Search Results (1,407)

Reliable tracking of multi-pollutant air-quality progress is essential for assessing policy effectiveness and health risks, yet most assessments still focus on single pollutants. We analysed population-weighted exposures to fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and household air pollution (HAP) for Australia and the global average over 1990–2019, using harmonised estimates from a Global Burden of Disease–type framework. Non-parametric LOESS and semi-parametric generalised additive models were applied to characterise long-term trends, and a composite clean-air progress index (CAPI; 1990 = 1) was constructed to summarise joint changes in the three pollutants. Statistical and Monte Carlo methods were used to propagate reported exposure uncertainty into both pollutant-specific trends and the composite index. Globally, exposures to PM₂.₅, NO₂ and HAP all declined, and the CAPI fell to around 0.7 by 2019, indicating substantial multi-pollutant improvement relative to 1990. In Australia, NO₂ decreased more rapidly than the global mean, but PM₂.₅ showed little long-term decline and the HAP-related metric increased more than three-fold. As a result, Australia’s CAPI rose to approximately 1.6–1.7, with Monte Carlo uncertainty envelopes remaining well above 1 from the early 2000s onwards. Correlation analyses revealed that pollutants improved together at the global scale, but were partially decoupled in Australia, implying that source-specific gains have not translated into aggregate clean-air progress. These findings demonstrate that single-pollutant assessments can obscure important trade-offs and that multi-pollutant, uncertainty-aware indices such as CAPI provide a more informative basis for benchmarking national trajectories against global experience and for guiding integrated clean-air policy. Full article

Plant height is a key component of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plant architecture. It strongly influences lodging resistance, mechanized harvestability, and yield stability. However, the genetic basis of plant height in sunflowers remains underexplored. This study aimed to develop an F₂ population consisting of 715 individuals from a cross between the dwarf inbred line 150A and the tall inbred line PT326. Bulked segregant analysis coupled with whole-genome resequencing was employed to identify loci associated with plant height. Using three complementary analytical methods, a major quantitative trait locus, qPH15, was identified on chromosome 15. This locus was subsequently fine-mapped, using Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) markers and recombinant screening in F₂ and F₃ populations, narrowing it to a 64.66-kb region containing three annotated genes. Among these, HanXRQr2_Chr15g0707451, which encodes an NAC transcription factor designated HaNAC7, was identified as the most promising candidate gene. Haplotype analysis of HaNAC7 across 148 sunflower accessions revealed 4 polymorphic sites defining 6 haplotypes with substantial differences in plant height. The shortest haplotypes, Hap2 and Hap3, were associated with reduced plant height and were predominantly found in Asian germplasm. These findings suggest that HaNAC7 is a strong candidate gene underlying qPH15 and provide useful molecular markers and favorable allelic resources for improving sunflower plant architecture. Full article

The space–air–ground integrated network (SAGIN) is a key 6G architecture that provides seamless three-dimensional connectivity, exhibiting hierarchical structural symmetry between LEO satellite and HAP layers. Integrating information-centric networking (ICN) with caching on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and high-altitude platforms (HAPs) significantly enhances content distribution efficiency. Existing studies on caching mechanisms have made progress but lack optimized cache resource allocation and accurate popular content identification. Thus, an interest-aware caching scheme (ICRL) based on reinforcement learning is proposed to optimize the SAGIN’s popular content caching decisions, aiming to achieve rational symmetric allocation of cache resources across LEO and HAP layers. Different from existing RL-based caching methods, the proposed ICRL scheme considers the LEO-HAP hierarchical architecture and designs an improved reinforcement learning mechanism to adapt to the dynamic characteristics of the SAGIN. First, an air–space two-tier caching architecture is constructed to enable collaborative caching between LEO satellites and HAPs. Second, to select high-value nodes intelligently, the proposed scheme leverages a comprehensive importance model that quantitatively analyzes HAP and LEO indicators such as topology, transmission capacity, and location. Finally, a reinforcement learning-based dynamic cache mechanism is developed. It captures real-time network requests and cache states to select optimal actions and adapt to network dynamics for better content popularity matching. Extensive evaluations based on NDNSIM demonstrate that ICRL outperforms baseline schemes in terms of cache hit ratio, server load, and request latency and achieves a symmetric balance of network load and service performance in the whole SAGIN. Full article

This study reports on the physico-chemical and in vitro biological characterization of chromium-doped hydroxyapatite (10CrHAp, Cr³⁺, Ca_10-xCr_x(PO₄)₆(OH)₂, x_Cr = 0.1) and chromium-doped hydroxyapatite in dextran matrix (10CrHAp-Dx) coatings, prepared for the first time via the spin coating technique. X-ray diffraction analysis and Rietveld refinement were used to characterize the materials. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the presence of functional groups specific to hydroxyapatite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations revealed the presence of a conglomerate of nanoparticles distributed unevenly across the coatings surface. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that both coatings presented continuous surfaces with uniform morphology. The in vitro biocompatibility of 10CrHAp and 10CrHAp-Dx coatings was evaluated using human osteoblast-like MG63 cell line and MTT assay. SEM and MM visualization assessed the cell adhesion and proliferation and morphological changes in the adhered cells. The antibacterial properties of the 10CrHAp and 10CrHAp-Dx coatings was assessed in vitro against two of the most common bacterial reference strains, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. Overall, the coatings achieved log reductions up to ~9.35, corresponding to a bacterial kill rate (for S. aureus) exceeding 99.99%, with 10CrHAp-Dx showing slightly superior performance. Similar behavior (log reductions of ~8.6 and ~8.9, respectively, indicating a sustained antibacterial effect and >99.99% bacterial elimination) was observed and for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. AFM was used to evaluate the bacterial cells interaction with the coating’s surfaces. The biological assays demonstrated that both coatings possess notable antibacterial activity, underscoring their potential in biomedical applications, particularly in the design of new antimicrobial devices. Full article

Eggshell waste generated by the poultry processing industry represents a significant yet underutilized biogenic resource with substantial potential for sustainable agricultural and environmental applications. Globally, several million metric tons of eggshell residues are produced annually, consisting predominantly of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) in the form of calcite, along with minor quantities of organic matrices and trace minerals. These physicochemical characteristics make eggshells a promising renewable alternative to conventional mineral sources for use as fertilizers, soil amendments, and biomaterials. Recent studies have shown that finely ground eggshell powder (ESP) is an effective liming material that can regulate soil chemical conditions and improve agronomic performance under acidic soil conditions. Furthermore, eggshell-derived materials have been incorporated into composting systems, biochar composites, and nanostructured fertilizers to enhance nutrient dynamics, immobilization of contaminants, and microbial activity. Advances in nanotechnology have facilitated the synthesis of nano-calcium carbonate (NCC) and nanohydroxyapatite (nHAP) fertilizers with improved nutrient supply and controlled-release properties. However, challenges associated with nanosafety evaluation, large-scale processing technologies, regulatory harmonization, and long-term field validation remain. Therefore, this review critically synthesizes the structural, biochemical, and physicochemical properties of eggshells and eggshell membranes, examines their applications in sustainable agriculture and environmental remediation, and identifies the key research priorities required to advance eggshell valorization within circular bioeconomy strategies. Full article

Background: This in vitro study evaluated the effect of hydroxyapatite nanoparticle (nano-HAp) incorporation on surface roughness and Vickers hardness of a 3D-printed crown resin after thermocycling. Methods: Disk-shaped specimens (N = 84) were modified and fabricated with 0%, 1%, 2%, and 3% nano-HAp. Surface roughness (Ra) and Vickers hardness (VHN) were measured before and after thermocycling (5000 cycles). Surface morphology was qualitatively assessed using FE-SEM. Data were analyzed using two-way mixed-design ANOVA (α = 0.05). Results: Thermocycling increased surface roughness and reduced hardness in all groups. Ra values were highest in the 3% nano-HAp group after thermocycling (1.16 ± 0.47 µm). Baseline Vickers hardness differed significantly among nano-HAp concentrations, and hardness decreased after thermocycling in all groups; however, the 3% nano-HAp group exhibited the highest post-thermocycling hardness values (24.66 ± 1.51 VHN), which should be interpreted in the context of its higher baseline hardness. FE-SEM observations suggested increased surface irregularities with higher nano-HAp concentrations after thermocycling. Conclusions: Nano-HAp incorporation influenced both surface and mechanical properties, with 3% concentration showing higher hardness after aging but increased roughness. Full article

In this study, bioceramic composites based on zirconia (ZrO₂) were synthesized and characterized in terms of mechanical properties. Two types of different-sized grains of zirconia powders were used to prepare the composites. A commercial zirconia micropowder (Tosoh) was used as a base for the composites modified with bioactive glass (BG), copper-doped bioactive glass (BGCu), and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) with a sintering temperature of 1450 °C. The composites with the addition of hydroxyapatite, for which their sintering temperature was 1150 °C, were independently fabricated using a zirconia nanopowder prepared via co-precipitation and hydrothermal methods to achieve high densification and avoid hydroxyapatite decomposition. Mechanical performance of these composites was assessed with regard to biaxial flexural strength, Vickers hardness (HV), and fracture toughness (K_Ic). The reference 3Y-TZP material exhibited Vickers hardness (11.8 GPa) and fracture toughness (6.1 MPa∙m^1/2 values typical for dense tetragonal zirconia ceramics. The addition of all bioactive phases resulted in significant alterations in mechanical properties. Specifically, incorporating 20 wt.% HAp led to a threefold decrease in hardness and a 40% reduction in fracture toughness, while increasing the HAp content to 40 wt.% further reduced these properties. Nonetheless, the fracture toughness of these composites remained higher than that of pure hydroxyapatite materials. The incorporation of BG and BGCu reduced the hardness values by 45% and 30%, respectively, compared to 3Y-TZP. The most significant deterioration of the properties was observed for the 3Y-TZP-hBN composite. The 3Y-TZP–BGCu composite exhibited fracture toughness (5.9 MPa∙m^1/2) representing 95% of the toughness of pure zirconium dioxide, thereby showing the lowest weakness of all the other composites with bioactive additives. A slightly lower fracture toughness value (5.3 MPa∙m^1/2) was also observed in the composite with bioglass but lacking the copper additive. This factor, combined with a relatively small decrease in hardness in both cases, highlights high durability for implantology applications, thus marking the indicated materials the most promising among the composites studied. Full article

Soil salinization is one of the major abiotic stresses that influences agricultural production and the environment. Auxin response factors (ARFs) are key components of the auxin signal transduction pathway, while their role in wheat salt stress responses remains unclear. In this study, we identified TaARF18 as a negative regulator of salt tolerance in wheat. The coding sequences of TaARF18-A, TaARF18-B, and TaARF18-D were 2106, 2088, and 2088 bp, respectively. TaARF18 is a hydrophilic protein featuring typical Auxin-resp and B3 DNA-binding domains and exhibits relatively high evolutionary conservation among Poaceae species. The expression of TaARF18 was upregulated under salt stress. TaARF18 predominantly accumulated in the nucleus. Silencing of TaARF18 via the BSMV-VIGS approach enhanced salt tolerance in wheat seedlings. In addition, haplotype analysis based on resequencing data from 355 wheat accessions identified 25, 31, and 16 haplotypes for TaARF18-A, TaARF18-B, and TaARF18-D, respectively. Fourteen wheat accessions carrying different haplotypes were evaluated under salt stress, and HapIII of TaARF18-A exhibited the highest level of salt tolerance, which can act as a strong selection locus in global wheat breeding. Our findings provide insight into the function of ARFs in salt stress responses and offer a potential target for CRISPR/Cas-mediated salt-tolerant wheat breeding programs. Full article

Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by a complex array of symptoms that impact multiple domains, including physical, psychological, and social aspects of an individual’s well-being. Although home-based adapted physical activity (HAP) interventions represent a promising strategy to improve health-related physical fitness (PF), studies on the topic are still lacking and further research is required. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of participation in a 12-week HAP intervention on health-related PF in adult women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FS). Methods: Participants were women with fibromyalgia (n = 29; 47.1 ± 9.5 yrs) assigned to the 12-week HAP program (n = 17) or wait-list control group (n = 12). Participants completed two weekly circuit-training sessions delivered through an online platform. PF components were assessed through a standardized test battery: 30-s chair stand (lower-body strength), arm curl (upper-body strength), 2-min step (cardiorespiratory fitness), back scratch (flexibility) and 8-foot up-and-go test (agility and balance). Three time-point evaluations were planned: at baseline (T0), after 6 weeks (T1), and after 12 weeks (T2). Linear mixed models were used, and partial eta-squared (η²p) effect sizes were calculated. Results: A significant time × group interaction emerged for upper body strength (p = 0.001; η²p = 0.404), agility (p < 0.001; η²p = 0.569) and cardiorespiratory fitness (p = 0.009, η²p = 0.292). Specifically, from baseline to 12 weeks, the experimental group improved in the arm-curl test (from 15.8 ± 4.5 to 18.9 ± 5.0 repetitions), agility (from 6.6 ± 1.5 to 5.2 ± 1.1 s), and cardiorespiratory fitness (from 69.1 ± 18.8 to 77.2 ± 21.1 repetitions), while the control group showed no meaningful changes. Conclusions: The participation in a 12-week HAP intervention had a positive impact on different components of PF in women with FS, which may have implications for greater physical autonomy and well-being. Full article

Objective: To identify risk factors for progression to sepsis in patients with non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP) and to develop a practical nomogram for individualized risk assessment in this population. Methods: We retrospectively screened 408 hospitalized patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia at Peking University Third Hospital between January 2017 and December 2021. After excluding patients with an unclear diagnosis date or missing critical variables required for SOFA score calculation, 368 eligible patients with NV-HAP were included and randomly divided into a training cohort (n = 260) and an internal validation cohort (n = 108). An independent temporal validation cohort of 68 patients admitted between January 2022 and December 2022 at the same center was further used for temporal validation. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses with backward stepwise selection were performed in the training cohort to identify predictors associated with progression to sepsis. A nomogram was then constructed based on the final model and evaluated by discrimination, calibration, and decision curve analysis. Results: A total of 368 patients were included in the model development dataset. The final multivariable model retained six predictors: male sex (OR = 2.393, 95% CI: 1.333–4.296), diabetes (OR = 2.205, 95% CI: 1.126–4.319), coagulation dysfunction (OR = 3.327, 95% CI: 1.726–6.413), PaO₂/FiO₂ (OR = 0.955 per 10-unit increase, 95% CI: 0.912–1.001), platelet count (OR = 0.900 per 10 × 10⁹/L increase, 95% CI: 0.853–0.949), and bilirubin (OR = 1.176 per 1 μmol/L increase, 95% CI: 1.100–1.258). The nomogram showed acceptable performance, with an apparent C-index of 0.809 and a bootstrap-corrected C-index of 0.792 in the training cohort. The C-index was 0.750 (95% CI: 0.658–0.841) in the internal validation cohort and 0.754 (95% CI: 0.639–0.870) in the temporal validation cohort. Calibration analysis showed acceptable agreement between predicted and observed probabilities, and decision curve analysis indicated a positive net clinical benefit across clinically relevant threshold probabilities. Conclusions: In patients with NV-HAP, male sex, diabetes, coagulation dysfunction, lower PaO₂/FiO₂, lower platelet count, and higher bilirubin were associated with progression to sepsis. The developed nomogram showed acceptable discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility, and may serve as a practical tool for early individualized risk stratification in patients with NV-HAP. Full article

Cannabinol (CBN) is a highly lipophilic phytocannabinoid whose biomedical application is limited by poor water solubility. In this study, colloidal hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHAp) were evaluated as a carrier for CBN, and their effect on model lipid membranes was investigated. Interactions between CBN and lipids were examined using Langmuir monolayers and lipid bilayers (black lipid membranes, BLMs). Langmuir monolayer studies revealed strong interactions between CBN and lipids, resulting in changes in isotherms, compressibility, and monolayer stability. BLM measurements indicated that delivery of CBN via nHAp modifies the electrical properties and stability of the lipid bilayer, suggesting alterations in membrane organization and permeability. These results demonstrate that hydroxyapatite nanoparticles can effectively serve as a carrier for cannabinol while modulating its interactions with lipid membranes. Full article

Sandy calcareous soils in arid regions suffer from low phosphorus (P) availability due to high fixation rates, limiting crop productivity. This study investigates a novel hybrid smart fertilizer (BN) composed of olive pomace biochar (BC) and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAP). BN was synthesized and characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM/TEM, and zeta potential analysis. Its P release kinetics were modeled, and its agronomic performance was assessed on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in a pot experiment under sandy soil conditions with and without wood vinegar (WV). The 1:1 BC:nHAP formulation showed a two-stage release profile: a rapid initial burst (Higuchi model, R² = 0.86) followed by sustained zero-order release (R² = 0.80). In the pot experiment, BN combined with WV significantly increased plant height by 36%, shoot fresh weight by 232%, and available soil P by 39% compared to conventional SSP (p < 0.05). This synergistic treatment also improved root nodulation and nutrient (N, P, K) uptake. The BC-nHAP hybrid coupled with WV acts as an efficient P delivery system, improving soil fertility in arid environments based on circular economy principles, aligning with SDGs 2, 12, and 15. Full article

The key performance of microwave imaging radiometers by aperture synthesis is governed by spatial resolution, radiometric sensitivity, and the extent of the synthesized field of view that is free from any aliasing artifact. Accordingly, this work is concerned with the choice of key parameters of an antenna array, such as its geometrical shape and the number of elementary antennas as well as their spacing, in order to meet the required scientific specifications and satisfy the necessary engineering constraints. This study is illustrated with two examples: the $+$-shaped array selected for the Fine Resolution Explorer for Salinity, Carbon, and Hydrology (FRESCH) and a ⊤-shaped array proposed for use onboard a High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS), being two high-resolution microwave imaging radiometers by aperture synthesis. Both cases show how it is possible to perform aperture synthesis on hexagonal sampling grids with antenna arrays whose geometry naturally leads to Cartesian sampling grids, with fewer elementary antennas and without degrading imaging performance while also solving computational issues. Full article

Bone tissue plays a vital role in the human body and possesses intrinsic self-repair mechanisms; however, large defects or pathological fractures may exceed its natural healing capacity. Bone tissue engineering provides promising strategies to restore bone integrity through the use of scaffolds, growth factors, and stem cells. While calcium phosphate (CaP)-based ceramics, such as hydroxyapatite (HAp) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP), represent the current benchmark, their limitations, including slow degradation (HAp) and limited osteoinductivity (TCP), have driven the development of alternative biomaterials. In this context, magnesium phosphate (MgP)-based materials have gained increasing attention due to their tunable resorption rate, improved biodegradability, and ability to stimulate osteogenesis and angiogenesis through the release of magnesium (Mg²⁺) ions. This study reports on composite scaffolds based on electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fibres coated with MgP layers doped with lithium (Li) and zinc (Zn), designed to mimic the nanofibrous architecture of the extracellular matrix. Lithium and zinc were selected due to their known ability to modulate cellular response, with lithium promoting osteogenic activity and zinc contributing to improved cell proliferation and antibacterial potential. The phosphate phases obtained by coprecipitation were deposited onto the PCL fibres using Matrix-Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE), enabling controlled surface functionalization. Following thermal treatment, the formation of the crystalline magnesium pyrophosphate (Mg₂P₂O₇) phase was confirmed by chemical and structural characterization. The combination of a slowly degrading PCL matrix, providing sustained structural support, and a bioactive MgP coating, enabling rapid and controlled ion release, results in improved scaffold performance in terms of biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bioactivity. While the slow degradation rate of PCL ensures mechanical stability over an extended period, the surface-deposited MgP phase allows immediate interaction with the biological environment, facilitating faster ion release and enhancing cell–material interactions. These findings highlight the potential of the developed composites as promising candidates for trabecular bone regeneration and as viable alternatives to conventional CaP-based scaffolds in regenerative medicine. Full article

Background/Objectives: Bone-targeted drug delivery systems hold great promise for treating skeletal diseases, yet the optimal strategy for functionalizing lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) with bone-homing ligands remains insufficiently explored. Herein, we compared two alendronate sodium (Alen) modification approaches (pre-conjugation and post-conjugation) for constructing bone-targeted LNPs capable of delivering mRNA to skeletal tissues. Methods: LNPs were fabricated via microfluidic mixing, and the 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-polyethylene glycol-alendronate conjugate (DSPE-PEG-Alen) required for the pre-conjugation method was synthesized. The bone-targeting ability of LNPs prepared by the two Alen modification strategies was evaluated using an in vitro hydroxyapatite (HAP) binding assay. Furthermore, the physicochemical properties, bone-targeting performance, mRNA delivery efficiency, and biosafety of the LNPs prepared by the post-conjugation method were assessed through cellular uptake, in vivo imaging, and other methods. Results: Hydroxyapatite binding assays revealed that the post-conjugation strategy afforded significantly superior bone affinity compared to the pre-conjugation approach. In addition, ex vivo bone fragment binding experiments further confirmed that the bone-targeting LNPs prepared by the post-conjugation method exhibited stronger bone-binding capability compared to unmodified LNPs. The optimized Alen-LNPs demonstrated efficient cellular uptake and functional mRNA translation in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells with negligible cytotoxicity. In vivo studies in mice confirmed the preferential accumulation of Alen-LNPs in bone tissues, with successful green fluorescent protein (GFP) mRNA translation detected in bone tissue sections. Histopathological analysis confirmed the biosafety of the formulation. Conclusions: This study establishes the post-conjugation strategy as the superior approach for Alen functionalization of LNPs, providing a robust and reproducible platform for bone-targeted mRNA therapeutics. Full article