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29 pages, 9800 KiB  
Article
3D-CWC: A Method to Evaluate the Geological Suitability for Layered Development and Utilization of Urban Underground Space
by Jiamin Mo, Ling Zhu, Wei Liu, Ping Wen, Zhiqiang Xie, Rong Li, Chunhou Ji, Wei Cheng, Yangbin Zhang, Chaoya Chen, Qijia Yang and Junxiao Wang
Land 2025, 14(3), 551; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030551 (registering DOI) - 5 Mar 2025
Abstract
Assessing the geological suitability of urban underground space development is crucial for mitigating geological risks. Traditional 2D evaluation methods fail to capture complex vertical variations in underground space, hindering precise planning. This paper presents an innovative 3D-CWC framework, combining a weighted cloud model [...] Read more.
Assessing the geological suitability of urban underground space development is crucial for mitigating geological risks. Traditional 2D evaluation methods fail to capture complex vertical variations in underground space, hindering precise planning. This paper presents an innovative 3D-CWC framework, combining a weighted cloud model with three-dimensional geological modeling, to address vertical complexity and uncertainty in geological assessments. The study area, located in the northern part of Kunming’s Second Ring Road, is divided into 22 million 25 m × 25 m × 1 m 3D units for evaluation. The framework uses the improved AHP and CRITIC methods to assign weights to key geological indicators, addressing both subjective and objective uncertainty, and employs a cloud model to determine geological suitability levels. The results are visualized using 3D geological modeling. The key findings include the following: (1) approximately 71% of the area within a −50 m depth range is suitable or more suitable for underground space development; (2) active fractures and groundwater are the main unfavorable factors; and (3) the geological suitability varies significantly with depth, with shallow areas being less suitable due to soft soil and complex hydrogeological conditions. The framework is further applied to assess the geological suitability of Kunming Metro Line 10, providing valuable decision support for infrastructure development. Compared to existing methods, this framework integrates cloud modeling and 3D geological modeling, offering a more comprehensive approach to handling underground space complexity. It is adaptable and holds potential for global applications, supporting urban underground space development in diverse geological conditions. Full article
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Figure 1
<p>Study area’s geographic location in the northern section of the Second Ring Road, central Kunming, Yunnan Province. Subfigure (<b>a</b>) represents China. Subfigure (<b>b</b>) represents Yunnan Province. Subfigure (<b>c</b>) represents Kunming City. (Source: Sky Map).</p>
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<p>Flowchart of geological suitability assessment for underground space using the 3D-CWC evaluation model.</p>
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<p>Evaluation indicator system constructed in this paper.</p>
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<p>Illustration of standard cloud model.</p>
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<p>Cloud model process flow diagram.</p>
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<p>Performance comparison of weighting methods, including weight distribution (<b>a</b>), error analysis (<b>b</b>), stability evaluation (<b>c</b>), and Pearson correlation assessment (<b>d</b>).</p>
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<p>Cloud model diagram for secondary evaluation indicators.</p>
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<p>Lithologic model of the study area.</p>
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<p>3D-CWC thematic maps of evaluation indicators, (<b>a</b>) geomorphic units; (<b>b</b>) foundation bearing capacity; (<b>c</b>) bedrock depth; (<b>d</b>) groundwater depth; (<b>e</b>) groundwater corrosivity; and (<b>f</b>) geotechnical peculiarities.</p>
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<p>Comprehensive cloud map for suitability assessment.</p>
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<p>Zoning map of suitability evaluation in the study area.</p>
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<p>Zoning map of evaluation at various depths in the study area: (<b>a</b>) Shallow layer (0~−10 m) zoning map; (<b>b</b>) Sub shallow layer (−10~−30 m) zoning map; (<b>c</b>) Deep layer (−30~−50 m) zoning map; (<b>d</b>) Depth = −5 m zoning map; (<b>e</b>) Depth = −10 m zoning map; (<b>f</b>) Depth = −30 m zoning map; (<b>g</b>) Depth = −15 m zoning map; (<b>h</b>) Depth = −40 m zoning map; (<b>i</b>) Depth = −50 m zoning map.</p>
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<p>Attribute query for evaluation indicators of any block in the 3D suitability evaluation map of the study area.</p>
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<p>Geological suitability classes at different depths.</p>
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<p>Geological suitability evaluation results for the underground space along the Line 10 section within the study area.</p>
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<p>The impact of selected indicators on underground space geological suitability evaluation.</p>
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<p>Variance distribution of evaluation units with different sizes.</p>
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20 pages, 4192 KiB  
Article
Employing Fuzzy Adaptive and Event-Triggered Approaches to Achieve Formation Control of Nonholonomic Mobile Robots Under Complete State Constraints
by Kai Wang, Jinnan Lu and Haodong Zhou
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 2827; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15052827 (registering DOI) - 5 Mar 2025
Abstract
This article delves into the problem of fuzzy adaptive event-triggered (ET) formation control for nonholonomic mobile robots (NMRs) subject to full-state constraints. Fuzzy logic systems (FLSs) are employed to identify the unknown nonlinear functions within the system. To guarantee that all system states [...] Read more.
This article delves into the problem of fuzzy adaptive event-triggered (ET) formation control for nonholonomic mobile robots (NMRs) subject to full-state constraints. Fuzzy logic systems (FLSs) are employed to identify the unknown nonlinear functions within the system. To guarantee that all system states remain within their constraint boundaries, barrier Lyapunov functions (BLFs) are meticulously constructed. Subsequently, within the framework of the backstepping control design algorithm, we propose a novel fuzzy adaptive ET formation controller. Our ET mechanism can achieve an overall resource-saving rate of 88.17% for the four robots. Rigorous theoretical analysis demonstrates that the designed strategy not only ensures the stability of the controlled NMRs but also enables the formation tracking errors to converge to a small neighborhood around zero. Notably, the BLFs-based control approach presented herein endows the system with the capacity to avoid collisions to a certain degree, enhancing the overall safety and reliability of the robot formation. Finally, a simulation example is provided. The results vividly illustrate the effectiveness and practicality of the proposed theory, validating its potential for real-world applications in the field of nonholonomic mobile robot formation control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Motion Control for Robots and Automation)
18 pages, 2844 KiB  
Article
A Regional Approach to Strengthening the Implementation of Sustainable Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Five Countries in East, Central, and Southern Africa
by Evelyn Wesangula, Joseph Yamweka Chizimu, Siana Mapunjo, Steward Mudenda, Jeremiah Seni, Collins Mitambo, Kaunda Yamba, Misbah Gashegu, Aquino Nhantumbo, Emiliana Francis, Nyambura Moremi, Henry Athiany and Martin Matu
Antibiotics 2025, 14(3), 266; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14030266 (registering DOI) - 5 Mar 2025
Abstract
Background: Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs optimize the use of antimicrobials and reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study evaluated the implementation of AMS programs in Africa using a harmonized regional approach. Methods: This was an exploratory cross-sectional study across five countries involving 32 hospitals [...] Read more.
Background: Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs optimize the use of antimicrobials and reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study evaluated the implementation of AMS programs in Africa using a harmonized regional approach. Methods: This was an exploratory cross-sectional study across five countries involving 32 hospitals using an adapted Periodic National and Hospitals Assessment Tool from the World Health Organization (WHO) policy guidance on integrated AMS activities in human health. Results: This study found baseline scores for AMS core elements ranging from 34% to 79% at the baseline which improved to 58% to 92% at the endline. At baseline, Drugs and Therapeutics Committee (DTC) functionality in updating facility-specific medicines and medical devices ranged from 58% to 100%, and this ranged from 79 to 100% at endline. Classifying antibiotics by WHO AWaRe, classification ranged from 33% to 83% at baseline and 64% to 100% at endline. Leadership commitment scores were 47% at baseline and 66% at endline. Education and training scores were 42% and 63% at baseline and endline, respectively. Reporting and feedback scores were 34% at baseline and 58% at endline. Conclusions: Our study showed that understanding context and standardizing regional stewardship approaches enhanced cross-country learning and improved AMS implementation. Although the challenges in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) are similar, they vary by country and can be addressed by strengthening AMS regulatory frameworks and surveillance systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotics Stewardship in Low and Middle-Income Countries)
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<p>Average performance by country regarding WHO AMS core element indicators. DTC = Drug and Therapeutics Committee; ICC = Infection Control Committee; AMS = antimicrobial stewardship. Colors code: Green = high, Yellow = moderate, and Red = Poor scores.</p>
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<p>Availability of updated health facility-specific medicines and medical devices and classification of antibiotics by WHO AWaRe categories.</p>
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<p>The presence of a multidisciplinary AMS committee in the healthcare facilities with clear terms of reference.</p>
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<p>AMS actions across surveyed hospitals.</p>
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<p>Hospitals offering continuous professional development regarding AMS to staff.</p>
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<p>Reporting feedback within healthcare facilities. Green = High Scores Yellow = Moderate Red = Low Score.</p>
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<p>Map indicating surveyed countries (<b>A</b>) and distribution of surveyed hospitals (<b>B</b>).</p>
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<p>Regional approach to establishment of antimicrobial stewardship programs.</p>
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<p>The stepwise approach to establishing an antimicrobial stewardship program at a healthcare facility.</p>
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18 pages, 6149 KiB  
Article
Identification of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Gene Family in Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Analysis of Expression Pattern Under Drought Stress
by Mengyuan He, Xu Ouyang, Linyuan Cheng, Yuetao Li, Nana Shi, Hongxia Ma, Yu Sun, Hua Yao and Haitao Shen
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(5), 2333; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26052333 - 5 Mar 2025
Abstract
Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) are a gene family that relies on NAD +/NADP + proteins to oxidize toxic aldehydes to non-toxic carboxylic acids, and they play a crucial role in the growth and development of plants, as well as in their ability [...] Read more.
Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) are a gene family that relies on NAD +/NADP + proteins to oxidize toxic aldehydes to non-toxic carboxylic acids, and they play a crucial role in the growth and development of plants, as well as in their ability to withstand stress. This study identified 26 ALDH genes from six Glycyrrhiza uralensis gene families distributed on six chromosomes. By analyzing the phylogeny, gene structure, conserved motifs, cis-regulatory elements, collinearity of homologs, evolutionary patterns, differentiation patterns, and expression variations under drought stress, we found that the ALDH gene is involved in phytohormones and exhibits responsiveness to various environmental stressors by modulating multiple cis-regulatory elements. In addition, GuALDH3H1, GuALDH6B1, GuALDH12A2, and GuALDH12A1 have been identified as playing a crucial role in the response to drought stress. By analyzing the expression patterns of different tissues under drought stress, we discovered that GuALDH3I2 and GuALDH2B2 exhibited the most pronounced impact in relation to the drought stress response, which indicates that they play a positive role in the response to abiotic stress. These findings provide a comprehensive theoretical basis for the ALDH gene family in Glycyrrhiza uralensis and enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying ALDH genes in licorice growth, development, and adaptation to drought stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Plant Sciences)
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<p>The sequence alignment of the <span class="html-italic">ALDH</span> conserved structural domain of the <span class="html-italic">GuALDH</span> proteins. The conserved <span class="html-italic">ALDH</span> domain (PF00171) of all <span class="html-italic">GuALDH</span> proteins was analyzed. The purple frame indicates the conserved glutamic acid active site (PS00687), and the purple label indicates the conserved active site.</p>
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<p>Phylogenetic analysis of <span class="html-italic">ALDH</span> members. <span class="html-italic">ALDH</span> proteins were aligned using ClustalW, and phylogenetic analysis was performed with MEGA11 based on maximum likelihood. Resulting tree was categorized into six families, with each background color representing different family and specific name of each <span class="html-italic">ALDH</span> family labeled accordingly. Green star indicates <span class="html-italic">Glycyrrhiza uralensis</span>, and red star indicates <span class="html-italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</span>.</p>
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<p>The structure and protein structure of the <span class="html-italic">ALDH</span> gene family in <span class="html-italic">Glycyrrhiza uralensis</span>. (<b>A</b>) The phylogenetic tree was created using MEGA11. (<b>B</b>) A structural analysis of the exons/introns of <span class="html-italic">GuALDH</span> genes. The green box indicates the exon, and the blue box indicates the 3′ or 5′ UTRs (untranslated regions). (<b>C</b>) The motif composition of the <span class="html-italic">ALDH</span> gene in <span class="html-italic">Glycyrrhiza uralensis</span>. Different colored boxes represent different motifs.</p>
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<p>Chromosome distribution of <span class="html-italic">GuALDHs</span> in <span class="html-italic">Glycyrrhiza uralensis</span>.</p>
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<p>The distribution of the <span class="html-italic">GuALDH</span> gene chromosomes and the interchromosomal connections. The connection between duplicated genes in <span class="html-italic">GuALDHs</span> is represented by a red line.</p>
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<p>The evolutionary relationship between the <span class="html-italic">ALDH</span> gene in <span class="html-italic">Glycyrrhiza uralensis</span> and different species of <span class="html-italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</span>, soybean, rice, and alfalfa.</p>
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<p>An analysis of cis-acting elements on the promoters of the <span class="html-italic">GuALDH</span> gene family in <span class="html-italic">Glycyrrhiza uralensis</span>. The sequence 2000 bp upstream of the ATG in <span class="html-italic">GuALDHs</span> was analyzed for cis-element responsiveness. The heatmap illustrates the quantity of cis-elements, with higher counts represented in red and lower counts in gray.</p>
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<p>Expression patterns of <span class="html-italic">GuALDHs</span> in different tissues. Based on RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data of <span class="html-italic">Glycyrrhiza uralensis</span>, the expression patterns were analyzed. A hierarchical clustering heatmap was drawn based on the Fragments Per Kilobase of exon model per Million mapped fragments (FPKM) value. The three expression pattern groups are represented by distinct colors: red indicates a high expression level, while blue indicates a low expression level.</p>
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<p>The regulatory network of co-expression for <span class="html-italic">GuALDH</span> in <span class="html-italic">Glycyrrhiza uralensis</span>.</p>
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<p>Patterns of expression for <span class="html-italic">GuALDH</span> genes in response to drought stress. The relative expression levels of <span class="html-italic">GuALDH</span> genes were examined in <span class="html-italic">Glycyrrhiza uralensis</span> seedlings after being treated with PEG for durations of 2 h and 24 h. The tap water seedlings were used as a reference for the expression of <span class="html-italic">GuALDHs</span> genes at each time point. The data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation. ** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01 indicate statistically significant differences between the two conditions.</p>
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<p>Changes in malondialdehyde content in three kinds of licorice at different times under PEG stress.</p>
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34 pages, 2523 KiB  
Article
Scalable Container-Based Time Synchronization for Smart Grid Data Center Networks
by Kennedy Chinedu Okafor, Wisdom Onyema Okafor, Omowunmi Mary Longe, Ikechukwu Ignatius Ayogu, Kelvin Anoh and Bamidele Adebisi
Technologies 2025, 13(3), 105; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies13030105 - 5 Mar 2025
Abstract
The integration of edge-to-cloud infrastructures in smart grid (SG) data center networks requires scalable, efficient, and secure architecture. Traditional server-based SG data center architectures face high computational loads and delays. To address this problem, a lightweight data center network (DCN) with low-cost, and fast-converging [...] Read more.
The integration of edge-to-cloud infrastructures in smart grid (SG) data center networks requires scalable, efficient, and secure architecture. Traditional server-based SG data center architectures face high computational loads and delays. To address this problem, a lightweight data center network (DCN) with low-cost, and fast-converging optimization is required. This paper introduces a container-based time synchronization model (CTSM) within a spine–leaf virtual private cloud (SL-VPC), deployed via AWS CloudFormation stack as a practical use case. The CTSM optimizes resource utilization, security, and traffic management while reducing computational overhead. The model was benchmarked against five DCN topologies—DCell, Mesh, Skywalk, Dahu, and Ficonn—using Mininet simulations and a software-defined CloudFormation stack on an Amazon EC2 HPC testbed under realistic SG traffic patterns. The results show that CTSM achieved near-100% reliability, with the highest received energy data (29.87%), lowest packetization delay (13.11%), and highest traffic availability (70.85%). Stateless container engines improved resource allocation, reducing administrative overhead and enhancing grid stability. Software-defined Network (SDN)-driven adaptive routing and load balancing further optimized performance under dynamic demand conditions. These findings position CTSM-SL-VPC as a secure, scalable, and efficient solution for next-generation smart grid automation. Full article
23 pages, 2653 KiB  
Article
Integrated Lower Limb Robotic Orthosis with Embedded Highly Oriented Electrospinning Sensors by Fuzzy Logic-Based Gait Phase Detection and Motion Control
by Ming-Chan Lee, Cheng-Tang Pan, Jhih-Syuan Huang, Zheng-Yu Hoe and Yeong-Maw Hwang
Sensors 2025, 25(5), 1606; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25051606 - 5 Mar 2025
Abstract
This study introduces an integrated lower limb robotic orthosis with near-field electrospinning (NFES) piezoelectric sensors and a fuzzy logic-based gait phase detection system to enhance mobility assistance and rehabilitation. The exoskeleton incorporates embedded pressure sensors within the insoles to capture ground reaction forces [...] Read more.
This study introduces an integrated lower limb robotic orthosis with near-field electrospinning (NFES) piezoelectric sensors and a fuzzy logic-based gait phase detection system to enhance mobility assistance and rehabilitation. The exoskeleton incorporates embedded pressure sensors within the insoles to capture ground reaction forces (GRFs) in real-time. A fuzzy logic inference system processes these signals, classifying gait phases such as stance, initial contact, mid-stance, and pre-swing. The NFES technique enables the fabrication of highly oriented nanofibers, improving sensor sensitivity and reliability. The system employs a master–slave control framework. A Texas Instruments (TI) TMS320F28069 microcontroller (Texas Instruments, Dallas, TX, USA) processes gait data and transmits actuation commands to motors and harmonic drives at the hip and knee joints. The control strategy follows a three-loop methodology, ensuring stable operation. Experimental validation assesses the system’s accuracy under various conditions, including no-load and loaded scenarios. Results demonstrate that the exoskeleton accurately detects gait phases, achieving a maximum tracking error of 4.23% in an 8-s gait cycle under no-load conditions and 4.34% when tested with a 68 kg user. Faster motion cycles introduce a maximum error of 6.79% for a 3-s gait cycle, confirming the system’s adaptability to dynamic walking conditions. These findings highlight the effectiveness of the developed exoskeleton in interpreting human motion intentions, positioning it as a promising solution for wearable rehabilitation and mobility assistance. Full article
25 pages, 1039 KiB  
Article
CEEMDAN-IHO-SVM: A Machine Learning Research Model for Valve Leak Diagnosis
by Ruixue Wang and Ning Zhao
Algorithms 2025, 18(3), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/a18030148 - 5 Mar 2025
Abstract
Due to the complex operating environment of valves, when a fault occurs inside a valve, the vibration signal generated by the fault is easily affected by the environmental noise, making the extraction of fault features difficult. To address this problem, this paper proposes [...] Read more.
Due to the complex operating environment of valves, when a fault occurs inside a valve, the vibration signal generated by the fault is easily affected by the environmental noise, making the extraction of fault features difficult. To address this problem, this paper proposes a feature extraction method based on the combination of Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise (CEEMDAN) and Fuzzy Entropy (FN). Due to the slow convergence speed and the tendency to fall into local optimal solutions of the Hippopotamus Optimization Algorithm (HO), an improved Hippopotamus Optimization (IHO) algorithm-optimized Support Vector Machine (SVM) model for valve leakage diagnosis is introduced to further enhance the accuracy of valve leakage diagnosis. The improved Hippopotamus Optimization algorithm initializes the hippopotamus population with Tent chaotic mapping, designs an adaptive weight factor, and incorporates adaptive variation perturbation. Moreover, the performance of IHO was proven to be optimal compared to HO, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO), Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA), and Sparrow Search Algorithm (SSA) by calculating twelve test functions. Subsequently, the IHO-SVM classification model was established and applied to valve leakage diagnosis. The prediction effects of the seven models, IHO-SVM. HO-SVM, PSO-SVM, GWO-SVM, WOA-SVM, SSA-SVM, and SVM were compared and analyzed with actual data. As a result, the comparison indicated that IHO-SVM has desirable robustness and generalization, which successfully improves the classification efficiency and the recognition rate in fault diagnosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Evolutionary Algorithms and Machine Learning)
19 pages, 2602 KiB  
Article
Dynamic Optimization of Tramp Ship Routes for Carbon Intensity Compliance and Operational Efficiency
by Dequan Zhou, Yuhan Yang and Rui Cai
Sustainability 2025, 17(5), 2280; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17052280 - 5 Mar 2025
Abstract
To address the challenges of carbon emission reduction in the global shipping industry and the requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) rating, this paper takes China’s commuter ships as an example to study the dynamic optimization of ship [...] Read more.
To address the challenges of carbon emission reduction in the global shipping industry and the requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) rating, this paper takes China’s commuter ships as an example to study the dynamic optimization of ship routes based on CII implementation requirements. In response to the existing research gap in the collaborative optimization of routes and carbon emissions under CII constraints, this paper constructs a mixed-integer programming model that comprehensively considers CII limits, port throughput capacity, channel capacity, and the stochastic demand for spot cargo. The objective is to minimize the operating costs of shipping companies, and an adaptive genetic algorithm is designed to solve the dynamic route scheduling problem. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the model can reasonably plan routes under different sequences of spot cargo arrivals, ensuring compliance with CII ratings while reducing total costs and carbon emissions. The results indicate that the proposed method provides efficient decision-making support for dynamic ship scheduling under CII constraints, contributing to the green transformation of the shipping industry. Future work will extend the model to scenarios involving multiple ship types and complex maritime conditions, further enhancing its applicability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Carbon-Energy-Water Nexus in Global Energy Transition)
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<p>Schematic diagram of a ship transportation plan.</p>
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<p>Algorithm flowchart.</p>
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<p>Illustration of optimization model encoding (<b>a</b>) Random assignment; (<b>b</b>) Sorting based on codes; (<b>c</b>) Allocation order; (<b>d</b>) Final solution.</p>
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<p>Crossover operator design (<b>1</b>) Initial encoding; (<b>2</b>) Random exchange; (<b>3</b>) New code generated from code No. 1; (<b>4</b>) New code generated from code No. 2; (<b>a</b>) Randomly selected initial encoding; (<b>b</b>) Final encoding.</p>
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<p>Comparison of GA, PSO, and GSA.</p>
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<p>(<b>a</b>) Tramp Ship 1 transportation route A. (<b>b</b>) Tramp Ship 2 transportation route A.</p>
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<p>(<b>a</b>) Tramp Ship 1 transportation route B. (<b>b</b>) Tramp Ship 2 transportation route B.</p>
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17 pages, 769 KiB  
Article
The Role of Foliar-Applied Silicon in Improving the Growth and Productivity of Early Potatoes
by Wanda Wadas and Tomasz Kondraciuk
Agriculture 2025, 15(5), 556; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15050556 - 5 Mar 2025
Abstract
Climate change is leading to a decline in global potato production. To ensure food security, it is essential to adapt cultivation practices to the changing climate. The effects of foliar-applied silicon on potato growth and productivity under various hydrothermal conditions were investigated. Potato [...] Read more.
Climate change is leading to a decline in global potato production. To ensure food security, it is essential to adapt cultivation practices to the changing climate. The effects of foliar-applied silicon on potato growth and productivity under various hydrothermal conditions were investigated. Potato plants were treated with three Si-based biostimulants: Actisil (6 g of Si and 20 g of Ca per liter; choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid; Chol-sSa + Ca); Krzemix (6 g of Si per liter; choline-stabilized ammonium metasilicate; Chol-sNH4-Sil); and Optysil (93 g of Si and 24 g of Fe per liter; sodium metasilicate and iron chelate Fe-EDTA; Na-Sil + Fe-EDTA). Biostimulants were foliar-applied twice, at the leaf development stage (BBCH 13–15) and two weeks after the first treatment, at 0.5 L/ha in each treatment. The plants treated with biostimulants were taller and produced greater above-ground biomass and a higher tuber weight than the control plants (without a biostimulant). As a result, the total tuber yield was higher, on average, by 10% to 13% and the marketable tuber yield by 11% to 15%. The plant-growth-promoting and yield-increasing effects of the Si-based biostimulants depended on the hydrothermal conditions during potato growth. Chol-sSA + Ca (Actisil) applications were the most effective. Na-Sil + Fe-EDTA (Optysil) produced better results during a warm and very dry year, while Chol-sNH4-Sil (Krzemix) was effective during colder years with a periodic water deficit. Silicon foliar application can be a new method for increasing early crop potato yields under water shortage conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Silicon in Improving Crop Growth Under Abiotic Stress)
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<p>Mean air temperature (lines) and total precipitation (bars) during potato growth.</p>
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<p>Plant height and above-ground biomass in relation to treatment and year (<b>a</b>) and treatment and cultivar (<b>b</b>). Mean and standard deviation. Means for each data type, indicated with the same letters, do not differ significantly according to Tukey’s post hoc test (<span class="html-italic">p</span> ≤ 0.05).</p>
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<p>Leaf area and chlorophyll (Chl<sub>SPAD</sub>) content in relation to treatment and year (<b>a</b>) and treatment and cultivar (<b>b</b>). Mean and standard deviation. Means for each data type, indicated with the same letters, do not differ significantly according to Tukey’s post hoc test (<span class="html-italic">p</span> ≤ 0.05).</p>
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<p>Plant growth indicators in relation to treatment and year (<b>a</b>) and treatment and cultivar (<b>b</b>). LAI—leaf area index, SLA—specific leaf area, LAR—leaf area ratio, LWR—leaf weight ratio. Mean and standard deviation. Means for each data type, indicated with the same letters, do not differ significantly according to Tukey’s post hoc test (<span class="html-italic">p</span> ≤ 0.05).</p>
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<p>Tuber number and tuber weight per plant in relation to treatment and year (<b>a</b>) and treatment and cultivar (<b>b</b>). Mean and standard deviation. Means for each data type, indicated with the same letters, do not differ significantly according to Tukey’s post hoc test (<span class="html-italic">p</span> ≤ 0.05).</p>
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<p>Tuber yield in relation to treatment and year (<b>a</b>) and treatment and cultivar (<b>b</b>). Mean and standard deviation. Means for each data type, indicated with the same letters, do not differ significantly according to Tukey’s post hoc test (<span class="html-italic">p</span> ≤ 0.05).</p>
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<p>Tuber size in yield in relation to treatment and year (<b>a</b>) and treatment and cultivar (<b>b</b>). Percentage weight of tubers with diameter of &lt;30 mm, 31–40 mm, 41–50 mm, and &gt;50 mm.</p>
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22 pages, 12118 KiB  
Article
Modern Comprehensive Metabolomic Profiling of Pollen Using Various Analytical Techniques
by Petra Krejčí, Zbyněk Žingor, Jana Balarynová, Andrea Čevelová, Matěj Tesárek, Petr Smýkal and Petr Bednář
Molecules 2025, 30(5), 1172; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30051172 - 5 Mar 2025
Abstract
Pollen is a cornerstone of life for plants. Its durability, adaptability, and complex design are the key factors to successful plant reproduction, genetic diversity, and the maintenance of ecosystems. A detailed study of its chemical composition is important to understand the mechanism of [...] Read more.
Pollen is a cornerstone of life for plants. Its durability, adaptability, and complex design are the key factors to successful plant reproduction, genetic diversity, and the maintenance of ecosystems. A detailed study of its chemical composition is important to understand the mechanism of pollen–pollinator interactions, pollination processes, and allergic reactions. In this study, a multimodal approach involving Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), direct mass spectrometry with an atmospheric solids analysis probe (ASAP), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was applied for metabolite profiling. ATR-FTIR provided an initial overview of the present metabolite classes. Phenylpropanoid, lipidic, and carbohydrate structures were revealed. The hydrophobic outer layer of pollen was characterized in detail by ASAP-MS profiling, and esters, phytosterols, and terpenoids were observed. Diacyl- and triacylglycerols and carbohydrate structures were identified in MALDI-MS spectra. The MALDI-MS imaging of lipids proved to be helpful during the microscopic characterization of pollen species in their mixture. Polyphenol profiling and the quantification of important secondary metabolites were performed by UHPLC-MS in context with pollen coloration and their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The obtained results revealed significant chemical differences among Magnoliophyta and Pinophyta pollen. Additionally, some variations within Magnoliophyta species were observed. The obtained metabolomics data were utilized for pollen differentiation at the taxonomic scale and provided valuable information in relation to pollen interactions during reproduction and its related applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Analytical Chemistry: Second Edition)
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Figure 1
<p>ATR-FTIR spectra of conifer, monocot, and dicot representatives. (<b>A</b>)—Pine (<span class="html-italic">Pinus nigra</span>). (<b>B</b>)—Spruce (<span class="html-italic">Picea abies</span>). (<b>C</b>)—Tulip (<span class="html-italic">Tulipa x gesneriana</span>). (<b>D</b>)—King cup (<span class="html-italic">Caltha palustrir</span>).</p>
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<p>PCA score plot from ASAP-MS analysis in positive ionization mode of studied pollen species. (<b>A</b>)—All studied species. (<b>B</b>)—Magnoliophyta species.</p>
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<p>ASAP-MS spectra of conifer, monocot, and dicot representatives. (<b>A</b>)—Pine (<span class="html-italic">Pinus nigra</span>). (<b>B</b>)—Spruce (<span class="html-italic">Picea abies</span>). (<b>C</b>)—Tulip (<span class="html-italic">Tulipa x gesneriana</span>). (<b>D</b>)—King cup (<span class="html-italic">Caltha palustrir</span>). The intensity number in each panel is referred to as the most intense peak in the spectrum (100%). Identified signals are given in bold.</p>
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<p>Boxplots of normalized intensities of selected signals in studied pollen species measured by ASAP-MS. (<b>A</b>)—Dehydroabietic acid (<span class="html-italic">m</span>/<span class="html-italic">z</span> 301.2162). (<b>B</b>)—Ester of linolenic acid and methyloxooctadecanoate (<span class="html-italic">m</span>/<span class="html-italic">z</span> 575.5053). (<b>C</b>)—β-sitosterol (<span class="html-italic">m</span>/<span class="html-italic">z</span> 397.3810). (<b>D</b>)—Octadecatetraendiol (<span class="html-italic">m</span>/<span class="html-italic">z</span> 279.2334).</p>
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<p>LDI-MS spectra of conifer, monocot, and dicot representatives. (<b>A</b>)—Pine (<span class="html-italic">Pinus nigra</span>), (<b>B</b>)—Tulip (<span class="html-italic">Tulipa x gesneriana</span>), (<b>C</b>)—King cup (<span class="html-italic">Caltha palustrir</span>). The intensity number in each panel refers to the most intense peak in the spectrum (100%). Identified signals are given in bold.</p>
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<p>MALDI-MS imaging analysis of selected pollens attached to double-sided tape on the MALDI imaging plate. (<b>A</b>)—Photo of the studied pollen mixture. (<b>B</b>)—Dehydroabietol cinnamate (<span class="html-italic">m</span>/<span class="html-italic">z</span> 455.2228). (<b>C</b>)—Linolenoyl–linoleoyl–palmitoyl–glycerol (<span class="html-italic">m</span>/<span class="html-italic">z</span> 891.6803). (<b>D</b>)—Trilinolenoyl–glycerol (<span class="html-italic">m</span>/<span class="html-italic">z</span> 911.6513).</p>
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<p>Quantity of selected phenolic acids (<b>A</b>) and flavonoids (<b>B</b>) in all studied pollen species.</p>
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<p>Quantity of selected anthocyanins in studied pollens.</p>
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<p>UHPLC-MS analysis of pollen extracts. (<b>A</b>)—King cup (<span class="html-italic">Caltha palustrir</span>). (<b>B</b>)—Pine (<span class="html-italic">Pinus nigra</span>). (<b>C</b>)—Tulip (<span class="html-italic">Tulipa x gesneriana</span>). Chromatograms are reconstructed for <span class="html-italic">m</span>/<span class="html-italic">z</span> 301.0357 (which represents parent ion of quercetin or aglycone arising during fragmentation of its glycosylated forms). Retention time of peaks of following identified compounds are denoted in bold: quercetin (<span class="html-italic">m</span>/<span class="html-italic">z</span> 301.0357, Rt 8.10 min), quercetin dihexoside (<span class="html-italic">m</span>/<span class="html-italic">z</span> 625.1423, Rt 6.40 min), quercetin hexoside (<span class="html-italic">m</span>/<span class="html-italic">z</span> 463.0886, Rt 7.12 min), and its modified form (<span class="html-italic">m</span>/<span class="html-italic">z</span> 447.0967, Rt 7.92 min). Intensity is related to most intensive peak in chromatograms (100%). Identified signals are given in bold.</p>
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<p>Scheme of another collection and pollen isolation process.</p>
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<p>Scheme of taxonomical classification of studied pollen species. Magnoliophyta are currently divided into Liliopsida (monocots), Magnoliopsida (magnoliids), and Rosopsida (eudicots). The latter two involved former dicots.</p>
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<p>FTIR-ATR spectra of all studied pollen species. (<b>A</b>)—Wavenumbers 4000−2200 cm<sup>−1</sup>. (<b>B</b>)—Wavenumbers 2200–400 cm<sup>−1</sup>. The top green line represents pine pollen, and the bottom green line represents spruce pollen. The top purple line represents rose pollen, and the bottom purple line represents snowflake pollen. The top dark green line represents magnolia pollen, and the bottom dark green line represents beech pollen. The top dark purple line represents geranium pollen, and the bottom dark purple line represents scilla pollen.</p>
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<p>Peak area of cyanidin, cyanidin hexoside, and cyanidin dihexoside in different coloured tulip pollens.</p>
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<p>PCA score plot from UHPLC-MS analysis of studied pollen species in negative ionization mode.</p>
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<p>Application of capillary tube for direct pollen analysis using ASAP-MS technique. Arrow shows capillary modification and pollen insertion.</p>
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21 pages, 559 KiB  
Article
Effectiveness of the Mindfulness-Based Social–Emotional Growth (MSEG) Program in Enhancing Mental Health of Elementary School Students in Korea
by Jongtae Kim, Seonyeop Kim, Misan W. D. Kim, Yong-Han Park, Kanguk Lee, Dong Sun Chung, Youn Hee Kim, Yong-Sil Kweon, Duk-Soo Mun, Hwa-Young Lee, June Sung Park, Yun Hyoung Kang, Seunghee Won and Young Sook Kwack
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(3), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15030315 - 5 Mar 2025
Abstract
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health challenges among children and adolescents in South Korea have intensified with rising rates of depression and suicide. Proactive interventions focusing on mental well-being are needed to address this critical issue. This study examines the effectiveness of the [...] Read more.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health challenges among children and adolescents in South Korea have intensified with rising rates of depression and suicide. Proactive interventions focusing on mental well-being are needed to address this critical issue. This study examines the effectiveness of the Mindfulness-based Social–Emotional Growth (MSEG) program for enhancing the mental health of elementary school students in Korea. This quasi-experimental study evaluated the impact of the MSEG program on students at an elementary school in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A total of 70 students (35 from lower grades [grades 1–3] and 35 from upper grades [grades 4–6]) participated in the 12-week intervention group, while 72 students were in the control group. Pre- and post-intervention assessments measured social–emotional, mindfulness, and clinical domains. The findings revealed significant improvements in emotional regulation across all grades. Lower-grade students showed substantially reduced anxiety and depression, while upper-grade students demonstrated enhanced resilience compared to the control group. These results indicate the potential of the MSEG program to promote early mental health when integrated into elementary school curricula. Further research is needed to adapt the program to diverse educational settings and optimize its effectiveness and impact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Health Psychology)
29 pages, 2128 KiB  
Article
An Automated Repository for the Efficient Management of Complex Documentation
by José Frade and Mário Antunes
Information 2025, 16(3), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/info16030205 - 5 Mar 2025
Abstract
The accelerating digitalization of the public and private sectors has made information technologies (IT) indispensable in modern life. As services shift to digital platforms and technologies expand across industries, the complexity of legal, regulatory, and technical requirement documentation is growing rapidly. This increase [...] Read more.
The accelerating digitalization of the public and private sectors has made information technologies (IT) indispensable in modern life. As services shift to digital platforms and technologies expand across industries, the complexity of legal, regulatory, and technical requirement documentation is growing rapidly. This increase presents significant challenges in managing, gathering, and analyzing documents, as their dispersion across various repositories and formats hinders accessibility and efficient processing. This paper presents the development of an automated repository designed to streamline the collection, classification, and analysis of cybersecurity-related documents. By harnessing the capabilities of natural language processing (NLP) models—specifically Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (GPT) technologies—the system automates text ingestion, extraction, and summarization, providing users with visual tools and organized insights into large volumes of data. The repository facilitates the efficient management of evolving cybersecurity documentation, addressing issues of accessibility, complexity, and time constraints. This paper explores the potential applications of NLP in cybersecurity documentation management and highlights the advantages of integrating automated repositories equipped with visualization and search tools. By focusing on legal documents and technical guidelines from Portugal and the European Union (EU), this applied research seeks to enhance cybersecurity governance, streamline document retrieval, and deliver actionable insights to professionals. Ultimately, the goal is to develop a scalable, adaptable platform capable of extending beyond cybersecurity to serve other industries that rely on the effective management of complex documentation. Full article
28 pages, 60546 KiB  
Article
Adapting Cross-Sensor High-Resolution Remote Sensing Imagery for Land Use Classification
by Wangbin Li, Kaimin Sun and Jinjiang Wei
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(5), 927; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17050927 - 5 Mar 2025
Abstract
High-resolution visible remote sensing imagery, as a fundamental contributor to Earth observation, has found extensive application in land use classification. However, the heterogeneous array of optical sensors, distinguished by their unique design architectures, exhibit disparate spectral responses and spatial distributions when observing ground [...] Read more.
High-resolution visible remote sensing imagery, as a fundamental contributor to Earth observation, has found extensive application in land use classification. However, the heterogeneous array of optical sensors, distinguished by their unique design architectures, exhibit disparate spectral responses and spatial distributions when observing ground objects. These discrepancies between multi-sensor data present a significant obstacle to the widespread application of intelligent methods. In this paper, we propose a method tailored to accommodate these disparities, with the aim of achieving a smooth transfer for the model across diverse sets of images captured by different sensors. Specifically, to address the discrepancies in spatial resolution, a novel positional encoding has been incorporated to capture the correlation between the spatial resolution details and the characteristics of ground objects. To tackle spectral disparities, random amplitude mixup augmentation is introduced to mitigate the impact of feature anisotropy resulting from discrepancies in low-level features between multi-sensor images. Additionally, we integrate convolutional neural networks and Transformers to enhance the model’s feature extraction capabilities, and employ a fine-tuning strategy with dynamic pseudo-labels to reduce the reliance on annotated data from the target domain. In the experimental section, the Gaofen-2 images (4 m) and the Sentinel-2 images (10 m) were selected as training and test datasets to simulate cross-sensor model transfer scenarios. Also, Google Earth images of Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, were utilized for further validation. The results indicate that our approach effectively mitigates the degradation in model performance attributed to image source inconsistencies. Full article
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<p>Differences in spatial resolution scale and spectral characteristics of high-resolution visible images from different sources.</p>
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<p>The framework of this paper.</p>
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<p>Illustration of conventional MSA module and efficient MSA module.</p>
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<p>Decoder block architecture, including DeConv (transposed convolution) and DWConv (depthwise convolution) layers.</p>
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<p>Comparison of various color correction methods. (<b>a</b>) displays the input, (<b>b</b>) presents the reference, (<b>c</b>) shows the results of histogram matching, and (<b>d</b>) features the results of our method.</p>
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<p>The process of random amplitude mixup augmentation.</p>
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<p>Illustration of pseudo-label generation and dynamic update.</p>
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<p>Illustration of the experimental area and sample points.</p>
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<p>Visualizations of detailed results on Five-Billion-Pixels dataset.</p>
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<p>Visualizations of detailed results on Five-Billion-Pixels dataset.</p>
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<p>Visualizations of detailed results on MultiSenGE dataset.</p>
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<p>Visualizations of the results using mixup augmentation and model fine-tuning techniques for the “GF-2 images→Sentinel-2 images” scenario.</p>
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<p>Visualizations of the results using mixup augmentation and model fine-tuning techniques for the “Sentinel-2 images→ GF-2 images” scenario.</p>
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<p>Visualizations of the results using mixup augmentation and model fine-tuning techniques for the “Sentinel-2 images→ GF-2 images” scenario.</p>
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<p>Visual comparison of results using models pre-trained on Sentinel-2 images in Suzhou.</p>
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<p>Visual comparison of results using models pre-trained on GF-2 images in Suzhou.</p>
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<p>Visualization of feature maps with different positional encoding methods.</p>
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17 pages, 700 KiB  
Article
Context Matters: Extra-Personal Factors Underlying Concussion Reporting in University Athletes
by William Archambault and Dave Ellemberg
Sports 2025, 13(3), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13030077 - 5 Mar 2025
Abstract
Gaps remain in our understanding of which factors contribute to concussion disclosure and how they contribute to this process, thereby limiting our ability to improve disclosure. This study aimed to characterize the most relevant extra-personal determinants of SC disclosure and to describe their [...] Read more.
Gaps remain in our understanding of which factors contribute to concussion disclosure and how they contribute to this process, thereby limiting our ability to improve disclosure. This study aimed to characterize the most relevant extra-personal determinants of SC disclosure and to describe their influence on the disclosure process. To that aim, the first author conducted substantive qualitative interviews with nine university student–athletes and analyzed their content via constant comparative analysis (guided by Straussian grounded theory). Eleven (11) extra-personal concepts influencing concussion reporting were identified and described across two categories: Contextual Incentives and Socio-Cultural Pressures. These findings suggest that each identified concept can individually shape the context around the injury, creating either higher-stakes conditions that deter disclosure or lower-stakes conditions that encourage it. Further, the results posit that these concepts interact and collectively influence athletes’ decision-making process by modulating the perceived stakes of disclosing a concussion. If these findings hold true in more diverse populations and contexts, they suggest that adapting concussion prevention efforts to consider these contextual variables could improve SC disclosure. This study also highlights the benefits of using qualitative methods in the investigation of concussion reporting. Full article
35 pages, 4865 KiB  
Article
Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort in University Classrooms in Southwestern Spain: A Longitudinal Analysis from Pandemic to Post-Pandemic
by Pilar Romero, Víctor Valero-Amaro, José Ignacio Arranz, Francisco José Sepúlveda and María Teresa Miranda
Buildings 2025, 15(5), 829; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15050829 - 5 Mar 2025
Abstract
After the COVID-19 lockdown, the health authorities established strict protocols for ventilating indoor spaces and reducing contagion. Although the control of the disease allowed these measures to be relaxed, indoor air quality (IAQ) and natural ventilation (NV) are still essential. However, in certain [...] Read more.
After the COVID-19 lockdown, the health authorities established strict protocols for ventilating indoor spaces and reducing contagion. Although the control of the disease allowed these measures to be relaxed, indoor air quality (IAQ) and natural ventilation (NV) are still essential. However, in certain climatic conditions, this can affect the thermal comfort of the occupants. This situation is relevant in educational buildings, where thermal discomfort can influence students’ academic performance, especially during critical periods such as exams. In this context, this article explores how different NV strategies, both during and after the pandemic, affect the thermal comfort of students at a university in a Mediterranean climate zone. The analyses revealed that, despite the low temperatures and strict ventilation protocols due to COVID-19, thermal comfort during winter was higher than in spring and summer. These results led to an investigation into which variables could explain this phenomenon, detecting that the choice of clothing was crucial to achieving adequate comfort conditions. Regarding IAQ, ventilation was sufficient, even excessive, in some cases, especially during mandatory measures. In conclusion, it would be beneficial to establish ventilation protocols adapted to each environment and to advise students on individual strategies to improve their thermal comfort. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems)
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