The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
18 pages, 1116 KiB  
Review
Analysis and Applications of the Two Phases Closed Thermosyphon Technology in the Highways in Permafrost Regions: A Review
by Shuai Du and Zeliang Ye
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 4185; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14104185 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
Permafrost spans approximately 23–25% of the land in the northern hemisphere, primarily found in Russia, Canada, USA, and China. Numerous engineering projects, particularly those related to transportation, are situated within these permafrost regions. Due to the impact of highway construction and global warming, [...] Read more.
Permafrost spans approximately 23–25% of the land in the northern hemisphere, primarily found in Russia, Canada, USA, and China. Numerous engineering projects, particularly those related to transportation, are situated within these permafrost regions. Due to the impact of highway construction and global warming, the permafrost beneath the infrastructure is deteriorating, leading to significant damage. Two phases closed thermosyphon (TPCT) is a widely accepted green countermeasure against the problem in permafrost regions. Although it has been applied to prevent permafrost degradation, their application presents significant challenges on account of the stronger endothermic action of asphalt pavement. This paper focused on a review of the thermosyphon technology and application in the permafrost. Moreover, the article highlighted the excellent working performance of the TPCT that improves the stability of the infrastructures and prevents it degrading due its excellent efficiency in terms of heat transfer. The industrial applications of the TPCT were also summarized, along with their limitations. Ultimately, the findings presented in this paper can offer crucial insights for future TPCT design and development in permafrost areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geotechnical Engineering: Principles and Applications)
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41 pages, 9843 KiB  
Article
Urban Resilience Index for Critical Infrastructure: A Scenario-Based Approach to Disaster Risk Reduction in Road Networks
by Seyed M. H. S. Rezvani, Maria João Falcão Silva and Nuno Marques de Almeida
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4143; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104143 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
Floods pose a significant threat to road networks globally, disrupting transportation, isolating communities, and causing economic losses. This study proposes a four-stage methodology (avoidance, endurance, recovery, and adaptability) to enhance the resilience of road networks. We combine analysis of constructed assets and asset [...] Read more.
Floods pose a significant threat to road networks globally, disrupting transportation, isolating communities, and causing economic losses. This study proposes a four-stage methodology (avoidance, endurance, recovery, and adaptability) to enhance the resilience of road networks. We combine analysis of constructed assets and asset system performance with multiple disaster scenarios (Reactive Flood Response, Proactive Resilience Planning, and Early Warning Systems). Advanced flood Geospatial-AI models and open data sources pinpoint high-risk zones affecting crucial routes. The study investigates how resilient assets and infrastructure scenarios improve outcomes within Urban Resilience Index (CRI) planning, integrating performance metrics with cost–benefit analysis to identify effective and economically viable solutions. A case study on the Lisbon Road network subjected to flood risk analyzes the effectiveness and efficiency of these scenarios, through loss and gain cost analysis. Scenario 2, Proactive Resilience Planning, demonstrates a 7.6% increase compared to Scenario 1, Reactive Flood Response, and a 3.5% increase compared to Scenario 3, Early Warning Systems Implementation. By considering asset performance, risk optimization, and cost, the study supports resilient infrastructure strategies that minimize economic impacts, while enabling communities to withstand and recover from flood events. Integrating performance and cost–benefit analysis ensures the sustainability and feasibility of risk reduction measures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Resilient Civil Infrastructure)
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15 pages, 6936 KiB  
Article
Effect of Overheating on the Tensile Properties of Nickel-Based Superalloy GH4720Li
by Anqi Wang, Zhicheng Liu, Ruoyao Cui, Yangyang Wu, Di Zhang and Xiaogang Wang
Materials 2024, 17(10), 2351; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17102351 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
Aero-engines can be exposed to One Engine Inoperative (OEI) conditions during service, and the resulting overheating effect may significantly impact their structural integrity and flight safety. This paper focuses on the influence of overheating on the microstructural evolution and tensile properties of the [...] Read more.
Aero-engines can be exposed to One Engine Inoperative (OEI) conditions during service, and the resulting overheating effect may significantly impact their structural integrity and flight safety. This paper focuses on the influence of overheating on the microstructural evolution and tensile properties of the GH4720Li alloy, a nickel-based polycrystalline superalloy commonly used in turbine disks. Based on the typical OEI operating conditions of a real aero-engine, a series of non-isothermal high-temperature tensile tests involving an OEI stage of 800 °C were conducted. The effects of OEI-induced overheating on the microstructure and tensile properties of the GH4720Li alloy were investigated. The results showed that, after OEI treatment, the primary γ′ phase in this alloy was partially dissolved. The GH4720Li superalloy also exhibited numerous microcracks at the grain boundaries, resulting in complex effects on its tensile properties. The alloy’s yield strength and ultimate tensile strength were slightly decreased, whereas its ductility decreased considerably. The OEI-induced embrittlement phenomenon was mainly caused by the non-uniform distribution of the tertiary γ′ phase within grains. The formation of microcracks nucleated at the interfaces between the primary γ′ precipitates and γ matrix phase was another key factor. Full article
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18 pages, 3733 KiB  
Review
Historical Perspective and Current Trends in Anticancer Drug Development
by Katarzyna Gach-Janczak, Joanna Drogosz-Stachowicz, Anna Janecka, Karol Wtorek and Marek Mirowski
Cancers 2024, 16(10), 1878; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16101878 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
Cancer is considered one of the leading causes of death in the 21st century. The intensive search for new anticancer drugs has been actively pursued by chemists and pharmacologists for decades, focusing either on the isolation of compounds with cytotoxic properties from plants [...] Read more.
Cancer is considered one of the leading causes of death in the 21st century. The intensive search for new anticancer drugs has been actively pursued by chemists and pharmacologists for decades, focusing either on the isolation of compounds with cytotoxic properties from plants or on screening thousands of synthetic molecules. Compounds that could potentially become candidates for new anticancer drugs must have the ability to inhibit proliferation and/or induce apoptosis in cancer cells without causing too much damage to normal cells. Some anticancer compounds were discovered by accident, others as a result of long-term research. In this review, we have presented a brief history of the development of the most important groups of anticancer drugs, pointing to the fact that they all have many side effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Review for Cancer Therapy)
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24 pages, 2540 KiB  
Article
Systematic Opportunity Scan of Energy Recovery Technologies Applied to Trucks with Electric Refrigerated Units
by Áquila Chagas de Carvalho, Matheus Henrique Rodrigues Miranda, Ludmila Corrêa de Alkmin e Silva, Fabrício Leonardo Silva, Rafael Rogora Kawano, Jony Javorski Eckert and Franco Giuseppe Dedini
Inventions 2024, 9(3), 58; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions9030058 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
This article presents an original research methodology that combines insights from patents and academic research, offering a unique perspective on energy recovery technologies for trucks equipped with refrigeration units. The purpose of the study is to perform a functional analysis of existing solutions [...] Read more.
This article presents an original research methodology that combines insights from patents and academic research, offering a unique perspective on energy recovery technologies for trucks equipped with refrigeration units. The purpose of the study is to perform a functional analysis of existing solutions and to suggest a mechanism for exposing unexplored areas and opportunities for innovation. To achieve this goal, a systematic opportunity scan is presented, investigating patents and conducting a state-of-the-art search of existing technologies. This scan classifies a diverse range of solutions, elucidating their interconnections and providing an overview of the existing technological area, covering system components and technical trends. Thus, the main functions and components are listed, as well as the system requirements. Once the functions have been surveyed, a morphological matrix is proposed, and five main functions are analyzed. This methodology makes it possible to list the majority of the possible solutions for the functions analyzed, taking into account the components observed in the literature review and patents, including new components raised by the research group. Finally, with the morphological matrix structure, it was possible to combine unexplored elements, achieving innovative solutions. Full article
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20 pages, 3298 KiB  
Article
Piezoelectric Actuators in Smart Engineering Structures Using Robust Control
by Amalia Moutsopoulou, Markos Petousis, Nectarios Vidakis, Anastasios Pouliezos and Georgios E. Stavroulakis
Materials 2024, 17(10), 2357; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17102357 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
In this study, piezoelectric patches are used as actuators to dampen structural oscillations. Damping oscillations is a significant engineering challenge, and the use of piezoelectric patches in smart structures allows for a reduction in oscillations through sophisticated control methods. This analysis involved H-infinity [...] Read more.
In this study, piezoelectric patches are used as actuators to dampen structural oscillations. Damping oscillations is a significant engineering challenge, and the use of piezoelectric patches in smart structures allows for a reduction in oscillations through sophisticated control methods. This analysis involved H-infinity (H∞) robust analysis. H∞ (H-infinity) control formulation is a robust control design method used to ensure system stability and performance under disturbances. When applied to piezoelectric actuators in smart structures, H∞ control aims to design controllers that are robust to variations in system dynamics, external disturbances, and modeling uncertainties, while meeting specified performance criteria. This study outlines the piezoelectric effects and advanced control strategies. A structural model was created using finite elements, and a smart structural model was analyzed. Subsequently, dynamic loads were applied and oscillation damping was successfully achieved by employing advanced control techniques. Full article
21 pages, 2872 KiB  
Article
The Collapse Mechanism of Slope Rill Sidewall under Composite Erosion of Freeze-Thaw Cycles and Water
by Wenbin Huang, Shuai Shao, Yuhang Liu, Xiangtian Xu, Weidong Zhang and Yong Liu
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4144; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104144 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
The composite erosion of freeze-thaw and water flow on slope rills is characterized by periodicity and spatial superposition. When revealing the collapse mechanism of slope rill sidewalls under the composite erosion of freeze-thaw and water flow, it is necessary to fully consider the [...] Read more.
The composite erosion of freeze-thaw and water flow on slope rills is characterized by periodicity and spatial superposition. When revealing the collapse mechanism of slope rill sidewalls under the composite erosion of freeze-thaw and water flow, it is necessary to fully consider the effect of water migration and its impact on the stability of the rill sidewall. In this paper, we placed the self-developed collapse test system in an environmental chamber to carry out model tests on rill sidewall collapse on slopes under the composite erosion of freeze-thaw and water flow. We utilized three-dimensional reconstruction technology and the fixed grid coordinate method to reproduce the collapse process of the rill sidewall and precisely locate the top crack. We obtained the relationship between the water content of the specimen and mechanical indexes through the straight shear test. The main conclusions are as follows: The soil structure of the rill sidewall is significantly affected by the freeze-thaw cycle, which benefits capillary action in the soil. One freeze-thaw cycle has the most serious effect on the soil structure of the rill sidewall, and the change in the moisture field is more intense after the soil temperature drops below zero. The friction angle of the soil increases with the number of freeze-thaw cycles and tends to stabilize gradually. The effect of the freeze-thaw cycle on the rate of change of the water content of the soil at each position of the wall can be accurately described by a logarithmic function. The expression of the two-factor interaction effect on the rate of change of water content of soil at each position of the rill sidewall can be accurately fitted. We propose a calculation system for locating cracks at the top of the rill sidewall and determining the critical state of instability and collapse of the rill sidewall during the process of freeze-thaw and water flow composite erosion. The results of this research can help improve the accuracy of combined freeze-thaw and water flow erosion test equipment and the development of a prediction model for the collapse of the rill sidewall under compound erosion. This is of great significance for soil and water conservation and sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Geology and Engineering)
17 pages, 7420 KiB  
Article
Performance of Earth Plasters with Graphene-Based Additive
by Paola Gallo Stampino, Letizia Ceccarelli, Marco Caruso, Laura Mascheretti, Giovanni Dotelli and Sergio Sabbadini
Materials 2024, 17(10), 2356; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17102356 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
A central debate is the improvement in the mechanical and water resistance of sustainable earthen architecture without additives or stabilizers. This innovative work aims to test the effects of a graphene-based additive, optimized for the improvement in concrete properties, on the strength and [...] Read more.
A central debate is the improvement in the mechanical and water resistance of sustainable earthen architecture without additives or stabilizers. This innovative work aims to test the effects of a graphene-based additive, optimized for the improvement in concrete properties, on the strength and water resistance of raw-earth plasters without any stabilizer other than sand. Given the heterogeneous nature of raw earth, three different soils were tested by adding three increasing graphene-based additive contents (0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 wt% of the earth–sand proportion). The link between soil intrinsic properties, i.e., geotechnical and mineralogical properties, and their interaction with the additive were investigated through geotechnical characterization, as well as mineralogical characterization, by XRD and ATR-FTIR analyses. The experimental tests carried out focused on the adhesion properties of the twelve different plasters on standard hollow bricks and on their interaction with water through capillary rise tests and erosion resistance tests. Conclusion from the experimental tests suggests that the graphene-based additive in earth plasters, by increasing the cohesion of the mixture, improves their adhesion performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Sustainable Construction Materials)
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24 pages, 6983 KiB  
Review
Spectroscopic Techniques and Hydrogen-Sensitive Compounds: A New Horizon in Hydrogen Detection
by Bu Si, Yan Hu, Longchao Yao, Qiwen Jin, Chenghang Zheng, Yingchun Wu, Xuecheng Wu and Xiang Gao
Sensors 2024, 24(10), 3146; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24103146 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
Detecting hydrogen leaks remains a pivotal challenge demanding robust solutions. Among diverse detection techniques, the fiber-optic method distinguishes itself through unique benefits, such as its distributed measurement properties. The adoption of hydrogen-sensitive materials coated on fibers has gained significant traction in research circles, [...] Read more.
Detecting hydrogen leaks remains a pivotal challenge demanding robust solutions. Among diverse detection techniques, the fiber-optic method distinguishes itself through unique benefits, such as its distributed measurement properties. The adoption of hydrogen-sensitive materials coated on fibers has gained significant traction in research circles, credited to its operational simplicity and exceptional adaptability across varied conditions. This manuscript offers an exhaustive investigation into hydrogen-sensitive materials and their incorporation into fiber-optic hydrogen sensors. The research profoundly analyzes the sensor architectures, performance indicators, and the spectrum of sensing materials. A detailed understanding of these sensors’ potentials and constraints emerges through rigorous examination, juxtaposition, and holistic discourse. Furthermore, this analysis judiciously assesses the inherent challenges tied to these systems, simultaneously highlighting potential pathways for future innovation. By spotlighting the hurdles and opportunities, this paper furnishes a view on hydrogen sensing technology, particularly related to optical fiber-based applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Optical Sensors)
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3 pages, 4209 KiB  
Interesting Images
Tuberculous Spondylodiscitis with Psoas Abscess Descending into the Anterior Femoral Compartment Identified Using 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoroglucose Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
by Julian Scherer, Tessa Kotze, Zintle Mdiza, Andrew Lawson, Michael Held and Friedrich Thienemann
Diagnostics 2024, 14(10), 1018; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14101018 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
A 24-year-old immunocompetent woman underwent whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT for the evaluation of MRI-suspicious tuberculous spinal lesions. The PET/CT results showed no pathological uptake in either lung, and there were no pathological changes on CT. There was increased uptake in the right psoas muscle, [...] Read more.
A 24-year-old immunocompetent woman underwent whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT for the evaluation of MRI-suspicious tuberculous spinal lesions. The PET/CT results showed no pathological uptake in either lung, and there were no pathological changes on CT. There was increased uptake in the right psoas muscle, extending continuously down anterior to the right hip joint, posterior to and around the trochanteric region of the right femur, and into the right thigh, with an SUVmaxbw of 17.0. Subsequently, the patient underwent CT-guided biopsy as per protocol, which revealed drug-sensitive Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the patient was started on standard tuberculosis treatment for 12 months. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 18F-FDG PET/CT: Current and Future Clinical Applications)
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18 pages, 7076 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Satellite-Based Rainfall Estimates against Rain Gauge Observations across Agro-Climatic Zones of Nigeria, West Africa
by Aminu Dalhatu Datti, Gang Zeng, Elena Tarnavsky, Rosalind Cornforth, Florian Pappenberger, Bello Ahmad Abdullahi and Anselem Onyejuruwa
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(10), 1755; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16101755 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
Satellite rainfall estimates (SREs) play a crucial role in weather monitoring, forecasting and modeling, particularly in regions where ground-based observations may be limited. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of three commonly used SREs—African Rainfall Climatology version 2 (ARC2), Climate Hazards Group Infrared [...] Read more.
Satellite rainfall estimates (SREs) play a crucial role in weather monitoring, forecasting and modeling, particularly in regions where ground-based observations may be limited. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of three commonly used SREs—African Rainfall Climatology version 2 (ARC2), Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS) and Tropical Application of Meteorology using SATellite data and ground-based observation (TAMSAT)— with respect to their performance in detecting rainfall patterns in Nigeria at daily scales from 2002 to 2022. Observed data obtained from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) are used as reference data. Evaluation metrics such as correlation coefficient, root mean square error, mean error, bias, probability of detection (POD), false alarm ratio (FAR), and critical success index (CSI) are employed to assess the performance of the SREs. The results show that all the SREs exhibit low bias during the major rainfall season from May to October, and the products significantly overestimate observed rainfall during the dry period from November to March in the Sahel and Savannah Zones. Similarly, over the Guinea Zone, all the products indicate overestimation in the dry season. The underperformance of SREs in dry seasons could be attributed to the rainfall retrieval algorithms, intensity of rainfall occurrence and spatial-temporal resolution. These factors could potentially lead to the accuracy of the rainfall retrieval being reduced due to intense stratiform clouds. However, all the SREs indicated better detection capabilities and less false alarms during the wet season than in dry periods. CHIRPS and TAMSAT exhibited high POD and CSI values with the least FAR across agro-climatic zones during dry periods. Generally, CHIRPS turned out to be the best SRE and, as such, would provide a useful dataset for research and operational use in Nigeria. Full article
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17 pages, 2704 KiB  
Article
Improving Surfactin Production in Bacillus subtilis 168 by Metabolic Engineering
by Zihao Guo, Jiuyu Sun, Qinyuan Ma, Mengqi Li, Yamin Dou, Shaomei Yang and Xiuzhen Gao
Microorganisms 2024, 12(5), 998; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12050998 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
Surfactin is widely used in the petroleum extraction, cosmetics, biopharmaceuticals and agriculture industries. It possesses antibacterial and antiviral activities and can reduce interfacial tension. Bacillus are commonly used as production chassis, but wild-type Bacillus subtilis 168 cannot synthesise surfactin. In this study, the [...] Read more.
Surfactin is widely used in the petroleum extraction, cosmetics, biopharmaceuticals and agriculture industries. It possesses antibacterial and antiviral activities and can reduce interfacial tension. Bacillus are commonly used as production chassis, but wild-type Bacillus subtilis 168 cannot synthesise surfactin. In this study, the phosphopantetheinyl transferase (PPTase) gene sfp* (with a T base removed) was overexpressed and enzyme activity was restored, enabling B. subtilis 168 to synthesise surfactin with a yield of 747.5 ± 6.5 mg/L. Knocking out ppsD and yvkC did not enhance surfactin synthesis. Overexpression of predicted surfactin transporter gene yfiS increased its titre to 1060.7 ± 89.4 mg/L, while overexpression of yerP, ycxA and ycxA-efp had little or negative effects on surfactin synthesis, suggesting YfiS is involved in surfactin efflux. By replacing the native promoter of the srfA operon encoding surfactin synthase with three promoters, surfactin synthesis was significantly reduced. However, knockout of the global transcriptional regulator gene codY enhanced the surfactin titre to 1601.8 ± 91.9 mg/L. The highest surfactin titre reached 3.89 ± 0.07 g/L, with the yield of 0.63 ± 0.02 g/g DCW, after 36 h of fed-batch fermentation in 5 L fermenter. This study provides a reference for further understanding surfactin synthesis and constructing microbial cell factories. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial Engineering and Metabolism Regulation)
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41 pages, 2082 KiB  
Review
A New 2-Aminospiropyrazolylammonium Cation with Possible Uses in the Topical Areas of Ionic Liquids
by Lyudmila Kayukova and Anna Vologzhanina
Molecules 2024, 29(10), 2326; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29102326 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
Based on the fact that 2-aminospiropyrazolinium compounds and structurally related azoniaspiro compounds belong, in a broad sense, to the class of ionic liquids, we have reviewed them and studied their practical applications. To search for possible uses of a new 2-aminospiropyrazolinium compounds, it [...] Read more.
Based on the fact that 2-aminospiropyrazolinium compounds and structurally related azoniaspiro compounds belong, in a broad sense, to the class of ionic liquids, we have reviewed them and studied their practical applications. To search for possible uses of a new 2-aminospiropyrazolinium compounds, it is necessary to undertake a comparison with the related class of azoniaspiro compounds based on available information. The structures of the well-studied class of azoniaspiro compounds and the related but little-studied class of 2-aminospiropyrazolinium have rigid frameworks, limited conformational freedom, and a salt nature. These properties give them the ability to organize the nearby molecular space and enable the structure-forming ability of azoniaspiro compounds in the synthesis of zeolites, as well as the ability to act as phase-transfer catalysts and have selective biological effects. Additionally, these characteristics enable their ability to act as electrolytes and serve as materials for anion exchange membranes in fuel cells and water electrolyzers. Thus, the well-studied properties of azoniaspiro compounds as phase-transfer catalysts, structure-directing agents, electrolytes, and materials for membranes in power sources would encourage the study of the similar properties of 2-aminospiropyrazolinium compounds, which we have studied in relation to in vitro antitubercular, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Ionic Liquids and Their Applications)
24 pages, 9531 KiB  
Article
Study of the Impact of the Parasitic Microalgae Coccomyxa parasitica on the Health of Bivalve Modiolus kurilensis
by Ayna V. Tumas, Veronika A. Slatvinskaya, Vadim V. Kumeiko and Yulia N. Sokolnikova
Microorganisms 2024, 12(5), 997; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12050997 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
The invasion of bivalves by parasitic microalgae Coccomyxa is widespread and causes pathologies and dysfunctions of the organs, especially in the most valuable products: the mantle and the muscle. The pathogenesis of the disease remains completely unknown. In this study, based on a [...] Read more.
The invasion of bivalves by parasitic microalgae Coccomyxa is widespread and causes pathologies and dysfunctions of the organs, especially in the most valuable products: the mantle and the muscle. The pathogenesis of the disease remains completely unknown. In this study, based on a macroscopic examination of Modiolus kurilensis and microalgae count in each infected individual, four stages of disease development with characteristic pathognomonic symptoms were described. During the progression of the disease, the concentration of alkaline phosphatase, glucose, calcium, hemolytic and agglutinating activities, number of basophils, eosinophils, phagocytes, and cells with reactive oxygen species increased in the hemolymph, while number of agranulocytes, cells with lysosomes, dead hemocytes, total protein concentration, as well as the weight of mollusks decreased. In the nephridia and digestive gland, necrosis, invasion of Nematopsis sp., hemocyte infiltration, and fibrosis increased. The ratio of changed tubules and occurrence of granulocytomas increased in the digestive gland, while the base membrane, nephrocytes and concretions changed in the nephridia. This study helps establish the variability of these parameters under normal conditions and their alteration during the disease. Moreover, these findings can be used for veterinary monitoring of the state of bivalves in natural and aquaculture populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms and Diseases Associated with Aquatic Animals 2.0)
20 pages, 993 KiB  
Article
A Drone-Assisted Anonymous Authentication and Key Agreement Protocol with Access Control for Accident Rescue in the Internet of Vehicles
by Jihu Zheng, Haixin Duan, Chenyu Wang, Qiang Cao, Guoai Xu and Rui Fang
Electronics 2024, 13(10), 1939; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13101939 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
The drone-assisted Internet of Vehicles (DIoV) displays great potential in the punctual provision of rescue services without geographical limitations. To ensure data security in accident response and rescue services, authentication schemes with access control are employed. These schemes ensure that only specific rescue [...] Read more.
The drone-assisted Internet of Vehicles (DIoV) displays great potential in the punctual provision of rescue services without geographical limitations. To ensure data security in accident response and rescue services, authentication schemes with access control are employed. These schemes ensure that only specific rescue vehicle operators acting within a valid period can achieve mutual authentication from a designated processor, while access for mismatched, revoked, or expired users is denied. However, the current alternatives fail to ensure session key forward secrecy, entities’ mutual authentication, and user anonymity, thereby compromising users’ privacy and the security of communications. Moreover, executing too many time-consuming operations on vehicles’ resource-constrained devices inevitably degrades the performance of the authentication protocol. Balancing security and performance in the design of an authentication protocol with access control presents a significant challenge. To address this, a more efficient and robust authentication with access control has been designed. The proposed protocol ensures user anonymity through dynamic pseudonym allocation, achieves forward secrecy by excluding the long-term key from session key generation, and obtains mutual authentication by verifying the integrity of the messages exchanged. According to the security and performance analysis, it is demonstrated that the proposal is a robust, efficient, and cost-effective solution. In particular, the proposal can reduce the computational overhead by 66% compared to recent alternatives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cryptography in Network Security)
18 pages, 734 KiB  
Article
Bay Laurel of Northern Morocco: A Comprehensive Analysis of Its Phytochemical Profile, Mineralogical Composition, and Antioxidant Potential
by Amena Mrabet, Bahia Abdelfattah, Fouad El Mansouri, Ayoub Simou and Mohamed Khaddor
Biophysica 2024, 4(2), 238-255; https://doi.org/10.3390/biophysica4020017 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
Laurus nobilis, sometimes referred to as laurel, has been used for medicinal and culinary purposes for a very long time. The main subjects of this study are the phytochemical composition, mineralogical profile, and potential antioxidant properties of Laurus nobilis in Tangier, Northern [...] Read more.
Laurus nobilis, sometimes referred to as laurel, has been used for medicinal and culinary purposes for a very long time. The main subjects of this study are the phytochemical composition, mineralogical profile, and potential antioxidant properties of Laurus nobilis in Tangier, Northern Morocco. For phytochemical analysis of methanolic extracts, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-UV-MS) was used, and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to identify each individual component. Minerals were studied by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF). Total tannin, flavonoid, and phenolic amounts were quantified using aqueous and methanolic extracts. The antioxidant properties were assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis (3ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays. Research has revealed a complex array of phytochemicals, including tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Mineral analysis has revealed the existence of vital components that are beneficial to health. Comparing the methanolic extract to the water extract, it demonstrated higher levels of phenols, flavonoids, and tannins as well as stronger antioxidant activity, indicating greater health benefits. This comprehensive study highlights the importance of Laurus nobilis from Northern Morocco as a reliable botanic resource with potential pharmaceutical, nutritional, and cosmetic uses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Optics 2.0)
15 pages, 1296 KiB  
Article
Obtaining and Characterization of an Interspecific Hybrid between Lilium callosum and ‘Snow Queen’ and Evaluation of the Botrytis Stress Response
by Yongyao Fu, Shulin Lu, Chengchen Liu, Chaojun Ding, Xiaoyu Wang, Xinrong Li, Sijia Jiang and Liping Yang
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1376; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101376 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
To cultivate excellent lily germplasms, an interspecific hybrid (LC×SQ-01) was successfully obtained by using a cut-style pollination method in which the rare wild lily Lilium callosum was used as the female parent and the cut flower L. longiflorum ‘Snow Queen’ was used as [...] Read more.
To cultivate excellent lily germplasms, an interspecific hybrid (LC×SQ-01) was successfully obtained by using a cut-style pollination method in which the rare wild lily Lilium callosum was used as the female parent and the cut flower L. longiflorum ‘Snow Queen’ was used as the male parent. The morphological features of LC×SQ-01 included height, leaf length, and width, which were observed to be between those of the parents in the tissue-cultured seedlings. The height and leaf length of LC×SQ-01 were more similar to those of the male parent, and the width was between the widths of the parents for field-generated plants. The epidermal cell length and the guard cell and stoma sizes were between those of both parents in tissue-cultured and field-generated plants. In addition, the shapes of the epidermal cells and anticlinal wall in LC×SQ-01 were more analogous to those in the male parent, while the stoma morphology was different from that of both parents. Fourteen pairs of polymorphic SSR primers were identified in both parents, and the validity of LC×SQ-01 was demonstrated by PCR amplification using five pairs of SSR primers. Flow cytometry and root tip squashing assays revealed that LC×SQ-01 was a diploid plant, similar to its parents. Furthermore, the LC×SQ-01 hybrid was more resistant to B. cinerea than its parents, and it also showed much greater peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activity than the parents. These results lay a foundation for breeding a new high-resistance and ornamental lily variety. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Flower Germplasm Resource and Genetic Breeding)
27 pages, 2007 KiB  
Review
GNSS Reflectometry-Based Ocean Altimetry: State of the Art and Future Trends
by Tianhe Xu, Nazi Wang, Yunqiao He, Yunwei Li, Xinyue Meng, Fan Gao and Ernesto Lopez-Baeza
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(10), 1754; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16101754 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
For the past 20 years, Global Navigation Satellite System reflectometry (GNSS-R) technology has successfully shown its potential for remote sensing of the Earth’s surface, including ocean and land surfaces. It is a multistatic radar that uses the GNSS signals reflected from the Earth’s [...] Read more.
For the past 20 years, Global Navigation Satellite System reflectometry (GNSS-R) technology has successfully shown its potential for remote sensing of the Earth’s surface, including ocean and land surfaces. It is a multistatic radar that uses the GNSS signals reflected from the Earth’s surface to extract land and ocean characteristics. Because of its numerous advantages such as low cost, multiple signal sources, and all-day/weather and high-spatiotemporal-resolution observations, this new technology has attracted the attention of many researchers. One of its most promising applications is GNSS-R ocean altimetry, which can complement existing techniques such as tide gauging and radar satellite altimetry. Since this technology for ocean altimetry was first proposed in 1993, increasing progress has been made including diverse methods for processing reflected signals (such as GNSS interferometric reflectometry, conventional GNSS-R, and interferometric GNSS-R), different instruments (such as an RHCP antenna with one geodetic receiver, a linearly polarized antenna, and a system of simultaneously used RHCP and LHCP antennas with a dedicated receiver), and different platform applications (such as ground-based, air-borne, or space-borne). The development of multi-mode and multi-frequency GNSS, especially for constructing the Chinese BeiDou Global Navigation Satellite System (BDS-3), has enabled more free signals to be used to further promote GNSS-R applications. The GNSS has evolved from its initial use of GPS L1 and L2 signals to include other GNSS bands and multi-GNSS signals. Using more advanced, multi-frequency, and multi-mode signals will bring new opportunities to develop GNSS-R technology. In this paper, studies of GNSS-R altimetry are reviewed from four perspectives: (1) classifications according to different data processing methods, (2) different platforms, (3) development of different receivers, and (4) our work. We overview the current status of GNSS-R altimetry and describe its fundamental principles, experiments, recent applications to ocean altimetry, and future directions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue SoOP-Reflectometry or GNSS-Reflectometry: Theory and Applications)
22 pages, 2891 KiB  
Article
Virtual Sensing of Key Variables in the Hydrogen Production Process: A Comparative Study of Data-Driven Models
by Yating Yao, Yupeng Xing, Ziteng Zuo, Chihang Wei and Weiming Shao
Sensors 2024, 24(10), 3143; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24103143 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
Hydrogen is an ideal energy carrier manufactured mainly by the natural gas steam reforming hydrogen production process. The concentrations of CH4COCO2, and H2 in this process are key variables related to product quality, which thus [...] Read more.
Hydrogen is an ideal energy carrier manufactured mainly by the natural gas steam reforming hydrogen production process. The concentrations of CH4COCO2, and H2 in this process are key variables related to product quality, which thus need to be controlled accurately in real-time. However, conventional measurement methods for these concentrations suffer from significant delays or huge acquisition and upkeep costs. Virtual sensors effectively compensate for these shortcomings. Unfortunately, previously developed virtual sensors have not fully considered the complex characteristics of the hydrogen production process. Therefore, a virtual sensor model, called “moving window-based dynamic variational Bayesian principal component analysis (MW-DVBPCA)” is developed for key gas concentration estimation. The MW-DVBPCA considers complicated characteristics of the hydrogen production process, involving dynamics, time variations, and transportation delays. Specifically, the dynamics are modeled by the finite impulse response paradigm, the transportation delays are automatically determined using the differential evolution algorithm, and the time variations are captured by the moving window method. Moreover, a comparative study of data-driven virtual sensors is carried out, which is sporadically discussed in the literature. Meanwhile, the performance of the developed MW-DVBPCA is verified by the real-life natural gas steam reforming hydrogen production process. Full article
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30 pages, 16407 KiB  
Article
Automating Fault Test Cases Generation and Execution for Automotive Safety Validation via NLP and HIL Simulation
by Ayman Amyan, Mohammad Abboush, Christoph Knieke and Andreas Rausch
Sensors 2024, 24(10), 3145; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24103145 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
The complexity and the criticality of automotive electronic implanted systems are steadily advancing and that is especially the case for automotive software development. ISO 26262 describes requirements for the development process to confirm the safety of such complex systems. Among these requirements, fault [...] Read more.
The complexity and the criticality of automotive electronic implanted systems are steadily advancing and that is especially the case for automotive software development. ISO 26262 describes requirements for the development process to confirm the safety of such complex systems. Among these requirements, fault injection is a reliable technique to assess the effectiveness of safety mechanisms and verify the correct implementation of the safety requirements. However, the method of injecting the fault in the system under test in many cases is still manual and depends on an expert, requiring a high level of knowledge of the system. In complex systems, it consumes time, is difficult to execute, and takes effort, because the testers limit the fault injection experiments and inject the minimum number of possible test cases. Fault injection enables testers to identify and address potential issues with a system under test before they become actual problems. In the automotive industry, failures can have serious hazards. In these systems, it is essential to ensure that the system can operate safely even in the presence of faults. We propose an approach using natural language processing (NLP) technologies to automatically derive the fault test cases from the functional safety requirements (FSRs) and execute them automatically by hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) in real time according to the black-box concept and the ISO 26262 standard. The approach demonstrates effectiveness in automatically identifying fault injection locations and conditions, simplifying the testing process, and providing a scalable solution for various safety-critical systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Vehicular Sensing)
14 pages, 3119 KiB  
Article
Quantitative Analysis of Fungal Contamination of Different Herbal Medicines in China
by Gang Wang, Mingyue Jiao, Junqiang Hu, Yiren Xun, Longyun Chen, Jianbo Qiu, Fang Ji, Yin-Won Lee, Jianrong Shi and Jianhong Xu
Toxins 2024, 16(5), 229; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins16050229 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
Herbal medicines are widely used for clinical purposes worldwide. These herbs are susceptible to phytopathogenic fungal invasion during the culturing, harvesting, storage, and processing stages. The threat of fungal and mycotoxin contamination requires the evaluation of the health risks associated with these herbal [...] Read more.
Herbal medicines are widely used for clinical purposes worldwide. These herbs are susceptible to phytopathogenic fungal invasion during the culturing, harvesting, storage, and processing stages. The threat of fungal and mycotoxin contamination requires the evaluation of the health risks associated with these herbal medicines. In this study, we collected 138 samples of 23 commonly used herbs from 20 regions in China, from which we isolated a total of 200 phytopathogenic fungi. Through morphological observation and ITS sequencing, 173 fungal isolates were identified and classified into 24 genera, of which the predominant genera were Fusarium (27.74%) and Alternaria (20.81%), followed by Epicoccum (11.56%), Nigrospora (7.51%), and Trichocladium (6.84%). Quantitative analysis of the abundance of both Fusarium and Alternaria in herbal medicines via RT-qPCR revealed that the most abundant fungi were found on the herb Taraxacum mongolicum, reaching 300,000 copies/μL for Fusarium and 700 copies/μL for Alternaria. The in vitro mycotoxin productivities of the isolated Fusarium and Alternaria strains were evaluated by using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and it was found that the Fusarium species mainly produced the acetyl forms of deoxynivalenol, while Alternaria species mainly produced altertoxins. These findings revealed widely distributed fungal contamination in herbal medicines and thus raise concerns for the sake of the quality and safety of herbal medicines. Full article
20 pages, 668 KiB  
Article
Assessment of the Safety and Probiotic Properties of Enterococcus faecium B13 Isolated from Fermented Chili
by Jingmin Xiao, Cai Chen, Zhuxian Fu, Shumin Wang and Fan Luo
Microorganisms 2024, 12(5), 994; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12050994 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
Enterococcus faecium B13, selected from fermentation chili, has been proven to promote animal growth by previous studies, but it belongs to opportunistic pathogens, so a comprehensive evaluation of its probiotic properties and safety is necessary. In this study, the probiotic properties and safety [...] Read more.
Enterococcus faecium B13, selected from fermentation chili, has been proven to promote animal growth by previous studies, but it belongs to opportunistic pathogens, so a comprehensive evaluation of its probiotic properties and safety is necessary. In this study, the probiotic properties and safety of B13 were evaluated at the genetic and phenotype levels in vitro and then confirmed in vivo. The genome of B13 contains one chromosome and two plasmids. The average nucleotide identity indicated that B13 was most closely related to the fermentation-plant-derived strain. The strain does not carry the major virulence genes of the clinical E. faecium strains but contains aac(6′)-Ii, ant (6)-Ia, msrC genes. The strain had a higher tolerance to acid at pH 3.0, 4.0, and 0.3% bile salt and a 32.83% free radical DPPH clearance rate. It can adhere to Caco-2 cells and reduce the adhesion of E. coli to Caco-2 cells. The safety assessment revealed that the strain showed no hemolysis and did not exhibit gelatinase, ornithine decarboxylase, lysine decarboxylase, or tryptophanase activity. It was sensitive to twelve antibiotics but was resistant to erythromycin, rifampicin, tetracycline, doxycycline, and minocycline. Experiments in vivo have shown that B13 can be located in the ileum and colon and has no adverse effects on experiment animals. After 28 days of feeding, B13 did not remarkable change the α-diversity of the gut flora or increase the virulence genes. Our study demonstrated that E. faecium B13 may be used as a probiotic candidate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance)
12 pages, 461 KiB  
Article
Health-Related Lifestyles among University Students: Focusing on Eating Habits and Physical Activity
by Elena Lonati, Emanuela Cazzaniga, Roberta Adorni, Francesco Zanatta, Michael Belingheri, Matteo Colleoni, Michele Augusto Riva, Patrizia Steca and Paola Palestini
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(5), 626; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21050626 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
The transition to higher education at University is a critical moment for young adults to acquire unhealthy habits regarding physical activity (PA) and adherence to a healthy diet. Negative behaviors might be maintained in the years to come with a major risk of [...] Read more.
The transition to higher education at University is a critical moment for young adults to acquire unhealthy habits regarding physical activity (PA) and adherence to a healthy diet. Negative behaviors might be maintained in the years to come with a major risk of suffering from a Non-Communicable Disease. This study aims to determine the relationship between diet and PA in the student community of University of Milano-Bicocca. Students between 18 and 30 years old completed an online survey (6949 students). Two analyses of covariance (ANCOVA), chi-square tests of independence, and a binomial logistic regression were performed to examine the relationship between adequacy of food consumption and PA, in association also with sociodemographic characteristics. Data show a strong correlation between behaviors analyzed, with a proportional positive association between PA and healthy diet. Nevertheless, a third of the sample students incur in incorrect habits for both diet and PA. Further, students performing intensive PA have the healthiest food consumption in general but the worst red meat and pork intake. Accordingly, men practice more PA but have a less adequate diet, exactly contrary to women. In conclusion, policies promoting consciousness of well-being would transform Universities into healthy hubs for virtuous habits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lifestyle Behaviors and Health Promotion in Young People)

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