The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
11 pages, 1229 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Risk of Aircraft-Acquired SARS-CoV-2 Transmission during Commercial Flights: A Systematic Review
by Diana Zhao, Stephanie Cheng, Fuchiang R. Tsui, Maya B. Mathur and Chih-Hung Jason Wang
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(6), 654; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21060654 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
The aircraft-acquired transmission of SARS-CoV-2 poses a public health risk. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review and analysis of articles, published prior to vaccines being available, from 24 January 2020 to 20 April 2021 to identify factors important for transmission. Articles [...] Read more.
The aircraft-acquired transmission of SARS-CoV-2 poses a public health risk. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review and analysis of articles, published prior to vaccines being available, from 24 January 2020 to 20 April 2021 to identify factors important for transmission. Articles were included if they mentioned index cases and identifiable flight duration, and excluded if they discussed non-commercial aircraft, airflow or transmission models, cases without flight data, or that were unable to determine in-flight transmission. From the 15 articles selected for in-depth review, 50 total flights were analyzed by flight duration both as a categorical variable—short (<3 h), medium (3–6 h), or long flights (>6 h)—and as a continuous variable with case counts modeled by negative binomial regression. Compared to short flights without masking, medium and long flights without masking were associated with 4.66-fold increase (95% CI: [1.01, 21.52]; p < 0.0001) and 25.93-fold increase in incidence rates (95% CI: [4.1, 164]; p < 0.0001), respectively; long flights with enforced masking had no transmission reported. A 1 h increase in flight duration was associated with 1.53-fold (95% CI: [1.19, 1.66]; p < 0.001) increase in the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of cases. Masking should be considered for long flights. Full article
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15 pages, 3721 KiB  
Article
Prediction Distribution Model of Moisture Content in Laminated Wood Components
by Panpan Tian, Jianhong Han, Shangjie Guo, Jun Di and Xia Han
Polymers 2024, 16(11), 1453; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16111453 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Shrinkage cracks are some of the most common defects in timber structures obtained from woods with an uneven distribution of moisture content and are subject to external dynamic environmental changes. To accurately predict the changes in the moisture content of wood components at [...] Read more.
Shrinkage cracks are some of the most common defects in timber structures obtained from woods with an uneven distribution of moisture content and are subject to external dynamic environmental changes. To accurately predict the changes in the moisture content of wood components at any time and position, this study first applied the principles of food drying and established a moisture field model for laminated wood based on the analogy between heat and humidity transfer. A model for predicting the moisture content of wood that considers time and spatial distribution was then proposed. Second, by collecting relevant experimental data and establishing a finite element analysis model, three moisture absorption conditions (0–9.95%, 0–13.65%, and 0–17.91%) and four desorption conditions (34–5.5%, 28–8.3%, 31–11.8%, and 25.5–15.9%) were analyzed. In the moisture absorption comparison, the time needed to reach 95% equilibrium moisture content was 2.43 days, 4.07 days, and 6.32 days. The rate at which the internal components reached equilibrium moisture content exceeded 10 days. The temporal and spatial distribution of wood moisture content revealed the correctness of the proposed wood moisture field model. Finally, the moisture content prediction model was applied in the order of characteristic equation solutions, moisture content gradient difference, and laminated wood size. The results revealed that the established humidity field model can predict the wood moisture content and how it changes over time and in space. Notably, 1–2 orders for the solution of the characteristic equation are recommended when applying the prediction model. The greater the difference in moisture content, the faster the equilibrium moisture content is reached. The moisture content varies greatly based on the component size and position. Notably, the influence of moisture gradient and wood size on the average wood moisture content cannot be ignored. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Polymer Physics and Theory)
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21 pages, 28792 KiB  
Article
Imaging and Interferometric Mapping Exploration for PIESAT-01: The World’s First Four-Satellite “Cartwheel” Formation Constellation
by Tian Zhang, Yonggang Qian, Chengming Li, Jufeng Lu, Jiao Fu, Qinghua Guo, Shibo Guo and Yuxiang Wang
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 621; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060621 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
The PIESAT-01 constellation is the world’s first multi-baseline distributed synthetic aperture radar (SAR) constellation with a “Cartwheel” formation. The “Cartwheel” formation is a unique formation in which four satellites fly in companion orbits, ensuring that at any given moment, the main satellite remains [...] Read more.
The PIESAT-01 constellation is the world’s first multi-baseline distributed synthetic aperture radar (SAR) constellation with a “Cartwheel” formation. The “Cartwheel” formation is a unique formation in which four satellites fly in companion orbits, ensuring that at any given moment, the main satellite remains at the center, with three auxiliary satellites orbiting around it. Due to this unique configuration of the PIESAT-01 constellation, four images of the same region and six pairs of baselines can be obtained with each shot. So far, there has been no imaging and interference research based on four-satellite constellation measured data, and there is an urgent need to explore algorithms for the “Cartwheel” configuration imaging and digital surface model (DSM) production. This paper introduces an improved bistatic SAR imaging algorithm under the four-satellites interferometric mode, which solves the problem of multi-orbit nonparallelism in imaging while ensuring imaging coherence and focusing ability. Subsequently, it presents an interferometric processing method for the six pairs of baselines, weighted fusion based on elevation ambiguity from different baselines, to obtain a high-precision DSM. Finally, this paper selects the Dingxi region of China and other regions with diverse terrains for imaging and DSM production and compares the DSM results with ICESat-2 global geolocated photon data and TanDEM DSM data. The results indicate that the accuracy of PIESAT-01 DSM meets the standards of China’s 1:50,000 scale and HRTI-3, demonstrating a high level of precision. Moreover, PIESAT-01 data alleviate the reliance on simulated data for research on multi-baseline imaging and multi-baseline phase unwrapping algorithms and can provide more effective and realistic measured data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Surface Processes: Modeling and Observation)
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14 pages, 925 KiB  
Article
Forecasting and Anomaly Detection in BEWS: Comparative Study of Theta, Croston, and Prophet Algorithms
by Aleksandr N. Grekov, Elena V. Vyshkvarkova and Aleksandr S. Mavrin
Forecasting 2024, 6(2), 343-356; https://doi.org/10.3390/forecast6020019 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Evaluation of water quality and accurate prediction of water pollution indicators are key components in water resource management and water pollution control. The use of biological early warning systems (BEWS), in which living organisms are used as biosensors, allows for a comprehensive assessment [...] Read more.
Evaluation of water quality and accurate prediction of water pollution indicators are key components in water resource management and water pollution control. The use of biological early warning systems (BEWS), in which living organisms are used as biosensors, allows for a comprehensive assessment of the aquatic environment state and a timely response in the event of an emergency. In this paper, we examine three machine learning algorithms (Theta, Croston and Prophet) to forecast bivalves’ activity data obtained from the BEWS developed by the authors. An algorithm for anomalies detection in bivalves’ activity data was developed. Our results showed that for one of the anomalies, Prophet was the best method, and for the other two, the anomaly detection time did not differ between the methods. A comparison of methods in terms of computational speed showed the advantage of the Croston method. This anomaly detection algorithm can be effectively incorporated into the software of biological early warning systems, facilitating rapid responses to changes in the aquatic environment. Full article
37 pages, 8813 KiB  
Article
Experimental and Numerical Study of Suspended Inter-Array Cable Configurations for Floating Offshore Wind Farm
by Di-Rong Li, Yu-Shiou Su and Ray-Yeng Yang
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(6), 853; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12060853 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
The present study evaluates the feasibility of using a fully suspended inter-array cable system for an offshore wind farm. It includes both numerical simulations and a scaled-down experiment, conducted at a 1:49 scale, to validate the numerical results. To achieve the goal, a [...] Read more.
The present study evaluates the feasibility of using a fully suspended inter-array cable system for an offshore wind farm. It includes both numerical simulations and a scaled-down experiment, conducted at a 1:49 scale, to validate the numerical results. To achieve the goal, a 15 MW floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) and a floating offshore substation (FOSS) are involved to simulate the wind farm array. This study incorporates the 50-year return period conditions of the Taiwan Hsinchu offshore area, which has a water depth of about 100 m, to validate the specifications related to the platform motion and mooring line tension. Additionally, an analysis of the tension, curvature, and fatigue damage of the dynamic cable system is discussed in this research. Because a fully suspended cable is a relatively new concept and may be more frequently considered in a deeper water depth area, numerical simulation software Orcina Orcaflex 11.4 has been chosen to conduct the fully coupled simulation, determining whether the fully suspended cable system could effectively withstand the challenges posed by extreme sea conditions. This is due to the reason that a fully suspended cable would occupy a larger space in the ocean, which may pose a risk by influencing the navigation of the vessels. Therefore, the cable laying depth under normal sea states is also discussed to evaluate the influence over vessel navigation. This study also collects the long-term environmental data from the Central Weather Bureau, Taiwan, to calculate the accumulative cable fatigue damage under different sea states. To integrate the results, this research applies fitness parameters to evaluate the feasibility of each cable configuration. Covering the cable performance under extreme sea states and regular operating sea states offers valuable insights for applications in ocean engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Era in Offshore Wind Energy)
14 pages, 1302 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Driving Range Evaluation Method for Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicles
by Ting Guo, Letian Sun, Guozhuo Wang and Shiyu Wu
World Electr. Veh. J. 2024, 15(6), 223; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj15060223 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
The range is one of the most important performance indicators for fuel-cell electric vehicles. This article focuses on the analysis of GB/T 43252-2023 “Energy Consumption and Range Test Methods for Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicles” from the perspective of a standard analysis, and conducts actual [...] Read more.
The range is one of the most important performance indicators for fuel-cell electric vehicles. This article focuses on the analysis of GB/T 43252-2023 “Energy Consumption and Range Test Methods for Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicles” from the perspective of a standard analysis, and conducts actual vehicle tests on the range test method and process. It introduces the measurement method of hydrogen gas filling for test vehicles, and explains the main content of the new standard revision and the main differences between the new and old standards. This article takes the fuel-cell dump truck as an example, and analyzed the relationship between the output power of fuel-cell stacks and power batteries during vehicle operation and driving conditions, as well as the proportion of fuel cell output power. The results show that the optimal output power range of fuel cells is 20–40 kW, accounting for 45.2% of the total operating time. When driving at high speeds, the output power of fuel cells is greater than that of power batteries. Full article
23 pages, 1830 KiB  
Article
Discovery of Natural Compound-Based Lead Molecule against Acetyltransferase Type 1 Bacterial Enzyme from Morganella morgani Using Machine Learning-Enabled Molecular Dynamics Simulation
by Meshari Alazmi and Olaa Motwalli
Processes 2024, 12(6), 1047; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12061047 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Drug-resistant Morganella morganii, a rod-shaped, Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacillus belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family, is a growing worldwide health concern due to its association with high morbidity and mortality rates. Recent advancements in machine learning, particularly Alphafold 2′s protein structure prediction using [...] Read more.
Drug-resistant Morganella morganii, a rod-shaped, Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacillus belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family, is a growing worldwide health concern due to its association with high morbidity and mortality rates. Recent advancements in machine learning, particularly Alphafold 2′s protein structure prediction using local physics and pattern recognition, have aided research efforts. This study focuses on the enzymatic activity of aminoglycoside N6′-acetyltransferase (aacA7), a critical transferase enzyme in bacteria that confers resistance to aminoglycosides. AacA7 modifies aminoglycoside molecules by catalyzing the acetylation of their 6′-amino group using acetyl-CoA, rendering antibiotics like kanamycin, neomycin, tobramycin, and amikacin inactive. We propose that Doripenem and OncoglabrinolC can interact with aacA7, potentially modifying its enzymatic activity. Molecular docking analysis of aacA7 with 22 drug targets revealed OncoglabrinolC as the most promising candidate, exhibiting a binding energy of −12.82 kcal/mol. These two top candidates, OncoglabrinolC and Doripenem, were then subjected to 100 ns of molecular dynamic simulations to assess their dynamic conformational features. Furthermore, the PredictSNP consensus classifier was used to predict the impact of mutations on aacA7 protein functionality. The study also investigated the interaction of wild-type and mutant aacA7 proteins with both Doripenem and OncoglabrinolC. These findings provide valuable insights into the binding behavior of OncoglabrinolC and Doripenem as potential lead molecules for repurposing against aacA7, potentially reducing the pathogenicity of Morganella morganii. Full article
17 pages, 735 KiB  
Article
Quality and Establishment of Some Water-Conserving Turfgrass Species for Sustainable Development and Some Ecosystem Services in Arid Urban Environments
by Fatemeh Kazemi, Mahmood Reza Golzarian and Seyedeh Maliheh Rabbani Kheir Khah
Land 2024, 13(6), 721; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060721 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Turfgrasses are essential landscape plants with social, environmental, and aesthetic services for urban ecosystems. However, more is needed to know how to establish them so that they can benefit from their ecosystem services in urban environments. This research examined some quality and morphological [...] Read more.
Turfgrasses are essential landscape plants with social, environmental, and aesthetic services for urban ecosystems. However, more is needed to know how to establish them so that they can benefit from their ecosystem services in urban environments. This research examined some quality and morphological and physiological factors for the establishment and social and environmental service assessment of three warm-season turfgrasses, including Kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum), bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), and buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides), compared to the cool-season grass of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). The experiment was split-plot in time, based on a randomized complete block design with eight replications. The main plot was the season with four levels, and the subplot was the four turfgrass species types. The results indicated that seasons and turfgrass types and their interaction significantly impacted most measured variables (p ≤ 0.01). Some quality measurements like turf density, color, texture, coverage, and quality after clipping and establishment confirmed the superiority of Buchloe dactyloides over the other species. Also, kikuyu grass showed higher turfgrass density, more potential for weed control, and higher coverage and growth rate but also showed invasiveness features. Tall fescue had the lowest visual aesthetic compared with the other turfgrass species. Warm-season turfgrasses adaptable to the ecology of the region should be used compared to tall fescue to achieve better turfgrass quality and social and ecosystem services for the sustainable development of arid urban environments. Full article
18 pages, 1192 KiB  
Article
Investigating the Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis Delta Virus in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): Impact on Viral Evolution and Oncogenesis in HCC
by Horng-Heng Juang, Chao-Wei Hsu, Kang-Shuo Chang, Shan-Bei Iang, Yang-Hsiang Lin and Mei Chao
Viruses 2024, 16(6), 817; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16060817 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV), an RNA virus with two forms of the delta antigen (HDAg), relies on hepatitis B virus (HBV) for envelope proteins essential for hepatocyte entry. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks third in global cancer deaths, yet HDV’s involvement remains uncertain. Among [...] Read more.
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV), an RNA virus with two forms of the delta antigen (HDAg), relies on hepatitis B virus (HBV) for envelope proteins essential for hepatocyte entry. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks third in global cancer deaths, yet HDV’s involvement remains uncertain. Among 300 HBV-associated HCC serum samples from Taiwan’s National Health Research Institutes, 2.7% (8/300) tested anti-HDV positive, with 62.7% (5/8) of these also HDV RNA positive. Genotyping revealed HDV-2 in one sample, HDV-4 in two, and two samples showed mixed HDV-2/HDV-4 infection with RNA recombination. A mixed-genotype infection revealed novel mutations at the polyadenylation signal, coinciding with the ochre termination codon for the L-HDAg. To delve deeper into the possible oncogenic properties of HDV-2, the predominant genotype in Taiwan, which was previously thought to be less associated with severe disease outcomes, an HDV-2 cDNA clone was isolated from HCC for study. It demonstrated a replication level reaching up to 74% of that observed for a widely used HDV-1 strain in transfected cultured cells. Surprisingly, both forms of HDV-2 HDAg promoted cell migration and invasion, affecting the rearrangement of actin cytoskeleton and the expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition markers. In summary, this study underscores the prevalence of HDV-2, HDV-4, and their mixed infections in HCC, highlighting the genetic diversity in HCC as well as the potential role of both forms of the HDAg in HCC oncogenesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life Cycle of Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) and HDV-Like Agents)
20 pages, 1279 KiB  
Review
The Formation of the Strength of Castings including Stress and Strain Analysis
by Maria Maj
Materials 2024, 17(11), 2484; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17112484 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
This article presents some views on the subject of self- or residual stresses, trying to clarify some erroneously seemingly ingrained formulations in the introduction, which are widely used in castings and their classification (thermal, shrinkage, and phase stresses). For example, the location of [...] Read more.
This article presents some views on the subject of self- or residual stresses, trying to clarify some erroneously seemingly ingrained formulations in the introduction, which are widely used in castings and their classification (thermal, shrinkage, and phase stresses). For example, the location of their occurrence is often not specified, nor in which cross sections (volumes) they balance. In thin bars there are uniaxial stresses and in thin plates, stresses in two orthogonal directions are considered, while in castings, which are always three-dimensional objects, stresses in all planes should be considered. Meanwhile, to make matters worse, the complexity of calculations and possible experiments is rapidly increasing from the 1-axis to the 3-axis condition. A detailed analysis is made of how tensile and compressive stresses are calculated as a function of casting wall thickness, taking into account heat flow between walls of different thicknesses. The article presents selected methods of stress and strain testing, with particular emphasis on elasto-optical testing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on the Microstructure and Properties of Metal Alloys)
17 pages, 5267 KiB  
Article
RIP5 Interacts with REL1 and Negatively Regulates Drought Tolerance in Rice
by Qiuxin Zhang, Dan He, Jingjing Zhang, Hui He, Guohua Guan, Tingting Xu, Weiyan Li, Yan He and Zemin Zhang
Cells 2024, 13(11), 887; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13110887 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Improving the drought resistance of rice is of great significance for expanding the planting area and improving the stable yield of rice. In our previous work, we found that ROLLED AND ERECT LEAF1 (REL1) protein promoted enhanced tolerance to drought stress [...] Read more.
Improving the drought resistance of rice is of great significance for expanding the planting area and improving the stable yield of rice. In our previous work, we found that ROLLED AND ERECT LEAF1 (REL1) protein promoted enhanced tolerance to drought stress by eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and triggering the abscisic acid (ABA) response. However, the mechanism through which REL1 regulates drought tolerance by removing ROS is unclear. In this study, we identified REL1 interacting protein 5 (RIP5) and found that it directly combines with REL1 in the chloroplast. We found that RIP5 was strongly expressed in ZH11 under drought-stress conditions, and that the rip5-ko mutants significantly improved the tolerance of rice plants to drought, whereas overexpression of RIP5 resulted in greater susceptibility to drought. Further investigation suggested that RIP5 negatively regulated drought tolerance in rice by decreasing the content of ascorbic acid (AsA), thereby reducing ROS clearance. RNA sequencing showed that the knockout of RIP5 caused differential gene expression that is chiefly associated with ascorbate and aldarate metabolism. Furthermore, multiple experimental results suggest that REL1 is involved in regulating drought tolerance by inhibiting RIP5. Collectively, our findings reveal the importance of the inhibition of RIP5 by REL1 in affecting the rice’s response to drought stress. This work not only explains the drought tolerance mechanism of rice, but will also help to improve the drought tolerance of rice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cell Biology of Drought and Heat Stress Responses in Plants)
10 pages, 977 KiB  
Article
High-Performance Detection of Mycobacterium bovis in Milk Using Recombinase-Aided Amplification–Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat–Cas13a–Lateral Flow Detection
by Jieru Wang, Nan Wang, Lei Xu, Xiaoyu Zeng, Junsheng Cheng, Xiaoqian Zhang, Yinghui Zhang, Dongdong Yin, Jiaojiao Gou, Xiaocheng Pan and Xiaojie Zhu
Foods 2024, 13(11), 1601; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13111601 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), the microorganism responsible for bovine tuberculosis (bTB), is transferred to people by the ingestion of unpasteurized milk and unprocessed fermented milk products obtained from animals with the infection. The identification of M. bovis in milk samples is [...] Read more.
Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), the microorganism responsible for bovine tuberculosis (bTB), is transferred to people by the ingestion of unpasteurized milk and unprocessed fermented milk products obtained from animals with the infection. The identification of M. bovis in milk samples is of the utmost importance to successfully prevent zoonotic diseases and maintain food safety. This study presents a comprehensive description of a highly efficient molecular test utilizing recombinase-aided amplification (RPA)–clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-associated protein (Cas) 13a–lateral flow detection (LFD) for M. bovis detection. In contrast to ELISA, RPA–CRISPR–Cas13a–LFD exhibited greater accuracy and sensitivity in the detection of M. bovis in milk, presenting a detection limit of 2 × 100 copies/μL within a 2 h time frame. The two tests exhibited a moderate level of agreement, as shown by a kappa value of 0.452 (95%CI: 0.287–0.617, p < 0.001). RPA–CRISPR–Cas13a–LFD holds significant potential as a robust platform for pathogen detection in complex samples, thereby enabling the more dependable regulation of food safety examination, epidemiology research, and medical diagnosis. Full article
16 pages, 2007 KiB  
Article
Study on the Alkali–Sulfur Co-Activation and Mechanical Properties of Low-Carbon Cementitious Composite Materials Based on Electrolytic Manganese Residue, Carbide Slag, and Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag
by Jianbo Liang, Rongjin Liu, Daiyan Jing, Fuhua Lu, Yanrong Zhao, Zhihan Xie, Wanyu Huang and Tingchao Chen
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4355; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114355 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Industrial solid waste is characterized by complex mineral phases and various components. Low-carbon cementitious materials can be prepared through precise regulation based on the material composition and properties of various industrial solid wastes. In this study, electrolytic manganese residue (EMR), carbide slag (CS), [...] Read more.
Industrial solid waste is characterized by complex mineral phases and various components. Low-carbon cementitious materials can be prepared through precise regulation based on the material composition and properties of various industrial solid wastes. In this study, electrolytic manganese residue (EMR), carbide slag (CS), and granulated blast-furnace slag (GBFS) were used as alternatives to cement to prepare multicomponent solid waste cementitious materials. The effects of the proportions of EMR and CS on the cementitious activity of GBFS and the activation mechanism of alkali and sulfur were studied. The results showed that with increasing EMR content, the strength first increased and then decreased. At a GBFS content of 20%, CS content of 2%, and EMR content of 8%, the compressive strength was highest, reaching 45.5 MPa after 28 days of curing, mainly because the OH in CS and SO42− in EMR synergistically stimulated the active components in GBFS. Hydrated products such as ettringite and hydrated calcium silicate (C–S–H gel) were generated and interlaced with each other to improve the densification of the mortar. Overall, the proposed system provides an avenue to reduce or replace the production of cement clinker and achieve the high-value-added utilization of industrial solid waste. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Materials and Waste Recovery)
14 pages, 1492 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study of Plugging Agent Particle Size and Concentration on Temporary Plugging Fracturing in Shale Formation
by Feng Yang, Qin Qian, Mingjing Lu, Wenjun He, Anhai Zhong, Zilin Zhang, Danyang Zhu and Yushi Zou
Processes 2024, 12(6), 1049; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12061049 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
During the temporary plugging fracturing (TPF) process, the pressure response and pumping behavior significantly differ from those observed during conventional fracturing fluid pumping. Once the temporary plugging agent (TPA) forms a plug, subsequent fracture initiation and propagation become more intricate due to the [...] Read more.
During the temporary plugging fracturing (TPF) process, the pressure response and pumping behavior significantly differ from those observed during conventional fracturing fluid pumping. Once the temporary plugging agent (TPA) forms a plug, subsequent fracture initiation and propagation become more intricate due to the influence of the TPA and early fractures. Factors such as concentration, particle size, and ratio of the TPA notably affect the effectiveness of TPF. This study employs a true triaxial hydraulic fracturing simulation system to conduct TPF experiments with varying particle size combinations and concentrations at both in-fracture and in-stage locations. The impact of different TPA parameters on the plugging effectiveness is assessed by analyzing the morphology of the induced fractures and the characteristics of pressure curves post experiment. Results indicate that combining dfferent particle sizes enhances plugging effectiveness, with a combination of smaller and larger particles exhibiting superior plugging effectiveness, resulting in a pressure increase of over 25.9%. As the concentration of the TPA increases, the plugging fracture pressure rises, accompanied by rapid pressure response and significant plugging effects, leading to more complex fracture morphology. For shale reservoirs, the density of bedding planes (BPs) influences the morphology and width of conventional hydraulic fractures, thereby affecting the effectiveness of subsequent refracturing. Rock samples with a relatively low BP density demonstrate effective plugging initiation both in-fracture and in-stage, facilitating the formation of complex fracture networks. Conversely, specimens with a relatively high BP density exhibit superior plugging effectiveness in-stage compared to in-fracture plugging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Energy Systems)
20 pages, 319 KiB  
Article
Existence and Nonexistence of Positive Solutions for Semilinear Elliptic Equations Involving Hardy–Sobolev Critical Exponents
by Lin-Lin Wang and Yong-Hong Fan
Mathematics 2024, 12(11), 1616; https://doi.org/10.3390/math12111616 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
The following semi-linear elliptic equations involving Hardy–Sobolev critical exponents [...] Read more.
The following semi-linear elliptic equations involving Hardy–Sobolev critical exponents Δuμux2=u2*s2xsu+g(x,u),xΩ0,u=0,xΩ have been investigated, where Ω is an open-bounded domain in RNN3, with a smooth boundary Ω, 0Ω,0μ<μ¯:=N222,0s<2, and 2*s=2Ns/N2 is the Hardy–Sobolev critical exponent. This problem comes from the study of standing waves in the anisotropic Schrödinger equation; it is very important in the fields of hydrodynamics, glaciology, quantum field theory, and statistical mechanics. Under some deterministic conditions on g, by a detailed estimation of the extremum function and using mountain pass lemma with PSc conditions, we obtained that: (a) If μμ¯1, and λ<λ1μ, then the above problem has at least a positive solution in H01Ω; (b) If μ¯1<μ<μ¯,then when λ*μ<λ<λ1μ, the above problem has at least a positive solution in H01Ω; (c) if μ¯1<μ<μ¯ and Ω=B(0,R), then the above problem has no positive solution for λλ*μ. These results are extensions of E. Jannelli’s research (g(x,u)=λu). Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Difference and Differential Equations)
17 pages, 4998 KiB  
Article
Does Engine Oil Type Affect Fuel Consumption in Passenger Vehicles? A Two-Year Investigation
by Artur Wolak, Michał Wołosz, Kamil Fijorek and Grzegorz Zając
Energies 2024, 17(11), 2458; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17112458 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Reducing fuel consumption to decrease CO2 emissions has become a key development factor in the automotive industry. An effective way to decrease fuel consumption is to reduce the influence of various sources of energy loss. One way to increase engine efficiency is [...] Read more.
Reducing fuel consumption to decrease CO2 emissions has become a key development factor in the automotive industry. An effective way to decrease fuel consumption is to reduce the influence of various sources of energy loss. One way to increase engine efficiency is to use low-viscosity engine oils to reduce friction losses in the engine’s tribological systems. The aim of the article was to analyze the relationship between the type of engine oil and fuel consumption in a group of 12 passenger cars. This was a homogenous group of identical cars, equipped with the same engine, operated under very similar conditions. Three groups of engine oils (Revline, Total, Orlen) were tested in vehicles and stressed with comparable workloads. The experiment was conducted over two years (two stages of research). The collected results were presented using graphs and compared using statistical tests, split into two stages of research, with four seasonal temperature groups. The study provides a detailed description of fuel consumption differences taking into account variations in ambient temperature. The analyses were focused on finding answers to two research questions: does the type of engine oil affect the variation in combustion levels, and what is the variability of fuel consumption in different seasons due to the ambient temperature variability? Briefly, in both stages of the study, vehicles using Revline oil attained the highest average fuel consumption throughout the study period. Vehicles using Total oil showed similar results to those using Revline oil, with the difference in fuel consumption not as noticeable during warmer months. Conversely, vehicles using Orlen oil demonstrated the lowest fuel consumption values during colder months, but higher levels during warmer months. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section I1: Fuel)
15 pages, 1091 KiB  
Article
Performance Evaluation of Parallel Graphs Algorithms Utilizing Graphcore IPU
by Paweł Gepner, Bartłomiej Kocot, Marcin Paprzycki, Maria Ganzha, Leonid Moroz and Tomasz Olas
Electronics 2024, 13(11), 2011; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13112011 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Recent years have been characterized by increasing interest in graph computations. This trend can be related to the large number of potential application areas. Moreover, increasing computational capabilities of modern computers allowed turning theory of graph algorithms into explorations of best methods for [...] Read more.
Recent years have been characterized by increasing interest in graph computations. This trend can be related to the large number of potential application areas. Moreover, increasing computational capabilities of modern computers allowed turning theory of graph algorithms into explorations of best methods for their actual realization. These factors, in turn, brought about ideas like creation of a hardware component dedicated to graph computation; i.e., the Graphcore Intelligent Processor Unit (IPU). Interestingly, Graphcore systems are a hardware implementation of the Bulk Synchronous Parallel paradigm, which seemed to be a mostly theoretical concept from the end of last century. In this context, the question that has to be addressed experimentally is as follows: how good are Graphcore systems in comparison with standard systems that can be used to run graph algorithms, i.e., CPUs and GPUs. To provide a partial response to this broad question, in this contribution, PageRank, Single Source Shortest Path and Breadth-First Search algorithms are used to compare the performance of IPU-deployed algorithms to other parallel architectures. Obtained results clearly show that the Graphcore IPU outperforms other devices for the studied heterogeneous algorithms and, currently, provides best-in-class execution time results for a range of graph sizes and densities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances of Cloud, Edge, and Parallel Computing)
18 pages, 6106 KiB  
Article
Preparation of 2D/2D CoAl-LDH/BiO(OH)XI1−X Heterojunction Catalyst with Enhanced Visible–Light Photocatalytic Activity for Organic Pollutants Degradation in Water
by Liying Che and Huanhuan Ji
Water 2024, 16(11), 1467; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111467 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Hydrotalcite/bismuth solid solution (2D/2D CoAl-LDH/BiO(OH)XI1−X) heterojunction photocatalysts were fabricated through a hydrothermal route. Because of their identical layered structure and interlayer hydroxides, CoAl-LDH(2D) and BiO(OH)XI1−X(2D) form a tightly bonded heterojunction, resulting in efficient light absorption, [...] Read more.
Hydrotalcite/bismuth solid solution (2D/2D CoAl-LDH/BiO(OH)XI1−X) heterojunction photocatalysts were fabricated through a hydrothermal route. Because of their identical layered structure and interlayer hydroxides, CoAl-LDH(2D) and BiO(OH)XI1−X(2D) form a tightly bonded heterojunction, resulting in efficient light absorption, excitation, and carrier migration conversion. At the same time, the large specific surface area and abundant hydroxyl groups of the layered structure make the heterojunction catalyst exhibit excellent performance in the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. Under visible light irradiation and in the presence of 1 g/L of the catalyst, 10 mg/L of methyl orange (MO) in water could be completely degraded within 20 min, and the degradation rate of tetracycline (TC) reached 99.23% within 5 min. CoAl-LDH/BiO(OH)XI1−X still maintained good photocatalytic degradation activity of tetracycline after five cycles, and the structure of the catalyst did not change. The reaction mechanism related to the degradation of TC by photocatalytic reactions was explored in detail, and the photoexcitation of the semiconductor heterojunction, as well as the subsequent free radical reaction process and the degradation pathway of TC were clarified. This work provides a promising strategy for the preparation of efficient photocatalytic materials and the development of water purification technology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Wastewater Treatment and Reuse)
15 pages, 5013 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Evaluation of the Physicochemical Attributes, Antioxidant Capacity, and pH-Responsive Behavior of Starch Films Enhanced by Laver Incorporation
by Ying Chen, Zhu Zhu, Yunyue Ye, Qi Li, Tao Yang, Chengran Guan and Fengsong Liu
Foods 2024, 13(11), 1600; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13111600 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Herein, a new starch film incorporating laver was developed to address issues related to inadequate water resistance and suboptimal preservation quality in food packaging. The integration of laver into starch film formulations offers a compelling avenue for creating biodegradable, active, and smart food [...] Read more.
Herein, a new starch film incorporating laver was developed to address issues related to inadequate water resistance and suboptimal preservation quality in food packaging. The integration of laver into starch film formulations offers a compelling avenue for creating biodegradable, active, and smart food packaging. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed that the starch film with a laver concentration of 70% exhibited a uniformly flat microstructure, as expected. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of intermolecular interactions and hydrogen bonding between the starch and laver. Viscoelastic tests demonstrated the superior film-forming performance of the starch/laver composite films. Moreover, it was found that the most favorable concentration of incorporated laver was 10%. Specifically, the S7-3 film emerged as a promising candidate for food packaging applications, boasting the highest contact angle (CA) value of 114.98 ± 1.28°, the lowest water solubility (WS) value of 15.38%, and a reduced water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) value of 2.52 g/m2 × h. Additionally, the S3-7 film displayed an extraordinary tensile strength of 32.47 MPa, an elongation at break of 19.04%, and a Young’s modulus of 606.83 MPa. Furthermore, the starch/laver composite films exhibited outstanding UV-blocking capabilities, exceptional pH-responsive behavior, and significant antioxidant activity, underscoring their potential for packaging applications with laver integration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Active Packaging in Food Storage: From Development to Utilization)
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12 pages, 3199 KiB  
Article
Flow-Independent Thermal Conductivity and Volumetric Heat Capacity Measurement of Pure Gases and Binary Gas Mixtures Using a Single Heated Wire
by Shirin Azadi Kenari, Remco J. Wiegerink, Remco G. P. Sanders and Joost C. Lötters
Micromachines 2024, 15(6), 671; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15060671 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Among the different techniques for monitoring the flow rate of various fluids, thermal flow sensors stand out for their straightforward measurement technique. However, the main drawback of these types of sensors is their dependency on the thermal properties of the medium, i.e., thermal [...] Read more.
Among the different techniques for monitoring the flow rate of various fluids, thermal flow sensors stand out for their straightforward measurement technique. However, the main drawback of these types of sensors is their dependency on the thermal properties of the medium, i.e., thermal conductivity (k), and volumetric heat capacity (ρcp). They require calibration whenever the fluid in the system changes. In this paper, we present a single hot wire suspended above a V-groove cavity that is used to measure k and ρcp through DC and AC excitation for both pure gases and binary gas mixtures, respectively. The unique characteristic of the proposed sensor is its independence of the flow velocity, which makes it possible to detect the medium properties while the fluid flows over the sensor chip. The measured error due to fluctuations in flow velocity is less than ±0.5% for all test gases except for He, where it is ±6% due to the limitations of the measurement setup. The working principle and measurement results are discussed. Full article
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23 pages, 503 KiB  
Systematic Review
Pneumococcal and Influenza Vaccination Coverage in Patients with Heart Failure: A Systematic Review
by Dimitrios Papagiannis, Christos Kourek, Alexandros Briasoulis, Evangelos C. Fradelos, Evangelia D. Papagianni, Ilias Papadimopoulos, Grigorios Giamouzis, John Skoularigis and Andrew Xanthopoulos
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(11), 3029; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13113029 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Background/Objectives: As heart failure (HF) patients face increased vulnerability to respiratory infections, optimizing pneumococcal and influenza vaccination coverage becomes pivotal for mitigating additional health risks and reducing hospitalizations, morbidity, and mortality rates within this population. In this specific subpopulation of patients, vaccination coverage [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: As heart failure (HF) patients face increased vulnerability to respiratory infections, optimizing pneumococcal and influenza vaccination coverage becomes pivotal for mitigating additional health risks and reducing hospitalizations, morbidity, and mortality rates within this population. In this specific subpopulation of patients, vaccination coverage for pneumococcal and influenza holds heightened significance compared to other vaccines due to their susceptibility to respiratory infections, which can exacerbate existing cardiovascular conditions and lead to severe complications or even death. However, despite the recognized benefits, vaccination coverage among HF patients remains below expectations. The aim of the present systematic review was to assess the vaccination coverage for influenza and pneumococcus in HF patients from 2005 to 2023 and the vaccination’s effects on survival and hospitalizations. Methods: The authors developed the protocol of the review in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, and the search was performed in databases including PubMed and Scopus. After the initial search, 851 studies were found in PubMed Library and 1961 in Scopus (total of 2812 studies). Results: After the initial evaluation, 23 publications were finally included in the analysis. The total study population consisted of 6,093,497 participants. Regarding the influenza vaccine, vaccination coverage ranged from low rates of 2.5% to very high rates of 97%, while the respective pneumococcal vaccination coverage ranged from 20% to 84.6%. Most studies demonstrated a beneficial effect of vaccination on survival and hospitalizations. Conclusions: The present systematic review study showed a wide variety of vaccination coverage among patients with heart failure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathy)
8 pages, 7266 KiB  
Case Report
Zero-Fluoroscopy Catheter Ablation of Right Appendage Focal Atrial Tachycardia in a Pregnant Woman
by Federica Troisi, Noemi Valenti, Federico Quadrini, Nicola Vitulano, Antonio Di Monaco, Imma Romanazzi, Rosa Caruso, Rocco Orfino and Massimo Grimaldi
Clin. Pract. 2024, 14(3), 946-953; https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract14030075 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Background: Arrhythmias in pregnancy are complex to manage due to the teratogenic effects of many antiarrhythmic drugs and the common use of ionizing radiation during catheter ablation procedures. Furthermore, pregnant women are extremely vulnerable and difficult to treat because of the progressive physical [...] Read more.
Background: Arrhythmias in pregnancy are complex to manage due to the teratogenic effects of many antiarrhythmic drugs and the common use of ionizing radiation during catheter ablation procedures. Furthermore, pregnant women are extremely vulnerable and difficult to treat because of the progressive physical and hormonal changes that occur during the nine months of pregnancy. Case Presentation: In this case report, we describe a complex clinical case of a 34-year-old pregnant woman who was affected by an incessant right atrial tachycardia, with signs and symptoms of initial hemodynamic instability. This tachycardia was refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs, so a zero-fluoroscopy ablation was performed. The first procedure was complicated by cardiac tamponade, quickly resolved without further complications for the mother or the fetus. In the following days, a deep venous thrombosis occurred at the femoral venous access. After a few days, the patient underwent a second procedure that was successful and resulted in the restoration of a sinus rhythm. Conclusions: The management of this clinical case was complex both from a procedural and a clinical (cardiological and gynecological) point of view. Finally, the integration of the various skills led to an excellent result. Full article
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15 pages, 355 KiB  
Article
Spirituality, Religiosity, and Mental Health in Patients with Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies: A Brazilian Multicentric Case–Control Study
by Jucier Gonçalves Júnior, Alexandre Moura dos Santos, Romão Augusto Alves Filgueira Sampaio, Thalita do Nascimento Silva, Giovanna Martines, Daniel Brito de Araújo, Estelita Lima Cândido and Samuel Katsuyuki Shinjo
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(6), 653; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21060653 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
No published studies have investigated the correlation between religiosity, spirituality, mental health, and idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) or systemic autoimmune myopathy. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association between religiosity/spirituality, sociodemographic factors, and the mental health of IIM patients. This is a multicenter [...] Read more.
No published studies have investigated the correlation between religiosity, spirituality, mental health, and idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) or systemic autoimmune myopathy. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association between religiosity/spirituality, sociodemographic factors, and the mental health of IIM patients. This is a multicenter case–control study that included 151 patients with IIMs and 95 individuals without autoimmune diseases (controls), held between August 2022 and April 2023. This study used a semi-structured questionnaire that included sociodemographic information and the juxtaposition of the following questionnaires: the Attitudes Related to Spirituality Scale (ARES); the Duke University Religion Index (DUKE), which is composed of the organizational religious affiliation (ORA), non-organizational religious affiliation (NORA), and intrinsic religiosity (IR) domains; and the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Data were analyzed using Epi Info software 7.2.5 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA). A comparison between the mean values of the ARES, DUKE, and GHQ-12 scales was made using the Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests. A logistic regression test was used with the variables whose difference was statistically significant in the univariate analysis. Correlation analysis was performed using the Spearman rho coefficient. A higher prevalence of evangelicals and a lower prevalence of Catholics (p < 0.050) were seen in the IIM group compared to controls. Positive association was demonstrated between IIMs and the pardo ethnicity (OR = 2.26, 95% CI = 1.20–4.25, p = 0.011), highest ORA (OR = 2.81, 95% CI = 1.53–5.15, p < 0.001), NORA (OR = 3.99, 95% CI = 1.94–8·18, p < 0.001), IR (OR = 5.27, 95% CI = 2.32–11.97, p < 0.001), and ARES values (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.04–1.13, p < 0.001). Mental health levels were compared between the groups (p > 0.999). Therefore, higher levels of religiosity and spirituality were observed in the IIM group than in the control group, but there was a similar distribution of mental health levels. The following can be cited as advantages of the present study: (i) the large sample for a rare disease with the presence of a control group; (ii) the multicenter characteristic with participation from three regions of Brazil; (iii) being the first study to map aspects of religiosity, spirituality, and mental health in IIMs. Full article

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