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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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17 pages, 317 KB  
Review
Effects of Air Pollution on Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation: Clinical and Public Health Action
by Sławomir Jerzy Małyszko, Adam Gryko, Jolanta Małyszko, Dominika Musiałowska, Anna Fabiańska and Łukasz Kuźma
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(20), 7194; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14207194 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Air pollution is associated with many adverse health outcomes, including kidney diseases. Kidney diseases, especially chronic kidney disease, are a significant public health issue globally. The burden of kidney disease is expected to rise due to population aging and the growing prevalence of [...] Read more.
Air pollution is associated with many adverse health outcomes, including kidney diseases. Kidney diseases, especially chronic kidney disease, are a significant public health issue globally. The burden of kidney disease is expected to rise due to population aging and the growing prevalence of diabetes and hypertension. End-stage kidney disease is associated with significant healthcare costs, morbidity, and mortality. Long-term exposure to air pollution was associated with increased risk for chronic kidney disease progression to kidney replacement therapy. Evidence on the effect of short-term exposure to air pollution on renal function is rather limited. Kidney transplant patients are likely to be even more susceptible to detrimental effects of air pollutants. Exposure to air pollution results in a higher risk for delayed graft function, acute rejection, and mortality. In this review we would like to summarize the state of knowledge on the influence of air pollution on outcomes in end-stage kidney failure and kidney transplantation. Full article
26 pages, 10386 KB  
Article
Real-Time Digital Twin for Structural Health Monitoring of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines
by Andres Pastor-Sanchez, Julio Garcia-Espinosa, Daniel Di Capua, Borja Servan-Camas and Irene Berdugo-Parada
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(10), 1953; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13101953 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Digital twins (DTs) offer significant promise for condition-based maintenance of floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs); however, existing solutions typically compromise either on physical rigor or real-time computational performance. This paper presents a real-time DT framework that resolves this trade-off by embedding a hydro-elastic [...] Read more.
Digital twins (DTs) offer significant promise for condition-based maintenance of floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs); however, existing solutions typically compromise either on physical rigor or real-time computational performance. This paper presents a real-time DT framework that resolves this trade-off by embedding a hydro-elastic reduced-order model (ROM) that accurately captures structural dynamics and fluid–structure interaction. Integrated in a cloud-ready Internet of Things architecture, the ROM reconstructs full-field displacements, von Mises stresses, and fatigue metrics with near real-time responsiveness. Validation on the 5 MW OC4-DeepCWind semi-submersible platform shows that the ROM reproduces finite-element (FEM) displacements and stresses with relative errors below 1%. A three-hour load case is solved in 0.69 min for displacements and 3.81 min for stresses on a consumer-grade NVIDIA RTX 4070 Ti GPU—over two orders of magnitude faster than the full FEM model—while one million fatigue stress histories (1000 hotspots × 1000 operating scenarios) are processed in 37 min. This efficiency enables continuous structural monitoring, rapid *what-if* assessments and timely decision-making for targeted inspections and adaptive control. By effectively combining physics-based reduced-order modeling with high-throughput computation, the proposed framework overcomes key barriers to DT deployment: computational overhead, physical fidelity and scalability. Although demonstrated on a steel platform, the approach is readily extensible to composite structures and multi-turbine arrays, providing a robust foundation for cost-effective and reliable deep-water wind-energy operations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)
30 pages, 2363 KB  
Article
Research on the Mechanism and Characteristics of Gel–Microbial Composite Oil Displacement in Hypertonic Heavy Oil Reservoirs
by Baolei Liu, Xiang Li, Hongbo Wang and Xiang Liu
Gels 2025, 11(10), 818; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11100818 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
To address the limitations of traditional chemical flooding—such as high cost, environmental impact, and formation damage—and the challenges of standalone microbial flooding—including preferential channeling, microbial loss, and limited sweep efficiency—this study develops a novel composite system for a high-permeability heavy oil reservoir. The [...] Read more.
To address the limitations of traditional chemical flooding—such as high cost, environmental impact, and formation damage—and the challenges of standalone microbial flooding—including preferential channeling, microbial loss, and limited sweep efficiency—this study develops a novel composite system for a high-permeability heavy oil reservoir. The system integrates a 3% scleroglucan + 1% phenolic resin gel (ICRG) with Bacillus licheniformis (ZY-1) and a surfactant. Core flooding and two-dimensional physical simulation experiments reveal a synergistic mechanism: The robust and biocompatible ICRG gel effectively plugs dominant flow paths, increasing displacement pressure fourfold to divert subsequent fluids. The injected strain ZY-1 then metabolizes hydrocarbons, producing biosurfactants that reduce oil–water interfacial tension by 61.9% and crude oil viscosity by 65%, thereby enhancing oil mobility. This combined approach of conformance control and enhanced oil displacement resulted in a significant increase in ultimate oil recovery, achieving 15% and 20% in one-dimensional and two-dimensional models, respectively, demonstrating its substantial potential for improving heavy oil production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Gels for Oil Recovery and Industry Applications)
32 pages, 2349 KB  
Review
Acellular Extracellular Matrix Scaffolds in Regenerative Medicine: Advances in Decellularization and Clinical Applications
by Caijun Jin, Xinrui Zhang, Yongxun Jin, Pham Ngoc Chien and Chan Yeong Heo
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(10), 383; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16100383 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) scaffolds preserve native tissue structure and biochemical cues while minimizing immune responses, creating biomimetic templates that promote cell integration and tissue remodeling. This review examines the current state of dECM research, encompassing decellularization methods, scaffold quality evaluation assays, and [...] Read more.
Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) scaffolds preserve native tissue structure and biochemical cues while minimizing immune responses, creating biomimetic templates that promote cell integration and tissue remodeling. This review examines the current state of dECM research, encompassing decellularization methods, scaffold quality evaluation assays, and tissue-specific applications across dermis, nerve, heart, lung, adipose, and placental ECMs. We analyze commercially available dECM products and ongoing clinical trials, while highlighting recent advances including 3D bioprinting and the integration of dECM with stem cells and growth factors. Despite these promising developments, several challenges continue to limit broader clinical translation: protocol standardization, residual immunogenicity, mechanical durability, and regulatory, manufacturing, and cost barriers. To address these limitations, we outline future directions focusing on patient-specific scaffolds, scalable bioprocessing, and integrated biofabrication strategies that will enable the development of safe and effective dECM-based therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Functional Biomaterials in Regenerative Medicine)
30 pages, 538 KB  
Article
Differences in Online Consumer Behavior: A Multi-Dimensional Comparative Study in the Context of European Digital Commerce
by Radovan Madlenak, Roman Chinoracky, Natalia Stalmasekova and Lucia Madlenakova
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(10), 1384; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15101384 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze international differences in online consumer behavior. The analysis was carried out on a sample of 763 participants from the countries of Spain, France, Poland and Russia. Online consumer behavior was examined from the perspective of [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to analyze international differences in online consumer behavior. The analysis was carried out on a sample of 763 participants from the countries of Spain, France, Poland and Russia. Online consumer behavior was examined from the perspective of seven dimensions: shipping-related concerns and preferences, price sensitivity and perceived cost advantage, quality perception, security concerns, time-related benefits, availability and quality of information, and shopping service satisfaction. Data were verified using Average inter-item correlation, the Shapiro–Wilk test and Levene Statistic. Subsequently, Welch’s ANOVA and one-way ANOVA and the Games–Howell and Tukey HSD post hoc tests were applied. Statistically significant differences were fully identified in all examined dimensions. The largest differences were recorded in price sensitivity, shipping-related concerns and security concerns. The effect measurements, in addition to ANOVA and post hoc tests, confirm the significance of these differences. National context, shaped by culture, institutional trust and digital infrastructure, continues to influence online consumer behavior. The strategies that the businesses should adopt should focus on approaches that are tailor-made for a specific market. This means that adapting pricing models, strengthening trust (e.g., through secure payments and strengthening safe return policies), and adapting delivery options to local preferences can lead to improved customer satisfaction in cross-border e-commerce. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Dynamics of Consumer Behavior in Digital Commerce)
15 pages, 4919 KB  
Article
A Novel Multi-Mode Resonator-Based Ultra-Wideband Bandpass Filter Topology
by Rathod Rajender, Rusan Kumar Barik, Gabriele Ciarpi, Slawomir Koziel, Simone Genovesi and Daniele Rossi
Electronics 2025, 14(20), 3992; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14203992 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
In this paper, a novel multi-mode resonator-based ultra-wideband bandpass filter topology is proposed, analyzed, and experimentally validated. The filter comprises a short shunt-stepped impedance resonator and shunt-open stubs. Thus, it can be easily implemented using microstrip technology, offering a simple and cost-effective alternative [...] Read more.
In this paper, a novel multi-mode resonator-based ultra-wideband bandpass filter topology is proposed, analyzed, and experimentally validated. The filter comprises a short shunt-stepped impedance resonator and shunt-open stubs. Thus, it can be easily implemented using microstrip technology, offering a simple and cost-effective alternative to multilayer and high-temperature superconductor thin-film-based bandpass filters. S-parameter expressions for the proposed filter are derived using even- and odd-mode methods. To validate theoretical results, a filter prototype operating at the center frequency (fo) of 6.85 GHz is designed, fabricated, and experimentally tested. The measured 3 dB fractional bandwidth (FBW) of the filter exceeds 176%, and the selectivity factor (SF) reaches 0.87. Additionally, the filter outperforms most existing designs in the literature in terms of insertion loss (IL) and return loss (RL). Finally, a figure of merit (FoM) is proposed to measure the trade-off among key performance parameters (i.e., FBW, IL, RL, SF, fo, and group delay flatness), and confirms that the proposed bandpass filter exhibits the best FoM compared to the state of the art. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microwave Circuits and Microwave Engineering)
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21 pages, 1644 KB  
Article
UAV-Centric Privacy-Preserving Computation Offloading in Multi-UAV Mobile Edge Computing
by Chao Gao, Dawei Wei, Keying Li and Wenjin Liu
Drones 2025, 9(10), 701; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones9100701 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offer high mobility, cost-effectiveness and flexible deployment, but their limited computing and battery resources constrain their development. Mobile edge computing (MEC) can alleviate these constraints by computation offloading. Although reinforcement learning (RL) has recently been applied to optimize offloading [...] Read more.
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offer high mobility, cost-effectiveness and flexible deployment, but their limited computing and battery resources constrain their development. Mobile edge computing (MEC) can alleviate these constraints by computation offloading. Although reinforcement learning (RL) has recently been applied to optimize offloading strategies, using raw UAV data poses a risk of privacy leakage. To address this issue, we design a privacy-preserving RL-based offloading approach that applies local differential privacy (LDP) to perturb decision trajectories. We theoretically derive theO(M/ϵ) regret bound and achieve (ϵ,δ)-LDP for the perturbation mechanism. Finally, we evaluate the efficiency of the proposed approach through experiments. Full article
39 pages, 2814 KB  
Article
Advancing Rural Mobility: Identifying Operational Determinants for Effective Autonomous Road-Based Transit
by Shenura Jayatilleke, Ashish Bhaskar and Jonathan Bunker
Smart Cities 2025, 8(5), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities8050170 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Rural communities face persistent transport disadvantages due to low population density, limited-service availability, and high operational costs, restricting access to essential services and exacerbating social inequality. Autonomous public transport systems offer a transformative solution by enabling flexible, cost-effective, and inclusive mobility options. This [...] Read more.
Rural communities face persistent transport disadvantages due to low population density, limited-service availability, and high operational costs, restricting access to essential services and exacerbating social inequality. Autonomous public transport systems offer a transformative solution by enabling flexible, cost-effective, and inclusive mobility options. This study investigates the operational determinants for autonomous road-based transit systems in rural and peri-urban South-East Queensland (SEQ), employing a structured survey of 273 residents and analytical approaches, including General Additive Model (GAM) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost). The findings indicate that small shuttles suit flexible, non-routine trips, with leisure travelers showing the highest importance (Gain = 0.473) and university precincts demonstrating substantial influence (Gain = 0.253), both confirmed as significant predictors by GAM (EDF = 0.964 and EDF = 0.909, respectively). Minibus shuttles enhance first-mile and last-mile connectivity, driven primarily by leisure travelers (Gain = 0.275) and tourists (Gain = 0.199), with shopping trips identified as a significant non-linear predictor by GAM (EDF = 1.819). Standard-sized buses are optimal for high-capacity transport, particularly for school children (Gain = 0.427) and school trips (Gain = 0.148), with GAM confirming their significance (EDF = 1.963 and EDF = 0.834, respectively), demonstrating strong predictive accuracy. Hybrid models integrating autonomous and conventional buses are preferred over complete replacement, with autonomous taxis raising equity concerns for low-income individuals (Gain = 0.047, indicating limited positive influence). Integration with Mobility-as-a-Service platforms demonstrates strong, particularly for special events (Gain = 0.290) and leisure travelers (Gain = 0.252). These insights guide policymakers in designing autonomous road-based transit systems to improve rural connectivity and quality of life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cost-Effective Transportation Planning for Smart Cities)
14 pages, 2835 KB  
Article
Rapid and Cost-Effective ABO Blood Genotyping Using a Freeze-Dried, Point-of-Care Ready Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assay
by Jianlin Zhang, Zhiheng Wang, Yibin Lu and Wei Wu
Diagnostics 2025, 15(20), 2568; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15202568 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Background: The accurate and rapid genotyping of ABO (chromosome 9q34.2) blood types is critical for clinical diagnostics and transfusion medicine, particularly in scenarios where serological methods yield uncertain results, such as in neonatal testing or with rare ABO subtypes. Methods: This study describes [...] Read more.
Background: The accurate and rapid genotyping of ABO (chromosome 9q34.2) blood types is critical for clinical diagnostics and transfusion medicine, particularly in scenarios where serological methods yield uncertain results, such as in neonatal testing or with rare ABO subtypes. Methods: This study describes a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)-based method for ABO genotyping that offers a faster and more cost-effective alternative to conventional PCR-based techniques. Results: The method targets four key single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at positions 261, 297, 703, and 930, allowing for the differentiation of common A, B, and O blood types, as well as the rare AB subtype B(A)01. The detection of the B(A)01 subtype is clinically important for preventing transfusion mismatches where serology may be inconclusive. Operating at a constant temperature, the assay can be completed in under an hour without the need for a thermocycler, offering significant time and cost benefits over qPCR. The method demonstrated high specificity, demonstrating detection down to 10 copies across all assays. When validated against a gold-standard method on clinical blood samples, the LAMP assay showed high accuracy (95% C value calculated via binomial exact method): 97.4% for type O, 98.7% for type A, 98.7% for type B, and 100% for the B(A)01 subtype. To enhance usability for point-of-care applications, freeze-dried reagents were developed that permit direct loading of lysed blood samples while maintaining high performance. Conclusions: This simplified and robust format positions the LAMP assay as a promising tool for rapid and reliable ABO genotyping in diverse clinical settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Laboratory Medicine)
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48 pages, 7374 KB  
Article
Optimal Control for On-Load Tap-Changers and Inverters in Photovoltaic Plants Applying Teaching Learning Based Optimization
by Rolando A. Silva-Quiñonez, Higinio Sánchez-Sainz, Pablo Garcia-Triviño, Raúl Sarrias-Mena, David Carrasco-González and Luis M. Fernández-Ramírez
Electronics 2025, 14(20), 3989; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14203989 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
This research presents an optimized control strategy for the coordinated operation of parallel grid connected photovoltaic (PV) plants and an On Load Tap Changer (OLTC) transformer. The proposed framework integrates inverter-level active and reactive power dispatch with OLTC tap control through an Energy [...] Read more.
This research presents an optimized control strategy for the coordinated operation of parallel grid connected photovoltaic (PV) plants and an On Load Tap Changer (OLTC) transformer. The proposed framework integrates inverter-level active and reactive power dispatch with OLTC tap control through an Energy Management System (EMS) based on an improved Teaching Learning Based Optimization (TLBO) algorithm. The EMS minimizes operational costs while maintaining voltage stability and respecting electrical and mechanical constraints. Comparative analyses with Monte Carlo, fmincon, and conventional TLBO methods demonstrate that the optimized TLBO achieves up to two orders of magnitude faster convergence and higher robustness, enabling more reliable performance under variable irradiance and load conditions. Simulation and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) results confirm that the coordinated OLTC inverter control significantly enhances reactive power capability and voltage regulation. The proposed optimized TLBO based EMS offers an effective and computationally efficient solution for dynamic energy management in medium scale PV systems, supporting grid reliability and maximizing renewable energy utilization. Full article
13 pages, 3001 KB  
Article
Surface Engineering of Enamel with Sodium Hypochlorite: Effects on Bond Strength and Etching Microstructure in Adhesive Applications
by Mar Torrella-Girbes, Santiago Arias-Luxán, Clara Guinot-Barona, Laura Marqués-Martínez, Esther García-Miralles and Juan Ignacio Aura-Tormos
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(20), 10952; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152010952 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Background: Adhesion to enamel is influenced by surface preparation, which affects the micromechanical retention of resin-based materials. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) deproteinization has been proposed as a pretreatment to improve acid etching efficacy, but the optimal application time remains unclear. Methods: This [...] Read more.
Background: Adhesion to enamel is influenced by surface preparation, which affects the micromechanical retention of resin-based materials. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) deproteinization has been proposed as a pretreatment to improve acid etching efficacy, but the optimal application time remains unclear. Methods: This in vitro study evaluated the effect of 5% NaOCl pretreatment at three exposure times (15, 30, and 60 s) on shear bond strength (SBS), the adhesive remnant index (ARI), and enamel etching patterns. Extracted human premolars (n = 140) were divided into four groups: the control (acid etching only) and three experimental groups. SBS was tested per ISO 11405, while ARI scores were assessed under stereomicroscopy, and surface morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: The 30-s NaOCl group exhibited the highest SBS (20.9 MPa) compared with the control (15.9 MPa, p < 0.05) and 15-s (14.9 MPa, p < 0.05) groups. SEM analysis showed predominantly Type I–II etching patterns for the 30-s group, irregular Type III for 15 s, and overetched Type IV with loss of prism definition for 60 s, compromising the adhesive interface. ARI scores indicated 86.7% of samples in the 30-s group retained all adhesive on enamel (score 3). Conclusions: A 30-s 5% NaOCl pretreatment before acid etching improved enamel micromorphology and bonding performance compared to shorter or longer exposures. The intermediate duration provided effective deproteinization without structural damage, whereas prolonged exposure degraded the enamel microstructure. This protocol may offer a simple, cost-effective method to enhance clinical adhesive procedures, though prolonged exposure (60 s) should be avoided due to structural degradation of the enamel microstructure. Full article
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25 pages, 14721 KB  
Review
Biomass-Derived Hard Carbon Anodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries: Recent Advances in Synthesis Strategies
by Narasimharao Kitchamsetti, Kyoung-ho Kim, HyukSu Han and Sungwook Mhin
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(20), 1554; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15201554 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Biomass-derived hard carbon (BHC) has attracted considerable attention as a sustainable and cost-effective anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), owing to its natural abundance, environmental friendliness, and promising electrochemical performance. This review provides a detailed overview of recent progress in the synthesis, structural [...] Read more.
Biomass-derived hard carbon (BHC) has attracted considerable attention as a sustainable and cost-effective anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), owing to its natural abundance, environmental friendliness, and promising electrochemical performance. This review provides a detailed overview of recent progress in the synthesis, structural design, and performance optimization of BHC materials. It encompasses key fabrication routes, such as high-temperature pyrolysis, hydrothermal pretreatment, chemical and physical activation, heteroatom doping, and templating techniques, that have been employed to control pore architecture, defect density, and interlayer spacing. Among these strategies, activation-assisted pyrolysis and heteroatom doping have shown the most significant improvements in sodium (Na) storage capacity and long-term cycling stability. The review further explores the correlations between microstructure and electrochemical behavior, outlines the main challenges limiting large-scale application, and proposes future research directions toward scalable production and integration of BHC anodes in practical SIB systems. Overall, these advancements highlight the strong potential of BHC as a next-generation anode for grid-level and renewable energy storage technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Energy and Catalysis)
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39 pages, 1466 KB  
Article
Empirical Evaluation of an Elitist Replacement Strategy for Differential Evolution with Micro-Populations
by Irving Luna-Ortiz, Alejandro Rodríguez-Molina, Miguel Gabriel Villarreal-Cervantes, Mario Aldape-Pérez, Alam Gabriel Rojas-López and Jesús Aldo Paredes-Ballesteros
Biomimetics 2025, 10(10), 685; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics10100685 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
This paper introduces a variant of differential evolution with micro-populations, called μ-DE-ERM, which incorporates a periodic elitist replacement mechanism with the aim of preserving diversity without the need to measure it explicitly. The proposed algorithm is designed for scenarios with reduced evaluation [...] Read more.
This paper introduces a variant of differential evolution with micro-populations, called μ-DE-ERM, which incorporates a periodic elitist replacement mechanism with the aim of preserving diversity without the need to measure it explicitly. The proposed algorithm is designed for scenarios with reduced evaluation budgets, where efficiency and convergence stability are critical. Its performance is evaluated on CEC 2005 and CEC 2017 benchmark suites, covering unimodal, multimodal, hybrid, and composition functions, as well as on two real-world engineering problems: the identification of dynamic parameters and the tuning of a PID controller for a one-degree-of-freedom robotic manipulator. The comparative analysis shows that μ-DE-ERM achieves competitive or superior results against its predecessors DE and μ-DE, and remains effective when contrasted with advanced algorithms such as L-SHADE and RuGA. Furthermore, additional comparisons with algorithms with competitive replacement mechanisms, μ-DE-Cauchy and μ-DE-Shrink, confirm the robustness of the proposal in real applications, particularly under strict computational constraints. These findings support μ-DE-ERM as a practical and efficient alternative for optimization problems in resource-limited environments, delivering reliable solutions at low computational cost. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploration of Bio-Inspired Computing: 2nd Edition)
12 pages, 440 KB  
Article
Use of Cattle Manure as Auxiliary Material to Gypsum to Ameliorate Saline–Alkali Soils
by Jinjing Lu, Longyan Zhang, Ruixin Song, Hanxuan Zeng, Jianpeng Cao, Zefeng Qin, Zhiping Yang, Qiang Zhang, Jianhua Li and Bin Wang
Agronomy 2025, 15(10), 2378; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15102378 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2025
Abstract
Soil salinization is a major threat to agriculture and food security globally. The effectiveness of amendments on soil quality and crop production is management-dependent, and low-cost management practices are essential for developing countries. In this 3-year field study, the effects of cattle manure [...] Read more.
Soil salinization is a major threat to agriculture and food security globally. The effectiveness of amendments on soil quality and crop production is management-dependent, and low-cost management practices are essential for developing countries. In this 3-year field study, the effects of cattle manure and gypsum amendments on the physicochemical properties of saline–alkali soil were evaluated. We found that both single gypsum and mixed amendments significantly reduced soil hardness, bulk density, pH, and soil salt content in 20–40 cm in 2015 and 2017. A more significant decrease in soil EC and density was observed with the mixed amendments compared to single gypsum after three years of reclamation. Specifically, applying mixed amendments (M-G15) led to a significant increase in Hordeum yield by 60.94%, whereas the application of single gypsum increased Hordeum yield by 25.20–53.14%. This indicated that co-application of cattle manure can reduce the amount of gypsum needed to achieve similar improvements in soil properties and Hordeum yield, with a long-term cumulative effect. Na+/(Ca2+ + Mg2+) showed the largest negative contribution to Hordeum yield under amendments, while soil bulk density showed the second largest number of negative effects on Hordeum yield under mixed amendments. Single gypsum improved the soil’s physical quality during the early stage of saline–alkali soil remediation, and mixed amendments improved the soil’s physicochemical properties and Hordeum yield during the late stage of remediation. Na+/(Ca2+ + Mg2+) in topsoil was confirmed to be the dominant factor under the mixed amendments affecting Hordeum yield, followed by the soil bulk density. These results confirm that the co-application with cattle manure achieves a similar reclamation effect with a reduced gypsum dosage, thereby lowering the reclamation costs of saline–alkali land in semi-arid areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Soil and Plant Nutrition)
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