The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
17 pages, 4762 KiB  
Article
Soil Studies for Fungal Diversity to Enable the Conservation Translocation of Green-Winged Orchid
by Millie Brigitte Newmarch, Mélusine Velde, Manoj Menon and Viswambharan Sarasan
Diversity 2024, 16(6), 327; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16060327 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Conservation Translocation (CT), which includes reintroduction, reinforcement and introduction, is gaining momentum, responding to serious population decline in many orchids. Orchid conservation underpinned by a greater emphasis on understanding biotic and abiotic factors of habitats is critical for successful recovery and restoration programmes. [...] Read more.
Conservation Translocation (CT), which includes reintroduction, reinforcement and introduction, is gaining momentum, responding to serious population decline in many orchids. Orchid conservation underpinned by a greater emphasis on understanding biotic and abiotic factors of habitats is critical for successful recovery and restoration programmes. Anacamptis morio, commonly known as green-winged orchid (GWO), is a terrestrial orchid found throughout Europe, but populations in England rapidly declined in its native range in the last several decades. The current study explored the relationship between soil abiotic characteristics and the community composition of key fungal groups. Wild sites in Essex and Cumbria in England, where successful colonies are currently present, were compared to potential sites for CT in Cumbria. The Cumbrian sites managed by cattle grazing include the wild site and three potential CT sites, with two of them hosting no GWO plants. The Essex site, fOxley Meadow, where no cattle is used for grassland management, hosts the largest population of GWO in England. The aim of this study was to understand whether the community composition of fungi and soil characteristics of the potential CT sites in Cumbria are nearly compatible with that of Oxley Meadow. Oxley Meadow, with around 65,000 plants, stands out as a unique habitat compared to all Cumbria sites, as it showed low organic content. Nitrate and phosphate content were smaller for Oxley Meadow compared to other Cumbrian sites. The proportion of Basidiomycota fungi was greater in Oxley Meadow compared to all Cumbrian sites where Ascomycota dominated. The abundant fungal group found in Oxley Meadow was Agaricales. From Agariclaes, Hygrophoraceae or waxcaps fungi are considered an indicator group of fungi and were the most abundant group in Oxley Meadow. They have a negative correlation with targeted key fungal groups and abiotic parameters. More in-depth assessments using additional primers are essential to better understand the fungal diversity and how this diversity translates to the resilience of orchid habitats. This preliminary study points to future studies to assess whether sites are near-compatible to the wild site where large colonies are present using additional primers collected over different time scales. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity in 2024)
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2 pages, 138 KiB  
Editorial
A Glimpse into the AI-Driven Advances in Neurobiology and Neurologic Diseases
by Wu Qiu and Hulin Kuang
Biomedicines 2024, 12(6), 1221; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12061221 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Recent developments in AI, especially in machine learning and deep learning, have opened new avenues for research and clinical practice in neurology [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence in Neurobiology and Neurologic Diseases)
21 pages, 406 KiB  
Article
Language Attitudes in Australia: Results from a Nationwide Survey
by Chloé Diskin-Holdaway and Paola Escudero
Languages 2024, 9(6), 200; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages9060200 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Recent research on attitudes to Australian English (AusE) shows that there is a general increase in its acceptance, legitimacy, and endonormativity. However, a certain “cultural cringe” exists, particularly when “broad” AusE is seen as representative of the variety. A significant gap in the [...] Read more.
Recent research on attitudes to Australian English (AusE) shows that there is a general increase in its acceptance, legitimacy, and endonormativity. However, a certain “cultural cringe” exists, particularly when “broad” AusE is seen as representative of the variety. A significant gap in the literature is how the perceptions and usage of AusE may change as the population becomes more diverse. This paper presents findings of an online survey of language attitudes towards AusE with 661 respondents across Australia, over a third of whom were born overseas. Overall, there is minimal evidence of a standard language ideology, with 80% of respondents reporting having an accent to some degree. Almost half of respondents report occasionally or frequently changing their accents due to context, interlocutor, or making themselves understood. When asked to rate AusE along six traits on a seven-point scale, the traits of educatedness, professionalism, and attractiveness were consistently centered on neutral. For friendliness and likeability, the majority skewed towards neutral and positive. For the trait of clarity, there was a greater range of responses, but overall, 50% of respondents found AusE to be somewhat, moderately, or really clear. These findings further our understanding of attitudes and ideologies in Australia’s increasingly diverse language ecology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Australian English)
25 pages, 10661 KiB  
Review
Flexural and Shear Strengthening of Reinforced-Concrete Beams with Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC)
by Farabi Bin Ahmed, Rajib Kumar Biswas, Debasish Sen and Sumaiya Tasnim
Constr. Mater. 2024, 4(2), 468-492; https://doi.org/10.3390/constrmater4020025 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is considered to be a promising material for the strengthening of damaged reinforced concrete (RC) members due to its high mechanical strength and low permeability. However, its high material cost, limited code provisions, and scattered material properties limit its wide [...] Read more.
Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is considered to be a promising material for the strengthening of damaged reinforced concrete (RC) members due to its high mechanical strength and low permeability. However, its high material cost, limited code provisions, and scattered material properties limit its wide application. There is a great need to review existing articles and create a database to assist different technical committees for future code provisions on UHPC. This study presents a comprehensive overview focusing on the effect of the UHPC layer on the flexural and shear strengthening of RC beams. From this review, it was evident that (1) different retrofitting configurations have a remarkable effect on the cracking moment compared to the maximum moment in the case of flexural strengthening; (2) the ratios of the shear span and UHPC layer thickness have a notable effect on shear strengthening and the failure mode; and (3) different bonding techniques have insignificant effects on shear strengthening but a positive impact on flexural strengthening. Overall, it can be concluded that three-side strengthening has a higher increment range for flexural (maximum, 81%–120%; cracking, 300%–500%) and shear (maximum, 51%–80%; cracking, 121%–180%) strengthening. From this literature review, an experimental database was established, and different failure modes were identified. Finally, this research highlights current issues with UHPC and recommends some future works. Full article
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18 pages, 249 KiB  
Article
Dealing with the Trustworthy Gospel in a Post-Christian Australia
by Peter Christofides
Religions 2024, 15(6), 685; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15060685 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
What is truth? We have entered another period fraught with Gospel confusion—beyond postmodernism to what can be called “post-Christianity”. This is not unusual—so we should not be overwhelmed. This happens periodically, as early as Gal 1:9: “If anybody is preaching to you a [...] Read more.
What is truth? We have entered another period fraught with Gospel confusion—beyond postmodernism to what can be called “post-Christianity”. This is not unusual—so we should not be overwhelmed. This happens periodically, as early as Gal 1:9: “If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned”. It is all a question of the Gospel, or put another way, evangelism (the communication or announcing “the good news of God”). Evangelism is proclaiming and living a distinct message of Jesus Christ. Jesus is Himself the embodiment of the “good news”. The Gospel has been challenged, eroded and corrupted over the centuries—yet rediscovered by those who practice exegesis of the Biblical record of the New Testament. This article moves on to look at how secular philosophy—rather than Christian philosophy—and other “forms of the truth” have influenced the current situation we find ourselves in. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Continental Philosophy and Christian Beliefs)
66 pages, 14003 KiB  
Perspective
ACH2.0/E, the Consolidated Theory of Conventional and Unconventional Alzheimer’s Disease: Origins, Progression, and Therapeutic Strategies
by Vladimir Volloch and Sophia Rits-Volloch
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 6036; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25116036 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
The centrality of amyloid-beta (Aβ) is an indisputable tenet of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It was initially indicated by the detection (1991) of a mutation within Aβ protein precursor (AβPP) segregating with the disease, which served as a basis for the long-standing Amyloid Cascade [...] Read more.
The centrality of amyloid-beta (Aβ) is an indisputable tenet of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It was initially indicated by the detection (1991) of a mutation within Aβ protein precursor (AβPP) segregating with the disease, which served as a basis for the long-standing Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis (ACH) theory of AD. In the intervening three decades, this notion was affirmed and substantiated by the discovery of numerous AD-causing and AD-protective mutations with all, without an exception, affecting the structure, production, and intraneuronal degradation of Aβ. The ACH postulated that the disease is caused and driven by extracellular Aβ. When it became clear that this is not the case, and the ACH was largely discredited, a new theory of AD, dubbed ACH2.0 to re-emphasize the centrality of Aβ, was formulated. In the ACH2.0, AD is caused by physiologically accumulated intraneuronal Aβ (iAβ) derived from AβPP. Upon reaching the critical threshold, it triggers activation of the autonomous AβPP-independent iAβ generation pathway; its output is retained intraneuronally and drives the AD pathology. The bridge between iAβ derived from AβPP and that generated independently of AβPP is the neuronal integrated stress response (ISR) elicited by the former. The ISR severely suppresses cellular protein synthesis; concurrently, it activates the production of a small subset of proteins, which apparently includes components necessary for operation of the AβPP-independent iAβ generation pathway that are absent under regular circumstances. The above sequence of events defines “conventional” AD, which is both caused and driven by differentially derived iAβ. Since the ISR can be elicited by a multitude of stressors, the logic of the ACH2.0 mandates that another class of AD, referred to as “unconventional”, has to occur. Unconventional AD is defined as a disease where a stressor distinct from AβPP-derived iAβ elicits the neuronal ISR. Thus, the essence of both, conventional and unconventional, forms of AD is one and the same, namely autonomous, self-sustainable, AβPP-independent production of iAβ. What distinguishes them is the manner of activation of this pathway, i.e., the mode of causation of the disease. In unconventional AD, processes occurring at locations as distant from and seemingly as unrelated to the brain as, say, the knee can potentially trigger the disease. The present study asserts that these processes include traumatic brain injury (TBI), chronic traumatic encephalopathy, viral and bacterial infections, and a wide array of inflammatory conditions. It considers the pathways which are common to all these occurrences and culminate in the elicitation of the neuronal ISR, analyzes the dynamics of conventional versus unconventional AD, shows how the former can morph into the latter, explains how a single TBI can hasten the occurrence of AD and why it takes multiple TBIs to trigger the disease, and proposes the appropriate therapeutic strategies. It posits that yet another class of unconventional AD may occur where the autonomous AβPP-independent iAβ production pathway is initiated by an ISR-unrelated activator, and consolidates the above notions in a theory of AD, designated ACH2.0/E (for expanded ACH2.0), which incorporates the ACH2.0 as its special case and retains the centrality of iAβ produced independently of AβPP as the driving agent of the disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights of Biomarkers in Neurodegenerative Diseases)
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11 pages, 577 KiB  
Article
Lung Clearance Index as a Screening Parameter of Pulmonary Impairment in Patients under Immune Checkpoint Therapy: A Pilot Study
by Maya-Leonie C. Steinbach, Jakob Eska, Julia Weitzel, Alexandra R. Görges, Julia K. Tietze and Manfred Ballmann
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2088; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112088 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
Background: Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has presented a breakthrough in the treatment of malignant tumors and increased the overall survival of patients with various tumor entities. ICB may also cause immune-related adverse events, such as pneumonitis or interstitial lung disease. The lung clearance [...] Read more.
Background: Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has presented a breakthrough in the treatment of malignant tumors and increased the overall survival of patients with various tumor entities. ICB may also cause immune-related adverse events, such as pneumonitis or interstitial lung disease. The lung clearance index (LCI) is a multiple-breath washout technique offering information on lung pathology in addition to conventional spirometry. It measures the degree of pulmonary ventilation inhomogeneity and allows early detection of pulmonary damage, especially that to peripheral airways. Methods: This cross-sectional study compared the lung function of patients with melanoma or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma who received programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte-associated Protein 4 (CTLA-4) antibodies, alone or in combination, to age- and sex-matched controls. Lung function was assessed using spirometry, according to American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society standards, the LCI, and a diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) measurement. Results: Sixty-one screened patients and thirty-eight screened controls led to nineteen successfully included pairs. The LCI in the ICB-treated patients was 8.41 ± 1.15 (mean ± SD), which was 0.32 higher compared to 8.07 ± 1.17 in the control group, but the difference was not significant (p = 0.452). The patients receiving their ICB therapy for under five months showed a significantly lower LCI (7.98 ± 0.77) compared to the ICB patients undergoing therapy for over five months (9.63 ± 1.22) at the point of testing (p = 0.014). Spirometric analysis revealed that the forced expiratory volume between 25 and 75% of the forced vital capacity (FEF25-75%) in the ICB-treated patients was significantly reduced (p = 0.047) compared to the control group. DLCO (%predicted and adjusted for hemoglobin) was 94.4 ± 19.7 in the ICB patients and 93.4 ± 21.7 in the control group (p = 0.734). Conclusions: The patients undergoing ICB therapy showed slightly impaired lung function compared to the controls. Longer periods of ICB treatment led to deterioration of the LCI, which may be a sign of a subclinical inflammatory process. The LCI is feasible and may be easily integrated into the clinical daily routine and could contribute to early detection of pulmonary (auto-)inflammation. Full article
27 pages, 13458 KiB  
Article
Zircon, Monazite SHRIMP U-Th-Pb and Quartz Oxygen Isotopic Results from the Higher Himalayan Crystallines (HHC) of the Sikkim Himalayas
by Shashank Prabha-Mohan, Ian S. Williams and Sandeep Singh
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 572; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060572 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
Migmatites and partial melts are exposed in both the lower and upper package of the Higher Himalayan Crystallines (HHC) thrust sheet within the Sikkim Himalayas. Zircon monazite and quartz oxygen isotopic ratios from Yumthang Valley, North Sikkim, and Rathong Chuu, West Sikkim, have [...] Read more.
Migmatites and partial melts are exposed in both the lower and upper package of the Higher Himalayan Crystallines (HHC) thrust sheet within the Sikkim Himalayas. Zircon monazite and quartz oxygen isotopic ratios from Yumthang Valley, North Sikkim, and Rathong Chuu, West Sikkim, have been used to identify their sources and equilibrium conditions. Monazites show homogeneous growth, whereas zircons show growth rings. U-Th-Pb data on monazite only indicate the latest metamorphic event. However, zircons show metamorphic rim growth between 36 and 24 Ma over their detrital core with trailing growth from 22 Ma to 15 Ma. Pervasive fluids have been interpreted in coeval development during metamorphism, as shown by monazite and zircon c. 30 Ma. The Th/U ratio of zircon is higher and variable with weak residual zoning in the samples from higher elevations. Quartz–metamorphic zircon oxygen fractionation suggests Teq > 600 °C, while quartz–monazite fractionation shows the same or lower temperatures. Multiple sources of melts in the HHC (even along a single valley) have been observed by δ18O of 7‰ to 10‰ in zircon and 5‰ to 9‰ in monazite. Zircon and monazite generated in the same rock have similar δ18O values. Monazite grown ~20 Ma in the lower elevation sample had a low δ18O, suggesting interaction with an external fluid. Full article
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14 pages, 1384 KiB  
Article
The Role of Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule Cancer Stem Cell Marker in Evaluation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
by Marwa A. El-Kholy, Shimaa S. Abu-Seadah, Abdulkarim Hasan, Mohammed E. A. Elhussiny, Mohammed S. Abdelwahed, Mehenaz Hanbazazh, Abdulhadi Samman, Saeed A. Alrashdi, Zaky F. Rashed, Diaa Ashmawy, Alyaa E. Othman, Mohamed F. Abdelaleem, Amany I. A. Abo-Saif, Rania R. Abdel-Maqsoud, Samah M. Attiah, Eissa Saeed Assiri, Mohamed Nasr, Khadiga Ahmed Ismail, Diana Z. Saad and Marwa M. El-Mosely
Medicina 2024, 60(6), 915; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60060915 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent form of malignancy that is characterized by high mortality rates and prognosis that remain suboptimal, largely due to treatment resistance mechanisms. Recent studies have implicated cancer stem cells (CSCs), particularly those expressing epithelial cell [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent form of malignancy that is characterized by high mortality rates and prognosis that remain suboptimal, largely due to treatment resistance mechanisms. Recent studies have implicated cancer stem cells (CSCs), particularly those expressing epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), in HCC progression and resistance. In the present study, we sought to assess EpCAM expression in HCC patients and its correlation with various clinicopathological parameters. Materials and Methods: Tissue samples from 42 HCC patients were subjected to immunohistochemical staining to evaluate EpCAM expression. Clinicopathological data were obtained including the size, grade and stage of tumors, vascular invasion status, alpha-fetoprotein levels, and cirrhosis status. The Chi square and Fisher’s exact tests were employed to assess the association between categorical groups. Independent Student-t test or Mann–Whitney U test was used to investigate the association between continuous patient characteristics and survival. Results: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed EpCAM expression in 52.5% of HCC cases. EpCAM-positive tumors exhibited characteristics indicative of aggressive disease, including larger tumor sizes (p = 0.006), greater tumor multiplicity (p = 0.004), higher grades (p = 0.002), more advanced stages (p = 0.003), vascular invasion (p = 0.023), elevated alpha-fetoprotein levels (p = 0.013), and cirrhosis (p=0.052). Survival analysis demonstrated that EpCAM expression was significantly associated with lower overall rates of survival and higher rates of recurrence in HCC patients. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that EpCAM expression may serve as a prognostic biomarker for HCC with a potential role in patient management. Targeting EpCAM-positive CSCs may represent a promising approach to overcome treatment resistance and improve clinical outcomes in HCC. However, further investigation into the molecular mechanisms underlying EpCAM’s role in HCC progression is warranted to facilitate the development of personalized therapeutic interventions. Full article
20 pages, 18263 KiB  
Article
Quantitative Precipitation Estimation Using Weather Radar Data and Machine Learning Algorithms for the Southern Region of Brazil
by Fernanda F. Verdelho, Cesar Beneti, Luis G. Pavam, Jr., Leonardo Calvetti, Luiz E. S. Oliveira and Marco A. Zanata Alves
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(11), 1971; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16111971 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
In addressing the challenges of quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) using weather radar, the importance of enhancing the rainfall estimates for applications such as flash flood forecasting and hydropower generation management is recognized. This study employed dual-polarization weather radar data to refine the traditional [...] Read more.
In addressing the challenges of quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) using weather radar, the importance of enhancing the rainfall estimates for applications such as flash flood forecasting and hydropower generation management is recognized. This study employed dual-polarization weather radar data to refine the traditional Z–R relationship, which often needs higher accuracy in areas with complex meteorological phenomena. Utilizing tree-based machine learning algorithms, such as random forest and gradient boosting, this research analyzed polarimetric variables to capture the intricate patterns within the Z–R relationship. The results highlight machine learning’s potential to improve the precision of precipitation estimation, especially under challenging weather conditions. Integrating meteorological insights with advanced machine learning techniques is a remarkable achievement toward a more precise and adaptable precipitation estimation method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance of Radar Meteorology and Hydrology II)
17 pages, 6257 KiB  
Article
HPPEM: A High-Precision Blueberry Cluster Phenotype Extraction Model Based on Hybrid Task Cascade
by Rongli Gai, Jin Gao and Guohui Xu
Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1178; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061178 - 30 May 2024
Abstract
Blueberry fruit phenotypes are crucial agronomic trait indicators in blueberry breeding, and the number of fruits within the cluster, maturity, and compactness are important for evaluating blueberry harvesting methods and yield. However, the existing instance segmentation model cannot extract all these features. And [...] Read more.
Blueberry fruit phenotypes are crucial agronomic trait indicators in blueberry breeding, and the number of fruits within the cluster, maturity, and compactness are important for evaluating blueberry harvesting methods and yield. However, the existing instance segmentation model cannot extract all these features. And due to the complex field environment and aggregated growth of blueberry fruits, the model is difficult to meet the demand for accurate segmentation and automatic phenotype extraction in the field environment. To solve the above problems, a high-precision phenotype extraction model based on hybrid task cascade (HTC) is proposed in this paper. ConvNeXt is used as the backbone network, and three Mask RCNN networks are cascaded to construct the model, rich feature learning through multi-scale training, and customized algorithms for phenotype extraction combined with contour detection techniques. Accurate segmentation of blueberry fruits and automatic extraction of fruit number, ripeness, and compactness under severe occlusion were successfully realized. Following experimental validation, the average precision for both bounding boxes (bbox) and masks stood at 0.974 and 0.975, respectively, with an intersection over union (IOU) threshold of 0.5. The linear regression of the extracted value of the fruit number against the true value showed that the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.902, and the root mean squared error (RMSE) was 1.556. This confirms the effectiveness of the proposed model. It provides a new option for more efficient and accurate phenotypic extraction of blueberry clusters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Precision and Digital Agriculture)
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4 pages, 154 KiB  
Editorial
Pharmacogenomics: Challenges and Future
by Mariamena Arbitrio
Genes 2024, 15(6), 714; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15060714 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
Over the last few decades, the implementation of pharmacogenomics (PGx) in clinical practice has improved tailored drug prescriptions [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacogenomics: Challenges and Future)
11 pages, 1781 KiB  
Article
U-Pb LA-ICP-MS Zircon Dating of Crustal Xenoliths: Evidence of the Archean Lithosphere Beneath the Snake River Plain
by William P. Leeman, Jeffrey D. Vervoort and S. Andrew DuFrane
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 578; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060578 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
New U-Pb zircon ages are reported for granulite facies crustal xenoliths brought to the surface by mafic lavas in the Snake River Plain. All samples yield Meso-to-Neoarchean ages (2.4–3.6 Ga) that significantly expand the known extent of the Archean Wyoming Craton at least [...] Read more.
New U-Pb zircon ages are reported for granulite facies crustal xenoliths brought to the surface by mafic lavas in the Snake River Plain. All samples yield Meso-to-Neoarchean ages (2.4–3.6 Ga) that significantly expand the known extent of the Archean Wyoming Craton at least as far west as the west-central Snake River Plain. Most zircon populations indicate multiple growth episodes with complexity increasing eastward, but they bear no record of major Phanerozoic magmatic episodes in the region. To extrapolate this work further west to the inferred craton boundary, zircons from southwestern Idaho batholith granodiorites were also analyzed. Although most batholith zircons record Cretaceous formation ages, all samples have zircons with inherited cores—with some recording Proterozoic ages (approaching 2 Ga). These data enhance our perspectives regarding lithosphere architecture beneath southern Idaho and adjacent areas and its possible influence on Cenozoic magmatism associated with the Snake River Plain–Yellowstone “melting anomaly”. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
13 pages, 16893 KiB  
Article
The Relationship between Trait-Based Functional Niche Hypervolume and Community Phylogenetic Structures of Typical Forests across Different Climatic Zones in China
by Jihong Huang, Ruoyun Yu, Yi Ding, Yue Xu, Jie Yao and Runguo Zang
Forests 2024, 15(6), 954; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15060954 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
Functional traits are pivotal for understanding the functional niche within plant communities. Yet, the relationship between the functional niches of typical forest plant communities across different climatic zones, as defined by functional traits, and their association with community and phylogenetic structures remains elusive. [...] Read more.
Functional traits are pivotal for understanding the functional niche within plant communities. Yet, the relationship between the functional niches of typical forest plant communities across different climatic zones, as defined by functional traits, and their association with community and phylogenetic structures remains elusive. In this study, we examined 215 woody species, incorporating 11 functional traits spanning leaf economy, mechanical support, and reproductive phenology, gathered from forests in four climatic zones from tropical, subtropical, warm-temperate to cold-temperate zones in China and supplemented by the literature. We quantified the functional niche hypervolume (FNH), reflecting the multidimensional functional niche variability. We then probed into the correlation between the FNH and community and phylogenetic structures of forests. Our findings reveal that species richness significantly influences the geographic variance of functional niche space in forest vegetation across different climatic zones. Specifically, a community’s species richness correlates positively with the functional niche breadth occupied by the community species. The FNH of woody plants across diverse forest types shows significant associations with both the mean phylogenetic distance (MPD) and the mean nearest phylogenetic taxon distance (MNTD) of the communities. There is a progressive increase in tropical rainforest (TF), subtropical evergreen deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest (SF), and warm-temperate coniferous broad-leaved mixed forest (WF), followed by a decline in the cold-temperate coniferous forest (CF). This pattern suggests potential environmental filtering in CF, which may constrain the spatial extent of plant functional niches. Our research underscores the substantial variability in the FNH across China’s typical forest vegetation, highlighting the complex interplay between functional traits, community richness, and phylogenetic distance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Ecology and Management)
14 pages, 3674 KiB  
Technical Note
A Two-Stage SAR Image Generation Algorithm Based on GAN with Reinforced Constraint Filtering and Compensation Techniques
by Ming Liu, Hongchen Wang, Shichao Chen, Mingliang Tao and Jingbiao Wei
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(11), 1963; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16111963 - 30 May 2024
Abstract
Generative adversarial network (GAN) can generate diverse and high-resolution images for data augmentation. However, when GAN is applied to the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) dataset, the generated categories are not of the same quality. The unrealistic category will affect the performance of the [...] Read more.
Generative adversarial network (GAN) can generate diverse and high-resolution images for data augmentation. However, when GAN is applied to the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) dataset, the generated categories are not of the same quality. The unrealistic category will affect the performance of the subsequent automatic target recognition (ATR). To overcome the problem, we propose a reinforced constraint filtering with compensation afterwards GAN (RCFCA-GAN) algorithm to generate SAR images. The proposed algorithm includes two stages. We focus on improving the quality of easily generated categories in Stage 1. Then, we record the categories that are hard to generate and compensate by using traditional augmentation methods in Stage 2. Thus, the overall quality of the generated images is improved. We conduct experiments on the moving and stationary target acquisition and recognition (MSTAR) dataset. Recognition accuracy and Fréchet inception distance (FID) acquired by the proposed algorithm indicate its effectiveness. Full article
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16 pages, 8651 KiB  
Article
Fault-Tolerant Direct Torque Control of Five-Phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor under Single Open-Phase Fault Based on Virtual Vectors
by Changpan Zhou, Rundong Zhong, Guodong Sun, Dongdong Zhao, Xiaopeng Zhao and Guoxiu Jing
Energies 2024, 17(11), 2660; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17112660 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
In the existing literature, direct torque control (DTC) by synthesizing virtual vectors can effectively suppress low-order harmonic currents under the single open-phase fault (OPF) of the five-phase permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), but the sectors and the look-up tables need to be redesigned, [...] Read more.
In the existing literature, direct torque control (DTC) by synthesizing virtual vectors can effectively suppress low-order harmonic currents under the single open-phase fault (OPF) of the five-phase permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), but the sectors and the look-up tables need to be redesigned, which makes the control process more complicated. In order to solve this problem, an indirect correction method of virtual vectors is proposed, and the amplitudes of the virtual vectors are maximized. The fault-tolerant DTC strategy under the OPF ensures that there is no need to re-divide the sectors under the fault. And the selection rules of the look-up tables are consistent with the healthy operation. The difference is that the amplitudes of ten virtual vectors in the faulty operation are reduced, which simplifies the control process and is easy to implement. Finally, the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed control strategy were verified by experiments. Full article
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13 pages, 532 KiB  
Article
Community Feedback on Mass Medicines Administration for Neglected Tropical Diseases in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria
by Juliana Ajuma Amanyi-Enegela, Jacqueline Azumi Badaki, Gbenga Olorunshola Alege, Faizah Okunade, Joseph Kumbur, Rinpan Ishaya, Donald Ashikeni, Mohammad Babar Qureshi and Girija Sankar
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(6), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9060126 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of annual mass drug administration (MDA) as the strategy for controlling and eliminating the five preventive chemotherapy neglected tropical diseases (PC-NTDs). The success of MDAs hinges on community acceptance, active participation, and compliance. This study [...] Read more.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of annual mass drug administration (MDA) as the strategy for controlling and eliminating the five preventive chemotherapy neglected tropical diseases (PC-NTDs). The success of MDAs hinges on community acceptance, active participation, and compliance. This study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of community members, to obtain a more thorough understanding of their openness and willingness to participate in MDA and other NTD elimination activities. A mixed-methods approach was employed, utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods for comprehensive data collection. Eighteen key informant interviews (KIIs) and sixteen focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted to explore community engagement, participation, medication utilization, and programme perception. Triangulation of findings from interviews and discussions with household survey results was performed to gain a deeper understanding of emerging themes. The household survey involved interviewing 1220 individuals (Abaji: 687; Bwari: 533). Audio tapes recorded KIIs and FGDs, with interview transcripts coded using Nvivo 12.0 software based on predefined themes. Descriptive analysis using SPSS version 21 was applied to quantitative data. Results indicated high awareness of mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns in both area councils (Abaji: 84.9%; Bwari: 82.9%), with a small percentage claiming ignorance (15.1%), attributed to lack of information or absence during health campaigns. Respondents primarily participated by taking medication (82.5%), with minimal involvement in other MDA campaigns. Perception of medicines was generally positive, with a significant association between participation level and performance rating (p < 0.05). The study recommends leveraging high awareness and community responsiveness to enhance engagement in various MDA activities, ensuring sustainability and ownership of the programme. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Community Engagement and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs))
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24 pages, 5347 KiB  
Article
Investigation of Crack Propagation and Failure of Liquid-Filled Cylindrical Shells Damaged in High-Pressure Environments
by Hongshuo Zhang, Dapeng Tan, Shicheng Xu, Tiancheng Hu, Huan Qi and Lin Li
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(6), 921; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12060921 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
Cylindrical shell structures have excellent structural properties and load-bearing capacities in fields such as aerospace, marine engineering, and nuclear power. However, under high-pressure conditions, cylindrical shells are prone to cracking due to impact, corrosion, and fatigue, leading to a reduction in structural strength [...] Read more.
Cylindrical shell structures have excellent structural properties and load-bearing capacities in fields such as aerospace, marine engineering, and nuclear power. However, under high-pressure conditions, cylindrical shells are prone to cracking due to impact, corrosion, and fatigue, leading to a reduction in structural strength or failure. This paper proposes a static modeling method for damaged liquid-filled cylindrical shells based on the extended finite element method (XFEM). It investigated the impact of different initial crack angles on the crack propagation path and failure process of liquid-filled cylindrical shells, overcoming the difficulties of accurately simulating stress concentration at crack tips and discontinuities in the propagation path encountered in traditional finite element methods. Additionally, based on fluid‒structure interaction theory, a dynamic model for damaged liquid-filled cylindrical shells was established, analyzing the changes in pressure and flow state of the fluid during crack propagation. Experimental results showed that although the initial crack angle had a slight effect on the crack propagation path, the crack ultimately extended along both sides of the main axis of the cylindrical shell. When the initial crack angle was 0°, the crack propagation path was more likely to form a through-crack, with the highest penetration rate, whereas when the initial crack angle was 75°, the crack propagation speed was slower. After fluid entered the cylindrical shell, it spurted along the crack propagation path, forming a wave crest at the initial ejection position. Full article
19 pages, 953 KiB  
Article
An Energy-Optimized Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT)-Based Biosensor Networking for Predicting COVID-19 Outbreaks in Healthcare Systems
by Monika Pahuja and Dinesh Kumar
COVID 2024, 4(6), 696-714; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4060047 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
By integrating energy-efficient AIoT-based biosensor networks, healthcare systems can now predict COVID-19 outbreaks with unprecedented accuracy and speed, revolutionizing early detection and intervention strategies. Therefore, this paper explores the rapid growth of electronic technology in today's environment, driven by the proliferation of advanced [...] Read more.
By integrating energy-efficient AIoT-based biosensor networks, healthcare systems can now predict COVID-19 outbreaks with unprecedented accuracy and speed, revolutionizing early detection and intervention strategies. Therefore, this paper explores the rapid growth of electronic technology in today's environment, driven by the proliferation of advanced devices capable of monitoring and controlling various healthcare systems. However, these devices' limited resources necessitate optimizing their utilization. To tackle this concern, we propose an enhanced Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) system that utilizes the networking capabilities of IoT biosensors to forecast potential COVID-19 outbreaks. The system aims to efficiently collect data from deployed sensor nodes, enabling accurate predictions of possible disease outbreaks. By collecting and pre-processing diverse parameters from IoT nodes, such as body temperature (measured non-invasively using the open-source thermal camera TermoDeep), population density, age (captured via smartwatches), and blood glucose (collected via the CGM system), we enable the AI system to make accurate predictions. The model's efficacy was evaluated through performance metrics like the confusion matrix, F1 score, precision, and recall, demonstrating the optimal potential of the IoT-based wireless sensor network for predicting COVID-19 outbreaks in healthcare systems. Full article
14 pages, 1303 KiB  
Article
Flowering, Quality and Nutritional Status of Tropaeolum majus L. ‘Spitfire’ after Application of Trichoderma spp.
by Roman Andrzejak, Beata Janowska, Agnieszka Rosińska, Sylwia Skazińska and Orsolya Borsai
Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4672; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114672 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the influence of three species of fungi of the Trichoderma genus (T. aureoviride Rifai—Ta8, T. hamatum/Bonord/Bainier—Th15, and T. harzianum Rifai—Thr2) on the quality, flowering, and nutritional status of Tropaeolum majus L. ‘Spitfire’. Early [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to compare the influence of three species of fungi of the Trichoderma genus (T. aureoviride Rifai—Ta8, T. hamatum/Bonord/Bainier—Th15, and T. harzianum Rifai—Thr2) on the quality, flowering, and nutritional status of Tropaeolum majus L. ‘Spitfire’. Early flowering was only influenced by T. hamatum, which delayed it by 6 days. T. aureoviride, T. hamatum, and T. harzianum stimulated the flowering of the ‘Spitfire’ cultivar but did not affect the size of the flowers. The plants treated with T. harzianum after being planted in pots flowered the most abundantly. Trichoderma spp. caused the plants to grow more intensively, producing longer and more leafy shoots with a greater number of offshoots. Trichoderma spp. stimulated the uptake of macronutrients, except for phosphorus (P). In the case of calcium (Ca) and sodium (Na), this phenomenon was only observed in plants treated with T. aureoviride and T. hamatum, and for magnesium (Mg), only when T. hamatum was applied to sown seeds. As for the developed root systems, as far as the micronutrients are concerned, Trichoderma spp. stimulated the uptake of zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn). Apart from that, there was a higher iron (Fe) content in the plants treated with T. harzianum on both dates and T. aureoviride after planting the plants in pots. Full article
21 pages, 2220 KiB  
Article
Investigation of the Coupling Schemes between the Discrete and the Continuous Phase in the Numerical Simulation of a 60 kWth Swirling Pulverised Solid Fuel Flame under Oxyfuel Conditions
by Hossein Askarizadeh, Stefan Pielsticker, Hendrik Nicolai, Reinhold Kneer, Christian Hasse and Anna Maßmeyer
Fire 2024, 7(6), 185; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7060185 - 30 May 2024
Abstract
Detailed numerical analyses of pulverised solid fuel flames are computationally expensive due to the intricate interplay between chemical reactions, turbulent multiphase flow, and heat transfer. The near-burner region, characterised by a high particle number density, is particularly influenced by these interactions. The accurate [...] Read more.
Detailed numerical analyses of pulverised solid fuel flames are computationally expensive due to the intricate interplay between chemical reactions, turbulent multiphase flow, and heat transfer. The near-burner region, characterised by a high particle number density, is particularly influenced by these interactions. The accurate modelling of these phenomena is crucial for describing flame characteristics. This study examined the reciprocal impact between the discrete phase and the continuous phase using Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations. The numerical model was developed in Ansys Fluent and equipped with user-defined functions that adapt the modelling of combustion sub-processes, in particular, devolatilisation, char conversion, and radiative heat transfer under oxyfuel conditions. The aim was to identify the appropriate degree of detail necessary for modelling the interaction between discrete and continuous phases, specifically concerning mass, momentum, energy, and turbulence, to effectively apply it in high-fidelity numerical simulations. The results of the numerical model show good agreement in comparison with experimental data and large-eddy simulations. In terms of the coupling schemes, the results indicate significant reciprocal effects between the discrete and the continuous phases for mass and energy coupling; however, the effect of particles on the gas phase for momentum and turbulence coupling was observed to be negligible. For the investigated chamber, these results are shown to be slightly affected by the local gas phase velocity and temperature fields as long as the global oxygen ratio between the provided and needed amount of oxygen as well as the thermal output of the flame are kept constant. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Combustion and Fire I)
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16 pages, 23556 KiB  
Article
The Therapeutic Potential of Intra-Articular Injection of Synthetic Deer Antler Peptides in a Rat Model of Knee Osteoarthritis
by Yu-Chou Hung, Li-Jin Chen, Jen-Hung Wang, Tsung-Jung Ho, Guo-Fang Tseng and Hao-Ping Chen
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 6041; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25116041 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
Synthetic deer antler peptides (TSKYR, TSK, and YR) stimulate the proliferation of human chondrocytes and osteoblasts and increase the chondrocyte content of collagen and glycosamino-glycan in vitro. This study investigated the peptide mixture’s pain relief and chondroprotective effect in a rat model of [...] Read more.
Synthetic deer antler peptides (TSKYR, TSK, and YR) stimulate the proliferation of human chondrocytes and osteoblasts and increase the chondrocyte content of collagen and glycosamino-glycan in vitro. This study investigated the peptide mixture’s pain relief and chondroprotective effect in a rat model of collagenase-induced osteoarthritis. Thirty-six adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into three groups: control (saline), positive control (hyaluronic acid), and ex-perimental (peptides). Intra-articular collagenase injections were administered on days 1 and 4 to induce osteoarthritis in the left knees of the rats. Two injections of saline, hyaluronic acid, or the peptides were injected into the same knees of each corresponding group at the beginning of week one and two, respectively. Joint swelling, arthritic pain, and histopathological changes were evaluated. Injection of the peptides significantly reduced arthritic pain compared to the control group, as evidenced by the closer-to-normal weight-bearing and paw withdrawal threshold test results. Histological analyses showed reduced cartilage matrix loss and improved total cartilage degeneration score in the experimental versus the control group. Our findings suggest that intra-articular injection of synthetic deer antler peptides is a promising treatment for osteoarthritis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Osteoarthritis Biomarkers, Diagnosis and Treatments)
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16 pages, 2867 KiB  
Article
Assessing Container Terminals’ Environmental Efficiency: The Modified Slack-Based Measure Model
by Thanh Tam Nguyen and Long Van Hoang
Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4679; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114679 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
The classic Slack-Based Measure (SBM) model has been posited to be a favorable non-parametric tool to cope with undesirable output. Nevertheless, this model has two significant drawbacks that should be addressed in practice. Thus, this paper aims to revise the classic SBM model [...] Read more.
The classic Slack-Based Measure (SBM) model has been posited to be a favorable non-parametric tool to cope with undesirable output. Nevertheless, this model has two significant drawbacks that should be addressed in practice. Thus, this paper aims to revise the classic SBM model to estimate container terminals’ environmental efficiency with undesirable output. The originality of this article includes: (1) introducing the energy consumption method to calculate the quantity of CO2 emitted by container terminal operators (CTOs), (2) adopting cluster analysis to identify homogeneous CTOs acting as Decision-Making Units (DMUs), and (3) introducing the modified SBM model to measure and analyze environmental efficiency for CTOs. Based on this research, the efficiency of the analyzed terminals and the management of the local port sector are improved. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)
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