Urodelean amphibians can regenerate the tail and the spinal cord (SC) and maintain this ability throughout their life. This clearly distinguishes these animals from mammals. The phenomenon of tail and SC regeneration is based on the capability of cells involved in regeneration to dedifferentiate, enter the cell cycle, and change their (or return to the pre-existing) phenotype during de novo organ formation. The second critical aspect of the successful tail and SC regeneration is the mutual molecular regulation by tissues, of which the SC and the apical wound epidermis are the leaders. Molecular regulatory systems include signaling pathways components, inflammatory factors, ECM molecules, ROS, hormones, neurotransmitters, HSPs, transcriptional and epigenetic factors, etc. The control, carried out by regulatory networks on the feedback principle, recruits the mechanisms used in embryogenesis and accompanies all stages of organ regeneration, from the moment of damage to the completion of morphogenesis and patterning of all its structures. The late regeneration stages and the effects of external factors on them have been poorly studied. A new model for addressing this issue is herein proposed. The data summarized in the review contribute to understanding a wide range of fundamentally important issues in the regenerative biology of tissues and organs in vertebrates including humans. Full article

The habitats protected by the European Union (EU) include most peat vegetation, such as mires, swamp mires, fens, and peat bogs—all belonging to the classes Oxycocco–Sphagnetea and Scheuchzerio–Caricetea fuscae and carrying the Habitat Codes 71xx and 72xx. These types of vegetation are typical of cold and cool temperate climates, while they become rarer in Southern Europe where Mediterranean influences prevail, representing relic fragments of the past glacial climatic conditions there. Because of their limited extension and the increasing warmth and drought due to climate change, they are seriously threatened. Even if many studies were performed, their richness and distribution across Europe are still not well–understood, and only a few examples are known from the Central and Southern Apennines to date. In order to provide the syntaxonomical classification of the alkaline fens referable to the EU Habitat 7230 found on the mountain plateaus of the Central Apennines, we analyzed their species structure and flora composition, together with their chorological and ecological characteristics. We also evaluated their conservation status, pressures, and threats. The alkaline fens of the Central Apennines are found to be poorer in diagnostic species when compared to similar communities of Central and Northern Europe. However, they are rich in the species of the surrounding meadows and pastures. Among them, the new subassociation Caricetum davallianae caricetosum hostianae is described. Full article

Aqueous two-phase extraction (APTE) stands out as an environmentally friendly technique for the separation of metal ions. The separation of Re (VII) and Mo (VI) in an aqueous solution was investigated using a novel aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) consisting of isodecanol polyoxyethylene ether (E-1006), ammonium sulfate, and water. A phase diagram of this system was developed, and the effects of pH, temperature, extraction time, the concentrations of E-1006 and (NH₄)₂SO₄, and metal ions on the separation of Re (VII) and Mo (VI) were examined. The results show that at pH 7.0, Mo (VI) had almost transformed into the (NH₄)₂SO₄-rich phase, while Re (VI) was extracted into the E-1006-rich phase. The increase in temperature induces a transition of Mo (VI) to the salt-rich phase, which is unfavorable for the extraction of Re (VII). The increase in the concentrations of E-1006 and (NH₄)₂SO₄ has a positive effect on the separation of rhenium and molybdenum. Overall, the ATPS consisting of 200 g/L of E-1006, 200 g/L of (NH₄)₂SO₄, and water yields an extraction efficiency of 97.2% for Re and a high separation factor of 2700 for Re (VII) and Mo (VI) from a mixture of 0.1 g/L of Re (VII) and 5 g/L of Mo (VI) at pH 7.0 and 323.15 K. Separation studies of the simulated leaching solution show that the extraction efficiency for Re (VI) is 99.1% and the separation factor of Re (VII) and Mo (VI) is 5100. Full article

Cyclodextrin–based porous materials have been widely applied in removing various organic pollutants from water environments, due to their unique physical and chemical properties, like the size–matching effect and hydrophobic interaction. Large numbers of hydroxyl groups in its external structure give cyclodextrin a high solubility in water, but the existence of these hydroxyl groups also endows cyclodextrin with the ability to be chemically modified with various functional groups to reduce its solubility in water and, meanwhile, to develop some novel functionalized cyclodextrin–based porous materials for selective removal of the target organic pollutants. This review focuses on the recent development in the synthesis of cyclodextrin–based porous materials (crosslinked cyclodextrin polymers and immobilized cyclodextrins), as well as highlighting their applications and mechanisms in the removal of dyes, endocrine disruptors, and mixed pollutants from water. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives in related research fields are discussed. Full article

The pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) market has steadily grown due to the increasing demand of health-conscious consumers of products with health-promoting effects. Recently, a growing interest in developing ecological and environmentally friendly extraction methods has led to investigating extraction procedures to obtain a higher extraction yield using a lower amount of solvents and energy. Herein, a new extraction procedure was developed to obtain an enriched pomegranate food supplement by using the peels of pomegranate, cultivar “Dente di Cavallo” and its juice. The extraction was performed through a non-conventional extraction technique like SLDE-Naviglio using ethanol and pomegranate juice as a solvent, and peels as a matrix. The extract was analysed by a combined approach based on LCESI/QExactive/MS/MS and NMR analysis, and its chemical profile was compared with those of pomegranate juice and of the extract obtained from peels by SLDE-Naviglio by using ethanol:H₂O. The LC-MS analysis highlighted the presence of hydrolysable tannins, flavonoids, ellagic acid and phenol glucoside derivatives, while ¹H NMR analysis completed the profile by detecting the primary metabolites. The LC-MS and ¹H NMR analysis indicated that the extract obtained by SLDE-Naviglio using ethanol and pomegranate juice was enriched in the bioactives as confirmed by the highest phenolic, tannin and flavonoid content. Full article

Carbon dots (CDs) possess a considerable number of beneficial features for latent applications in biotargeted drugs, electronic transistors, and encrypted information. The synthesis of fluorescent carbon dots has become a trend in contemporary research, especially in the field of controllable multicolor fluorescent carbon dots. In this study, an elementary one-step hydrothermal method was employed to synthesize the multicolor fluorescent carbon dots by co-doping unique phenylenediamine isomers (o-PD, m-PD, and p-PD) with B and P elements, which under 365 nm UV light exhibited signs of lavender-color, grass-color, and tangerine-color fluorescence, respectively. Further investigations reveal the distinctness in the polymerization, surface-specific functional groups, and graphite N content of the multicolor CDs, which may be the chief factor regarding the different optical behaviors of the multicolor CDs. This new work offers a route for the exploration of multicolor CDs using B/P co-doping and suggests great potential in the field of optical materials, important information encryption, and commercial anticounterfeiting labels. Full article

Medical overuse poses potential risks to patients and contributes to increasing healthcare costs, pediatric emergency departments (PED) in particular. Often, upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) cases are viral-induced and self-limiting, and they do not require specific investigations or treatment. We conducted a retrospective study from 1 December 2021 to 31 January 2022, thereby aiming to identify the common tests and factors influencing specific diagnostic and treatment decisions for URTI in PED. In total, 307 (74.9%) URTI cases underwent complete blood count (CBC) tests, 312 (76.1%) were subjected to C-reactive protein (CRP) tests, and 110 (26.8%) received urinalysis tests. Patients with a longer duration of fever and a physician‘s suspicion of bacterial infection were more likely to receive CBC, CRP, and/or urinalysis tests (p < 0.05). Moreover, 75.1% of the cases were classified as viral URTIs, 9.8% were bacterial URTIs, and 15.1% were unspecified. Notably, 86 (20.1%) children received antibiotics and antibiotic prescription correlated with age, tonsillitis diagnosis, CRP values higher than 30 mg/L, and a CBC of p < 0.05. Patients triaged in the second or third categories were three times more likely to be observed for 24 h compared to patients with URTI and the fourth triage category (p < 0.05). This study highlights the need for interventions to improve the appropriateness of emergency service utilization, thereby emphasizing the importance of judicious decision making in managing pediatric URTIs. Full article

Background and Aims: The outcomes of HBV infections are related to complex immune imbalances; however, the precise mechanisms by which HBV induces immune dysfunction are not well understood. Methods: HBV transgenic (HBs-Tg) mice were used to investigate intrahepatic NK cells in two distinct subsets: conventional NK (cNK) and liver-resident NK (LrNK) cells during a chronic HBV infection. Results: The cNK cells, but not the LrNK cells, were primarily responsible for the increase in the number of bulk NK cells in the livers of ageing HBs-Tg mice. The hepatic cNK cells showed a stronger ability to produce IL-10, coupled with a higher expression of CD69, TIGIT and PD-L1, and lower NKG2D expression in ageing HBs-Tg mice. A lower mitochondrial mass and membrane potential, and less polarized localization were observed in the hepatic cNK cells compared with the splenic cNK cells in the HBs-Tg mice. The enhanced galectin-3 (Gal-3) secreted from HBsAg⁺ hepatocytes accounted for the IL-10 production of hepatic cNK cells via ITGB1 signaling. For humans, LGALS3 and ITGB1 expression is positively correlated with IL-10 expression, and negatively correlated with the poor clinical progression of HCC. Conclusions: Gal-3-ITGB1 signaling shapes hepatic cNK cells but not LrNK cells during a chronic HBV infection, which may correlate with HCC progression. Full article

Introduction: Post-transplant cardiovascular disease (PTCVD) poses a significant challenge in kidney transplantation, potentially impacting graft outcomes and patient survival. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the incidence, risk factors, and consequential impact of PTCVD in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) devoid of pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Method: The cohort comprised 1114 KTRs, with 749 individuals included after excluding those with pre-existing CVD and early graft loss. PTCVD encompasses ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, heart failure, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and valvular heart disease. Competing risk regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of PTCVD, while Cox proportional hazards analysis assessed the impact of PTCVD on graft and recipient survival. Results: The cumulative incidence of PTCVD at 5, 10, and 20 years was 5.4%, 14.3%, and 22.5%, respectively. Competing risk regression identified increased age (sub-hazard ratio [SHR], 1.22; p = 0.036) per decade, duration of dialysis (SHR, 1.07; p = 0.048) per year on dialysis, and the slope of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (SHR, 1.08; p = 0.008) mL/min/year decline as independent predictors of higher-risk PTCVD. A higher baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was protective (SHR, 0.98; p = 0.032). PTCVD was not significantly associated with death-censored graft loss (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.31; p = 0.48) but was correlated with higher all-cause graft loss (aHR, 1.71; p = 0.011) and recipient mortality (aHR, 1.97; p = 0.004). Conclusion: This study provides insights into PTCVD predictors. Although not directly associated with graft loss, PTCVD significantly correlates with heightened mortality in kidney transplant recipients, emphasizing the need for enhanced clinical management and surveillance strategies. Full article

Urban green spaces (UGSs) play a significant role in promoting public health by facilitating outdoor activities, but issues of spatial and socioeconomic inequality within UGSs have drawn increasing attention. However, current methods for assessing UGS inequality still face challenges such as data acquisition difficulties and low identification accuracy. Taking Harbin as a case study, this research employs various advanced technologies, including Python data scraping, drone imagery collection, and Amap API, to gather a diverse range of data on UGSs, including photos, high-resolution images, and AOI boundaries. Firstly, elements related to physical activity within UGSs are integrated into a supply adjustment index (SAI), based on which UGSs are classified into three categories. Then, a supply–demand improved two-step floating catchment area (SD2SFCA) method is employed to more accurately measure the accessibility of these three types of UGSs. Finally, using multiple linear regression analysis and Mann–Whitney U tests, socioeconomic inequalities in UGS accessibility are explored. The results indicate that (1) significant differentiation exists in the types of UGS services available in various urban areas, with a severe lack of small-scale, low-supply UGSs; (2) accessibility of all types of UGSs is significantly positively associated with housing prices, with higher-priced areas demonstrating notably higher accessibility compared to lower-priced ones; (3) children may be at a disadvantage in accessing UGSs with medium-supply levels. Future planning efforts need to enhance attention to vulnerable groups. This study underscores the importance of considering different types of UGSs in inequality assessments and proposes a method that could serve as a valuable tool for accurately assessing UGS inequality. Full article

Cardiovascular diseases remain the main cause of death and disability worldwide. Despite the tremendous improvement in pharmacological, minimally invasive and rehabilitative strategies, global deaths due to cardiovascular diseases are still increasing. Additional risk factors have been recently proposed, and thanks to scientific progress, novel drugs for the control of the main risk factors focusing on the cardiometabolic pathways have been identified. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists represent an innovative step in the management of patients affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition to their significant efficacy on glycemic homeostasis, some members of this class of drugs have indications in the treatment of obesity. Furthermore, accumulated evidence in the literature has finally suggested a protective role in cardiovascular health. The possible role of GLP-1R agonist drugs (GLP-1RAs) on the mechanisms underlying chronic inflammation and the almost ubiquitous distribution of GLP-1 receptors could explain the enormous versatility of these drugs. Semaglutide is a GLP-1RA recently proven to be effective in cardiovascular outcomes. In the present article, we will review the available data on semaglutide in light of the most recent publications to better characterize the target population achieving cardiovascular benefits. Full article

Facing the challenge of the degradation of global water quality, it is urgent to realize the Sustainable Development Goal 6.3.2 (SDG 6.3.2), which focuses on improving global water quality. Currently, remote sensing technology is widely used for water quality monitoring. Existing water quality-monitoring studies have been conducted based on quantitative water quality inversion. It requires a high degree of the synchronization of the time and location of the collection of station monitoring data and remote sensing data (air–ground spatiotemporal synchronization), which can be resource intensive and time consuming. However, policymakers and the public are more interested in the quality of water (good or poor) than in the specific values of the water quality parameters, as evidenced by the emergence of SDG 6.3.2. In this study, we change the traditional idea of quantitative water quality research, focus on water quality qualitative research combined with the characteristics of water pollution, propose a remote sensing water quality sample enhancement method under the condition of “air–ground spatiotemporal asynchrony”, and construct a remote sensing water quality sample library. On the basis of this sample library, a random forest water quality classification model was constructed to classify water quality qualitatively. We obtained the distribution of good water bodies in Deqing County, China, for example, from 2013 to 2022. The results show that the model has high accuracy (Kappa = 0.6004, OA = 0.8387), and we found that the water quality in Deqing County improved in the order of “major rivers, lakes, and tributaries” during the period from 2013 to 2015. This also verifies the feasibility of using this sample enhancement method to conduct qualitative research on water quality. Based on this water quality classification model, a set of spatial-type evaluation processes of SDG 6.3.2 based on image elements was designed. The evaluation results show that the water quality situation in Deqing County can be divided into two stages: there is a trend of substantial improvement from 2013 (evaluated value of SDG 6.3.2 = 63.25) to 2015 (evaluated value of SDG 6.3.2 = 83.16); and it has remained stable and fluctuating after reaching the good environmental water quality since 2015. This study proposes a simple method for rapidly evaluating SDG 6.3.2 via utilizing easily accessible Landsat 8 and water quality-monitoring data to classify water quality. The method can directly obtain water quality category information without the need for additional sampling, thus saving costs. It is a very simple process that is easy to implement, while also providing a high level of accuracy. This significantly reduces the barriers to evaluating SDG 6.3.2, supports the realization of the sustainable management of water resources globally, and is highly generalizable. Full article

Background: Ischemic stroke is the second, and pulmonary embolism (PE) is the third most common cardiovascular cause of death after myocardial infarction. Data regarding risk factors for ischemic stroke in patients with acute PE are limited. Methods: Patients were selected by screening the German nationwide in-patient sample for PE (ICD-code I26) and were stratified by ischemic stroke (ICD code I63) and compared. Results: The nationwide in-patient sample comprised 346,586 hospitalized PE patients (53.3% females) in Germany from 2011 to 2014; among these, 6704 (1.9%) patients had additionally an ischemic stroke. PE patients with ischemic stroke had a higher in-hospital mortality rate than those without (28.9% vs. 14.5%, p < 0.001). Ischemic stroke was independently associated with in-hospital death (OR 2.424, 95%CI 2.278–2.579, p < 0.001). Deep venous thrombosis and/or thrombophlebitis (DVT) combined with heart septal defect (OR 24.714 [95%CI 20.693–29.517], p < 0.001) as well as atrial fibrillation/flutter (OR 2.060 [95%CI 1.943–2.183], p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for stroke in PE patients. Systemic thrombolysis was associated with a better survival in PE patients with ischemic thrombolysis who underwent cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR, OR 0.55 [95%CI 0.36–0.84], p = 0.006). Conclusions: Ischemic stroke did negatively affect the survival of PE. Combination of DVT and heart septal defect and atrial fibrillation/flutter were strong and independent risk factors for ischemic stroke in PE patients. In PE patients with ischemic stroke, who had to underwent CPR, systemic thrombolysis was associated with improved survival. Full article

The B-factor, also known as the atomic displacement parameter, is a fundamental metric in crystallography for quantifying the positional flexibility of atoms within crystal lattices. In structural biology, various developments have expanded the use of B-factors beyond conventional crystallographic analysis, allowing for a deeper understanding of protein flexibility, enzyme manipulation, and an improved understanding of molecular dynamics. However, the interpretation of B-factors is complicated by their sensitivity to various experimental and computational factors, necessitating rigorous rescaling methods to ensure meaningful comparisons across different structures. This article provides an in-depth description of rescaling approaches used for B-factors. It includes an examination of several methods for managing conformational disorder and selecting the atom types required for the analysis. Full article

Background/Objectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) course may differ among individuals—in particular, those with comorbidities may have severe pneumonia, requiring oxygen supplementation or mechanical ventilation. Post-COVID-19 long-term structural changes in imaging studies can contribute to persistent respiratory disturbance. This study aimed to investigate COVID-19 sequels affecting the possibility of persistent structural lung tissue abnormalities and their influence on the respiratory function of peripheral airways and gas transfer. Methods: Patients were divided into two groups according to severity grades described by the World Health Organization. Among the 176 hospitalized patients were 154 patients with mask oxygen supplementation and 22 patients with high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) or mechanical ventilation. All tests were performed at 3, 6, and 9 months post-hospitalization. Results: Patients in the severe/critical group had lower lung volumes in FVC, FVC%, FEV1, FEV1%, LC, TLC%, and DLCO% at three months post-hospitalization. At 6 and 9 months, neither group had significant FVC and FEV1 value improvements. The MEF 25–75 values were not significantly higher in the mild/moderate group than in the severe/critical group at three months. There were weak significant correlations between FVC and FEV1, MEF50, MEF 75, plethysmography TLC, disturbances in DLCO, and total CT abnormalities in the severe/critical group at three months. In a mild/moderate group, there was a significant negative correlation between the spirometry, plethysmography parameters, and CT lesions in all periods. Conclusions: Persistent respiratory symptoms post-COVID-19 can result from fibrotic lung parenchyma and post-infectious stenotic small airway changes not visible in CT, probably due to persistent inflammation. Full article

In an attempt to reutilize marble waste, a new approach is presented in the current study to promote its use in the field of shielding against ionizing radiation. In this study, we aimed to develop a novel and sustainable/eco-friendly lead-free radiation shielding material by improving artificial marble (AM) produced from marble waste combined with polyester by reinforcing it with bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃) nanoparticles. Six samples of AM samples doped with different concentrations ($0\%$,$5\%$,$10\%$,$15\%$, $20\%$, and $25\%$) of Bi₂O₃ nanoparticles were prepared. The linear attenuation coefficient ($LAC$) values were measured experimentally through the narrow beam method at different energies $(0.0595 \mathrm{M}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}$, $0.6617 \mathrm{M}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}$, $1.1730 \mathrm{M}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}$, and $1.330 \mathrm{M}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}$) for all samples with various concentrations of Bi₂O₃. Radiological shielding parameters such as half value layer ($HVL$), tenth-value layer ($TVL$), and radiation shielding efficiency ($RSE$) were estimated and compared for all the different samples. The results prove that increasing the concentration of Bi₂O₃ leads to the enhancement of the radiation shielding properties of the AM as a shielding material. It was observed that as the energy increases, the efficiency of the samples falls. High energy dependence was found when calculating the $HVL$ and $TVL$ values of the samples, which increased with increases in the energy of the incident photons. A comparison between the sample with the most efficient gamma radiation attenuation capability (AM-$25\%$), concrete, and lead was conducted, and a discussion regarding their radiation shielding properties is presented herein. The results show that the AM-$25\%$ sample is superior to the ordinary concrete over all the studied energy ranges, as evidenced by its significantly lower $HVLs$. On the contrary, lead is superior to the AM-$25\%$ sample over all the studied energy ranges owing to its unbeatable density as a shielding material. Overall, this new type of artificial marble has the potential to be used as a radiation shielding material at low- to medium-gamma energy regions, specifically in medical imaging and radiation therapy. Full article

Background: The escalating complexity of the COVID-19 epidemic underscores the need for heightened attention to booster vaccinations. This study aims to examine the changing trend in the public’s intention to receive the second COVID-19 booster vaccination over time and the associated factors following the COVID-19 policy optimization in China. Method: Eight cross-sectional surveys utilizing SMS questionnaire links were conducted in Guangzhou, China, from December 2022 to April 2023. The Mann–Kendall test was employed to analyze the trend in intentions to receive the second booster vaccination across the survey time. Adjusted and multivariate logistic analyses were used to analyze the factors associated with vaccination intention. Parallel analyses were performed for two subgroups with different COVID-19 infection statuses. Results: A total of 9860 respondents were surveyed in the eight rounds, of which 8048 completed the first booster vaccination and were included in the analysis. The overall COVID-19 infection rate was 60.0% (4832/8048), while the overall vaccination intention was 72.2% (5810/8048) among respondents. The vaccination intention exhibited a significant declining trend over time, decreasing from 81.5% in December 2022 to 52.2% in April 2023. An adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that anxiety and depression were negatively associated with an intention to receive the second booster vaccination, while COVID-19-related preventive behaviors and a high engagement in COVID-19-related information were positively associated with an intention to receive the second booster vaccination. A subgroup analysis revealed that the association between psychological and behavioral characteristics and vaccination intention remained relatively stable among individuals with different histories of COVID-19 infections. Conclusion: There was a significant decline in the intention to receive the second booster vaccination following the optimization of the COVID policy in China. Our findings emphasize the urgency of the second booster vaccination and provide a foundation for the development of tailored interventions to enhance and sustain vaccination intention among the public. Full article

Adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (aGPCRs) play an important role in neurodevelopment, immune defence and cancer; however, their role throughout viral infections is mostly unexplored. We have been searching for specific aGPCRs involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection of mammalian cells. In the present study, we infected human epithelial cell lines derived from lung adenocarcinoma (Calu-3) and colorectal carcinoma (Caco-2) with SARS-CoV-2 in order to analyse changes in the level of mRNA encoding individual aGPCRs at 6 and 12 h post infection. Based on significantly altered mRNA levels, we identified four aGPCR candidates—ADGRB3/BAI3, ADGRD1/GPR133, ADGRG7/GPR128 and ADGRV1/GPR98. Of these receptors, ADGRD1/GPR133 and ADGRG7/GPR128 showed the largest increase in mRNA levels in SARS-CoV-2-infected Calu-3 cells, whereas no increase was observed with heat-inactivated SARS-CoV-2 and virus-cleared conditioned media. Next, using specific siRNA, we downregulated the aGPCR candidates and analysed SARS-CoV-2 entry, replication and infectivity in both cell lines. We observed a significant decrease in the amount of SARS-CoV-2 newly released into the culture media by cells with downregulated ADGRD1/GPR133 and ADGRG7/GPR128. In addition, using a plaque assay, we observed a reduction in SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in Calu-3 cells. In summary, our data suggest that selected aGPCRs might play a role during SARS-CoV-2 infection of mammalian cells. Full article

Electric motors play a fundamental role in various industries, and their relevance is strengthened in the context of the energy transition. Having efficient tools and techniques to detect and diagnose faults in electrical machines is crucial, as is providing early alerts to facilitate prompt decision-making. This study proposes indicators based on the magnitude of the space vector stator current for detecting and diagnosing incipient inter-turn short circuits (ITSCs) in induction motors (IMs). The effectiveness of these indicators was evaluated using four machine learning methods previously documented in the literature: random forests (RFs), support vector machines (SVMs), the k-nearest neighbor (kNN), and feedforward and recurrent neural networks (FNNs and RNNs). This assessment was conducted using experimental data. The results were compared with indicators based on discrete wavelet transform (DWT), demonstrating the viability of the proposed approach, which opens up a way of detecting incipient ITSCs in three-phase IMs. Furthermore, utilizing features derived from the magnitude of the spatial vector led to the successful identification of the phase affected by the fault. Full article

This study was conducted to investigate the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) associated with forage plants in the native grassland of western Inner Mongolia and to evaluate their effects on alfalfa silage fermentation. Forage plants and their spontaneous fermentation silages were analysed using culture-based techniques for LAB isolation; the phenotypic properties and 16S rDNA and pheS or rpoA gene sequences of the isolates were evaluated; alfalfa was ensiled with four additive combinations: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum (GI19), Lact. plantarum subsp. plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus (GI19+GI51), GI19 and 20 g/kg fresh matter of sucrose (GI19+S), and GI19+GI51+S, for 60 d. A total of 73 strains belonging to 16 species were isolated. All isolates grew at 5–45 °C and in 3.0% NaCl, and most of them grew in 6.5% NaCl. Enterococcus faecalis and Lact. plantarum were 26.03% and 17.81% of the total isolates, respectively. All additives improved the silage quality, while GI19+S was more effective for alfalfa ensiling with a higher lactic acid content and lower pH, undesirable microorganism counts, and acetic acid and NH₃-N contents than remnant additives. In conclusion, the LAB species were diverse, and most of them possessed good cryotolerance and osmotolerance; GI19+S was the optimal inoculant for alfalfa fermentation improvement. Full article

Eye fatigue has a fatiguing effect on the eye muscles, and eye movement performance is a macroscopic response to the eye fatigue state. To detect and prevent the risk of eye fatigue in advance, this study designed an eye fatigue detection experiment, collected experimental data samples, and constructed experimental data sets. In this study, eye-tracking feature extraction was completed, and the significance difference of eye-tracking features under different fatigue states was discussed by two-way repeated-measures ANOVA (Analysis of Variance). The experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of eye fatigue detection from eye-tracking signals. In addition, this study considers the effects of different feature extraction methods on eye fatigue detection accuracy. This study examines the performance of machine learning algorithms based on manual feature calculation (SVM, DT, RM, ET) and deep learning algorithms based on automatic feature extraction (CNN, auto-encoder, transformer) in eye fatigue detection. Based on the combination of the methods, this study proposes the feature union auto-encoder algorithm, and the accuracy of the algorithm for eye fatigue detection on the experimental dataset is improved from 82.4% to 87.9%. Full article

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic malignancy. The majority of patients diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer will relapse, at which point additional therapies can be administered but, for the most part, these are not curative. As such, a need exists for the development of novel therapeutic options for ovarian cancer patients. Research in the field of targeted protein degradation (TPD) through the use of proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) has significantly increased in recent years. The ability of PROTACs to target proteins of interest (POI) for degradation, overcoming limitations such as the incomplete inhibition of POI function and the development of resistance seen with other inhibitors, is of particular interest in cancer research, including ovarian cancer research. This review provides a synopsis of PROTACs tested in ovarian cancer models and highlights PROTACs characterized in other types of cancers with potential high utility in ovarian cancer. Finally, we discuss methods that will help to enable the selective delivery of PROTACs to ovarian cancer and improve the pharmacodynamic properties of these agents. Full article