Search Results (1,471)

Currently, H₂ compression is one of the highest-cost items, both in terms of capital and operating costs, at H₂ refuelling stations. Metal hydride (MH) compressors are an alternative H₂ compression technology, which uses heat rather than electricity to provide the driving force for compression. Where waste heat is available, these compressors have the potential to be lower in cost than current mechanical alternatives. While the development of metal hydride compressors has been underway for the last 40–50 years, only a few have made it through to demonstration at industrial sites. To better understand where these compressors see best potential, we have completed a high-level assessment of the levelised costs associated with MH compression. We explore the impact of cost assumptions (capital and operating cost items) on the overall cost of MH compression over an assumed 10-year life. Results indicate that MH compressors have similar capital costs to currently available mechanical compressors but have a significant advantage in operating costs where waste or solar heat is available. This analysis highlights that it is the cost of energy that has the greatest impact on the cost competitiveness of the metal hydride compressor. Full article

Rare earth elements (REEs) hold great importance in the transition to a low-carbon economy. However, their increased exploitation, supply risks, low recyclability, and limited substitution by other elements have led to their classification as critical and strategic materials. The extraction of REEs from primary mining sources generates several negative environmental impacts, with greenhouse gas emissions being among the most significant. These emissions are quantified through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) under the Global Warming Potential (GWP) category. Recycling REEs from secondary sources has emerged as a promising alternative to reduce mining dependence and environmental impacts. Nickel–metal hydride (NiMH) batteries contain approximately 5–10% REEs and represent a potential secondary source through urban mining. Our literature review presents a comparative analysis of the carbon footprint associated with the extraction of REEs from primary sources (bastnäsite and monazite), expressed per tonne of rare earth oxides (REO) produced, and with industrial-scale recycling processes of NiMH batteries, expressed per tonne of recovered REE mixture. The analysis indicates that CO₂ emissions associated with recycling processes (85–179 kg CO₂-eq per tonne of REO) are approximately 4 to 9 times higher than those reported for primary extraction routes; however, this comparison should be interpreted with cautiously, as recycling systems are multifunctional and involve the simultaneous recovery of additional metals such as Ni and Co, whereas primary mining operations are typically focused exclusively on REEs. Furthermore, differences in functional units, energy mixes, and geographical contexts limit the strict comparability of the results. Accordingly, a direct comparison based solely on REEs may overestimate the environmental burden of recycling. Consequently, the reported emission ranges provide an indicative perspective on relative magnitudes under current technological and regional conditions rather than a definitive comparative assessment. Despite the higher reported emissions, recycling should not be regarded as environmentally detrimental; it also plays a vital role in mitigating supply risks and reducing dependence on primary extraction. By diversifying supply sources, recycling enhances resource security and resilience. Full article

Effective management of rye cover crops in cash-crop systems relies heavily on accurate biomass estimation. Low-altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) imagery offers a promising high-resolution alternative, yet unlocking its full potential requires moving beyond basic estimation models to more integrative and explanatory models. This study obtains the measured height (MH), SPAD (Soil and Plant Analyzer Development) values, and measured dry biomass (MDB) and applies UAV remote sensing and machine learning to acquire the crop canopy height, vegetation indices (VIs), and vegetation fraction (VF) across growth stages. Among single-parameter biomass estimation models, the estimated height yields the best at the overall growth stage (R² = 0.935), whereas selected VIs perform the best at the non-seedling stage (R² = 0.851). For multi-parameters modeling, models combining height, VF, and VIs significantly outperform the single-parameter models, achieving better estimation results throughout each growth stage (Best R² = 0.951). Structural equation modeling clarifies the direct and indirect contributions of these parameters to biomass accumulation, revealing their synergistic effects. This study demonstrates the potential of UAV-based multi-parameter biomass estimation model to support more informed decisions in cover crop management and to advance broader precise agriculture practices. Additionally, the analytical framework developed here offers a transferable approach for high-resolution biomass monitoring in other crop systems. Full article

Currently, only a limited number of Mark–Houwink–Sakurada (MHS) equations are available for chitin, and their applicability is constrained by the narrow range of suitable solvent systems. The Mark–Houwink–Sakurada (MHS) equation is a widely used and practical approach for estimating polymer molecular weight from intrinsic viscosity measurements, particularly when chromatographic techniques are not readily accessible. This study aimed to establish new MHS equations for chitin to facilitate reliable molecular weight determination across different solvents and temperatures. Chitin samples with varying molecular weights were prepared via H₂O₂ degradation, and their weight-average molecular weights (Mw) were determined by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC). Intrinsic viscosity ([η]) was measured using a capillary viscometer at 25 and 30 °C in three solvent systems: 5% LiCl/N,N-dimethylacetamide (LiCl/DMAc), 8% NaOH/4% urea, and 10% NaOH/0.3% tannic acid (w/w). Double-logarithmic plots of Mw versus [η] were constructed to derive the corresponding MHS equations. At identical molecular weights and temperatures, intrinsic viscosity followed the order: LiCl/DMAc > NaOH/urea > NaOH/tannic acid. Increasing temperature led to higher intrinsic viscosity and conformation parameter (a) values. Chitin dissolved in LiCl/DMAc and NaOH/urea exhibited rod-like conformations, with a values ranging from 0.79 to 0.97, whereas chitin in NaOH/tannic acid displayed random coil behavior (a = 0.56–0.69). These established MHS equations expand the solvent applicability for chitin molecular weight determination and provide insights into its solution conformation under different chemical environments. Full article

The Brown Planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål.) (Hemiptera: Delphinidae), is one of the most destructive pests of rice. Its reproductive and developmental traits are influenced by various environmental and biological factors including endosymbiotic microorganisms. Arsenophonus, a widespread endosymbiotic bacterium of insects, can affect host fitness and metabolic processes. This study investigates the role of Arsenophonus in modulating the developmental and reproductive traits of N. lugens fed on transgenic cry30Fa1 rice (KF30-14) and its parent variety Minghui 86 (MH86). Life table analysis revealed that Arsenophonus infection (Ars⁺) increased the development time and reduced the reproductive capacity of N. lugens, especially those feeding on KF30-14. The first-instar nymphs in MH86 Ars⁺ (infected) exhibited slower development compared to MH86 Ars⁻ (uninfected). Similarly, the third and fourth-instar nymphs in KF30-14 Ars⁺ exhibited prolonged development time compared to KF30-14 Ars⁻. In addition, KF30-14 Ars⁺ females had significantly reduced reproductive capacity, smaller ovarian tubules and lower relative expression levels of reproduction-related genes including Trehalose transporter (Tret), Vitellogenin (Vg) and Cytochrome P450 hydroxylase (cyp314a1), while Juvenile hormone acid methyltransferase (JHAMT) expression was upregulated. RNA sequencing and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed significant enrichment of genes involved in lipid, amino acid, and vitamin metabolisms, with Long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase implicated as a key regulator of lipid metabolism and reproductive fitness. These results highlight the complex interactions between endosymbionts, host plants and pest biology, offering a solid foundation for sustainable approaches to control N. lugens in rice production systems. Full article

The influence of grape maturity over three consecutive years (2020–2022) on Merlot (Vitis vinifera L.) juice and wine chemical composition was investigated. Grapes were harvested at three time points (H1, H2, and H3) in weekly intervals. Despite the fact that vintage (environmental conditions) had a predominant effect on juice and wine chemical composition, clear separation of samples according to the harvest date was observed in all three vintages. Compounds with the highest contribution towards harvest date separation were common maturity-related juice and wine variables (titratable acidity, pH) as well as some volatiles, whereas differences in total soluble solids between dates were minor and often insignificant. In particular, concentrations of 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IBMP), (Z)-3-hexenol, and 1-hexenol in wines decreased with delayed harvest. All the more, concentrations of 3-mercaptohexanol (3MH) were the lowest in wines from H3 in all three years, whereas concentrations of 3-mercaptohexyl acetate (3MHA) and 4-mercapto-4-methylpentan-2-ol (4MMP) were not influenced by harvest date. Other compounds, such as esters and higher alcohols, with the exception of 1-propanol, did not exhibit a common trend related to the harvest date across three vintages. These results indicate that, during late ripening, harvest-related shifts in juice and wine composition occur even when differences in berry sugar concentration (TSS) at harvest are minor. Full article

Background: Alcohol is associated with increased mortality and morbidity globally. Pulmonary infections with opportunistic pathogens can occur in healthy humans; however, binge alcohol intoxication (≥0.08% BAC) is a major risk factor. We have previously shown that a single dose of alcohol comparable to binge alcohol intoxication increases infection by reducing alveolar macrophage function in vivo. Sulforaphane (SFN), a phytonutrient, is a potent inducer of antioxidant production through the induction of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer (NF-kB) pathway. The aim of this study was to test the therapeutic potential of SFN given as a pretreatment to prevent alcohol-induced phagocytic dysfunction. Methods: Intracellular phagocytic killing was measured via colony-forming units (CFU) and cytokine expression via ELISA. G. mellonella survival was used to determine the therapeutic potential of SFN in vivo. Results: Dose–response curves indicated that SFN concentrations of less than 20 µM were not cytotoxic in either MH-S (murine) or THP-1 (human) cells. Live infection assay results showed that MH-S and THP-1 cells pretreated with SFN (5 µM) and challenged with 0.2% (v/v) alcohol for 3 or 8 h prior to live B. thailandensis or S. epidermidis infection improved intracellular pathogen killing between 12- and 20-fold compared to macrophages treated with alcohol alone. ELISA analysis indicated that SFN significantly reduced levels of Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) expression at 3 and 8 h compared to controls. Additionally, a Galleria mellonella larvae model demonstrated greater survivability in the prophylaxis group compared to larvae exposed to either Gram-positive or Gram-negative pathogens, as well as in groups that received alcohol prior to pathogen inoculation. Conclusions: Taken together, SFN-induced cytoprotection was extended beyond in vitro cell culture to include an in vivo G. mellonella model demonstrating protection against Gram-positive and negative opportunistic pathogens. These data demonstrate that SFN may be an effective pretreatment option to prevent alcohol-mediated innate immune dysfunction and restore macrophage phagocytic killing. Full article

A microwave–hydrothermal (M-H) method was developed for synthesizing barium silicate from solutions of barium salts and sodium silicate. Advanced techniques (DTA, XRD, IR spectroscopy, SEM and TEM) were used to study the optical, granulometric, electrical and other functional characteristics of barium silicate. BaSiO₃ synthesized at 100 °C is an amorphous nano-sized powder (10–20 nm); however, the product synthesized at 240 °C has a crystalline structure (20–27 nm), whereas the crystalline phase of BaSiO₃ is typically obtained using known methods at temperatures above 400 °C (12–40 nm). During M-H synthesis, it was found that the structure formation mechanism and particle size of BaSiO₃ changed due to the peculiar features of microwave heating. The synthesized barium metasilicate exhibits a high diffuse reflectance coefficient of 92%. It is a wide-band-gap semiconductor with a band gap width of Eg = 4.1 eV. Both amorphous and crystalline phases of BaSiO₃ exhibit high photocatalytic activity in the UV range. This study shows that the developed M-H method enables the production of nano-sized powder and enhances the functional properties of barium silicate. Compared with conventional methods, the M-H method is more efficient due to reduced synthesis time and lower energy costs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Refractory macular holes (MHs) that persist after conventional internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling pose a significant surgical challenge. In this study, we analyzed the anatomical and functional outcomes of epiretinal human amniotic membrane (hAM) transplantation in patients with MHs. Methods: This retrospective study included 10 eyes of 10 patients with refractory MHs. All patients underwent 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy, epiretinal cryopreserved hAM transplantation, and C3F8 gas tamponade. The large hAM graft was placed over the macula with the stromal side facing the retina. Preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings, and MH dimensions were recorded. Results: The mean follow-up period was 7 months (range: 3–14 months). The mean preoperative minimum linear diameter and base diameter of the MHs were 715 ± 212 μm and 1114 ± 258 μm, respectively. Anatomical closure was achieved in all patients (100%). Postoperative OCT revealed rearrangement of the inner and other retinal layers in 7 out of 10 patients (70%), with partial restoration of the outer retinal layers. The mean logMAR BCVA improved significantly from 1.60 ± 0.37 preoperatively to 1.00 ± 0.45 postoperatively (p < 0.001). No graft dislocation, rejection, or other significant complications were observed. Conclusions: Our preliminary results suggest that epiretinal human amniotic membrane transplantation is a feasible and promising surgical technique for achieving anatomical closure and functional improvement in refractory macular holes in which conventional ILM peeling has failed. Full article

Background/Objectives: While triptans remain the standard of care for moderate-to-severe migraine, the high discontinuation rates and remarkably low prescribing rates of triptans reflect suboptimal therapeutic optimization. Methods: This retrospective cohort study utilized data from Maccabi Healthcare Services (MHS), the second-largest healthcare provider in Israel, spanning 10 years (2012–2022). We identified naïve triptan users aged 21 years or older and evaluated triptan initiation and discontinuation patterns. Median time to discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Results: Of 2.8 million MHS members, 91,619 (3.4%) individuals had at least one triptan dispensation or prescription during the study period, including 41,297 triptan-naïve patients who met the study criteria. The median age at triptan initiation was 38.4 years (interquartile range: 28.2–48.0), and 75.6% were female. Overall, the median time to discontinuation was 7.7 months (95% confidence interval: 7.1–8.4). Discontinuation occurred in 70% of the cohort, with approximately 74% of triptan users purchasing only a single triptan formulation throughout the study period. Subgroup analyses by age, sex, socioeconomic status, and anxiety/depression prevalence demonstrated consistent discontinuation patterns across demographic and clinical characteristics, with median time to discontinuation remaining under 12 months in nearly all subgroups. Annual median time to discontinuation consistently remained under 12 months throughout the study period while showing a significant decreasing trend. Conclusions: The low rates of triptan use and high discontinuation rates suggest a possible undertreatment of migraine in Israel. These results highlight the need for improved patient and physician education, and enhanced follow-up protocols. Full article

Effective treatment of coal slime water is essential for sustainable coal preparation plant operation but hindered by the stable suspension of fine, negatively charged particles. To address this, a novel star-shaped inorganic–organic hybrid polymer (aluminum hydroxide-polyacrylamide, Al-PAM) was synthesized via in situ polymerization. Its performance was systematically compared with well-established coagulants/flocculants—polyaluminum chloride (PAC), non-ionic polyacrylamide (NPAM), and their binary combination through settling tests and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). The results showed a positive correlation between the molecular weight of Al-PAM and its flocculation efficiency. The optimal variant, Al-PAM-442, achieved an exceptionally high initial settling rate (50.4 m/h) and low supernatant turbidity (45.77 NTU) at an ultralow dosage of 6 mg/L. QCM-D analysis elucidated the mechanism: Al-PAM forms a thick, soft, and irreversibly adsorbed hydrated layer on silica, enabling strong electrostatic anchoring and effective polymer bridging. In contrast, PAC adsorption was reversible, while NPAM formed a thin, compact film with poor bridging capacity. Although the combined PAC/NPAM system showed synergistic performance, it required a significantly higher dosage (70 mg/L). This study demonstrates that the star-shaped Al-PAM architecture successfully integrates charge neutralization and bridging into a single molecule, offering a highly efficient and practical solution for industrial coal slurry dewatering. Full article

The resource utilization of keratin waste has garnered significant attention, yet the processing of yak hair keratin in underdeveloped regions such as Tibet and Qinghai in China remains challenging. This study addresses these concerns by carbonizing yak hair keratin waste using a steam flash explosion (SFE) technique for 150 s, which is followed by activation with KOH at various ratios and subsequent to produce activated carbon (AC) samples. The AC was then combined with sodium alginate (Alg) at different ratios, pH and applied voltage to yield AC−Alg gel microbeads using an electrospinning method. The characterization of the AC and AC–Alg gel microbeads was conducted using SEM, BET, TG, and FT-IR analysis. In adsorption studies, AC−Alg_0.5U gel microbeads prepared with optimized conditions (pH 7, 11 kV, 19 G needle) were used to remove dyes (methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO)) and antibiotic minocycline hydrochloride (MH). Various parameters such as temperature, pH, and adsorbent dose were optimized to obtain the maximum adsorption performance under model concentrations. The experimental results showed that the AC−Alg_0.5U gel microbeads can effectively adsorb MB and MO with adsorption capacities of 1038.9 mg/g and 206.2 mg/g, respectively. Moreover, the microbeads had the best adsorption performance for MH (1694.2 mg/g), with the kinetics most accurately represented by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R² = 0.999), and the isotherm followed the Langmuir model (R² = 0.984). The microbeads maintained a high adsorption capacity of 75% after six cycles. The composite gel microbeads not only utilize yak hair keratin waste but also will be used as durable and favorable adsorbents for the removal of pollutants. Full article

Endoscopic biliary drainage using self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) is a standard palliative therapy for cholangitis and obstructive jaundice caused by malignant distal biliary obstruction (MDBO). Fully-covered SEMSs (FC-SEMSs) prevent tumor ingrowth and provide longer patency; however, recent advances in chemotherapy have increased stent migration due to tumor shrinkage, resulting in reduced functional patency compared with uncovered SEMSs. Partially covered SEMSs can reduce migration but are often difficult to remove after deployment. In addition, adverse events such as acute pancreatitis and cholecystitis remain a concern with FC-SEMSs. To address these limitations, Dr. Kobayashi introduced a novel porous SEMS with multiple side holes in the covering membrane (MH-SEMSs) in 2019. This design allows limited bile duct epithelial ingrowth through side holes, providing anchorage while maintaining removability. The side-hole structure may also reduce cholecystitis and pancreatitis by preserving flow through the pancreatic and cystic duct orifices. Over five years since their introduction, clinical evidence supporting MH-SEMSs has steadily increased. This review summarizes current data and explores future perspectives for MH-SEMS use in MDBO management. Full article

Inter-Satellite Link (ISL) technology in GNSS constellations improves Monitoring and Control (M&C), data dissemination, and accuracy of ODTS products. ISL-enabled networks can distribute data via Single (SH) or Multiple Hop (MH) routing logics: this work analyzes the performance and robustness of a MH RTR (Real-Time Ring) network both in nominal conditions and in the presence of ISL payloads failures (e.g., due to aging). The KPIs are assessed under no ground intervention upon failure detection and with ground-initiated mitigation actions like contact replanning and satellite isolation. Performance is measured by data dissemination time from generation to target satellites. Recommendations for improving network strategies and future work are discussed. Full article

This study aims to clarify the influence mechanisms of core operating and structural parameters and provide targeted theoretical support for the optimized design and industrial application of metal hydride (MH) hydrogen storage systems. For this purpose, a two-dimensional axisymmetric numerical model was established to characterize the MH adsorption/desorption processes, which was validated by its consistency with previous experimental data. The innovation lies in clarifying the optimization sensitivity and priority of each parameter in the hydrogen adsorption and desorption processes and further revealing the intrinsic mechanism of parameter coupling on the system’s reaction and thermal performance. Results show that the initial temperature is most critical: 303 K shortens adsorption time by 30% (vs. 323 K), while 323 K cuts desorption time by 50%. Optimal adsorption pressure is 8–10 bar; 0.4 bar outlet pressure reduces desorption time by 37%. Enhancing heat transfer and thermal conductivity significantly shortens reaction times, while porosity has a limited impact. These findings advance the fundamental understanding of metal hydride systems and facilitate their transition from laboratory-scale research to industrial implementation. Full article