...] Read more.
The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is crucial in ensuring food safety and security in Europe. Providing a stable and diverse food supply also supports rural economies and promotes social, environmental and economic sustainability. However, as CAP consumes approximately 30% of the EU budget, debates regarding its pertinence have arisen. This paper aimed to understand European citizens’ perceptions of CAP, its associated benefits and their level of agreement regarding the allocation of the EU budget. Ultimately, the goal was to gain insights into EU citizens’ attitudes and perceptions towards the CAP. Information and data come from the European Survey Eurobarometer. The methods include statistical inferential techniques adjusted to the nature of the variables and goals. The findings confirm that European citizens generally perceive the CAP positively and have positive attitudes about the CAP. While some differences among various social groups may exist, the results did not identify any specific group strongly opposing the CAP. Overall, European citizens hold a favorable attitude towards the CAP, its associated benefits and budget allocation. This paper brings new insights into new European CAP measures and programs to promote food security and the sustainability of agriculture among European countries and citizens. These insights may be useful for public decision-makers to define better policies and measures adjusted to European citizens and to promote food security and sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)
11 pages, 1202 KiB  
Article
Detecting Smell/Gas-Source Direction Using Output Voltage Characteristics of a CMOS Smell Sensor
by Yoshihiro Asada, Kenichi Maeno, Kenichi Hashizume, Yusuke Yodo, Toshihiko Noda, Kazuaki Sawada and Masahiro Akiyama
Electronics 2024, 13(10), 1847; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13101847 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Various organisms, such as dogs and moths, can locate their prey and mates by sensing their smells. Following this manner, if an engineering device with the capability to detect a smell or gas source is realized, it can have a wide range of [...] Read more.
Various organisms, such as dogs and moths, can locate their prey and mates by sensing their smells. Following this manner, if an engineering device with the capability to detect a smell or gas source is realized, it can have a wide range of potential applications, such as searching for landmines, locating gas leaks, and rapid detection of fire. A previous study on the estimation of smell and gas-flow direction successfully detected the smell/gas-source direction in low-wind-velocity environments using a semiconductor gas sensor array. However, some problems are generally associated with the use of semiconductor gas sensors due to the use of heaters. This study aimed to detect the location of a smell/gas source using an integrated CMOS smell sensor array, which operates at room temperature without a heater. The experiment showed that under ideal conditions, the order of gas responses and concentration gradient of the gas enabled the estimation of the direction of the smell/gas-source location on one side of the sensor. Full article
15 pages, 812 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial Functionalization of Silicone-graft-poly(N-vinylimidazole) Catheters
by Luis Enrique Navarrete-Germán, Belén Gómez-Lázaro, Felipe López-Saucedo and Emilio Bucio
Molecules 2024, 29(10), 2225; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29102225 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
In this work, we present the modification of a medical-grade silicone catheter with the N-vinylimidazole monomer using the grafting-from method at room temperature and induced by gamma rays. The catheters were modified by varying the monomer concentration (20–100 vol%) and the irradiation [...] Read more.
In this work, we present the modification of a medical-grade silicone catheter with the N-vinylimidazole monomer using the grafting-from method at room temperature and induced by gamma rays. The catheters were modified by varying the monomer concentration (20–100 vol%) and the irradiation dose (20–100 kGy). Unlike the pristine material, the grafted poly(N-vinylimidazole) chains provided the catheter with hydrophilicity and pH response. This change allowed for the functionalization of the catheters to endow it with antimicrobial features. Thus, the quaternization of amines with iodomethane and bromoethane was performed, as well as the immobilization of silver and ampicillin. The inhibitory capacity of these materials, functionalized with antimicrobial agents, was challenged against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains, showing variable results, where loaded ampicillin was amply better at eliminating bacteria. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stimuli-Responsive Crystals Materials and Polymers)
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18 pages, 5851 KiB  
Article
Preparation of Heterogeneous Fenton Catalysts Cu-Doped MnO2 for Enhanced Degradation of Dyes in Wastewater
by Xiao Liu, Lu Wang, Jiran Li, Rong Li, Runze He, Wanglong Gao and Neng Yu
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(10), 833; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14100833 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Herein, a series of heterogeneous Fenton catalysts, Cu doped MnO2 (CDM), with different Cu/Mn molar ratios were prepared via a hydrothermal reaction. Meanwhile, detailed characterizations were used to study the structures of CDM, and it is amazing that the morphology of CDM [...] Read more.
Herein, a series of heterogeneous Fenton catalysts, Cu doped MnO2 (CDM), with different Cu/Mn molar ratios were prepared via a hydrothermal reaction. Meanwhile, detailed characterizations were used to study the structures of CDM, and it is amazing that the morphology of CDM changed from nanowires to nanoflowers with an increasing amount of Cu doped. Apart from this, both the specific surface area and oxygen vacancy increased obviously with the increasing Cu/Mn molar ratio. Then, the degradation of different dyes was utilized to evaluate the catalytic activity of different CDM with H2O2 used as the oxidizing agent, and the 50%-CDM with the highest content of Cu doped displayed the best catalytic activity. Herein, the degradation efficiency (D%) of Congo red (CR) solution with low concentration (60 mg/L) reached 100% in 3 min, while the D% of CR solution with a high concentration (300 mg/L) reached 99.4% after 5 min with a higher dosage of H2O2. Additionally, the 50%-CDM also displayed excellent reusability, for which the D% values were still higher than 90% after the 14th cycles. Based on the structure characteristics and mechanism analysis, the excellent catalytic capacity of 50%-CDM was due to the combined influence of large specific surface area and abundant oxygen vacancy. Thus, a promising heterogeneous Fenton catalyst was developed in this study, which proved the treatment efficiency of actual dye wastewater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials for Water Remediation (2nd Edition))
14 pages, 21843 KiB  
Article
Effect of Polymer and Crosslinker Concentration on Static and Dynamic Gelation Behavior of Phenolic Resin Hydrogel
by Wenjuan Ji, Bei Chang, Haiyang Yu, Yilin Li and Weiqiang Song
Gels 2024, 10(5), 325; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10050325 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
The application results of profile control and water plugging technology are highly related to the gelation time and strength of phenolic resin hydrogel. In this work, a hydrogel solution was prepared by fully mixing the prepared polymer solution with a crosslinker. The static [...] Read more.
The application results of profile control and water plugging technology are highly related to the gelation time and strength of phenolic resin hydrogel. In this work, a hydrogel solution was prepared by fully mixing the prepared polymer solution with a crosslinker. The static gelation process of PFR hydrogel in ampoule bottles and porous media was analyzed by changes in the viscosity and residual resistance coefficient. Then, the dynamic gelation of the PFR hydrogel in porous media was tested using a circulating flow device, and the changes in viscosity and injection pressure were analyzed during the dynamic gelation process. Finally, the effects of the polymer concentration and crosslinker concentration on dynamic gelation were analyzed. The initial gelation time and final gelation time in porous media were 1–1.5 times and 1.5–2 times those in ampoule bottles under static conditions, respectively. The initial dynamic gelation time in porous media was 2–2.5 times and 1.5–2 times the initial static gelation times in ampoule bottles and porous media, respectively. The final dynamic gelation time was four times and two times the initial static gelation times in ampoule bottles and porous media, respectively. The production after dynamic gelation in porous media comprised hydrogel aggregates and water fluid, leading to a high injection pressure and low viscosity of the produced liquid. As the concentration of polymer and crosslinker increased, the dynamic gelation time was shortened and the gel strength was increased. In the dynamic gelation process in porous media, the phenol resin hydrogel could migrate deeply, but it was limited by the concentrations of the polymer and crosslinker. The results of subsequent water flooding showed that the polymer hydrogel had a good plugging ability after dynamic gelation. The deep reservoir could only be blocked off in the subsequent water flooding process when the migration of hydrogel happened in the dynamic gelation process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gels for Oil and Gas Industry Applications (2nd Edition))
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23 pages, 5532 KiB  
Article
Deformation Analysis and Prediction of a High-Speed Railway Suspension Bridge under Multi-Load Coupling
by Simin Liu, Weiping Jiang, Qusen Chen, Jian Wang, Xuyan Tan, Ruiqi Liu and Zhongtao Ye
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(10), 1687; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16101687 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
High-speed railway suspension bridges (HSRSBs) have been constructed with the new advancements in technology. The deformation prediction for HSRSBs is essential to their safety and maintenance. The conventional prediction methods are developed for bridges without high-speed railway. Different factors, including temperature (TEMP), time [...] Read more.
High-speed railway suspension bridges (HSRSBs) have been constructed with the new advancements in technology. The deformation prediction for HSRSBs is essential to their safety and maintenance. The conventional prediction methods are developed for bridges without high-speed railway. Different factors, including temperature (TEMP), time delay compensation (TDC), train live load (TLL), are considered in these methods. However, the train side (TS) and train instantaneous position (TIP) have a significant impact on deformation for HSRSBs, and they are not used in the prediction. More importantly, the coupling issue among different factors is so significant that it cannot be neglected. In this study, we propose a deformation prediction model based on a backpropagation (BP) neural network. This model uses different factors as model input, including TEMP, TDC, TLL, TS, and TIP. The coupling issue is addressed by using the new model. The new model was evaluated using a dataset of 10-day field measurements. It achieves a mean absolute error (MAE) of 8.81 mm, a mean relative error (MRE) of 9.82%, and coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.94. The new model will provide high-precision prediction for deformation and will be used in the development of an early warning system. Full article
15 pages, 750 KiB  
Article
Prediction of Mismatch Repair Status in Endometrial Cancer from Histological Slide Images Using Various Deep Learning-Based Algorithms
by Mina Umemoto, Tasuku Mariya, Yuta Nambu, Mai Nagata, Toshihiro Horimai, Shintaro Sugita, Takayuki Kanaseki, Yuka Takenaka, Shota Shinkai, Motoki Matsuura, Masahiro Iwasaki, Yoshihiko Hirohashi, Tadashi Hasegawa, Toshihiko Torigoe, Yuichi Fujino and Tsuyoshi Saito
Cancers 2024, 16(10), 1810; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16101810 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
The application of deep learning algorithms to predict the molecular profiles of various cancers from digital images of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained slides has been reported in recent years, mainly for gastric and colon cancers. In this study, we investigated the potential use [...] Read more.
The application of deep learning algorithms to predict the molecular profiles of various cancers from digital images of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained slides has been reported in recent years, mainly for gastric and colon cancers. In this study, we investigated the potential use of H&E-stained endometrial cancer slide images to predict the associated mismatch repair (MMR) status. H&E-stained slide images were collected from 127 cases of the primary lesion of endometrial cancer. After digitization using a Nanozoomer virtual slide scanner (Hamamatsu Photonics), we segmented the scanned images into 5397 tiles of 512 × 512 pixels. The MMR proteins (PMS2, MSH6) were immunohistochemically stained, classified into MMR proficient/deficient, and annotated for each case and tile. We trained several neural networks, including convolutional and attention-based networks, using tiles annotated with the MMR status. Among the tested networks, ResNet50 exhibited the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.91 for predicting the MMR status. The constructed prediction algorithm may be applicable to other molecular profiles and useful for pre-screening before implementing other, more costly genetic profiling tests. Full article
19 pages, 8413 KiB  
Article
Photocatalytic Activity and Antibacterial Properties of Mixed-Phase Oxides on Titanium Implant Alloy Substrates
by Haden A. Johnson, Darby Donaho, Aya Ali, Amisha Parekh, Randall S. Williamson, Mary E. Marquart, Joel D. Bumgardner, Amol V. Janorkar and Michael D. Roach
Coatings 2024, 14(5), 595; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14050595 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Titanium alloys are commonly used for implants, but the naturally forming oxides are bioinert and not ideal for bacterial resistance or osseointegration. Anodization processes are a modification technique that can crystallize the oxides, alter oxide surface topography, and introduce beneficial chemistries. Crystalline titanium [...] Read more.
Titanium alloys are commonly used for implants, but the naturally forming oxides are bioinert and not ideal for bacterial resistance or osseointegration. Anodization processes are a modification technique that can crystallize the oxides, alter oxide surface topography, and introduce beneficial chemistries. Crystalline titanium oxides are known to exhibit photocatalytic activity (PCA) under UVA light. Anodization was used to create mixed-phase oxides on six titanium alloys including commercially pure titanium (CPTi), Ti-6Al-4V (TAV), Ti-6Al-7Nb (TAN), two forms of Ti-15Mo (TiMo-β and TiMo-αβ), and Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta (TNZT). Combined EDS and XPS analyses showed uptake of the electrolyte and substrate alloying elements into the oxides. The relative oxide PCA was measured using methylene blue degradation assays. CPTi and TAN oxides exhibited increased PCA compared to other alloys. Combined XRD and EBSD oxide phase analyses revealed an unfavorable arrangement of anatase and rutile phases near the outermost surfaces, which may have reduced PCA for other oxides. The relative Staphylococcus aureus attachment to each oxide was also assessed. The CPTi and TiMo-αβ oxides showed significantly reduced S. aureus attachment after 1 h of UVA compared to un-anodized CPTi. Cell culture results verified that the UVA irradiation did not negatively influence the MC3T3-E1 attachment or proliferation on the mixed-phase oxides. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends in Coatings and Surface Technology, 2nd Edition)
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