The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
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23 pages, 7688 KiB  
Article
Multifidelity Comparison of Supersonic Wave Drag Prediction Methods Using Axisymmetric Bodies
by Troy Abraham, David Lazzara and Douglas Hunsaker
Aerospace 2024, 11(5), 359; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace11050359 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Low-fidelity analytic and computational wave drag prediction methods assume linear aerodynamics and small perturbations to the flow. Hence, these methods are typically accurate for only very slender geometries. The present work assesses the accuracy of these methods relative to high-fidelity Euler, compressible computational-fluid-dynamics [...] Read more.
Low-fidelity analytic and computational wave drag prediction methods assume linear aerodynamics and small perturbations to the flow. Hence, these methods are typically accurate for only very slender geometries. The present work assesses the accuracy of these methods relative to high-fidelity Euler, compressible computational-fluid-dynamics solutions for a set of axisymmetric geometries with varying radius-to-length ratios (R/L). Grid-resolution studies are included for all computational results to ensure grid-resolved results. Results show that the low-fidelity analytic and computational methods match the Euler CFD predictions to around a single drag count ( ∼1.0×104) for geometries with R/L0.05 and Mach numbers from 1.1 to 2.0. The difference in predicted wave drag rapidly increases, to over 30 drag counts in some cases, for geometries approaching R/L0.1, indicating that the slender-body assumption of linear supersonic theory is violated for larger radius-to-length ratios. All three methods considered predict that the wave drag coefficient is nearly independent of Mach number for the geometries included in this study. Results of the study can be used to validate other numerical models and estimate the error in low-fidelity analytic and computational methods for predicting wave drag of axisymmetric geometries, depending on radius-to-length ratios. Full article
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13 pages, 1576 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Fire Safety Management for Special Needs Schools in South Africa
by Tlou D. Raphela and Ndivhuwo Ndaba
Safety 2024, 10(2), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/safety10020043 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The safety and well-being of learners with special educational needs in South Africa remain a paramount concern, significantly impacting their constitutional rights and dignity. Despite legislative commitments aimed at fostering inclusive education, a pervasive absence of adequate fire safety measures in special needs [...] Read more.
The safety and well-being of learners with special educational needs in South Africa remain a paramount concern, significantly impacting their constitutional rights and dignity. Despite legislative commitments aimed at fostering inclusive education, a pervasive absence of adequate fire safety measures in special needs schools (SNSs) in South Africa has persisted, leading to the vulnerability of these learners. Tragic incidents, such as fatal fires in these schools, as reported in the literature, underscore the urgent need for immediate intervention to ensure the safety and security of these learners, especially with regards to fire hazards. This study, conducted within the Northwest Province of South Africa, assessed the state of fire safety management in SNSs by applying a series of chi-squared (χ2) tests of independence for categorical variables, descriptive statistics, and regression analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS), Version 20 and found that limited access to power is the potential root cause of fires in these schools; also, the limited amount of fire safety initiatives was a problem. In addition, the ordinal regression showed a statistically significant relationship when the question of to what extent the learners in the sampled schools are involved in fire safety programs was regressed with the questions of whether management and stakeholders were involved in fire safety programs and also on taking part in the physical fire safety programs (χ2 = 47.412; df = 2; p < 0.001; R2 = 70.5%). Furthermore, fire safety management was not sufficiently implemented in the sampled schools and the safety legislations of the country were not implemented accordingly when it came to fire safety. This study identified root causes of fire risks, gauged stakeholders’ awareness and involvement in fire safety management, and advocated for more stringent safety policies and practices within the SNS based on the above findings. Full article
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19 pages, 10202 KiB  
Article
Area of Interest Tracking Techniques for Driving Scenarios Focusing on Visual Distraction Detection
by Viktor Nagy, Péter Földesi and György Istenes
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 3838; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093838 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
On-road driving studies are essential for comprehending real-world driver behavior. This study investigates the use of eye-tracking (ET) technology in research on driver behavior and attention during Controlled Driving Studies (CDS). One significant challenge in these studies is accurately detecting when drivers divert [...] Read more.
On-road driving studies are essential for comprehending real-world driver behavior. This study investigates the use of eye-tracking (ET) technology in research on driver behavior and attention during Controlled Driving Studies (CDS). One significant challenge in these studies is accurately detecting when drivers divert their attention from crucial driving tasks. To tackle this issue, we present an improved method for analyzing raw gaze data, using a new algorithm for identifying ID tags called Binarized Area of Interest Tracking (BAIT). This technique improves the detection of incidents where the driver’s eyes are off the road through binarizing frames under different conditions and iteratively recognizing markers. It represents a significant improvement over traditional methods. The study shows that BAIT performs better than other software in identifying a driver’s focus on the windscreen and dashboard with higher accuracy. This study highlights the potential of our method to enhance the analysis of driver attention in real-world conditions, paving the way for future developments for application in naturalistic driving studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Eye-Tracking Technologies: Theory, Methods and Applications)
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27 pages, 4835 KiB  
Article
Tigecycline Opposes Bortezomib Effect on Myeloma Cells Decreasing Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species Production
by Carlos Ramos-Acosta, Laura Huerta-Pantoja, Milton Eduardo Salazar-Hidalgo, Elsa Mayol, Selene Jiménez-Vega, Pablo García-Peña, Jenifeer Jordi-Cruz, Cristina Baquero, Almudena Porras, Belén Íñigo-Rodríguez, Celina M. Benavente, Andrea R. López-Pastor, Irene Gómez-Delgado, Elena Urcelay, Francisco Javier Candel and Eduardo Anguita
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(9), 4887; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25094887 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Multiple myeloma is an incurable plasma cell malignancy. Most patients end up relapsing and developing resistance to antineoplastic drugs, like bortezomib. Antibiotic tigecycline has activity against myeloma. This study analyzed tigecycline and bortezomib combination on cell lines and plasma cells from myeloma patients. [...] Read more.
Multiple myeloma is an incurable plasma cell malignancy. Most patients end up relapsing and developing resistance to antineoplastic drugs, like bortezomib. Antibiotic tigecycline has activity against myeloma. This study analyzed tigecycline and bortezomib combination on cell lines and plasma cells from myeloma patients. Apoptosis, autophagic vesicles, mitochondrial mass, mitochondrial superoxide, cell cycle, and hydrogen peroxide were studied by flow cytometry. In addition, mitochondrial antioxidants and electron transport chain complexes were quantified by reverse transcription real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) or western blot. Cell metabolism and mitochondrial activity were characterized by Seahorse and RT-qPCR. We found that the addition of tigecycline to bortezomib reduces apoptosis in proportion to tigecycline concentration. Supporting this, the combination of both drugs counteracts bortezomib in vitro individual effects on the cell cycle, reduces autophagy and mitophagy markers, and reverts bortezomib-induced increase in mitochondrial superoxide. Changes in mitochondrial homeostasis and MYC upregulation may account for some of these findings. These data not only advise to avoid considering tigecycline and bortezomib combination for treating myeloma, but caution on the potential adverse impact of treating infections with this antibiotic in myeloma patients under bortezomib treatment. Full article
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12 pages, 946 KiB  
Article
Comparative Study of Cardiovascular Effects of Selected Pulmonary Vasodilators in Canine Models of Mitral Valve Disease
by Yunosuke Yuchi, Ryohei Suzuki, Narumi Ishida, Shuji Satomi, Takahiro Saito, Takahiro Teshima and Hirotaka Matsumoto
Biology 2024, 13(5), 311; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13050311 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Previous reports have shown that various oral pulmonary vasodilators are effective against canine pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, no studies have compared their hemodynamic effects. We aimed to compare the hemodynamic effects of 15 µg/kg beraprost sodium, 1.0 mg/kg sildenafil, and their combination, in [...] Read more.
Previous reports have shown that various oral pulmonary vasodilators are effective against canine pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, no studies have compared their hemodynamic effects. We aimed to compare the hemodynamic effects of 15 µg/kg beraprost sodium, 1.0 mg/kg sildenafil, and their combination, in dogs with experimentally induced mitral regurgitation. This experimental crossover study evaluated the hemodynamic and functional effects of oral pulmonary vasodilators by application of right-sided heart catheterization and echocardiography. Beraprost significantly decreased pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance. Additionally, beraprost increased right-ventricular stroke volume and left-ventricular cardiac output without worsening left-heart size and left-atrial pressure. The pulmonary vasodilatory effects of sildenafil were stronger, and its systemic vasodilatory effects were weaker than those of beraprost. However, sildenafil significantly increased the left-ventricular volume, left-atrial pressure indicator, and right-ventricular cardiac output. Combination therapy resulted in the strongest pulmonary and systemic vasodilating effects without worsening the left-heart size and left-atrial pressure indicators. Both beraprost and sildenafil were effective against canine PH; however, sildenafil was associated with the risk of worsening left-heart loading. Combination therapy with beraprost and sildenafil synergistically dilated pulmonary and systemic vessels, indicating a more potent treatment option for severe PH cases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Models for Disease Mechanisms)
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16 pages, 4783 KiB  
Article
Structural Design of Pressurized Tube Based on the Discrete Element Method–Computational Fluid Dynamics Coupled Simulation
by Jinhui Zhao, Yanjun Li, Lijing Liu and Zhongjun Liu
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 3836; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093836 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
In order to elucidate the impact of pressurized tubes’ structures on the sowing performance of pneumatic seed delivery systems, the EDEM–CFD coupled simulation method was employed to analyze the influence of pressurized tube parameters, including length (L), corrugation depth (S), corrugation width (K), [...] Read more.
In order to elucidate the impact of pressurized tubes’ structures on the sowing performance of pneumatic seed delivery systems, the EDEM–CFD coupled simulation method was employed to analyze the influence of pressurized tube parameters, including length (L), corrugation depth (S), corrugation width (K), and the number of corrugations, on seed movement characteristics, distribution uniformity, and airflow patterns. Simulation-validated experiments were conducted to study the impact of the optimal pressurized tube structure on seeding performance. The results indicate that pressurized tubes significantly enhance the uniformity coefficient of seed distribution, reduce seed velocity, and decrease the coefficient of variation in distribution uniformity. When pressurized tube parameters, specifically length (L), corrugation depth (S), corrugation width (K), and the number of corrugations, are set at 800 mm, 8 mm, 50 mm, and 6, respectively, the uniformity coefficient of seed distribution exceeds 95%, and the coefficient of variation in seed discharge consistency for each row is less than 3.2%. Moreover, the seed velocity at the outlet of the pressurized tube, the relative velocity of two-phase flow, and pressure loss are all minimal, indicating superior seeding performance. This research provides valuable insights into the analysis of seed movement characteristics within pressurized tubes and the optimization of their structural parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Applications of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics))
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7 pages, 545 KiB  
Case Report
Salvage Therapy with Rezafungin for Candida parapsilosis Spondylodiscitis: A Case Report from Expanded Access Program
by Giulio Viceconte, Antonio Riccardo Buonomo, Nunzia Esposito, Letizia Cattaneo, Teresa Somma, Maria Michela Scirocco, Ciro Gabriele Mainolfi and Ivan Gentile
Microorganisms 2024, 12(5), 903; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12050903 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Candida spp. spondylodiscitis is a rare condition for which treatment options are often limited. A further obstacle is the duration of therapy, which should be administered for up to twelve months. In view of the long duration of therapy, azoles are, so far, [...] Read more.
Candida spp. spondylodiscitis is a rare condition for which treatment options are often limited. A further obstacle is the duration of therapy, which should be administered for up to twelve months. In view of the long duration of therapy, azoles are, so far, the only oral treatment strategy that can be given as home therapy. In the case of resistance or reduced susceptibility to azoles, there are not enough comfortable treatment opportunities with adequate bone penetration and limited toxicity. We report the first case of the successful use of rezafungin for spondylodiscitis due to Candida parapsilosis with reduced susceptibility to azoles. A 68-year-old patient, affected by paraplegia and short bowel syndrome, was diagnosed with Candida parapsilosis spondylodiscitis, confirmed with a culture on vertebral biopsy after an 18-FDG PET/CT scan. He received 200 mg of rezafungin weekly for 26 weeks, after 10 weeks of previous antifungal treatment that was not well tolerated with voriconazole plus liposomal amphotericin B. He had a full clinical, radiologic, and biochemical response to the therapy with rezafungin, with no adverse effects. Rezafungin can be a promising therapy for Candida osteomyelitis, especially when first line therapies are ineffective, poorly tolerated, or contraindicated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Infections and Antifungal Strategies)
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27 pages, 10437 KiB  
Article
Lithofacies Characteristics of Continental Lacustrine Fine-Grained Sedimentary Rocks and Their Coupling Relationship with Sedimentary Environments: Insights from the Shahejie Formation, Dongying Sag
by Hao Guo, Juye Shi, Shaopeng Fu, Zitong Liu, Linhong Cai and Siyuan Yin
Minerals 2024, 14(5), 479; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14050479 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Lacustrine fine-grained sedimentary rocks in the Dongying Sag of the Bohai Bay Basin in China exhibit significant potential for hydrocarbon exploration. This study investigates the lithofacies types and sedimentary evolution of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation’s lower third member (Es3l) and upper fourth member [...] Read more.
Lacustrine fine-grained sedimentary rocks in the Dongying Sag of the Bohai Bay Basin in China exhibit significant potential for hydrocarbon exploration. This study investigates the lithofacies types and sedimentary evolution of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation’s lower third member (Es3l) and upper fourth member (Es4u), integrating petrological and geochemical analyses to explore the relationship between lithofacies characteristics and sedimentary environments. The results show that the fine-grained sedimentary rocks in the study area can be classified into 18 lithofacies, with seven principal ones, including organic-rich laminated carbonate fine-grained mixed sedimentary rock lithofacies and organic-rich laminated limestone lithofacies. In conjunction with analyses of vertical changes in geochemical proxies such as paleoclimate (e.g., CIA, Na/Al), paleoproductivity (e.g., Ba), paleosalinity (e.g., Sr/Ba), paleo-redox conditions (e.g., V/Sc, V/V + Ni), and terrigenous detrital influx (e.g., Al, Ti), five stages are delineated from bottom to top. These stages demonstrate a general transition from an arid to humid paleoclimate, a steady increase in paleoproductivity, a gradual decrease in paleosalinity, an overall reducing water body environment, and an increasing trend of terrestrial detrital input. This study demonstrates that the abundance of organic matter is primarily influenced by paleoproductivity and paleo-redox conditions. The variations in rock components are predominantly influenced by paleoclimate, and sedimentary structures are affected by the depth of the lake basin. Special depositional events, such as storm events in Stage II, have significantly impacted the abundance of organic matter, rock components, and sedimentary structures by disturbing the water column and disrupting the reducing conditions at the lake bottom. The present study offers crucial insights into the genesis mechanisms of continental lacustrine fine-grained sedimentary rocks, facilitates the prediction of lithofacies distribution, and advances the exploration of China’s shale oil resources in lacustrine environments. Full article
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15 pages, 6871 KiB  
Article
FY-4A Measurement of Cloud-Seeding Effect and Validation of a Catalyst T&D Algorithm
by Liangrui Yan, Yuquan Zhou, Yixuan Wu, Miao Cai, Chong Peng, Can Song, Shuoyin Liu and Yubao Liu
Atmosphere 2024, 15(5), 556; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15050556 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The transport and dispersion (T&D) of catalyst particles seeded by weather modification aircraft is crucial for assessing their weather modification effects. This study investigates the capabilities of the Chinese geostationary weather satellite FY-4A for identifying the physical response of cloud seeding with AgI-based [...] Read more.
The transport and dispersion (T&D) of catalyst particles seeded by weather modification aircraft is crucial for assessing their weather modification effects. This study investigates the capabilities of the Chinese geostationary weather satellite FY-4A for identifying the physical response of cloud seeding with AgI-based catalysts and continuously monitoring its evolution for a weather event that occurred on 15 December 2019 in Henan Province, China. Satellite measurements are also used to verify an operational catalyst T&D algorithm. The results show that FY-4A exhibits a remarkable capability of identifying the cloud-seeding tracks and continuously tracing their evolution for a period of over 3 h. About 60 min after the cloud seeding, the cloud crystallization track became clear in the FY-4A tri-channel composite cloud image and lasted for about 218 min. During this time period, the cloud track moved with the cloud system about 153 km downstream (northeast of the operation area). An operational catalyst T&D model was run to simulate the cloud track, and the outputs were extensively compared with the satellite observations. It was found that the forecast cloud track closely agreed with the satellite observations in terms of the track widths, morphology, and movement. Finally, the FY-4A measurements show that there were significant differences in the microphysical properties across the cloud track. The effective cloud radius inside the cloud track was up to 15 μm larger than that of the surrounding clouds; the cloud optical thickness was about 30 μm smaller; and the cloud-top heights inside the cloud track were up to 1 km lower. These features indicate that the cloud-seeding catalysts led to the development of ice-phase processes within the supercooled cloud, with the formation of large ice particles and some precipitation sedimentation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Atmospheric Techniques, Instruments, and Modeling)
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20 pages, 7955 KiB  
Article
A Computational and Spectroscopic Analysis of Solvate Ionic Liquids Containing Anions with Long and Short Perfluorinated Alkyl Chains
by Karina Shimizu, Adilson Alves de Freitas, Jacob T. Allred and Christopher M. Burba
Molecules 2024, 29(9), 2071; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092071 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Anion-driven, nanoscale polar–apolar structural organization is investigated in a solvate ionic liquid (SIL) setting by comparing sulfonate-based anions with long and short perfluorinated alkyl chains. Representative SILs are created from 1,2-bis(2-methoxyethoxy)ethane (“triglyme” or “G3”), lithium nonafluoro-1-butanesulfonate, and lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate. Molecular dynamics simulations, density [...] Read more.
Anion-driven, nanoscale polar–apolar structural organization is investigated in a solvate ionic liquid (SIL) setting by comparing sulfonate-based anions with long and short perfluorinated alkyl chains. Representative SILs are created from 1,2-bis(2-methoxyethoxy)ethane (“triglyme” or “G3”), lithium nonafluoro-1-butanesulfonate, and lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate. Molecular dynamics simulations, density functional theory computations, and vibrational spectroscopy provide insight into the overall liquid structure, cation–solvent interactions, and cation–anion association. Significant competition between G3 and anions for cation-binding sites characterizes the G3–LiC4F9SO3 mixtures. Only 50% of coordinating G3 molecules form tetradentate complexes with Li+ in [(G3)1Li][C4F9SO3]. Moreover, the SIL is characterized by extensive amounts of ion pairing. Based on these observations, [(G3)1Li][C4F9SO3] is classified as a “poor” SIL, similar to the analogous [(G3)1Li][CF3SO3] system. Even though the comparable basicity of the CF3SO3 and C4F9SO3 anions leads to similar SIL classifications, the hydrophobic fluorobutyl groups support extensive apolar domain formation. These apolar moieties permeate throughout [(G3)1Li][C4F9SO3] and persist even at relatively low dilution ratios of [(G3)10Li][C4F9SO3]. By way of comparison, the CF3 group is far too short to sustain polar–apolar segregation. This demonstrates how chemically modifying the anions to include hydrophobic groups can impart unique nanoscale organization to a SIL. Moreover, tuning these nano-segregated fluorinated domains could, in principle, control the presence of dimensionally ordered states in these mixtures without changing the coordination of the lithium ions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Physical Chemistry)
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19 pages, 554 KiB  
Article
A Simplified Method for the Evaluation of Floating-Body Motion Responses over a Sloping Bottom
by Xiaolei Liu, Kun Gu, Zhijia Qian, Sheng Ding, Kan Wang, Hao Wang and Chen Sun
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(5), 756; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12050756 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Recently, many floating renewable energy platforms have been deployed in coastal regions, where sloping bottoms are an important factor when evaluating their safety. In this article, a simplified method coupling an eigenfunction matching method (EMM) and a finite-depth Green’s function (FDGF) is developed [...] Read more.
Recently, many floating renewable energy platforms have been deployed in coastal regions, where sloping bottoms are an important factor when evaluating their safety. In this article, a simplified method coupling an eigenfunction matching method (EMM) and a finite-depth Green’s function (FDGF) is developed to evaluate floating-body motion responses over a sloping bottom for which bathymetry is homogeneous in the longshore direction. We propose an extended EMM to create an incident wave model over the sloping bottom, thereby obtaining the Froude–Krylov (F–K) force and Neumann data on the wet surfaces of the floating body for the diffraction problem. An equivalent depth is introduced to account for the interaction between the sloping bottom and floating bodies when dealing with the diffraction and radiation problems. The accuracy of the present method is validated through a comprehensive comparison with numerical and/or experiment results for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) ship and a floating hemisphere from the literature. Generally, the present, simplified method can give predictions with sufficient accuracy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)
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21 pages, 1623 KiB  
Article
A Mobile App for Chronic Disease Self-Management for Individuals with Low Health Literacy: A Multisite Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
by Raymond L. Ownby, Michael Simonson, Joshua Caballero, Kamilah Thomas-Purcell, Rosemary Davenport, Donrie Purcell, Victoria Ayala, Juan Gonzalez, Neil Patel and Kofi Kondwani
J. Ageing Longev. 2024, 4(2), 51-71; https://doi.org/10.3390/jal4020005 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a mobile app designed to improve chronic disease self-management in patients aged 40 years and older with low health literacy and who had at least one chronic health condition, and to assess [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a mobile app designed to improve chronic disease self-management in patients aged 40 years and older with low health literacy and who had at least one chronic health condition, and to assess the impact of delivering information at different levels of reading difficulty. A randomized controlled trial was completed at two sites. Individuals aged 40 years and older screened for low health literacy who had at least one chronic health condition were randomly assigned to a tailored information multimedia app with text at one of three grade levels. Four primary outcomes were assessed: patient activation, chronic disease self-efficacy, health-related quality of life, and medication adherence. All groups showed overall increases in activation, self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life, but no change in medication adherence. No between-group differences were observed. The mobile app may have been effective in increasing participants’ levels of several psychosocial variables, but this interpretation can only be advanced tentatively in light of the lack of control-experimental group differences. Reading difficulty level was not significantly related to outcomes. Full article
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16 pages, 4301 KiB  
Article
Calibrating Deep Learning Classifiers for Patient-Independent Electroencephalogram Seizure Forecasting
by Sina Shafiezadeh, Gian Marco Duma, Giovanni Mento, Alberto Danieli, Lisa Antoniazzi, Fiorella Del Popolo Cristaldi, Paolo Bonanni and Alberto Testolin
Sensors 2024, 24(9), 2863; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24092863 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The recent scientific literature abounds in proposals of seizure forecasting methods that exploit machine learning to automatically analyze electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. Deep learning algorithms seem to achieve a particularly remarkable performance, suggesting that the implementation of clinical devices for seizure prediction might be [...] Read more.
The recent scientific literature abounds in proposals of seizure forecasting methods that exploit machine learning to automatically analyze electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. Deep learning algorithms seem to achieve a particularly remarkable performance, suggesting that the implementation of clinical devices for seizure prediction might be within reach. However, most of the research evaluated the robustness of automatic forecasting methods through randomized cross-validation techniques, while clinical applications require much more stringent validation based on patient-independent testing. In this study, we show that automatic seizure forecasting can be performed, to some extent, even on independent patients who have never been seen during the training phase, thanks to the implementation of a simple calibration pipeline that can fine-tune deep learning models, even on a single epileptic event recorded from a new patient. We evaluate our calibration procedure using two datasets containing EEG signals recorded from a large cohort of epileptic subjects, demonstrating that the forecast accuracy of deep learning methods can increase on average by more than 20%, and that performance improves systematically in all independent patients. We further show that our calibration procedure works best for deep learning models, but can also be successfully applied to machine learning algorithms based on engineered signal features. Although our method still requires at least one epileptic event per patient to calibrate the forecasting model, we conclude that focusing on realistic validation methods allows to more reliably compare different machine learning approaches for seizure prediction, enabling the implementation of robust and effective forecasting systems that can be used in daily healthcare practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Machine Intelligence for Biomedical Signal Processing)
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28 pages, 548 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Network Attack Detection Accuracy through the Integration of Large Language Models and Synchronized Attention Mechanism
by Yuzhe Bai, Min Sun, Liman Zhang, Yinong Wang, Sihan Liu, Yanqiu Liu, Jingling Tan, Yingqiu Yang and Chunli Lv
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 3829; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093829 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
In this study, we propose a novel method for detecting cyberattack behaviors by leveraging the combined strengths of large language models and a synchronized attention mechanism. Extensive experiments conducted on diverse datasets, including server logs, financial behaviors, and comment data, demonstrate the significant [...] Read more.
In this study, we propose a novel method for detecting cyberattack behaviors by leveraging the combined strengths of large language models and a synchronized attention mechanism. Extensive experiments conducted on diverse datasets, including server logs, financial behaviors, and comment data, demonstrate the significant advantages of this method over existing models such as Transformer, BERT, OPT-175B, LLaMa, and ChatGLM3-6B in key performance metrics such as precision, recall, and accuracy. For instance, on the server log dataset, the method achieved a precision of 93%, a recall of 91%, and an accuracy of 92%; on the financial behavior dataset, it reached a precision of 90%, a recall of 87%, and an accuracy of 89%; and on the comment data dataset, it excelled with a precision of 95%, a recall of 93%, and an accuracy of 94%. The introduction of a synchronized attention mechanism and a newly designed synchronized loss function proved especially effective, enhancing the method’s ability to process multi-source data and providing superior performance in identifying complex cyberattack patterns. Ablation experiments further validated the crucial roles of these innovations in boosting model performance: the synchronous attention mechanism substantially improved the model’s precision, recall, and accuracy to 93%, 89%, and 91% respectively, far exceeding other attention mechanisms. Similarly, the synchronized loss showcased a significant advantage, achieving the best performance across all tested metrics compared to traditional cross-entropy loss, focal loss, and MSE. These results underscore the method’s ability to deeply mine and analyze semantic information and contextual relationships within text data as well as to effectively integrate and process multimodal data, thereby offering strong technical support for the accurate and efficient detection of cyberattack behaviors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Network Intrusion Detection and Attack Identification)
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25 pages, 3372 KiB  
Review
Treasures of Italian Microbial Culture Collections: An Overview of Preserved Biological Resources, Offered Services and Know-How, and Management
by Marino Moretti, Jacopo Tartaglia, Gian Paolo Accotto, Maria Serena Beato, Valentina Bernini, Annamaria Bevivino, Maria Beatrice Boniotti, Marilena Budroni, Pietro Buzzini, Stefania Carrara, Federica Cerino, Clementina Elvezia Cocuzza, Roberta Comunian, Sofia Cosentino, Antonio d‘Acierno, Paola De Dea, Laura Garzoli, Maria Gullo, Silvia Lampis, Antonio Moretti, Alda Natale, Giancarlo Perrone, Anna Maria Persiani, Iolanda Perugini, Monica Pitti, Annarita Poli, Antonino Pollio, Anna Reale, Annamaria Ricciardi, Cristiana Sbrana, Laura Selbmann, Luca Settanni, Solveig Tosi, Benedetta Turchetti, Paola Visconti, Mirca Zotti and Giovanna Cristina Vareseadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3777; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093777 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Microorganisms, microbiomes, and their products (e.g., enzymes, metabolites, antibiotics, etc.) are key players in the functioning of both natural and anthropized Earth ecosystems; they can be exploited for both research purposes and biotechnological applications, including fighting the big challenges of our era, such [...] Read more.
Microorganisms, microbiomes, and their products (e.g., enzymes, metabolites, antibiotics, etc.) are key players in the functioning of both natural and anthropized Earth ecosystems; they can be exploited for both research purposes and biotechnological applications, including fighting the big challenges of our era, such as climate change. Culture collections (CCs) and microbial Biological Resource Centres (mBRCs) are repositories of microorganisms that investigate and safeguard biodiversity and facilitate the scientific and industrial communities’ access to microbial strains and related know-how by providing external users with skills and services. Considering this, CCs and mBRCs are pivotal institutions for the valorisation of microorganisms, the safeguarding of life, and the fostering of excellent bioscience. The aim of this review is to present the state-of-the-art of Italian CCs and mBRCs, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities. Italy is, indeed, a hotspot of microbial biodiversity with a high rate of endemism and incredible potential, not only for the food and beverage sector (i.e., “Made in Italy” products), where microorganisms can have a beneficial or a spoiling function, but also to guarantee environmental sustainability and foster the bioeconomy through the design of new bioprocesses and products. However, weaknesses, such as the lack of management rules in accordance with international quality standards, are also analysed and ways of overcoming them are discussed. In this context, an overview is given of the Joint Research Unit MIRRI-IT and the European-funded SUS-MIRRI.IT project, which aims to improve the management and sustainability of Italian microbial collections, and serves as a starting point for an innovative revolution in the context of CCs and mBRCs worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Mediterranean Biodiversity)
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20 pages, 5230 KiB  
Article
Public Green Space Injustice in High-Density Post-Colonial Areas: A Case Study of the Macau Peninsula, China
by Xiaoli Sun and Ziyi Liu
Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3774; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093774 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Public green spaces (PGSs) play a positive role in urban social sustainability and solidarity, as all urban dwellers can access them without discrimination or restrictions, but urbanization usually leads to an extreme shortage of PGSs and thus it becomes an important spatial resource [...] Read more.
Public green spaces (PGSs) play a positive role in urban social sustainability and solidarity, as all urban dwellers can access them without discrimination or restrictions, but urbanization usually leads to an extreme shortage of PGSs and thus it becomes an important spatial resource that is competed for by different groups, especially migrant populations. Taking the Macau Peninsula as an example, this study employed a hybrid analysis approach, including the spatial Gini coefficient, spatial share index and spatial quality assessment, to look at the PGS injustice in high-density post-colonial areas. The results showed that (1) there is a “spatial mismatch” in the Peninsula’s PGS; (2) significant PGS service differences have been found between the colonial group (Portuguese) and immigrant group (Southeast Asian); and (3) a comparative analysis of the changes in the equity of PGSs over the past 40 years reveals that the PGS tends to be equitable overall, but the differences between groups have gradually increased. PGS injustice mainly depends on the spatial production mechanism during the colonial period of Macau and the spatial selection and limitation of groups due to differential social integration. Based on this, this work proposes recommendations for the planning and construction of PGS in terms of urban renewal and social sustainability, as well as new reclamation areas, in Macau. This study broadens the field and helps to improve the PGS inequality in high-density post-colonial areas, aiding regional sustainable development. Full article
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18 pages, 3172 KiB  
Article
Transformer-Based Approach to Pathology Diagnosis Using Audio Spectrogram
by Mohammad Tami, Sari Masri, Ahmad Hasasneh and Chakib Tadj
Information 2024, 15(5), 253; https://doi.org/10.3390/info15050253 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Early detection of infant pathologies by non-invasive means is a critical aspect of pediatric healthcare. Audio analysis of infant crying has emerged as a promising method to identify various health conditions without direct medical intervention. In this study, we present a cutting-edge machine [...] Read more.
Early detection of infant pathologies by non-invasive means is a critical aspect of pediatric healthcare. Audio analysis of infant crying has emerged as a promising method to identify various health conditions without direct medical intervention. In this study, we present a cutting-edge machine learning model that employs audio spectrograms and transformer-based algorithms to classify infant crying into distinct pathological categories. Our innovative model bypasses the extensive preprocessing typically associated with audio data by exploiting the self-attention mechanisms of the transformer, thereby preserving the integrity of the audio’s diagnostic features. When benchmarked against established machine learning and deep learning models, our approach demonstrated a remarkable 98.69% accuracy, 98.73% precision, 98.71% recall, and an F1 score of 98.71%, surpassing the performance of both traditional machine learning and convolutional neural network models. This research not only provides a novel diagnostic tool that is scalable and efficient but also opens avenues for improving pediatric care through early and accurate detection of pathologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Deep Learning for Image, Video and Signal Processing)
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24 pages, 1620 KiB  
Review
Proteases: Importance, Immobilization Protocols, Potential of Activated Carbon as Support, and the Importance of Modifying Supports for Immobilization
by Mateus Pereira Flores Santos, Evaldo Cardozo de Souza Junior, Carolina Villadóniga, Diego Vallés, Susana Castro-Sowinski, Renata Cristina Ferreira Bonomo and Cristiane Martins Veloso
BioTech 2024, 13(2), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/biotech13020013 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Although enzymes have been used for thousands of years, their application in industrial processes has gained importance since the 20th century due to technological and scientific advances in several areas, including biochemistry [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Industrial Biotechnology)
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18 pages, 4995 KiB  
Review
Enhancing Sensitivity in Gas Detection: Porous Structures in Organic Field-Effect Transistor-Based Sensors
by Soohwan Lim, Ky Van Nguyen and Wi Hyoung Lee
Sensors 2024, 24(9), 2862; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24092862 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Gas detection is crucial for detecting environmentally harmful gases. Organic field-effect transistor (OFET)-based gas sensors have attracted attention due to their promising performance and potential for integration into flexible and wearable devices. This review examines the operating mechanisms of OFET-based gas sensors and [...] Read more.
Gas detection is crucial for detecting environmentally harmful gases. Organic field-effect transistor (OFET)-based gas sensors have attracted attention due to their promising performance and potential for integration into flexible and wearable devices. This review examines the operating mechanisms of OFET-based gas sensors and explores methods for improving sensitivity, with a focus on porous structures. Researchers have achieved significant enhancements in sensor performance by controlling the thickness and free volume of the organic semiconductor layer. Additionally, innovative fabrication techniques like self-assembly and etching have been used to create porous structures, facilitating the diffusion of target gas molecules, and improving sensor response and recovery. These advancements in porous structure fabrication suggest a promising future for OFET-based gas sensors, offering increased sensitivity and selectivity across various applications. Full article
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9 pages, 1291 KiB  
Communication
Total Synthesis of the Sex Pheromone of Clania variegata Snellen and Its Stereoisomers
by Xueyang Wang, Jianwei Wu, Jianan Wang, Dan Liu, Qinghua Bian and Jiangchun Zhong
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(9), 4893; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25094893 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The paulownia bagworm, Clania variegata Snell, is an economically important pest of agriculture and forests. The sex pheromone of this pest and its stereoisomers were synthesized, and two of the stereoisomers were prepared for the first time. Our strategy was efficient and mainly [...] Read more.
The paulownia bagworm, Clania variegata Snell, is an economically important pest of agriculture and forests. The sex pheromone of this pest and its stereoisomers were synthesized, and two of the stereoisomers were prepared for the first time. Our strategy was efficient and mainly included the ring-opening reaction of (S)-2-methyloxirane, the coupling of chiral sulfonate, the oxidative cleavage of olefin, and Yamaguchi esterification. Moreover, the overall yields of our synthesis were 23–29%, with eight steps in the longest route. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)
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17 pages, 1789 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Intercity Transportation Network Efficiency Using Flow-Weighted Time Circuity: A Case Study of Seven Major City Clusters in China
by Minqing Zhu, Peng Yuan and Hongjun Cui
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 3834; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093834 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Enhancing the efficiency of intercity transportation networks is crucial for sustainable regional transport development, significantly impacting travel behaviors and energy consumption. The transportation infrastructure within the city cluster is rapidly developing to accommodate the increasing traffic demand, necessitating substantial investments. It is imperative [...] Read more.
Enhancing the efficiency of intercity transportation networks is crucial for sustainable regional transport development, significantly impacting travel behaviors and energy consumption. The transportation infrastructure within the city cluster is rapidly developing to accommodate the increasing traffic demand, necessitating substantial investments. It is imperative to investigate the effectiveness of intercity traffic within urban clusters, to evaluate the influence of transportation infrastructure enhancements on regional traffic efficiency. Circuity is a conventional metric used to assess the efficiency of transportation networks, primarily emphasizing distance, while overlooking factors such as travel time and traffic flow. In this study, the concept of circuity has been redefined in terms of travel time and has been referred to as the transportation network travel speed. Subsequently, the amalgamation of travel speed within the transportation network and traffic flow culminates in the proposition of Flow-Weighted Time Circuity (FWTC). Real-time intercity navigation data, offering accurate travel time estimations, are utilized to analyze the spatial distribution of intercity transport efficiency in the seven major city clusters of China, via both automobile and train modes of transportation. The results indicate that (1) as the travel distance extends, the speed of transportation within the network typically increases, albeit with increasing fluctuations, especially in the case of intercity train travel; (2) concerning the efficiency of intercity automobile travel, most city clusters demonstrate satisfactory performance, with the exception of the Guanzhong Plain. The Yangtze River Delta and Beijing–Tianjin–Heibei regions stand out for their superior performance. In terms of intercity train efficiency, the Yangtze River Delta, Beijing–Tianjin–Heibei, and Mid-Yangtze River regions exhibit higher levels of efficiency in intercity train transportation, while the Guanzhong Plain city cluster falls behind in this aspect. On the whole, the efficiency of intercity travel using automobiles surpasses that of train travel, indicating a pressing need for improvement in the latter. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transportation Planning, Management and Optimization)
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21 pages, 1479 KiB  
Article
Unlock Happy Interactions: Voice Assistants Enable Autonomy and Timeliness
by Linlin Mo, Liangbo Zhang, Xiaohui Sun and Zhimin Zhou
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2024, 19(2), 1013-1033; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer19020053 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
This study examines the effects of three interactive voice assistant (VA) features (responsiveness, ubiquitous connectivity, and personalization) on consumer happiness. An online survey was administered to 316 VA consumers, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling with SmartPLS 4 software. The [...] Read more.
This study examines the effects of three interactive voice assistant (VA) features (responsiveness, ubiquitous connectivity, and personalization) on consumer happiness. An online survey was administered to 316 VA consumers, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling with SmartPLS 4 software. The results indicate that VA responsiveness, ubiquitous connectivity, and personalization have significant effects on consumer happiness. This study also provides evidence that consumer happiness is influenced by VA features through the mediating roles of autonomy and timeliness. Notably, perceived privacy risk has a dual effect, negatively affecting happiness but positively moderating the relationship between autonomy and happiness, suggesting a complex interplay between benefits and concerns in user interactions with VAs. This study highlights the need for VA businesses to consider both the enhancing and mitigating factors of technology for user experiences. Furthermore, our findings have significant implications for VA businesses and executives, suggesting that improved interactions through these VA features can better serve consumers and enhance their experiences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Consumer Psychology and Business Applications)
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14 pages, 11024 KiB  
Article
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Improve Lycium barbarum Potassium Uptake by Activating the Expression of LbHAK
by Yongxin Zhang, Xia Han, Wei Ren, Haoqiang Zhang and Ming Tang
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1244; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091244 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can establish a mutualistic relationship with the roots of most terrestrial plants to increase plant nutrient uptake. The effects of potassium uptake and transport by AM symbiosis are much less reported compared to other nutrients. In this research, a [...] Read more.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can establish a mutualistic relationship with the roots of most terrestrial plants to increase plant nutrient uptake. The effects of potassium uptake and transport by AM symbiosis are much less reported compared to other nutrients. In this research, a heterologous yeast system was used to verify that the LbHAK has capacity for potassium uptake. The split-roots system implemented using seedlings of Lycium barbarum confirmed that R. irregularis locally induced LbHAK expression, which means that LbHAK is only expressed in mycorrhizal roots. Furthermore, the impacts of overexpression of LbHAK on the growth, nutrients and water uptake, and transport of mycorrhizal tobacco (inoculation with Rhizophagus irregularis) at 0.2 mM and 2 mM K conditions were assessed. The mycorrhizal tobacco growth and potassium accumulation were significantly enhanced through LbHAK overexpression in tobacco. In addition, overexpression of LbHAK substantially enhanced phosphorus content, while stimulating the expression of NtPT4, Rir-AQP1, and Rir-AQP2 in mycorrhizal tobacco. Moreover, LbHAK overexpression greatly promoted AM colonization. LbHAK has a potential role in facilitating potassium absorption through the mycorrhizal pathway, and overexpression of LbHAK in tobacco may promote the transport of potassium, phosphorus, and water from AM fungi to tobacco. These data imply the important roles played by the LbHAK in AM-fungi-induced potassium uptake in L. barbarum and in improving plant nutrients and AM colonization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant–Soil Interactions)
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