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33 pages, 2157 KB  
Review
Artificial Intelligence in Heritage Tourism: Innovation, Accessibility, and Sustainability in the Digital Age
by José-Manuel Sánchez-Martín, Rebeca Guillén-Peñafiel and Ana-María Hernández-Carretero
Heritage 2025, 8(10), 428; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8100428 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is profoundly transforming heritage tourism through the incorporation of technological solutions that reconfigure the ways in which cultural heritage is conserved, interpreted, and experienced. This article presents a critical and systematic review of current AI applications in this field, with [...] Read more.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is profoundly transforming heritage tourism through the incorporation of technological solutions that reconfigure the ways in which cultural heritage is conserved, interpreted, and experienced. This article presents a critical and systematic review of current AI applications in this field, with a special focus on their impact on destination management, the personalization of tourist experiences, universal accessibility, and the preservation of both tangible and intangible assets. Based on an analysis of the scientific literature and international use cases, key technologies such as machine learning, computer vision, generative models, and recommendation systems are identified. These tools enable everything from the virtual reconstruction of historical sites to the development of intelligent cultural assistants and adaptive tours, improving the visitor experience and promoting inclusion. This study also examines the main ethical, technical, and epistemological challenges associated with this transformation, including algorithmic surveillance, data protection, interoperability between platforms, the digital divide, and the reconfiguration of heritage knowledge production processes. In conclusion, this study argues that AI, when implemented in accordance with principles of responsibility, sustainability, and cultural sensitivity, can serve as a strategic instrument for ensuring the accessibility, representativeness, and social relevance of cultural heritage in the digital age. However, its effective integration necessitates the development of sector-specific ethical frameworks, inclusive governance models, and sustainable technological implementation strategies that promote equity, community participation, and long-term viability. Furthermore, this article highlights the need for empirical research to assess the actual impact of these technologies and for the creation of indicators to evaluate their effectiveness, fairness, and contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Museology and Emerging Technologies in Cultural Heritage)
12 pages, 3188 KB  
Article
Gene Mapping and Molecular Marker Development for Controlling Purple-Leaf Trait in Pakchoi (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis (L.) Hanelt)
by Bo Song, Qinyu Yang, Wenqi Zhang, Xiao Yang, Li Zhang, Lin Ouyang, Limei He, Longzheng Chen, Zange Jing, Tao Huang, Hai Xu, Yuejian Li and Qichang Yang
Genes 2025, 16(10), 1184; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16101184 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Purple pakchoi (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis (L.) Hanelt) is rich in anthocyanins, which contribute to its significant edible, ornamental, and potential health-promoting value. The previous research on the purple-leaf trait of pakchoi was rather insufficient, key gene controlling the purple-leaf trait remains [...] Read more.
Purple pakchoi (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis (L.) Hanelt) is rich in anthocyanins, which contribute to its significant edible, ornamental, and potential health-promoting value. The previous research on the purple-leaf trait of pakchoi was rather insufficient, key gene controlling the purple-leaf trait remains to be further elucidated. Fine mapping of the genes responsible for the purple-leaf trait is essential for establishing molecular marker-assisted breeding and facilitating genetic improvement. In this study, we used the inbred purple-leaf line ‘PQC’ and green-leaf line ‘HYYTC’ as parents to construct a six-generation genetic segregation population. We analyzed the inheritance pattern of the purple-leaf trait and combined Bulked Segregant Analysis Sequencing (BSA-seq) with penta-primer amplification refractory mutation system (PARMS) to map the causal gene. The main findings are as follows: the purple-leaf trait is controlled by a single dominant gene. Using BSA-seq and PARMS, the genes were mapped to a 470 kb region (31.18–31.65 Mb) on chromosome A03. Within this interval, 29 candidate genes were identified. Bra017888 which encoding trehalose phosphate synthase 10 (TPS10), was highlighted as a potential regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis. A developed molecular marker, SNP31304070, based on the final candidate region, successfully distinguished between purple homozygous and purple heterozygous plants in the F2 and F3 populations, showing complete co-segregation with the trait. The marker could be applied to molecular-assisted breeding in purple pakchoi. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Genetics and Genomics)
20 pages, 5241 KB  
Article
Integrating a Fast and Reliable Robotic Hooking System for Enhanced Stamping Press Processes in Smart Manufacturing
by Yen-Chun Chen, Fu-Yao Chang and Chin-Feng Lai
Automation 2025, 6(4), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/automation6040055 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Facing the diversity of the market, the industry has to move towards Industry 4.0, and smart manufacturing based on cyber-physical systems is the only way to move towards Industry 4.0. However, there are two key concepts in Industry 4.0: cyber-physical systems (CPSs) and [...] Read more.
Facing the diversity of the market, the industry has to move towards Industry 4.0, and smart manufacturing based on cyber-physical systems is the only way to move towards Industry 4.0. However, there are two key concepts in Industry 4.0: cyber-physical systems (CPSs) and digital twins (DTs). In the paper, we propose a smart manufacturing system suitable for stamping press processes based on the CPS concept and use DT to establish a manufacturing-end robot guidance generation model. In the smart manufacturing system of stamping press processes, fog nodes are used to connect three major architectures, including device health diagnosis, manufacturing device, and material traceability. In addition, a special hook end point is designed, and its lightweight visual guidance generation model is established to improve the production efficiency of the manufacturing end in product manufacturing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Robotics and Autonomous Systems)
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25 pages, 4637 KB  
Article
Multi-Component Botanical Crude Extracts Improve Egg and Meat Quality in Late-Laying Hens Through Gut Microbiota Modulation
by Xiaofang Wei, Huixin Liu, Fang Chen, Yumiao Liang, Wenwen Yang, Wenjing Liang, Ting Xu, Hongjie Hu, Xiuyu Li, Hongbin Si and Shuibao Shen
Foods 2025, 14(20), 3480; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14203480 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Laying hens in the late laying period often experience reduced productivity and declining egg and meat quality, which limits breeding efficiency and resource utilization. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of multi-component Botanical Crude Extracts (BCEs) on egg and meat quality, metabolic [...] Read more.
Laying hens in the late laying period often experience reduced productivity and declining egg and meat quality, which limits breeding efficiency and resource utilization. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of multi-component Botanical Crude Extracts (BCEs) on egg and meat quality, metabolic health, and gut microbiota in aged laying hens. A total of 4320 hens were supplemented with 0.3% BCEs for 100 days, with evaluations at 60 and 100 days. BCE supplementation significantly enhanced egg flavor by promoting aromatic and fat-soluble volatiles and reducing odorous compounds (p < 0.05). BCEs improved yolk nutrition by enriching n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and optimizing the n-6/n-3 ratio (p < 0.05). A moderate reduction in amino acids was observed, which may reduce bitterness and ammonia burden (0.05 ≤ p < 0.10, trend). In muscle, BCEs improved protein–fat distribution, increased intramuscular fat, and enhanced flavor-related metabolites, significantly improving meat quality of culled hens (p < 0.05). BCEs also reshaped gut microbiota, reducing harmful taxa and promoting short-chain fatty acid and aromatic metabolite biosynthesis (p < 0.05). Serum metabolomics revealed modulation of AMPK, calcium, and cholesterol pathways, improving antioxidant capacity and lipid regulation (p < 0.05). Correlation analyses linked beneficial bacteria and metabolites with yolk DHA levels and flavor (p < 0.05). Overall, BCEs enhanced egg and meat quality and physiological health, providing guidance for functional feed strategies in aged laying hens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Meat)
16 pages, 1371 KB  
Article
Scale-Adaptive High-Resolution Imaging Using a Rotating-Prism-Guided Variable-Boresight Camera
by Zhaojun Deng, Anhu Li, Xin Zhao, Yonghao Lai and Jialiang Jin
Sensors 2025, 25(20), 6313; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25206313 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Large-field-of-view (FOV) and high-resolution imaging have always been the goals pursued by imaging technology. A scale-adaptive high-resolution imaging architecture is established using a rotating-prism-embedded variable-boresight camera. By planning to prism motion, the multi-view images with rich information are combined to form a large-scale [...] Read more.
Large-field-of-view (FOV) and high-resolution imaging have always been the goals pursued by imaging technology. A scale-adaptive high-resolution imaging architecture is established using a rotating-prism-embedded variable-boresight camera. By planning to prism motion, the multi-view images with rich information are combined to form a large-scale FOV image. The boresight is guided towards the region of interest (ROI) in the combined FOV to reconstruct super-resolution (SR) images with the desired information. A novel distortion correction method is proposed using virtual symmetrical prisms with rotation angles that are complementary. Based on light reverse tracing, the dispersion induced by monochromatic lights with different refractive indices can be eliminated by accurate pixel-level position compensation. For resolution enhancement, we provide a new scheme for SR imaging consisting of the residual removal network and information enhancement network by multi-view image fusion. The experiments show that the proposed architecture can achieve both large-FOV scene imaging for situational awareness and SR ROI display to acquire details, effectively perform distortion and dispersion correction, and alleviate the occlusion to a certain extent. It also provides higher image clarity compared to the traditional SR methods and overcomes the problem of balancing large-scale imaging and high-resolution imaging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection 3D Imaging and Sensing System)
19 pages, 928 KB  
Review
Lapatinib-Based Radioagents for Application in Nuclear Medicine
by Przemysław Koźmiński and Ewa Gniazdowska
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(20), 10964; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152010964 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Lapatinib is an approved therapeutic agent for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. It has a high affinity for the non-receptor cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases of the EGFR and HER2 receptors. It is a type II inhibitor, with Kiapp values of 3 [...] Read more.
Lapatinib is an approved therapeutic agent for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. It has a high affinity for the non-receptor cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases of the EGFR and HER2 receptors. It is a type II inhibitor, with Kiapp values of 3 nM and 13 nM, respectively. The dissociation rate of the lapatinib–receptor complex is notably slow compared with many other kinase inhibitors. Although the literature contains numerous reports on radiolabelled ligands for HER-family receptors, studies on radiolabelled tyrosine kinase inhibitors are far fewer, and only few focus specifically on radiolabelled lapatinib. The aim of this review is to compile and discuss the chemical and biological data on lapatinib-based radiopharmaceuticals with potential applications in the diagnosis and treatment of HER2-positive tumours. Full article
57 pages, 1382 KB  
Article
Bidirectional Endothelial Feedback Drives Turing-Vascular Patterning and Drug-Resistance Niches: A Hybrid PDE-Agent-Based Study
by Zonghao Liu, Louis Shuo Wang, Jiguang Yu, Jilin Zhang, Erica Martel and Shijia Li
Bioengineering 2025, 12(10), 1097; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12101097 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
We present a hybrid partial differential equation-agent-based model (PDE-ABM). In our framework, tumor cells secrete tumor angiogenic factor (TAF), while endothelial cells chemotactically migrate and branch in response. Reaction–diffusion PDEs for TAF, oxygen, and cytotoxic drug are coupled to discrete stochastic dynamics of [...] Read more.
We present a hybrid partial differential equation-agent-based model (PDE-ABM). In our framework, tumor cells secrete tumor angiogenic factor (TAF), while endothelial cells chemotactically migrate and branch in response. Reaction–diffusion PDEs for TAF, oxygen, and cytotoxic drug are coupled to discrete stochastic dynamics of tumor cells and endothelial tip cells, ensuring multiscale integration. Motivated by observed perfusion heterogeneity in tumors and its pharmacokinetic consequences, we conduct a linear stability analysis for a reduced endothelial–TAF reaction–diffusion subsystem and derive an explicit finite-domain threshold for Turing instability. We demonstrate that bidirectional coupling, where endothelial cells both chemotactically migrate along TAF gradients and secrete TAF, is necessary and sufficient to generate spatially periodic vascular clusters and inter-cluster hypoxic regions. These emergent patterns produce heterogeneous drug penetration and resistant niches. Our results identify TAF clearance, chemotactic sensitivity, and endothelial motility as effective levers to homogenize perfusion. The model is two-dimensional and employs simplified kinetics, and we outline necessary extensions to three dimensions and saturable kinetics required for quantitative calibration. The study links reaction–diffusion mechanisms with clinical principles and suggests actionable strategies to mitigate resistance by targeting endothelial–TAF feedback. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Partial Differential Equations in Bioengineering)
16 pages, 679 KB  
Review
Tiny Fish, Big Hope: Zebrafish Unlocking Secrets to Fight Parkinson’s Disease
by Manjunatha Bangeppagari, Akshatha Manjunath, Anusha Srinivasa and Sang Joon Lee
Biology 2025, 14(10), 1397; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14101397 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder marked by the gradual loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. This neuronal degradation causes motor symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and slowness of movement. Despite decades of research, current treatments remain limited to symptom [...] Read more.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder marked by the gradual loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. This neuronal degradation causes motor symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and slowness of movement. Despite decades of research, current treatments remain limited to symptom management, highlighting the urgent need for deeper insights into PD mechanisms and new therapeutic approaches. Among model organisms, zebrafish (Danio rerio) have emerged as a valuable tool for PD research due to the possibility of genetic manipulation. Zebrafish can be engineered to carry human PD-associated mutations, such as those in α-synuclein, LRRK2, and Parkin, enabling researchers to study the molecular and cellular basis of the disease. Additionally, exposure to neurotoxins like MPTP and paraquat allows scientists to replicate PD-like symptoms in zebrafish, supporting drug screening and behavioural analysis. This review summarises the key advantages and limitations of zebrafish as a model for PD, compares it with rodent models, and discusses recent advances and future directions that may improve translational outcomes in PD therapy and personalised medicine. Full article
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8 pages, 817 KB  
Case Report
The Diagnostic Pitfalls in the Pronator Teres Syndrome—A Case Report
by Wiktoria Rałowska-Gmoch, Marcin Hajzyk, Tomasz Matyskieła, Beata Łabuz-Roszak and Edyta Dziadkowiak
Neurol. Int. 2025, 17(10), 169; https://doi.org/10.3390/neurolint17100169 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Pronator teres syndrome is a rare proximal median neuropathy caused by compression of the median nerve at various points. It is a rare condition, and many times it is mistaken for carpal tunnel syndrome. There are many authors who refer to the pronator [...] Read more.
Pronator teres syndrome is a rare proximal median neuropathy caused by compression of the median nerve at various points. It is a rare condition, and many times it is mistaken for carpal tunnel syndrome. There are many authors who refer to the pronator syndrome as a compression of the median nerve at several potential sites of entrapment in the region of the antecubital fossa, more proximal compression at the Ligament of Strutters, and more distally, including lacerus fibrosus within the pronator teres muscle and the anterior interosseous nerve. The diagnostic difficulties in a patient with severe right forearm pain during elbow flexion and pronation are presented. Routine test results, including MRI of the right elbow joint, nerve conduction study of the brachial plexus and ulnar nerve, and electromyographic study of the muscles of the right upper extremity, were normal. Ultrasonography showed an enlarged pronator teres muscle. The patient underwent surgical removal of the lacertus fibrosus. All symptoms resolved. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Pain Research)
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17 pages, 2421 KB  
Article
Pilot Study of an Online Exercise Therapy Programme for Home Office Workers in Terms of Musculoskeletal and Mental Health
by Tünde Szilágyi, Ilona Veres-Balajti, Balázs Lukács, Enikő Király, Anna Mária Laczkó and Zoltán Jenei
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(20), 10963; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152010963 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
(1) Background: Working from home is becoming increasingly common and has many advantages, but also negative consequences such as reduced physical activity, poor ergonomics and stress. Many people find it difficult to attend in-person rehabilitation sessions due to transportation barriers and limited access [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Working from home is becoming increasingly common and has many advantages, but also negative consequences such as reduced physical activity, poor ergonomics and stress. Many people find it difficult to attend in-person rehabilitation sessions due to transportation barriers and limited access to rehabilitation facilities. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate whether our online preventive exercise programme effectively improves the musculoskeletal and mental health of sedentary workers. (2) Methods: The study participants worked from home on a long-term basis. Our research group consisted of 30 people, 16 in the intervention group and 14 in the control group. The intervention group members participated in a complex preventive exercise programme three times a week for 10 weeks. The training took place online. Before and after the exercise programme, various tests were used to assess the functional status of the participants’ spine, the strength and flexibility of their core muscles (Core, Kempf and Kraus–Weber tests) and their mental state (Beck Depression Inventory). (3) Results: Significant improvement was observed in the intervention group in the Core, Kempf, Kraus–Weber and Beck tests. (4) Conclusion: Our online complex training programme proved to be effective during the evaluation. It is crucial to tailor remote rehabilitation services to the individual needs and preferences of patients and healthcare professionals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches of Physical Therapy-Based Rehabilitation)
17 pages, 2409 KB  
Article
Immunogenicity and Contraceptive Potential of a Classical Swine Fever Viral Vector Live Vaccine Strain Containing Pig Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
by Dong-Jun An, Ji-Hee Shin, SeEun Choe, Young-Hyeon Lee, Min-Kyung Jang, Byung-Hyun An, Gyu-Nam Park, Yun-Sang Cho and Kyung-Soo Chang
Vaccines 2025, 13(10), 1048; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13101048 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Background: Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is a highly contagious and fatal disease in pigs and wild boars. While hunting and bait vaccination are effective for CSFV eradication, additional strategies are needed to control wild boar populations. This study aimed to develop an [...] Read more.
Background: Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is a highly contagious and fatal disease in pigs and wild boars. While hunting and bait vaccination are effective for CSFV eradication, additional strategies are needed to control wild boar populations. This study aimed to develop an oral vaccine, Flc-LOM-GnRHx3, by inserting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) epitopes into the Flc-LOM clone. Methods: The Flc-LOM-GnRHx3 strain was rescued from CPK cells and propagated to high titers in MDBK cells. Male boars (20 weeks old) received three doses (105.0 TCID50/ml/dose) of Flc-LOM-GnRHx3 either orally or intramuscularly at 2-week intervals. Anti-CSFV E2 antibodies were detected via immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Results: Both vaccination routes induced anti-GnRH antibodies and reduced testosterone levels. Testis size and weight were slightly lower than controls, with seminiferous tubule and spermatid deformities observed in 52.5% of intramuscularly vaccinated pigs and 20.8% of orally vaccinated pigs. Conclusions: Flc-LOM-GnRHx3 demonstrates potential as a dual-function oral vaccine that can eradicate CSFV and impair reproductive capacity in wild boars, offering a novel approach for integrated disease control and population management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Classical Swine Fever Virus Vaccines)
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22 pages, 1401 KB  
Article
Techno-Economic Assessment of Microalgae-Based Biofertilizer Production from Municipal Wastewater Using Scenedesmus sp.
by Alejandro Pérez Mesa, Paula Andrea Céspedes Grattz, Juan José Vidal Vargas, Luis Alberto Ríos and David Ocampo Echeverri
Water 2025, 17(20), 2941; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17202941 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
This research determines the techno-economic feasibility of valorizing as biofertilizer the nitrogen (N) and the phosphorus (P) from a municipal wastewater effluent using the microalgae Scenedesmus sp., contributing to phosphorus recycling, resource optimization, and diminishing eutrophication by capturing 74% of N, 97% of [...] Read more.
This research determines the techno-economic feasibility of valorizing as biofertilizer the nitrogen (N) and the phosphorus (P) from a municipal wastewater effluent using the microalgae Scenedesmus sp., contributing to phosphorus recycling, resource optimization, and diminishing eutrophication by capturing 74% of N, 97% of P, and 41% of chemical oxygen demand in effluents. The inoculum was conditioned in 20 L photobioreactors by weekly harvesting and refilling at room temperature (25 °C day, 12 °C night) with a 12:12 photoperiod and 4 L/min atmospheric air bubbling. The improved operational conditions were obtained using a Box–Behnken experimental design, establishing that 70% wastewater concentration (vol./vol.), 4.5% nutrient addition, and 3 days’ harvesting time were the best conditions. The estimated biomass production was 176 tons/year, and this represents a maximum net present value of 1.5 MUSD for a 6.8 Ha plant, capturing 10% of municipal wastewater effluent, which serves 64000 inhabitants. The representative operational costs (OPEX) were 32% for utilities, 30% labor costs, and 25% for raw materials, and the required capital expenditures (CAPEX) were 11 MUSD and are related to photobioreactors (64%) and land (21%). The findings demonstrate the potential of microalgae-based systems as a feasible and profitable approach to wastewater valorization, while also highlighting the need for scale-up validation and integration with existing treatment infrastructures, where land requirements and photobioreactor installation will be relevant for financial feasibility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Algae-Based Technology for Wastewater Treatment)
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6 pages, 1465 KB  
Case Report
A Conundrum of Colliding Conditions: A Histopathological Case Report of Chiari Type III with Complete Spina Bifida Aperta
by George Stoyanov, Ivaylo Balabanov, Svetoslava Zhivkova and Hristo Popov
Reports 2025, 8(4), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/reports8040202 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Background and Clinical Significance: Spina bifida in the cervical region is closely associated with Chiari malformation, which is an amalgamation of terminology for separate conditions with similar pathophysiological mechanisms and progression from one another. Chiari malformations are associated with varying degrees of [...] Read more.
Background and Clinical Significance: Spina bifida in the cervical region is closely associated with Chiari malformation, which is an amalgamation of terminology for separate conditions with similar pathophysiological mechanisms and progression from one another. Chiari malformations are associated with varying degrees of dilation of the foramen magnum or lack of fusion of the occipital bone with syringomyelia, herniation of the cerebellum, occipitocele and occipitomyelocele; Case Presentation: A previously healthy 23-year-old primigravida presented to our institution due to fetal demise in the third lunar month, established on routine outpatient maternal consultation. Point-of-care ultrasound revealed an amniotic sac measuring 3 cm in diameter and containing a single fetus, without cardiac function. Due to these, the patient was scheduled for pregnancy termination, during which the cervix was noted to be spontaneously dilated and abrasion accomplished complete evacuation of the amniotic sac, without its rupture. Upon sectioning of the amniotic sac, a fetus, measuring 2.5 cm in length, was noted, with a significant cuffing of the occipital and cervical paraspinal region. Histology revealed fetal structures with an adequate maturation index for its gestational age, but it presented with a pronounced meningoencephalomyelocele in the cervical and thoracic regions, characterized by the complete absence of vertebral arches and spinous processes from the atlanto-occipital to the sacral region; Conclusions: In the present case, not only is a significant and complex form of Chiari type III reported, but the condition is also associated with spina bifida aperta in all spinal regions, leading to meningoencephalomyelocele, incompatible with life. Full article
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25 pages, 3220 KB  
Article
Industrial-Based Comprehension on the Ceramic Body Composition by Continuous/Batch Grinding Methods
by Emrah Durgut
Minerals 2025, 15(10), 1070; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15101070 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
In this study, the effects of batch and continuous grinding on the ceramic floor tile body were investigated in terms of cost, capacity, and technical aspects. In batch milling, a changing speed during grinding was more efficient than a constant speed. Capacity and [...] Read more.
In this study, the effects of batch and continuous grinding on the ceramic floor tile body were investigated in terms of cost, capacity, and technical aspects. In batch milling, a changing speed during grinding was more efficient than a constant speed. Capacity and energy consumption increased as the mill rotation speed increased in continuous grinding. Specific energy consumptions were measured as 36 kW/ton and 43.1 kW/ton, with 1.6 ton/h and 8.375 t/h capacities. Additionally, d10, d50, and d90 values for ground ceramic floor tile bodies were determined to be 2.5, 9.5, and 47.2 µm and 2.5, 9.4, and 48.1 µm for batch and continuous grinding, respectively. No significant difference was observed in the color and shrinkage values, while water absorptions were calculated to be 1.1% and 0.3% as sintering properties for batch and continuous methods, respectively. In the phase analysis of a sintered body prepared using the continuous method, mullite and quartz were observed, while microcline was also analyzed differently from such minerals for the batch one. Structural changes, surface morphology, and roughness were also interpreted by DTA/TG, SEM, and AFM analysis. The presence of plastic clay minerals during the grinding process in batch milling caused non-plastic raw materials not to be ground sufficiently, and sintering characteristics changed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Clay Minerals to Ceramics: Progress and Challenges)
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14 pages, 390 KB  
Article
Deviant Behavior in Young People After COVID-19: The Role of Sensation Seeking and Empathy in Determining Deviant Behavior
by Marta Floridi, Allison Uvelli, Benedetta Tonini, Simon Ghinassi, Silvia Casale, Gabriele Prati, Giacomo Gualtieri, Alessandra Masti and Fabio Ferretti
COVID 2025, 5(10), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid5100173 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted adolescent development, increasing behavioral problems and emotional distress. This study aimed to examine the impact of sensation seeking, empathy, and COVID-19-related stressors on deviant behavior in adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 638 Italian adolescents [...] Read more.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted adolescent development, increasing behavioral problems and emotional distress. This study aimed to examine the impact of sensation seeking, empathy, and COVID-19-related stressors on deviant behavior in adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 638 Italian adolescents and young adults (M = 18.8 years, SD = 3.51) recruited from schools, universities, and the general population in Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. Participants completed validated measures assessing sensation seeking, empathy, COVID-19-related stress, and deviant behaviors. Multiple regression analyses examined predictors of deviant behavior, while mediation analyses tested whether empathy mediated the relationship between sensation seeking and deviant behavior. Results: Correlation analyses show a positive association between sensation seeking and deviant behavior and a weaker positive association with COVID-19 isolation. Conversely, affective empathy demonstrated negative correlations with both deviant behavior and sensation seeking. COVID-19 stress demonstrated differentiated effects: social isolation increased deviance, whereas fear of contagion was protective. Mediation analysis revealed that affective empathy partially mediated the relationship between sensation seeking and deviance. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that sensation seeking is a primary risk factor for deviant behavior in adolescents and young adults, while affective empathy acts as a protective mechanism that partially mediates this relationship. Furthermore, COVID-19-related stressors have shown complex effects, with social isolation amplifying the risk of deviance, while fear of contagion promotes more inhibited behavior. These findings underscore the importance of considering both stable personality traits and situational stressors when seeking to understand the pathways leading to adolescent behavioral problems during periods of social crisis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section COVID Public Health and Epidemiology)
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30 pages, 11699 KB  
Article
Urban Air Mobility Vertiports: A Bibliometric Analysis of Applications, Challenges, and Emerging Directions
by Yannan Lu, Weili Zeng, Wenbin Wei, Weiwei Wu and Hao Jiang
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(20), 10961; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152010961 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Vertiports, as the foundational ground infrastructure for Urban Air Mobility (UAM), have garnered increasing scholarly attention in recent years. To examine how the existing literature has reviewed and summarized vertiport-related knowledge, this study conducts a bibliometric analysis of publications (2000–2024) from four major [...] Read more.
Vertiports, as the foundational ground infrastructure for Urban Air Mobility (UAM), have garnered increasing scholarly attention in recent years. To examine how the existing literature has reviewed and summarized vertiport-related knowledge, this study conducts a bibliometric analysis of publications (2000–2024) from four major databases, including Web of Science and Scopus, using VOSviewer and CiteSpace. By analyzing co-citation and keyword co-occurrence patterns, the results suggest that vertiport research frontiers are shifting toward facility location, network planning, airspace and scheduling management, scalable infrastructure, and integration with ground transport systems. Scholars and institutions in the United States, China, Europe, and South Korea have taken leading roles in advancing this field, though collaboration among research organizations still requires strengthening. Overall, the findings reveal future research pathways and provide support for the planning and integration of vertiport infrastructure in UAM operations. Full article
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33 pages, 66841 KB  
Article
VR Human-Centric Winter Lane Detection: Performance and Driving Experience Evaluation
by Tatiana Ortegon-Sarmiento, Patricia Paderewski, Sousso Kelouwani, Francisco Gutierrez-Vela and Alvaro Uribe-Quevedo
Sensors 2025, 25(20), 6312; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25206312 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Driving in snowy conditions challenges both human drivers and autonomous systems. Snowfall and ice accumulation impair vehicle control and affect driver perception and performance. Road markings are often obscured, forcing drivers to rely on intuition and memory to stay in their lane, which [...] Read more.
Driving in snowy conditions challenges both human drivers and autonomous systems. Snowfall and ice accumulation impair vehicle control and affect driver perception and performance. Road markings are often obscured, forcing drivers to rely on intuition and memory to stay in their lane, which can lead to encroachment into adjacent lanes or sidewalks. Current lane detectors assist in lane keeping, but their performance is compromised by visual disturbances such as ice reflection, snowflake movement, fog, and snow cover. Furthermore, testing these systems with users on actual snowy roads involves risks to driver safety, equipment integrity, and ethical compliance. This study presents a low-cost virtual reality simulation for evaluating winter lane detection in controlled and safe conditions from a human-in-the-loop perspective. Participants drove in a simulated snowy scenario with and without the detector while quantitative and qualitative variables were monitored. Results showed a 49.9% reduction in unintentional lane departures with the detector and significantly improved user experience, as measured by the UEQ-S (p = 0.023, Cohen’s d = 0.72). Participants also reported higher perceived safety, situational awareness, and confidence. These findings highlight the potential of vision-based lane detection systems adapted to winter environments and demonstrate the value of immersive simulations for user-centered testing of ADASs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Extended Reality: Models and Applications)
22 pages, 9295 KB  
Article
FedGTD-UAVs: Federated Transfer Learning with SPD-GCNet for Occlusion-Robust Ground Small-Target Detection in UAV Swarms
by Liang Zhao, Xin Jia and Yuting Cheng
Drones 2025, 9(10), 703; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones9100703 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Swarm-based UAV cooperative ground target detection faces critical challenges including sensitivity to small targets, susceptibility to occlusion, and data heterogeneity across distributed platforms. To address these issues, we propose FedGTD-UAVs—a privacy-preserving federated transfer learning (FTL) framework optimized for real-time swarm perception tasks. Our [...] Read more.
Swarm-based UAV cooperative ground target detection faces critical challenges including sensitivity to small targets, susceptibility to occlusion, and data heterogeneity across distributed platforms. To address these issues, we propose FedGTD-UAVs—a privacy-preserving federated transfer learning (FTL) framework optimized for real-time swarm perception tasks. Our solution integrates three key innovations: (1) an FTL paradigm employing centralized pre-training on public datasets followed by federated fine-tuning of sparse parameter subsets—under severe non-Independent and Identically Distributed (non-IID) data distributions, this paradigm ensures data privacy while maintaining over 98% performance; (2) an Space-to-Depth Convolution (SPD-Conv) backbone that replaces lossy downsampling with lossless space-to-depth operations, preserving fine-grained spatial features critical for small targets; (3) a lightweight Global Context Network (GCNet) module leverages contextual reasoning to effectively capture long-range dependencies, thereby enhancing robustness against occluded objects while maintaining real-time inference at 217 FPS. Extensive validation on VisDrone2019 and CARPK benchmarks demonstrates state-of-the-art performance: 44.2% mAP@0.5 (surpassing YOLOv8s by 12.1%) with 3.2× superior accuracy-efficiency trade-off. Compared to traditional centralized learning methods that rely on global data sharing and pose privacy risks, as well as the significant performance degradation of standard federated learning under non-IID data, this framework successfully resolves the core conflict between data privacy protection and detection performance maintenance, providing a secure and efficient solution for real-world deployment in complex dynamic environments. Full article
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24 pages, 13616 KB  
Article
Optimization of EPA-Nattokinase Nanoemulsions Processed by High-Pressure Homogenization to Enhance Stability and Thrombolytic Efficacy
by Jiaxing Wang, Shanshan Xu, Liang Chen, Pingan Zheng, Ru Song, Yan Song, Jipeng Sun and Bin Zhang
Foods 2025, 14(20), 3482; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14203482 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
This study leverages nanoemulsion technology to engineer a novel liquid formulation combining Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Nattokinase (NK), aiming to enhance their application potential in functional foods. Both EPA and NK are well recognized for their pronounced anti-thrombotic, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering properties, which [...] Read more.
This study leverages nanoemulsion technology to engineer a novel liquid formulation combining Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Nattokinase (NK), aiming to enhance their application potential in functional foods. Both EPA and NK are well recognized for their pronounced anti-thrombotic, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering properties, which are critical for the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases. However, their practical application in functional foods is hampered by inadequate gastrointestinal stability and suboptimal bioavailability. Here, an EPA-NK nanoemulsion was fabricated using high-pressure homogenization technology. We systematically evaluated its environmental stability, anti-thrombotic activity, and intervention efficacy against carrageenan-induced black-tail thrombosis. The results demonstrated that the nanoemulsion not only enhanced the potential for oral bioavailability based on in vitro stability and preliminary in vivo efficacy trends of EPA and NK but also notably potentiated their synergistic anti-thrombotic efficacy, thereby providing robust theoretical and technical support for the development of next-generation health-promoting functional foods targeting thrombotic disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Food Physics and (Bio)Chemistry)
17 pages, 4181 KB  
Article
Impact Hazard of Strip Filling Mining in Upward Mining Faces
by Xuewei Zhang, Weiming Guan, Lingjin Huang, Jinwen Bai, Hongchao Zhao, Haosen Wang, Guandong Wu and Meng Xie
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(20), 10962; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152010962 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Coal resources serve as a fundamental pillar for global economic development and remain the dominant energy source in China. To improve coal resource utilization and assess the impact hazards related to strip filling mining, this study selects the No. 3-3 coal seam of [...] Read more.
Coal resources serve as a fundamental pillar for global economic development and remain the dominant energy source in China. To improve coal resource utilization and assess the impact hazards related to strip filling mining, this study selects the No. 3-3 coal seam of a mine in Tuokexun as its engineering context. By integrating theoretical investigation and numerical modeling, a comparative evaluation was performed between the conventional mining approach and the strip filling mining technique in terms of impact hazard. The results reveal that during the first phase of strip filling mining—characterized by a high filling ratio—the level of impact hazard remains minimal. Relative to the traditional method, the peak advance abutment pressure during the second phase of strip filling mining is reduced by as much as 17.8%. Moreover, significant reductions are observed in stress concentration, deformation intensity, and the extent of plastic zone propagation along the retreat roadway. Under the conventional method, the influence range is approximately 70 m, whereas under strip filling mining, it decreases to about 60 m. These insights confirm that strip filling mining can effectively diminish impact-related hazards and enhance the safety of underground coal extraction operations. Full article
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12 pages, 775 KB  
Article
Assessment of Fine Motor Abilities Among Children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Treated with Nusinersen Using a New Touchscreen Application: A Pilot Study
by Inbal Klemm, Alexandra Danial-Saad, Alexis R. Karlin, Rya Nassar-Yassien, Iuliana Eshel, Hagit Levine, Tamar Steinberg and Sharon Aharoni
Children 2025, 12(10), 1378; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12101378 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a genetic neurodegenerative disease characterized by severe muscle weakness and atrophy. Advances in disease-modifying therapies have dramatically changed the natural history of SMA and the outcome measures that are used to assess the clinical response to therapy. [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a genetic neurodegenerative disease characterized by severe muscle weakness and atrophy. Advances in disease-modifying therapies have dramatically changed the natural history of SMA and the outcome measures that are used to assess the clinical response to therapy. Standard assessment methods for SMA are limited in their ability to detect minor changes in fine motor abilities and in patients’ daily functions. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary use of the Touchscreen-Assessment Tool (TATOO) alongside standardized tools to detect changes in upper extremity motor function among individuals with SMA receiving nusinersen therapy. Methods: Thirteen individuals with genetically-confirmed SMA, aged 6–23 years, eight with SMA type 2, and five with SMA type 3, participated. The patients continued the maintenance dosing of nusinersen during the study period. They were evaluated at the onset of the study, then twice more at intervals at least six months apart. Upper extremity functional assessments were performed via the TATOO and standardized tools: the Hand Grip Dynamometer (HGD), Pinch Dynamometer (PD), Revised Upper Limb Module (RULM), and Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT). Results: Significant changes in fine motor function were detected using the TATOO together with other standardized tools. Participants demonstrated notable improvements in hand grip strength and fine motor performance, as measured by the NHPT. The RULM results were not statistically significant for the total study group, particularly in ambulatory patients with SMA type 3. TATOO provided detailed metrics, and revealed enhancements in accuracy and speed across various tasks. However, given the small sample size, the lack of a control group, and the lack of baseline assessment before receiving therapy, these findings should be considered preliminary and exploratory. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the TATOO, alongside traditional assessment tools, offers a sensitive measure of fine motor function changes in patients with SMA. This study highlights the potential of touchscreen-based assessments to address gaps in current outcome measures and emphasizes the need for larger, multicenter studies that will include pre-treatment, baseline, and control data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Children and Adolescents with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: Ecological Assessment Tools and Cognitive Analysis)
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22 pages, 4668 KB  
Article
An Effective Approach to Rotatory Fault Diagnosis Combining CEEMDAN and Feature-Level Integration
by Sumika Chauhan, Govind Vashishtha and Prabhkiran Kaur
Algorithms 2025, 18(10), 644; https://doi.org/10.3390/a18100644 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
This paper introduces an effective approach for rotatory fault diagnosis, specifically focusing on centrifugal pumps, by combining complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN) and feature-level integration. Centrifugal pumps are critical in various industries, and their condition monitoring is essential for [...] Read more.
This paper introduces an effective approach for rotatory fault diagnosis, specifically focusing on centrifugal pumps, by combining complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN) and feature-level integration. Centrifugal pumps are critical in various industries, and their condition monitoring is essential for reliability. The proposed methodology addresses the limitations of traditional single-sensor fault diagnosis by fusing information from acoustic and vibration signals. CEEMDAN was employed to decompose raw signals into intrinsic mode functions (IMFs), mitigating noise and non-stationary characteristics. Weighted kurtosis was used to select significant IMFs, and a comprehensive set of time, frequency, and time–frequency domain features was extracted. Feature-level fusion integrated these features, and a support vector machine (SVM) classifier, optimized using the crayfish optimization algorithm (COA), identified different health conditions. The methodology was validated on a centrifugal pump with various impeller defects, achieving a classification accuracy of 95.0%. The results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach in accurately diagnosing the state of centrifugal pumps. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue AI-Powered Predictive Maintenance: Transforming Industrial Operations Through Intelligent Fault Diagnosis)
22 pages, 2453 KB  
Article
Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli (STEC) from Danish Patients, 1997–2023: Diagnostic Trends and Bacteriological Findings
by Flemming Scheutz, Katrine Grimstrup Joensen, Susanne Schjørring, Bente Olesen, Jørgen Engberg, Hanne Marie Holt, Hans Linde Nielsen, Lars Lemming, Michael Pedersen, Lisbeth Lützen, Marc Trunjer Kusk Nielsen, Kristian Schønning and Eva Møller Nielsen
Microorganisms 2025, 13(10), 2342; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13102342 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Implementation of molecular detection methodology of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in Danish patients began in 1997. Since then, changes in molecular detection methods and diagnostic criteria have led to the present situation, in which almost all diarrhoeal stool specimens are examined for [...] Read more.
Implementation of molecular detection methodology of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in Danish patients began in 1997. Since then, changes in molecular detection methods and diagnostic criteria have led to the present situation, in which almost all diarrhoeal stool specimens are examined for STEC. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of STEC isolates referred to the national reference laboratory has increased the detailed characterisation, and revealed a large spectrum, of STEC types, including cross-over pathotypes typically associated with extraintestinal disease or traveller’s diarrhoea. Association of subtype stx2a (and stx2d) with the risk of developing haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) was confirmed. These changes have resulted in an increase in the number of diagnosed STEC cases from 31 cases in 1997 to 1432 in 2023. Similar increases in Europe have also been recorded. Culture of STEC is, on the other hand, declining, which poses a challenge to the identification of multiple STEC infections and outbreaks. Syndromic (PCR) test panels have also resulted in an increase in the detection of multiple microorganisms. Double or triple infections have increased the role of clinical microbiologists in interpreting and assessing the significance of diagnostic results and have also increased the need for high-quality curation of surveillance data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Medical Microbiology)
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36 pages, 603 KB  
Article
From Subset-Sum to Decoding: Improved Classical and Quantum Algorithms via Ternary Representation Technique
by Yang Li
Information 2025, 16(10), 887; https://doi.org/10.3390/info16100887 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
The subset-sum problem, a foundational NP-hard problem in theoretical computer science, serves as a critical building block for cryptographic constructions. This work introduces novel classical and quantum heuristic algorithms for the random subset-sum problem at density d=1, where exactly one [...] Read more.
The subset-sum problem, a foundational NP-hard problem in theoretical computer science, serves as a critical building block for cryptographic constructions. This work introduces novel classical and quantum heuristic algorithms for the random subset-sum problem at density d=1, where exactly one solution is expected. Classically, we propose the first algorithm based on a ternary tree representation structure, inspired by recent advances in lattice-based cryptanalysis. Through numerical optimization, our method achieves a time complexity of O˜20.2400n and space complexity of O˜20.2221n, improving upon the previous best classical heuristic result of O˜20.2830n. In the quantum setting, we develop a corresponding algorithm by integrating the classical ternary representation technique with a quantum walk search framework. The optimized quantum algorithm attains a time and space complexity of O˜20.1843n, surpassing the prior state-of-the-art quantum heuristic of O˜20.2182n. Furthermore, we apply our algorithms to information set decoding in code-based cryptography. For half-distance decoding, our classical algorithm improves the time complexity to O˜20.0453n, surpassing the previous best of O˜20.0465n. For full-distance decoding, we achieve a quantum complexity of O˜20.058326n, advancing beyond the prior best quantum result of O˜20.058696n. These findings demonstrate the broad applicability and efficiency of our ternary representation technique across both classical and quantum computational models. Full article
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17 pages, 2514 KB  
Article
Numerical Investigation of Pyrolytic Coking and Its Effects on Heat Transfer of RP-3
by Xizhuo Hu, Peng Zhang, Jianqin Zhu, Zeyuan Cheng and Shuang Sun
Aerospace 2025, 12(10), 919; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace12100919 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Hydrocarbon fuels are extensively employed as coolants in the regenerative cooling systems of scramjet engines. However, the pyrolytic coking of hydrocarbon fuels at high temperatures introduces complex adverse effects on the flow and cooling processes. In this study, a numerical model was developed [...] Read more.
Hydrocarbon fuels are extensively employed as coolants in the regenerative cooling systems of scramjet engines. However, the pyrolytic coking of hydrocarbon fuels at high temperatures introduces complex adverse effects on the flow and cooling processes. In this study, a numerical model was developed to investigate the coupling processes of fluid flow, heat transfer, pyrolysis and pyrolytic coking in the heated tube, under both a constant outer wall heat flux of 1.8 MW/m2 and a constant outer wall temperature of 1150 K. The multi-step pyrolytic reaction mechanism and the kinetic coking model were applied to simulate the pyrolytic coking processes of RP-3. The results reveal that the amounts of catalytic coking and lateral growth exhibit significant differences in magnitude, as well as in their spatial and temporal variations. Under a constant outer wall heat flux, coking evidently increases the outer wall temperature and thermal resistance, leading to a narrowed flow passage and a reduction in the residence time and RP-3 conversion rate. Under a constant outer wall temperature, coking decreases the heat absorption flux, resulting in a lower fluid temperature, which primarily affects the efficiency of the endothermic pyrolytic reaction. The results obtained in this research can provide practical insights for the development of regenerative cooling technology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
12 pages, 1276 KB  
Article
Kettlebell Training vs. Plyometric Training: A Comparison of Jump Performance in Volleyball and Basketball Athletes
by Tom Brandt, Lucas Koch, Maximilian Herber, David Ohlendorf and Annette Schmidt
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(4), 395; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10040395 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Objectives: Plyometric training is a well-established method for enhancing jump performance in basketball and volleyball athletes but has certain limitations. Kettlebell training may provide a viable alternative as it mimics key biomechanical aspects of jumping, like explosive hip and knee extension during a [...] Read more.
Objectives: Plyometric training is a well-established method for enhancing jump performance in basketball and volleyball athletes but has certain limitations. Kettlebell training may provide a viable alternative as it mimics key biomechanical aspects of jumping, like explosive hip and knee extension during a ballistic hip–hinge pattern. Because evidence remains limited, this study aimed to compare the effects of both training methods. Methods: Thirty-eight volleyball and basketball club athletes (age: 22 (4.3); male = 29, female = 9) completed this study. Countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), drop jump (DJ), body fat percentage (FM), and muscle mass percentage (MM) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. The participants were assigned to one of three groups: a kettlebell training group (KbG), a plyometric training group (PG), or a control group (CG). Both the KbG and PG completed two supervised 25-min training sessions per week for six weeks, while the CG did not engage in any additional training intervention. The level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: There were no significant differences in CMJ, SJ, and DJ performance between the groups before the intervention. Significant differences in change between the groups from pre- to post-test were found for the SJ (p = 0.006), but not for the DJ (p = 0.06), CMJ (p = 0.26), FM (p = 0.9), and MM (p = 0.55). Pairwise comparisons revealed significantly greater positive change in the KbG than in the CG for the SJ (p = 0.003) and DJ (p = 0.03). Within-group analyses showed significant improvements in the KbG for the CMJ (p = 0.04), SJ (p < 0.001), and DJ (p = 0.003) performance, whereas FM and MM did not change. Within the PG and CG, no significant change occurred. Conclusions: Kettlebell training effectively improved jump performance and may therefore serve as a valuable component within strength and conditioning programs for basketball and volleyball athletes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimizing Performance: Training Strategies to Improve Strength, Speed, Power, and Endurance)
17 pages, 2000 KB  
Article
The Efficient PAE Degradation by Glutamicibacter sp. FR1 and Its Molecular Mechanism
by Peng Peng, Shuanghu Fan, Meiting Xu, Liyuan Liu, Xiaolin Zhang, Zihan Feng, Haina Du, Zimeng Wang, Qiao Qin, Weiming Feng, Hongyan Liu and Jingjing Guo
Processes 2025, 13(10), 3245; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13103245 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are important plasticizers that have led to the heavy pollution of farmland, which has aroused significant and widespread concern for soil health and food safety. Microbial degradation has been recognized as an efficient pathway for removing PAEs from the [...] Read more.
Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are important plasticizers that have led to the heavy pollution of farmland, which has aroused significant and widespread concern for soil health and food safety. Microbial degradation has been recognized as an efficient pathway for removing PAEs from the environment. In this study, the PAE-degrading strain FR1 was isolated from sewage and determined to belong to Glutamicibacter. This strain degraded PAEs efficiently under a wide range of conditions—10–50 °C, pH of 6.0–11.0, and 0–8% salinity—demonstrating its great potential in PAE bioremediation. Genome sequencing provided complete genomic information, showing that the strain comprises one chromosome (3,404,214 bp) and three plasmids (112,089 bp, 80,486 bp, and 40,002 bp). The chromosome harbors 3238 protein genes, of which the PAE hydrolase genes dphGB1 and mphGB2 have been cloned. The hydrolase DphGB1 from hydrolase family I contained the catalytic triad Ser75-Asp194-His221. After heterogeneous expression and purification, the recombinant protein DphGB1, of about 30 kDa, was obtained. This hydrolase showed strong hydrolytic ability toward DEHP. The protein MphGB2 could also hydrolyze MBP. The molecular docking revealed interaction between DphGB1 and DBP. The main hydrolases of strain FR1-degrading PAEs were functionally identified. These results will promote the elucidation of the catalytic mechanisms of PAE hydrolases and the application of strain FR1 in farmland soil remediation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Environmental and Green Processes)
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