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Translucency is one of the most important parameters to be considered by digital systems when predicting the matching appearance and hence the quality of prosthodontic restoration work. Our objective has been to improve the effectiveness of the algorithmic decision systems employed by these devices by (a) determining whether Kubelka-Munk theory can be used as an algorithm for predicting restoration suitability, and (b) evaluating the correlation between the visual evaluation of prosthodontic materials and the predicted translucency based on the use of the ΔE*, OP, CR, and K/S algorithms. In this regard, three zirconia systems and one lithium disilicate have been spectrophotometrically and visually characterized. Based on the results of this study, it has been proven that zirconia systems and lithium disilicate systems exhibit different optical behaviors. The psychophysical experience suggests that none of the existing mathematical methods can adequately estimate translucency, spectrophotometric, and colorimetric techniques, and that which is perceived by an experienced observer. However, translucency evaluation through the K/S algorithmic decision system should not be disregarded. New methods to measure translucency should be developed to improve digital systems for prosthodontic applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Digital Dentistry and Prosthodontics)

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23 pages, 5887 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Typhoon Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts by the 2.5 km CReSS Model in Taiwan: Examples and Role of Topography

by Chung-Chieh Wang, Sahana Paul, Shin-Yi Huang, Yi-Wen Wang, Kazuhisa Tsuboki, Dong-In Lee and Ji-Sun Lee

Atmosphere 2022, 13(4), 623; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13040623 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1819

Abstract

In this study, 24 h quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPFs) in Taiwan at the ranges of day 1 (0–24 h), day 2 (24–48 h), and day 3 (48–72 h) by a cloud-resolving model are examined using categorical statistics, targeted mainly for the most-rainy 24 h from 10 typhoon cases between 2010 and 2015, following two earlier studies that evaluated the overall performance for all the typhoons that hit Taiwan from 2010 to 2012 and through 2015. In the selected examples with a peak amount of 322 to 1110 mm, the QPFs by the model (with a grid size of 2.5 km) are shown to be of very high quality for two typhoons (Soulik and Soudelor), and fairly good quality for three cases (Fanapi, Megi, and Fung-Wong) up to day 3 and for four others (Saola, Kong-Rey, Nanmadol, and Tembin) within day 2, respectively. The results are more variable for the one remaining case of Matmo, also impressive on day 1 but degraded at longer ranges. Overall, the quality of the QPFs ranges from excellent to satisfactory for all the typhoons studied as the threat score can achieve 0.2 at thresholds fairly close to the observed peak amount in some typhoons, or at least about half of it in most others. Since the majority of the typhoons produced the greatest rainfall amounts over the mountains in Taiwan due to the topographic effect, in agreement with many previous studies, the QPF skills by the model, often extending into high thresholds, as demonstrated, suggest that heavy rainfall from typhoons in Taiwan is generally of high predictability if and when the model has an adequate resolution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precipitation in Taiwan and Neighboring East Asia Areas: Observation, Analysis, and Forecast)

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12 pages, 704 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Protein Patterns during Pregnancy Are Associated with Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Chinese Pregnant Women

by Weijia Wu, Nu Tang, Jingjing Zeng, Jin Jing and Li Cai

Nutrients 2022, 14(8), 1623; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14081623 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3031

Abstract

Controversies around the association between dietary protein intake and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) persist. To the best of our knowledge, this association has not previously been reported from the perspective of dietary protein patterns. We aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary protein patterns and GDM risk in pregnant women, and 1014 pregnant women (20–28 weeks of gestation) were recruited in Guangzhou, China, during 2017–2018. Maternal dietary information was collected by a validated food frequency questionnaire, which covered the most common foods consumed in Guangzhou, China. GDM was identified by a 75g oral glucose tolerance test. A K-means cluster analysis was conducted to aggregate individuals into three groups, which were determined by the major sources of protein. Logistic regression was employed to explore the relationship between dietary protein patterns and the risk of GDM. Among the 1014 participants, 191 (18.84%) were diagnosed with GDM. In the total population, when comparing the highest quartile with the lowest, we found that total protein and animal protein intake increased the risk of GDM with the adjusted odds ratios (95%CI) being 6.27, 5.43 (1.71–23.03, 1.71–17.22), respectively. Pregnant women were further divided into three dietary protein patterns, namely, white meat, plant–dairy–eggs, and red meat protein patterns. Compared to women with the plant–dairy–eggs protein pattern, those with the red meat protein pattern (OR: 1.80; 95%CI: 1.06–3.07) or white meat protein pattern (OR: 1.83; 95%CI: 1.04–3.24) had an increased risk of GDM. Higher dietary intakes of total or animal protein during mid-pregnancy were related to an increased risk of GDM. Furthermore, we first found that, compared to women with the plant–dairy–eggs protein pattern, women with the red meat or white meat protein patterns had a higher risk of GDM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Nutrition during Pregnancy and Lactation: Implications for Maternal and Infant Health)

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18 pages, 1566 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Innovation and Strategic Management for the Development of Tourist Destinations: Development of Nightlife and Residents’ Attitudes in Punta del Este (Uruguay)

by José Ramón-Cardona and María Dolores Sánchez-Fernández

Sustainability 2022, 14(8), 4667; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084667 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1885

Abstract

Nightlife is a controversial offer for its possible negative social impacts, but it is also important for its media impact and as an element of differentiation of the tourist destination. In the coastal resorts it is a very important offer as it complements the main offer. This paper seeks to determine the background of residents’ attitudes towards the offer of nightlife. To do this, the responses of a sample of 420 residents of the Maldonado-Punta del Este conurbation (Uruguay) who responded to a questionnaire with items measured with Likert scales are analyzed using Structural Equation Models. A first analysis, which presents costs and benefits of three types (economic, social and cultural) as a possible background of the degree of acceptance of this offer, did not detect significant relationships. In a second analysis, the mediation of the overall attitude towards tourism and the degree of acceptance of sun and beach tourism were proposed. In this second analysis it was found that: only economic benefits and cultural costs have significant effects on the overall attitude; the overall attitude has a significant effect on the acceptance of sun and beach tourism, but not on the acceptance of nightlife; and the acceptance of sun and beach tourism has a significant effect on the acceptance of nightlife. The acceptance of nightlife follows the same guidelines as its business development (it is a consequence of sun and beach tourism). Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Management)

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11 pages, 15181 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electrocatalyst Derived from NiCu–MOF Arrays on Graphene Oxide Modified Carbon Cloth for Water Splitting

by Lisha Jia, Pawel Wagner and Jun Chen

Inorganics 2022, 10(4), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics10040053 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3034

Abstract

Electrocatalysts are capable of transforming water into hydrogen, oxygen, and therefore into energy, in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. However, the limitations in the research of high performance catalysts act as an obstructer in the development of using water as green energy. Here, we report on a delicate method to prepare novel bimetallic metal organic framework derived electrocatalysts (C–NiCu–BDC–GO–CC) using graphene oxide (GO) modified carbon cloth as a 3D flexible and conductive substrate. The resultant electrocatalyst, C–NiCu–BDC–GO–CC, exhibited very low electron transfer resistance, which benefited from its extremely thin 3D sponge-like morphology. Furthermore, it showed excellent oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity, achieving 10 mA/cm² at a low overpotential of 390 mV in 1 M KOH electrolyte with a remarkable durability of 10 h. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Inorganic Materials)

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16 pages, 2040 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrochemical Evolution and Quality Assessment of Groundwater in the Sanjiang Plain, China

by Xueyan Ye, Yan Zhou, Ying Lu and Xinqiang Du

Water 2022, 14(8), 1265; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14081265 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2342

Abstract

Groundwater is subjected to contamination threats from human activities, such as agriculture, especially long-term farming in the Sanjiang Plain, China. Identifying the sources and distribution of pollution is essential for its reasonable prevention and control. In this study, we analysed the chemical characteristics of 389 samples at 60 shallow groundwater monitoring points from 2011 to 2015 in the Sanjiang Plain using traditional hydrochemical methods, water quality assessment, Pearson’s correlation, and principal component analysis (PCA). Although groundwater type in this area was predominantly HCO₃-Ca·Mg, three forms of nitrogen pollution (ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite) were all detected in this area. The interaction of natural geochemical and anthropogenic factors during hydrochemical formation is confirmed by the high coefficients of variation and Gibbs plots of the main ions in the water. The overall shallow groundwater situation was described as good, with more than 40% and 90% of groundwater samples suitable for drinking and irrigation according to the quality assessment, respectively. The proportion of poor water quality in the wet season was higher than that in the dry season. NO₃-N and NH₃-N were identified as the major anthropogenic pollutants in the study area. Results from Pearson’s correlation and principal component analysis shows two main pollutants fall into two chemical controlling factors together with natural chemical parameters, which implies that the migration and transformation of pollutants may have affected the overall hydrochemical characteristics of the regional groundwater. Therefore, findings from this paper can provide insight into the chemical evolution of groundwater in response to long-term agricultural activities and can help contribute to better management of groundwater resources and agricultural sustainable development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Hydrogeology)

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25 pages, 708 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Carbon Footprint Reduction by Transitioning to a Diet Consistent with the Danish Climate-Friendly Dietary Guidelines: A Comparison of Different Carbon Footprint Databases

by Ellen Trolle, Matilda Nordman, Anne Dahl Lassen, Tracey A. Colley and Lisbeth Mogensen

Foods 2022, 11(8), 1119; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11081119 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4661

Abstract

Dietary transitions are important for combating many of the environmental challenges humanity is facing today and reducing the global burden of disease. Different dietary patterns are associated with substantially different carbon footprints (CFs). This study aims to estimate the potential CF reduction on a transition from the current Danish diet to a plant-rich diet consistent with the Danish food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) and to compare results obtained from the use of two different CF databases. Dietary intake data for adults aged 18–64 years from the national dietary survey 2011–2013 were used to calculate the CF of the current diet, and this was compared with the estimated CF of the plant-rich diet modelled for the FBDG. Calculations were carried out using an attributional life cycle assessment (LCA) database (AU-DTU data) and compared to calculations using a top-down hybrid consequential LCA database (BCD data). The transition from the current diet to the plant-rich diet showed a substantial estimated CF reduction of 31% with AU-DTU data, and a greater reduction with BCD data (43%). Ruminant meat reduction was the largest contributor to this CF reduction, especially with the use of BCD data, and other animal-based foods also contribute considerably to the CF reduction, especially with AU-DTU data. These results indicate that the choice of LCA methodology and CF database is important in estimation of dietary CF and for the development of guidelines to promote dietary change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Food Security and Sustainability)

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15 pages, 8311 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Step Current Excitation Control Method to Reduce the Torque Ripple of Outer-Rotor Switched Reluctance Motors

by Jieyun Wang, Wei Jiang, Shuren Wang, Jingying Lu, Barry W. Williams and Qianlong Wang

Energies 2022, 15(8), 2852; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15082852 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1666

Abstract

Featured in low-speed and high-torque operation, outer-rotor switched reluctance motors (OSRMs) have the potential to be widely deployed in low-speed commuter and logistics vehicle applications. In this paper, a five-phase OSRM and the control method featuring torque ripple reduction has been proposed, which can be applied as the wheel hub motor in the electric vehicles. The simulation was carried out to analyze the OSRM operation. The electromagnetic characteristics of single-phase and two-phase hybrid excitation mode, as well as step current excitation mode, were compared and analyzed. To solve the problem of the large torque ripple of OSRMs under traditional excitation modes, the torque ripple suppression method based on step current excitation was also studied. The experiment design, including motor start-up control, speed control, and torque ripple reduction, are presented to verify the system torque ripple mitigation method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Optimisation, Optimal Control and Nonlinear Dynamics in Electrical Power, Energy Storage and Renewable Energy Systems)

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11 pages, 12593 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of Thermal and Energy Performance of the Thermal Bridge Breaker for Reinforced Concrete Residential Buildings

by Mi-Yeon Kim, Hyung-Geun Kim, Jin-Sung Kim and Goopyo Hong

Energies 2022, 15(8), 2854; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15082854 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2129

Abstract

Thermal bridges in building envelopes can cause significant heat loss and heat gain. In this study, the developed thermal bridge breaker was applied to an interior insulation finishing system in residential buildings to minimize the thermal bridges in building envelopes. To investigate the thermal and energy performance of the developed thermal bridge breaker, the surface temperatures and heat flow at the wall and floor junctions were predicted using Physibel. In addition, the heating and cooling energy consumption in a residential building was analyzed by EnergyPlus. As a result, the use of the thermal bridge breaker can minimize the effective thermal transmittance in the building envelope system. Moreover, when the building envelopes were equipped with the thermal bridge breaker, the heating and cooling load through the exterior walls was decreased by 15–27%. Thus, the thermal bridge breaker can play an important role in minimizing the heat loss and occurrence of condensation in building envelopes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Energy-Efficient Buildings)

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21 pages, 2287 KiB

Open AccessReview

Double Repositioning: Veterinary Antiparasitic to Human Anticancer

by Tania Sultana, Umair Jan and Jeong Ik Lee

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(8), 4315; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23084315 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 6934

Abstract

Drug repositioning, the approach of discovering different uses for existing drugs, has gained enormous popularity in recent years in the anticancer drug discovery field due to the increasing demand for anticancer drugs. Additionally, the repurposing of veterinary antiparasitic drugs for the treatment of cancer is gaining traction, as supported by existing literature. A prominent example is the proposal to implement the use of veterinary antiparasitics such as benzimidazole carbamates and halogenated salicylanilides as novel anticancer drugs. These agents have revealed pronounced anti-tumor activities and gained special attention for “double repositioning”, as they are repurposed for different species and diseases simultaneously, acting via different mechanisms depending on their target. As anticancer agents, these compounds employ several mechanisms, including the inhibition of oncogenic signal transduction pathways of mitochondrial respiration and the inhibition of cellular stress responses. In this review, we summarize and provide valuable information about the experimental, preclinical, and clinical trials of veterinary antiparasitic drugs available for the treatment of various cancers in humans. This review suggests the possibility of new treatment options that could improve the quality of life and outcomes for cancer patients in comparison to the currently used treatments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Oncology)

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15 pages, 1381 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Yogurt Intake on Cardiovascular Strain during Outdoor Interval Walking Training by Older People in Midsummer: A Randomized Controlled Study

by Koji Uchida, Ryutaro Shimamura, Ryo Ikefuchi, Mayuko Morikawa, Mayuka Furihata, Masaaki Hanaoka, Hiroshi Nose and Shizue Masuki

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(8), 4715; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19084715 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1682

Abstract

We examined whether post-exercise yogurt intake reduced cardiovascular strain during outdoor interval walking training (IWT) in older people during midsummer. The IWT is a training regimen repeating slow and fast walking at ~40% and ≥70% peak aerobic capacity, respectively, for 3 min each per set, ≥5 sets per day, and ≥4 days/wk. We randomly divided 28 male and 75 female older people (~73 yr), who had performed IWT ≥12 months, into a carbohydrate group (CHO-G) consuming jelly (45 g CHO, 180 kcal) and a yogurt group (YGT-G) consuming a yogurt drink (9.3 g protein, 39 g CHO, 192 kcal) immediately after daily IWT for 56 days while monitoring exercise intensity and heart rate (HR) with portable devices. We analyzed the results in 39 subjects for the CHO-G and 37 subjects for the YGT-G who performed IWT ≥ 4 days/wk, ≥60 min total fast walking/wk, and ≥4 sets of each walk/day. We found that the mean HR for fast walking decreased significantly from the baseline after the 30th day in the YGT-G (p < 0.03), but not in the CHO-G (p = 1.00). There were no significant differences in training achievements between the groups. Thus, post-exercise yogurt intake might reduce cardiovascular strain during outdoor walking training in older people. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Health Behavior, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion)

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22 pages, 3241 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Earth Observation Mission of a 6U CubeSat with a 5-Meter Resolution for Wildfire Image Classification Using Convolution Neural Network Approach

by Muhammad Hasif bin Azami, Necmi Cihan Orger, Victor Hugo Schulz, Takashi Oshiro and Mengu Cho

Remote Sens. 2022, 14(8), 1874; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14081874 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5901

Abstract

The KITSUNE satellite is a 6-unit CubeSat platform with the main mission of 5-m-class Earth observation in low Earth orbit (LEO), and the payload is developed with a 31.4 MP commercial off-the-shelf sensor, customized optics, and a camera controller board. Even though the payload is designed for Earth observation and to capture man-made patterns on the ground as the main mission, a secondary mission is planned for the classification of wildfire images by the convolution neural network (CNN) approach. Therefore, KITSUNE will be the first CubeSat to employ CNN to classify wildfire images in LEO. In this study, a deep-learning approach is utilized onboard the satellite in order to reduce the downlink data by pre-processing instead of the traditional method of performing the image processing at the ground station. The pre-trained CNN models generated in Colab are saved in RPi CM3+, in which, an uplink command will execute the image classification algorithm and append the results on the captured image data. The on-ground testing indicated that it could achieve an overall accuracy of 98% and an F1 score of a 97% success rate in classifying the wildfire events running on the satellite system using the MiniVGGNet network. Meanwhile, the LeNet and ShallowNet models were also compared and implemented on the CubeSat with 95% and 92% F1 scores, respectively. Overall, this study demonstrated the capability of small satellites to perform CNN onboard in orbit. Finally, the KITSUNE satellite is deployed from ISS on March 2022. Full article

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14 pages, 289 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Does Not Influence the Malignancy Risk in Nodules of Category III in the Bethesda System

by Dorota Słowińska-Klencka, Bożena Popowicz and Mariusz Klencki

Cancers 2022, 14(8), 1971; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14081971 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1254

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of malignancy (RoM) in category III thyroid nodules of the Bethesda system in patients with and without Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) and to analyze whether obtaining category III with a repeat FNA (rFNA) increases RoM. The study included 563 HT and 1250 non-HT patients; rFNA was performed in 349 and 575 patients, and surgical treatment in 160 and 390, respectively. There was no difference in RoM between HT and non-HT patients in the whole examined population (lower limit of RoM), nor in operated patients (upper limit of RoM), HT: 5.0–17.5%, non-HT: 4.7–15.1%. RoM in patients with AUS nodules (with nuclear atypia) was similar in both groups (HT: 21.7–40.0%, non-HT: 16.9–41.4%), as it was in patients with FLUS nodules (with architectural atypia) (HT: 3.5–13.3%, non-HT: 4.0–13.0%). In patients from both groups together, with category III diagnosed twice and AUS identified at least once, RoM was 16.7–50.0% and it was higher than that in patients with FLUS nodule diagnosed twice: 3.2–13.0% (p < 0.005). Concluding, RoM in category III nodules is not affected by the presence of HT. Subcategorization of category III nodules (FLUS vs. AUS) may provide guidance toward further follow-up or surgery in both groups. Full article

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