The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
39 pages, 4818 KiB  
Review
Revolutionizing Sustainable Nonwoven Fabrics: The Potential Use of Agricultural Waste and Natural Fibres for Nonwoven Fabric
by Hamdam Gaminian, Behzad Ahvazi, J. John Vidmar, Usukuma Ekuere and Sharon Regan
Biomass 2024, 4(2), 363-401; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomass4020018 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
There has been a growing interest in recycling and upcycling different waste streams due to concerns for environmental protection. This has prompted the desire to develop circular economies and optimize the utilization of bioresources for different industrial sectors. Turning agricultural and forestry waste [...] Read more.
There has been a growing interest in recycling and upcycling different waste streams due to concerns for environmental protection. This has prompted the desire to develop circular economies and optimize the utilization of bioresources for different industrial sectors. Turning agricultural and forestry waste streams into high-performance materials is a promising and meaningful strategy for creating value-added materials. Lignocellulose fibres from plants are emerging as a potential candidate for eco-friendly feedstock in the textile industry. Nonwoven fabric is one of the most innovative and promising categories for the textile industry since it currently utilizes about 66% synthetic materials. In the upcoming wave of nonwoven products, we can expect an increased utilization of natural and renewable materials, particularly with a focus on incorporating lignocellulosic materials as both binders and fibre components. The introduction of low-cost fibres from waste residue materials to produce high-performance nonwoven fabrics represents a shift towards more environmentally sustainable paradigms in various applications and they represent ecological and inexpensive alternatives to conventional petroleum-derived materials. Here, we review potential technologies for using agricultural waste fibres in nonwoven products. Full article
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29 pages, 8036 KiB  
Article
Random Responses of Shield Tunnel to New Tunnel Undercrossing Considering Spatial Variability of Soil Elastic Modulus
by Xiaolu Gan, Nianwu Liu, Adam Bezuijen and Xiaonan Gong
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 3949; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093949 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
This paper investigates the effect of spatial variability of soil elastic modulus on the longitudinal responses of the existing shield tunnel to the new tunnel undercrossing using a random two-stage analysis method (RTSAM). The Timoshenko–Winkler-based deterministic method considering longitudinal variation in the subgrade [...] Read more.
This paper investigates the effect of spatial variability of soil elastic modulus on the longitudinal responses of the existing shield tunnel to the new tunnel undercrossing using a random two-stage analysis method (RTSAM). The Timoshenko–Winkler-based deterministic method considering longitudinal variation in the subgrade reaction coefficient and the random field of the soil elastic modulus discretized by the Karhunen–Loeve expansion method are combined to establish the RTSAM. Then, the proposed RTSAM is applied to carry out a random analysis based on an actual engineering case. Results show that the increases in the scale of fluctuation and the coefficient of variation of the soil elastic modulus lead to higher variabilities of tunnel responses. A decreasing pillar depth and mean value of the soil elastic modulus and an increasing skew angle strengthen the effect of the spatial variability of the soil elastic modulus on tunnel responses. The variabilities of tunnel responses under the random field of the soil elastic modulus are overestimated by the Euler–Bernoulli beam model. The results of this study provide references for the uncertainty analysis of the new tunneling-induced responses of the existing tunnel under the random field of soil properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Civil Engineering)
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12 pages, 844 KiB  
Article
Expression of Potential Antibody–Drug Conjugate Targets in Cervical Cancer
by Michael R. Mallmann, Sina Tamir, Katharina Alfter, Dominik Ratiu, Alexander Quaas and Christian M. Domroese
Cancers 2024, 16(9), 1787; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16091787 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
(1) Background: There is a huge unmet clinical need for novel treatment strategies in advanced and recurrent cervical cancer. Several cell membrane-bound molecules are up-regulated in cancer cells as compared to normal tissue and have revived interest with the introduction of antibody–drug conjugates [...] Read more.
(1) Background: There is a huge unmet clinical need for novel treatment strategies in advanced and recurrent cervical cancer. Several cell membrane-bound molecules are up-regulated in cancer cells as compared to normal tissue and have revived interest with the introduction of antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs). (2) Methods: In this study, we characterize the expression of 10 potential ADC targets, TROP2, mesotheline, CEACAM5, DLL3, folate receptor alpha, guanylatcyclase, glycoprotein NMB, CD56, CD70 and CD138, on the gene expression level. Of these, the three ADC targets TROP2, CEACAM5 and CD138 were further analyzed on the protein level. (3) Results: TROP2 shows expression in 98.5% (66/67) of cervical cancer samples. CEACAM5 shows a stable gene expression profile and overall, 68.7% (46/67) of cervical cancer samples are CEACAM-positive with 34.3% (23/67) of cervical cancer samples showing at least moderate or high expression. Overall, 73.1% (49/67) of cervical cancer samples are CD138-positive with 38.8% (26/67) of cervical cancer samples showing at least moderate or high expression. (4) Conclusions: TROP2, CEACAM5 or CD138 do seem suitable for further clinical research and the data presented here might be used to guide further clinical trials with ADCs in advanced and recurrent cervical cancer patients. Full article
24 pages, 1715 KiB  
Article
Potential Utilization of Loess in Grouting Materials: Effects of Grinding Time and Calcination Temperature
by Hao Bai, Kai Wang, Xiaoqiang Zhang, Yulong Jiang and Shiyu Zhang
Minerals 2024, 14(5), 490; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14050490 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
There is a huge reservation of loess in the Shanxi mining area in China, which has great potential for preparing supplementary cementitious materials. Loess was modified via mechanical and thermal activation, and the pozzolanic activity was evaluated using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical [...] Read more.
There is a huge reservation of loess in the Shanxi mining area in China, which has great potential for preparing supplementary cementitious materials. Loess was modified via mechanical and thermal activation, and the pozzolanic activity was evaluated using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES). Moreover, the workability of grouting materials prepared using modified loess was assessed. The experimental results revealed that the number of ultrafine particles gradually increased with the grinding time, enhancing the grouting performance. The coordination number of Al decreased upon the breakage of the Al–O–Si bond post-calcination at 400 °C, 550 °C, 700 °C, and 850 °C. Moreover, the breaking of the Si–O covalent bond produced Si-phases, and the pozzolanic activity of loess increased. Furthermore, the modified loess was hydrated with different cement proportions. With increasing grinding time, the overall setting time increased until the longest time of 14.5 h and the fluidity of the slurry decreased until the lowest fluidity of 9.7 cm. However, the fluidity and setting time decreased with increasing calcination temperature. The lowest values were 12.03 cm and 10.05 h. With the increase in pozzolanic activity, more ettringite was produced via hydration, which enhanced the mechanical properties. The maximum strength of the hydrated loess after grinding for 20 min reached 16.5 MPa. The strength of the hydrated loess calcined at 850 °C reached 21 MPa. These experimental findings provide theoretical support for the practical application of loess in grouting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Clays and Other Industrial Mineral Materials)
24 pages, 1103 KiB  
Review
Modulation of Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation by Cannabidiol (CBD): Promising Targets for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
by Jordan P. Hickey, Andrila E. Collins, Mackayla L. Nelson, Helen Chen and Bettina E. Kalisch
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(5), 4379-4402; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46050266 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and the most common form of dementia globally. Although the direct cause of AD remains under debate, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress are critical components in its pathogenesis and progression. As a result, compounds like cannabidiol [...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and the most common form of dementia globally. Although the direct cause of AD remains under debate, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress are critical components in its pathogenesis and progression. As a result, compounds like cannabidiol (CBD) are being increasingly investigated for their ability to provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory neuroprotection. CBD is the primary non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid derived from Cannabis sativa. It has been found to provide beneficial outcomes in a variety of medical conditions and is gaining increasing attention for its potential therapeutic application in AD. CBD is not psychoactive and its lipophilic nature allows its rapid distribution throughout the body, including across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). CBD also possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties, making it a viable candidate for AD treatment. This review outlines CBD’s mechanism of action, the role of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in AD, and the effectiveness and limitations of CBD in preclinical models of AD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Neuroinflammation)
23 pages, 323 KiB  
Article
Direct-Injection UHPLC-MS/MS Method for Simultaneous Determination of 78 Illegal Drugs and Psychoactive Substances in Domestic Wastewater
by Kan Li, Yiling Hu, Yuke Jiang, Xing Han, Xin Liu and Mingluo Du
Water 2024, 16(9), 1315; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16091315 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
The determination of illegal drugs and psychoactive substances in wastewater is increasingly being used to monitor the use of both by populations in specific areas. This article describes a method for the simultaneous determination of 78 illegal drugs and psychoactive substances in wastewater [...] Read more.
The determination of illegal drugs and psychoactive substances in wastewater is increasingly being used to monitor the use of both by populations in specific areas. This article describes a method for the simultaneous determination of 78 illegal drugs and psychoactive substances in wastewater using direct-injection ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). This method includes the analysis of stimulants, opioids, antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, anti-anxiety drugs, and hallucinogens. The method was validated in terms of the selectivity, calibration range, recovery, matrix effects, accuracy, precision, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ). The correlation coefficients were higher than 0.99 for all analytes, and the calibration range was from 0.2 to 500 ng/L. The LOD and LOQ of this method were 0.1–1 ng/L and 0.2–5 ng/L, respectively. The intra- and inter-day precisions were <9.3% and 11.4%, respectively, and the recovery ranged from 81.3% to 117.7%. The method was applied to real domestic wastewater collected from wastewater treatment plants, and the results showed that morphine, codeine, and ephedrine were detected in all samples. Some samples also contained other illegal drugs and psychoactive substances (such as etomidate, methamphetamine, ketamine, and tramadol). This indicates that the direct-injection UHPLC-MS/MS method can be used for the rapid determination of illegal drugs and psychoactive substances in wastewater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE) Research)
18 pages, 644 KiB  
Article
Reliability and Detectability of Emergency Management Systems in Smart Cities under Common Cause Failures
by Thiago C. Jesus, Paulo Portugal, Daniel G. Costa and Francisco Vasques
Sensors 2024, 24(9), 2955; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24092955 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
Urban areas are undergoing significant changes with the rise of smart cities, with technology transforming how cities develop through enhanced connectivity and data-driven services. However, these advancements also bring new challenges, especially in dealing with urban emergencies that can disrupt city life and [...] Read more.
Urban areas are undergoing significant changes with the rise of smart cities, with technology transforming how cities develop through enhanced connectivity and data-driven services. However, these advancements also bring new challenges, especially in dealing with urban emergencies that can disrupt city life and infrastructure. The emergency management systems have become crucial elements for enabling cities to better handle urban emergencies, although ensuring the reliability and detectability of such system remains critical. This article introduces a new method to perform reliability and detectability assessments. By using Fault Tree Markov chain models, this article evaluates their performance under extreme conditions, providing valuable insights for designing and operating urban emergency systems. These analyses fill a gap in the existing research, offering a comprehensive understanding of emergency management systems functionality in complex urban settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sensor Networks)
18 pages, 2852 KiB  
Article
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profile Analysis of the Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase Gene Family in Hevea brasiliensis
by Hui Liu, Qiguang He, Yiyu Hu, Ruilin Lu, Shuang Wu, Chengtian Feng, Kun Yuan and Zhenhui Wang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(9), 5052; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25095052 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
The majority of the world’s natural rubber comes from the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). As a key enzyme for synthesizing phenylpropanoid compounds, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) has a critical role in plant satisfactory growth and environmental adaptation. To clarify the characteristics of [...] Read more.
The majority of the world’s natural rubber comes from the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). As a key enzyme for synthesizing phenylpropanoid compounds, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) has a critical role in plant satisfactory growth and environmental adaptation. To clarify the characteristics of rubber tree PAL family genes, a genome-wide characterization of rubber tree PALs was conducted in this study. Eight PAL genes (HbPAL1-HbPAL8), which spread over chromosomes 3, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, and 18, were found to be present in the genome of H. brasiliensis. Phylogenetic analysis classified HbPALs into groups I and II, and the group I HbPALs (HbPAL1-HbPAL6) displayed similar conserved motif compositions and gene architectures. Tissue expression patterns of HbPALs quantified by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) proved that distinct HbPALs exhibited varying tissue expression patterns. The HbPAL promoters contained a plethora of cis-acting elements that responded to hormones and stress, and the qPCR analysis demonstrated that abiotic stressors like cold, drought, salt, and H2O2-induced oxidative stress, as well as hormones like salicylic acid, abscisic acid, ethylene, and methyl jasmonate, controlled the expression of HbPALs. The majority of HbPALs were also regulated by powdery mildew, anthracnose, and Corynespora leaf fall disease infection. In addition, HbPAL1, HbPAL4, and HbPAL7 were significantly up-regulated in the bark of tapping panel dryness rubber trees relative to that of healthy trees. Our results provide a thorough comprehension of the characteristics of HbPAL genes and set the groundwork for further investigation of the biological functions of HbPALs in rubber trees. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Genetics and Genomics)
21 pages, 6416 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Fermentation Culture Medium for Sanghuangporus alpinus Using Response-Surface Methodology
by Yuhan Gao, Xiaomin Li, Hui Xu, Huijuan Sun, Junli Zhang, Xiaoping Wu and Junsheng Fu
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 474; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050474 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
The newly identified Sanghuangporus alpinus species of the Sanghuang mushroom genus has been found to possess significant medical benefits. However, the current artificial cultivation technology has not reached the requisite maturity. The response-surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the Sanghuangporus alpinus culture [...] Read more.
The newly identified Sanghuangporus alpinus species of the Sanghuang mushroom genus has been found to possess significant medical benefits. However, the current artificial cultivation technology has not reached the requisite maturity. The response-surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the Sanghuangporus alpinus culture medium formulation and evaluate the functional activity of S. alpinus exopolysaccharides. First, a single-factor experiment was conducted to screen for optimal carbon and nitrogen sources for S. alpinus. Then, using Box–Behnken’s central composite design, a response-surface experiment was conducted to determine optimal culture parameters. Finally, the rationality of those parameters was assessed in a shaking flask experiment. The optimal culture parameters, determined through regression analysis, were 20.20 ± 0.17 g/L fructose (carbon source), 7.29 ± 0.10 g/L yeast extract (nitrogen source), and 0.99 ± 0.01 g/L dandelion. With optimization, the S. alpinus yield increased to 12.79 ± 1.41 g/L, twice that obtained from the initial culture medium. The S. alpinus exopolysaccharide exhibited an excellent antioxidant capacity, with the strongest scavenging effect noted on ABTS free radicals (lowest half-inhibitory concentration: 0.039 mg/mL). Additionally, this exopolysaccharide effectively inhibited various cancer cells, exhibiting the strongest activity against human glioma cells U251 (half-inhibitory concentration: 0.91 mg/mL). The RSM used to optimize the fermentation culture parameters of S. alpinus significantly increased the mycelial biomass. The improvement of Sanghuangporus alpinus yield through liquid fermentation and optimizing the fermentation medium could fill the existing gap in the cultivation of Sanghuangporus alpinus, as well as provide valuable data for the large-scale production of S. alpinus. Full article
23 pages, 1990 KiB  
Article
Spatial-Temporal Heterogeneity and Decoupling Mechanism of Resource Curse, Environmental Regulation and Resource Industry Transformation in Post-Development Areas: Evidence from Inner Mongolia, China
by Mingkai Liu, Hongyan Zhang, Changxin Liu and Xiaoju Gong
Land 2024, 13(5), 624; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050624 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
Resource curse and environmental regulation are the key bottlenecks that hinder the sustainable development of the resource industry. A reasonable assessment of the decoupling relationship between resource supply, environment regulation and resource industry transformation is helpful to promote the decision-making of industrial restructuring [...] Read more.
Resource curse and environmental regulation are the key bottlenecks that hinder the sustainable development of the resource industry. A reasonable assessment of the decoupling relationship between resource supply, environment regulation and resource industry transformation is helpful to promote the decision-making of industrial restructuring in post-development regions. Taking Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China as the research object, panel data related to resources, environment and industry from 2010 to 2021 are selected to evaluate the spatial and temporal evolution of regional resource supply security, environmental regulatory pressure and resource industry transformation efficiency, measure the decoupling index among the factors, and use geographic detector technology to identify the constraints affecting factor decoupling. The results show the following: (1) the resource curse effect of Inner Mongolia is not significant, and some resource industries have prominent advantages; (2) the security of resource supply and the transformation efficiency of the resource industry show overall upward trend, the pressure of environmental regulation is basically balanced, and the development level of factors in resource-endowed regions and central cities is relatively high; (3) the spatial and temporal evolution of the decoupling relationship between resource supply, environmental regulation and resource industry transformation is uncertain, and the resilience of regional economic and social governance is poor; (4) resource endowment and resource industry advantages are the key that restricts the decoupling of factors, and the cumulative effect of ecological governance is likely to lead to the randomness of the decoupling of environmental regulation and resource industry transformation. In addition, this study suggests that the post-development areas should pay attention to the classification of resource industry relief, trans-regional economic and social collaborative governance and special resources exploitation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Land Environmental and Policy Impact Assessment)
25 pages, 524 KiB  
Article
Fractal Numerical Investigation of Mixed Convective Prandtl-Eyring Nanofluid Flow with Space and Temperature-Dependent Heat Source
by Yasir Nawaz, Muhammad Shoaib Arif, Muavia Mansoor, Kamaleldin Abodayeh and Amani S. Baazeem
Fractal Fract. 2024, 8(5), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/fractalfract8050276 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
An explicit computational scheme is proposed for solving fractal time-dependent partial differential equations (PDEs). The scheme is a three-stage scheme constructed using the fractal Taylor series. The fractal time order of the scheme is three. The scheme also ensures stability. The approach is [...] Read more.
An explicit computational scheme is proposed for solving fractal time-dependent partial differential equations (PDEs). The scheme is a three-stage scheme constructed using the fractal Taylor series. The fractal time order of the scheme is three. The scheme also ensures stability. The approach is utilized to model the time-varying boundary layer flow of a non-Newtonian fluid over both stationary and oscillating surfaces, taking into account the influence of heat generation that depends on both space and temperature. The continuity equation of the considered incompressible fluid is discretized by first-order backward difference formulas, whereas the dimensionless Navier–Stokes equation, energy, and equation for nanoparticle volume fraction are discretized by the proposed scheme in fractal time. The effect of different parameters involved in the velocity, temperature, and nanoparticle volume fraction are displayed graphically. The velocity profile rises as the parameter I grows. We primarily apply this computational approach to analyze a non-Newtonian fluid’s fractal time-dependent boundary layer flow over flat and oscillatory sheets. Considering spatial and temperature-dependent heat generation is a crucial factor that introduces additional complexity to the analysis. The continuity equation for the incompressible fluid is discretized using first-order backward difference formulas. On the other hand, the dimensionless Navier–Stokes equation, energy equation, and the equation governing nanoparticle volume fraction are discretized using the proposed fractal time-dependent scheme. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heat Transfer and Diffusion Processes in Fractal Domains)
19 pages, 5235 KiB  
Article
Investigation of the Causes of Soft-Storey and Weak-Storey Formations in Low- and Mid-Rise RC Buildings in Türkiye
by Hakan Ulutaş
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1308; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051308 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
This study investigates the causes of soft-storey and weak-storey formations in low- and mid-rise RC (Reinforced Concrete) buildings in Türkiye. In the first phase of the study, 96 model buildings were designated for the examination of soft-storey irregularity when the ground floors are [...] Read more.
This study investigates the causes of soft-storey and weak-storey formations in low- and mid-rise RC (Reinforced Concrete) buildings in Türkiye. In the first phase of the study, 96 model buildings were designated for the examination of soft-storey irregularity when the ground floors are used for commercial purposes and the upper floors for residential use. The ground floor heights that would cause soft-storey irregularity in each of the selected buildings were determined according to the formulas given in the Türkiye Building Earthquake Code (TBEC) and the American Society of Civil Engineers Standard (ASCE). It was found that the ground floor heights obtained according to ASCE are usable in practice, whereas those obtained according to the TBEC, particularly for buildings over three storeys, are excessively high for practical use. This indicates that, even if the buildings in Türkiye are designed with very high ground floor heights, they do not have soft-storey irregularities, according to the TBEC, but soft-storey formation may occur in these buildings due to the high ground floor height as a result of the effects of earthquakes. Instead of the soft-storey irregularity coefficient limit value (nki > 2) found in the TBEC, this study proposes a new limit value to prevent the design of buildings with very high ground floors. In the second phase of the study, for the purpose of examining weak-storey irregularity, 105 model buildings differing in their infill wall layout, number of spans, span length, and number of storeys were selected. The weak-storey irregularity coefficients of each of these models were determined according to the TBEC. The results of the study revealed that buildings with no infill walls in one direction or with infill walls in only one of the exterior axes in one direction have a high risk of having weak storeys. Full article
17 pages, 2611 KiB  
Article
Optimal Scheduling Strategy for Distribution Network with Mobile Energy Storage System and Offline Control PVs to Minimize the Solar Energy Curtailment
by San Kim and Jinyeong Lee
Energies 2024, 17(9), 2234; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17092234 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
As offline control photovoltaic (PV) plants are not equipped with online communication and remote control systems, they cannot adjust their power in real-time. Therefore, in a distribution network saturated with offline control PVs, the distribution system operator (DSO) should schedule the distributed energy [...] Read more.
As offline control photovoltaic (PV) plants are not equipped with online communication and remote control systems, they cannot adjust their power in real-time. Therefore, in a distribution network saturated with offline control PVs, the distribution system operator (DSO) should schedule the distributed energy resources (DERs) considering the uncertainty of renewable energy to prevent curtailment due to overvoltage. This paper presents a day-ahead network operation strategy using a mobile energy storage system (MESS) and offline control PVs to minimize power curtailment. The MESS model efficiently considers the transportation time and power loss of the MESS, and models various operating modes, such as the charging, discharging, idle, and moving modes. The optimization problem is formulated based on mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) considering the spatial and temporal operation constraints of MESSs and is performed using chanced constrained optimal power flow (CC-OPF). The upper limits for offline control PVs are set based on the probabilistic approach, thus mitigating overvoltage due to forecasting errors. The proposed operation strategy was tested in the IEEE 33-node distribution system coupled with a 15-node transportation system. The test results show the effectiveness of the proposed method for minimizing curtailment in offline control PVs. Full article
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16 pages, 8155 KiB  
Article
Interfacing Langmuir–Blodgett and Pickering Emulsions for the Synthesis of 2D Nanostructured Films: Applications in Copper Ion Adsorption
by Andrei Honciuc, Oana-Iuliana Negru and Mirela Honciuc
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(9), 809; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14090809 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
This research focuses on developing a 2D thin film comprising a monolayer of silica nanoparticles functionalized with polyethyleneimine (PEI), achieved through a novel integration of Langmuir–Blodgett (L-B) and Pickering emulsion techniques. The primary aim was to create a nanostructured film that exhibits dual [...] Read more.
This research focuses on developing a 2D thin film comprising a monolayer of silica nanoparticles functionalized with polyethyleneimine (PEI), achieved through a novel integration of Langmuir–Blodgett (L-B) and Pickering emulsion techniques. The primary aim was to create a nanostructured film that exhibits dual functionality: iridescence and efficient metal ion adsorption, specifically Cu(II) ions. The methodology combined L-B and Pickering emulsion polymerization to assemble and stabilize a nanoparticle monolayer at an oil/water interface, which was then polymerized under UV radiation to form an asymmetrically structured film. The results demonstrate that the film possesses a high adsorption efficiency for Cu(II) ions, with the enhanced mechanical durability provided by a reinforcing layer of polyvinyl alcohol/glycerol. The advantage of combining L-B and Pickering emulsion technology is the ability to generate 2D films from functional nanoparticle monolayers that are sufficiently sturdy to be deployed in applications. The 2D film’s practical applications in environmental remediation were confirmed through its ability to adsorb and recover Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions effectively. We thus demonstrate the film’s potential as a versatile tool in water treatment applications owing to its combined photonic and adsorptive properties. This work paves the way for future research on the use of nanoengineered films in environmental and possibly photonic applications focusing on enhancing the film’s structural robustness and exploring its broader applicability to other pollutants and metal ions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Morphological Design and Synthesis of Nanoparticles (Second Edition))
17 pages, 1250 KiB  
Article
Improving Adversarial Robustness of ECG Classification Based on Lipschitz Constraints and Channel Activation Suppression
by Xin Chen, Yujuan Si, Zhanyuan Zhang, Wenke Yang and Jianchao Feng
Sensors 2024, 24(9), 2954; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24092954 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
Deep neural networks (DNNs) are increasingly important in the medical diagnosis of electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. However, research has shown that DNNs are highly vulnerable to adversarial examples, which can be created by carefully crafted perturbations. This vulnerability can lead to potential medical accidents. [...] Read more.
Deep neural networks (DNNs) are increasingly important in the medical diagnosis of electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. However, research has shown that DNNs are highly vulnerable to adversarial examples, which can be created by carefully crafted perturbations. This vulnerability can lead to potential medical accidents. This poses new challenges for the application of DNNs in the medical diagnosis of ECG signals. This paper proposes a novel network Channel Activation Suppression with Lipschitz Constraints Net (CASLCNet), which employs the Channel-wise Activation Suppressing (CAS) strategy to dynamically adjust the contribution of different channels to the class prediction and uses the 1-Lipschitz’s distance network as a robust classifier to reduce the impact of adversarial perturbations on the model itself in order to increase the adversarial robustness of the model. The experimental results demonstrate that CASLCNet achieves scores of 91.03% and 83.01% when subjected to PGD attacks on the MIT-BIH and CPSC2018 datasets, respectively, which proves that the proposed method in this paper enhances the model’s adversarial robustness while maintaining a high accuracy rate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sensors Technology and Application in ECG Signal Processing)
22 pages, 2822 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Fetal Electrocardiogram Signal Extraction Accuracy through a CycleGAN Utilizing Combined CNN–BiLSTM Architecture
by Yuyao Yang, Lin Chen and Shuicai Wu
Sensors 2024, 24(9), 2948; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24092948 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
The fetal electrocardiogram (FECG) records changes in the graph of fetal cardiac action potential during conduction, reflecting the developmental status of the fetus in utero and its physiological cardiac activity. Morphological alterations in the FECG can indicate intrauterine hypoxia, fetal distress, and neonatal [...] Read more.
The fetal electrocardiogram (FECG) records changes in the graph of fetal cardiac action potential during conduction, reflecting the developmental status of the fetus in utero and its physiological cardiac activity. Morphological alterations in the FECG can indicate intrauterine hypoxia, fetal distress, and neonatal asphyxia early on, enhancing maternal and fetal safety through prompt clinical intervention, thereby reducing neonatal morbidity and mortality. To reconstruct FECG signals with clear morphological information, this paper proposes a novel deep learning model, CBLS-CycleGAN. The model’s generator combines spatial features extracted by the CNN with temporal features extracted by the BiLSTM network, thus ensuring that the reconstructed signals possess combined features with spatial and temporal dependencies. The model’s discriminator utilizes PatchGAN, employing small segments of the signal as discriminative inputs to concentrate the training process on capturing signal details. Evaluating the model using two real FECG signal databases, namely “Abdominal and Direct Fetal ECG Database” and “Fetal Electrocardiograms, Direct and Abdominal with Reference Heartbeat Annotations”, resulted in a mean MSE and MAE of 0.019 and 0.006, respectively. It detects the FQRS compound wave with a sensitivity, positive predictive value, and F1 of 99.51%, 99.57%, and 99.54%, respectively. This paper’s model effectively preserves the morphological information of FECG signals, capturing not only the FQRS compound wave but also the fetal P-wave, T-wave, P-R interval, and ST segment information, providing clinicians with crucial diagnostic insights and a scientific foundation for developing rational treatment protocols. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biomedical Sensors)
21 pages, 19406 KiB  
Article
A Phosphorylated Dendrimer-Supported Biomass-Derived Magnetic Nanoparticle Adsorbent for Efficient Uranium Removal
by Mingyang Ma, Qunyin Luo, Ruidong Han, Hongyi Wang, Junjie Yang and Chunyuan Liu
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(9), 810; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14090810 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
A novel biomass-based magnetic nanoparticle (Fe3O4-P-CMC/PAMAM) was synthesized by crosslinking carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) and poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM), followed by phosphorylation with the incorporation of magnetic ferric oxide nanoparticles. The characterization results verified the successful functionalization and structural integrity of the [...] Read more.
A novel biomass-based magnetic nanoparticle (Fe3O4-P-CMC/PAMAM) was synthesized by crosslinking carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) and poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM), followed by phosphorylation with the incorporation of magnetic ferric oxide nanoparticles. The characterization results verified the successful functionalization and structural integrity of the adsorbents with a surface area of ca. 43 m2/g. Batch adsorption experiments revealed that the adsorbent exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 1513.47 mg·g−1 for U(VI) at pH 5.5 and 298.15 K, with Fe3O4-P-CMC/G1.5-2 showing the highest affinity among the series. The adsorption kinetics adhered to a pseudo-second-order model (R2 = 0.99, qe,exp = 463.81 mg·g−1, k2 = 2.15×10−2 g·mg−1·min−1), indicating a chemically driven process. Thermodynamic analysis suggested that the adsorption was endothermic and spontaneous (ΔH° = 14.71 kJ·mol−1, ΔG° = −50.63 kJ·mol−1, 298. 15 K), with increasing adsorption capacity at higher temperatures. The adsorbent demonstrated significant selectivity for U(VI) in the presence of competing cations, with Fe3O4-P-CMC/G1.5-2 showing a high selectivity coefficient. The performed desorption and reusability tests indicated that the adsorbent could be effectively regenerated using 1M HCl, maintaining its adsorption capacity after five cycles. XPS analysis highlighted the role of phosphonate and amino groups in the complexation with uranyl ions, and validated the existence of bimodal U4f peaks at 380.1 eV and 390.1 eV belonging to U 4f7/2 and U 4f5/2. The results of this study underscore the promise of the developed adsorbent as an effective and selective material for the treatment of uranium-contaminated wastewater. Full article
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20 pages, 990 KiB  
Article
Divergent Synthesis of 5,7-Diazaullazines Derivatives through a Combination of Cycloisomerization with Povarov or Alkyne–Carbonyl Metathesis
by Jonas Polkaehn, Peter Ehlers, Alexander Villinger and Peter Langer
Molecules 2024, 29(9), 2159; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092159 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
Ullazines and their π-expanded derivatives have gained much attention as active components in various applications, such as in organic photovoltaic cells or as photosensitizers for CO2 photoreduction. Here, we report the divergent synthesis of functionalized diazaullazines by means of two different domino-reactions [...] Read more.
Ullazines and their π-expanded derivatives have gained much attention as active components in various applications, such as in organic photovoltaic cells or as photosensitizers for CO2 photoreduction. Here, we report the divergent synthesis of functionalized diazaullazines by means of two different domino-reactions consisting of either a Povarov/cycloisomerization or alkyne–carbonyl metathesis/cycloisomerization protocol. The corresponding quinolino-diazaullazine and benzoyl-diazaullazine derivatives were obtained in moderate to good yields. Their optical and electronic properties were studied and compared to related, literature-known compounds to obtain insights into the impact of nitrogen doping and π-expansion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Organic Chemistry)
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20 pages, 12167 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)
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20 pages, 1754 KiB  
Article
Rare-Earth-Ion (RE3+)-Doped Aluminum and Lanthanum Borates for Mobile-Phone-Interrogated Luminescent Markers
by Katya Hristova, Irena P. Kostova, Tinko A. Eftimov, Daniel Brabant and Samia Fouzar
Photonics 2024, 11(5), 434; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics11050434 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
In this paper, we present the synthesis and luminescent spectra of rare-earth (RE)-doped aluminum and lanthanum borates intended to serve as narrow excitation–emission band fluorescent markers. We perform a detailed 3D excitation–emission matrix (EEM) analysis of their spectra, compare the measurements from both [...] Read more.
In this paper, we present the synthesis and luminescent spectra of rare-earth (RE)-doped aluminum and lanthanum borates intended to serve as narrow excitation–emission band fluorescent markers. We perform a detailed 3D excitation–emission matrix (EEM) analysis of their spectra, compare the measurements from both standard and mobile phone spectrometers, and outline the basic differences and advantages of each method. While smartphones have a different and non-uniform spectral response compared to standard spectrometers, it is shown that they offer a number of advantages such as contactless interrogation, efficient suppression of the UV excitation light, and simultaneous spectral analysis of spatially arranged arrays of fluorescent markers. The basic emission peaks have been observed and their corresponding electronic transitions identified. The obtained results show that the rare-earth-doped La and Al borates feature excitation–emission bandwidths as low 15 nm/12 nm, which makes them particularly appropriate for use as luminescent markers with UV LED excitation and smartphone interrogation. Full article
15 pages, 1437 KiB  
Article
Fast Radio Burst Energy Function in the Presence of DMhost Variation
by Ji-Guo Zhang, Yichao Li, Jia-Ming Zou, Ze-Wei Zhao, Jing-Fei Zhang and Xin Zhang
Universe 2024, 10(5), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe10050207 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
Fast radio bursts (FRBs) have been found in great numbers, but the physical mechanism of these sources is still a mystery. The redshift evolutions of the FRB energy distribution function and the volumetric rate shed light on the origin of FRBs. However, such [...] Read more.
Fast radio bursts (FRBs) have been found in great numbers, but the physical mechanism of these sources is still a mystery. The redshift evolutions of the FRB energy distribution function and the volumetric rate shed light on the origin of FRBs. However, such estimations rely on the dispersion measurement (DM)–redshift (z) relationship. A few FRBs that have been detected recently show large excess DMs beyond the expectation from the cosmological and Milky Way contributions, which indicates large spread of DMs from their host galaxies. In this work, we adopt two lognormal-distributed DMhost models and estimate the energy function using the non-repeating FRBs selected from the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME)/FRB Catalog 1. By comparing the lognormal-distributed DMhost models to a constant DMhost model, the FRB energy function results are consistent within the measurement uncertainty. We also estimate the volumetric rate of the non-repeating FRBs in three different redshift bins. The volumetric rate shows that the trend is consistent with the stellar-mass density redshift evolution. Since the lognormal-distributed DMhost model increases the measurement errors, the inference of FRBs tracking the stellar-mass density is nonetheless undermined. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cosmology)
14 pages, 449 KiB  
Article
Impact of Intermittent Hypoxia Related to Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome on Low-Grade Inflammation in Hypertensive Patients: Potential Implications for Cardiovascular Risk
by Matthieu Hein, Benjamin Wacquier, Matteo Conenna, Jean-Pol Lanquart and Camille Point
Life 2024, 14(5), 592; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14050592 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
There is evidence for a particular relationship between low-grade inflammation (LGI) and intermittent hypoxia (IH) related to obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). However, despite the potential deleterious cardiovascular consequences associated with this LGI in hypertensive patients, few studies have investigated the impact of [...] Read more.
There is evidence for a particular relationship between low-grade inflammation (LGI) and intermittent hypoxia (IH) related to obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). However, despite the potential deleterious cardiovascular consequences associated with this LGI in hypertensive patients, few studies have investigated the impact of IH related to OSAS on CRP levels in this subpopulation. In total, 1404 hypertensive patients were selected retrospectively from the Sleep Laboratory database. CRP levels ≥3 mg/L but <10 mg/L were used as cut-offs to identify hypertensive patients with LGI. Logistic regressions were conducted to examine the risk of LGI associated with IH related to OSAS in hypertensive patients. LGI was frequent (33.8%) in hypertensive patients. After adjustment for confounders, multivariate logistic regressions revealed that only moderate to severe OSAS (apnoea–hypopnoea index ≥ 15/h) with high IH (oxygen desaturation index ≥ 15/h) [OR 1.51 (95% CI 1.06–2.14)] was significantly associated with LGI in hypertensive patients (p-value = 0.045). Consistent with our hypothesis, our results demonstrated the existence of a particular subtype of hypertensive patients at high cardiovascular risk characterised by the presence of LGI induced by IH hypoxia related to moderate to severe OSAS, which justifies the establishment of adequate management of this pathology to allow better cardiovascular prevention in this subpopulation. Full article
22 pages, 8862 KiB  
Article
Research on Sudden Unbalance Response of Rigid-Elastic-Oil Coupled Ball Bearings
by Yan Li, Yongcun Cui and Sier Deng
Lubricants 2024, 12(5), 161; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12050161 (registering DOI) - 06 May 2024
Abstract
(1) Background: To better understand the dynamic characteristics of a ball bearing with an elastic ring squeeze film damper (ERSFD) under sudden unbalance, a novel dynamic model was established by fully considering the coupling between the ERSFD, bearing outer ring (the journal), rotor, [...] Read more.
(1) Background: To better understand the dynamic characteristics of a ball bearing with an elastic ring squeeze film damper (ERSFD) under sudden unbalance, a novel dynamic model was established by fully considering the coupling between the ERSFD, bearing outer ring (the journal), rotor, and disc (loading bearing); (2) Methods: An improved secant method was developed to determine the initial eccentricity values of the bearing’s outer ring and the disc. The dynamic response of the outer ring under different speed ratios, damping ratios, and mass ratios was solved using the variable-step Runge–Kutta method; (3) Results: In comparison, a low-speed ratio, high damping ratio, and low mass ratio were more conducive to suppressing the bearing vibration. When the imbalance was suddenly introduced, the displacement amplitude of the eccentricity, transmissibility, amplitude–frequency response, and the radius of the outer ring center locus increased; (4) Conclusions: This work provides a reference for further studying the nonlinear vibration of rolling bearings coupled with an ERSFD. Full article
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