The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
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20 pages, 799 KiB  
Article
Developing a Measurement Framework for Ethiopian Dry Port Sustainability: An Empirical Study
by Zellalem Tadesse Beyene, Simon Peter Nadeem and Matiwos Ensermu Jaleta
Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3878; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093878 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
In the context of a dry port, sustainable operations involve developing and implementing policies and procedures that reduce adverse effects on the environment, advance economic viability, and strengthen social responsibility. Several factors contribute to achieving environmental, economic, and social sustainability, making it critical [...] Read more.
In the context of a dry port, sustainable operations involve developing and implementing policies and procedures that reduce adverse effects on the environment, advance economic viability, and strengthen social responsibility. Several factors contribute to achieving environmental, economic, and social sustainability, making it critical to identify the factors influencing the sustainability of dry port operations. This research aims to identify decisive factors associated with economic, social, and environmental sustainability, and to develop a framework for measuring sustainability in dry port operations. The research utilises exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and the analytical hierarchical process (AHP) to develop a measurement framework for assessing the sustainability of Ethiopian dry ports. EFA is an effective method with which to identify factors that contribute to sustainable dry port operations. To provide a frame for the critical sustainability performance metrics for dry ports, the AHP approach was used. Data were collected from 300 stakeholders using surveys to identify key factors, and 20 senior experts were involved in validating and rating the most influential factors determining dry port sustainability. This research asserts the most pertinent factors guiding dry port sustainability operations, resource allocation, and decision-making. From an environmental sustainability perspective, critical factors include minimising business-partner impacts, reducing waste, addressing climate change, providing environmental planning education to teams, and implementing measures to protect the national environment. From a social perspective, the factors identified include a resettlement policy, employment opportunities for the community, workplace safety, stakeholder consultation, and top-management guidance. From an economic standpoint, critical factors include value-added services, reduced transportation costs, decreased time, enhanced productivity in the trade supply chain, and profit orientation. The research provides valuable insights with which to guide the development of practices and policies aimed at ensuring sustainable dry port operations, a critical domain of the trade supply chain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)
14 pages, 641 KiB  
Article
To Retire or Not to Retire? A Comprehensive Examination of Retirement Decision Dynamics in Italy
by Michele Fabiani
Societies 2024, 14(5), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14050063 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
The concept of active aging has become central to the public debate in many Western countries, given the increasing aging of the population and the future challenges associated with it. This phenomenon is tightly intertwined with choices regarding the retirement period, which can [...] Read more.
The concept of active aging has become central to the public debate in many Western countries, given the increasing aging of the population and the future challenges associated with it. This phenomenon is tightly intertwined with choices regarding the retirement period, which can be postponed for different reasons by individuals in a society. The purpose of this paper is to understand the personal and family characteristics that influence future choices about retirement date in Italy. Utilizing data provided by the Bank of Italy in the Survey on Household Income and Wealth (SHIW), a logistic regression is performed to observe the impact of different covariates on the hypothesized retirement date of individuals close to retirement, i.e., over the age of 50 who are still in working status. The results show that the decision to delay retirement has increased in recent years, and is influenced by personal (e.g., matrimonial status), work, and economic factors. In addition, these factors have different impacts between males and females. Full article
14 pages, 2916 KiB  
Article
Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of the PHT1 Gene Family and Its Response to Mycorrhizal Symbiosis in Salvia miltiorrhiza under Phosphate Stress
by Xue Chen, Yanhong Bai, Yanan Lin, Hongyan Liu, Fengxia Han, Hui Chang, Menglin Li and Qian Liu
Genes 2024, 15(5), 589; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15050589 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
Phosphorus (P) is a vital nutrient element that is essential for plant growth and development, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can significantly enhance P absorption. The phosphate transporter protein 1 (PHT1) family mediates the uptake of P in plants. However, the PHT1 gene [...] Read more.
Phosphorus (P) is a vital nutrient element that is essential for plant growth and development, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can significantly enhance P absorption. The phosphate transporter protein 1 (PHT1) family mediates the uptake of P in plants. However, the PHT1 gene has not yet been characterized in Salvia miltiorrhiza. In this study, to gain insight into the functional divergence of PHT1 genes, nine SmPHT1 genes were identified in the S. miltiorrhiza genome database via bioinformatics tools. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the PHT1 proteins of S. miltiorrhiza, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Oryza sativa could be divided into three groups. PHT1 in the same clade has a similar gene structure and motif, suggesting that the features of each clade are relatively conserved. Further tissue expression analysis revealed that SmPHT1 was expressed mainly in the roots and stems. In addition, phenotypic changes, P content, and PHT1 gene expression were analyzed in S. miltiorrhiza plants inoculated with AMF under different P conditions (0 mM, 0.1 mM, and 10 mM). P stress and AMF significantly affected the growth and P accumulation of S. miltiorrhiza. SmPHT1;6 was strongly expressed in the roots colonized by AMF, implying that SmPHT1;6 was a specific AMF-inducible PHT1. Taken together, these results provide new insights into the functional divergence and genetic redundancy of the PHT1 genes in response to P stress and AMF symbiosis in S. miltiorrhiza. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Genetics and Genomics)
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12 pages, 4665 KiB  
Article
Spectral Analysis of Proton Eigenfunctions in Crystalline Environments
by Luca Gamberale and Giovanni Modanese
Quantum Rep. 2024, 6(2), 172-183; https://doi.org/10.3390/quantum6020014 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
The Schrödinger equation and Bloch theorem are applied to examine a system of protons confined within a periodic potential, accounting for deviations from ideal harmonic behavior due to real-world conditions like truncated and non-quadratic potentials, in both one-dimensional and three-dimensional scenarios. Numerical computation [...] Read more.
The Schrödinger equation and Bloch theorem are applied to examine a system of protons confined within a periodic potential, accounting for deviations from ideal harmonic behavior due to real-world conditions like truncated and non-quadratic potentials, in both one-dimensional and three-dimensional scenarios. Numerical computation of the energy spectrum of bound eigenfunctions in both cases reveals intriguing structures, including bound states with degeneracy matching the site number Nw, reminiscent of a finite harmonic oscillator spectrum. In contrast to electronic energy bands, the proton system displays a greater number of possible bound states due to the significant mass of protons. Extending previous research, this study rigorously determines the constraints on the energy gap and oscillation amplitude of the previously identified coherent states. The deviations in energy level spacing identified in the computed spectrum, leading to the minor splitting of electromagnetic modes, are analyzed and found not to hinder the onset of coherence. Finally, a more precise value of the energy gap is determined for the proton coherent states, ensuring their stability against thermal decoherence up to the melting temperature of the hosting metal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Feature Papers of Quantum Reports in 2024–2025)
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13 pages, 318 KiB  
Article
Number of Volatility Regimes in the Muscat Securities Market Index in Oman Using Markov-Switching GARCH Models
by Brahim Benaid, Iman Al Hasani and Mhamed Eddahbi
Symmetry 2024, 16(5), 569; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym16050569 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
The predominant approach for studying volatility is through various GARCH specifications, which are widely utilized in model-based analyses. This study focuses on assessing the predictive performance of specific GARCH models, particularly the Markov-Switching GARCH (MS-GARCH). The primary objective is to determine the optimal [...] Read more.
The predominant approach for studying volatility is through various GARCH specifications, which are widely utilized in model-based analyses. This study focuses on assessing the predictive performance of specific GARCH models, particularly the Markov-Switching GARCH (MS-GARCH). The primary objective is to determine the optimal number of regimes within the MS-GARCH framework that effectively captures the conditional variance of the Muscat Securities Market Index (MSMI). To achieve this, we employ the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) to compare different MS-GARCH models, estimated via Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE). Our findings indicate that the chosen models consistently exhibit at least two regimes across various GARCH specifications. Furthermore, a validation using the Value at Risk (VaR) confirms the accuracy of volatility forecasts generated by the selected models. Full article
12 pages, 2059 KiB  
Article
Stretchable and Flexible Painted Thermoelectric Generators on Japanese Paper Using Inks Dispersed with P- and N-Type Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
by Takumi Nakajima, Koki Hoshino, Hisatoshi Yamamoto, Keisuke Kaneko, Yutaro Okano and Masayuki Takashiri
Sensors 2024, 24(9), 2946; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24092946 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
As power sources for Internet-of-Things sensors, thermoelectric generators must exhibit compactness, flexibility, and low manufacturing costs. Stretchable and flexible painted thermoelectric generators were fabricated on Japanese paper using inks with dispersed p- and n-type single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The p- and n-type SWCNT [...] Read more.
As power sources for Internet-of-Things sensors, thermoelectric generators must exhibit compactness, flexibility, and low manufacturing costs. Stretchable and flexible painted thermoelectric generators were fabricated on Japanese paper using inks with dispersed p- and n-type single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The p- and n-type SWCNT inks were dispersed using the anionic surfactant of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate and the cationic surfactant of dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride, respectively. The bundle diameters of the p- and n-type SWCNT layers painted on Japanese paper differed significantly; however, the crystallinities of both types of layers were almost the same. The thermoelectric properties of both types of layers exhibited mostly the same values at 30 °C; however, the properties, particularly the electrical conductivity, of the n-type layer increased linearly, and of the p-type layer decreased as the temperature increased. The p- and n-type SWCNT inks were used to paint striped patterns on Japanese paper. By folding at the boundaries of the patterns, painted generators can shrink and expand, even on curved surfaces. The painted generator (length: 145 mm, height: 13 mm) exhibited an output voltage of 10.4 mV and a maximum power of 0.21 μW with a temperature difference of 64 K at 120 °C on the hot side. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Wearables 2024)
20 pages, 12165 KiB  
Article
Helping Blind People Grasp: Evaluating a Tactile Bracelet for Remotely Guiding Grasping Movements
by Piper Powell, Florian Pätzold, Milad Rouygari, Marcin Furtak, Silke M. Kärcher and Peter König
Sensors 2024, 24(9), 2949; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24092949 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
The problem of supporting visually impaired and blind people in meaningful interactions with objects is often neglected. To address this issue, we adapted a tactile belt for enhanced spatial navigation into a bracelet worn on the wrist that allows visually impaired people to [...] Read more.
The problem of supporting visually impaired and blind people in meaningful interactions with objects is often neglected. To address this issue, we adapted a tactile belt for enhanced spatial navigation into a bracelet worn on the wrist that allows visually impaired people to grasp target objects. Participants’ performance in locating and grasping target items when guided using the bracelet, which provides direction commands via vibrotactile signals, was compared to their performance when receiving auditory instructions. While participants were faster with the auditory commands, they also performed well with the bracelet, encouraging future development of this system and similar systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Wearables)
16 pages, 4416 KiB  
Article
A Comparative Study of Cerium(III) and Cerium(IV) Phosphates for Sunscreens
by Taisiya O. Kozlova, Darya N. Vasilyeva, Daniil A. Kozlov, Irina V. Kolesnik, Maria A. Teplonogova, Ilya V. Tronev, Ekaterina D. Sheichenko, Maria R. Protsenko, Danil D. Kolmanovich, Olga S. Ivanova, Alexander E. Baranchikov and Vladimir K. Ivanov
Molecules 2024, 29(9), 2157; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092157 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
Crystalline cerium(III) phosphate (CePO4), cerium(IV) phosphates, and nanocrystalline ceria are considered to be promising components of sunscreen cosmetics. This paper reports on a study in which, for the first time, a quantitative comparative analysis was performed of the UV-shielding properties of [...] Read more.
Crystalline cerium(III) phosphate (CePO4), cerium(IV) phosphates, and nanocrystalline ceria are considered to be promising components of sunscreen cosmetics. This paper reports on a study in which, for the first time, a quantitative comparative analysis was performed of the UV-shielding properties of CePO4, Ce(PO4)(HPO4)0.5(H2O)0.5, and CePO4/CeO2 composites. Both the sun protection factor and protection factor against UV-A radiation of the materials were determined. Ce(PO4)(HPO4)0.5(H2O)0.5 was shown to have a sun protection factor of 2.9, which is comparable with that of nanocrystalline ceria and three times higher than the sun protection factor of CePO4. Composites containing both cerium dioxide and CePO4 demonstrated higher sun protection factors (up to 1.8) than individual CePO4. When compared with the TiO2 Aeroxide P25 reference sample, cerium(III) and cerium(IV) phosphates demonstrated negligible photocatalytic activity. A cytotoxicity analysis performed using two mammalian cell lines, hMSc and NCTC L929, showed that CePO4, Ce(PO4)(HPO4)0.5(H2O)0.5, and nanocrystalline ceria were all non-toxic. The results of this comparative study indicate that cerium(IV) phosphate Ce(PO4)(HPO4)0.5(H2O)0.5 is more advantageous for use in sunscreens than either cerium(III) phosphate or CePO4/CeO2 composites, due to its improved UV-shielding properties and low photocatalytic activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Applied Chemistry)
18 pages, 9458 KiB  
Article
Collaborative Methods of Resolving Road Graphic Conflicts Based on Cartographic Rules and Generalization Operations
by Chuanbang Zheng, Qingsheng Guo, Lin Wang, Yuangang Liu and Jianfeng Jiang
ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2024, 13(5), 154; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi13050154 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
The resolution of road graphic conflicts is a key aspect of map generalization, which involves both scale reduction and the symbolization of map features. This study proposes collaborative methods of road graphic conflict resolution considering different road characteristics. These methods consider both geometric [...] Read more.
The resolution of road graphic conflicts is a key aspect of map generalization, which involves both scale reduction and the symbolization of map features. This study proposes collaborative methods of road graphic conflict resolution considering different road characteristics. These methods consider both geometric and semantic characteristics, and they incorporate the bend characteristics of roads, the road symbol size, and road semantics. Constrained Delaunay triangulation skeleton lines are used to categorize road graphic conflicts, which are made up of four independent conflict types and four group conflict types. Based on their characteristics, three collaborative methods are designed to deal with the different types of road graphic conflicts: collaboration between deletion and the snake displacement model, collaboration between the snake displacement model and collinearity, and collaboration among simplification, smoothing, and the beam displacement model. Two types of independent conflicts can be processed using only one simple operation. This study summarizes the cartographic rules for resolving road graphic conflicts, and these are used along with geometric features to drive the collaborative methods or one simple operation presented here. The experimental results indicate that the method proposed in this study can effectively resolve road graphic conflicts. Full article
15 pages, 1012 KiB  
Review
Structure, Regulation, and Significance of Cyanobacterial and Chloroplast Adenosine Triphosphate Synthase in the Adaptability of Oxygenic Photosynthetic Organisms
by Siyan Yi, Xin Guo, Wenjing Lou, Shaoming Mao, Guodong Luan and Xuefeng Lu
Microorganisms 2024, 12(5), 940; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12050940 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
In cyanobacteria and chloroplasts (in algae and plants), ATP synthase plays a pivotal role as a photosynthetic membrane complex responsible for producing ATP from adenosine diphosphate and inorganic phosphate, utilizing a proton motive force gradient induced by photosynthesis. These two ATP synthases exhibit [...] Read more.
In cyanobacteria and chloroplasts (in algae and plants), ATP synthase plays a pivotal role as a photosynthetic membrane complex responsible for producing ATP from adenosine diphosphate and inorganic phosphate, utilizing a proton motive force gradient induced by photosynthesis. These two ATP synthases exhibit similarities in gene organization, amino acid sequences of subunits, structure, and functional mechanisms, suggesting that cyanobacterial ATP synthase is probably the evolutionary precursor to chloroplast ATP synthase. In this review, we explore the precise synthesis and assembly of ATP synthase subunits to address the uneven stoichiometry within the complex during transcription, translation, and assembly processes. We also compare the regulatory strategies governing ATP synthase activity to meet varying energy demands in cyanobacteria and chloroplasts amid fluctuating natural environments. Furthermore, we delve into the role of ATP synthase in stress tolerance and photosynthetic carbon fixation efficiency in oxygenic photosynthetic organisms (OPsOs), along with the current researches on modifying ATP synthase to enhance carbon fixation efficiency under stress conditions. This review aims to offer theoretical insights and serve as a reference for understanding the functional mechanisms of ATP synthase, sparking innovative ideas for enhancing photosynthetic carbon fixation efficiency by utilizing ATP synthase as an effective module in OPsOs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Microbiology)
10 pages, 5876 KiB  
Communication
Benthic Biodiversity by Baited Camera Observations on the Cosmonaut Sea Shelf of East Antarctica
by Jianfeng Mou, Xuebao He, Kun Liu, Yaqin Huang, Shuyi Zhang, Yongcan Zu, Yanan Liu, Shunan Cao, Musheng Lan, Xing Miao, Heshan Lin and Wenhua Liu
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16050277 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
A free-fall baited camera lander was launched for the first time on the Cosmonaut Sea shelf of East Antarctica at a depth of 694 m during the 38th Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition (CHINARE) in 2022. We identified 31 unique taxa (23 were [...] Read more.
A free-fall baited camera lander was launched for the first time on the Cosmonaut Sea shelf of East Antarctica at a depth of 694 m during the 38th Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition (CHINARE) in 2022. We identified 31 unique taxa (23 were invertebrates and eight were fish) belonging to eight phyla from 2403 pictures and 40 videos. The Antarctic jonasfish (Notolepis coatsi) was the most frequently observed fish taxa. Ten species of vulnerable marine ecosystem (VME) taxa were observed, accounting for 32% of all species. The maximum number (MaxN) of Natatolana meridionalis individuals per image frame was ten, and they were attracted to the bait. The macrobenthic community type were sessile suspension feeders with associated fauna (SSFA), which was shaped by the muddy substrata with scattered rocks. Rocks served as the best habitats for sessile fauna. The study reveals the megafauna community and their habitat by image survey in the Cosmonaut Sea for the first time. It helped us obtain Antarctic biodiversity baselines and monitoring data for future ecosystem health assessment and better protection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Biogeography of Marine Benthos)
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16 pages, 1431 KiB  
Review
Use of Digital Tools for the Assessment of Food Consumption in Brazil: A Scoping Review
by Adriane dos Santos da Silva, Flávia dos Santos Barbosa Brito, Debora Martins dos Santos and Amanda Rodrigues Amorim Adegboye
Nutrients 2024, 16(9), 1399; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16091399 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
This is a scoping review on mapping the use of digital tools to assess food consumption in Brazil. Searches were carried out in nine electronic databases (Medline, Lilacs, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Science Direct, Ovid, Free Medical Journal and Crossref) to select [...] Read more.
This is a scoping review on mapping the use of digital tools to assess food consumption in Brazil. Searches were carried out in nine electronic databases (Medline, Lilacs, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Science Direct, Ovid, Free Medical Journal and Crossref) to select studies published from October 2020 to December 2023. This review identified forty-eight digital tools in the 94 publications analyzed, the most frequent being web-based technologies (60%) and mobile devices (40%). Among these studies, 55% (n = 52) adopted a population-based approach, while 45% (n = 42) focused on specific regions. The predominant study design observed was cross-sectional (n = 63). A notable trend observed was the increasing frequency of validation studies in recent years. Although the use of digital tools in the assessment of food consumption in Brazil has grown in recent years, studies did not describe the process of creating and validating the tools, which would contribute to the improvement of data quality. Investments that allow the expansion of the use of the internet and mobile devices; the improvement of digital literacy; and the development of open-access tools, especially in the North and Northeast regions, are challenges that require a concerted effort towards providing equal opportunities, fostering encouragement, and delving deeper into the potential of digital tools within studies pertaining to food consumption in Brazil. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Transformations in Nutrition)
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16 pages, 663 KiB  
Article
Influences of a Supplemental Blend of Essential Oils plus 25-Hydroxy-Vit-D3 and Zilpaterol Hydrochloride (β2 Agonist) on Growth Performance and Carcass Measures of Feedlot Lambs Finished under Conditions of High Ambient Temperature
by Alfredo Estrada-Angulo, Moisés Verdugo-Insúa, Lucía de G. Escobedo-Gallegos, Beatriz I. Castro-Pérez, Jesús D. Urías-Estrada, Elizama Ponce-Barraza, Daniel Mendoza-Cortez, Francisco G. Ríos-Rincón, Francisco Monge-Navarro, Alberto Barreras, Richard A. Zinn, Luis Corona-Gochi and Alejandro Plascencia
Animals 2024, 14(9), 1391; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091391 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
Forty-eight Pelibuey × Katahdin male intact lambs (25.12 ± 3.79 kg LW) were used in a 70-d growing-finishing trial. Dietary treatments consisted of total mixed corn-based diet supplemented with: (1) no feed additives (Control); (2) 150 mg of essential oils blend plus 0.10 [...] Read more.
Forty-eight Pelibuey × Katahdin male intact lambs (25.12 ± 3.79 kg LW) were used in a 70-d growing-finishing trial. Dietary treatments consisted of total mixed corn-based diet supplemented with: (1) no feed additives (Control); (2) 150 mg of essential oils blend plus 0.10 mg of 25-hydroxy-Vit-D3/kg diet offered throughout the 70-d experimental period (EOD3); (3) Control diet fed during the first 35 days and zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) supplementation at 6 mg/kg diet offered during the final 35 days of the experiment (32 days with ZH with a withdrawal 3-d before harvest), and (4) basal diet supplemented with EOD3 during first 35 days finishing, and EOD3 in combination with ZH (EOD3 + ZH) during the subsequent 32-days with ZH withdrawal 3 days before harvest. The temperature–humidity index during the experiment averaged 80.4 ± 3.2. There were no treatment interactions (p > 0.20) on growth performance and carcass measures. Supplemental EOD3 did not affect (p = 0.43) dry matter intake (DMI), but increased (p < 0.01) carcass adjusted average daily gain (ADG, 9.2%), gain efficiency (GF, 6.7%), and observed vs. expected dietary net energy for maintenance (NEm, 4.8%) and for gain (NEg, 6.4%). Supplemental ZH did not affect dry matter intake (DMI, p = 0.50) but increased (p < 0.01) carcass adjusted ADG (14.5%), GF (13%) and observed vs. expected dietary NEm (9%) and NEg (11.7%). Compared to control lambs, the combination of both additives increased ADG (24.9%), GF (21.2%), and observed vs. expected dietary NEm and NEg (14.2% and 18.9%, respectively). There were no treatment interactions on carcass characteristics, visceral organ mass, or on gene expression of IGF1, IGF2 and mTOR in longissimus muscle (LM). Supplemental EOD3 increased hot carcass weight (HCW; 4.0%, p < 0.01) but did not affect other carcass measures. Supplemental EOD3 decreased (3%, p = 0.03) intestine mass weight (g intestine/kg empty body weight). Supplemental ZH increased HCW (6%, p < 0.01), dressing percentage (1.7%, p = 0.04), and LM area (9.7%, p < 0.01), and decreased kidney-pelvic-fat percentage (16.2%, p < 0.01), fat thickness (14.7%, p = 0.03), and visceral fat. Compared to controls, the combination of EOD3 with ZH increased HCW (10.2%). It is concluded that growth performance responses to supplemental EOD3 and ZH are additive. Both supplements can be fed in combination without detrimental effects on expected benefits when fed separately. In addition, ZH supplementation improves carcass traits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feed Additives, Performance and Welfare in Domestic Animals)
11 pages, 969 KiB  
Article
A W-Band Chebyshev Waveguide Bandpass Filter with Wide Stopband Performance
by Zhongbo Zhu, Weidong Hu, Kaida Xu, Yuming Bai and Sheng Li
Electronics 2024, 13(9), 1793; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13091793 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
In this paper, a W-band waveguide bandpass filter with a standard fourth-order Chebyshev response is proposed based on the computer numerical control (CNC)-milling technology. The harmonics-staggered technique and orthogonal coupling method are incorporated into this waveguide filter design without increasing the complexity [...] Read more.
In this paper, a W-band waveguide bandpass filter with a standard fourth-order Chebyshev response is proposed based on the computer numerical control (CNC)-milling technology. The harmonics-staggered technique and orthogonal coupling method are incorporated into this waveguide filter design without increasing the complexity of the filter structure in order to suppress the intrinsic spurious responses near the passband. Furthermore, the proposed filter design maintains a simple construction, which can be conveniently fabricated using CNC milling. The fabricated waveguide filter exhibits an average insertion loss of 0.9 dB and a return loss of above 20 dB in a 3 dB fractional bandwidth (FBW) of 5.5% centered at 85 GHz. The excellent spurious suppression property can reach better than −25 dB up to 165 GHz. The wide stopband performance of the proposed W-band filter is very competitive compared with the reported waveguide filters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Microwave and Wireless Communications Section)
14 pages, 1438 KiB  
Article
Metabolome in Tibialis and Soleus Muscles in Wild-Type and Pin1 Knockout Mice through High-Resolution Magic Angle Spinning 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
by Valeria Righi, Martina Grosso, Renata Battini, Takafumi Uchida, Anna Gambini, Susanna Molinari and Adele Mucci
Metabolites 2024, 14(5), 262; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14050262 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
Skeletal muscles are heterogenous tissues composed of different myofiber types that can be classified as slow oxidative, fast oxidative, and fast glycolytic which are distinguished on the basis of their contractile and metabolic properties. Improving oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscles can prevent metabolic [...] Read more.
Skeletal muscles are heterogenous tissues composed of different myofiber types that can be classified as slow oxidative, fast oxidative, and fast glycolytic which are distinguished on the basis of their contractile and metabolic properties. Improving oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscles can prevent metabolic diseases and plays a protective role against muscle wasting in a number of neuromuscular diseases. Therefore, achieving a detailed understanding of the factors that regulate myofiber metabolic properties might provide new therapeutic opportunities for these diseases. Here, we investigated whether peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1 (PIN1) is involved in the control of myofiber metabolic behaviors. Indeed, PIN1 controls glucose and lipid metabolism in a number of tissues, and it is also abundant in adult skeletal muscles; however, its role in the control of energy homeostasis in this tissue is still to be defined. To start clarifying this topic, we compared the metabolome of the tibialis anterior muscle (mainly glycolytic) and soleus muscle (oxidative) in wild-type and Pin1 knockout mice with High-Resolution Magic Angle Spinning (HR-MAS) NMR on intact tissues. Our analysis reveals a clear demarcation between the metabolomes in the two types of muscles and allows us to decode a signature able to discriminate the glycolytic versus oxidative muscle phenotype. We also detected some changes in Pin1-depleted muscles that suggest a role for PIN1 in regulating the metabolic phenotype of skeletal muscles. Full article
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20 pages, 5077 KiB  
Article
Sliding Mode Flight Control Law Design Requirements for Oblique Wing Aircraft Based on Perturbation Theory
by Lixin Wang, Xun Sun, Hailiang Liu, Jingzhong Ma, Wenyuan Cheng, Shang Tai, Yun Zhu and Ting Yue
Aerospace 2024, 11(5), 366; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace11050366 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
Flight control law parameters should be designed to provide a sufficient stability margin for closed-loop aircraft while ensuring command tracking accuracy. The singular perturbation margin (SPM) and generalized gain margin (GGM), which are generalizations of the classical phase margin (PM) and gain margin [...] Read more.
Flight control law parameters should be designed to provide a sufficient stability margin for closed-loop aircraft while ensuring command tracking accuracy. The singular perturbation margin (SPM) and generalized gain margin (GGM), which are generalizations of the classical phase margin (PM) and gain margin (GM), respectively, from a linear time-invariant system to a nonlinear time-varying system, can be used to quantitatively characterize the maximum singular perturbation and regular perturbation allowed to maintain system stability. In this paper, the sliding mode flight control structure and the design parameters of the sliding mode control law are first introduced for an oblique wing aircraft (OWA), the SPM-gauge and GGM-gauge are added to this closed-loop aircraft model, and the analytical expressions of the SPM and GGM are derived with respect to the control law parameters. Second, the stability margin design requirements of closed-loop aircraft in flight control system design specifications are converted into limitations on the SPM and GGM to determine the value range of the flight control law parameters. Then, with the goal of reducing the sum of the approaching time and sliding time, the parameter value combination is selected within the control law parameter range that meets the stability margin requirements, thus forming a flight control law design method for OWA during the wing skewing process. Finally, the designed control law parameters are applied to a sample OWA, and the stability margin of closed-loop aircraft during the wing skewing process is verified. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Flight Control (2nd Edition))
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21 pages, 26614 KiB  
Article
Effect of the 35 nm and 70 nm Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) Column and Plasma Storage Time on Separated Extracellular Vesicles
by Bernadett György, Krisztina Pálóczi, Mirjam Balbisi, Lilla Turiák, László Drahos, Tamás Visnovitz, Erika Koltai and Zsolt Radák
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(5), 4337-4357; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46050264 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
The technical difficulty of separating extracellular vesicles (EVs) from plasma proteins in human blood presents a significant hurdle in EV research, particularly during nano ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric (UHPLC-MS/MS) analysis, where detecting “vesicular” proteins among abundant plasma proteins is challenging. Standardisation is [...] Read more.
The technical difficulty of separating extracellular vesicles (EVs) from plasma proteins in human blood presents a significant hurdle in EV research, particularly during nano ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric (UHPLC-MS/MS) analysis, where detecting “vesicular” proteins among abundant plasma proteins is challenging. Standardisation is a pressing issue in EV research, prompting collaborative global efforts to address it. While the MISEV guidelines offer valuable recommendations, unanswered questions remain, particularly regarding sample storage. We compared size exclusion chromatography (SEC) columns with pore sizes of 35 nm and 70 nm to identify fractions with minimal contaminating proteins and the highest concentration of small EVs (sEVs). Following column selection, we explored potential differences in the quality and quantity of sEVs isolated from platelet-free plasma (PFP) after long-term storage at −80 °C (>2.5 years) compared to freshly drawn blood. Our methodologically rigorous study indicates that prolonged storage, under correct storage and processing conditions, does not compromise sEV quality. Both columns effectively isolated vesicles, with the 70 nm column exhibiting a higher abundance of “vesicular” proteins. We propose a relatively rapid and moderately efficient protocol for obtaining a comparatively pure sEV fraction from plasma, facilitating sEV processing in clinical trials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology)
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14 pages, 3166 KiB  
Article
Prognostic Value of B7H4 Expression in Patients with Solid Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Miriam Dawidowicz, Agnieszka Kula, Sylwia Mielcarska, Elżbieta Świętochowska and Dariusz Waniczek
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(9), 5045; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25095045 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
V-set domain-containing T-cell activation inhibitor 1 (aliases VTCN1, B7H4) participates in tumour immune escape by delivering inhibitory signals to T cells. The purpose of this article was to assess the B7H4 prognostic value in solid cancers. Three databases were searched for relevant articles. [...] Read more.
V-set domain-containing T-cell activation inhibitor 1 (aliases VTCN1, B7H4) participates in tumour immune escape by delivering inhibitory signals to T cells. The purpose of this article was to assess the B7H4 prognostic value in solid cancers. Three databases were searched for relevant articles. The main endpoints were overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), progression-free survival (PFS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and disease-free survival (DFS). Appropriate hazard ratios (HRs) were pooled. The R studio software (version 4.0.3) was used for data analysis. Thirty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. High expression of B7H4 was associated with worse OS (HR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.37–1.68) but not with DSS (HR = 1.14, 95% CI: 0.49–2.63), RFS (HR = 1.77, 95% CI: 0.75–4.18), DFS (HR = 1.29, 95% CI: 0.8–2.09), or PFS (HR = 1.71, 95% CI: 0.91–3.2) in patients with solid cancers. High expression of B7H4 is associated with a poorer prognosis in patients with solid cancers. B7H4 is a promising prognostic biomarker and immunotherapeutic target for various solid cancers because of its activity in cancer immunity and tumourigenesis. Full article
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26 pages, 10114 KiB  
Review
Waste Glass Upcycling Supported by Alkali Activation: An Overview
by Muhammad Jamshaid Zafar, Hamada Elsayed and Enrico Bernardo
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2169; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092169 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
Alkali-activated materials are gaining much interest due to their outstanding performance, including their great resistance to chemical corrosion, good thermal characteristics, and ability to valorise industrial waste materials. Reusing waste glasses in creating alkali-activated materials appears to be a viable option for more [...] Read more.
Alkali-activated materials are gaining much interest due to their outstanding performance, including their great resistance to chemical corrosion, good thermal characteristics, and ability to valorise industrial waste materials. Reusing waste glasses in creating alkali-activated materials appears to be a viable option for more effective solid waste utilisation and lower-cost products. However, very little research has been conducted on the suitability of waste glass as a prime precursor for alkali activation. This study examines the reuse of seven different types of waste glasses in the creation of geopolymeric and cementitious concretes as sustainable building materials, focusing in particular on how using waste glasses as the raw material in alkali-activated materials affects the durability, microstructures, hydration products, and fresh and hardened properties in comparison with using traditional raw materials. The impacts of several vital parameters, including the employment of a chemical activator, gel formation, post-fabrication curing procedures, and the distribution of source materials, are carefully considered. This review will offer insight into an in-depth understanding of the manufacturing and performance in promising applications of alkali-activated waste glass in light of future uses. The current study aims to provide a contemporary review of the chemical and structural properties of glasses and the state of research on the utilisation of waste glasses in the creation of alkali-activated materials. Full article
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20 pages, 4271 KiB  
Article
The Efficiency of YOLOv5 Models in the Detection of Similar Construction Details
by Tautvydas Kvietkauskas, Ernest Pavlov, Pavel Stefanovič and Birutė Pliuskuvienė
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 3946; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093946 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
Computer vision solutions have become widely used in various industries and as part of daily solutions. One task of computer vision is object detection. With the development of object detection algorithms and the growing number of various kinds of image data, different problems [...] Read more.
Computer vision solutions have become widely used in various industries and as part of daily solutions. One task of computer vision is object detection. With the development of object detection algorithms and the growing number of various kinds of image data, different problems arise in relation to the building of models suitable for various solutions. This paper investigates the influence of parameters used in the training process involved in detecting similar kinds of objects, i.e., the hyperparameters of the algorithm and the training parameters. This experimental investigation focuses on the widely used YOLOv5 algorithm and analyses the performance of different models of YOLOv5 (n, s, m, l, x). In the research, the newly collected construction details (22 categories) dataset is used. Experiments are performed using pre-trained models of the YOLOv5. A total of 185 YOLOv5 models are trained and evaluated. All models are tested on 3300 images photographed on three different backgrounds: mixed, neutral, and white. Additionally, the best-obtained models are evaluated using 150 new images, each of which has several dozen construction details and is photographed against different backgrounds. The deep analysis of different YOLOv5 models and the hyperparameters shows the influence of various parameters when analysing the object detection of similar objects. The best model was obtained when the YOLOv5l was used and the parameters are as follows: coloured images, image size—320; batch size—32; epoch number—300; layers freeze option—10; data augmentation—on; learning rate—0.001; momentum—0.95; and weight decay—0.0007. These results may be useful for various tasks in which small and similar objects are analysed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computer Vision in Automatic Detection and Identification)
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9 pages, 1151 KiB  
Article
Chaos Synchronization of Integrated Five-Section Semiconductor Lasers
by Yuanyuan Guo, Yao Du, Hua Gao, Min Tan, Tong Zhao, Zhiwei Jia, Pengfa Chang and Longsheng Wang
Entropy 2024, 26(5), 405; https://doi.org/10.3390/e26050405 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
We proposed and verified a scheme of chaos synchronization for integrated five-section semiconductor lasers with matching parameters. The simulation results demonstrated that the integrated five-section semiconductor laser could generate a chaotic signal within a large parameter range of the driving currents of five [...] Read more.
We proposed and verified a scheme of chaos synchronization for integrated five-section semiconductor lasers with matching parameters. The simulation results demonstrated that the integrated five-section semiconductor laser could generate a chaotic signal within a large parameter range of the driving currents of five sections. Subsequently, chaos synchronization between two integrated five-section semiconductor lasers with matched parameters was realized by using a common noise signal as a driver. Moreover, it was found that the synchronization was sensitive to the current mismatch in all five sections, indicating that the driving currents of the five sections could be used as keys of chaotic optical communication. Therefore, this synchronization scheme provides a candidate to increase the dimension of key space and enhances the security of the system. Full article
13 pages, 840 KiB  
Article
Dose Escalation Can Enhance the Therapeutic Potential of Radial Extracorporeal Shock-Wave Therapy in the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis in Runners
by Sebastian Szajkowski, Jarosław Pasek and Grzegorz Cieślar
Medicina 2024, 60(5), 766; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60050766 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis is challenging given that there are various of available treatment options with no clear gold standard. The aim of the study was to examine the dose-escalation effect of rESWT on the biomechanical parameters of the [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis is challenging given that there are various of available treatment options with no clear gold standard. The aim of the study was to examine the dose-escalation effect of rESWT on the biomechanical parameters of the plantar fascia and pain ailments. Materials and Methods: In the experimental group (n = 30), the intensity of the shock wave was increased every two subsequent treatment sessions. In the control group (n = 32), the treatment parameters were not changed. In both groups, six treatments were performed, with two treatment sessions a week. In order to assess the biomechanical parameters of the plantar fascia, myotonometric measurements were performed. The pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results: The tension of the plantar fascia attachment in the experimental group decreased from 27.69 ± 2.06 [Hz] before treatment to 26.29 ± 1.69 [Hz] after treatment (p = 0.009) and to 26.03 ± 2.15 [Hz] 1 month after the beginning of treatment (p = 0.003). In the control group, the frequency results did not change significantly (p > 0.05). Flexibility increased in both groups. The test results before treatment and 1 month after the beginning of the treatment showed statistical significance in the experimental group (p = 0.001) vs. (p = 0.002) in the control group. The differences were not statistically significant between groups (p > 0.05). The assessment of pain intensity carried out 1 month after the end of treatment in the experimental group amounted to 3.14 ± 2.28 points, which was statistically significantly lower compared to that in the control group, where it amounted to 5.14 ± 1.92 points. (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The use of rESWT performed with an increasing intensity of impact during subsequent treatment procedures demonstrated greater effectiveness in improving the biomechanical parameters of the plantar fascia and was also more effective in reducing the pain ailments. Our results are encouraging. The dose escalation in the treatment cycle is worth considering. To prove that this method of treatment is more effective, a randomized controlled trial should be carried out on a representative sample. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sports Medicine and Sports Traumatology)
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26 pages, 929 KiB  
Systematic Review
Effect of Sustainably Sourced Protein Consumption on Nutrient Intake and Gut Health in Older Adults: A Systematic Review
by Debra Jones, Carlos Celis-Morales, Stuart R. Gray, Douglas J. Morrison, Susan E. Ozanne, Mahek Jain, Lewis R. Mattin and Sorrel Burden
Nutrients 2024, 16(9), 1398; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16091398 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
Diet is integral to the healthy ageing process and certain diets can mitigate prolonged and deleterious inflammation. This review aims to assess the impact of diets high in sustainably sourced proteins on nutrient intake, gut, and age-related health in older adults. A systematic [...] Read more.
Diet is integral to the healthy ageing process and certain diets can mitigate prolonged and deleterious inflammation. This review aims to assess the impact of diets high in sustainably sourced proteins on nutrient intake, gut, and age-related health in older adults. A systematic search of the literature was conducted on 5 September 2023 across multiple databases and sources. Studies assessing sustainably sourced protein consumption in community dwelling older adults (≥65 years) were included. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using ‘RoB 2.0′ and ‘ROBINS-E’. Narrative synthesis was performed due to heterogeneity of studies. Twelve studies involving 12,166 older adults were included. Nine studies (n = 10,391) assessed habitual dietary intake and had some RoB concerns, whilst three studies (n = 1812), two with low and one with high RoB, conducted plant-based dietary interventions. Increased adherence to sustainably sourced diets was associated with improved gut microbial factors (n = 4640), healthier food group intake (n = 2142), and increased fibre and vegetable protein intake (n = 1078). Sustainably sourced diets positively impacted on gut microbiota and healthier intake of food groups, although effects on inflammatory outcomes and health status were inconclusive. Future research should focus on dietary interventions combining sustainable proteins and fibre to evaluate gut barrier function and consider inflammatory and body composition outcomes in older adults. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Geriatric Nutrition)
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