The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
21 pages, 2566 KiB  
Article
Discrepancies of Functional Requirements of Façade Opening System between Real-Life Public and Built Environment Experts Focusing on Thermal Comfort and Ventilation
by Woohyoung Lee, Dong Hee Choi and Dong Hwa Kang
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4286; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104286 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
A survey was conducted to analyze the discrepancies of the functional requirements of the façade system in residential units among 605 of the real-life public and 73 experts. Personal and housing information, resident life patterns, public façade usage behavior, and functional requirements were [...] Read more.
A survey was conducted to analyze the discrepancies of the functional requirements of the façade system in residential units among 605 of the real-life public and 73 experts. Personal and housing information, resident life patterns, public façade usage behavior, and functional requirements were collected from the respondents. Both the public and experts recognized insulation as the main function of façade opening systems. More than 85% of the public and experts opened windows for ventilation, but ventilation was ranked 3rd amongst the public and 4th amongst experts in the main functions list of façade systems. The public cited the inflow of fine dust as the main reason for dissatisfaction with opening windows. In contrast, the experts cited a decrease in thermal comfort due to the inflow of external moisture as the reason for dissatisfaction with opening windows. The results showed that discrepancies exist between the public and experts’ perceptions of the main function of housing façade systems. Analyzing the common points and differences between the public and experts’ perception can help in developing façade system design and control technology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Green Building)
25 pages, 1302 KiB  
Review
Taxonomy of Acute Stroke: Imaging, Processing, and Treatment
by Wieslaw L. Nowinski
Diagnostics 2024, 14(10), 1057; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14101057 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
Stroke management employs a variety of diagnostic imaging modalities, image processing and analysis methods, and treatment procedures. This work categorizes methods for stroke imaging, image processing and analysis, and treatment, and provides their taxonomies illustrated by a state-of-the-art review. Imaging plays a critical [...] Read more.
Stroke management employs a variety of diagnostic imaging modalities, image processing and analysis methods, and treatment procedures. This work categorizes methods for stroke imaging, image processing and analysis, and treatment, and provides their taxonomies illustrated by a state-of-the-art review. Imaging plays a critical role in stroke management, and the most frequently employed modalities are computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR). CT includes unenhanced non-contrast CT as the first-line diagnosis, CT angiography, and CT perfusion. MR is the most complete method to examine stroke patients. MR angiography is useful to evaluate the severity of artery stenosis, vascular occlusion, and collateral flow. Diffusion-weighted imaging is the gold standard for evaluating ischemia. MR perfusion-weighted imaging assesses the penumbra. The stroke image processing methods are divided into non-atlas/template-based and atlas/template-based. The non-atlas/template-based methods are subdivided into intensity and contrast transformations, local segmentation-related, anatomy-guided, global density-guided, and artificial intelligence/deep learning-based. The atlas/template-based methods are subdivided into intensity templates and atlases with three atlas types: anatomy atlases, vascular atlases, and lesion-derived atlases. The treatment procedures for arterial and venous strokes include intravenous and intraarterial thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy. This work captures the stateoftheart in stroke management summarized in the form of comprehensive and straightforward taxonomy diagrams. All three introduced taxonomies in diagnostic imaging, image processing and analysis, and treatment are widely illustrated and compared against other state-of-the-art classifications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain Imaging in Acute Stroke)
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13 pages, 556 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Salt Stress Tolerance in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) through Silicon Application in Roots
by Borja Ferrández-Gómez, Juana D. Jordá, Mar Cerdán and Antonio Sánchez-Sánchez
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1415; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101415 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
Soil salinization poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity, necessitating innovative agronomic strategies to mitigate its impact. This study focuses on improving salt stress resistance in tomato plants through the application of silicon (Si) in roots. A greenhouse experiment was carried out under [...] Read more.
Soil salinization poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity, necessitating innovative agronomic strategies to mitigate its impact. This study focuses on improving salt stress resistance in tomato plants through the application of silicon (Si) in roots. A greenhouse experiment was carried out under normal conditions (control, and 1 and 4 mM Si) and under salinity stress (salt control, and 1 and 4 mM Si). Various parameters were analyzed in leaves and roots. Under normal conditions, tomato plants grown in non-saline conditions exhibited some toxicity when exposed to Na2SiO3. As for the experiments under salt stress conditions, Si mitigated oxidative damage, preserving root cell membrane integrity. The concentration of malondialdehyde was reduced by 69.5%, that of proline was reduced by 56.4% and there was a 57.6% decrease in catalase activity for tomato plants treated with 1 mM Si under salt stress. Furthermore, Fe uptake and distribution, under salt conditions, increased from 91 to 123 mg kg−1, the same concentration as that obtained for the normal control. In all cases, the lower dose produced better results under normal conditions than the 4 mM dose. In summary, this research provides a potential application of Si in non-fertigated crop systems through a radicular pathway. Full article
36 pages, 5324 KiB  
Review
Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants as Potential Adjuvants in the Treatment of Mild Acne Vulgaris
by Mariateresa Cristani and Nicola Micale
Molecules 2024, 29(10), 2394; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29102394 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of medicinal plants and phytochemicals as potential treatments for acne vulgaris. This condition, characterized by chronic inflammation, predominantly affects adolescents and young adults. Conventional treatment typically targets the key factors contributing [...] Read more.
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of medicinal plants and phytochemicals as potential treatments for acne vulgaris. This condition, characterized by chronic inflammation, predominantly affects adolescents and young adults. Conventional treatment typically targets the key factors contributing to its development: the proliferation of Cutibacterium acnes and the associated inflammation. However, these treatments often involve the use of potent drugs. As a result, the exploration of herbal medicine as a complementary approach has emerged as a promising strategy. By harnessing the therapeutic properties of medicinal plants and phytochemicals, it may be possible to address acne vulgaris while minimizing the reliance on strong drugs. This approach not only offers potential benefits for individuals seeking alternative treatments but also underscores the importance of natural remedies of plant origin in dermatological care. The primary aim of this study was to assess the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of plants and their phytochemical constituents in the management of mild acne vulgaris. A comprehensive search of scientific databases was conducted from 2018 to September 2023. The findings of this review suggest that medicinal plants and their phytochemical components hold promise as treatments for mild acne vulgaris. However, it is crucial to note that further research employing high-quality evidence and standardized methodologies is essential to substantiate their efficacy and safety profiles. Full article
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3 pages, 161 KiB  
Editorial
Spectroscopy in Characterization of Materials—Developments
by Pavani Krishnapuram and Suresh Kumar Jakka
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 4304; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14104304 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
The intention of the Special Issue “Advances in Spectroscopy for Materials: Bridging Science and Engineering” is to include various enthusiastic works that focus on the use of various analytical spectroscopic techniques while characterizing materials [...] Full article
11 pages, 7844 KiB  
Article
Tailored Triggering of High-Quality Multi-Dimensional Coupled Topological States in Valley Photonic Crystals
by Guangxu Su, Jiangle He, Xiaofei Ye, Hengming Yao, Yaxuan Li, Junzheng Hu, Minghui Lu, Peng Zhan and Fanxin Liu
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(10), 885; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14100885 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
The combination of higher-order topological insulators and valley photonic crystals has recently aroused extensive attentions due to the great potential in flexible and efficient optical field manipulations. Here, we computationally propose a photonic device for the 1550 nm communication band, in which the [...] Read more.
The combination of higher-order topological insulators and valley photonic crystals has recently aroused extensive attentions due to the great potential in flexible and efficient optical field manipulations. Here, we computationally propose a photonic device for the 1550 nm communication band, in which the topologically protected electromagnetic modes with high quality can be selectively triggered and modulated on demand. Through introducing two valley photonic crystal units without any structural alteration, we successfully achieve multi-dimensional coupled topological states thanks to the diverse electromagnetic characteristics of two valley edge states. According to the simulations, the constructed topological photonic devices can realize Fano lines on the spectrum and show high-quality localized modes by tuning the coupling strength between the zero-dimensional valley corner states and the one-dimensional valley edge states. Furthermore, we extend the valley-locked properties of edge states to higher-order valley topological insulators, where the selected corner states can be directionally excited by chiral source. More interestingly, we find that the modulation of multi-dimensional coupled photonic topological states with pseudospin dependence become more efficient compared with those uncoupled modes. This work presents a valuable approach for multi-dimensional optical field manipulation, which may support potential applications in on-chip integrated nanophotonic devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photofunctional Nanomaterials and Nanostructures)
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12 pages, 879 KiB  
Article
Response Surface Methodology: An Optimal Design for Maximising the Efficiency of Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Total Phenolic Compounds from Coriandrum sativum Leaves
by Soraya Hihat, Noureddine Touati, Abdelhakim Sellal and Khodir Madani
Processes 2024, 12(5), 1031; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12051031 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
The optimization of total phenolic compounds (TPC) extraction yield and maximization of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) from coriander leaves were investigated using response surface methodology. The extraction of TPC was carried out using microwave-assisted extraction. A Box-Behnken design was used to study the [...] Read more.
The optimization of total phenolic compounds (TPC) extraction yield and maximization of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) from coriander leaves were investigated using response surface methodology. The extraction of TPC was carried out using microwave-assisted extraction. A Box-Behnken design was used to study the effects of the three independent variables, solvent concentration (ethanol/water 20–80%), microwave power (100–500 watt) and irradiation time (30–150 s) on the response. A second-order polynomial model was used to predict the reaction. The regression analysis showed that about 99% of the variations could be explained by the models. The predicted values were 50.97 GAE/g dw and 5.75 mg GAE/g dw for TPC and TAC. The reaction surface analysis showed that the optimum extraction parameters that maximized the extraction of antioxidants yield were 52.62% ethanol, 452.12 watt and 150 s. Under optimal conditions, the experimental values for TPC and TAC were 49.63 ± 0.93 mg GAE/g dw and 5.55 ± 0.07 mg GAE/g dw, respectively. The experimental values are in agreement with the predicted values, indicating the suitability of the model used and the success of the response surface methodology in optimizing the extraction conditions. Full article
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10 pages, 10999 KiB  
Article
Protective Properties of Calcareous Deposit Layer for Cathodically Polarized AH36 Steel in Natural Seawater
by Quoc Quang Nong, Van Kien Dong, Van Trieu Nguyen, Van Chi Nguyen, Hong Quan Le and Nhat Linh Cao
Coatings 2024, 14(5), 644; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14050644 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
A calcareous deposit is a by-product of the cathodic polarization in seawater environments. This study presents the results of evaluating the anticorrosion and anti-macro-biofouling effectiveness of a calcareous deposit layer on the surface of the cathodically polarized AH36 structural steel in tropical seawater. [...] Read more.
A calcareous deposit is a by-product of the cathodic polarization in seawater environments. This study presents the results of evaluating the anticorrosion and anti-macro-biofouling effectiveness of a calcareous deposit layer on the surface of the cathodically polarized AH36 structural steel in tropical seawater. The polarization is induced with initial current densities at which the calcareous deposit layer formed with both aragonite and brucite for 12 months continuously. The protective properties of the layer were compared with those of the passive layer from corrosion products under the same environmental conditions. The macro-biofouling in the tropical seawater is observed in the closed and open surfaces of the steel. The comparison of the anticorrosion property shows that, to some degree, the calcareous deposit layer contributes to surface passivation, as in the case of the corrosion product layer. In addition, the composition of the brucite and aragonite in the calcareous layer in the study plays a role as a macro-biofouling growth-limiting factor. Full article
24 pages, 4767 KiB  
Article
A Multi-Information Fusion Method for Repetitive Tunnel Disease Detection
by Zhiyuan Gan, Li Teng, Ying Chang, Xinyang Feng, Mengnan Gao and Xinwen Gao
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4285; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104285 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
Existing tunnel defect detection methods often lack repeated inspections, limiting longitudinal analysis of defects. To address this, we propose a multi-information fusion approach for continuous defect monitoring. Initially, we utilized the You Only Look Once version 7 (Yolov7) network to identify defects in [...] Read more.
Existing tunnel defect detection methods often lack repeated inspections, limiting longitudinal analysis of defects. To address this, we propose a multi-information fusion approach for continuous defect monitoring. Initially, we utilized the You Only Look Once version 7 (Yolov7) network to identify defects in tunnel lining videos. Subsequently, defect localization is achieved with Super Visual Odometer (SuperVO) algorithm. Lastly, the SuperPoint–SuperGlue Matching Network (SpSg Network) is employed to analyze similarities among defect images. Combining the above information, the repeatability detection of the disease is realized. SuperVO was tested in tunnels of 159 m and 260 m, showcasing enhanced localization accuracy compared to traditional visual odometry methods, with errors measuring below 0.3 m on average and 0.8 m at maximum. The SpSg Network surpassed the depth-feature-based Siamese Network in image matching, achieving a precision of 96.61%, recall of 93.44%, and F1 score of 95%. These findings validate the effectiveness of this approach in the repetitive detection and monitoring of tunnel defects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emergency Plans and Disaster Management in the Era of Smart Cities)
41 pages, 9942 KiB  
Article
Unveiling the Multifaceted Capabilities of Endophytic Aspergillus flavus Isolated from Annona squamosa Fruit Peels against Staphylococcus Isolates and HCoV 229E—In Vitro and In Silico Investigations
by Noha Fathallah, Wafaa M. Elkady, Sara A. Zahran, Khaled M. Darwish, Sameh S. Elhady and Yasmin A. Elkhawas
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(5), 656; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17050656 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
Recently, there has been a surge towards searching for primitive treatment strategies to discover novel therapeutic approaches against multi-drug-resistant pathogens. Endophytes are considered unexplored yet perpetual sources of several secondary metabolites with therapeutic significance. This study aims to isolate and identify the endophytic [...] Read more.
Recently, there has been a surge towards searching for primitive treatment strategies to discover novel therapeutic approaches against multi-drug-resistant pathogens. Endophytes are considered unexplored yet perpetual sources of several secondary metabolites with therapeutic significance. This study aims to isolate and identify the endophytic fungi from Annona squamosa L. fruit peels using morphological, microscopical, and transcribed spacer (ITS-rDNA) sequence analysis; extract the fungus’s secondary metabolites by ethyl acetate; investigate the chemical profile using UPLC/MS; and evaluate the potential antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antiviral activities. An endophytic fungus was isolated and identified as Aspergillus flavus L. from the fruit peels. The UPLC/MS revealed seven compounds with various chemical classes. The antimicrobial activity of the fungal ethyl acetate extract (FEA) was investigated against different Gram-positive and Gram-negative standard strains, in addition to resistant clinical isolates using the agar diffusion method. The CPE-inhibition assay was used to identify the potential antiviral activity of the crude fungal extract against low pathogenic human coronavirus (HCoV 229E). Selective Gram-positive antibacterial and antibiofilm activities were evident, demonstrating pronounced efficacy against both methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). However, the extract exhibited very weak activity against Gram-negative bacterial strains. The ethyl acetate extract of Aspergillus flavus L exhibited an interesting antiviral activity with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 27.2 µg/mL against HCoV 229E. Furthermore, in silico virtual molecular docking-coupled dynamics simulation highlighted the promising affinity of the identified metabolite, orienting towards three MRSA biotargets and HCoV 229E main protease as compared to reported reference inhibitors/substrates. Finally, ADME analysis was conducted to evaluate the potential oral bioavailability of the identified metabolites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heterocyclic Compounds in Medicinal Chemistry)
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27 pages, 1566 KiB  
Article
Progress in Digital Climate Governance in China: Statistical Measurement, Regional Differences, and Dynamic Evolution
by Huwei Wen, Keyu Hu and Fengxiu Zhou
Systems 2024, 12(5), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12050181 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
The capacity for climate governance is crucial for sustainable advancement, with data elements being a pivotal production factor in contemporary governance. This study examines the trajectory and strategy of digital transformation in climate governance, creating a three-dimensional dataset encapsulating 11 primary and 36 [...] Read more.
The capacity for climate governance is crucial for sustainable advancement, with data elements being a pivotal production factor in contemporary governance. This study examines the trajectory and strategy of digital transformation in climate governance, creating a three-dimensional dataset encapsulating 11 primary and 36 secondary indicators to facilitate the assessment of digital climate governance. Employing spatiotemporal analysis and coupling coordination models, this study evaluates the digitalization levels in climate governance across 30 regions in China, examining how to progress digital integration from governmental and market perspectives. Findings reveal a consistent improvement in China’s regional digital climate governance, bolstering economic and social progress. Nonetheless, regional disparities and developmental lags persist, with convergence analysis indicating a divergence trend in provincial climate governance capabilities. Moreover, kernel density and Markov chain analyses suggest an ongoing evolution in regional digital climate governance efforts, aiming at achieving a higher development plateau. The study emphasizes the dual role of government and market dynamics in boosting digital governance levels, deducing from two-stage regression that effective government-market interplay is vital for elevating governance quality and fostering new productive forces, recommending an integrated governance mechanism for optimal synergy. Full article
20 pages, 1762 KiB  
Article
Survival Prediction of Patients after Heart Attack and Breast Cancer Surgery with a Hybrid Model Built with Particle Swarm Optimization, Stacked AutoEncoders, and the Softmax Classifier
by Mehmet Akif Bülbül and Mehmet Fatih Işık
Biomimetics 2024, 9(5), 304; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9050304 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
The prediction of patient survival is crucial for guiding the treatment process in healthcare. Healthcare professionals rely on analyzing patients’ clinical characteristics and findings to determine treatment plans, making accurate predictions essential for efficient resource utilization and optimal patient support during recovery. In [...] Read more.
The prediction of patient survival is crucial for guiding the treatment process in healthcare. Healthcare professionals rely on analyzing patients’ clinical characteristics and findings to determine treatment plans, making accurate predictions essential for efficient resource utilization and optimal patient support during recovery. In this study, a hybrid architecture combining Stacked AutoEncoders, Particle Swarm Optimization, and the Softmax Classifier was developed for predicting patient survival. The architecture was evaluated using the Haberman’s Survival dataset and the Echocardiogram dataset from UCI. The results were compared with several Machine Learning methods, including Decision Trees, K-Nearest Neighbors, Support Vector Machines, Neural Networks, Gradient Boosting, and Gradient Bagging applied to the same datasets. The findings indicate that the proposed architecture outperforms other Machine Learning methods in predicting patient survival for both datasets and surpasses the results reported in the literature for the Haberman’s Survival dataset. In the light of the findings obtained, the models obtained with the proposed architecture can be used as a decision support system in determining patient care and applied methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Approaches in Healthcare—Innovations Inspired by Nature)
23 pages, 3033 KiB  
Review
Recent Advancements in Metallic Au- and Ag-Based Chitosan Nanocomposite Derivatives for Enhanced Anticancer Drug Delivery
by Mahmoud A. El-Meligy, Eman M. Abd El-Monaem, Abdelazeem S. Eltaweil, Mohamed S. Mohy-Eldin, Zyta M. Ziora, Abolfazl Heydari and Ahmed M. Omer
Molecules 2024, 29(10), 2393; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29102393 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
The rapid advancements in nanotechnology in the field of nanomedicine have the potential to significantly enhance therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. There is considerable promise for enhancing the efficacy of cancer therapy through the manufacture of innovative nanocomposite materials. Metallic nanoparticles have been [...] Read more.
The rapid advancements in nanotechnology in the field of nanomedicine have the potential to significantly enhance therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. There is considerable promise for enhancing the efficacy of cancer therapy through the manufacture of innovative nanocomposite materials. Metallic nanoparticles have been found to enhance the release of anticancer medications that are loaded onto them, resulting in a sustained release, hence reducing the dosage required for drug administration and preventing their buildup in healthy cells. The combination of nanotechnology with biocompatible materials offers new prospects for the development of advanced therapies that exhibit enhanced selectivity, reduced adverse effects, and improved patient outcomes. Chitosan (CS), a polysaccharide possessing distinct physicochemical properties, exhibits favorable attributes for controlled drug delivery due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. Chitosan nanocomposites exhibit heightened stability, improved biocompatibility, and prolonged release characteristics for anticancer medicines. The incorporation of gold (Au) nanoparticles into the chitosan nanocomposite results in the manifestation of photothermal characteristics, whereas the inclusion of silver (Ag) nanoparticles boosts the antibacterial capabilities of the synthesized nanocomposite. The objective of this review is to investigate the recent progress in the utilization of Ag and Au nanoparticles, or a combination thereof, within a chitosan matrix or its modified derivatives for the purpose of anticancer drug delivery. The research findings for the potential of a chitosan nanocomposite to deliver various anticancer drugs, such as doxorubicin, 5-Fluroacil, curcumin, paclitaxel, and 6-mercaptopurine, were investigated. Moreover, various modifications carried out on the chitosan matrix phase and the nanocomposite surfaces to enhance targeting selectivity, loading efficiency, and pH sensitivity were highlighted. In addition, challenges and perspectives that could motivate further research related to the applications of chitosan nanocomposites in cancer therapy were summarized. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Advanced Biomedical Applications, 2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 9493 KiB  
Article
IrO2 Oxygen Evolution Catalysts Prepared by an Optimized Photodeposition Process on TiO2 Substrates
by Angeliki Banti, Christina Zafeiridou, Michail Charalampakis, Olga-Niki Spyridou, Jenia Georgieva, Vasileios Binas, Efrosyni Mitrousi and Sotiris Sotiropoulos
Molecules 2024, 29(10), 2392; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29102392 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
Preparing high-performance oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts with low precious metal loadings for water electrolysis applications (e.g., for green hydrogen production) is challenging and requires electrically conductive, high-surface-area, and stable support materials. Combining the properties of stable TiO2 with those of active [...] Read more.
Preparing high-performance oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts with low precious metal loadings for water electrolysis applications (e.g., for green hydrogen production) is challenging and requires electrically conductive, high-surface-area, and stable support materials. Combining the properties of stable TiO2 with those of active iridium oxide, we synthesized highly active electrodes for OER in acidic media. TiO2 powders (both commercially available Degussa P-25® and hydrothermally prepared in the laboratory from TiOSO4, either as received/prepared or following ammonolysis to be converted to titania black), were decorated with IrO2 by UV photodeposition from Ir(III) aqueous solutions of varied methanol scavenger concentrations. TEM, EDS, FESEM, XPS, and XRD measurements demonstrate that the optimized version of the photodeposition preparation method (i.e., with no added methanol) leads to direct deposition of well-dispersed IrO2 nanoparticles. The electroactive surface area and electrocatalytic performance towards OER of these catalysts have been evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV), and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) in 0.1 M HClO4 solutions. All TiO2-based catalysts exhibited better mass-specific (as well as intrinsic) OER activity than commercial unsupported IrO2, with the best of them (IrO2 on Degussa P-25® ΤiO2 and laboratory-made TiO2 black) showing 100 mAmgIr−1 at an overpotential of η = 243 mV. Chronoamperometry (CA) experiments also proved good medium-term stability of the optimum IrO2/TiO2 electrodes during OER. Full article
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12 pages, 1130 KiB  
Article
In Situ-Grown Al2O3 Nanoflowers and Hydrophobic Modification Enable Superhydrophobic SiC Ceramic Membranes for Membrane Distillation
by Yuqi Song, Kai Miao, Jinxin Liu, Yutang Kang, Dong Zou and Zhaoxiang Zhong
Membranes 2024, 14(5), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14050117 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
Membrane distillation (MD) is considered a promising technology for desalination. In the MD process, membrane pores are easily contaminated and wetted, which will degrade the permeate flux and salt rejection of the membrane. In this work, SiC ceramic membranes were used as the [...] Read more.
Membrane distillation (MD) is considered a promising technology for desalination. In the MD process, membrane pores are easily contaminated and wetted, which will degrade the permeate flux and salt rejection of the membrane. In this work, SiC ceramic membranes were used as the supports, and an Al2O3 micro-nano structure was constructed on its surface. The surface energy of Al2O3@SiC micro-nano composite membranes was reduced by organosilane grafting modification. The effective deposition of Al2O3 nanoflowers on the membrane surface increased membrane roughness and enhanced the anti-fouling and anti-wetting properties of the membranes. Simultaneously, the presence of nanoflowers also regulated the pore structures and thus decreased the membrane pore size. In addition, the effects of Al2(SO4)3 concentration and sintering temperature on the surface morphology and performance of the membranes were investigated in detail. It was demonstrated that the water contact angle of the resulting membrane was 152.4°, which was higher than that of the pristine membrane (138.8°). In the treatment of saline water containing 35 g/L of NaCl, the permeate flux was about 11.1 kg×m−2×h−1 and the salt rejection was above 99.9%. Note that the pristine ceramic membrane cannot be employed for MD due to its larger membrane pore size. This work provides a new method for preparing superhydrophobic ceramic membranes for MD. Full article
19 pages, 4192 KiB  
Article
Cellulose-Based Polyurethane Foams of Low Flammability
by Marzena Szpiłyk, Renata Lubczak and Jacek Lubczak
Polymers 2024, 16(10), 1438; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16101438 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
Decreasing oil resources creates the need to search for raw materials in the biosphere, which can be converted into polyols suitable for obtaining polyurethane foams (PUF). One such low-cost and reproducible biopolymer is cellulose. There are not many examples of cellulose-derived polyols due [...] Read more.
Decreasing oil resources creates the need to search for raw materials in the biosphere, which can be converted into polyols suitable for obtaining polyurethane foams (PUF). One such low-cost and reproducible biopolymer is cellulose. There are not many examples of cellulose-derived polyols due to the sluggish reactivity of cellulose itself. Recently, cellulose and its hydroxypropyl derivatives were applied as source materials to obtain polyols, further converted into biodegradable rigid polyurethane foams (PUFs). Those PUFs were flammable. Here, we describe our efforts to modify such PUFs in order to decrease their flammability. We obtained an ester from diethylene glycol and phosphoric(III) acid and used it as a reactive flame retardant in the synthesis of polyol-containing hydroxypropyl derivative of cellulose. The cellulose-based polyol was characterized by infrared spectra (IR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) methods. Its properties, such as density, viscosity, surface tension, and hydroxyl numbers, were determined. Melamine was also added to the foamed composition as an additive flame retardant, obtaining PUFs, which were characterized by apparent density, water uptake, dimension stability, heat conductance, compressive strength, and heat resistance at 150 and 175 °C. Obtained rigid PUFs were tested for flammability by determining oxygen index, horizontal flammability test, and calorimetric analysis. Obtained rigid PUFs showed improved flammability resistance in comparison with non-modified PUFs and classic PUFs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymers and Bio-Based Polymer Composites)
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17 pages, 3649 KiB  
Article
Strategies of Public University Building Maintenance—A Literature Survey
by Jakub Grącki and Edyta Plebankiewicz
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4284; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104284 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
In this article, comprehensive insights into the field of building maintenance, emphasizing the importance of keywords, collaborative efforts among authors, and the evolving research landscape, are provided. The use stage, as the longest phase in a building’s life cycle, involves economic, technical, and [...] Read more.
In this article, comprehensive insights into the field of building maintenance, emphasizing the importance of keywords, collaborative efforts among authors, and the evolving research landscape, are provided. The use stage, as the longest phase in a building’s life cycle, involves economic, technical, and social activities. Numerous authors have contributed to the broader topic of building maintenance, covering aspects such as maintenance prioritization, improvement actions, decision-making guidelines, factors affecting success, cost estimation models, and BIM usage in maintenance. The study conducts a thorough literature review using Scopus as a search engine, employing the full-counting method for authorship, and uses VOSviewer 1.6.20 software for bibliometric analysis to identify gaps and outline future research directions. The results reveal distinct data sets focusing on building maintenance from general to specific, with each set reflecting unique aspects and considerations. Bibliometric maps illustrate author collaboration and keyword connections within each set, highlighting evolving research trends and areas of focus. Overall, the analysis highlights the importance of prioritizing maintenance, integrating technology, and fostering collaboration to enhance building maintenance in educational institutions. The study concludes with recommendations for future research, emphasizing the ongoing need for exploration and development in building maintenance, especially on maintenance strategies and Life Cycle Costs of university buildings. Full article
16 pages, 9921 KiB  
Article
Source Rock Prediction Using Well Log and Seismic Data: A Study of the Albian Stage in the Côte d’Ivoire Basin
by Boyu Wang, Yuezhe Li, Jie Yin, Lin Ye and Zhenqi Wang
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 4303; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14104303 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
The Côte d’Ivoire Basin is one of the most important oil production areas in Africa; and it is also the focus of global oil and gas exploration, but the degree of oil exploration and development in this basin are still in the early [...] Read more.
The Côte d’Ivoire Basin is one of the most important oil production areas in Africa; and it is also the focus of global oil and gas exploration, but the degree of oil exploration and development in this basin are still in the early stages. Based on a comprehensive analysis of drilling, logging, and geochemical data in the Côte d’Ivoire Basin, this study comprehensively evaluates the Cretaceous lacustrine source rocks in the study area, establishes a total organic carbon (TOC) quantitative prediction model by using the total organic carbon method, determines the relationship between seismic reflections and the geochemical characteristics of the source rocks, and tracks the main source rocks horizontally. The results show that the TOC of the Lower Cretaceous Albian stage source rocks is 2.63 wt.%, the kerogen type II is dominant, and the vitrinite reflectance (RO) ranges from 0.3% to 0.9%. The source rocks are mainly in the low-mature to mature stage, and they are generally of good and premium quality. The distribution range of high-quality source rocks with TOC values of 4.00~5.00% is predicted using the total organic carbon method, and useing the seismic method, we determine that high-quality source rocks with larger thickness values and better continuity are mainly developed in the eastern depression center of the basin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Earth Sciences)
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40 pages, 12153 KiB  
Review
Antimicrobial Activity of Arthrospira (Former Spirulina) and Dunaliella Related to Recognized Antimicrobial Bioactive Compounds
by Yana Ilieva, Maya Margaritova Zaharieva, Hristo Najdenski and Alexander Dimitrov Kroumov
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5548; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105548 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
With the increasing rate of the antimicrobial resistance phenomenon, natural products gain our attention as potential drug candidates. Apart from being used as nutraceuticals and for biotechnological purposes, microalgae and phytoplankton have well-recognized antimicrobial compounds and proved anti-infectious potential. In this review, we [...] Read more.
With the increasing rate of the antimicrobial resistance phenomenon, natural products gain our attention as potential drug candidates. Apart from being used as nutraceuticals and for biotechnological purposes, microalgae and phytoplankton have well-recognized antimicrobial compounds and proved anti-infectious potential. In this review, we comprehensively outline the antimicrobial activity of one genus of cyanobacteria (Arthrospira, formerly Spirulina) and of eukaryotic microalgae (Dunaliella). Both, especially Arthrospira, are mostly used as nutraceuticals and as a source of antioxidants for health supplements, cancer therapy and cosmetics. Their diverse bioactive compounds provide other bioactivities and potential for various medical applications. Their antibacterial and antifungal activity vary in a broad range and are strain specific. There are strains of Arthrospira platensis with very potent activity and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) as low as 2–15 µg/mL against bacterial fish pathogens including Bacillus and Vibrio spp. Arthrospira sp. has demonstrated an inhibition zone (IZ) of 50 mm against Staphylococcus aureus. Remarkable is the substantial amount of in vivo studies of Arthrospira showing it to be very promising for preventing vibriosis in shrimp and Helicobacter pylori infection and for wound healing. The innovative laser irradiation of the chlorophyll it releases can cause photodynamic destruction of bacteria. Dunaliella salina has exhibited MIC values lower than 300 µg/mL and an IZ value of 25.4 mm on different bacteria, while Dunaliella tertiolecta has demonstrated MIC values of 25 and 50 μg/mL against some Staphylococcus spp. These values fulfill the criteria for significant antimicrobial activity and sometimes are comparable or exceed the activity of the control antibiotics. The bioactive compounds which are responsible for that action are fatty acids including PUFAs, polysaccharides, glycosides, peptides, neophytadiene, etc. Cyanobacteria, such as Arthrospira, also particularly have antimicrobial flavonoids, terpenes, alkaloids, saponins, quinones and some unique-to-them compounds, such as phycobiliproteins, polyhydroxybutyrate, the peptide microcystin, etc. These metabolites can be optimized by using stress factors in a two-step process of fermentation in closed photobioreactors (PBRs). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research in Antimicrobial Natural Products)
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10 pages, 3528 KiB  
Article
A Terahertz Metasurface Sensor Based on Quasi-BIC for Detection of Additives in Infant Formula
by Mingjun Sun, Jie Lin, Ying Xue, Weijin Wang, Shengnan Shi, Shan Zhang and Yanpeng Shi
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(10), 883; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14100883 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
Prohibited additives in infant formula severely affect the health of infants. Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy has enormous application potential in analyte detection due to its rich fingerprint information content. However, there is limited research on the mixtures of multiple analytes. In this study, we [...] Read more.
Prohibited additives in infant formula severely affect the health of infants. Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy has enormous application potential in analyte detection due to its rich fingerprint information content. However, there is limited research on the mixtures of multiple analytes. In this study, we propose a split ring metasurface that supports magnetic dipole bound states in the continuum (BIC). By breaking the symmetry, quasi-BIC with a high quality (Q) factor can be generated. Utilizing an angle-scanning strategy, the frequency of the resonance dip can be shifted, resulting in the plotting of an envelope curve which can reflect the molecular fingerprint of the analytes. Two prohibited additives found in infant formula, melamine and vanillin, can be identified in different proportions. Furthermore, a metric similar to the resolution in chromatographic analysis is introduced and calculated to be 0.61, indicating that these two additives can be detected simultaneously. Our research provides a new solution for detecting additives in infant formula. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Terahertz Technology Applications)
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21 pages, 1805 KiB  
Article
Improving Polyp Segmentation with Boundary-Assisted Guidance and Cross-Scale Interaction Fusion Transformer Network
by Lincen Jiang, Yan Hui, Yuan Fei, Yimu Ji and Tao Zeng
Processes 2024, 12(5), 1030; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12051030 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
Efficient and precise colorectal polyp segmentation has significant implications for screening colorectal polyps. Although network variants derived from the Transformer network have high accuracy in segmenting colorectal polyps with complex shapes, they have two main shortcomings: (1) multi-level semantic information at the output [...] Read more.
Efficient and precise colorectal polyp segmentation has significant implications for screening colorectal polyps. Although network variants derived from the Transformer network have high accuracy in segmenting colorectal polyps with complex shapes, they have two main shortcomings: (1) multi-level semantic information at the output of the encoder may result in information loss during the fusion process and (2) failure to adequately suppress background noise during segmentation. To address these challenges, we propose a cross-scale interaction fusion transformer for polyp segmentation (CIFFormer). Firstly, a novel feature supplement module (FSM) supplements the missing details and explores potential features to enhance the feature representations. Additionally, to mitigate the interference of background noise, we designed a cross-scale interactive fusion module (CIFM) that combines feature information between different layers to obtain more multi-scale and discriminative representative features. Furthermore, a boundary-assisted guidance module (BGM) is proposed to help the segmentation network obtain boundary-enhanced details. Extensive experiments on five typical datasets have demonstrated that CIFFormer has an obvious advantage in segmenting polyps. Specifically, CIFFormer achieved an mDice of 0.925 and an mIoU of 0.875 on the Kvasir-SEG dataset, achieving superior segmentation accuracy to competing methods. Full article
16 pages, 3316 KiB  
Article
PI 3-Kinase and the Histone Methyl-Transferase KMT2D Collaborate to Induce Arp2/3-Dependent Migration of Mammary Epithelial Cells
by Karina D. Rysenkova, Julia Gaboriaud, Artem I. Fokin, Raphaëlle Toubiana, Alexandre Bense, Camil Mirdass, Mélissa Jin, Minh Chau N. Ho, Elizabeth Glading, Sophie Vacher, Laura Courtois, Ivan Bièche and Alexis M. Gautreau
Cells 2024, 13(10), 876; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13100876 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
Breast cancer develops upon sequential acquisition of driver mutations in mammary epithelial cells; however, how these mutations collaborate to transform normal cells remains unclear in most cases. We aimed to reconstitute this process in a particular case. To this end, we combined the [...] Read more.
Breast cancer develops upon sequential acquisition of driver mutations in mammary epithelial cells; however, how these mutations collaborate to transform normal cells remains unclear in most cases. We aimed to reconstitute this process in a particular case. To this end, we combined the activated form of the PI 3-kinase harboring the H1047R mutation with the inactivation of the histone lysine methyl-transferase KMT2D in the non-tumorigenic human mammary epithelial cell line MCF10A. We found that PI 3-kinase activation promoted cell-cycle progression, especially when growth signals were limiting, as well as cell migration, both in a collective monolayer and as single cells. Furthermore, we showed that KMT2D inactivation had relatively little influence on these processes, except for single-cell migration, which KMT2D inactivation promoted in synergy with PI 3-kinase activation. The combination of these two genetic alterations induced expression of the ARPC5L gene that encodes a subunit of the Arp2/3 complex. ARPC5L depletion fully abolished the enhanced migration persistence exhibited by double-mutant cells. Our reconstitution approach in MCF10A has thus revealed both the cell function and the single-cell migration, and the underlying Arp2/3-dependent mechanism, which are synergistically regulated when KMT2D inactivation is combined with the activation of the PI 3-kinase. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cytoskeletal Remodeling in Health and Disease)
15 pages, 7087 KiB  
Article
Preparation and Performance of a Novel ZnO/TM/PET Composite Negative Ion Functional Fiber
by Mengxin Zhang, Jishu Zhang, Xin Lu, Jianbing Wu, Jiajia Peng, Wei Wang and Jin Tao
Polymers 2024, 16(10), 1439; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16101439 (registering DOI) - 19 May 2024
Abstract
Using zinc oxide (ZnO), tourmaline (TM), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as main raw materials, a novel ZnO/TM/PET negative ion functional fiber was created. The rheological properties of a ZnO/TM/PET masterbatch were investigated; the morphology, XRD, and FT-IR of the fibers were observed; and [...] Read more.
Using zinc oxide (ZnO), tourmaline (TM), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as main raw materials, a novel ZnO/TM/PET negative ion functional fiber was created. The rheological properties of a ZnO/TM/PET masterbatch were investigated; the morphology, XRD, and FT-IR of the fibers were observed; and the mechanical properties, thermal properties, and negative ion release properties of the new fiber were tested. The results showed that the average particle size of the ZnO/TM composite is nearly 365 nm, with an increase in negative ion emission efficiency by nearly 50% compared to the original TM. The apparent viscosity of fiber masterbatch decreases with the increase in the addition of the ZnO/TM composite, and the rheological properties of the PET fiber masterbatch are not significantly effected, still showing shear thinning characteristics when the amount of addition reaches 10%. The ZnO/TM composite disperses well in the interior and surface of the ZnO/TM/PET fiber matrix. The prepared ZnO/TM/PET fiber has excellent properties, such as fineness of 1.54 dtex, glass transition temperature of 122.4 °C, fracture strength of 3.31 cN/dtex, and negative ion release of 1640/cm3, which shows great industrialization potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Fiber and Textiles)
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