The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
4 pages, 207 KiB  
Editorial
Future Foods in the Face of Hunger and Surplus: From Sustainable Production to Responsible Consumption
by Rana Muhammad Aadil, Emanuele Radicetti, Ghulam Haider and Paola Tedeschi
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4084; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104084 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
This Editorial refers to the Special Issue “Future Foods in the Face of Hunger and Surplus: From Sustainable Production to Responsible Consumption”. [...] Full article
19 pages, 3595 KiB  
Article
Four New Species and a New Combination of Boletaceae (Boletales) from Subtropical and Tropical China
by Rou Xue, Lin-Jie Su, Tai-Jie Yu, Chang Xu, Hong-Yan Huang, Nian-Kai Zeng, Guo-Li Zhang and Li-Ping Tang
J. Fungi 2024, 10(5), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10050348 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that boletes are abundant and diverse in China, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. In the present study, morphological, ecological, host relationship, and a four-locus (28S, tef1, rpb1, and rpb2) molecular phylogenetic analyses were used to [...] Read more.
Previous studies have shown that boletes are abundant and diverse in China, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. In the present study, morphological, ecological, host relationship, and a four-locus (28S, tef1, rpb1, and rpb2) molecular phylogenetic analyses were used to study the family Boletaceae in subtropical and tropical China. Four new bluing species are described from three genera, viz. Boletellus verruculosus (Chinese name疣柄条孢牛肝菌), Xerocomellus tenuis (Chinese name细柄红绒盖牛肝菌), Xer. brunneus (Chinese name褐盖红绒盖牛肝菌), and Xerocomus zhangii (Chinese name张氏绒盖牛肝菌). Moreover, the genus Nigroboletus is treated as a synonym of Xerocomellus, and a new combination, namely Xer. roseonigrescens (Chinese name玫瑰红绒盖牛肝菌), is proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Taxonomy, Systematics and Evolution of Forestry Fungi, 2nd Edition)
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16 pages, 4465 KiB  
Article
Fatigue Damage of Rubber Concrete Backfill at Arch Springing Influence on Surrounding Rock Deformation in Tunnel Engineering
by Bo Wu, Ruonan Zhu, Zhaochun Liu, Jiajia Zeng and Cong Liu
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 4129; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14104129 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The backfill area of tunnel projects may deform or collapse due to the cyclic disturbance of groundwater and train loads. Hence, the anti-deformation and crack resistance performance of backfill materials under cyclic disturbance is critical to engineering safety. In this paper, concrete was [...] Read more.
The backfill area of tunnel projects may deform or collapse due to the cyclic disturbance of groundwater and train loads. Hence, the anti-deformation and crack resistance performance of backfill materials under cyclic disturbance is critical to engineering safety. In this paper, concrete was produced by mixing 0.85 mm, 1–3 mm and 3–6 mm rubber particles instead of 10% sand, and tested to discuss the effect of rubber particle size on the deterioration of concrete material properties (compressive characteristics and energy dissipation) after bearing cyclic loading. The stress–strain curve and various parameters obtained through the uniaxial compression test and cyclic load test were used to explore the optimal grain size that can be applied to the tunnel engineering backfill area, and numerical simulation was adopted to calculate the deformation of the surrounding rock and the structural stress of different backfill materials. Research shows that the increase in particle size lessens the compressive strength, deformation resistance and cracking resistance of specimens, but after the cyclic loading test, the concrete material deterioration analysis indicates that rubber concrete has lesser and more stable losses compared to ordinary concrete, so the optimum rubber particle size is 0.85 mm. Numerical calculations show that RC-1 reduces the arch top displacement by 0.4 mm, increases the arch bottom displacement by 0.6 mm and increases the maximum principal stress by 11.5% compared to OC. Therefore, rubber concrete can ensure the strength and stability requirements of tunnel structures, which can provide a reference for similar projects. Full article
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23 pages, 715 KiB  
Article
Two-and-a-Half-Year Follow-up Study with Freedom on Water through Stand-up Paddling: Exploring Experiences in Blue Spaces and Their Long-Term Impact on Mental Well-Being
by Elisabeth Bomholt Østergaard, Pernille Wobeser Sparre and Jesper Dahlgaard
Healthcare 2024, 12(10), 1004; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12101004 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Blue space interventions evidently have a positive impact on well-being and mental health, yet longitudinal studies on the lasting impact of such interventions are scarce. In this qualitative follow-up study with semi-structured interviews, we explored the long-term experiences over 18–42 months among six [...] Read more.
Blue space interventions evidently have a positive impact on well-being and mental health, yet longitudinal studies on the lasting impact of such interventions are scarce. In this qualitative follow-up study with semi-structured interviews, we explored the long-term experiences over 18–42 months among six out of the initial eight women from the primary study, also including two instructors from the initial study. The participants, dealing with mental disorders, participated in the group-based intervention Freedom on Water, participating in stand-up paddling. Five main themes emerged from the empirical analysis: SUP as a catalyst for broadening horizons; learning: stepping out of the comfort zone; a break from diagnosis and rumination; connectedness to nature, specifically blue nature, and to the group; a life-changing journey; and a shift in mindset. The study revealed a long-term, life-changing impact of the program on participants’ well-being and mental health. Nature and blue space activities had become a greater part of their lives, improving their mental health with feelings of calmness, positivity, healing, and freedom. Stepping out of their comfort zone facilitated experiences of success and transformed their mindsets. Moreover, they experienced a break from rumination, and they became more outwardly focused, with confidence in themselves and their abilities, while making new friendships and engaging in new and different contexts. Full article
17 pages, 3497 KiB  
Article
ADDGCN: A Novel Approach with Down-Sampling Dynamic Graph Convolution and Multi-Head Attention for Traffic Flow Forecasting
by Zuhua Li, Siwei Wei, Haibo Wang and Chunzhi Wang
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 4130; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14104130 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
An essential component of autonomous transportation system management and decision-making is precise and real-time traffic flow forecast. Predicting future traffic conditionsis a difficult undertaking because of the intricate spatio-temporal relationships involved. Existing techniques often employ separate modules to model spatio-temporal features independently, thereby [...] Read more.
An essential component of autonomous transportation system management and decision-making is precise and real-time traffic flow forecast. Predicting future traffic conditionsis a difficult undertaking because of the intricate spatio-temporal relationships involved. Existing techniques often employ separate modules to model spatio-temporal features independently, thereby neglecting the temporally and spatially heterogeneous features among nodes. Simultaneously, many existing methods overlook the long-term relationships included in traffic data, subsequently impacting prediction accuracy. We introduce a novel method to traffic flow forecasting based on the combination of the feature-augmented down-sampling dynamic graph convolutional network and multi-head attention mechanism. Our method presents a feature augmentation mechanism to integrate traffic data features at different scales. The subsampled convolutional network enhances information interaction in spatio-temporal data, and the dynamic graph convolutional network utilizes the generated graph structure to better simulate the dynamic relationships between nodes, enhancing the model’s capacity for capturing spatial heterogeneity. Through the feature-enhanced subsampled dynamic graph convolutional network, the model can simultaneously capture spatio-temporal dependencies, and coupled with the process of multi-head temporal attention, it achieves long-term traffic flow forecasting. The findings demonstrate that the ADDGCN model demonstrates superior prediction capabilities on two real datasets (PEMS04 and PEMS08). Notably, for the PEMS04 dataset, compared to the best baseline, the performance of ADDGCN is improved by 2.46% in MAE and 2.90% in RMSE; for the PEMS08 dataset, compared to the best baseline, the ADDGCN performance is improved by 1.50% in RMSE, 3.46% in MAE, and 0.21% in MAPE, indicating our method’s superior performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Transportation Engineering)
13 pages, 2463 KiB  
Article
Generation of Rhesus Macaque Embryos with Expanded CAG Trinucleotide Repeats in the Huntingtin Gene
by Junghyun Ryu, John P. Statz, William Chan, Kiana Oyama, Maggie Custer, Martin Wienisch, Richard Chen, Carol B. Hanna and Jon D. Hennebold
Cells 2024, 13(10), 829; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13100829 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) arises from expanded CAG repeats in exon 1 of the Huntingtin (HTT) gene. The resultant misfolded HTT protein accumulates within neuronal cells, negatively impacting their function and survival. Ultimately, HTT accumulation results in cell death, causing the development [...] Read more.
Huntington’s disease (HD) arises from expanded CAG repeats in exon 1 of the Huntingtin (HTT) gene. The resultant misfolded HTT protein accumulates within neuronal cells, negatively impacting their function and survival. Ultimately, HTT accumulation results in cell death, causing the development of HD. A nonhuman primate (NHP) HD model would provide important insight into disease development and the generation of novel therapies due to their genetic and physiological similarity to humans. For this purpose, we tested CRISPR/Cas9 and a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) containing expanded CAG repeats in introducing an expanded CAG repeat into the HTT gene in rhesus macaque embryos. Analyses were conducted on arrested embryos and trophectoderm (TE) cells biopsied from blastocysts to assess the insertion of the ssDNA into the HTT gene. Genotyping results demonstrated that 15% of the embryos carried an expanded CAG repeat. The integration of an expanded CAG repeat region was successfully identified in five blastocysts, which were cryopreserved for NHP HD animal production. Some off-target events were observed in biopsies from the cryopreserved blastocysts. NHP embryos were successfully produced, which will help to establish an NHP HD model and, ultimately, may serve as a vital tool for better understanding HD’s pathology and developing novel treatments. Full article
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23 pages, 13608 KiB  
Article
Portable Arduino-Based Multi-Sensor Device (SBEDAD): Measuring the Built Environment in Street Cycling Spaces
by Chuanwen Luo, Linyuan Hui, Zikun Shang, Chenlong Wang, Mingyu Jin, Xiaobo Wang and Ning Li
Sensors 2024, 24(10), 3096; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24103096 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The built environment’s impact on human activities has been a hot issue in urban research. Compared to motorized spaces, the built environment of pedestrian and cycling street spaces dramatically influences people’s travel experience and travel mode choice. The streets’ built environment data play [...] Read more.
The built environment’s impact on human activities has been a hot issue in urban research. Compared to motorized spaces, the built environment of pedestrian and cycling street spaces dramatically influences people’s travel experience and travel mode choice. The streets’ built environment data play a vital role in urban design and management. However, the multi-source, heterogeneous, and massive data acquisition methods and tools for the built environment have become obstacles for urban design and management. To better realize the data acquisition and for deeper understanding of the urban built environment, this study develops a new portable, low-cost Arduino-based multi-sensor array integrated into a single portable unit for built environment measurements of street cycling spaces. The system consists of five sensors and an Arduino Mega board, aimed at measuring the characteristics of the street cycling space. It takes air quality, human sensation, road quality, and greenery as the detection objects. An integrated particulate matter laser sensor, a light intensity sensor, a temperature and humidity sensor, noise sensors, and an 8K panoramic camera are used for multi-source data acquisition in the street. The device has a mobile power supply display and a secure digital card to improve its portability. The study took Beijing as a sample case. A total of 127.97 G of video data and 4794 Kb of txt records were acquired in 36 working hours using the street built environment data acquisition device. The efficiency rose to 8474.21% compared to last year. As an alternative to conventional hardware used for this similar purpose, the device avoids the need to carry multiple types and models of sensing devices, making it possible to target multi-sensor data-based street built environment research. Second, the device’s power and storage capabilities make it portable, independent, and scalable, accelerating self-motivated development. Third, it dramatically reduces the cost. The device provides a methodological and technological basis for conceptualizing new research scenarios and potential applications. Full article
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17 pages, 3412 KiB  
Article
Experimental and Simulation Studies on Stable Polarity Reversal in Aged HVDC Mass-Impregnated Cables
by Sun-Jin Kim, Seol Lee, Woo-Sung Choi and Bang-Wook Lee
Energies 2024, 17(10), 2352; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17102352 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Mass-impregnated (MI) cables have been used for many years as cables in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems. In line commutated converter (LCC) HVDC systems, polarity reversal for power flow control can induce significant electrical stress on MI cables. Furthermore, the mass oil and [...] Read more.
Mass-impregnated (MI) cables have been used for many years as cables in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems. In line commutated converter (LCC) HVDC systems, polarity reversal for power flow control can induce significant electrical stress on MI cables. Furthermore, the mass oil and kraft paper comprising the impregnated insulation have significantly different coefficients of thermal expansion. Load fluctuations in the cable lead to expansion and contraction of the mass, creating pressure within the insulation and causing redistribution of the impregnant. During this process, shrinkage cavities can form within the butt gaps. Since the dielectric strength of the cavities is lower than that of the surrounding impregnation, cavitation phenomena in impregnated paper insulation are considered a factor in degrading insulation performance. Consequently, this study analyzes the electrical conductivity of thermally aged materials and investigates the transient electric field characteristics within the cable. Additionally, it closely analyzes the formation and dissolution of cavities in MI cables during polarity reversal based on a numerical model of pressure behavior in porous media. The conductivity of the impregnated paper indicates that it has excellent resistance to thermal degradation. Simulation results for various load conditions highlight that the interval of load-off time and the magnitude of internal pressure significantly influence the cavitation phenomenon. Lastly, the study proposes stable system operation methods to prevent cavitation in MI cables. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Featured Papers in Electrical Power and Energy System)
20 pages, 1798 KiB  
Article
Forecasting the Exceedances of PM2.5 in an Urban Area
by Stavros-Andreas Logothetis, Georgios Kosmopoulos, Orestis Panagopoulos, Vasileios Salamalikis and Andreas Kazantzidis
Atmosphere 2024, 15(5), 594; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15050594 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Particular matter (PM) constitutes one of the major air pollutants. Human exposure to fine PM (PM with a median diameter less than or equal to 2.5 μm, PM2.5) has many negative and diverse outcomes for human health, such as respiratory mortality, [...] Read more.
Particular matter (PM) constitutes one of the major air pollutants. Human exposure to fine PM (PM with a median diameter less than or equal to 2.5 μm, PM2.5) has many negative and diverse outcomes for human health, such as respiratory mortality, lung cancer, etc. Accurate air-quality forecasting on a regional scale enables local agencies to design and apply appropriate policies (e.g., meet specific emissions limitations) to tackle the problem of air pollution. Under this framework, low-cost sensors have recently emerged as a valuable tool, facilitating the spatiotemporal monitoring of air pollution on a local scale. In this study, we present a deep learning approach (long short-term memory, LSTM) to forecast the intra-day air pollution exceedances across urban and suburban areas. The PM2.5 data used in this study were collected from 12 well-calibrated low-cost sensors (Purple Air) located in the greater area of the Municipality of Thermi in Thessaloniki, Greece. The LSTM-based methodology implements PM2.5 data as well as auxiliary data, meteorological variables from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), which is operated by ECMWF, and time variables related to local emissions to enhance the air pollution forecasting performance. The accuracy of the model forecasts reported adequate results, revealing a correlation coefficient between the measured PM2.5 and the LSTM forecast data ranging between 0.67 and 0.94 for all time horizons, with a decreasing trend as the time horizon increases. Regarding air pollution exceedances, the LSTM forecasting system can correctly capture more than 70.0% of the air pollution exceedance events in the study region. The latter findings highlight the model’s capabilities to correctly detect possible WHO threshold exceedances and provide valuable information regarding local air quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Air Quality Modelling)
35 pages, 7529 KiB  
Review
Heat Transfer Enhancements Assessment in Hot Water Generation with Phase Change Materials (PCMs): A Review
by Diana Isabel Berrocal, Juan Blandon Rodriguez, Maria De Los Angeles Ortega Del Rosario, Itamar Harris and Arthur M. James Rivas
Energies 2024, 17(10), 2350; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17102350 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The utilization of phase change materials (PCMs) in solar water heating systems (SWHS) has undergone notable advancements, driven by a rising demand for systems delivering superior performance and efficiency. Extensive research suggests that enhancing heat transfer (HTE) in storage systems is crucial for [...] Read more.
The utilization of phase change materials (PCMs) in solar water heating systems (SWHS) has undergone notable advancements, driven by a rising demand for systems delivering superior performance and efficiency. Extensive research suggests that enhancing heat transfer (HTE) in storage systems is crucial for achieving these improvements. This review employs a bibliometric analysis to track the evolution of HTE methods within this field. While current literature underscores the necessity for further exploration into hot water generation applications, several methodologies exhibit significant promise. Particularly, strategies such as fins, encapsulation, and porous media emerge as prominent HTE techniques, alongside nanofluids, which hold the potential for augmenting solar water heating systems. This review also identifies numerous unexplored techniques awaiting investigation, aiming to pave new paths in research and application within the field of hot water generation. It highlights methods that could be used independently or alongside predominantly used techniques. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section J: Thermal Management)
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31 pages, 1097 KiB  
Article
A Study on the Impact of Hallyu (Korean Wave) on Korea’s Consumer Goods Exports to China: Panel Analysis Using Big Data and Provincial-Level Data
by Furong Jin, Soon-Hong Kim, Yoon-Kyung Choi and Byong-Kook Yoo
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4083; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104083 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
This study empirically analyzes how the Hallyu (Korean Wave) phenomenon affects Korea’s consumer goods exports to China using Chinese provincial-level panel data covering the period from 2011 to 2020. This paper adopts Baidu Index big data with the keywords “Korean drama”, “Korean movie”, [...] Read more.
This study empirically analyzes how the Hallyu (Korean Wave) phenomenon affects Korea’s consumer goods exports to China using Chinese provincial-level panel data covering the period from 2011 to 2020. This paper adopts Baidu Index big data with the keywords “Korean drama”, “Korean movie”, “Korean music”, and “Korean entertainment” as proxy variables for Hallyu. The paper investigates the impact of Hallyu on Korean consumer goods exports by subdividing consumer goods into seven processing steps. In addition to the effect of the composite Hallyu index, the effect of each Hallyu content is also examined. Moreover, this study also investigates the impact of the political issue of the deployment of the THAAD American anti-ballistic missile defense system by dividing the period from 2011 to 2020 into before and after 2016. An export equation that includes income level, the Hallyu index, as well as other variables recognized as factors affecting Korea’s exports in existing studies, is used. Several interesting conclusions have been reached. First, Hallyu in China has a significant impact on Korea’s exports of non-durable consumer goods and processed household food and beverages to China. Second, the political issue of the deployment of THAAD has a negative impact on Korea’s exports of consumer goods to China. Third, among the four types of Hallyu content, dramas, as the most popular content in China, have the greatest influence on Korea’s exports of consumer goods to China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)
20 pages, 814 KiB  
Article
A DEA Game Cross-Efficiency Model with Loss Aversion for Contractor Selection
by Huixia Huang, Chi Zhou and Hepu Deng
Mathematics 2024, 12(10), 1519; https://doi.org/10.3390/math12101519 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Evaluating and selecting appropriate contractors is critical to the success of specific construction projects in the building industry. Existing approaches for addressing this problem are unsatisfactory due to the ignorance of the multi-dimensional nature of the evaluation process and inappropriate consideration of existent [...] Read more.
Evaluating and selecting appropriate contractors is critical to the success of specific construction projects in the building industry. Existing approaches for addressing this problem are unsatisfactory due to the ignorance of the multi-dimensional nature of the evaluation process and inappropriate consideration of existent risks. This study presents a DEA game cross-efficiency model with loss aversion for evaluating and selecting specific contractors. The competitiveness of the evaluation process is modeled using game theory with respect to the adoption of the cross-efficiency model. The attitude of the decision maker toward risks is tackled with the use of loss aversion, which is a phenomenon formalized in prospect theory. As a result, the proposed approach can adequately screen available contractors through prequalification and adequately consider the attitude of the decision maker toward risks, leading to effective decisions being made. An example is presented to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed model in evaluating and selecting appropriate contractors for specific construction projects. The results show that the proposed model is effective and efficient in producing a unique solution for contractor selection through appropriate modeling of the multi-dimensional contractor selection process and adequate consideration of the competition between the contractors and the attitude of the decision maker toward risks in practical situations. Full article
18 pages, 6481 KiB  
Article
Mechanism Analysis of Antimicrobial Peptide NoPv1 Related to Potato Late Blight through a Computer-Aided Study
by Jiao-Shuai Zhou, Hong-Liang Wen and Ming-Jia Yu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5312; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105312 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary, the oomycotic pathogen responsible for potato late blight, is the most devastating disease of potato production. The primary pesticides used to control oomycosis are phenyl amide fungicides, which cause environmental pollution and toxic residues harmful to both human [...] Read more.
Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary, the oomycotic pathogen responsible for potato late blight, is the most devastating disease of potato production. The primary pesticides used to control oomycosis are phenyl amide fungicides, which cause environmental pollution and toxic residues harmful to both human and animal health. To address this, an antimicrobial peptide, NoPv1, has been screened to target Plasmopara viticola cellulose synthase 2 (PvCesA2) to inhibit the growth of Phytophthora infestans (P. infestans). In this study, we employed AlphaFold2 to predict the three-dimensional structure of PvCesA2 along with NoPv peptides. Subsequently, utilizing computational methods, we dissected the interaction mechanism between PvCesA2 and these peptides. Based on this analysis, we performed a saturation mutation of NoPv1 and successfully obtained the double mutants DP1 and DP2 with a higher affinity for PvCesA2. Meanwhile, dynamics simulations revealed that both DP1 and DP2 utilize a mechanism akin to the barrel-stave model for penetrating the cell membrane. Furthermore, the predicted results showed that the antimicrobial activity of DP1 was superior to that of NoPv1 without being toxic to human cells. These findings may offer insights for advancing the development of eco-friendly pesticides targeting various oomycete diseases, including late blight. Full article
15 pages, 1107 KiB  
Review
Nitrate Signaling and Its Role in Regulating Flowering Time in Arabidopsis thaliana
by Mengyun Wang, Jia Wang, Zeneng Wang and Yibo Teng
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5310; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105310 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Plant growth is coordinated with the availability of nutrients that ensure its development. Nitrate is a major source of nitrogen (N), an essential macronutrient for plant growth. It also acts as a signaling molecule to modulate gene expression, metabolism, and a variety of [...] Read more.
Plant growth is coordinated with the availability of nutrients that ensure its development. Nitrate is a major source of nitrogen (N), an essential macronutrient for plant growth. It also acts as a signaling molecule to modulate gene expression, metabolism, and a variety of physiological processes. Recently, it has become evident that the calcium signal appears to be part of the nitrate signaling pathway. New key players have been discovered and described in Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis). In addition, knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of how N signaling affects growth and development, such as the nitrate control of the flowering process, is increasing rapidly. Here, we review recent advances in the identification of new components involved in nitrate signal transduction, summarize newly identified mechanisms of nitrate signaling-modulated flowering time in Arabidopsis, and suggest emerging concepts and existing open questions that will hopefully be informative for further discoveries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Physiology and Molecular Nutrition)
13 pages, 3528 KiB  
Article
Genome Mining of Fungal Unique Trichodiene Synthase-like Sesquiterpene Synthases
by Zhanren Cong, Qiang Yin, Kunhong Tian, Njeru Joe Mukoma, Liming Ouyang, Tom Hsiang, Lixin Zhang, Lan Jiang and Xueting Liu
J. Fungi 2024, 10(5), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10050350 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Sesquiterpenoids served as an important source for natural product drug discovery. Although genome mining approaches have revealed numerous novel sesquiterpenoids and biosynthetic enzymes, the comprehensive landscape of fungal sesquiterpene synthases (STSs) remains elusive. In this study, 123 previously reported fungal STSs were subjected [...] Read more.
Sesquiterpenoids served as an important source for natural product drug discovery. Although genome mining approaches have revealed numerous novel sesquiterpenoids and biosynthetic enzymes, the comprehensive landscape of fungal sesquiterpene synthases (STSs) remains elusive. In this study, 123 previously reported fungal STSs were subjected to phylogenetic analysis, resulting in the identification of a fungi-specific STS family known as trichodiene synthase-like sesquiterpene synthases (TDTSs). Subsequently, the application of hidden Markov models allowed the discovery of 517 TDTSs from our in-house fungi genome library of over 400 sequenced genomes, and these TDTSs were defined into 79 families based on a sequence similarity network. Based on the novelty of protein sequences and the completeness of their biosynthetic gene clusters, 23 TDTS genes were selected for heterologous expression in Aspergillus oryzae. In total, 10 TDTSs were active and collectively produced 12 mono- and sesquiterpenes, resulting in the identification of the first chamipinene synthase, as well as the first fungi-derived cedrene, sabinene, and camphene synthases. Additionally, with the guidance of functionally characterized TDTSs, we found that TDTSs in Family 1 could produce bridged-cyclic sesquiterpenes, while those in Family 2 could synthesize spiro- and bridged-cyclic sesquiterpenes. Our research presents a new avenue for the genome mining of fungal sesquiterpenoids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fungal Genomics, Genetics and Molecular Biology)
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22 pages, 2359 KiB  
Article
Advancing Cycling Safety: On-Bike Alert System Utilizing Multi-Layer Radar Point Cloud Clustering for Coarse Object Classification
by Asma Omri, Noureddine Benothman, Sofiane Sayahi, Fethi Tlili, Ferdaous Chaabane and Hichem Besbes
Sensors 2024, 24(10), 3094; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24103094 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Cyclists are considered to be vulnerable road users (VRUs) and need protection from potential collisions with cars and other vehicles induced by unsafe driving, dangerous road conditions, or weak cycling infrastructure. Integrating mmWave radars into cycling safety measures presents an efficient solution to [...] Read more.
Cyclists are considered to be vulnerable road users (VRUs) and need protection from potential collisions with cars and other vehicles induced by unsafe driving, dangerous road conditions, or weak cycling infrastructure. Integrating mmWave radars into cycling safety measures presents an efficient solution to this problem given their compact size, low power consumption, and low cost compared to other sensors. This paper introduces an mmWave radar-based bike safety system designed to offer real-time alerts to cyclists. The system consists of a low-power radar sensor affixed to the bicycle, connected to a micro-controller, and delivering a preliminary classification of detected obstacles. An efficient two-level clustering based on the accumulation of radar point clouds from multiple frames with a temporal projection from previous frames into the current frame is proposed. The clustering is followed by a coarse classification algorithm in which we use relevant features extracted from the resulting clusters. An annotated RadBike dataset composed of radar point cloud data synchronized with RGB camera images is developed to evaluate our system. The two-level clustering outperforms the DBSCAN algorithm, achieving a v-measure score of 0.91, compared to 0.88 with classical DBSCAN. Different classifiers, including decision trees, random forests, support vector machines (SVMs), and AdaBoost, have been assessed, with an overall accuracy of 87% for the three main object classes: four-wheeled, two-wheeled, and others. The system has the ability to improve rider safety on the road and substantially reduce the frequency of incidents involving cyclists. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Radar Sensors)
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14 pages, 477 KiB  
Article
Growth, Hepatic Enzymatic Activity, and Quality of European Seabass Fed on Hermetia illucens and Poultry By-Product Meal in a Commercial Farm
by Lina Fernanda Pulido-Rodriguez, Leonardo Bruni, Giulia Secci, Sara Moutinho, Helena Peres, Tommaso Petochi, Giovanna Marino, Emilio Tibaldi and Giuliana Parisi
Animals 2024, 14(10), 1449; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14101449 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Protein meals from insects in combination with poultry by-product meal appear to be promising ingredients for replacing conventional proteins in the diets of carnivorous fish. The present study explored the effects on growth performance, hepatic enzymatic activity, and fillet physical and nutritional characteristics [...] Read more.
Protein meals from insects in combination with poultry by-product meal appear to be promising ingredients for replacing conventional proteins in the diets of carnivorous fish. The present study explored the effects on growth performance, hepatic enzymatic activity, and fillet physical and nutritional characteristics during a 66-day feeding trial performed on European seabass. A total of 3000 fish were distributed into three tanks, where the control group was fed with a commercial diet (CG) and a second group was fed in duplicate with the experimental diet (SSH) containing 10% Hermetia illucens larva meal, 30% poultry by-product meal, and < 5.5 g/100 g of feed of marine origin proteins. All fish showed good growth performance. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activities were higher in the SSH group than in the CG group. The fillet fatty acid profile was largely unaffected by diet, except for a few fatty acids. Fish fed the SSH diet had a lower C22:1n-11 content than CG, thus suggesting an increased β-oxidation. The oxidative status of muscle lipids was not affected by the diet. In conclusion, the present study showed that European seabass can be successfully fed the SSH diet for two months in a commercial setting. Full article
3 pages, 242 KiB  
Editorial
Emerging Topics in Protein Crystallography
by Zhongzhou Chen and Giuseppe Zanotti
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5311; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105311 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Protein crystallography is the discipline concerned with the determination of the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules in a crystalline state [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Topics in Protein Crystallography)
16 pages, 5490 KiB  
Article
The Next-Generation Probiotic E. coli 1917-pSK18a-MT Ameliorates Cadmium-Induced Liver Injury by Surface Display of Metallothionein and Modulation of Gut Microbiota
by Yan Zhang, Hong Huang, Chuanlin Luo, Xinfeng Zhang, Yanjing Chen, Fenfang Yue, Bingqing Xie, Tingtao Chen and Changwei Zou
Nutrients 2024, 16(10), 1468; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16101468 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is recognized as being linked to several liver diseases. Currently, due to the limited spectrum of drugs available for the treatment of Cd intoxication, developing and designing antidotes with superior detoxification capacity and revealing their underlying mechanisms remains a major challenge. [...] Read more.
Cadmium (Cd) is recognized as being linked to several liver diseases. Currently, due to the limited spectrum of drugs available for the treatment of Cd intoxication, developing and designing antidotes with superior detoxification capacity and revealing their underlying mechanisms remains a major challenge. Therefore, we developed the first next-generation probiotic E. coli 1917-pSK18a-MT that delivers metallothionein (MT) to overcome Cd-induced liver injury in C57BL/6 mice by utilizing bacterial surface display technology. The results demonstrate that E. coli 1917-pSK18a-MT could efficiently express MT without altering the growth and probiotic properties of the strain. Moreover, we found that E. coli 1917-pSK18a-MT ameliorated Cd contamination-induced hepatic steatosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and liver fibrosis by decreasing the expression of aminotransferases along with inflammatory factors. Activation of the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway also further illustrated the hepatoprotective effects of the engineered bacteria. Finally, we showed that E. coli 1917-pSK18a-MT improved the colonic barrier function impaired by Cd induction and ameliorated intestinal flora dysbiosis in Cd-poisoned mice by increasing the relative abundance of the Verrucomicrobiota. These data revealed that the combination of E. coli 1917 and MT both alleviated Cd-induced liver injury to a greater extent and restored the integrity of colonic epithelial tissues and bacterial dysbiosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Prebiotics and Probiotics)
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33 pages, 1231 KiB  
Article
Insights into Simulated Smart Mobility on Roundabouts: Achievements, Lessons Learned, and Steps Ahead
by Maria Luisa Tumminello, Elżbieta Macioszek and Anna Granà
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4079; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104079 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
This paper explores the domain of intelligent transportation systems, specifically focusing on roundabouts as potential solutions in the context of smart mobility. Roundabouts offer a safer and more efficient driving environment compared to other intersections, thanks to their curvilinear trajectories promoting speed control [...] Read more.
This paper explores the domain of intelligent transportation systems, specifically focusing on roundabouts as potential solutions in the context of smart mobility. Roundabouts offer a safer and more efficient driving environment compared to other intersections, thanks to their curvilinear trajectories promoting speed control and lower vehicular speeds for traffic calming. The synthesis review supported the authors in presenting current knowledge and emerging needs in roundabout design and evaluation. A focused examination of the models and methods used to assess safety and operational performance of roundabout systems was necessary. This is particularly relevant in light of new challenges posed by the automotive market and the influence of vehicle-to-vehicle communication on the conceptualization and design of this road infrastructure. Two case studies of roundabouts were analyzed in Aimsun to simulate the increasing market penetration rates of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) and their traffic impacts. Through microscopic traffic simulation, the research evaluated safety and performance efficiency advancements in roundabouts. The paper concludes by outlining areas for further research and evolving perspectives on the role of roundabouts in the transition toward connected and autonomous vehicles and infrastructures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Road Transport System Planning and Optimization)
25 pages, 2538 KiB  
Review
Related Work and Motivation for Electric Vehicle Solar/Wind Charging Stations: A Review
by Radwan A. Almasri, Talal Alharbi, M. S. Alshitawi, Omar Alrumayh and Salman Ajib
World Electr. Veh. J. 2024, 15(5), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj15050215 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The shift towards sustainable transportation is an urgent worldwide issue, leading to the investigation of creative methods to decrease the environmental effects of traditional vehicles. Electric vehicles (EVs) are a promising alternative, but the issue lies in establishing efficient and environmentally friendly charging [...] Read more.
The shift towards sustainable transportation is an urgent worldwide issue, leading to the investigation of creative methods to decrease the environmental effects of traditional vehicles. Electric vehicles (EVs) are a promising alternative, but the issue lies in establishing efficient and environmentally friendly charging infrastructure. This review explores the existing research on the subject of photovoltaic-powered electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs). Our analysis highlights the potential for economic growth and the creation of robust and decentralized energy systems by increasing the number of EVCSs. This review summarizes the current knowledge in this field and highlights the key factors driving efforts to expand the use of PV-powered EVCSs. The findings indicate that MATLAB was predominantly used for theoretical studies, with projects focusing on shading parking lots. The energy usage varied from 0.139 to 0.295 kWh/km, while the cost of energy ranged from USD 0.0032 to 0.5645 per kWh for an on-grid system. The payback period (PBP) values are suitable for this application. The average PBP was demonstrated to range from 1 to 15 years. The findings from this assessment can guide policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders in shaping future advancements toward a cleaner and more sustainable transportation system. Full article
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21 pages, 5513 KiB  
Article
Hydrological Factor and Land Use/Land Cover Change Explain the Vegetation Browning in the Dosso Reserve, Niger
by Yelong Zeng, Li Jia, Min Jiang, Chaolei Zheng, Massimo Menenti, Ali Bennour and Yunzhe Lv
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(10), 1728; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16101728 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The West Sahel is facing significant threats to its vegetation and wildlife due to the land degradation and habitat fragmentation. It is crucial to assess the regional vegetation greenness dynamics in order to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of protection in the natural reserves. [...] Read more.
The West Sahel is facing significant threats to its vegetation and wildlife due to the land degradation and habitat fragmentation. It is crucial to assess the regional vegetation greenness dynamics in order to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of protection in the natural reserves. This study analyzes the vegetation greenness trends and the driving factors in the Dosso Partial Faunal Reserve in Niger and nearby unprotected regions—one of the most important habitats for endemic African fauna—using satellite time series data from 2001 to 2020. An overall vegetation browning trend was observed throughout the entire region with significant spatial variability. Vegetation browning dominated in the Dosso Reserve with 17.7% of the area showing a significant trend, while the area with significant greening was 6.8%. In a comparison, the nearby unprotected regions to the north and the east were found to be dominated by vegetation browning and greening, respectively. These results suggest that the vegetation protection practice was not fully effective throughout the Dosso Reserve. The dominant drivers were also diagnosed using the Random Forest model-based method and the Partial Dependence Plot tool, showing that water availability (expressed as soil moisture) and land use/land cover change were the most critical factors affecting vegetation greenness in the study region. Specifically, soil moisture stress and specific land management practices associated with logging, grazing, and land clearing appeared to dominate vegetation browning in the Dosso Reserve. In contrast, the vegetation greening in the central Dosso Reserve and the nearby unprotected region to the east was probably caused by the increase in shrubland/forest, which was related to the effective implementation of protection. These findings improve our understanding of how regional vegetation greenness dynamics respond to environmental changes in the Dosso Reserve and also highlight the need for more effective conservation planning and implementation to ensure sustainable socio-ecological development in the West Sahel. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Remote Sensing Applications in Monitoring of Protected Areas II)
11 pages, 4986 KiB  
Article
Gelatin-Coated TiO2/Pd Hybrid: A Potentially Useful Nanomaterial to Enhance Antibacterial and Anticancer Properties
by Periasamy Anbu, Muruganantham Rethinasabapathy, Anbazhagan Sathiyaseelan, Xin Zhang, Myeong-Hyeon Wang, Sekar Vijayakumar and Yun Suk Huh
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5308; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105308 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Hybrid nanomaterials have attracted considerable interest in biomedicine because of their fascinating characteristics and wide range of applications in targeted drug delivery, antibacterial activity, and cancer treatment. This study developed a gelatin-coated Titanium oxide/palladium (TiO2/Pd) hybrid nanomaterial to enhance the antibacterial [...] Read more.
Hybrid nanomaterials have attracted considerable interest in biomedicine because of their fascinating characteristics and wide range of applications in targeted drug delivery, antibacterial activity, and cancer treatment. This study developed a gelatin-coated Titanium oxide/palladium (TiO2/Pd) hybrid nanomaterial to enhance the antibacterial and anticancer capabilities. Morphological and structural analyses were conducted to characterize the synthesized hybrid nanomaterial. The surface texture of the hybrid nanomaterials was examined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The FE-SEM image revealed the bulk of the spherically shaped particles and the aggregated tiny granules. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) revealed Ti, Pd, C, and O. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed the gelatin-coated TiO2/Pd to be in the anatase form. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy examined the interactions among the gelatin-coated TiO2/Pd nanoparticles. The gelatin-coated TiO2/Pd nanomaterials exhibited high antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (22 mm) and Bacillus subtilis (17 mm) compared to individual nanoparticles, confirming the synergistic effect. More importantly, the gelatin-coated TiO2/Pd hybrid nanomaterial exhibited remarkable cytotoxic effects on A549 lung cancer cells which shows a linear increase with the concentration of the nanomaterial. The hybrid nanomaterials displayed higher toxicity to cancer cells than the nanoparticles alone. Furthermore, the cytotoxic activity against human cancer cells was verified by the generation of reactive oxygen species and nuclear damage. Therefore, gelatin-coated TiO2/Pd nanomaterials have potential uses in treating cancer and bacterial infections. Full article
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