Wireless Sensor Networks are considered to be among the most rapidly evolving technological domains thanks to the numerous benefits that their usage provides. As a result, from their first appearance until the present day, Wireless Sensor Networks have had a continuously growing range of applications. The purpose of this article is to provide an up-to-date presentation of both traditional and most recent applications of Wireless Sensor Networks and hopefully not only enable the comprehension of this scientific area but also facilitate the perception of novel applications. In order to achieve this goal, the main categories of applications of Wireless Sensor Networks are identified, and characteristic examples of them are studied. Their particular characteristics are explained, while their pros and cons are denoted. Next, a discussion on certain considerations that are related with each one of these specific categories takes place. Finally, concluding remarks are drawn. Full article

In this paper, a unique approach for estimating tool life using a hybrid finite element method coupled with empirical wear rate equation is presented. In the proposed approach, the computational time was significantly reduced when compared to nodal movement technique. However, to adopt such an approach, the angle between tool’s rake and flank faces must be constant through the process and at least two cutting experiments need to be performed for empirical model calibration. It is also important to predict the sliding velocity along the tool/flank face interface accurately when using Usui’s model to predict the tool wear rate. Model validations showed that when the sliding velocity was assumed to be equivalent to the cutting speed, poor agreement between the predicted and measured wear rate and tool life was observed, especially at low cutting speed. Furthermore, a new empirical model to predict tool wear rate in the initial or break-in period as a function of Von Mises stress field was developed. Experimental validation shows that the newly developed model substantially improved the initial tool wear rate in terms of trend and magnitude. Full article

The journal Reproductive Medicine just started as an open access journal with an excellent editorial team. As founding editor-in-chief it is my belief that this new journal will find its specific niche in the field of reproduction. It is not only the free access to scientific data that is very important today and that comes with this journal; this journal also builds the bridge between IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) and ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) on the one hand and pregnancy and pregnancy pathologies on the other hand, combined in one journal. This interdisciplinary approach is needed as the last decade has shown that there are more links between the mode of conception and the outcome of pregnancy than we ever thought. We encourage our readers to scroll through the list of papers that will be published in this journal to open their view for all aspects of reproduction from the ovarian reserve to the epigenetic changes of a newborn due to fetal programming. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the major issue posing a serious global health threat. Low- and middle-income countries are likely to be the most affected, both in terms of impact on public health and economic burden. Recent studies highlighted the role of resistance networks on the transmission of AMR organisms, with this network being driven by complex interactions between clinical (e.g., human health, animal husbandry and veterinary medicine) and other components, including environmental factors (e.g., persistence of AMR in wastewater). Many studies have highlighted the role of wastewater as a significant environmental reservoir of AMR as it represents an ideal environment for AMR bacteria (ARB) and antimicrobial resistant genes (ARGs) to persist. Although the treatment process can help in removing or reducing the ARB load, it has limited impact on ARGs. ARGs are not degradable; therefore, they can be spread among microbial communities in the environment through horizontal gene transfer, which is the main resistance mechanism in most Gram-negative bacteria. Here we analysed the recent literature to highlight the contribution of wastewater to the emergence, persistence and transmission of AMR under different settings, particularly those associated with mass gathering events (e.g., Hajj and Kumbh Mela). Full article

Crowdfunding has mostly been used to finance very unique projects. Recently, however, companies have begun using it to finance more traditional products where they compete against other sellers of similar products. Major crowdfunding platforms, Kickstarter and Indiegogo, as well as Amazon have launched several projects consistent with this trend. This paper offers a model where two competing firms can use crowdfunding prior to direct sales. The model provides several implications that have not yet been tested e.g., (1) Firms can use crowdfunding strategically to signal a high level of demand for their products; (2) (Reward-based) crowdfunding is procyclical; (3) A higher platform fee may lead to higher firm profits in equilibrium; (4) Competition increases the chances of using crowdfunding compared to the monopoly case; (5) A non-monotonic relationship exists between the risk of crowdfunding campaign failure and firm profit. Full article

Candida albicans, along with other closely related Candida species, are the primary causative agents of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC)—a multifactorial infectious disease of the lower female reproductive tract resulting in pathologic inflammation. Unlike other forms of candidiasis, VVC is a disease of immunocompetent and otherwise healthy women, most predominant during their child-bearing years. While VVC is non-lethal, its high global incidence and profound negative impact on quality-of-life necessitates further understanding of the host and fungal factors that drive disease pathogenesis. In this review, we cover the current state of our understanding of the epidemiology, host response, fungal pathogenicity mechanisms, impact of the microbiome, and novel approaches to treatment of this most prevalent human candidal infection. We also offer insight into the latest advancements in the VVC field and identify important questions that still remain. Full article

Invasive fungal infections are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and their management is restricted to a variety of agents from five established classes of antifungal medication. In practice, existing antifungal agents are often constrained by dose-limiting toxicities, drug interactions, and the routes of administration. An increasing prevalence of invasive fungal infections along with rising rates of resistance and the practical limitations of existing agents has created a demand for the development of new antifungals, particularly those with novel mechanisms of action. This article reviews antifungal agents currently in various stages of clinical development. New additions to existing antifungal classes will be discussed, including SUBA-itraconazole, a highly bioavailable azole, and amphotericin B cochleate, an oral amphotericin formulation, as well as rezafungin, a long-acting echinocandin capable of once-weekly administration. Additionally, novel first-in-class agents such as ibrexafungerp, an oral glucan synthase inhibitor with activity against various resistant fungal isolates, and olorofim, a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor with a broad spectrum of activity and oral formulation, will be reviewed. Various other innovative antifungal agents and classes, including MGCD290, tetrazoles, and fosmanogepix, will also be examined. Full article

The term biolubricant applies to all lubricants that are easily biodegradable and non-toxic to humans and the environment. The uses of biolubricant are still very limited when compared to those of mineral oils, although this trend is increasing and depends on investment in research and development (R&D). The increase in demand for biodegradable lubricants is related to the evolution of environmental regulations, with more restrictive rules being implemented to minimize environmental impact caused by inappropriate disposal. This study provides an overview of the types, production routes, properties, and applications of biolubricants. Biolubricants are classified as either natural or synthetic oils according to chemical composition. Natural oils are of animal or vegetable origin and are rarely used because they are unstable at high temperatures and form compounds that are harmful to equipment and machines. Synthetic oils are obtained from chemical reactions and are the best lubricants for demanding applications. They are obtained by various routes, mainly by obtaining straight or branched-chain monoesters, diesters, triesters, and polyol esters from vegetable oils. The conversion of triglyceride to esters can be followed or preceded by one or more reactions to improve reactions such as epoxidation and hydrogenation. Full article

The aim of this study is to characterize the relationship between food consumption and socio-demographic characteristics in several groups of individuals. This is achieved by capturing the quantity of food purchased in categories on a microeconomic level. The empirical analysis is approached through the estimation of (a) expanded generalized linear models, (b) quantile regression models, (c) quadratic almost ideal demand system models and (d) Deaton’s (1988) approach. The results reveal that the composition of a household has a significant impact on the quantity of food consumed. In addition, price and income elasticities are estimated, confirming that the majority of food items are inelastic with respect to price and income except for meat. These findings can be used as a basis for considering food policy implications while evaluating the potential gains from applying specific policies. Full article

The Smart Grid is one of the most important solutions to boost electricity sharing from renewable energy sources. Its implementation adds new functionalities to power systems, which increases the electric grid complexity. To ensure grid stability and security, systems need flexible methods in order to be tested in a safe and economical way. A promising test technique is Power Hardware-In-the-Loop (PHIL), which combines the flexibility of Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) technique with power exchange. However, the acquisition of PHIL components usually represents a great expense for laboratories and, therefore, the setting up of the experiment involves making hard decisions. This paper provides a complete guideline and useful new tools for laboratories in order to set PHIL facilities up efficiently. First, a PHIL system selection guide is presented, which describes the selection process steps and the main system characteristics needed to perform a PHIL test. Furthermore, a classification proposal containing the desirable information to be obtained from a PHIL test paper for reproducibility purposes is given. Finally, this classification was used to develop a PHIL test online database, which was analysed, and the main gathered information with some use cases and conclusions are shown. Full article

Traditional herbal remedies have been attracting attention as prospective alternative resources of therapy for diverse diseases across many nations. In recent decades, medicinal plants have been gaining wider acceptance due to the perception that these plants, as natural products, have fewer side effects and improved efficacy compared to their synthetic counterparts. Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Licorice) is a small perennial herb that has been traditionally used to treat many diseases, such as respiratory disorders, hyperdipsia, epilepsy, fever, sexual debility, paralysis, stomach ulcers, rheumatism, skin diseases, hemorrhagic diseases, and jaundice. Moreover, chemical analysis of the G. glabra extracts revealed the presence of several organic acids, liquirtin, rhamnoliquirilin, liquiritigenin, prenyllicoflavone A, glucoliquiritin apioside, 1-metho-xyphaseolin, shinpterocarpin, shinflavanone, licopyranocoumarin, glisoflavone, licoarylcoumarin, glycyrrhizin, isoangustone A, semilicoisoflavone B, licoriphenone, and 1-methoxyficifolinol, kanzonol R and several volatile components. Pharmacological activities of G. glabra have been evaluated against various microorganisms and parasites, including pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and Plasmodium falciparum, and completely eradicated P. yoelii parasites. Additionally, it shows antioxidant, antifungal, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities. The current review examined the phytochemical composition, pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetics, and toxic activities of G. glabra extracts as well as its phytoconstituents. Full article

In this paper, we report the successful synthesis of cobalt ruthenium sulfides by a facile hydrothermal method. The structural aspects of the as-prepared cobalt ruthenium sulfides were characterized using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. All the prepared materials exhibited nanocrystal morphology. The electrochemical performance of the ternary metal sulfides was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. Noticeably, the optimized ternary metal sulfide electrode exhibited good specific capacitances of 95 F g⁻¹ at 5 mV s⁻¹ and 75 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹, excellent rate capability (48 F g⁻¹ at 5 A g⁻¹), and superior cycling stability (81% capacitance retention after 1000 cycles). Moreover, this electrode demonstrated energy densities of 10.5 and 6.7 Wh kg⁻¹ at power densities of 600 and 3001.5 W kg⁻¹, respectively. These attractive properties endow proposed electrodes with significant potential for high-performance energy storage devices. Full article

The colonization of stone-built monuments by different organisms (algae, fungi, lichens, bacteria, and cyanobacteria) can lead to biodeterioration of the stone, negatively affecting the artistic value of the heritage. To address this issue, laser cleaning has been widely investigated in recent years, due to the advantages it offers over traditional mechanical and chemical methods: it is gradual, selective, contactless, and environmentally friendly. That said, the laser parameters should be optimized in order to avoid any by-effects on the surface as a result of overcleaning. However, as the adjustment of each parameter to clean polymineralic stones is a difficult task, it would be useful to know the effect of overcleaning on the different forming minerals depending on the wavelength used. In this paper, three different wavelengths (355 nm, 532 nm, and 1064 nm) of a Q-Switch neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:Y₃Al₅O₁₂) laser, commonly known as QS Nd:YAG laser were applied to extract a naturally developed sub-aerial biofilm from Vilachán granite, commonly used in monuments in the Northwest (NW)Iberian Peninsula. In addition to the removal rate of the biofilm, the by-effects induced for fluences higher than the damage threshold of the stone were evaluated using stereomicroscopy, color spectrophotometry, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The results showed that different removal rates were obtained depending on the wavelength used and 532 nm obtained the highest removal level. In terms of by-effects, biotite melting was registered on all surfaces regardless of the wavelength. In addition, 532 nm seemed to be the most aggressive laser system, inducing the greatest change in appearance as a result of extracting the kaolinite crackled coating and the segregations rich in Fe, which are a result of natural weathering. These changes were translated into colorimetric changes visible to the human eye. The surfaces treated with 355 nm and 1064 nm showed lower surface changes. Full article

In an impressed current cathodic protection system (ICCP) to protect structures against corrosion, the efficient operation depends on the proper selection of the electrodes, particularly the anode, chosen considering the structure to be protected and the environment in which it is located. The nature and overpotential of the anodic reaction determine the operation costs of an ICCP system so that proper anode selection is critically important for an ICCP system to function efficiently. Commercial anodes based on titanium substrates coated with iridium–tantalum oxide mixtures (IrO₂-Ta₂O₅/Ti) are frequently used for this purpose due to low operating overpotentials. However, the gradual passivation of its surface limits its useful life and increases its operating costs, so it is necessary to seek competitive alternatives for its replacement. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of using carbon steel substrates coated with nickel/cobalt/boron (NiCoB/CS) as a viable low-cost alternative to replace IrO₂-Ta₂O₅/Ti anodes in ICCP systems. Comparison between the electrochemical behavior and the corrosion resistance of both types of electrodes shows that the NiCoB/CS anode shows a good electrocatalytic activity and a higher corrosion resistance than IrO₂-Ta₂O₅/Ti coated anodes, indicating that the NiCoB/CS anodes are promising low-cost candidates for ICCP systems. Full article

A new nano-soil stabilizer (N-MBER, Nanometer Material Becoming Earth into Rock) material was developed in this research by using the high activity and ultrafine properties of nano-SiO₂ (NS), which were able to improve the properties of cement-based soil stabilizer and had broad application prospects. The results showed that (1) the strength of N-MBER obeyed a compound function relation with curing period and additive amount of NS. The relationship between strength and curing period obeyed an exponential function when the additive amount was constant. The strength and additive amount were a power function when the curing period was fixed. The compressive strength of N-MBER increased by more than 15% compared with MBER at day 28 of the curing period, and 50% compared with grade 32.5 cement. (2) The pozzolanic catalytic activity of NS significantly increased the amount of calcium silicate hydrate gel (C–S–H) in the N-MBER colloid. NS was also able to make the distribution of the network structure of colloidal space more uniform and improved the fractal dimension of particles by 0.05. The above results provide theoretical data for exploring the mechanism of soil stabilizer strength growth and for promoting the application of solid waste utilization. Full article