Sci

Hair dyes are widely used cosmetic products that can contain trace metals and metalloids, posing potential health risks through dermal exposure. This study aimed to assess and compare the concentrations of selected metals and metalloids in six brands of commercial hair dyes sold in Brazil and Paraguay and to evaluate their average daily dermal exposure doses, hazard quotients, hazard indices, and carcinogenic risk. Concentrations of Cr, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, As, Al, Pb, Ba, Ag, and Zn in hair dye were quantified by standardized analytical methods. The Paraguayan brand showed the highest levels for several elements, including As (4.17 mg/kg), Al (130.276 mg/kg), and Fe (30.033 mg/kg). Estimated dermal exposure doses reached up to 3.35 × 10⁻⁶ mg/kg/day for arsenic, 1.68 × 10⁻³ mg/kg/day for aluminum, and 8.59 × 10⁻⁸ mg/kg/day for chromium. Although all hazard indices remained below 1, suggesting low non-carcinogenic risk, the calculated carcinogenic risk for arsenic in the Paraguayan product was 1.23 × 10⁻⁵, entering the medium-risk range. These findings highlight relevant differences in raw material control and potential cumulative health risks, especially for frequent users. Continuous quality control, harmonized regulatory standards, clear labeling, and further biomonitoring studies are strongly recommended to minimize long-term exposure to toxic elements in hair dye formulations and to ensure safer consumer products. Full article

Azacytidine is the only approved treatment for patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS); yet less than half of the patients will achieve a response, whereas the duration of response is highly heterogeneous and there are no predictors for response duration. The aim of this study is to estimate the patient’s time to loss of response (LoR) to azacytidine based on clinical measurements during treatment. To this end, a personalized prediction framework is proposed that estimates the LoR of a new patient using a patient similarity-based approach. Namely, the new patient’s clinical data—represented as a multivariate time series—are compared to a reference set of patients. The comparison uses distance metrics that quantify how similar two patients’ time series are, assuming patients with similar trajectories tend to have similar LoR. Then, the LoR of the new patient is predicted by averaging the outcomes of the most similar reference patients. The pipeline includes a data normalization strategy that centers each feature on its baseline value and scales it to highlight relative changes and distance metrics to quantify similarity. Both real-world and simulated data were utilized to evaluate the proposed methodology, employing the leave-one-out validation and the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) to assess accuracy. The estimated MAPE was found to be 30.52% and 11.82% in the real-world and simulated dataset, respectively. The best and most robust predictions were achieved using the Euclidean distance metric and setting the number of most similar patients around three to five. This study proposes a personalized predictive approach for the LoR to azacitidine in the MDS clinical setting, demonstrating potential for a serviceable prediction of LoR and forming the foundation for further research. Full article

The increasing demand for industrial resource optimization has driven the creation of integrated methodologies for the technical assessment of complex operations such as gas oil hydrocracking. This study examines the technical performance of a mass and energy-integrated gas oil hydrocracking process using the Extended Water–Energy–Product (E-WEP) methodology, which enables the quantification of 12 key indicators related to water, energy, and raw material usage. The research addresses the challenge of high demineralized water consumption in conventional hydrocracking processes. The findings show a production yield of 95.77% and a recycled hydrogen reuse rate of 67.99%, expressed as the Index of Reused Unconverted Material (IRUM). In terms of water use, fresh water demand decreased to 26.99 m³/h and wastewater discharge to 21 m³/h, although 77.79% of the total water processed is released as effluent, corresponding to the Wastewater Production Ratio (WPR). From the energy standpoint, total energy consumption increased to 2966.57 MMBTU/h, primarily due to the use of additional electrical equipment for mass integration. The Total Cost of Energy (TCE) reached 3,563,840.10 USD/day, with electricity (1630.82 kWh/t) as the dominant source, negatively influencing the process’s economic efficiency. Despite this energy drawback, the evaluated configuration achieves the most sustainable water use compared to conventional and integrated PVC production schemes, underscoring the importance of adopting holistic evaluations that jointly address technical efficiency, environmental impact, and economic feasibility. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health threat that urgently requires alternative strategies to address this challenge. Klebsiella spp. are among the most important clinical pathogens and a leading cause of opportunistic nosocomial infections, with high morbidity and mortality associated with strains resistant to last-line antimicrobials such as carbapenems. Bacteriophages are considered a promising therapeutic option for treating infections caused by Klebsiella strains. Hence, the aim of this work was to isolate and characterize a phage capable of infecting carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella strains. The phage KpCCP1 was isolated using the double layer agar method (DLA), from the influent of a wastewater treatment plant, which was characterized through phenotypic and genomic analyses. Morphological characteristics were determined using TEM, and its host range was evaluated against a collection of 133 Klebsiella strains. Its whole genome was sequenced using the Illumina NovaSeq X Plus platform and then assembled and annotated. VICTOR was used for phylogenetic analysis of the isolated phage, and VIRIDIC to compare its genome with those of its closest relatives. KpCCP1 is a tailed dsDNA lytic phage with a genome size of 177,276 bp and a GC content of 41.82%. It encodes 292 ORFs, including two tRNA genes. Phage KpCCP1 is a member of the Slopekvirus genus in the Straboviridae family. It is capable of infecting 22 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella strains, including K. pneumoniae and K. michiganensis. Notably, it does not contain virulence or antibiotic resistance genes and harbors putative anti-CRISPR genes, therefore representing a promising candidate for phage therapy against clinically critical Klebsiella strains. Full article

Citrus fruit processing, mainly for fresh juice production in the food industry, generates significant amounts of residues and by-products enriched with bioactive components. Peels are the primary waste fraction of citrus fruits, along with discarded pulp and seeds. This study aimed to identify the most fast and sustainable extraction process for flavonoids on a laboratory scale by varying the solvent and extraction methodology, and comparing the yields in order to evaluate their influence on total and individual flavonoid content. A chromatographic analysis was also performed using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) with a 10 min run time. Our focus was on selecting the most user-friendly and cost-effective methodology. Ultrasound- and microwave-assisted extraction equipment were used with green solvents (water and ethanol) and compared for their efficiency in recovering flavonoid compounds from a mixture of peel and pulp. For this study, two widely cultivated Mediterranean citrus varieties were selected: ‘Marsh’ seedless grapefruits (Citrus paradisi Macf.) and ‘Comun’ mandarins (C. deliciosa Ten.). Lab-scale extraction results showed that ultrasound-assisted extraction with a simple ultrasonic bath, using an ethanol–water mixture provided the highest total flavonoid recovery and improved the extraction of key flavanones such as hesperidin, narirutin, and naringin. All ethanol–water mixtures tested (1:1, 7:3, and 3:7) yielded higher flavonoid levels in grapefruit (approximately 2500 mg/100 g DW) and mandarin (approximately 1200 mg/100 g DW) wastes compared with water or ethanol alone. This method offers a scalable and green strategy for valorizing citrus residues. Full article

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) is one of the most important crops worldwide due to its nutritional and functional properties. Given the diversity of flax and its processed products, this review aimed to systematize and analyze data on their antioxidant properties, oxidative stability, and content of biologically active substances. The literature search was conducted using the following databases: Scopus and The Lens. This review examines the approaches to studying the antioxidant properties, oxidative stability, and content of biologically active substances of flax and its processed products, which are used in the food industry, highlighting the advantages and limitations of the methods employed. For the analysis of AOA and OS in flaxseeds and their processing products, the most common approach is the in vitro model. For AOA assessment, non-standardized methods such as DPPH^•, FRAP, and ABTS^•+ are most frequently used, while standard methods for determining OS (PV, AV, p-AnV, CDs, CTs, TBARSs, OSI) are employed. However, these parameters are integral and cannot fully explain the underlying processes. In our opinion, the most promising directions for further research are the standardization of methods for analyzing the antioxidant activity (AOA) of flaxseed and its processing products. Furthermore, expanding the methodological framework will lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms of oxidative processes and how to inhibit them. An expanded set of AOA assessment methods will allow researchers not only to study the action of antioxidants but also to predict it. This is particularly relevant since the same antioxidant can exhibit both antioxidant and pro-oxidant effects. Full article

This study presents the geometric optimization of a Savonius-type VAWT with multi-element blade profiles using a full factorial design integrated with RSM. Two crucial geometric parameters, the blade twist angle ($\gamma$) and the aspect ratio ($AR$), were systematically varied to assess their influence on the power coefficient ($C_p$). Experimental measurements were performed in a controlled wind tunnel environment, and a second-order regression equation was used to model the resulting data. The optimization approach identified the combination of $\gamma$ and $AR$ that maximized $C_p$. The optimal configuration was achieved with a $\gamma$ of 30° and an $AR$ of 2.0, for which the experimentally measured power coefficient ($C_p$) reached a value of 0.2326. The results confirm that lower twist angles and higher aspect ratios enhance aerodynamic efficiency, reduce manufacturing complexity, and improve structural reliability. These findings highlight the potential of Savonius turbines as competitive solutions for small-scale energy harvesting in low-wind-speed environments. Moreover, the identified optimal configuration provides a basis for future work that focuses on scaling the design, integrating power transmission and electrical generation components, and validating performance under real operating conditions. Full article

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of pig dietary supplementation with an antioxidant mixture (150 mg of Vitamin E and 15 mg of verbascoside from Verbenaceae extract) for 38 days before slaughter on the quality parameters of cooked ham. A total of 150 pigs were divided into two experimental groups: one receiving a control diet (C) and one a diet with the antioxidant blend (AO). Twenty pigs per treatment were randomly selected and slaughtered at about 135 kg of live weight. The results showed that cooked ham colour indexes and tenderness were not influenced (p > 0.05) by dietary treatment. The nutritional and sensory parameters were unaltered (p > 0.05) by the antioxidant supplementation. Dietary treatment positively influenced the oxidative stability (p < 0.05) of cooked ham from pigs fed the AO diet compared to the control diet. The present study suggests that dietary supplementation with an antioxidant blend for a short period (38 days) is able to improve the oxidative stability of cooked ham without impacting its chemical and sensory characteristics. Full article

Human-sourced emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the Earth’s atmosphere have been implicated in contemporary global warming, based mainly on computer modeling. Growing empirical evidence reviewed here supports the alternative hypothesis that global climate change is governed primarily by a natural climate cycle, the Antarctic Oscillation. This powerful pressure-wind-temperature cycle is energized in the Southern Ocean and teleconnects worldwide to cause global multidecadal warm periods like the present, each followed historically by a multidecadal cold period, which now appears imminent. The Antarctic Oscillation is modulated on a thousand-year schedule to create longer climate cycles, including the Medieval Warm Period and Little Ice Age, which are coupled with the rise and fall, respectively, of human civilizations. Future projection of these ancient climate rhythms enables long-term empirical climate forecasting. Although human-sourced CO₂ emissions play little role in climate change, they pose an existential threat to global biodiversity. Past mass extinctions were caused by natural CO₂ surges that acidified the ocean, killed oxygen-producing plankton, and induced global suffocation. Current human-sourced CO₂ emissions are comparable in volume but hundreds of thousands of times faster. Diverse evidence suggests that the consequent ocean acidification is destroying contemporary marine phytoplankton, corals, and calcifying algae. The resulting global oxygen deprivation could smother higher life forms, including people, by 2100 unless net human-induced CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere are ended urgently. Full article

Karate is divided into two disciplines, Kata (forms) and Kumite (sparring), both of which are strongly influenced by the function of the tibiotarsal joint. However, the performance model differences between the two have not yet been thoroughly explored. The aim of this study is to evaluate the differences in ankle range of motion between Kata and Kumite, investigating the correlations between joint mobility, elastic strength, and Rate of Force Development (RFD). The sample consisted of 36 athletes, of male sex, evenly split between the two disciplines, who underwent a specific training protocol for three months. Three tests were administered: Weight Bearing Lunge, Counter Movement Jump, and Squat Jump. Data were analysed using Pearson’s correlation. In the Kata group, a moderate negative correlation emerged between ankle ROM and elastic strength (R = −0.521), and between ankle ROM and RFD (R = −0.570). In the Kumite group, the correlations were weakly negative: R = −0.261 for elastic strength and R = −0.257 for RFD. Greater ankle mobility, typical of Kata, appears to be associated with lower explosive capabilities, whereas more limited mobility in Kumite correlates with higher reactive strength and a faster rate of force development. Full article

Giant dielectric oxides are attractive for next-generation capacitors and related applications, but their practical use is limited by high loss tangent (tanδ), strong temperature dependence of dielectric permittivity (ε′), and the need for energy-intensive high-temperature sintering. To address these challenges, this study focuses on the development of (In_0.5Ta_0.5)_xTi_1−xO₂ (ITTO, x = 0.02–0.06) ceramics via a green egg-white solution route, targeting high dielectric performance at reduced processing temperatures. The as-calcined powders exhibited the anatase TiO₂ phase with particle sizes of ~20–50 nm. These powders promoted densification at a sintering temperature of 1300 °C, significantly lower than those of conventional co-doped TiO₂ systems. The resulting ceramics exhibited refined grains, high relative density, and homogeneous dopant incorporation, as confirmed by XRD, SEM/TEM, EDS mapping, and XPS. Complementary density functional theory calculations were performed to examine the stability of In³⁺/Ta⁵⁺ defect clusters and their role in electron-pinned defect dipoles (EPDDs). The optimized ceramic (x = 0.06, 1300 °C) achieved a high ε′ of 6.78 × 10³, a low tanδ of 0.038, and excellent thermal stability with Δε′ < 3.9% from 30 to 200 °C. These results demonstrate that the giant dielectric response originates primarily from EPDDs associated with Ti³⁺ species and oxygen vacancies, in agreement with both experimental and theoretical evidence. These findings emphasize the potential of eco-friendly synthesis routes combined with rational defect engineering to deliver high-performance dielectric ceramics with reliable thermal stability at reduced sintering temperatures. Full article

Assisted reproduction is a rapidly expanding pillar of medical tourism. Greece combines a liberal legal framework, internationally accredited clinics, and comparatively competitive costs, attracting cross-border patients seeking ART services. Following the 2022 amendment (Law 4958/2022) which amends the original law n.3305/2005, treatment is permitted up to age 54 under specific authorization, while court-approved surrogacy, anonymous gamete donation, and the adoption of decision-support technologies (e.g., AI-assisted embryo assessment, PGT-A) underpin the sector’s growth. This review synthesizes legal, medical, economic, and social dimensions, drawing on Q1 literature and official datasets (WHO, OECD, ESHRE/ICMART), and compares Greece with Spain, the USA, the Czech Republic, and Ukraine. Quantitative indicators include age-stratified success rates and indicative treatment costs. We discuss benefits and risks for patients and the health system, highlighting policy options for sustainable, ethically robust reproductive tourism in Greece. Full article

The emergence of large language models (LLMs) has redefined the potential of artificial intelligence in clinical domains. In this context, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems provide a promising approach to enhance traceability, timeliness, and accuracy in tasks such as biomedical question answering (QA). This article presents a narrative and thematic review of the evolution of these technologies in maternal health, structured across five axes: technical foundations of RAG, advancements in biomedical LLMs, conversational agents in healthcare, clinical validation frameworks, and specific applications in obstetric telehealth. Through a systematic search in scientific databases covering the period from 2022 to 2025, 148 relevant studies were identified. Notable developments include architectures such as BiomedRAG and MedGraphRAG, which integrate semantic retrieval with controlled generation, achieving up to 18% improvement in accuracy compared to pure generative models. The review also highlights domain-specific models like PMC-LLaMA and Med-PaLM 2, while addressing persistent challenges in bias mitigation, hallucination reduction, and clinical validation. In the maternal care context, the review outlines applications in prenatal monitoring, the automatic generation of clinically validated QA pairs, and low-resource deployment using techniques such as QLoRA. The article concludes with a proposed research agenda emphasizing federated evaluation, participatory co-design with patients and healthcare professionals, and the ethical design of adaptable systems for diverse clinical settings. Full article

This paper presents an optimization-based scheduling strategy for battery energy storage systems (BESS) in alternating current microgrids, considering both grid-connected and islanded operation. The study addresses two independent objectives: minimizing energy losses in the distribution network and reducing carbon dioxide emissions from dispatchable power sources. The problem is formulated using a full AC power flow model that simultaneously manages active and reactive power flows in BESS located in the microgrid, while enforcing detailed operational constraints for network components, generation units, and storage systems. To solve it, a parallel implementation of the Particle Swarm Optimization (PPSO) algorithm is applied. The PPSO is integrated into the objective functions and evaluated through a 24-h scheduling horizon, incorporating a strict penalty scheme to guarantee compliance with technical and operational limits. The proposed method generates coordinated charging and discharging plans for multiple BESS units, ensuring voltage stability, current limits, and optimal reactive power support in both operating modes. Tests are conducted on a 33-node benchmark microgrid that represents the power demand and generation from Medellín, Colombia. This is compared with two methodologies reported in the literature: Parallel Crow Search and Parallel JAYA optimizer. The results demonstrate that the strategy produces robust schedules across objectives, identifies the most critical network elements for monitoring, and maintains safe operation without compromising performance. This framework offers a practical and adaptable tool for microgrid energy management, capable of aligning technical reliability with environmental goals in diverse operational scenarios. Full article

Trophic ecology is an important aspect to consider when studying interactions between species, especially in ecologically similar species. We studied the trophic ecology of three sympatric insectivorous lizards in a dune system in the Eastern Iberian Peninsula: Acanthodactylus erythrurus, Psammodromus algirus and Psammodromus edwardsianus. We obtained a total of 485 faecal samples and found 18 different prey groups. The trophic niche breath analysis showed that A. erythrurus was the most specialised species of the three. We also considered two different habitat types and, interestingly, both Psammodromus species had wider trophic niches in the more extreme habitat type where arthropod diversity is expected to be lower. Trophic niche overlaps were especially low between P. algirus and A. erythrurus, indicating resource partitioning, and higher between both Psammodromus species in the suboptimal habitat type. Our results lead to the conclusion that environmental stress could favour trophic generalism (increased trophic niche breadth). This is a very interesting result, especially in the context of climate change and habitat alteration. Full article

The Child-Focused Injury Risk Screening Tool (ChildFIRST) assesses movement competence in children and currently uses a dichotomous scoring scale, which, while simple and practical, may lack the precision needed for nuanced movement skill analysis. This study compared the inter- and intra-rater reliability of the ChildFIRST when scored using a dichotomous scale versus a seven-point Likert scale. Fourteen trained raters evaluated video recordings of eight children performing ten standardized movement tasks using both scales across two sessions. Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). The dichotomous scale demonstrated moderate to excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.50–1.00) and good to excellent intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.75–1.00). The seven-point scale showed similar inter-rater reliability but generally lower intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.50–1.00). In addition, raters preferred the dichotomous scale in terms of practicality (91.6%), feasibility (75%), and overall usability (66.6%). These findings suggest that while both scales provide comparable inter-rater agreement, the dichotomous format offers greater consistency across repeated ratings and is more favorably received by users. The dichotomous scoring system is therefore recommended for continued use in field-based screening and future applications of the ChildFIRST. Full article

Breastfeeding is recommended because of its benefits for the woman and the newborn, but during lactation, pre-existing or lactation-related health conditions that require medication can expose the minor to the risk of acute or chronic intoxication. While drug safety during pregnancy is a well-discussed topic, there is scarce evidence about the safety of common licit and illicit substances during breastfeeding. Hence, we performed a systematic review on the toxicity of licit and illicit substances during lactation. Applying PRISMA criteria for systematic reviews, we found 26 eligible papers published in the last ten years. Our review showed that human milk should be considered a specific (and dynamic) matrix for toxicological analysis, and relatively little is known about the actual levels of common substances in this matrix. Current recommendations on drug safety are mainly based on a benefit–risk ratio based on the little available information. Experimental research in this field should be promoted, which is also because of the relatively high frequency of sudden infant deaths that is currently unexplained. Full article

This paper proposes an innovative hybrid optimization framework for the optimal installation and operation of thyristor-switched capacitors (TSCs) within medium-voltage distribution networks, targeting both energy losses reduction and cost efficiency. The core of the approach combines the exploratory capabilities of the atan-sinc optimization algorithm (ASOA), a recent metaheuristic inspired by mathematical functions, with the local refinement power of the IPOPT solver within a master–slave architecture. This integrated method addresses the inherent complexity of a multi-objective, mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem that seeks to balance conflicting goals: minimizing annual system losses and investment costs. Extensive testing on IEEE 33- and 69-bus systems under fixed and dynamic reactive power injection scenarios demonstrates that our framework consistently delivers superior solutions when compared to traditional and state-of-the-art algorithms. Notably, the variable operation case yields energy savings of up to 12%, translating into annual monetary gains exceeding USD 1000 in comparison with the fixed support scenario.The solutions produce well-distributed Pareto fronts that illustrate valuable trade-offs, allowing system planners to make informed decisions. The findings confirm that the proposed strategy constitutes a scalable, and robust tool for reactive power planning, supporting the deployment of smarter and more resilient distribution systems. Full article

Football-themed eSports, combining entertainment and learning elements, are booming, offering benefits in terms of cognitive and motor skill development. Despite this, with the increasing use of eSports and their impact on cognitive and motor skills, there is still a paucity of empirical studies that systematically explore how cognitive stimulation from eSports can translate into psychomotor performance on the field, particularly with regard to linear speed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an ecological–dynamic training protocol, integrated with football eSports, on the development of linear sprint speed in young soccer players. Thirty-two male youth football players (age range: 12–16 years) participated in the study. Participants were divided into an experimental group, which followed a combined ecological–dynamic training protocol including football eSports, and a control group, which performed standard training sessions. Pre- and post-intervention assessments of 30 m sprint performance were conducted using electronic timing gates. Statistical analysis using repeated-measures ANOVA indicated a marked improvement in 30 m sprint performance within the experimental group, decreasing from 4.908 s to 4.651 s. A significant time × group interaction was observed (F = 74.076, p < 0.001). Moreover, a robust main effect of time emerged (F = 141.12, p < 0.001), confirming consistent gains in linear sprint speed. Post hoc comparisons revealed significant differences across all assessment points (p < 0.001). The findings suggest that embedding football eSports into an ecologically grounded training framework may enhance the development of linear speed in young soccer players. This integrated approach shows potential as an innovative tool for performance enhancement, although further investigations are needed to confirm long-term efficacy and generalizability to other sporting populations. Full article