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Search Results (4,537)

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Keywords = proportional-integral

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22 pages, 3730 KiB  
Article
Support-Vector-Regression-Based Intelligent Control Strategy for DFIG Wind Turbine Systems
by Farhat Nasim, Shahida Khatoon, Ibraheem Nasiruddin, Mohammad Shahid, Shabana Urooj and Basel Bilal
Machines 2025, 13(8), 687; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines13080687 - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
Achieving sustainable energy goals requires efficient integration of renewables like wind energy. Doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)-based wind turbine systems (WTSs) operate efficiently across a range of speeds, making them well-suited for modern renewable energy systems. However, sudden wind speed variations can cause [...] Read more.
Achieving sustainable energy goals requires efficient integration of renewables like wind energy. Doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)-based wind turbine systems (WTSs) operate efficiently across a range of speeds, making them well-suited for modern renewable energy systems. However, sudden wind speed variations can cause power oscillations, rotor speed fluctuations, and voltage instability. Traditional proportional–integral (PI) controllers struggle with such nonlinear, rapidly changing scenarios. A control approach utilizing support vector regression (SVR) is proposed for the DFIG wind turbine system. The SVR controller manages both active and reactive power by simultaneously controlling the rotor- and grid-side converters (RSC and GSC). Simulations under a sudden wind speed variation from 10 to 12 m per second show the SVR approach reduces settling time significantly (up to 70.3%), suppresses oscillations in rotor speed, torque, and power output, and maintains over 97% DC-link voltage stability. These improvements enhance power quality, reliability, and system performance, demonstrating the SVR controller’s superiority over conventional PI methods for variable-speed wind energy systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modelling, Design and Optimization of Wind Turbines)
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22 pages, 884 KiB  
Article
Mitochondrial Dysregulation in Male Infertility: A Preliminary Study for Infertility-Specific lncRNA Variants
by Georgios Stamatellos, Maria-Anna Kyrgiafini, Aris Kaltsas and Zissis Mamuris
DNA 2025, 5(3), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/dna5030038 - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Male infertility is a major health concern with a complex etiopathology, yet a substantial proportion of cases remain idiopathic. Mitochondrial dysfunction and non-coding RNA (ncRNA) deregulation have both been implicated in impaired spermatogenesis, but their interplay remains poorly understood. This study aimed [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Male infertility is a major health concern with a complex etiopathology, yet a substantial proportion of cases remain idiopathic. Mitochondrial dysfunction and non-coding RNA (ncRNA) deregulation have both been implicated in impaired spermatogenesis, but their interplay remains poorly understood. This study aimed to identify infertility-specific variants in ncRNAs that affect mitochondrial dynamics and homeostasis and to explore their roles. Methods: Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on genomic DNA samples from teratozoospermic, asthenozoospermic, oligozoospermic, and normozoospermic men. Variants uniquely present in infertile individuals and mapped to ncRNAs that affect mitochondrial dynamics were selected and prioritized using bioinformatics tools. An independent transcriptomic validation was conducted using RNA-sequencing data from testicular biopsies of men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) to determine whether the ncRNAs harboring WGS-derived variants were transcriptionally altered. Results: We identified several infertility-specific variants located in lncRNAs known to interact with mitochondrial regulators, including GAS5, HOTAIR, PVT1, MEG3, and CDKN2B-AS1. Transcriptomic analysis confirmed significant deregulation of these lncRNAs in azoospermic testicular samples. Bioinformatic analysis also implicated the disruption of lncRNA–miRNA–mitochondria networks, potentially contributing to mitochondrial membrane potential loss, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, impaired mitophagy, and germ cell apoptosis. Conclusions: Our integrative genomic and transcriptomic analysis highlights lncRNA–mitochondrial gene interactions as a novel regulatory layer in male infertility, while the identified lncRNAs hold promise as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. However, future functional studies are warranted to elucidate their mechanistic roles and potential for clinical translation in reproductive medicine. Full article
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19 pages, 14190 KiB  
Article
A Comprehensive Evaluation Method for Cement Slurry Systems to Enhance Zonal Isolation: A Case Study in Shale Oil Well Cementing
by Xiaoqing Zheng, Weitao Song, Xiutian Yang, Jian Liu, Tao Jiang, Xuning Wu and Xin Liu
Energies 2025, 18(15), 4138; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18154138 - 4 Aug 2025
Abstract
Due to post-cementing hydraulic fracturing and other operational stresses, inadequate mechanical properties or suboptimal design of the cement sheath can lead to tensile failure and microcrack development, compromising both hydrocarbon recovery and well integrity. In this study, three field-deployed cement slurry systems were [...] Read more.
Due to post-cementing hydraulic fracturing and other operational stresses, inadequate mechanical properties or suboptimal design of the cement sheath can lead to tensile failure and microcrack development, compromising both hydrocarbon recovery and well integrity. In this study, three field-deployed cement slurry systems were compared on the basis of their basic mechanical properties such as compressive and tensile strength. Laboratory-scale physical simulations of hydraulic fracturing during shale oil production were conducted, using dynamic permeability as a quantitative indicator of integrity loss. The experimental results show that evaluating only basic mechanical properties is insufficient for cement slurry system design. A more comprehensive mechanical assessment is re-quired. Incorporation of an expansive agent into the cement slurry system can alleviate the damage caused by the microannulus to the interfacial sealing performance of the cement sheath, while adding a toughening agent can alleviate the damage caused by tensile cracks to the sealing performance of the cement sheath matrix. Through this research, a microexpansive and toughened cement slurry system, modified with both expansive and toughening agents, was optimized. The expansive agent and toughening agent can significantly enhance the shear strength, the flexural strength, and the interfacial hydraulic isolation strength of cement stone. Moreover, the expansion agents mitigate the detrimental effects of microannulus generation on the interfacial sealing, while the toughening agents alleviate the damage caused by tensile cracking to the bulk sealing performance of the cement sheath matrix. This system has been successfully implemented in over 100 wells in the GL block of Daqing Oilfield. Field application results show that the proportion of high-quality well sections in the horizontal section reached 88.63%, indicating the system’s high performance in enhancing zonal isolation and cementing quality. Full article
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32 pages, 12538 KiB  
Article
Study on Vibration Characteristics and Harmonic Suppression of an Integrated Electric Drive System Considering the Electromechanical Coupling Effect
by Yue Cui, Hong Lu, Jinli Xu, Yongquan Zhang and Lin Zou
Actuators 2025, 14(8), 386; https://doi.org/10.3390/act14080386 - 4 Aug 2025
Abstract
The study of vibration characteristics and suppression methods in integrated electric drive systems of electric vehicles is of critical importance. To investigate these characteristics, both current harmonics within the motor and nonlinear factors within the drivetrain were considered. A 17-degree-of-freedom nonlinear torsional–planar dynamic [...] Read more.
The study of vibration characteristics and suppression methods in integrated electric drive systems of electric vehicles is of critical importance. To investigate these characteristics, both current harmonics within the motor and nonlinear factors within the drivetrain were considered. A 17-degree-of-freedom nonlinear torsional–planar dynamic model was developed, with electromagnetic torque and output speed as coupling terms. The model’s accuracy was experimentally validated, and the system’s dynamic responses were analyzed under different working conditions. To mitigate vibrations caused by torque ripple, a coordinated control strategy was proposed, combining a quasi-proportional multi-resonant (QPMR) controller and a full-frequency harmonic controller (FFHC). The results demonstrate that the proposed strategy effectively suppresses multi-order current harmonics in the driving motor, reduces torque ripple by 45.1%, and enhances transmission stability. In addition, the proposed electromechanical coupling model provides valuable guidance for the analysis of integrated electric drive systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Actuators for Surface Vehicles)
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19 pages, 9300 KiB  
Article
Decoupling Control for the HVAC Port of Power Electronic Transformer
by Wusong Wen, Tianwen Zhan, Yingchao Zhang and Jintong Nie
Energies 2025, 18(15), 4131; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18154131 - 4 Aug 2025
Abstract
For the high-voltage AC port of power electronic transformer (HVAC-PET) with three-phase independent DC buses on the low-voltage side, a decoupling control strategy, concerning the influence of grid voltage imbalance, three-phase active-load imbalance, and high-order harmonic distortion, is proposed in this paper to [...] Read more.
For the high-voltage AC port of power electronic transformer (HVAC-PET) with three-phase independent DC buses on the low-voltage side, a decoupling control strategy, concerning the influence of grid voltage imbalance, three-phase active-load imbalance, and high-order harmonic distortion, is proposed in this paper to simultaneously realize the functions of active power control, reactive power compensation, and active power filtering. In the outer power control loop, according to the distribution rule of decoupled average active power components in three phases, stability control for the sum of cluster average active power flows is realized by injecting positive-sequence active current, so as to control the average cluster voltage (i.e., the average of all the DC-link capacitor voltages), and by injecting negative-sequence current, the cluster average active power flows can be controlled individually to balance the three cluster voltages (i.e., the average of the DC-link capacitor voltages in each cluster). The negative-sequence reactive power component is considered to realize the reactive power compensation. In the inner current control loop, the fundamental and high-order harmonic components are uniformly controlled in the positive-sequence dq frame using the PI + VPIs (vector proportional integral) controller, and the harmonic filtering function is realized while the fundamental positive-sequence current is adjusted. Experiments performed on the 380 V/50 kVA laboratory HVAC-PET verify the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy. Full article
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15 pages, 3705 KiB  
Article
Mechanical Properties and Modification Mechanism of Thermosetting Polyurethane-Modified Asphalt
by Wei Zhuang, Tingting Ding, Chuanqin Pang, Xuwang Jiao, Litao Geng and Min Sun
Coatings 2025, 15(8), 912; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15080912 (registering DOI) - 4 Aug 2025
Abstract
To study the mechanical properties and modification mechanism of thermosetting polyurethane (PU)-modified asphalt, the effects of polyurethane dosage on the workability of polyurethane-modified asphalt were analyzed by means of rotational viscosity tests. The mechanical properties of polyurethane-modified asphalt with different polyurethane dosages were [...] Read more.
To study the mechanical properties and modification mechanism of thermosetting polyurethane (PU)-modified asphalt, the effects of polyurethane dosage on the workability of polyurethane-modified asphalt were analyzed by means of rotational viscosity tests. The mechanical properties of polyurethane-modified asphalt with different polyurethane dosages were explored using tensile tests and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). In addition, the thermodynamic behavior and micromorphology of polyurethane-modified asphalt were also thoroughly investigated using the test results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that PU obtained the optimum workability when the polyurethane dose was 50%: at 120 min, its rotational viscosity was 1005 cp, which was lower than 2800 cp (40% PU) and 760 cp (60% PU). Additionally, the results of fracture elongation and fracture strength indicated that the PU-modified asphalt had good flexibility and strength. Compared with base asphalt, the tensile strength of 50% PU-modified asphalt increased by 509%, which was significantly higher than 157% (40% PU) and more balanced than 897% (60% PU) in terms of strength and flexibility. Added PU can significantly improve the elasticity of asphalt at high temperatures, while increasing the proportion of asphalt adhesive components, enhancing the deformation ability and temperature stability of asphalt. As the dose of PU increases, the interface between asphalt and PU blended more fully, and the surface became smoother. When the dose of PU was 50% or more, the interface between asphalt and PU was well integrated with a smooth and flat surface, forming a more uniform and stable cross-linked network structure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Aspects in Colloid and Interface Science)
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8 pages, 844 KiB  
Opinion
Flawed Metrics, Damaging Outcomes: A Rebuttal to the RI2 Integrity Index Targeting Top Indonesian Universities
by Muhammad Iqhrammullah, Derren D. C. H. Rampengan, Muhammad Fadhlal Maula and Ikhwan Amri
Publications 2025, 13(3), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications13030036 - 4 Aug 2025
Abstract
The Research Integrity Risk Index (RI2), introduced as a tool to identify universities at risk of compromised research integrity, adopts an overly reductive methodology by combining retraction rates and delisted journal proportions into a single, equally weighted composite score. While its [...] Read more.
The Research Integrity Risk Index (RI2), introduced as a tool to identify universities at risk of compromised research integrity, adopts an overly reductive methodology by combining retraction rates and delisted journal proportions into a single, equally weighted composite score. While its stated aim is to promote accountability, this commentary critiques the RI2 index for its flawed assumptions, lack of empirical validation, and disproportionate penalization of institutions in low- and middle-income countries. We examine how RI2 misinterprets retractions, misuses delisting data, and fails to account for diverse academic publishing environments, particularly in Indonesia, where many high-performing universities are unfairly categorized as “high risk” or “red flag.” The index’s uncritical reliance on opaque delisting decisions, combined with its fixed equal-weighting formula, produces volatile and context-insensitive scores that do not accurately reflect the presence or severity of research misconduct. Moreover, RI2 has gained significant media attention and policy influence despite being based on an unreviewed preprint, with no transparent mechanism for institutional rebuttal or contextual adjustment. By comparing RI2 classifications with established benchmarks such as the Scimago Institution Rankings and drawing from lessons in global development metrics, we argue that RI2, although conceptually innovative, should remain an exploratory framework. It requires rigorous scientific validation before being adopted as a global standard. We also propose flexible weighting schemes, regional calibration, and transparent engagement processes to improve the fairness and reliability of institutional research integrity assessments. Full article
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44 pages, 4499 KiB  
Article
A Hybrid Deep Reinforcement Learning Architecture for Optimizing Concrete Mix Design Through Precision Strength Prediction
by Ali Mirzaei and Amir Aghsami
Math. Comput. Appl. 2025, 30(4), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/mca30040083 (registering DOI) - 3 Aug 2025
Viewed by 32
Abstract
Concrete mix design plays a pivotal role in ensuring the mechanical performance, durability, and sustainability of construction projects. However, the nonlinear interactions among the mix components challenge traditional approaches in predicting compressive strength and optimizing proportions. This study presents a two-stage hybrid framework [...] Read more.
Concrete mix design plays a pivotal role in ensuring the mechanical performance, durability, and sustainability of construction projects. However, the nonlinear interactions among the mix components challenge traditional approaches in predicting compressive strength and optimizing proportions. This study presents a two-stage hybrid framework that integrates deep learning with reinforcement learning to overcome these limitations. First, a Convolutional Neural Network–Long Short-Term Memory (CNN–LSTM) model was developed to capture spatial–temporal patterns from a dataset of 1030 historical concrete samples. The extracted features were enhanced using an eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) meta-model to improve generalizability and noise resistance. Then, a Dueling Double Deep Q-Network (Dueling DDQN) agent was used to iteratively identify optimal mix ratios that maximize the predicted compressive strength. The proposed framework outperformed ten benchmark models, achieving an MAE of 2.97, RMSE of 4.08, and R2 of 0.94. Feature attribution methods—including SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), Elasticity-Based Feature Importance (EFI), and Permutation Feature Importance (PFI)—highlighted the dominant influence of cement content and curing age, as well as revealing non-intuitive effects such as the compensatory role of superplasticizers in low-water mixtures. These findings demonstrate the potential of the proposed approach to support intelligent concrete mix design and real-time optimization in smart construction environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Engineering)
23 pages, 1146 KiB  
Review
A Review of Optimization Scheduling for Active Distribution Networks with High-Penetration Distributed Generation Access
by Kewei Wang, Yonghong Huang, Yanbo Liu, Tao Huang and Shijia Zang
Energies 2025, 18(15), 4119; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18154119 - 3 Aug 2025
Viewed by 65
Abstract
The high-proportion integration of renewable energy sources, represented by wind power and photovoltaics, into active distribution networks (ADNs) can effectively alleviate the pressure associated with advancing China’s dual-carbon goals. However, the high uncertainty in renewable energy output leads to increased system voltage fluctuations [...] Read more.
The high-proportion integration of renewable energy sources, represented by wind power and photovoltaics, into active distribution networks (ADNs) can effectively alleviate the pressure associated with advancing China’s dual-carbon goals. However, the high uncertainty in renewable energy output leads to increased system voltage fluctuations and localized voltage violations, posing safety challenges. Consequently, research on optimal dispatch for ADNs with a high penetration of renewable energy has become a current focal point. This paper provides a comprehensive review of research in this domain over the past decade. Initially, it analyzes the voltage impact patterns and control principles in distribution networks under varying levels of renewable energy penetration. Subsequently, it introduces optimization dispatch models for ADNs that focus on three key objectives: safety, economy, and low carbon emissions. Furthermore, addressing the challenge of solving non-convex and nonlinear models, the paper highlights model reformulation strategies such as semidefinite relaxation, second-order cone relaxation, and convex inner approximation methods, along with summarizing relevant intelligent solution algorithms. Additionally, in response to the high uncertainty of renewable energy output, it reviews stochastic optimization dispatch strategies for ADNs, encompassing single-stage, two-stage, and multi-stage approaches. Meanwhile, given the promising prospects of large-scale deep reinforcement learning models in the power sector, their applications in ADN optimization dispatch are also reviewed. Finally, the paper outlines potential future research directions for ADN optimization dispatch. Full article
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16 pages, 2607 KiB  
Article
Load Frequency Control of Power Systems Using GPI Observer-Based Controller
by Mehrdad Dorostian and Bahram Shafai
Energies 2025, 18(15), 4117; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18154117 - 3 Aug 2025
Viewed by 50
Abstract
This paper considers the problem of the load frequency control of power systems when system states are not directly available for implementation and in the presence of unknown disturbances. The conventional proportional observer (PO) fails to solve this problem unless the disturbances are [...] Read more.
This paper considers the problem of the load frequency control of power systems when system states are not directly available for implementation and in the presence of unknown disturbances. The conventional proportional observer (PO) fails to solve this problem unless the disturbances are known or can be explicitly modeled. Therefore, we provide a detailed analysis of the proportional integral observer (PIO) and its generalization (GPIO) for the load frequency control (LFC) of a single-area power system. This study demonstrates that both observers can be reliably employed, depending on the scenarios of system dynamics. Since they are able to estimate both the states and unknown disturbances, they can be integrated in LFC with disturbance accommodation to ensure the system stability and to satisfy the specified performance measures. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the advantage of GPI observer-based LFC for a single-area power system model. Full article
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17 pages, 5214 KiB  
Article
Geothermal–Peltier Hybrid System for Air Cooling and Water Recovery
by Michele Spagnolo, Paolo Maria Congedo, Alessandro Buscemi, Gianluca Falcicchia Ferrara, Marina Bonomolo and Cristina Baglivo
Energies 2025, 18(15), 4115; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18154115 - 3 Aug 2025
Viewed by 71
Abstract
This study proposes a new air treatment system that integrates dehumidification, cooling, and water recovery using a Horizontal Air–Ground Heat Exchanger (HAGHE) combined with Peltier cells. The airflow generated by a fan flows through an HAGHE until it meets a septum on which [...] Read more.
This study proposes a new air treatment system that integrates dehumidification, cooling, and water recovery using a Horizontal Air–Ground Heat Exchanger (HAGHE) combined with Peltier cells. The airflow generated by a fan flows through an HAGHE until it meets a septum on which Peltier cells are placed, and then separates into two distinct streams that lap the two surfaces of the Peltier cells: one stream passes through the cold surfaces, undergoing both sensible and latent cooling with dehumidification; the other stream passes through the hot surfaces, increasing its temperature. The two treated air streams may then pass through a mixing chamber, where they are combined in the appropriate proportions to achieve the desired air supply conditions and ensure thermal comfort in the indoor environment. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis was carried out to simulate the thermal interaction between the HAGHE and the surrounding soil. The simulation focused on a system installed under the subtropical climate conditions of Nairobi, Africa. The simulation results demonstrate that the HAGHE system is capable of reducing the air temperature by several degrees under typical summer conditions, with enhanced performance observed when the soil is moist. Condensation phenomena were triggered when the relative humidity of the inlet air exceeded 60%, contributing additional cooling through latent heat extraction. The proposed HAGHE–Peltier system can be easily powered by renewable energy sources and configured for stand-alone operation, making it particularly suitable for off-grid applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section A: Sustainable Energy)
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20 pages, 4612 KiB  
Article
Effect of a Gluten-Free Diet on the Intestinal Microbiota of Women with Celiac Disease
by M. Mar Morcillo Serrano, Paloma Reche-Sainz, Daniel González-Reguero, Marina Robas-Mora, Rocío de la Iglesia, Natalia Úbeda, Elena Alonso-Aperte, Javier Arranz-Herrero and Pedro A. Jiménez-Gómez
Antibiotics 2025, 14(8), 785; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14080785 (registering DOI) - 2 Aug 2025
Viewed by 173
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by small intestinal enteropathy triggered by gluten ingestion, often associated with gut dysbiosis. The most effective treatment is strict adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD), which alleviates symptoms. This study uniquely integrates taxonomic, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by small intestinal enteropathy triggered by gluten ingestion, often associated with gut dysbiosis. The most effective treatment is strict adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD), which alleviates symptoms. This study uniquely integrates taxonomic, functional, and resistance profiling to evaluate the gut microbiota of women with CD on a GFD. Methods: To evaluate the long-term impact of a GFD, this study analyzed the gut microbiota of 10 women with CD on a GFD for over a year compared to 10 healthy controls with unrestricted diets. Taxonomic diversity (16S rRNA gene sequencing and the analysis of α and β-diversity), metabolic functionality (Biolog EcoPlates®), and antibiotic resistance profiles (Cenoantibiogram) were assessed. Results: Metagenomic analysis revealed no significant differences in taxonomic diversity but highlighted variations in the abundance of specific bacterial genera. Women with CD showed increased proportions of Bacteroides, Streptococcus, and Clostridium, associated with inflammation, but also elevated levels of beneficial genera such as Roseburia, Oxalobacter, and Paraprevotella. Despite no significant differences in metabolic diversity, higher minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in women in the healthy control group suggest that dietary substrates in unrestricted diets may promote the proliferation of fast-growing bacteria capable of rapidly developing and disseminating antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Conclusions: These findings indicate that prolonged adherence to a GFD in CD supports remission of gut dysbiosis, enhances microbiota functionality, and may reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance, emphasizing the importance of dietary management in CD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotic Resistance: A One-Health Approach, 2nd Edition)
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27 pages, 4880 KiB  
Article
Multi-Objective Optimization of Steel Slag–Ceramsite Foam Concrete via Integrated Orthogonal Experimentation and Multivariate Analytics: A Synergistic Approach Combining Range–Variance Analyses with Partial Least Squares Regression
by Alipujiang Jierula, Haodong Li, Tae-Min Oh, Xiaolong Li, Jin Wu, Shiyi Zhao and Yang Chen
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8591; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158591 (registering DOI) - 2 Aug 2025
Viewed by 144
Abstract
This study aims to enhance the performance of an innovative steel slag–ceramsite foam concrete (SSCFC) to advance sustainable green building materials. An eco-friendly composite construction material was developed by integrating industrial by-product steel slag (SS) with lightweight ceramsite. Employing a three-factor, three-level orthogonal [...] Read more.
This study aims to enhance the performance of an innovative steel slag–ceramsite foam concrete (SSCFC) to advance sustainable green building materials. An eco-friendly composite construction material was developed by integrating industrial by-product steel slag (SS) with lightweight ceramsite. Employing a three-factor, three-level orthogonal experimental design at a fixed density of 800 kg/m3, 12 mix proportions (including a control group) were investigated with the variables of water-to-cement (W/C) ratio, steel slag replacement ratio, and ceramsite replacement ratio. The governing mechanisms of the W/C ratio, steel slag replacement level, and ceramsite replacement proportion on the SSCFC’s fluidity and compressive strength (CS) were elucidated. The synergistic application of range analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) quantified the significance of factors on target properties, and partial least squares regression (PLSR)-based prediction models were established. The test results indicated the following significance hierarchy: steel slag replacement > W/C ratio > ceramsite replacement for fluidity. In contrast, W/C ratio > ceramsite replacement > steel slag replacement governed the compressive strength. Verification showed R2 values exceeding 65% for both fluidity and CS predictions versus experimental data, confirming model reliability. Multi-criteria optimization yielded optimal compressive performance and suitable fluidity at a W/C ratio of 0.4, 10% steel slag replacement, and 25% ceramsite replacement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Civil Engineering)
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20 pages, 3604 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Differences in Rhizosphere Microbial Communities and Pathogen Adaptability in Chili Root Rot Disease Between Continuous Cropping and Rotation Cropping Systems
by Qiuyue Zhao, Xiaolei Cao, Lu Zhang, Xin Hu, Xiaojian Zeng, Yingming Wei, Dongbin Zhang, Xin Xiao, Hui Xi and Sifeng Zhao
Microorganisms 2025, 13(8), 1806; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13081806 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 180
Abstract
In chili cultivation, obstacles to continuous cropping significantly compromise crop yield and soil health, whereas crop rotation can enhance the microbial environment of the soil and reduce disease incidence. However, its effects on the diversity of rhizosphere soil microbial communities are not clear. [...] Read more.
In chili cultivation, obstacles to continuous cropping significantly compromise crop yield and soil health, whereas crop rotation can enhance the microbial environment of the soil and reduce disease incidence. However, its effects on the diversity of rhizosphere soil microbial communities are not clear. In this study, we analyzed the composition and characteristics of rhizosphere soil microbial communities under chili continuous cropping (CC) and chili–cotton crop rotation (CR) using high-throughput sequencing technology. CR treatment reduced the alpha diversity indices (including Chao1, Observed_species, and Shannon index) of bacterial communities and had less of an effect on fungal community diversity. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed distinct compositional differences in bacterial and fungal communities between the treatments. Compared with CC, CR treatment has altered the structure of the soil microbial community. In terms of bacterial communities, the relative abundance of Firmicutes increased from 12.89% to 17.97%, while the Proteobacteria increased by 6.8%. At the genus level, CR treatment significantly enriched beneficial genera such as RB41 (8.19%), Lactobacillus (4.56%), and Bacillus (1.50%) (p < 0.05). In contrast, the relative abundances of Alternaria and Fusarium in the fungal community decreased by 6.62% and 5.34%, respectively (p < 0.05). Venn diagrams and linear discriminant effect size analysis (LEfSe) further indicated that CR facilitated the enrichment of beneficial bacteria, such as Bacillus, whereas CC favored enrichment of pathogens, such as Firmicutes. Fusarium solani MG6 and F. oxysporum LG2 are the primary chili root-rot pathogens. Optimal growth occurs at 25 °C, pH 6: after 5 days, MG6 colonies reach 6.42 ± 0.04 cm, and LG2 5.33 ± 0.02 cm, peaking in sporulation (p < 0.05). In addition, there are significant differences in the utilization spectra of carbon and nitrogen sources between the two strains of fungi, suggesting their different ecological adaptability. Integrated analyses revealed that CR enhanced soil health and reduced the root rot incidence by optimizing the structure of soil microbial communities, increasing the proportion of beneficial bacteria, and suppressing pathogens, providing a scientific basis for microbial-based soil management strategies in chili cultivation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Microbiomes)
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26 pages, 10417 KiB  
Article
Landscape Ecological Risk Assessment of Peri-Urban Villages in the Yangtze River Delta Based on Ecosystem Service Values
by Yao Xiong, Yueling Li and Yunfeng Yang
Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 7014; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17157014 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 161
Abstract
The rapid urbanization process has accelerated the degradation of ecosystem services (ESs) in peri-urban rural areas of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), leading to increasing landscape ecological risks (LERs). Establishing a scientifically grounded landscape ecological risk assessment (LERA) system and corresponding control strategies [...] Read more.
The rapid urbanization process has accelerated the degradation of ecosystem services (ESs) in peri-urban rural areas of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), leading to increasing landscape ecological risks (LERs). Establishing a scientifically grounded landscape ecological risk assessment (LERA) system and corresponding control strategies is therefore imperative. Using rural areas of Jiangning District, Nanjing as a case study, this research proposes an optimized dual-dimensional coupling assessment framework that integrates ecosystem service value (ESV) and ecological risk probability. The spatiotemporal evolution of LER in 2000, 2010, and 2020 and its key driving factors were further studied by using spatial autocorrelation analysis and geodetector methods. The results show the following: (1) From 2000 to 2020, cultivated land remained dominant, but its proportion decreased by 10.87%, while construction land increased by 26.52%, with minimal changes in other land use types. (2) The total ESV increased by CNY 1.67 × 109, with regulating services accounting for over 82%, among which water bodies contributed the most. (3) LER showed an overall increasing trend, with medium- to highest-risk areas expanding by 55.37%, lowest-risk areas increasing by 10.10%, and lower-risk areas decreasing by 65.48%. (4) Key driving factors include landscape vulnerability, vegetation coverage, and ecological land connectivity, with the influence of distance to road becoming increasingly significant. This study reveals the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of LER in typical peri-urban villages. Based on the LERA results, combined with terrain features and ecological pressure intensity, the study area was divided into three ecological management zones: ecological conservation, ecological restoration, and ecological enhancement. Corresponding zoning strategies were proposed to guide rural ecological governance and support regional sustainable development. Full article
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