Search Results (71)

The combination of electrocoagulation (EC) with complementary treatment methods has garnered increasing attention for wastewater remediation. This study aims to design and optimize a hybrid electrocoagulation–adsorption (EC/Ads) process for the removal of ketoprofen (KTP) from aqueous solutions. The adsorption of KTP onto activated carbon (AC) alone exhibited a low removal efficiency of approximately 27% under the following conditions: initial KTP concentration ([KTP]₀) = 23 mg·L⁻¹, pH = 6, adsorbent dose (q_AC) = 0.5 g, and contact time = 30 min. In contrast, the EC process alone achieved a removal efficiency of 59.69% under similar conditions (current density (i) = 18.6 mA·cm⁻², NaCl = 3.5 g·L⁻¹). The combined EC/Ads process significantly enhanced KTP removal, reaching 87.11% under the same operational parameters. The synergistic effect of the combined treatment was quantified with a synergy index of 1.37. Characterization techniques included FTIR analysis of both AC and KTP, as well as adsorption–desorption isotherms and pH_PZC determination for AC. To further optimize the EC/Ads process, a response surface methodology based on central composite design (CCD) was applied to assess the influence of four independent variables: pH, [KTP]₀, current density, and q_AC. Optimal conditions were identified as follows: q_AC = 0.63–0.99 g, i = 12.32–14.68 mA·cm⁻², pH = 6.5, and [KTP]₀ = 22.5 mg·L⁻¹; these conditions resulted in 100% KTP removal after 30 min of treatment. These findings demonstrate the potential of the EC/Ads hybrid process to be an efficient and sustainable alternative for pharmaceutical contaminant removal. Full article

The surgical procedures in the treatment of periodontitis generally aim to reduce pocket depth, improve teeth maintenance, and enhance long-term stability. Several approaches have been proposed over the years including different techniques, drugs, and medical devices, with the main purpose to minimalize the surgical procedure and improve both the outcomes and patient compliance. Among all the medical devices proposed in surgical and non-surgical periodontology, different laser wavelengths (e.g., Erbium: YAG, Erbium: CR, KTP, Diode) have been studied worldwide but generally with inconsistent results. Nowadays, the diode laser is one of the most used lasers among general dentists, also promoted as an adjunctive therapy in periodontology, mainly in non-surgical procedures. This study aims to review data emerging from the literature on the use of diode lasers and adjunctive therapy to the conventional periodontal surgery. This research was conducted using PubMed and Scopus search engines with a combination of relevant keywords, including “Surgical Periodontal Therapy”, “Periodontal Surgery”, “Periodontal Regenerative Surgery”, and “Surgical Treatment for Periodontal Disease” in combination with “Diode Laser”, “Diode-Driven Laser”, and “Diode Emission Laser”. Selected articles were carefully reviewed to identify studies reporting data on the effectiveness of diode lasers in periodontal surgery. Results of the current review suggest potential clinical benefits of diode laser-assisted periodontal surgery, as studies reported improvements in key parameters such as clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), and plaque index (PI) postoperatively. Additionally, VAS scores, indicative of post-surgical discomfort, were lower for laser-treated sites, and a short-term reduction in periodontal pathogens was observed. However, the clinical outcomes significantly differ across the studies, and the evidence does not uniformly support a superior effectiveness of diode lasers as an adjunctive tool in surgical periodontology. While the data indicate that diode laser use may contribute to enhanced periodontal health and possibly accelerate healing in some cases, these findings should be interpreted cautiously, as further research, possibly multicentric and in large numbers but mandatory with well-defined protocols (stage of periodontitis, preliminary non-surgical procedures and results, laser wavelength and protocol of use, post-operative maintenance, follow-up clinical and radiological criteria) are surely needed to possibly validate the observations emerging from the current review and eventually to standardize clinical protocols in the future. Such limitations have been well addressed in this paper and are clearly discussed and essentially related to the focus on the total uncertainty of the literature and general caution. Full article

Background/Objectives: The use of medicines in pediatrics and geriatrics is widespread. However, information on pharmacokinetics of therapeutic drugs mainly comes from healthy adults, and the pharmacokinetic parameters of therapeutic drugs in other age stages, including pediatrics and geriatrics, are limited. The aim of the study was to develop a dynamic age-dependent physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model to predict the pharmacokinetics of drugs in humans at different ages. Method: The PBPK models characterizing dynamic age-dependence were developed in adults (20–59 years old) and 1000 virtual individuals were constructed. Four CYP3A substrates, namely midazolam, fentanyl, alfentanil and sufentanil, served as model drugs. Following validation using clinic observations in adult populations, the developed PBPK models were extrapolated to other age populations, such as pediatrics and geriatrics, via replacing their physiological parameters and pharmacokinetic parameters, such as organ volume, organ blood flow, clearance, f_u,b and K_t:p. The simulations were compared with clinic observations in corresponding age populations. Midazolam served as an example, the dose transitions between adult pediatrics and adult geriatrics were visualized using the developed PBPK models. Results: Most of observed plasma concentrations fell within the 5th–95th percentile of the predicted values in the 1000 virtual individuals, and the predicted AUC_0–t and C_max were almost within between 0.5 and 2 times of the observations. The optimization of dosages in pediatrics and geriatrics were further documented. Conclusions: The developed PBPK model may be successfully used to predict the pharmacokinetics of CYP3A4-metabolized drugs in different age groups and to optimize their dosage regiments in pediatrics and geriatrics. Full article

Pulmonary drug delivery presents a promising approach for managing respiratory diseases, enabling localized drug deposition and minimizing systemic side effects. Building upon previous research, this study investigates the cytotoxicity, permeability, and stability of a novel carrier-free dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulation comprising nanosized ketoprofen (KTP) and mannitol (MNT). The formulation was prepared using wet media milling to produce KTP-nanosuspensions, followed by spray drying to achieve combined powders suitable for inhalation. Cell viability and permeability were conducted in both alveolar (A549) and bronchial (CFBE) models. Stability was assessed after storage in hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) capsules under stress conditions (40 °C, 75% RH), as per ICH guidelines. KTP showed good penetration through both models, with lower permeability through the CFBE barrier. The MNT-containing sample (F1) increased permeability by 1.4-fold in A549. All formulations had no effect on cell barrier integrity or viability after the impedance test, confirming their safety. During stability assessment, the particle size remained consistent, and the partially amorphous state of KTP was retained over time. However, moisture absorption induced surface roughening and partial agglomeration, leading to reduced fine particle fraction (FPF) and emitted fraction (EF). Despite these changes, the mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) remained stable, confirming the formulation’s continued applicability for pulmonary delivery. Future research should focus on optimizing excipient content, alternative capsule materials, and storage conditions to mitigate moisture-related issues. Hence, the findings demonstrate that the developed ketoprofen–mannitol DPI retains its quality and performance characteristics over an extended period, making it a viable option for pulmonary drug delivery. Full article

The FunDivEurope (Functional Significance of Forest Biodiversity in Europe) project aimed to quantify the role of forest biodiversity for ecosystem functioning and the delivery of goods and services in major European forest types. Members of the research community aimed to communicate the research findings related to the functional significance of forest biodiversity to the wider public. Therefore, a web-based Knowledge Transfer Platform (KTP) was designed to ensure project-generated knowledge is transferred to targeted stakeholders and user groups. The paper shows a user experience-based approach in the development of the knowledge transfer platform, and provides insights into the system architecture to show how semantic web-based technologies are able to target a broader audience while keeping entry barriers as low as possible to support communities of practice to grow. Full article

Objective: Esthetic dentistry is an important factor in increasing patients’ quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the impact of laser use on bleaching procedures for natural teeth and dental restorative materials. Methods: In January 2024, an electronic search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science (WoS), and Scopus databases with the keywords (tooth) AND (laser) AND (bleaching), following PRISMA guidelines and the PICO framework. The initial search yielded 852 articles, of which 441 were screened. After applying inclusion criteria, 376 articles were excluded as they did not focus on the use of lasers in bleaching natural teeth and restorative materials. Consequently, 40 articles were included in the final review. Results: Of the 40 qualified publications, 29 utilized a diode laser, of which 10 authors concluded that it increases the whitening effect comparing classical methods. Three of included publications investigated the whitening of dental materials, while another three focused on endodontically treated teeth. Whitening procedures on ceramics effectively removed discoloration, but the resulting color did not significantly differ from the initial shade. Conversely, composite materials not only failed to bleach but also exhibited altered physical properties, thereby increasing their susceptibility to further discoloration. The KTP laser demonstrated promising outcomes on specific stains. The Er,Cr:YSGG and Er:YAG lasers also showed beneficial effects, although there were variations in their efficacy and required activation times. Conclusions: The findings partially indicate that laser-assisted bleaching improves the whitening of natural teeth. Further research on the effect of laser bleaching on the physical parameters of restorative materials is necessary. Full article

Background: A pelletizer paired with hot-melt extrusion technology (HME) was used to develop colon-targeted pellets for ketoprofen (KTP). Thermal stability and side effects in the upper gastrointestinal tract made ketoprofen more suitable for this work. Methods: The pellets were prepared using the enzyme-triggered polymer Pectin LM in the presence of HPMC HME 4M, followed by pH-dependent Eudragit^® S 100 coating to accommodate the maximum drug release in the colon by minimizing drug release in the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Box–Behnken Design (BBD) was used for response surface optimization of the proportion of different independent variables like Pectin LM (A), HPMC HME 4M (B), and Eudragit^® S 100 (C) required to lower the early drug release in upper GIT and to extend the drug release in the colon. Results: Solid-state characterization studies revealed that ketoprofen was present in a solid solution state in the hot-melt extruded polymer matrix. The desired responses of the prepared optimized KTP pellets obtained by considering the designed space showed 1.20% drug release in 2 h, 3.73% in the first 5 h of the lag period with the help of Eudragit^® S 100 coating, and 93.96% in extended release up to 24 h in the colonic region. Conclusions: Hence, developing Eudragit-coated hot-melt extruded pellets could be a significant method for achieving the colon-specific release of ketoprofen. Full article

Design of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) inhibitors is considered an effective strategy for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the limited blood–brain barrier (BBB) penetration and poor Aβ-targeting capability restricts the therapeutic efficiency of candidate drugs. Herein, we have proposed to engineer transthyretin (TTR) by fusion of the Aβ-targeting peptide KLVFF and cell-penetrating peptide Penetratin to TTR, and derived a fusion protein, KLVFF-TTR-Penetratin (KTP). Moreover, to introduce the scavenging activity for reactive oxygen species (ROS), a nanocomposite of KTP and manganese dioxide nanoclusters (KTP@MnO₂) was fabricated by biomineralization. Results revealed that KTP@MnO₂ demonstrated significantly enhanced inhibition on Aβ aggregation as compared to TTR. The inhibitory effect was increased from 18%, 33%, and 49% (10, 25, and 50 μg/mL TTR, respectively) to 52%, 81%, and 100% (10, 25, and 50 μg/mL KTP@MnO₂). In addition, KTP@MnO₂ could penetrate the BBB and target amyloid plaques. Moreover, multiple ROS, including hydroxyl radicals, superoxide radicals, hydrogen peroxide, and Aβ-induced-ROS, which cannot be scavenged by TTR, were scavenged by KTP@MnO₂, thus resulting in the mitigation of cellular oxidative damages. More importantly, cell culture and in vivo experiments with AD nematodes indicated that KTP@MnO₂ at 50 μg/mL increased the viability of Aβ-treated cells from 66% to more than 95%, and completely cleared amyloid plaques in AD nematodes and extended their lifespan by 7 d. Overall, despite critical aspects such as the stability, metabolic distribution, long-term biotoxicity, and immunogenicity of the nanocomposites in mammalian models remaining to be investigated, this work has demonstrated the multifunctionality of KTP@MnO₂ for targeting Aβ in vivo, and provided new insights into the design of multifunctional nanocomposites of protein–metal clusters against AD. Full article

Construction Design Management (DM) involves the coordination of design processes and activities to ensure quality project design, yet it involves many challenges. This study reports on a collaborative Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project with a Case Study Organization (CSO) that tackled several issues faced by construction design managers. Employing a design science research methodology (DSRM), qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with purposefully identified design managers uncovered real-world concerns around design co-ordination and performance monitoring. To address these concerns, a web-based design management prototype dashboard was developed using typical project data to aid in the management of design coordination, task prioritization, and reporting functionalities. The web-based Design Management prototype dashboard enhances design management productivity in construction firms by monitoring design production, assessing designer performance trends, and focusing on Technical Queries (TQs) and Requests for Information (RFIs). Digitalizing selected design management processes improves efficiency and productivity. The visual reporting of the dashboard enables design production monitoring at project and portfolio levels, assesses trends in designer performance, and maintains focus on TQs and RFIs. Demonstrating how web-based Design Management dashboards can enhance productivity, this study emphasizes practical solutions derived from employing a design science research methodology. The development and application of the web-based dashboard contribute to the growing evidence that employing design science research methodology in construction can yield tangible solutions to address real-world construction concerns. Full article

Batteries based on heavier alkali ions are considered promising candidates to substitute for current Li-based technologies. In this theoretical study, we characterize the structural properties of a novel material, i.e., F-doped RbTiOPO${}_4$ (RbTiPO${}_4$F, RTP:F), and discuss aspects of its electrochemical performance in Rb-ion batteries (RIBs) using density functional theory (DFT). According to our calculations, RTP:F is expected to retain the so-called KTiOPO${}_4$ (KTP)-type structure, with lattice parameters of $13.236$ Å, $6.616$ Å, and $10.945$ Å. Due to the doping with F, the crystal features eight extra electrons per unit cell, whereby each of these electrons is trapped by one of the surrounding Ti atoms in the cell. Notably, the ground state of the system corresponds to a ferromagnetic spin configuration (i.e., $S=4$). The deintercalation of Rb leads to the oxidation of the Ti atoms in the cell (i.e., from Ti${}^{3+}$ to Ti${}^{4+}$) and to reduced magnetic moments. The material promises interesting electrochemical properties for the cathode: rather high average voltages above $2.8$ V and modest volume shrinkages below 13% even in the fully deintercalated case are predicted. Full article

Cascaded stimulated polariton scattering (SPS) under powerful picosecond pumping of 532 nm wavelength was investigated in a single pass of a KTP (KTiOPO₄) crystal. Under ordinary polarization of the pump wave (relatively XOZ-plane) parametric scattering in the KTP crystal was observed. By rotation of the pump wave polarization (from ordinary to extraordinary), this scattering gradually transforms into polariton scattering. Polariton signal components (spots) with gaps between them were registered at external angles of ~2° between the neighboring spots. Five polariton signal components were detected above the pump beam, with a frequency difference between neighboring cascaded components of ~188 cm⁻¹ (5.64 THz). The wavelength of each next component increased regularly with the angle between this component and the pump wave, so this regular sequence of polariton signal components can be regarded as a cascaded SPS. Full article

In the present work, potentiometric sensors with polymer membranes used for chlorhexidine (CHXD) determination were developed. The polymer membranes were plasticized with bis(2-ethylheksyl)sebacate (DOS) or 2-nitrophenyloctyl ether (o-NPOE). The active compounds used in the membrane were cyclodextrins, crown ethers, and ion exchangers. The best-constructed electrode was based on neutral heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl)-β-cyclodextrin with lipophilic salt (KTpClBP)—potassium tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl) borate—dissolved in plasticizer, DOS. The presented electrode is characterized by an average cationic slope of 30.9 ± 2.9 mV decade⁻¹ within a linear range of 1 × 10⁻⁶ to 1 × 10⁻³ mol × L⁻¹, while the value of the correlation coefficient is 0.9970 ± 0.0026. The response time was about 5 s when increasing the sample concentration and about 10 s when diluting the sample. The electrode potential is independent of the pH within a range of 4.0–9.5. The polymeric membrane sensor was successfully applied for assays of chlorhexidine digluconate in pure samples and pharmaceutical samples. The relative error from three replicate measurements was determined to be 1.1%. and the accuracy was RSD = 0.3–1.1%. Full article

The crystal family of potassium titanyl phosphate (KTiOPO${}_4$) is a promising material group for applications in quantum and nonlinear optics. The fabrication of low-loss optical waveguides, as well as high-grade periodically poled ferroelectric domain structures, requires a profound understanding of the material properties and crystal structure. In this regard, Raman spectroscopy offers the possibility to study and visualize domain structures, strain, defects, and the local stoichiometry, which are all factors impacting device performance. However, the accurate interpretation of Raman spectra and their changes with respect to extrinsic and intrinsic defects requires a thorough assignment of the Raman modes to their respective crystal features, which to date is only partly conducted based on phenomenological modelling. To address this issue, we calculated the phonon spectra of potassium titanyl phosphate and the related compounds rubidium titanyl phosphate (RbTiOPO${}_4$) and potassium titanyl arsenate (KTiOAsO${}_4$) based on density functional theory and compared them with experimental data. Overall, this allows us to assign various spectral features to eigenmodes of lattice substructures with improved detail compared to previous assignments. Nevertheless, the analysis also shows that not all features of the spectra can unambigiously be explained yet. A possible explanation might be that defects or long range fields not included in the modeling play a crucial rule for the resulting Raman spectrum. In conclusion, this work provides an improved foundation into the vibrational properties in the KTiOPO${}_4$ material family. Full article

This study investigated the efficiency of two advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), ozonation (O₃), and electrochemical oxidation (EO), applied individually or in combination, in the removal of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) contained in hospital wastewaters, focusing on pharmaceuticals. The optimisation of the single technologies was performed using synthetic wastewater composed of four refractory pharmaceuticals, (carbamazepine-CBZ, lorazepam-LZP, ketoprofen-KTP, 10,11-epoxicarbamazepine-E-CBZ), first alone and then in mixture, in an initial concentration of 1 mg L⁻¹ each. Once the best operational conditions for EO and O₃ were defined, their combination (both simultaneous and sequential) was evaluated for the mixture of the selected pharmaceuticals. The treatment solution that showed the best performance was the simultaneous combination of O₃ and EO. This treatment was validated using real hospital wastewater previously treated through a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR), evaluating its viability by testing the toxicity of the final effluent via Vibrio fischeri inhibition tests. The obtained results showed that the simultaneous combination of O₃ and EO as the polishing step after a biological treatment is a very promising solution for hospital wastewater treatment, allowing for obtaining a non-toxic effluent and full degradation of refractory compounds. The disinfection potential of the proposed AOP was also assessed by determining Escherichia coli inactivation potential. Full article

In the current study, the influence of substitution of ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) on the characteristics of less active geopolymer binders, including pumice and the waste material produced during the washing process of sand in aggregate industries (waste soil), is investigated. The aforementioned materials were examined individually and in hybrid form. In the hybrid mixes, less-active materials (pumice and the waste soil) were replaced with GGBFS at levels of 25%, 50%, and 75%. The evaluated properties consisted of compressive strength, modulus of rupture, sorptivity, rapid chloride ion migration coefficient, and the content of water absorption. Moreover, the effects of different curing conditions on the properties were investigated. The results indicate that partial replacement of the waste soil and pumice with GGBFS leads to enhanced durability and mechanical characteristics owing to the higher reactivity of GGBFS. The mixture denoted as P25S75 (with 75% GGBFS and 25% pumice) exhibited the best durability properties, surpassing even the S100 mixture (with 100% GGBFS). Substituting the waste soil with GGBFS had a greater enhancing effect compared to the mixtures containing the pumice mixes. Full article