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19 pages, 790 KB  
Article
Integrating Genomic Selection and Genome-Wide Association Study to Enhance Reproductive Traits in Thai Swamp Buffalo
by Rawinan Lomngam, Vibuntita Chankitisakul, Monchai Duangjinda, Wootichai Kenchaiwong, Kecha Kuha, Kritsanathon Sintala, Kulphat Pothikanit and Wuttigrai Boonkum
Animals 2025, 15(16), 2333; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15162333 - 8 Aug 2025
Viewed by 299
Abstract
Reproductive inefficiencies, such as delayed age at first calving (AFC) and a prolonged calving interval (CI), hinder the productivity of Thai swamp buffaloes. This study aimed to improve the genetic evaluation of these traits by integrating genomic selection (GS) and genome-wide association studies [...] Read more.
Reproductive inefficiencies, such as delayed age at first calving (AFC) and a prolonged calving interval (CI), hinder the productivity of Thai swamp buffaloes. This study aimed to improve the genetic evaluation of these traits by integrating genomic selection (GS) and genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Reproductive records (n = 1034) and genotypes (n = 474) from swamp buffaloes across Thailand were analyzed. Variance components were estimated using pedigree data, and genomic predictions were performed via weighted single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction. AFC heritability was moderate (0.36 and 0.45), whereas CI heritability was low (0.051 and 0.043). The positive genetic correlation (rg = 0.495 and 0.517) between AFC and CI suggested potential for the simultaneous genetic improvement of both traits through selection. The WssGBLUP method showed greater effectiveness, with the prediction accuracy increasing by up to 41% for CI and 28% for AFC when compared to the ABLUP method. The GWAS revealed 20 associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on chromosomes 3, 4, 14, 15, and 25. Candidate genes COLEC10, TNFRSF11B, PDZRN4, and MACROD2 were linked to immune function, hormonal regulation, and reproductive tissue development. Pleiotropic SNPs affecting both traits were identified, indicating shared genetic control mechanisms. These findings support the application of tailored GS programs to improve reproduction in swamp buffaloes under tropical smallholder systems. Full article
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24 pages, 1560 KB  
Review
Insight from Review Articles of Life Cycle Assessment for Buildings
by Yang Zhang, Yuehong Lu, Zhijia Huang, Demin Chen, Bo Cheng, Dong Wang and Chengyu Lu
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(14), 7751; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15147751 - 10 Jul 2025
Viewed by 749
Abstract
The building sector holds a significant position in the global energy consumption share, and its environmental impact continues to intensify, making the construction industry a key player in sustainable development. The application of life cycle assessment on buildings (LCA-B) is widely employed to [...] Read more.
The building sector holds a significant position in the global energy consumption share, and its environmental impact continues to intensify, making the construction industry a key player in sustainable development. The application of life cycle assessment on buildings (LCA-B) is widely employed to evaluate building energy and environment performance, and thus is of great significance for ensuring the sustainability of the project. This work aims to provide a systematic overview of LCA-B development based on reviewed literature. A three-stage mixed research method is adopted in this study: Firstly, an overall analysis framework is constructed, and 327 papers related to building life cycle assessment published between 2009 and 2025 are screened out by using the bibliometric method; Then, through scientometrics analysis, the journal regions, sources, scholars, and keyword evolution are revealed and analyzed using VOSviewer tool, and the hotspots in the field of LCA-B (e.g., integration of building information modeling (BIM) in LCA-B, multi-dimensional framework of environment–society–culture) are preliminarily explored based on the selected highly cited papers. The research finds that: (1) the performance of low energy buildings is better than that of net zero energy buildings from the perspective of LCA; (2) software compatibility and data exchange are the main obstacles in the integration of BIM-LCA; (3) a multi-dimensional LCA framework covering the social or cultural aspects is expected for a comprehensive assessment of building performance. This study provides a systematic analysis and elaboration of review articles related to LCA-B and thereby provides researchers with in-depth insight into this field. Full article
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27 pages, 5470 KB  
Article
Age-Associated Proteomic Changes in Human Spermatozoa
by Mohd Amin Beg, Abrar Osama Ismail, Ayodele Alaiya, Firdous Ahmad Khan, Taha Abo-Almagd Abdel-Meguid Hamoda, Ishfaq Ahmad Sheikh, Priyanka Sharma, Omar Mohammed Baothman, Ali Hasan Alkhzaim, Zakia Shinwari, Rinad Fahad Abuzinadah, Arif Mohammed, Abdullah Mohammed Assiri, Adel Mohammad Abuzenadah, Erdogan Memili and Jean Magloire Feugang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(13), 6099; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26136099 - 25 Jun 2025
Viewed by 1785
Abstract
Advancing age in men significantly contributes to declining sperm fertility. Information on age-related proteomic changes in spermatozoa is limited. This study involved normal fertile Arab men in three age groups: young adult (21–30 years; n = 6), late adult (31–40 years; n = [...] Read more.
Advancing age in men significantly contributes to declining sperm fertility. Information on age-related proteomic changes in spermatozoa is limited. This study involved normal fertile Arab men in three age groups: young adult (21–30 years; n = 6), late adult (31–40 years; n = 7), and advanced age (40–51 years; n = 5). Gradient-purified spermatozoa were analyzed using LC-MS/MS and proteomic data were processed using Progenesis QI (QIfp) v3.0 and UniProt/SwissProt. Significantly enriched annotations and clustering of proteins in the proteomic datasets were identified (2-fold change; p < 0.05). A total of 588 proteins were identified, with 93% shared across the three groups. Unique proteins were MYLK4 for the young adult group, PRSS57 for the late adult group, and HMGB4, KRT4, LPGAT1, OXCT2, and MGRN1 for the advanced age group. Furthermore, 261 (44%) proteins were differentially expressed (p < 0.05) across the three groups. Functional enrichment analysis suggested an aging-related significant increase in pathways associated with neurodegenerative diseases and protein folding, alongside decreases in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, flagellated sperm motility, acetylation, phosphoprotein modifications, oxidation processes, and Ubl conjugation. Cluster analysis highlighted significantly upregulated proteins in young adults (e.g., H2BC1, LAP3, SQLE, LTF, PDIA4, DYNLT2) and late adults (e.g., ATP5F1B, ODF2, TUBA3C, ENO1, SPO11, TEX45, TEKT3), whereas most proteins in the advanced age group exhibited downregulation (e.g., SPESP1, RAB10, SEPTIN4, RAB15, PTPN7, USP5, ANXA1, PRDX1). In conclusion, this study revealed aging-associated proteomic changes in spermatozoa that impact critical processes, including spermatogenesis, motility, metabolism, and fertilization, potentially contributing to fertility decline. These changes provide a molecular framework for developing therapies to preserve sperm proteostasis and enhance fertility in older men. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Spermatogenesis and Male Infertility)
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37 pages, 3394 KB  
Article
Secrets of Kleiber’s and Maximum Metabolic Rate Allometries Revealed with a Link to Oxygen-Deficient Combustion Engineering
by Kalyan Annamalai
Oxygen 2025, 5(2), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/oxygen5020006 - 20 May 2025
Viewed by 1601
Abstract
The biology literature addresses two puzzles: (i) the increase in specific metabolic rate of organs (SOrMR, W/kg of organ) with a decrease in body mass (MB) of biological species (BS), and (ii) how the organs recognize they are in a smaller [...] Read more.
The biology literature addresses two puzzles: (i) the increase in specific metabolic rate of organs (SOrMR, W/kg of organ) with a decrease in body mass (MB) of biological species (BS), and (ii) how the organs recognize they are in a smaller or larger body and adjust metabolic rates of the body (q˙B) accordingly. These puzzles were answered in the author’s earlier work by linking the field of oxygen-deficient combustion (ODC) of fuel particle clouds (FC) in engineering to the field of oxygen-deficient metabolism (ODM) of cell clouds (CC) in biology. The current work extends the ODM hypothesis to predict the whole-body metabolic rates of 114 BS and demonstrates Kleiber’s power law {q˙B =  a  MBb}. The methodology is based on the postulate of Lindstedt and Schaeffer that “150 ton blue whale. and the 2 g Etruscan shrew.. share the same.. biochemical pathways” and involve the following steps: (i) extension of the effectiveness factor relation, expressed in terms of the dimensionless group number G (=Thiele Modulus2), from engineering to the organs of BS, (ii) modification of G as GOD for the biology literature as a measure of oxygen deficiency (OD), (iii) collection of data on organ and body masses of 116 species and prediction of SOrMRk of organ k of 114 BS (from 0.0076 kg Shrew to 6650 kg elephant) using only the SOrMRk and organ masses of two reference species (Shrew, 0.0076 kg: RS-1; Rat Wistar, 0.390 kg: RS-2), (iv) estimation of q˙B for 114 species versus MB and demonstration of Kleiber’s law with a = 2.962, b = 0.747, and (v) extension of ODM to predict the allometric law for maximal metabolic rate (under exercise, {q˙B,MMR =  aMMR  MBbMMR}) and validate the approach for MMR by comparing bMMR with the literature data. A method of detecting hypoxic condition of an organ as a precursor to cancer is suggested for use by medical personnel Full article
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24 pages, 9271 KB  
Article
Naive and Memory B Cell BCR Repertoires in Individuals Immunized with an Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine
by Renato Kaylan Alves de Oliveira França, Pedro Henrique Aragão Barros, Jacyelle Medeiros Silva, Hitallo Guilherme Costa Fontinele, Andrea Queiroz Maranhão and Marcelo de Macedo Brigido
Vaccines 2025, 13(4), 393; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13040393 - 8 Apr 2025
Viewed by 1221
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred a global race for a preventive vaccine, with a few becoming available just one year after describing this novel coronavirus disease. Among these are inactivated virus vaccines like CoronaVac (Sinovac Biotech), which are used in several countries [...] Read more.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred a global race for a preventive vaccine, with a few becoming available just one year after describing this novel coronavirus disease. Among these are inactivated virus vaccines like CoronaVac (Sinovac Biotech), which are used in several countries to reduce the pandemic’s effects. However, its use was associated with low protection, particularly against novel virus variants that quickly appeared in the following months. Vaccines play a crucial role in activating the immune system to combat infections, with Memory B-cells being a key part of this mechanism, eliciting protective neutralizing antibodies. This work focused on studying B-cell memory repertoire after two consecutive doses of CoronaVac. Methodology: Memory B-cells were isolated from five CoronaVac vaccinated and five pre-pandemic individuals and subsequently stimulated in vitro before high-throughput Illumina sequencing of the Heavy Chain Variable repertoire. Results: We observed a shift in the VH repertoire with increased HCDR3 length and enrichment of IGVH 3-23, 3-30, 3-7, 3-72, and 3-74 for IgA BCRs and IGHV 4-39 and 4-59 for IgG BCRs. A high expansion of IgA-specific clonal populations was observed in vaccinated individuals relative to pre-pandemic controls, accompanied by shared IgA variable heavy chain (VH) sequences among memory B cells across different vaccine recipients of IgA clones was also observed in vaccinated individuals compared to pre-pandemic controls, with several IgA VH sharing between memory B cells from different vaccines. Moreover, a high convergence was observed among vaccinees and SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody sequences found in the CoV-abDab database. Conclusion: These data show the ability of CoronaVac to elicit antibodies with characteristics similar to those previously identified as neutralizing antibodies, supporting its protective efficacy. Furthermore, this analysis of the immunological repertoire in the context of viral infections reinforces the importance of immunization in generating convergent antibodies for the antiviral response. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccination-Induced Antibody and B Cell Immune Response)
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25 pages, 2503 KB  
Article
Compatibility Between OLCI Marine Remote-Sensing Reflectance from Sentinel-3A and -3B in European Waters
by Frédéric Mélin, Ilaria Cazzaniga and Pietro Sciuto
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(7), 1132; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17071132 - 22 Mar 2025
Viewed by 630
Abstract
There has been an uninterrupted suite of ocean-color missions with global coverage since 1997, a continuity now supported by programs ensuring the launch of a series of platforms such as the Sentinel-3 missions hosting the Ocean and Land Color Imager (OLCI). The products [...] Read more.
There has been an uninterrupted suite of ocean-color missions with global coverage since 1997, a continuity now supported by programs ensuring the launch of a series of platforms such as the Sentinel-3 missions hosting the Ocean and Land Color Imager (OLCI). The products derived from these missions should be consistent and allow the analysis of long-term multi-mission data records, particularly for climate science. In metrological terms, this agreement is expressed by compatibility, by which data from different sources agree within their stated uncertainties. The current study investigates the compatibility of remote-sensing reflectance products RRS derived from standard atmospheric correction algorithms applied to Sentinel-3A and -3B (S-3A and S-3B, respectively) data. For the atmospheric correction l2gen, validation results obtained with field data from the ocean-color component of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET-OC) and uncertainty estimates appear consistent between S-3A and S-3B as well as with other missions processed with the same algorithm. Estimates of the error correlation between S-3A and S-3B RRS, required to evaluate their compatibility, are computed based on common matchups and indicate varying levels of correlation for the various bands and sites in the interval 0.33–0.60 between 412 and 665 nm considering matchups of all sites put together. On average, validation data associated with Camera 1 of OLCI show lower systematic differences with respect to field data. In direct comparisons between S-3A and S-3B, RRS data from S-3B appear lower than S-3A values, which is explained by the fact that a large share of these comparisons relies on S-3B data collected by Camera 1 and S-3A data collected by Cameras 3 to 5. These differences are translated into a rather low level of metrological compatibility between S-3A and S-3B RRS data when compared daily. These results suggest that the creation of OLCI climate data records is challenging, but they do not preclude the consistency of time (e.g., monthly) composites, which still needs to be evaluated. Full article
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23 pages, 3519 KB  
Article
Application of the Triangular Spatial Relationship Algorithm in Representing and Quantifying Conformational Changes in Chlorophylls and Protein Local Environments
by Tarikul I. Milon, Khairum H. Orthi, Krishna Rauniyar, Rhen M. Renfrow, August A. Gallo and Wu Xu
Photochem 2025, 5(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/photochem5010008 - 17 Mar 2025
Viewed by 632
Abstract
Chemically identical chlorophyll (Chl) molecules undergo conformational changes when they are embedded in a protein matrix. The conformational changes will modulate their absorption spectra to meet the need for programmed excitation energy transfer or electron transfer. To interpret spectroscopic data using the knowledge [...] Read more.
Chemically identical chlorophyll (Chl) molecules undergo conformational changes when they are embedded in a protein matrix. The conformational changes will modulate their absorption spectra to meet the need for programmed excitation energy transfer or electron transfer. To interpret spectroscopic data using the knowledge of pigment–protein interactions requires a single pigment embedded in one polypeptide matrix. Unfortunately, most of the known photosynthetic systems contain a set of multiple pigments in each protein subunit. This makes it complicated to interpret spectroscopic data using structural data due to the potential overlapping spectra of two or more pigments. Chl–protein interactions have not been systematically studied to answer three fundamental questions: (i) What are the structural characteristics and commonly shared substructures of different types of Chl molecules (e.g., Chl a, b, c, d, and f)? (ii) How many structural groups can Chl molecules be divided into and how are different structural groups influenced by their surrounding environments? (iii) What are the structural characteristics of pigment surrounding environments? Having no clear answers to the unresolved questions is probably due to a lack of computational methods for quantifying conformational changes in individual Chls and individual surrounding amino acids. The first version of the Triangular Spatial Relationship (TSR)-based method was developed for comparing protein 3D structures. The input data for the TSR-based method are experimentally determined 3D structures from the Protein Data Bank (PDB). In this study, we take advantage of the 3D structures of Chl-binding proteins deposited in the PDB and the TSR-based method to systematically investigate the 3D structures of various types of Chls and their protein environments. The key contributions of this study can be summarized as follows: (i) Specific structural characteristics of Chl d and f were identified and are defined using the TSR keys. (ii) Two and three clusters were found for various types of Chls and Chls a, respectively. The signature structures for distinguishing their corresponding two and three clusters were identified. (iii) Histidine residues were used as an example for revealing structural characteristics of Chl-binding sites. This study provides evidence for the three unresolved questions and builds a structural foundation through quantifying Chl conformations as well as structures of their embedded protein environments for future mechanistic understanding of relationships between Chl–protein interactions and their corresponding spectroscopic data. Full article
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16 pages, 3904 KB  
Article
Co-Simulation of Interconnection Between Smart Power Grid and Smart Cities Platform via Massive Machine-Type Communication
by Luiz H. N. Rodrigues, Carlos F. M. Almeida, Nelson Kagan, Luiz H. L. Rosa and Milana L. dos Santos
Sensors 2025, 25(5), 1517; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25051517 - 1 Mar 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1353
Abstract
With the advent of Industry 5.0, the electrical sector has been endowed with intelligent devices that are propelling high penetration of distributed energy microgeneration, VPP, smart buildings, and smart plants and imposing new challenges on the sector. This new environment requires a smarter [...] Read more.
With the advent of Industry 5.0, the electrical sector has been endowed with intelligent devices that are propelling high penetration of distributed energy microgeneration, VPP, smart buildings, and smart plants and imposing new challenges on the sector. This new environment requires a smarter network, including transforming the simple electricity customer into a “smart customer” who values the quality of energy and its rational use. The SPG (smart power grid) is the perfect solution for meeting these needs. It is crucial to understand energy use to guarantee quality of service and meet data security requirements. The use of simulations to map the behavior of complex infrastructures is the best strategy because it overcomes the limitations of traditional analytical solutions. This article presents the ICT laboratory structure developed within the Department of Electrical Engineering of the Polytechnic School of the Universidade de São Paulo (USP). It is based on an architecture that utilizes LTE/EPC wireless technology (4G, 5G, and B5G) to enable machine-to-machine communication (mMTC) between SPG elements using edge computing (MEC) resources and those of smart city platforms. We evaluate this proposal through simulations using data from real and emulated equipment and co-simulations shared by SPG laboratories at POLI-USP. Finally, we present the preliminary results of integration of the power laboratory, network simulation (ns-3), and a smart city platform (InterSCity) for validation and testing of the architecture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Communications)
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25 pages, 6196 KB  
Article
A Semi-Distributed Scheme for Mode Selection and Resource Allocation in Device-to-Device-Enabled Cellular Networks Using Matching Game and Reinforcement Learning
by Ibrahim Sami Attar, Nor Muzlifah Mahyuddin and M. H. D. Nour Hindia
Telecom 2025, 6(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/telecom6010012 - 13 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 842
Abstract
Device-to-Device (D2D) communication is a promising technological innovation that is significantly considered to have a substantial impact on the next generation of wireless communication systems. Modern wireless networks of the fifth generation (5G) and beyond (B5G) handle an increasing number of connected devices [...] Read more.
Device-to-Device (D2D) communication is a promising technological innovation that is significantly considered to have a substantial impact on the next generation of wireless communication systems. Modern wireless networks of the fifth generation (5G) and beyond (B5G) handle an increasing number of connected devices that require greater data rates while utilizing relatively low power consumption. In this study, we present joint mode selection, channel assignment, and power allocation issues in a semi-distributed D2D scheme (SD-scheme) that underlays cellular networks. The objective of this study is to enhance the data rate, Spectrum Efficiency (SE), and Energy Efficiency (EE) of the network while maintaining the performance of cellular users (CUs) by creating a threshold of data rate for each CU in the network. Practically, we propose a centralized approach to address the mode selection and channel assignment problems, employing greedy and matching algorithms, respectively. Moreover, we employed a State-Action-Reward-State-Action (SARSA)-based reinforcement learning (RL) algorithm for a distributed power allocation scheme. Furthermore, we suggest that the sub-channel of the CU is shared among several D2D pairs, and the optimum power is determined for each D2D pair sharing the same sub-channel, taking into consideration all types of interferences in the network. The simulation findings illustrate the enhancement in the performance of the proposed scheme in comparison to the benchmark schemes in terms of data rate, SE, and EE. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Wireless Communication: Applications and Developments)
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18 pages, 1622 KB  
Review
What We Know and Do Not Yet Know About the Canine Model of Lymphoma in Human Medicine—The Current State of Knowledge
by Daria Będkowska, Sara Al-Ameri, Agnieszka Wieczorek, Joanna Bubak and Marta Miszczak
Cancers 2025, 17(4), 596; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17040596 - 10 Feb 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3044 | Correction
Abstract
This review comprehensively compares lymphoma in humans and dogs, highlighting the canine model’s utility in translational research. Canine lymphoma (cL), predominantly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mirrors human non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) in its clinical presentation, including lymphadenopathy, systemic symptoms (e.g., fever, weight loss), [...] Read more.
This review comprehensively compares lymphoma in humans and dogs, highlighting the canine model’s utility in translational research. Canine lymphoma (cL), predominantly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mirrors human non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) in its clinical presentation, including lymphadenopathy, systemic symptoms (e.g., fever, weight loss), and hematological abnormalities. Morphologically, cL and NHL share similarities in DLBCL subtypes (centroblastic, immunoblastic, anaplastic), although some variations exist, such as the presence of macronuclear medium-sized cells in canine polymorphonuclear centroblastic lymphoma, not observed in humans. Canine and human lymphomas share molecular mechanisms, including the activation of key pathways like NF-κB and mTOR, and genetic and epigenetic alterations. The tumor microenvironment influences tumor growth and immune evasion in both species. Both species exhibit similar responses to chemotherapy, primarily CHOP-based protocols, although canine lymphoma often progresses more rapidly, offering advantages for shorter clinical trials. Molecular targeted therapy is emerging as a promising treatment, with human therapies like rituximab and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy showing efficacy, and canine treatments still developing. Epidemiological data reveal overlapping risk factors, including exposure to environmental carcinogens (e.g., household chemicals, pollution) and the potential influence of sex hormones, although the role of sex hormones requires further investigation in canines. While staging systems differ slightly (Lugano modification of Ann Arbor for humans, WHO system for dogs), both consider disease extent and systemic involvement. Prognostic factors, such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, are relevant in human NHL but have not shown consistent utility in cL. This study concludes that the spontaneous development of cL in immunocompetent dogs, coupled with its clinical, histological, and therapeutic similarities to human NHL, makes the canine model invaluable for preclinical research, accelerating the development of novel diagnostic tools and therapies for both human and canine lymphoma. The shared environmental risk factors and shorter disease progression in dogs further enhance the translational potential of this model, promoting a One Health approach to cancer research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Research of Cancer)
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15 pages, 6633 KB  
Article
Nioboixiolite-(□),(Nb0.8□0.2)4+O2, a New Mineral Species from the Bayan Obo World-Class REE-Fe-Nb Deposit, Inner Mongolia, China
by Yike Li, Changhui Ke, Denghong Wang, Zidong Peng, Yonggang Zhao, Ruiping Li, Zhenyu Chen, Guowu Li, Hong Yu, Li Zhang, Bin Guo and Yupu Gao
Minerals 2025, 15(1), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15010088 - 17 Jan 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 849
Abstract
Nioboixiolite-(□) is a new mineral found in a carbonatite sill from the Bayan Obo mine, Baotou City, Inner Mongolia, China. It occurs as anhedral to subhedral grains (100 to 500 μm in diameter) that are disseminated in carbonatite rock composed of dolomite, calcite, [...] Read more.
Nioboixiolite-(□) is a new mineral found in a carbonatite sill from the Bayan Obo mine, Baotou City, Inner Mongolia, China. It occurs as anhedral to subhedral grains (100 to 500 μm in diameter) that are disseminated in carbonatite rock composed of dolomite, calcite, magnetite, apatite, biotite, actionlike, zircon, and columbite-(Fe). Most of these grains are highly serrated, with numerous inclusions of columbite-(Fe). The mineral is gray to deep black in color; is opaque, with a semi-metallic luster; has a black streak; and is brittle, with an uneven conchoidal splintery. The Mohs hardness is 6–6½, and the calculated density is 6.05 g/cm3. The reflection color is gray with a blue tone, and there is no double reflection color. The measured reflectivity of nioboixiolite-(□) is about 10.6%~12.1%, close to that of ixiolite (11%–13%). Nioboixiolite-(□) is non-fluorescent under 254 nm (short-wave) and 366 nm (long-wave) ultraviolet light. The average chemical analysis results (wt.%) of twelve electron microprobe analyses are F 0.01, MnO 0.12, MgO 0.15, BaO 0.62, PbO 0.91, SrO 1.49, CaO 2.76, Al2O3 0.01, TREE2O3 1.58, Fe2O3 3.57, ThO2 0.11, SiO2 1.69, TiO2 3.68, Ta2O5 13.95, Nb2O5 47.04, and UO3 21.56, with a total of 99.25. The simplified formula is [Nb5+, Ta5+,Ti4+, Fe3+,□,]O2. X-ray diffraction data show that nioboixiolite-(□) is orthorhombic, belonging to the space group Pbcn (#60). The refined unit cell parameters are a = 4.7071(5) Å, b = 5.7097(7) Å, c = 5.1111(6) Å, V = 138.31(3), and β = 90(1) °Å3 with Z = 4. In the crystal structure of nioboixiolite-(□), all cations occupy a single M1 site. In these minerals, edge-sharing M1O6 octahedra form chains along the c direction. In this direction, the chains are connected with each other via common vertices of the octahedra. The strongest measured X-ray powder diffraction lines are [d in Å, (I/I0), (hkl)]: 3.662(20) (110), 2.975(100) (111), 2.501(20) (021), 1.770(20) (122), 1.458(20) (023). A type specimen was deposited in the Geological Museum of China with catalogue number M16118, No. 15, Yangrou Hutong, Xisi, Beijing 100031, People’s Republic of China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection New Minerals)
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15 pages, 1124 KB  
Review
Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Clinical Profiles of Hepatitis D Virus in Nigeria: A Systematic Review, 2009–2024
by Victor Abiola Adepoju, Donald Chinazor Udah and Qorinah Estiningtyas Sakilah Adnani
Viruses 2024, 16(11), 1723; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16111723 - 31 Oct 2024
Viewed by 3515
Abstract
Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends hepatitis D virus (HDV) screening among hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected individuals, with a focus on priority populations in resource-limited settings like Nigeria. HDV infection is a growing public health challenge, particularly among individuals with chronic [...] Read more.
Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends hepatitis D virus (HDV) screening among hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected individuals, with a focus on priority populations in resource-limited settings like Nigeria. HDV infection is a growing public health challenge, particularly among individuals with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. HDV accelerates liver disease progression and significantly increases the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite this, the epidemiology of HDV in Nigeria remains inadequately documented. This scoping review critically evaluates the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of HDV co-infection among HBV patients in Nigeria. Method: We conducted a systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. The review included observational cross-sectional studies published between 2009 and 2024. We focused on studies that used Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody testing or RNA-based diagnostics to assess HDV prevalence. We included PubMed, Google Scholar, and Dimensions databases due to their broad indexing and coverage of peer-reviewed articles and accessibility. We screened the studies for their relevance to HDV prevalence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes, while excluding those that only tested for IgM or HDV antigen. Eleven studies, with a combined sample size of 2308 participants, were included in the final analysis. We performed a narrative synthesis of the findings, considering geographic, gender, and age-based variations in HDV prevalence and clinical impact. Results: HDV prevalence among HBV-infected individuals in Nigeria ranged from 2.0% to 31.6%. The highest prevalence was reported in the Southwest (31.6%) among malaria patients, while lower rates were observed in the Southeast (2.8%). Prevalence was higher in males, particularly those aged 21–30 years in the Southwest and 31–40 years in other regions. RNA-based testing provided more accurate data on active viremia, with viremic HDV prevalence rates ranging from 3.2% to 16%. Triple infection with HIV/HBV/HDV was associated with significantly lower CD4+ cell counts and worse clinical outcomes, including elevated liver enzymes and rapid progression to liver cancer. Key risk factors for HDV co-infection included multiple sexual partners, sharing of needles, and unsafe medical practices. Co-infected patients demonstrated worse clinical outcomes, such as elevated liver enzymes, decompensated cirrhosis, and higher rates of hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusions: Our review underscores the urgent need for routine HDV screening among HBV patients in Nigeria, especially given the severe clinical consequences of co-infection. The recent WHO guidelines recommending HDV screening align with our findings, which emphasize the importance of RNA-based HDV testing among HBV-positive patients to improve diagnostic accuracy. Public health efforts should prioritize tailored interventions based on geographic, age, and gender disparities in HDV prevalence. Triple infection with HIV/HBV/HDV requires integrated care models to address both immune suppressions as indicated by diminished CD4 cell count and liver disease progression, as these patients face worse outcomes. Targeted HDV screening in mostly affected demographics and geographies and improved Nigeria capacity for cheaper HDV RNA/PCR diagnostics can reduce liver-related morbidity and mortality caused by HBV, which can be worsened and accelerated by HDV coinfection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Human Virology and Viral Diseases)
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13 pages, 2656 KB  
Article
The Perfect Match: Testing the Effect of Increasing Red and Blue Ratio on Baby-Leaf Kale Growth, Yield and Physiology
by Ilaria Zauli, Ernesto Rossini, Giuseppina Pennisi, Michael Martin, Andrea Crepaldi, Giorgio Gianquinto and Francesco Orsini
Horticulturae 2024, 10(11), 1134; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10111134 - 24 Oct 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1561
Abstract
Within the current scenario of cropland use and forest surface loss, there is a need for the implementation of viable urban farming systems, e.g., indoor vertical farming (VF). Light management is fundamental in VF, although responses to light spectra are often species-specific. As [...] Read more.
Within the current scenario of cropland use and forest surface loss, there is a need for the implementation of viable urban farming systems, e.g., indoor vertical farming (VF). Light management is fundamental in VF, although responses to light spectra are often species-specific. As the interest of consumers and farmers towards baby-leaf vegetables has recently increased, this study aimed at assessing the most effective red:blue (RB) ratio for enhanced baby-leaf production of kale (Brassica oleracea). Within an ebb-and-flow system, increasing RB ratios (RB3, RB5, RB7 and RB9) were tested, sharing a photoperiod of 16 h day−1 and a light intensity of 215 μmol m−2 s−1. A larger yield was obtained for plants under RB5, featuring an intermediate B fraction compared to other treatments, with plants displaying more expanded and thinner leaves. Also, for lighting energy and cultivated surface use efficiency, RB5 was the most effective treatment, performing up to 57 g FW kWh−1 and 54 kg FW m−2 y−1, respectively. From multispectral data, a tendency of reduced Fv/Fm and Fq′/Fm′ was observed as the RB ratio increased, while the chlorophyll index was enhanced under RB ≥ 7. This study highlighted the light recipe with an RB ratio of 5 as the most effective lighting mixture for optimal baby-leaf kale production in terms of balanced growth, resource use efficiency and yield. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Indoor Farming and Artificial Cultivation)
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12 pages, 2114 KB  
Article
Mitochondrial Genomes of Korean Native Black Goats Reveal Shared Phylogeographic Patterns and Demographic History
by Gaeun Kim, Eundo Lee, Kwanwoo Kim, Dongkyo Kim, Seungchang Kim, Daehyeok Jin, Huimang Song, Seongsil Mun, Hankyeol Jeong, Jaemin Kim and Bonghwan Choi
Animals 2024, 14(20), 2949; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14202949 - 13 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1674
Abstract
This study explores the phylogeny of Korean native black goats through analysis of their complete mitochondrial DNA. The National Institute of Animal Science has gathered genetic material on purebred goats from isolated regions such as Tongyeong, Dangjin, and Jangsu, and is actively breeding [...] Read more.
This study explores the phylogeny of Korean native black goats through analysis of their complete mitochondrial DNA. The National Institute of Animal Science has gathered genetic material on purebred goats from isolated regions such as Tongyeong, Dangjin, and Jangsu, and is actively breeding them on a national level. These populations, however, are small and exhibit high inbreeding rates, highlighting the urgent need to preserve genetic diversity. The haplotype diversity within this native group is 0.659, with 39 haplotypes identified. By contrast, including international breeds in the analysis increases the overall haplotype diversity to 0.925 with 203 haplotypes identified, highlighting the limited genetic diversity among native black goats. For phylogenetic assessment, a neighbor-joining tree and median-joining network were constructed using identified haplogroups (A, B, C, D, G, and F) from prior studies. The results pinpoint the native black goats as closely related to, but distinct from, Haplogroup A with a bootstrap value of 98, establishing them as a separate clade (A’). This supports the notion of a shared ancestry with various global populations. This research provides essential data on the origins and evolutionary history of Korean native black goats, supporting conservation and breeding efforts aimed at enhancing genetic diversity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Animal Genetics and Genomics)
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16 pages, 1699 KB  
Article
Characteristics Analysis and Modeling of Integrated Sensing and Communication Channel for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Communications
by Xinru Li, Yu Liu, Xinrong Zhang, Yi Zhang, Jie Huang and Ji Bian
Drones 2024, 8(10), 538; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones8100538 - 1 Oct 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2170
Abstract
As an important part of 6th generation (6G) communication, integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communication has attracted more and more attention. The UAV ISAC channel model considering the space-time evolution of joint and shared clusters is the basis [...] Read more.
As an important part of 6th generation (6G) communication, integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communication has attracted more and more attention. The UAV ISAC channel model considering the space-time evolution of joint and shared clusters is the basis of UAV ISAC system design and network evaluation. This paper introduces the UAV ISAC channel characteristics analysis and modeling method. In the UAV ISAC network, the channel consists of a communication channel and a sensing channel. A joint channel parameter is a combination of all (communication and sensing) multiple path component (MPC) parameter sets, while a shared path is the intersection of the communication path and sensing path that have some of the same MPC parameters. Based on the data collected from a ray-tracing (RT) UAV-to-ground scenario, the joint paths and shared paths of ISAC channels are clustered. Then, by introducing the occurrence and disappearance of clusters based on the birth–death (B–D) process, the space-time evolution of different clusters is described, and the influence of the addition of sensing clusters and the change in flight altitude on the B–D process is explored. Finally, the effects of the sensing cluster and flight altitude on the UAV ISAC channel characteristics, including the angle, time–varying characteristics, and sharing degree (SD), are analyzed. The related UAV ISAC channel characteristics analysis can provide reference for the future development of UAV ISAC systems. Full article
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