The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
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18 pages, 2539 KiB  
Article
A Circularly Polarized Non-Resonant Slotted Waveguide Antenna Array for Wide-Angle Scanning
by Guodong Han and Weihang Liu
Sensors 2024, 24(10), 3056; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24103056 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
A compact circularly polarized non-resonant slotted waveguide antenna array is proposed with the aim of achieving wide-angle scanning, circular polarization, and low side-lobe levels. The designed antenna demonstrates a scanning range of +11° to +13° in the frequency domain and a beam scanning [...] Read more.
A compact circularly polarized non-resonant slotted waveguide antenna array is proposed with the aim of achieving wide-angle scanning, circular polarization, and low side-lobe levels. The designed antenna demonstrates a scanning range of +11° to +13° in the frequency domain and a beam scanning range of −45° to +45° in the phase domain. This design exhibits significant advantages for low-cost two-dimensional electronic scanning circularly polarized arrays. It employs a compact element that reduces the aperture area by 50% compared to traditional circular polarization cavities. Additionally, the staggered array method is employed to achieve an element spacing of 0.57λ within the azimuth plane. Isolation gaps were introduced into the array to enhance the circular polarization performance of non-resonant arrays. The Taylor synthesis method was employed to reduce the side-lobe levels. A prototype was designed, fabricated, and measured. The results indicate superior radiation efficiency, favorable VSWR levels, and an axis ratio maintenance below 3 dB across the scanning range. The proposed antenna and methodology effectively broaden the beam scanning angle of circularly polarized slotted waveguide array antennas. Full article
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20 pages, 32137 KiB  
Article
“Architectural Acupuncture” in Urban Morphology Studies
by Paolo Carlotti
Land 2024, 13(5), 661; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050661 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
This paper aims to track the evolution of urban morphology studies, focusing on a graphical understanding of transformation phenomena in historical and contemporary city fabrics. It points out similarities in urban morphology studies by authors like Aldo Rossi, Carlo Oswald W. Ungers, Hans [...] Read more.
This paper aims to track the evolution of urban morphology studies, focusing on a graphical understanding of transformation phenomena in historical and contemporary city fabrics. It points out similarities in urban morphology studies by authors like Aldo Rossi, Carlo Oswald W. Ungers, Hans Kollhoff, Saverio Muratori, Gianfranco Caniggia, and Giancarlo de Carlo. These studies developed within a supportive cultural environment, aligning with analogical procedures and anticipating the contemporary concept of urban acupuncture. Urban acupuncture denotes episodic and locally impactful interventions countering grand, self-celebratory architectural projects. These interventions are promoted both by liberal and capitalist culture as well as by socialist-inspired culture. Lastly, these interventions, promoted by various cultural backgrounds, highlight the multi-scale nature of urban morphology studies and urban acupuncture projects. Each change in form corresponds to a morphological adaptation and a redefinition of urban rules and grammar usable in projects with territorial significance. Today, enhanced by digital tools, these studies confirm insights and syntheses, presenting urban acupuncture interventions in real-time socio-economic flows and dynamics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Morphology: A Perspective from Space)
11 pages, 719 KiB  
Article
Genome-Based Classification of Pedobacter albus sp. nov. and Pedobacter flavus sp. nov. Isolated from Soil
by Nhan Le Thi Tuyet and Jaisoo Kim
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16050292 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Two rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, Gram-negative bacteria, strain KR3-3T isolated from fresh soil in Korea and strain VNH31T obtained from soil samples from motorbike repair workshop floors in Vietnam, were identified. Phylogenetic analysis utilizing 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed their affiliation with the [...] Read more.
Two rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, Gram-negative bacteria, strain KR3-3T isolated from fresh soil in Korea and strain VNH31T obtained from soil samples from motorbike repair workshop floors in Vietnam, were identified. Phylogenetic analysis utilizing 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed their affiliation with the family Sphingobacteriaceae and their relation to the genus Pedobacter, exhibiting 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities lower than 98.00% with all known species within the genus Pedobacter. Growth of VNH31T and KR3-3T was impeded by NaCl concentrations exceeding >0.5% and 1.5%, respectively, while they both thrived optimally at temperatures ranging between 25 and 30 °C. Notably, neither strain reduced nitrate to nitrite nor produced indole. Negative results were observed for the acidification of D-glucose and hydrolysis of urea, gelatin, casein, and starch. VNH31T exhibited growth on β-galactosidase, sodium acetate, L-serine, and L-proline, whereas KR 3-3T demonstrated growth on D-glucose, D-mannose, D-maltose, N-acetyl-glucosamine, sucrose, sodium acetate, L-serine, 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid, and L-proline. Core genome-based phylogenetic analysis revealed that the two isolates formed distinct clusters within the genus Pedobacter. The DNA G+C contents of KR3-3T and VNH31T were determined to be 44.12 mol% and 32.96 mol%, respectively. The average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization relatedness values (67.19–74.19% and 17.6–23.6%, respectively) between the Pedobacter isolates and the closely related type strains fell below the threshold values utilized for species delineation. Following comprehensive genomic, chemotaxonomic, phenotypic, and phylogenetic analyses, the isolated strains are proposed as two novel species within the genus Pedobacter, named Pedobacter albus sp. nov. (type strain KR3-3T = KACC 23486T = NBRC 116682T) and Pedobacter flavus sp. nov. (type strain VNH31T = KACC 23297T = CCTCC AB 2023109T). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Diversity and Culture Collections Hotspots in 2024)
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13 pages, 2050 KiB  
Article
Simulation Analysis of Phase Jitter in Differential Sampling of AC Waveforms Based on the Programmable Josephson Voltage Standard
by Yanping Wang, Xiaogang Sun, Jianting Zhao, Kunli Zhou, Yunfeng Lu, Jifeng Qu, Pengcheng Hu and Qing He
Electronics 2024, 13(10), 1890; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13101890 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
The effect of phase jitter on differential sampling using the programmable Josephson voltage standard (PJVS) system is studied in this paper. A phase jitter model is established for the measured signal, and compensation coefficients for phase jitter removal are derived for three different [...] Read more.
The effect of phase jitter on differential sampling using the programmable Josephson voltage standard (PJVS) system is studied in this paper. A phase jitter model is established for the measured signal, and compensation coefficients for phase jitter removal are derived for three different post-processing methods based on the discrete Fourier transform algorithm (DFT). Based on our analysis, the phase jitter compensation coefficients are determined by the phase jitter angle distribution and harmonic order. Furthermore, after analyzing and simulating various common distributions, the phase jitter compensation coefficients have been verified. The simulation shows that when the standard deviation of the phase jitter angle is 20 ns, and the frequency of the measuring waveform is 3.46 kHz, the influence of the phase jitter is 1 × 10−7. The results of the simulation indicate that, in the differential sampling of AC waveforms using a PJVS system, phase jitter is one of the error terms for an uncertainty budget that cannot be neglected, particularly as the frequency of the measured waveforms increases. Full article
25 pages, 5084 KiB  
Article
Molecular Mechanism of Exogenous ABA to Enhance UV-B Resistance in Rhododendron chrysanthum Pall. by Modulating Flavonoid Accumulation
by Wang Yu, Fushuai Gong, Hongwei Xu and Xiaofu Zhou
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5248; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105248 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
With the depletion of the ozone layer, the intensity of ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation reaching the Earth’s surface increases, which in turn causes significant stress to plants and affects all aspects of plant growth and development. The aim of this study was to [...] Read more.
With the depletion of the ozone layer, the intensity of ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation reaching the Earth’s surface increases, which in turn causes significant stress to plants and affects all aspects of plant growth and development. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of response to UV-B radiation in the endemic species of Rhododendron chrysanthum Pall. (R. chrysanthum) in the Changbai Mountains and to study how exogenous ABA regulates the response of R. chrysanthum to UV-B stress. The results of chlorophyll fluorescence images and OJIP kinetic curves showed that UV-B radiation damaged the PSII photosystem of R. chrysanthum, and exogenous ABA could alleviate this damage to some extent. A total of 2148 metabolites were detected by metabolomics, of which flavonoids accounted for the highest number (487, or 22.67%). KEGG enrichment analysis of flavonoids that showed differential accumulation by UV-B radiation and exogenous ABA revealed that flavonoid biosynthesis and flavone and flavonol biosynthesis were significantly altered. GO analysis showed that most of the DEGs produced after UV-B radiation and exogenous ABA were distributed in the cellular process, cellular anatomical entity, and catalytic activity. Network analysis of key DFs and DEGs associated with flavonoid synthesis identified key flavonoids (isorhamnetin-3-O-gallate and dihydromyricetin) and genes (TRINITY_DN2213_c0_g1_i4-A1) that promote the resistance of R. chrysanthum to UV-B stress. In addition, multiple transcription factor families were found to be involved in the regulation of the flavonoid synthesis pathway under UV-B stress. Overall, R. chrysanthum actively responded to UV-B stress by regulating changes in flavonoids, especially flavones and flavonols, while exogenous ABA further enhanced its resistance to UV-B stress. The experimental results not only provide a new perspective for understanding the molecular mechanism of the response to UV-B stress in the R. chrysanthum, but also provide a valuable theoretical basis for future research and application in improving plant adversity tolerance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Plant Abiotic Stress)
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16 pages, 4575 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Air Quality and Thermal Comfort in University Dormitories in China
by Yanpeng Wu, Xiaoyu Li, Sheng Zhao, Qianglong Wang, Shanxin Wang, Liyang Yu and Faming Wang
Atmosphere 2024, 15(5), 586; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15050586 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Most studies on Chinese dormitories are carried out in summer, while few focus on a transition season or winter. This study evaluated the air quality of a student dormitory in a university in the Beijing area by using a questionnaire survey and on-site [...] Read more.
Most studies on Chinese dormitories are carried out in summer, while few focus on a transition season or winter. This study evaluated the air quality of a student dormitory in a university in the Beijing area by using a questionnaire survey and on-site measurements. The CO2 concentration was used as an indoor air quality evaluation index to characterize the freshness of the air, and different window opening conditions in the dormitory were simulated, with corresponding improvement plans proposed. The results of this study revealed that the air quality and thermal comfort of the student dormitories during a transition season and winter fell short of expectations. According to the survey, students who opened their windows frequently had a better subjective perception of the air quality. However, due to the large temperature difference between day and night, more than 80% of the students felt too cold when opening the windows. For daytime conditions, the area of unilateral ventilation window opening should not be less than 0.39 m2, the area of bilateral ventilation window opening should not be less than 0.13 m2, and the time taken to close the windows and doors should not exceed the maximum ventilation interval. Empirical equations were fitted for nighttime conditions based on the CO2 concentration, number of people in the room, and window opening area, resulting in a reasonable window opening area of 0.349 m2~0.457 m2. In sum, this study assessed the air quality status within typical university dormitories across varying seasons, gaining a clear understanding of how different ventilation strategies and occupant densities influence air freshness and thermal comfort. Based on these insights, a practical and optimized window area recommendation was formulated to enhance the indoor environmental quality in these dormitories. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contributions of Emission Inventory to Air Quality)
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21 pages, 749 KiB  
Systematic Review
Evaluating the Environmental Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on Human Health: A Systematic Review
by Luigi Cofone, Marise Sabato, Enrico Di Rosa, Chiara Colombo and Lorenzo Paglione
Urban Sci. 2024, 8(2), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8020049 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Due to major global urbanisation, a careful evaluation of plans (town planning and mobility) and projects (industrial and development) is required in order to measure their impact on health and environmental matrices. In Italy, Legislative Decree No 152/06 introduced two procedures: the EIA [...] Read more.
Due to major global urbanisation, a careful evaluation of plans (town planning and mobility) and projects (industrial and development) is required in order to measure their impact on health and environmental matrices. In Italy, Legislative Decree No 152/06 introduced two procedures: the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) and SIA (Strategic Impact Assessment). Their focus, however, does not consider human health. Recently, the Integrated Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (IEHIA) was introduced; this defines the parameters necessary to provide an EIA that includes human health as a factor. This systematic review was conducted, including both the population impacted by new facilities and the method used to define their impact. Our database search produced 724 articles, of which 33 were eligible. Studies included landfill plans, manufacturing industries, mobility policies, energy production, and the environmental health of an area. All studies show how an approach encompassing multiple parameters can analyse the impact of a new facility in a comprehensive manner. This review shows that the use of health-related environmental impact parameters is essential for the integration of a project into a community, and can allow a wider understanding of the possible impacts on human health, both direct and indirect. Full article
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14 pages, 3928 KiB  
Article
Study of Steroid Estrogen Loss in Soil after the Application of Composted Manure as a Fertilizer
by Jimeng Feng, Jian Shen, Yani Li, Lina Chi, Xinze Wang and Jiangping Qiu
Water 2024, 16(10), 1374; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16101374 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Steroid estrogens (SEs) play a significant role as endocrine-disrupting substances, and one of their major sources is animal manure. However, there is limited information available regarding the loss of SEs in farmland soil after the application of commercial composted animal manure or fertilizers. [...] Read more.
Steroid estrogens (SEs) play a significant role as endocrine-disrupting substances, and one of their major sources is animal manure. However, there is limited information available regarding the loss of SEs in farmland soil after the application of commercial composted animal manure or fertilizers. To address this gap, our study aimed to simulate rainfall and flood irrigation scenarios and investigate the loss characteristics of SEs, as well as Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Nitrogen (TN), and Total Phosphorus (TP) in runoff from soil–manure mixtures. The results demonstrated that the loss concentrations of SEs (73.1 ng/L of the mean E2β active equivalent factor) presented a potential environmental risk. Additionally, substituting composted manure with commercial organic fertilizers lead to a significant reduction in TP (maximum 56%) and TN (maximum 24%) loss. Consequently, the application of commercial organic fertilizers offers considerable advantages in maintaining nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization efficiency while controlling SEs loss. Furthermore, our study explored the synergistic pollution mechanism among these pollutants and observed significant correlations between SEs and TN, TP, and COD loss concentrations, indicating the simultaneous occurrence and migration of these pollutants in agricultural non-point source pollution. These results provide valuable insights into the environmental risk associated with SEs from agricultural non-point sources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Soil and Water Environment)
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27 pages, 20869 KiB  
Article
Seismic Monitoring of a Deep Geothermal Field in Munich (Germany) Using Borehole Distributed Acoustic Sensing
by Jérôme Azzola and Emmanuel Gaucher
Sensors 2024, 24(10), 3061; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24103061 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Geothermal energy exploitation in urban areas necessitates robust real-time seismic monitoring for risk mitigation. While surface-based seismic networks are valuable, they are sensitive to anthropogenic noise. This study investigates the capabilities of borehole Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) for local seismic monitoring of a [...] Read more.
Geothermal energy exploitation in urban areas necessitates robust real-time seismic monitoring for risk mitigation. While surface-based seismic networks are valuable, they are sensitive to anthropogenic noise. This study investigates the capabilities of borehole Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) for local seismic monitoring of a geothermal field located in Munich, Germany. We leverage the operator’s cloud infrastructure for DAS data management and processing. We introduce a comprehensive workflow for the automated processing of DAS data, including seismic event detection, onset time picking, and event characterization. The latter includes the determination of the event hypocenter, origin time, seismic moment, and stress drop. Waveform-based parameters are obtained after the automatic conversion of the DAS strain-rate to acceleration. We present the results of a 6-month monitoring period that demonstrates the capabilities of the proposed monitoring set-up, from the management of DAS data volumes to the establishment of an event catalog. The comparison of the results with seismometer data shows that the phase and amplitude of DAS data can be reliably used for seismic processing. This emphasizes the potential of improving seismic monitoring capabilities with hybrid networks, combining surface and downhole seismometers with borehole DAS. The inherent high-density array configuration of borehole DAS proves particularly advantageous in urban and operational environments. This study stresses that realistic prior knowledge of the seismic velocity model remains essential to prevent a large number of DAS sensing points from biasing results and interpretation. This study suggests the potential for a gradual extension of the network as geothermal exploitation progresses and new wells are equipped, owing to the scalability of the described monitoring system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sensor Technologies for Seismic Monitoring)
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22 pages, 2405 KiB  
Article
A Study on a Health Impact Assessment and Healthcare Cost Calculation of Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Residents under PM2.5 and O3 Pollution
by Yanyong Hu, Kun Chao, Zhujun Zhu, Jiaqi Yue, Xiaotong Qie and Meijia Wang
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4030; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104030 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Excessive fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) are invisible killers affecting our wellbeing and safety, which cause great harm to people’s health, cause serious healthcare and economic losses, and affect the sustainable development of the social economy. The [...] Read more.
Excessive fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) are invisible killers affecting our wellbeing and safety, which cause great harm to people’s health, cause serious healthcare and economic losses, and affect the sustainable development of the social economy. The effective evaluation of the impact of pollutants on the human body, the associated costs, and the reduction of regional compound air pollution is an important research direction. Taking Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) as the research area, this study constructs a comprehensive model for measuring the healthcare costs of PM2.5 and O3 using the Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program (BenMAP) as its basis. First, this study establishes a health impact assessment model and calculates the number of people affected by PM2.5 and O3 exposure using the health impact function in the BTH region. Then, the willingness to pay (WTP) and cost of illness (COI) methods are used to estimate the healthcare costs inflicted by the two pollutants upon residents from 2018 to 2021. The calculation results show that the total healthcare costs caused by PM2.5 and O3 pollution in BTH accounted for 1%, 0.7%, 0.5%, and 0.3% of the regional GDP in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. Based on the research results, to further reduce these high healthcare costs, we propose policy suggestions for PM2.5 and O3 control in the BTH region. Full article
29 pages, 2025 KiB  
Article
Homogalacturonan Pectins Tuned as an Effect of Susceptible rbohD, Col-0-Reactions, and Resistance rbohF-, rbohD/F-Reactions to TuMV
by Katarzyna Otulak-Kozieł, Edmund Kozieł, Krzysztof Treder and Piotr Rusin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5256; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105256 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
The plant cell wall is an actively reorganized network during plant growth and triggered immunity in response to biotic stress. While the molecular mechanisms managing perception, recognition, and signal transduction in response to pathogens are well studied in the context of damaging intruders, [...] Read more.
The plant cell wall is an actively reorganized network during plant growth and triggered immunity in response to biotic stress. While the molecular mechanisms managing perception, recognition, and signal transduction in response to pathogens are well studied in the context of damaging intruders, the current understanding of plant cell wall rebuilding and active defense strategies in response to plant virus infections remains poorly characterized. Pectins can act as major elements of the primary cell wall and are dynamic compounds in response to pathogens. Homogalacturonans (HGs), a main component of pectins, have been postulated as defensive molecules in plant–pathogen interactions and linked to resistance responses. This research focused on examining the regulation of selected pectin metabolism components in susceptible (rbohD-, Col-0-TuMV) and resistance (rbohF-, rbohD/F–TuMV) reactions. Regardless of the interaction type, ultrastructural results indicated dynamic cell wall rebuilding. In the susceptible reaction promoted by RbohF, there was upregulation of AtPME3 (pectin methylesterase) but not AtPME17, confirmed by induction of PME3 protein deposition. Moreover, the highest PME activity along with a decrease in cell wall methylesters compared to resistance interactions in rbohD–TuMV were noticed. Consequently, the susceptible reaction of rbohD and Col-0 to TuMV was characterized by a significant domination of low/non-methylesterificated HGs. In contrast, cell wall changes during the resistance response of rbohF and rbohD/F to TuMV were associated with dynamic induction of AtPMEI2, AtPMEI3, AtGAUT1, and AtGAUT7 genes, confirmed by significant induction of PMEI2, PMEI3, and GAUT1 protein deposition. In both resistance reactions, a dynamic decrease in PME activity was documented, which was most intense in rbohD/F–TuMV. This decrease was accompanied by an increase in cell wall methylesters, indicating that the domination of highly methylesterificated HGs was associated with cell wall rebuilding in rbohF and rbohD/F defense responses to TuMV. These findings suggest that selected PME with PMEI enzymes have a diverse impact on the demethylesterification of HGs and metabolism as a result of rboh–TuMV interactions, and are important factors in regulating cell wall changes depending on the type of interaction, especially in resistance responses. Therefore, PMEI2 and PMEI3 could potentially be important signaling resistance factors in the rboh–TuMV pathosystem. Full article
13 pages, 1519 KiB  
Article
Cyclic Air Braking Strategy for Heavy Haul Trains on Long Downhill Sections Based on Q-Learning Algorithm
by Changfan Zhang, Shuo Zhou, Jing He and Lin Jia
Information 2024, 15(5), 271; https://doi.org/10.3390/info15050271 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Cyclic air braking is a key factor affecting the safe operation of trains on long downhill sections. However, a train’s cycle braking strategy is constrained by multiple factors such as driving environment, speed, and air-refilling time. A Q-learning algorithm-based cyclic braking strategy for [...] Read more.
Cyclic air braking is a key factor affecting the safe operation of trains on long downhill sections. However, a train’s cycle braking strategy is constrained by multiple factors such as driving environment, speed, and air-refilling time. A Q-learning algorithm-based cyclic braking strategy for a heavy haul train on long downhill sections is proposed to address this challenge. First, the operating environment of a heavy haul train on long downhill sections is designed, considering various constraint parameters, such as the characteristics of special operating routes, allowable operating speeds, and train tube air-refilling time. Second, the operating status and braking operation of a heavy haul train on long downhill sections are discretized in order to establish a Q-table based on state–action pairs. The training of algorithm performance is achieved by continuously updating Q-tables. Finally, taking the heavy haul train formation as the study object, actual line data from the Shuozhou–Huanghua Railway are used for experimental simulation, and different hyperparameters and entry speed conditions are considered. The results show that the safe and stable cyclic braking of a heavy haul train on long downhill sections is achieved. The effectiveness of the Q-learning control strategy is verified. Full article
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21 pages, 4102 KiB  
Article
Can Architectural Identity Be Measured?
by Salahaddin Yasin Baper
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1379; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051379 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
The sustainable breadth of architectural identity is a remarkable phenomenon with many dimensions. These dimensions are melded together to produce an architectural form. Form as the final architectural product is shaped by the visual cues that produce symbols as a powerful tool in [...] Read more.
The sustainable breadth of architectural identity is a remarkable phenomenon with many dimensions. These dimensions are melded together to produce an architectural form. Form as the final architectural product is shaped by the visual cues that produce symbols as a powerful tool in identifying a specific architectural trend. This study aims to construct a theoretical framework for the permanence of local identities to answer the main assumption, which is the following: Can identity be measured? It endeavors to clarify the main effective parameters that affect the permanency of architectural identity. It assesses the measurement variables of architectural identity based on multiple architectural perspectives and different points of view. The methodology of this study contains two broad approaches: a checklist and a questionnaire. The results provide a new model that includes three significant poles of architectural identity (mental images, originality, and building regulation). The findings enhanced the sustainability concept of architectural identity, which forecasts the permanency of architectural identity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate)
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22 pages, 1141 KiB  
Article
Integrated Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals the Underlying Antibacterial Mechanisms of the Phytonutrient Quercetin-Induced Fatty Acids Alteration in Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 27217
by Haihua Yuan, Hang Xun, Jie Wang, Jin Wang, Xi Yao and Feng Tang
Molecules 2024, 29(10), 2266; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29102266 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
The utilization of natural products in food preservation represents a promising strategy for the dual benefits of controlling foodborne pathogens and enhancing the nutritional properties of foods. Among the phytonutrients, flavonoids have been shown to exert antibacterial effects by disrupting bacterial cell membrane [...] Read more.
The utilization of natural products in food preservation represents a promising strategy for the dual benefits of controlling foodborne pathogens and enhancing the nutritional properties of foods. Among the phytonutrients, flavonoids have been shown to exert antibacterial effects by disrupting bacterial cell membrane functionality; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the effect of quercetin on the cell membrane permeability of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 27217. A combined metabolomic and transcriptomic approach was adopted to examine the regulatory mechanism of quercetin with respect to the fatty acid composition and associated genes. Kinetic analysis and molecular docking simulations were conducted to assess quercetin’s inhibition of β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (FabG), a potential target in the bacterial fatty acid biosynthesis pathway. Metabolomic and transcriptomic results showed that quercetin increased the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids and the levels of membrane phospholipids. The bacteria reacted to quercetin-induced stress by attempting to enhance fatty acid biosynthesis; however, quercetin directly inhibited FabG activity, thereby disrupting bacterial fatty acid biosynthesis. These findings provide new insights into the mechanism of quercetin’s effects on bacterial cell membranes and suggest potential applications for quercetin in bacterial inhibition. Full article
10 pages, 674 KiB  
Article
An Appraisal of Nonmicrobial Biostimulants’ Impact on the Productivity and Mineral Content of Wild Rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC.) Cultivated under Organic Conditions
by Michele Ciriello, Emanuela Campana, Giuseppe Colla and Youssef Rouphael
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1326; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101326 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Modern agriculture urgently requires viable alternatives to synthetic chemical substances, such as pesticides and fertilizers, to comply with new and stringent international regulations and meet the growing demands of consumers who prefer chemical-free food. Consequently, organic agriculture has garnered increasing interest over time. [...] Read more.
Modern agriculture urgently requires viable alternatives to synthetic chemical substances, such as pesticides and fertilizers, to comply with new and stringent international regulations and meet the growing demands of consumers who prefer chemical-free food. Consequently, organic agriculture has garnered increasing interest over time. To compensate for yield reduction resulting from opting out of the use mineral fertilizers, research has focused on the use of biostimulants to sustain the productivity of horticultural crops. To this end, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to assess the effects of three nonmicrobial biostimulants (a plant extract, vegetable protein hydrolysate, and a seaweed extract) and an untreated control on the production and mineral content of wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC.) cultivated under organic conditions and harvested three times during the growth cycle. In general, the nitrate content, which defines the commercial quality of wild rocket, was not influenced by the application of biostimulants. At each harvest, the application of biostimulants resulted in improved production performance, although this was not always accompanied by an increase in mineral content. Specifically, the best results were obtained with the use of plant-derived protein hydrolysate and plant extract, which led to an improvement in total yield of 32.1% and 27.2%, respectively compared to that of control plants. These results reconfirm that biostimulants represent a valid and indispensable tool for organic growers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Biostimulants on Plant Physiology and Metabolic Profile)
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24 pages, 2286 KiB  
Article
Probabilistic Task Offloading with Uncertain Processing Times in Device-to-Device Edge Networks
by Chang Shu, Yinhui Luo and Fang Liu
Electronics 2024, 13(10), 1889; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13101889 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
D2D edge computing is a promising solution to address the conflict between limited network capacity and increasing application demands, where mobile devices can offload their tasks to other peer devices/servers for better performance. Task offloading is critical to the performance of D2D edge [...] Read more.
D2D edge computing is a promising solution to address the conflict between limited network capacity and increasing application demands, where mobile devices can offload their tasks to other peer devices/servers for better performance. Task offloading is critical to the performance of D2D edge computing. Most existing works on task offloading assume the task processing time is known or can be accurately estimated. However, the processing time is often uncertain until it is finished. Moreover, the same task can have largely different execution times under different scenarios, which leads to inaccurate offloading decisions and degraded performance. To address this problem, we propose a game-based probabilistic task offloading scheme with an uncertain processing time in D2D edge networks. First, we characterize the uncertainty of the task processing time using a probabilistic model. Second, we incorporate the proposed probabilistic model into an offloading decision game. We also analyze the structural properties of the game and prove that it can reach a Nash equilibrium. We evaluate the proposed work using real-world applications and datasets. The experimental results show that the proposed probabilistic model can accurately characterize the uncertainty of completion time, and the offloading algorithm can effectively improve the overall task completion rate in D2D networks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Edge Computing for 5G and Internet of Things)
12 pages, 1985 KiB  
Article
Effect of Alloying Elements on the High-Temperature Yielding Behavior of Multicomponent γ′-L12 Alloys
by Chen-Yuan Wang, Sae Matsunaga, Yoshiaki Toda, Hideyuki Murakami, An-Chou Yeh and Yoko Yamabe-Mitarai
Materials 2024, 17(10), 2280; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17102280 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
The exceptional mechanical properties of Ni-based high entropy alloys are due to the presence of ordered L12 (γ′) precipitates embedded within a disordered matrix phase. While the strengthening contribution of the γ′ phase is generally accepted, there is no consensus on the [...] Read more.
The exceptional mechanical properties of Ni-based high entropy alloys are due to the presence of ordered L12 (γ′) precipitates embedded within a disordered matrix phase. While the strengthening contribution of the γ′ phase is generally accepted, there is no consensus on the precise contribution of the individual strengthening mechanisms to the overall strength. In addition, changes in alloy composition influence several different mechanisms, making the assessment of alloying conditions complex. Multicomponent L12-ordered single-phase alloys were systematically developed with the aid of CALPHAD thermodynamic calculations. The alloying elements Co, Cr, Ti, and Nb were chosen to complexify the Ni3Al structure. The existence of the γ′ single phase was validated by microstructure characterization and phase identification. A high-temperature compression test from 500 °C to 1000 °C revealed a positive temperature dependence of strength before reaching the peak strength in the studied alloys NiCoCrAl, NiCoCrAlTi, and NiCoCrAlNb. Ti and Nb alloying addition significantly enhanced the high-temperature yield strengths before the peak temperature. The yield strength was modeled by summing the individual effects of solid solution strengthening, grain boundary strengthening, order strengthening, and cross-slip-induced strengthening. Cross-slip-induced strengthening was shown to be the key contributor to the high-temperature strength enhancement. Full article
35 pages, 780 KiB  
Review
Deep Time Series Forecasting Models: A Comprehensive Survey
by Xinhe Liu and Wenmin Wang
Mathematics 2024, 12(10), 1504; https://doi.org/10.3390/math12101504 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Deep learning, a crucial technique for achieving artificial intelligence (AI), has been successfully applied in many fields. The gradual application of the latest architectures of deep learning in the field of time series forecasting (TSF), such as Transformers, has shown excellent performance and [...] Read more.
Deep learning, a crucial technique for achieving artificial intelligence (AI), has been successfully applied in many fields. The gradual application of the latest architectures of deep learning in the field of time series forecasting (TSF), such as Transformers, has shown excellent performance and results compared to traditional statistical methods. These applications are widely present in academia and in our daily lives, covering many areas including forecasting electricity consumption in power systems, meteorological rainfall, traffic flow, quantitative trading, risk control in finance, sales operations and price predictions for commercial companies, and pandemic prediction in the medical field. Deep learning-based TSF tasks stand out as one of the most valuable AI scenarios for research, playing an important role in explaining complex real-world phenomena. However, deep learning models still face challenges: they need to deal with the challenge of large-scale data in the information age, achieve longer forecasting ranges, reduce excessively high computational complexity, etc. Therefore, novel methods and more effective solutions are essential. In this paper, we review the latest developments in deep learning for TSF. We begin by introducing the recent development trends in the field of TSF and then propose a new taxonomy from the perspective of deep neural network models, comprehensively covering articles published over the past five years. We also organize commonly used experimental evaluation metrics and datasets. Finally, we point out current issues with the existing solutions and suggest promising future directions in the field of deep learning combined with TSF. This paper is the most comprehensive review related to TSF in recent years and will provide a detailed index for researchers in this field and those who are just starting out. Full article
17 pages, 2309 KiB  
Article
Isolation and Identification of Lysinibacillus sp. and Its Effects on Solid Waste as a Phytate-Mineralizing Bacterium in an Aquaponics System
by Edna Rocio Riaño-Castillo, Juan Carlos Rodríguez-Ortiz, Hye-Ji Kim, María de la Luz Guerrero González, María Fernanda Quintero-Castellanos and Pablo Delgado-Sánchez
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 497; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050497 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Sedimentable solids generated in aquaponic systems are mainly composed of organic waste, presenting molecules such as phytate, which can be a potential source of inorganic nutrients through mineralization. This work aimed to isolate and identify phytase-producing bacteria and evaluate the inoculation effects of [...] Read more.
Sedimentable solids generated in aquaponic systems are mainly composed of organic waste, presenting molecules such as phytate, which can be a potential source of inorganic nutrients through mineralization. This work aimed to isolate and identify phytase-producing bacteria and evaluate the inoculation effects of pure strains on mineralization and nutrient release from solid waste generated in aquaponic systems at different oxygen and temperature conditions. The bacteria were isolated from the settleable solids of a commercial aquaponic system and molecularly identified by amplifying the 16S rRNA gene. Subsequently, two tests were carried out: 1. Test for the biochemical identification of phytase-producing bacteria; 2. In vitro mineralization test, where the ability to mineralize phytate and release nutrients under different oxygen conditions [0 rpm (2.1 mg L−1) and 200 rpm (7.8 mg L−1)] and temperatures (24 and 37 °C) were evaluated. Our findings show that two pure strains of Lysinibacillus mangiferihumi can mineralize phytate under conditions of 200 rpm and 24 °C, mainly increasing the mineralization of PO4- and Ca, a property that has not yet been reported for this species. On the other hand, at 0 rpm and 24 °C, an increase in K was observed (control conditions), while the conditions of 200 rpm and 24 °C, regardless of bacterial inoculation, favored a rise in S, Mg, and Fe. The Lysinibacillus strains obtained in this investigation are of great importance due to their application in agriculture and the optimization of mineralization in aquaponic systems. A proper combination of oxygen and temperature will lead to a greater availability of nutrients for the growth and development of vegetables. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Nutrition)
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8 pages, 3124 KiB  
Communication
Strong Acceptors Based on Derivatives of Benzothiadiazoloimidazole
by Hanyun Du, Bin Chen and Fengyuan Zhang
Molecules 2024, 29(10), 2262; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29102262 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Despite the rapid progression of organic semiconductors, developing high-air-stability n-type organic semiconductors are still challenging. Herein, novel strong acceptors based on benzothiadiazoloimidazole units are reported. The results reveal that the strong acceptor BTI-NDI-BTI-a has good solubility and high electron affinity (3.94 eV), accompanied [...] Read more.
Despite the rapid progression of organic semiconductors, developing high-air-stability n-type organic semiconductors are still challenging. Herein, novel strong acceptors based on benzothiadiazoloimidazole units are reported. The results reveal that the strong acceptor BTI-NDI-BTI-a has good solubility and high electron affinity (3.94 eV), accompanied by 1D slipped-stacking crystals. Notably, the material presents promising potential for developing into air-stable n-type organic semiconductor materials. Full article
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11 pages, 6155 KiB  
Article
An Image Analysis of River-Floating Waste Materials by Using Deep Learning Techniques
by Maiyatat Nunkhaw and Hitoshi Miyamoto
Water 2024, 16(10), 1373; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16101373 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a severe environmental problem worldwide because rivers carry plastic waste from human activities, harming the ocean’s health, ecosystems, and people. Therefore, monitoring the amount of plastic waste flowing from rivers and streams worldwide is crucial. In response [...] Read more.
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a severe environmental problem worldwide because rivers carry plastic waste from human activities, harming the ocean’s health, ecosystems, and people. Therefore, monitoring the amount of plastic waste flowing from rivers and streams worldwide is crucial. In response to this issue of river-floating waste, our present research aimed to develop an automated waste measurement method tailored for real rivers. To achieve this, we considered three scenarios: clear visibility, partially submerged waste, and collective mass. We proposed the use of object detection and tracking techniques based on deep learning architectures, specifically the You Only Look Once (YOLOv5) and Simple Online and Realtime Tracking with a Deep Association Metric (DeepSORT). The types of waste classified in this research included cans, cartons, plastic bottles, foams, glasses, papers, and plastics in laboratory flume experiments. Our results demonstrated that the refined YOLOv5, when applied to river-floating waste images, achieved high classification accuracy, with 88% or more for the mean average precision. The floating waste tracking using DeepSORT also attained F1 scores high enough for accurate waste counting. Furthermore, we evaluated the proposed method across the three different scenarios, each achieving an 80% accuracy rate, suggesting its potential applicability in real river environments. These results strongly support the effectiveness of our proposed method, leveraging the two deep learning architectures for detecting and tracking river-floating waste with high accuracy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Machine-Learning-Based Water Quality Monitoring)
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17 pages, 3137 KiB  
Article
Oxidative Stress, Lipid Peroxidation and Ferroptosis Are Major Pathophysiological Signatures in the Placental Tissue of Women with Late-Onset Preeclampsia
by Miguel A. Ortega, Luis M. Garcia-Puente, Oscar Fraile-Martinez, Tatiana Pekarek, Cielo García-Montero, Julia Bujan, Leonel Pekarek, Silvestra Barrena-Blázquez, Raquel Gragera, Inmaculada C. Rodríguez-Rojo, Patrocinio Rodríguez-Benitez, Laura López-González, Raul Díaz-Pedrero, Melchor Álvarez-Mon, Natalio García-Honduvilla, Juan A. De León-Luis, Coral Bravo and Miguel A. Saez
Antioxidants 2024, 13(5), 591; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13050591 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
Preeclampsia, a serious and potentially life-threatening medical complication occurring during pregnancy, is characterized by hypertension and often accompanied by proteinuria and multiorgan dysfunction. It is classified into two subtypes based on the timing of diagnosis: early-onset (EO-PE) and late-onset preeclampsia (LO-PE). Despite being [...] Read more.
Preeclampsia, a serious and potentially life-threatening medical complication occurring during pregnancy, is characterized by hypertension and often accompanied by proteinuria and multiorgan dysfunction. It is classified into two subtypes based on the timing of diagnosis: early-onset (EO-PE) and late-onset preeclampsia (LO-PE). Despite being less severe and exhibiting distinct pathophysiological characteristics, LO-PE is more prevalent than EO-PE, although both conditions have a significant impact on placental health. Previous research indicates that different pathophysiological events within the placenta may contribute to the development of preeclampsia across multiple pathways. In our experimental study, we investigated markers of oxidative stress, ferroptosis, and lipid peroxidation pathways in placental tissue samples obtained from women with LO-PE (n = 68) compared to healthy control pregnant women (HC, n = 43). Through a comprehensive analysis, we observed an upregulation of specific molecules associated with these pathways, including NADPH oxidase 1 (NOX-1), NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX-2), transferrin receptor protein 1 (TFRC), arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (ALOX-5), acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL-4), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in women with LO-PE. Furthermore, increased ferric tissue deposition (Fe3+) was observed in placenta samples stained with Perls’ Prussian blue. The assessment involved gene and protein expression analyses conducted through RT-qPCR experiments and immunohistochemistry assays. Our findings underscore the heightened activation of inflammatory pathways in LO-PE compared to HC, highlighting the pathological mechanisms underlying this pregnancy disorder. Full article
14 pages, 2020 KiB  
Article
Sexual Maturation of Fan Mussel Pinna nobilis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mollusca: Bivalvia) in Experimental Cages in the Mali Ston Bay (South Adriatic Sea)
by Valter Kožul, Jakša Bolotin, Nikša Glavić and Nenad Antolović
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 4092; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14104092 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2024
Abstract
The research included 120 specimens of Pinna nobilis cultivated at a commercial park for oyster (Ostrea edulis) and black mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) cultivation. Research was carried out from 2012 to 2016, prior to the start of the mass extinction [...] Read more.
The research included 120 specimens of Pinna nobilis cultivated at a commercial park for oyster (Ostrea edulis) and black mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) cultivation. Research was carried out from 2012 to 2016, prior to the start of the mass extinction of fan mussel in the Mediterranean During the study period, the average sea temperature at a depth of 3 m was 14.87 ± 4.22 °C, ranging from 7.83 to 24.90 °C. The age of the specimens at the beginning of sexual maturity was approximately three years. The average length of the specimens throughout the study was 293.01 ± 16.58 mm. Gonad status was monitored monthly by sampling. The gender ratio in the study was 46 females (38.4%), 50 males (41.6%), and 24 undetermined individuals (20%). In our study, the results showed that males mature slightly earlier than females. The main spawning season occurred during the warmer part of the year when seawater exceeded 18 °C, starting in May and lasting until November. During the study, the GSI varied as expected and peaked in June (12.1), increasing from May to September. Full article

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