The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
35 pages, 3837 KiB  
Review
Ion-Selective Electrodes in the Food Industry: Development Trends in the Potentiometric Determination of Ionic Pollutants
by Antonio Ruiz-Gonzalez
Electrochem 2024, 5(2), 178-212; https://doi.org/10.3390/electrochem5020012 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Food quality assessment is becoming a global priority due to population growth and the rise of ionic pollutants derived from anthropogenic sources. However, the current methods used to quantify toxic ions are expensive and their operation is complex. Consequently, there is a need [...] Read more.
Food quality assessment is becoming a global priority due to population growth and the rise of ionic pollutants derived from anthropogenic sources. However, the current methods used to quantify toxic ions are expensive and their operation is complex. Consequently, there is a need for affordable and accessible methods for the accurate determination of ion concentrations in food. Electrochemical sensors based on potentiometry represent a promising approach in this field, with the potential to overcome limitations of the currently available systems. This review summarizes the current advances in the electrochemical quantification of heavy metals and toxic anions in the food industry using potentiometric sensors. The healthcare impact of common heavy metal contaminants (Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, As3+) and anions (ClO4, F, HPO4, SO42−, NO3, NO2) is discussed, alongside current regulations, and gold standard methods for analysis. Sensor performances are compared to current benchmarks in terms of selectivity and the limit of detection. Given the complexity of food samples, the percentage recovery values (%) and the methodologies employed for ion extraction are also described. Finally, a summary of the challenges and future directions of the field is provided. An overview of technologies that can overcome the limitations of current electrochemical sensors is shown, including new extraction methods for ions in food. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Electrochemistry)
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10 pages, 496 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Greater Occipital Nerve Blockade and Sphenopalatine Ganglion Blockade in Patients with Episodic Migraine
by Hanzade Aybuke Unal, Ahmet Basarı, Opal Sezgi Celiker, Keziban Sanem Cakar Turhan, Ibrahim Asik and Gungor Enver Ozgencil
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(11), 3027; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13113027 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Objectives: Compare the effects of greater occipital nerve (GON) and sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) blocks on headache intensity and duration, number of headache days, and disability in patients with episodic migraine. Methods: In this prospective single-blind randomized study, patients with episodic migraine [...] Read more.
Objectives: Compare the effects of greater occipital nerve (GON) and sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) blocks on headache intensity and duration, number of headache days, and disability in patients with episodic migraine. Methods: In this prospective single-blind randomized study, patients with episodic migraine were randomly divided into two groups: GON and SPG block groups. Patients received blocks once a week for 4 weeks, and once a month for 2 months. The number of headache days, the headache duration, numeric rating scale (NRS) scores, and number of acute medical treatments were assessed before the procedures and 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months after the procedures. Disability was evaluated using the migraine disability assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire at baseline and 3 months after treatment. This study protocol is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06243874.). Results: 19 patients in the GON block group and 18 patients in the SPG block group were evaluated. Significant improvements in pain severity, headache duration, number of headache days, and the need for acute medical treatment were observed in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd months compared to baseline in the two groups (p < 0.001). There were significant improvements in the MIDAS scores in the third month (p < 0.001). The GON block group showed a greater reduction in headache intensity, duration, number of headache days, and MIDAS scores compared to the SPG block group in the 3rd month (p < 0.001). Conclusions: GON block reduces headache duration, intensity, the number of headache days, and the need for acute medical treatment much more than SPG block in patients with episodic migraine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Neurology)
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15 pages, 2655 KiB  
Article
Strange Things in Bottom-to-Strange Decays: The Standard Model Turned Upside Down?
by Martin Andersson, Alexander Mclean Marshall, Konstantinos A. Petridis and Eluned Smith
Symmetry 2024, 16(6), 638; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym16060638 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
The flavour anomalies are a set of experimental deviations from the Standard Model (SM) predictions in several observables involving decays of bottom quarks. In particular, tensions between theory and experiment in measurements involving a bottom quark decaying into a strange quark and a [...] Read more.
The flavour anomalies are a set of experimental deviations from the Standard Model (SM) predictions in several observables involving decays of bottom quarks. In particular, tensions between theory and experiment in measurements involving a bottom quark decaying into a strange quark and a pair of muons have motivated much theoretical work to explore possible new physics explanations. This review summarises the tumultuous evolution of these tensions, focusing on the most recent experimental results and their implications for physics beyond the SM. We also discuss the prospects for future measurements and tests of the flavour anomalies at the LHC and other facilities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Symmetries and Anomalies in Flavour Physics)
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27 pages, 734 KiB  
Article
Finally Digital Natives? Changes in Media Use among Science Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Anna Henne, Philipp Möhrke, Johannes Huwer and Lars-Jochen Thoms
Educ. Sci. 2024, 14(6), 555; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14060555 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
This study examines the development of pre-experiences with digital media at school and in university, creating and entertainment-oriented media use and attitudes towards digital media in the classroom among students in the first three years of study, particularly those enrolled in science courses, [...] Read more.
This study examines the development of pre-experiences with digital media at school and in university, creating and entertainment-oriented media use and attitudes towards digital media in the classroom among students in the first three years of study, particularly those enrolled in science courses, in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a questionnaire adapted from Vogelsang et al. scales were calculated and PERMANOVAs, Kruskal-Wallis tests and post-hoc Dunn tests done shedding light on the influence of graduation year and semester of study as well as the difference between the current cohort and a pre-pandemic one. Results revealed significant shifts in digital experiences, particularly among students who were still attending school during the pandemic. Compared to colleagues without school experience during the pandemic, they showed a more frequent use of digital media for communication and collaboration. Moreover, a discernible trend of increasing digital experiences with academic progression at the university level was observed. A semester-by-semester comparison between a pre-pandemic cohort and the current study also showed an increase in the use of digital media at university. However, attitudes towards digital media in teaching exhibited a slight decrease between pre-pandemic and current cohorts. These findings underscore the imperative of integrating digital tools in educational settings to bolster digital literacy and foster effective digital learning experiences, thereby equipping students with the necessary skills to navigate an increasingly digitalized world. Full article
17 pages, 2934 KiB  
Article
Parallel Inversion of 3D Airborne Transient Electromagnetic Data Using an Approximate Jacobi Matrix
by Da Lei, Hao Ren, Ruo Wang, Zhongxing Wang and Changmin Fu
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(11), 1830; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16111830 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
In geophysical inversion issues, the Jacobian matrix computation takes the greatest time, and it is the most significant factor limiting the inversion’s calculation speed. We think that the correctness of the inverse problem is determined by the difference between the inversion data and [...] Read more.
In geophysical inversion issues, the Jacobian matrix computation takes the greatest time, and it is the most significant factor limiting the inversion’s calculation speed. We think that the correctness of the inverse problem is determined by the difference between the inversion data and the real data, not the precision of the gradient solution in each iteration. Based on this, we present an approximate computation approach for the Jacobian matrix that may rapidly solve the inverse issue by estimating the gradient information. In this research, the approximate gradient information is solved in each iteration process, and the approximate gradient is utilized for computation; nevertheless, the poor fitting of the evaluation data is correctly evaluated, and the inversion model that fits the criteria is achieved. We employed this approach of estimating the Jacobian matrix to invert the 3D airborne transient electromagnetic method (ATEM) on synthetic data, and it was able to significantly minimize the time necessary for the inversion while maintaining inversion accuracy. When the model mesh is more precise, this technique outperforms the previous way of finding the exact Jacobian matrix in terms of acceleration. Full article
13 pages, 532 KiB  
Article
Elevated Cardiac Troponin I as a Mortality Predictor in Hospitalised COVID-19 Patients
by Ieva Kubiliute, Jurgita Urboniene, Fausta Majauskaite, Edgar Bobkov, Linas Svetikas and Ligita Jancoriene
Medicina 2024, 60(6), 842; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60060842 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Background and Objectives: SARS-CoV-2 affects multiple organ systems, including the cardiovascular system, leading to immediate and long-term cardiovascular complications. Acute myocardial injury is one of the earliest and most common cardiac issues in the acute phase of COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: SARS-CoV-2 affects multiple organ systems, including the cardiovascular system, leading to immediate and long-term cardiovascular complications. Acute myocardial injury is one of the earliest and most common cardiac issues in the acute phase of COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels in predicting in-hospital mortality among hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study included 2019 adult patients hospitalised with a confirmed COVID-19 infection stratified by cTnI levels on admission into three groups: <19 ng/L (1416 patients), 19–100 ng/L (431 patients), and >100 ng/L (172 patients). Myocardial injury was defined as blood serum cTnI levels increased above the 99th percentile upper reference limit. Depersonalised datasets were extracted from digital health records. Statistical analysis included multivariable binary logistic and Cox proportional hazards regressions. Results: Overall, 29.87% of patients experienced acute myocardial injury, which development was associated with age, male sex, chronic heart failure, arterial hypertension, obesity, and chronic kidney disease. Among patients with cTnI levels of 19–100 ng/L, the odds ratio for requiring invasive mechanical ventilation was 3.18 (95% CI 2.11–4.79) and, for those with cTnI > 100 ng/L, 5.38 (95% CI 3.26–8.88). The hazard ratio for in-hospital mortality for patients with cTnI levels of 19–100 ng/L was 2.58 (95% CI 1.83–3.62) and, for those with cTnI > 100 ng/L, 2.97 (95% CI 2.01–4.39) compared to patients with normal cTnI levels. Conclusions: Increased cardiac troponin I, indicating myocardial injury, on admission is associated with a more adverse clinical disease course, including a higher likelihood of requiring invasive mechanical ventilation and increased risk of in-hospital mortality. This indicates cardiac troponin I to be a beneficial biomarker for clinicians trying to identify high-risk COVID-19 patients, choosing the optimal monitoring and treatment strategy for these patients. Full article
17 pages, 640 KiB  
Article
Navigating the New Normal: The Role of Residents’ Involvement and Support in Sustainable Tourism Recovery
by Emrullah Erul, Abdullah Uslu, Kyle Maurice Woosnam, José António C. Santos, Kayode D. Aleshinloye and Manuel Alector Ribeiro
Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4333; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114333 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
This study seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of how residents’ views on tourism impacts and their awareness of the pandemic’s effects shape their attitudes and, consequently, influence their involvement and support for tourism by integrating emotional solidarity, the knowledge–attitude–practices theory, and social [...] Read more.
This study seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of how residents’ views on tourism impacts and their awareness of the pandemic’s effects shape their attitudes and, consequently, influence their involvement and support for tourism by integrating emotional solidarity, the knowledge–attitude–practices theory, and social exchange theory. Furthermore, the study explores potential moderating factors such as gender and professional ties to tourism. Data were gathered from 545 residents of Manavgat, Turkey, following a cluster sampling scheme, confirming all ten hypotheses. The results reveal that residents’ knowledge and perceived positive impacts of tourism significantly forecast attitudes toward tourism and tourists, which explains their involvement and support. The results also demonstrate that residents with strong ties to tourism were more positive and involved than those with limited links to tourism. The complementary merger of theoretical frameworks enriches our understanding of residents’ support and involvement in tourism, shedding light on the intricacies of these relationships. Full article
19 pages, 2288 KiB  
Article
A Spatio-Temporal-Dependent Requirement of Sonic Hedgehog in the Early Development of Sclerotome-Derived Vertebrae and Ribs
by Nitza Kahane, Yael Zohara Dahan-Barda and Chaya Kalcheim
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 5602; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25115602 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Derived from axial structures, Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) is secreted into the paraxial mesoderm, where it plays crucial roles in sclerotome induction and myotome differentiation. Through conditional loss-of-function in quail embryos, we investigate the timing and impact of Shh activity during early formation of [...] Read more.
Derived from axial structures, Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) is secreted into the paraxial mesoderm, where it plays crucial roles in sclerotome induction and myotome differentiation. Through conditional loss-of-function in quail embryos, we investigate the timing and impact of Shh activity during early formation of sclerotome-derived vertebrae and ribs, and of lateral mesoderm-derived sternum. To this end, Hedgehog interacting protein (Hhip) was electroporated at various times between days 2 and 5. While the vertebral body and rib primordium showed consistent size reduction, rib expansion into the somatopleura remained unaffected, and the sternal bud developed normally. Additionally, we compared these effects with those of locally inhibiting BMP activity. Transfection of Noggin in the lateral mesoderm hindered sternal bud formation. Unlike Hhip, BMP inhibition via Noggin or Smad6 induced myogenic differentiation of the lateral dermomyotome lip, while impeding the growth of the myotome/rib complex into the somatic mesoderm, thus affirming the role of the lateral dermomyotome epithelium in rib guidance. Overall, these findings underscore the continuous requirement for opposing gradients of Shh and BMP activity in the morphogenesis of proximal and distal flank skeletal structures, respectively. Future research should address the implications of these early interactions to the later morphogenesis and function of the musculo-skeletal system and of possible associated malformations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in “Molecular Biology”)
22 pages, 20008 KiB  
Article
Investigation of the Influence of Powder Fraction on Tribological and Corrosion Characteristics of 86WC-10Co-4Cr Coating Obtained by HVOF Method
by Bauyrzhan Rakhadilov, Nazerke Muktanova, Dauir Kakimzhanov, Zarina Satbayeva, Leila Kassenova and Nurtoleu Magazov
Coatings 2024, 14(6), 651; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14060651 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Samples using powders of four different fractions, 15–20 μm, 20–30 μm, 30–40 μm and 40–45 μm, were fabricated to investigate the wear resistance, corrosion resistance and tribological properties of the 86WC-10Co-4Cr coating obtained using the HVOF method. The phase composition, microstructure and elemental [...] Read more.
Samples using powders of four different fractions, 15–20 μm, 20–30 μm, 30–40 μm and 40–45 μm, were fabricated to investigate the wear resistance, corrosion resistance and tribological properties of the 86WC-10Co-4Cr coating obtained using the HVOF method. The phase composition, microstructure and elemental distribution were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy techniques. The hardness was measured on a Vickers microhardness tester, the friction coefficient and wear rate were investigated using a tribometer, and the corrosion resistance was evaluated on an electrochemical corrosion station. The results showed that the cross-sectional microstructure of the coating is mainly represented by multifaceted WC crystals embedded in the Co-Cr matrix and the presence of lower tungsten carbides, particularly W2C. The 15–20 μm fraction particles were subjected to superheating, contributing to the decarburization process. The 20–30 µm and 30–40 µm sized particles prevented overheating and had a more homogeneous structure. The 40–45 µm powder fractions did not reach sufficient temperature for complete melting, resulting in the formation of pores in the coating layers. The phase composition of the coatings included WC, W2C and CoO phases. According to the results of the study, it was found that the optimal powder fraction for coating the 86WC-10Co-4Cr composition with improved characteristics is the fraction of the 20–30 µm sized particles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Ceramic and Cermet Coatings)
36 pages, 4044 KiB  
Review
The Basic Requirement of Tight Junction Proteins in Blood-Brain Barrier Function and Their Role in Pathologies
by Sophie Dithmer, Ingolf E. Blasig, Paul A. Fraser, Zhihai Qin and Reiner F. Haseloff
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 5601; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25115601 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
This review addresses the role of tight junction proteins at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Their expression is described, and their role in physiological and pathological processes at the BBB is discussed. Based on this, new approaches are depicted for paracellular drug delivery and [...] Read more.
This review addresses the role of tight junction proteins at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Their expression is described, and their role in physiological and pathological processes at the BBB is discussed. Based on this, new approaches are depicted for paracellular drug delivery and diagnostics in the treatment of cerebral diseases. Recent data provide convincing evidence that, in addition to its impairment in the course of diseases, the BBB could be involved in the aetiology of CNS disorders. Further progress will be expected based on new insights in tight junction protein structure and in their involvement in signalling pathways. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Tight Junction and Its Proteins: From Structure to Pathologies)
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13 pages, 2320 KiB  
Article
Identification and Functional Analysis of the Flower Development-Related TCP Genes in Erycina pusilla
by Yu-Huan Tang, Ying-Yin Zhong and Xia Huang
Horticulturae 2024, 10(6), 534; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10060534 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Orchid flowers have evolved in concert with pollinators to form highly specialized structures resulting in zygomorphy. In dicotyledons, it is widely accepted that CYC-like genes are involved in the dorsoventral polarity establishment of flowers, which determines the development of zygomorphic flowers. However, [...] Read more.
Orchid flowers have evolved in concert with pollinators to form highly specialized structures resulting in zygomorphy. In dicotyledons, it is widely accepted that CYC-like genes are involved in the dorsoventral polarity establishment of flowers, which determines the development of zygomorphic flowers. However, the function of TCP transcription factors involved in orchid floral development is rarely known. Here, we found 15 unigenes with TCP domain (EpTCPs) from the previously reported Erycina pusilla unigene database. The expression patterns of EpTCPs in various tissues and different floral organs were successively detected by quantitative real-time PCR. The results revealed that the CYC-like gene (EpTCP25) and CIN-like genes (EpTCP11 and EpTCP26) were highly expressed in inflorescences but lowly expressed in leaves and roots. What is more, these three genes were expressed relatively high in the dorsal labellum, and EpTCP26 showed differential expression along the dorsoventral polarity of tepals, which was high in the dorsal and low in the ventral. Ectopic expression of EpTCP25 in Arabidopsis repressed primary root growth and delayed flowering. EpTCP26 overexpression in Arabidopsis promoted primary root growth and leaf growth. In contrast, EpTCP11 overexpression repressed primary root growth and changed the radially symmetric flower to a bilaterally symmetric flower by inhibiting the elongation of one or two adjacent petals. In addition, the homeotic transition of floral organs is generated when these genes are ectopically expressed in Arabidopsis, suggesting their roles in floral morphogenesis. Altogether, our results indicate that CIN-like genes would be associated with the unique flower pattern development of Erycina pusilla. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Floriculture, Nursery and Landscape, and Turf)
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11 pages, 4300 KiB  
Article
Polarimeter Optical Spectrum Analyzer
by Eyal Buks
Photonics 2024, 11(6), 486; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics11060486 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
A coherent optical spectrum analyzer is integrated with a rotating quarter wave plate polarimeter. The combined polarimeter optical spectrum analyzer (POSA) allows the extraction of the state of polarization with high spectral resolution. The POSA is used in this work to study two [...] Read more.
A coherent optical spectrum analyzer is integrated with a rotating quarter wave plate polarimeter. The combined polarimeter optical spectrum analyzer (POSA) allows the extraction of the state of polarization with high spectral resolution. The POSA is used in this work to study two optical systems. The first is an optical modulator based on a ferrimagnetic sphere resonator. The POSA is employed to explore the underlying magneto–optical mechanism responsible for modulation sideband asymmetry. The second system under study is a cryogenic fiber loop laser, which produces an unequally spaced optical comb. The polarization measurements provide insights into the nonlinear processes responsible for comb creation. Characterizations extracted from the POSA data provide guidelines for the performance optimization of applications based on the systems under study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Power Fiber Lasers)
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18 pages, 3022 KiB  
Article
Characterizing the Contribution of Functional Microbiota Cultures in Pit Mud to the Metabolite Profiles of Fermented Grains
by Yingdong Wan, Jun Huang, Qiuxiang Tang, Suyi Zhang, Hui Qin, Yi Dong, Xiaojun Wang, Chuanfeng Qiu, Mengyang Huang, Zhu Zhang, Yi Zhang and Rongqing Zhou
Foods 2024, 13(11), 1597; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13111597 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Elevating the flavor profile of strong flavors Baijiu has always been a focal point in the industry, and pit mud (PM) serves as a crucial flavor contributor in the fermentation process of the fermented grains (FG). This study investigated the influence of wheat [...] Read more.
Elevating the flavor profile of strong flavors Baijiu has always been a focal point in the industry, and pit mud (PM) serves as a crucial flavor contributor in the fermentation process of the fermented grains (FG). This study investigated the influence of wheat flour and bran (MC and FC) as PM culture enrichment media on the microbiota and metabolites of FG, aiming to inform strategies for improving strong-flavor Baijiu flavor. Results showed that adding PM cultures to FG significantly altered its properties: FC enhanced starch degradation to 51.46% and elevated reducing sugar content to 1.60%, while MC increased acidity to 2.11 mmol/10 g. PM cultures also elevated FG’s ester content, with increases of 0.36 times for MC-FG60d and 1.48 times for FC-FG60d compared to controls, and ethyl hexanoate rising by 0.91 times and 1.39 times, respectively. Microbial analysis revealed that Lactobacillus constituted over 95% of the Abundant bacteria community, with Kroppenstedtia or Bacillus being predominant among Rare bacteria. Abundant fungi included Rasamsonia, Pichia, and Thermomyces, while Rare fungi consisted of Rhizopus and Malassezia. Metagenomic analysis revealed bacterial dominance, primarily consisting of Lactobacillus and Acetilactobacillus (98.80–99.40%), with metabolic function predictions highlighting genes related to metabolism, especially in MC-FG60d. Predictions from PICRUSt2 suggested control over starch, cellulose degradation, and the TCA cycle by fungal subgroups, while Abundant fungi and bacteria regulated ethanol and lactic acid production. This study highlights the importance of PM cultures in the fermentation process of FG, which is significant for brewing high-quality, strong-flavor Baijiu. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbiological Studies on Wine/Baijiu Fermentation)
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9 pages, 305 KiB  
Article
Associations between Motor Competence, Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour among Early School-Aged Children in the SELMA Cohort Study
by Johanna Delvert, Heléne V. Wadensjö, Carl-Gustaf Bornehag and Sverre Wikström
Children 2024, 11(6), 616; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11060616 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Low motor competence (MC) has been associated with lower physical activity (PA) and long-term health risks in children. Less is known about sex-specific patterns and associations during early school age. The aim of this study was to explore how motor difficulties are associated [...] Read more.
Low motor competence (MC) has been associated with lower physical activity (PA) and long-term health risks in children. Less is known about sex-specific patterns and associations during early school age. The aim of this study was to explore how motor difficulties are associated with PA levels, screen time, and organised sports participation (OSP). Data from 479 children, seven years of age, participating in the Swedish Environmental, Longitudinal, Mother and child, Asthma, and allergy (SELMA) pregnancy cohort study were used. MC and activity-related outcomes were assessed with questionnaires answered by parents. Associations between MC and outcomes were evaluated using logistic regression models adjusted for sex, overweight, and parental education level. Sex differences were investigated with interaction analyses and in stratified models. Children with motor difficulties had the same level of PA as their peers, but more screen time and lower OSP. Compared with children with normal MC, boys with motor difficulties had lower rates of OSP, but girls did not. This indicates that the identification and compensatory support for motor difficulties for boys at an early age, as well as the development of inclusive leisure time activities, are of importance to facilitate health-promoting activities on equal terms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Motor Competence and Physical Activity in School Children)
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14 pages, 2380 KiB  
Article
Changes in Soil Microbial Communities Associated with Pinus densiflora and Larix kaempferi Seedlings under Extreme Warming and Precipitation Manipulation
by Minyoung Kwon, Guanlin Li, Heejae Jo, Gwang-Jung Kim, Haegeun Chung and Yowhan Son
Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4331; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114331 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Soil microbial communities are essential to the terrestrial ecosystem processes by mediating nutrient cycling, and their function and composition may be altered under climate change. In this study, the effects of extreme climate events (extreme warming and precipitation pattern) on the microbial communities [...] Read more.
Soil microbial communities are essential to the terrestrial ecosystem processes by mediating nutrient cycling, and their function and composition may be altered under climate change. In this study, the effects of extreme climate events (extreme warming and precipitation pattern) on the microbial communities and extracellular enzyme activities in the soils planted with 1-year-old Pinus densiflora and Larix kaempferi seedlings were investigated. Open-field warming (+3 °C and +6 °C) and precipitation manipulation including drought induced by the complete interception of rainfall and heavy rainfall (113 mm per day) were applied from 13 July to 20 August 2020. The activities of soil enzymes, including β-glucosidase, acid phosphatase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase, and leucine aminopeptidase, microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, and changes in microbial community composition were determined. The microbial biomass carbon was 15.26% higher in Larix kaempferi-planted soils than in Pinus densiflora-planted soils. Fungal Chao 1 in the heavy rainfall and drought plots were 53.86% and 0.84% lower than the precipitation control, respectively, and 49.32% higher in the Larix kaempferi plots than under the Pinus densiflora. The fungal Shannon index was 46.61% higher in plots planted with Larix kaempferi than in those planted with Pinus densiflora. Regarding the dominant phyla, the relative abundance of Ascomycota in heavy rainfall plots was 14.16% and 13.10% higher than in the control and drought plots, respectively, and the relative abundance of Mortierllomycota was 55.48% higher under Larix kaempferi than under Pinus densiflora. The overall results are considered to reflect the microbial sensibility to environmental conditions and interaction with the planted species. Since the current study observed only short-term responses to extreme climate events, further study is required to determine the continuous effects of environmental changes on the associations between plants and soil microbes. Full article
12 pages, 1012 KiB  
Communication
SNR Enhancement for Comparator-Based Ultra-Low-Sampling Φ-OTDR System Using Compressed Sensing
by Zhenyu Xiao, Xiaoming Li, Haofei Zhang, Xueguang Yuan, Yang-An Zhang, Yuan Zhang, Zhengyang Li, Qi Wang and Yongqing Huang
Sensors 2024, 24(11), 3279; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24113279 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
The large amount of sampled data in coherent phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry (Φ-OTDR) brings heavy data transmission, processing, and storage burdens. By using the comparator combined with undersampling, we achieve simultaneous reduction of sampling rate and sampling resolution in hardware, thus greatly decreasing [...] Read more.
The large amount of sampled data in coherent phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry (Φ-OTDR) brings heavy data transmission, processing, and storage burdens. By using the comparator combined with undersampling, we achieve simultaneous reduction of sampling rate and sampling resolution in hardware, thus greatly decreasing the sampled data volume. But this way will inevitably cause the deterioration of detection signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) due to the quantization noise’s dramatic increase. To address this problem, denoising the demodulated phase signals using compressed sensing, which exploits the sparsity of spectrally sparse vibration, is proposed, thereby effectively enhancing the detection SNR. In experiments, the comparator with a sampling parameter of 62.5 MS/s and 1 bit successfully captures the 80 MHz beat signal, where the sampled data volume per second is only 7.45 MB. Then, when the piezoelectric transducer’s driving voltage is 1 Vpp, 300 mVpp, and 100 mVpp respectively, the SNRs of the reconstructed 200 Hz sinusoidal signals are respectively enhanced by 23.7 dB, 26.1 dB, and 28.7 dB by using compressed sensing. Moreover, multi-frequency vibrations can also be accurately reconstructed with a high SNR. Therefore, the proposed technique can effectively enhance the system’s performance while greatly reducing its hardware burden. Full article
19 pages, 2769 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Supercapacitor Performance with Zero-Dimensional Tin–Niobium Oxide Heterostructure Composite Spheres: Electrochemical Insights
by Vediyappan Thirumal, Bathula Babu, Palanisamy Rajkumar, Jin-Ho Kim and Kisoo Yoo
Inorganics 2024, 12(6), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics12060142 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
The development of advanced tin and niobium bimetallic composite electrode materials is crucial for enhancing the performance of supercapacitors. In this paper, we present a novel bimetallic composite material consisting of zero-dimensional spherical-like SnNb2O6 nanocomposites synthesized through the reaction of [...] Read more.
The development of advanced tin and niobium bimetallic composite electrode materials is crucial for enhancing the performance of supercapacitors. In this paper, we present a novel bimetallic composite material consisting of zero-dimensional spherical-like SnNb2O6 nanocomposites synthesized through the reaction of tin oxide (SnO2) and niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) precursors, alongside comparative materials. The morphology of the spherical agglomerates comprising Sn/Nb oxide particles that were nucleated on the SnNb2O6 surface was characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The as-prepared heterostructures of the SnNb2O6 composites were analyzed for elemental composition, including Sn3d, Nb3d, and O1s; moreover, chemical oxidative state analysis was performed through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Additionally, cyclic voltammetry curves exhibited pseudocapacitive redox behavior for the SnNb2O6 composites, while the galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) performance demonstrated a maximum specific capacitance of 294.8 F/g at 1 A/g. Moreover, SnNb2O6 composite electrodes demonstrated rapid charge–discharge kinetics and excellent cycling stability, with a capacitance retention of 95.7% over 10,000 cycles. This study elucidated the synthesis of tin–niobium oxide-based composites, demonstrating their potential for high-performance supercapacitors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mixed Metal Oxides II)
19 pages, 801 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Economic Ripple Effects in the Agricultural Field Using Input–Output Analysis: Drought Damage in Korea in 2018
by Youngseok Song, Moojong Park, Sangdan Kim and Sang Yeob Kim
Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1090; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061090 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
This study investigates the economic impact of the 2018 agricultural drought in Korea on the agricultural field through input–output analysis. Using industry linkage tables provided by the Bank of Korea, various economic impacts, including socio-economic and industry linkage effects, such as production, value [...] Read more.
This study investigates the economic impact of the 2018 agricultural drought in Korea on the agricultural field through input–output analysis. Using industry linkage tables provided by the Bank of Korea, various economic impacts, including socio-economic and industry linkage effects, such as production, value added inducement effects, and employment inducement effects in the agricultural field, were analyzed. Our findings show the following: (1) It was found that an increase of 1 billion KRW (South Korean won) in output of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products induces an average of 0.6544 KRW in production inducement effects in other industries, 0.23756 KRW in value-added inducement effects, and 3.11363 in employment inducement effects per 1 billion KRW. (2) The supply shortage effect of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products was analyzed to cause a decrease in production of 2.3932 KRW across all industries, and the price inducing effect of a 10% increase in price was found to be 0.19400%, on average. The highest production inducement effects in the food and beverage industry (0.16514 KRW) and the highest value-added inducement effects (0.04391 KRW) came from agricultural, forestry, and fishery products. (3) In the industry linkage effect analysis, agricultural, forestry, and fishery products were found to have a forward linkage coefficient of 0.95652 and a backward linkage coefficient of 0.98911. It is implied by this result that the economic impact of agriculture on other industrial sectors is not significant. This study emphasizes the economic importance of agriculture by providing analytical results that can be utilized in agricultural policy formulation and economic decision-making. It can be used as an important basis for policy development for sustainable development and economic stability of the agricultural field. It can also contribute to a better understanding of how agriculture interacts with other industrial sectors and to the development of effective response strategies to natural disasters such as agricultural drought. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture—2nd Edition)
16 pages, 1406 KiB  
Article
Range-Dependent Channel Calibration for High-Resolution Wide-Swath Synthetic Aperture Radar Imagery
by Man Zhang, Zhichao Meng, Guanyong Wang and Yonghong Xue
Sensors 2024, 24(11), 3278; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24113278 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
High-resolution and wide-swath (HRWS) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging with azimuth multi-channel always suffers from channel phase and amplitude errors. Compared with spatial-invariant error, the range-dependent channel phase error is intractable due to its spatial dependency characteristic. This paper proposes a novel parameterized [...] Read more.
High-resolution and wide-swath (HRWS) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging with azimuth multi-channel always suffers from channel phase and amplitude errors. Compared with spatial-invariant error, the range-dependent channel phase error is intractable due to its spatial dependency characteristic. This paper proposes a novel parameterized channel equalization approach to reconstruct the unambiguous SAR imagery. First, a linear model is established for the range-dependent channel phase error, and the sharpness of the reconstructed Doppler spectrum is used to measure the unambiguity quality. Furthermore, the intrinsic relationship between the channel phase errors and the sharpness is revealed, which allows us to estimate the optimal parameters by maximizing the sharpness of the reconstructed Doppler spectrum. Finally, the results from real-measured data show that the suggested method performs exceptionally for ambiguity suppression in HRWS SAR imaging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Signal Processing in Radar Systems)
14 pages, 3633 KiB  
Article
Direct and Sensitive Electrochemical Determination of Total Antioxidant Capacity in Foods Using Nanochannel-Based Enrichment of Redox Probes
by Lixia Duan, Chaoyan Zhang, Fengna Xi, Danke Su and Wenhao Zhang
Molecules 2024, 29(11), 2423; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29112423 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Simple and sensitive determination of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in food samples is highly desirable. In this work, an electrochemical platform was established based on a silica nanochannel film (SNF)-modified electrode, facilitating fast and highly sensitive analysis of TAC in colored food samples. [...] Read more.
Simple and sensitive determination of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in food samples is highly desirable. In this work, an electrochemical platform was established based on a silica nanochannel film (SNF)-modified electrode, facilitating fast and highly sensitive analysis of TAC in colored food samples. SNF was grown on low-cost and readily available tin indium oxide (ITO) electrode. Fe3+-phenanthroline complex-Fe(III)(phen)3 was applied as the probe, and underwent chemical reduction to form Fe2+-phenanthroline complex-Fe(II)(phen)3 in the presence of antioxidants. Utilizing an oxidative voltage of +1 V, chronoamperometry was employed to measure the current generated by the electrochemical oxidation of Fe(II)(phen)3, allowing for the assessment of antioxidants. As the negatively charged SNF displayed remarkable enrichment towards positively charged Fe(II)(phen)3, the sensitivity of detection can be significantly improved. When Trolox was employed as the standard antioxidant, the electrochemical sensor demonstrated a linear detection range from 0.01 μM to 1 μM and from 1 μM to 1000 μM, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 3.9 nM. The detection performance is better that that of the conventional colorimetric method with a linear de range from 1 μM to 40 μM. Owing to the anti-interfering ability of nanochannels, direct determination of TAC in colored samples including coffee, tea, and edible oils was realized. Full article
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20 pages, 1988 KiB  
Article
Relations between High Anticyclonic Atmospheric Types and Summer Season Temperature in Bulgaria
by Vulcho Pophristov, Nina Nikolova, Simeon Matev and Martin Gera
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 620; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060620 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
The atmospheric circulation, not only near the surface but also at high altitudes, is probably the main factor determining the weather and climate of a given area, along with its latitude, altitude, the shape of the relief of the area and its surroundings, [...] Read more.
The atmospheric circulation, not only near the surface but also at high altitudes, is probably the main factor determining the weather and climate of a given area, along with its latitude, altitude, the shape of the relief of the area and its surroundings, and the proximity of water basins of different sizes. The main objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between anticyclonic circulation types in the middle troposphere at the 500 hPa level and the seasonal summer temperature over the region of the central Balkan Peninsula, particularly Bulgaria. A previously compiled classification of atmospheric circulation is used, and the frequencies of the circulation types are correlated with the mean seasonal (monthly) temperature, where the extreme seasons and months are defined as the 10th percentile for cold summer seasons and months and the 90th percentile for warm ones. A positive and statistically significant correlation was found for the anticyclones located southwest of Bulgaria and a negative one for those located southeast of it. A comparison between the last two 30-year climatological periods (1961–1990 and 1991–2020) was also made, and an irrefutable decrease in the number of cold summer seasons from 257 to just 17 was found in the last 30 years, respectively, as well as a rapid increase in the number of extreme warm summer seasons from 26 to 263, encompassing all 15 meteorological stations studied. Full article
24 pages, 14093 KiB  
Article
Daily Living Activity Recognition with Frequency-Shift WiFi Backscatter Tags
by Hikoto Iseda, Keiichi Yasumoto, Akira Uchiyama and Teruo Higashino
Sensors 2024, 24(11), 3277; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24113277 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
To provide diverse in-home services like elderly care, versatile activity recognition technology is essential. Radio-based methods, including WiFi CSI, RFID, and backscatter communication, are preferred due to their minimal privacy intrusion, reduced physical burden, and low maintenance costs. However, these methods face challenges, [...] Read more.
To provide diverse in-home services like elderly care, versatile activity recognition technology is essential. Radio-based methods, including WiFi CSI, RFID, and backscatter communication, are preferred due to their minimal privacy intrusion, reduced physical burden, and low maintenance costs. However, these methods face challenges, including environmental dependence, proximity limitations between the device and the user, and untested accuracy amidst various radio obstacles such as furniture, appliances, walls, and other radio waves. In this paper, we propose a frequency-shift backscatter tag-based in-home activity recognition method and test its feasibility in a near-real residential setting. Consisting of simple components such as antennas and switches, these tags facilitate ultra-low power consumption and demonstrate robustness against environmental noise because a context corresponding to a tag can be obtained by only observing frequency shifts. We implemented a sensing system consisting of SD-WiFi, a software-defined WiFi AP, and physical switches on backscatter tags tailored for detecting the movements of daily objects. Our experiments demonstrate that frequency shifts by tags can be detected within a 2 m range with 72% accuracy under the line of sight (LoS) conditions and achieve a 96.0% accuracy (F-score) in recognizing seven typical daily living activities with an appropriate receiver/transmitter layout. Furthermore, in an additional experiment, we confirmed that increasing the number of overlaying packets enables frequency shift-detection even without LoS at distances of 3–5 m. Full article
27 pages, 2963 KiB  
Article
Research on Delamination Damage Localization of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Curved Plate Using Lamb Wave
by Quanpeng Yu, Shiyuan Zhou, Yuhan Cheng and Yao Deng
Actuators 2024, 13(6), 195; https://doi.org/10.3390/act13060195 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024
Abstract
Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) are extensively employed in the aerospace industry due to their excellent properties. Delamination damage occurring at critical locations in CFRPs can seriously reduce the safety of in-service components. The detection and localization of delamination damage using Lamb waves hold [...] Read more.
Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) are extensively employed in the aerospace industry due to their excellent properties. Delamination damage occurring at critical locations in CFRPs can seriously reduce the safety of in-service components. The detection and localization of delamination damage using Lamb waves hold significant potential for widespread application in non-destructive testing. However, the choice of damage localization algorithm may produce different delamination damage localization results. This research presented an IRAPID (improved reconstruction algorithm for probabilistic inspection of defects) method derived from the RAPID (reconstruction algorithm for probabilistic inspection of defects) method, aiming to improve the accuracy and reliability of delamination damage localization. Three CFRP curved plates, including a healthy curved plate and two curved plates with delamination damage sizes of Φ20 mm and Φ40 mm, were prepared in the experiment. The detection experiment of the CFRP curved plate using lead zirconate titanate (PZT) as a transducer to excite and receive Lamb waves was conducted, and the influence of excitation signal frequency on the performance of the proposed method was discussed. Under the condition of an excitation signal frequency of 220~320 kHz and a step size of 10 kHz, the accuracy of the delamination damage localization method proposed in this paper was compared with that of existing methods. The experimental results indicate that the IRAPID algorithm exhibits good stability in the localization of delamination damage across the range of frequency variations considered. The localization error of the IRAPID algorithm for delamination damage is significantly lower than that of the DaS (delay-and-sum) algorithm and the RAPID algorithm. As the size of the delamination damage increases, so does the localization error. The accuracy of delamination damage localization is lower in the X-axis direction than in the Y-axis direction. By averaging the localization results across various frequencies, we can mitigate the potential localization errors associated with single-frequency detection to a certain extent. For the localization of delamination damage, Lamb waves at multiple frequencies can be employed for detection, and the detection results at each frequency are averaged to enhance the reliability of localization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Actuators for Manufacturing Systems)

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