The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
19 pages, 7451 KiB  
Article
An Improved Artificial Potential Field Method for Ship Path Planning Based on Artificial Potential Field—Mined Customary Navigation Routes
by Yongfeng Suo, Xinyu Chen, Jie Yue, Shenhua Yang and Christophe Claramunt
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(5), 731; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12050731 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
In recent years, the artificial potential field has garnered significant attention in ship route planning and traffic flow simulation. However, the traditional artificial potential field method faces challenges in accurately simulating a ship’s customary route and navigating experience, leading to significant deviations in [...] Read more.
In recent years, the artificial potential field has garnered significant attention in ship route planning and traffic flow simulation. However, the traditional artificial potential field method faces challenges in accurately simulating a ship’s customary route and navigating experience, leading to significant deviations in prediction results. To address these issues, in this study, we propose an innovative method for simulating and predicting ship traffic flow, building upon the artificial potential field approach. We introduce an AIS track heat map based on the kernel density function and enhance the artificial potential field model by incorporating factors, such as ship navigation habits and ship size. Through a comparison of traffic flow changes before and after the construction of a wind farm, the optimized model demonstrates its effectiveness in improving the accuracy of prediction results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)
17 pages, 3514 KiB  
Article
Hydrofluoric Acid-Free Synthesis of MIL-101(Cr)-SO3H
by Tamara M. Bernal, Fernando Rubiera and Marta G. Plaza
Crystals 2024, 14(5), 411; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14050411 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
The conventional synthesis of the Metal–Organic Framework (MOF) MIL-101(Cr)-SO3H employs hydrofluoric acid as the modulator, posing handling challenges due to its irritating, corrosive, and toxic nature, as well as its reactivity with glass and metals. This study aims to find a [...] Read more.
The conventional synthesis of the Metal–Organic Framework (MOF) MIL-101(Cr)-SO3H employs hydrofluoric acid as the modulator, posing handling challenges due to its irritating, corrosive, and toxic nature, as well as its reactivity with glass and metals. This study aims to find a new hydrofluoric acid-free synthesis route for MIL-101(Cr)-SO3H, proposing acetic acid and nitric acid as modulator alternatives. Four MIL‑101(Cr)‑SO3H samples were prepared: one without any modulator and the other three using a similar volume of either hydrofluoric acid, acetic acid, or nitric acid as the modulator. The so-obtained mass yield ranked as follows: without any modulator (32.6%) > acetic acid (29.6%) > nitric acid (25.2%) >> hydrofluoric acid (2.2%), whereas the total pore volume and BET surface area followed the order: hydrofluoric acid (0.87 cm3 g−1, 1862 m2 g−1) > nitric acid (0.81 cm3 g−1, 1554 m2 g‑1) > acetic acid (0.72 cm3 g−1, 1374 m2 g−1) > without any modulator (0.69 cm3 g−1, 1342 m2 g−1). Despite the superior texture parameters obtained using hydrofluoric acid, the low synthesis yield and associated risks make this route non-viable. Acetic or nitric acid-based synthesis offers a promising alternative with a drastically higher yield, safer handling, and reduced environmental impact. In an attempt to improve the textural properties of the hydrofluoric acid-free MOFs, a series of samples were produced with increasing amounts of acetic acid, achieving BET surface areas of up to 1504 m2 g⁻1 and pore volumes of up to 0.81 cm3 g−1. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Organic Crystalline Materials)
18 pages, 1969 KiB  
Article
Glutathione and a Pool of Metabolites Partly Related to Oxidative Stress Are Associated with Low and High Myopia in an Altered Bioenergetic Environment
by Salvador Mérida, Amparo Návea, Carmen Desco, Bernardo Celda, Mercedes Pardo-Tendero, José Manuel Morales-Tatay and Francisco Bosch-Morell
Antioxidants 2024, 13(5), 539; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13050539 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
Oxidative stress forms part of the molecular basis contributing to the development and manifestation of myopia, a refractive error with associated pathology that is increasingly prevalent worldwide and that subsequently leads to an upsurge in degenerative visual impairment due to conditions that are [...] Read more.
Oxidative stress forms part of the molecular basis contributing to the development and manifestation of myopia, a refractive error with associated pathology that is increasingly prevalent worldwide and that subsequently leads to an upsurge in degenerative visual impairment due to conditions that are especially associated with high myopia. The purpose of our study was to examine the interrelation of potential oxidative-stress-related metabolites found in the aqueous humor of high-myopic, low-myopic, and non-myopic patients within a clinical study. We conducted a cross-sectional study, selecting two sets of patients undergoing cataract surgery. The first set, which was used to analyze metabolites through an NMR assay, comprised 116 patients. A total of 59 metabolites were assigned and quantified. The PLS-DA score plot clearly showed a separation with minimal overlap between the HM and control samples. The PLS-DA model allowed us to determine 31 major metabolite differences in the aqueous humor of the study groups. Complementary statistical analysis of the data allowed us to determine six metabolites that presented significant differences among the experimental groups (p < 005). A significant number of these metabolites were discovered to have a direct or indirect connection to oxidative stress linked with conditions of myopic eyes. Notably, we identified metabolites associated with bioenergetic pathways and metabolites that have undergone methylation, along with choline and its derivatives. The second set consisted of 73 patients who underwent a glutathione assay. Here, we showed significant variations in both reduced and oxidized glutathione in aqueous humor among all patient groups (p < 0.01) for the first time. Axial length, refractive status, and complete ophthalmologic examination were also recorded, and interrelations among metabolic and clinical parameters were evaluated. Full article
17 pages, 1534 KiB  
Article
Hydrothermal Co-Liquefaction of Food and Plastic Waste for Biocrude Production
by Silvan Feuerbach, Saqib Sohail Toor, Paula A. Costa, Filipe Paradela, Paula A.A.S. Marques and Daniele Castello
Energies 2024, 17(9), 2098; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17092098 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
In this study, hydrothermal co-liquefaction of restaurant waste for biocrude production was conducted. The feedstock was resembled using the organic fraction of restaurant waste and low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate, four plastic types commonly present in municipal solid waste. Using design [...] Read more.
In this study, hydrothermal co-liquefaction of restaurant waste for biocrude production was conducted. The feedstock was resembled using the organic fraction of restaurant waste and low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate, four plastic types commonly present in municipal solid waste. Using design of experiment and a face-centered central composite design, three factors (feedstock plastic fraction, temperature, time) were varied at three levels each: feedstock plastic fraction (0, 0.25, 0.5), temperature (290 °C, 330 °C, 370 °C), and reaction time (0 min, 30 min, 60 min). The literature reports positive synergistic interactions in hydrothermal co-liquefaction of biomass and plastics; however, in this work, only negative synergistic interactions could be observed. A reason could be the high thermal stability of produced fatty acids that give little room for interactions with plastics. At the same time, mass might transfer to other product phases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Biofuels and Bioenergy for Sustainable Development II)
12 pages, 2334 KiB  
Article
CentralBark Image Dataset and Tree Species Classification Using Deep Learning
by Charles Warner, Fanyou Wu, Rado Gazo, Bedrich Benes, Nicole Kong and Songlin Fei
Algorithms 2024, 17(5), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/a17050179 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
The task of tree species classification through deep learning has been challenging for the forestry community, and the lack of standardized datasets has hindered further progress. Our work presents a solution in the form of a large bark image dataset called CentralBark, which [...] Read more.
The task of tree species classification through deep learning has been challenging for the forestry community, and the lack of standardized datasets has hindered further progress. Our work presents a solution in the form of a large bark image dataset called CentralBark, which enhances the deep learning-based tree species classification. Additionally, we have laid out an efficient and repeatable data collection protocol to assist future works in an organized manner. The dataset contains images of 25 central hardwood and Appalachian region tree species, with over 19,000 images of varying diameters, light, and moisture conditions. We tested 25 species: elm, oak, American basswood, American beech, American elm, American sycamore, bitternut hickory, black cherry, black locust, black oak, black walnut, eastern cottonwood, hackberry, honey locust, northern red oak, Ohio buckeye, Osage-orange, pignut hickory, sassafras, shagbark hickory silver maple, slippery elm, sugar maple, sweetgum, white ash, white oak, and yellow poplar. Our experiment involved testing three different models to assess the feasibility of species classification using unaltered and uncropped images during the species-classification training process. We achieved an overall accuracy of 83.21% using the EfficientNet-b3 model, which was the best of the three models (EfficientNet-b3, ResNet-50, and MobileNet-V3-small), and an average accuracy of 80.23%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Algorithms for Computer Vision Applications)
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17 pages, 6580 KiB  
Review
Endoscopic Diagnosis of Small Bowel Tumor
by Tomonori Yano and Hironori Yamamoto
Cancers 2024, 16(9), 1704; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16091704 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
Recent technological advances, including capsule endoscopy (CE) and balloon-assisted endoscopy (BAE), have revealed that small intestinal disease is more common than previously thought. CE has advantages, including a high diagnostic yield, discomfort-free, outpatient basis, and physiological images. BAE enabled endoscopic diagnosis and treatment [...] Read more.
Recent technological advances, including capsule endoscopy (CE) and balloon-assisted endoscopy (BAE), have revealed that small intestinal disease is more common than previously thought. CE has advantages, including a high diagnostic yield, discomfort-free, outpatient basis, and physiological images. BAE enabled endoscopic diagnosis and treatment in the deep small bowel. Computed tomography (CT) enterography with negative oral contrast can evaluate masses, wall thickening, and narrowing of the small intestine. In addition, enhanced CT can detect abnormalities outside the gastrointestinal tract that endoscopy cannot evaluate. Each modality has its advantages and disadvantages, and a good combination of multiple modalities leads to an accurate diagnosis. As a first-line modality, three-phase enhanced CT is preferred. If CT shows a mass, stenosis, or wall thickening, a BAE should be selected. If there are no abnormal findings on CT and no obstructive symptoms, CE should be selected. If there are significant findings in the CE, determine the indication for BAE and its insertion route based on these findings. Early diagnosis of small intestinal tumors is essential for favorable outcomes. For early diagnosis, the possibility of small bowel lesions should be considered in patients with unexplained symptoms and signs after examination of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Endoscopy in Gastrointestinal Cancers)
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16 pages, 4170 KiB  
Article
Short- and Long-Term Effects of Subchronic Stress Exposure in Male and Female Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Knock-In Val66Met Mice
by Fernando Antonio Costa Xavier, Silvia Stella Barbieri, Maurizio Popoli and Alessandro Ieraci
Biology 2024, 13(5), 303; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13050303 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
Stress is an important risk factor for the onset of anxiety and depression. The ability to cope with stressful events varies among different subjects, probably depending on different genetic variants, sex and previous life experiences. The Val66Met variant of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), [...] Read more.
Stress is an important risk factor for the onset of anxiety and depression. The ability to cope with stressful events varies among different subjects, probably depending on different genetic variants, sex and previous life experiences. The Val66Met variant of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which impairs the activity-dependent secretion of BDNF, has been associated with increased susceptibility to the development of various neuropsychiatric disorders. Adult male and female wild-type Val/Val (BDNFV/V) and heterozygous Val/Met (BDNFV/M) mice were exposed to two sessions of forced swimming stress (FSS) per day for two consecutive days. The mice were behaviorally tested 1 day (short-term effect) or 11 days (long-term effect) after the last stress session. Protein and mRNA levels were measured in the hippocampus 16 days after the end of stress exposure. Stressed mice showed a higher anxiety-like phenotype compared to non-stressed mice, regardless of the sex and genotype, when analyzed following the short period of stress. In the prolonged period, anxiety-like behavior persisted only in male BDNFV/M mice (p < 0.0001). Interestingly, recovery in male BDNFV/V mice was accompanied by an increase in pCREB (p < 0.001) and Bdnf4 (p < 0.01) transcript and a decrease in HDAC1 (p < 0.05) and Dnmt3a (p = 0.01) in the hippocampus. Overall, our results show that male and female BDNF Val66Met knock-in mice can recover from subchronic stress in different ways. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Roles and Functions of Neurotrophins and Their Receptors in the Brain)
31 pages, 612 KiB  
Review
Agricultural Wastes and Their By-Products for the Energy Market
by Magdalena Zielińska and Katarzyna Bułkowska
Energies 2024, 17(9), 2099; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17092099 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
The conversion of lignocellulosic agricultural waste into biofuels and other economically valuable compounds can reduce dependence on fossil fuels, reduce harmful gas emissions, support the sustainability of natural resources, including water, and minimize the amount of waste in landfills, thus reducing environmental degradation. [...] Read more.
The conversion of lignocellulosic agricultural waste into biofuels and other economically valuable compounds can reduce dependence on fossil fuels, reduce harmful gas emissions, support the sustainability of natural resources, including water, and minimize the amount of waste in landfills, thus reducing environmental degradation. In this paper, the conversion of agricultural wastes into biomethane, biohydrogen, biodiesel, bioethanol, biobutanol, and bio-oil is reviewed, with special emphasis on primary and secondary agricultural residues as substrates. Some novel approaches are mentioned that offer opportunities to increase the efficiency of waste valorization, e.g., hybrid systems. In addition to physical, chemical, and biological pretreatment of waste, some combined methods to mitigate the negative effects of various recalcitrant compounds on waste processing (alkali-assisted thermal pretreatment, thermal hydrolysis pretreatment, and alkali pretreatment combined with bioaugmentation) are evaluated. In addition, the production of volatile fatty acids, polyhydroxyalkanoates, biochar, hydrochar, cellulosic nanomaterials, and selected platform chemicals from lignocellulosic waste is described. Finally, the potential uses of biofuels and other recovered products are discussed. Full article
18 pages, 1162 KiB  
Review
Differences in the Course, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Food Allergies Depending on Age—Comparison of Children and Adults
by Julia Kuźniar, Patrycja Kozubek and Krzysztof Gomułka
Nutrients 2024, 16(9), 1317; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16091317 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
Food allergy (FA) has become a common global public health issue, with a growing prevalence in the modern world and a significant impact on the lives of patients, their families, and caregivers. It affects every area of life and is associated with elevated [...] Read more.
Food allergy (FA) has become a common global public health issue, with a growing prevalence in the modern world and a significant impact on the lives of patients, their families, and caregivers. It affects every area of life and is associated with elevated costs. Food allergy is an adverse immune reaction that occurs in response to a given food. The symptoms vary from mild to severe and can lead to anaphylaxis. This is why it is important to focus on the factors influencing the occurrence of food allergies, specific diagnostic methods, effective therapies, and especially prevention. Recently, many guidelines have emphasized the impact of introducing specific foods into a child’s diet at an early age in order to prevent food allergies. Childhood allergies vary with age. In infants, the most common allergy is to cow’s milk. Later in life, peanut allergy is more frequently diagnosed. Numerous common childhood allergies can be outgrown by adulthood. Adults can also develop new IgE-mediated FA. The gold standard for diagnosis is the oral provocation test. Skin prick tests, specific IgE measurements, and component-resolved diagnostic techniques are helpful in the diagnosis. Multiple different approaches are being tried as possible treatments, such as immunotherapy or monoclonal antibodies. This article focuses on the prevention and quality of life of allergic patients. This article aims to systematize the latest knowledge and highlight the differences between food allergies in pediatric and adult populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Relationship between Food Allergy and Human Health)
11 pages, 580 KiB  
Systematic Review
Laparoscopic Ligation of the Inferior Mesenteric Artery: A Systematic Review of an Emerging Trend for Addressing Type II Endoleak Following Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair
by Konstantinos Roditis, Paraskevi Tsiantoula, Nikolaos-Nektarios Giannakopoulos, Afroditi Antoniou, Vasileios Papaioannou, Sofia Tzamtzidou, Dimitra Manou, Konstantinos G. Seretis, Theofanis T. Papas and Nikolaos Bessias
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(9), 2584; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092584 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
Background/Objectives: this systematic review aims to explore the efficacy and safety of the laparoscopic ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) as an emerging trend for addressing a type II endoleak following endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). Methods: A comprehensive literature [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: this systematic review aims to explore the efficacy and safety of the laparoscopic ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) as an emerging trend for addressing a type II endoleak following endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across several databases including Medline, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, adhering to the PRISMA guidelines. The search focused on articles reporting on the laparoscopic ligation of the IMA for the treatment of a type II endoleak post-EVAR. Data were extracted regarding study characteristics, patient demographics, technical success rates, postoperative outcomes, and follow-up results. Results: Our analysis included ten case studies and two retrospective cohort studies, comprising a total of 26 patients who underwent a laparoscopic ligation of the IMA between 2000 and 2023. The mean age of the cohort was 72.3 years, with a male predominance (92.3%). The mean AAA diameter at the time of intervention was 69.7 mm. The technique demonstrated a high technical success rate of 92.3%, with a mean procedure time of 118.4 min and minimal blood loss. The average follow-up duration was 19.9 months, with 73% of patients experiencing regression of the aneurysmal sac, and no reports of an IMA-related type II endoleak during the follow-up period. Conclusions: The laparoscopic ligation of the IMA for a type II endoleak following EVAR presents a promising, minimally invasive alternative with high technical success rates and favorable postoperative outcomes. Despite its potential advantages, including reduced contrast agent use and radiation exposure, its application remains limited to specialized centers. The findings suggest the need for further research in larger prospective studies to validate the effectiveness of this procedure and potentially broaden its clinical adoption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vascular Surgery: Recent Developments and Emerging Trends)
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26 pages, 4392 KiB  
Article
Methodology of Chip Temperature Measurement and Safety Machining Assessment in Dry Rough Milling of Magnesium Alloys Using Different Helix Angle Tools
by Ireneusz Zagórski, Piotr Zgórniak, Witold Habrat, José Machado and Stanisław Legutko
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2063; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092063 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
This paper presents the methodology of measuring chip temperature in the cutting zone in the rough milling of magnesium alloys. Infrared measurements are taken to determine the effect of variable cutting speed, feed per tooth, and depth of cut on the maximum temperature [...] Read more.
This paper presents the methodology of measuring chip temperature in the cutting zone in the rough milling of magnesium alloys. Infrared measurements are taken to determine the effect of variable cutting speed, feed per tooth, and depth of cut on the maximum temperature of chips. Thermal images of chip temperature for a generated collective frame and corresponding histograms are presented. Chip temperatures are presented in numerical terms as median and average values; maximum and minimum values; range; and standard deviation. Box plots are also shown for selected machining conditions. The problems arising during signal recording with a mean emissivity coefficient ε = 0.13, a value which is dedicated during machining magnesium alloys, are discussed in detail. Chip temperatures obtained in the tests do not exceed approx. 420 °C. Therefore, the dry rough milling process carried out with carbide tools with different blade geometries can be considered safe for a wide range of machining parameters. The proposed methodology of chip temperature measurement and result processing is a new and effective approach to safety assessment in the dry milling of magnesium alloys. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Manufacturing Processes and Systems)
16 pages, 335 KiB  
Review
Progress in Rice Breeding Based on Genomic Research
by Xingye Yang, Shicong Yu, Shen Yan, Hao Wang, Wei Fang, Yanqing Chen, Xiaoding Ma and Longzhi Han
Genes 2024, 15(5), 564; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15050564 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
The role of rice genomics in breeding progress is becoming increasingly important. Deeper research into the rice genome will contribute to the identification and utilization of outstanding functional genes, enriching the diversity and genetic basis of breeding materials and meeting the diverse demands [...] Read more.
The role of rice genomics in breeding progress is becoming increasingly important. Deeper research into the rice genome will contribute to the identification and utilization of outstanding functional genes, enriching the diversity and genetic basis of breeding materials and meeting the diverse demands for various improvements. Here, we review the significant contributions of rice genomics research to breeding progress over the last 25 years, discussing the profound impact of genomics on rice-genome sequencing, functional-gene exploration, and novel breeding methods, and we provide valuable insights for future research and breeding practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genomic Studies of Plant Breeding)
36 pages, 7366 KiB  
Article
An Audio-Based SLAM for Indoor Environments: A Robotic Mixed Reality Presentation
by Elfituri S. F. Lahemer and Ahmad Rad
Sensors 2024, 24(9), 2796; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24092796 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
In this paper, we present a novel approach referred to as the audio-based virtual landmark-based HoloSLAM. This innovative method leverages a single sound source and microphone arrays to estimate the voice-printed speaker’s direction. The system allows an autonomous robot equipped with a single [...] Read more.
In this paper, we present a novel approach referred to as the audio-based virtual landmark-based HoloSLAM. This innovative method leverages a single sound source and microphone arrays to estimate the voice-printed speaker’s direction. The system allows an autonomous robot equipped with a single microphone array to navigate within indoor environments, interact with specific sound sources, and simultaneously determine its own location while mapping the environment. The proposed method does not require multiple audio sources in the environment nor sensor fusion to extract pertinent information and make accurate sound source estimations. Furthermore, the approach incorporates Robotic Mixed Reality using Microsoft HoloLens to superimpose landmarks, effectively mitigating the audio landmark-related issues of conventional audio-based landmark SLAM, particularly in situations where audio landmarks cannot be discerned, are limited in number, or are completely missing. The paper also evaluates an active speaker detection method, demonstrating its ability to achieve high accuracy in scenarios where audio data are the sole input. Real-time experiments validate the effectiveness of this method, emphasizing its precision and comprehensive mapping capabilities. The results of these experiments showcase the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed system, surpassing the constraints associated with traditional audio-based SLAM techniques, ultimately leading to a more detailed and precise mapping of the robot’s surroundings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Navigation and Positioning)
16 pages, 6137 KiB  
Article
An End-to-End Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) Solution for Protecting Pipeline Easements against External Interference—An Australian Use-Case
by Umair Iqbal, Johan Barthelemy and Guillaume Michal
Sensors 2024, 24(9), 2799; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24092799 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
High-pressure pipelines are critical for transporting hazardous materials over long distances, but they face threats from third-party interference activities. Preventive measures are implemented, but interference accidents can still occur, making the need for high-quality detection strategies vital. This paper proposes an end-to-end Artificial [...] Read more.
High-pressure pipelines are critical for transporting hazardous materials over long distances, but they face threats from third-party interference activities. Preventive measures are implemented, but interference accidents can still occur, making the need for high-quality detection strategies vital. This paper proposes an end-to-end Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) solution to detect potential interference threats in real time. The solution involves developing a smart visual sensor capable of processing images using state-of-the-art computer vision algorithms and transmitting alerts to pipeline operators in real time. The system’s core is based on the object-detection model (e.g., You Only Look Once version 4 (YOLOv4) and DETR with Improved deNoising anchOr boxes (DINO)), trained on a custom Pipeline Visual Threat Assessment (Pipe-VisTA) dataset. Among the trained models, DINO was able to achieve the best Mean Average Precision (mAP) of 71.2% for the unseen test dataset. However, for the deployment on a limited computational-ability edge computer (i.e., the NVIDIA Jetson Nano), the simpler and TensorRT-optimized YOLOv4 model was used, which achieved a mAP of 61.8% for the test dataset. The developed AIoT device captures the image using a camera, processes on the edge using the trained YOLOv4 model to detect the potential threat, transmits the threat alert to a Fleet Portal via LoRaWAN, and hosts the alert on a dashboard via a satellite network. The device has been fully tested in the field to ensure its functionality prior to deployment for the SEA Gas use-case. The AIoT smart solution has been deployed across the 10km stretch of the SEA Gas pipeline across the Murray Bridge section. In total, 48 AIoT devices and three Fleet Portals are installed to ensure the line-of-sight communication between the devices and portals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sensing and Imaging)
15 pages, 476 KiB  
Article
Differentiating Pressure Ulcer Risk Levels through Interpretable Classification Models Based on Readily Measurable Indicators
by Eugenio Vera-Salmerón, Carmen Domínguez-Nogueira, José A. Sáez, José L. Romero-Béjar and Emilio Mota-Romero
Healthcare 2024, 12(9), 913; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12090913 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
Pressure ulcers carry a significant risk in clinical practice. This paper proposes a practical and interpretable approach to estimate the risk levels of pressure ulcers using decision tree models. In order to address the common problem of imbalanced learning in nursing classification datasets, [...] Read more.
Pressure ulcers carry a significant risk in clinical practice. This paper proposes a practical and interpretable approach to estimate the risk levels of pressure ulcers using decision tree models. In order to address the common problem of imbalanced learning in nursing classification datasets, various oversampling configurations are analyzed to improve the data quality prior to modeling. The decision trees built are based on three easily identifiable and clinically relevant pressure ulcer risk indicators: mobility, activity, and skin moisture. Additionally, this research introduces a novel tabular visualization method to enhance the usability of the decision trees in clinical practice. Thus, the primary aim of this approach is to provide nursing professionals with valuable insights for assessing the potential risk levels of pressure ulcers, which could support their decision-making and allow, for example, the application of suitable preventive measures tailored to each patient’s requirements. The interpretability of the models proposed and their performance, evaluated through stratified cross-validation, make them a helpful tool for nursing care in estimating the pressure ulcer risk level. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Artificial Intelligence in Medicine)
20 pages, 17655 KiB  
Article
DiT-Gesture: A Speech-Only Approach to Stylized Gesture Generation
by Fan Zhang, Zhaohan Wang, Xin Lyu, Naye Ji, Siyuan Zhao and Fuxing Gao
Electronics 2024, 13(9), 1702; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13091702 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
The generation of co-speech gestures for digital humans is an emerging area in the field of virtual human creation. Prior research has progressed by using acoustic and semantic information as input and adopting a classification method to identify the person’s ID and emotion [...] Read more.
The generation of co-speech gestures for digital humans is an emerging area in the field of virtual human creation. Prior research has progressed by using acoustic and semantic information as input and adopting a classification method to identify the person’s ID and emotion for driving co-speech gesture generation. However, this endeavor still faces significant challenges. These challenges go beyond the intricate interplay among co-speech gestures, speech acoustic, and semantics; they also encompass the complexities associated with personality, emotion, and other obscure but important factors. This paper introduces “DiT-Gestures”, a speech-conditional diffusion-based and non-autoregressive transformer-based generative model with the WavLM pre-trained model and a dynamic mask attention network (DMAN). It can produce individual and stylized full-body co-speech gestures by only using raw speech audio, eliminating the need for complex multimodal processing and manual annotation. Firstly, considering that speech audio contains acoustic and semantic features and conveys personality traits, emotions, and more subtle information related to accompanying gestures, we pioneer the adaptation of WavLM, a large-scale pre-trained model, to extract the style from raw audio information. Secondly, we replace the causal mask by introducing a learnable dynamic mask for better local modeling in the neighborhood of the target frames. Extensive subjective evaluation experiments are conducted on the Trinity, ZEGGS, and BEAT datasets to confirm WavLM’s and the model’s ability to synthesize natural co-speech gestures with various styles. Full article
16 pages, 567 KiB  
Article
Biped Gait Stability Classification Based on the Predicted Step Viability
by Pedro Parik-Americano, Jorge Igual, Larissa Driemeier, Eric Cito Becman and Arturo Forner-Cordero
Biomimetics 2024, 9(5), 265; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9050265 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
In this paper, we address the challenge of ensuring stability in bipedal walking robots and exoskeletons. We explore the feasibility of real-time implementation for the Predicted Step Viability algorithm (PSV), a complex multi-step optimization criterion for planning future steps in bipedal gait. To [...] Read more.
In this paper, we address the challenge of ensuring stability in bipedal walking robots and exoskeletons. We explore the feasibility of real-time implementation for the Predicted Step Viability algorithm (PSV), a complex multi-step optimization criterion for planning future steps in bipedal gait. To overcome the high computational cost of the PSV algorithm, we performed an analysis using 11 classification algorithms and a stacking strategy to predict if a step will be stable or not. We generated three datasets of increasing complexity through PSV simulations to evaluate the classification performance. Among the classifiers, k Nearest Neighbors, Support Vector Machine with Radial Basis Function Kernel, Decision Tree, and Random Forest exhibited superior performance. Multi-Layer Perceptron also consistently performed well, while linear-based algorithms showed lower performance. Importantly, the use of stacking did not significantly improve performance. Our results suggest that the feature vector applied with this approach is applicable across various robotic models and datasets, provided that training data is balanced and sufficient points are used. Notably, by leveraging classifiers, we achieved rapid computation of results in less than 1 ms, with minimal computational cost. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Locomotion and Bioinspired Robotics)
12 pages, 1098 KiB  
Article
Torque Calculation and Dynamical Response in Halbach Array Coaxial Magnetic Gears through a Novel Analytical 2D Model
by Panteleimon Tzouganakis, Vasilios Gakos, Christos Kalligeros, Christos Papalexis, Antonios Tsolakis and Vasilios Spitas
Computation 2024, 12(5), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/computation12050088 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
Coaxial magnetic gears have piqued the interest of researchers due to their numerous benefits over mechanical gears. These include reduced noise and vibration, enhanced efficiency, lower maintenance costs, and improved backdrivability. However, their adoption in industry has been limited by drawbacks like lower [...] Read more.
Coaxial magnetic gears have piqued the interest of researchers due to their numerous benefits over mechanical gears. These include reduced noise and vibration, enhanced efficiency, lower maintenance costs, and improved backdrivability. However, their adoption in industry has been limited by drawbacks like lower torque density and slippage at high torque levels. This work presents an analytical 2D model to compute the magnetic potential in Halbach array coaxial magnetic gears for every rotational angle, geometry configuration, and magnet specifications. This model calculates the induced torques and torque ripple in both rotors using the Maxwell Stress Tensor. The results were confirmed through Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Unlike FEA, this analytical model directly produces harmonics values, leading to faster computational times as it avoids torque calculations at each time step. In a case study, a standard coaxial magnetic gear was compared to one with a Halbach array, revealing a 14.3% improvement in torque density and a minor reduction in harmonics that cause torque ripple. Additionally, a case study was conducted to examine slippage in both standard and Halbach array gears during transient operations. The Halbach array coaxial magnetic gear demonstrated a 13.5% lower transmission error than its standard counterpart. Full article
20 pages, 399 KiB  
Article
New Study on the Controllability of Non-Instantaneous Impulsive Hilfer Fractional Neutral Stochastic Evolution Equations with Non-Dense Domain
by Gunasekaran Gokul, Barakah Almarri, Sivajiganesan Sivasankar, Subramanian Velmurugan and Ramalingam Udhayakumar
Fractal Fract. 2024, 8(5), 265; https://doi.org/10.3390/fractalfract8050265 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
The purpose of this work is to investigate the controllability of non-instantaneous impulsive (NII) Hilfer fractional (HF) neutral stochastic evolution equations with a non-dense domain. We construct a new set of adequate assumptions for the existence of mild solutions using fractional calculus, semigroup [...] Read more.
The purpose of this work is to investigate the controllability of non-instantaneous impulsive (NII) Hilfer fractional (HF) neutral stochastic evolution equations with a non-dense domain. We construct a new set of adequate assumptions for the existence of mild solutions using fractional calculus, semigroup theory, stochastic analysis, and the fixed point theorem. Then, the discussion is driven by some suitable assumptions, including the Hille–Yosida condition without the compactness of the semigroup of the linear part. Finally, we provide examples to illustrate our main result. Full article
17 pages, 1454 KiB  
Article
Effect of Chitosan and Hyperbranched Poly-L-Lysine Treatment on Quality of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) during Storage
by Jianrui Sun, Jinglan Li, Ruirui Ren, Linlin Yao, Li Tong, Jiangfeng Yuan and Dahong Wang
Foods 2024, 13(9), 1354; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13091354 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
To enhance the storage time of cucumbers, this research investigated the impact of chitosan (CS) and hyperbranched poly-L-lysine (HBPL) on the quality and nutritional attributes of cucumbers when stored at a temperature of 25 °C. The results demonstrated that sensory evaluation scores for [...] Read more.
To enhance the storage time of cucumbers, this research investigated the impact of chitosan (CS) and hyperbranched poly-L-lysine (HBPL) on the quality and nutritional attributes of cucumbers when stored at a temperature of 25 °C. The results demonstrated that sensory evaluation scores for cucumbers treated with a CS–HBPL combination were significantly higher than the control (CK), CS, and HBPL groups. On the 18th day of storage, cucumbers in the CK group exhibited significant decay and softening; however, there was a decrease in hardness observed in the CS–HBPL group and no decay or noticeable sour taste was detected. Furthermore, compared to the CK group, treatment with CS–HBPL effectively delayed cucumber decay and weight loss rate while significantly inhibiting decreases in cucumber hardness and growth of surface microorganisms. Additionally, it substantially reduced losses of soluble protein content as well as vitamin C (Vc), reducing sugars, and total phenolic compounds within cucumbers, which were 4.7 mg/g, 4.7 mg/g, 0.94 mg/g, and 0.52 mg/kg, respectively. Moreover, compared to the CK group, combined treatment with CS–HBPL significantly inhibited malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation and reducing relative electrolyte permeability within cucumbers, which were 1.45 μmol·g−1FW and 29.82%. Furthermore, it notably enhanced activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), while exerting a significant inhibitory effect on polyphenol oxidase (PPO). In summary, the combined CS–HBPL treatment successfully prolonged cucumber shelf life at room temperature, enabling new possibilities for extending cucumber shelf life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Food Packaging and Preservation)
19 pages, 4268 KiB  
Article
Lemon Peel Water Extract: A Novel Material for Retinal Health, Protecting Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells against Dynamin-Related Protein 1-Mediated Mitochondrial Fission by Blocking ROS-Stimulated Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase/Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Pathway
by Shang-Chun Tsou, Chen-Ju Chuang, Inga Wang, Tzu-Chun Chen, Jui-Hsuan Yeh, Chin-Lin Hsu, Yu-Chien Hung, Ming-Chung Lee, Yuan-Yen Chang and Hui-Wen Lin
Antioxidants 2024, 13(5), 538; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13050538 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
Previous studies showed that NaIO3 can induce oxidative stress-mediated retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) damage to simulate age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Lemon peel is rich in antioxidants and components that can penetrate the blood–retinal barrier, but their role in retinal oxidative damage remains [...] Read more.
Previous studies showed that NaIO3 can induce oxidative stress-mediated retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) damage to simulate age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Lemon peel is rich in antioxidants and components that can penetrate the blood–retinal barrier, but their role in retinal oxidative damage remains unexplored. Here, we explore the protection of lemon peel ultrasonic-assisted water extract (LUWE), containing large amounts of flavonoids and polyphenols, against NaIO3-induced retinal degeneration. We initially demonstrated that LUWE, orally administered, prevented retinal distortion and thinning on the inner and outer nuclei layers, downregulating cleaved caspase-3 protein expression in RPE cells in NaIO3-induced mice. The effect of LUWE was achieved through the suppression of apoptosis and the associated proteins, such as cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase-3, as suggested by NaIO3-induced ARPE-19 cell models. This is because LUWE reduced reactive oxygen species-mediated mitochondrial fission via regulating p-Drp-1 and Fis1 expression. We further confirmed that LUWE suppresses the expression of p-MEK-1/2 and p-ERK-1/2 in NaIO3-induced ARPE-19 cells, thereby providing the protection described above, which was confirmed using PD98059 and U0126. These results indicated that LUWE prevents mitochondrial oxidative stress-mediated RPE damage via the MEK/ERK pathway. Elucidation of the molecular mechanism may provide a new protective strategy against retinal degeneration. Full article
17 pages, 3641 KiB  
Article
Solar Filament Detection Based on an Improved Deep Learning Model
by Zhenhong Shang, Mingzhao Song and Runxin Li
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 3745; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093745 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
Solar filaments are good tracers of space weather and magnetic flux ropes in the corona. Identifying and detecting filaments helps to forecast space weather and explore the solar magnetic field. Many automatic detection methods have been proposed to process the large number of [...] Read more.
Solar filaments are good tracers of space weather and magnetic flux ropes in the corona. Identifying and detecting filaments helps to forecast space weather and explore the solar magnetic field. Many automatic detection methods have been proposed to process the large number of observed images. Current methods face issues of unreliable dataset annotations and poor anti-interference capability. First, to address the issue of unreliable dataset annotations, we built a solar filament dataset using a manual annotation method. Second, we introduced Transformer into Convolutional Neural Networks. Transformer, with the ability to extract more global features, can help counter interference. In addition, there is large disparity in the size of solar filaments. Therefore, a multi-scale residual block is designed to extract features across various scales. Deformable large kernel attention and a res path are used to better integrate encoder and decoder information. Results show that this method outperforms the existing solar filament detection methods (improved U-Net and improved V-Net), achieving an F1 score of 91.19%. In particular, our results show lower interference by sunspots and background noise than existing methods. The ability to counter interference is improved. Full article
16 pages, 5187 KiB  
Article
Seahorse-Tail-Inspired Soft Pneumatic Actuator: Development and Experimental Characterization
by Michele Gabrio Antonelli, Pierluigi Beomonte Zobel, Muhammad Aziz Sarwar and Nicola Stampone
Biomimetics 2024, 9(5), 264; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9050264 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
The study of bio-inspired structures and their reproduction has always fascinated humans. The advent of soft robotics, thanks to soft materials, has enabled considerable progress in this field. Over the years, polyps, worms, cockroaches, jellyfish, and multiple anthropomorphic structures such as hands or [...] Read more.
The study of bio-inspired structures and their reproduction has always fascinated humans. The advent of soft robotics, thanks to soft materials, has enabled considerable progress in this field. Over the years, polyps, worms, cockroaches, jellyfish, and multiple anthropomorphic structures such as hands or limbs have been reproduced. These structures have often been used for gripping and handling delicate objects or those with complex unknown a priori shapes. Several studies have also been conducted on grippers inspired by the seahorse tail. In this paper, a novel biomimetic soft pneumatic actuator inspired by the tail of the seahorse Hippocampus reidi is presented. The actuator has been developed to make a leg to sustain a multi-legged robot. The prototyping of the actuator was possible by combining a 3D-printed reinforcement in thermoplastic polyurethane, mimicking the skeletal apparatus, within a silicone rubber structure, replicating the functions of the external epithelial tissue. The latter has an internal channel for pneumatic actuation that acts as the inner muscle. The study on the anatomy and kinematic behaviour of the seahorse tail suggested the mechanical design of the actuator. Through a test campaign, the actuator prototype was characterized by isotonic tests with an external null load, isometric tests, and activation/deactivation times. Specifically, the full actuator distension of 154.5 mm occurs at 1.8 bar, exerting a maximum force of 11.9 N, with an activation and deactivation time of 74.9 and 94.5 ms, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioinspired Structures for Soft Actuators)

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