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The technological development of oil companies in Mexico is essential for ensuring their economic sustainability. A mechanism for the effective management of the technological development of oil companies, and the industry as a whole, is to determine its priority areas. This article provides a calculation for the choice of planning directions for the development of the oil sector in Mexico and related studies. Currently, the most promising technologies are offshore drilling and production. To achieve the study goals, we analyzed the patent activity of the oil sector. The results showed an unfavorable trend: the number of private and public patents in Mexico is decreasing. For example, from 2017 to 2023, the number of patents for offshore technologies decreased by more than 10 times. This dynamic significantly hinders the development of the oil industry. Despite the general measures taken within the framework of energy policy, the volume of oil production is constantly declining. Thus, in order to ensure the continued reproduction potential of the oil sector, it is necessary to take into account the importance of research and development. The innovation rating of the Mexican Petroleum Institute, a state-funded research center for the hydrocarbon sector, has been declining, having fallen by more than 50% from 102 international patents in 2014 to 40 in 2024. Today, the Mexican Institute of Petroleum is in the 48th percentile in terms of research performance among research institutes. The present authors’ approach considers that the intensification of technological development, which is costly, should not be an end in itself but rather an important means of increasing the efficiency of the integrated activities of oil companies. To integrate the patent-technological component of the strategic planning of oil companies, the concept of sub-potentials is proposed. The potential for the functioning and development of an oil enterprise from the point of view of the systems approach is decomposed into the sub-potentials of reproduction, defense, management, and reserve, which, under adverse conditions, can transition to the sub-potentials of threat and containment. An important task is to determine these transition points. The patent-technological component is taken into account in the sub-potential of reproduction. The remaining components of company development are taken into account within the framework of other sub-potentials, which are not discussed in detail in this article. At the same time, due to the unified conceptual approach, the integration of goals and objectives for technological development into a single economic and socio-ecological strategy for oil enterprises is ensured, which is the most effective approach to ensure their sustainable development. The dynamics of patent generation are an important factor in assessing the technological component and, in general, the effectiveness of projects in the energy sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment and Optimization of Energy Efficiency)

21 pages, 926 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of an Autonomous Driving Path-Generation Algorithm for a Crawler-Type Ridge-Forming Robot

by Joong-hee Han and Chi-ho Park

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 987; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15020987 (registering DOI) - 20 Jan 2025

Abstract

The agricultural sector is currently facing problems including a decline in the agricultural population, labor shortages, and an aging population. To solve these problems and increase agricultural productivity, the development and distribution of autonomous agricultural machinery is necessary. Since autonomous agricultural machinery is operated along a pre-defined path, it is essential to generate an autonomous driving path that takes into account the driving and working methods of the agricultural machinery. In this study, an autonomous driving path-generation algorithm for the autonomous operation of a crawler-type ridge-forming robot is proposed. The proposed algorithm defines the field boundary using the geodetic coordinates of the field boundary points and the size of the robot, generates working line segments within the field boundary, and generates three types of waypoints, which constitute an autonomous driving path based on the autonomous driving operating scenario. To verify the proposed algorithm, tests were conducted using four types of field boundary points with different shapes, and the results are presented. As a result of the simulation test, when a ridge was created using the generated autonomous driving path, the area occupied by the ridge in the total field area according to the field types of a rectangle, trapezoid, pentagon, and hexagon was indicated to be 80, 77, 85, and 77%, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Science and Technology)

72 pages, 14427 KiB

Open AccessReview

Natural Cyclic Peptides: Synthetic Strategies and Biomedical Applications

by Devan Buchanan, Shogo Mori, Ahmed Chadli and Siva S. Panda

Biomedicines 2025, 13(1), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13010240 - 20 Jan 2025

Abstract

Natural cyclic peptides, a diverse class of bioactive compounds, have been isolated from various natural sources and are renowned for their extensive structural variability and broad spectrum of medicinal properties. Over 40 cyclic peptides or their derivatives are currently approved as medicines, underscoring their significant therapeutic potential. These compounds are employed in diverse roles, including antibiotics, antifungals, antiparasitics, immune modulators, and anti-inflammatory agents. Their unique ability to combine high specificity with desirable pharmacokinetic properties makes them valuable tools in addressing unmet medical needs, such as combating drug-resistant pathogens and targeting challenging biological pathways. Due to the typically low concentrations of cyclic peptides in nature, effective synthetic strategies are indispensable for their acquisition, characterization, and biological evaluation. Cyclization, a critical step in their synthesis, enhances metabolic stability, bioavailability, and receptor binding affinity. Advances in synthetic methodologies—such as solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), chemoenzymatic approaches, and orthogonal protection strategies—have transformed cyclic peptide production, enabling greater structural complexity and precision. This review compiles recent progress in the total synthesis and biological evaluation of natural cyclic peptides from 2017 onward, categorized by cyclization strategies: head-to-tail; head-to-side-chain; tail-to-side-chain; and side-chain-to-side-chain strategies. Each account includes retrosynthetic analyses, synthetic advancements, and biological data to illustrate their therapeutic relevance and innovative methodologies. Looking ahead, the future of cyclic peptides in drug discovery is bright. Emerging trends, including integrating computational tools for rational design, novel cyclization techniques to improve pharmacokinetic profiles, and interdisciplinary collaboration among chemists, biologists, and computational scientists, promise to expand the scope of cyclic peptide-based therapeutics. These advancements can potentially address complex diseases and advance the broader field of biological drug development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Peptides and Amino Acids in Drug Development: Here and Now)

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6 pages, 1497 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Case Report of Concomitant Presentation of Ovarian Torsion and Acute Appendicitis in a Patient Post-Hysterectomy

by Eric Schmitt, Krystal Glasford, Samantha Carson and Christopher Rosemeyer

Reprod. Med. 2025, 6(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/reprodmed6010003 - 20 Jan 2025

Viewed by 150

Abstract

Background: Diagnoses for right lower quadrant pain in women must include both gynecologic and non-gynecologic causes. In this differential, ovarian torsion and appendicitis are both serious etiologies that can require swift surgical intervention. Ovarian torsion is the least common of the two, accounting for 2.7% of emergency surgery cases according to a 10-year review, while the lifetime risk of appendectomy for females is 23.1%. As many as 2–3% of patients undergoing surgery for acute appendicitis are instead found to have ovarian torsion. However, there are currently only rare case reports of these two conditions co-presenting in the same patient simultaneously, with little discussion on how to be better prepared before entering the operating room. Objective: The purpose of this study is to describe this rare co-presentation to better inform providers of this potential complication and to improve future patient care outcomes. Method: A case report of a patient seen at Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, was assessed. Conclusions: This case shows the rare possibility of dual acute etiologies of abdominal pain warranting urgent surgical management. This case also highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach in the pre-procedural evaluation of possible competing etiologies of acute abdominal pain that warrant surgical management. Additionally, this case brings up interesting ethical questions regarding informed consent, autonomy, and the obligation of intraoperatively consulted surgeons to provide definitive and indicated surgical care in the absence of prior discussion of possible pathology. Full article

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CT with Contrast: Transverse View: A large appendicolith (identified by the white arrow) is present within the distal aspect of the appendix. An adjacent smaller appendicolith is also present. There is focal appendiceal wall thickening involving the tip. There is adjacent peri-appendiceal fat stranding and free fluid. While there is no pneumoperitoneum, findings are concerning for ruptured appendicitis. Full article ">Figure 2
CT with Contrast: Transverse View: The initial read was made without consideration of the fact that the patient had a prior complete hysterectomy as the patient was unsure if she had possibly had a supracervical hysterectomy. The large 5.3 × 7.7 cm gynecological organ marked above was thought to be characteristic of a distended endometrial cavity or uterine remnant with low attenuating fluid collection. No ovaries were otherwise visualized, but adjacent free fluid was noted. Upon review, these images were thought to be consistent with a hemorrhagic cyst and possible ovarian torsion. Full article ">Figure 3
(a) (b) Two views of the left adnexal mass with associated hemorrhage noted at the time of general surgery appendectomy. Full article ">

17 pages, 7659 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prediction of Climate Change Impacts on the Distribution of an Umbrella Species in Western Sichuan Province, China: Insights from the MaxEnt Model and Circuit Theory

by Xiaoyun Deng and Qiaoyun Sun

Diversity 2025, 17(1), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17010067 - 19 Jan 2025

Viewed by 224

Abstract

Climate change poses a significant threat to biodiversity. Predicting the impacts of climate change on species distribution and dispersal through computational models and big data analysis can provide valuable insights. These predictions are crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate the threats that climate change poses to biodiversity. Our study investigated the potential impact of climate change on an umbrella species (Ursus arctos pruinosus) in Western Sichuan Province, China. We employed the MaxEnt and Circuit Theory to assess both the current and potential future shifts in the distribution and migration corridors. The results indicated that climate and environmental factors had the greatest influence on species distribution, with bioclimatic variables bio12, bio3, and elevation contributing 22.1%, 21.5%, and 19.3%, respectively. Under current climatic conditions, the total suitable habitat area for the species was 70,969.78 km², with the largest suitable habitats located in Shiqu and Litang, accounting for 24.39% and 15.86% of the total area, respectively. However, under future climate scenarios, predictions for RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, and RCP 8.5 showed a significant reduction in suitable habitat area, ranging from 7789.26 km² to 16,678.85 km². The Yajiang and Xinlong counties experienced the most severe habitat reductions, with declines exceeding 50%. Additionally, the altitudinal distribution of suitable habitats shifted, with suitable habitats gradually moving to higher elevations under future climate scenarios. Our study also analyzed the species’ dispersal paths. Under current climatic conditions, the dispersal paths predominantly followed a northwest-to-southeast orientation. However, by the 2070s, under all three RCPs, dispersal resistance is projected to significantly increase, the density of dispersal paths will decrease, and the connectivity of these paths will be reduced. In the most extreme RCP 8.5 scenario, southern dispersal paths nearly disappeared, and the dispersal paths contracted towards the northwest. These findings highlight potential threats posed by climate change to the species’ habitats and dispersal corridors, emphasizing the importance of considering both current and future climate change in conservation strategies to protect this vulnerable species and its ecosystem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and Forest Biodiversity: Impacts and Strategies for Conservation)

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Location of study area. Full article ">Figure 2
The current distribution probability (a) and binary distribution map (b). Full article ">Figure 3
The distribution probability under future (scenarios of RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, and RCP 8.5 in the 2070s) climate change scenarios. Full article ">Figure 4
The binary distribution maps under the future (scenarios of RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 in 2070) climate change scenarios. Full article ">Figure 5
Altitudinal distribution pattern under current and future (scenarios of RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 in 2070) climate change scenarios. Each RCP is the intersection area of the three GCMs (HadGEM2-AO, CCSM4, and BCC-CSM1-1). Full article ">Figure 6
Potential dispersal paths under the current and future (scenarios of RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, and RCP 8.5 in the 2070s) climate change scenarios. Current dispersal paths were simulated based on the current distribution map, and the future dispersal paths under the RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, and RCP 8.5 scenarios for the 2070s were simulated based on the intersection area of the three GCMs (HadGEM2-AO, CCSM4, and BCC-CSM1-1). Full article ">

27 pages, 1493 KiB

Open AccessReview

Autophagy and Mitophagy in Diabetic Kidney Disease—A Literature Review

by Alina Mihaela Stanigut, Liliana Tuta, Camelia Pana, Luana Alexandrescu, Adrian Suceveanu, Nicoleta-Mirela Blebea and Ileana Adela Vacaroiu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(2), 806; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26020806 (registering DOI) - 18 Jan 2025

Viewed by 215

Abstract

Autophagy and mitophagy are critical cellular processes that maintain homeostasis by removing damaged organelles and promoting cellular survival under stress conditions. In the context of diabetic kidney disease, these mechanisms play essential roles in mitigating cellular damage. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the recent literature on the relationship between autophagy, mitophagy, and diabetic kidney disease, highlighting the current state of knowledge, existing research gaps, and potential areas for future investigations. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is traditionally defined as a specific form of kidney disease caused by long-standing diabetes, characterized by the classic histological lesions in the kidney, including mesangial expansion, glomerular basement membrane thickening, nodular glomerulosclerosis (Kimmelstiel–Wilson nodules), and podocyte injury. Clinical markers for DN are albuminuria and the gradual decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a broader and more inclusive term, for all forms of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in individuals with diabetes, regardless of the underlying pathology. This includes patients who may have diabetes-associated kidney damage without the typical histological findings of diabetic nephropathy. It also accounts for patients with other coexisting kidney diseases (e.g., hypertensive nephrosclerosis, ischemic nephropathy, tubulointerstitial nephropathies), even in the absence of albuminuria, such as a reduction in GFR. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanism of Diabetic Kidney Disease (2nd Edition))

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Molecular mechanism of autophagy: cytosolic components are included in autophagosomes. The autophagosome fuses with the lysosome becomes autophagolysosome and then degrade the cytosolic components. Full article ">Figure 2
Molecular mechanisms of mitophagy: there are three well-described pathways of mitophagy: PINK1-PARK2 pathway, BNIP3/NIX receptor pathway, and FUNDC1 receptor pathway. Full article ">Figure 3
Autophagy and mitophagy in Diabetic Nephropathy and potential therapeutic targets. Autophagy prevents tubular hypertrophy, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, accumulation of AGEs (advanced glycation end products), and loss of podocytes. Mitophagy inhibits mitochondria specific oxidative stress (mROS—mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species), attenuates NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated tubular injury (NLR family pyrin domain containing 3), inflammation and fibrosis, AS-IV, astragaloside IV; CoQ10, coenzyme Q10; MitoQ, mitoquinone; mTORC1, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase complex 1; SGLT2, Naþ-glucose cotransporter-2; SIRT1, sirtuin; TFEB, transcription factor EB; ULK1, uncoordinated-51-like protein kinase 1. Full article ">Figure 4
The potential mechanisms of mitophagy in diabetic nephropathy. Impaired mitophagy leads to an accumulation of damaged mitochondria which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Full article ">

15 pages, 2118 KiB

Open AccessReview

Advances in Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy of Malignant Melanoma

by Xue Wang, Shanshan Ma, Shuting Zhu, Liucun Zhu and Wenna Guo

Biomedicines 2025, 13(1), 225; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13010225 - 17 Jan 2025

Viewed by 468

Abstract

Malignant melanoma (MM) is a malignant tumor, resulting from mutations in melanocytes of the skin and mucous membranes. Its mortality rate accounts for 90% of all dermatologic tumor mortality. Traditional treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are unable to achieve the expected results due to MM’s low sensitivity, high drug resistance, and toxic side effects. As treatment advances, immunotherapy and targeted therapy have made significant breakthroughs in the treatment of MM and have demonstrated promising application prospects. However, the heterogeneity of tumor immune response causes more than half of patients to not benefit from clinical immunotherapy and targeted therapy, which delays the patient’s condition and causes them to suffer adverse immune events’ side effects. The combination of immunotherapy and targeted therapy can help improve therapeutic effects, delay drug resistance, and mitigate adverse effects. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current development status and research progress of immune checkpoints, targeted genes, and their inhibitors, with a view to providing a reference for the clinical treatment of MM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research and New Therapy in Melanoma)

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Timeline for FDA-approved therapies for metastatic melanoma. The timeline highlights key advancements in the fields of immunotherapy and targeted therapy from 1990 to 2021. Therapies are categorized into immunotherapies (in purple) and targeted therapies (in green), reflecting the evolution of treatment strategies over time. Reproduced from ref [<a href="#B15-biomedicines-13-00225" class="html-bibr">15</a>]. Full article ">Figure 2
T-cell activation by anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD1 [<a href="#B12-biomedicines-13-00225" class="html-bibr">12</a>]. Full article ">Figure 3
Classes of immune checkpoint inhibitors for MM. Full article ">Figure 4
Mechanisms of irAEs. T-cell interactions with malignant or non-malignant cells and molecular mechanisms of immune checkpoint blockade [<a href="#B56-biomedicines-13-00225" class="html-bibr">56</a>]. Full article ">Figure 5
Classes of targeted therapy checkpoint inhibitors for MM. Full article ">Figure 6
Classes of combination therapy for MM. Full article ">

30 pages, 9958 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Selection Path for Energy-Efficient Food Waste Management in Urban Areas: Scenario Analysis and Insights from Poland

by Anna Rolewicz-Kalińska, Krystyna Lelicińska-Serafin and Piotr Manczarski

Energies 2025, 18(2), 385; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18020385 - 17 Jan 2025

Viewed by 459

Abstract

The problem of food being wasted in households has become an essential challenge in recent years. Food waste can be valorized in accordance with the principles of sustainable development, including as a source of energy. This study analyses the potential of anaerobic fermentation, pyrolysis, ethanol fermentation, incineration, and composting to treat food waste, focusing on its energy yield. This research considered two potential scenarios for generating food waste in Poland in both the near term (2030) and the long term (2050). Scenarios were proposed for regions with different levels of urbanization and demographic trends. The criteria for the selection of technologies for the energy-efficient processing of food waste from households in Poland were identified, taking into account the current state of these technologies, their prospective development, demographic changes, the nature of the regions, the trajectory of food waste generation, the spatial food waste generation rate, and the energy potential. Technologies like methane fermentation and thermochemical methods should be developed in densely populated areas with a high spatial food waste generation rate. Among the thermochemical processes, fast pyrolysis will provide the most significant energy benefits, followed by moderate pyrolysis and biocarbonization—at similar levels. Incineration is placed between carbonization and gasification. In less populated areas with lower spatial food waste generation rates, combining substrates with co-processing food waste and green waste should be considered. Biocarbonization systems can be integrated with composting in rural regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Energy, Environment and Well-Being)

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26 pages, 1815 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The First Large Identification of 3ANX and NX Producing Isolates of Fusarium graminearum in Manitoba, Western Canada

by Maria Antonia Henriquez, Srinivas Sura, Sean Walkowiak, David Kaminski, Anne Kirk, Mark W. Sumarah, Parthasarathy Santhanam, Nina Kepeshchuk, Jules Carlson, E. RoTimi Ojo, Pam de Rocquigny and Holly Derksen

Toxins 2025, 17(1), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins17010045 - 17 Jan 2025

Viewed by 332

Abstract

Fusarium head blight, caused by Fusarium graminearum, continues to be one of the most important and devastating fungal diseases on cereal grains including wheat, barley, and oat crops. F. graminearum produces toxic secondary metabolites that include trichothecene type A and type B mycotoxins. There are many variants of these toxins that are produced, and in the early 2010s, a novel type A trichothecene mycotoxin known as 3ANX (7-α hydroxy,15-deacetylcalonectrin) and its deacetylated product NX (7-α hydroxy, 3,15-dideacetylcalonectrin) were identified in Minnesota, USA. In the current study, a total of 31,500 wheat spikes over a period of 6 years (2015–2020) within Manitoba, Canada, were screened for the F. graminearum pathogen, which accounted for 72.8% (2015), 98.3% (2016), 71.9% (2017), 74.4% (2018), 92.6% (2019), and 66.1% (2020) of isolations. A total of 303 F. graminearum isolates, confirmed through sequencing of the ribosomal intergenic spacer, were further investigated for variation in the gene Tri1, which was previously associated with the production of the NX toxin, as well as the accumulation of mycotoxins. A subset of these isolates, consisting of 73 isolates, which tested positive or negative for the NX-Tri1-F/R assay in this study, were cultured in vitro using rice media. Mycotoxins were quantified in these samples using mass spectrometry. Using the same rice culture, genomic DNA was isolated, and the Tri1 coding sequence along with its flanking regions (upstream and downstream of the Tri1 gene) was amplified and sequenced. Deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulated in 96% of the cultures from these isolates, while 3-acetyl deoxynivalenol (3ADON) and 3ANX mycotoxins accumulated in 66% and 63%, respectively. Nivalenol, 15-acetyl deoxynivalenol, and NX mycotoxins were detected in 62%, 36%, and 19% of samples, respectively. A significant correlation was observed between 3ADON and 3ANX (r² = 0.87), as well as between DON and 3ANX (r² = 0.89). This study highlights the first large identification of 3ANX- and NX-producing isolates of F. graminearum in Western Canada. In addition, it is the first identification of 15ADON chemotypes producing 3ANX in Western Canada and the first identification of 3ANX and NX-producing isolates in Manitoba, collected from wheat samples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Mycotoxins)

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Total number of positive isolates (%) for various toxin accumulation among isolates collected from 2015 to 2020. Full article ">Figure 2
Distribution of F. graminearum isolates producing different trichothecene mycotoxins from across Manitoba, Canada. Full article ">Figure 3
Relationship (Pearson correlation) between 3-acetyl DON (3ADON) and 3ANX. Each culture (<a href="#toxins-17-00045-t001" class="html-table">Table 1</a>) is represented by a single data point (blue dots). Outliers (HSW-15-11, HSW-15-21, HSW-15-103, and HSW-20-01) were removed. Full article ">Figure 4
Relationship (Pearson correlation) between deoxynivalenol (DON) and 3ANX. Each culture (<a href="#toxins-17-00045-t001" class="html-table">Table 1</a>) is represented by a single data point (purple dots). Outliers (HSW-15-11, HSW-15-21, HSW-15-89, HSW-15-103, and HSW-20-01) were removed. Full article ">Figure 5
Neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree of the Tri1 gene and its flanking regions (n = 74) annotated with mycotoxin (DON, 3ADON, 15ADON, and 3ANX) dataset. Multi-value bar graph depicts concentrations of DON (green), 3ADON (light orange), 15ADON (red), and 3ANX (blue) in ppb. The upper limit of mycotoxin concentration was set to 10,000 ppb. The tree was drawn using iTOL V6 [<a href="#B22-toxins-17-00045" class="html-bibr">22</a>]. Full article ">

8 pages, 755 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Cell Mechanisms of Post-Mortem Excitability of Skeletal Muscle

by H. Stigter, T. Krap and W. L. J. M. Duijst

Biomedicines 2025, 13(1), 221; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13010221 - 17 Jan 2025

Viewed by 361

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The excitability of skeletal muscle is a less-known post-mortem supravital phenomenon in human bodies, and it can be used to estimate the post-mortem interval. We conducted a field study in the Netherlands to investigate the applicability of muscle excitability (SMR) by mechanical stimulation for estimating the post-mortem interval in daily forensic practice. Knowledge concerning the post-mortem cell mechanisms accounting for the post-mortem excitability of skeletal muscle is lacking. Cell mechanisms are the specific intracellular and biochemical processes responsible for post-mortem muscle excitability. Methods: We have studied the theoretical backgrounds of the cell mechanisms that might be responsible for post-mortem muscle excitability, by performing literature research via the databank PubMed. Results: Based on the current available literature, in our opinion the intracellular changes in muscle cells that are responsible for SMR resemble the intracellular processes responsible for muscle fatigue due to energy exhaustion in the living. Conclusions: We hypothesize two pathways, depending on the level of energy in the muscle cell, that could be responsible for post-mortem muscle excitability by mechanical stimulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research on Skeletal Muscle Metabolism)

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External visible muscular reaction after mechanical stimulation of the musculus biceps brachii (idiomuscular pad). Full article ">Figure 2
Supravital Muscle Reaction (SMR) after mechanical stimulation. Pathway 1 (a): First hours post-mortem; Local depolarization after mechanical stimulation of muscle. Pathway 2 (b): Beyond the first hours’ post-mortem; Immediate release of calcium after mechanical stimulation of muscle with the absence of membrane depolarization. (c): crossbridge cycle. Full article ">

17 pages, 4792 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of the Luding Earthquake on the Area of Potentially Suitable Habitat for Batrachuperus Species in the Gongga Mountain National Nature Reserve

by Xinlong Song, Xiuying Liu, Xiaoao Zheng, Jian Song, Zhangqiang You and Jianli Xiong

Animals 2025, 15(2), 235; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15020235 - 16 Jan 2025

Viewed by 237

Abstract

Members of the genus Batrachuperus are endemic to China and include seven described species, five of which are nationally protected salamanders in China. The Gongga Mountain National Nature Reserve (GGMNNR) is rich in animal and plant resources, including the Batrachuperus species. On 5 September 2022, the GGMNNR experienced the Luding earthquake, and this provided an opportunity to quantify the impact of a catastrophic events on the area of potentially suitable habitat for a rare species in the GGMNNR. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the Luding earthquake on the area of potentially suitable habitat for the Batrachuperus species by combining Maxent modeling, remote sensing image processing, and GIS methods. The results showed that precipitation, temperature, and slope were the most important variables affecting the distribution of the Batrachuperus species. Currently, suitable habitats accounted for 40.67% (1664.10 km²) of the studied area (4091.10 km²), and these areas were mainly distributed in the northern, western, and southern portions of the GGMNNR. The destruction caused by the earthquake accounted for 4.87% (199.34 km²) of the studied area, and only 1.97% (32.78 km²) of the suitable habitat of the Batrachuperus species was destroyed. These results indicated that although the Luding earthquake affected the habitat of the Batrachuperus species in the GGMNNR, its effect was small. These findings enhance our understanding of the distribution of the Batrachuperus species and the effect of the Luding earthquake on biodiversity in the GGMNNR. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Ecology and Conservation)

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17 pages, 3230 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Regulatory Frameworks for Transitioning to Net-Zero Energy Buildings in a Tropical Desert Climate

by Motaz Mestarehi and Osama Omar

Energies 2025, 18(2), 367; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18020367 - 16 Jan 2025

Viewed by 357

Abstract

Domestic electricity consumption in the Kingdom of Bahrain accounts for 48% of total national electricity consumption, increasing between 1.5 and 3.5% annually. This increase is due to indoor cooling electricity accounting for up to 80% of domestic electricity consumption. The Kingdom is aiming for a reduction in carbon emissions of 30% by 2035 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Hence, reducing electricity consumption is necessary. Recently, the Kingdom’s Electricity and Water Authority has issued updated building regulations regarding the maximum thermal transmittance allowed for residential buildings. This study employed a quantitative simulation of a typical housing unit (T8) in the Kingdom of Bahrain, assessing building envelope materials and air conditioning efficacy following the updated building regulations via DesignBuilder V. 7.0.2.006 software. Additionally, this study examined the potential of building regulations to facilitate the transition to net-zero energy buildings by comparing electricity consumption with renewable energy generated from rooftop photovoltaic panels. It was determined that electricity consumption could be reduced by up to 52% by following building regulations and relying on current materials in the residential sector. Furthermore, this reduction may facilitate the Kingdom’s attainment of net-zero energy status through onsite power generation of 12,500 kWh/year. This study concluded that achieving net-zero energy status is possible by following building regulations and relying on commercially accessible construction materials; however, guidelines for energy storage or a feed-in tariff for the residential sector must be established. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Net Zero Energy and Zero Emission Buildings)

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16 pages, 5351 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Recycling of Building Interior Decoration and Renovation Waste: A Case Study in China

by Wenjia Pan, Hong Zhang, Shanggang Hei, Yingjian Yang, Xifeng Xu, Chao Zhou, Baolin Huang and Haochen Xu

Buildings 2025, 15(2), 252; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15020252 - 16 Jan 2025

Viewed by 299

Abstract

Of all the construction waste, the building interior decoration and renovation waste (D&R waste) is difficult to dispose of and recycle due to its complex components and varied producers. The goal of this study is to reveal the current situation of D&R waste disposal through case studies and put forward the correlation proposal to improve standards of D&R waste recycling. This study investigated the various stages of the D&R waste management process, including generation, collection, transportation, sorting, recycling, and landfilling. Detailed studies were conducted for (i) the composition of D&R waste and (ii) the material flow analysis (MFA) of D&R waste recycling in different cases with different sorting technology. The results show that (i) concrete, stone, and other hard inorganic materials accounted for about 35–55% of the total. Soft inorganic materials such as aerated concrete and gypsum made up 5–25%, slag 15–20%, timber 5–10%, combustible matter such as plastic, rubber, and paper 9–12%, and glass and metal 1–5%, and (ii) artificial intelligence (AI) sorting offers better sorting performance and economic advantages over manual sorting, promoting the application of artificial AI sorting equipment as important solutions to face the key challenges of D&R waste recycling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Building Materials, and Repair & Renovation)

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17 pages, 6420 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Solid Particle Concentration and Liquid Circulation on Gas Holdup in Counter-Current Slurry Bubble Columns

by Sadra Mahmoudi and Mark W. Hlawitschka

Fluids 2025, 10(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/fluids10010014 - 16 Jan 2025

Viewed by 285

Abstract

In this study, in a three-phase reactor with a rectangular cross-section, the effects of liquid circulation rates and solid particle concentration on gas holdup and bubble size distribution (BSD) were investigated. Air, water, and glass beads were used as the gas, liquid, and solid phases, respectively. Different liquid circulation velocities and different solid loads were applied. The results demonstrate that increasing solid content from 0% to 6% can decrease gas holdup by 50% (due to increased slurry phase viscosity and promotion of bubble coalescence). Also, increasing the liquid circulation rate showed a weak effect on gas holdup, although a slight incremental effect was observed due to the promotion of bubble breakup and the extension of bubble residence time. The gas holdup in counter-current slurry bubble columns (CCSBCs) was predicted using a novel correlation that took into account the combined effects of solid concentration and liquid circulation rate. These findings are crucial for the design and optimization of the three-phase reactors used in industries such as mining and wastewater treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mass Transfer in Multiphase Reactors)

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17 pages, 16109 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of High Percentages of Coated Recycled Aggregates on the Flexural Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beams

by Catalina Martínez, Viviana Letelier and Bruno Wenzel

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 829; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15020829 - 16 Jan 2025

Viewed by 269

Abstract

Currently, the use of recycled aggregates (RA) in new concrete is allowed by several international regulations, although their replacement is limited to low percentages of the coarse fraction. In order to increase the percentage of RA, several authors have studied different processes to improve the microstructure of its surface. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze whether the current standards simulate the structural behavior of concretes with high percentages of RA. For this purpose, beams with 0%, 50% and 100% RA replacement coated with recycled binder paste (RBP) were made and their behavior was compared with the equations of the Eurocode 2 and ACI 318-19 code. As a result, we found that when 100% coated RA was used, the reduction in compressive strength was only 12.73%, with similar cracking patterns observed in RA beams across all series. In addition, the load capacity of the beams with RA was higher than the theoretical values provided by the codes. Finally, the experimental critical deflection was higher than that calculated by the code equations. Thus, it is recommended that these higher deflections be taken into account at the time of design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Concrete Technology and Applications in Construction Engineering, 2nd Edition)

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