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28 pages, 4684 KiB  
Article
Vincent van Gogh’s Theological Chromatology: A Critical Reader of the Bible from His Option for the Poor Avant la Lettre
by Alex Villas Boas
Religions 2024, 15(4), 425; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15040425 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The aim of this article is to show how Vincent van Gogh developed a theological reflection that is mainly present in his paintings with religious motifs. This reflection is the fruit of his religious experience, which combines his spirituality with a social commitment [...] Read more.
The aim of this article is to show how Vincent van Gogh developed a theological reflection that is mainly present in his paintings with religious motifs. This reflection is the fruit of his religious experience, which combines his spirituality with a social commitment to the miners in Borinage, Belgium, which can be seen as an option for the poor avant la lettre in the 19th century. This experience, far from strengthening his institutional relationship, rather provoked a critical attitude towards the theological discourse of the ecclesial context in which he lived and led the aspiring pastor to become a genius in painting. His theological interpretation as a critical reader of the Bible can be translated into what will be called here a theological chromatology, to be identified through the intersection of letters and paintings of Vincent van Gogh. Given the influence of the Dutch painter genius on contemporary culture, the process through which his reflection on the religious and theological issue emerges can be seen as a significant element in understanding the present in post-secular societies. Full article
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13 pages, 1438 KiB  
Article
Massive Bird Nest Losses: A Neglected Threat for Passerine Birds in Atlantic Forest Fragments from the Pernambuco Endemism Center
by Lahert William Lobo-Araújo, Mariellen Cristine Costa, Luís Fábio Silveira and Mercival Roberto Francisco
Diversity 2024, 16(4), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16040207 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms by which tropical forest fragmentation can affect the persistence of species and populations is of scientific and practical interest. However, nest survival has been one the least addressed of the potentially harmful effects associated with habitat fragmentation, and studies involving [...] Read more.
Understanding the mechanisms by which tropical forest fragmentation can affect the persistence of species and populations is of scientific and practical interest. However, nest survival has been one the least addressed of the potentially harmful effects associated with habitat fragmentation, and studies involving nest predator’s identification are still underdeveloped. The Pernambuco Endemism Center (PEC) is the part of the Atlantic Forest located north of the São Francisco River, in northeastern Brazil, where large forest tracts no longer exist and a wave of bird extinctions has occurred recently. Here, we investigated the nest survival of forest understory birds from three PEC fragments (690, 979, and 1036 ha), and we used infra-red camera traps for predators’ identification. Overall, the apparent nest survival was 15.5%, and nest-day-based survival probability for the four more representative species (including two endemic and threatened taxa) were 2.6, 4.4, 6.9, and 18.9%, being 2.7 to 8.5 times smaller than populations or related taxa from the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. Predators were marmosets (25%), opossums (25%), tegu (19.4%), coati (16.7%), snakes (8.3%), and hawks (5.5%). Jackknife2 model-predicted nest predator’s richness was 20.7 (SD = 1.6). We reinforce the evidence that nest predation associated with fragmentation can affect negatively the bird populations from tropical forests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biodiversity Loss & Dynamics)
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15 pages, 2042 KiB  
Review
Shedding Light on Chemoresistance: The Perspective of Photodynamic Therapy in Cancer Management
by Fernanda Viana Cabral, Jose Quilez Alburquerque, Harrison James Roberts and Tayyaba Hasan
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(7), 3811; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073811 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The persistent failure of standard chemotherapy underscores the urgent need for innovative and targeted approaches in cancer treatment. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising photochemistry-based approach to address chemoresistance in cancer regimens. PDT not only induces cell death but also primes [...] Read more.
The persistent failure of standard chemotherapy underscores the urgent need for innovative and targeted approaches in cancer treatment. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising photochemistry-based approach to address chemoresistance in cancer regimens. PDT not only induces cell death but also primes surviving cells, enhancing their susceptibility to subsequent therapies. This review explores the principles of PDT and discusses the concept of photodynamic priming (PDP), which augments the effectiveness of treatments like chemotherapy. Furthermore, the integration of nanotechnology for precise drug delivery at the right time and location and PDT optimization are examined. Ultimately, this study highlights the potential and limitations of PDT and PDP in cancer treatment paradigms, offering insights into future clinical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Oncologic Photodynamic Therapy)
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11 pages, 261 KiB  
Article
Revolution and Nation: Johann Gottlieb Fichte’s Late Philosophy of Religion
by Christoph Asmuth
Religions 2024, 15(4), 426; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15040426 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Johann Gottlieb Fichte’s philosophy of religion combines revolutionary pathos with Christian convictions and transcendental philosophical insights. The result is a bourgeois philosophy of religion that preaches freedom, equality and brotherhood, expects the national upswing of a still-longed-for Germany based on the example of [...] Read more.
Johann Gottlieb Fichte’s philosophy of religion combines revolutionary pathos with Christian convictions and transcendental philosophical insights. The result is a bourgeois philosophy of religion that preaches freedom, equality and brotherhood, expects the national upswing of a still-longed-for Germany based on the example of revolutionary France, and praises all this as a continuation of Kant’s philosophy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of German Idealism on Religion)
15 pages, 287 KiB  
Review
Environmental Factors as the Main Hormonal Disruptors of Male Fertility
by Natalia Wdowiak, Kamila Wójtowicz, Anita Wdowiak-Filip, Weronika Pucek, Andrzej Wróbel, Jan Wróbel and Artur Wdowiak
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(7), 1986; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13071986 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Introduction and objective: Many scientific reports confirm a systematic decline in male semen parameters over the last decades. This phenomenon has been observed in all parts of the world, and its occurrence is associated, among others, with the hazardous effects of some environmental [...] Read more.
Introduction and objective: Many scientific reports confirm a systematic decline in male semen parameters over the last decades. This phenomenon has been observed in all parts of the world, and its occurrence is associated, among others, with the hazardous effects of some environmental factors. The environmental factors for which the adverse effect on male fertility has been proven include water, air, and soil pollution, as well as electromagnetic fields and ionizing radiation. The aim of this article was the evaluation of the effect of selected environmental factors on male reproductive capacity based on an analysis of the current scientific reports. Review methods: A systematic literature review was carried out using three databases: PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus. The search was limited to the period from 2015 until the end of December 2023. Brief description of the state of knowledge: Environmental factors, such as heavy metals, tobacco smoke, pesticides, dioxins, furans, phthalates, and bisphenols, are well-tested substances that exert an adverse effect on male fertility. A harmful effect of electromagnetic fields and water and air pollution on reproductive functions may be expected; however, this has not been fully proven. Summary: Results obtained by many researchers published to date should evoke great concern regarding the quality of the environment in which we live, as well as fears about the effect of environmental factors not only on male fertility, but also on all aspects of human health. The majority of environmental pollutants affect the male body by causing oxidative stress and through their effect on the endocrine system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Updates in Reproductive Endocrinology)
22 pages, 1876 KiB  
Article
Optimal Operation and Market Integration of a Hybrid Farm with Green Hydrogen and Energy Storage: A Stochastic Approach Considering Wind and Electricity Price Uncertainties
by Pedro Luis Camu?as García-Miguel, Donato Zarilli, Jaime Alonso-Martinez, Manuel García Plaza and Santiago Arnaltes Gómez
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2856; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072856 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
In recent years, growing interest has emerged in investigating the integration of energy storage and green hydrogen production systems with renewable energy generators. These integrated systems address uncertainties related to renewable resource availability and electricity prices, mitigating profit loss caused by forecasting errors. [...] Read more.
In recent years, growing interest has emerged in investigating the integration of energy storage and green hydrogen production systems with renewable energy generators. These integrated systems address uncertainties related to renewable resource availability and electricity prices, mitigating profit loss caused by forecasting errors. This paper focuses on the operation of a hybrid farm (HF), combining an alkaline electrolyzer (AEL) and a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a wind turbine to form a comprehensive HF. The HF operates in both hydrogen and day-ahead electricity markets. A linear mathematical model is proposed to optimize energy management, considering electrolyzer operation at partial loads and accounting for degradation costs while maintaining a straightforward formulation for power system optimization. Day-ahead market scheduling and real-time operation are formulated as a progressive mixed-integer linear program (MILP), extended to address uncertainties in wind speed and electricity prices through a two-stage stochastic optimization model. A bootstrap sampling strategy is introduced to enhance the stochastic model’s performance using the same sampled data. Results demonstrate how the strategies outperform traditional Monte Carlo and deterministic approaches in handling uncertainties, increasing profits up to 4% per year. Additionally, a simulation framework has been developed for validating this approach and conducting different case studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Energy Sustainability)
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12 pages, 565 KiB  
Review
State of the Art in Hygienic Quality of Food Ice Worldwide: A Ten-Year Review
by Francesco Triggiano, Francesca Apollonio, Giusy Diella, Vincenzo Marcotrigiano and Giuseppina Caggiano
Microorganisms 2024, 12(4), 690; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12040690 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Ice consumption has widely increased over the last decade. Cases of ice contamination by various microorganisms (bacteria, viruses and fungi) have been documented in the literature. In this review, we summarize the findings of selected articles on the hygienic and sanitary quality of [...] Read more.
Ice consumption has widely increased over the last decade. Cases of ice contamination by various microorganisms (bacteria, viruses and fungi) have been documented in the literature. In this review, we summarize the findings of selected articles on the hygienic and sanitary quality of food ice from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2023. A total of 14 articles found via the PubMed search engine during the study period were reviewed. From the comparison between the ice produced on an industrial scale and the ice produced on a local scale in food businesses, the latter was found to be more contaminated by microorganisms. The most detected bacteria included Escherichia coli, coliforms, Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus aureus; three studies evaluated the presence of Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus; two studies highlighted the presence of viruses (Rotavirus and Norovirus). Finally, two studies detected the presence of fungi (molds and yeasts). Almost all authors of the studies argued that ice contamination also depends on the hygienic–sanitary quality of the ice-making machines. The results show that the information currently available in the literature on the hygienic–sanitary quality of ice is incomplete and that future national and international scientific studies need to be carried out. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbiology and Food Safety)
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14 pages, 1655 KiB  
Article
Conservation Value to Bats: Assessing Multiple Functional Habitats in a Nature Preserve at the Urban-Agricultural Interface via Temporal Ecology
by Han Li and Jeremy A. White
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2858; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072858 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
In grassland ecosystems, agriculture and urbanization are two main anthropogenic disturbances to native fauna. Nature preserves at the urban-agricultural interface may include diverse vegetation habitats, providing opportunities for native fauna. Limited research has examined the conservation value of such preserves to bats. We [...] Read more.
In grassland ecosystems, agriculture and urbanization are two main anthropogenic disturbances to native fauna. Nature preserves at the urban-agricultural interface may include diverse vegetation habitats, providing opportunities for native fauna. Limited research has examined the conservation value of such preserves to bats. We examined bat activity patterns at multiple temporal scales at Glacier Creek Preserve in Omaha, Nebraska, USA, between 2018 and 2020 via acoustic monitoring to identify what functional habitats it might provide to bats. We placed bat detectors along the forest edge and in the open, restored native prairies and open agricultural fields. A total of nine species were recorded at the preserve, including the endangered Myotis septentrionalis. Foraging activities were recorded for six species. The edge habitat had higher overall acoustic activities for three species (Eptesicus fuscus, Lasiurus borealis, and Lasiurus cinereus) and a higher proportion of foraging activities for two species (Lasiurus borealis and Lasiurus cinereus) than the open habitat. Lasiurus cinereus displayed activity peaks early at night, whereas Lasiurus borealis had activity peaks late. Results suggest that a medium-sized nature preserve at the urban-agricultural interface can provide roosts, commuting corridors, and foraging grounds for different bats. The conservation value of such nature preserves should not be overlooked. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainability, Biodiversity and Conservation)
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10 pages, 1165 KiB  
Article
Cancer-Causing Effects of Orthopaedic Metal Implants in Total Hip Arthroplasty
by Cherry W. Y. Sun, Lawrence C. M. Lau, Jason P. Y. Cheung and Siu-Wai Choi
Cancers 2024, 16(7), 1339; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16071339 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Background: Metal implants have been preferentially used in THA due to its biocompatibility, mechanical stability and durability. Yet concerns have emerged regarding their potential to release metallic ions, leading to long-term adverse effects, including carcinogenicity. This study aimed to investigate the risk of [...] Read more.
Background: Metal implants have been preferentially used in THA due to its biocompatibility, mechanical stability and durability. Yet concerns have emerged regarding their potential to release metallic ions, leading to long-term adverse effects, including carcinogenicity. This study aimed to investigate the risk of cancer development in patients with orthopaedic metal implants in total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods: Patients with THA conducted at a local tertiary implant centre from 2001–2008 were linked to the local cancer registry and followed up to the end of 2023. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for cancer incidence and its confidence interval by Poisson distribution were calculated. Survival analysis was depicted using the Kaplan–Meier method, and the log-rank test was used to assess the differences across groups. Results: The study cohort included 388 patients and 53 cancers diagnosed during follow-up, at least 5 years post THA. All-site cancer risks were increased in patients with THA (SIR: 1.97; 95% CI: 1.48–2.46), validated with chi-square analysis (chi-square = 15.2551, N = 100,388, p < 0.01). A statistically significant increase in multiple site-specific cancers including haematological cancers were identified. Conclusions: Patients with THA were found to have an increased risk for cancer compared to the general population during a mean follow-up of 16 years. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Research of Cancer)
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24 pages, 7519 KiB  
Article
Enhancement of Small Ship Detection Using Polarimetric Combination from Sentinel−1 Imagery
by Dae-Woon Shin, Chan-Su Yang and Sree Juwel Kumar Chowdhury
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(7), 1198; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16071198 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Speckle noise and the spatial resolution of the Sentinel−1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image can cause significant difficulties in the detection of small objects, such as small ships. Therefore, in this study, the Polarimetric Combination-based Ship Detection (PCSD) approach is proposed for enhancing [...] Read more.
Speckle noise and the spatial resolution of the Sentinel−1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image can cause significant difficulties in the detection of small objects, such as small ships. Therefore, in this study, the Polarimetric Combination-based Ship Detection (PCSD) approach is proposed for enhancing small ship detection performance, which combines three different characteristics of polarization: newVH, enhanced VH, and enhanced VV. Employing the Radar Cross Section (RCS) value in three stages, the newVH was utilized to detect Automatic Identification System (AIS) -ships and small ships. In the first step, the adaptive threshold (AT) method was applied to newVH with a high RCS condition (>−10.36 (dB)) for detecting AIS-ships. Secondly, the first small ship target was detected with the maximum suppression of false alarms by using the AT with a middle RCS condition (>−16.98 (dB)). In the third step, a candidate group was identified by applying a condition to the RCS values (>−23.01 (dB)), where both small ships and speckle noise were present simultaneously. Subsequently, the enhanced VH and VV polarizations were employed, and an optimized threshold value was selected for each polarization to detect the second small ship while eliminating noise pixels. Finally, the results were evaluated using the AIS and small fishing vessel tracking system (V-Pass) based on the detected ship positions and ship lengths. The average matching results from 26 scenes in 2022 indicated a matching rate of over 86.67% for AIS-ships. Regarding small ships, the detection performance of PCSD was 42.27%, which was over twice as accurate as the previous Constant False Alarm Rate (CFAR) ship detection model. As a result, PCSD enhanced the detection rate of small ships while maintaining the capacity for detecting AIS-equipped ships. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Remote Sensing)
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25 pages, 1398 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Twenty Selected Fenugreek Genotypes Grown under Irrigated and Dryland Conditions: Morphology, Yield, Quality Properties and Antioxidant Activities
by Mahmut Camlica and Gulsum Yaldiz
Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 713; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040713 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
In this study, 18 fenugreek genotypes and two cultivars were cultivated under irrigated and dryland conditions to determine the morphological, yield, quality, and bioactive properties. The morphological and seed yield values showed differences among the fenugreek genotypes and cultivars. The PI 286532 and [...] Read more.
In this study, 18 fenugreek genotypes and two cultivars were cultivated under irrigated and dryland conditions to determine the morphological, yield, quality, and bioactive properties. The morphological and seed yield values showed differences among the fenugreek genotypes and cultivars. The PI 286532 and PI 639185 genotypes for total alkaloid content and the PI 426973 and PI 572538 genotypes for trigonelline content were prominent under both irrigated and dryland conditions. The PI 215615 and PI 286532 genotypes were found to be rich in fixed oil contents under two growing conditions, while all fenugreek genotypes had high linoleic contents. The PI 568215 and PI 251640 genotypes and the gürarslan cultivar had the highest antioxidant activity compared with the other genotypes. The PI 215615 and PI 302448 genotypes and the gürarslan cultivar were found to be superior with respect to phenolic and flavonoid contents. Generally, the cluster analysis clustered the genotypes into two main groups and two sub-groups. Group B included more than 66% of the genotypes and cultivars. The biplot analysis accounted for over 53% of total variations. As a result of this study, most of the genotypes were found to be high in the examined properties, and these genotypes were good sources of natural components with potential applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Crop Breeding and Genetics)
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13 pages, 3265 KiB  
Review
Pre-Treatment and Post-Treatment I-131 Imaging in Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma
by Jasna Mihailovi?
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(7), 1984; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13071984 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Radioiodine imaging in initial perioperative settings, after the total thyroidectomy, includes pre-treatment and post-treatment radioiodine imaging. While the benefit of post-treatment whole-body imaging (PT-WBI) is well established, the role of diagnostic whole-body imaging (dx WBI), prior to radioiodine (I-131) ablative or therapeutic doses, [...] Read more.
Radioiodine imaging in initial perioperative settings, after the total thyroidectomy, includes pre-treatment and post-treatment radioiodine imaging. While the benefit of post-treatment whole-body imaging (PT-WBI) is well established, the role of diagnostic whole-body imaging (dx WBI), prior to radioiodine (I-131) ablative or therapeutic doses, is controversial. Dx WBI has been abandoned in most nuclear medicine centers long ago. Planar low-dose dxWBI provides the volume of postoperative thyroid remnants, but it cannot detect occult metastatic foci in the neck. The modern integrated multimodality, i.e., SPECT/CT imaging, provides three dimensional images and accurate anatomic/metabolic data. This hybrid technology offers better spatial resolution but not better sensitivity. Dx WBI has low theranostic power because of the radioiodine indifference and low detection sensitivity for small-volume nodal disease in the neck. Since dx WBI cannot clarify the paratracheal cervical uptake, thyroid remnants may be easily misinterpreted as nodal disease, leading to a false N upstaging (from N0 stage to N1 stage) in DTC patients. Post-ablation I-131 imaging has a significant role in the initial staging of radioiodine-avid DTC and in the identification of non-radioiodine avid tumors. Additionally, SPECT/CT in the post-treatment setting provides more accurate initial TNM staging and better risk stratification of DTC patients. Post-treatment I-131 imaging is obligatory and must be performed in all DTC patients who receive radioiodine treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Strategies in the Treatment of Thyroid Carcinoma)
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18 pages, 2513 KiB  
Systematic Review
Influence of High-Intensity Interval Training on Neuroplasticity Markers in Post-Stroke Patients: Systematic Review
by Gines Montero-Almagro, Carlos Bernal-Utrera, Noelia Geribaldi-Doldán, Pedro Nunez-Abades, Carmen Castro and Cleofas Rodriguez-Blanco
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(7), 1985; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13071985 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Background: Exercise has shown beneficial effects on neuronal neuroplasticity; therefore, we want to analyze the influence of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on neuroplasticity markers in post-stroke patients. Methods: A systematic review of RCTs including studies with stroke participants was conducted using the following [...] Read more.
Background: Exercise has shown beneficial effects on neuronal neuroplasticity; therefore, we want to analyze the influence of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on neuroplasticity markers in post-stroke patients. Methods: A systematic review of RCTs including studies with stroke participants was conducted using the following databases (PubMed, LILACS, ProQuest, PEDro, Web of Science). Searches lasted till (20/11/2023). Studies that used a HIIT protocol as the main treatment or as a coadjutant treatment whose outcomes were neural plasticity markers were used and compared with other exercise protocols, controls or other kinds of treatment. Studies that included other neurological illnesses, comorbidities that interfere with stroke or patients unable to complete a HIIT protocol were excluded. HIIT protocol, methods to assess intensity, neuroplasticity markers (plasmatic and neurophysiological) and other types of assessments such as cognitive scales were extracted to make a narrative synthesis. Jadad and PEDro scales were used to assess bias. Results: Eight articles were included, one included lacunar stroke (less than 3 weeks) and the rest had chronic stroke. The results found here indicate that HIIT facilitates neuronal recovery in response to an ischemic injury. This type of training increases the plasma concentrations of lactate, BDNF and VEGF, which are neurotrophic and growth factors involved in neuroplasticity. HIIT also positively regulates other neurophysiological measurements that are directly associated with a better outcome in motor learning tasks. Conclusions: We conclude that HIIT improves post-stroke recovery by increasing neuroplasticity markers. However, a limited number of studies have been found indicating that future studies are needed that assess this effect and include the analysis of the number of intervals and their duration in order to maximize this effect. Full article
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16 pages, 6432 KiB  
Article
Changes in Cortical Activation by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Due to Coil Rotation Are Not Attributable to Cranial Muscle Activation
by Marco Mancuso, Alessandro Cruciani, Valerio Sveva, Elias Casula, Katlyn E. Brown, Vincenzo Di Lazzaro, John C. Rothwell and Lorenzo Rocchi
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(4), 332; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14040332 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation coupled with electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) allows for the study of brain dynamics in health and disease. Cranial muscle activation can decrease the interpretability of TMS-EEG signals by masking genuine EEG responses and increasing the reliance on preprocessing methods but can be [...] Read more.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation coupled with electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) allows for the study of brain dynamics in health and disease. Cranial muscle activation can decrease the interpretability of TMS-EEG signals by masking genuine EEG responses and increasing the reliance on preprocessing methods but can be at least partly prevented by coil rotation coupled with the online monitoring of signals; however, the extent to which changing coil rotation may affect TMS-EEG signals is not fully understood. Our objective was to compare TMS-EEG data obtained with an optimal coil rotation to induce motor evoked potentials (M1standard) while rotating the coil to minimize cranial muscle activation (M1emg). TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs), TMS-related spectral perturbation (TRSP), and intertrial phase clustering (ITPC) were calculated in both conditions using two different preprocessing pipelines based on independent component analysis (ICA) or signal-space projection with source-informed reconstruction (SSP-SIR). Comparisons were performed with cluster-based correction. The concordance correlation coefficient was computed to measure the similarity between M1standard and M1emg TMS-EEG signals. TEPs, TRSP, and ITPC were significantly larger in M1standard than in M1emg conditions; a lower CCC than expected was also found. These results were similar across the preprocessing pipelines. While rotating the coil may be advantageous to reduce cranial muscle activation, it may result in changes in TMS-EEG signals; therefore, this solution should be tailored to the specific experimental context. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Neural Engineering, Neuroergonomics and Neurorobotics)
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13 pages, 983 KiB  
Article
Tradition and Innovation in the Italian Wine Industry: The Best Practices of Casa Paladin
by Daniele Grechi, Enrica Pavione, Patrizia Gazzola and Francesca Cardini
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2857; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072857 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
This study aims to make a significant contribution to the development of a model for integrating research in the wine sector, innovative knowledge, and family businesses with the traditional mode of production in the context of the introduction of modern production technologies with [...] Read more.
This study aims to make a significant contribution to the development of a model for integrating research in the wine sector, innovative knowledge, and family businesses with the traditional mode of production in the context of the introduction of modern production technologies with a view to sustainability and the improvement of services in tourism. From a methodological point of view, the research is based on the case study and, in particular, on Casa Paladin, a family business in the Italian wine sector, which bases its strategy on innovation in production processes and customer relations to obtain high product quality with the aim of meeting consumer needs. The findings underscore the crucial role of family businesses in preserving cultural and traditional elements in the wine sector, with technology and innovation serving as vital drivers for their development. Casa Paladin’s commitment to innovation in production processes and products is evident, emphasizing sustainability as a core element that impacts customer relationships and product quality. Enotourism, including tastings, festivals, and fairs, emerges as a significant aspect contributing to the promotion of the company’s history, culture, and traditions. This study posits Casa Paladin as a notable example in the Italian wine industry, offering transferable insights for other businesses. Its successful integration of culture, innovation, and sustainability contributes to a broader understanding of the contemporary role of family businesses in the Italian wine sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Sustainable Wine and Beverage Tourism)
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14 pages, 3623 KiB  
Article
Machine Learning-Based Predictions of Porosity during Cold Spray Deposition of High Entropy Alloy Coatings
by Deepak Sharma, Dibakor Boruah, Ali Alperen Bakir, Ahamed Ameen and Shiladitya Paul
Coatings 2024, 14(4), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14040404 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Porosity poses a challenge to the mechanical properties of cold sprayed coatings, especially when it is open or surface-connected, limiting the coatings’ capabilities to act as a barrier. The porosity formation is dependent on the feedstock powder characteristics and the cold spray process [...] Read more.
Porosity poses a challenge to the mechanical properties of cold sprayed coatings, especially when it is open or surface-connected, limiting the coatings’ capabilities to act as a barrier. The porosity formation is dependent on the feedstock powder characteristics and the cold spray process parameters. We present a machine learning-based approach to predict porosity based on the above-mentioned factors. Nine different machine learning models based on linear regression (LR), decision trees, random forests, gradient boosting, support vector machine (SVM), and neural networks were explored. Considering the excellent properties of high entropy alloys, Cantor alloy was taken as the consumable. Our dataset, derived from the literature and experiments, identified SVM with a linear kernel and LR as the top-performing models based on the Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) and root mean square error, where the PCC values exceeded 0.8. The SHapley Additive exPlanations method helped in identifying that the type of gas and powder are the top two factors in pore formation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Compositionally Complex Coatings)
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16 pages, 3161 KiB  
Article
Multi-Objective Optimization Based on Simulation Integrated Pareto Analysis to Achieve Low-Carbon and Economical Operation of a Wastewater Treatment Plant
by Jianbo Liao, Shuang Li, Yihong Liu, Siyuan Mao, Tuo Tian, Xueyan Ma, Bing Li and Yong Qiu
Water 2024, 16(7), 995; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16070995 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
It is essential to reduce carbon emissions in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to achieve carbon neutrality in society. However, current optimization of WWTPs prioritizes the operation cost index (OCI) and effluent quality index (EQI) over greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study aims to [...] Read more.
It is essential to reduce carbon emissions in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to achieve carbon neutrality in society. However, current optimization of WWTPs prioritizes the operation cost index (OCI) and effluent quality index (EQI) over greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study aims to conduct a multi-objective optimization of a WWTP, considering GHG emissions, EQI, and OCI. The anaerobic-anoxic-oxic integrated membrane bioreactor (AAO-MBR) process in an actual WWTP was selected as a typical case, tens of thousands of scenarios with combinations of six operational parameters (dissolved oxygen (DO), external carbon resource (ECR), poly aluminum chloride (PAC), internal reflux ratio (IRR), external reflux ratio (ERR), and sludge discharge (SD)) were simulated by GPS-X software (Hydromantics 8.0.1). It was shown that ECR has the greatest impact on optimization objectives. In the optimal scenario, the main parameters of ATDO, MTDO, IRR, and ERR were 0.1 mg/L, 4 mg/L, 50%, and 100%, respectively. The EQI, OCI, and GHG of the best scenario were 0.046 kg/m3, 0.27 ¥/m3, and 0.51 kgCO2/m3, which were 2.1%, 72.2%, and 34.6% better than the current situation of the case WWTP, respectively. This study provides an effective method for realizing low-carbon and economical operation of WWTPs. Full article
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21 pages, 3336 KiB  
Article
Green Hydrogen Production at the Gigawatt Scale in Portugal: A Technical and Economic Evaluation
by Rui P. Borges, Flávia Franco, Fátima N. Serralha and Isabel Cabrita
Energies 2024, 17(7), 1638; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17071638 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The European Union has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and green hydrogen has been chosen as a priority vector for reaching that goal. Accordingly, Portugal has drafted a National Hydrogen Strategy laying out the various steps for the development of a [...] Read more.
The European Union has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and green hydrogen has been chosen as a priority vector for reaching that goal. Accordingly, Portugal has drafted a National Hydrogen Strategy laying out the various steps for the development of a green hydrogen economy. One element of this strategy is the development of a gigawatt-scale hydrogen production facility powered by dedicated renewable electricity sources. This work presents an analysis of the technical and economic feasibility of a facility consisting of a gigawatt-scale polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyser powered by solar photovoltaic and wind electricity, using the energy analysis model EnergyPLAN. Different capacities and modes of operation of the electrolyser are considered, including the complementary use of grid electricity as well as different combinations of renewable power, resulting in a total of 72 different configurations. An economic analysis is conducted addressing the related annualised capital expenditures, maintenance, and variable costs, to allow for the determination of the levelised cost of hydrogen for the different configurations. This analysis shows the conditions required for maximising annual hydrogen production at the lowest levelised cost of hydrogen. The best options consist of an electrolyser powered by a combination of solar photovoltaic and wind, with limited exchanges with the electricity grid, and a levelised cost of hydrogen in the range 3.13–3.48 EUR/kg. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogen in the Energy Transition: From Production to End-Use)
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18 pages, 470 KiB  
Article
Comparing Hierarchical Approaches to Enhance Supervised Emotive Text Classification
by Lowri Williams, Eirini Anthi and Pete Burnap
Big Data Cogn. Comput. 2024, 8(4), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/bdcc8040038 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The performance of emotive text classification using affective hierarchical schemes (e.g., WordNet-Affect) is often evaluated using the same traditional measures used to evaluate the performance of when a finite set of isolated classes are used. However, applying such measures means the full characteristics [...] Read more.
The performance of emotive text classification using affective hierarchical schemes (e.g., WordNet-Affect) is often evaluated using the same traditional measures used to evaluate the performance of when a finite set of isolated classes are used. However, applying such measures means the full characteristics and structure of the emotive hierarchical scheme are not considered. Thus, the overall performance of emotive text classification using emotion hierarchical schemes is often inaccurately reported and may lead to ineffective information retrieval and decision making. This paper provides a comparative investigation into how methods used in hierarchical classification problems in other domains, which extend traditional evaluation metrics to consider the characteristics of the hierarchical classification scheme, can be applied and subsequently improve the classification of emotive texts. This study investigates the classification performance of three widely used classifiers, Naive Bayes, J48 Decision Tree, and SVM, following the application of the aforementioned methods. The results demonstrated that all the methods improved the emotion classification. However, the most notable improvement was recorded when a depth-based method was applied to both the testing and validation data, where the precision, recall, and F1-score were significantly improved by around 70 percentage points for each classifier. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Natural Language Processing and Text Mining)
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12 pages, 5167 KiB  
Communication
Machine Learning-Assisted Prediction of Corrosion Behavior of 7XXX Aluminum Alloys
by Xilin Xiong, Na Zhang, Jingjing Yang, Tongqian Chen and Tong Niu
Metals 2024, 14(4), 401; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14040401 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
High-strength and lightweight 7XXX Al alloys are widely applied in aerospace industries. Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in these alloys has been extensively discussed, and electrochemical corrosion should be brought to the forefront when these materials are used in marine atmospheric environments. This work [...] Read more.
High-strength and lightweight 7XXX Al alloys are widely applied in aerospace industries. Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in these alloys has been extensively discussed, and electrochemical corrosion should be brought to the forefront when these materials are used in marine atmospheric environments. This work obtained the corrosion potentials (Ecorr) and corrosion rates of 40 as-cast 7XXX Al alloys by potentiodynamic polarization tests and immersion tests, respectively; then, chemical compositions and physical features were used to build a machine learning model to predict these parameters. RFR was used for the prediction model of Ecorr with the features Cu, Ti, Al, and Zn, and GPR for that of the corrosion rate with the features of specific heat, latent heat of fusion, and proportion of p electrons. The physical meaning and reasonability were discussed based on the analysis of corrosion morphology and precipitated composition. This work provides a reference for the design of corrosion-resistant 7XXX Al alloys and shows a method of conducting corrosion mechanism evaluation by using machine learning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Corrosion and Protection)
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16 pages, 3117 KiB  
Article
A Parameter Reduction-Based Decision-Making Method with Interval-Valued Neutrosophic Soft Sets for the Selection of Bionic Thin-Wall Structures
by Honghao Zhang, Lingyu Wang, Danqi Wang, Zhongwei Huang, Dongtao Yu and Yong Peng
Biomimetics 2024, 9(4), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9040208 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Bio-inspired thin-wall structures with excellent mechanical properties, high-energy absorption capabilities, and a desirable lightweight level have been extensively applied to the passive safety protection of transportation and aerospace. Collaboration matching and the selection of optional structures with different bionic principles considering the multiple [...] Read more.
Bio-inspired thin-wall structures with excellent mechanical properties, high-energy absorption capabilities, and a desirable lightweight level have been extensively applied to the passive safety protection of transportation and aerospace. Collaboration matching and the selection of optional structures with different bionic principles considering the multiple attribute evaluation index and engineering preference information have become an urgent problem. This paper proposes a parameter reduction-based indifference threshold-based attribute ratio analysis method under an interval-valued neutrosophic soft set (IVNS-SOFT) to obtain the weight vector of an evaluation indicator system for the selection of bionic thin-wall structures, which can avoid the problem of an inadequate subjective evaluation and reduce redundant parameters. An IVNS-SOFT-based multi-attributive border approximation area comparison (MABAC) method is proposed to obtain an optimal alternative, which can quantify uncertainty explicitly and handle the uncertain and inconsistent information prevalent in the expert system. Subsequently, an application of five bio-inspired thin-wall structures is applied to demonstrate that this proposed method is valid and practical. Comparative analysis, sensitivity analysis, and discussion are conducted in this research. The results show that this study provides an effective tool for the selection of bionic thin-wall structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computer-Aided Biomimetics)
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18 pages, 2455 KiB  
Article
Assessing Microplastic Contamination in Zooplanktonic Organisms from Two River Estuaries
by Francisca Espincho, Rúben Pereira, Sabrina M. Rodrigues, Diogo M. Silva, C. Marisa R. Almeida and Sandra Ramos
Water 2024, 16(7), 992; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16070992 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The present work aims to evaluate the MP contamination of zooplankton and its impact on MP trophic transfers at the lower levels of the food web in a field study. During 1 year, seasonal surveys were conducted to collect zooplankton and water samples [...] Read more.
The present work aims to evaluate the MP contamination of zooplankton and its impact on MP trophic transfers at the lower levels of the food web in a field study. During 1 year, seasonal surveys were conducted to collect zooplankton and water samples from different sites in two estuaries, the Douro and Lima estuaries (NW, Portugal). The zooplankton was quantified and identified into major zooplanktonic groups. Dedicated protocols that had been previously optimized were used to assess the MP presence in the water samples and in two of the most abundant zooplankton groups (copepods and chaetognaths). The results showed the presence of MPs in all water samples, with similar MP concentrations in both estuaries (Lima: 2.4 ± 2.0 MPs m−3; Douro: 2.3 ± 1.9 MPs m−3). In general, no temporal or spatial variations were observed. Fibres, blue and of a small size (<1 mm), were the most common characteristics of the MPs found in the water and zooplankton, indicating that water can be a source of MPs for zooplankton. Chaetognatha exhibited higher MP contamination in the Lima (2.9 ± 3.1 MPs ind−1) and Douro (2.0 ± 2.8 MPs ind−1) estuaries than Copepoda, which tended to have lower levels of MP contamination (Lima: 0.95 ± 1.12 MPs ind−1; Douro: 1.1 ± 1.2 MPs ind−1). Such differences in the MP concentrations between these two categories of zooplanktonic organisms indicate a possible MP trophic transfer at the lower levels of the food web. The results highlight the novel possibility of an MP trophic transfer in zooplankton and the need to fully assess the impacts of MPs in real scenarios. Full article
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14 pages, 1880 KiB  
Article
Forecasting Pitch Response of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines with a Deep Learning Model
by Mohammad Barooni and Deniz Velioglu Sogut
Clean Technol. 2024, 6(2), 418-431; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol6020021 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The design and optimization of floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) pose significant challenges, stemming from the complex interplay among aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, structural dynamics, and control systems. In this context, this study introduces an innovative method for forecasting the dynamic behavior of FOWTs under [...] Read more.
The design and optimization of floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) pose significant challenges, stemming from the complex interplay among aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, structural dynamics, and control systems. In this context, this study introduces an innovative method for forecasting the dynamic behavior of FOWTs under various conditions by merging Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) with a Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) network. This model outperforms traditional numerical models by delivering precise and efficient predictions of dynamic FOWT responses. It adeptly handles computational complexities and reduces processing duration, while maintaining flexibility and effectively managing nonlinear dynamics. The model’s prowess is showcased through an analysis of a spar-type FOWT in a multivariate parallel time series dataset using the CNN–GRU structure. The outcomes are notably promising, underscoring the model’s proficiency in accurately forecasting the performance of FOWTs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Wind Energy Technology)
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