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Open AccessArticle

Stability Study of the Roof Plate of the Yuanjue Cave Based on the Equivalent Support Stiffness Method

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Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(7), 4451; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13074451 - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

As precious cultural heritage sites, the state of preservation of cave temples is closely related to the geological and climatic conditions in which they are located. This paper constructed an analytical method of sized slate stability based on the equivalent support stiffness method. [...] Read more.

As precious cultural heritage sites, the state of preservation of cave temples is closely related to the geological and climatic conditions in which they are located. This paper constructed an analytical method of sized slate stability based on the equivalent support stiffness method. The stability analysis of the roof slab of Yuanjue Cave was carried out by establishing a three-dimensional numerical calculation model. Through comparative analysis of the results of stress and displacement fields under different conditions, the stress and deformation characteristics of the roof slab of Yuanjue Cave were revealed, as well as the study of the main factors affecting the stability of the roof slab of Yuanjue Cave and the key slate to be monitored. The main research results are as follows. The stress deformation of the roof plate of Yuanjue cave is mainly divided into the initial uniform change stage, the medium-term stable change stage or the medium-term accelerated change stage, and the later rapid change stage. With the increase in the number of overhanging and broken slates and the increase in the damage factor of cracked slates, the vertical stress extremum of the stones increases continuously, and the equivalent support stiffness decreases, which aggravates the uneven stress deformation of the roof of the Yuanjue Cave. This study provides a reliable reference basis for the stability analysis and evaluation of the roof slab of a large number of cave temples existing in the Sichuan and Chongqing areas in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Complex Rock Mechanics Problems and Solutions)

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Open AccessArticle

A Contribution to Improve Barrier Properties and Reduce Swelling Ratio of κ-Carrageenan Film from the Incorporation of Guar Gum or Locust Bean Gum

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Polymers 2023, 15(7), 1751; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15071751 - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

In this study, galactomannan (GM), including guar gum (GG) or locust bean gum (LG), was incorporated into a κ-carrageenan film to improve barrier properties and reduce the swelling ratio (SR). The effects of that with different concentrations on optical, mechanical, barrier, swelling and [...] Read more.

In this study, galactomannan (GM), including guar gum (GG) or locust bean gum (LG), was incorporated into a κ-carrageenan film to improve barrier properties and reduce the swelling ratio (SR). The effects of that with different concentrations on optical, mechanical, barrier, swelling and thermal properties of the κ-carrageenan-based film were researched. SEM and rheological results showed that both κ-carrageenan/GG and κ-carrageenan/LG had good compatibility and stability. FTIR results showed that LG was easier to form hydrogen bonds with κ-carrageenan. The KC-L exhibited excellent mechanical properties, barrier properties, and SR than KC-G. The film with 15% GM had good light transmittance. Moreover, the thermal stability of the film could be improved by adding GMs. This study reports that the κ-carrageenan–GM film has potential in packaging applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Polymer Membranes and Films)

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Open AccessArticle

Combining an Eddy Detection Algorithm with In-Situ Measurements to Study North Brazil Current Rings

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Remote Sens. 2023, 15(7), 1897; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15071897 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

North Brazil Current (NBC) rings are believed to play a key role in the Atlantic Ocean circulation and climate. Here, we use a new collection of high-resolution in-situ observations acquired during the EUREC

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A-OA field experiment together with satellite altimetry to define, [...] Read more.

North Brazil Current (NBC) rings are believed to play a key role in the Atlantic Ocean circulation and climate. Here, we use a new collection of high-resolution in-situ observations acquired during the EUREC

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A-OA field experiment together with satellite altimetry to define, with unprecedented detail, the structure and evolution of these eddies. In-situ observations reveal a more complex structure than previously documented. In particular, we highlight a measurable impact of the Amazon outflow in creating a barrier layer over a large portion of the eddies. We show that this unprecedented data set allows us to estimate the accuracy of satellite altimetry gridded fields. The geostrophic velocities derived from satellite altimetry turn out to be considerably lower (up to 50% in amplitude) than the values measured by current meters. However, eddy properties as detected by TOEddies, a newly developed algorithm show to be relatively precise. For example, the eddy center and maximum azimuthal velocity contour fall within 25 ± 5 km and 16 ± 9 km, respectively, from the in-situ observed values. We apply TOEddies to 27 years of satellite altimetry to investigate the generic NBC rings behavior. We found a mean generation rate of 4.5 ± 1.1 rings per year, and a strong seasonal cycle in all eddy properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances on Oceanic Mesoscale Eddies)

Open AccessReview

A Review of Skin-Wearable Sensors for Non-Invasive Health Monitoring Applications

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Pengsu Mao

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Haoran Li

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Zhibin Yu

Sensors 2023, 23(7), 3673; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23073673 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

The early detection of fatal diseases is crucial for medical diagnostics and treatment, both of which benefit the individual and society. Portable devices, such as thermometers and blood pressure monitors, and large instruments, such as computed tomography (CT) and X-ray scanners, have already [...] Read more.

The early detection of fatal diseases is crucial for medical diagnostics and treatment, both of which benefit the individual and society. Portable devices, such as thermometers and blood pressure monitors, and large instruments, such as computed tomography (CT) and X-ray scanners, have already been implemented to collect health-related information. However, collecting health information using conventional medical equipment at home or in a hospital can be inefficient and can potentially affect the timeliness of treatment. Therefore, on-time vital signal collection via healthcare monitoring has received increasing attention. As the largest organ of the human body, skin delivers significant signals reflecting our health condition; thus, receiving vital signals directly from the skin offers the opportunity for accessible and versatile non-invasive monitoring. In particular, emerging flexible and stretchable electronics demonstrate the capability of skin-like devices for on-time and continuous long-term health monitoring. Compared to traditional electronic devices, this type of device has better mechanical properties, such as skin conformal attachment, and maintains compatible detectability. This review divides the health information that can be obtained from skin using the sensor aspect’s input energy forms into five categories: thermoelectrical signals, neural electrical signals, photoelectrical signals, electrochemical signals, and mechanical pressure signals. We then summarize current skin-wearable health monitoring devices and provide outlooks on future development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advancements in Sensor Technologies for Healthcare and Biomedical Applications (Volume II))

Open AccessArticle

Developmental Changes of Human Neural Progenitor Cells Grafted into the Ventricular System and Prefrontal Cortex of Mouse Brain in Utero

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Maria Llach Pou

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Camille Thiberge

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Michiel Van der Zwan

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Annousha Devi Govindan

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Stéphanie Pons

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Uwe Maskos

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Isabelle Cloëz-Tayarani

Cells 2023, 12(7), 1067; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12071067 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

The transplantation of neural progenitors into a host brain represents a useful tool to evaluate the involvement of cell-autonomous processes and host local cues in the regulation of neuronal differentiation during the development of the mammalian brain. Human brain development starts at the [...] Read more.

The transplantation of neural progenitors into a host brain represents a useful tool to evaluate the involvement of cell-autonomous processes and host local cues in the regulation of neuronal differentiation during the development of the mammalian brain. Human brain development starts at the embryonic stages, in utero, with unique properties at its neotenic stages. We analyzed the engraftment and differentiation of human neuronal progenitor cells (hNPCs) transplanted in utero into the mouse brain. The influence of the environment was studied by transplanting human NPCs within the lateral ventricles (LV), compared with the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of immunocompetent mice. We developed a semi-automated method to accurately quantify the number of cell bodies and the distribution of neuronal projections among the different mouse brain structures, at 1 and 3 months post-transplantation (MPT). Our data show that human NPCs can differentiate between immature “juvenile” neurons and more mature pyramidal cells in a reproducible manner. Depending on the injection site, LV vs. PFC, specific fetal local environments could modify the synaptogenesis processes while maintaining human neoteny. The use of immunocompetent mice as host species allows us to investigate further neuropathological conditions making use of all of the engineered mouse models already available. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue iPS Cells (iPSCs) for Modelling and Treatment of Human Diseases 2022)

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Open AccessArticle

Potential for Peatland Water Table Depth Monitoring Using Sentinel-1 SAR Backscatter: Case Study of Forsinard Flows, Scotland, UK

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Remote Sens. 2023, 15(7), 1900; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15071900 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

Peatland restoration has become a common land-use management practice in recent years, with the water table depth (WTD) being one of the key monitoring elements, where it is used as a proxy for various ecosystem functions. Regular, uninterrupted, and spatially representative WTD data [...] Read more.

Peatland restoration has become a common land-use management practice in recent years, with the water table depth (WTD) being one of the key monitoring elements, where it is used as a proxy for various ecosystem functions. Regular, uninterrupted, and spatially representative WTD data in situ can be difficult to collect, and therefore, remotely sensed data offer an attractive alternative for landscape-scale monitoring. In this study, we illustrate the application of Sentinel-1 SAR backscatter for water table depth monitoring in near-natural and restored blanket bogs in the Flow Country of northern Scotland. Among the study sites, the near-natural peatlands presented the smallest fluctuations in the WTD (with depths typically between 0 and 15 cm) and had the most stable radar signal throughout the year (~3 to 4 dB amplitude). Previously drained and afforested peatlands undergoing restoration management were found to have higher WTD fluctuations (depths up to 35 cm), which were also reflected in higher shifts in the radar backscatter (up to a ~6 dB difference within a year). Sites where more advanced restoration methods have been applied, however, were associated with shallower water table depths and smoother surfaces. Three models—simple linear regression, multiple linear regression, and the random forest model—were evaluated for their potential to predict water table dynamics in peatlands using Sentinel-1 SAR backscatter. The random forest model was found to be the most suited, with the highest correlation scores, lowest RMSE values, and overall good temporal fit (R² = 0.66, RMSE = 2.1 cm), and multiple linear regression came in a close second (R² = 0.59, RMSE = 4.5 cm). The impact of standing water, terrain ruggedness, and the ridge and furrow aspect on the model correlation scores was tested but found not to have a statistically significant influence. We propose that this approach, using Sentinel-1 and random forest models to predict the WTD, has strong potential and should be tested in a wider range of peatland sites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Remote Sensing for Monitoring of Peatlands)

Open AccessArticle

A Real-Time FPGA-Based Metaheuristic Processor to Efficiently Simulate a New Variant of the PSO Algorithm

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Micromachines 2023, 14(4), 809; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi14040809 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

Nowadays, high-performance audio communication devices demand superior audio
quality. To improve the audio quality, several authors have developed acoustic echo cancellers based
on particle swarm optimization algorithms (PSO). However, its performance is reduced significantly
since the PSO algorithm suffers from premature convergence. To [...] Read more.

Nowadays, high-performance audio communication devices demand superior audio
quality. To improve the audio quality, several authors have developed acoustic echo cancellers based
on particle swarm optimization algorithms (PSO). However, its performance is reduced significantly
since the PSO algorithm suffers from premature convergence. To overcome this issue, we propose a
new variant of the PSO algorithm based on the Markovian switching technique. Furthermore, the
proposed algorithm has a mechanism to dynamically adjust the population size over the filtering
process. In this way, the proposed algorithm exhibits great performance by reducing its computational
cost significantly. To adequately implement the proposed algorithm in a Stratix IV GX EP4SGX530
FPGA, we present for the first time, the development of a parallel metaheuristic processor, in which
each processing core simulates the different number of particles by using the time-multiplexing
technique. In this way, the variation of the size of the population can be effective. Therefore,
the properties of the proposed algorithm along with the proposed parallel hardware architecture
potentially allow the development of high-performance acoustic echo canceller (AEC) systems Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue FPGA Applications and Future Trends)

Open AccessArticle

Soil Moisture Inversion Based on Data Augmentation Method Using Multi-Source Remote Sensing Data

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Remote Sens. 2023, 15(7), 1899; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15071899 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

Soil moisture is an important land environment characteristic that connects agriculture, ecology, and hydrology. Surface soil moisture (SSM) prediction can be used to plan irrigation, monitor water quality, manage water resources, and estimate agricultural production. Multi-source remote sensing is a crucial tool for [...] Read more.

Soil moisture is an important land environment characteristic that connects agriculture, ecology, and hydrology. Surface soil moisture (SSM) prediction can be used to plan irrigation, monitor water quality, manage water resources, and estimate agricultural production. Multi-source remote sensing is a crucial tool for assessing SSM in agricultural areas. The field-measured SSM sample data are required in model building and accuracy assessment of SSM inversion using remote sensing data. When the SSM samples are insufficient, the SSM inversion accuracy is severely affected. An SSM inversion method suitable for a small sample size was proposed. The alpha approximation method was employed to expand the measured SSM samples to offer more training data for SSM inversion models. Then, feature parameters were extracted from Sentinel-1 microwave and Sentinel-2 optical remote sensing data, and optimized using three methods, which were Pearson correlation analysis, random forest (RF), and principal component analysis. Then, three common machine learning models suitable for small sample training, which were RF, support vector regression, and genetic algorithm-back propagation neural network, were built to retrieve SSM. Comparison experiments were carried out between various feature optimization methods and machine learning models. The experimental results showed that after sample augmentation, SSM inversion accuracy was enhanced, and the combination of utilizing RF for feature screening and RF for SSM inversion had a higher accuracy, with a coefficient of determination of 0.7256, a root mean square error of 0.0539 cm³/cm³, and a mean absolute error of 0.0422 cm³/cm³, respectively. The proposed method was finally used to invert the regional SSM of the study area. The inversion results indicated that the proposed method had good performance in regional applications with a small sample size. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Satellite Image Processing and Object Recognition for Agriculture and Food Security Applications)

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Open AccessArticle

Both Feline Coronavirus Serotypes 1 and 2 Infected Domestic Cats Develop Cross-Reactive Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Binding Domain: Its Implication to Pan-CoV Vaccine Development

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Subhashinie Kariyawasam

Viruses 2023, 15(4), 914; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15040914 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

The current study was initiated when our specific-pathogen-free laboratory toms developed unexpectedly high levels of cross-reactive antibodies to human SARS-CoV-2 (SCoV2) receptor binding domain (RBD) upon mating with feline coronavirus (FCoV)-positive queens. Multi-sequence alignment analyses of SCoV2 Wuhan RBD and four strains each [...] Read more.

The current study was initiated when our specific-pathogen-free laboratory toms developed unexpectedly high levels of cross-reactive antibodies to human SARS-CoV-2 (SCoV2) receptor binding domain (RBD) upon mating with feline coronavirus (FCoV)-positive queens. Multi-sequence alignment analyses of SCoV2 Wuhan RBD and four strains each from FCoV serotypes 1 and 2 (FCoV1 and FCoV2) demonstrated an amino acid sequence identity of 11.5% and a similarity of 31.8% with FCoV1 RBD (12.2% identity and 36.5% similarity for FCoV2 RBD). The sera from toms and queens cross-reacted with SCoV2 RBD and reacted with FCoV1 RBD and FCoV2 spike-2, nucleocapsid, and membrane proteins, but not with FCoV2 RBD. Thus, the queens and toms were infected with FCoV1. Additionally, the plasma from six FCoV2-inoculated cats reacted with FCoV2 and SCoV2 RBDs, but not with FCoV1 RBD. Hence, the sera from both FCoV1-infected cats and FCoV2-infected cats developed cross-reactive antibodies to SCoV2 RBD. Furthermore, eight group-housed laboratory cats had a range of serum cross-reactivity to SCoV2 RBD even 15 months later. Such cross-reactivity was also observed in FCoV1-positive group-housed pet cats. The SCoV2 RBD at a high non-toxic dose and FCoV2 RBD at a 60–400-fold lower dose blocked the in vitro FCoV2 infection, demonstrating their close structural conformations essential as vaccine immunogens. Remarkably, such cross-reactivity was also detected by the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of FCoV1-infected cats. The broad cross-reactivity between human and feline RBDs provides essential insights into developing a pan-CoV vaccine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Host Response against SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Implications for Diagnosis, Treatment and Vaccine Development)

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Socioeconomic Status, Perceived Threat and Healthism on Vaccine Hesitancy

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Andrej Kirbiš

Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 6107; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15076107 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

The ideology of healthism and low perceptions of the threat of vaccine-preventable diseases may explain the positive link between socioeconomic status (SES) and vaccine hesitancy in high-income countries. The present study aimed to examine the effect of three measures of SES (education, income [...] Read more.

The ideology of healthism and low perceptions of the threat of vaccine-preventable diseases may explain the positive link between socioeconomic status (SES) and vaccine hesitancy in high-income countries. The present study aimed to examine the effect of three measures of SES (education, income and family economic status), the perceived threat of infectious diseases and two dimensions of healthism (personal responsibility for own health and distrust in healthcare institutions) on vaccine hesitancy, adjusting for sociodemographic variables. A cross-sectional quantitative study was performed in 2019. Non-probability sampling was employed by sending invitations to respondents over the age of 18 to participate in the study. The snowball technique was used, employing e-mails and digital social networks (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). Data from 661 respondents were collected via 1 ka.si, an online survey tool. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that vaccine hesitancy was significantly more likely to be expressed by women (β = 0.29; p < 0.001), high-income respondents (β = 0.09; p < 0.01), those who have lower perceptions of the threat of vaccine-preventable diseases (β = 0.39; p < 0.001) and those scoring high on two healthism measures (expressing high perceived control of their own health (β = 0.18; p < 0.001) and high distrust in the Slovenian healthcare system and institutions (β = 0.37; p < 0.001)). The findings indicate that among the examined predictors, low perceived threat of vaccine-preventable diseases and low trust in the healthcare system are among the strongest predictors of vaccine hesitancy among the Slovenian public. Policymakers, physicians and other healthcare workers should be especially attentive to the public’s and patients’ perceptions of the risk of infectious diseases and distrust in medical institutions, including during doctor–patient communication and through public health campaigns and policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Science and Education for Public Policy – towards Sustainable Development)

Open AccessArticle

Using the Morgenstern–Price Method and Cloud Theory to Invert the Shear Strength Index of Tailings Dams and Reveal the Coupling Deformation and Failure Law under Extreme Rainfall

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Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 6106; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15076106 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

It is difficult to obtain reliable shear strength parameters for the stability analysis and evaluation of tailings dams in an unstable state. In this study, the sensitivity of the shear strength index to the safety factor of a tailings dam was evaluated. The [...] Read more.

It is difficult to obtain reliable shear strength parameters for the stability analysis and evaluation of tailings dams in an unstable state. In this study, the sensitivity of the shear strength index to the safety factor of a tailings dam was evaluated. The cohesion C range of a tailings earth rock dam in an unstable state is determined by the safety factor, and the Morgenstern–Price method is used for inversion. During parameter inversion, uncertainty reasoning is established based on cloud theory, which overcomes the problem that the fuzziness and randomness of the quantitative cohesion value are transferred to the qualitative concept of the safety factor. The results show that the change in cohesion C has a greater influence on the safety factor Fs of the tailings dam, and the value of parameter inversion is 8.6901 kPa. The deformation and failure of tailings dams under extreme rainfall conditions are analyzed by using the modified cohesion C value. The dam toe becomes the main response area of plastic deformation and slowly expands to the interior, showing creep deformation. The displacement field gradually transfers from the accumulated tailings to the tailings dam with the flow direction, causing erosion damage. This study provides a new idea and method for parameter inversion of the shear strength index of tailings dams and provides a reference for the disaster prediction and prevention of tailings dams subjected to extreme rainfall. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mine Disasters Control and Synergetic Mining: Challenges to Mine Sustainability)

Open AccessTechnical Note

An Efficient Calibration System of Optical Interferometer for Measuring Middle and Upper Atmospheric Wind

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Remote Sens. 2023, 15(7), 1898; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15071898 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

Detection of the Doppler shift of airglow radiation in the middle and upper atmosphere is one of the most important methods for remote sensing of the atmospheric wind field. Laboratory and routine field calibration of an optical interferometer for wind measurement is very [...] Read more.

Detection of the Doppler shift of airglow radiation in the middle and upper atmosphere is one of the most important methods for remote sensing of the atmospheric wind field. Laboratory and routine field calibration of an optical interferometer for wind measurement is very important. We report a novel calibration system that simulates a frequency shift of airglow emission lines introduced by wind in the middle and upper atmosphere for calibrating passive optical interferometers. The generator avoids the shortcomings of traditional motor-driven Doppler-shift generators in terms of stability and security while improving accuracy and simplifying assemblies. A simulated wind speed can be determined simultaneously using the light-beat method. The wind error simulated by the generator mainly comes from the light source, which is about 0.63 m/s. An experimental demonstration was conducted using a calibrated Fabry–Perot interferometer and showed that the root mean square of the measurement uncertainty is 0.91 m/s. The novel calibration system was applied to calibrate an asymmetric spatial heterodyne spectrometer (ASHS)-type interferometer successfully. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Remote Sensing Calibration and Validation in Sounding Atmosphere and Ionosphere)

Open AccessArticle

Grand Theft Auto-Based Cycling Simulator for Cognitive Enhancement Technologies in Dangerous Traffic Situations

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Sensors 2023, 23(7), 3672; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23073672 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

While developing traffic-based cognitive enhancement technology (CET), such as bike accident prevention systems, it can be challenging to test and evaluate them properly. After all, the real-world scenario could endanger the subjects’ health and safety. Therefore, a simulator is needed, preferably one that [...] Read more.

While developing traffic-based cognitive enhancement technology (CET), such as bike accident prevention systems, it can be challenging to test and evaluate them properly. After all, the real-world scenario could endanger the subjects’ health and safety. Therefore, a simulator is needed, preferably one that is realistic yet low cost. This paper introduces a way to use the video game Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) and its sophisticated traffic system as a base to create such a simulator, allowing for the safe and realistic testing of dangerous traffic situations involving cyclists, cars, and trucks. The open world of GTA V, which can be explored on foot and via various vehicles, serves as an immersive stand-in for the real world. Custom modification scripts of the game give the researchers control over the experiment scenario and the output data to be evaluated. An off-the-shelf bicycle equipped with three sensors serves as a realistic input device for the subject’s movement direction and speed. The simulator was used to test two early-stage CET concepts enabling cyclists to sense dangerous traffic situations, such as trucks approaching from behind the cyclist. Thus, this paper also presents the user evaluation of the cycling simulator and the CET used by the subjects to sense dangerous traffic situations. With the knowledge of the first iteration of the user-centered design (UCD) process, this paper concludes by naming improvements for the cycling simulator and discussing further research directions for CET that enable users to sense dangerous situations better. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environment Perception for Industrial Robotics, Connected and Autonomous Vehicles and Beyond)

Open AccessArticle

Changes of Hepcidin, Ferritin and Iron Levels in Cycling Purebred Spanish Mares

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Animals 2023, 13(7), 1229; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13071229 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

Several studies have demonstrated that in woman the sex hormones such as estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) influence iron (Fe) regulation, contributing to variations in Fe parameters along the menstrual cycle. These mechanisms based on the regulation of hepcidin (Hepc) which limits Fe [...] Read more.

Several studies have demonstrated that in woman the sex hormones such as estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) influence iron (Fe) regulation, contributing to variations in Fe parameters along the menstrual cycle. These mechanisms based on the regulation of hepcidin (Hepc) which limits Fe availability during the cycle, remain poorly characterized in healthy mares. The objective of this study was to establish the relationship between Hepc, Fe, ferritin (Ferr), and the primary ovarian hormones E2 and P4 in cycling Purebred Spanish mares. Blood samples were taken from 31 Purebred Spanish mares day −5, on day 0, day +5 and day +16 of the cycle. Fe and Ferr significantly increased and Hepc decreased during pre- and ovulatory periods. The secretion peak of estradiol-17β (E2) was reached on day 0 and progesterone (P4) between days +5 and +16. Fe and Ferr were positively correlated (r = 0.57). Fe and Ferr were negatively correlated with Hepc (r = −0.72 and r = −0.02, respectively). E2 and P4 were negatively and positively correlated with Hepc (r = −0.753 and r = 0.54, respectively). In cycling Purebred Spanish mares there is a measurable relationship between steroid hormones and systemic Fe metabolism. Estrogenic dominance in the pre- and ovulatory period allows for a more effective iron status, mediated by hepcidin inhibition. However, P4 during the luteal phase substantially reduces serum Fe and iron stores, possibly related to Hepc stimulation. Future research is required to clarify the relationship between steroid hormones and iron metabolism at the molecular level in equids. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition of Veterinary Endocrinology and Reproduction in the Mare)

Open AccessArticle

Effects of the In Ovo Administration of the 6/85 Mycoplasma gallisepticum Vaccine on Layer Chicken Embryo Hatchability and Early Posthatch Performance

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Abdulmohsen H. Alqhtani

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Seyed Abolghasem Fatemi

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Katie Elaine Collins Elliott

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Scott L. Branton

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Jeff Dwayne Evans

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Edgar David Peebles

Animals 2023, 13(7), 1228; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13071228 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

In ovo administration as a possible alternative method of 6/85 MG vaccination was assessed. After 18 days of incubation (doi), the eggs were administered a particular dosage of a live attenuated 6/85 MG vaccine in either the air cell (AC) or amnion (AM). [...] Read more.

In ovo administration as a possible alternative method of 6/85 MG vaccination was assessed. After 18 days of incubation (doi), the eggs were administered a particular dosage of a live attenuated 6/85 MG vaccine in either the air cell (AC) or amnion (AM). The treatments included non-injected eggs and eggs injected into the AC or AM with diluent alone as controls. Treatments also included eggs injected with diluent, which contained 1.73 × 10², or 1.73 × 10⁴ CFU of 6/85 MG. Hatchability of viable injected eggs (HI) and residual embryonic mortality were determined at 22 doi. At hatch and at three weeks posthatch, one hatched chick per treatment replicate was bled and swabbed for the detection of 6/85 MG in the choanal cleft using PCR, serum plate agglutination (SPA), and ELISA methods. The results show that AC in ovo injection of 6/85 MG had no negative impacts on HI or on the live performance of pullets, but that it failed to provide adequate protection (p ≤ 0.0001) in hatchlings or three-week-old pullets. The 1.73 × 10⁴ 6/85 MG CFU dosage injected into the AM decreased the hatchability of injected eggs containing viable embryos (HI; p = 0.009) and was associated with a significant increase in late dead mortality (p = 0.001). Hatchling and three-week-old chick mortalities (p = 0.008) were significantly greater in the 1.73 × 10⁴ CFU-AM treatment group in comparison with the other treatment groups. In addition, the 1.73 and 1.73 × 10² 6/85 MG-AM treatments had no negative effects on the hatching process or on posthatch growth, and the 1.73 × 10² 6/85 MG-AM treatment was more effective in the protection of pullets against MG (p ≤ 0.0001) as compared with the low dosage and non-injected treatment groups. Further research is needed to examine the influence of the 6/85 MG in ovo vaccine on layer immune competence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Current Advances in Poultry Research)

Open AccessArticle

Leave No-One Behind: A Retrospective Study of Hepatitis C Testing and Linkage to Care for Hospital Inpatients

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Viruses 2023, 15(4), 913; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15040913 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

Hospital admissions are a missed opportunity to engage people living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) into care. This study aimed to describe the proportion of hospital inpatients and emergency department (ED) patients identified with hepatitis C who were subsequently linked to care and [...] Read more.

Hospital admissions are a missed opportunity to engage people living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) into care. This study aimed to describe the proportion of hospital inpatients and emergency department (ED) patients identified with hepatitis C who were subsequently linked to care and treatment at a metropolitan health service in Melbourne, Australia. Data were collected retrospectively from hospital databases (admissions, notifiable diseases, and pharmacy) for all adults admitted or attending the ED with separation coding indicating hepatitis C infection from March 2016 to March 2019. There were 2149 patients with at least one separation with hepatitis C coding. 15.4% (331/2149) had a documented antibody test, 4.6% (99/2149) had a documented RNA test, and 8.3% (179/2149) had a DAA prescription dispensed by hospital pharmacy. Antibody positivity was 95.2% (315/331) and RNA (when completed) was detected in 37.4% (37/99). Hepatitis specialist units had the highest rate of hepatitis C coded separations and RNA testing (39/88; 44.3%), mental health had the highest rate of antibody testing (70/276; 25.4%). Emergency had the lowest rate of antibody testing (101/1075; 13.7%) and the third highest rate of RNA testing (32/94; 34.1%), but the highest rate of RNA detected (15/32; 46.9%). This study highlights key steps to improve the care cascade. Simplified diagnostic pathways, expansion of hepatitis C care services, and clear in-hospital pathways to link patients to care would be beneficial in this setting. To scale up hepatitis C testing and treatment as part of national elimination strategies, hospital systems need to target interventions to their local data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Elimination of Viral Hepatitis: Improving Diagnosis, Treatment and Surveillance)

Open AccessReview

Effects of Solid Waste Reutilization on Performance of Pervious Concrete: A Review

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Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 6105; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15076105 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

With rapid urban development, natural aggregate resources have become scarce and a large number of ageing buildings are being demolished, which has resulted in a significant reduction in natural resources and a large increase in construction waste. Therefore, the reuse of solid waste, [...] Read more.

With rapid urban development, natural aggregate resources have become scarce and a large number of ageing buildings are being demolished, which has resulted in a significant reduction in natural resources and a large increase in construction waste. Therefore, the reuse of solid waste, including waste powder and recycled aggregate, has attracted more and more attention. Additionally, as a prominent way to alleviate the urban heat island effect and manage stormwater runoff, pervious concrete has been widely studied and applied. In this paper, the effects of waste powder (fly ash, volcanic powder and blast furnace slag) and recycled aggregate (recycled concrete aggregate and recycled brick aggregate) on the mechanical properties, water permeability, water filtration and durability of pervious concrete are summarized and introduced, and some prospects are put forward. From the literature review, it can be found that adding the appropriate amount of solid waste or applying proper treatment methods to solid waste will not bring negative effects; rather, it would even improve the performance attributes of pervious concrete. Therefore, the use of solid waste in pervious concrete has great potential for urban construction and environmental protection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Waste and Recycling)

Open AccessReview

Weed Detection Using Deep Learning: A Systematic Literature Review

by

Nafeesa Yousuf Murad

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Tariq Mahmood

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Abdur Rahim Mohammad Forkan

,

Ahsan Morshed

,

Prem Prakash Jayaraman

and

Muhammad Shoaib Siddiqui

Sensors 2023, 23(7), 3670; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23073670 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

Weeds are one of the most harmful agricultural pests that have a significant impact on crops. Weeds are responsible for higher production costs due to crop waste and have a significant impact on the global agricultural economy. The importance of this problem has [...] Read more.

Weeds are one of the most harmful agricultural pests that have a significant impact on crops. Weeds are responsible for higher production costs due to crop waste and have a significant impact on the global agricultural economy. The importance of this problem has promoted the research community in exploring the use of technology to support farmers in the early detection of weeds. Artificial intelligence (AI) driven image analysis for weed detection and, in particular, machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) using images from crop fields have been widely used in the literature for detecting various types of weeds that grow alongside crops. In this paper, we present a systematic literature review (SLR) on current state-of-the-art DL techniques for weed detection. Our SLR identified a rapid growth in research related to weed detection using DL since 2015 and filtered 52 application papers and 8 survey papers for further analysis. The pooled results from these papers yielded 34 unique weed types detection, 16 image processing techniques, and 11 DL algorithms with 19 different variants of CNNs. Moreover, we include a literature survey on popular vanilla ML techniques (e.g., SVM, random forest) that have been widely used prior to the dominance of DL. Our study presents a detailed thematic analysis of ML/DL algorithms used for detecting the weed/crop and provides a unique contribution to the analysis and assessment of the performance of these ML/DL techniques. Our study also details the use of crops associated with weeds, such as sugar beet, which was one of the most commonly used crops in most papers for detecting various types of weeds. It also discusses the modality where RGB was most frequently used. Crop images were frequently captured using robots, drones, and cell phones. It also discusses algorithm accuracy, such as how SVM outperformed all machine learning algorithms in many cases, with the highest accuracy of 99 percent, and how CNN with its variants also performed well with the highest accuracy of 99 percent, with only VGGNet providing the lowest accuracy of 84 percent. Finally, the study will serve as a starting point for researchers who wish to undertake further research in this area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning in Sensors and Applications)

Open AccessArticle

The Lytic Activity of Bacteriophage ZCSE9 against Salmonella enterica and Its Synergistic Effects with Kanamycin

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Abdallah S. Abdelsattar

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Aghapy Yermans Yakoup

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Anan Safwat

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Ayman El-Shibiny

Viruses 2023, 15(4), 912; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15040912 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

Salmonella, the causative agent of several diseases in humans and animals, including salmonellosis, septicemia, typhoid fever, and fowl typhoid, poses a serious threat to global public health and food safety. Globally, reports of therapeutic failures are increasing because of the increase in [...] Read more.

Salmonella, the causative agent of several diseases in humans and animals, including salmonellosis, septicemia, typhoid fever, and fowl typhoid, poses a serious threat to global public health and food safety. Globally, reports of therapeutic failures are increasing because of the increase in bacterial antibiotic resistance. Thus, this work highlights the combined phage–antibiotic therapy as a promising approach to combating bacterial resistance. In this manner, the phage ZCSE9 was isolated, and the morphology, host infectivity, killing curve, combination with kanamycin, and genome analysis of this phage were all examined. Morphologically, phage ZCSE9 is a siphovirus with a relatively broad host range. In addition, the phage can tolerate high temperatures until 80 °C with one log reduction and a basic environment (pH 11) without a significant decline. Furthermore, the phage prevents bacterial growth in the planktonic state, according to the results of the time-killing curve. Moreover, using the phage at MOI 0.1 with kanamycin against five different Salmonella serotypes reduces the required antibiotics to inhibit the growth of the bacteria. Comparative genomics and phylogenetic analysis suggested that phage ZCSE9, along with its close relatives Salmonella phages vB_SenS_AG11 and wksl3, belongs to the genus Jerseyvirus. In conclusion, phage ZCSE9 and kanamycin form a robust heterologous antibacterial combination that enhances the effectiveness of a phage-only approach for combating Salmonella. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phage and Antibiotic Combination Therapy against MDR Bacteria)

Open AccessArticle

Chalcone Derivative CX258 Suppresses Colorectal Cancer via Inhibiting the TOP2A/Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling

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Mykhaylo S. Frasinyuk

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Cells 2023, 12(7), 1066; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12071066 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

The deregulation in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is associated with many human cancers, particularly colorectal cancer (CRC) and, therefore, represents a promising target for drug development. We have screened over 300 semisynthetic and natural compounds using a Wnt reporter assay and identified a [...] Read more.

The deregulation in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is associated with many human cancers, particularly colorectal cancer (CRC) and, therefore, represents a promising target for drug development. We have screened over 300 semisynthetic and natural compounds using a Wnt reporter assay and identified a family of novel chalcone derivatives (CXs) that inhibited Wnt signaling and CRC cell proliferation. Among them, we selected CX258 for further in vitro and in vivo study to investigate the molecular mechanisms. We found that CX258 significantly inhibited β-catenin expression and nuclear translocation, inducing cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in CRC cells. Additionally, CX258 reduced the expression of DNA Topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A) in CRC cells. Moreover, knocking down TOP2A by siRNAs inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, a finding suggesting that CX258 inhibited Wnt/β-catenin signaling and CRC cell proliferation at least partially by modulating TOP2A. Further studies showed that CDK1 that interacts with TOP2A was significantly reduced after TOP2A knockdown. We demonstrated that CX258 significantly inhibited DLD-1 CRC cell xenografts in SCID mice. In summary, we identified CX258 as a promising candidate for colorectal cancer treatment by targeting the TOP2A/Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Mechanisms to Therapeutics: Wnt Signaling in Cancer)

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Technology Implementation Success for Highway Construction and Asset Management

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Sensors 2023, 23(7), 3671; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23073671 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

The increasing demand for safe, reliable, and higher-quality infrastructure systems has led to more complex transportation construction and maintenance projects. This, coupled with the declining staff levels at many transportation agencies, requires a more comprehensive evaluation of technology implementation to compensate for these [...] Read more.

The increasing demand for safe, reliable, and higher-quality infrastructure systems has led to more complex transportation construction and maintenance projects. This, coupled with the declining staff levels at many transportation agencies, requires a more comprehensive evaluation of technology implementation to compensate for these challenges. With a focus on effective technology implementation, this research goes beyond simply evaluating technologies to investigate technology implementation with personnel and policies at departments of transportation (DOTs). The study methodology involved a comprehensive literature review, a survey of all 50 state DOTs, and an in-person workshop of 18 DOT experts to validate the survey results and preliminary research findings. The findings support the need for those implementing technologies to understand people, processes, and technology maturity for their improved chances of implementation success. Using the approach presented, the DOTs can assess themselves and identify pathways to higher maturity levels in the areas of their people, processes, and technologies. This study also highlighted six factors that are important considerations for technology implementation and thus determined the relative importance of people, processes, and technology for these factors. The objective of this study was to assess the importance of people, processes, and technology that DOTs should prioritize to enhance the likelihood of successfully implementing technologies. The framework presented herein can be extended to any new or existing technology implementation initiatives at a DOT, including automatic identification and data capture (AIDC), emerging sensing and wireless technologies, safety technologies, and others. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Industrial Sensors)

Open AccessArticle

Early-Phase Drive to the Precursor Pool: Chloroviruses Dive into the Deep End of Nucleotide Metabolism

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Viruses 2023, 15(4), 911; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15040911 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

Viruses face many challenges on their road to successful replication, and they meet those challenges by reprogramming the intracellular environment. Two major issues challenging Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus 1 (PBCV-1, genus Chlorovirus, family Phycodnaviridae) at the level of DNA replication are [...] Read more.

Viruses face many challenges on their road to successful replication, and they meet those challenges by reprogramming the intracellular environment. Two major issues challenging Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus 1 (PBCV-1, genus Chlorovirus, family Phycodnaviridae) at the level of DNA replication are (i) the host cell has a DNA G+C content of 66%, while the virus is 40%; and (ii) the initial quantity of DNA in the haploid host cell is approximately 50 fg, yet the virus will make approximately 350 fg of DNA within hours of infection to produce approximately 1000 virions per cell. Thus, the quality and quantity of DNA (and RNA) would seem to restrict replication efficiency, with the looming problem of viral DNA synthesis beginning in only 60–90 min. Our analysis includes (i) genomics and functional annotation to determine gene augmentation and complementation of the nucleotide biosynthesis pathway by the virus, (ii) transcriptional profiling of these genes, and (iii) metabolomics of nucleotide intermediates. The studies indicate that PBCV-1 reprograms the pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway to rebalance the intracellular nucleotide pools both qualitatively and quantitatively, prior to viral DNA amplification, and reflects the genomes of the progeny virus, providing a successful road to virus infection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progresses of Giant Viruses: A Themed Issue Dedicated to Professor Jean-Michel Claverie)

Open AccessArticle

The Spatial Analysis of Vegetation Cover and Permafrost Degradation for a Subarctic Palsa Mire Based on UAS Photogrammetry and GPR Data in the Kola Peninsula

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Remote Sens. 2023, 15(7), 1896; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15071896 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

Subarctic palsa mires undergo substantial transformation under climate impacts, and today a reliable marker of their degradation is the vegetation cover. We studied the correspondence between the surface traits of palsa degradation, as expressed in the vegetation composition, and the interior condition of [...] Read more.

Subarctic palsa mires undergo substantial transformation under climate impacts, and today a reliable marker of their degradation is the vegetation cover. We studied the correspondence between the surface traits of palsa degradation, as expressed in the vegetation composition, and the interior condition of permafrost within subarctic palsa mires in the central part of the Kola Peninsula. We have employed a set of methods to collect the data, including geobotanical relevés, unmanned aerial system (UAS) photogrammetry, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey. Based on RGB orthophoto values and morphometric variables, we produced a land cover classification (LCC) consistent with the vegetation classes identified during field measurements. The outcome proves that the additional morphometric predictors improve the accuracy of classification algorithms. We identified three major patterns in GPR cross-sections defining (i) permafrost in palsas, (ii) water saturated peat, and (iii) the regular peat layer. As a result, our GPR data demonstrated a high correlation with land cover classes and pointed to some vegetation features controlled by the peat deposit inner structure. Under our results, palsas with thawing permafrost can be appraised using sequences of LCC. This is primarily the lichen hummock—tall shrub—carpet vegetation (LH–TSh–C) sequence from palsa top to foot. We have also detected an asymmetric configuration of permafrost in some palsas in the west-to-east direction and hypothesized that it can relate to the wind regime of the area and snow accumulation on the eastern slopes. Our results highlight that the combined application of the remote UAS photogrammetry and GPR survey enables a more precise delineation of the lateral degradation of palsas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Remote Sensing for Monitoring of Peatlands)

Open AccessArticle

Simulation and Experimental Study of Laser Processing NdFeB Microarray Structure

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Micromachines 2023, 14(4), 808; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi14040808 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

NdFeB materials are widely used in the manufacturing of micro-linear motor sliders due to their excellent permanent magnetic properties. However, there are many challenges in processing the slider with micro-structures on the surface, such as complicated steps and low efficiency. Laser processing is [...] Read more.

NdFeB materials are widely used in the manufacturing of micro-linear motor sliders due to their excellent permanent magnetic properties. However, there are many challenges in processing the slider with micro-structures on the surface, such as complicated steps and low efficiency. Laser processing is expected to solve these problems, but few studies have been reported. Therefore, simulation and experiment studies in this area are of great significance. In this study, a two-dimensional simulation model of laser-processed NdFeB material was established. Based on the overall effects of surface tension, recoil pressure, and gravity, the temperature field distribution and morphological characteristics with laser processing were analyzed. The flow evolution in the melt pool was discussed, and the mechanism of microstructure formation was revealed. In addition, the effect of laser scanning speed and average power on machining morphology was investigated. The results show that at an average power of 8 W and a scanning speed of 100 mm/s, the simulated ablation depth is 43 μm, which is consistent with the experimental results. During the machining process, the molten material accumulated on the inner wall and the outlet of the crater after sputtering and refluxing, forming a V-shaped pit. The ablation depth decreases with the increment of the scanning speed, while the depth and length of the melt pool, along with the height of the recast layer, increase with the average power. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Ultra-Precision Machining, Volume II)

Open AccessTechnical Note

A Qualitative Experimental Proof of Principle of Self-Assembly in 3D Printed Microchannels towards Embedded Wiring in Biofuel Cells

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Micromachines 2023, 14(4), 807; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi14040807 (registering DOI) - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

A range of biotech applications, e.g., microfluidic benthic biofuel cells, require devices with the simultaneous capabilities of embedded electrical wiring, aqueous fluidic access, 3D arrays, biocompatibility, and affordable upscalability. These are very challenging to satisfy simultaneously. As a potential solution, herein we present [...] Read more.

A range of biotech applications, e.g., microfluidic benthic biofuel cells, require devices with the simultaneous capabilities of embedded electrical wiring, aqueous fluidic access, 3D arrays, biocompatibility, and affordable upscalability. These are very challenging to satisfy simultaneously. As a potential solution, herein we present a qualitative experimental proof of principle of a novel self-assembly technique in 3D printed microfluidics towards embedded wiring combined with fluidic access. Our technique uses surface tension, viscous flow, microchannel geometries, and hydrophobic/hydrophilic interactions to produce self-assembly of two immiscible fluids along the length of the same 3D printed microfluidic channel. The technique demonstrates a major step towards the affordable upscaling of microfluidic biofuel cells through 3D printing. The technique would be of high utility to any application that simultaneously requires distributed wiring and fluidic access inside 3D printed devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section D3: 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing)

Open AccessArticle

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) Haplotypes in Healthy Subjects from Worldwide Macroareas: A Population Genetics Perspective for Cardiovascular Disease, Neurodegeneration, and Dementia

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Paolo Abondio

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Francesco Bruno

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Donata Luiselli

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2023, 45(4), 2817-2831; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb45040184 - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

Human APOE is a 299-amino acid long protein expressed and secreted in several tissues and body districts, where it exerts different functions mainly related to lipid metabolism, with specific activities around cholesterol transport and absorption/elimination. It has three main isoforms, determined by the [...] Read more.

Human APOE is a 299-amino acid long protein expressed and secreted in several tissues and body districts, where it exerts different functions mainly related to lipid metabolism, with specific activities around cholesterol transport and absorption/elimination. It has three main isoforms, determined by the pair of mutations rs7412-C/T and rs429358-C/T, which gives rise to the functionally different APOE variants ε2, ε3, and ε4. These have a distinct impact on lipid metabolism and are differentially implicated in Alzheimer’s disease and neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, and dyslipidemia. A plethora of other single nucleotide variants along the sequence of the APOE gene have been studied in cohorts of affected individuals, where they also modulate the influence of the three main isoforms to determine the risk of developing the disease. However, no contextual analysis of gene-long haplotypes has been carried out so far, and never extensively in cohorts of healthy individuals from different worldwide populations. Leveraging a rich population genomics dataset, this study elucidates the distribution of APOE variants and haplotypes that are shared across populations and to specific macroareas, revealing a variety of risk-allele associations that distinguish specific ancestral backgrounds and can be leveraged for specific ancestry-informed screenings in medicine and public health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Molecular Basis of Cardiac Diseases)

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Open AccessArticle

Last-Mile Logistics Network Design under E-Cargo Bikes

by

Eleni Papaioannou

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Christina Iliopoulou

and

Konstantinos Kepaptsoglou

Future Transp. 2023, 3(2), 403-416; https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp3020024 - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

E-cargo bikes, i.e., electric bicycles equipped with baskets for transporting goods, are perceived as an advantageous solution for urban last-mile logistics. Particularly for short distances and low volumes of goods, the use of e-cargo bikes is ideal in urban areas where access of [...] Read more.

E-cargo bikes, i.e., electric bicycles equipped with baskets for transporting goods, are perceived as an advantageous solution for urban last-mile logistics. Particularly for short distances and low volumes of goods, the use of e-cargo bikes is ideal in urban areas where access of conventional cars may be prohibited. In this context, this study presents an e-cargo bike routing model for urban deliveries. The problem is formulated as a Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem (CVRP), which takes several aspects into account, such as restrictions on bicycle capacity, road grade and workload balancing. A mathematical model is constructed to solve the problem, and a Genetic Algorithm (GA) is applied. Results on a case study in Athens, Greece are presented and analyzed, highlighting the applicability of the model in real-world operations, yielding reasonable results in short computational times. Full article

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Open AccessReview

Isospin-Symmetry Breaking within the Nuclear Shell Model: Present Status and Developments

by

Nadezda A. Smirnova

Physics 2023, 5(2), 352-380; https://doi.org/10.3390/physics5020026 - 31 Mar 2023

Abstract

The paper reviews the recent progress in the description of isospin-symmetry breaking within the nuclear shell model and applications to actual problems related to the structure and decay of exotic neutron-deficient nuclei and nuclei along the

N = Z

line, where N is [...] Read more.

The paper reviews the recent progress in the description of isospin-symmetry breaking within the nuclear shell model and applications to actual problems related to the structure and decay of exotic neutron-deficient nuclei and nuclei along the

N = Z

line, where N is the neutron number and Z the atomic number. The review recalls the fundamentals of the isospin formalism for two-nucleon and many-nucleon systems, including quantum numbers, the spectrum’s structure and selection rules for weak and electromagnetic transitions; and at the end, summarizes experimental signatures of isospin-symmetry breaking effects, which motivated efforts towards the creation of a relevant theoretical framework to describe those phenomena. The main approaches to construct accurate isospin-nonconserving Hamiltonians within the shell model are briefly described and recent advances in the description of the structure and (isospin-forbidden) decay modes of neutron-deficient nuclei are highlighted. The paper reviews major implications of the developed theoretical tools to (i) the fundamental interaction studies on nuclear decays and (ii) the estimation of the rates of nuclear reactions that are important for nuclear astrophysics. The shell model is shown to be one of the most suitable approaches to describing isospin-symmetry breaking in nuclear states at low energies. Further efforts in extending and refining the description to larger model spaces, and in developing first-principle theories to deal with isospin-symmetry breaking in many-nucleon systems, seem to be indispensable steps towards our better understanding of nuclear properties in the precision era. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Nuclear Shell Model 70 Years after Its Advent: Achievements and Prospects)

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