Search Results (550)

Waterleaf (Talinum fruticosum) is an underutilized leafy vegetable with recognized tolerance to environmental stresses, yet comprehensive characterization of its morpho-physiological and biochemical responses to contrasting water stress conditions remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses of waterleaf to continuous drought and waterlogging stress, and to examine trait interrelationships under each stress using correlation analyses, providing exploratory insights into coordinated stress responses. The experiment was conducted under controlled greenhouse conditions using a completely randomized design. Plants were subjected to three watering regimes: well-watered control, continuous flooding, and severe drought (≤10% field capacity). Drought stress induced more severe growth suppression than waterlogging, with reductions of 3.8-fold in leaf area and 5.5-fold in flower production compared to control. Net photosynthetic rate declined by 5.7-fold under drought and 3.1-fold under waterlogging, accompanied by corresponding reductions in stomatal conductance and transpiration rate. Proline accumulation was substantially enhanced under drought (3.6-fold increase), while soluble sugars increased by 1.7-fold. Total phenolics and flavonoids increased by 1.8-fold and 1.7-fold, respectively, under drought stress, with more moderate increases under waterlogging. Oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (3.4-fold increase) and hydrogen peroxide (2.9-fold increase), were significantly elevated under drought compared to waterlogging. Correlation analyses revealed stronger and more numerous interrelationships among traits under drought stress, indicating a more coordinated and integrated stress response. The findings demonstrate that waterleaf exhibits differential sensitivity to drought and waterlogging, with drought imposing more severe constraints on growth, photosynthesis, and reproductive output. The stress-induced accumulation of phenolic compounds and enhanced antioxidant capacity suggests that controlled water stress may influence the phytochemical profile of waterleaf, presenting opportunities for further research to optimize irrigation practices for balancing yield and quality in sustainable production systems. Full article

Fast-charging sites for electric buses create short-duration high-power demand that can increase grid-capacity requirements and operating costs. This paper assesses the economic performance of second-life battery energy storage systems (BESS) at an operational electric-bus fast-charging site in Maribor, Slovenia. Using measured charging-demand data, this study compares baseline operation with three implementation scenarios: a small-scale BESS, a full-scale BESS, and a full-scale BESS integrated with photovoltaic (PV) generation. A 12-year scenario-based cost–benefit assessment (CBA) considers investment, grid-electricity, and operation and maintenance costs under the applicable network tariff. The results show that BESS-only configurations are not economically justified under the analysed conditions. Importantly, even a substantial temporary reduction in grid demand from approximately 150 kW to 60 kW produces only limited cost savings, demonstrating that technically effective peak shaving does not necessarily translate into economic viability. The strongest economic performance is achieved by combining BESS with the annual-demand-matched 92.4 kWp PV system, which substantially reduces annual grid-electricity demand and operating costs. Nevertheless, this configuration does not reach break-even within the 12-year assessment period; under the reference assumption of a 5% annual increase in grid-electricity costs, extrapolation indicates break-even in approximately year 18. The findings demonstrate that the economic value of second-life BESS at fast-charging sites depends not only on peak-shaving capability but on its interaction with tariff structure, grid conditions, and local renewable generation. Full article

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX), a persistent sulfonamide antibiotic widespread in aquatic environments, resists conventional water treatment degradation. This work developed a NaOAc/Fe³⁺/O₃ homogeneous ozonation system for SMX abatement. Four comparative reaction groups confirmed significant synergism between trace Fe³⁺ and sodium acetate. Under optimized near-neutral conditions, 96.19% SMX was removed within 30 min with k_obs = 0.107 min⁻¹, outperforming sole O₃, O₃/NaOAc and O₃/Fe³⁺ by 11.0%, 31.0% and 21.9% respectively. Single-factor tests revealed excess Fe³⁺ or acetate suppressed catalytic activity, while alkaline conditions accelerated degradation yet aggravated iron precipitation. Radical quenching and p-CBA probing indicated that acetate coordination did not increase bulk ·OH exposure, while the stronger TEMP-derived TEMPO response after acetate addition was consistent with enhanced ¹O₂-associated oxidation, suggesting that acetate altered the relative contributions of ozone-derived oxidation pathways. Post acetate background deduction, the ternary system achieved higher TOC/COD elimination. Twelve SMX intermediates were identified via LC-MS, with three ring-opening degradation pathways proposed. QSAR toxicity evaluation indicated that most intermediates possessed lower bioconcentration and developmental risks than raw SMX. Overall, the results indicate that weak acetate ligands can alter iron-mediated ozone oxidation pathways, providing a low-dose and economical strategy for antibiotic wastewater treatment. Full article

Malaria pathogenesis results from a complex interplay among parasite burden, inflammation, and oxidative stress, all of which contribute to disease severity. This study evaluated the antimalarial, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant effects of a suspension of powdered aerial parts of Artemisia mexicana (A. mexicana) suspended in 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), using a murine model of cerebral malaria. Male CBA/Ca mice were infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA and treated with A. mexicana. Disease progression was evaluated through parasitemia, haemoglobin levels, body weight and temperature. Immunomodulatory effects were assessed by analysing splenic immune cell populations and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, while antioxidant activity was determined in brain and spleen tissues. Treatment reduced parasitemia in a dose-dependent manner, with the highest efficacy observed at 1600 mg/kg, and also prevented haemoglobin loss and body weight decline. A. mexicana preserved CD4⁺ (T-helper) and CD8⁺ (T-cytotoxic) T-cell populations and modulated cytokine responses, increasing IFN-γ, IL-17, and IL-10 levels. Additionally, treatment increased glutathione peroxidase activity in the brain and spleen without affecting lipid peroxidation. These findings demonstrate that A. mexicana exerts antimalarial and immunomodulatory effects and modulates antioxidant responses, suggesting that the regulation of inflammation and redox balance contributes to improved outcomes during malaria infection. Full article

The global energy transition and rapid electrification are driving increased demand for copper. However, conventional pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical extraction routes are increasingly challenged by declining ore grades and stricter environmental regulations. Bioleaching involves the microbial catalysis of sulfide mineral dissolution and provides a sustainable method for copper recovery from low-grade ores, tailings and secondary resources. This review provides a critical and integrated analysis of copper sulfide bioleaching, covering microbial diversity, molecular mechanisms, mineralogical controls, operational parameters, and industrial applications. This review also examines the functional roles of prominent acidophiles, including the functional roles of prominent acidophiles, including Acidithiobacillus spp., Leptospirillum spp. and thermophilic archaea, in the oxidation of iron and sulfur, mitigation of passivation, and metal solubilization. The molecular underpinnings of these processes are explored by investigating iron and sulfur oxidation gene networks (the rus operon and sox cluster), copper resistance systems (CopA, CusCBA) and biofilm formation pathways. The mineralogical controls on the behavior of chalcopyrite (refractory/passivating), chalcocite (highly reactive) and bornite (intermediate) are critically assessed. The synergistic effects of key operational parameters (temperature, pH, redox potential, aeration and particle size) on leaching kinetics and microbial community dynamics are investigated. The scalability, efficiency and environmental footprint of industrial applications such as heap, dump, stirred-tank and in situ bioleaching are discussed. Despite more than four decades of commercial development, several challenges remain, such as slow chalcopyrite dissolution, passivation, metal toxicity, and scale-up limitations. Emerging solutions such as synthetic microbial consortia, multi-omics technologies, artificial intelligence-assisted optimization, and digital twins are identified as transformative approaches for next-generation biomining. In this review, microbiology, mineralogy, electrochemistry, and process engineering are integrated to demonstrate that biotechnological leaching is among the most promising technologies for the sustainable production of copper and to identify future directions for its industrial application. Full article

Background/Objectives: The domestic yak (Bos grunniens) is a livestock species of major relevance in high-altitude environments and an important model for studying adaptation and reproductive isolation within Bovini. Despite its close phylogenetic relationship with cattle (Bos taurus), yak × cattle hybrids show a marked sex-biased fertility pattern, with fertile females and generally sterile F1 males, suggesting that subtle chromosomal or genomic differences may underlie post-zygotic reproductive barriers. In this study, we performed a cytogenetic characterization of eight adult yak bulls imported and reared in Central Italy using conventional and molecular cytogenetic approaches. Results: GTG-, RBG-, RBA- and CBA-banding confirmed the yak diploid number as 2n = 60 and the fundamental number as NF = 62, with banding patterns highly comparable to the standardized cattle karyotype. CBA-banding showed an X chromosome lacking evident constitutive heterochromatin and a Y chromosome with distal C-positive blocks. Chromosome instability was low, with 3.75% abnormal metaphases, mainly represented by chromatid and iso-chromatid breaks, while the mean sister chromatid exchange (SCE) rate was 5.19 ± 2.14 per cell. Sequential Ag-NOR/RBA staining localized nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) at the telomeres of autosomes 2, 3, 4, 11 and 25, as in cattle. Zoo-FISH using bovine chromosome paints for X, Y, 5 and 15 showed complete hybridization to the corresponding yak chromosomes, and BAC-FISH mapped the Y-linked ZFY and SRY genes to positions homologous to those reported in cattle. A comparative bioinformatics analysis of available yak genome assemblies confirmed the overall genome-wide correspondence with cattle, while revealing chromosome orientation issues and small local inconsistencies that may be relevant for comparative mapping and probe design. Conclusions: Overall, at the resolution tested, these findings support broad macrostructural conservation of yak and cattle karyotypes and provide cytogenetic reference data for yak populations reared outside of their traditional range. The persistence of F1 male sterility despite this large-scale chromosomal conservation suggests that fine-scale sex chromosome differences, particularly involving pseudoautosomal regions, recombination boundaries, or heterochromatin organization, may deserve targeted investigation. Full article

Nucleated erythroid cells (NECs) are emerging as important immunoregulators at the feto–maternal interface, yet their chemokine profiles and functional dynamics across pregnancy remain poorly understood. Using a murine allogeneic pregnancy model (CBA × C57Bl/6), we isolated placental and splenic TER-119⁺ NECs at mid- (E12.5) and late (E19.5) gestation. Chemokine production (13-plex), chemokine receptor expression (qPCR), immunosuppressive molecules (PD-L1, TGF-β, and ROS), T-cell proliferation (CFSE), and immune cell migration (Transwell) were assessed. CD45⁺ placental NECs were the main producers of PD-L1, TGF-β, and ROS, with maximal expression at E19.5, suggesting their potential contribution to the immunosuppressive functions observed in the total TER-119⁺ population. Chemokine production showed a striking shift in CCL17 and CXCL9 from the spleen to the placenta as pregnancy advanced (E12.5 → E19.5). Splenic NECs displayed dominant expressions of CCR3 and CXCR4. Unexpectedly, CCL2 and CCL4 blockade enhanced immune cell migration toward placental NECs at E19.5. Placental nucleated erythroid cells potently suppressed T-cell proliferation at E12.5, and this suppressive capacity remained stable until full term. Placental NECs undergo dynamic chemokine reprogramming while maintaining stable T-cell suppression. The paradoxical enhancement of migration after CCL2/CCL4 blockade suggests a complex chemokine network warranting further investigation. These findings provide new insights into the immunobiology of pregnancy and may have implications for understanding pregnancy complications. Full article

The construction sector relies heavily on virgin mineral resources and produces significant quantities of construction and demolition waste. This study examines crushed brick aggregate (CBA) as a volumetric substitute for natural river sand in micro-concrete at replacement levels of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. Results show that increasing CBA content decreases consistency and flexural strength while increasing water absorption. However, compressive strength is maintained even at full replacement. One-way ANOVA demonstrated significant overall effects of CBA replacement level on all investigated properties. However, Tukey’s HSD comparisons indicated that not all adjacent replacement levels exhibited significant differences. Specifically, compressive strength at 25% and 50% replacement did not differ significantly from the reference mixture. A nominal resource-efficiency assessment based on the absolute-volume method and literature-derived density values indicates that, at 25% volumetric replacement, the mixture incorporates approximately 286.7 kg/m³ of CBA and saves 362.4 kg/m³ of natural sand while retaining 94.3% of the reference compressive strength. For Croatia’s estimated 8882 t of waste bricks in 2024, a maximum yield scenario suggests production of about 30,985 m³ of this mixture and natural sand savings of approximately 11,231 t. The 25% replacement level offers the most balanced outcome in terms of secondary resource utilisation, consistency, mechanical performance, and water absorption. Full article

Mountain dairy farms rely heavily on locally produced forage and are therefore vulnerable to wildlife pressure on permanent grasslands. This single-farm pilot case study quantifies the farm-level economic effects of damage caused by red deer (Cervus elaphus) on a dairy farm in Slovenia’s Pohorje mountain region. A simulation-based cost assessment framework links deer grazing and winter trampling to forage loss, ration energy and protein supply, milk yield, production costs, and a farm-budget revenue-to-cost indicator. Under the baseline assumptions, one adult deer causes an estimated annual loss of EUR 270.52, whereas the modal presence of 10 deer results in total damage of EUR 2705.24 and reduces the financial result by 8.69%. The study’s novelty lies in tracing direct grassland losses and indirect, nutrition-mediated milk losses within a single auditable farm-level accounting chain. We also audit an archived exploratory Monte Carlo workbook to document its intended uncertainty inputs. Because the financial-output formulas are incomplete, the workbook does not support reproducible probability statements. As the framework is calibrated to a single farm, the deterministic results are conditional case-study estimates and are not intended for regional generalization, forecasting, or econometric inference. Full article

Background: Obesity is a major independent risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), contributing to adverse outcomes and complicating rhythm control. While lifestyle modification is recommended, catheter ablation remains central to management. Conventional thermal ablation techniques often yield suboptimal results in obese patients due to anatomical and biophysical challenges. Pulsed field ablation (PFA), a novel non-thermal modality, may overcome these limitations. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Embase identified observational cohort studies (2017–2026) evaluating PFA outcomes in obese AF patients or across BMI categories. Four cohort studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: Findings on AF recurrence were heterogeneous. Recurrence rates appeared lower with PFA compared to radiofrequency ablation (RFA), though differences were not statistically significant. In a PFA-only study, freedom from arrhythmia recurrence did not vary across BMI categories. Compared with cryoballoon ablation (CBA), one matched-cohort study demonstrated significantly higher one-year freedom from AF with PFA-PVI, whereas another reported no difference. Left atrial epicardial adipose tissue (LA EAT) emerged as the only independent predictor of recurrence in PFA patients, suggesting electrical field perturbation by fat tissue. Radiation exposure was lower with PFA than CBA, while fluoroscopy time and periprocedural complications were comparable across groups. Conclusions: Current observational evidence suggests that PFA may be a feasible and safe option for AF ablation in overweight and obese patients, with outcomes comparable to conventional ablation techniques. However, comparative efficacy and long-term safety remain uncertain. Obesity-related adipose hypertrophy, systemic inflammation, and atrial remodeling may alter electric field distribution, contributing to variable recurrence outcomes. Larger prospective and randomized trials are warranted to define the long-term role of PFA in this high-risk population. Full article

Alkali-activated recycled aggregate concrete (AARAC) offers a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete but suffers from complex, non-linear mechanical behavior that challenges conventional prediction methods. This study develops and compares five machine learning models, linear regression (LR), M5P, Random Forest (RF), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) and XGBoost, for predicting the compressive strength (Cs), flexural strength (Fs), splitting tensile strength (Ss), pull-out bond strength (PT), and water absorption (Wa%) of AARAC. A dataset of 360 experimental samples, incorporating natural aggregate, recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), cement block aggregate (CBA), water-to-cement ratio (W/C), alkaline treatment status, and slump, was used. Models were evaluated via train/test split (80/20) and 10-fold cross-validation using R², MAE, RMSE, and MAPE. Random Forest achieved the highest test R² (0.8736) and lowest test MAPE (1.418%) and XGBoost (R² = 0.8605, MAPE = 1.557%). KNN and M5P performed moderately, while LR was the weakest (R² = 0.6958, MAPE = 2.147%). All tree-based models exhibited overfitting, with training R² up to 0.98. Scatter plot analysis revealed systematic underprediction by RF for Cs (constant offset of ~2 MPa) and increasing bias for PT, Ss, and Wa% at higher values. XGBoost gave perfect predictions for PT and Wa% but underpredicted Cs and Fs. K-fold cross-validation confirmed XGBoost as the most robust (mean R² = 0.9844). Correlation analysis showed W/C strongly increases Wa% (r = 0.80) and decreases PT (r = −0.73); RCA negatively affects mechanical properties, while CBA and alkaline treatment improve them. The study concludes that ensemble tree models, particularly Random Forest, are superior for AARAC prediction, but systematic bias requires post hoc calibration. Full article

According to the main principles of the circular economy, recovering bioactive compounds from food waste has significant potential to deliver financial, environmental, and health benefits by incorporating them into food products as additives, emulsifiers, antioxidants, and antimicrobial agents to enhance nutritional and functional value and/or extend product shelf life. This work investigated the potential of a food waste material, such as chickpea aquafaba from industrial processing, as a fermentation substrate using promising lactic acid bacteria, including L. plantarum AME-01, L. paracasei CBA L74, and L. mesenteroides, under non-controlled pH conditions, and evaluated the antioxidant/chelating capacity of the postbiotic obtained from the process. Fermented substrates were thermally inactivated to produce postbiotic preparations, which were characterized in terms of inactivated biomass and lactic acid concentration. Subsequently, liquid postbiotics were spray-dried using a lab-scale spray dryer, and the resulting powders were characterized in terms of antioxidant and chelating properties. While the postbiotic preparations using L. paracasei CBA L74 showed significantly lower activity (23.78 ± 7.25%) compared to non-fermented aquafaba (56.85 ± 2.79%), those using L. plantarum AME-01 (84.60 ± 5.57%) and L. mesenteroides (82.56 ± 1.11%) exhibited increased chelating activity. The antioxidant power of all fermented powders was significantly improved, confirming the potential of postbiotic ingredients as stabilizing additives in food formulations. Full article

Objective: Intracranial infection is a severe complication that can occur following neurosurgery, and early diagnosis is crucial for improving patient prognosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate, from an exploratory perspective, whether the immune microenvironment of intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is associated with postoperative intracranial infection (PII) in patients undergoing craniotomy for benign brain tumors. Methods: A total of 134 patients undergoing neurosurgery for benign brain tumors were included and categorized into an infection group (n = 18) and a non-infection group (n = 116). CSF samples were collected aseptically immediately after dural opening during surgery. The concentrations of 16 cytokines, including monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1); macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) and MIP-1β; interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, and IL-17; interferon (IFN)-α and IFN-γ; tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), were quantified using Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) technology. An independent samples t-test was used for normally distributed data, while the Mann–Whitney U test was applied for non-normally distributed data. Group comparisons were performed using independent-samples t-tests or Mann–Whitney U tests for continuous variables and χ² tests or Fisher’s exact tests for categorical variables. The Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) correction was applied to all 16 cytokines to control for multiple testing. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess discriminatory capacity. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Results: PII developed in 18 of 134 patients (13.4%). Age (47.78 vs. 54.86, p = 0.028) and operative duration (390 vs. 244 min, p = 0.005) showed differences in unadjusted analyses. In the unadjusted comparisons, MCP-1 and IL-4 levels were found to be significantly lower in the infection group (MCP-1: 57.78 vs. 116.03 pg/mL, p = 0.003; IL-4: 24.38 vs. 28.18 pg/mL, p = 0.032). No cytokine remained significant after FDR correction. The ROC analysis showed that age and IL-4 demonstrated mild discriminatory performance, with AUC values of 0.665 (95% CI 0.526–0.803, p = 0.025) and 0.657 (95% CI 0.540–0.774, p = 0.032), while MCP-1 and operative duration demonstrated modest discriminatory performance, with AUC values of 0.716 (95% CI 0.595–0.838, p = 0.003) and 0.708 (95% CI 0.578–0.838, p = 0.002). Conclusions: In this study, single-point intraoperative CSF cytokines were not significantly associated with PII after stringent correction for multiple testing, and did not provide a validated clinical prediction tool. The unadjusted and direction-corrected findings for MCP-1 and IL-4 remain exploratory and require validation. Full article

The large-scale disposal of coal fly ash (CFA), coal bottom ash (CBA), and desulfurization gypsum (DG) from coal-fired power plants poses serious environmental challenges, driving the need for high-value utilization strategies. In this study, we propose a synergistic approach to prepare foam glass-ceramics from CFA, CBA, and DG via a sintering-foaming method. The effects of sintering temperature (1200–1230 °C) and DG content (0–5 wt.%) on phase composition, pore structure, and overall material properties were systematically investigated. The optimal sample, obtained at 1220 °C with 2 wt.% DG exhibits outstanding comprehensive performance: a bulk density of 1.0030 g/cm³, porosity of 62.09%, compressive strength of 9.66 MPa, and thermal conductivity of 0.6156 W/(m·K). Additionally, it demonstrates excellent chemical stability, with acid resistance exceeding 96% and alkali resistance over 98%, while the leaching concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn) remain far below regulatory limits. Mechanistic analysis reveals a crystallization–foaming coupling effect. At an appropriate DG content (2 wt.%), a synergy is established: bubble formation provides heterogeneous nucleation sites that promote crystal precipitation, while moderate crystallization increases melt viscosity and stabilizes the pore structure. Conversely, excessive DG (3–5 wt.%) reduces melt viscosity, leading to bubble coalescence and rupture, suppressed crystallization, and consequently deteriorated material properties. This work provides a theoretical foundation for the synergistic utilization of multiple power plant wastes and the structure–property regulation of foam glass-ceramics. Full article

Climate change represents one of the most critical global challenges, generating environmental, social, and economic impacts that disproportionately affect developing countries such as Peru. This study aims to analyze climate change vulnerability and resilience in Peru during the period 2005–2023, integrating climate data, evidence of glacial retreat, and the assessment of biophysical, socioeconomic, and institutional factors. A mixed-methods approach was applied, combining statistical analysis of temperature and precipitation trends based on official data from SENAMHI and INEI, with a qualitative assessment of ecosystem dynamics and social vulnerability. The results show a sustained increase in temperature, with an average rate of 0.18 °C per decade, along with irregular precipitation patterns and significant regional differences. In addition, a loss of 1.9 million hectares of Amazon forest was identified, alongside high levels of socioeconomic vulnerability in Andean and Amazon regions, where poverty, agricultural dependence, and limited access to services reduce adaptive capacity. The findings confirm that climate vulnerability in Peru is multidimensional, resulting from the interaction between environmental changes and structural social inequalities. In this context, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Community-based Adaptation (CBA) emerge as effective strategies to strengthen territorial resilience, although their implementation requires improved governance, long-term financing, and integration of local knowledge. Full article