The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
16 pages, 3270 KiB  
Article
Iterative Adaptive Based Multi-Polarimetric SAR Tomography of the Forested Areas
by Shuang Jin, Hui Bi, Qian Guo, Jingjing Zhang and Wen Hong
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(9), 1605; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16091605 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Synthetic aperture radar tomography (TomoSAR) is an extension of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging. It introduces the synthetic aperture principle into the elevation direction to achieve three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction of the observed target. Compressive sensing (CS) is a favorable technology for sparse elevation [...] Read more.
Synthetic aperture radar tomography (TomoSAR) is an extension of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging. It introduces the synthetic aperture principle into the elevation direction to achieve three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction of the observed target. Compressive sensing (CS) is a favorable technology for sparse elevation recovery. However, for the non-sparse elevation distribution of the forested areas, if CS is selected to reconstruct it, it is necessary to utilize some orthogonal bases to first represent the elevation reflectivity sparsely. The iterative adaptive approach (IAA) is a non-parametric algorithm that enables super-resolution reconstruction with minimal snapshots, eliminates the need for hyperparameter optimization, and requires fewer iterations. This paper introduces IAA to tomographicinversion of the forested areas and proposes a novel multi-polarimetric-channel joint 3-D imaging method. The proposed method relies on the characteristics of the consistent support of the elevation distribution of different polarimetric channels and uses the L2-norm to constrain the IAA-based 3-D reconstruction of each polarimetric channel. Compared with typical spectral estimation (SE)-based algorithms, the proposed method suppresses the elevation sidelobes and ambiguity and, hence, improves the quality of the recovered 3-D image. Compared with the wavelet-based CS algorithm, it reduces computational cost and avoids the influence of orthogonal basis selection. In addition, in comparison to the IAA, it demonstrates greater accuracy in identifying the support of the elevation distribution in forested areas. Experimental results based on BioSAR 2008 data are used to validate the proposed method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Synthetic Aperture Radar Data Processing and Application)
22 pages, 13996 KiB  
Article
Detecting Lunar Linear Structures Based on Multimodal Semantic Segmentation: The Case of Sinuous Rilles
by Sheng Zhang, Jianzhong Liu, Gregory Michael, Kai Zhu, Danhong Lei, Jingyi Zhang, Jingwen Liu and Man Ren
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(9), 1602; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16091602 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Tectonic features on the Moon can reflect the state of stress during the formation of the structure, and sinuous rilles can provide further insight into the tectonic-thermal evolution of the Moon. Manual visual interpretation is the primary method for extracting these linear structures [...] Read more.
Tectonic features on the Moon can reflect the state of stress during the formation of the structure, and sinuous rilles can provide further insight into the tectonic-thermal evolution of the Moon. Manual visual interpretation is the primary method for extracting these linear structures due to their complex morphology. However, extracting these features from the vast amount of lunar remote sensing data requires significant time and effort from researchers, especially for small-scale tectonic features, such as wrinkle ridges, lobate scarps, and high-relief ridges. In order to enhance the efficiency of linear structure detection, this paper conducts research on the automatic detection method of linear structures using sinuous rilles as an example case. In this paper, a multimodal semantic segmentation method, “Sinuous Rille Network (SR-Net)”, for detecting sinuous rilles is proposed based on DeepLabv3+. This method combines advanced techniques such as ECA-ResNet and dynamic feature fusion. Compared to other networks, such as PSPNet, ResUNet, and DeepLabv3+, SR-Net demonstrates superior precision (95.20%) and recall (92.18%) on the multimodal sinuous rille test set. The trained SR-Net was applied in detecting lunar sinuous rilles within the range of 60°S to 60°N latitude. A new catalogue of sinuous rilles was generated based on the results of the detection process. The methodology proposed in this paper is not confined to the detection of sinuous rilles; with further improvements, it can be extended to the detection of other linear structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Satellite Missions for Earth and Planetary Exploration)
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33 pages, 16215 KiB  
Review
High-Performance Nanoscale Metallic Multilayer Composites: Techniques, Mechanical Properties and Applications
by Mahmoud Ebrahimi, Bangcai Luo, Qudong Wang and Shokouh Attarilar
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2124; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092124 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Due to their exceptional properties and diverse applications, including to magnetic devices, thermoelectric materials, catalysis, biomedicine, and energy storage, nanoscale metallic multilayer composites (NMMCs) have recently attracted great attention. The alternating layers of two or more metals that make up NMMCs are each [...] Read more.
Due to their exceptional properties and diverse applications, including to magnetic devices, thermoelectric materials, catalysis, biomedicine, and energy storage, nanoscale metallic multilayer composites (NMMCs) have recently attracted great attention. The alternating layers of two or more metals that make up NMMCs are each just a few nanometers thick. The difficulties in producing and synthesizing new materials can be overcome by using nanoscale multilayer architectures. By adjusting the layer thickness, composition, and interface structure, the mechanical properties of these materials can be controlled. In addition, NMMCs exhibit unusually high strength at thin layer thicknesses because the multilayers have exceptionally high strength, as the individual layer thicknesses are reduced to the nanoscale. The properties of NMMCs depend on the individual layers. This means that the properties can be tuned by varying the layer thickness, composition, and interface structure. Therefore, this review article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the mechanical properties and the application of high-performance NMMCs. The paper briefly discusses the fabrication methods used to produce these composites and highlights their potential in various fields, such as electronics, energy storage, aerospace, and biomedical engineering. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity, mechanical properties, and thermal stability of the above composite materials are analyzed in detail. The review concludes with a discussion of the future prospects and challenges associated with the development of NMMCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposite Based Materials for Various Applications)
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23 pages, 8306 KiB  
Article
Metagenomic and Culturomics Analysis of Microbial Communities within Surface Sediments and the Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in a Pristine River: The Zaqu River in the Lancang River Source Region, China
by Yi Yan, Jialiang Xu, Wenmin Huang, Yufeng Fan, Zhenpeng Li, Mingkai Tian, Jinsheng Ma, Xin Lu and Jian Liang
Microorganisms 2024, 12(5), 911; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12050911 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Microbial communities inhabiting sedimentary environments in river source regions serve as pivotal indicators of pristine river ecosystems. While the correlation between antibiotic resistome and pathogenicity with core gut bacteria in humans is well established, there exists a significant knowledge gap concerning the interaction [...] Read more.
Microbial communities inhabiting sedimentary environments in river source regions serve as pivotal indicators of pristine river ecosystems. While the correlation between antibiotic resistome and pathogenicity with core gut bacteria in humans is well established, there exists a significant knowledge gap concerning the interaction of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and human pathogenic bacteria (HPB) with specific microbes in river source basins, often referred to as “terrestrial gut”. Understanding the microbial composition, including bacteria and resident genetic elements such as ARGs, HPB, Mobile Genetic Elements (MGEs), and Virulence Factors (VFs), within natural habitats against the backdrop of global change, is imperative. To address this gap, an enrichment-based culturomics complementary along with metagenomics was conducted in this study to characterize the microbial biobank and provide preliminary ecological insights into profiling the dissemination of ARGs in the Lancang River Source Basin. Based on our findings, in the main stream of the Lancang River Source Basin, 674 strains of bacteria, comprising 540 strains under anaerobic conditions and 124 under aerobic conditions, were successfully isolated. Among these, 98 species were identified as known species, while 4 were potential novel species. Of these 98 species, 30 were HPB relevant to human health. Additionally, bacA and bacitracin emerged as the most abundant ARGs and antibiotics in this river, respectively. Furthermore, the risk assessment of ARGs predominantly indicated the lowest risk rank (Rank Ⅳ) in terms of endangering human health. In summary, enrichment-based culturomics proved effective in isolating rare and unknown bacteria, particularly under anaerobic conditions. The emergence of ARGs showed limited correlation with MGEs, indicating minimal threats to human health within the main stream of the Lancang River Source Basin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial and Antibiotic Resistance in the Environment)
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15 pages, 2413 KiB  
Article
Study of Tensile and Compressive Behavior of ECO-Mg97Gd2Zn1 Alloys Containing Long-Period Stacking Ordered Phase with Lamellar Structure
by Gerardo Garcés, Judit Medina, Pablo Pérez, Rafael Barea, Hyunkyu Lim, Shae K. Kim, Emad Maawad, Norbert Schell and Paloma Adeva
Metals 2024, 14(5), 530; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14050530 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
A suitable heat treatment in the Mg97Gd2Zn1 (at.%) alloy in the as-cast condition results, after extrusion at high temperature, in a two-phase lamellar microstructure consisting of magnesium grains with thin lamellar shape precipitates and long fibers of the [...] Read more.
A suitable heat treatment in the Mg97Gd2Zn1 (at.%) alloy in the as-cast condition results, after extrusion at high temperature, in a two-phase lamellar microstructure consisting of magnesium grains with thin lamellar shape precipitates and long fibers of the 14H-Long-Period Stacking Ordered (LPSO) phase elongated in the extrusion direction. The magnesium matrix is not fully recrystallized and highly oriented coarse non-dynamically recrystallized (non-DRXed) grains (17% volume fraction) elongated along the extrusion direction remain in the material. The deformation mechanisms of the extruded alloy have been studied measuring the evolution of the internal strains during in situ tension and compression tests using synchrotron diffraction radiation. The data demonstrate that the macroscopic yield stress is governed by the activation of the basal slip system in the randomly oriented equiaxed dynamic recrystallized (DRXed) grains. Non-DRXed grains, due to their strong texture, are favored oriented for the activation of tensile twinning. However, the presence of lamellar-shape precipitates strongly delays the propagation of lenticular thin twins through these highly oriented grains and they have no effect on the onset of the plastic deformation. Therefore, the tension–compression asymmetry is low since the plasticity mechanism is independent of the stress mode. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design, Processing and Characterization of Metals and Alloys)
17 pages, 1189 KiB  
Review
The Hotspots and Trends of Patented Technologies for Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soil Remediation: A Systematic Review
by Wenmin Luo, Guiting Mu, Xianliang Wu, Wei Qin and Yingying Liu
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 715; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050715 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Heavy metal soil pollution severely threatens human health and food safety. This study used PRISMA to systematically review heavy metal-contaminated soil remediation patents in the Derwent Patent Database from 2003 to 2023. A total of 1744 patents were selected. The results of the [...] Read more.
Heavy metal soil pollution severely threatens human health and food safety. This study used PRISMA to systematically review heavy metal-contaminated soil remediation patents in the Derwent Patent Database from 2003 to 2023. A total of 1744 patents were selected. The results of the analysis show that related patent applications are growing around the world. Among them, China has the most significant number of patents, but the layout of transnational patents needs to be revised. Countries have different preferences in transnational patent technology. Technological development is generally balanced, and there is no apparent monopoly. However, the need for continuous in-depth research on inventors is an obstacle to technological development. In addition, the technology in this field is concentrated in chemistry and engineering. Currently, the mainstream technology is soil remediation agents, and thermal desorption technology has also attracted much attention. Future technologies will use new polymer materials and advanced machinery to improve efficiency and control repair costs. In addition, remediation has shifted from the total amount of heavy metals to the control of practical parts. This study summarizes the current status of heavy metal-contaminated soil remediation technology and analyzes future development trends, providing a reference for technology development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metals in Farmland Soils: Mechanisms and Remediation Strategies)
21 pages, 1983 KiB  
Article
Effect of Incidence Angle on Temperature Measurement of Solar Panel with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Based Thermal Infrared Camera
by Hyeongil Shin, Kourosh Khoshelham, Kirim Lee, Sejung Jung, Dohoon Kim and Wonhee Lee
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(9), 1607; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16091607 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
This study utilizes Thermal Infrared (TIR) imaging technology to detect hotspots in photovoltaic (PV) modules of solar power plants. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based TIR imagery is crucial for efficiently analyzing fault detection in solar power plants. This research explores optimal operational parameters for [...] Read more.
This study utilizes Thermal Infrared (TIR) imaging technology to detect hotspots in photovoltaic (PV) modules of solar power plants. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based TIR imagery is crucial for efficiently analyzing fault detection in solar power plants. This research explores optimal operational parameters for generating high-quality TIR images using UAV technology. In addition to existing variables such as humidity, emissivity, height, wind speed, irradiance, and ambient temperature, newly considered variables including the angle of incidence between the target object and the thermal infrared camera are analyzed for their impact on TIR images. Based on the solar power plant’s tilt (20°) and the location coordinate data of the hotspot modules, the inner and outer products of the vectors were used to obtain the normal vector and angle of incidence of the solar power plant. It was discovered that the difference between measured TIR temperature data and Land Surface Temperature (LST) data varies with changes in the angle of incidence. The analysis presented in this study was conducted using multiple regression analysis to explore the relationships between dependent and independent variables. The Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model employed was able to explain 63.6% of the variability in the dependent variable. Further, the use of the Condition Number (Cond. No.) and the Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) revealed that the multicollinearity among all variables was below 10, ensuring that the independence among variables was well-preserved while maintaining statistically significant correlations. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed with the actual measured temperature values, while a negative correlation was observed between the TIR image data values and the angle of incidence. Moreover, it was found that an angle of incidence between 15° and 20° yields the closest similarity to LST temperature data. In conclusion, our research emphasizes the importance of adjusting the angle of incidence to 15–20° to enhance the accuracy of TIR imaging by mitigating overestimated TIR temperature values. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Unconventional Drone-Based Surveying 2nd Edition)
22 pages, 1812 KiB  
Article
Characterization of a Clinically and Biologically Defined Subgroup of Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Identification of a Tailored Combination Treatment
by Laura Pérez-Cano, Luigi Boccuto, Francesco Sirci, Jose Manuel Hidalgo, Samuel Valentini, Mattia Bosio, Xavier Liogier D’Ardhuy, Cindy Skinner, Lauren Cascio, Sujata Srikanth, Kelly Jones, Carrie Buchanan, Steven A. Skinner, Baltazar Gomez-Mancilla, Jean-Marc Hyvelin, Emre Guney and Lynn Durham
Biomedicines 2024, 12(5), 991; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12050991 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) with a high unmet medical need. The diagnosis of ASD is currently based on behavior criteria, which overlooks the diversity of genetic, neurophysiological, and clinical manifestations. Failure to acknowledge such heterogeneity [...] Read more.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) with a high unmet medical need. The diagnosis of ASD is currently based on behavior criteria, which overlooks the diversity of genetic, neurophysiological, and clinical manifestations. Failure to acknowledge such heterogeneity has hindered the development of efficient drug treatments for ASD and other NDDs. DEPI (Databased Endophenotyping Patient Identification) is a systems biology, multi-omics, and machine learning-driven platform enabling the identification of subgroups of patients with NDDs and the development of patient-tailored treatments. In this study, we provide evidence for the validation of a first clinically and biologically defined subgroup of patients with ASD identified by DEPI, ASD Phenotype 1 (ASD-Phen1). Among 313 screened patients with idiopathic ASD, the prevalence of ASD-Phen1 was observed to be ~24% in 84 patients who qualified to be enrolled in the study. Metabolic and transcriptomic alterations differentiating patients with ASD-Phen1 were consistent with an over-activation of NF-κB and NRF2 transcription factors, as predicted by DEPI. Finally, the suitability of STP1 combination treatment to revert such observed molecular alterations in patients with ASD-Phen1 was determined. Overall, our results support the development of precision medicine-based treatments for patients diagnosed with ASD. Full article
16 pages, 4948 KiB  
Article
Functionalization of Cathode–Electrolyte Interface with Ionic Liquids for High-Performance Quasi-Solid-State Lithium–Sulfur Batteries: A Low-Sulfur Loading Study
by Milinda Kalutara Koralalage, Varun Shreyas, William R. Arnold, Sharmin Akter, Arjun Thapa, Badri Narayanan, Hui Wang, Gamini U. Sumanasekera and Jacek B. Jasinski
Batteries 2024, 10(5), 155; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries10050155 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
We introduce a quasi-solid-state electrolyte lithium-sulfur (Li–S) battery (QSSEB) based on a novel Li-argyrodite solid-state electrolyte (SSE), Super P–Sulfur cathode, and Li-anode. The cathode was prepared using a water-based carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solution and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) as the binder while Li [...] Read more.
We introduce a quasi-solid-state electrolyte lithium-sulfur (Li–S) battery (QSSEB) based on a novel Li-argyrodite solid-state electrolyte (SSE), Super P–Sulfur cathode, and Li-anode. The cathode was prepared using a water-based carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solution and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) as the binder while Li6PS5F0.5Cl0.5 SSE was synthesized using a solvent-based process, via the introduction of LiF into the argyrodite crystal structure, which enhances both the ionic conductivity and interface-stabilizing properties of the SSE. Ionic liquids (IL) were prepared using lithium bis(trifluoromethyl sulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) as the salt, with pre-mixed pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethyl sulfonyl)imide (PYR) as solvent and 1,3-dioxolane (DOL) as diluent, and they were used to wet the SSE–electrode interfaces. The effect of IL dilution, the co-solvent amount, the LiTFSI concentration, the C rate at which the batteries are tested and the effect of the introduction of SSE in the cathode, were systematically studied and optimized to develop a QSSEB with higher capacity retention and cyclability. Interfacial reactions occurring at the cathode–SSE interface during cycling were also investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy supported by ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. This work offers a new insight into the intimate interfacial contacts between the SSE and carbon–sulfur cathodes, which are critical for improving the electrochemical performance of quasi-solid-state lithium–sulfur batteries. Full article
11 pages, 797 KiB  
Article
The Inhibition of TREK-1 K+ Channels via Multiple Compounds Contained in the Six Kamikihito Components, Potentially Stimulating Oxytocin Neuron Pathways
by Kanako Miyano, Miki Nonaka, Masahiro Sakamoto, Mika Murofushi, Yuki Yoshida, Kyoko Komura, Katsuya Ohbuchi, Yoshikazu Higami, Hideaki Fujii and Yasuhito Uezono
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(9), 4907; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25094907 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Oxytocin, a significant pleiotropic neuropeptide, regulates psychological stress adaptation and social communication, as well as peripheral actions, such as uterine contraction and milk ejection. Recently, a Japanese Kampo medicine called Kamikihito (KKT) has been reported to stimulate oxytocin neurons to induce oxytocin secretion. [...] Read more.
Oxytocin, a significant pleiotropic neuropeptide, regulates psychological stress adaptation and social communication, as well as peripheral actions, such as uterine contraction and milk ejection. Recently, a Japanese Kampo medicine called Kamikihito (KKT) has been reported to stimulate oxytocin neurons to induce oxytocin secretion. Two-pore-domain potassium channels (K2P) regulate the resting potential of excitable cells, and their inhibition results in accelerated depolarization that elicits neuronal and endocrine cell activation. We assessed the effects of KKT and 14 of its components on a specific K2P, the potassium channel subfamily K member 2 (TREK-1), which is predominantly expressed in oxytocin neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). KKT inhibited the activity of TREK-1 induced via the channel activator ML335. Six of the 14 components of KKT inhibited TREK-1 activity. Additionally, we identified that 22 of the 41 compounds in the six components exhibited TREK-1 inhibitory effects. In summary, several compounds included in KKT partially activated oxytocin neurons by inhibiting TREK-1. The pharmacological effects of KKT, including antistress effects, may be partially mediated through the oxytocin pathway. Full article
18 pages, 1044 KiB  
Article
Classification of Smart and Sustainable Urban Mobility
by Aleksandra Gulc and Klaudia Budna
Energies 2024, 17(9), 2148; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17092148 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The main purpose of this article is to identify and classify smart and sustainable urban mobility solutions in the context of three narratives for sustainable mobility: electromobility, collective transport 2.0 and low-mobility societies. The research process of this study included the following methods: [...] Read more.
The main purpose of this article is to identify and classify smart and sustainable urban mobility solutions in the context of three narratives for sustainable mobility: electromobility, collective transport 2.0 and low-mobility societies. The research process of this study included the following methods: review of the literature, namely, strategic European documents, sustainable urban mobility plans in chosen cities and scientific publications addressing smart and sustainable mobility, case studies of selected cities in Europe and technology mapping to visualize the study results. The main result of this study is the review of various smart and sustainable urban solutions (SSUM) and their classification within the three narratives of electromobility, collective transport 2.0 and low-mobility societies. This article expands the concept of the three narratives for sustainable mobility with the aspect of smart mobility enriched with the variety of example solutions, case studies and good practices within mobility strategies in European cities. The study results can be useful for different stakeholders engaged in developing and introducing the sustainable mobility strategies in cities. Based on the catalogue of SSUM solutions, presented case studies and good practices, they may gain the necessary knowledge, consider the possible initiatives towards green transformation in cities and finally adjust them to the citizens’ need. Full article
11 pages, 520 KiB  
Article
Hair Evaluation in Orthodontic Patients with Oligodontia
by Małgorzata Zadurska, Adriana Rakowska, Ewa Czochrowska, Małgorzata Laskowska, Konrad Perkowski, Izabela Strużycka, Lidia Rudnicka and Agnieszka Jurek
Diagnostics 2024, 14(9), 945; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14090945 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Oligodontia can be isolated or syndromic, associated with other ectodermal abnormalities. The aim of the study was to perform hair examination in orthodontic patients diagnosed with oligodontia with a low clinical expression of symptoms of ectodermal origin. All available orthodontic patients diagnosed with [...] Read more.
Oligodontia can be isolated or syndromic, associated with other ectodermal abnormalities. The aim of the study was to perform hair examination in orthodontic patients diagnosed with oligodontia with a low clinical expression of symptoms of ectodermal origin. All available orthodontic patients diagnosed with oligodontia in the permanent dentition were enrolled. Hair examination included clinical evaluation of the patients’ hair, trichoscopy, trichogram and evaluation of the hair shafts under a polarized light microscope. In total, 25 patients, 18 males and 7 females, aged 6 to 24 years were evaluated for the presence of dental and hair abnormalities. The number of congenitally absent teeth ranged from 6 to 24 teeth and diastemas, microdontia, taurodontism and altered tooth shape were found in 23 patients. Hair disorders were found in 68% of the subjects. Hypotrichosis, the heterogeneity of shaft color and loss of pigment, androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, trichoschisis, pili canaliculi, trichorrhexis nodosa and pseudomoniletrix were observed. Trichoscopy and trichogram are valid non-invasive diagnostic tests which could be used to differentiate between isolated and syndromic oligodontia in patients with a low clinical expression of ectodermal symptoms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Diagnosis of Orthodontics)
32 pages, 1182 KiB  
Review
Uncovering Forensic Evidence: A Path to Age Estimation through DNA Methylation
by María Josefina Castagnola, Francisco Medina-Paz and Sara C. Zapico
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(9), 4917; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25094917 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Age estimation is a critical aspect of reconstructing a biological profile in forensic sciences. Diverse biochemical processes have been studied in their correlation with age, and the results have driven DNA methylation to the forefront as a promising biomarker. DNA methylation, an epigenetic [...] Read more.
Age estimation is a critical aspect of reconstructing a biological profile in forensic sciences. Diverse biochemical processes have been studied in their correlation with age, and the results have driven DNA methylation to the forefront as a promising biomarker. DNA methylation, an epigenetic modification, has been extensively studied in recent years for developing age estimation models in criminalistics and forensic anthropology. Epigenetic clocks, which analyze DNA sites undergoing hypermethylation or hypomethylation as individuals age, have paved the way for improved prediction models. A wide range of biomarkers and methods for DNA methylation analysis have been proposed, achieving different accuracies across samples and cell types. This review extensively explores literature from the past 5 years, showing scientific efforts toward the ultimate goal: applying age prediction models to assist in human identification. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights of DNA Methylation)
15 pages, 1075 KiB  
Article
Structural Characterization of Polygonatum Cyrtonema Polysaccharide and Its Immunomodulatory Effects on Macrophages
by Ruiding Wen, Lu Luo, Runcheng Zhang, Xudong Zhou, Wei Wang and Limin Gong
Molecules 2024, 29(9), 2076; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092076 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
A neutral Polygonatum cyrtonema polysaccharide (NPCP) was isolated and purified from Polygonatum cyrtonema by various chromatographic techniques, including DEAE-52 and Sephadex-G100 chromatography. The structure of NPCP was characterized by HPLC, HPGPC, GC-MS, FT-IR, NMR, and SEM. Results showed that NPCP is [...] Read more.
A neutral Polygonatum cyrtonema polysaccharide (NPCP) was isolated and purified from Polygonatum cyrtonema by various chromatographic techniques, including DEAE-52 and Sephadex-G100 chromatography. The structure of NPCP was characterized by HPLC, HPGPC, GC-MS, FT-IR, NMR, and SEM. Results showed that NPCP is composed of glucose (55.4%) and galactose (44.6%) with a molecular weight of 3.2 kDa, and the sugar chain of NPCP was →1)-α-D-Glc-(4→1)-β-D-Gal-(3→. In vitro bioactivity experiments demonstrated that NPCP significantly enhanced macrophages proliferation and phagocytosis while inhibiting the M1 polarization induced by LPS as well as the M2 polarization induced by IL-4 and IL-13 in macrophages. Additionally, NPCP suppressed the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α in both M1 and M2 cells but promoted the secretion of IL-10. These results suggest that NPCP could serve as an immunomodulatory agent with potential applications in anti-inflammatory therapy. Full article
17 pages, 1525 KiB  
Article
Intermonitor Variability of Garmin Vivofit® Jr. Wristband
by Gema Díaz-Quesada, José María Gimenez-Egido, Jonathan Connor, Enrique Ortega-Toro and Gema Torres-Luque
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 3854; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093854 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability of Garmin Vivofit® Jr. physical activity (PA) wristbands during daily life physical activities. Six wristbands were randomly selected from a stock of twenty-four. The wristbands were worn by a single four-year-old [...] Read more.
The main objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability of Garmin Vivofit® Jr. physical activity (PA) wristbands during daily life physical activities. Six wristbands were randomly selected from a stock of twenty-four. The wristbands were worn by a single four-year-old participant, with three on the right wrist area and three on the left wrist area. To assess device reliability under laboratory conditions on a treadmill (Powerjog, model JM200, SportEngineering Ltd., Birmingham, UK), the participant wore the six wristbands while performing five work conditions: sitting and standing (30 times per minute, controlled by a metronome), walking at 3 km/h, walking at 4 km/h, running at 5 km/h, and running at 6 km/h. Throughout the six minutes, variables related to physical activity provided by the device, step volume, and minutes of physical activity were recorded using the specific application of the wristband (Garmin International Inc., Olathe, KS, USA). The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were high for all six wristbands with each other, for both the number of steps taken (ICC = 0.991–0.998) and the number of minutes of PA (ICC = 0.892–0.977). The critical alpha value of the Cusum test was highest at.050 for all wristband associations. In conclusion, good reliability was found among the six wristbands, which could be adopted for field-based research to quantify physical activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Biomechanics and Sports Technology)
18 pages, 1103 KiB  
Article
Analysis and Mitigating Methods for Jamming in the Optical Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces-Assisted Dual-Hop FSO Communication Systems
by Jingyu Wang, Dingshan Gao, Juan Li, Linhe Huang, Haiyang Ding and Shaohua Zhou
Electronics 2024, 13(9), 1730; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13091730 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
In this paper, we present a study investigating the impact of jamming in a Dual-Hop free-space optical (FSO) communication system assisted by reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) in the presence of a malicious jammer. We analyze the combined effects of atmospheric turbulence (AT), pointing [...] Read more.
In this paper, we present a study investigating the impact of jamming in a Dual-Hop free-space optical (FSO) communication system assisted by reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) in the presence of a malicious jammer. We analyze the combined effects of atmospheric turbulence (AT), pointing error (PE), and angle of arrival (AoA) fluctuation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Closed-form expressions for the overall average bit error rate (ABER) are derived while considering these impairments. To mitigate the jamming effect, we explore a Single-Input Multiple-Output (SIMO) FSO system and derive the end-to-end Average Bit Error Rate (ABER) under various jamming scenarios. Additionally, we conduct a comprehensive study by examining different placements of the malicious UAV jammer and RIS, drawing insightful conclusions on system performance. The analytically derived expressions are validated through Monte Carlo simulations. Full article
20 pages, 3919 KiB  
Article
Chemical Relationship among Genetically Authenticated Medicinal Species of Genus Angelica
by Jung-Hoon Kim, Eui-Jeong Doh, Han-Young Kim and Guemsan Lee
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1252; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091252 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The genus Angelica comprises various species utilized for diverse medicinal purposes, with differences attributed to the varying levels or types of inherent chemical components in each species. This study employed DNA barcode analysis and HPLC analysis to genetically authenticate and chemically classify eight [...] Read more.
The genus Angelica comprises various species utilized for diverse medicinal purposes, with differences attributed to the varying levels or types of inherent chemical components in each species. This study employed DNA barcode analysis and HPLC analysis to genetically authenticate and chemically classify eight medicinal Angelica species (n = 106) as well as two non-medicinal species (n = 14) that have been misused. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region revealed differences ranging from 11 to 117 bp, while psbA-trnH showed variances of 3 to 95 bp, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis grouped all samples except Angelica sinensis into the same cluster, with some counterfeits forming separate clusters. Verification using the NCBI database confirmed the feasibility of species identification. For chemical identification, a robust quantitative HPLC analysis method was developed for 46 marker compounds. Subsequently, two A. reflexa-specific and seven A. biserrata-specific marker compounds were identified, alongside non-specific markers. Moreover, chemometric clustering analysis reflecting differences in chemical content between species revealed that most samples formed distinct clusters according to the plant species. However, some samples formed mixed clusters containing different species. These findings offer crucial insights for the standardization and quality control of medicinal Angelica species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Phytochemistry)
18 pages, 2724 KiB  
Article
Preventive Maintenance Decision-Making Optimization Method for Airport Runway Composite Pavements
by Jianming Ling, Zengyi Wang, Shifu Liu and Yu Tian
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 3850; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093850 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Long-term preventive maintenance planning using finite annual budgets is vital for maintaining the service performance of airport runway composite pavements. Using the pavement condition index (PCI) to quantify composite pavement performance, this study investigated the PCI deterioration tendencies of middle runways, [...] Read more.
Long-term preventive maintenance planning using finite annual budgets is vital for maintaining the service performance of airport runway composite pavements. Using the pavement condition index (PCI) to quantify composite pavement performance, this study investigated the PCI deterioration tendencies of middle runways, terminal runways, and taxiways and developed prediction models related to structural thickness and air traffic. Performance jump (PJ) and deterioration rate reduction (DRR) were used to measure maintenance benefits. Based on 112 composite pavement sections in the Long-term Pavement Performance Program, this study analyzed the influences of five typical preventive maintenance technologies on PJ, DRR, and PCI deterioration rates. The logarithmic regression relationship between PJ and PCI was obtained. For sections treated with crack sealing and crack filling, the DRR was nearly 0. For sections treated with fog seal, thin HMA overlay, and hot-mix recycled AC, the DRR was 0.2, 0.7, and 0.8, respectively. To solve the multi-objective maintenance problem, this study proposed a decision-making optimization method based on dynamic programming, and the solution algorithm was optimized, which was applied in a five-year maintenance plan. Considering different PCI deterioration tendencies of airport regions, as well as PJ, DRR, and costs of maintenance technologies, the preventive maintenance decision-making optimization method meets performance and financial requirements sufficiently. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Technology for Road Surface Detection)
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19 pages, 579 KiB  
Article
Speech Puzzles (Spuzzles): Engaging the Reduced, Causal, and Semantic Listening Modes for Puzzle Design in Audio Games
by Emmanouel Rovithis, Agnes Papadopoulou, Vasileios Komianos, Varvara Garneli and Andreas Floros
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 3858; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093858 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
This paper proposes a novel approach to audio game design by introducing the concept of speech puzzles (spuzzles) to describe the utilisation of recorded voice for the creation of audio puzzles in ways that challenge players’ different listening modes. In the fields of [...] Read more.
This paper proposes a novel approach to audio game design by introducing the concept of speech puzzles (spuzzles) to describe the utilisation of recorded voice for the creation of audio puzzles in ways that challenge players’ different listening modes. In the fields of audio games and audio-interactive applications, speech serves instructive, descriptive, narrative, and in some cases—in the form of hints or quizzes—gameplay purposes by addressing users through language. The suggested approach of spuzzles extends this potential by including, besides encoded meaning, the acoustic properties of sound, thus engaging the user’s causal and reduced listening modes in parallel with the semantic listening mode. An audio game consisting of four inherently different spuzzles was designed as proof of concept and tested by seven third-year students of Audiovisual Arts, who elaborated on their experience through a focus group semi-structured discussion. Despite their difficulty, the spuzzles were well accepted by most of the participants (5/7), whereas all participants agreed on their acoustic richness, need for concentration, and independence from pre-existing musical knowledge. Therefore, the authors suggest that the proposed design approach could serve as a paradigm for future research in the design of complex audio-based game mechanics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Audio Interaction)
27 pages, 2530 KiB  
Article
Vibration Control with Reinforcement Learning Based on Multi-Reward Lightweight Networks
by Yucheng Shu, Chaogang He, Lihong Qiao, Bin Xiao and Weisheng Li
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 3853; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093853 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
This paper proposes a reinforcement learning method using a deep residual shrinkage network based on multi-reward priority experience playback for high-frequency and high-dimensional continuous vibration control. Firstly, we keep the underlying equipment unchanged and construct a vibration system simulator using FIR filters to [...] Read more.
This paper proposes a reinforcement learning method using a deep residual shrinkage network based on multi-reward priority experience playback for high-frequency and high-dimensional continuous vibration control. Firstly, we keep the underlying equipment unchanged and construct a vibration system simulator using FIR filters to ensure the complete fidelity of the physical model. Then, by interacting with the simulator using our proposed algorithm, we identify the optimal control strategy, which is directly applied to real-world scenarios in the form of a neural network. A multi-reward mechanism is proposed to assist the lightweight network to find a near-optimal control strategy, and a priority experience playback mechanism is used to prioritize the data to accelerate the convergence speed of the neural network and improve the data utilization efficiency. At the same time, the deep residual shrinkage network is introduced to realize adaptive denoising and lightweightness of the neural network. The experimental results indicate that under narrowband white-noise excitation ranging from 0 to 100 Hz, the DDPG algorithm achieved a vibration reduction effect of 12.728 dB, while our algorithm achieved a vibration reduction effect of 20.240 dB. Meanwhile, the network parameters were reduced by more than 7.5 times. Full article
22 pages, 1334 KiB  
Article
Simulation-Based Resilience Evaluation for Urban Rail Transit Transfer Stations
by Xinyao Yin, Junhua Chen and Yuexuan Li
Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3790; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093790 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Disturbances often occur in transfer stations; however, little is known about the weaknesses of transfer stations and their ability to cope with passenger flows. Therefore, this paper introduces resilience into the study of transfer stations to enhance their emergency response processes and improve [...] Read more.
Disturbances often occur in transfer stations; however, little is known about the weaknesses of transfer stations and their ability to cope with passenger flows. Therefore, this paper introduces resilience into the study of transfer stations to enhance their emergency response processes and improve the sustainability of URT networks. It establishes a two-level fuzzy evaluation model, using the G1 weighting method, to assess resilience across various scenarios (daily operation, heavy passenger flow, and emergencies) and identify weaknesses; then, corresponding enhancement strategies are proposed. First, factor sets are established according to resilience stages, including rapidity before disturbance, robustness, redundancy, resourcefulness, and rapidity after disturbance. Using the G1 method, the weight matrix for each factor is calibrated, and a membership degree matrix is determined based on their affiliation with the review set. Multiplying the weight matrix and membership degree matrix yields the resilience value. We apply these steps to a representative station with the assistance of Anylogic simulation in calculating the hard-to-obtain data, yielding a peak-hour resilience value of 0.3425, which indicates a “poor” rating in the review set. By combining the peak-hour resilience with resilience curves under different multiples of peak-hour flows, an enhancement prioritization strategy is proposed for the station, which can act as a reference for the management of URT transfer stations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative and Sustainable Development of Transportation)
20 pages, 6589 KiB  
Article
A Study on the Production of Anhydrous Neodymium Chloride through the Chlorination Reaction of Neodymium Oxide and Ammonium Chloride
by Joo-Won Yu and Jei-Pil Wang
Minerals 2024, 14(5), 480; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14050480 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The chlorination mechanism of neodymium oxide for the production of anhydrous neodymium chloride was analyzed based on the reaction temperature and reaction ratio of ammonium chloride, considering the suppression of the generation of NdOCl, an intermediate product of the reaction process. The results [...] Read more.
The chlorination mechanism of neodymium oxide for the production of anhydrous neodymium chloride was analyzed based on the reaction temperature and reaction ratio of ammonium chloride, considering the suppression of the generation of NdOCl, an intermediate product of the reaction process. The results were obtained by distinguishing the shape of the produced NdCl3 (powder and bulk) and the setup of the chlorination equipment, reflecting its sensitivity to moisture and oxygen. The powdered form of NdCl3 produced at 400 °C and under argon gas flow was identified as NdCl3·6(H2O), while the bulk form of NdCl3 produced by melting at 760 °C after a chlorination process consisted of anhydrous NdCl3 and NdCl3∙n(H2O). The powdered NdCl3 produced in an argon gas environment with a controlled level of oxygen (below 16.05 ppm) and moisture (below 0.01 ppm) content was identified as single-phase anhydrous NdCl3 and showed the highest chlorination conversion rate of 98.65%. The addition of overstoichiometric ratios of NH4Cl in the chlorination process decreased the total amount of impurities (N, H, and O) in the NdCl3 product and increased the conversion rate of NdCl3. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermodynamics, Mechanism and Kinetics of Metallurgical Processes)
20 pages, 9606 KiB  
Article
Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technology in the Protection of Goods of Cultural Interest (GCIs): The Case of the Castle of Cala (Huelva, Spain)
by Gina M. Núñez-Camarena, Rafael Herrera-Limones and Álvaro López-Escamilla
Architecture 2024, 4(2), 247-266; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture4020015 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Currently, the use of modern technologies, such as UAVs, allows for a detailed analysis of the protection of Sites of Cultural Interest (BICs) in Spain. Cala Castle in Huelva is selected for this study, which is one of the most important medieval fortifications [...] Read more.
Currently, the use of modern technologies, such as UAVs, allows for a detailed analysis of the protection of Sites of Cultural Interest (BICs) in Spain. Cala Castle in Huelva is selected for this study, which is one of the most important medieval fortifications in the mountainous region and was rehabilitated between 2003 and 2011. After a decade of its architectural rehabilitation, the use of this new UAV technology will allow the creation of a database of the property and its surroundings, made up of a series of 3D models and photogrammetric studies of the territory. This analysis allows us two complementary readings to the original study: on the one hand, to characterize the natural and landscape context of Cala Castle, and on the other, to identify the pre-existence of a series of historic buildings, which have historically articulated this region. The 3D models obtained provide relevant graphic information. The current state of the BIC allows this space to be considered for reactivation as a social space at the regional level. The visuals of the regional environment allow us to identify that the most recent growth has been articulated longitudinally along the N-630 highway, this infrastructure being the backbone of the nucleus. As a pilot test, the beginning of this graphic and visual database (3D) at a regional level will provide a valuable tool for the conservation and registration of built heritage, given that it seeks to incorporate other fortifications that make up Banda Gallega with the aim of defining a sustainable development strategy at county level. Full article
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