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27 pages, 3840 KiB  
Article
A Study of Monthly Precipitation Timeseries from Argentina (Corrientes, Córdoba, Buenos Aires, and Bahía Blanca) for the Period of 1860–2023
by Pablo O. Canziani, S. Gabriela Lakkis and Adrián E. Yuchechen
Atmosphere 2025, 16(8), 914; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16080914 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 183
Abstract
This study investigates the long-term variability and extremes of monthly precipitation during 150 years or more at 4 locations in Argentina: Corrientes, Córdoba, Buenos Aires, and Bahía Blanca. Annual and seasonal trends, extreme dry and wet months over the whole period, and the [...] Read more.
This study investigates the long-term variability and extremes of monthly precipitation during 150 years or more at 4 locations in Argentina: Corrientes, Córdoba, Buenos Aires, and Bahía Blanca. Annual and seasonal trends, extreme dry and wet months over the whole period, and the relationships between large-scale climate drivers and monthly rainfall are considered. Results show that, except for Córdoba, the complete anomaly timeseries trend analysis for all other stations yielded null trends over the centennial study period. Considerable month-to-month variability is observed for all locations together with the existence of low-frequency decadal to interdecadal variability, both for monthly precipitation anomalies and for statistically significant excess and deficit months. Linear fits considering oceanic climate indicators as drivers of variability yield significant differences between locations, while not between full records and seasonally sampled. Issues regarding the use of linear analysis to quantify variability, the dispersion along the timeline of record extreme rainy months at each location, together with the evidence of severe daily precipitation events not necessarily coinciding with the ranking of the rainiest months at each location, highlights the challenges of understanding the drivers of variability of both monthly and severe daily precipitation and the need of using extended centennial timeseries whenever possible. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Meteorology)
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11 pages, 5211 KiB  
Proceeding Paper
Leveraging Data Science for Impactful Logistics Automatons in the E-Commerce Sector
by Nabila Belhaj, Jérémy Patrix, Ouail Oulmakki and Jérôme Verny
Eng. Proc. 2025, 97(1), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2025097031 - 16 Jun 2025
Viewed by 373
Abstract
Automation technologies play a pivotal role in optimizing logistics operations within warehouse facilities. Retail companies invest in these technologies to maintain pace with the customers demands by increasing their production capacity while reducing their financial expenses. In this paper, we conduct a study [...] Read more.
Automation technologies play a pivotal role in optimizing logistics operations within warehouse facilities. Retail companies invest in these technologies to maintain pace with the customers demands by increasing their production capacity while reducing their financial expenses. In this paper, we conduct a study on warehouse automation in the European e-commerce sector by analyzing historical data from three fulfillment centers. Accordingly, we explore diverse data science approaches applied to trained machine learning models to determine the automatons that have the greatest impact on financial costs. The purpose is to support supply chain managers in identifying the most profitable logistics automatons that merit consideration in future automation projects. The study offers a comprehensive analysis that encourages e-commerce companies to invest in tailored automation for future warehouse installations. Full article
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36 pages, 4764 KiB  
Article
The Southern Hemisphere Blocking Index in the ERA5 and the NCEP/NCAR Datasets: A Comparative Climatology for the Period 1940–2022
by Adrián E. Yuchechen, Susan G. Lakkis and Pablo O. Canziani
Atmosphere 2025, 16(6), 719; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16060719 - 13 Jun 2025
Viewed by 424
Abstract
Blocking anticyclones are important atmospheric phenomena generally associated with extreme weather (e.g., droughts and cold air surges). Blockings also constitute large-scale indicators of climate change. The study of blockings in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) has been traditionally carried out utilizing reanalysis products. This [...] Read more.
Blocking anticyclones are important atmospheric phenomena generally associated with extreme weather (e.g., droughts and cold air surges). Blockings also constitute large-scale indicators of climate change. The study of blockings in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) has been traditionally carried out utilizing reanalysis products. This paper is aimed at presenting an updated, comprehensive climatology of blockings in the SH as extracted from the ERA5 and the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis datasets in the 1940–2022 and 1948–2022 periods, respectively. Blockings were located by means of a unidimensional index at 500 hPa. The results were stratified by season, longitude, region, persistence, and intensity, and the climatology from both datasets was compared. The primary location of blockings was close to the Date Line in every season. Additionally, depending on the season, up to fourth-rank maxima could be located. Generally, the secondary maxima were found in the south Atlantic; lower-order maxima were located in the south-eastern Pacific, west of South America, and in the south-western Indian Ocean east of South Africa. The most intense blockings were concentrated in the Pacific and in the south Atlantic in both datasets, and they were also located in the Indian Ocean, but in the ERA5 reanalysis only. The longest-lived blockings occurred in the south Pacific and in the south Atlantic during southern winter. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Southern Hemisphere Climate Dynamics)
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23 pages, 970 KiB  
Article
Meaning in Music Framed: The Four ‘Eff’ Processes (Fit, Affiliation, Facilitation, and Fluency)
by Emery Schubert and Anthony Chmiel
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(4), 546; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15040546 - 17 Apr 2025
Viewed by 867
Abstract
Music can evoke powerful, positive, and meaningful experiences, but how does its potential to evoke such experiences come about? Listening to the music itself is critical, but referents (the thoughts, ideas, events, and affects associated with the music) are also relevant. We found [...] Read more.
Music can evoke powerful, positive, and meaningful experiences, but how does its potential to evoke such experiences come about? Listening to the music itself is critical, but referents (the thoughts, ideas, events, and affects associated with the music) are also relevant. We found a lack of understanding in the literature regarding the processes through which music evokes meaning through referents. To address this lacuna, we built on modern conceptions of framing theory. The following four framing processes were proposed, with each acting on different time scales (shortest [S] to longest [L]), and with an increasingly top-down [T] influence: (1) fluency [S]—the ease with which the accompanying information (about the music) can be mentally processed, with easy-to-process material leading to ‘increased preference/positive evaluation of the music’ [IPPE]; (2) facilitation—the content of the messaging directly influences IPPE, for example, when referring to the beauty of the music or the talent of the composer; (3) affiliation—when social influences imbue the music with meaning; and (4) fit [L, T]—when the other processes lead to long-term personal and cultural IPPE through norms and habits. Together, these processes can be applied to provide a comprehensive account of how musical meaning and preferences are developed. Three case studies show how these processes can be applied to the extant literature: why negatively framed music only has a relatively small (negative) impact on IPPE; why adding crowd sounds to recorded music only has a small effect; and how ‘labels’ such as Beethoven and Mozart become established and then impose top-down influence on music’s meaning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Music Listening as Exploratory Behavior)
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11 pages, 503 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Background Music on Flow, Work Engagement and Task Performance: A Randomized Controlled Study
by Yuwen Sun
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(4), 416; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15040416 - 25 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2107
Abstract
The widespread adoption of background music in workplaces contrasts with the inconsistent empirical evidence regarding its cognitive effects, particularly concerning how music types influence the sequential pathway from flow states to work engagement and task performance. While prior research identifies flow and engagement [...] Read more.
The widespread adoption of background music in workplaces contrasts with the inconsistent empirical evidence regarding its cognitive effects, particularly concerning how music types influence the sequential pathway from flow states to work engagement and task performance. While prior research identifies flow and engagement as potential mediators, theoretical conflicts persist regarding their temporal dynamics and susceptibility to auditory habituation. This study tested three hypotheses: (1) music type indirectly affects performance through flow–engagement mediation, (2) high-arousal music impairs while structured compositions (e.g., Mozart’s K448) enhance this pathway, and (3) repeated exposure diminishes music’s efficacy. A two-phase longitudinal experiment with 428 Chinese undergraduates employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze data from randomized groups (control, high-arousal, low-arousal, and Mozart K448), completing Backward Digit Span tasks under controlled auditory conditions. The results confirmed Mozart K448’s superior immediate mediation effect (β = 0.118, 95% CI [0.072, 0.181]) compared to high-arousal music’s detrimental impact (β = −0.112, 95% CI [−0.182, −0.056]), with flow fully mediating engagement’s influence on performance. A longitudinal analysis revealed a 53% attenuation in Mozart’s flow-enhancing effect after a 30-day familiarization (B = 0.150 vs. baseline 0.321), though residual benefits persisted. These findings reconcile the cognitive tuning and arousal–mood hypotheses by proposing a hybrid model where music initially operates through a novelty-driven dopamine release before transitioning to schema-based cognitive priming. Practically, the results advocate tiered auditory strategies: deploying structured music during skill acquisition phases while rotating selections to counter habituation. The study highlights the cultural specificity in auditory processing, challenging universal prescriptions and underscoring the need for localized music policies. By integrating flow theory with neurocognitive habituation models, this research advances evidence-based guidelines for optimizing workplace auditory environments. Full article
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19 pages, 4473 KiB  
Article
Music of Different Tones Maintains Intestinal Immunity by Regulating the Intestinal Barrier and Intestinal Microbiota
by Yong Zhang, Minghang Chang, Hongyu Wang, Qiang Xue, Yuanyuan Liu, Haidong Wei, Jun Bao and Jianhong Li
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(6), 2482; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26062482 - 11 Mar 2025
Viewed by 13308
Abstract
Music as an environmental factor can maintain intestinal health in animals, but it is unclear whether this effect is influenced by the tones of the music. In this study, 100 Kunming white mice were randomly divided into control group (C group) with no [...] Read more.
Music as an environmental factor can maintain intestinal health in animals, but it is unclear whether this effect is influenced by the tones of the music. In this study, 100 Kunming white mice were randomly divided into control group (C group) with no music, and three music groups were exposed to Mozart K.448 in D, A and G tone (D group, A group and G group), respectively. To study the effects of different tones of Mozart K.448 on intestinal barrier and intestinal microbiota, mice were given musical stimulation from 1 to 63 days of age. The results showed that no apparent abnormalities were observed in the structure of ileum among groups. The mRNA expression levels of genes related to intestinal physical barrier (Claudin-1, Claudin-12, ZO-2, Mucin2, ZO-1 and Claudin-5) were significantly higher in music groups than those in C group (p < 0.05), and the mRNA expression levels of intestinal barrier genes in D group were the highest (p < 0.05). The levels of intestinal mucosal permeability (DAO and D-lactate) in D group were significantly lower than those in other groups (p < 0.05). Ileum HSP60 mRNA level in D group were significantly lower than that in other groups (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression level of IgA was significantly higher in music groups than C group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the mRNA and protein expression levels of IgG were significantly higher in D group than other groups (p < 0.05). Music stimulation increased the abundance of beneficial microbiota, such as Lactobacillus and Sporosarcina (p < 0.05). Mozart K.448 can strengthen intestinal barrier function to reduce intestinal permeability and improve intestinal immunity, while also having a positive significance in promoting the colonization of beneficial intestinal microbiota. In addition, the effect of tone D was more significant. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Microbiology)
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25 pages, 362 KiB  
Article
Music Drama as a Christian Parable: Mozart’s Idomeneo
by Nils Holger Petersen
Religions 2025, 16(1), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010086 - 16 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1252
Abstract
This article discusses Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s opera Idomeneo: Re di Creta (1781, to a text by Giambattista Varesco) as a Christian parable in the historical context of its genesis. Mozart’s Idomeneo is based on a short episode in François Fénelon’s Télémaque, but [...] Read more.
This article discusses Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s opera Idomeneo: Re di Creta (1781, to a text by Giambattista Varesco) as a Christian parable in the historical context of its genesis. Mozart’s Idomeneo is based on a short episode in François Fénelon’s Télémaque, but also on Antoine Danchet’s adaptation of this episode for the theater in his tragédie lyrique Idoménée (1712; set to music by André Campra). In important aspects, Mozart’s Idomeneo changed the narrative with a marked independence of Fénelon as well as Danchet. In recent scholarship, important new information has come to light concerning Mozart’s composition of the Oracle scene, constituting the dénouement of the music drama. Based partly on these new insights, I attempt to provide a picture of a basic spiritual intention governing Mozart’s composition of the opera for the Carnival season of 1781 at the Munich court. Mozart’s Idomeneo is a Christian sacrifice drama modeled on the Aqedah (the sacrifice of Isaac; Gen 22: 1–14), which, in Christian traditions, is understood typologically as pointing to the Passion of Christ. Oppositely, Fénélon’s and Danchet’s versions rather correspond to the biblical story of Jephthah (Judges 11: 29–30). In a brief concluding section of this article, I also discuss the contemporary cultural importance of reading a classical opera such as Mozart’s Idomeneo as a conscious product of Enlightened Christianity. In modern times, ecclesiastical boundaries and religious doctrines often seem to matter little in the music and theater culture of the Western world; classical opera is often staged more in order to respond to contemporary political or social issues than to communicate the original intentions of its creators (the so-called Regieoper). I argue that Idomeneo, with its historical intention, potentially can have an impact in a cultural theology (or a theologically informed modern worldview), and further, in dialogue with a recent volume discussing the “music of theology”, that such a role for a piece of music must be developed in concrete musical (or music dramatic) contexts, not as a general philosophical contention. Mozart’s Idomeneo may work in a modern cultural context because it functions as a parable, easily understandable also in a modern political or social context, because of its deep human (psychological) insight and the empathy brought to bear on all the characters of the opera. Full article
14 pages, 561 KiB  
Article
Cashew Gum (Anacardium occidentale) Hydrogel for Sustainable Irrigation of Cactus Pear: Effects on Growth, Chemical Composition, and Mineral Content
by Dhiéssica Barros, Ricardo Edvan, João Paulo Pessoa, Romilda Nascimento, Luan Felipe Camboim, Shirlenne Silva, José Morais Pereira Filho, Heldeney Sousa, Edson Cavalcanti Silva-Filho, Mozart Fonseca and Leilson Bezerra
Sustainability 2025, 17(2), 501; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17020501 - 10 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1242
Abstract
Hydrogels are substances designed to retain significant quantities of water and slowly release it to support plant growth. This study produced and evaluated the use of a test hydrogel (TH), a natural polymer derived from cashew gum (Anacardium occidentale), on the [...] Read more.
Hydrogels are substances designed to retain significant quantities of water and slowly release it to support plant growth. This study produced and evaluated the use of a test hydrogel (TH), a natural polymer derived from cashew gum (Anacardium occidentale), on the growth, chemical composition, and mineral content of cactus pear genotypes. The TH was compared to a negative control (no hydrogel; NH), and to a positive control or commercial hydrogel (CH). The CH was a synthetic polyacrylamide-based hydrogel. The study was carried out in a completely randomized design with a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement (n = 36), involving three hydrogel types × three cactus pear genotypes [Elephant Ear (Opuntia stricta); Giant (Opuntia ficus-indica); and Sweet (Nopalea cochenillifera)]. There was a significant effect of interaction (p ≤ 0.05) between genotypes and hydrogel types on cladode area, plant height, dry biomass of cladodes, and macro- and micromineral content. The use of TH promoted greater growth and improved chemical and mineral composition (p ≤ 0.05) to cactus genotypes. The Sweet genotype hydrated with TH presented the highest crude protein accumulation (p ≤ 0.05). Cashew gum-based hydrogel improved both growth and chemical composition of the cactus genotypes, and it is an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic polymers. Full article
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20 pages, 1086 KiB  
Review
Exploring the Structural Diversity and Biotechnological Potential of the Rhodophyte Phycolectome
by Éllen F. Rodrigues, Flavia Alves Verza, Felipe Garcia Nishimura, Renê Oliveira Beleboni, Cedric Hermans, Kaat Janssens, Maarten Lieven De Mol, Paco Hulpiau and Mozart Marins
Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23010008 - 26 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1316
Abstract
Lectins are non-covalent glycan-binding proteins found in all living organisms, binding specifically to carbohydrates through glycan-binding domains. Lectins have various biological functions, including cell signaling, molecular recognition, and innate immune responses, which play multiple roles in the physiological and developmental processes of organisms. [...] Read more.
Lectins are non-covalent glycan-binding proteins found in all living organisms, binding specifically to carbohydrates through glycan-binding domains. Lectins have various biological functions, including cell signaling, molecular recognition, and innate immune responses, which play multiple roles in the physiological and developmental processes of organisms. Moreover, their diversity enables biotechnological exploration as biomarkers, biosensors, drug-delivery platforms, and lead molecules for anticancer, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial drugs. Lectins from Rhodophytes (red seaweed) have been extensively reported and characterized for their unique molecular structures, carbohydrate-binding specificities, and important biological activities. The increasing number of sequenced Rhodophyte genomes offers the opportunity to further study this rich source of lectins, potentially uncovering new ones with properties significantly different from their terrestrial plant counterparts, thus opening new biotechnological applications. We compiled literature data and conducted an in-depth analysis of the phycolectomes from all Rhodophyta genomes available in NCBI datasets. Using Hidden Markov Models capable of identifying lectin-type domains, we found at least six different types of lectin domains present in Rhodophytes, demonstrating their potential in identifying new lectins. This review integrates a computational analysis of the Rhodophyte phycolectome with existing information on red algae lectins and their biotechnological potential. Full article
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15 pages, 919 KiB  
Article
Essential Oil-Based Soap with Clove and Oregano: A Promising Antifungal and Antibacterial Alternative against Multidrug-Resistant Microorganisms
by Ana Paula Merino Cruz, Felipe Garcia Nishimura, Vinícius Cristian Oti dos Santos, Eliana Guedes Steling, Marcia Regina Von Zeska Kress, Mozart Marins and Ana Lucia Fachin
Molecules 2024, 29(19), 4682; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29194682 - 2 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4242
Abstract
The transmission of microorganisms via hands is a critical factor in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), underscoring the importance of rigorous hand hygiene. The rise of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms, driven in part by the overuse of antibiotics in clinical medicine, presents a significant global health challenge. [...] Read more.
The transmission of microorganisms via hands is a critical factor in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), underscoring the importance of rigorous hand hygiene. The rise of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms, driven in part by the overuse of antibiotics in clinical medicine, presents a significant global health challenge. Antimicrobial soaps, although commonly used, may exacerbate bacterial resistance and disrupt skin microbiota, posing additional health risks and environmental hazards. Essential oils, with their broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, offer a promising alternative. This study evaluates the antimicrobial activity of essential oils against various bacterial and fungal strains, including multidrug-resistant isolates. Using a range of in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial assays, including minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC), and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC), the essential oils were tested against a broad spectrum of pathogens. Additionally, the chemical composition of the oils was analyzed in detail using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (CG–MS). Clove, oregano, and thyme oils demonstrated potent inhibition of all tested ATCC bacterial strains, with MIC values ranging from 3.125 to 50 μL/mL. These oils also showed significant activity against multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Notably, clove oil exhibited remarkable efficacy against fungal strains such as Aspergillus fumigatus and Trichophyton rubrum, with MIC values as low as 1.56 μL/mL. Synergy tests revealed that combinations of clove, oregano, and thyme oils yielded significantly lower MIC values than individual oils, indicating additive or synergistic effects. The formulation of a soap incorporating clove and oregano oils demonstrated efficacy comparable to synthetic antiseptics in vivo. These findings highlight the exceptional antimicrobial potential of essential oils, mainly clove and oregano, against resistant microorganisms, offering a viable alternative to conventional antimicrobial agents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Natural Products and Their Biological Activities)
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15 pages, 851 KiB  
Article
Changes in the Fatty Acid Composition of Vegetable Oils Affect the Feeding Behavior, Feed Preference, and Thermoregulatory Responses of Sheep
by Évyla Layssa G. Andrade, José M. Pereira Filho, Kevily Henrique de O. S. de Lucena, Yuri C. S. Barreto, Ronaldo L. Oliveira, Bonifácio B. de Sousa, Antônio Fernando de M. Vaz, Juliana Paula F. de Oliveira, Mozart A. Fonseca and Leilson R. Bezerra
Ruminants 2024, 4(3), 433-447; https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants4030031 - 7 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1929
Abstract
This research evaluated the effects of energy supplementation on sheep’s feeding behavior, feed preference, and thermoregulatory responses using technical cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) and different vegetable oils with different unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) compositions. The experiment was completely randomized with five treatments: a [...] Read more.
This research evaluated the effects of energy supplementation on sheep’s feeding behavior, feed preference, and thermoregulatory responses using technical cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) and different vegetable oils with different unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) compositions. The experiment was completely randomized with five treatments: a mixture of CNSL (0.5%) + vegetable oils [canola (high in monounsaturated fatty acids—MUFA), and corn, soybean, sunflower, or cottonseed oil (high in polyunsaturated fatty acids-PUFA) at 1.5%] based on total diet dry matter, with eight replications. Forty uncastrated male sheep, with an average initial BW of 24.44 ± 1.5 kg, were evaluated for 70 days. The CNSL + vegetable oil blend did not affect DM and neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) intake (p > 0.05). However, diets with canola oil resulted in higher SFA intake (p < 0.05) than other oils. The canola oil + CNSL blend led to a higher intake of UFA and MUFA and lower PUFA intake than other oil blends (p < 0.05). Sheep fed canola oil ruminated fewer boli per day than those fed soybean and sunflower oils. Using three sieves (pef1.18) reflected in higher sheep aNDF intake. Respiratory frequency and surface temperature of sheep were lower before feeding than 3 h after, without effects of the type of oil. Higher serum creatinine and cholesterol levels were observed in sheep fed CNSL with corn and canola oils compared to other oils. Serum calcium was lower in sheep fed CNSL with soybean and canola compared to sunflower and corn. Including CNSL with vegetable oils with different FA compositions did not affect physiological and thermographic variables. However, sheep showed better diet selectivity and lower bolus rumination with higher MUFA (canola oil) content. Including CNSL with canola oil in sheep diets is recommended, as it increases dietary energy content, enhances diet selectivity, reduces PUFA intake, and does not impact animal health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers of Ruminants 2024–2025)
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15 pages, 4471 KiB  
Article
Plasma Gasification of a Simulated Low-Level Radioactive Waste: Co, Cs, Sr, and Ce Retention Efficiency
by Juan Ariel Pullao, Franco Emmanuel Benedetto, Gian Franco Binetti Basterrechea, Leonardo Andrés Neira Poblete, Diana Carolina Lago and Miguel Oscar Prado
Processes 2024, 12(9), 1919; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12091919 - 6 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1260
Abstract
Thermal plasma is a versatile technology that can be used to treat various types of wastes, including vegetal and mineral oils, solvents, plastics, paper and cardboard, glasses, bricks and rocks, metals, clothes, and mixtures of these materials. In this study, we utilized a [...] Read more.
Thermal plasma is a versatile technology that can be used to treat various types of wastes, including vegetal and mineral oils, solvents, plastics, paper and cardboard, glasses, bricks and rocks, metals, clothes, and mixtures of these materials. In this study, we utilized a commercial plasma cutter as a thermal plasma source to decrease the volume of a simulated low-level radioactive mixed solid waste. The simulated waste included papers, plastics, clothes, gloves, metals, and stable Co, Cs, Sr, and Ce additives as surrogates of 60Co, 137Cs, 90Sr, and 144Ce, respectively, the latter being typical contaminants in nuclear LLW. As a result of the process, two products were obtained: a solid phase, on which we focused this work, and a gaseous phase. To retain as many as surrogates as possible in the solid final phase, crushed glass from broken bottles was included as a vitrification additive to the original waste. After undergoing heat treatment, a dense vitreous slag was produced along with ashes. The process resulted in a volume reduction of 70%, indicating the successful gasification of organic excess materials. The surrogate elements were retained in the process and were found in the ashes composition: Co (3.4% w/w), Cs (37.7% w/w), and Ce (0.6% w/w) and in the glass matrix composition of Co, Cs, Sr and Ce: 72.4 ± 14.7, 32 ± 18.2, 125.3 ± 31.6, 80 ± 13.1% w/w, respectively. For the actual experimental conditions, retention efficiencies were estimated for cobalt (Co) at 72.4 ± 14.7%, cerium (Ce) at 80 ± 13.1%, strontium (Sr) at 125.3 ± 31.6%, and notably cesium (Cs) at 32 ± 18.2%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Wastewater and Solid Waste Treatment Processes)
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14 pages, 2926 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Multispectral Indices as a Tool for Segmenting and Quantifying the Seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii in a Commercial Cultivation System
by Marcel M. Innocentini, Ellen F. Rodrigues, Juliano K. Mathion, Edilson Carlos Caritá, Lisandro Simão and Mozart Marins
Biomass 2024, 4(3), 933-946; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomass4030052 - 2 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2055
Abstract
The red seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii is an economically important gelling agent κappa carrageenan source. Phytochemical analysis has pointed to the presence of various other inorganic and organic compounds, which are expanding the application of biomass as a biostimulant in the agroindustry and as [...] Read more.
The red seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii is an economically important gelling agent κappa carrageenan source. Phytochemical analysis has pointed to the presence of various other inorganic and organic compounds, which are expanding the application of biomass as a biostimulant in the agroindustry and as a source of new bioactive molecules in the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. Native to Southeast Asia, K. alvarezii has been introduced as an exotic species in Brazil for commercial large-scale farming. Nowadays, legal farming areas are located in the South and on the South-East coast, but with initiatives to be authorized in the country’s Northeast. The biomass yield in a large-scale farming system can be affected by cultivation techniques and environmental stressors, such as temperature, salinity, water quality, disease, and predators. The use of high-resolution images obtained with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV or drones) is becoming a popular technology in agriculture, and it has the potential to be employed in seaweed farming to extract a variety of variables and features to predict biomass yield throughout the cultivation period. The present study was conducted to analyze and select multispectral indices obtained from images collected by drone for the detection and quantification of K. alvarezii in a commercial cultivation environment in Brazil. Frequency analysis of pixel values, statistical analyses, and visual interpretations for 24 pre-selected indices was applied according to scores attributed to the efficiency of image segmentation. This analysis resulted in the selection of four indices (ABDI1, ABDI2, CIG, and GNDVI) as the best ones for the segmentation of images in the K. alvarezii commercial farms analyzed. The data obtained are the first step in improving the analysis process of images generated by drones, which will facilitate decision-making and better management, and help scale-up K. alvarezii farming in Brazil. Full article
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10 pages, 284 KiB  
Article
Impact of Classical Music Listening on Cognitive and Functional Performances in Middle-Aged Women
by Fatma Ben Waer, Dan Iulian Alexe, Cristina Ioana Alexe, Özgür Eken, Laurian Ioan Păun and Sonia Sahli
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(15), 6779; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14156779 - 2 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 6539
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of listening to classical music on functional (upper and lower body strength, functional mobility and aerobic endurance) and cognitive (attentional capacities and working memory (WM)) performances in women aged between 50 and 60 [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of listening to classical music on functional (upper and lower body strength, functional mobility and aerobic endurance) and cognitive (attentional capacities and working memory (WM)) performances in women aged between 50 and 60 years old. A total of 24 middle-aged women were enrolled to participate in this study. Their functional and cognitive performances were assessed under two-auditory conditions (no-music vs. with music conditions) using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test for functional mobility, the Arm Curl test and 30 s Chair Stand Tests for the upper and lower body strength, respectively, and the 2 min Step test for aerobic endurance. To assess the attentional capacities and the WM, a simple reaction time (SRT) test and Corsi Block-Tapping Task were used, respectively. As a result, we found that listening to music significantly decreased the scores of the TUG test (p < 0.001) and capacities (p < 0.05), and increased the 2 min Step test values (p < 0.001) compared to the no-music condition. However, no significant changes were found for the upper and lower body strength and WM. We conclude that listening to classical music, i.e., Mozart’s Symphony, is effective in improving functional mobility, aerobic endurance and attentional capacities in middle-aged women. However, these gains were absent for muscle strength and WM, suggesting that the positive effects of music on functional and cognitive performances were dependent on a specific task. Full article
10 pages, 269 KiB  
Article
Enhancement of Dairy Cow Milk Quality with Probiotic and Inorganic Selenium Supplementation
by Gabriela G. Mozart, Felipe B. N. Köptcke, Leonardo A. Pinto, Victor F. Moebus, Wagner P. Tamy, Marcos Aronovich and Luiz A. M. Keller
Dairy 2024, 5(2), 336-345; https://doi.org/10.3390/dairy5020027 - 20 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2464
Abstract
Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient crucial in various metabolic processes. Dairy production is continually expanding and can supplement the population of regions with low Se. Adding live yeast concentrate (LYC) to cows’ diets can influence milk production, composition, and quality by modulating [...] Read more.
Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient crucial in various metabolic processes. Dairy production is continually expanding and can supplement the population of regions with low Se. Adding live yeast concentrate (LYC) to cows’ diets can influence milk production, composition, and quality by modulating ruminal microbiota, resulting in increased milk yield and improved nutritional content. This study aimed to assess the enrichment of milk with selenite LYC for a subsequent increase in quality and production in supplemented lactating cows. Twenty-six cows were separated into three groups supplemented with different concentrations of Se for 15 days and different concentrations of LYC (Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 108 CFU g−1). The animals were divided into the following groups with the proposed treatments: Treatment 1 (T1) Control Group with just dry matter intake (DMI); Treatment 2 (T2) DMI + 0.3 mg kg−1 DMI of inorganic selenium + live yeast concentrate (LYC); Treatment 3 (T3) DMI + 0.6 mg kg−1 DMI of inorganic selenium + LYC. The milk was evaluated using physical–chemical, microbiologic, and toxicologic parameters according to Brazilian legislation. The addition of Se and yeast did not alter milk production; however, the application did lead to an increase in milk fat concentration compared with the control group, and no significant variations were observed in other physical–chemical parameters. Regarding the microbiological and toxicological analyses, all the samples presented satisfactory hygienic and sanitary conditions. The Somatic Cells Count from all treatments remained below 500,000 somatic cells mL−1, representing a positive effect of Se. The milk Se content was expected in residual form with the organic selenium being the more bioavailable form throughout the processing chain. The supplementation yielded results similar to those in the literature, highlighting the potential for customized technology and processes in dairy farming in ways that improve production, quality, and sanitation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Dairy Animal Nutrition and Welfare)
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