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20 pages, 1743 KiB  
Article
Encapsulation of Lactobacillus reuteri in Chia–Alginate Hydrogels for Whey-Based Functional Powders
by Alma Yadira Cid-Córdoba, Georgina Calderón-Domínguez, María de Jesús Perea-Flores, Alberto Peña-Barrientos, Fátima Sarahi Serrano-Villa, Rigoberto Barrios-Francisco, Marcela González-Vázquez and Rentería-Ortega Minerva
Gels 2025, 11(8), 613; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11080613 - 4 Aug 2025
Viewed by 23
Abstract
This study aimed to develop a functional powder using whey and milk matrices, leveraging the protective capacity of chia–alginate hydrogels and the advantages of electrohydrodynamic spraying (EHDA), a non-thermal technique suitable for encapsulating probiotic cells under stress conditions commonly encountered in food processing. [...] Read more.
This study aimed to develop a functional powder using whey and milk matrices, leveraging the protective capacity of chia–alginate hydrogels and the advantages of electrohydrodynamic spraying (EHDA), a non-thermal technique suitable for encapsulating probiotic cells under stress conditions commonly encountered in food processing. A hydrogel matrix composed of chia seed mucilage and sodium alginate was used to form a biopolymeric network that protected probiotic cells during processing. The encapsulation efficiency reached 99.0 ± 0.01%, and bacterial viability remained above 9.9 log10 CFU/mL after lyophilization, demonstrating the excellent protective capacity of the hydrogel matrix. Microstructural analysis using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) revealed well-retained cell morphology and homogeneous distribution within the hydrogel matrix while, in contrast, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed spherical, porous microcapsules with distinct surface characteristics influenced by the encapsulation method. Encapsulates were incorporated into beverages flavored with red fruits and pear and subsequently freeze-dried. The resulting powders were analyzed for moisture, protein, lipids, carbohydrates, fiber, and color determinations. The results were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and response surface methodology, highlighting the impact of ingredient ratios on nutritional composition. Raman spectroscopy identified molecular features associated with casein, lactose, pectins, anthocyanins, and other functional compounds, confirming the contribution of both matrix and encapsulants maintaining the structural characteristics of the product. The presence of antioxidant bands supported the functional potential of the powder formulations. Chia–alginate hydrogels effectively encapsulated L. reuteri, maintaining cell viability and enabling their incorporation into freeze-dried beverage powders. This approach offers a promising strategy for the development of next-generation functional food gels with enhanced probiotic stability, nutritional properties, and potential application in health-promoting dairy systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Gels: Fabrication, Characterization, and Application)
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21 pages, 11558 KiB  
Article
First Steps Towards Site Characterization Activities at the CSTH Broad-Band Station of the Campi Flegrei’s Seismic Monitoring Network (Italy)
by Lucia Nardone, Rebecca Sveva Morelli, Guido Gaudiosi, Francesco Liguoro, Danilo Galluzzo and Massimo Orazi
Sensors 2025, 25(15), 4787; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25154787 - 3 Aug 2025
Viewed by 269
Abstract
Local site conditions can significantly influence the amplitude, duration, and frequency content of seismic recordings, making the characterization of subsoil properties a critical component in seismic hazard assessment. However, despite extensive research, standardized methodologies for assessing site effects are still lacking. This study [...] Read more.
Local site conditions can significantly influence the amplitude, duration, and frequency content of seismic recordings, making the characterization of subsoil properties a critical component in seismic hazard assessment. However, despite extensive research, standardized methodologies for assessing site effects are still lacking. This study presents preliminary steps in the site characterization of a small area of Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy), with the aim of enhancing understanding of local lithology and seismic wave propagation. The analysis focuses on the broad-band seismic station CSTH, installed in 2021, and incorporates data from a temporary 2D array of five short-period sensors deployed around the station. These sensors recorded both ambient noise and seismic events associated with caldera dynamics. To improve the robustness of the characterization, data from two additional permanent broad-band stations (CPIS and CSOB) of the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia—Osservatorio Vesuviano’s monitoring network, also located nearby a hydrothermal field, were included. Spectral analyses such as Power Spectral Density (PSD), Horizontal-to-Vertical (H/V) spectral ratios, and f-k array technique were performed to evaluate the frequency-dependent response of the site and to support the development of a comprehensive seismic site model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Remote Sensors)
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20 pages, 6269 KiB  
Article
Miniaturized EBG Antenna for Efficient 5.8 GHz RF Energy Harvesting in Self-Powered IoT and Medical Sensors
by Yahya Albaihani, Rizwan Akram, Abdullah. M. Almohaimeed, Ziyad M. Almohaimeed, Lukman O. Buhari and Mahmoud Shaban
Sensors 2025, 25(15), 4777; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25154777 - 3 Aug 2025
Viewed by 264
Abstract
This study presents a compact and high-efficiency microstrip antenna integrated with a square electromagnetic band-gap (EBG) structure for radio frequency energy harvesting to power battery-less Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and medical devices in the 5.8 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band. [...] Read more.
This study presents a compact and high-efficiency microstrip antenna integrated with a square electromagnetic band-gap (EBG) structure for radio frequency energy harvesting to power battery-less Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and medical devices in the 5.8 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band. The proposed antenna features a compact design with reduced physical dimensions of 36 × 40 mm2 (0.69λo × 0.76λo) while providing high-performance parameters such as a reflection coefficient of −27.9 dB, a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) of 1.08, a gain of 7.91 dBi, directivity of 8.1 dBi, a bandwidth of 188 MHz, and radiation efficiency of 95.5%. Incorporating EBG cells suppresses surface waves, enhances gain, and optimizes impedance matching through 50 Ω inset feeding. The simulated and measured results of the designed antenna show a high correlation. This study demonstrates a robust and promising solution for high-performance wireless systems requiring a compact size and energy-efficient operation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biomedical Sensors)
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15 pages, 6688 KiB  
Article
Integrated Additive Manufacturing of TGV Interconnects and High-Frequency Circuits via Bipolar-Controlled EHD Jetting
by Dongqiao Bai, Jin Huang, Hongxiao Gong, Jianjun Wang, Yunna Pu, Jiaying Zhang, Peng Sun, Zihan Zhu, Pan Li, Huagui Wang, Pengbing Zhao and Chaoyu Liang
Micromachines 2025, 16(8), 907; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16080907 (registering DOI) - 2 Aug 2025
Viewed by 159
Abstract
Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing offers mask-free, high-resolution deposition across a broad range of ink viscosities, yet combining void-free filling of high-aspect-ratio through-glass vias (TGVs) with ultrafine drop-on-demand (DOD) line printing on the same platform requires balancing conflicting requirements: for example, high field strengths to [...] Read more.
Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing offers mask-free, high-resolution deposition across a broad range of ink viscosities, yet combining void-free filling of high-aspect-ratio through-glass vias (TGVs) with ultrafine drop-on-demand (DOD) line printing on the same platform requires balancing conflicting requirements: for example, high field strengths to drive ink into deep and narrow vias; sufficiently high ink viscosity to prevent gravity-induced leakage; and stable meniscus dynamics to avoid satellite droplets and charge accumulation on the glass surface. By coupling electrostatic field analysis with transient level-set simulations, we establish a dimensionless regime map that delineates stable cone-jetting regime; these predictions are validated by high-speed imaging and surface profilometry. Operating within this window, the platform achieves complete, void-free filling of 200 µm × 1.52 mm TGVs and continuous 10 µm-wide traces in a single print pass. Demonstrating its capabilities, we fabricate transparent Ku-band substrate-integrated waveguide antennas on borosilicate glass: the printed vias and arc feed elements exhibit a reflection coefficient minimum of −18 dB at 14.2 GHz, a −10 dB bandwidth of 12.8–16.2 GHz, and an 8 dBi peak gain with 37° beam tilt, closely matching full-wave predictions. This physics-driven, all-in-one EHD approach provides a scalable route to high-performance, glass-integrated RF devices and transparent electronics. Full article
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15 pages, 3447 KiB  
Article
Effects of Post-Curing on Mechanical Strength and Cytotoxicity of Stereolithographic Methacrylate Resins
by Alfredo Rondinella, Matteo Zanocco, Alex Lanzutti, Wenliang Zhu, Enrico Greco and Elia Marin
Polymers 2025, 17(15), 2132; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17152132 - 2 Aug 2025
Viewed by 278
Abstract
This study investigated the influence of curing temperature and time on both the mechanical properties and cytotoxicity of stereolithographic polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin. After printing using stereolithographic equipment, the resin was cured at 45 °C, 60 °C, and 75 °C for up to [...] Read more.
This study investigated the influence of curing temperature and time on both the mechanical properties and cytotoxicity of stereolithographic polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin. After printing using stereolithographic equipment, the resin was cured at 45 °C, 60 °C, and 75 °C for up to 120 min. Our results reveal that the mechanical properties achieved a peak after approximately 30 min of curing at the two highest temperatures, followed by a subsequent decrease, while curing at 45 °C resulted in a constant increase in mechanical properties up to 120 min. Testing with S. epidermidis and E. coli exhibited a bland antibacterial effect, with the number of living bacteria increasing with both the time and temperature of curing. To assess potential cytotoxicity, the materials were also tested with human fibroblasts, and the trends observed were similar to what was previously seen for both bacteria strains. Interestingly, an association was observed between the intensity ratio of two Raman bands (around 2920 and 2945 cm−1), indicative of long-PMMA-chain formation and cytotoxicity. This finding suggests that Raman spectroscopy has the potential to serve as a viable method for estimating the cytotoxicity of 3D printed PMMA objects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers)
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21 pages, 5449 KiB  
Article
Comparisons of the Effects of Polymer and Alcohol Varnishes on Norway Spruce Wood Surface Modifications
by Mariana Domnica Stanciu, Maria Cristina Timar, Mircea Mihalcica, Mihaela Cosnita and Florin Dinulică
Polymers 2025, 17(15), 2131; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17152131 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 306
Abstract
Spruce wood is a natural polymeric material, consisting of cellulose, lignin, hemicelluloses and other secondary components, which gives it a unique chemical footprint and architecture. Varnishes are used in musical instruments to protect the wood against humidity variations, wood being a hygroscopic material, [...] Read more.
Spruce wood is a natural polymeric material, consisting of cellulose, lignin, hemicelluloses and other secondary components, which gives it a unique chemical footprint and architecture. Varnishes are used in musical instruments to protect the wood against humidity variations, wood being a hygroscopic material, but also to protect the wood from dirt. The varnishes used both to protect the wood from resonance and to ensure a special aesthetic appearance are either polymeric varnishes (nitrocellulose, oil-based) or volatile solvents (spirit). In this study, the color changes, the surface morphology and the chemical spectrum produced by three types of varnishes, applied in 5, 10 and 15 layers, on resonance spruce plates were analyzed. The results revealed significant changes in the color parameters: the lightness decreased by approximately 17% after the first layer, by 50% after 5 layers, by 65% after 10 layers and by 70% after 15 layers. The color parameters are most influenced by the anatomical quality of spruce wood (annual ring width and earlywood/latewood ratio) in the case of oil-based varnishes and least influenced in the case of nitrocellulose varnishes. The chemical fingerprint was determined by FTIR spectrum analysis, which revealed that the most pronounced absorptions were the double band 2926–2858 cm−1, corresponding to aliphatic methylene and methyl groups (asymmetric and symmetrical C-H stretch), and the bands at 1724 cm−1 (oil-based varnish), 1722 cm−1 (nitrocellulose varnish) and 1708 cm−1 (spirit varnish), all assigned to non-conjugated carbonyl groups in either carboxylic acids, esters aldehydes or ketones. The novelty of the study lies in the comparative analysis of three types of varnishes used in the musical instrument industry, applied to samples of spruce resonance wood with different macroscopic characteristics in three different layer thicknesses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Wood Based Composites, 2nd Edition)
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29 pages, 10723 KiB  
Article
Combined Raman Lidar and Ka-Band Radar Aerosol Observations
by Pilar Gumà-Claramunt, Aldo Amodeo, Fabio Madonna, Nikolaos Papagiannopoulos, Benedetto De Rosa, Christina-Anna Papanikolaou, Marco Rosoldi and Gelsomina Pappalardo
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(15), 2662; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17152662 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 169
Abstract
Aerosols play an important role in global meteorology and climate, as well as in air transport and human health, but there are still many unknowns on their effects and importance, in particular for the coarser (giant and ultragiant) aerosol particles. In this study, [...] Read more.
Aerosols play an important role in global meteorology and climate, as well as in air transport and human health, but there are still many unknowns on their effects and importance, in particular for the coarser (giant and ultragiant) aerosol particles. In this study, we aim to exploit the synergy between Raman lidar and Ka-band cloud radar to enlarge the size range in which aerosols can be observed and characterized. To this end, we developed an inversion technique that retrieves the aerosol microphysical properties based on cloud radar reflectivity and linear depolarization ratio. We applied this technique to a 6-year-long dataset, which was created using a recently developed methodology for the identification of giant aerosols in cloud radar measurements, with measurements from Potenza in Italy. Similarly, using collocated and concurrent lidar profiles, a dataset of aerosol microphysical properties using a widely used inversion technique complements the radar-retrieved dataset. Hence, we demonstrate that the combined use of lidar- and radar-derived aerosol properties enables the inclusion of particles with radii up to 12 µm, which is twice the size typically observed using atmospheric lidar alone. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Atmospheric Remote Sensing)
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16 pages, 3282 KiB  
Article
First-Principles Study on Periodic Pt2Fe Alloy Surface Models for Highly Efficient CO Poisoning Resistance
by Junmei Wang, Qingkun Tian, Harry E. Ruda, Li Chen, Maoyou Yang and Yujun Song
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(15), 1185; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151185 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 192
Abstract
Surface and sub-surface atomic configurations are critical for catalysis as they host the active sites governing electrochemical processes. This study employs density functional theory (DFT) calculations and Monte Carlo simulations combined with the cluster-expansion approach to investigate atom distribution and Pt segregation in [...] Read more.
Surface and sub-surface atomic configurations are critical for catalysis as they host the active sites governing electrochemical processes. This study employs density functional theory (DFT) calculations and Monte Carlo simulations combined with the cluster-expansion approach to investigate atom distribution and Pt segregation in Pt-Fe alloys across varying Pt/Fe ratios. Our simulations reveal a strong tendency for Pt atoms to segregate to the surface layer while Fe atoms enrich the sub-surface region. Crucially, the calculations predict the stability of a periodic Pt2Fe alloy surface model, characterized by specific defect structures, at low platinum content and low annealing temperatures. Electronic structure analysis indicates that forming this Pt2Fe surface alloy lowers the d-band center of Pt atoms, weakening CO adsorption and thereby enhancing resistance to CO poisoning. Although defect-induced strains can modulate the d-band center, crystal orbital Hamilton population (COHP) analysis confirms that such strains generally strengthen Pt-CO interactions. Therefore, the theoretical design of Pt2Fe alloy surfaces and controlling defect density are predicted to be effective strategies for enhancing catalyst resistance to CO poisoning. This work highlights the advantages of periodic Pt2Fe surface models for anti-CO poisoning and provides computational guidance for designing efficient Pt-based electrocatalysts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Theory and Simulation of Nanostructures)
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12 pages, 2575 KiB  
Article
Simulation of Propagation Characteristics and Field Distribution in Cylindrical Photonic Crystals Composed of Near-Zero Materials and Metal
by Zhihao Xu, Dan Zhang, Rongkang Xuan, Shenxiang Yang and Na Wang
J. Low Power Electron. Appl. 2025, 15(3), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/jlpea15030044 - 31 Jul 2025
Viewed by 103
Abstract
This study investigates the propagation characteristics and field distribution of photonic crystals composed of epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) materials and metal cylinders. The research reveals that the cutoff frequency of the photonic crystal formed by combining metal cylinders with an ENZ background is independent of [...] Read more.
This study investigates the propagation characteristics and field distribution of photonic crystals composed of epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) materials and metal cylinders. The research reveals that the cutoff frequency of the photonic crystal formed by combining metal cylinders with an ENZ background is independent of the volume fraction of the metal cylinders and exhibits a stop-band profile within the measured frequency range. This unique behavior is attributed to the scattering of long-wavelength light when the wavelength approaches the effective wavelength range of the ENZ material. Taking advantage of this feature, the study selectively filters specific wavelength ranges from the mid-frequency band by varying the ratio of cylinder radius to lattice constant (R/a). Decreasing the R/a ratio enables the design of waveguide devices that operate over a broader guided wavelength range within the intermediate-frequency band. The findings emphasize the importance of the interaction between light and ENZ materials in shaping the transmission characteristics of photonic crystal structures. Full article
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21 pages, 10439 KiB  
Article
Camera-Based Vital Sign Estimation Techniques and Mobile App Development
by Tae Wuk Bae, Young Choon Kim, In Ho Sohng and Kee Koo Kwon
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8509; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158509 (registering DOI) - 31 Jul 2025
Viewed by 126
Abstract
In this paper, we propose noncontact heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), and respiratory rate (RR) detection methods using a smartphone camera. HR frequency is detected through filtering after obtaining a remote PPG (rPPG) signal and its power spectral density (PSD) is detected [...] Read more.
In this paper, we propose noncontact heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), and respiratory rate (RR) detection methods using a smartphone camera. HR frequency is detected through filtering after obtaining a remote PPG (rPPG) signal and its power spectral density (PSD) is detected using color difference signal amplification and the plane-orthogonal-to-the-skin method. Additionally, the SpO2 is detected using the HR frequency and the absorption ratio of the G and B color channels based on oxyhemoglobin absorption and reflectance theory. After this, the respiratory frequency is detected using the PSD of rPPG through respiratory frequency band filtering. For the image sequences recorded under various imaging conditions, the proposed method demonstrated superior HR detection accuracy compared to existing methods. The confidence intervals for HR and SpO2 detection were analyzed using Bland–Altman plots. Furthermore, the proposed RR detection method was also verified to be reliable. Full article
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16 pages, 3616 KiB  
Article
A Multiband Dual Linear-to-Circular Polarization Conversion Reflective Metasurface Design Based on Liquid Crystal for X-Band Applications
by Xinju Wang, Lihan Tong, Peng Chen, Lu Liu, Yutong Yin and Haowei Zhang
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8499; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158499 (registering DOI) - 31 Jul 2025
Viewed by 119
Abstract
A novel reflective metasurface (RMS) is proposed in this paper. The MS measures 128 × 128 × 2.794 mm3 and consists of a six-layer vertically stacked structure, with a liquid crystal (LC) cavity in the middle layer. A dual fan-shaped direct current [...] Read more.
A novel reflective metasurface (RMS) is proposed in this paper. The MS measures 128 × 128 × 2.794 mm3 and consists of a six-layer vertically stacked structure, with a liquid crystal (LC) cavity in the middle layer. A dual fan-shaped direct current (DC) bias circuit is designed to minimize the interaction between the radio frequency (RF) signal and the DC source, allowing control of the LC dielectric constant via bias voltage. This enables multi-band operation to improve communication capacity and quality for x-band devices. The polarization conversion (PC) structure employs an orthogonal anisotropic design, utilizing logarithmic functions to create two pairs of bowtie microstrip patches for linear-to-circular polarization conversion (LCPC). Simulation results show that for x-polarized incident waves, with an LC dielectric constant of εr = 2.8, left- and right-handed circularly polarized (LHCP and RHCP) waves are achieved in the frequency ranges of 8.15–8.46 GHz and 9.84–12.52 GHz, respectively. For εr = 3.9, LHCP and RHCP are achieved in 9–9.11 GHz and 9.86–11.81 GHz, respectively, and for εr = 4.6, they are in 8.96–9.11 GHz and 9.95–11.51 GHz. In the case of y-polarized incident waves, the MS reflects the reverse CP waves within the same frequency ranges. Measured results show that at εr = 2.8, the axial ratio (AR) is below 3 dB in the frequency ranges 8.16–8.46 GHz and 9.86–12.48 GHz, with 3 dB AR relative bandwidth (ARBW) of 3.61% and 23.46%, respectively. For εr = 4.6, the AR < 3 dB in the frequency range of 9.78–11.34 GHz, with a 3 dB ARBW of 14.77%. Finally, the measured and simulated results are compared to validate the proposed design, which can be applied to various applications within the corresponding operating frequency band. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Applied Physics General)
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10 pages, 1596 KiB  
Article
Investigating the Effect of Hydrogen Bonding on the Viscosity of an Aqueous Methanol Solution Using Raman Spectroscopy
by Nan-Nan Wu, Fang Liu, Zonghang Li, Ziyun Qiu, Xiaofan Li, Junhui Huang, Bohan Li, Junxi Qiu and Shun-Li Ouyang
Molecules 2025, 30(15), 3204; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30153204 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 169
Abstract
Water science has always been a central part of modern scientific research. In this study, the viscosity and hydrogen bond structures of methanol aqueous solutions with different molar ratios were investigated via confocal microscopic Raman spectroscopy. The Raman spectra of methanol in the [...] Read more.
Water science has always been a central part of modern scientific research. In this study, the viscosity and hydrogen bond structures of methanol aqueous solutions with different molar ratios were investigated via confocal microscopic Raman spectroscopy. The Raman spectra of methanol in the CH and CO stretching regions were measured in order to investigate the structure of water/methanol molecules. The points of transition were identified by observing changes in viscosity following changes in concentration, and the bands were assigned to the C-H bond vibration shifts where the molar ratios of methanol and water were 1:3 and 3:1. Furthermore, the large band shift of 19 cm−1 between the methanol solutions with the lowest and highest concentrations contained three hydrogen bond network modes, affecting the viscosity of the solution. This study provides an explanation for the relationship between the microstructures and macroscopic properties of aqueous solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Liquids)
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23 pages, 3453 KiB  
Article
Robust Peak Detection Techniques for Harmonic FMCW Radar Systems: Algorithmic Comparison and FPGA Feasibility Under Phase Noise
by Ahmed El-Awamry, Feng Zheng, Thomas Kaiser and Maher Khaliel
Signals 2025, 6(3), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/signals6030036 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 264
Abstract
Accurate peak detection in the frequency domain is fundamental to reliable range estimation in Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) radar systems, particularly in challenging conditions characterized by a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and phase noise impairments. This paper presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of five [...] Read more.
Accurate peak detection in the frequency domain is fundamental to reliable range estimation in Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) radar systems, particularly in challenging conditions characterized by a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and phase noise impairments. This paper presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of five peak detection algorithms: FFT thresholding, Cell-Averaging Constant False Alarm Rate (CA-CFAR), a simplified Matrix Pencil Method (MPM), SVD-based detection, and a novel Learned Thresholded Subspace Projection (LTSP) approach. The proposed LTSP method leverages singular value decomposition (SVD) to extract the dominant signal subspace, followed by signal reconstruction and spectral peak analysis, enabling robust detection in noisy and spectrally distorted environments. Each technique was analytically modeled and extensively evaluated through Monte Carlo simulations across a wide range of SNRs and oscillator phase noise levels, from 100 dBc/Hz to 70 dBc/Hz. Additionally, real-world validation was performed using a custom-built harmonic FMCW radar prototype operating in the 2.4–2.5 GHz transmission band and 4.8–5.0 GHz harmonic reception band. Results show that CA-CFAR offers the highest resilience to phase noise, while the proposed LTSP method delivers competitive detection performance with improved robustness over conventional FFT and MPM techniques. Furthermore, the hardware feasibility of each algorithm is assessed for implementation on a Xilinx FPGA platform, highlighting practical trade-offs between detection performance, computational complexity, and resource utilization. These findings provide valuable guidance for the design of real-time, embedded FMCW radar systems operating under adverse conditions. Full article
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13 pages, 1017 KiB  
Article
Elevated Serum TNF-α/IL-1β Levels and Under-Nutrition Predict Early Mortality and Hospital Stay Burden in Pulmonary Tuberculosis
by Ionut-Valentin Stanciu, Ariadna-Petronela Fildan, Adrian Cosmin Ilie, Cristian Oancea, Livia Stanga, Emanuela Tudorache, Felix Bratosin, Ovidiu Rosca, Iulia Bogdan, Doina-Ecaterina Tofolean, Ionela Preotesoiu, Viorica Zamfir and Elena Dantes
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(15), 5327; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14155327 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 291
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Romania remains a tuberculosis (TB) hotspot in the European Union, yet host-derived factors of poor outcomes are poorly characterised. We quantified circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and examined their interplay with behavioural risk factors, the nutritional status, and the clinical course in adults hospitalised [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Romania remains a tuberculosis (TB) hotspot in the European Union, yet host-derived factors of poor outcomes are poorly characterised. We quantified circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and examined their interplay with behavioural risk factors, the nutritional status, and the clinical course in adults hospitalised with pulmonary TB. We analysed 80 adults with microbiologically confirmed pulmonary TB and 40 respiratory symptom controls; four TB patients (5%) died during hospitalisation, all within 10 days of admission. Methods: A retrospective analytical case–control study was conducted at the Constanța regional TB referral centre (October 2020—October 2023). Patients with smear- or culture-confirmed TB were frequency-matched by sex, 10-year age band, and BMI class to culture-negative respiratory controls at a 2:1 ratio. The patients’ serum interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-1α (IL-1α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumour-necrosis-factor-α (TNF-α) were quantified within 24 h of admission; the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was extracted from full blood counts. Independent predictors of in-hospital mortality were identified by multivariable logistic regression; factors associated with the length of stay (LOS) were modelled with quasi-Poisson regression. Results: The median TNF-α (24.1 pg mL−1 vs. 16.2 pg mL−1; p = 0.009) and IL-1β (5.34 pg mL−1 vs. 3.67 pg mL−1; p = 0.008) were significantly higher in the TB cases than in controls. TNF-α was strongly correlated with IL-1β (ρ = 0.80; p < 0.001), while NLR showed weak concordance with multiplex cytokine patterns. Among the patients with TB, four early deaths (5%) exhibited a tripling of TNF-α (71.4 pg mL−1) and a doubling of NLR (7.8) compared with the survivors. Each 10 pg mL−1 rise in TNF-α independently increased the odds of in-hospital death by 1.8-fold (95% CI 1.1–3.0; p = 0.02). The LOS (median 29 days) was unrelated to the smoking, alcohol, or comorbidity load, but varied across BMI strata: underweight, 27 days; normal weight, 30 days; overweight, 23 days (Kruskal–Wallis p = 0.03). In a multivariable analysis, under-nutrition (BMI < 18.5 kg m−2) prolonged the LOS by 19% (IRR 1.19; 95% CI 1.05–1.34; p = 0.004) independently of the disease severity. Conclusions: A hyper-TNF-α/IL-1β systemic signature correlates with early mortality in Romanian pulmonary TB, while under-nutrition is the dominant modifiable determinant of prolonged hospitalisation. Admission algorithms that pair rapid TNF-α testing with systematic nutritional assessment could enable targeted host-directed therapy trials and optimise bed utilisation in high-burden settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Infectious Diseases)
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22 pages, 4331 KiB  
Article
Simulation-Based Design of a Low-Cost Broadband Wide-Beamwidth Crossed-Dipole Antenna for Multi-Global Navigational Satellite System Positioning
by Songyuan Xu, Jiwon Heo, Won Seok Choi, Seong-Gon Choi and Bierng-Chearl Ahn
Sensors 2025, 25(15), 4665; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25154665 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 210
Abstract
This paper presents the design of a wideband circularly polarized crossed-dipole antenna for multi-GNSS applications, covering the frequency range of 1.16–1.61 GHz. The proposed antenna employs orthogonally placed dipole elements fed by a three-branch quadrature hybrid coupler for broadband and wide gain/axial ratio [...] Read more.
This paper presents the design of a wideband circularly polarized crossed-dipole antenna for multi-GNSS applications, covering the frequency range of 1.16–1.61 GHz. The proposed antenna employs orthogonally placed dipole elements fed by a three-branch quadrature hybrid coupler for broadband and wide gain/axial ratio beamwidth. The design is carried out using CST Studio Suite for a single dipole antenna followed by a crossed-dipole antenna, a feed network, and the entire antenna structure. The designed multi-GNSS antenna shows, at 1.16–1.61 GHz, a reflection coefficient of less than −17 dB, a zenith gain of 3.9–5.8 dBic, a horizontal gain of −3.3 to −0.2 dBic, a zenith axial ratio of 0.6–1.0 dB, and horizontal axial ratio of 0.4–5.9 dB. The proposed antenna has a dimension of 0.48 × 0.48 × 0.25 λ at the center frequency of 1.39 GHz. The proposed antenna can also operate as an LHCP antenna for L-band satellite phone communication at 1.525–1.661 GHz. Full article
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Figure 1

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