The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
22 pages, 6920 KiB  
Review
Common Methods for Phylogenetic Tree Construction and Their Implementation in R
by Yue Zou, Zixuan Zhang, Yujie Zeng, Hanyue Hu, Youjin Hao, Sheng Huang and Bo Li
Bioengineering 2024, 11(5), 480; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11050480 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
A phylogenetic tree can reflect the evolutionary relationships between species or gene families, and they play a critical role in modern biological research. In this review, we summarize common methods for constructing phylogenetic trees, including distance methods, maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference, [...] Read more.
A phylogenetic tree can reflect the evolutionary relationships between species or gene families, and they play a critical role in modern biological research. In this review, we summarize common methods for constructing phylogenetic trees, including distance methods, maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference, and tree-integration methods (supermatrix and supertree). Here we discuss the advantages, shortcomings, and applications of each method and offer relevant codes to construct phylogenetic trees from molecular data using packages and algorithms in R. This review aims to provide comprehensive guidance and reference for researchers seeking to construct phylogenetic trees while also promoting further development and innovation in this field. By offering a clear and concise overview of the different methods available, we hope to enable researchers to select the most appropriate approach for their specific research questions and datasets. Full article
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13 pages, 1439 KiB  
Article
Intercostal Catheters Reduce Long-Term Pain and Postoperative Opioid Consumption after VATS
by Marie-Christin Neuschmid, Florian Ponholzer, Caecilia Ng, Herbert Maier, Hannes Dejaco, Paolo Lucciarini, Stefan Schneeberger and Florian Augustin
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(10), 2842; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13102842 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Pain after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) leads to impaired postoperative recovery, possible side effects of opioid usage, and higher rates of chronic post-surgery pain (CPSP). Nevertheless, guidelines on perioperative pain management for VATS patients are lacking. The aim of this study [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Pain after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) leads to impaired postoperative recovery, possible side effects of opioid usage, and higher rates of chronic post-surgery pain (CPSP). Nevertheless, guidelines on perioperative pain management for VATS patients are lacking. The aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of intercostal catheters in combination with a single shot intraoperative intercostal nerve block (SSINB) in comparison to SSINB alone with respect to opioid consumption and CPSP. Methods: Patients receiving an anatomic VATS resection between 2019 and 2022 for primary lung cancer were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 75 consecutive patients receiving an ICC and SSINB and 75 consecutive patients receiving only SSINB were included in our database. After enforcing the exclusion criteria (insufficient documentation, external follow-ups, or patients receiving opioids on a fixed schedule; n = 9) 141 patients remained for further analysis. Results: The ICC and No ICC cohort were comparable in age, gender distribution, tumor location and hospital stay. Patients in the ICC cohort showed significantly less opioid usage regarding the extent (4.48 ± 6.69 SD vs. 7.23 ± 7.55 SD mg, p = 0.023), duration (0.76 ± 0.97 SD vs. 1.26 ± 1.33 SD days, p = 0.012) and frequency (0.90 ± 1.34 SD vs. 1.45 ± 1.51 SD times, p = 0.023) in comparison to the No ICC group. During the first nine months of oncological follow-up assessments, no statistical difference was found in the rate of patients experiencing postoperative pain, although a trend towards less pain in the ICC cohort was found. One year after surgery, the ICC cohort expressed significantly less often pain (1.5 vs. 10.8%, p = 0.035). Conclusions: Placement of an ICC provides VATS patients with improved postoperative pain relief resulting in a reduced frequency of required opioid administration, less days with opioids, and a reduced total amount of opioids consumed. Furthermore, ICC patients have significantly lower rates of CPSP one year after surgery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Review Special Issue Series: Recent Advances in Anesthesiology)
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17 pages, 14815 KiB  
Article
Effect of Scanning Electron Beam Pretreatment on Gas Carburization of 22CrMoH Gear Steel
by Wei Jiang, Jing-Jing Qu, Fei Liu, Gao Yue, Lei Zhou, Yu-Cheng Luo and Hui-Wang Ning
Coatings 2024, 14(5), 611; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14050611 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
22CrMoH was selected for the gear steel material in this work, and the temperature field change in the scanning electron beam was analyzed to determine the optimal scanning parameters and explored the effect of scanning electron beam pretreatment (Abbreviated as: SEBP) on gas-carburizing [...] Read more.
22CrMoH was selected for the gear steel material in this work, and the temperature field change in the scanning electron beam was analyzed to determine the optimal scanning parameters and explored the effect of scanning electron beam pretreatment (Abbreviated as: SEBP) on gas-carburizing (GC) efficiency and organizational properties of gear steel. The results showed that the scanning electron beam caused the material to form a thermally deformed layer 110 μm thick, and it promoted the adsorption of carbon atoms on the surface and their inward diffusion. Under the same gas-carburizing conditions, the carburizing efficiency was improved, and the thickness of the carburized layer increased from 0.78 to 1.09 mm. Furthermore, the hardness of the GC specimens with the SEBP increased from 615 to 638 HV0.05 at 0.1 mm of the sample surface, whereas the hardness of the cross-sectional region decreased gradually, indicating that the scanning electron beam enhanced the adhesion between the carburized layer and matrix zone. A comparative analysis of the microstructures of the GC specimens with and without the SEBP showed that the carbide particles in the surface layer of the samples become smaller and that of volume fraction of residual austenite reduced in size. In terms of the mechanical properties, the surface friction coefficient decreased from 0.87 to 0.46 μ and the GC specimen with the SEBP had a higher cross-sectional hardness gradient. Its friction coefficient was reduced from approximately 0.8 to almost 0.45 μ, and the wear amount of the specimens with SEBP was 47.7% of that of the matrix specimens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
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28 pages, 7265 KiB  
Review
Effect of Treated/Untreated Recycled Aggregate Concrete: Structural Behavior of RC Beams
by Ayman Abdo, Ayman El-Zohairy, Yasser Alashker, Mohamed Abd El-Aziz Badran and Sayed Ahmed
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4039; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104039 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Using recycled concrete aggregates from construction and demolition wastes on structural concrete is a sustainable solution to reduce the consumption of natural resources and the detrimental effects of concrete production on the environment. This paper has collected much data from the literature to [...] Read more.
Using recycled concrete aggregates from construction and demolition wastes on structural concrete is a sustainable solution to reduce the consumption of natural resources and the detrimental effects of concrete production on the environment. This paper has collected much data from the literature to study fresh, mechanical properties and durability of concrete made of treated/untreated recycled aggregate (RA). Furthermore, the flexural and shear behavior of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) beams was studied. This study discussed the distinctions and similarities between reinforced RAC beams and reinforced natural aggregate concrete (NAC) beams. The results of this review’s analysis clearly show that reinforced RAC beams with different RAC ratios perform structurally on par with or slightly worse than reinforced NAC beams, demonstrating the viability of RAC for structural applications. Emphasis is placed on carefully choosing and adjusting material models for recycled aggregate concrete. Ultimately, guidelines for future inquiries in this field are delineated and deliberated upon. The review will be advantageous for academics and professionals who aim to acquire a comprehensive comprehension of the behavior of RAC beams. It addresses several practical concerns connected to the numerical modeling of these components, which have not been adequately covered in existing literature. Full article
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17 pages, 898 KiB  
Article
Dupin Cyclides Passing through a Fixed Circle
by Jean Michel Menjanahary and Raimundas Vidunas
Mathematics 2024, 12(10), 1505; https://doi.org/10.3390/math12101505 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Dupin cyclides are classical algebraic surfaces of low degree. Recently, they have gained popularity in computer-aided geometric design (CAGD) and architecture owing to the fact that they contain many circles. We derive algebraic conditions that fully characterize the Dupin cyclides passing through a [...] Read more.
Dupin cyclides are classical algebraic surfaces of low degree. Recently, they have gained popularity in computer-aided geometric design (CAGD) and architecture owing to the fact that they contain many circles. We derive algebraic conditions that fully characterize the Dupin cyclides passing through a fixed circle. The results are applied to the basic problem in CAGD of the blending of Dupin cyclides along circles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geometry and Topology with Applications)
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20 pages, 2164 KiB  
Article
Culicoides Midge Abundance across Years: Modeling Inter-Annual Variation for an Avian Feeder and a Candidate Vector of Hemorrhagic Diseases in Farmed Wildlife
by Jamie S. Benn, Jeremy P. Orange, Juan Pablo Gomez, Emily T. N. Dinh, Bethany L. McGregor, Erik M. Blosser, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena, Samantha M. Wisely and Jason K. Blackburn
Viruses 2024, 16(5), 766; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16050766 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
(1) Background: Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) and bluetongue virus (BTV) are orbiviruses that cause hemorrhagic disease (HD) with significant economic and population health impacts on domestic livestock and wildlife. In the United States, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are particularly susceptible [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) and bluetongue virus (BTV) are orbiviruses that cause hemorrhagic disease (HD) with significant economic and population health impacts on domestic livestock and wildlife. In the United States, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are particularly susceptible to these viruses and are a frequent blood meal host for various species of Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) that transmit orbiviruses. The species of Culicoides that transmit EHDV and BTV vary between regions, and larval habitats can differ widely between vector species. Understanding how midges are distributed across landscapes can inform HD virus transmission risk on a local scale, allowing for improved animal management plans to avoid suspected high-risk areas or target these areas for insecticide control. (2) Methods: We used occupancy modeling to estimate the abundance of gravid (egg-laden) and parous (most likely to transmit the virus) females of two putative vector species, C. stellifer and C. venustus, and one species, C. haematopotus, that was not considered a putative vector. We developed a universal model to determine habitat preferences, then mapped a predicted weekly midge abundance during the HD transmission seasons in 2015 (July–October) and 2016 (May–October) in Florida. (3) Results: We found differences in habitat preferences and spatial distribution between the parous and gravid states for C. haematopotus and C. stellifer. Gravid midges preferred areas close to water on the border of well and poorly drained soil. They also preferred mixed bottomland hardwood habitats, whereas parous midges appeared less selective of habitat. (4) Conclusions: If C. stellifer is confirmed as an EHDV vector in this region, the distinct spatial and abundance patterns between species and physiological states suggest that the HD risk is non-random across the study area. Full article
14 pages, 991 KiB  
Article
Comorbidity-Guided Text Mining and Omics Pipeline to Identify Candidate Genes and Drugs for Alzheimer’s Disease
by Iyappan Ramalakshmi Oviya, Divya Sankar, Sharanya Manoharan, Archana Prabahar and Kalpana Raja
Genes 2024, 15(5), 614; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15050614 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder, is prevalent among the elderly population. It is a complex trait with mutations in multiple genes. Although the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a few drugs for AD treatment, a definitive cure remains [...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder, is prevalent among the elderly population. It is a complex trait with mutations in multiple genes. Although the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a few drugs for AD treatment, a definitive cure remains elusive. Research efforts persist in seeking improved treatment options for AD. Here, a hybrid pipeline is proposed to apply text mining to identify comorbid diseases for AD and an omics approach to identify the common genes between AD and five comorbid diseases—dementia, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, and Down syndrome. We further identified the pathways and drugs for common genes. The rationale behind this approach is rooted in the fact that elderly individuals often receive multiple medications for various comorbid diseases, and an insight into the genes that are common to comorbid diseases may enhance treatment strategies. We identified seven common genes—PSEN1, PSEN2, MAPT, APP, APOE, NOTCH, and HFE—for AD and five comorbid diseases. We investigated the drugs interacting with these common genes using LINCS gene–drug perturbation. Our analysis unveiled several promising candidates, including MG-132 and Masitinib, which exhibit potential efficacy for both AD and its comorbid diseases. The pipeline can be extended to other diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Human Genomics and Genetic Diseases)
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21 pages, 33254 KiB  
Article
Modelling and Prediction of Process Parameters with Low Energy Consumption in Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing Based on Machine Learning
by Haitao Zhang, Xingwang Bai, Honghui Dong and Haiou Zhang
Metals 2024, 14(5), 567; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14050567 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) has attracted increasing interest in industry and academia due to its capability to produce large and complex metallic components at a high deposition rate. One of the basic tasks in WAAM is to determine appropriate process parameters, which [...] Read more.
Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) has attracted increasing interest in industry and academia due to its capability to produce large and complex metallic components at a high deposition rate. One of the basic tasks in WAAM is to determine appropriate process parameters, which will directly affect the morphology and quality of the weld bead. However, the selection of process parameters relies heavily on empirical data from trial-and-error experiments, which results in significant time and cost expenditures. This paper employed different machine learning models, including SVR, BPNN, and XGBoost, to predict process parameters for WAAM. Furthermore, the SVR model was optimized by the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithms. A 3D laser scanner was employed to obtain the weld bead’s point cloud, and the weld bead size was extracted using the point cloud processing algorithm as the training data. The K-fold cross-validation strategy was applied to train and validate machine learning models. The comparison results showed that PSO–SVR predicted process parameters with the highest precision, with the RMSE, R2, and MAE being 1.1670, 0.9879, and 0.8310, respectively. Based on the process parameters produced by PSO–SVR, an optimal process parameter combination was chosen by taking into comprehensive consideration the impacts of power consumption and efficiency. The effectiveness of the process parameter optimization method was proved through three groups of validation experiments, with the energy consumption of the first two groups decreasing by 10.68% and 11.47%, respectively. Full article
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14 pages, 4559 KiB  
Article
Aqueous Solution of Ionic Liquid Is an Efficient Substituting Solvent System for the Extraction of Alginate from Sargassum tenerrimum
by Kinjal Moradiya, Matheus M. Pereira and Kamalesh Prasad
Sustain. Chem. 2024, 5(2), 116-129; https://doi.org/10.3390/suschem5020009 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Three ionic liquids (ILs) and three deep eutectic solvents (DESs) with identical counterparts, as well as their aqueous solutions, were prepared for the selective extraction of alginate from Sargassum tenerrimum, a brown seaweed. It was found that the ILs and their hydrated [...] Read more.
Three ionic liquids (ILs) and three deep eutectic solvents (DESs) with identical counterparts, as well as their aqueous solutions, were prepared for the selective extraction of alginate from Sargassum tenerrimum, a brown seaweed. It was found that the ILs and their hydrated systems were only able to extract alginate from the seaweed directly, while the DESs were not, as confirmed by molecular docking studies. When the quality of the polysaccharide was compared to that produced using the hydrated IL system with the widely used conventional method, it was discovered that the physicochemical and rheological characteristics of the alginate produced using the ILs as solvents were on par with those produced using the conventional method. The ILs can be seen as acceptable alternative solvents for the simple extraction of the polysaccharide straight from the seaweed given the consistency of the extraction procedure used in conventional extraction processes. The hydrated ILs were discovered to be more effective than their non-hydrated counterparts. The yield was also maximized up to 54%, which is much more than that obtained using a traditional approach. Moreover, the ionic liquids can also be recovered and reused for the extraction process. Additionally, any residual material remaining after the extraction process was converted into cellulose, making the process environmentally friendly and sustainable. Full article
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20 pages, 527 KiB  
Systematic Review
Self-Concept and Achievement in Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
by Karoline Falk and Teresa Sansour
Disabilities 2024, 4(2), 348-367; https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities4020023 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Background: Understanding self-concept in individuals with intellectual disabilities is crucial for tailored support and interventions. The research question driving this study is: What factors influence the self-concept of individuals with intellectual disabilities, and how is it assessed? Methods: Employing a systematic [...] Read more.
Background: Understanding self-concept in individuals with intellectual disabilities is crucial for tailored support and interventions. The research question driving this study is: What factors influence the self-concept of individuals with intellectual disabilities, and how is it assessed? Methods: Employing a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, studies from 1993 to 2024, which used diverse assessment tools such as the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Acceptance, Myself as a Learner Scale, and other self-report questionnaires, were analysed. Results: Factors influencing self-concept include diagnosis, age, gender, perception of control, school placement, and socioeconomic status. Internal factors like perception of control and external factors like societal attitudes interact to shape self-concept trajectories. Assessments reveal nuanced dimensions of self-perception, facilitating targeted interventions. Conclusions: Assessing self-concept among individuals with intellectual disabilities requires diverse evaluation methods. Insights gained inform tailored interventions to enhance well-being. Further research is needed to validate assessment tools across diverse populations. Recognizing the interplay of internal beliefs, external perceptions, and societal structures is crucial for empowering individuals to embrace their unique identities. Full article
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24 pages, 3671 KiB  
Article
PPSwarm: Multi-UAV Path Planning Based on Hybrid PSO in Complex Scenarios
by Qicheng Meng, Kai Chen and Qingjun Qu
Drones 2024, 8(5), 192; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones8050192 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Evolutionary algorithms exhibit flexibility and global search advantages in multi-UAV path planning, effectively addressing complex constraints. However, when there are numerous obstacles in the environment, especially narrow passageways, the algorithm often struggles to quickly find a viable path. Additionally, collaborative constraints among multiple [...] Read more.
Evolutionary algorithms exhibit flexibility and global search advantages in multi-UAV path planning, effectively addressing complex constraints. However, when there are numerous obstacles in the environment, especially narrow passageways, the algorithm often struggles to quickly find a viable path. Additionally, collaborative constraints among multiple UAVs complicate the search space, making algorithm convergence challenging. To address these issues, we propose a novel hybrid particle swarm optimization algorithm called PPSwarm. This approach initially employs the RRT* algorithm to generate an initial path, rapidly identifying a feasible solution in complex environments. Subsequently, we adopt a priority planning method to assign priorities to UAVs, simplifying collaboration among them. Furthermore, by introducing a path randomization strategy, we enhance the diversity of the particle swarm, thereby avoiding local optimum solutions. The experimental results show that, in comparison to algorithms such as DE, PSO, ABC, GWO, and SPSO, the PPSwarm algorithm demonstrates significant advantages in terms of path quality, convergence speed, and runtime when addressing path planning issues for 40 UAVs across four different scenarios. In larger-scale experiments involving 500 UAVs, the proposed algorithm also exhibits excellent processing capability and scalability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Drone Design and Development)
22 pages, 6994 KiB  
Article
Impact of Molar Composition on the Functional Properties of Glutinous Rice Starch–Chitosan Blend: Natural-Based Active Coating for Extending Mango Shelf Life
by Chawakwan Nitikornwarakul, Rodjanawan Wangpradid and Natthida Rakkapao
Polymers 2024, 16(10), 1375; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16101375 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
This study investigates natural-based blends of glutinous rice starch (GRS) and chitosan (CS), varying their molar composition (0:100, 30:70, 50:50, 70:30, and 100:0) to explore their interaction dynamics. Our findings illustrate the versatility of these blends in solution and film forms, offering applications [...] Read more.
This study investigates natural-based blends of glutinous rice starch (GRS) and chitosan (CS), varying their molar composition (0:100, 30:70, 50:50, 70:30, and 100:0) to explore their interaction dynamics. Our findings illustrate the versatility of these blends in solution and film forms, offering applications across diverse fields. Our objective is to understand their impact on coatings designed to extend the post-harvest shelf life of mangoes. Results reveal that increasing chitosan content in GRS/CS blends enhances mechanical strength, hydrophobicity, and resistance to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides infection, a common cause of mango anthracnose. These properties overcome limitations of GRS films. Advanced techniques, including FTIR analysis and stereo imaging, confirmed robust interaction between GRS/CS blend films and mango cuticles, improving coverage with higher chitosan content. This comprehensive coverage reduces mango dehydration and respiration, thereby preserving quality and extending shelf life. Coating with a GRS/CS blend containing at least 50% chitosan effectively prevents disease progression and maintains quality over a 10-day storage period, while uncoated mangoes fail to meet quality standards within 2 days. Moreover, increasing the starch proportion in GRS/CS blends enhances film density, optical properties, and reduces reliance on acidic solvents, thereby minimizing undesirable changes in product aroma and taste. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharide-Based Materials: Developments and Properties)
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10 pages, 227 KiB  
Article
Parenteral Nutrition in Palliative Cancer Care: Detrimental, Futile, or Beneficial?
by Erik Torbjørn Løhre, Tora Skeidsvoll Solheim, Gunnhild Jakobsen, Ola Magne Vagnildhaug, Terese Louise Schmidberger Karlsen, Ragnhild Hansdatter Habberstad, Trude Rakel Balstad and Morten Thronæs
Curr. Oncol. 2024, 31(5), 2748-2757; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31050208 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Palliative cancer care patients may live for a long time, but malnutrition worsens the prognosis. Parenteral nutrition (PN) is suitable for replenishing a calorie deficit, but its advantages and tolerance late in the cancer trajectory are debated. We examined symptom development in hospitalized [...] Read more.
Palliative cancer care patients may live for a long time, but malnutrition worsens the prognosis. Parenteral nutrition (PN) is suitable for replenishing a calorie deficit, but its advantages and tolerance late in the cancer trajectory are debated. We examined symptom development in hospitalized patients with and without PN. A total of 21 palliative cancer care patients receiving PN and 155 palliative cancer care patients not receiving PN during hospitalization in a specialized unit were retrospectively compared. We studied symptom intensity at admission, symptom relief during the hospital stay, and survival. The patients had locally advanced or metastatic cancer, a mean age of 70 years, and their median ECOG performance status was III. Symptom burden at admission was similar in the compared groups. Symptom relief during hospitalization was also similar. However, patients already on PN at admission reported more nausea and patients receiving PN during hospitalization reported better nausea relief compared to patients not receiving this intervention. Overall median survival was less than two months and similar in the compared groups. Based on a limited number of observations and a suboptimal study design, we were not able to demonstrate an increased symptom burden for palliative cancer care patients receiving PN late in the disease trajectory. Full article
12 pages, 1784 KiB  
Article
Pan-Genome Analysis and Secondary Metabolic Pathway Mining of Biocontrol Bacterium Brevibacillus brevis
by Jie Du, Binbin Huang, Jun Huang, Qingshan Long, Cuiyang Zhang, Zhaohui Guo, Yunsheng Wang, Wu Chen, Shiyong Tan and Qingshu Liu
Agronomy 2024, 14(5), 1024; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14051024 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Brevibacillus brevis is one of the most common biocontrol strains with broad applications in the prevention and control of plant diseases and insect pests. In order to deepen our understanding of B. brevis genomes, describe their characteristics comprehensively, and mine secondary metabolites, [...] Read more.
Brevibacillus brevis is one of the most common biocontrol strains with broad applications in the prevention and control of plant diseases and insect pests. In order to deepen our understanding of B. brevis genomes, describe their characteristics comprehensively, and mine secondary metabolites, we retrieved the genomic sequences of nine B. brevis strains that had been assembled into complete genomes from the NCBI database. These genomic sequences were analyzed using phylogenetic analysis software, pan-genome analysis software, and secondary metabolite mining software. Results revealed that the genome size of B. brevis strains ranged from 6.16 to 6.73 Mb, with GC content ranging from 47.0% to 54.0%. Phylogenetic analysis classified the nine B. brevis strains into three branches. The analyses of ANI and dDDH showed that B. brevis NEB573 had the potential to become a new species of Brevibacillus and needed further research in the future. The pan-genome analysis identified 10032 gene families, including 3257 core gene families, 3112 accessory gene families, and 3663 unique gene families. In addition, 123 secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters of 20 classes were identified in the genomes of nine B. brevis strains. The major types of biosynthetic gene clusters were non-ribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS) and transAT polyketide synthase (transAT-PKS). Furthermore, a large number of untapped secondary metabolites were identified in B. brevis. In summary, this study elucidated the pan-genome characteristics of the biocontrol bacterium B. brevis and identified its secondary metabolites, providing valuable insights for its further development and utilization. Full article
20 pages, 5680 KiB  
Article
High-Voltage Cable Buffer Layer Ablation Fault Identification Based on Artificial Intelligence and Frequency Domain Impedance Spectroscopy
by Jiajun Liu, Mingchao Ma, Xin Liu and Haokun Xu
Sensors 2024, 24(10), 3067; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24103067 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
In recent years, the occurrence of high-voltage cable buffer layer ablation faults has become frequent, posing a serious threat to the safe and stable operation of cables. Failure to promptly detect and address such faults may lead to cable breakdowns, impacting the normal [...] Read more.
In recent years, the occurrence of high-voltage cable buffer layer ablation faults has become frequent, posing a serious threat to the safe and stable operation of cables. Failure to promptly detect and address such faults may lead to cable breakdowns, impacting the normal operation of the power system. To overcome the limitations of existing methods for identifying buffer layer ablation faults in high-voltage cables, a method for identifying buffer layer ablation faults based on frequency domain impedance spectroscopy and artificial intelligence is proposed. Firstly, based on the cable distributed parameter model and frequency domain impedance spectroscopy, a mathematical model of the input impedance of a cable containing buffer layer ablation faults is derived. Through a simulation, the input impedance spectroscopy at the first end of the cables under normal conditions, buffer layer ablation, local aging, and inductive faults is performed, enabling the identification of inductive and capacitive faults through a comparative analysis. Secondly, the frequency domain amplitude spectroscopy of the buffer layer ablation and local aging faults are used as datasets and are input into a neural network model for training and validation to identify buffer layer ablation and local aging faults. Finally, using multiple evaluation metrics to assess the neural network model validates the superiority of the MLP neural network in cable fault identification models and experimentally confirms the effectiveness of the proposed method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fault Diagnosis & Sensors)
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29 pages, 1097 KiB  
Article
Control of Qubit Dynamics Using Reinforcement Learning
by Dimitris Koutromanos, Dionisis Stefanatos and Emmanuel Paspalakis
Information 2024, 15(5), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/info15050272 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
The progress in machine learning during the last decade has had a considerable impact on many areas of science and technology, including quantum technology. This work explores the application of reinforcement learning (RL) methods to the quantum control problem of state transfer in [...] Read more.
The progress in machine learning during the last decade has had a considerable impact on many areas of science and technology, including quantum technology. This work explores the application of reinforcement learning (RL) methods to the quantum control problem of state transfer in a single qubit. The goal is to create an RL agent that learns an optimal policy and thus discovers optimal pulses to control the qubit. The most crucial step is to mathematically formulate the problem of interest as a Markov decision process (MDP). This enables the use of RL algorithms to solve the quantum control problem. Deep learning and the use of deep neural networks provide the freedom to employ continuous action and state spaces, offering the expressivity and generalization of the process. This flexibility helps to formulate the quantum state transfer problem as an MDP in several different ways. All the developed methodologies are applied to the fundamental problem of population inversion in a qubit. In most cases, the derived optimal pulses achieve fidelity equal to or higher than 0.9999, as required by quantum computing applications. The present methods can be easily extended to quantum systems with more energy levels and may be used for the efficient control of collections of qubits and to counteract the effect of noise, which are important topics for quantum sensing applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Information Processing and Machine Learning)
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41 pages, 7651 KiB  
Review
Conducting Polymers in Amperometric Sensors: A State of the Art over the Last 15 Years with a Focus on Polypyrrole-, Polythiophene-, and Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-Based Materials
by Maria I. Pilo, Gavino Sanna and Nadia Spano
Chemosensors 2024, 12(5), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors12050081 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Conducting polymers are used in a wide range of applications, especially in the design and development of electrochemical sensors. Their main advantage, in this context, is their ability to efficiently modify an electrode surface using the direct polymerization of a suitable monomer in [...] Read more.
Conducting polymers are used in a wide range of applications, especially in the design and development of electrochemical sensors. Their main advantage, in this context, is their ability to efficiently modify an electrode surface using the direct polymerization of a suitable monomer in an electrochemical cell, or by physical coating. Additionally, the conducting polymers can be mixed with further materials (metal nanoparticles, carbonaceous materials) to enhance conductivity and analytical features (linear range, limit of detection, sensitivity, and selectivity). Due to their characteristics, conducting polymer-based amperometric sensors are applied to the determination of different organic and inorganic analytes. A view of recent advances in this field focusing on pyrrole, thiophene, and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene as starting materials is reported. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Electrode Materials for Electrochemical Sensing)
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9 pages, 3570 KiB  
Article
Nanosized Tungsten Powder Synthesized Using the Nitridation–Decomposition Method
by Qing-Yin He, Ben-Li Zhao and Shi-Kuan Sun
Ceramics 2024, 7(2), 680-688; https://doi.org/10.3390/ceramics7020044 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
A facile, one-step nitridation–decomposition method was developed for the synthesis of nanosized tungsten powder with a high surface area. This approach involved the nitridation of WO3 in NH3 to form mesoporous tungsten nitride (W2N), followed by in situ decomposition [...] Read more.
A facile, one-step nitridation–decomposition method was developed for the synthesis of nanosized tungsten powder with a high surface area. This approach involved the nitridation of WO3 in NH3 to form mesoporous tungsten nitride (W2N), followed by in situ decomposition of W2N to directly yield single-phase W particles. The phase and morphology evolution during the synthesis were systematically investigated and compared with the carbothermal reduction of WO3. It was revealed that powdered tungsten product with single-phase particles was obtained after nitridation at 800 °C combined with in situ decomposition at 1000 °C, displaying an average particle size of 15 nm and a large specific surface area of 6.52 m2/g. Furthermore, the proposed method avoided the limitations associated with intermediate phase formation and coarsening observed in carbothermal reduction, which resulted in the growth of W particles up to ~4.4 μm in size. This work demonstrates the potential of the nitridation–decomposition approach for the scalable and efficient synthesis of high-quality, fine-grained tungsten powder. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Electronic Ceramics)
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45 pages, 6442 KiB  
Tutorial
Seeing without a Scene: Neurological Observations on the Origin and Function of the Dorsal Visual Stream
by Robert D. Rafal
J. Intell. 2024, 12(5), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence12050050 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
In all vertebrates, visual signals from each visual field project to the opposite midbrain tectum (called the superior colliculus in mammals). The tectum/colliculus computes visual salience to select targets for context-contingent visually guided behavior: a frog will orient toward a small, moving stimulus [...] Read more.
In all vertebrates, visual signals from each visual field project to the opposite midbrain tectum (called the superior colliculus in mammals). The tectum/colliculus computes visual salience to select targets for context-contingent visually guided behavior: a frog will orient toward a small, moving stimulus (insect prey) but away from a large, looming stimulus (a predator). In mammals, visual signals competing for behavioral salience are also transmitted to the visual cortex, where they are integrated with collicular signals and then projected via the dorsal visual stream to the parietal and frontal cortices. To control visually guided behavior, visual signals must be encoded in body-centered (egocentric) coordinates, and so visual signals must be integrated with information encoding eye position in the orbit—where the individual is looking. Eye position information is derived from copies of eye movement signals transmitted from the colliculus to the frontal and parietal cortices. In the intraparietal cortex of the dorsal stream, eye movement signals from the colliculus are used to predict the sensory consequences of action. These eye position signals are integrated with retinotopic visual signals to generate scaffolding for a visual scene that contains goal-relevant objects that are seen to have spatial relationships with each other and with the observer. Patients with degeneration of the superior colliculus, although they can see, behave as though they are blind. Bilateral damage to the intraparietal cortex of the dorsal stream causes the visual scene to disappear, leaving awareness of only one object that is lost in space. This tutorial considers what we have learned from patients with damage to the colliculus, or to the intraparietal cortex, about how the phylogenetically older midbrain and the newer mammalian dorsal cortical visual stream jointly coordinate the experience of a spatially and temporally coherent visual scene. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue On the Origins and Development of Attention Networks)
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19 pages, 703 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Tobacco Straw Return to the Field to Improve the Chemical, Physical, and Biological Soil Properties and Rice Yield
by Jie Huang, Xinyue Wang, Lili Yang, Yuanhuan Li, Bing Xia, Hailin Li and Xiaohua Deng
Agronomy 2024, 14(5), 1025; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14051025 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Straw incorporation into soil contributes significantly to the sustainable development of agriculture. To investigate the impact of tobacco straw returns on a tobacco–rice replanting system, we designed an experiment with two straw return levels and a control group: T1 (full return), T2 (root [...] Read more.
Straw incorporation into soil contributes significantly to the sustainable development of agriculture. To investigate the impact of tobacco straw returns on a tobacco–rice replanting system, we designed an experiment with two straw return levels and a control group: T1 (full return), T2 (root return), and CK (no straw return). Over a three-year field experiment in rice fields in South China, we assessed the effects of tobacco straw return on soil quality, microbial diversity, dry matter accumulation, and yield composition of rice. The results demonstrated that returning tobacco straw to the field effectively enhanced rice yield by positively influencing various soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. Compared to those in the CK treatment, as the soil porosity increased from 9.0% to 12.4%, the mean weight diameter of the soil aggregates substantially increased, ranging from 28.7% to 45.2%. There were significant increases in soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and alkaline dissolved nitrogen. Soil sucrase activity increased between 29.8% and 44.9%, and urease activity increased between 4.3% and 62.2% over the three consecutive years of straw return. The diversity index of soil fungi significantly increased. Additionally, rice yield increased markedly, ranging from 1.8% to 5.1%. Overall, the enhancement effect of T1 surpassed that of T2. According to our comprehensive analysis, the incorporation of tobacco straw into the field was found to enhance the physical properties of the soil, elevate soil enzyme activity, and increase the abundance of soil microorganisms. Consequently, this practice led to improved rice yield and a reduction in agricultural waste output. Overall, the return of tobacco straw to the field represents a clean and dependable approach in rice-cultivated tobacco areas to improve soil health and rice productivity. Full article
17 pages, 3890 KiB  
Article
Study on the Influence of Particle Size Distribution on the Separation of Pyrite from Coal Gangue by Jigging
by Xinkai Hou, Zhentong Xi, Xiangfeng Wang and Wenjuan Ji
Coatings 2024, 14(5), 610; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14050610 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
The presence of pyrite poses a significant impediment to the comprehensive utilization of coal gangue, which is a prevalent solid waste in industrial production. However, the current efficacy of jig separation for pyrite in fine-grade coal gangue remains unsatisfactory. To investigate the influence [...] Read more.
The presence of pyrite poses a significant impediment to the comprehensive utilization of coal gangue, which is a prevalent solid waste in industrial production. However, the current efficacy of jig separation for pyrite in fine-grade coal gangue remains unsatisfactory. To investigate the influence of particle size distribution on the jig separation of pyrite in fine-grade coal gangue, the raw material was crushed to less than 2 mm using a jaw crusher and subsequently sieved to obtain its particle size distribution curve. Upon fitting the curve, it was observed that it tends towards the Rosin-Rammler (RRSB) and Fuller distributions. Leveraging these two-parameter distribution curves, adjustments were made to determine the mass within each particle size range before conducting thorough mixing followed by jig separation. The results indicate that for fine-grade gangue particles smaller than 2 mm, the RRSB distribution with a uniformity coefficient of n = 0.85 exhibits the most effective separation, although it is comparable to the separation achieved using the size distribution of raw ore. On the other hand, employing the Fuller distribution with modulus of distribution q = 1.5 yields superior separation performance. In comparison to the raw ore, the concentrate shows an increase in sulfur (S) and iron (Fe) content by factors of 3.4 and 2.4, respectively. Furthermore, compared to the RRSB distribution, there is an increase in S and Fe content by 1.91% and 2.30%, respectively; the contents of S and Fe in tailings is 0.71% and 2.72%, which can be directly used as raw materials for coating materials. Therefore, for fine-grade coal gangue particles, jigging under the Fuller distribution demonstrates better effectiveness than under the RRSB distribution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ceramic Coatings and Engineering Technology)
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15 pages, 9569 KiB  
Article
Spatial Image-Based Walkability Evaluation Using Regression Model
by Jiyeon Hwang, Kwangwoo Nam and Changwoo Lee
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 4079; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14104079 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Governments worldwide have invested considerable money and time into creating pedestrian-oriented urban environments. However, generalizing arbitrary standards for walking environments is challenging. Therefore, this study presents a method for predicting walkability scores of evaluations using five regression models, including Multiple linear, Ridge, LASSO [...] Read more.
Governments worldwide have invested considerable money and time into creating pedestrian-oriented urban environments. However, generalizing arbitrary standards for walking environments is challenging. Therefore, this study presents a method for predicting walkability scores of evaluations using five regression models, including Multiple linear, Ridge, LASSO regression, SVR, and XGBoost. The models were trained using semantic segmentation, walkability evaluations based on crowdsourcing, and image scores obtained using the TrueSkill algorithm, and their performances were compared. Feature selection was employed to improve the accuracies of the models, which were retrained using the importance of extracted features. Among the five regression models, XGBoost, a tree-based regression model, exhibited the lowest error rate, high accuracy, and greatest performance improvement after retraining. This study is expected to generalize the walking environments preferred by various people and demonstrate that objective walkability evaluations are possible through a computer system rather than through subjective human judgment. Full article
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15 pages, 6174 KiB  
Article
Forecast of Current and Future Distributions of Corythucha marmorata (Uhler) under Climate Change in China
by Ningning Li, Jiaxuan Zhang, Chao Tan, Xi Zhu, Suyan Cao and Cuiqing Gao
Forests 2024, 15(5), 843; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15050843 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Corythucha marmorata (Uhler) emerged as an invasive pest in China around 2010, posing a significant threat to plants within the Asteraceae family. Employing the MaxEnt model, this study endeavors to anticipate the potential geographic distribution of Corythucha marmorata amid present and forthcoming climatic [...] Read more.
Corythucha marmorata (Uhler) emerged as an invasive pest in China around 2010, posing a significant threat to plants within the Asteraceae family. Employing the MaxEnt model, this study endeavors to anticipate the potential geographic distribution of Corythucha marmorata amid present and forthcoming climatic conditions, utilizing a dataset of 60 distributional occurrences alongside environmental parameters. The results revealed that presently, suitable regions span from 18–47° N to 103–128° E, with pronounced suitability concentrated notably in Jiangsu, Shanghai, Anhui, Hubei, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Chongqing, and Sichuan. Projections suggested a general expansion of suitable habitats, albeit with exceptions noted in SSP1–2.6 and SSP2–4.5 scenarios in the 2050s and SSP5–8.5 in the 2070s. The potential suitability of areas for Corythucha marmorata was influenced by major factors such as precipitation in the warmest quarter (bio18), mean temperature in the warmest quarter (bio10), mean temperature in the wettest quarter (bio8), and annual precipitation (bio12). Notably, temperature and precipitation emerge as primary determinants affecting both current and future ranges. In comparison with the current distributional area, there was a trend towards increasing the potentially suitable areas in the future. Moreover, there was a greater risk of spreading to the north of China in the future. This study serves as a pivotal resource for guiding future endeavors in monitoring, early detection, and preventative management strategies targeting Corythucha marmorata. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Assessment and Management of Forest Pest Outbreaks)
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