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42 pages, 1578 KB  
Article
FirmVulLinker: Leveraging Multi-Dimensional Firmware Profiling for Identifying Homologous Vulnerabilities in Internet of Things Devices
by Yixuan Cheng, Fengzhi Xu, Lei Xu, Yang Ge, Jingyu Yang, Wenqing Fan, Wei Huang and Wen Liu
Electronics 2025, 14(17), 3438; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14173438 - 28 Aug 2025
Viewed by 475
Abstract
Identifying homologous vulnerabilities across diverse IoT firmware images is critical for large-scale vulnerability auditing and risk assessment. However, existing approaches often rely on coarse-grained components or single-dimensional metrics, lacking the semantic granularity needed to capture cross-firmware vulnerability relationships. To address this gap, we [...] Read more.
Identifying homologous vulnerabilities across diverse IoT firmware images is critical for large-scale vulnerability auditing and risk assessment. However, existing approaches often rely on coarse-grained components or single-dimensional metrics, lacking the semantic granularity needed to capture cross-firmware vulnerability relationships. To address this gap, we propose FirmVulLinker, a semantic profiling framework that holistically models firmware images across five dimensions: unpacking signature sequences, filesystem semantics, interface exposure, boundary binary symbols, and sensitive parameter call chains. These multi-dimensional profiles enable interpretable similarity analysis without requiring prior vulnerability labels. We construct an evaluation dataset comprising 54 Known Defective Firmware (KDF) images with 74 verified vulnerabilities and assess FirmVulLinker across multiple correlation tasks. Compared to state-of-the-art techniques, FirmVulLinker achieves higher precision with substantially lower false-positive and false-negative rates. Notably, it identifies and reproduces 53 previously undisclosed N-day vulnerabilities in firmware images not listed as affected at the time of public disclosure, effectively extending the known impact scope. Our results demonstrate that FirmVulLinker enables scalable, high-fidelity homologous vulnerability analysis, offering a new perspective on understanding cross-firmware vulnerability patterns in the IoT ecosystem. Full article
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20 pages, 7629 KB  
Article
Statistical Evaluation of Effect of Shape Imperfections on Buckling Load of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Thin-Walled Cylinders
by Jingxuan Bao, Atsushi Takano, Ryuta Kitamura and Takuma Masai
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(4), 2094; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15042094 - 17 Feb 2025
Viewed by 614
Abstract
Thin-walled cylinders made from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) were measured using a laser displacement sensor and subjected to load tests. The effects of shape imperfections in the circumferential and axial directions, the radius–thickness ratio (r/t), and the offset compression [...] Read more.
Thin-walled cylinders made from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) were measured using a laser displacement sensor and subjected to load tests. The effects of shape imperfections in the circumferential and axial directions, the radius–thickness ratio (r/t), and the offset compression loads on the knockdown factor (KDF), which is the ratio of the experimental and theoretical buckling loads, were investigated. A statistical evaluation of various trends relating to the KDF and the amplitudes of the shape imperfections was conducted. The buckling load test on the cylinders showed large deviations and scatter between theory and experiment. It is known that shape imperfections are one of the key factors affecting KDF. The shape imperfection induces a local stress concentration and/or local buckling, and they may induce premature buckling. We found a correlation between the KDF and shape imperfections in the circumferential and axial directions and r/t. The KDF did not have a simple correlation with the direction of offset compression loads, the direction of the maximum and minimum amplitude of local shape imperfections, or offset distance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modernly Designed Materials and Their Processing)
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16 pages, 12078 KB  
Article
Transcriptome Profiling Unveils Key Genes Regulating the Growth and Development of Yangzhou Goose Knob
by Xinlei Xu, Suyu Fan, Wangyang Ji, Shangzong Qi, Linyu Liu, Zhi Cao, Qiang Bao, Yang Zhang, Qi Xu and Guohong Chen
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(8), 4166; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25084166 - 10 Apr 2024
Viewed by 2214
Abstract
Goose is one of the most economically valuable poultry species and has a distinct appearance due to its possession of a knob. A knob is a hallmark of sexual maturity in goose (Anser cygnoides) and plays crucial roles in artificial selection, [...] Read more.
Goose is one of the most economically valuable poultry species and has a distinct appearance due to its possession of a knob. A knob is a hallmark of sexual maturity in goose (Anser cygnoides) and plays crucial roles in artificial selection, health status, social signaling, and body temperature regulation. However, the genetic mechanisms influencing the growth and development of goose knobs remain completely unclear. In this study, histomorphological and transcriptomic analyses of goose knobs in D70, D120, and D300 Yangzhou geese revealed differential changes in tissue morphology during the growth and development of goose knobs and the key core genes that regulate goose knob traits. Observation of tissue sections revealed that as age increased, the thickness of the knob epidermis, cuticle, and spinous cells gradually decreased. Additionally, fat cells in the dermis and subcutaneous connective tissue transitioned from loose to dense. Transcriptome sequencing results, analyzed through differential expression, Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), and pattern expression analysis methods, showed D70-vs.-D120 (up-regulated: 192; down-regulated: 423), D70-vs.-D300 (up-regulated: 1394; down-regulated: 1893), and D120-vs.-D300 (up-regulated: 1017; down-regulated: 1324). A total of 6243 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, indicating varied expression levels across the three groups in the knob tissues of D70, D120, and D300 Yangzhou geese. These DEGs are significantly enriched in biological processes (BP) such as skin morphogenesis, the regulation of keratinocyte proliferation, and epidermal cell differentiation. Furthermore, they demonstrate enrichment in pathways related to goose knob development, including ECM–receptor interaction, NF-kappa B, and PPAR signaling. Through pattern expression analysis, three gene expression clusters related to goose knob traits were identified. The joint analysis of candidate genes associated with goose knob development and WGCNA led to the identification of key core genes influencing goose knob development. These core genes comprise WNT4, WNT10A, TCF7L2, GATA3, ADRA2A, CASP3, SFN, KDF1, ERRFI1, SPRY1, and EVPL. In summary, this study provides a reference for understanding the molecular mechanisms of goose knob growth and development and provides effective ideas and methods for the genetic improvement of goose knob traits. Full article
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11 pages, 2362 KB  
Review
Application of Organic Acid Salts as Feed Additives in Some Aquatic Organisms: Potassium Diformate
by Junxiang Chen, Shilong He, Zelong Zhang, Jiajun Li, Xiuxia Zhang, Juntao Li, Jiarui Xu, Peihua Zheng, Jianan Xian and Yaopeng Lu
Fishes 2024, 9(3), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9030085 - 24 Feb 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3797
Abstract
Antibiotics are the primary measures employed in the prevention and treatment of diseases in aquaculture. However, the frequent utilization of antibiotics can significantly impact the growth and reproduction of aquatic organisms, resulting in water pollution. The European Union (EU) has prohibited antibiotic additives [...] Read more.
Antibiotics are the primary measures employed in the prevention and treatment of diseases in aquaculture. However, the frequent utilization of antibiotics can significantly impact the growth and reproduction of aquatic organisms, resulting in water pollution. The European Union (EU) has prohibited antibiotic additives in animal feed. Potassium diformate (KDF) represents the first non-antibiotic feed additive approved by the EU as a viable alternative to antibiotics. Its application in animal nutrition has been validated, demonstrating beneficial health effects. This article reviews the physicochemical properties, biological functions, synthesis conditions, and applications of KDF in aquaculture and looks toward to its future potential. It also provides insights into improving the utilization of KDF in aquaculture practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Relationship between Nutrition and the Immune Response of Fish)
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30 pages, 16101 KB  
Article
Urban Functional Zone Classification Using Light-Detection-and-Ranging Point Clouds, Aerial Images, and Point-of-Interest Data
by You Mo, Zhaocheng Guo, Ruofei Zhong, Wen Song and Shisong Cao
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(2), 386; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16020386 - 18 Jan 2024
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2591
Abstract
Urban Functional Zones (UFZs) serve as the fundamental units of cities, making the classification and recognition of UFZs of paramount importance for urban planning and development. These differences between UFZs not only encompass geographical landscape disparities but also incorporate socio-economic information. Therefore, it [...] Read more.
Urban Functional Zones (UFZs) serve as the fundamental units of cities, making the classification and recognition of UFZs of paramount importance for urban planning and development. These differences between UFZs not only encompass geographical landscape disparities but also incorporate socio-economic information. Therefore, it is essential to extract high-precision two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) Urban Morphological Parameters (UMPs) and integrate socio-economic data for UFZ classification. In this study, we conducted UFZ classification using airborne LiDAR point clouds, aerial images, and point-of-interest (POI) data. Initially, we fused LiDAR and image data to obtain high-precision land cover distributions, building height models, and canopy height models, which served as accurate data sources for extracting 2D and 3D UMPs. Subsequently, we segmented city blocks based on road network data and extracted 2D UMPs, 3D UMPs, and POI Kernel Density Features (KDFs) for each city block. We designed six classification experiments based on features from single and multiple data sources. K-Nearest Neighbors (KNNs), random forest (RF), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) were employed to classify UFZs. Furthermore, to address the potential data redundancy stemming from numerous input features, we implemented a feature optimization experiment. The results indicate that the experiment, which combined POI KDFs and 2D and 3D UMPs, achieved the highest classification accuracy. Three classifiers consistently exhibited superior performance, manifesting a substantial improvement in the best Overall Accuracy (OA) that ranged between 8.31% and 17.1% when compared to experiments that relied on single data sources. Among these, XGBoost outperformed the others with an OA of 84.56% and a kappa coefficient of 0.82. By conducting feature optimization on all 107 input features, the classification accuracy of all three classifiers exceeded 80%. Specifically, the OA for KNN improved by 10.46%. XGBoost maintained its leading performance, achieving an OA of 86.22% and a kappa coefficient of 0.84. An analysis of the variable importance proportion of 24 optimized features revealed the following order: 2D UMPs (46.46%) > 3D UMPs (32.51%) > POI KDFs (21.04%). This suggests that 2D UMPs contributed the most to classification, while a ranking of feature importance positions 3D UMPs in the lead, followed by 2D UMPs and POI KDFs. This highlights the critical role of 3D UMPs in classification, but it also emphasizes that the socio-economic information reflected by POI KDFs was essential for UFZ classification. Our research outcomes provide valuable insights for the rational planning and development of various UFZs in medium-sized cities, contributing to the overall functionality and quality of life for residents. Full article
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18 pages, 17825 KB  
Article
KDF1 Promoted Proliferation, Migration and Invasion of Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells through Activating STAT3 and AKT Pathway
by Yi-Qing Guo, Mei-Fu Gan, Jia-Qian Bao, Han-Xi Zhou, Jing Yang, Chuan-Jing Dai and Jing-Min Zheng
Biomedicines 2023, 11(12), 3194; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11123194 - 1 Dec 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1657
Abstract
KDF1 has been reported to be correlated with carcinogenesis. However, its role and mechanism are far from clear. To explore the possible role and underlying mechanism of KDF1 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), we investigated KDF1 expression in LUAD tissues and the influence of [...] Read more.
KDF1 has been reported to be correlated with carcinogenesis. However, its role and mechanism are far from clear. To explore the possible role and underlying mechanism of KDF1 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), we investigated KDF1 expression in LUAD tissues and the influence of KDF1 in the phenotype of LUAD cells (A549 and PC-9) as well as the underlying mechanism. Compared to non-tumor lung epithelial cells, KDF1 was upregulated in the cancer cells of the majority of LUAD patients, and its expression was correlated with tumor size. Patients with enhanced KDF1 in cancer cells (compared with paired adjacent non-neoplastic lung epithelial cells) had shorter overall survival than patients with no increased KDF1 in cancer cells. Knockdown of KDF1 inhibited the migration, proliferation and invasion of LUAD cells in vitro. And overexpression of KDF1 increased the growth of the subcutaneous tumors in mice. In terms of molecular mechanisms, overexpression of KDF1 induced the expression of AKT, p-AKT and p-STAT3. In KDF1-overexpressing A549 cells, inhibition of the STAT3 pathway decreased the level of AKT and p-AKT, whereas inhibition of the AKT pathway had no effect on the activation of STAT3. Inhibition of STAT3 or AKT pathways reversed the promoting effects of KDF1 overexpression on the LUAD cell phenotype and STAT3 inhibition appeared to have a better effect. Finally, in the cancer cells of LUAD tumor samples, the KDF1 level was observed to correlate positively with the level of p-STAT3. All these findings suggest that KDF1, which activates STAT3 and the downstream AKT pathway in LUAD, acts as a tumor-promoting factor and may represent a therapeutic target. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue STAT3 in Carcinogenesis: Update from 1993 to Present)
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26 pages, 465 KB  
Article
Three General Double-Series Identities and Associated Reduction Formulas and Fractional Calculus
by Mohd Idris Qureshi, Tafaz Ul Rahman Shah, Junesang Choi and Aarif Hussain Bhat
Fractal Fract. 2023, 7(10), 700; https://doi.org/10.3390/fractalfract7100700 - 23 Sep 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1422
Abstract
In this article, we introduce three general double-series identities using Whipple transformations for terminating generalized hypergeometric 4F3 and 5F4 functions. Then, by employing the left-sided Riemann–Liouville fractional integral on these identities, we show the ability to derive additional identities [...] Read more.
In this article, we introduce three general double-series identities using Whipple transformations for terminating generalized hypergeometric 4F3 and 5F4 functions. Then, by employing the left-sided Riemann–Liouville fractional integral on these identities, we show the ability to derive additional identities of the same nature successively. These identities are used to derive transformation formulas between the Srivastava–Daoust double hypergeometric function (S–D function) and Kampé de Fériet’s double hypergeometric function (KDF function) with equal arguments. We also demonstrate reduction formulas from the S–D function or KDF function to the generalized hypergeometric function pFq. Additionally, we provide general summation formulas for the pFq and S–D function (or KDF function) with specific arguments. We further highlight the connections between the results presented here and existing identities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fractional Calculus and Hypergeometric Functions in Complex Analysis)
15 pages, 2555 KB  
Article
Enamel Structure Defects in Kdf1 Missense Mutation Knock-in Mice
by Pei Li, Binghui Zeng, Weihong Xie, Xue Xiao, Ling Lin, Dongsheng Yu and Wei Zhao
Biomedicines 2023, 11(2), 482; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11020482 - 7 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2813
Abstract
The Keratinocyte differentiation factor 1 (KDF1) is reported to take part in tooth formation in humans, but the dental phenotype of Kdf1 mutant mice has not been understood. Additionally, the role of the KDF1 gene in dental hard tissue development is [...] Read more.
The Keratinocyte differentiation factor 1 (KDF1) is reported to take part in tooth formation in humans, but the dental phenotype of Kdf1 mutant mice has not been understood. Additionally, the role of the KDF1 gene in dental hard tissue development is rarely known. In this study, we constructed a Kdf1 missense mutation knock-in mouse model through CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology. Enamel samples from wildtypes (WT) and Kdf1 homozygous mutants (HO) were examined using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), an atomic force microscope (AFM) and Raman microspectroscopy. The results showed that a novel Kdf1 missense mutation (c. 908G>C, p.R303P) knock-in mice model was constructed successfully. The enamel of HO mice incisors appeared chalky and defective, exposing the rough interior of the inner enamel and dentin. Micro-CT showed that HO mice had lower volume and mineral density in their tooth enamel. In addition, declined thickness was found in the unerupted enamel layer of incisors in the HO mice. Using SEM and AFM, it was found that enamel prisms in HO mice enamel were abnormally and variously shaped with loose decussating crystal arrangement, meanwhile the enamel rods were partially fused and collapsed, accompanied by large gaps. Furthermore, misshapen nanofibrous apatites were disorderly combined with each other. Raman microspectroscopy revealed a compromised degree of order within the crystals in the enamel after the Kdf1 mutation. To conclude, we identified enamel structure defects in the Kdf1 missense mutation knock-in mice, which displayed fragmentary appearance, abnormally shaped prism structure, decreased mineral density, altered crystal ordering degree and chemical composition of the enamel layer. This may support the potential role of the KDF1 gene in the natural development of enamel. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Genetics and Genetic Diseases)
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18 pages, 15782 KB  
Article
Fractional Fourier Transform and Distributions in the Ray Space: Application for the Analysis of Radio Occultation Data
by Michael Gorbunov and Oksana Dolovova
Remote Sens. 2022, 14(22), 5802; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14225802 - 17 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1988
Abstract
The concept of the phase space plays a key role in the analysis of oscillating signals. For a 1-D signal, the coordinates of the 2-D phase space are the observation time and the instant frequency. For measurements of propagating wave fields, the time [...] Read more.
The concept of the phase space plays a key role in the analysis of oscillating signals. For a 1-D signal, the coordinates of the 2-D phase space are the observation time and the instant frequency. For measurements of propagating wave fields, the time and instant frequency are linked to the spatial location and wave normal, defining a ray. In this case, the phase space is also termed the ray space. Distributions in the ray space find important applications in the analysis of radio occultation (RO) data because they allow the separation of interfering rays in multipath zones. Examples of such distributions are the spectrogram, Wigner distribution function (WDF), and Kirkwood distribution function (KDF). In this study, we analyze the application of the fractional Fourier transform (FrFT) to the construction of distributions in the ray space. The FrFT implements the phase space rotation. We consider the KDF averaged over the rotation group and demonstrate that it equals the WDF convolved with a smoothing kernel. We give examples of processing simple test signals, for which we evaluate the FrFT, KDF, WDF, and smoothed WDF (SWDF). We analyze the advantages of the SWDF and show examples of its application to the analysis of real RO observations. Full article
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15 pages, 3468 KB  
Article
KDF1 Novel Variant Causes Unique Dental and Oral Epithelial Defects
by Miao Yu, Hangbo Liu, Yang Liu, Jinglei Zheng, Junyi Wu, Kai Sun, Hailan Feng, Haochen Liu and Dong Han
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(20), 12465; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232012465 - 18 Oct 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2683
Abstract
Keratinocyte differentiation factor 1 (KDF1) is a recently identified and rare candidate gene for human tooth agenesis; however, KDF1-related morphological characteristics and pathological changes in dental tissue and the oral epithelium remain largely unknown. Here, we employed whole-exome sequencing (WES) [...] Read more.
Keratinocyte differentiation factor 1 (KDF1) is a recently identified and rare candidate gene for human tooth agenesis; however, KDF1-related morphological characteristics and pathological changes in dental tissue and the oral epithelium remain largely unknown. Here, we employed whole-exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing to screen for the suspected variants in a cohort of 151 tooth agenesis patients, and we segregated a novel KDF1 heterozygous missense variation, c.920G>C (p.R307P), in a non-syndromic tooth agenesis family. Essential bioinformatics analyses and tertiary structural predictions were performed to analyze the structural changes and functional impacts of the novel KDF1 variant. The subsequent functional assessment using a TOP-flash/FOP-flash luciferase reporter system demonstrated that KDF1 variants suppressed the activation of canonical Wnt signaling in 293T cells. To comprehensively investigate the KDF1-related oral morphological anomalies, we performed scanning electron microscopy and ground section of the lower right lateral deciduous incisor extracted from #285 proband, and histopathological assessment of the gingiva. The phenotypic analyses revealed a series of tooth morphological anomalies related to the KDF1 variant R307P, including a shovel-shaped lingual surface of incisors and cornicione-shaped marginal ridges with anomalous morphological occlusal grooves of premolars and molars. Notably, keratinized gingival epithelium abnormalities were revealed in the proband and characterized by epithelial dyskeratosis with residual nuclei, indistinct stratum granulosum, epithelial hyperproliferation, and impaired epithelial differentiation. Our findings revealed new developmental anomalies in the tooth and gingival epithelium of a non-syndromic tooth agenesis individual with a novel pathogenic KDF1 variant, broadening the phenotypic spectrum of KDF1-related disorders and providing new evidence for the crucial role of KDF1 in regulating human dental and oral epithelial development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in “Molecular Biology”)
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15 pages, 4022 KB  
Article
The Core of Smart Cities: Knowledge Representation and Descriptive Framework Construction in Knowledge-Based Visual Question Answering
by Ruiping Wang, Shihong Wu and Xiaoping Wang
Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13236; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013236 - 14 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2335
Abstract
Visual question answering (VQA), which is an important presentation form of AI-complete task and visual Turing tests, coupled with its potential application value, attracted widespread attention from both researchers in computer vision and natural language processing. However, there are no relevant research regarding [...] Read more.
Visual question answering (VQA), which is an important presentation form of AI-complete task and visual Turing tests, coupled with its potential application value, attracted widespread attention from both researchers in computer vision and natural language processing. However, there are no relevant research regarding the expression and participation methods of knowledge in VQA. Considering the importance of knowledge for answering questions correctly, this paper analyzes and researches the stratification, expression and participation process of knowledge in VQA and proposes a knowledge description framework (KDF) to guide the research of knowledge-based VQA (Kb-VQA). The KDF consists of a basic theory, implementation methods and specific applications. This paper focuses on describing mathematical models at basic theoretical levels, as well as the knowledge hierarchy theories and key implementation behaviors established on this basis. In our experiment, using the statistics of VQA’s accuracy in the relevant literature, we propose a good corroboration of the research results from knowledge stratification, participation methods and expression forms in this paper. Full article
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17 pages, 107429 KB  
Article
The Feed Additive Potassium Diformate Prevents Salmonella enterica Serovar Pullorum Infection and Affects Intestinal Flora in Chickens
by Yufan Sun, Panyuan Yu, Yiluo Cheng, Jiahui Liu, Xiabing Chen, Tengfei Zhang, Ting Gao, Rui Zhou and Lu Li
Antibiotics 2022, 11(9), 1265; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11091265 - 18 Sep 2022
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3438
Abstract
Extensive studies have shown that potassium diformate (KDF), an antibiotic substitute used as a feed additive, improves animal growth performance, although there is less direct evidence of its preventive effect on bacterial infections and its influence on the intestinal flora of animals. In [...] Read more.
Extensive studies have shown that potassium diformate (KDF), an antibiotic substitute used as a feed additive, improves animal growth performance, although there is less direct evidence of its preventive effect on bacterial infections and its influence on the intestinal flora of animals. In this study, the inhibition effect of KDF on Salmonella enterica serovar Pullorum, an important enteric pathogen causing pullorum disease, was investigated in vitro and on a chicken infection model. The effect of KDF on the diversities and structures of chicken duodenal and cecum flora were also investigated using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that addition of 0.5% KDF in feed or 0.1% KDF in drinking water significantly reduced the bacterial loads and the degree of pathological changes in the cecum, improved digestion and reduced the pH of the gastrointestinal tract of chickens infected with S. pullorum. KDF also significantly modified the diversity and abundance of intestinal microflorae in chickens. In particular, it promoted the colonization of several probiotics, such as Bacteroides, Blautia, Ruminococcus_torques_group and Faecalibacteriumm, which are involved in maintenance of the intestinal barrier, modulation of inflammation, energy supply for intestinal cells and pathogen resistance. These results enrich the theoretical basis for the clinical application of KDF in chickens. Full article
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16 pages, 1769 KB  
Article
Identifying the Key Driving Factors of Carbon Emissions in ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ Countries
by Lili Sun, Hang Yu, Qiang Liu, Yanzun Li, Lintao Li, Hua Dong and Caspar Daniel Adenutsi
Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9104; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159104 - 25 Jul 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2003
Abstract
The ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ (B&R) countries play a key role in mitigating global carbon emissions, but their driving factors behind carbon emissions remain unclear. This paper aimed to identify the key driving factors (KDFs) of carbon emissions in the B&R countries based [...] Read more.
The ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ (B&R) countries play a key role in mitigating global carbon emissions, but their driving factors behind carbon emissions remain unclear. This paper aimed to identify the key driving factors (KDFs) of carbon emissions in the B&R countries based on the extended STIRPAT (stochastic impacts by regression on population, affluence, and technology) model. The empirical results showed that: (1) Population and GDP per capita were the KDFs that promoted carbon emission, while energy intensity improvement and renewable energy were the KDFs that inhibited carbon emissions. Urbanization, another KDF, had a dual impact across countries. (2) The KDFs varied across the B&R countries. For the high-income group (HI), population had the greatest impact. It was identified as the KDF promoting carbon emission, while for the other three income groups, GDP per capita, as the dominant factor, was identified as the KDF promoting carbon emission. (3) Moreover, two interesting trends were found, namely, the higher the income, the greater the impact of energy intensity while the lower the impact of GDP per capita. These results could provide guidance for carbon reduction in the B&R countries. Full article
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14 pages, 2341 KB  
Article
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Candidate Genes Regulating the Skin and Hair Diversity of Xinji Fine-Wool Sheep and Tan Sheep
by Tianyou Bai, Benmeng Liang, Yuhetian Zhao, Jiangang Han, Yabin Pu, Chunxin Wang, Yuehui Ma and Lin Jiang
Agriculture 2022, 12(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12010015 - 23 Dec 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3644
Abstract
The hair follicle is a complex mini-organ in the skin that undergoes organ induction, morphogenesis, and regeneration. However, the accurate molecular mechanism of skin and hair diversity regulation is still elusive. The sheep is an animal model that can be used to further [...] Read more.
The hair follicle is a complex mini-organ in the skin that undergoes organ induction, morphogenesis, and regeneration. However, the accurate molecular mechanism of skin and hair diversity regulation is still elusive. The sheep is an animal model that can be used to further explore the mechanisms of skin and hair diversity. In this study, we carried out a transcriptomic analysis of the mRNA expression in the skin of Xinji fine-wool sheep at different growth stages (3 and 12 months old) and 12-month-old Tan sheep and explored the transcripts’ relationship with hair follicle growth. A total of 1327 mRNAs and 67 transcription factors were identified to be differentially expressed in the different breeds and during different periods of skin development. The differentially expressed genes were enriched in GO terms represented by system development, multicellular organism development, animal organ development, and skin development, and three KEGG pathways typified those governing differences in skin structure. Combining protein–protein interaction networks of skin development (GO:0043588) and functional annotation, nine important candidate genes, namely, LAMA5, OVOL1, SRF, DHCR24, NGFR, SMO, CDSN, HOXC13, and KDF1, and many core genes with minor effects were confirmed to be associated with hair follicle development. Furthermore, members of the zf-C2H2 and homeobox transcription factor families, which were identified to play a crucial role in producing finer and denser wool, were mainly upregulated in 12-month-old Xinji fine-wool sheep when compared with expression in 12-month-old Tan sheep and 3-month-old Xinji fine-wool sheep. This study revealed the major–minor gene interactions in the developmental pathway and provided ideas for an in-depth understanding of the genetic structure and gene regulation in the skin/hair growth process. Full article
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17 pages, 6122 KB  
Article
Buckling Knockdown Factors of Composite Cylinders under Both Compression and Internal Pressure
by Do-Young Kim, Chang-Hoon Sim, Jae-Sang Park, Joon-Tae Yoo, Young-Ha Yoon and Keejoo Lee
Aerospace 2021, 8(11), 346; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace8110346 - 15 Nov 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4504
Abstract
The internal pressure of a thin-walled cylindrical structure under axial compression may improve the buckling stability by relieving loads and reducing initial imperfections. In this study, the effect of internal pressure on the buckling knockdown factor is investigated for axially compressed thin-walled composite [...] Read more.
The internal pressure of a thin-walled cylindrical structure under axial compression may improve the buckling stability by relieving loads and reducing initial imperfections. In this study, the effect of internal pressure on the buckling knockdown factor is investigated for axially compressed thin-walled composite cylinders with different shell thickness ratios and slenderness ratios. Various shell thickness ratios and slenderness ratios are considered when the buckling knockdown factor is derived for the thin-walled composite cylinders under both axial compression and internal pressure. Nonlinear post-buckling analyses are conducted using the nonlinear finite element analysis program, ABAQUS. The single perturbation load approach is used to represent the geometric initial imperfection of thin-walled composite cylinders. For cases with the axial compressive force only, the buckling knockdown factor decreases as the shell thickness ratio increases or as the slenderness ratio increases. When the internal pressure is considered simultaneously with the axial compressive force, the buckling knockdown factor decreases as the slenderness ratio increases but increases as the shell thickness ratio increases. The buckling knockdown factors considering the internal pressure and axial compressions are higher by 2.67% to 38.98% compared with the knockdown factors considering the axial compressive force only. The results show the significant effect of the internal pressure, particularly for thinner composite cylinders, and that the buckling knockdown factors may be enhanced for all the shell thickness ratios and slenderness ratios considered in this study when the internal pressure is applied to the cylinder. Full article
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