The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
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21 pages, 3385 KiB  
Article
Establishing the Characteristic Compressive Strength Parallel to Fiber of Four Local Philippine Bamboo Species
by Christine A. T. Panti, Christy S. Cañete, Althea R. Navarra, Kerby D. Rubinas, Lessandro E. O. Garciano and Luis F. López
Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3845; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093845 (registering DOI) - 03 May 2024
Abstract
Bamboo is considered a sustainable construction material due to its ability to grow quickly and its mechanical properties that are comparable to timber. Contributing to the current effort to establish structural bamboo standards in the National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP), this [...] Read more.
Bamboo is considered a sustainable construction material due to its ability to grow quickly and its mechanical properties that are comparable to timber. Contributing to the current effort to establish structural bamboo standards in the National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP), this study establishes the characteristic compressive strength of four bamboo species: Bambusa vulgaris (36 samples), Dendrocalamus asper (36 samples), Bambusa blumeana (94 samples), and Guadua angustifolia Kunth (30 samples). The samples were subjected to compressive loading following ISO 22157-1 (2017). The characteristic compressive strength values obtained, according to ISO 12122-1 (2014), were 40.35 MPa for B. vulgaris, 40.21 MPa for D. asper, 46.63 MPa for B. blumeana, and 36.99 MPa for G. angustifolia Kunth. Simple linear analysis, one-way ANOVA, and Welch’s t-test were used to analyze the correlation models and establish a comparative analysis of the effects of nodes and geometric and physical properties on the compressive strength of bamboo samples. In comparisons of the characteristic compressive strengths obtained from this study to the strengths of unseasoned structural timber of Philippine woods, all bamboo species showed higher strength values than did other woods, and bamboos thus have great potential as an alternative construction material to timber. Full article
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10 pages, 2070 KiB  
Article
Efficacy and Safety of Monopolar Radiofrequency for Tightening the Skin of Aged Faces
by JungMin Shin, Yeounkuk Sung, Soyoung Jin, Cho-Long Hwang, Hyunjung Kim, Dongkyun Hong, Kyung Eun Jung, Young-Joon Seo and Young Lee
Cosmetics 2024, 11(3), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics11030071 (registering DOI) - 03 May 2024
Abstract
Background: Monopolar radiofrequency (RF) has emerged as a promising modality for tightening the skin of aged faces. Although many studies have assessed the efficacy of monopolar RF via the clinical evaluation of photographs, few have examined the long-term effectiveness and safety of this [...] Read more.
Background: Monopolar radiofrequency (RF) has emerged as a promising modality for tightening the skin of aged faces. Although many studies have assessed the efficacy of monopolar RF via the clinical evaluation of photographs, few have examined the long-term effectiveness and safety of this therapy using various skin testing devices. Methods: Twenty women with aged faces participated in this study. After a single monopolar RF treatment, three blinded dermatologists who were not involved in the treatment evaluated its clinical efficacy and safety after 4, 12, and 24 weeks. Skin firmness, fine wrinkles, skin pores, and skin tone were also measured using an indentometer (Courage+Khazaka Electronic GmbH, Köln, Germany) and a facial aging measurement device (Mark-Vu; PSI Plus, Suwon-si, Republic of Korea). Results: Skin laxity in the jowls and nasolabial folds showed significant improvement 12 weeks after the single monopolar RF treatment when evaluated by dermatologists, and this improvement lasted 24 weeks (p < 0.05). Moreover, the participants reported improvement at 4 weeks compared to baseline which lasted 24 weeks (p < 0.05). Skin firmness measured in the cheek increased 4 weeks after treatment and continued to improve during 24 weeks of follow-up (p < 0.01). Although there was a gradual increase in improvement in skin pores, fine wrinkles, and skin tones, there were no statistical differences compared to the baseline. No patients experienced pain during the treatment, and no burns, skin breakdown, or scarring occurred after treatment. Conclusions: A single monopolar RF treatment is effective for females with aged face. A significant improvement in the jowls and nasolabial folds and facial skin firmness was observed between the 4- and 24-week follow-ups without adverse effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Cosmetics—Recent Advances and Perspectives)
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28 pages, 1456 KiB  
Article
Optimizing the Timeliness of Hybrid OFDMA-NOMA Sensor Networks with Stability Constraints
by Wei Wang, Yunquan Dong and Chengsheng Pan
Electronics 2024, 13(9), 1768; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13091768 - 03 May 2024
Abstract
In this paper, we analyze the timeliness of a multi-user system in terms of the age of information (AoI) and the corresponding stability region in which the packet rates of users lead to finite queue lengths. Specifically, we consider a hybrid OFDMA-NOMA system [...] Read more.
In this paper, we analyze the timeliness of a multi-user system in terms of the age of information (AoI) and the corresponding stability region in which the packet rates of users lead to finite queue lengths. Specifically, we consider a hybrid OFDMA-NOMA system where the users are partitioned into several groups. While users in each group share the same resource block using non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), different groups access the fading channel using orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA). For this system, we consider three decoding schemes at the service terminals: interfering decoding, which treats signals from other users as interference; serial interference cancellation, which removes signals from other users once they have been decoded; and the enhanced SIC strategy, where the receiver attempts to decode for another user if decoding for a previous user fails. We present the average AoI for each of the three decoding schemes in closed form. Under the constraint of the stable region, we find the minimum AoI of each decoding scheme efficiently. The numerical results show that by optionally choosing the decoding scheme and transmission rate, the hybrid OFDMA-NOMA outperforms conventional OFDMA in terms of both system timeliness and stability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Featured Advances in Real-Time Networks)
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9 pages, 230 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Nonlinear Mixed Bi-Skew Lie Triple Derivations on *-Algebras
by Turki Alsuraiheed, Junaid Nisar and Nadeem ur Rehman
Mathematics 2024, 12(9), 1403; https://doi.org/10.3390/math12091403 (registering DOI) - 03 May 2024
Abstract
This paper concentrates on examining the characterization of nonlinear mixed bi-skew Lie triple *- derivations within an *-algebra denoted by A which contains a nontrivial projection with a unit I. Additionally, we expand this investigation to applications by describing these derivations within [...] Read more.
This paper concentrates on examining the characterization of nonlinear mixed bi-skew Lie triple *- derivations within an *-algebra denoted by A which contains a nontrivial projection with a unit I. Additionally, we expand this investigation to applications by describing these derivations within prime *-algebras, von Neumann algebras, and standard operator algebras. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Algebraic Analysis and Its Applications)
19 pages, 2316 KiB  
Article
Early Detection of Rubber Tree Powdery Mildew by Combining Spectral and Physicochemical Parameter Features
by Xiangzhe Cheng, Mengning Huang, Anting Guo, Wenjiang Huang, Zhiying Cai, Yingying Dong, Jing Guo, Zhuoqing Hao, Yanru Huang, Kehui Ren, Bohai Hu, Guiliang Chen, Haipeng Su, Lanlan Li and Yixian Liu
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(9), 1634; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16091634 (registering DOI) - 03 May 2024
Abstract
Powdery mildew significantly impacts the yield of natural rubber by being one of the predominant diseases that affect rubber trees. Accurate, non-destructive recognition of powdery mildew in the early stage is essential for the cultivation management of rubber trees. The objective of this [...] Read more.
Powdery mildew significantly impacts the yield of natural rubber by being one of the predominant diseases that affect rubber trees. Accurate, non-destructive recognition of powdery mildew in the early stage is essential for the cultivation management of rubber trees. The objective of this study is to establish a technique for the early detection of powdery mildew in rubber trees by combining spectral and physicochemical parameter features. At three field experiment sites and in the laboratory, a spectroradiometer and a hand-held optical leaf-clip meter were utilized, respectively, to measure the hyperspectral reflectance data (350–2500 nm) and physicochemical parameter data of both healthy and early-stage powdery-mildew-infected leaves. Initially, vegetation indices were extracted from hyperspectral reflectance data, and wavelet energy coefficients were obtained through continuous wavelet transform (CWT). Subsequently, significant vegetation indices (VIs) were selected using the ReliefF algorithm, and the optimal wavelengths (OWs) were chosen via competitive adaptive reweighted sampling. Principal component analysis was used for the dimensionality reduction of significant wavelet energy coefficients, resulting in wavelet features (WFs). To evaluate the detection capability of the aforementioned features, the three spectral features extracted above, along with their combinations with physicochemical parameter features (PFs) (VIs + PFs, OWs + PFs, WFs + PFs), were used to construct six classes of features. In turn, these features were input into support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and logistic regression (LR), respectively, to build early detection models for powdery mildew in rubber trees. The results revealed that models based on WFs perform well, markedly outperforming those constructed using VIs and OWs as inputs. Moreover, models incorporating combined features surpass those relying on single features, with an overall accuracy (OA) improvement of over 1.9% and an increase in F1-Score of over 0.012. The model that combines WFs and PFs shows superior performance over all the other models, achieving OAs of 94.3%, 90.6%, and 93.4%, and F1-Scores of 0.952, 0.917, and 0.941 on SVM, RF, and LR, respectively. Compared to using WFs alone, the OAs improved by 1.9%, 2.8%, and 1.9%, and the F1-Scores increased by 0.017, 0.017, and 0.016, respectively. This study showcases the viability of early detection of powdery mildew in rubber trees. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Remote Sensing for Sustainable Agriculture)
14 pages, 967 KiB  
Article
Clinical and Diagnostic Features of West Nile Virus Neuroinvasive Disease in New York City
by Jackson A. Roberts, Carla Y. Kim, Amy Dean, Karen E. Kulas, Kirsten St. George, Hai E. Hoang and Kiran T. Thakur
Pathogens 2024, 13(5), 382; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13050382 (registering DOI) - 03 May 2024
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) neuroinvasive disease (WNND) occurs in approximately 1 percent of WNV-infected patients and typically presents as encephalitis, meningitis, or acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). WNND remains a difficult inpatient diagnosis, creating significant challenges for prognostication and therapy selection. We characterized the [...] Read more.
West Nile virus (WNV) neuroinvasive disease (WNND) occurs in approximately 1 percent of WNV-infected patients and typically presents as encephalitis, meningitis, or acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). WNND remains a difficult inpatient diagnosis, creating significant challenges for prognostication and therapy selection. We characterized the clinical and diagnostic features of WNND cases at two major academic medical centers in New York City in routine clinical practice. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of thirty-six patients with WNND, including twenty-six encephalitis, four meningitis, and six AFP cases. The most common presenting symptoms were fever (86.1%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (38.9%) in addition to altered mental status (72.2%), lethargy (63.9%), gait disturbances (46.2%), and headache (44.4%). Fourteen (48.3%) patients displayed acute magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, particularly T2 hyperintensities in the bilateral thalami, brainstem, and deep white matter. New York State Department of Health WNV CSF IgM testing was utilized for diagnosis in 58.3% of patients; however, just 38.1% had the result by discharge, compared to 85.6% of those who underwent serum IgM testing. The median length of stay was 13.5 days, 38.9% were intubated, and three patients (8.9%) died during acute hospitalization. Our findings underscore the morbidity, mortality, and diagnostic challenges of WNND, suggesting the potential utility of serum IgM testing in combination with confirmatory CSF testing to expedite diagnosis in the acute setting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viral Infections of Humans: Epidemiology and Control)
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19 pages, 7579 KiB  
Article
Construction and Characteristics Analysis of the Xi’an Public Transport Network Considering Single-Mode and Multi-Mode Transferring
by Ruifen Sun, Fengjie Xie, Sirui Huang and Yang Shao
Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3846; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093846 (registering DOI) - 03 May 2024
Abstract
The connectivity of the urban public transport network and the convenience of transfers between modes of transit are important factors that affect whether passengers choose public transport. Identifying the key nodes that affect network connectivity, direct access, transfers, and clarifying the main factors [...] Read more.
The connectivity of the urban public transport network and the convenience of transfers between modes of transit are important factors that affect whether passengers choose public transport. Identifying the key nodes that affect network connectivity, direct access, transfers, and clarifying the main factors that restrict the network efficiency play important roles in improving the efficiency of the public transport network and establishing a “green city”. On this premise, this paper constructs two single-layer networks and a composite network that can reflect the transfer relationship between ‘bus–bus’, ‘metro–metro’, and ‘metro–bus’ based on the method of Space-P. The composite network realizes the integration study of homogeneous and heterogeneous stops, lines, and transfer relationships in the public transport network. At the same time, five kinds of centrality indexes are applied to the transport transfer network, and the significance of these indexes in the network is explained. Through the comprehensive analysis of these five types of indexes, the key nodes affecting the network connectivity, direct access and transfer efficiency, can be identified more accurately. Taking the public transport network of Xi’an as an example, the structural characteristics of the networks, including scale-free and small-world characteristics, were empirically analyzed. The main stops that play important roles in networks were identified based on the integrated centrality, degrees, and weight degrees. The research results showed the following: (1) Xi’an’s metro network, bus network, and metro–bus composite network all have scale-free and small-world characteristics. (2) The influence of the key stops of the metro network is concentrated, while the influence of the key stops of the bus network is scattered. (3) The public transport network in the first ring road area of Xi’an has the highest degree of direct access, and the core areas of the south, west, and north of Xi’an also have high direct access. However, the direct access in the area east of Xi’an is slightly lower. (4) Xi’an’s bus transport network covers a large area, showing the characteristics of a dual-core “central + southern” network. (5) The metro–bus composite network demonstrates a closer connection between stops and a more balanced network. (6) Finally, the degree of direct access to stops in the bus transport network and metro transport network shows the characteristics of “the single core is dominant, and the circle diffusion weakens step by step”. Full article
17 pages, 1118 KiB  
Article
Structure-Based Design of Novel Thiazolone[3,2-a]pyrimidine Derivatives as Potent RNase H Inhibitors for HIV Therapy
by Xuan-De Zhu, Angela Corona, Stefania Maloccu, Enzo Tramontano, Shuai Wang, Christophe Pannecouque, Erik De Clercq, Ge Meng and Fen-Er Chen
Molecules 2024, 29(9), 2120; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092120 (registering DOI) - 03 May 2024
Abstract
Ribonuclease H (RNase H) was identified as an important target for HIV therapy. Currently, no RNase H inhibitors have reached clinical status. Herein, a series of novel thiazolone[3,2-a]pyrimidine-containing RNase H inhibitors were developed, based on the hit compound 10i, identified [...] Read more.
Ribonuclease H (RNase H) was identified as an important target for HIV therapy. Currently, no RNase H inhibitors have reached clinical status. Herein, a series of novel thiazolone[3,2-a]pyrimidine-containing RNase H inhibitors were developed, based on the hit compound 10i, identified from screening our in-house compound library. Some of these derivatives exhibited low micromolar inhibitory activity. Among them, compound 12b was identified as the most potent inhibitor of RNase H (IC50 = 2.98 μM). The experiment of magnesium ion coordination was performed to verify that this ligand could coordinate with magnesium ions, indicating its binding ability to the catalytic site of RNase H. Docking studies revealed the main interactions of this ligand with RNase H. A quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) was also conducted to disclose several predictive mathematic models. A molecular dynamics simulation was also conducted to determine the stability of the complex. Taken together, thiazolone[3,2-a]pyrimidine can be regarded as a potential scaffold for the further development of RNase H inhibitors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Evaluation of Bioactivity of Enzyme Inhibitors)
21 pages, 2114 KiB  
Article
Metabolic Status Influences Probiotic Efficacy for Depression—PRO-DEMET Randomized Clinical Trial Results
by Oliwia Gawlik-Kotelnicka, Aleksandra Margulska, Kacper Płeska, Anna Skowrońska and Dominik Strzelecki
Nutrients 2024, 16(9), 1389; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16091389 (registering DOI) - 03 May 2024
Abstract
Probiotics may represent a safe and easy-to-use treatment option for depression or its metabolic comorbidities. However, it is not known whether metabolic features can influence the efficacy of probiotics treatments for depression. This trial involved a parallel-group, prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled design. In [...] Read more.
Probiotics may represent a safe and easy-to-use treatment option for depression or its metabolic comorbidities. However, it is not known whether metabolic features can influence the efficacy of probiotics treatments for depression. This trial involved a parallel-group, prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled design. In total, 116 participants with depression received a probiotic preparation containing Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell®-52 and Bifidobacterium longum Rosell®-175 or placebo over 60 days. The psychometric data were assessed longitudinally at five time-points. Data for blood pressure, body weight, waist circumference, complete blood count, serum levels of C-reactive protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting glucose were measured at the beginning of the intervention period. There was no advantage of probiotics usage over placebo in the depression score overall (PRO vs. PLC: F(1.92) = 0.58; p = 0.45). However, we found a higher rate of minimum clinically important differences in patients supplemented with probiotics than those allocated to placebo generally (74.5 vs. 53.5%; X2(1,n = 94) = 4.53; p = 0.03; NNT = 4.03), as well as in the antidepressant-treated subgroup. Moreover, we found that the more advanced the pre-intervention metabolic abnormalities (such as overweight, excessive central adipose tissue, and liver steatosis), the lower the improvements in psychometric scores. A higher baseline stress level was correlated with better improvements. The current probiotic formulations may only be used as complementary treatments for depressive disorders. Metabolic abnormalities may require more complex treatments. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04756544. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Gut Microbiota with Chronic Disease)
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24 pages, 4527 KiB  
Article
Architectural Neuroimmunology: A Pilot Study Examining the Impact of Biophilic Architectural Design on Neuroinflammation
by Cleo Valentine, Tony Steffert, Heather Mitcheltree and Koen Steemers
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1292; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051292 (registering DOI) - 03 May 2024
Abstract
Recent research in architectural neuroscience has found that visual exposure to biophilic design may help reduce occupant physiological stress responses. However, there are still significant gaps in our understanding of the complex ways in which biophilic design impacts on building occupant neurophysiology. The [...] Read more.
Recent research in architectural neuroscience has found that visual exposure to biophilic design may help reduce occupant physiological stress responses. However, there are still significant gaps in our understanding of the complex ways in which biophilic design impacts on building occupant neurophysiology. The relationship between visual exposure to biophilic design and neurophysiological responses such as neuroinflammation have yet to be directly investigated. This paper examines the results of a pilot study that was established to investigate the relationship between visual exposure to biophilic design and neuroinflammation, as mediated by physiological stress responses. The pilot study utilised a 32-channel quantitative electroencephalograph (qEEG) to assess the relative changes in neuroinflammatory markers (relative alpha and relative delta power band activity) of 10 participants while they were exposed to 2D digital images of buildings that visually expressed varying degrees of biophilic design. Participants exhibited a decrease in relative delta power when exposed to higher levels of biophilic design. No statistically significant changes in relative alpha power were observed. These findings suggest that exposure to buildings with higher degrees of biophilia may result in decreased neuroinflammatory activity. In doing so, this research works to further develop our understanding of the complex ways in which the built environment impacts on occupant neuroinflammation and physiological stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Wellbeing: The Impact of Spatial Parameters)
21 pages, 836 KiB  
Review
Gynecological Cancer and Venous Thromboembolism: A Narrative Review to Increase Awareness and Improve Risk Assessment and Prevention
by Anna Falanga, Domenica Lorusso, Nicoletta Colombo, Gennaro Cormio, Benilde Cosmi, Giuseppa Scandurra, Vanna Zanagnolo and Marco Marietta
Cancers 2024, 16(9), 1769; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16091769 - 03 May 2024
Abstract
The prevention and appropriate management of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients is of paramount importance. However, the literature data report an underestimation of this major problem in patients with gynecological cancers, with an inconsistent venous thromboembolism risk assessment and prophylaxis in this patient [...] Read more.
The prevention and appropriate management of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients is of paramount importance. However, the literature data report an underestimation of this major problem in patients with gynecological cancers, with an inconsistent venous thromboembolism risk assessment and prophylaxis in this patient setting. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the available evidence regarding the management of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients, focusing on the specific context of gynecological tumors, exploring the literature discussing risk factors, risk assessment, and pharmacological prophylaxis. We found that the current understanding and management of venous thromboembolism in gynecological malignancy is largely based on studies on solid cancers in general. Hence, further, larger, and well-designed research in this area is needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention)
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23 pages, 5718 KiB  
Article
Influence of Settlement on Base Resistance of Long Piles in Soft Soil—Field and Machine Learning Assessments
by Thanh T. Nguyen, Viet D. Le, Thien Q. Huynh and Nhu H.T. Nguyen
Geotechnics 2024, 4(2), 447-469; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics4020025 (registering DOI) - 03 May 2024
Abstract
Understanding the role that settlement can have on the base resistance of piles is a crucial matter in the design and safety control of deep foundations under various buildings and infrastructure, especially for long to super-long piles (60–90 m length) in soft soil. [...] Read more.
Understanding the role that settlement can have on the base resistance of piles is a crucial matter in the design and safety control of deep foundations under various buildings and infrastructure, especially for long to super-long piles (60–90 m length) in soft soil. This paper presents a novel assessment of this issue by applying explainable machine learning (ML) techniques to a robust database (1131 datapoints) of fully instrumented pile tests across 37 real-life projects in the Mekong Delta. The analysis of data based on conventional methods shows distinct responses of long piles to rising settlement, as compared to short piles. The base resistance can rapidly develop at a small settlement threshold (0.015–0.03% of pile’s length) and contribute up to 50–55% of the total bearing capacity in short piles, but it slowly rises over a wide range of settlement to only 20–25% in long piles due to considerable loss of settlement impact over the depth. Furthermore, by leveraging the advantages of ML methods, the results significantly enhance our understanding of the settlement–base resistance relationship through explainable computations. The ML-based prediction method is compared with popular practice codes for pile foundations, further attesting to the high accuracy and reliability of the newly established model. Full article
20 pages, 571 KiB  
Article
Test of Volatile Behaviors with the Asymmetric Stochastic Volatility Model: An Implementation on Nasdaq-100
by Elchin Suleymanov, Magsud Gubadli and Ulvi Yagubov
Risks 2024, 12(5), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/risks12050076 (registering DOI) - 03 May 2024
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the presence of asymmetric stochastic volatility and leverage effects within the Nasdaq-100 index. This index is widely regarded as an important indicator for investors. We focused on the nine leading stocks within the index, which are highly [...] Read more.
The present study aimed to investigate the presence of asymmetric stochastic volatility and leverage effects within the Nasdaq-100 index. This index is widely regarded as an important indicator for investors. We focused on the nine leading stocks within the index, which are highly popular and hold significant weight in the investment world. These stocks are Netflix, PayPal, Google, Intel, Microsoft, Amazon, Tesla, Apple, and Meta. The study covered the period between 3 January 2017 and 30 January 2023, and we employed the EViews and WinBUGS applications to conduct the analysis. We began by calculating the logarithmic difference to obtain the return series. We then performed a sample test with 100,000 iterations, excluding the first 10,000 samples to eliminate the initial bias of the coefficients. This left us with 90,000 samples for analysis. Using the results of the asymmetric stochastic volatility model, we evaluated both the Nasdaq-100 index as a whole and the volatility persistence, predictability, and correlation levels of individual stocks. This allowed us to evaluate the ability of individual stocks to represent the characteristics of the Nasdaq-100 index. Our findings revealed a dense clustering of volatility, both for the Nasdaq-100 index and the nine individual stocks. We observed that this volatility is continuous but has a predictable impact on variability. Moreover, apart from Intel, all the stocks in the model exhibited both leverage effects and the presence of asymmetric relationships, as did the Nasdaq-100 index. Overall, our results show that the characteristics of stocks in the model are like the volatility characteristic of the Nasdaq-100 index and can represent it. Full article
17 pages, 23851 KiB  
Review
Metal–Organic Framework Nanomaterials as a Medicine for Catalytic Tumor Therapy: Recent Advances
by Jiaojiao Zhang, Meiyu Li, Maosong Liu, Qian Yu, Dengfeng Ge and Jianming Zhang
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(9), 797; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14090797 (registering DOI) - 03 May 2024
Abstract
Nanomaterials, with unique physical, chemical, and biocompatible properties, have attracted significant attention as an emerging active platform in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Amongst them, metal–organic framework (MOF) nanostructures are particularly promising as a nanomedicine due to their exceptional surface functionalities, adsorption properties, and [...] Read more.
Nanomaterials, with unique physical, chemical, and biocompatible properties, have attracted significant attention as an emerging active platform in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Amongst them, metal–organic framework (MOF) nanostructures are particularly promising as a nanomedicine due to their exceptional surface functionalities, adsorption properties, and organo-inorganic hybrid characteristics. Furthermore, when bioactive substances are integrated into the structure of MOFs, these materials can be used as anti-tumor agents with superior performance compared to traditional nanomaterials. In this review, we highlight the most recent advances in MOFs-based materials for tumor therapy, including their application in cancer treatment and the underlying mechanisms. Full article
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16 pages, 3385 KiB  
Article
Coordination Polymer Based on a Triangular Carboxylate Core {Fe(μ3-O)(μ-O2CR)6} and an Aliphatic Diamine
by Vladimir A. Bushuev, Natalia V. Gogoleva, Stanislav A. Nikolaevskii, Sergey V. Novichihin, Dmitriy S. Yambulatov, Mikhail A. Kiskin and Igor L. Eremenko
Molecules 2024, 29(9), 2125; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092125 (registering DOI) - 03 May 2024
Abstract
Interaction of the pre-organized complex of iron(II) trimethylacetate and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) [Fe2(piv)4(phen)2] (1) (piv = (Me)3CCO2)) with 1,6-diaminohexane (dahx) in anhydrous acetonitrile yielded a 1D coordination polymer [Fe3O(piv) [...] Read more.
Interaction of the pre-organized complex of iron(II) trimethylacetate and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) [Fe2(piv)4(phen)2] (1) (piv = (Me)3CCO2)) with 1,6-diaminohexane (dahx) in anhydrous acetonitrile yielded a 1D coordination polymer [Fe3O(piv)6(dahx)1.5]n (2) and an organic salt of pivalic acid (H2dahx)(piv)2 (3). The structure of the obtained compounds was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The phase purity of the complexes was determined by powder X-ray diffraction analysis. According to the single-crystal X-ray analysis, coordination polymer 2 is formed due to the binding of a triangular carboxylate core {Fe33-O)(μ-piv)6} with an aliphatic diamine ligand. Thermal behavior was investigated for compounds 1 and 2 in an argon atmosphere. Full article
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32 pages, 3621 KiB  
Article
Developing a Conceptual Framework for Characterizing and Measuring Social Resilience in Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI)
by Angie Campbell, Victoria Chanse and Mirjam Schindler
Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3847; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093847 (registering DOI) - 03 May 2024
Abstract
Many cities are increasingly adopting blue-green infrastructure (BGI) to bolster their resilience against environmental challenges. Beyond its well-acknowledged environmental benefits, the role of BGI in enhancing social resilience is becoming an equally important area of focus. However, the integration of BGI in fostering [...] Read more.
Many cities are increasingly adopting blue-green infrastructure (BGI) to bolster their resilience against environmental challenges. Beyond its well-acknowledged environmental benefits, the role of BGI in enhancing social resilience is becoming an equally important area of focus. However, the integration of BGI in fostering social resilience presents complexities, stemming from the evolving and occasionally ambiguous definition of social resilience. Considering the broad application of BGI across various disciplines makes the evaluation of social resilience within a BGI framework complex. Consequently, a structured approach to develop a clear framework tailored to understanding and measuring social resilience in a BGI setting is needed. This study consolidates various existing frameworks of social resilience, especially utilizing the detailed 5S framework proposed by Saja et al. It integrates findings from an extensive review of literature on social resilience to develop a novel conceptual framework—the BGI Social Resilience Framework. This new framework specifically aims to capture the distinct social aspects and advantages associated with BGI. The BGI Social Resilience Framework is organized into a three-tier model, focusing on four critical aspects of social resilience—social values, social capital, social structure, and social equity—and explores how these aspects are interconnected. Characteristics and indicators are customized to accommodate the context of BGI in a way that integrates the physical and human dimensions within a comprehensive approach to measurement that uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. Specifically, this research formulates a theoretical framework for BGI with the aim of investigating BGI strategies and viewpoints that bolster social resilience. The BGI Social Resilience Framework takes into account the varied demographics and the physical characteristics of urban areas to explore ways to create BGI spaces that are more inclusive and that contribute to the enhancement of social resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Urban Green Development and Resilient Cities)
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27 pages, 6502 KiB  
Article
Influence of a Long Flexible Fiber on the Transport Capability of a Non-Clogging Pump
by Jing Liu, Jingwei Xu, Suguo Zhuang and Kai Wang
Processes 2024, 12(5), 934; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12050934 (registering DOI) - 03 May 2024
Abstract
During the operation of non-clogging pumps, the flexible long fiber is prone to clogging and winding during the flow process, which can result in damage to the non-clogging pump, so a numerical simulation method of a solid–liquid two-phase flow in a non-clogging pump [...] Read more.
During the operation of non-clogging pumps, the flexible long fiber is prone to clogging and winding during the flow process, which can result in damage to the non-clogging pump, so a numerical simulation method of a solid–liquid two-phase flow in a non-clogging pump with a flexible long fiber is proposed in this paper. The unsteady numerical simulation of the two-phase flow of a single flexible fiber with different densities, lengths and diameters in a double-blade non-clogging pump was carried out to study the influence of fiber parameters on fiber transport capability. The results show that at a density of 920 kg/m3, 300 kg/m3 and 732 kg/m3, the transport capability of flexible fibers decreases successively, and the transport time T0 is 0.32 s, 0.36 s and 0.48 s, respectively. The transport capability of flexible fibers with a length of 150 mm, 200 mm and 250 mm decreases successively, and the transport time T0 is 0.34 s, 0.48 s and 0.96 s, respectively. The transport time T0 is 0.48 s when the fiber diameter dp is 5 mm. When the fiber diameter dp is 7.5 mm, the transport time T0 is 0.51 s. When the fiber diameter dp is 10 mm, the fiber transport capability of the non-clogging pump decreased significantly, and the transport time T0 is 0.68 s. The fiber length has the most obvious effect on fiber transport capability, followed by the fiber diameter and fiber density. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Advanced Digital and Other Processes)
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16 pages, 2354 KiB  
Article
Highly Stretchable Double Network Ionogels for Monitoring Physiological Signals and Detecting Sign Language
by Ya Jiang, Shujing Zhao, Fengyuan Wang, Xiaoyuan Zhang and Zhiqiang Su
Biosensors 2024, 14(5), 227; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14050227 (registering DOI) - 03 May 2024
Abstract
At the heart of the non-implantable electronic revolution lies ionogels, which are remarkably conductive, thermally stable, and even antimicrobial materials. Yet, their potential has been hindered by poor mechanical properties. Herein, a double network (DN) ionogel crafted from 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Emim]Cl), acrylamide (AM), [...] Read more.
At the heart of the non-implantable electronic revolution lies ionogels, which are remarkably conductive, thermally stable, and even antimicrobial materials. Yet, their potential has been hindered by poor mechanical properties. Herein, a double network (DN) ionogel crafted from 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Emim]Cl), acrylamide (AM), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was constructed. Tensile strength, fracture elongation, and conductivity can be adjusted across a wide range, enabling researchers to fabricate the material to meet specific needs. With adjustable mechanical properties, such as tensile strength (0.06–5.30 MPa) and fracture elongation (363–1373%), this ionogel possesses both robustness and flexibility. This ionogel exhibits a bi-modal response to temperature and strain, making it an ideal candidate for strain sensor applications. It also functions as a flexible strain sensor that can detect physiological signals in real time, opening doors to personalized health monitoring and disease management. Moreover, these gels’ ability to decode the intricate movements of sign language paves the way for improved communication accessibility for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. This DN ionogel lays the foundation for a future in which e-skins and wearable sensors will seamlessly integrate into our lives, revolutionizing healthcare, human–machine interaction, and beyond. Full article
13 pages, 2904 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Water during the Compaction Process on Surface Characteristics of HMA Pavement
by Bingquan Dai, Lei Mao, Pan Pan, Xiaodi Hu and Ning Wang
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2146; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092146 (registering DOI) - 03 May 2024
Abstract
During the compaction process of HMA pavement, it is common to spray cold water on the wheel of a road roller to prevent the mixture from sticking to the wheel, which might deteriorate the bonding strength between the asphalt binder and aggregate, and [...] Read more.
During the compaction process of HMA pavement, it is common to spray cold water on the wheel of a road roller to prevent the mixture from sticking to the wheel, which might deteriorate the bonding strength between the asphalt binder and aggregate, and consequently lead to surface polishing of the pavement. This paper aims to demonstrate whether the water used during the compaction process affects the surface performance of HMA pavement. In this study, the black pixel ratio and mass loss ratio were used to evaluate the water effect on the surface performance of asphalt pavement, considering the water consumption, molding temperature and long-term ageing process. The test results indicated that the water used during the compaction process would increase the risk of surface polishing of HMA pavement. This adverse effect became more significant if the HMA samples were prepared using greater water consumption, a greater molding temperature and a long-term ageing process. Moreover, there exists a certain correlation between the black pixel ratio and mass loss ratio, and their relationships were demonstrated by the experimental results in this study. It is recommended that further research concentrates on the influencing mechanism and the treatment strategy for the adverse effect caused by the water used during the compaction process. The use of more types of asphalt binders, aggregate and methodologies is also recommended in further studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Construction and Building Materials)
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12 pages, 4992 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial Properties of Carboxymethyl Cellulose/Starch/N’N Methylenebisacrylamide Membranes Endowed by Ultrasound and Their Potential Application in Antimicrobial Packaging
by Youliang Cheng, Xinyi Cheng, Changqing Fang, Jing Chen, Xin Zhang, Changxue Cao and Jinpeng Wang
Polymers 2024, 16(9), 1282; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091282 (registering DOI) - 03 May 2024
Abstract
Cellulose is used widely in antimicrobial packaging due to its abundance in nature, biodegradability, renewability, non-toxicity, and low cost. However, how efficiently and rapidly it imparts high antimicrobial activity to cellulose-based packaging materials remains a challenge. In this work, Ag NPs were deposited [...] Read more.
Cellulose is used widely in antimicrobial packaging due to its abundance in nature, biodegradability, renewability, non-toxicity, and low cost. However, how efficiently and rapidly it imparts high antimicrobial activity to cellulose-based packaging materials remains a challenge. In this work, Ag NPs were deposited on the surface of carboxymethyl cellulose/starch/N’N Methylenebisacrylamide film using ultrasonic radiation. Morphology and structure analysis of as-prepared films were conducted, and the antibacterial effects under different ultrasonic times and reductant contents were investigated. These results showed that Ag NPs were distributed uniformly on the film surface under an ultrasonic time of 45 min. The size of Ag NPs changes as the reducing agent content decreases. The composite film demonstrated a slightly better antibacterial effect against E. coli than against S. aureus. Therefore, this work can provide valuable insights for the research on antimicrobial packaging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cellulose Polymers and Derivatives)
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23 pages, 9379 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Feature Selection Methods—Modelling COPD Outcomes
by Jorge Cabral, Pedro Macedo, Alda Marques and Vera Afreixo
Mathematics 2024, 12(9), 1398; https://doi.org/10.3390/math12091398 (registering DOI) - 03 May 2024
Abstract
Selecting features associated with patient-centered outcomes is of major relevance yet the importance given depends on the method. We aimed to compare stepwise selection, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, random forest, Boruta, extreme gradient boosting and generalized maximum entropy estimation and suggest [...] Read more.
Selecting features associated with patient-centered outcomes is of major relevance yet the importance given depends on the method. We aimed to compare stepwise selection, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, random forest, Boruta, extreme gradient boosting and generalized maximum entropy estimation and suggest an aggregated evaluation. We also aimed to describe outcomes in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Data from 42 patients were collected at baseline and at 5 months. Acute exacerbations were the aggregated most important feature in predicting the difference in the handgrip muscle strength (dHMS) and the COVID-19 lockdown group had an increased dHMS of 3.08 kg (CI95 ≈ [0.04, 6.11]). Pack-years achieved the highest importance in predicting the difference in the one-minute sit-to-stand test and no clinical change during lockdown was detected. Charlson comorbidity index was the most important feature in predicting the difference in the COPD assessment test (dCAT) and participants with severe values are expected to have a decreased dCAT of 6.51 points (CI95 ≈ [2.52, 10.50]). Feature selection methods yield inconsistent results, particularly extreme gradient boosting and random forest with the remaining. Models with features ordered by median importance had a meaningful clinical interpretation. Lockdown seem to have had a negative impact in the upper-limb muscle strength. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research in Biostatistics)
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17 pages, 1946 KiB  
Article
Power Load Forecast Based on CS-LSTM Neural Network
by Lijia Han, Xiaohong Wang, Yin Yu and Duan Wang
Mathematics 2024, 12(9), 1402; https://doi.org/10.3390/math12091402 (registering DOI) - 03 May 2024
Abstract
Load forecast is the foundation of power system operation and planning. The forecast results can guide the power system economic dispatch and security analysis. In order to improve the accuracy of load forecast, this paper proposes a forecasting model based on the combination [...] Read more.
Load forecast is the foundation of power system operation and planning. The forecast results can guide the power system economic dispatch and security analysis. In order to improve the accuracy of load forecast, this paper proposes a forecasting model based on the combination of the cuckoo search (CS) algorithm and the long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network. Load data are specific data with time series characteristics and periodicity, and the LSTM algorithm can control the information added or discarded through the forgetting gate, so as to realize the function of forgetting or memorizing. Therefore, the use of the LSTM algorithm for load forecast is more effective. The CS algorithm can perform global search better and does not easily fall into local optima. The CS-LSTM forecasting model, where CS algorithm is used to optimize the hyper-parameters of the LSTM model, has a better forecasting effect and is more feasible. Simulation results show that the CS-LSTM model has higher forecasting accuracy than the standard LSTM model, the PSO-LSTM model, and the GA-LSTM model. Full article
36 pages, 621 KiB  
Review
Outcomes and Characteristics of Interdisciplinary Self-Management Interventions for Older Adults Living with Chronic Pain: Insights from a Scoping Review
by Samuel Turcotte, Marie-Ève Lapointe, Carolann Shea, Jacqueline Rousseau, Julie Masse, Johanne Higgins, Pierre Rainville, David Lussier, François Dubé, Catherine Genest, Kami Sarimanukoglu, Lucile Agarrat, Maria Varganici and Johanne Filiatrault
J. Ageing Longev. 2024, 4(2), 83-118; https://doi.org/10.3390/jal4020007 (registering DOI) - 03 May 2024
Abstract
Introduction: Up to 50% of community-dwelling older adults report living with some chronic pain that interferes with their daily functioning and leads to disabilities. Hence, it is crucial to provide these individuals with strategies to effectively manage pain. An interdisciplinary approach is warranted [...] Read more.
Introduction: Up to 50% of community-dwelling older adults report living with some chronic pain that interferes with their daily functioning and leads to disabilities. Hence, it is crucial to provide these individuals with strategies to effectively manage pain. An interdisciplinary approach is warranted considering the numerous factors contributing to pain among older adults. Although several studies have been conducted on various interdisciplinary pain self-management programs, little effort has been made to synthesize knowledge about such programs for older adults. Objective: The objective of this review was to synthesize the characteristics and effects of interdisciplinary chronic pain self-management interventions targeting community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the steps recommended by Arksey and O’Malley (2005) and Levac et al. (2010). Keyword searches were performed in MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Results: Sixty-six articles were included. Most interventions were based on a cognitive-behavioral group approach and used a combination of modalities, including education and training on the use of self-management strategies. The professionals most frequently involved in group interventions were psychologists, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists. Several benefits of these programs have been reported concerning pain intensity, independence in daily functioning, mental health, and quality of life. Conclusions: Interdisciplinary chronic pain self-management programs appear promising in guiding clinical and rehabilitation interventions for older adults living with chronic pain. Full article
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