Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8070147

Authors: Antonio Rafael Rodríguez Abraham

The resurgence of trade policy interventions in the global economy has renewed interest in the long-run macroeconomic implications of commercial barriers. While previous research has largely focused on the short-term effects of tariff reforms and trade liberalization, relatively less attention has been paid to the persistence of trade policy regimes over time. This study addresses this gap by analysing the relationship between trade policy persistence—proxied by the trajectory of the Nominal Average Tariff (NAT)—and Peru’s real GDP during the period 1980–2025. Using a Johansen cointegration framework combined with a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM), the study evaluates both the existence of a long-run equilibrium relationship and the dynamics of adjustment following deviations from that equilibrium. The econometric evidence confirms the existence of a stable long-run relationship between the NAT and aggregate GDP. The normalized cointegrating vector suggests that higher and persistent levels of tariff protection are associated with lower levels of real GDP in the long run. The estimated error-correction mechanism further indicates that deviations from equilibrium are gradually corrected through adjustments in the trajectory of real GDP, whereas the tariff equation does not exhibit a statistically significant adjustment process at conventional levels. This asymmetric structure suggests that trade policy persistence operates as a relatively stable macroeconomic condition, while aggregate GDP gradually adjusts to long-run disequilibria. By framing tariffs not only as policy instruments but also as indicators of persistent policy orientations, the study contributes to the trade and growth literature from a persistence-based perspective. The findings additionally highlight the potential relevance of policy consistency and predictability in small open economies characterized by high external dependence and prolonged processes of trade liberalization.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8070146

Authors: Spoorthi Kadikol Math Nagaraj N. Katagi Ashwini Bhat Manjunath Shettar Rajashekhar V. Choudhari

The present study investigates heat transfer characteristics in the thermally developing region of a porous tube under the local thermal nonequilibrium (LTNE) model. The influence of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow on an electrically conducting fluid flowing through a porous medium under a transverse magnetic field is examined. Under the LTNE framework, two separate energy equations are employed to describe the temperature fields of the fluid and solid phases. The coupled governing equations are solved numerically using the Keller-box method. The results indicate that increasing the interphase heat transfer parameter strengthens thermal coupling between the fluid and solid phases, thereby reducing temperature differences and promoting local thermal equilibrium. In contrast, an increase in the Prandtl number reduces thermal diffusion, leading to larger temperature gradients and greater disparity between the two phases. Furthermore, the magnetic field suppresses both the velocity and temperature distributions through the Lorentz force. An increase in permeability reduces the velocity profiles due to the combined effects of the MHD and Prandtl numbers while increasing the temperature profiles. Increasing the interphase heat transfer rate drives the system from the LTNE to the LTE phase. The study confirms that LTNE effects play a significant role in thermal transfer processes in porous media and are relevant for various industrial heat transfer applications.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8070145

Authors: Naila Nasirova Gregor Kaljula Elina Leis Darja Lavogina

Since its introduction in 1976, the Bradford assay has served as a gold standard for protein quantification across a wide range of applications. While its limitations—including protein-to-protein variation in dye binding, challenges in selecting a representative calibration standard, and susceptibility to matrix interferences—are recognized, the relevant information remains scattered throughout the literature, with little quantitative guidance available for assay optimization. Here, we review interfering compounds reported in the literature during nearly 50 years and report a systematic characterization of a panel of potential interfering compounds, evaluating the effects of 29 different substances in the presence or absence of the protein analytes. Our findings revealed that 12 of the tested compounds induce significant artefacts in the Bradford assay, with minimal interfering concentrations varying widely across compounds. Detergents were confirmed as the most problematic interference; furthermore, two novel groups of interfering compounds were identified, represented by the transfection reagents and oligoarginine peptides with molecular weight below 3 kDa. Importantly, the resulting artefacts were also observed in complex biological matrices. While these compounds also affected the Lowry assay, the magnitude of the artefacts was substantially lower than that observed in the Bradford assay. This study will provide a valuable resource for researchers working in proteomics and related fields, offering practical insights for improving the reliability of Bradford-based protein quantification.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8070144

Authors: Yelena Brazhnikova Lyudmila Ignatova Natalya Vedyashkina Saule Kenzhebayeva Ekaterina Moskvina Susana Muradova Alla Goncharova Tatyana Karpenyuk Madina Alexyuk Andrey Bogoyavlenskiy Aizhamal Usmanova Nariman Abilman Ilya Digel

The aim of this study is to develop and comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of an innovative formulation of a biological preparation consisting of a bacterial consortium (Serratia proteamaculans B5, Pseudomonas putida D7 and Lysinibacillus sp. S1), embedded in a pullulan polysaccharide matrix, as an agent for inducing systemic resistance in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to phytopathogenic stress caused by Fusarium graminearum. To optimize the product’s protective efficacy and minimize the pesticide load on the agroecosystem, a reduced dose of Fundazol (50% of the standard rate) was incorporated into the formulation. The constituent strains exhibited high indole-3-acetic acid production (53.29–69.2 μg·mL−1) and strong antagonistic activity against phytopathogenic fungi, with inhibition zones reaching up to 32.5 mm. Pot and field trials were conducted to comprehensively assess the effect of the biological product on the stress tolerance of barley plants. Pre-sowing seed treatment reduced proline accumulation (by up to 2.3-fold), maintained photosynthetic pigment levels, and increased field germination to 79%. Under infectious field conditions, treatment with the biopreparation contributed to the stabilization of yield structure parameters (treated plants exhibited increases in height and biomass of 9–21%) and the improvement of grain quality indicators. Overall, the results obtained demonstrate the potential of the developed biopreparation as a component of comprehensive protection strategies and as an inducer of plant priming mechanisms.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8070143

Authors: Gonzalo Arias-Álvarez Rodrigo Campos-León Alexander Bravo-Ovarett Francisco Guede-Rojas José Manuel Gómez-Pulido Waldo Osorio-Torres Benjamín Parada-Norambuena Claudio Carvajal-Parodi

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition associated with reduced quality of life, psychological symptoms, cognitive impairment, and low adherence to exercise-based interventions. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) has gained attention as a rehabilitation approach; however, the relationship between user experience, adherence, and clinical outcomes remains unclear. This post hoc exploratory secondary analysis was derived from a randomized controlled clinical trial (NCT07605143) and included 16 women with fibromyalgia who completed a six-week IVR-based rehabilitation program. Associations between user experience, adherence, and clinical outcomes were explored among participants exposed to IVR. Quality of life was assessed using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-Revised (FIQ-R), psychological symptoms using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), and user experience using the Player Experience of Need Satisfaction (PENS) questionnaire. Within-group changes were observed in FIQ-R scores (p = 0.001; d = 1.08) and DASS-21 stress levels (p = 0.025). Participants demonstrated favorable adherence and positive user experience. A significant correlation was identified between intuitive control and changes in depression scores (ρ = 0.63, p = 0.008). This exploratory analysis identified favorable user experience and adherence among women participating in an IVR-based rehabilitation program. However, due to the absence of a concurrent control group, no conclusions regarding treatment efficacy can be drawn. These findings should be considered hypothesis-generating.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060142

Authors: Pierpaolo Di Bitonto Michele Magarelli Angelo Mariano Pierfrancesco Novielli Valentina Piantadosi Valeria Poscente Emilia Pucci Sandro Pullo Donato Romano Francesco Salzano Remo Pareschi Sabina Tangaro Claudia Zoani

The digital transformation of agrifood systems demands an integrated infrastructure to ensure traceability, trust, and intelligent decision-making across complex and heterogeneous value chains. METROFOOD-IT, a large-scale national research infrastructure in food metrology aligned with the ESFRI METROFOOD-RI, addresses these challenges by combining advanced experimental facilities with a comprehensive digital ecosystem. This paper focuses on the IT kernel of METROFOOD-IT and presents an integrated architectural model that brings together four key technological paradigms: data acquisition through Internet of Things (IoT) and laboratory infrastructures, an Open Data Platform for interoperability and sharing, blockchain-based notarization for integrity and provenance, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for knowledge extraction and decision support. Rather than describing these components in isolation, the paper abstracts from their implementation within the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) project METROFOOD-IT to distill a coherent and reusable architectural pattern in which data management, trust enforcement, and intelligent analytics are tightly coupled. Five explicit design principles are identified and articulated: federated data with centralized metadata, selective on-chain anchoring, user-unobtrusive trust infrastructure, explainability as a first-class architectural concern, and machine learning as the backbone of decision-making. Two empirical case studies—one centered on explainable AI for hyperspectral crop nitrogen assessment and the other on IoT-driven sustainable agriculture monitoring secured by distributed ledger technology—serve a dual role: they motivate and shape the architectural pattern, and they exemplify the operational regimes the resulting design supports. A reference deployment on the Ethereum Sepolia public test network, grounded on an IBM Power E1050 and IBM Storage Scale enterprise substrate, provides quantitative evidence for the proposed hybrid on-chain/off-chain pattern with streaming hash-only notarization. The architecture illustrates how research infrastructures can evolve into integrated digital platforms that enable transparent, verifiable, and scalable agrifood systems, and offers a foundation for generalizable design principles in data-intensive and trust-sensitive settings.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060141

Authors: Giuseppe Penna Igor Jelaska Gaetano Raiola Giovanni Esposito

The ability to generate and sustain high punch intensity is a key determinant of boxing performance. However, the relationship between mechanical output and physiological responses during intermittent high-intensity efforts remains insufficiently understood. This pilot study explored associations between mechanical punch intensity and physiological responses in elite and amateur boxers, considering sex and competitive level. Twenty boxers (10 elite and 10 amateurs; 5 males and 5 females per group) were assessed using the inertial sensor-derived Intensity Score to quantify mechanical punch intensity, alongside physiological measurements of heart rate (HR) and oxygen uptake (VO2) during a Repeated Punch Ability Test (RPAT). Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and Spearman correlations (p < 0.05). A significant main effect of round was observed for all variables (p < 0.001), with a progressive decline in mechanical punch intensity and stabilization of physiological responses after the first round. Elite boxers showed descriptively higher mechanical punch intensity values than amateurs, particularly in later rounds, but subgroup comparisons should be considered preliminary. Correlation analyses indicated a positive association between mechanical punch intensity and VO2 that appeared to increase from the first to the third round (ρ = 0.398–0.563; p < 0.05), whereas the relationship with HR was weak or negative. No significant correlations were found between HR and VO2. Overall, the findings suggest preliminary patterns in which fatigue and competitive level may be associated with mechanical punch intensity, while VO2 may become more closely related to mechanical output under fatigue. These results should be interpreted as exploratory and non-causal.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060140

Authors: Yuttanun Pansong Chitnarong Sirisathitkul Natdanai Saipan Chiraphon Sutham Pongsakorn Wattanasit Wannasan Noonsuk Kaoru Ueda

Fine-paste earthenware held symbolic significance in Hindu and Buddhist rituals and domestic use in Southeast Asia. Despite the influx of Chinese glazed ceramics from the ninth century onward, these locally produced vessels continued to circulate widely until the fourteenth century along maritime trade routes extending from northern Sumatra and Java to the southern Philippines and the Thai–Malay Peninsula. Integrated petrographic, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analyses were employed to compare fine-paste earthenware from the Kok Moh production center in Songkhla Province, Thailand, and the Kota Cina consumption site in northern Sumatra, Indonesia. Petrographic observations indicate broadly similar mineralogical compositions in samples from both sites, consistent with the use of kaolin-rich clay materials. FESEM reveals that Kok Moh samples exhibit relatively dense and homogeneous microstructures with more continuous matrices, whereas Kota Cina specimens display coarser textures, more distinct mineral inclusions, and less consolidated matrices. EDS elemental mapping further demonstrates a more uniform distribution of major elements in the Kok Moh samples. Although both groups share broadly similar silica–alumina compositions, the observed microstructural differences suggest variations in clay preparation and firing practices rather than major differences in raw material selection. Comparison with published data from Nakhon Si Thammarat supports an association with kaolin-rich clay resources in southern Thailand. In contrast, the examined ceramics differ from fine-paste wares reported from northeastern Thailand, Myanmar, and India. These findings suggest that maritime Southeast Asian fine-paste ware developed as a localized technological tradition shaped by regional resources, production practices, and maritime exchange networks.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060139

Authors: Giuseppe Giardullo Manuele Taleb Gaetano Raiola Ruggero Andrisano Ruggieri Giuseppe Di Lascio Rosario Ceruso

Youth soccer performance is influenced by multiple factors, including age, body size, and physical capacities, but the relative contribution of these variables to aerobic and explosive performance remains unclear. Understanding these relationships can improve the interpretation of field tests and support individualized training prescription. This study was designed to examine the association of age category, body mass, and height with physical performance in youth soccer players by jointly considering aerobic and explosive capacities, in order to support the interpretation of field tests within training prescription. Forty-five male players (15 U16, 15 U17, 15 U19) from the same club were assessed across two standardised on-field testing sessions, including the 45–15 test (estimated maximal aerobic speed, MAS) and vertical jump tests (squat jump, SJ; countermovement jump, CMJ; countermovement jump with free arms, CMJ_FH). Performance variables (SJ, CMJ, CMJ_FH, MAS) were treated as outcomes, while category, body mass, and height were included as predictors. A multivariate analysis was performed, followed by univariate analyses for each indicator. Results showed a significant multivariate effect of age category on overall performance (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.482), whereas height and body mass were not significant (p > 0.05). In univariate analyses, age category was associated with all variables: SJ (p = 0.005; adj. R2 = 0.160), CMJ (p < 0.001; adj. R2 = 0.287), CMJ_FH (p = 0.004; adj. R2 = 0.173), and MAS (p < 0.001; adj. R2 = 0.352). Performance increased progressively from U16 to U17 to U19, with larger between-category differences in aerobic capacity. In conclusion, age category was more strongly associated with the performance profile than height and body mass when considered jointly; these findings should be interpreted in light of the observational design and the lack of biological maturation measures.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060138

Authors: Jainara Lima Menezes Felipe J. Aidar José Uilien de Oliveira Jymmys Lopes dos Santos Anderson Carlos Marçal Nuno Domingos Garrido Pantelis T. Nikolaidis

Paralympic Powerlifting is a maximal strength sport that requires high training intensity and efficient recovery to maintain performance and prevent injury. Intense training can induce oxidative stress, potentially compromising performance and physiological adaptation. Caffeine (CA) is a widely used ergogenic aid with potential to enhance muscle strength and reduce oxidative damage. This study investigated the acute effects of CA supplementation (9 mg/kg) on static strength indicators and oxidative stress markers in 14 male Paralympic powerlifting athletes. The protocol included two conditions (CA and placebo), with athletes performing 5 sets of 5 repetitions at 80% of 1 RM in the adapted bench press. Strength variables (maximal isometric force, 1-s peak force, and force variability) and biomarkers (TBARS/MDA, total antioxidant capacity, sulfhydryl groups, and uric acid) were analyzed. CA supplementation significantly increased maximal isometric strength, improved 1-s peak force, and reduced variability, suggesting enhanced motor unit recruitment. However, CA also led to increased oxidative stress, as evidenced by elevated TBARS levels, reduced antioxidant capacity, decreased sulfhydryl groups, and higher uric acid concentrations post-exercise. In conclusion, while CA acutely improves neuromuscular performance, it does not attenuate—and may even exacerbate—exercise-induced oxidative stress. Therefore, its use in strength sports should be approached with caution.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060137

Authors: Adisak Bootwong Rattabal Khunphonoi Aphirak Loykaew Shin Sato Mathana Wongaree

TiO2/activated carbon (TiO2/AC) was coated on mesh using the dip-coating method employing polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as a copolymer via a simple mixing method. The obtained catalyst was used to treat real wastewater from a building discharge with a horizontal photoreactor with a continuous flow system. The synthesis of 20%wt TiO2/AC-coated mesh was performed with a fixed TiO2:AC ratio of 1:0.05 wt/wt, as confirmed by employing various characterization techniques, which resulted in a composite TiO2/AC characterized by XRD, FE-SEM, and EDS, confirming the uniform distribution of TiO2/AC nanoparticles coated on mesh substrates. The influence of vital parameters on the best conditions of the photoreactor design, including flow rate (8.0 L/min), light intensity position (5.0 cm), and the number of mesh layers (20 mesh layers), was systematically examined during photocatalytic oxidation. The treatment efficiency of domestic building wastewater was evaluated using a TiO2/AC coated on mesh under visible light irradiation for 120 min. The recirculating batch photoreactor was operated at a continuous flow rate of 8.0 L/min, corresponding to a total treated wastewater volume of 960 L. In real wastewater treatment, the optimized TiO2/AC-coated mesh exhibited the highest activity, achieving approximately 68% BOD removal and 65% COD removal. This study indicates that TiO2/AC-coated mesh can be a good candidate for building wastewater treatment systems using photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. However, the TiO2/AC coating exhibited limited reusability, with BOD degradation decreasing to 53% after three cycles. Future work must develop a more stable binder to improve its durability and reusability.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060136

Authors: Andréia de Cássia Rodrigues Soares Alarcon Giovana Kátia Viana Nucci Elaine Silva de Pádua Melo Marta Aratuza Pereira Ancel Regiane Santana da Conceição Ferreira Cabanha Rita de Cássia Avellaneda Guimarães Karine de Cássia Freitas Valter Aragao do Nascimento

Lithium carbonate is a cornerstone therapy for bipolar disorder, typically administered long-term, which necessitates strict control of elemental impurities beyond the quantification of the active ingredient. While previous studies focused on lithium concentration and dosing accuracy, this study characterized the unique inorganic signatures and evaluated the toxicological implications of reference, similar, and generic lithium carbonate formulations marketed in Brazil. Seven commercial brands were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). Elemental concentrations (mg/kg) ranged as follows: As (0.50–0.62), Pb (0.39–0.57), Se (0.80–1.01), Cr (detected in one similar formulation at 0.18), Fe (<LOD–0.86), Mg (8.10–14.65), K (1.18–4.2), Mn (0.072–0.40), and P (24.3–74.4), while Cd, Cu, and Zn were below detection limits. Statistical analysis (p < 0.05) demonstrated significant inter-manufacturer differences, indicating that pharmaceutical equivalence does not imply inorganic identity. Despite this variability, all formulations complied with ICH Q3D (R2), USP <232>, and Brazilian Pharmacopoeia limits. Under maintenance doses of 600–1200 mg/day, daily exposure remained well below Permitted Daily Exposure thresholds; the cumulative Hazard Index was <0.02, and Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (5.46 to 6.80 × 10−6) was within safe levels. These findings confirm that while distinct elemental signatures exist, the medications are toxicologically safe for chronic therapy.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060135

Authors: LinShu Liu Karley K. Mahalak Adrienne B. Narrowe Jenni Firrman

A stable gut microbial community (SGMC) created by the culture of fecal samples in a chemostat-based gut model is a physiologically relevant, reproducible tool for ecological research on the gut microbiome. It is also a subject of continuous improvement for the model to better mimic the in vivo system. In this research, compositions of fecal homogenates and the derived SGMC were analyzed based on shotgun metagenomic sequencing. It was found that taxa in the fecal inocula could be divided into resilient or sensitive types according to their response to environmental factors; taxa were sorted into three subsets—shared, emerged, and lost—by how they were represented in the established communities. The first two subsets consisted of resilient species, constituting an SGMC, which was suitable for long-term, ecological research. In contrast, species of the lost subset were sensitive to the new environmental conditions and were missing from the SGMC. However, these lost species may carry host-dependent information that is useful or even critical for drug and functional foods development or nutrition research. The differentiation between the three subsets reveal the community shift and metabolic profile along with SGMC formation and could serve as a diagnosis for understanding the extent to which the SGMC mimics, or differs from, the actual ecosystem in vivo or the donor’s fecal samples, which may be useful in work to upgrade in vitro models.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060134

Authors: Leidy Johana Tobar-Miranda Angela María Tobar-Miranda Nicolas Martínez-Mera Mario Fernando Muñoz-Velez Howard Ramírez-Malule Andrea Carolina Acosta-Tirado Jose Herminsul Mina-Hernandez

A controlled composting biodegradation system was implemented to evaluate a wood–plastic composite (WPC) composed of wood fibers and recycled HDPE (rHDPE), in accordance with ASTM D5338, by measuring CO2 capture over 45 days. This evaluation was complemented with mechanical and physicochemical characterization, including stereomicroscopy/SEM, mass loss, water absorption, contact angle, tensile strength, FTIR, TGA, and DSC. The results showed 6.12% biodegradation, classifying the material as neither biodegradable nor compostable. SEM analysis revealed increased surface roughness, cracks, and microbial-like structures, together with a 10% decrease in contact angle. The mechanical properties declined by 33% (tensile strength), despite only 1.26% mass loss, which was attributed to weakening of the matrix–fiber interfacial adhesion due to water absorption. TGA, DSC, and FTIR supported the interpretation that degradation occurred preferentially in the wood fibers.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060133

Authors: Sohan Kumar Y Madhav Sonkusare Niranjan N Prabhu Krishna Kumar P Nagaraja Shetty

Fibre-reinforced polymer composites incorporating synthetic reinforcements such as glass and carbon fibres are widely used due to their superior mechanical performance. However, their energy-intensive production and end-of-life disposal contribute to an increased carbon footprint and significant environmental burden. Natural fibre-reinforced composites have emerged as promising low impact alternatives, but variability in their mechanical performance and the lack of controlled comparative studies limit their structural application. This study presents a controlled experimental comparison of alkaline-treated unidirectional flax/epoxy and hemp/epoxy composites fabricated using the vacuum-assisted resin infusion moulding (VARIM) process. Alkali treatment was employed to enhance the fibre–matrix interfacial bonding. Mechanical characterization was conducted through tensile, flexural, impact, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), and Vickers microhardness testing in accordance with relevant ASTM and ISO standards. The flax/epoxy composites exhibited superior in-plane mechanical performance including, 9.1% higher tensile modulus, 13.8% higher flexural strength and 20.5% higher flexural modulus compared to hemp/epoxy composites. A significant improvement was observed in impact performance, with hemp composites showing 87.4% higher impact strength, indicating enhanced resistance to dynamic loading. Conversely, hemp/epoxy composites demonstrated a 10.6% higher ILSS, suggesting improved interfacial shear resistance and fibre interlocking. These findings confirm that the fibre type significantly influences composite performance, with flax fibres providing superior stiffness and strength, while hemp fibres offer better interlaminar shear behaviour and impact strength. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) fractographic analysis was additionally conducted on fracture surfaces to characterize failure mechanisms and fibre–matrix interfacial morphology. The present study provides a reliable comparative framework for material selection and demonstrates the potential of flax- and hemp-based composites as sustainable alternatives for lightweight structural applications. This study supports the development of sustainable composite materials and contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060132

Authors: Nikolay Lyubomirskiy Aleksandr Bakhtin Alexey Gusev Tamara Bakhtina German Bilenko Valentina Volchenkova Ivan Tyunyukov Wolfgang Linert

The article presents the results of experimental studies on the possibility of predicting the efficiency of CO2 mineralization using metallurgical wastes (MWs) from the perspective of chemical thermodynamics and on identifying, accordingly, promising MWs for the production of construction materials and products. The study examined MWs from major Russian iron and steel producers, namely: blast furnace, electric steelmaking, ferroalloy, converter steelmaking slag, as well as nepheline slag, a by-product of nepheline ore processing for alumina. The CO2 binding capacity of MWs was determined using experimental samples fabricated by semi-dry pressing of MW powders, followed by curing them in a gas atmosphere with an CO2 concentration of 80% vol. It was found that the investigated MWs are capable of absorbing and binding CO2, thereby improving their physical and mechanical properties. Experimental samples made from nepheline slag bind 11.3 to 12.0 wt.% of CO2; samples from steelmaking slags: up to 9 wt.% or more; and samples from blast furnace dump slag: approximately 5.5 wt.% At the same time, the compressive strength of samples from steelmaking slags exceeds 100 MPa, that of samples from nepheline slag approaches 80 MPa, and that of samples from blast furnace dump slag exceeds 50 MPa. It has been established that predicting the efficiency of CO2 mineralization by metallurgical wastes based solely on chemical thermodynamics is not entirely accurate. To develop a preliminary forecasting model for the carbonate hardening potential of various MWs, further studies are needed to identify additional key factors influencing the carbonate hardening process of MWs.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060131

Authors: José Uilien de Oliveira Felipe J. Aidar Jessica Denielle Matos dos Santos Greice Itamaro Heiden Ricardo Luiz Cavalcanti de Albuquerque-Júnior Jymmys Lopes dos Santos Pantelis T. Nikolaidis

Resistance training (RT) can help with injury recovery and the healing process. Still, high-intensity exercise can cause ischemia and reperfusion, resulting in exacerbated production of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of RT with progressive loads on markers of tissue damage and oxidative stress in rats subjected to skin lesions. Forty male Wistar rats were used, divided into four groups (n = 10): Control (CG): no intervention; Sedentary Injury (SHAM): subjected to injury, no training; Training + Injury 1 (G1): injury after one week of training; Training + Injury 2 (G2): injury followed by training. The protocol consisted of climbing a vertical ladder three times a week, 48 h apart, using progressive loads (50%, 65%, and 80%). After euthanasia, markers of tissue damage (CK, LDH, ALT, AST), oxidative stress (MDA/TBARS, SH, uric acid), and histological analysis of collagen deposition in the injured tissue were assessed. Groups G1 and G2 showed a significant increase (p < 0.0001) in CK, LDH, ALT, and AST levels compared to GC and SHAM. Oxidative stress markers, such as MDA and SH, were also elevated in the G1 and G2 groups (p < 0.0001). Uric acid concentrations increased significantly in the exercised groups compared to the controls (p < 0.0001). Histology revealed an inflammatory infiltrate and disorganized collagen fibers in the SHAM group, while G1 and G2 showed tissue with greater cellular maturity and organization. Although RT induced muscle damage and an increase in pro-oxidant markers, it also favored cellular organization and scar tissue quality.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060130

Authors: Érika Leite Ferraz Libório Karine de Cássia Freitas Arnildo Pott Rosângela dos Santos Ferreira Aline Carla Inada Priscila Aiko Hiane Juliana Rodrigues Donadon Valter Aragão do Nascimento Rita de Cássia Avellaneda Guimarães

The tumor microenvironment of breast cancer presents high complexity and resistance to conventional therapies. Ferroptosis, a programed cell death that is dependent on iron and characterized by lipid peroxidation, arises as a promising therapeutic goal. This scoping review mapped evidence on the exogenous use of iron and selenium, in conventional or nano-particulated forms, in the modulation of ferroptosis as therapeutic strategy for breast cancer treatment, identifying knowledge gaps and opportunities for future research. We performed a scoping review and the methodology followed the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and PRISMA-ScR. We made a systematic search in five data bases (Embase, Lilacs, PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and Web of Science) between the years 2012 and 2025. Among 2.723 identified publications, we selected 48 studies. The results revealed predominance of nanoplatforms of iron (97.9%), focused on the Fenton reaction. The modulation of selenium for inactivation of GPX4 was shown to be effective, though still little-explored (n = 1). We evidenced that the induction of ferroptosis potentializes tumor immunogenicity and the effectiveness of combined therapies. We conclude that the field is under development; thus, the diversification of metabolic targets and trials of chronic toxicity are fundamental steps for future clinical research.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060129

Authors: Ziad M. Hawamdeh Tasneem N. Alhosanie Ali H. Otom Amira S. Serhan Mustafa I. Saadeh Ahmed M. Jouda Rawan S. Mousa Dania F. Naser Majd Z. Hawamdeh

Background: Predicting rehabilitation outcomes at admission supports tailored therapy plans and efficient use of resources for patients undergoing intensive inpatient rehabilitation, including those with stroke, orthopedic, and other neurological conditions. Nonetheless, current machine learning (ML) methods face limitations, including the ceiling effect in absolute functional gain measures, the uniform treatment of diverse patient groups, and reliance on black-box models that lack clinical transparency. Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed a fully anonymized, publicly available dataset of 3419 patients admitted to the intensive rehabilitation unit at IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Rome, Italy, from 2015 to 2018. To mitigate the ceiling effect, a normalized Barthel Index gain metric was developed. K-means clustering (K = 2, trained solely on the training set) identified patient admission profiles based on functionality, which were then used as predictive features. Eight machine learning classifiers were tested across three groups (All Patients, Orthopedic, Neurological). SHAP-based explainability was employed at four levels: global, diagnostic group, patient functional profile, and individual. Finally, clinical decision rules and bedside stratification profiles were derived and validated with an internal held-out test set (n = 684). Results: Normalization significantly increased the correlation between admission BI and gain (r = 0.130 to r = 0.520), supporting the presence of a ceiling-related limitation in absolute gain metrics. Two distinct functional admission profiles with statistically significant group differences were identified—High-Burden (38% below-median recovery) and Moderate-Burden (21%)—with cluster membership the third most important predictor (13.9% SHAP importance). The highest AUC-ROC values were 0.831 for all patients (XGBoost), 0.864 for neurological patients (Gradient Boosting), and 0.839 for orthopedic patients (Gradient Boosting). Multilevel SHAP analysis showed age as the primary predictor for neurological patients (mean |SHAP| = 0.360) but the third for orthopedic patients (0.350), highlighting clinical relevance. Validation using SHAP values from the Gradient Boosting model showed a Spearman correlation of ρ = 0.925 (p = 1.13 × 10−30), with eight of the top ten features overlapping, indicating that these patterns are not model-specific but reflect the underlying data. Risk zone stratification found 80.7% of patients in high-confidence zones (accuracy > 80%). The clinical decision rules achieved 70.8% accuracy with full transparency, and the elderly (≥75 years) combined with a low BI (<25) profile showed an 89.6% model accuracy with only 10.4% recovery above the median. Conclusions: This explainable, profile-informed ML pipeline addresses key methodological limitations in predicting rehabilitation outcomes. It also provides a foundation for integrating models into clinical practice, pending prospective, external validation of the results. Before clinical implementation, validation across multicenter cohorts is essential.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060128

Authors: Umanath R. Poojary Ananda Hegde Sriharsha Hegde

Mechanical components subjected to dynamic loading require materials that combine adequate strength with effective vibration-damping capability. Austempered ductile iron (ADI) is a promising candidate for such applications because of its ausferritic matrix, which provides a useful combination of strength, toughness, wear resistance, and energy dissipation. However, the damping behaviour of manganese-alloyed ADI and its dependence on austempering parameters have not been sufficiently clarified. In this study, ductile iron containing 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 wt% Mn was austempered at 320, 370, and 420 °C for 1, 1.5, and 2 h using a full-factorial experimental design. The damping response was evaluated through impact hammer-based experimental modal analysis and correlated with hardness, ausferritic morphology, and the volume fraction of carbon-enriched/high-carbon austenite. The results showed that manganese content and austempering temperature significantly influenced the loss factor, whereas austempering time had only a minor effect within the selected range. The highest damping performance was obtained for the alloy containing 0.6 wt% Mn austempered at 370 °C, where a favourable balance was achieved between stabilized high-carbon austenite, refined ausferritic morphology, ferrite/austenite interface density, and controlled matrix hardness. At 320 °C, limited austenite stabilization restricted damping improvement, while at 420 °C, ausferritic coarsening reduced the effective interface-related energy dissipation. ANOVA confirmed manganese content and austempering temperature as the dominant factors, contributing approximately 59% and 39%, respectively, to the variation in loss factor. The regression model showed strong predictive capability within the investigated process window. Overall, the study demonstrates that damping behaviour in manganese-alloyed ADI can be effectively tailored through controlled alloy chemistry and austempering temperature, supporting its potential use in vibration-sensitive engineering components.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060127

Authors: Hiedar Alyami Mohammed Al-Hariri

Background: This study evaluated the effects of combined exercise (CE) alone and CE combined with Nigella sativa (NS) supplementation on musculoskeletal performance and blood fructosamine levels in male patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Ninety male patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups in a 1:1:1 ratio: a non-exercise comparator (Diabetes), a Diabetes + CE group, or a Diabetes + CE + NS group (n = 30 per group). NS was administered orally (2 g/day) for four weeks. Functional performance outcomes included the six-minute walk test, timed up-and-go test, handgrip strength, and sit-to-stand repetitions. Glycemic control was assessed using blood fructosamine at baseline and after four weeks. Results: Both intervention groups showed significant improvements in all functional outcomes and significant reductions in BMI and fructosamine compared with the non-exercise comparator group (p < 0.05). Post-intervention blood fructosamine was significantly lower in the CE + NS group than in the CE group (p = 0.002). Conclusions: CE significantly improved musculoskeletal performance and short-term glycemic control. The addition of NS appeared to confer additional benefits, particularly on glycemic control and upper- and lower-limb strength, although results should be interpreted with consideration of the short intervention duration, the male-only sample, and reliance on BMI as the body composition measure.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060126

Authors: Erick Galicia Vargas Alfredo González Ortega Jesús Aguayo Alquicira Mario Ponce Silva Susana Estefany de León Aldaco

This study evaluates the technical feasibility of an autonomous photovoltaic pumping system for agricultural use in isolated communities, using a representative region of the Mixteca Poblana, Mexico, as a case study. A reference sizing methodology reported in the literature was adopted for the sizing of isolated systems, and subsequently enhanced through a structured methodological extension, applied in the final stage of the design, focused on the technical validation and commercial selection of system components. The base framework incorporates site characterization and crop selection criteria. Subsequent stages define the hydraulic and electrical design requirements for the extension of the methodology, such as the calculation of water demand, the determination of pump power, and the estimation of energy requirements. These parameters enable the integrated correlation between hydraulic demand and electrical system constraints in the selection of the main system components, including the pump, photovoltaic array, battery storage system, water storage tank, and inverter. The technical robustness of the combined approach was validated through a simulation performed using specialized solar pumping software, confirming the operational feasibility and replication potential in rural communities with similar conditions.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060125

Authors: Jean Paul Restucci-Orozco Mario Fernando Muñoz-Velez Niny Andrea Arteaga-Pedraza Carlos David Grande-Tovar Carlos Humberto Valencia-Llano Jose Herminsul Mina-Hernandez

Critical-sized bone defects remain a major reconstructive challenge, and the Masquelet technique has become an important option in traumatic, infectious, and post-resection settings. This review examines the role of acrylic bone cement in this technique, emphasizing its evolution from a temporary spacer to an active biomaterial that shapes the induced membrane and the local regenerative microenvironment. The article discusses the surgical and biological basis of the technique, the composition and handling characteristics of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement, the rationale for antibiotic-loaded spacers, and the influence of spacer-related variables such as formulation, surface properties, and geometry on membrane quality. It also addresses emerging strategies, including bioactive PMMA modifications, multifunctional cements, and degradable alternatives aimed at improving osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and infection control. Current evidence, derived mainly from in vitro studies and animal models, suggests that the spacer may play a role beyond space maintenance by participating in induced membrane formation and influencing biological signaling related to bone repair. In contrast, the clinical evidence primarily supports the reproducible use of PMMA spacers for dead-space management, infection control, and bone reconstruction. However, important gaps still remain in the translational validation of these biological properties and in the standardization of spacer formulations and antibiotic protocols.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060124

Authors: Paul Bakaki Michel Belyk Marcello Trovati Nik Bessis

Computational research is becoming increasingly dependent on code, data, workflows, software environments and model configurations that must be preserved and understood before findings can be reproduced. The FAIR Guiding Principles have significantly improved data stewardship, but they do not by themselves provide an executable, explainable and evidence-linked mechanism for verifying computational claims. This article presents eFAIR-X, an implementation-oriented and AI-enabled extension of FAIR for interdisciplinary computational reproducibility. The framework connects publications, claims, datasets, code, workflows, environments and verification evidence through a semantic research knowledge graph. It also defines a Dashboard for Reproducibility (DfR) that reports bounded, auditable and calibratable indicators for artefact availability, metadata completeness, workflow executability, output agreement, contribution-evidence coverage, relevance longevity and originality risk. In response to the need for stronger technical precision, the model separates three issues that are often combined: FAIR principle extension, FAIR assessment and operational reproducibility verification. A browser-based proof-of-concept prototype has now been implemented and exercised using structured JSON study files to demonstrate the dashboard, knowledge-graph view, evidence table, claim-evidence mapping and validation panel. The proposed metrics are explicitly treated as provisional operational indicators that require calibration through benchmark experiments, expert agreement analysis, case-based evaluation and sensitivity testing before they can be used as decision-support evidence. The paper further specifies local and global explainability mechanisms, human contestability, knowledge-graph node and edge semantics, metadata requirements and dashboard evidence drill-downs. eFAIR-Xis therefore positioned not as a replacement for FAIR, FAIR4RS or FAIRification frameworks, but as a complementary verification-centred infrastructure for making computational reproducibility more measurable, inspectable and actionable.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060123

Authors: Yuliya A. Litvinenko Larissa R. Sassykova Albina R. Sassykova Azamat T. Konysbayev Renata R. Aitbayeva Tleutai S. Abildin Fatima M. Kanapiyeva Nurbubi K. Zhakirova Aisulu K. Zhussupova Subramanian Sendilvelan Kathirvelu Bhaskar Kannayiram Gomathi Ruimao Hua

This study investigated the macro- and microelement profiles and bioactive substances (BAS) in the herbaceous species of the genus Rheum collected from two villages near Almaty, Kazakhstan, and the accumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in wild plants of Eastern Kazakhstan. Representative zonal species from the steppes and desert–steppes (Eastern Kazakhstan) were analyzed—totaling one hundred samples across 18 species from six families. According to the research, different plant species have a selective ability to accumulate heavy metals, even when growing in the same type of soil. Long-term observations reveal dominant patterns of HM (Cu, Zn, Mn, Co, Pb, Cd) occurrence in dry-steppe vegetation. It was found that Cu and Co demonstrate moderate bioadsorption with minimal accumulation, while Zn, Mn, and Pb show strong biological enrichment. Cadmium falls under elements with pronounced biological retention. Copper and cobalt are classified as moderately absorbed with limited buildup. Native plants in this region contain substantially greater amounts of lead relative to cobalt, and reflect cadmium–zinc geochemical specificity: Cd 3.85, Zn 0.15, Mn 0.10, Pb 0.09, Co 0.07, Cu 0.04, per Clark’s concentration index. Samples of collected Rheum tataricum L. in the village of Miyaly were found to have higher levels of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and organic acids, while raw materials from the village of Bakbakty showed increased accumulation of anthracene derivatives and tannins. Flavonoids constituted the largest proportion of the studied groups of biologically active substances in both samples, confirming the high biological and pharmacological value of the plant material studied. The results obtained during the research can be successfully applied to the development of a strategy for the conservation of plant biodiversity in the studied areas and the sustainable management of plant resources.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060122

Authors: Joaquim Jose Carvalho Proença Carlos Enrique Bermudes Mendoza Rosita Elvira Alcantara Poma Nelly Gisella Quispe Quispe Carmen Ramos Vera

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a central driver of transformation in innovation management, reshaping how organizations design strategies, develop offerings, and generate knowledge. This study examines how innovation management has evolved from the pre-ChatGPT era—characterized by analytics, automation, and decision support—to the post-ChatGPT period, marked by the widespread adoption of generative AI (GenAI) and human–AI collaboration. Using a structured literature review of Scopus-indexed studies published between 2020 and 2025, the paper identifies the following six dominant thematic dimensions of AI-enabled innovation management: strategic and business model innovation, product and service innovation, sustainability-oriented innovation, organizational agility and capabilities, human-centric innovation, and knowledge, learning, and research. The findings reveal a conceptual shift from efficiency-driven applications toward more creative, strategic, and collaborative uses of AI, with generative models acting as co-creators rather than mere analytical tools. The study contributes by synthesizing the fragmented literature into an integrative framework that captures this transition and by highlighting emerging research gaps, particularly in sustainability and human-centered innovation. Practical implications for managers and policymakers are discussed.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060121

Authors: Jean Paul Restucci-Orozco Luisa Fernanda Pacheco-Muñoz Carlos David Grande-Tovar Carlos Humberto Valencia-Llano Niny Andrea Arteaga-Pedraza Mario Fernando Muñoz-Velez Jose Luis Castillo-Garcia Jenny Alexandra Lugo-Peña Arturo Jose Aragón Juan Camilo Madrid-Paz Gustavo Urrego-Grueso Jose Herminsul Mina-Hernandez

A porcine model with a stabilized segmental femoral defect was used, in which commercial or experimental bone cements were implanted following the principles of the Masquelet technique. After 45 days, considered long enough for induced membrane maturation, the samples were analyzed by optical microscopy (H&E, Masson’s trichrome, and Gomori staining) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Histologically, both formulations induced membranes with fibrovascular tissue organization; however, the membranes associated with the experimental cement exhibited qualitatively distinct patterns of stromal organization and cell distribution compared with those of the commercial cement group. SEM analysis revealed qualitative differences in the material–tissue interaction, with the experimental cement showing a distinct distribution pattern of amorphous and fibrillar material on the surface and within the interpearl spaces, whereas the commercial cement exhibited a more focal interaction, predominantly associated with structural irregularities. Overall, these observations indicate that differences in the formulation and microstructure of bone cements may influence how tissue organizes and interacts with the material and may be associated with qualitative differences in tissue organization and material–tissue interaction within the induced membrane. These results highlight the relevance of the spacer type in the histological characteristics of the induced membrane.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8060120

Authors: Giuseppe Lacidogna Pedro Marin Montanari Stefano Invernizzi Angelo Di Tommaso

The Garisenda Tower, along with the neighboring Asinelli Tower, is arguably the symbol of the city of Bologna. They are the sole remnants of about one hundred towers that formed the city’s skyline in medieval times. As such, the monitoring of their state of health has been of great interest to the scientific community for more than a century—one example being the studies of Prof. Cavani in the early 1900s. The Garisenda Tower, famous for its impressive lean, is the object of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) involving a multitude of devices. Some examples are a 30 m long pendulum installed on the inside of the tower to measure the planar displacement of the tower’s top; Fiber-Optical Strings (FOSs) installed in the walls of the basement to measure their vertical deformation; and piezoelectric acoustic emission (AE) sensors, also installed on the walls of the tower’s basement to detect elastic waves generated by micro-cracking. This rich experimental setup allows for the investigation of the tower’s stability and damage assessment. In this work, attention is focused on two analyses: The first is a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) study that investigates the correlation between AE data and other SHM data, such as in situ temperature, pendulum displacement, and AE rate. The second analysis corresponds with numerical finite element (FE) studies that assess damage in the base of the tower. Initially, the Smeared Cracking material model is used to understand which zones of the tower are more damaged. Moreover, a possible critical scenario due to increasing tower tilt is investigated. Finally, a viscoelastic formulation of the materials at the base of the tower is used to account for creep to understand the possible viscous effects at the base of the tower.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050119

Authors: César Augusto Marín Moreno Kevin Alexander Leyton-Valencia Luis Fernando Grisales-Noreña Rubén Iván Bolaños Jesús C. Hernández

The rapid growth of electric mobility is reshaping active distribution networks (ADNs), where electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) introduce spatially concentrated, time-dependent, and highly simultaneous demand. This paper develops a network-oriented framework to evaluate EVCS integration in ADNs by coupling Colombian EV demand characterization, photovoltaic (PV) generation, battery energy storage system (BESS) operation, and AC power flow feasibility. The framework is applied to a 33-bus distribution feeder through four EVCS deployment cases and three support architectures: PV-only, PV–BESS colocated, and PV–BESS dispersed operation. The results show that non-coordinated EVCS deployment may increase losses, reduce voltage margins, and produce thermal overloads when feeder electrical sensitivity is ignored. They also reveal that optimized EVCS siting is insufficient under PV-only support, since PV generation lacks the controllability required to reshape feeder power flows during charging peaks. By contrast, BESS-assisted architectures substantially improve feeder operation, with dispersed storage achieving the best performance by decoupling charging demand locations from grid support locations. SOC and SOH analyses further demonstrate that storage feasibility and degradation must be assessed together with voltage, loading, and loss indicators. The proposed framework provides an operationally consistent basis for technically feasible EVCS planning in ADNs, linking local EV demand characterization, AC feasibility, support-architecture selection, and battery lifetime assessment.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050118

Authors: Jesús Heras-Roger Carlos Díaz-Romero Javier Darias-Rosales Jacinto Darias-Martín

The Listán Negro cultivar, a red grape variety endemic to the Canary Islands, has been traditionally characterized by limited color stability, often leading to significant pigment loss during early storage. The present study investigates the efficacy of caffeic acid as a hydroxycinnamic cofactor for copigmentation when it is introduced during the post-fermentative stage in young, lightly colored red wines. Ninety young red wine samples were prepared using a factorial design. Caffeic acid was added at four concentrations, both independently and in combination with glucose, and was monitored over 158 days. Initial spectrophotometric analysis revealed a dose-dependent hyperchromic effect, with color intensity increasing by up to 12.8% for caffeic acid alone and 15.9% when combined with glucose. Accompanying bathochromic shifts (1–3 nm) were consistent with copigmentation interactions. Although the effect decreased over time at lower concentrations, doses ≥ 480 mg/L maintained improved color retention after storage. The addition of glucose alone did not improve color stability and showed a transient chromatic response. These results indicate that post-fermentative addition of caffeic acid provides a short-term enhancement of color intensity in low-anthocyanin red wines; however, this effect is strongly concentration-dependent and decreases over time, thereby identifying a threshold for persistent post-fermentative copigmentation.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050117

Authors: Panatorn Yuthong Kannasing Sukkua Papawin Inpin Yaowarat Sirisathitkul Patchara Sukonrat Montra Chairat Chitnarong Sirisathitkul

Smartphone colorimetry has emerged as a low-cost and accessible approach for participatory environmental monitoring. In this feasibility study, mangrove soil samples collected at two depths (approximately 0 and 30 cm) and three distances from the shoreline (−10, 0, and 10 m) were analyzed using smartphone colorimetry. The redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) tended to decrease from the seaward side toward the landward side. The lightness (L*) showed a strong agreement with measurements obtained from a standard spectrophotometer, whereas systematic deviations were observed for chromatic coordinates, with underestimation of a* and overestimation of b* by the smartphone measurements. Soil colors were further examined alongside mineral composition determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and organic matter characteristics obtained from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). No systematic relationships were identified between color parameters and mineral composition or organic matter weight loss, highlighting the complex and multi-factorial nature of mangrove soil color. Although wetting generally reduced L* and b* values, the responses to increasing water content were not monotonic. These findings indicate that smartphone colorimetry is effective for capturing relative variations in soil lightness under controlled conditions, while emphasizing the need for calibration and cautious interpretation. The accessibility of smartphone-based measurements also suggests potential in public engagement.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050116

Authors: Franco Felix Caldas Silva Fernando Arão Bila Júnior Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes Fernando António Leal Pacheco

In the face of intensifying climate change, agricultural water security in semi-arid zones has emerged as a critical frontier for water governance. This study provides a systematic and critical analysis of the scientific literature to map current research frontiers and structural gaps. The methodology integrated the PRISMA 2020 protocol and a modified Methodi Ordinatio, spanning a search period from 2014 to 2026 across the Science Direct and SciELO databases. From an initial broad screening, 136 high-impact articles were selected based on rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria. The findings reveal a significant fragmentation of knowledge, characterized by a high prevalence of small-scale studies (25 articles) and limited interdisciplinarity. Notably, a governance-centric approach is present in only 20% of the literature, while the Water–Energy–Food Nexus appears in just 6%, signaling a major disconnect in holistic management. Based on these results, this study identifies water governance and socioeconomic integration as the most pressing research gaps. Consequently, an integrated conceptual framework is proposed, built upon three pillars: Governance, Technology, and Environment (GET). This study concludes that advancing the frontiers of agricultural water security requires moving beyond isolated solutions toward a structured, systemic, and interdisciplinary integration.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050115

Authors: Irene Jazmín García Luna-Pérez Sergio Esteban Moreno-Vázquez Gabriel Alfonso Gutiérrez-Rebolledo Darío Iker Téllez-Medina Alicia Ortiz-Moreno

Brosimum alicastrum Swartz (Mayan Nut) is a traditional Mesoamerican resource with nutritional potential exceeding many cereal grains, yet its therapeutic efficacy relative to processing remains under-researched. This study investigated the impact of geographic origin and processing on its hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties. Seed flours from Campeche (green raw—GsF), Nayarit (dried—DsF), and Yucatán (commercial roasted—RsF) were evaluated. Following proximal analysis and acute toxicity screening (up to 2000 mg/kg), effects were tested in a tyloxapol-induced hypertriglyceridemia rat model monitoring triglyceride (TG), and hepatic oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers. Proximal profiles were stable across regions. All samples were non-lethal, and, significantly, DsF and RsF achieved a maximum reduction of TG and protein carbonyl content (PCC) at only 200 mg/kg, whereas raw GsF required 2000 mg/kg. Hypertriglyceridemia induced a compensatory increase in SOD activity (~555%), which was maintained across all treated groups. Conversely, tyloxapol depleted GSH-Px activity by 16%, and only DsF, at 20 mg/kg, preserved activity statistically similar to the healthy control (6.71 ± 0.65 IU/μL). Drying and roasting seemed critical for enhancing the acute therapeutic effects observed at lower dosages.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050114

Authors: Retno Wulandari Dion Awfa Rifka Noor Azizah Lita Darmayanti Novi Fitria Muammar Qadafi Mohamad Firman Solihat Fahd Maximillian Amin Abiyyu Kaysan Admawidya Merri Jayanti Shyfa Fauziah Rizki Febrian

Plasticizers enhance polymer flexibility and durability, yet many leach into aquatic environments as persistent contaminants. Phthalate esters (PAEs), the most widely used plasticizers, are of particular concern due to weak polymer binding, high mobility, and documented ecological and human health risks. Conventional analytical techniques such as GC–MS and HPLC provide high accuracy but rely on expensive instrumentation and laboratory-based analysis, limiting rapid and on-site monitoring. In response, electrochemical approaches have emerged as promising alternatives for both the detection and removal of PAEs, especially when coupled with sustainable and environmentally benign materials. This review summarizes recent advances in the electrochemical sensing and treatment of PAEs, highlighting green electrode materials, eco-friendly functionalization strategies, sensing mechanisms, and analytical performance. Key challenges, including matrix effects, environmental interferences, and gaps between laboratory studies and real-sample applications, are critically discussed. Sustainable electrochemical removal strategies—such as advanced oxidation, reductive degradation, and hybrid material-based processes—are also evaluated. Overall, integrating greener materials, molecular imprinting, and data-driven signal enhancement supports the development of robust, field-deployable, and environmentally responsible PAE monitoring and mitigation technologies.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050113

Authors: Julio A. Cardona-Castaño Anngie C. Toro-Idárraga Luis Gerónimo Matallana Pérez Iván F. Macías-Quiroga Nancy R. Sanabria-González

The discharge of metal-complex dyes from textile industries poses significant environmental challenges due to their chemical stability and resistance to conventional biological treatment. This study examined the degradation of Acid Black 194 (AB–194), a 1:2 chromium-complex azo dye, using Co2+-activated peroxymonosulfate (PMS). A central composite design based on response surface methodology was used to evaluate the effects of Co2+ (5.93–20.07 µM), PMS (1.67–7.33 mM), and dye (13.79–56.21 mg L−1) concentrations on decolorization and mineralization. The polynomial models demonstrated strong predictive accuracy (R2 > 0.9896), identifying Co2+ and dye concentrations as the most influential factors. Under optimal conditions (18.0 µM Co2+, 6.5 mM PMS, 20.0 mg L−1 dye), 99.19% decolorization was achieved at 30 min and 41.43% TOC removal at 240 min. Degradation kinetics were described by a mechanistic model incorporating 15 elementary reactions that comprise the Co2+/Co3+ redox cycle, radical generation, and dye oxidation, yielding a global R2 of 0.9617. Estimated rate constants for dye oxidation (k14 = 3.52 × 109 M–1 s–1 for and k15 = 2.00 × 1010 M–1 s–1 ) were consistent with values reported for aromatic compounds in sulfate radical systems. Radical contribution analysis confirmed sulfate radicals as the principal oxidizing species, accounting for 96.75% of the overall process.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050112

Authors: Emma Horton Ognjen Arandjelović Neofytos Dimitriou

In this paper we investigate the potential of Magnifying Networks, an architecture recently proposed in the domain of digital pathology, in the realm of satellite imagery analysis, an increasingly important remote sensing modality of practical significance in a wide range of domains. In particular, we address the challenges posed by the extreme size of satellite images and the inadequacy of the current state of the art in capturing salient information across scales while remaining computationally feasible. Specifically, we adapt the MagNet architecture by adjusting the number of magnifying layers and by employing the softmax function as a specific mechanistic means in the exploratory search within each magnifying layer. In addition, we conduct a series of comparative experiments to identify effective design choices and their effect on performance in the specific context of satellite remote sensing. Focusing on the most challenging classes in the Functional Map of the World with small object-to-image ratios, the adapted MagNet surpasses an Inception-v3 baseline (AUROC 0.89 vs. 0.85, Accuracy 0.83 vs. 0.71, F1-score 0.84 vs. 0.76), supporting adaptive magnification as an effective modelling approach to gigapixel satellite imagery.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050111

Authors: Diego de Paiva Bezerra Aires Camões Raphaele de Lira Meireles de Castro Malheiro Fabiola Luana Maia Rocha Lucas Moura Delfino Aline Figueirêdo da Nóbrega

High-performance pervious concrete (HPPC) has gained increasing attention due to its potential use in sustainable urban infrastructure. However, there is still no consensus on its definition or design parameters, particularly regarding mechanical strength and permeability. This study analyzes HPPC research through a systematic and scientometric approach to identify trends and gaps. A systematic review following PRISMA 2020 guidelines selected 47 peer-reviewed articles from Scopus (2015–2025). The studies were grouped into mix design, fibers and pozzolanic materials, pollutant mitigation, and alternative aggregates. In parallel, a scientometric analysis using VOSviewer examined publication patterns, contributors, and keyword trends. The results show no standardized criteria for HPPC classification and high variability in testing procedures. Reported compressive strength ranges from 5.03 to 69 MPa, flexural strength from 2.9 to 8.5 MPa, and permeability from 0.18 to 22.7 mm/s. A consistent inverse relationship between permeability and mechanical strength is observed. Based on this synthesis, indicative thresholds are proposed for HPPC: compressive strength above 35 MPa and permeability above 1 mm/s. Fibers and pozzolanic materials appear as effective strategies to improve performance balance. Few studies investigate HPPC under heavy traffic conditions. Overall, the findings highlight the need for standardized definitions and further research on long-term performance and real-world applications.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050110

Authors: Sonar Soni Panigoro Nindhyana Diwaratri Ratnaningayu Aryo Tedjo Rafika Indah Paramita Alfi Khatib

Breast cancer is the most common cancer globally and often diagnosed at advanced stages in Indonesia. Metabolomic profiling has emerged as a promising approach for identifying biomarkers associated with breast cancer (BC). However, the specificity and clinical applicability of candidate metabolites remain under investigation. This study investigates untargeted plasma metabolomic profiles of breast cancer patients to find candidate metabolite signatures of breast cancer. Plasma samples from 24 breast cancer patients and 24 healthy controls (HC) were analyzed using untargeted Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). A machine learning (ML) approach was utilized to validate the metabolites. Differential metabolites were identified and analyzed to explore altered metabolic pathways associated with BC. Several metabolites, including D-glucose, citric acid, lactic acid, L-hydroxyproline, and glutamic acid, were significantly different between BC and HC groups. Those metabolites correlated with arginine/proline metabolism, glycolysis, and alanine/aspartate/glutamate pathways. ML validation yielded favorable results for these metabolites as candidate metabolite signatures of breast cancer (AUC > 0.8, accuracy > 80%). Further subset analysis showed reduced dihydrouracil in late stage. Untargeted plasma metabolomic analysis combined with machine learning effectively identified a potential candidate metabolite signature for breast cancer. These findings improve understanding of breast cancer metabolic alterations and highlight promising pathways for early diagnosis. Nevertheless, further validation in larger, well-controlled studies is required to establish their diagnostic utility.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050109

Authors: Francesco Vizzarri Mihaela Ivanova Alexandar Balabanov Aneta Kišová Andrea Svoradova Ivana Spevakova Lubomir Ondruska

The increasing global demand for animal-derived food products, combined with growing environmental and public health concerns, has intensified the search for sustainable strategies in livestock production. Among emerging nutritional approaches, phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) have gained attention as natural alternatives to conventional synthetic growth promoters. PFAs, derived from herbs, spices, essential oils, and plant extracts, contain diverse bioactive compounds such as phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and saponins. These compounds exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities that can support animal health, productivity, and product quality. Current research indicates that PFAs positively influence digestive physiology by modulating gut microbiota, improving intestinal integrity, and stimulating digestive enzyme secretion. These mechanisms enhance nutrient utilization, feed efficiency, and growth performance. In addition, the antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties of plant-derived compounds strengthen the ability of animals to cope with physiological stress and disease, potentially reducing reliance on synthetic antimicrobials and supporting antibiotic-free production systems. PFAs may also improve reproductive performance and physiological stability, particularly in small livestock species and indigenous breeds. Beyond productivity benefits, phytogenic additives contribute to environmental sustainability by improving feed conversion efficiency and reducing nutrient excretion. The present literature review confirms that although variability in plant composition and the need for standardization remain challenges, PFAs represent a valuable component of integrated nutritional strategies aimed at achieving resilient, environmentally responsible, and economically sustainable livestock production systems.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050108

Authors: Ciresi Michele Bonato Matteo Savoia Francesca Orzes Enrico Favero Elisabetta Senna Gianenrico Romagnoli Micaela

With the introduction of biologic therapies for severe asthma, clinical remission has gained increasing relevance as a therapeutic goal; however, real-world data and validated predictors remain limited. We conducted a retrospective real-life study including 75 adults with severe asthma treated with mepolizumab, benralizumab, or dupilumab between October 2023 and September 2025. Clinical remission at 12 months was defined according to the multidimensional framework proposed by Menzies-Gow, requiring absence of oral corticosteroid use and exacerbations, ACT score > 20, and FEV1 > 80% predicted. Baseline clinical, functional, and biomarker variables were analyzed using bivariate tests and multivariable logistic regression with internal bootstrap validation. At 12 months, 37 of 75 patients (49.3%) achieved clinical remission. Peripheral eosinophilia ≥ 500 cells/µL, higher baseline FEV1, and the presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease were independently associated with remission, whereas age, body mass index, and grass pollen sensitization were not significant. The final model showed good discrimination and adequate calibration. In this monocentric real-life cohort, biologic therapy was associated with clinical remission in approximately half of patients, and selected baseline characteristics identified individuals with a higher probability of remission, warranting validation in larger multicenter studies.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050107

Authors: Sanja Kapetanović Mile Dželalija Nina Bijedić Dražena Gašpar Sanja Tipurić-Spužević

Spiking neural networks can exhibit complex emergent dynamics, but the credibility of spatially explicit agent-based implementations depends on systematic verification and validation (V&V). This study introduces LANA (Local Adaptive Neural Agents), an agent-based spiking neural network in which neurons, propagating signals, directed synapses, and a diffusive environmental field are represented as distinct interacting components. We present a five-level V&V framework spanning operator-level tests, single-neuron mechanisms, propagation behavior, network-level dynamics, and sensitivity/robustness analysis. Across 13 predefined tests and approximately 2000 simulation runs, the model satisfied all prespecified pass criteria: synaptic delays reproduced the expected propagation law exactly, environmental decay and diffusion matched analytical expectations, threshold and refractory mechanisms behaved as predicted, inhibition suppressed firing monotonically, and environmental coupling induced a transition toward higher variability and oscillatory-like activity. Matched-seed comparisons further showed that explicit signal transport and environmental feedback substantially amplify activity relative to a neuron-only baseline while leaving synaptic delay propagation unchanged. Additional regime and lesion experiments demonstrated distinct resting, hyperexcitable, and focal-lesion states, with the lesion condition producing an acute decline followed by only partial recovery. Together, these results provide a transparent V&V baseline for LANA and illustrate how agent-based spiking models can be tested and interpreted across multiple scales.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050106

Authors: Roberta Sole Roberta Cassano Carlo Siciliano Federica Curcio Annarita Stella Laganà Assunta Perri Debora Procopio Diego J. Ramón Sonia Trombino Maria Luisa Di Gioia

Poor solubility and low permeability remain major obstacles to the oral bioavailability of mesalazine (5-aminosalicylic acid, 5-ASA), a BCS Class IV anti-inflammatory drug used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. In this study, we report a novel eutectogel (EG) platform based on a natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) composed of choline chloride and lactic acid (ChCl:LA, 1:10 molar ratio). The NADES significantly enhanced mesalazine solubility, reaching 35 mg/mL, nearly 40-fold higher than in water. The drug-loaded NADES was structured using hydroxyethyl cellulose and Carbomer 140 to obtain a gel matrix, which was subsequently coated with Eudragit® S100 to provide pH-dependent release and gastro-resistance. Physicochemical characterization was carried out via FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy, polarized optical microscopy (POM), and swelling studies in simulated fluids. In vitro release studies under simulated gastrointestinal conditions revealed minimal drug release at gastric pH (1.2) and a sustained release (>80%) at colonic pH (7.4) over 48 h. These results support the potential of ChCl:LA-based eutectogels as a biocompatible, green, and effective delivery system for the site-specific release of poorly soluble drugs in the colon.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050105

Authors: Yuki Lam Pedro Amaral Hai-Feng Ji

Macroporous crystals—crystalline materials containing interconnected pores larger than 50 nm—have emerged as a distinct class of porous solids capable of overcoming the mass-transport limitations inherent to microporous and mesoporous frameworks. While smaller-pored crystalline materials dominate applications in catalysis, separations, and energy conversion, their narrow channels often restrict diffusion, limit accessibility to large guest species, and accelerate deactivation. Recent advances in colloidal templating, phase separation, additive manufacturing, and reconstruction-based synthesis now enable the formation of macroporous crystalline architectures with pore sizes extending from the sub-micrometer to micrometer scale while retaining long-range structural order. This review systematically examines pore-size classifications, synthesis strategies, structural characteristics, and structure–property relationships governing macroporous crystals, with emphasis on how true macroporosity enables near-bulk transport, enhanced optical functionality, and biological accessibility. Key applications in catalysis, photonics, energy systems, and biomedicine are discussed, alongside challenges related to crystallinity preservation, mechanical robustness, and scalable fabrication. Finally, a case study demonstrating a crystalline material with pores approaching 1 µm illustrates the feasibility of achieving unprecedented pore dimensions without relying on conventional templating approaches. By framing macroporous crystals as a distinct materials regime, this review provides design principles and perspectives to guide the development of next-generation crystalline porous materials.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050104

Authors: Nurfadjriah Fintari Butar Butar Salsa Putri Regitamadari Angelina Mulyadi Kyra Modesty Shanie Eugene Sutopo Brigitta Ellycia Sitepu Dante Saksono Harbuwono Antonello Santini Fahrul Nurkolis

Mitochondrial RNA (mtRNA) modifications have emerged as critical regulators of pancreatic β-cell bioenergetics, influencing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and the early pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus (DM). This review synthesizes current evidence on the diversity, mechanisms, and functional implications of mtRNA modifications—such as N6-methyladenosine (m6A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), pseudouridine (Ψ), and 5-formylcytosine (f5C)—within β-cell mitochondria. These chemical marks, installed and recognized by specific writer, eraser, and reader proteins, regulate mitochondrial translation, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complex assembly, and redox balance. Defects in mtRNA modification machinery, exemplified by β-cell-specific knockout of TFB1M, MRM2, or PUS1, impair ribosome biogenesis, disrupt ATP production, and precipitate insulin secretory failure, as demonstrated in human islets, rodent models, and monogenic diabetes syndromes. Advances in epitranscriptomic mapping technologies—including nanopore direct RNA sequencing, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP)-seq, and mass spectrometry—have enabled high-resolution profiling of mtRNA modification landscapes under physiological and diabetic conditions, revealing their dynamic regulation in response to metabolic stress. Furthermore, mtRNA modifications interact with environmental stressors, such as oxidative damage and toxic metals, modulating β-cell vulnerability via pathways like the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt). Therapeutically, modulation of RNA-modifying enzymes or restoration of specific chemical marks holds promise for preserving β-cell function, with potential applications in early diagnosis, risk stratification, and precision medicine approaches for DM. Despite substantial progress, critical gaps remain in understanding the interplay between mtRNA modifications, mitochondrial-nuclear crosstalk, and β-cell plasticity. Addressing these gaps will be pivotal for translating mtRNA biology into novel biomarkers and targeted interventions for early-stage diabetes.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050103

Authors: Revika Singh Yvonne Curran Brigid Ferguson Annie Wescott Keion Heydarpour Isabella Taylor Flerlage Rayan Virani Lynn M. Yee Farzaneh A. Sorond Dilip K. Pandey Philip B. Gorelick

Pregnancy involves major cardiovascular adaptations, yet its long-term impact on maternal brain health remains poorly understood. The American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) and Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) are validated tools to assess cardiovascular and brain health, but their use in obstetric populations is limited. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we searched three databases (2010–2024) for studies assessing ≥ 1 LS7/LE8 component during pregnancy with mid- or later-life cognitive or dementia outcomes; narrative synthesis and meta-analyses were conducted where feasible. Of 3940 screened abstracts, 30 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most examined hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), few assessed diabetes independently, and none evaluated the full LS7/LE8 construct. Meta-analyses showed that HDP was associated with increased risk of all-cause dementia (HR 1.34; 95% CI 1.11–1.62) and vascular dementia (HR 1.76; 95% CI 1.03–3.00; n = 3 studies), but not Alzheimer’s disease (HR 1.22; 95% CI 0.96–1.56). Although LS7/LE8 are established frameworks for cardiovascular and brain health, their application during pregnancy remains limited. Integrating LE8 into obstetric care may enable earlier identification of individuals at risk for later-life cognitive decline and inform strategies to promote maternal brain health across the lifespan.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050102

Authors: Vesna Antunović Željka Marjanović-Balaban Žarko Gagić Nebojša Kladar Vesna Gojković Cvjetković Vesna Kalaba Dragica Đurđević-Milošević

Lavandula angustifolia essential oil (LEO) was obtained by hydrodistillation of air-dried flowers collected in the Mostar region (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Its chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, revealing a camphor content of 16.96%, substantially higher than the maximum value specified in the European Pharmacopoeia. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using quantitative suspension tests according to EN 1276 and EN 1650 under simulated “dirty” conditions with organic load (bovine albumin, 3 g/L) and a 5 min contact time. High-concentration LEO (80% w/v) exhibited strong bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 10536 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, and yeasticidal activity against Candida albicans ATCC 10231 (>5 log10 CFU/mL reduction for bacteria, >4 log10 CFU/mL reduction for yeast), but was ineffective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442 and Enterococcus hirae ATCC 10541. Lower concentrations (1.0% and 0.1% w/v) showed no bactericidal and yeasticidal activity, highlighting LEO’s efficacy limits. Antioxidant activity, assessed by DPPH radical scavenging, was dose- and time-dependent. Molecular docking provided insight into the interaction of major constituents with selected microbial and antioxidant-related targets. These findings highlight both the potential and limitations of LEO as a renewable bio-based resource for sustainable disinfectant formulations while emphasizing the importance of chemical composition and regulatory compliance.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050101

Authors: Francesco Stella Alessandro Sapienza Rino Falcone

Autonomy and trust are central concepts in sociology and psychology and are particularly relevant to the study of hybrid societies in which human and artificial agents interact. Trust is essential for effective collaboration across a wide range of contexts, and the benefits of interacting with autonomous agents for facilitating goal achievement are well established. However, the complex interplay between trust and autonomy remains insufficiently understood, especially in sensitive domains such as healthcare, where ethical values, patient safety, and inter-agent dependencies must be carefully managed. In this work, we employ a multi-agent simulation to investigate the roles of autonomy and trust in relation to patient satisfaction. Our results show that higher levels of autonomy—enabling agents to modify delegations and exploit dependencies—effectively support implicit goal discovery and can enhance explicit goal achievement. Nevertheless, such autonomy may be detrimental compared to lower levels of autonomy that only allow dependency exploitation. This effect is particularly evident in contexts with large pools of partners who lack sufficient competence but are willing to accept multiple concurrent delegations. Conversely, in environments characterized by heterogeneous trustworthiness, higher autonomy proves advantageous, as it enables agents to more effectively discover and leverage dependencies.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050100

Authors: Humberto Pereira Ana Picado Ines Alvarez Magda C. Sousa Ana C. Brito David Carvalho João M. Dias

Most Portuguese aquaculture farms are located in estuaries and coastal lagoons, which are highly productive, nutrient-rich transition zones that are also among the most vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures and climate change. This study assesses Ria Formosa’s suitability for grooved carpet shell (Ruditapes decussatus) aquaculture, accounting for projected climate change and a potential increase in clam farming production. The methodology involved implementing a numerical modeling system to map key physico-chemical variables under historical (1995–2014) and future (2081–2100) conditions. Model outputs were then used to compute a suitability index (SI), which was converted into aquaculture suitability maps for this species. Results indicate that the hydrodynamic and transport components reproduced tidal propagation and the transport of salinity and heat effectively. In contrast, simulations of water quality variables were less accurate, reflecting the greater complexity and uncertainty in representing biochemical processes. Across both time periods, environmental conditions were generally less favorable in winter and more favorable in spring. Water temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration emerged as the dominant drivers of seasonal suitability. Projections suggest that Ria Formosa may become increasingly suitable for grooved carpet shell aquaculture by the end of the century. However, expanding production could compromise ecological balance, reduce resilience, and constrain the system’s long-term sustainable development.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050099

Authors: Ana Marošević Dolovski Katarina Itrić Ivanda Rahela Kulčar Marina Vukoje Bezjak

The increasing use of pressure-sensitive labels (PSLs), driven by growth in the packaging sector, raises concerns regarding material consumption and end-of-life management under evolving European packaging regulations. This study investigates the biodegradation potential of sustainable PSL facestocks produced from 15% agro-industrial by-products, 40% post-consumer recycled fibers, and 45% virgin wood pulp. Their biodegradation behavior was compared with bio-based polyethylene (PE) facestocks using laboratory-scale aerobic soil burial tests conducted for up to 28 days. Biodegradation was assessed through weight loss measurements, visual evaluation, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and fluorescence analysis. Fiber-based facestocks exhibited significant degradation, reaching approximately 50–55% weight loss after 28 days, accompanied by structural changes in the cellulose matrix and reduced fluorescence intensity. In contrast, bio-based polyethylene facestocks showed negligible weight loss and only minor spectroscopic changes, indicating high stability under the tested conditions. The results demonstrate that fiber-based samples derived from agro-industrial and recycled sources possess substantially higher biodegradation potential than bio-based polymeric alternatives. These findings support the use of fiber-based PSL facestocks in applications requiring improved environmental compatibility.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050098

Authors: Ana Gamkrelidze Violeta Berikashvili Tinatin Kachlishvili Nina Kulikova Vladimir Elisashvili Olga Bragina Maria Kulp Mikheil Asatiani

Natural antioxidants are essential for protecting the body against oxidative stress and exhibit a wide range of biological activities. In this context, forty extracts derived from ten submerged cultivated mushroom species were analyzed for their mycochemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and cytotoxic effects against MCF7 breast cancer cells. Qualitative and quantitative screening revealed that, among the detected classes of bioactive compounds, the extracts were predominantly enriched in flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic constituents. Considerable variation was observed in the levels of total phenolics, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid among different species and solvent extracts. The highest total phenolic contents were detected in ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of G. frondosa (110.0 ± 6.4, 227.6 ± 14.2, and 160.5 ± 5.3 mg GAE/g), while the water extract of F. velutipes also exhibited elevated phenolic levels (119.2 ± 6.5 mg GAE/g). Flavonoid concentrations ranged from 102.5 ± 10.5 to 359.9 ± 2.5 mg QE/g in biomass and culture liquid extracts obtained with organic solvents. Ascorbic acid content was generally highest in ethyl acetate culture liquid extracts, suggesting solvent-dependent enrichment of antioxidant metabolites. Free radical scavenging activity increased in a concentration-dependent manner, reaching inhibition values more than 90% at 20 mg/mL in all tested mushrooms. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that extract type, solvent, and incubation time strongly influenced the inhibition of MCF7 cell viability. Ethyl acetate extracts from H. erinaceus, P. ostreatus, T. versicolor, and T. pubescens exhibited the strongest cytotoxic effects, reducing cell viability by up to 70% at higher concentrations. The results demonstrate that mushroom extracts, particularly ethyl acetate extracts, possess significant antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. These findings highlight their potential as promising natural sources of medicinal bioactive compounds for antioxidant and anticancer applications.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050097

Authors: Evgeniya Ishchukova Sergei Petrenko Alexey Petrenko Artyom Balyabin Alexey Nekrasov

This article proposes a mathematical model for quantitatively assessing the cyber resilience of modern blockchain platforms. Constructing the mathematical model, the authors proposed representing the architecture of a blockchain-based information system as four layers: the cryptographic algorithm layer, the blockchain core layer, the smart contract layer, and the decentralized application layer. A study of typical vulnerabilities was conducted for each layer, and a list of countermeasures to counter potential threats was proposed. Then, key elements and their impact on the system’s cyber resilience were identified. As a result, a mathematical model for assessing the cyber resilience of blockchain platforms was developed. Based on the analysis of the model, it was experimentally demonstrated that a cyber attack carried out at a lower layer affects all higher layers of the blockchain platform, and cyber resilience at the current layer can only be effectively ensured if it is ensured at the previous layer.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050096

Authors: Teodora Lukavski Iva Šarčević Marina Vukoje Bezjak

This study investigates the influence of extraction method and solvent on the UV spectral characteristics of extracts obtained from selected agro-industrial waste materials. Conventional maceration and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) were applied using distilled water and 70% (v/v) ethanol as solvents. The analyzed materials included spent coffee grounds, orange peel, rosehip, milk thistle, eucalyptus leaves, and chili pepper. UV spectrophotometric analysis (190–400 nm) was used to compare the absorption profiles of the obtained extracts and to evaluate the effect of extraction conditions on spectral features. The results showed that both solvent type and extraction technique significantly influenced the intensity and shape of the absorption spectra. Ethanol generally resulted in higher absorbance values and more defined spectral features in the 250–350 nm region, while aqueous extracts exhibited stronger absorption in the lower UV range. Overall, UV spectroscopy proved to be a rapid and effective screening tool for evaluating extraction performance and comparing spectral characteristics of complex plant extracts, supporting the valorization of agro-industrial waste. Total phenolic content (TPC) was additionally determined to support the evaluation of extraction efficiency.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050095

Authors: Claus Jacob

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the format, style and content of scientific publishing. Traditional reviews are likely to give way to more personalized, AI-generated literature surveys on the one hand and more innovative, perhaps even controversial hypothesis, opinion or essay-style contributions on the other. Original publications based on experimental data are still less affected even if AI teams up with robots. Eventually, science and scientific publishing are social activities and although the AI-driven tools and technologies at hand may accelerate and also refine scientific publishing, scientists, as always, are well equipped to adapt and to turn these challenges into new opportunities, for instance in handling, processing and illustrating experimental data.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8050094

Authors: Kimberly López Cedeño Juan Antonio Torres-Rodriguez Juan José Reyes Pérez Danna Castillo Alex Leonel Cañar Rivas Jorge Alberto Alejandre Rosas Alejandra Alvarado Mávil Gerardo Zapata-Sifuentes

Developing plant-based weed-management tools from allelopathy requires evidence that phytotoxicity is both chemically supported and biologically reproducible. This study examined whether the allelopathic activity of Clitoria ternatea L. varies among leaves, stems, and a leaf + stem mixture, and whether such variation is associated with organ-specific chemical traits. Hydroethanolic extracts were characterized by histochemical, phytochemical, and thin-layer chromatographic analyses and tested in vitro on Lactuca sativa L. at 75, 150, and 300 mg L−1. All matrices contained phenols/tannins, flavonoids, and triterpenes/sterols; however, the leaf extract showed the strongest coumarin signal, the presence of saponins, and the richest TLC pattern. These chemical differences were matched by a clear biological gradient, with inhibitory activity ranked as leaf > leaf + stem > stem. At 300 mg L−1, the leaf extract reduced germination to 71%, radicle length to 10.23 mm, and vigor index to 1372, while increasing mean germination time to 5.78 days and yielding the most negative allelopathic response index (−0.663). Overall, the results identify leaves as the main reservoir of phytotoxic metabolites in C. ternatea and support their prospective use in botanical weed-management research.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040093

Authors: Rui Reis Francisca Aroso Aires Camões Filipe Brandão Bruno Figueiredo Paulo J. S. Cruz

3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) is increasingly explored as a digital fabrication technology offering design freedom, automation, and material efficiency. Nevertheless, its application in reinforced and long-life structures remains limited by insufficient understanding and poor comparability of durability performance, as previous reviews have not systematically linked methodologies to transport-related results. This study presents a systematic and critical review of carbonation and chloride ingress in 3DCP cementitious materials, conducted in accordance with the PRISMA methodology. Following a structured database search and two-stage screening process, the selected studies are subjected to qualitative analysis. Experimental methodologies, specimen typologies, exposure conditions, and attack directions are compiled and qualitatively compared. The review highlights pronounced methodological heterogeneity and frequent under-reporting of key parameters, particularly attack direction, sealing conditions, CO2 concentration, and indicator methods, limiting cross-study comparison. Despite these limitations, consistent qualitative trends are identified. Printed specimens generally exhibit inferior durability performance than cast specimens, while cold joints are associated with increased penetration depth and result dispersion. Directional effects are non-negligible, although they are systematically addressed in only a limited number of studies. Overall, the findings emphasise the critical role of process-induced features and the need for harmonised testing methods to enable reliable durability assessment.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040092

Authors: Laura Marinela Ailioaie Gerhard Litscher Constantin Ailioaie

Laser acupuncture (LA) integrates principles of traditional acupuncture with photobiomodulation (PBM) and has gained increasing attention as a non-invasive modality for pain management. PBM-based integrative LA in medicine refers to the application of low-level laser irradiation to acupuncture points, combining contemporary biomedical mechanisms with holistic, system-oriented therapeutic principles. This narrative review aimed to critically assess the scientific evidence on the efficacy of LA for pain management within the framework of the Principles of Clinical Integration of Photobiomodulation (PCIPBM) in LA, summarizing frequently used laser parameters and clinical indications. LA involves special protocols in standardized acupoints, using defined parameters of wavelength, irradiation, and energy density, consistent with PBM dosing principles. Therapeutic effects are mediated through point-specific neuromodulation and photobiological mechanisms, including modulation of peripheral and central nociceptive processing, reduction in pro-inflammatory mediators, improvement of microcirculation, and mitochondrial activation via cytochrome c oxidase-dependent adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis. Clinical studies report statistically and clinically significant analgesic effects, particularly in chronic musculoskeletal pain, osteoarthritis, low back and neck pain, temporomandibular disorders, neuropathic pain, and selected postoperative pain conditions, when appropriate laser parameters are applied. Reported adverse effects are minimal, and tolerability is high. LA represents a safe, non-invasive therapeutic option and patient-friendly approach with clinically relevant efficacy in pain management. When applied according to PCIPBM, including evidence-based PBM parameters, it may serve as an effective adjunct or alternative to conventional pharmacologic and interventional approaches. Further standardization and high-quality randomized controlled trials are still required.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040091

Authors: Andra Oros Valentina Coatu Nicoleta Damir Diana Danilov Elena Ristea Luminita Lazar

Climate change is modifying the physical structure and biogeochemical functioning of stratified marine systems, with important consequences for trace element (TE) transport, speciation, and exposure. The Black Sea provides a structurally amplified case because restricted exchange, persistent stratification, a basin-scale redoxcline, and extensive shelf-sediment reservoirs intensify climate–contaminant interactions. This review synthesizes mechanistic evidence to develop a climate-informed interpretive framework for TE redistribution under non-stationary environmental forcing. We examine how warming, deoxygenation, hydrological variability, sediment resuspension, acidification, and episodic events alter TE partitioning across dissolved, particulate, sedimentary, and biotic compartments. The synthesis identifies six major redistribution pathways involving surface-layer retention, river plume and suspended particulate transport, shelf-sediment remobilization, redoxcline dynamics, acidification–ligand effects, and event-driven exposure pulses. Together, these processes show that TE patterns increasingly reflect state-dependent internal redistribution rather than external loading alone. To address this shift, we propose a monitoring and risk-interpretation framework that links climate-sensitive state variables to redistribution pathways, integrates multiple matrices, and supports adaptive assessment through trigger-based monitoring escalation. The Black Sea is treated as a structurally amplified reference system for examining climate-sensitive redistribution pathways in stratified basins, although their expression and relative importance remain dependent on basin-specific structural controls.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040090

Authors: Sergio Guzmán-Rodríguez Judith Nwaiwu Cristian D. Gutiérrez-Reyes Ricardo Romero-Guevara Jesús Chávez-Reyes Favour Chukwubueze Oluwatosin Daramola Tuli Bhattacharjee Yehia Mechref Bruno Antonio Marichal-Cancino

Eating behavior requires a balance between metabolic and hedonic components. Anxiety and dietary type may influence the quantity, patterns, and other aspects of food intake. Modern diets, especially in Western societies, often contain high levels of calories from fat and simple sugars (e.g., cafeteria-style diets). This type of diet may promote overweight and/or obesity in some, although many consumers remain at a normal weight. The mechanisms underlying susceptibility or resistance to weight gain remain unclear. Here, Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed a cafeteria diet for 10 weeks and then classified into quartiles based on body mass. We evaluated locomotor activity and anxiety-like behaviors and analyzed hypothalamic proteomics in overweight (Q4) rats compared with underweight (Q1) rats. Our results showed that locomotor activity and anxiety-like behaviors did not differ across quartiles (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, the expression of several hypothalamic proteins differed between Q4 and Q1 rats. Functional enrichment analysis of these differentially expressed proteins (p ≤ 0.05) revealed changes in cytoskeleton dynamics, synaptic communication, energy production and utilization, biosynthesis of cellular components (including nucleotides and carbohydrates), and regulation of metabolism between Q1 and Q4 rats. Neuro-humoral hypothalamic output regulates metabolism and food intake. Therefore, these functional changes in the hypothalamus may be associated with rats’ susceptibility/resistance to weight gain.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040089

Authors: Sarah Zellnitz-Neugebauer Eleonore Fröhlich

This review summarizes innovative co-formulation strategies for non-marketed dry powder inhalers (DPIs), enabling the simultaneous pulmonary delivery of multiple active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Key approaches include co-amorphous systems (COAMS) and co-crystals, which combine two APIs into a single particle, improving aerodynamic properties, solubility, dissolution, and patient compliance while reducing manufacturing complexity. Core–shell microparticles, produced via spray drying, allow spatial separation and controlled release of APIs, minimizing drug–drug interactions and enabling tailored pharmacokinetics. Co-spray drying of dual APIs can yield particles with superior aerosolization and stability, though examples remain limited. Nanoparticle-based systems offer enhanced lung deposition and cellular uptake but face challenges in device compatibility, scalability, and regulatory approval. Each technology presents unique advantages and limitations regarding manufacturability, dose flexibility, and clinical translation. This review also highlights advances in in vitro toxicity testing, including air–liquid interface cultures, organoids, lung-on-chip models, and precision-cut lung slices, which are increasingly important as alternatives to animal studies. The importance of using an aerosol exposure system for the testing is highlighted. Ultimately, the choice of co-formulation platform should balance scientific innovation with practical considerations of manufacturing and regulatory requirements to maximize therapeutic benefit and commercial viability for future DPI combination products.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040088

Authors: Andrey I. Sidyakin Ayrat R. Gafurov Anastasiya I. Bilyk Anna V. Kamyshnikova Alexey N. Gusev

Viral infections of grapevines reduce plantation productivity and planting material quality, necessitating the development of effective sanitization methods and comprehensive systems for monitoring plant physiological status. This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of the physiological–biochemical status of grapevine microplants (morphometric parameters, activity of key antioxidant enzymes, dehydrogenase activity, pigment composition, and relative copy number of mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA) in microclones of the rootstock Vitis riparia × Vitis berlandieri ‘Kober 5 BB’ in vitro, depending on the presence of viral infection and sanitization using thermo- and cryotherapy. Four plant variants were investigated: healthy (VIRUS FREE), infected (VIRUS), sanitized via thermotherapy (V.F.T.), and cryotherapy (V.F.K.). It was shown that, despite the absence of pronounced suppression of morphometric parameters, viral infection causes a significant increase in total protein content, catalase, polyphenol oxidase, and total dehydrogenase activity in tissues, as well as pigment imbalance (changes in the chlorophyll coefficient) and modulation of the carotenoid profile, along with alterations in the relative copy number of mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA. The relative copy number of mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA decreased in infected plants and was restored to a greater extent after cryotherapy rather than after thermotherapy. The results indicate the formation of stress-related changes (stress imprint) that persist in sanitized microclones and can serve as a multilevel marker system for assessing sanitization efficacy and monitoring the physiological status of grapevine microplants in vitro.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040087

Authors: Ashan Milinda Bandara Ratnayake Hazwani Suhaimi Pg Emeroylariffion Abas

Beekeeping is a profitable and mind-relaxing practice; however, monitoring beehives poses significant challenges, such as consuming time and potentially disturbing hive equilibrium, which may lead to colony collapse. Developing precision beekeeping (PB) systems is crucial to assist beekeepers in decision-making, automate redundant hive maintenance, and enhance the security and comfort of bee life. This review systematically explores research on PB systems, based on a keyword-driven search of Scopus and Web of Science databases, yielding 46 relevant publications. The analysis highlights a notable increase in research activity in the field since 2016. The integration of advanced technologies, including machine learning, cloud computing, IoT, and scenario-based communication methods, has proven instrumental in predicting hive states such as queen status, enemy attacks, readiness for harvest, swarming events, and population decline. Commonly measured parameters include hive weight, temperature, and relative humidity, with various sensors employed to ensure precision while minimizing bee disturbance. Additionally, bee traffic monitoring has emerged as a critical approach to assessing hive health. Most studies focus on honeybees rather than stingless bees and, in the context of enemy identification, Varroa destructor is the primary target. This review underscores the potential of novel technologies to revolutionize apiculture and enhance hive management practices.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040086

Authors: William Vallejo Carlos Diaz-Uribe Edgar Mosquera-Vargas

Heterogeneous photocatalysis is one of the most versatile and widely studied photochemical approaches for the degradation of recalcitrant pollutants. Owing to its favorable physicochemical properties, titanium dioxide (TiO2) remains one of the most investigated semiconductor photocatalysts. However, its wide band-gap energy (3.2 eV) restricts its photoactivity to the UV region, which represents only a small fraction of the solar spectrum. A major challenge in this field is therefore the development of TiO2-based materials capable of operating efficiently under visible light irradiation, enabling the use of solar energy as a sustainable primary source. Several strategies have been explored to extend the optical response of TiO2, among which elemental doping remains one of the most effective and commonly applied. In this work, we conducted systematic comparative analysis to evaluate the photocatalytic performance of TiO2 modified through different doping approaches. Sixty-one scientific reports published between 2015 and 2025 were analyzed, comparing three categories of dopants: (i) metal dopants, (ii) non-metal dopants, and (iii) co-doping systems. In the first section, we discuss fundamental concepts of photocatalysis and recent advances in doping strategies and surface modifications aimed at enhancing the photocatalytic performance of TiO2. In the second section, we present a comparative analysis based on 61 scientific reports focusing on TiO2 doping and co-doping processes. Finally, this study summarizes the different categories of doped TiO2 photocatalysts by comparing the photocatalytic performance employing an alternative performance metric.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040085

Authors: Fernando Mata Susana Campos Meirielly Jesus Joana Santos

This study investigates European citizens’ perspectives on farmers’ roles, highlighting gender, age, education, political orientation, community size, social class, and attitudes towards the EU. This study was developed using 21,002 interviews with European Citizens from all 27 EU countries. A quantitative data analysis methodology was used from the European Eurobarometer 97.1 survey. Seven models were formulated and tested. It is shown that men prioritise economic growth and food stability, while women emphasise environmental protection and animal welfare. Younger individuals focus on rural job creation, whereas older citizens value food security. Higher education levels correlate with environmental and animal welfare concerns. Right-leaning citizens favour economic development, whereas left-leaning individuals prioritise ecological issues. Larger communities emphasise economic growth, while smaller ones focus on environmental preservation. Social class influences priorities, with higher classes concerned about sustainability and lower classes about job creation. Pessimistic views about the EU correlate with food safety concerns, while optimistic views align with environmental and animal welfare priorities. These findings suggest that aligning agricultural and food policies with citizens’ diverse needs can foster a more sustainable and resilient European food system.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040084

Authors: Songxin Tang Raquel Pedrero-Chamizo Eva Gesteiro Carlos Quesada-González Margarita Pérez-Ruiz Marcela González-Gross

Exerkines are released in response to physical exercise and play a key role in promoting health, such as taking part in modulating brain morphology and function. Expression levels of some of them are associated with an increase in neuroplasticity and a decrease in the risk of brain-related diseases such as dementia and depression. Therefore, our objective is to investigate the response of exerkines in healthy individuals and its potential to promote brain health. The search was performed in five databases. Randomized controlled trials of humans and animals of all ages who performed acute and/or long-term exercise and assessed the effects of exerkines were included. Human data were used for quantitative analysis, and animal experiments were included as part of the qualitative analysis. No meta-analyzes were conducted on animal data; preclinical findings are presented solely to contextualize mechanisms and are not used for clinical inference. Eventually, the sample consisted of 3321 individuals, with an age range from 10 to 89 years. Meta-analysis reveals that both acute and chronic exercise induced increases in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor and insulin-like growth factor 1 in older adults. Other exerkines such as cathepsin B and vascular endothelial growth factor have also demonstrated potential power for brain health. In conclusion, physical exercise by altering the levels of exerkines may be a feasible strategy for healthy individuals aiming at healthy aging of the brain. Moreover, it is advisable to analyze additional exerkines or multiple simultaneous applications to assess the cerebral effects during physical exercise. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023438803.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040083

Authors: Letícia Rosa de Moraes Borges Alessandro Carvalho da Fonseca Elaine Silva de Pádua Melo Rosângela dos Santos Ferreira Aline Carla Inada Rita de Cássia Avellaneda Guimarães Priscila Aiko Hiane Valter Aragão do Nascimento Karine de Cássia Freitas

Cowpeas are a legume widely consumed in Brazil. Given this, the objective of this study was to investigate the presence of metals (loids) in pods and leaves of Vigna unguiculata located near a highway with high vehicle traffic and a landfill, and to assess possible risks to human health. Pod and leaf samples were collected at nine points between the highway and the landfill. The elements were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and quantified. The risk to human health was assessed using risk quotient and risk index values. A quantitative analysis of the chemical elements was also performed using the maximum tolerable intake level. Element concentrations were higher in the leaves than in the pods. The human health risk analysis showed that the average daily consumption of both pods (44 g/day) and leaves (67 g/day) may pose a chronic health risk to adult men and women, due to simultaneous exposure to multiple metals. It was concluded that the plant is contaminated and that its ingestion can cause toxicity, warranting warnings against cultivating areas near anthropogenic activities that may be contaminated with heavy metals, thereby affecting nutritional safety.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040082

Authors: Luis Alfonso Rodríguez-Páez Alfredo Jarma-Orozco Maria Ileana Oloriz-Ortega Novisel Veitía Rodríguez

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a strategically important perennial crop because it is the main botanical source of steviol glycosides, a group of high-intensity, non-caloric sweeteners increasingly demanded by the global food and beverage industry. Despite the rapid expansion of stevia cultivation, commercial production remains strongly dependent on a narrow genetic base, particularly on clonally propagated cultivars such as ‘Morita II’, which has long served as the industrial benchmark because of its favourable rebaudioside A profile and processing consistency. This dependence has raised concerns about limited adaptive capacity, genetic erosion and restricted long-term breeding progress. In this review, we provide an integrated and critical synthesis of current knowledge on the genetic diversity of S. rebaudiana, the biosynthetic and regulatory architecture of steviol glycosides, and the conventional and emerging strategies available for crop improvement. Unlike previous reviews, this article explicitly connects domestication-driven genetic bottlenecks, wild germplasm mobilisation, metabolic pathway regulation, advanced analytical phenotyping and precision breeding into a single systems-oriented framework. We examine the roles of wild germplasm, somaclonal variation, polyploidy, molecular markers, omics-assisted approaches and transgene-free genome editing as complementary tools to broaden the stevia breeding base while preserving industrial quality standards. We finally propose an integrative roadmap for the sustainable genetic improvement of stevia, positioning ‘Morita II’ not as an endpoint, but as a benchmark within a broader diversification strategy.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040081

Authors: Tomokazu Konishi

Several long-standing empirical laws in geophysics have recently come under scrutiny, with emerging evidence suggesting that some may be based on misinterpretations of seismic data. These developments have been facilitated by the application of Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA), a statistical approach that emphasizes data-driven discovery over model-driven assumptions. This tutorial review introduces EDA as a practical and reproducible framework for seismic data analysis using the R programming environment. Through selected case studies, I demonstrate how EDA can reveal overlooked patterns, challenge conventional models, and offer new insights into earthquake behavior. The article also outlines key methodological tools, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and three-dimensional visualization, and discusses ongoing challenges and future directions for integrating EDA into mainstream seismological research.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040080

Authors: David Woollard Adam Gauci Alfred Micallef

This study examines land surface temperature (LST) variability over Malta, a small island in the central Mediterranean, using satellite observations compared with in situ near-surface air temperature (NSAT) measurements. The analysis focuses on the comparison between satellite-derived LST and local atmospheric thermal conditions for urban and rural land cover types. LST data from Landsat-8, MODIS (Terra and Aqua), and Sentinel-3A and 3B were analysed over a six-month period (September 2024 to February 2025). Monthly morning and evening field campaigns were conducted at 19 monitoring sites distributed across the island, during which NSAT, relative humidity, wind speed, and wind direction were recorded. Morning comparisons showed strong correlations between satellite-derived LST and in situ NSAT, i.e., Pearson’s correlation coefficient, r, in the range of 0.82–0.85. Landsat-8 exhibited a slight positive bias (+1.04 °C), while MODIS and Sentinel-3 Level-2 products showed negative biases (−3.82 °C and −1.89 °C, respectively). Nighttime comparisons revealed larger negative biases for MODIS (−6.91 °C) and Sentinel-3 (−6.89 °C). After empirical-based harmonisation, these discrepancies were reduced to near-zero mean bias, maintaining strong correlations. Spatial analysis indicated a persistent nocturnal urban heat island (UHI) effect, with urban areas retaining more heat than rural zones. Morning patterns showed seasonal modulation: during late summer and early autumn, rural areas exhibited higher surface temperatures due to sparse vegetation and exposed soils, whereas during cooler months the urban signal became more pronounced as vegetation recovery enhanced rural cooling. Overall, the results demonstrate the usefulness of multi-sensor satellite observations, interpreted alongside ground-based measurements for characterising thermal behaviour in small island environments.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040079

Authors: Alessandra Amato Luca Petrigna Federica Furnari Giuseppe Musumeci

Background: This study investigated the relationship between weekly structured physical exercise (PE) volume and type and the risk of eating disorders (EDs), with particular attention to age and sex differences. Methods: A total of 417 healthy adults (mean weekly PE: 256.19 ± 133.03 min) completed a self-report questionnaire covering personal information, weekly PE characteristics, and the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26). Binary logistic regression was performed with the EAT-26 score as the dependent variable and PE volume, exercise type, age, and sex set as predictors. Results: The results of the binary logistic regression model were statistically significant (χ2 = 16.784, p = 0.003). Sex emerged as the strongest independent predictor of ED risk (p = 0.003). Cross-tabulation confirmed a significant sex disparity, with females showing a threefold higher prevalence of at-risk EAT-26 scores (17.6%) compared to males (5.2%). No significant correlation was found between EAT-26 score and PE volume, nor were significant differences in ED risk observed across different types of structured exercise. Conclusions: When controlling for age, neither exercise volume nor type serves as a direct linear predictor of ED risk. Sex remains the strongest demographic predictor.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040078

Authors: Jasmín D. Llamas

Trauma and substance use disorders commonly co-occur, are clinically complex, and are associated with poorer outcomes. This study applies mixture modeling methods in a co-occurring model to examine group membership patterns across trauma and substance use to identify differences in treatment outcomes. Using the constructs of trauma and substance use, a co-occurring model was conducted to examine group membership patterns at intake and identify differences in outcomes among court-mandated participants in a trauma-informed substance abuse treatment program. This approach uses a joint/cross-classification of two independent Latent Profile Analyses (LPAs) to examine patterns. Findings from the LPA identified three trauma and four substance use profiles. Classes from each LPA were regressed in the co-occurring model, resulting in 12 unique pattern combinations, which were then compared to examine the differences in graduate rates. The results demonstrated that those in the Minimal Trauma/Alcohol Use group were more likely to complete treatment than other higher drug-using populations. Given the complexity of the clinical treatment and the prevalence of co-occurring disorders, the application of this approach can provide a means to examine different grouping patterns across two diagnostic criteria that can guide and tailor treatment efforts.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040077

Authors: Nadezhda Traycheva Petkova Plamen Zorovski Ivan Ivanov Ivayla Dincheva Tatyana Bileva

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) grown under two farming systems (conventional vs. organic farming). From the content of photosynthetic pigments, total phenolics, and total flavonoids, as well as individual phenolic acids and flavonoids, the antioxidant potential was evaluated in 95% and 50% ethanol extracts. Moreover, GC-MS analysis of lemon balm essential oils was used to reveal the detailed composition. Forty-three compounds were detected in the essential oil from organic farming lemon balm, representing 99.70% of the total content. Among these, several compounds, such as α-pinene, n-octan-3-ol, bergamal, trans-rose oxide, dihydro-linalool, cis-isocitral, and trans-anethole, were found exclusively in the organic essential oil. In comparison, thirty-six compounds were detected in the essential oil from conventionally grown plants, representing 99.80% of the total content. The organically grown lemon balm demonstrated higher values of phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity in comparison to the conventional ones. The levels of natural pigment were more than twice as high in the conventionally grown samples. Moreover, the 50% ethanol extracts contained 1.5 to 2 times more phenolic compounds with the highest antioxidant potential by the CUPRAC method. A positive linear correlation (r2 = 0.98) was found between total phenolics and electron transfer-based antioxidant methods. Therefore, the organic farming led to the production of lemon balm with more secondary metabolites, such as phenolic acids and flavonoids, with higher antioxidant activity.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040076

Authors: Caroline Martins Jesus Fernanda Farias Costa Louriane Nunes Gomes Luis Douglas Miranda Silva Yaron Santos Alencar Richard Pereira Dutra Cláudia Quintino da Rocha Lucilene Amorim Silva Aramys Silva Reis

Leishmaniasis is a serious public health issue, but current treatments have significant adverse effects. Although the leishmanicidal potential of Cinnamomum verum (cinnamon) bark is well known, the therapeutic potential of its leaves for leishmaniosis is still unclear. Through an in vitro study, we found that the hexane fraction of C. verum leaves had significant cytotoxic effects on L. amazonensis promastigotes (IC50 = 15.43 µg/mL) and amastigotes (IC50 = 16.6 µg/mL), whereas the hydroalcoholic extract and the more polar fractions did not show any effect. The fraction was highly selective against the parasite and induced apoptosis-like cell death, whereas the standard drug, pentamidine, promoted necrosis-like cell death. We suggest that this effect is due to the chemical composition of the fraction, which is rich in phytol and hexadecanoic acid. Our findings indicate the therapeutic potential of the hexane fraction of C. verum leaves for the treatment of leishmaniasis.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040075

Authors: Aneta Kišova Aleksandra Sergeeva Rastislav Jurčik Ľubomír Ondruška Július Arvay Roman Mlynár Francesco Vizzarri

Dietary phytogenic additives and microalgae are increasingly investigated as natural alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in rabbit production due to their potential effects on gut health and nutrient utilisation. This study evaluated the nutraceutical potential of Chlorella vulgaris and Laurus nobilis as plant-based additives for growing New Zealand White rabbits. A 45-day feeding trial was conducted using control and experimental diets enriched with 0.1% Chlorella and 0.1% Laurus. Productive performance, nutrient digestibility, blood biochemistry and faecal composition were monitored, and polyphenolic compounds were analysed in feed, blood, faeces and caecal microbiota using HPLC-DAD. Final body weight (3097 vs. 2909 g) and feed intake (142.7 vs. 145.0 g day−1) did not differ significantly between treatments. However, crude protein digestibility was significantly lower in the supplemented group than in the control group (54.39–47.79% vs. 63.73–62.33%; p < 0.05). Faecal chemical composition differed significantly between groups, particularly for dry matter, which was higher in the supplemented group across sampling times. Polyphenols detected across biological matrices confirmed the bioavailability of selected phytochemicals, with ferulic acid showing the highest stability. Correlation analysis indicated shared metabolic or absorptive pathways among several compounds. Overall, low-dose supplementation with C. vulgaris and L. nobilis appears safe and may support improved digestive physiology and nutrient utilisation without compromising rabbit health. Further research with larger sample sizes and detailed microbiome profiling is needed to clarify metabolic interactions and long-term effects of these nutraceutical strategies.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040074

Authors: Mihaela Ivanova Aneta Kisova Alexandar Balabanov Milena Dimitrova-Dicheva Nikolay Kolev Ivelina Ivanova Georgi Peychev Desislava Vlahova-Vangelova Francesco Vizzarri

The incorporation of natural plant extracts into dairy products has attracted increasing interest due to their potential to enhance nutritional value and product stability. This study evaluated the effects of distilled rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) flower ethanolic extract on the physicochemical, texture, microbiological, and sensory properties of kashkaval cheese. Cheese samples were immersed in solutions containing rose extract at concentrations of 1.25% (S2) and 2.5% (S3) and compared with a control (S1) during ripening. Sensory evaluation showed that S2 achieved the most favorable balance of aroma, flavor, and overall acceptability, whereas S3 exhibited reduced acceptance due to an excessively strong floral aroma. The enrichment did not significantly affect fat (26–29%), water (33–36%), or salt (~2%) content. However, rose extract accelerated proteolysis, with S2 showing the highest maturity index (NPN/TN 13.76% at month 6) compared with the control (11.19%). Enriched samples showed improved amino and organic acid profiles, while the control contained higher levels of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol. All samples met microbiological safety criteria. Rose extract also influenced color and texture properties. These results demonstrate that rose extract can serve as a functional ingredient to improve the quality and technological properties of kashkaval cheese, with optimal effects at 1.25%.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040073

Authors: Prem Kumar Nouf A. Alnaimi Sumi Soman Leda Suansing Daniel Ryan Arriola Lamiaa Al Jamea

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) can significantly enhance the efficient allocation of healthcare resources. The use of AI-driven diagnostic tests in healthcare settings supports healthcare professionals (HCPs) in diagnosis, treatment, and the prediction of patient outcomes. Methods: Relevant research studies published between 1 January 2015 and 30 August 2025 were included in this review. Randomized, retrospective, prospective, observational, comparative, and cross-sectional studies were incorporated. The PROBAST + AI tool was used to assess the risk of bias (ROB) and applicability concerns across the included studies. Results: The overall average diagnostic accuracy for AI vs. general HCPs was 81% vs. 71%. In comparisons of AI vs. non-expert HCPs, the accuracy was 95% vs. 82%. AI achieved significantly higher diagnostic accuracy than general and non-expert HCPs with odds ratios (OR) of 1.51 (95% CI: 1.17–1.96, p = 0.002) and 3.34 (95% CI: 1.13–9.86, p = 0.03), respectively. Diagnostic accuracy between AI and expert HCPs was 91% vs. 86%; AI achieved similar diagnostic accuracy to expert HCPs with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.72 (95% CI: 0.25–2.07, p = 0.54). Additionally, high levels of burden or burnout were significantly lower among healthcare professionals supported by AI compared with those working without AI. The pooled estimate yielded an OR of 1.77 (95% CI: 1.40–2.24, p < 0.00001), indicating a meaningful reduction in workload-related stress when AI tools were integrated into clinical practice. Conclusions: Based on the findings, AI demonstrates a positive impact on diagnostic accuracy and contributes to reducing the workload of healthcare professionals.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040072

Authors: Samikshya Neupane Tarun Goswami

Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators (ICDs) are life-sustaining devices used in the prevention of sudden death in patients suffering from advanced cardiac diseases. Although improvements in ICD technology and monitoring capabilities have been made, existing techniques are still not effective in predicting accelerated battery drain, thereby causing unplanned generator replacement and clinically significant device-related events. In this study, machine learning techniques were employed in the assessment of the early detection of ICD battery depletion risk using the collected device interrogation reports. The dataset used consisted of 32 devices in the training set and nine in the testing set. In order to mitigate the problem of a small sample size, a GMM-based data augmentation technique was applied solely to the training data, and actual devices were used for the testing data. Five supervised models, including Logistic Regression, Random Forest, SVM, CatBoost, and a Neural Network (MLP), have been utilized using a repeated stratified cross-validation and a separate held-out test data set. All the models have been tested for their performance using classification metrics. All models demonstrated variable performance with wide confidence intervals due to limited sample size. Support vector machines showed the highest cross-validation discrimination 0.889 ± 0.203, though uncertainty remains substantial given the small datasets (n = 41). From the feature analysis, it was found that atrial sensing amplitude, RV/LV capture threshold, output settings, and implant duration were the most important features for the prediction of high battery depletion risk. These findings suggest that changes in device parameters and implant age are associated with elevated battery depletion risk, supporting the feasibility of telemetry-driven risk stratification for device management.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040071

Authors: Yoisdel Castillo Alvarez Johan Joel Cordero Noa Gerald Vasco Quispe Soto Reinier Jiménez Borges

Industrial-scale Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is a key technology for the energy recovery of agro-industrial and municipal waste and for the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions; however, the actual operational performance of industrial biodigesters continues to show significant discrepancies with respect to the theoretical values reported in the scientific literature. In this context, there is still a lack of systematic analysis to identify which operating parameters are consistently monitored in industrial settings and which remain insufficiently explored, particularly those that describe the overall state of the digestion environment. To address this gap, a systematic literature review was conducted in the Scopus database for the period 2000–2026, complemented by a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer software v1.6.18. 3. After applying inclusion criteria focused exclusively on industrial-scale and pilot systems, 1327 documents corresponding to the category of operating parameters were selected and analyzed using keyword co-occurrence networks and evaluation of occurrence frequencies and total link intensities. The analysis shows a marked concentration of the literature on a small set of classic parameters, highlighting pH (154 occurrences, 3667 link intensities), temperature (147 occurrences, 3255 link intensities), and ammonia (131 occurrences, 2824 link intensities) as the most recurrent variables in the industrial operation of anaerobic digesters. Complementarily, parameters such as chemical oxygen demand, total and volatile solids, and hydrogen sulfide have progressively increased their presence since 2015, mainly associated with effluent quality assessment, nutrient recovery, and overall process sustainability. In contrast, variables that integrate the state of the environment, such as electrical conductivity, oxidation-reduction potential, and the rheological properties of digestate, appear in less than 5% of the studies analyzed, despite their ability to integrate information on stability, buffer capacity, and overall operating conditions. Taken together, these findings highlight an imbalance between the intensive use of traditional parameters and the limited incorporation of integrative indicators in industrial monitoring, suggesting that their systematic inclusion, together with the development of soft sensors and predictive models, could contribute to improving operational control and reducing the gap between the theoretical performance and actual behavior of industrial biodigesters.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040070

Authors: Alexander Somerville Keith Joiner Graham Wild

The purported benefits of Virtual Reality for pilot flight simulator training, such as increased immersion and presence, would be of great benefit in training those flight skills that rely on visuospatial awareness. The implementation of this technology for the training of pilots requires careful consideration of its ability to transfer required skills and of any comparative advantages over conventional flight simulators. In order to examine this question, a quasi-transfer-of-training study was conducted using a separate-sample pretest–posttest design. The ability of a low-cost VR simulator to transfer flying skills and mission projection skills, using internally valid measures, during a common flight manoeuvre was evaluated. Results were consistent with improved post-intervention flying performance (g = 0.875) and ‘mission projection’ performance (g = 0.661), with no statistically significant difference between the estimated effect sizes, as well as the combined measure (g = 0.768). The findings indicate that the VR simulator was associated with better performance in the quasi-transfer of basic flying skills, those skills that require understanding of spatial relationships based on visual information, and in the broader training of technique. These findings must, however, be considered in the context of the noted limitations of the technology and the research design.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040069

Authors: Bilal S. Algnamat Ahmad A. Abushattal Amani F. Kraishan Monther Alsboul Mou’ad A. Tarawneh Alá S. Alnaimat Deshinta Arrova Dewi

We investigated the influence of transition metal coordination on the optical dispersion and thermo-optic behavior of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate ([BMIM][SCN]). Refractive index measurements in the visible–near-infrared range (400–1000 nm), combined with temperature-dependent characterization (298–323 K), demonstrate that coordination with Al3+, Cd2+, Zn2+, and Mn2+ consistently increases the refractive index relative to the neat ionic liquid. All systems exhibit normal dispersion, following the hierarchy n(Al) > n(Cd) ≳ n(Zn) > n(Mn) > n([BMIM][SCN]), which reflects cooperative contributions from metal-centerd polarizability and coordination-induced modifications to density and electronic structure. Negative thermo-optic coefficients are measured for all samples, with [BMIM]3[Al(SCN)6] displaying the highest temperature sensitivity. Abbe diagrams and group-velocity dispersion analyses confirm a predictable index–dispersion trade-off and show that dispersion-related transport parameters are less temperature dependent than n(T). Collectively, these findings establish a structure–property framework for tuning refractive index, chromatic dispersion, and thermo-optic response via coordination chemistry, supporting the targeted design of thiocyanate-based ionic liquids for photonic components, thermal lenses, and dispersion-managed optical devices.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8040068

Authors: Sonam Bhandurge Kuldeep Sambrekar Rashmi Laxmikant Malghan Karthik M C Rao

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global healthcare issue that highlights the need for early identification for better quality of life for patients. This study evaluates various machine learning (ML) classifiers on datasets from UCI and self-collected sources in search of the best methods for CKD classification. This review examines commonly used ML models like support vector machine, K-nearest neighbor, naïve Bayes, decision trees, random forest, logistic regression and boosting-based ensemble methods. The results demonstrated the highest performance of ensemble methods. Despite these promising results, challenges related to model integration and interpretability still exist. Transparent models that are reliable and efficient are suitable for enhancement of clinical application(s). By overcoming these challenges, the work highlights importance of ML for CKD detection and treatment paving the way for artificial intelligence (AI)-driven healthcare solutions that are both effective and trustworthy.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8030067

Authors: Abdulhakim Masa Nurulhuda Mesa Siriwat Soontaranon Nabil Hayeemasae

In this study, the potential for re-mixing and re-vulcanizing waste natural rubber glove (WNRG) material by using it as the primary matrix was investigated. Alternative types of vulcanization systems, namely, sulfur, phenolic resin, and peroxide, were employed. The results unequivocally demonstrated that residual vulcanizing agents contained in the WNRG were not sufficient to cause crosslinking reactions without re-mixing with vulcanizing agents. Among the various vulcanization approaches, sulfur produced the greatest properties, whereas phenolic resin gave moderate performance. The WNRG vulcanized with sulfur demonstrated the highest crosslink density, tear strength, tensile strength, hardness, and strain-induced crystallization ability among the tested alternatives. The tensile strength of WNRG vulcanized with sulfur was approximately 16.23 MPa, which was 31.7% and 51.1% greater than the WNRG vulcanizates made with phenolic resin and peroxide, respectively. Because of its highest crosslink density, the WNRG vulcanizate with sulfur also offers the greatest storage modulus among the tested cases. The results clearly suggest that the WNRG can potentially be re-compounded, re-vulcanized, and used as the primary matrix. WNRG could be used as a matrix at an industrial scale, to minimize the environmental issues and increase the added value from waste gloves. The findings provide practical guidance for recycling waste rubber gloves in industrial applications, which would be a more sustainable solution for solving the problems associated with WNRG.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8030066

Authors: Tânia Raposo Susana Mendonça Sandra Queiroz Inês Fronteira César Fonseca Elisabete Alves

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) requires sustained patient engagement in complex therapeutic and self-management processes, making health literacy (HL) a key determinant of effective care. This cross-sectional study assessed HL levels among adults with IBD attending a public day-hospital service in Lisbon, Portugal, and examined associations with sociodemographic, lifestyle, and selected clinical variables. A convenience sample of 280 participants completed a self-administered questionnaire, including the Portuguese version of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-PT-Q16). Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multiple linear regression were used. HL indices were computed and categorized into proficiency levels; domain- and competency-specific indices were also analyzed. Overall, 48.3% of participants had inadequate or problematic HL, whereas 42.5% had sufficient HL. Healthcare-related HL showed the most favourable profile, whereas health promotion emerged as the weakest domain, with domain-specific mean indices ranging from 31.8 ± 8.3 to 34.4 ± 7.4 on a 0–50 scale. Competency-specific indices indicated that appraisal and, particularly in disease prevention, application were the lowest, and item-level analyses highlighted difficulties with mental health information-seeking and evaluating or acting on media-based health information. In multivariable linear regression analysis, higher educational attainment was positively associated with HL (B = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.05 to 1.73; p = 0.039), whereas female sex was independently associated with slightly lower HL scores (B = −1.72; 95% CI: −3.33 to −0.11; p = 0.036). These findings indicate that nearly half of patients with IBD in a day-hospital setting experience HL-related vulnerabilities, especially beyond clinician-mediated care. Targeted, HL-sensitive interventions focusing on critical appraisal and decision-to-action support may enhance self-management and equity in IBD care.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8030065

Authors: Douglas S. Glazier

Diverse natural systems in the universe from stars to organisms have finite “life cycles” (durations of existence). In my review, I attempt to answer fundamental but little explored questions about birth-death cycles, including “why do they exist?”, “what do they have in common?”, and “how/why do they vary?” Various physical and biological systems have life cycles because they cannot avoid “death”, metaphorically speaking. Thus, if their type is to persist, they must replace themselves. All systems with life cycles are dissipative structures with a generative phase of growth and increasing order driven by energy uptake/use and a degenerative phase of degrowth and decreasing order driven by entropy production and accidental damage. Life cycles vary in rapidity and duration, often in relation to system size. The life cycles of living systems also differ from those of non-living systems in using information to regulate their birth and death, at least in part. Living systems are born via self-production, whereas non-living systems are “born” de novo. Thus, living systems perpetuate themselves by means of branching ancestor–descendant lineages, thereby enabling the cumulative evolution of their relatively high levels of diversity and complexity. Living systems (from cells to societies) are also extraordinary in having multi-layered compound cycles, i.e., “cycles within cycles”. Based on my comparative analysis of living and non-living systems across the universe, I propose a preliminary, multi-mechanistic theory of life cycles and their origins.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8030064

Authors: Antonio Rafael Rodríguez Abraham Hugo Daniel García Juárez Ingrid Estefani Sánchez García Carlos Enrique Mendoza Ocaña Guillermo Paris Arias Pereyra

This study investigates whether external terms of trade (TOT) and mining-sector GDP in Peru share a stable long-run relationship. Although mining has played a central role in the country’s growth trajectory, its performance remains highly exposed to international price cycles, raising questions about its structural sustainability under persistent external shocks. Using quarterly data for 2001–2024, the analysis applies Johansen cointegration techniques and estimates a bivariate Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) to evaluate long-run co-movement and short-run adjustment dynamics. The results identify a single cointegrating relationship in which mining GDP acts as the primary adjustment variable, gradually correcting deviations from long-run equilibrium, while short-run TOT shocks do not exert direct contemporaneous effects on mining growth. The estimated speed of adjustment is low, suggesting a prolonged convergence process consistent with the capital-intensive and rigid structure of the mining sector. Robustness exercises—including estimation with heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation consistent (HAC) standard errors and an extended specification incorporating gross fixed capital formation—confirm the stability of the long-run relationship. These findings indicate that the structural sustainability of mining output depends on the interaction between external price dynamics and the sector’s capacity to adjust to persistent international shocks. The study concludes that, in the Peruvian case, structural sustainability in the mining sector is not determined solely by global price trends, but is also conditioned by domestic productive and institutional factors that govern the speed of adjustment in the presence of sustained external volatility.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8030063

Authors: Alessio Di Rubbo Mattia Neri Remo Pareschi Marco Pedroni Roberto Valtancoli Paolino Zica

This paper explores how semantic-space reasoning, traditionally used in computational linguistics, can be extended to tactical decision-making in team sports. Building on the analogy between texts and teams—where players act as words and collective play conveys meaning—the proposed methodology models tactical configurations as compositional semantic structures. Each player is represented as a multidimensional vector integrating technical, physical, and psychological attributes; team profiles are aggregated through contextual weighting into a higher-level semantic representation. Within this shared vector space, tactical templates such as high press, counterattack, or possession build-up are encoded analogously to linguistic concepts. Their alignment with team profiles is evaluated using vector-distance metrics, enabling the computation of tactical “fit” and opponent-exploitation potential. A Python-based prototype demonstrates how these methods can generate interpretable, dynamically adaptive strategy recommendations, accompanied by fine-grained diagnostic insights at the attribute level. Evaluation through synthetic scenarios and a pilot study with real match data establishes internal consistency and feasibility of the approach; operational validity in live coaching contexts remains an open question for future prospective validation. Beyond football, the framework offers a potentially generalizable approach for collective decision-making in team-based domains—ranging from basketball and hockey to cooperative robotics and human–AI coordination systems. The paper concludes by outlining future directions toward real-world data integration, predictive simulation, and the validation work required before operational deployment.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8030062

Authors: Juan Cadavid David Patiño-Ruiz Manuel Saba Oscar E. Coronado-Hernández Rafael D. Méndez-Anillo Alejandro Martínez-Amariz

This study assesses the technical, operational, environmental, and economic feasibility of integrating alkaline water electrolysis (AEL) using on-site measured surplus electricity from two 20 MW natural-gas turbogenerators installed at a Central Processing Facility (CPF) in a Colombian oilfield. Unlike approaches based on modeled profiles, the analysis relies on more than 31,000 experimental records of gas consumption and active power, enabling an accurate characterization of the structural availability of energy surpluses under real operating conditions. A specialized industrial water treatment and purification company was consulted and provided with the physicochemical characterization results obtained from process water samples analyzed by an accredited laboratory. Based on these parameters, the technical supplier confirmed the feasibility of designing a multistage treatment train, including equalization, filtration, clarification, activated carbon, ultrafiltration, and reverse osmosis, capable of achieving final conductivities at or below 5 µS/cm. This water quality level is compatible with typical industrial alkaline electrolysis requirements and in line with technical specifications commonly aligned with ASTM and ISO standards for pressurized AEL systems. A strategic comparison between PEM and AEL technologies, supported by IFE/EFE matrices and sensitivity analyses, identified alkaline electrolysis as the optimal alternative under a stable electrical profile and capital expenditure constraints. Energy sizing for scenarios between 1.5 and 10 MW, assuming continuous 24 h operation and an average specific consumption of 50 kWh/kg H2, yields productions between 0.5 and 3.5 t H2/day, with electrical efficiencies above 70%. A 20-year financial analysis indicates a techno-economic threshold near 3 MW (NPV > 0; IRR > WACC), with optimal performance in the 6.5–10 MW range and payback periods between 2 and 4 years under internal valorization of the surplus electricity. From an environmental perspective, the produced hydrogen is classified as low-carbon rather than “green” due to its thermal origin; however, the integration improves the turbines’ operating regime and valorizes surplus electrical exergy that was previously unused, providing a replicable strategy for industrial assets with self-generation and treatable water availability.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8030061

Authors: Anastasiya I. Bilyk Ayrat R. Gafurov Andrey I. Sidyakin Alexey N. Gusev Wolfgang Linert

Grapevine tissues (Vitis spp.) are rich in various phenolic compounds and polysaccharides, which complicates the isolation of dsDNA for molecular analysis. In this study, 25 different DNA extraction buffers were developed and tested using a six-factor matrix method with five levels of variation. An optimized buffer based on 100 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0) was developed, containing 1% (m/v) CTAB, 1% (m/v) PVP, 5% (v/v) β-mercaptoethanol, 30 mM Na2EDTA, 1.0 M NaCl, and 60 min of incubation. The protocol allowed us to obtain high-quality DNA (187–305 ng/µL, OD260/OD280 = 1.80–1.88) suitable for PCR from five grape varieties: ‘Chardonnay’, ‘Kober 5BB’, ‘Shine Muscat’, ‘Selection Oppenheim 4’, and ‘Fercal’, grown in vitro. This universal buffer improves the reproducibility of results in studies of genetic diversity, pathogen detection, and breeding.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8030060

Authors: Dolapo Faith Sule

This study investigats both emerging and existing ethical issues associated with the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in Africa, a region characterised by unique socio-economic and cultural complexities. Even though AI adoption is rapidly transforming and delivering substantial benefits in sectors such as healthcare, finance, agriculture, education, industry, and governance, its implementation still raises ethical concerns. These ethical issues include digital colonialism, algorithmic bias, job displacement, limited infrastructure, data scarcity, linguistic diversity, and the risk of imposing foreign values that may undermine indigenous knowledge and social cohesion. Grounded in Afro-communitarianism and stakeholder theory, which emphasises communal values such as Ubuntu and cooperative engagement among stakeholders, this desk-based research identifies these major challenges and introduces a culturally grounded framework for responsible AI adoption in Africa. The framework calls for stronger governance, capacity building, collaboration among stakeholders, and tailored strategies across multiple stakeholders to ensure AI supports Africa’s inclusive and sustainable progress.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8030059

Authors: Vedrana Jurčević Podobnik Gordana Kenđel Jovanović Martina Pavlić Jasna Pucarin-Cvetković Nataša Šarlija Sandra Pavičić Žeželj Darja Sokolić

Background: Food-related reactions can significantly impact children’s dietary choices, health, and nutritional status. This study evaluated adherence to the Mediterranean diet and explored its associations with regional and family socioeconomic status among Croatian children whose parents reported adverse food-related reactions. Methods: The cross-sectional study analyzed data on 193 children aged 2–9 years with parent-reported food-related reactions, collected from the Croatian National Food Consumption Survey, which included 1820 children aged 3 months to 9 years, based on the EU Menu methodology (OC/EFSA/DATA/2016/02 CT3). Parents completed standardized questionnaires on food-related reactions, lifestyle, dietary patterns, and socioeconomic indicators. Regional differences were assessed, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet was evaluated using the KIDMED index. Results: This survey found an 11% prevalence of parent-reported adverse food-related reactions among children aged 2 to 9 years. Milk, eggs, and tree nuts were the most commonly reported allergens. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was moderate (36%) to low (41%; p = 0.011), with higher KIDMED scores associated with greater fruit, vegetable, legume, fish, and olive oil intake and lower adherence associated with more ultra-processed foods and obesity. Children from coastal and urban areas had better diet quality and socioeconomic indicators. Maternal education was strongly associated with Mediterranean diet adherence (OR = 1.88, p < 0.001), while maternal employment and household income showed no significant relationship. Conclusions: The findings highlight significant nutritional challenges among Croatian children with adverse food-related reactions, driven by regional and socioeconomic disparities. An adherence to a low Mediterranean diet indicates a need for a personalized approach to the diet management of children with food-related reactions. Addressing these through targeted, equitable public health strategies may improve outcomes for affected children.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8030057

Authors: Yana Gocheva Stephan Engibarov Irina Lazarkevich Rumyana Eneva Ekaterina Krumova

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have gained increasing attention across food, biomedical, environmental, and many industrial fields due to their antimicrobial properties, chemical stability, and favorable physicochemical characteristics. In parallel, enzyme immobilization on nanostructured supports has emerged as an effective strategy to enhance enzyme stability, reusability, and functional performance in biosensing and biocatalytic systems. This mini-review summarizes recent advances in the synthesis of ZnO-NPs, with emphasis on green and biogenic approaches, and examines their integration with enzymes to form ZnO-enzyme hybrid systems. Key enzyme classes, immobilization strategies, and representative applications in food quality monitoring, biosensing, and food-processing-related biocatalysis are discussed. The novelty of this article is its comprehensive and application-oriented perspective. Unlike previous reviews that primarily addressed either ZnO nanoparticle synthesis or generic enzyme immobilization, this manuscript critically integrates strategies across the full value chain, from material preparation to functional application. In addition, the review critically evaluates toxicity, migration, safety, and regulatory considerations associated with ZnO-NPs, highlighting existing knowledge gaps and the need for standardized assessment frameworks. Despite promising proof-of-concept studies, challenges related to nanoparticle reproducibility, enzyme leaching, and long-term safety remain, underscoring the need for integrated and application-oriented research to enable safe and effective implementation of ZnO-enzyme hybrid technologies in many different sectors.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8030056

Authors: Franca Rossi Serena Santonicola Giampaolo Colavita

Different groups of microorganisms—namely lactic acid bacteria (LAB), coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), dairy propionibacteria, yeasts, and molds—play essential roles in producing safe fermented foods of animal and plant origin with high nutritional value and sensory quality. The acquisition of genetic traits with technological relevance by natural horizontal gene transfer (HGT) via transformation, conjugation, phage transduction, and other routes would broaden the spectrum of beneficial activities exerted by individual microbial strains with no limitations for their use in food. Therefore, this critical review aimed to identify the potential for natural genetic improvement of microbial species relevant to food technology, based on reports of natural genetic exchanges occurring in environmental niches and laboratory conditions. Results showed that the species most frequently involved in natural HGT is Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, followed by Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactococcus lactis. Extensive HGT events enabling adaptation to food have been observed in domesticated filamentous fungi. The transferred traits of technological relevance include resistance to various stress factors, exopolysaccharide (EPS) and bacteriocin production, protein and amino acid utilization, phage immunity, lactose and citrate metabolism in dairy species, and use of plant carbohydrates in vegetable adapted species. Methods suitable for detecting HGT events in microbial communities have been developed and can aid in isolating improved strains for use in fermented foods.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8030058

Authors: Juniel Marques de Oliveira Meirielly Jesus Jairo Neves de Jesus Santos Fernando Mata Sepehrdad Dehghani Joana Santos Maria Caroline Figueirêdo Assis Taila Veloso de Oliveira

The incorporation of probiotic bacteria into active packaging systems represents an innovative strategy to enhance food preservation while delivering health benefits to consumers. This review discusses the selection criteria for probiotic strains focusing on their resistance to environmental stressors, antimicrobial activity, and viability in different food matrices and their integration into edible films and coatings. Polysaccharides, proteins, and hydrocolloids are widely used as biopolymeric matrices due to their biocompatibility and functional properties. The efficiency of probiotic packaging largely depends on three factors: the choice of strain, the encapsulation technique (such as spray drying, emulsification, or electrospinning), and the properties of the matrix material. These packaging systems demonstrate strong antimicrobial activity through multiple mechanisms, including bacteriocin production, competition for adhesion sites, and acidification. Applications in dairy, meat, fish, and fresh produce reveal the potential of these technologies to delay spoilage, reduce pathogenic microorganisms, inhibit lipid oxidation, and maintain nutritional and sensory qualities. Moreover, studies emphasize that combining probiotics with prebiotic compounds can improve both microbial stability and functional performance. Despite promising results, challenges remain regarding the industrial scalability and long-term stability of these systems under varied storage conditions. Future research should focus on optimizing formulation parameters, expanding applications across diverse food categories, and integrating smart packaging technologies. Altogether, probiotic-based edible packaging aligns with current demands for sustainable, health-oriented food solutions.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8030055

Authors: Francesca Mancuso Cinzia Lilli Catia Bellucci Veronica Ceccarelli Anna Stabile Cristiana Gambelunghe Ludovica Pugliese Margherita Cecchetti Giovanni Luca Tiziano Baroni

Moringa oleifera is widely recognized for its pharmacological properties and has recently attracted interest for its potential anticancer effects. In this study, we investigated the in vitro activity of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on the human prostate cancer PC3 cell line, focusing on the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) signaling pathway, a central regulator of prostate cancer progression. PC3 cells were treated with Moringa oleifera extract, IGF-1, the IGF1R inhibitor NVP-AEW541, and their combinations. Cell migration, apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, gene expression, and protein regulation were evaluated using scratch assays, flow cytometry, RT-PCR, and Western blotting. Under our experimental conditions, Moringa oleifera extract was associated with reduced IGF1R expression and phosphorylation, together with decreased activation of downstream ERK/MAPK and AKT signaling pathways. These changes were accompanied by increased apoptosis, G0/G1 cell cycle accumulation, and reduced migratory capacity of PC3 cells. In addition, Moringa oleifera modulated the expression of genes involved in epithelial–mesenchymal transition, tumor progression, and extracellular matrix remodeling, suppressing pro-invasive markers while enhancing anti-metastatic factors. The extract also reduced the expression of bone metastasis–associated markers, including osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase. Overall, these findings indicate that Moringa oleifera exposure is associated with modulation of IGF1R-related signaling and cellular programs relevant to aggressive prostate cancer. Further studies will be required to determine pharmacological feasibility and translational relevance.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8030054

Authors: Paolo Bailo Ascanio Sirignano Giulio Nittari Giuseppe Visconti Giuliano Pesel Tommaso Spasari Giovanna Ricci

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming criminal practice by industrialising deception, compressing attack cycles, and corroding evidentiary trust. This narrative review synthesises recent technical and criminological literature with institutional reporting to explain how generative models, predictive analytics, and automation enable convincing synthetic media, highly targeted social engineering, document forgery, identity synthesis, and adaptive evasion. Attention is given to the convergence with organised networks that use AI to coordinate logistics, mimic normal behaviour, and launder proceeds across platforms. Furthermore, a review of the grey literature was carried out to identify applied cases and to show how heterogeneous they are. Defensive efforts are advancing, yet detection remains brittle under laundering, increasing media realism, and adversarial adaptation. Regulatory and policy responses are surveyed across jurisdictions without claiming exhaustiveness; they appear fragmented and often lag operational innovation. The objective is pragmatic: to raise attacker costs and preserve information integrity while safeguarding fundamental rights and forensic reliability.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8030053

Authors: Angeliki Kitsopoulou Evangelos Bellos Evangelos Vidalis Georgios Mitsopoulos Christos Tzivanidis

Escalating climate change and the increasing frequency of weather extremes pose a threat to the resilience of urban environments and human health, highlighting the urgent need for implementing energy-efficient interventions and reducing building cooling loads. This study investigates the passive building envelope retrofit technologies of external shading, electrochromic windows, and thermochromic windows through a multi-criteria evaluation analysis based on energy savings, economic performance, and indoor thermal comfort improvement. Thermochromic windows are discerned by a mean colour transition temperature of 34 °C and operate throughout the entire year, while electrochromic windows are activated only during cooling periods. Both technologies present total solar transmittance indices of 72.6% and 8.4% in the bleached and tinted state, respectively. External shading devices are either static or movable, applied with an inclination angle, and are either standalone interventions or combined with chromogenic glazing. Eight retrofit scenarios are investigated for a single-story, fully electrified residential building in Athens, Greece. The building features south- and east-oriented windows, which is an appropriate case to assess the effectiveness of these passive envelope cooling technologies in regulating solar heat gains. Thermal comfort is assessed using Fanger’s PMV (predicted mean vote) and PPD (Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied) indices. The combination of electrochromic windows and movable external shading yields the highest annual electricity savings at 22.2% and reduces the PPD by 15.8%. Local static shading, on the other hand, ranks as the optimal retrofit solution in terms of economic performance, with a life-cycle cost of €6378, a 9.3% improvement in thermal comfort, and a corresponding reduction of 626 thermal discomfort hours. While the proposed multi-criteria framework can be applied to other buildings and climates, the quantitative results reported here are linked to the specific case examined: a residential building with south- and east-facing glazing in Athens, Greece, representing Mediterranean climatic conditions.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8030052

Authors: Keisha M. Macon Julia I. Caldwell Natallie Kochumian Dipa Shah Tony Kuo

This study assessed whether frequent attendance of onsite produce events at Federally Qualified Health Centers is associated with increased fruit and vegetable consumption, reduced food insecurity, and enrollment in food assistance. A deeper understanding of these relationships may help program implementers and health practitioners improve healthy food access among low-income patients by screening for food insecurity and offering onsite produce distribution events at clinic sites. Using a cross-sectional observational design, study data originated from an intercept survey of 886 adults who attended free produce events at 14 clinic locations in Los Angeles County during 2021–2023. Multivariable models assessed associations between attendance frequency and the main outcomes: fruit and vegetable consumption, food insecurity, and enrollment in food assistance (i.e., SNAP, WIC). Compared with first-time attendees, frequent attendees had higher odds of meeting the MyPlate recommendations for fruit (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.37, p = 0.012) and vegetable (AOR = 1.47, p = 0.019) consumption. Frequent attendees, compared with first-time attendees, also had marginally lower odds of food insecurity (AOR = 0.73, p = 0.077), with no effect on food assistance enrollment. These findings suggest safety-net health centers can play meaningful, multi-faceted roles in increasing patient access to healthy food by screening for food insecurity and offering onsite free produce distributions at their clinic sites.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8030051

Authors: Angie J. Guevara Muñoz Isabella Carvajal Samboni Miguel A. Rodriguez-Cabal Edwin Chica

The transition to sustainable energy systems requires the development of efficient hydrokinetic technologies to increase the reliability and competitiveness of renewable energy generation. Vertical-axis H-Darrieus turbines can improve their performance through impeller channels or external flow guidance devices that modify the local mass flow distribution around the rotor. This work introduces a systematic geometric optimization framework that quantitatively evaluates the combined effect of key channel design parameters on turbine performance by employing response surface methodology (RSM) to quantify the influence of two geometric parameters of an impeller channel—specifically, the deflection angle (β) and the channel length (H)—on the turbine power coefficient (Cp). This approach allows for the identification of nonlinear interactions between geometric variables, which have not been explicitly addressed in previous research on impeller channels in H-Darrieus turbines. An experimental design with thirteen treatments was implemented, and numerical simulations were performed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in ANSYS FLUENT®. Statistical analysis of the RSM model showed that both β and H have significant effects (p<0.05) on turbine performance. The model predicted an optimal configuration with β equal to 100° and H equal to 0.2 m, corresponding to the maximum Cp achieved. These findings confirm the potential of impulse channels to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of H-Darrieus turbines and establish a quantitative basis for design optimization in hydrokinetic applications.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8020050

Authors: Fernando Mata Meirielly Jesus Joana Santos

Integrative frameworks such as ‘One Welfare’ and ‘One Biology’ address the interconnectedness of animal welfare, human wellbeing, and environmental conditions by emphasising systemic interactions and shared biological mechanisms across species. Although grounded in scientific evidence, these approaches risk conceptual anthropomorphisation, whereby human-centred assumptions, emotional narratives, or cultural norms influence interpretations of welfare, sentience, or sustainability. Such projections can undermine scientific objectivity, misrepresent species-specific needs, and weaken the frameworks’ applicability in research, policy, and practice. This paper critically examines how anthropomorphising concepts may arise within this context, distinguishing empirically supported biological continuity from unwarranted human-like attributions. It highlights the importance of precise language, operational definitions, and comparative evidence to safeguard conceptual integrity. While both frameworks are fundamentally non-anthropomorphic, careless language and human-centred assumptions can compromise their scientific rigour and ethical coherence. Avoiding conceptual anthropomorphisation is therefore essential to maximise their value for robust welfare assessment, policy development, and sustainable practice.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8020049

Authors: Rocio Caballero-Díaz Esteban Sarrias-Arrabal Ruben Martin-Clemente Manuel Vazquez-Marrufo

The gamma band observed in human electroencephalography (EEG) has been extensively studied. However, recent research has begun distinguishing the potential roles assigned to phase and non-phase modulation within this band. The primary aim of this study is to analyze the potential role of non-phase gamma modulation in a widely used visual task in human subjects. For this purpose, using a 58-channel EEG recording, gamma activity was evaluated during an oddball task. Responses from 21 healthy subjects were recorded at two separate time points, with an average interval of 49.5 ± 48.9 days. Latency, amplitude, and topographic correlation values were calculated to assess the replicability. Furthermore, potential influence of alpha band harmonics on gamma was analyzed. Topographic analyses revealed a strong negative correlation between gamma phase-locked (synchronous) and non-phase-locked (asynchronous) activity, with correlation coefficients of r < −0.9 for both measures. The results observed between the two time points were robust. The harmonic analysis did not show any potential contribution of the alpha band. The separate analysis of phase and non-phase activity has enabled us to identify distinct roles for each. Establishing non-phase activity as a perceptual “anti-binding” mechanism opens new avenues for exploring a previously unaddressed aspect of gamma activity.

Sci doi: 10.3390/sci8020048

Authors: Elettra Della Ceca Samanta Corsetti Gianni Sagratini Sauro Vittori Germana Borsetta

The Atlantic blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) has rapidly expanded across the Mediterranean Sea, forming self-sustaining populations in coastal and transitional ecosystems. Its ecological plasticity, high reproductive potential, and tolerance to wide salinity and temperature ranges have enabled a rapid basin-wide colonization, particularly evident in Italian lagoons and estuaries. This invasion has generated substantial ecological alterations, such as predation on bivalves, competition with native decapods, and disruptions of trophic dynamics, as well as significant economic losses for fisheries and aquaculture sectors, especially in northern Adriatic clam-farming areas. Social perceptions vary widely, and management actions remain fragmented, limiting the effectiveness of control and mitigation efforts. This review analyzes the scientific and gray literature published from its first Mediterranean records to 2025, synthesizing evidence on the species’ distribution, ecological impacts, socio-economic consequences, and existing regulatory responses, with a focus on the Mediterranean basin and Italy. Studies on consumers’ and fishers’ perceptions are examined to identify emerging opportunities for sustainable utilization. By integrating ecological and socio-economic dimensions, the review outlines priority knowledge gaps and management needs, providing a science-based framework to support coordinated monitoring, adaptive control strategies, and potential valorization pathways consistent with the EU Green Deal, the Blue Economy, and Circular Bioeconomy principles.