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20 pages, 4612 KiB  
Article
Effect of a Gluten-Free Diet on the Intestinal Microbiota of Women with Celiac Disease
by M. Mar Morcillo Serrano, Paloma Reche-Sainz, Daniel González-Reguero, Marina Robas-Mora, Rocío de la Iglesia, Natalia Úbeda, Elena Alonso-Aperte, Javier Arranz-Herrero and Pedro A. Jiménez-Gómez
Antibiotics 2025, 14(8), 785; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14080785 (registering DOI) - 2 Aug 2025
Viewed by 173
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by small intestinal enteropathy triggered by gluten ingestion, often associated with gut dysbiosis. The most effective treatment is strict adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD), which alleviates symptoms. This study uniquely integrates taxonomic, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by small intestinal enteropathy triggered by gluten ingestion, often associated with gut dysbiosis. The most effective treatment is strict adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD), which alleviates symptoms. This study uniquely integrates taxonomic, functional, and resistance profiling to evaluate the gut microbiota of women with CD on a GFD. Methods: To evaluate the long-term impact of a GFD, this study analyzed the gut microbiota of 10 women with CD on a GFD for over a year compared to 10 healthy controls with unrestricted diets. Taxonomic diversity (16S rRNA gene sequencing and the analysis of α and β-diversity), metabolic functionality (Biolog EcoPlates®), and antibiotic resistance profiles (Cenoantibiogram) were assessed. Results: Metagenomic analysis revealed no significant differences in taxonomic diversity but highlighted variations in the abundance of specific bacterial genera. Women with CD showed increased proportions of Bacteroides, Streptococcus, and Clostridium, associated with inflammation, but also elevated levels of beneficial genera such as Roseburia, Oxalobacter, and Paraprevotella. Despite no significant differences in metabolic diversity, higher minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in women in the healthy control group suggest that dietary substrates in unrestricted diets may promote the proliferation of fast-growing bacteria capable of rapidly developing and disseminating antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Conclusions: These findings indicate that prolonged adherence to a GFD in CD supports remission of gut dysbiosis, enhances microbiota functionality, and may reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance, emphasizing the importance of dietary management in CD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotic Resistance: A One-Health Approach, 2nd Edition)
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22 pages, 1654 KiB  
Review
A Review of Mechanical Performance Studies on Composite Concrete Beams and Slabs
by Xinhao Wang, Qiuwei Yang, Xi Peng, Kangshuo Xia and Bin Xu
Materials 2025, 18(14), 3259; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18143259 - 10 Jul 2025
Viewed by 357
Abstract
This paper reviews the applications and performance advantages of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), engineered cementitious composite (ECC), and recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) in composite flexural members. UHPC is characterized by its ultra-high strength, high toughness, excellent durability, and microcrack self-healing capability, albeit with high [...] Read more.
This paper reviews the applications and performance advantages of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), engineered cementitious composite (ECC), and recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) in composite flexural members. UHPC is characterized by its ultra-high strength, high toughness, excellent durability, and microcrack self-healing capability, albeit with high costs and complex production processes. ECC demonstrates superior tensile, flexural, and compressive strength and durability, yet it exhibits a lower elastic modulus and greater drying shrinkage strain. RAC, as an eco-friendly concrete, offers cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits, although it poses certain performance challenges. The focus of this review is on how to enhance the load-bearing capacity of composite beams or slabs by modifying the interface roughness, adjusting the thickness of the ECC or UHPC layer, and altering the cross-sectional form. The integration of diverse concrete materials improves the performance of beam and slab elements while managing costs. For instance, increasing the thickness of the UHPC or ECC layer typically enhances the load-bearing capacity of composite beams or plates by approximately 10% to 40%. Increasing the roughness of the interface can significantly improve the interfacial bond strength and further augment the ultimate load-bearing capacity of composite components. Moreover, the optimized design of material mix proportions and cross-sectional shapes can also contribute to enhancing the load-bearing capacity, crack resistance, and ductility of composite components. Nevertheless, challenges persist in engineering applications, such as the scarcity of long-term monitoring data on durability, fatigue performance, and creep effects. Additionally, existing design codes inadequately address the nonlinear behavior of multi-material composite structures, necessitating further refinement of design theories. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Concrete and Binders for Sustainable Engineering)
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16 pages, 2462 KiB  
Article
Potential of LP as a Biocontrol Agent for Vibriosis in Abalone Farming
by Ling Ke, Chenyu Huang, Song Peng, Mengshi Zhao, Fengqiang Lin and Zhaolong Li
Microorganisms 2025, 13(7), 1554; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13071554 - 2 Jul 2025
Viewed by 296
Abstract
Vibrio species are among the primary pathogenic bacteria affecting abalone aquaculture, posing significant threats to farming practices. Current clinical control predominantly relies on antibiotics, which can result in antibiotic residues in both abalone and the surrounding marine environments. Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) [...] Read more.
Vibrio species are among the primary pathogenic bacteria affecting abalone aquaculture, posing significant threats to farming practices. Current clinical control predominantly relies on antibiotics, which can result in antibiotic residues in both abalone and the surrounding marine environments. Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) has been shown to release bioactive antagonistic substances and exhibits potent inhibitory effects against marine pathogenic bacteria. This study aimed to screen and characterize the probiotic properties of LP strains isolated from rice wine lees to develop a novel biocontrol strategy against Vibriosis in abalone. The methods employed included selective media cultivation, streak plate isolation, and single-colony purification for strain screening, followed by Gram staining, 16S rDNA sequencing, and phylogenetic tree construction using MEGA11 for identification. The resilience, antimicrobial activity, and in vivo antagonistic efficacy of the strains were evaluated through stress tolerance assays, agar diffusion tests, and animal experiments. The results demonstrated the successful isolation and purification of four LP strains (NDMJ-1 to NDMJ-4). Phylogenetic analysis revealed closer genetic relationships between NDMJ-3 and NDMJ-4, while NDMJ-1 and NDMJ-2 were found to be more distantly related. All strains exhibited γ-hemolytic activity, bile salt tolerance (0.3–3.0%), and resistance to both acid (pH 2.5) and alkali (pH 8.5), although they were temperature sensitive (inactivated above 45 °C). The strains showed susceptibility to most of the 20 tested antibiotics, with marked variations in hydrophobicity (1.91–93.15%) and auto-aggregation (13.29–60.63%). In vitro antibacterial assays revealed that cell-free supernatants of the strains significantly inhibited Vibrio parahaemolyticus, V. alginolyticus, and V. natriegens, with NDMJ-4 displaying the strongest inhibitory activity. In vivo experiments confirmed that NDMJ-4 significantly reduced mortality in abalone infected with V. parahaemolyticus. In conclusion, the LP strains isolated from rice wine lees (NDMJ-1 to NDMJ-4) possess robust stress resistance, adhesion capabilities, and broad antibiotic susceptibility. Their metabolites exhibit significant inhibition against abalone-pathogenic Vibrios, particularly NDMJ-4, which demonstrates exceptional potential as a candidate strain for developing eco-friendly biocontrol agents against Vibriosis in abalone aquaculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbiome in Fish and Their Living Environment)
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24 pages, 1779 KiB  
Article
Carbon Metabolism Characteristics of Rhizosphere Soil Microbial Communities in Different-Aged Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and Their Covarying Soil Factors in the Semi-Arid Loess Plateau
by Xianzhi Wang, Bingxue Zhou and Qian Yang
Agronomy 2025, 15(7), 1602; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071602 - 30 Jun 2025
Viewed by 384
Abstract
The carbon metabolism activity of rhizosphere soil microbial communities is an essential indicator for assessing soil ecosystem health, as it directly affects soil nutrient cycling and the stability of organic matter. However, there is a limited understanding of the carbon metabolism characteristics of [...] Read more.
The carbon metabolism activity of rhizosphere soil microbial communities is an essential indicator for assessing soil ecosystem health, as it directly affects soil nutrient cycling and the stability of organic matter. However, there is a limited understanding of the carbon metabolism characteristics of rhizosphere soil microorganisms in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) of different ages and their relationships with soil physicochemical properties. This study used Biolog EcoPlates to evaluate the carbon metabolism activity, functional diversity, and carbon-source utilization preferences of rhizosphere soil microbial communities in 5-, 7-, and 9-year-old alfalfa grasslands on the semi-arid Loess Plateau of western China. We analyzed the relationships between soil physicochemical properties and microbial carbon metabolism characteristics, considering their potential covariation. The results showed that, with the extension of alfalfa planting years, the rhizosphere soil water content decreased significantly, pH decreased slightly, but soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus contents increased significantly. The rhizosphere soil microbial community of 9-year-old alfalfa exhibited the highest carbon metabolism activity, Shannon diversity index, and carbon-source utilization. Rhizosphere soil microorganisms from different-aged alfalfa showed significantly different preferences for carbon-source utilization, with microorganisms from 9-year-old alfalfa preferentially utilizing carbon sources such as N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, D-mannitol, and D-cellobiose. Redundancy analysis revealed that soil water content was among the most important factors influencing the carbon metabolism activity of rhizosphere soil microbial communities while acknowledging that the relative contributions of soil water content, organic carbon, and nitrogen require careful interpretation, owing to their potential collinearity. This study demonstrates that, under rain-fed conditions in the semi-arid Loess Plateau, the continuous cultivation of alfalfa for nine years led to a significant decrease in soil water content but enhanced the rhizosphere soil nutrient status and microbial carbon metabolism activity, with no apparent signs of microbial functional degradation, although soil water depletion was observed. These findings highlight the complex interactions among multiple soil factors in influencing microbial carbon metabolism, providing valuable microbiological insights for understanding the sustainability of alfalfa grasslands and a theoretical basis for the scientific management of alfalfa grasslands in the semi-arid Loess Plateau region. Future research should consider longer planting periods to determine the critical age of alfalfa grassland degradation under semi-arid conditions and its associated microbial mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Grassland and Pasture Science)
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17 pages, 2518 KiB  
Article
Bacterial Metabolic Activity of High-Mountain Lakes in a Context of Increasing Regional Temperature
by Boyanka Angelova, Ivan Traykov, Silvena Boteva, Martin Tsvetkov and Anelia Kenarova
Microorganisms 2025, 13(6), 1375; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13061375 - 13 Jun 2025
Viewed by 870
Abstract
Global warming poses a significant threat to lake ecosystems, with high-mountain lakes being among the earliest and most severely impacted. However, the processes affecting water ecology under climate change remain poorly understood. This study investigates, for the first time, the effects of regional [...] Read more.
Global warming poses a significant threat to lake ecosystems, with high-mountain lakes being among the earliest and most severely impacted. However, the processes affecting water ecology under climate change remain poorly understood. This study investigates, for the first time, the effects of regional warming on three high-mountain lakes, Sulzata, Okoto and Bubreka, located in the Rila Mountains, Bulgaria, by examining shifts in bacterial metabolic capacity in relation to the rate and range of utilizable carbon sources using the Biolog EcoPlate™ assay. Over the last decade, ice-free water temperatures in the lakes have risen by an average of 2.6 °C, leading to increased nutrient concentrations and enhanced primary productivity, particularly in the shallowest lake. Bacterial communities responded to these changes by increasing their metabolic rates and shifting substrate preferences from carbohydrates to carboxylic acids. While the utilization rates of some carbon sources remained stable, others showed significant changes—some increased (e.g., D-galactonic acid γ-lactone and itaconic acid), while others decreased (e.g., α-D-lactose and D-xylose). The most pronounced effects of warming were observed in June, coinciding with the onset of the growing season. These findings suggest that rising temperatures may substantially alter bacterial metabolic potential, contributing to a long-term positive feedback loop between lake nutrient cycling and climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms as Indicators of Environmental Changes)
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19 pages, 2685 KiB  
Article
Thresholds and Trade-Offs: Fire Severity Modulates Soil Microbial Biomass-Function Coupling in Taiga Forests, Northeast of China
by Huijiao Qu, Siyu Jiang, Zhichao Cheng, Dan Wei, Libin Yang and Jia Zhou
Microorganisms 2025, 13(6), 1318; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13061318 - 5 Jun 2025
Viewed by 554
Abstract
Forest fires critically disrupt soil ecosystems by altering physicochemical properties and microbial structure-function dynamics. This study assessed short-term impacts of fire intensities (light/moderate/heavy) on microbial communities in Larix gmelinii forests one year post-fire. Using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) and Biolog EcoPlate analyses, we [...] Read more.
Forest fires critically disrupt soil ecosystems by altering physicochemical properties and microbial structure-function dynamics. This study assessed short-term impacts of fire intensities (light/moderate/heavy) on microbial communities in Larix gmelinii forests one year post-fire. Using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) and Biolog EcoPlate analyses, we found the following: (1) fire reduced soil organic carbon (SOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total nitrogen (TN), and available nitrogen/potassium (AN/AK) via pyrolytic carbon release, while heavy-intensity fires enriched available phosphorus (AP), AN, and AK through ash deposition. (2) Thermal mortality and nutrient-pH-moisture stress persistently suppressed microbial biomass and metabolic activity. Moderate fires increased taxonomic richness but reduced functional diversity, confirming “functional redundancy.” (3) Neither soil microbial biomass nor metabolic activity at the fire site reached pre-fire levels after one year of recovery. Our findings advance post-fire soil restoration frameworks and advocate multi-omics integration to decode fire-adapted functional gene networks, guiding climate-resilient forest management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Genomics and Ecology of Environmental Microorganisms)
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27 pages, 3072 KiB  
Article
Microbial Metabolic Profile of Two Compost Teas and Their Biostimulant and Bioprotectant Effects on Chickpea and Pea Plants
by Eliana Dell’Olmo, Giulia Semenzato, Aida Raio, Massimo Zaccardelli, Giovanna Serratore, Alessia Cuccurullo and Loredana Sigillo
Agronomy 2025, 15(6), 1378; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15061378 - 4 Jun 2025
Viewed by 679
Abstract
Compost teas (CTs) can be considered natural microbial consortia, able to enhance biostimulation and defense in crops. This study focuses on two plant-derived CTs and their potential use as eco-friendly biofertilizers for chickpeas and peas, with the broader aim to protect soil fertility. [...] Read more.
Compost teas (CTs) can be considered natural microbial consortia, able to enhance biostimulation and defense in crops. This study focuses on two plant-derived CTs and their potential use as eco-friendly biofertilizers for chickpeas and peas, with the broader aim to protect soil fertility. Our experiments demonstrated that the two CTs have biostimulatory or inhibitory effects depending on dilution, target plant species, CT microbial load and metabolism, and age of CT preparation. Peas exhibited positive responses to treatments, while chickpeas could be negatively affected depending on CT concentration. The CT microbial load positively affected biostimulation for both plant species. The metabolic profiles of the CT-associated microbial communities were evaluated using the Biolog EcoPlate™ system. Spearman’s correlation analysis allowed us to ascertain a positive interaction between root elongation and the microbial consumption of specific substrates, namely polymers, erythritol, and L-serine. On the contrary, phenolic compound consumption showed a negative correlation. In chickpeas, root and collar necrosis, estimated with the McKinney index, increased after treatment with CTs at the highest concentration, confirming a phytotoxic effect; but diagnostic analyses demonstrated that the necrosis was also partially attributed to pathogenic Fusarium spp. On the other hand, proper dilutions of treatments determined a decrease in necrosis severity, indicating putative CT biocontrol properties. Full article
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30 pages, 11610 KiB  
Review
Bump-Fabrication Technologies for Micro-LED Display: A Review
by Xin Wu, Xueqi Zhu, Shuaishuai Wang, Xuehuang Tang, Taifu Lang, Victor Belyaev, Aslan Abduev, Alexander Kazak, Chang Lin, Qun Yan and Jie Sun
Materials 2025, 18(8), 1783; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18081783 - 14 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1609
Abstract
Micro Light Emitting Diode (Micro-LED) technology, characterized by exceptional brightness, low power consumption, fast response, and long lifespan, holds significant potential for next-generation displays, yet its commercialization hinges on resolving challenges in high-density interconnect fabrication, particularly micrometer-scale bump formation. Traditional fabrication approaches such [...] Read more.
Micro Light Emitting Diode (Micro-LED) technology, characterized by exceptional brightness, low power consumption, fast response, and long lifespan, holds significant potential for next-generation displays, yet its commercialization hinges on resolving challenges in high-density interconnect fabrication, particularly micrometer-scale bump formation. Traditional fabrication approaches such as evaporation enable precise bump control but face scalability and cost limitations, while electroplating offers lower costs and higher throughput but suffers from substrate conductivity requirements and uneven current density distributions that compromise bump-height uniformity. Emerging alternatives include electroless plating, which achieves uniform metal deposition on non-conductive substrates through autocatalytic reactions albeit with slower deposition rates; ball mounting and dip soldering, which streamline processes via automated solder jetting or alloy immersion but struggle with bump miniaturization and low yield; and photosensitive conductive polymers that simplify fabrication via photolithography-patterned composites but lack validated long-term stability. Persistent challenges in achieving micrometer-scale uniformity, thermomechanical stability, and environmental compatibility underscore the need for integrated hybrid processes, eco-friendly manufacturing protocols, and novel material innovations to enable ultra-high-resolution and flexible Micro-LED implementations. This review systematically compares conventional and emerging methodologies, identifies critical technological bottlenecks, and proposes strategic guidelines for industrial-scale production of high-density Micro-LED displays. Full article
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18 pages, 5294 KiB  
Article
Multi-Layer Oil- and Water-Resistant Food Containers Made Using Cellulose Nanofibril-Laminated Wood Veneer
by Nabanita Das, Islam Hafez, Douglas Bousfield and Mehdi Tajvidi
Polysaccharides 2025, 6(2), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides6020028 - 2 Apr 2025
Viewed by 916
Abstract
This work aimed at replacing per- or poly-fluoroalkyl substance (PFAS)-based food-serving containers with wood-based, oil- and grease-resistant food-serving containers. A novel container was developed by laminating wet cellulose nanofibril (CNF) films to both sides of yellow birch wood veneer using a food-grade polyamide–epichlorohydrin [...] Read more.
This work aimed at replacing per- or poly-fluoroalkyl substance (PFAS)-based food-serving containers with wood-based, oil- and grease-resistant food-serving containers. A novel container was developed by laminating wet cellulose nanofibril (CNF) films to both sides of yellow birch wood veneer using a food-grade polyamide–epichlorohydrin additive (PAE) as an adhesive. CNFs significantly improved the wood veneer container’s mechanical strength and barrier properties. The container’s mechanical testing results showed significant increases in flexural strength and modulus of elasticity (MOE) values in both parallel and perpendicular directions to the grain. All formulations of the container showed excellent oil and grease resistance properties by passing “kit” number 12 based on the TAPPI T 559 cm-12 standard. The water absorption tendency of the formulation treated at higher temperature, pressure, and longer press time showed similar performance to commercial paper plates containing PFASs. The developed composite demonstrates superior flexural strength and barrier properties, presenting a sustainable alternative to PFASs in food-serving containers. Both wood and CNFs stand out for their remarkable eco-friendliness, as they are biodegradable and naturally compostable. This unique characteristic not only helps minimize waste but also promotes a healthier environment. If scaled up, these novel containers may present a solution to the oil/grease resistance of bio-based food containers. Full article
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26 pages, 5471 KiB  
Article
CFD Simulation Analysis of a Diesel Generator Exhaust Muffler and Performance-Based Optimization
by Kursat Tanriver
Processes 2025, 13(3), 887; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13030887 - 18 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1427
Abstract
This study addresses a gap in the literature by simultaneously optimizing noise reduction and structural integrity in silencer design. A novel silencer model offering advantages over conventional designs was developed. In the first phase, the initial optimization model was developed to minimize noise [...] Read more.
This study addresses a gap in the literature by simultaneously optimizing noise reduction and structural integrity in silencer design. A novel silencer model offering advantages over conventional designs was developed. In the first phase, the initial optimization model was developed to minimize noise levels while considering environmental constraints. CFD analyses using NEC Acostix and Ex-Tuner calculated noise, temperature, and pressure, followed by validation in SimScale. The results demonstrated improved efficiency in reducing pressure loss and noise. A silencer with Ø 800 mm diameter, 3000 mm length, and Ø 355.6 mm exhaust connection was manufactured and tested, achieving 96 dB(A) at 1 m, with front and side measurements of 85.1 dB(A) and 74.4 dB(A), respectively. In the second phase, fastener durability in silencer support plates was optimized using tensile tests and FEA in Ansys R19.2. Parametric analyses for M4-M20 bolts were conducted, and regression analysis in Minitab (Minitab Statistical Software Version 21.1) showed 97.74% accuracy. An objective function was developed using curve fitting. The second optimization problem, incorporating design constraints, was solved using the interior-point and Lagrange multipliers methods. This study provides a foundation for silencer design, ensuring both structural reliability and noise control. Future research will explore performance eco-friendly solutions across varying generator power levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Energy Systems)
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20 pages, 1673 KiB  
Article
Environmental Impact Assessment of New Sea Fennel-Based Food Products: Spice and Fermented Pickles
by Erica Costantini, Kofi Armah Boakye-Yiadom, Alessio Ilari, Ester Foppa Pedretti and Daniele Duca
Sustainability 2025, 17(5), 1869; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17051869 - 22 Feb 2025
Viewed by 906
Abstract
Sea fennel, a halophyte with growing economic importance in the Mediterranean region, offers a rich source of bioactive compounds for diverse applications in various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Recognizing the crucial role of eco-design in promoting sustainable food production, this study [...] Read more.
Sea fennel, a halophyte with growing economic importance in the Mediterranean region, offers a rich source of bioactive compounds for diverse applications in various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Recognizing the crucial role of eco-design in promoting sustainable food production, this study aimed to assess the environmental impacts of two novel sea fennel products: dried spice and fermented pickles. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method was used to evaluate the environmental burdens of these new products, from raw material acquisition to packaging end-of-life, to fine-tune the innovation process. Primary data were collected from a company in the Marche region, Italy. The Environmental Footprint 3.1 method was applied to analyze the impacts. From the results obtained, the climate change score for the spice was 6.24 kg CO2 eq./kg spice, while the fermented pickle was 0.89 kg CO2 eq./kg product—net weight. The results also revealed that primary packaging emerged as the primary environmental hotspot for both products, accounting for more than 40% of the total impacts in most of the impact categories. Glass packaging significantly contributed to the environmental impact of the spice, while both glass jars and tin-plated steel lids contributed substantially to the impact of the pickled products. Despite the generally low impact of sea fennel cultivation, the processing and packaging stages significantly increased the overall environmental impacts of both products. This study provides valuable insights for manufacturers seeking to develop and commercialize highly sustainable sea fennel-based products. By identifying key environmental hotspots and implementing eco-design principles during the product development phase, manufacturers can significantly reduce the environmental impact of these novel food products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Food)
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19 pages, 2782 KiB  
Article
Recycling of Lead-Acid Battery Electrodes Using Sb2O3 and CuO: Characterization and Electrochemical Investigations
by Delia N. Piscoiu, Simona Rada, Sergiu Macavei, Lucian Barbu, Ramona Suciu and Eugen Culea
Materials 2025, 18(5), 935; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18050935 - 21 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 669
Abstract
The recycling of spent automotive batteries is essential for minimizing their environmental impact. This requires eco-innovative methods with low cost and energy use. The present study explores the recycling of battery electrodes through the melt quenching method, a process that incorporates spent anode [...] Read more.
The recycling of spent automotive batteries is essential for minimizing their environmental impact. This requires eco-innovative methods with low cost and energy use. The present study explores the recycling of battery electrodes through the melt quenching method, a process that incorporates spent anode and cathode plates into a vitreous host matrix. Samples with the xCuO·10Sb2O3·(90 − x)[4PbO2·Pb] composition, where x = 0 to 30 mol% CuO, were prepared by the melt quenching method. The XRD analysis indicates the vitroceramic structures of the obtained samples. Thus, the presence of varied crystalline phases such as Pb2(SO4)O, PbSO4, and metallic Pb was detected. The SEM micrographs highlighted heterogeneous regions within the samples and showed a decreases of the size of crystallites with increased dopant concentrations. IR and UV-Vis spectra suggest that the copper ions act as network modifiers, creating bond defects and free oxygen ions, and yielding a reduction of the optical bandgap energy at higher dopant contents. EPR data show that the shape of the resonance lines and the coordination geometry of the Cu2+ ions are influenced by the dopant concentrations. The analysis of the voltammetric data indicates that doping the recycled material with 20 mol% CuO and 10 mol% Sb2O3 eliminates the process of hydrogen evolution and reduces the anodic electrode passivation. Full article
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15 pages, 2854 KiB  
Article
Antarctic Soil and Viable Microbiota After Long-Term Storage at Constant −20 °C
by Cristian-Emilian Pop, Sergiu Fendrihan, Nicolai Crăciun, Garbis Vasilighean, Daniela Ecaterina Chifor, Florica Topârceanu, Andreea Florea, Dan Florin Mihăilescu and Maria Mernea
Biology 2025, 14(3), 222; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14030222 - 20 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 854
Abstract
During an Antarctic expedition that took place in December 2010–January 2011 in the East Antarctic coastal region, soil samples were collected in aseptic conditions and stored for over a decade in freezers at −20 °C. Due to the shortly afterward passing of the [...] Read more.
During an Antarctic expedition that took place in December 2010–January 2011 in the East Antarctic coastal region, soil samples were collected in aseptic conditions and stored for over a decade in freezers at −20 °C. Due to the shortly afterward passing of the Antarctic researcher in charge, Teodor Negoiță, the samples remained unintentionally frozen for a long period and were made available for research 13 years later. A chemical analysis of soil as well as screening for viable microbial presence was performed; soil analysis was conducted via inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy coupled with attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR). The presence of aerobic and facultative aerobic microbiotas was evaluated through a Biolog Ecoplates assay, and isolated strains were 16S sequenced for final taxonomic identification. The results obtained new insights into Antarctic soil characteristics from both chemical and microbiological aspects, even after over a decade of conservation. Full article
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21 pages, 4999 KiB  
Article
Relations Between Core Taxa and Metabolic Characteristics of Bacterial Communities in Litopenaeus vannamei Ponds and Their Probiotic Potential
by Qiong Zhao, Ke Zhou, Fengfeng Zhang, Yu Wang, Jun Hao, Fengxing Xie and Qian Yang
Microorganisms 2025, 13(2), 466; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13020466 - 19 Feb 2025
Viewed by 606
Abstract
Microorganisms play a crucial role in purifying aquaculture water bodies. However, there is limited understanding regarding the core species of bacterial communities in aquaculture ponds and their metabolic functions. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology, network analysis, and Biolog EcoPlates, we identified keystone [...] Read more.
Microorganisms play a crucial role in purifying aquaculture water bodies. However, there is limited understanding regarding the core species of bacterial communities in aquaculture ponds and their metabolic functions. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology, network analysis, and Biolog EcoPlates, we identified keystone and core taxa of bacterial communities in Litopenaeus vannamei ponds and investigated their correlations with their community’s carbon source utilization abilities based on Biolog EcoPlates. We found that keystone and core taxa in bacterial communities were significantly correlated with the carbon source utilization abilities of bacterial communities. The positively correlated core taxa include (1) Bacillus, Flavobacterium, Brevibacillus, and Paenibacillus, which are used as probiotics in aquaculture, and (2) Candidatus Aquiluna, Dechloromonas, Sulfurifustis, Terrimicrobium, Alsobacter, and Gemmobacter, which have been reported to play a role in nitrogen removal. Furthermore, the positively correlated Tropicimonas (Rhodobacterales: Rhodobacteraceae) in aquaculture has not yet been applied. By nitrogen degradation experiments in aquaculture wastewater, we confirmed the synergistic relationship between the genera Tropicimonas and Bacillus. The co-introduction of Tropicimonas sediminicola SDUM182003 and Priestia aryabhattai HG1802 or Bacillus subtilis XQ1804 into the aquaculture tailwater reduced the time required for the removal rates of nitrite nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen to reach over 90% by 24–48 h. Our research reveals the correlation between core taxa and community carbon source utilization, indicating that the core taxa of bacterial communities play a crucial role in the metabolic functions of the community, and offering a reference for exploring new bacterial genera with probiotic potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Microorganisms and Their Application in Aquaculture)
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9 pages, 3080 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Ageing Studies on Eco-Friendly Resistive Plate Chamber Detectors
by Marcello Abbrescia, Giulio Aielli, Reham Aly, Maria Cristina Arena, Mapse Barroso Ferreira, Luigi Benussi, Stefano Bianco, Fabio Bordon, Davide Boscherini, Alessia Bruni, Salvatore Buontempo, Mattia Busato, Paolo Camarri, Roberto Cardarelli, Liliana Congedo, Marilisa De Serio, Francesco Debernardis, Anna Di Ciaccio, Luigi Di Stante, Pascal Dupieux, Jan Eysermans, Alessandro Ferretti, Martino Gagliardi, Giuliana Galati, Sara Garetti, Roberto Guida, Giuseppe Iaselli, Baptiste Joly, Stefania Alexandra Juks, Umesh Lakshmaiah, KyongSei Lee, Barbara Liberti, Dalia Lucero Ramirez, Beatrice Mandelli, Samuel Pierre Manen, Lorenzo Massa, Alessandra Pastore, Enrico Pastori, Davide Piccolo, Luca Pizzimento, Alessandro Polini, Giorgia Proto, Gabriella Pugliese, Luca Quaglia, Dayron Ramos, Gianluca Rigoletti, Alessandro Rocchi, Marino Romano, Paola Salvini, Amrutha Samalan, Rinaldo Santonico, Giovanna Saviano, Marco Sessa, Saverio Simone, Livia Terlizzi, Michael Tytgat, Ermanno Vercellin, Mattia Verzeroli and Nikolaos Zaganidisadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Particles 2025, 8(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/particles8010015 - 11 Feb 2025
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Abstract
In high-energy physics, resistive plate chamber (RPC) detectors operating in avalanche mode make use of a high-performance gas mixture. Its main component, Tetrafluoroethane (C2H2F4), is classified as a fluorinated greenhouse gas. The RPC EcoGas@GIF++ collaboration is pursuing [...] Read more.
In high-energy physics, resistive plate chamber (RPC) detectors operating in avalanche mode make use of a high-performance gas mixture. Its main component, Tetrafluoroethane (C2H2F4), is classified as a fluorinated greenhouse gas. The RPC EcoGas@GIF++ collaboration is pursuing an intensive R&D on new gas mixtures for RPCs to explore eco-friendly alternatives complying with recent European regulations. The performance of different RPC detectors has been evaluated at the CERN Gamma Irradiation Facility with Tetrafluoropropene (C3H2F4)-CO2-based gas mixtures. A long-term ageing test campaign was launched in 2022, and since 2023, systematic long-term performance studies have been carried out thanks to dedicated beam tests. The results of these studies are discussed together with their future perspectives. Full article
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