The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
13 pages, 4015 KiB  
Article
Control of Pore Sizes in Epoxy Monoliths and Applications as Sheet-Type Adhesives in Combination with Conventional Epoxy and Acrylic Adhesives
by Yoshiyuki Kamo and Akikazu Matsumoto
Molecules 2024, 29(9), 2059; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092059 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
Materials with monolithic structures, such as epoxy monoliths, are used for a variety of applications, such as for column fillers in gas chromatography and HPLC, for separators in lithium-ion batteries, and for precursor polymers for monolith adhesion. In this study, we investigated the [...] Read more.
Materials with monolithic structures, such as epoxy monoliths, are used for a variety of applications, such as for column fillers in gas chromatography and HPLC, for separators in lithium-ion batteries, and for precursor polymers for monolith adhesion. In this study, we investigated the fabrication of epoxy monoliths using 1,3-bis(N,N-diglycidylaminomethyl)cyclohexane (TETRAD-C) as the tetrafunctional epoxy and 4,4′-methylenebis(cyclohexylamine) (BACM) as the amine curing agent to control pore diameters using polyethylene glycols (PEGs) of differing molecular weights as the porogenic agents. We fabricated an epoxy monolith with micron-order pores and high strength levels, and which is suitable for the precursors of composite materials in cases where smaller PEGs are used. We discussed the effects of the porous structures of monoliths on their physical properties, such as tensile strength, elongation, elastic modulus, and glass transition temperatures. For example, epoxy monoliths prepared in the presence of PEGs exhibited an elastic modulus less than 1 GPa at room temperature and Tg values of 175–187 °C, while the epoxy bulk thermoset produced without any porogenic solvent showed a high elastic modulus as 1.8 GPa, which was maintained at high temperatures, and a high Tg of 223 °C. In addition, the unique adhesion characteristics of epoxy monolith sheets are revealed as a result of the combinations made with commercial epoxy and acrylic adhesives. Epoxy monoliths that are combined with conventional adhesives can function as sheet-type adhesives purposed with avoiding problems when only liquid-type adhesives are used. Full article
15 pages, 3449 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Refined Coherent Grain Boundaries on High-Temperature Oxidation Behavior of TiAl-Based Alloys through Cyclic Heat Treatment
by Keren Zhang, Lele Zhang and Jinguang Li
Metals 2024, 14(5), 521; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14050521 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
The grain size of the full lamellae TiAl-based alloy changes from ~400 μm to ~40 μm through the precipitation of metastable structures by cyclic heat treatment. Based on this, two kinds of variant selection processes—coherent metastable γ variants precipitated during the air-cooling process [...] Read more.
The grain size of the full lamellae TiAl-based alloy changes from ~400 μm to ~40 μm through the precipitation of metastable structures by cyclic heat treatment. Based on this, two kinds of variant selection processes—coherent metastable γ variants precipitated during the air-cooling process and αs variants precipitated during the holding at a single α phase region process—are identified to promote the formation of refined Type I and Type II coherent grain boundaries. The oxidation tests at 1000 °C for 100 h show that the formation of refined coherent grain boundaries can greatly improve oxidation resistance by inducing the continuous multi-layer protective barrier consisting of (Ti, (Nb, Ta))O2, TiN, and Al(Nb,Ta)2. This protective barrier inhibits the inward diffusion of oxygen and nitrogen. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Lightweight Alloys)
11 pages, 367 KiB  
Review
Present and Future Applications of Digital PCR in Infectious Diseases Diagnosis
by Laura Sancha Dominguez, Ana Cotos Suárez, María Sánchez Ledesma and Juan Luis Muñoz Bellido
Diagnostics 2024, 14(9), 931; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14090931 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
Infectious diseases account for about 3 million deaths per year. The advent of molecular techniques has led to an enormous improvement in their diagnosis, both in terms of sensitivity and specificity and in terms of the speed with which a clinically useful result [...] Read more.
Infectious diseases account for about 3 million deaths per year. The advent of molecular techniques has led to an enormous improvement in their diagnosis, both in terms of sensitivity and specificity and in terms of the speed with which a clinically useful result can be obtained. Digital PCR, or 3rd generation PCR, is based on a series of technical modifications that result in more sensitive techniques, more resistant to the action of inhibitors and capable of direct quantification without the need for standard curves. This review presents the main applications that have been developed for the diagnosis of viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections and the potential prospects for the clinical use of this technology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Point-of-Care Diagnostics and Devices)
13 pages, 459 KiB  
Article
Undescended Testes Growth Potential in Relation to Testis Position from Diagnosis until Puberty
by Maciej Nowak, Jerzy Niedzielski, Jolanta Slowikowska-Hilczer, Renata Walczak-Jedrzejowska and Katarzyna Marchlewska
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(9), 2620; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092620 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
This study aimed to determine changes in TV and TAI in patients with different types of UDT. Materials and Methods: 182 boys (aged 0.3–14.0 years) with 212 UDTs were assessed twice 24 months apart. Testes were unilateral (UCT) or bilateral canalicular (BCT) [...] Read more.
This study aimed to determine changes in TV and TAI in patients with different types of UDT. Materials and Methods: 182 boys (aged 0.3–14.0 years) with 212 UDTs were assessed twice 24 months apart. Testes were unilateral (UCT) or bilateral canalicular (BCT) and intra-abdominal (IAT). Results: At the beginning of the observation, the highest TAI was observed in IAT and the lowest in the BCT group (38.1 vs. 12.5%, p < 0.05). After 2 years, the highest TAI was observed in the BCT and IAT groups (20.5 and 19.1%), while the lowest was in the UCT group (12.0%, p < 0.05). At the beginning and after 2 years, the highest TAI was observed in boys aged < 6 years (25.0%, 18.2%) and the lowest in pubertal boys aged 12–14 years (5.9%, 7.3%, p < 0.05). A total of 78.3% of patients at the beginning and 86.8% at the end of the observation had TAI < 30%. Furthermore, 7% of boys at the beginning and 3% at the end of the observation had TAI > 50%. IATs have the highest testicular growth potential (TGP), while BCTs have the lowest (120.0 vs. 28.6%, p < 0.05). The highest TGP was in boys aged < 3 years (100%, p < 0.05) and boys aged 12–14 years (98.1%, p < 0.05), while the lowest was in boys aged 9–10.9 years (19.5%, p < 0.05). Conclusions: We revealed the continuous growth of UDTs until puberty independently of their position. IATs revealed high growth potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Pediatrics)
17 pages, 1404 KiB  
Article
The Molecular Landscape of Primary CNS Lymphomas (PCNSLs) in Children and Young Adults
by Zhi-Feng Shi, Kay Ka-Wai Li, Anthony Pak-Yin Liu, Nellie Yuk-Fei Chung, Sze-Ching Wong, Hong Chen, Peter Yat-Ming Woo, Danny Tat-Ming Chan, Ying Mao and Ho-Keung Ng
Cancers 2024, 16(9), 1740; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16091740 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
Pediatric brain tumors are often noted to be different from their adult counterparts in terms of molecular features. Primary CNS lymphomas (PCNSLs) are mostly found in elderly adults and are uncommon in children and teenagers. There has only been scanty information about the [...] Read more.
Pediatric brain tumors are often noted to be different from their adult counterparts in terms of molecular features. Primary CNS lymphomas (PCNSLs) are mostly found in elderly adults and are uncommon in children and teenagers. There has only been scanty information about the molecular features of PCNSLs at a young age. We examined PCNSLs in 34 young patients aged between 7 and 39 years for gene rearrangements of BCl2, BCL6, CCND1, IRF4, IGH, IGL, IGK, and MYC, homozygous deletions (HD) of CDKN2A, and HLA by FISH. Sequencing was performed using WES, panel target sequencing, or Sanger sequencing due to the small amount of available tissues. The median OS was 97.5 years and longer than that for older patients with PCNSLs. Overall, only 14 instances of gene rearrangement were found (5%), and patients with any gene rearrangement were significantly older (p = 0.029). CDKN2A HD was associated with a shorter OS (p < 0.001). Only 10/31 (32%) showed MYD88 mutations, which were not prognostically significant, and only three of them were L265P mutations. CARD11 mutations were found in 8/24 (33%) cases only. Immunophenotypically, the cases were predominantly GCB, in contrast to older adults (61%). In summary, we showed that molecular findings identified in the PCNSLs of the older patients were only sparingly present in pediatric and young adult patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Pathology of Brain Tumors)
15 pages, 2168 KiB  
Article
Prediction Model for Trends in Submarine Cable Burial Depth Variation Considering Dynamic Thermal Resistance Characteristics
by Zhenxing Hu, Xueyong Ye, Xiaokang Luo, Hao Zhang, Mingguang He, Jiaxing Li and Qian Li
Energies 2024, 17(9), 2127; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17092127 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
Fault problems associated with submarine cables caused by variations in their burial depth are becoming increasingly prominent. To address the difficulty of detecting the burial depth of submarine cables and trends in its variation, a prediction model for submarine cable burial depth was [...] Read more.
Fault problems associated with submarine cables caused by variations in their burial depth are becoming increasingly prominent. To address the difficulty of detecting the burial depth of submarine cables and trends in its variation, a prediction model for submarine cable burial depth was proposed which considers the dynamic characteristics of thermal resistance. First, a parallel thermal circuit model of a three-core submarine cable was established, and a formula for calculating the submarine cable’s burial depth was derived based on a formula for calculating the submarine cable’s core temperature. Then, the calculation result was corrected by considering the dynamic characteristics of the thermal resistance of the submarine cable’s structural materials. On this basis, feature vectors associated with the seabed cable burial depth calculation data and time nodes were mined by a convolutional neural network and used as the input parameters of a long short-term memory network for optimization and training, and a prediction model for trends in seabed cable burial depth variation was obtained. Finally, an example analysis was carried out based on the actual electrical parameter data of submarine cables buried by an offshore oil and gas platform. The results showed that the prediction model for trends in variations in the burial depth of submarine cables based on the CNN-LSTM neural network can achieve high prediction accuracy and prediction efficiency. Full article
19 pages, 475 KiB  
Review
Impact of PET/CT Imaging with FDG in Locally Advanced Cervical Carcinoma—A Literature Review
by Ottó Molnar, Oreste Mihai Straciuc, Simona Mihuțiu and Liviu Lazăr
Curr. Oncol. 2024, 31(5), 2508-2526; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31050188 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
Positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) have evolved as a pivotal diagnostic modality in the field of oncology. With its increasing application in staging and ready availability, it becomes imperative for committed radiation oncologists to possess a complete analysis and understanding [...] Read more.
Positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) have evolved as a pivotal diagnostic modality in the field of oncology. With its increasing application in staging and ready availability, it becomes imperative for committed radiation oncologists to possess a complete analysis and understanding of integration of molecular imaging, which can be helpful for radiation planning, while also acknowledging its possible limitations and challenges. A significant obstacle lies in the synthesis and design of tumor-specific bmolecules for diagnosing and treating cancer. The utilization of radiation in medical biochemistry and biotechnology, encompassing diagnosis, therapy, and control of biological systems, is encapsulated under the umbrella term “nuclear medicine.” Notably, the application of various radioisotopes in pharmaceutics has garnered significant attention, particularly in the realm of delivery systems for drugs, DNA, and imaging agents. The present article provides a comprehensive review of use of novel techniques PET and CT with major positron-emitting radiopharmaceuticals currently in progress or utilized in clinical practice with their integration into imaging and radiation therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Gynecologic Oncology)
18 pages, 5115 KiB  
Article
Effect of Flashlamp Heating System Parameters on the Wedge Peel Strength of Thermoplastic Carbon Fiber Tape in the Automated Tape Placement Process
by Alexander Legenstein and Ewald Fauster
J. Manuf. Mater. Process. 2024, 8(3), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmmp8030091 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
Laser-assisted automated tape placement systems are currently the state of the art regarding thermoplastic tape placement. Flashlamp heating systems are rather new in this field of application and offer high energy density with low safety requirements and moderate costs compared to laser-assisted automated [...] Read more.
Laser-assisted automated tape placement systems are currently the state of the art regarding thermoplastic tape placement. Flashlamp heating systems are rather new in this field of application and offer high energy density with low safety requirements and moderate costs compared to laser-assisted automated tape placement systems. In this study, the effect of processing parameters on interlaminar bonding of carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide 6 tapes is investigated using a flashlamp heating system. The temperature during placement is monitored using an infrared camera, and the bonding strength is characterized by a wedge peel test. The bonding quality of the tapes placed between 210 °C and 330 °C at a lay-up speed of 50 mm/s is investigated. Thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and micrographs are used to investigate the material properties and effects of the processing conditions on the thermophysical properties and geometric properties of the tape. No significant changes in the thermophysical or geometric properties were found. Moisture within the tapes and staining of the quartz guides of the flashlamp system have significant influence on the bonding strength. The highest wedge peel strength of dried tapes was found at around 330 °C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Composites Manufacturing and Plastics Processing)
21 pages, 3497 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Afforestation Strategies: Hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Model in Post-Mining Rehabilitation
by Ersin Güngör and Gökhan Şen
Forests 2024, 15(5), 783; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15050783 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
This article describes an effective approach for selecting suitable plant species for afforestation in post-mining rehabilitation. The research was conducted in the Western Black Sea region of Turkey. The aim of the research is to perform accurate criteria weighting and species prioritization for [...] Read more.
This article describes an effective approach for selecting suitable plant species for afforestation in post-mining rehabilitation. The research was conducted in the Western Black Sea region of Turkey. The aim of the research is to perform accurate criteria weighting and species prioritization for afforestation in post-mining degraded areas. This helps to ensure consistent conditions for the future use of the site as a forest, sustainability of nature, and selection of appropriate species adapted to the difficult post-mining conditions. In this study, which is a multi-criteria decision-making problem (MCDM), the weights of the criteria were determined by stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA), and the priority ranking of the species was determined by the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Analyses were carried out with 10 afforestation criteria and five tree species. According to the analysis, the top three ranked criteria are Economic Efficiency > Carbon Stock and Credit > Reducing Afforestation Cost. The five species’ priority ranking is Robinia pseudoacacia L. (0.456) > Alnus glutinosa subsp. glutinosa (0.248) > Populus nigra subsp. nigra (0.146) > Salix alba L. (0.103) > Quercus robur subs. robur (0.048). The hybrid approach is expected to increase the effectiveness of post-mining rehabilitation works. Full article
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23 pages, 1462 KiB  
Systematic Review
Sensors and Sensing Devices Utilizing Electrorheological Fluids and Magnetorheological Materials—A Review
by Yu-Jin Park and Seung-Bok Choi
Sensors 2024, 24(9), 2842; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24092842 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
This paper comprehensively reviews sensors and sensing devices developed or/and proposed so far utilizing two smart materials: electrorheological fluids (ERFs) and magnetorheological materials (MRMs) whose rheological characteristics such as stiffness and damping can be controlled by external stimuli; an electrical voltage for ERFs [...] Read more.
This paper comprehensively reviews sensors and sensing devices developed or/and proposed so far utilizing two smart materials: electrorheological fluids (ERFs) and magnetorheological materials (MRMs) whose rheological characteristics such as stiffness and damping can be controlled by external stimuli; an electrical voltage for ERFs and a magnetic field for MRMs, respectively. In this review article, the MRMs are classified into magnetorheological fluids (MRF), magnetorheological elastomers (MRE) and magnetorheological plastomers (MRP). To easily understand the history of sensing research using these two smart materials, the order of this review article is organized in a chronological manner of ERF sensors, MRF sensors, MRE sensors and MRP sensors. Among many sensors fabricated from each smart material, one or two sensors or sensing devices are adopted to discuss the sensing configuration, working principle and specifications such as accuracy and sensitivity. Some sensors adopted in this article include force sensors, tactile devices, strain sensors, wearable bending sensors, magnetometers, display devices and flux measurement sensors. After briefly describing what has been reviewed in a conclusion, several challenging future works, which should be undertaken for the practical applications of sensors or/and sensing devices, are discussed in terms of response time and new technologies integrating with artificial intelligence neural networks in which several parameters affecting the sensor signals can be precisely and optimally tuned. It is sure that this review article is very helpful to potential readers who are interested in creative sensors using not only the proposed smart materials but also different types of smart materials such as shape memory alloys and active polymers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Review Papers in Physical Sensors)
8 pages, 663 KiB  
Article
Practical Security of Continuous Variable Quantum Key Distribution Ascribable to Imperfect Modulator for Fiber Channel
by Shengzhe Xu, Zicheng Zhou and Ying Guo
Mathematics 2024, 12(9), 1356; https://doi.org/10.3390/math12091356 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
An amplitude modulator plays an essential role in the implementation of continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD), whereas it may bring about a potential security loophole in the practical system. The high-frequency modulation of the actual transmitter usually results in the high rate of [...] Read more.
An amplitude modulator plays an essential role in the implementation of continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD), whereas it may bring about a potential security loophole in the practical system. The high-frequency modulation of the actual transmitter usually results in the high rate of the system. However, an imperfect amplitude modulator (AM) can give birth to a potential information leakage from the modulation of the transmitter. To reveal a potential security loophole from the high-frequency AM embedded in the transmitter, we demonstrate an influence on the practical security of the system in terms of the secret key rate and maximal transmission distance. The results indicate the risk of this security loophole in the imperfect AM-embedded transmitter. Fortunately, the legal participants can trace back the potential information leakage that has been produced from the imperfect transmitter at high frequencies, which can be used for defeating the leakage attack in CVQKD. We find the limitations of the imperfect AM-embedded transmitter of the high-frequency quantum system, and hence, we have to trade off the practical security and the modulation frequency of the AM-embedded transmitter while considering its implementation in a practical environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Cryptography and Encryption)
31 pages, 5855 KiB  
Article
Construction of a Cutting-Tool Wear Prediction Model through Ensemble Learning
by Shen-Yung Lin and Chia-Jen Hsieh
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 3811; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093811 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
This study begins by conducting side milling experiments on SKD11 using tungsten carbide TiAlN-coated end mills to compare the surface roughness performance between two combinations of milling process parameters (feed rate and radial depth of cut), along with three ultrasonic-assisted methods (rotary, dual-axis, [...] Read more.
This study begins by conducting side milling experiments on SKD11 using tungsten carbide TiAlN-coated end mills to compare the surface roughness performance between two combinations of milling process parameters (feed rate and radial depth of cut), along with three ultrasonic-assisted methods (rotary, dual-axis, and rotary combined with dual-axis). The results suggest that the rotary (z-axis oscillation) ultrasonic-assisted method may provide better performance. Subsequently, this superior ultrasonic-assisted method was applied both with and without laser locally preheating assistance, respectively. Using a Taguchi orthogonal array, milling process parameters (spindle speed, feed rate, and radial depth of cut) were planned for experiments with the same cutting tool and the workpiece just mentioned above. The surface roughness serves as the objective function while being constrained by cutting-tool life. The characteristics of the smaller-the-better in the Taguchi method were applied to determine the optimal combination of process parameters. Based on the optimal milling process parameters obtained and the superior hybrid-assisted method adopted, milling experiments were repeatedly performed to collect the data on cutting force and cutting-tool wear. Feature engineering was performed on the cutting force signals, and different domain characteristics from both the time and frequency domains were extracted. Hereafter, feature selection by random forest and data standardization were further applied to feature extractions, and the data processing was thus completed. For the processed data, a cutting-tool wear prediction model was constructed by ensemble learning. This method leverages various machine learning regression models, including decision tree, random forest, extremely randomized tree, light gradient boosting machine, extreme gradient boosting, AdaBoost, stochastic gradient descent, support vector regression, linear support vector regression, and multilayer perceptron. After hyper-parameter tuning, the ensemble voting regression prediction was performed based on these ten mentioned models. The experimental results demonstrate that the ensemble voting regression model surpasses the performance of each individual machine learning regression model. In addition, this regression model achieves a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.94576, a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.24348, a mean squared error (MSE) of 0.05928, and a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.18182. Therefore, the ensemble learning approach has been proven to be a feasible and effective method for monitoring cutting-tool wear. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Machine Tools, Advanced Manufacturing and Precision Manufacturing)
16 pages, 3747 KiB  
Article
Catalytic Oxidation of Chlorobenzene over Amorphous Manganese-Chromium Catalysts Supported by UiO-66-Derived ZrOx
by Pengfei Zhu, Qiaosen Yuan, Na Li, Zhaoxia Hu and Shouwen Chen
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2103; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092103 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
The development of efficient catalysts with longevity to remove chlorobenzene is challenging due to Cl poisoning. Herein, a series of Mn-Cr/ZrOx catalysts supported by Zr-based metal-organic framework (UiO-66)-derived ZrOx was prepared and investigated for chlorobenzene (CB) catalytic oxidation. MnCr/ZrOx-M [...] Read more.
The development of efficient catalysts with longevity to remove chlorobenzene is challenging due to Cl poisoning. Herein, a series of Mn-Cr/ZrOx catalysts supported by Zr-based metal-organic framework (UiO-66)-derived ZrOx was prepared and investigated for chlorobenzene (CB) catalytic oxidation. MnCr/ZrOx-M prepared via a wet impregnation method presented an amorphous structure, indicating the homogeneous dispersion of Cr and Mn, which improved acid and redox properties. 40Mn7Cr3/ZrOx-M exhibited the best catalytic activity for chlorobenzene oxidation with T90 of 293 ℃, which is mainly due to the strong interaction between manganese and chromium promoted by the large specific surface area of the ZrOx support. Furthermore, 40Mn7Cr3/ZrOx-M presented excellent stability for chlorobenzene oxidation. Full article
17 pages, 649 KiB  
Article
Virus Quasispecies Rarefaction: Subsampling with or without Replacement?
by Josep Gregori, Marta Ibañez-Lligoña, Sergi Colomer-Castell, Carolina Campos and Josep Quer
Viruses 2024, 16(5), 710; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16050710 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
In quasispecies diversity studies, the comparison of two samples of varying sizes is a common necessity. However, the sensitivity of certain diversity indices to sample size variations poses a challenge. To address this issue, rarefaction emerges as a crucial tool, serving to normalize [...] Read more.
In quasispecies diversity studies, the comparison of two samples of varying sizes is a common necessity. However, the sensitivity of certain diversity indices to sample size variations poses a challenge. To address this issue, rarefaction emerges as a crucial tool, serving to normalize and create fairly comparable samples. This study emphasizes the imperative nature of sample size normalization in quasispecies diversity studies using next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. We present a thorough examination of resampling schemes using various simple hypothetical cases of quasispecies showing different quasispecies structures in the sense of haplotype genomic composition, offering a comprehensive understanding of their implications in general cases. Despite the big numbers implied in this sort of study, often involving coverages exceeding 100,000 reads per sample and amplicon, the rarefaction process for normalization should be performed with repeated resampling without replacement, especially when rare haplotypes constitute a significant fraction of interest. However, it is noteworthy that different diversity indices exhibit distinct sensitivities to sample size. Consequently, some diversity indicators may be compared directly without normalization, or instead may be resampled safely with replacement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section General Virology)
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11 pages, 1005 KiB  
Technical Note
A New, Safe, and Effective Technique for Percutaneous Insertion of a Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter
by Andrzej Jaroszyński, Jarosław Miszczuk, Marcin Jadach, Stanisław Głuszek and Wojciech Dąbrowski
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(9), 2618; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092618 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
A properly functioning peritoneal catheter is an essential element of effective peritoneal dialysis (PD). Currently, there are three techniques available for PD catheter placement, which include open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and percutaneous catheter placement (PCP). Currently, no particular catheter placement approach has been [...] Read more.
A properly functioning peritoneal catheter is an essential element of effective peritoneal dialysis (PD). Currently, there are three techniques available for PD catheter placement, which include open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and percutaneous catheter placement (PCP). Currently, no particular catheter placement approach has been proven with certainty to provide superior outcomes. We present a new modified PCP method with the use of the Veress needle covered with an intravascular catheter (IC) and preliminary clinical results of PD catheter placements with this new technique. The endpoints used in the study were 1-year technical survival of the catheter, and the incidence of early (1 month) mechanical as well as infection complications. The catheter was implanted in 24 patients. The catheter survival rate was 100%; however, in two cases, the catheters were removed due to complications not associated with PD treatment. No early mechanical complications such as bleeding, hematoma, perforations, internal organ damage, exit site leaks, or hernia in the place of insertion were observed. Similarly, no early infectious complications were observed. During the 1-year follow-up, no catheter migration occurred. Our results showed that the new PCP technique is a safe and easy procedure that minimizes the occurrence of both mechanical and infectious complications and ensures good catheter survival. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section General Surgery)
14 pages, 631 KiB  
Article
Development and Validation of an Examination Protocol for Arthroscopic Evaluation of the Temporomandibular Joint in Dogs
by Ina Quadflieg, Jasmin Ordobazari, Matthias Lüpke, Fritjof Freise, Holger A. Volk and Benjamin Metje
Animals 2024, 14(9), 1338; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091338 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
Due to the previously limited intra-articular diagnostic possibilities of the canine temporomandibular joint, an examination protocol for the canine temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was developed and tested in this study using a needle arthroscope. In total, the discotemporal (DTJ) and discomandibular (DMJ) joint compartments [...] Read more.
Due to the previously limited intra-articular diagnostic possibilities of the canine temporomandibular joint, an examination protocol for the canine temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was developed and tested in this study using a needle arthroscope. In total, the discotemporal (DTJ) and discomandibular (DMJ) joint compartments of 32 animals (64 TMJs) were examined arthroscopically. During the examinations, 15 anatomical landmarks per joint side were evaluated in regard to their visibility and accessibility. All arthroscopies were performed by the same examiner and the same assistant to ensure standard methods were applied. The examination procedure which was developed here proved to be a reliable tool for examining this joint. The 15 anatomical landmarks that were to be examined could be reliably visualised and assessed in all TMJs with a certainty of 86% to 100% by both observers. This tool provides clinicians with a reliable examination aid for everyday practice and ensures the comparability of results. In the future, this could provide an opportunity to better diagnose and treat TMJ pathologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Clinical Studies)
16 pages, 353 KiB  
Article
Synesth: Comprehensive Syntenic Reconciliation with Unsampled Lineages
by Mattéo Delabre and Nadia El-Mabrouk
Algorithms 2024, 17(5), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/a17050186 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
We present Synesth, the most comprehensive and flexible tool for tree reconciliation that allows for events on syntenies (i.e., on sets of multiple genes), including duplications, transfers, fissions, and transient events going through unsampled species. This model allows for building histories that explicate [...] Read more.
We present Synesth, the most comprehensive and flexible tool for tree reconciliation that allows for events on syntenies (i.e., on sets of multiple genes), including duplications, transfers, fissions, and transient events going through unsampled species. This model allows for building histories that explicate the inconsistencies between a synteny tree and its associated species tree. We examine the combinatorial properties of this extended reconciliation model and study various associated parsimony problems. First, the infinite set of explicatory histories is reduced to a finite but exponential set of Pareto-optimal histories (in terms of counts of each event type), then to a polynomial set of Pareto-optimal event count vectors, and this eventually ends with minimum event cost histories given an event cost function. An inductive characterization of the solution space using different algebras for each granularity leads to efficient dynamic programming algorithms, ultimately ending with an O(mn) time complexity algorithm for computing the cost of a minimum-cost history (m and n: number of nodes in the input synteny and species trees). This time complexity matches that of the fastest known algorithms for classical gene reconciliation with transfers. We show how Synesth can be applied to infer Pareto-optimal evolutionary scenarios for CRISPR-Cas systems in a set of bacterial genomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Combinatorial Optimization, Graph, and Network Algorithms)
14 pages, 4256 KiB  
Article
Additional Insertion of gC Gene Triggers Better Immune Efficacy of TK/gI/gE-Deleted Pseudorabies Virus in Mice
by Zhuoyun Wu, Jiahuan Deng, Meijing Chen, Peiqi Lu, Zhibin Yan, Xiaoyan Wu, Qiuyun Ji, Huiying Fan, Yongwen Luo and Chunmei Ju
Viruses 2024, 16(5), 706; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16050706 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
In recent years, pseudorabies virus (PRV) variants have resulted in an epidemic in swine herds and huge economic losses in China. Therefore, it is essential to develop an efficacious vaccine against the spread of PRV variants. Here, the triple-gene-deletion virus and the triple-gene-deletion [...] Read more.
In recent years, pseudorabies virus (PRV) variants have resulted in an epidemic in swine herds and huge economic losses in China. Therefore, it is essential to develop an efficacious vaccine against the spread of PRV variants. Here, the triple-gene-deletion virus and the triple-gene-deletion plus gC virus were constructed by homologous recombination (HR). And then, their growth capacity, proliferation ability, and immune efficacy were evaluated. The results showed that the growth kinetics of the recombinant viruses were similar to those of the parental strain PRV-AH. Compared with the triple-gene-deletion virus group, the more dominant level of neutralizing antibody (NA) can be induced in the triple-gene-deletion plus gC virus group with the same 106.0 TCID50 dose after 4 and 6 weeks post-initial immunization (PII) (p < 0.0001). In addition, the antibody titers in mice immunized with the triple-gene-deletion plus gC virus were significantly higher than those immunized with triple-gene deletion virus with the same 105.0 TCID50 dose after 6 weeks PII (p < 0.001). More importantly, in the triple-gene-deletion plus gC virus group with 105.0 TCID50, the level of NA was close to that in the triple-gene deletion virus group with 106.0 TCID50 at 6 weeks PII. Meanwhile, the cytokines IL-4 and IFN-γ in sera were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in each group. The highest level of IL-4 or IFN-γ was also elicited in the triple-gene deletion plus gC virus group at a dose of 106.0 TCID50. After challenge with PRV-AH, the survival rates of the triple-gene deletion plus gC virus immunized groups were higher than those of other groups. In immunized groups with 105.0 TCID50, the survival rate shows a significant difference between the triple-gene deletion plus gC virus group (75%, 6/8) and the triple-gene deletion virus group (12.5%, 1/8). In general, the immune efficacy of the PRV TK/gI/gE-deleted virus can be increased with additional gC insertion in mice, which has potential for developing an attenuated vaccine candidate for PRV control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Animal Viruses)
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18 pages, 9103 KiB  
Article
Pan-Genome Analysis of Wolbachia, Endosymbiont of Diaphorina citri, Reveals independent Origin in Asia and North America
by Jiahui Zhang, Qian Liu, Liangying Dai, Zhijun Zhang and Yunsheng Wang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(9), 4851; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25094851 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
Wolbachia, a group of Gram-negative symbiotic bacteria, infects nematodes and a wide range of arthropods. Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, the vector of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) that causes citrus greening disease, is naturally infected with Wolbachia (wDi). However, the [...] Read more.
Wolbachia, a group of Gram-negative symbiotic bacteria, infects nematodes and a wide range of arthropods. Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, the vector of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) that causes citrus greening disease, is naturally infected with Wolbachia (wDi). However, the interaction between wDi and D. citri remains poorly understood. In this study, we performed a pan-genome analysis using 65 wDi genomes to gain a comprehensive understanding of wDi. Based on average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis, we classified the wDi strains into Asia and North America strains. The ANI analysis, principal coordinates analysis (PCoA), and phylogenetic tree analysis supported that the D. citri in Florida did not originate from China. Furthermore, we found that a significant number of core genes were associated with metabolic pathways. Pathways such as thiamine metabolism, type I secretion system, biotin transport, and phospholipid transport were highly conserved across all analyzed wDi genomes. The variation analysis between Asia and North America wDi showed that there were 39,625 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 2153 indels, 10 inversions, 29 translocations, 65 duplications, 10 SV-based insertions, and 4 SV-based deletions. The SV-based insertions and deletions involved genes encoding transposase, phage tail tube protein, ankyrin repeat (ANK) protein, and group II intron-encoded protein. Pan-genome analysis of wDi contributes to our understanding of the geographical population of wDi, the origin of hosts of D. citri, and the interaction between wDi and its host, thus facilitating the development of strategies to control the insects and huanglongbing (HLB). Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Genetics and Genomics)
18 pages, 7416 KiB  
Article
Adsorption and Structuration of PEG Thin Films: Influence of the Substrate Chemistry
by Maurice Brogly, Sophie Bistac and Diane Bindel
Polymers 2024, 16(9), 1244; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091244 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
This study investigates polyethylene glycol (PEG) homopolymer thin film adsorption on gold surfaces of controlled surface chemistry. The conformational states of physisorbed PEG are analyzed through polarization modulation infrared reflection–absorption spectrometry (PM-IRRAS). The PM-IRRAS principle is based on specific optical selection rules allowing [...] Read more.
This study investigates polyethylene glycol (PEG) homopolymer thin film adsorption on gold surfaces of controlled surface chemistry. The conformational states of physisorbed PEG are analyzed through polarization modulation infrared reflection–absorption spectrometry (PM-IRRAS). The PM-IRRAS principle is based on specific optical selection rules allowing the detection of surface-specific FTIR response of thin polymer films on the basis of differential reflectivity at the polymer/substrate interface for p- and s-polarized light. The intensification of the electric field generated at the PEG/substrate interface for p-polarized IR light in comparison with s-polarized light permits the analysis of PEG chain anisotropy and conformational changes induced by the adsorption. Results showed that PEG adsorbs on model substrates having a rather hydrophilic character in a way that the PEG chains spread parallel to the surface. In the case of a very hydrophilic substrate, the adsorbed PEG chains are in a stable thermodynamic state which allows them to arrange and crystallize as stacked crystalline lamellae after adsorption. The surface topography and morphology of the PEG thin films were also investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). While in the bulk state, PEG crystallizes in the form of large spherulites; on substrates whose adsorption is favored by surface chemistry, PEG crystallizes in the form of stacked lamellae with a thickness equal to 20 nm. Conversely, on a hydrophobic substrate, the PEG chains do not crystallize and adsorption occurs in the statistical coil state. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Polymer Thin Films and Surface Modification)
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12 pages, 2396 KiB  
Article
Identification of the CesA7 Gene Encodes Brittleness Mutation Derived from IR64 Variety and Breeding for Ruminant Feeding
by Anuchart Sawasdee, Tsung-Han Tsai, Wen-Chi Liao and Chang-Sheng Wang
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 706; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050706 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
Rice straw presents challenges as livestock feed due to its low digestibility and the presence of chemical residues. One potential solution is to focus on breeding brittle varieties that possess disease-resistance traits. In this study, AZ1803, a brittle mutant line isolated from the [...] Read more.
Rice straw presents challenges as livestock feed due to its low digestibility and the presence of chemical residues. One potential solution is to focus on breeding brittle varieties that possess disease-resistance traits. In this study, AZ1803, a brittle mutant line isolated from the IR64 mutant pool, was chosen for gene identification and breeding. The AZ1803 mutant was crossed to the TNG67 variety to generate a mapping population and to the CS11 variety for fine mapping and breeding. The gene was mapped on chr. 10 between RM467 and RM171 SSR markers and was narrowed down to RM271 and RM5392 with 600 kb proximately interval. The AZ1803 and IR64 sequencing results revealed a substitution mutant in the Exon 9th of the OsCesA7 gene, resulting in an amino acid mutation at the end of the transmembrane domain 5th of the CESA7, responsible for cellulose synthesis for the secondary cell wall. The cellulose content of AZ1803 was reduced by 25% compared with the IR64. A new brittle and disease-resistant variety was bred by using developed markers in marker-assisted selection. In addition, bending tests and bacterial blight inoculation were applied. The bacterial lesion length of the bred variety is 64% lower than that of AZ1803. The rice straw of the new variety can be used for livestock feeding, which increases farmer income and reduces pesticide residues and air pollution from straw burning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations and Advances in Rice Molecular Breeding)
19 pages, 1395 KiB  
Article
Numerical Investigations on the Jet Dynamics during Cavitation Bubble Collapsing between Dual Particles
by Zhifeng Wang, Zhengyang Feng, Jinsen Hu, Yuning Zhang and Yuning Zhang
Symmetry 2024, 16(5), 535; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym16050535 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
The jet dynamics during cavitation bubble collapsing between unequal-sized dual particles are investigated utilizing a numerical model that combines the finite volume approach alongside the volume of fluid approach. The model incorporates the compressibility of the two-phase fluid and accounts for mass and [...] Read more.
The jet dynamics during cavitation bubble collapsing between unequal-sized dual particles are investigated utilizing a numerical model that combines the finite volume approach alongside the volume of fluid approach. The model incorporates the compressibility of the two-phase fluid and accounts for mass and heat transfer between two phases. The computational model utilizes an axisymmetric model, where the axis of symmetry is defined as the line that connects the centers of the particles and the bubble. A comprehensive analysis is presented on the influence of the particle radius and bubble–particle distance on the jet behavior. Furthermore, the variations of surface pressure on the particles induced by jet impingement are quantitatively analyzed. Four distinct jet behaviors are categorized, depending on the formation mechanism, as well as the number and the direction of the jets. For case 1, the bubble produces a single jet directed toward a small particle; for case 2, the bubble fragments produces double jets receding from each other; for case 3, the bubble produces double jets approaching each other; and for case 4, the bubble produces a single jet directed toward a large particle. The pressure perturbations induced by jet impingement upon the particles exceed those caused by shock wave impacts. The larger the bubble volume at the moment of jet formation, the longer the duration of the pressure variation caused by the jet impinging on the particles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Physics)
17 pages, 3376 KiB  
Article
A Fuzzy Decision-Making Method for Green Design for Remanufacturability
by Yu Cai, Chao Ke and Qunjing Ji
Processes 2024, 12(5), 911; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12050911 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
Designs for remanufacturing (DfRem) consider the remanufacturability of the product in the early stages of product design, which can greatly increase the reusability of the products. However, product design schemes lack reasonable evaluation indicators for remanufacturability, and the decision-makers of the design scheme [...] Read more.
Designs for remanufacturing (DfRem) consider the remanufacturability of the product in the early stages of product design, which can greatly increase the reusability of the products. However, product design schemes lack reasonable evaluation indicators for remanufacturability, and the decision-makers of the design scheme have subjective preferences and vague hesitation. These result in inaccurate decision making on DfRem schemes that will affect the successful implementation of product remanufacturing. In order to improve the accuracy of the DfRem scheme decision, a fuzzy decision-making method for green design for remanufacturability is proposed. Firstly, an evaluation indicator system for green design schemes was established that takes into account remanufacturability, reliability, cost, and the environment, and the entropy weighting method is used to quantify and weigh the design scheme evaluation indicators. Then, the hesitation fuzzy set is applied to construct the set of evaluations and the optimal design scheme is selected by applying the comprehensive evaluation method. Finally, the feasibility of the above method is verified by using the green design of an injection mold as an example, and the results show that the above method is able to make accurate and effective design scheme decisions. This method has been implemented in a prototype system using Visual Studio 2022 and Microsoft SQL Server2022. The results show that the fuzzy decision-making system is accurate and effective for rapidly generating a rational green design scheme for remanufacturability. Full article

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