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16 pages, 5079 KiB  
Article
Optogenetic Control of the Mitochondrial Protein Import in Mammalian Cells
by Lukas F. J. Althoff, Markus M. Kramer, Benjamin Bührer, Denise Gaspar and Gerald Radziwill
Cells 2024, 13(19), 1671; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13191671 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
Mitochondria provide cells with energy and regulate the cellular metabolism. Almost all mitochondrial proteins are nuclear-encoded, translated on ribosomes in the cytoplasm, and subsequently transferred to the different subcellular compartments of mitochondria. Here, we developed OptoMitoImport, an optogenetic tool to control the import [...] Read more.
Mitochondria provide cells with energy and regulate the cellular metabolism. Almost all mitochondrial proteins are nuclear-encoded, translated on ribosomes in the cytoplasm, and subsequently transferred to the different subcellular compartments of mitochondria. Here, we developed OptoMitoImport, an optogenetic tool to control the import of proteins into the mitochondrial matrix via the presequence pathway on demand. OptoMitoImport is based on a two-step process: first, light-induced cleavage by a TEV protease cuts off a plasma membrane-anchored fusion construct in close proximity to a mitochondrial targeting sequence; second, the mitochondrial targeting sequence preceding the protein of interest recruits to the outer mitochondrial membrane and imports the protein fused to it into mitochondria. Upon reaching the mitochondrial matrix, the matrix processing peptidase cuts off the mitochondrial targeting sequence and releases the protein of interest. OptoMitoImport is available as a two-plasmid system as well as a P2A peptide or IRES sequence-based bicistronic system. Fluorescence studies demonstrate the release of the plasma membrane-anchored protein of interest through light-induced TEV protease cleavage and its localization to mitochondria. Cell fractionation experiments confirm the presence of the peptidase-cleaved protein of interest in the mitochondrial fraction. The processed product is protected from proteinase K treatment. Depletion of the membrane potential across the inner mitochondria membrane prevents the mitochondrial protein import, indicating an import of the protein of interest by the presequence pathway. These data demonstrate the functionality of OptoMitoImport as a generic system with which to control the post-translational mitochondrial import of proteins via the presequence pathway. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mitochondria)
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18 pages, 3643 KiB  
Article
MMD-TSC: An Adaptive Multi-Objective Traffic Signal Control for Energy Saving with Traffic Efficiency
by Yuqi Zhang, Yingying Zhou, Beilei Wang and Jie Song
Energies 2024, 17(19), 5015; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17195015 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
Reducing traffic energy consumption is crucial for smart cities, and vehicle carbon emissions are a key energy indicator. Traffic signal control (TSC) is a useful method because it can affect the energy consumption of vehicles on the road by controlling the stop-and-go of [...] Read more.
Reducing traffic energy consumption is crucial for smart cities, and vehicle carbon emissions are a key energy indicator. Traffic signal control (TSC) is a useful method because it can affect the energy consumption of vehicles on the road by controlling the stop-and-go of vehicles at traffic intersections. However, setting traffic signals to reduce energy consumption will affect traffic efficiency and this is not in line with traffic management objectives. Current studies adopt multi-objective optimization methods with high traffic efficiency and low carbon emissions to solve this problem. However, most methods use static weights, which cannot adapt to complex and dynamic traffic states, resulting in non-optimal performance. Current energy indicators for urban transportation often fail to consider passenger fairness. This fairness is significant because the purpose of urban transportation is to serve people’s mobility needs not vehicles. Therefore, this paper proposes Multi-objective Adaptive Meta-DQN TSC (MMD-TSC), which introduces a dynamic weight adaptation mechanism to simultaneously optimize traffic efficiency and energy saving, and incorporates the per capita carbon emissions as the energy indicator. Firstly, this paper integrates traffic state data such as vehicle positions, velocities, vehicle types, and the number of passengers and incorporates fairness into the energy indicators, using per capita carbon emissions as the target for reducing energy consumption. Then, it proposes MMD-TSC with dynamic weights between energy consumption and traffic efficiency as reward functions. The MMD-TSC model includes two agents, the TSC agent and the weight agent, which are responsible for traffic signal adjustment and weight calculation, respectively. The weights are calculated by a function of traffic states. Finally, the paper describes the design of the MMD-TSC model learning algorithm and uses a SUMO (Simulation of Urban Mobility) v.1.20.0 for traffic simulation. The results show that in non-highly congested traffic states, the MMD-TSC model has higher traffic efficiency and lower energy consumption compared to static multi-objective TSC models and single-objective TSC models, and can adaptively achieve traffic management objectives. Compared with using vehicle average carbon emissions as the energy consumption indicator, using per capita carbon emissions achieves Pareto improvements in traffic efficiency and energy consumption indicators. The energy utilization efficiency of the MMD-TSC model is improved by 35% compared to the fixed-time TSC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Intelligent Modeling Technology and Optimization Strategy for Industrial Energy Consumption Processes)
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15 pages, 2640 KiB  
Article
Environmental Responsibility in Urban Forests: A Cognitive Analysis of Visitors’ Behavior
by Sahar Erfanian, Rahim Maleknia and Reza Azizi
Forests 2024, 15(10), 1773; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15101773 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
The environmentally responsible behavior of urban forest visitors is a key determinant for the conservation of urban forests. Identifying the determinants of individuals’ behavioral intentions and actual behavior in engaging in environmentally responsible actions is a crucial step in promoting such behavior. This [...] Read more.
The environmentally responsible behavior of urban forest visitors is a key determinant for the conservation of urban forests. Identifying the determinants of individuals’ behavioral intentions and actual behavior in engaging in environmentally responsible actions is a crucial step in promoting such behavior. This research investigates the determinants of environmentally responsible behavior of urban forest visitors in Tehran using Social Cognitive Theory. Data for the study were collected using 456 questionnaires distributed to visitors of urban forests. The data were analyzed using structural equation modelling, which described a 62.9% variance in behavioral intention and 56.6% in environmental behavior of visitors. The socio-structural factors and the observation of others’ behaviors were the most significant predictors of behavioral intentions. Outcome expectations and self-efficacy significantly influence both behavioral intentions and actual behavior. This study demonstrates that while behavioral intention is a key factor, other determinants such as outcome expectations and self-efficacy play a crucial role in shaping actual environmentally responsible actions. These results underscore the importance of increasing awareness and enhancing the skills of urban forest visitors regarding environmental behaviors. Furthermore, this study highlights the need to remove barriers and provide the necessary facilities to promote sustained environmentally responsible behavior among visitors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Sustainable Use of Forests in Tourism and Recreation)
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12 pages, 999 KiB  
Perspective
Collaborative Robots with Cognitive Capabilities for Industry 4.0 and Beyond
by Giulio Sandini, Alessandra Sciutti and Pietro Morasso
AI 2024, 5(4), 1858-1869; https://doi.org/10.3390/ai5040092 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
The robots that entered the manufacturing sector in the second and third Industrial Revolutions (IR2 and IR3) were designed for carrying out predefined routines without physical interaction with humans. In contrast, IR4* robots (i.e., robots since IR4 and beyond) are supposed to interact [...] Read more.
The robots that entered the manufacturing sector in the second and third Industrial Revolutions (IR2 and IR3) were designed for carrying out predefined routines without physical interaction with humans. In contrast, IR4* robots (i.e., robots since IR4 and beyond) are supposed to interact with humans in a cooperative way for enhancing flexibility, autonomy, and adaptability, thus dramatically improving productivity. However, human–robot cooperation implies cognitive capabilities that the cooperative robots (CoBots) in the market do not have. The common wisdom is that such a cognitive lack can be filled in a straightforward way by integrating well-established ICT technologies with new AI technologies. This short paper expresses the view that this approach is not promising and suggests a different one based on artificial cognition rather than artificial intelligence, founded on concepts of embodied cognition, developmental robotics, and social robotics. We suggest giving these IR4* robots designed according to such principles the name CoCoBots. The paper also addresses the ethical problems that can be raised in cases of critical emergencies. In normal operating conditions, CoCoBots and human partners, starting from individual evaluations, will routinely develop joint decisions on the course of action to be taken through mutual understanding and explanation. In case a joint decision cannot be reached and/or in the limited case that an emergency is detected and declared by top security levels, we suggest that the ultimate decision-making power, with the associated responsibility, should rest on the human side, at the different levels of the organized structure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Systems for Industry 4.0)
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16 pages, 3072 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Urban Public Building Renovation Potential Based on Combination Weight Cloud Model—Case Study in China
by Jiaying Zhang and Xisheng Li
Buildings 2024, 14(10), 3211; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14103211 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
Currently, urban renovation activities in China are booming. And promoting the renovation of public buildings is a key feature of urban renovation due to its large scale, high cost, and significant impact to the natural and social environment. To reduce the ambiguity and [...] Read more.
Currently, urban renovation activities in China are booming. And promoting the renovation of public buildings is a key feature of urban renovation due to its large scale, high cost, and significant impact to the natural and social environment. To reduce the ambiguity and uncertainty in evaluating the potential for the renovation of existing public buildings, a renovation potential evaluation model integrating a game theory-based combination weighting method and cloud model theory is proposed. This paper constructs a comprehensive evaluation index system based on relevant standards and the literature. Game theory is used to optimize the weights obtained by AHP and entropy weight methods to obtain a combined weight. MATLAB programming is used to calculate the comprehensive cloud parameters of the evaluation index for the potential renovation of existing public buildings and therefore generate cloud Graphs. Through a case study in Nanjing, China, it was demonstrated that the combination weight cloud model can objectively reflect the relationship between the fuzziness and randomness of evaluation indicators for public building renovation potential. The visual expression of cloud Graphs can intuitively reflect the magnitude of renovation and renovation potential and the degree of uncertainty in evaluation results. The research result provides useful references for the sustainable utilization of building resources in the era of building. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate)
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14 pages, 458 KiB  
Article
Factors Affecting Experiential Learning Experiences of University Students with Disabilities
by Shaohong Liu, Kayla D. Bazzana-Adams, Michael deBraga and Stuart B. Kamenetsky
Disabilities 2024, 4(4), 801-814; https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities4040049 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
Background: Experiential learning (EL) experiences are an important component of a university education, positively impacting career-related attitudes, knowledge, and skills. Students also require EL opportunities to gain experiences required for admission to competitive graduate and professional programs. Students with disabilities face barriers accessing [...] Read more.
Background: Experiential learning (EL) experiences are an important component of a university education, positively impacting career-related attitudes, knowledge, and skills. Students also require EL opportunities to gain experiences required for admission to competitive graduate and professional programs. Students with disabilities face barriers accessing and benefiting from such opportunities. Purpose: This study examined the degree to which demographic factors, type and severity of disability, dispositional factors, and overall adjustment and well-being are predictive of the quality of EL experiences among university students with disabilities. Methodology/approach: A survey was distributed to undergraduate students with disabilities who have participated in EL courses. The results were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Findings/conclusions: Dispositional and adjustment and well-being variables, including the environmental mastery dimension of their psychological well-being rather than demographic factors, such as gender or type and severity of disability, are significant predictors of the quality of EL experiences among students with disabilities. Implications: For students with disabilities to have academically and professionally successful EL experiences, post-secondary institutions must continue to provide appropriate accommodations and educate instructors about the diverse and complex needs of this student group. This must include an understanding of the uniqueness of each individual student’s needs. Full article
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16 pages, 3114 KiB  
Article
Applicability of a Modified Gash Model for Artificial Forests in the Transitional Zone between the Loess Hilly Region and the Mu Us Sandy Land, China
by Xin Wang, Zhenqi Yang, Jianying Guo, Fucang Qin, Yabo Wang and Jiajun Ning
Sustainability 2024, 16(19), 8709; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198709 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
Afforestation in the transitional zone between the loess hilly area and the Mu Us Sandy Land of China has reshaped the landscape and greatly affected eco-hydrological processes. Plantations are crucial for regulating local net rainfall inputs, thus making it necessary to quantify the [...] Read more.
Afforestation in the transitional zone between the loess hilly area and the Mu Us Sandy Land of China has reshaped the landscape and greatly affected eco-hydrological processes. Plantations are crucial for regulating local net rainfall inputs, thus making it necessary to quantify the closure loss of plantation species in drought and semi-arid areas. To quantify and model the canopy interception of these plantations, we conducted rainfall redistribution measurement experiments. Based on this, we used the modified Gash model to simulate their interception losses, and the model applicability across varying rainfall types was further compared and verified. Herein, Caragana korshinskii, Salix psammophila, and Pinus sylvestris plantations in the Kuye River mountain tract were chosen to measure the precipitation distribution from May to October (growing season). The applicability of a modified Gash model for different stands was then evaluated using the assessed data. The results showed that the canopy interception characteristics of each typical plantation were throughfall, interception, and stemflow. The relative error of canopy interception of C. korshinskii simulated by the modified Gash model was 8.79%. The relative error of simulated canopy interception of S. psammophila was 4.19%. The relative error of canopy interception simulation of P. sylvestris was 13.28%, and the modified Gash model had good applicability in the Kuye River Basin. The modified Gash model has the greatest sensitivity to rainfall intensity among the parameters of the C. korshinskii and S. psammophila forest. The sensitivity of P. sylvestris in the modified Gash model is that the canopy cover has the greatest influence, followed by the mean rainfall intensity. Our results provide a scientific basis for the rational use of water resources and vegetation restoration in the transitional zone between the loess hilly region and the Mu Us Sandy Land. This study is of import for the restoration and sustainability of fragile ecosystems in the region. Full article
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13 pages, 4312 KiB  
Article
Soil-Mulching Treatment Enhances the Content of Stilbene in Grape Berries: A Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analysis
by Bo Wang, Weimin Wu, Zhuangwei Wang, Zhenxiao Chen and Xicheng Wang
Foods 2024, 13(19), 3208; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13193208 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
Soil mulching is a useful agronomic practice that promotes early fruit maturation and affects fruit quality. However, the regulatory mechanism of fruit metabolites under soil-mulching treatments remains unknown. In this study, variations in the gene sets and metabolites of grape berries after mulching [...] Read more.
Soil mulching is a useful agronomic practice that promotes early fruit maturation and affects fruit quality. However, the regulatory mechanism of fruit metabolites under soil-mulching treatments remains unknown. In this study, variations in the gene sets and metabolites of grape berries after mulching (rice straw + felt + plastic film) using transcriptome and metagenomic sequencing were investigated. The results of the cluster analysis and orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis of the metabolites showed a difference between the mulching and control groups, as did the principal component analysis results for the transcriptome. In total, 36 differentially expressed metabolites were identified, of which 10 (resveratrol, ampelopsin F, piceid, 3,4′-dihydroxy-5-methoxystilbene, ε-viniferin, trans resveratrol, epsilon-viniferin, 3′-hydroxypterostilbene, 1-methyl-resveratrol, and pterostil-bene) were stilbenes. Their content increased after mulching, indicating that stilbene synthase activity increased after mulching. The weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed that the turquoise and blue modules were positively and negatively related to stilbene compounds. The network analysis identified two seed genes (VIT_09s0054g00610, VIT_13s0156g00260) and two transcription factors (VIT_13s0156g00260, VIT_02s0025g04590). Overall, soil mulching promoted the accumulation of stilbene compounds in grapes, and the results provided key genetic information for further studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Foodomics)
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17 pages, 1854 KiB  
Article
Lower Energy-Demanding Extraction of Bioactive Triterpene Acids by Microwave as the First Step towards Biorefining Residual Olive Skin
by Irene Gómez-Cruz, María del Mar Contreras, Inmaculada Romero and Eulogio Castro
Antioxidants 2024, 13(10), 1212; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13101212 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
In the olive oil industry, a pit fraction is collected from olive pomace and split into a clean pit fraction and a residual olive skin-rich fraction, which does not an industrial application. Therefore, in this work, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was applied to obtain [...] Read more.
In the olive oil industry, a pit fraction is collected from olive pomace and split into a clean pit fraction and a residual olive skin-rich fraction, which does not an industrial application. Therefore, in this work, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was applied to obtain high-value triterpene acids (maslinic acid and oleanolic acid) from this biomass using the renewable solvent ethanol. The response surface methodology was used to gain a deeper understanding of how the solvent (ethanol–water, 50–100% v/v), time (4–30 min), and temperature (50–120 °C) affect the extraction performance, as well as the energy required for the process. The effect of milling was also studied and the solid-to-liquid ratio was also evaluated, and overall, a good compromise was found at 10% (w/v) using the raw sample (unmilled biomass). The optimised conditions were applied to residual olive skin sourced from various industries, yielding up to 5.1 g/100 g and 2.2 g/100 g dry biomass for maslinic acid and oleanolic acid, respectively. In conclusion, the residual olive skin is a promising natural source of these triterpene acids, which can be extracted using MAE, releasing extracted solids rich in polymeric carbohydrates and lignin that can be valorised under a holistic biorefinery process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Olive Antioxidants: Extraction, Biological Activity and Practical Applications—2nd Edition)
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22 pages, 3623 KiB  
Article
6-Shogaol Abrogates Parkinson’s Disease in Rotenone-Induced Rodents: Based on In Silico Study and Inhibiting TNF-α/NF-κB/IL-1β/MAO-B
by Misbahuddin Rafeeq, Fahad A. Al-Abbasi, Muhammad Afzal, Ehssan Moglad, Salwa D. Al-Qahtani, Sami I. Alzrea, Naif A. R. Almalki, Faisal Imam, Nadeem Sayyed and Imran Kazmi
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(10), 1348; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17101348 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
Background/Objectives: 6-Shogaol is a comparatively innovative anti-Parkinson’s remedy with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. This investigation intended to determine the role of 6-shogaol in the Parkinson’s disease (PD) paradigm in rotenone-induced rats. Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats (10–12 weeks old; 180 ± 20 g) [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: 6-Shogaol is a comparatively innovative anti-Parkinson’s remedy with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. This investigation intended to determine the role of 6-shogaol in the Parkinson’s disease (PD) paradigm in rotenone-induced rats. Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats (10–12 weeks old; 180 ± 20 g) were divided into five groups. Animals with rotenone-induced experimental PD were subsequently treated with 6-shogaol-10 at 20 mg/kg for 28 days. After the experimental duration, behavioural investigations were performed, i.e., open field test, forced swim test, rotarod test, and catalepsy test. Biochemical assessments like AChE, GSH, CAT, SOD, MDA, nitrite, ceruloplasmin, proinflammatory markers such as IL-1β, NF-κB, TNF-α, and catecholamines markers (DA, GABA, and MAO-B) were determined. The docking procedure was conducted using the AutoDock Vina docking protocol. Furthermore, histopathology was performed. Results: Rotenone significantly increased the level of MAO-B, oxidative, nitrative, and pro-inflammatory markers. However, there was a decline in ceruloplasmin, dopamine, and endogenous antioxidants. Treatment with 6-shogaol (10 and 20 mg/kg) considerably sustained the elevation of oxidative stress and inflammatory indicators and decreased AChE activity and dopamine levels. In the histology of the brain, 6-shogaol improved the neuronal structure and reduced the degeneration of neurons. Based on the binding energy values, compound 6-shogaol demonstrates a favourable binding affinity to AChE, MAO-B, DA, and GABA with respective binding energies of −8.214, −8.133, −7.396 and −6.189 kcal/mol. Conclusions: In this study, 6-shogaol exhibited neuroprotective properties against PD, which could be employed as a prospective medication for PD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products in the Treatment of Nervous System Diseases)
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21 pages, 6252 KiB  
Article
HCTC: Hybrid Convolutional Transformer Classifier for Automatic Modulation Recognition
by Jayesh Deorao Ruikar, Do-Hyun Park, Soon-Young Kwon and Hyoung-Nam Kim
Electronics 2024, 13(19), 3969; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13193969 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
Automatic modulation recognition (AMR) methods used in advanced wireless communications systems can identify unknown signals without requiring reference information. However, the acceptance of these methods depends on the accuracy, number of parameters, and computational complexity. This study proposes a hybrid convolutional transformer classifier [...] Read more.
Automatic modulation recognition (AMR) methods used in advanced wireless communications systems can identify unknown signals without requiring reference information. However, the acceptance of these methods depends on the accuracy, number of parameters, and computational complexity. This study proposes a hybrid convolutional transformer classifier (HCTC) for the classification of unknown signals. The proposed method utilizes a three-stage framework to extract features from in-phase/quadrature (I/Q) signals. In the first stage, spatial features are extracted using a convolutional layer. In the second stage, temporal features are extracted using a transformer encoder. In the final stage, the features are mapped using a deep-learning network. The proposed HCTC method is investigated using the benchmark RadioML database and compared with state-of-the-art methods. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves a better performance in modulation signal classification. Additionally, the performance of the proposed method is evaluated when applied to different batch sizes and model configurations. Finally, open issues in modulation recognition research are addressed, and future research perspectives are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Techniques for Microwave Technologies)
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15 pages, 2347 KiB  
Article
A Machine Vision System for Monitoring Wild Birds on Poultry Farms to Prevent Avian Influenza
by Xiao Yang, Ramesh Bahadur Bist, Sachin Subedi, Zihao Wu, Tianming Liu, Bidur Paneru and Lilong Chai
AgriEngineering 2024, 6(4), 3704-3718; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering6040211 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
The epidemic of avian influenza outbreaks, especially high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), which causes respiratory disease and death, is a disaster in poultry. The outbreak of HPAI in 2014–2015 caused the loss of 60 million chickens and turkeys. The most recent HPAI outbreak, ongoing [...] Read more.
The epidemic of avian influenza outbreaks, especially high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), which causes respiratory disease and death, is a disaster in poultry. The outbreak of HPAI in 2014–2015 caused the loss of 60 million chickens and turkeys. The most recent HPAI outbreak, ongoing since 2021, has led to the loss of over 50 million chickens so far in the US and Canada. Farm biosecurity management practices have been used to prevent the spread of the virus. However, existing practices related to controlling the transmission of the virus through wild birds, especially waterfowl, are limited. For instance, ducks were considered hosts of avian influenza viruses in many past outbreaks. The objectives of this study were to develop a machine vision framework for tracking wild birds and test the performance of deep learning models in the detection of wild birds on poultry farms. A deep learning framework based on computer vision was designed and applied to the monitoring of wild birds. A night vision camera was used to collect data on wild bird near poultry farms. In the data, there were two main wild birds: the gadwall and brown thrasher. More than 6000 pictures were extracted through random video selection and applied in the training and testing processes. An overall precision of 0.95 ([email protected]) was reached by the model. The model is capable of automatic and real-time detection of wild birds. Missed detection mainly came from occlusion because the wild birds tended to hide in grass. Future research could be focused on applying the model to alert to the risk of wild birds and combining it with unmanned aerial vehicles to drive out detected wild birds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precision Farming Technologies for Monitoring Livestock and Poultry)
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17 pages, 3376 KiB  
Article
Estimation of the Potential for Soil and Water Conservation Measures in a Typical Basin of the Loess Plateau, China
by Beilei Liu, Peng Li, Zhanbin Li, Jianye Ma, Zeyu Zhang and Bo Wang
Water 2024, 16(19), 2868; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16192868 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
Abstract: In the context of the large-scale management of the Loess Plateau and efforts to reduce water and sediment in the Yellow River, this study focuses on a typical watershed within the Loess Plateau. The potential for vegetation restoration in the Kuye River [...] Read more.
Abstract: In the context of the large-scale management of the Loess Plateau and efforts to reduce water and sediment in the Yellow River, this study focuses on a typical watershed within the Loess Plateau. The potential for vegetation restoration in the Kuye River Basin is estimated based on the assumption that vegetation cover should be relatively uniform under similar habitat conditions. The potential for terrace restoration is assessed through an analysis of topographic features and soil layer thickness, while the potential for silt dam construction is evaluated by considering various hydrological and geomorphological factors. Based on these assessments, the overall potential for soil erosion control in the watershed is synthesized, providing a comprehensive understanding of target areas for ecological restoration within the Kuye River Basin. The study demonstrates that the areas with the greatest potential for vegetation restoration in the Kuye River Basin are concentrated in the upper and middle reaches of the basin, which are in closer proximity to the river. The total potential for terracing is 1013.85 km2, which is primarily distributed across the river terraces, farmlands, and gentle slopes on both sides of the riverbanks. Additionally, the potential for the construction of check dams is 14,390 units. The target areas for terracing measures in the Kuye River Basin are primarily situated in the middle and lower reaches of the basin, which are in closer proximity to the river. Conversely, the target areas for forest, grass, and check dams, as well as other small watershed integrated management measures, are predominantly located in the hill and gully areas on the eastern and southern sides of the basin. The implementation of the gradual ecological construction of the watershed, based on the aforementioned objectives, will facilitate the protection, improvement, and rational utilization of soil, water, and other natural resources within the watershed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation)
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25 pages, 31111 KiB  
Article
Experimental Analysis of Cavitation Erosion: Parameter Sensitivity and Testing Protocols
by SeyedMehdi Mohammadizadeh, José Gilberto Dalfré Filho, Cassiano Sampaio Descovi, Ana Inés Borri Genovez and Thomaz Eduardo Teixeira Buttignol
Coatings 2024, 14(10), 1288; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14101288 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
The scientific goal of this study was to investigate the effects of various parameters on cavitation-induced erosion, with the aim to enhance the understanding and assessment of cavitation resistance in hydraulic systems. Cavitation erosion poses significant challenges to the durability and efficiency of [...] Read more.
The scientific goal of this study was to investigate the effects of various parameters on cavitation-induced erosion, with the aim to enhance the understanding and assessment of cavitation resistance in hydraulic systems. Cavitation erosion poses significant challenges to the durability and efficiency of hydraulic components, such as those found in hydropower plants and pumping stations. Prompted by the need to improve the reliability of cavitation testing and material assessment, this research conducted a comprehensive sensitivity analysis of a cavitation jet apparatus (CJA). This study employed an experimental platform that consisted of a vertical cylindrical test tank, a submerged nozzle, and an aluminum sample. By examining a range of orifice diameters, this research identified that smaller diameters led to increased erosion intensity, with the most pronounced effects observed at a diameter of 2 mm. Furthermore, various standoff distances (SoDs) were tested, which revealed that shorter distances resulted in greater erosion, with the highest impact noted at an SoD of 5 cm. This study also evaluated different nozzle geometries, where it was found that a 132° conical sharped edges nozzle, combined with an orifice diameter of 2 mm and an SoD of 5 cm, produced the most severe erosion. Conversely, chamfered edges nozzles and a commercial nozzle (MEG2510) with an SoD of 10 cm or greater showed reduced erosion. These results highlight that by standardizing the testing duration to 1200 s, the CJA could reliably assess the cavitation resistance of materials. This study established a clear relationship between increased pressure and higher impact forces, which led to more severe erosion. The findings underscore the effectiveness of the CJA in evaluating material resistance under various cavitation conditions, thus addressing a critical need for reliable cavitation testing tools. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corrosion Resistance, Mechanical Properties and Characterization of Metallic Materials and Coatings, 2nd Edition)
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18 pages, 9405 KiB  
Article
UWB-Assisted Bluetooth Localization Using Regression Models and Multi-Scan Processing
by Pan Li, Runyu Guan, Bing Chen, Shaojian Xu, Danli Xiao, Luping Xu and Bo Yan
Sensors 2024, 24(19), 6492; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24196492 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
Bluetooth devices have been widely used for pedestrian positioning and navigation in complex indoor scenes. Bluetooth beacons are scattered throughout the entire indoor walkable area containing stairwells, and pedestrian positioning can be obtained by the received Bluetooth packets. However, the positioning performance is [...] Read more.
Bluetooth devices have been widely used for pedestrian positioning and navigation in complex indoor scenes. Bluetooth beacons are scattered throughout the entire indoor walkable area containing stairwells, and pedestrian positioning can be obtained by the received Bluetooth packets. However, the positioning performance is sharply deteriorated by the multipath effects originating from indoor clutter and walls. In this work, an ultra-wideband (UWB)-assisted Bluetooth acquisition of signal strength value method is proposed for the construction of a Bluetooth fingerprint library, and a multi-frame fusion particle filtering approach is proposed for indoor pedestrian localization for online matching. First, a polynomial regression model is developed to fit the relationship between signal strength and location. Then, particle filtering is utilized to continuously update the hypothetical location and combine the data from multiple frames before and after to attenuate the interference generated by the multipath. Finally, the position corresponding to the maximum likelihood probability of the multi-frame signal is used to obtain a more accurate position estimation with an average error as low as 70 cm. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Navigation and Positioning)
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12 pages, 279 KiB  
Article
On Modular b-Metrics
by Salvador Romaguera
Symmetry 2024, 16(10), 1333; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym16101333 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
The notions of modular b-metric and modular b-metric space were introduced by Ege and Alaca as natural generalizations of the well-known and featured concepts of modular metric and modular metric space presented and discussed by Chistyakov. In particular, they stated generalized [...] Read more.
The notions of modular b-metric and modular b-metric space were introduced by Ege and Alaca as natural generalizations of the well-known and featured concepts of modular metric and modular metric space presented and discussed by Chistyakov. In particular, they stated generalized forms of Banach’s contraction principle for this new class of spaces thus initiating the study of the fixed point theory for these structures, where other authors have also made extensive contributions. In this paper we endow the modular b-metrics with a metrizable topology that supplies a firm endorsement of the idea of convergence proposed by Ege and Alaca in their article. Moreover, for a large class of modular b-metric spaces, we formulate this topology in terms of an explicitly defined b-metric, which extends both an important metrization theorem due to Chistyakov as well as the so-called topology of metric convergence. This approach allows us to characterize the completeness for this class of modular b-metric spaces that may be viewed as an offsetting of the celebrated Caristi–Kirk theorem to our context. We also include some examples that endorse our results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Symmetry in Metric Spaces and Topology)
16 pages, 1392 KiB  
Review
New Role of the Serotonin as a Biomarker of Gut–Brain Interaction
by Hong Nian Liu, Masanao Nakamura and Hiroki Kawashima
Life 2024, 14(10), 1280; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14101280 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine: 5-HT), a neurotransmitter that regulates mood in the brain and signaling in the gut, has receptors throughout the body that serve various functions, especially in the gut and brain. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used to treat depression, but their [...] Read more.
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine: 5-HT), a neurotransmitter that regulates mood in the brain and signaling in the gut, has receptors throughout the body that serve various functions, especially in the gut and brain. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used to treat depression, but their efficacy is uncertain. Depression is often associated with early gastrointestinal symptoms. Gut disorders such as functional dyspepsia (FD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), are linked to elevated serotonin levels. In this review, we would like to discuss the approach of using serotonin as a biomarker for gut–brain, and body-wide organ communication may lead to the development of preventive and innovative treatments for gut–brain disorders, offering improved visibility and therapeutic monitoring. It could also be used to gauge stress intensity for self-care and mental health improvement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Physiology and Pathology)
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14 pages, 2545 KiB  
Article
Investigating the p21 Ubiquitin-Independent Degron Reveals a Dual Degron Module Regulating p21 Degradation and Function
by Marianna Riutin, Pnina Erez, Julia Adler, Assaf Biran, Nadav Myers and Yosef Shaul
Cells 2024, 13(19), 1670; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13191670 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
A group of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are subject to 20S proteasomal degradation in a ubiquitin-independent manner. Recently, we have reported that many IDPs/IDRs are targeted to the 20S proteasome via interaction with the C-terminus of the PSMA3 subunit, termed the PSMA3 Trapper. [...] Read more.
A group of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are subject to 20S proteasomal degradation in a ubiquitin-independent manner. Recently, we have reported that many IDPs/IDRs are targeted to the 20S proteasome via interaction with the C-terminus of the PSMA3 subunit, termed the PSMA3 Trapper. In this study, we investigated the biological significance of the IDP–Trapper interaction using the IDP p21. Using a split luciferase reporter assay and conducting detailed p21 mutagenesis, we first identified the p21 RRLIF box, localized at the C-terminus, as mediating the Trapper interaction in cells. To demonstrate the role of this box in p21 degradation, we edited the genome of HEK293 and HeLa cell lines using a CRISPR strategy. We found that the p21 half-life increased in cells with either a deleted or mutated p21 RRLIF box. The edited cell lines displayed an aberrant cell cycle pattern under normal conditions and in response to DNA damage. Remarkably, these cells highly expressed senescence hallmark genes in response to DNA damage, highlighting that the increased p21 half-life, not its actual level, regulates senescence. Our findings suggest that the p21 RRLIF box, which mediates interactions with the PSMA3 Trapper, acts as a ubiquitin-independent degron. This degron is positioned adjacent to the previously identified ubiquitin-dependent degron, forming a dual degron module that functionally regulates p21 degradation and its physiological outcomes. Full article
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21 pages, 8718 KiB  
Article
Performance Assessment of a Novel Green Concrete Using Coffee Grounds Biochar Waste
by Alexey N. Beskopylny, Sergey A. Stel’makh, Evgenii M. Shcherban’, Oxana Ananova, Andrei Chernil’nik, Diana El’shaeva, Anastasia Pogrebnyak, Ivan Dubinkin, Emrah Madenci, Ceyhun Aksoylu and Yasin Onuralp Özkılıç
Recycling 2024, 9(5), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling9050094 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
An actual scientific problem in current concrete science is poor knowledge of the problem of modifying concrete with plant waste. At the same time, plant waste benefits from other types of waste because it is a recycled raw material. A promising technological approach [...] Read more.
An actual scientific problem in current concrete science is poor knowledge of the problem of modifying concrete with plant waste. At the same time, plant waste benefits from other types of waste because it is a recycled raw material. A promising technological approach to modifying concrete with plant waste is the introduction of components based on the processing of coffee production waste into concrete. This study aims to investigate the use of biochar additives from spent coffee grounds (biochar spent coffee grounds—BSCG) in the technology of cement composites and to identify rational formulations. A biochar-modifying additive was produced from waste coffee grounds by heat treatment of these wastes and additional mechanical grinding after pyrolysis. The phase composition of the manufactured BSCG additive was determined, which is characterized by the presence of phases such as quartz, cristobalite, and amorphous carbon. The results showed that the use of BSCG increases the water demand for cement pastes and reduces the cone slump of concrete mixtures. Rational dosages of BSCG have been determined to improve the properties of cement pastes and concrete. As a result of the tests, it was determined that the ideal situation is for the BSCG ratio to be at a maximum of 8% in the concrete and not to exceed this rate. For cement pastes, the most effective BSCG content was 3% for concrete (3%–4%). The compressive and flexural strengths of the cement pastes were 6.06% and 6.32%, respectively. Concrete’s compressive strength increased by 5.85%, and water absorption decreased by 6.58%. The obtained results prove the feasibility of using BSCG in cement composite technology to reduce cement consumption and solve the environmental problem of recycling plant waste. Full article
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20 pages, 3459 KiB  
Article
The Physiological Effect of Trichoderma viride on Melon Yield and Its Ability to Suppress Rhizoctonia solani
by Jingwei Dou, Jingyi Liu, Guangshu Ma, Hua Lian and Mei Li
Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2318; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102318 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
Melon damping off, which has a negative impact on melon quality and yield, can be safely and effectively managed with Trichoderma. Melon cultivar ‘Longtian No. 1’ was evaluated at both the adult and seedling stages in a pot experiment. The Rs and [...] Read more.
Melon damping off, which has a negative impact on melon quality and yield, can be safely and effectively managed with Trichoderma. Melon cultivar ‘Longtian No. 1’ was evaluated at both the adult and seedling stages in a pot experiment. The Rs and PD liquids were utilized as CK1 and CK2, respectively. Trichoderma viride Tv286 treatments T1B, T2B, T3B, and T4B were used based on Rs at concentrations of 104, 105, 106, and 107 CFU·g−1, respectively. The impact of several treatments on the antioxidant system and seedling quality of melon were assessed at 15, 25, and 35 days after sowing. We examined the effects of several treatments on melon quality, yield attributes, and physiological and biochemical markers during the adult stage at 10, 20, and 30 days after pollination. The effects of several treatments on melon damping off were also studied. Applying T. viride Tv286 at different rates effectively increased the activities of enzymes, including catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), in the leaves of melon seedlings, significantly reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and improved the root–shoot ratio and seedling strength index. In terms of its influence on promoting the effect of antioxidant system indicators, T3B performed well. Melon seedlings treated with T3B showed higher CAT, POD, SOD, APX, and PPO activities in their leaves 35 days after sowing compared to CK1 (189.74, 169.61, 175.36, 224.20, and 477.39%, respectively). The strong seedling index and root–shoot ratio showed improvements of 130.43 and 79.71%, respectively, and the MDA content dropped by 35.66% at 35 days after sowing compared to CK1. Varying the rates at which T. viride Tv286 was applied increased the nitrate reductase (NR) activity and nitrate nitrogen, proline (Pro), chlorophyll, soluble sugar, and soluble protein contents in mature melon leaves, increasing melon quality and yield. T3B is the most effective marketing campaign. Compared to CK1, mature T3B leaves had higher NR activity, nitrate nitrogen content, chlorophyll content, soluble sugar content, soluble protein content, and Pro content 30 days after melon pollination (100.40, 135.17, 68.59, 93.65, 158.13, and 238.67%, respectively). The soluble solids, soluble protein, soluble sugar, vitamin C contents, and yield of melon fruit increased by 50.07, 126.82, 60.62, 70.79, and 61.45%, respectively, at 30 days after melon pollination compared to CK1. Optimal management of melon damping off can be accomplished with the application of T. viride Tv286 at different concentrations, with T3B exhibiting the best effect. The control effects reached 90.48 and 72.99% at the seedling and adult stages, respectively. Overall, T. viride Tv286 improved seedling quality, damping off control efficacy, melon yield and quality, and the antioxidant system during the seedling stage and enhanced physiological and biochemical characteristics during the adult stage. This study indicates the potential of T. viride Tv286 conidia as a biological control agent because it can prevent plant disease, increase yield, and improve quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Pest and Disease Management)
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16 pages, 18753 KiB  
Article
A Study on Metallurgical Artifacts Excavated from Luojiaba Site H235 in the Eastern Sichuan Region during the Eastern Han Dynasty
by Gaobo Li, Yanxiang Li, Chenyuan Li, Kunlong Chen, Luhong Zheng and Weidong Chen
Metals 2024, 14(10), 1151; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14101151 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
Currently, research remains limited on ironworking workshops in China and even throughout East Asia. The discovery of Luojiaba Site H235 in 2021 provides significant new material on this issue. This paper comprehensively organized the metallurgical artifacts and employed technological methods such as XRF [...] Read more.
Currently, research remains limited on ironworking workshops in China and even throughout East Asia. The discovery of Luojiaba Site H235 in 2021 provides significant new material on this issue. This paper comprehensively organized the metallurgical artifacts and employed technological methods such as XRF and SEM-EDS to analyze the slag and hammerscale excavated from Luojiaba Site H235. First, the chemical composition and microstructural phases of the slag were analyzed, with an examination of the hammerscale. Second, the processes leading to the formation of slag and hammerscale are discussed. Third, based on the scale of the site, the chemical composition, and the characteristic shapes of the slag, combined with Serneels’ theoretical framework for quantitative analysis of forging slag, the slag unearthed from Luojiaba Site H235 was tentatively categorized as forging slag. This suggests that the workshop primarily produced or repaired iron objects through forging. Finally, considering the furnace shapes observed at contemporary sites and discussions on the potential sources of iron materials at the Luojiaba site, speculations are made regarding the furnace structure at the Luojiaba site and the possible origin of its iron materials. Unlike ironworking workshops at other contemporary sites, the location of the forging workshop at Luojiaba Site H235 presents a distinctly different choice, situated within a village or town during the Eastern Han Dynasty. This choice of location may reflect a phenomenon closer to consumer proximity. Therefore, analyzing metallurgical artifacts unearthed from Luojiaba contributes to understanding the operation of ironworking workshops and the distribution of resources in village-level settlements in the eastern Sichuan region during the Eastern Han Dynasty. Full article
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15 pages, 5614 KiB  
Article
Functional and Proteomic Analyses of a Putative Carbamoyl Phosphate Synthase Large Subunit in Relation to Virulence, Arginine and Pyrimidine Biosynthesis, and Siderophore Production in Erwinia amylovora
by Yoobin Han, Seung Yeup Lee, Dohyun Kim, Suhyun Lee, Junhyeok Choi, Yongmin Cho, Jeongwook Lee, Eunjung Roh and Sang-Wook Han
Horticulturae 2024, 10(10), 1080; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10101080 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
The apple is a significant global fruit cultivated extensively worldwide. Fire blight, caused by Erwinia amylovora (Ea), poses a significant threat to global apple production. To control this disease, characterizing the virulence mechanisms/factors is imperative. Carbamoyl phosphate synthase is an essential [...] Read more.
The apple is a significant global fruit cultivated extensively worldwide. Fire blight, caused by Erwinia amylovora (Ea), poses a significant threat to global apple production. To control this disease, characterizing the virulence mechanisms/factors is imperative. Carbamoyl phosphate synthase is an essential enzyme in the biosynthesis of arginine and pyrimidine. However, the functions of this protein in Ea remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the functions of the carbamoyl phosphate synthase large subunit in Ea (CarBEa). In a virulence assay using fruitlets, an Ea strain lacking CarBEa exhibited significantly reduced virulence on fruitlets. In the auxotrophy assay, this mutant failed to grow in minimal media lacking both arginine and pyrimidine, but growth was restored when both compounds were supplemented. The comparative proteomic analysis suggests that CarBEa is involved in diverse biological processes, including amino acid and nucleotide metabolism, and inorganic ion transport. Finally, we demonstrated that CarBEa is related to siderophore secretion/production by the chrome azurol S agar plate assay. This report provides valuable insights into the functions of carbamoyl phosphate synthase large subunit, which serves as a potential target for developing efficient anti-virulence substances to control fire blight. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Pathology and Disease Management (PPDM))
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20 pages, 4646 KiB  
Article
Comparative Approach to Performance Estimation of Pulsed Wave Doppler Equipment Based on Kiviat Diagram
by Giorgia Fiori, Andrea Scorza, Maurizio Schmid, Silvia Conforto and Salvatore Andrea Sciuto
Sensors 2024, 24(19), 6491; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24196491 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
Quality assessment of ultrasound medical systems is a demanding task due to the high number of parameters to quantify their performance: in the present study, a Kiviat diagram-based integrated approach was proposed to effectively combine the contribution of some experimental parameters and quantify [...] Read more.
Quality assessment of ultrasound medical systems is a demanding task due to the high number of parameters to quantify their performance: in the present study, a Kiviat diagram-based integrated approach was proposed to effectively combine the contribution of some experimental parameters and quantify the overall performance of pulsed wave Doppler (PWD) systems for clinical applications. Four test parameters were defined and assessed through custom-written measurement methods based on image analysis, implemented in the MATLAB environment, and applied to spectral images of a flow phantom, i.e., average maximum velocity sensitivity (AMVS), velocity measurements accuracy (VeMeA), lowest detectable signal (LDS), and the velocity profile discrepancy index (VPDI). The parameters above were scaled in a standard range to represent the four vertices of a Kiviat plot, whose area was considered the overall quality index of the ultrasound system in PWD mode. Five brand-new ultrasound diagnostic systems, equipped with linear array probes, were tested in two different working conditions using a commercial flow phantom as a reference. The promising results confirm the robustness of AMVS, VeMeA, and LDS parameters while suggesting further investigations on the VPDI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Quality Assessment of Ultrasound-Based Sensing Technology and Systems)
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17 pages, 2248 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Digital Technology on Water Resources Management: Evidence from China
by Xiaochun Zhao, Danjie Yang and Ying Zhou
Water 2024, 16(19), 2867; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16192867 (registering DOI) - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
Digital technology is gradually emerging as a new driving force in the field of water resources management. In this paper, we conduct a thorough analysis of panel data from 30 provinces in China spanning from 2013 to 2022. Utilizing the fixed-effects model, the [...] Read more.
Digital technology is gradually emerging as a new driving force in the field of water resources management. In this paper, we conduct a thorough analysis of panel data from 30 provinces in China spanning from 2013 to 2022. Utilizing the fixed-effects model, the mediation effect model, a panel threshold model, and a coupling coordination degree model, this study empirically examines the impact of digital technology on water resources management. The findings are as follows: (1) The direct impact of digital technology on water resources management is significantly positive at the 1% level, with notable regional variations. (2) Digital technology improves water management through green innovation. (3) In the process of digital technology promoting water resources management, green innovation exhibits a threshold effect, with an estimated threshold value of 1.840. (4) During the sample period, the national coupling coordination degree of digital technology and water resources management was barely coordinated, showing the following characteristics: Eastern China > Western China > Central China. These research conclusions will offer valuable insights and directions for advancing sustainable water resources management strategies and fostering the deep integration of digital technology and water resources management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance)
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