Search Results (119)

Objectives: Previous literature has already discussed the effects of age and sex on the diagnosis and treatment of malocclusion problems. However, this effect varies among different ethnic groups. These differences have not yet been investigated in many populations, such as Arab orthodontic patients and residents of Israel. Therefore, it is crucial to understand such variations in specific populations for better diagnosis and treatment. The main aim of this study is to provide novel knowledge concerning skeletal classes I and II among a cohort of Arab patients who are citizens of Israel. We used parameters obtained from lateral cephalograms to understand the variations among different sex and age subgroups. We also examined the correlations and performed principal component analysis (PCA). Methods: This study was based on the coded records of 394 Arab patients diagnosed with skeletal Class I occlusion (SCIO) or skeletal Class II malocclusion (SCIIMO), according to the individualized ANB (Calculated_ANB) of Panagiotidis and Witt. Results: Among patients with SCIO, males had a significantly more horizontal growth pattern (PFH/AFH) and anterior mandible rotation (ML-NSL) than females. Regarding patients with SCIIMO, female adults had more hyperdivergent jaw bases than adolescents (ML-NL) and a more posteriorly rotated mandible (ML-NSL). Spearman’s analysis revealed many significant correlations, like Calculated_ANB, ANB angle, and Wits appraisal. The PCA results showed a remarkable ability to explain 88.6% of the sample variance using four principal components. Conclusions: This research revealed new information regarding Arab orthodontic patients diagnosed with skeletal class I or II. The results demonstrate the differences between the two classes. In addition, this study demonstrated the variation and correlation of cephalometric parameters among different sex and age subgroups in skeletal class I and II Arab patients, especially considering Calculated_ANB. Therefore, this study highlights the need to consider these differences when diagnosing patients and to distinguish the differences across different sex and age subgroups in the diagnosis and treatment process. Furthermore, the PCA results showed the importance of ML-NSL, SN-Pg, PFH/AFH ratio, and NL-ML in explaining the data variance. Full article

Anthocyanins (ACNs), characterized by their polyhydroxy structures, exhibit high susceptibility to external environmental factors, which significantly limits their application in the food and industrial sectors. To enhance the stability of anthocyanins, anthocyanin nanoliposomes (ACN-NLs) were developed, with encapsulation efficiency, particle size and zeta potential serving as key evaluation parameters. Furthermore, through layer-by-layer self-assembly and electrostatic interactions, ACN-NLs were modified using synanthrin (SY) and pea protein isolate (PPI). Consequently, PPI-modified ACN-NLs (PPI-ACN-NLs) and SY-PPI-modified ACN-NLs (SY-PPI-ACN-NLs) were successfully synthesized. In this study, the structural characteristics of liposomes were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), their in vitro digestibility was evaluated, and their stability under different temperatures, light conditions, and simulated food system conditions was assessed. The results demonstrated that when the mass ratio of soybean lecithin to cholesterol, soybean lecithin to anhydrous ethanol, and drug-to-lipid ratio were set at 5:1, 3:100, and 3:10, respectively, with an ACN concentration of 4 mg/mL, a pea protein solution with pH 3.0, a PPI concentration of 10 mg/mL, and an SY concentration of 8 mg/mL, the prepared ACN-NLs, PPI-ACN-NLs, and SY-PPI-ACN-NLs exhibited optimal performance. Their respective encapsulation efficiencies were 52.59 ± 0.24%, 83.80 ± 0.43%, and 90.38 ± 0.24%; average particle sizes were 134.60 ± 0.76 nm, 213.20 ± 0.41 nm, and 246.60 ± 0.24 nm zeta potentials were −32.4 ± 0.75 mV, −27.46 ± 0.69 mV, and −16.93 ± 0.31 mV. The changes in peak shape observed via X-ray diffraction (XRD), in vitro digestion profiles, and alterations in anthocyanin release rates under different conditions collectively indicated that the modification of ACN-NLs using SY and PPI enhanced the protective effect on the ACNs, improving their biological activity, and providing a robust foundation for the practical application of ACNs. Full article

Hyperspectral technology can non-destructively identify and analyze minerals. However, the quantitative inversion of different components in mixed minerals remains difficult in mineral spectral analysis. A set of mineral samples was prepared from dolomite and gypsum, varying in their components. Three improved spectral decomposition models were proposed: the Continuum Removal-Fully Constrained Linear Spectral Model (CR-FCLSM), the Natural Logarithm-Fully Constrained Linear Spectral Model (NL-FCLSM), and the Ratio Derivative Model (RDM). The unmixing Abundance Error (AE) was 0.161, 0.051, and 0.082 for CR-FCLSM, NL-FCLSM, and RDM. The results of the three improved linearized unmixing models are better than those of the traditional linear spectral unmixing model. The NL-FCLSM effectively enhanced the linear characteristics of the spectrum, making it more suitable for two mineral mixing scenarios. The systematic bias of CR-FCLSM may be due to its insufficient sensitivity to low-abundance signals. The stability of RDM depends on the selection of a strong linear band. The unmixing experiments of the measured spectra and the data from the USGS spectral library demonstrate that the improved linear unmixing model is more accurate than the traditional linear spectral model and simpler to calculate than the nonlinear spectral model, providing a new approach for demodulating hyperspectral images. Full article

Volatile fatty acids (VFA) are valuable intermediates with growing demand in chemical, pharmaceutical, and environmental applications. Their sustainable production from organic waste is increasingly explored in the context of circular economy and biorefinery models. This study investigates the co-fermentation of waste-activated sludge (WAS) and the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) as a strategy for integrated VFA and biogas production. Semi-continuous experiments were carried out to assess the effect of the substrates ratio (WAS:OFMSW = 90:10 and 30:70), hydraulic retention time (HRT), and pH control (5, 9, no control) on VFA yield and composition. Results showed that higher OFMSW content and alkaline conditions favoured VFA production, with a maximum yield of 144.9 mgHAc·gVS⁻¹ at pH 9 and 70:30 ratio. Acetate dominated, while butyrate production peaked at 114.1 mgHBu·gVS⁻¹ under high sludge conditions. However, the addition of alkali required for pH control may lead to excessive accumulation of alkaline-earth metal ions, which can disrupt biological processes due to their potential toxicity. Anaerobic digestion of fermentation residues enhanced biomethane yields significantly (0.27 NL·gVS⁻¹ vs. 0.05 NL·gVS⁻¹ from raw sludge). The proposed process demonstrates potential for converting wastewater treatment plants into biorefineries, maximising resource recovery while reducing environmental impact. Full article

The development of food waste anaerobic digestion (AD) is a contemporary research topic addressed in the scientific community to meet the requirements of food waste valorization and proper substrate configuration for an efficient AD process. In this study, multiple AD experiments were performed on food waste together with industrial inoculum using laboratory-scale bioreactors. Food waste consisted mainly of fruits and vegetables (80.9%) and boiled rice (19.1%). The effect of operating temperature (33 °C, 37 °C, 41 °C, 45 °C) and the ratio between food waste mixture and inoculum-FIR (1:1, 3:2 and 2:1, w/w) on the production and composition of biogas, and the conversion yield for CH₄ and organic carbon, were investigated. The best results were obtained at an FIR of 2:1 and a temperature of 37 °C, with a total biogas production of 468.59 NL h⁻¹ kg⁻¹_VSadded (51% v/v CH₄ conc.) and a conversion yield of 36.42% for CH₄. A modified Gompertz model was applied on the accumulated CH₄ and biogas to evaluate the process performance. The model parameters were investigated in conjunction with the physico-chemical characteristics of the substrate, inoculum taxonomic profile, pH measurements, and TG-DTA analysis. The conducted analyses emphasized the susceptibility of the selected substrate towards easy degradation and improved biotransformation reactions when temperature and FIR were increased. Full article

The estrous cycle involves hormonal fluctuations that influence serotonin (5-HT) concentrations and immune cell activity. During the follicular phase, estrogen increases 5-HT synthesis, enhancing cellular responses to inflammation. In contrast, in the luteal phase, progesterone suppresses immune function, reducing 5-HT availability. Age-related changes in hormone concentrations can affect these processes, potentially altering cellular responses and 5-HT dynamics in the oldest females. This study hypothesizes the relationship between 5-HT and blood cells in healthy cyclic mares, considering age as an influencing factor. Understanding these interactions offers insights into reproductive health and immune regulation in equine species. The aim was to describe the interaction between 5-HT and blood cells in twenty-five healthy cyclic Spanish Purebred mares, evaluating the effect of aging. For this purpose, the mares were classified into two age groups as follows: from 4 to 9 years (n = 12 younger mares) and from 10 to 15 years (n = 13 older mares). Younger and older mares showed an opposite 5-HT trend at +5 and +16 day of cycle (d), with greater concentrations in younger mares (p < 0.05) and lower values in older mares (p < 0.05) than at −5 and 0 d. Older mares showed a lower 5-HT concentration at +5 and +16 d (p < 0.05) than younger mares. Mares of both ages showed a superimposed WBC trend, with the greatest number both at −5 and 0 d (p < 0.05). Older mares showed a lower WBC number at −5 d (p < 0.05), and lower NFS and LYMPH numbers both at +5 and +16 d (p < 0.05) than younger mares; the latter showed the lowest NFS number at +16 d, and LYMPH number at +5 and +16 d. Mares of both ages showed a similar trend for the N/L ratio. Older mares showed a lower MON number at +5 d (p < 0.05), greater PLTs at +5 and +16 d (p < 0.05) than younger mares, and a greater PLT number at −5 and 0 d than at +5 and +16 d (p < 0.05). The activity of 5-HT is regulated by its rate of synthesis, release, and metabolism according to age. Aging reduced the 5-HT concentrations and the number of WBCs, NFSs, LYMPHs, and MONs, inducing correlations among these and 5-HT in healthy young and old cyclic mares. Full article

Background: Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is traditionally viewed as a disorder of delayed lung fluid clearance, but emerging evidence suggests inflammatory involvement. Aim: This study investigated systemic inflammatory indices [(systemic immune-inflammation index (SII-i), systemic inflammation response index (SIR-i), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NL-r), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PL-r)] and underlying mechanisms in TTN pathogenesis for the first time. Methods: This retrospective case–control study included 199 neonates (123 with TTN and 76 healthy controls) admitted between 2022 and 2025 to a tertiary care hospital. Complete blood count parameters were collected within the first two hours of life. Inflammatory indices were calculated and compared between groups. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on gestational age (late preterm vs. term) and mode of delivery (cesarean vs. vaginal). Results: Although not statistically significant, TTN infants showed a trend toward higher inflammatory indices with median NL-r (2.54 vs. 1.75, p = 0.197) and SII-i (729,307.83 vs. 373,593.50, p = 0.276). Term TTN infants had higher NL-r (3.08 vs. 2.04, p = 0.022) and SII-i (729,147.74 vs. 538,928.30, p = 0.133) than late preterm infants. SIR-i and NL-r values were higher in the full-term group than in the early-term and late-preterm groups (p = 0.014, p = 0.022, respectively). Cesarean births showed higher NL-r (3.20 vs. 2.33, p = 0.049) and SII-i (p = 0.040) than vaginal deliveries. Strong correlations existed between SII-I, NL-r (r = 0.886, p < 0.01), and SII-i, SIR-i (r = 0.817, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Elevated inflammatory indices in neonates with TTN, particularly in term infants and those delivered vaginally, suggest a supportive/potential role for systemic inflammation in TTN pathophysiology. These markers may serve as potential supplementary markers for risk stratification, though further prospective validation is required to confirm their clinical relevance. These findings suggest that the early assessment of systemic inflammatory indices may assist clinicians in identifying neonates at risk for TTN, thereby guiding initial respiratory support strategies. Full article

Wood fiber substrates are widely used as peat substitutes in horticulture, but the impact of their high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio on nitrogen immobilization and crop photosynthetic performance remains unclear. This study systematically examined the effects of wood fiber substrates on lettuce photosynthetic performance and underlying physiological mechanisms using pot experiments. Two substrate treatments—peat (control) and wood fiber—were combined with three nitrogen levels: low, medium, and high (63, 127, and 210 mg N·L⁻¹). Results indicated that wood fiber substrates significantly reduced the availability of fast-acting nitrogen, leading to a substantial decrease in lettuce biomass (39.0–56.8%), total nitrogen content (7.2–39.9%), and chlorophyll content (13.7–36.2%). Chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics analysis revealed that wood fiber substrates impair photosystem function through multiple pathways. At the early stage (15 days), key effects included structural damage to the donor side of PSII(Photosystem II), indicated by L and K peaks, and inhibited electron transfer on the PSI(Photosystem I) acceptor side (δRo decreased by 15.08–27.90%, along with a reduction in W_OI amplitude). The findings provide an important theoretical basis for optimising nitrogen management strategies for wood fibre substrates. Full article

Organic wastes from households, private gardens, the maintenance of urban greenery, and active nature conservation measures are often difficult to manage. This lignocellulosic biomass may be suitable for anaerobic digestion (AD). However, the mono-digestion of plant material, such as waste from active conservation measures for wetlands, results in a low methane (CH₄) yield. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of using common reed silage for co-digestion with plant-based biowaste from households. The specific methane yield (SMY) was determined in biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests performed on biowaste, reed silage, and combinations of reed silage with 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 90% of biowaste on a fresh weight basis. The lowest SMY was observed for the mono-digestion of reed silage (160.40 ± 4.09 NL kg_VS⁻¹), while biowaste had the highest CH₄ yield (284.03 ± 7.03 NL kg_VS⁻¹). The subsequent addition of biowaste enhanced CH₄ production from 158.57 ± 7.88 NL kg_VS⁻¹ (10% of biowaste) to 233.28 ± 11.91 NL kg_VS⁻¹ (90% of biowaste). A key advantage of biogas production is its role in reducing CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere, which result from the use of conventional fuels for energy generation. The avoided CO₂ emissions generated in electricity and heat production range between 378.62 kgCO₂ t_TS⁻¹ and 676.36 kgCO₂ t_TS⁻¹ depending on the reed silage-to-biowaste ratio used for biogas production. This study reveals that reed silage is not an optimal feedstock for biogas production, and its share in co-digestion with biowaste should not exceed 10% of the total input to the biogas plant. Full article

The Makran Subduction Zone (MSZ) is a tectonic plate boundary where the Arabian Plate is subducting beneath the Eurasian Plate. This study investigated the dynamic response in the Gwadar region, located in the eastern part of the MSZ. A suite of seismic records compatible with the Building Code of Pakistan (BCP:2021) rock design spectrum was used as the input ground motions at the bedrock. The amplification characteristics were assessed through a series of one-dimensional (1D) site response analyses utilizing a non-linear (NL) approach. The results revealed significant de-amplification in soft soils at short spectral periods. A general depth-wise decrease in the shear stress ratio and peak ground acceleration values was observed, influenced by shear-strain-induced effects and shear wave velocity reversals within the site profiles. The code spectra, compared to the proposed design spectra, underestimated the site amplification for stiff soils (i.e., Site Class D) for periods of less than 0.32 s and overestimated it for soft soils (i.e., Site Class E) across all periods. These findings underscore the necessity for site-specific ground response analyses, particularly within the framework of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Full article

Tuberculosis (TB) treatment monitoring is an essential tool for effective TB treatment management. Identifying parameters that predict adverse TB treatment outcomes could significantly improve clinical management. The association of hematological parameters with poor TB treatment outcomes is not well defined. To study the relationship of hematological parameters with TB treatment outcomes, we examined data from pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients with successful (controls) and unsuccessful (cases) treatment outcomes. We enrolled 68 cases and 133 controls through a nested 1:2 case–control study, matching for age, sex, body mass index, diabetes status, alcohol and smoking. Hematological profiling showed significant difference in the absolute counts of white blood cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils and monocytes between cases and controls. In addition, increased neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NL) ratio and monocyte to lymphocyte (ML) ratio were present in cases in comparison to controls. Similarly, decreased hematocrit and red blood cell counts were detected in cases when compared with controls. Univariate and multivariate analysis demonstrated a significant association of absolute counts of WBC, neutrophils, monocytes, NL and ML ratios with poor treatment outcomes. The altered baseline hematological parameters are clearly associated with the poor TB treatment outcomes, showing potential for clinical prediction to enhance management of at-risk cases. Full article

We give some of our results over the past few years about rogue waves concerning some partial differential equations, such as the focusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLS), the Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation (KPI), the Lakshmanan–Porsezian–Daniel equation (LPD) and the Hirota equation (H). For the NLS and KP equations, we give different types of representations of the solutions, in terms of Fredholm determinants, Wronskians and degenerate determinants of order $2N$. These solutions are called solutions of order N. In the case of the NLS equation, the solutions, explicitly constructed, appear as deformations of the Peregrine breathers $P_N$ as the last one can be obtained when all parameters are equal to zero. At order N, these solutions are the product of a ratio of two polynomials of degree $N(N+1)$ in x and t by an exponential depending on time t and depending on $2N-2$ real parameters: they are called quasi-rational solutions. For the KPI equation, we explicitly obtain solutions at order N depending on $2N-2$ real parameters. We present different examples of rogue waves for the LPD and Hirota equations. Full article

The organic loading rate (OLR) is a crucial parameter in the anaerobic digestion of lignocellulosic biomass. Optimizing the OLR ensures a balanced substrate release for gradual hydrolysis, thereby preventing the accumulation of inhibitors that can disrupt methanogenesis. Its significance lies in its direct impact on the stability, efficiency, and overall performance of the digestion process. This study investigated the long-term anaerobic co-digestion of lignocellulosic biomass (Sida hermaphrodita) and cattle manure under varying organic loading rates (S1: 2 kgVS/m³·d, S2: 3 kgVS/m³·d, and S3: 4 kgVS/m³·d). Methane production, microbial community dynamics, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) profiles were analyzed. During S1 and S2, methane production was stable, achieving 446.3 ± 153.7 NL/kgVS and 773.4 ± 107.8 NL/kgVS, respectively. However, at S3, methane production declined, accompanied by a pH drop from 7.68 to 6.11, an increase in the FOS/TAC ratio from 0.272 to 0.35, and the accumulation of acetic and propionic acids at the end of the digestion cycle. Microbial analysis revealed that the abundance of Firmicutes increased with higher OLRs, reaching 93.6% in S3, while the Bacteroidota abundance decreased, reaching 3.0% in S3. During S1, methane production occurred through both acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic pathways. Full article

To achieve the required recycling rates, organic recycling via composting should be widely introduced in Poland for selectively collected biowaste. However, this process not only produces compost but also leachate (L_CB), a nitrogen- and organics-rich liquid by-product. So far there has been limited information on the application of anaerobic digestion (AD) for treating L_CB, which has fermentative potential. However, for effective methane production (MP) via AD, the ratio of chemical oxygen demand to total Kjeldahl nitrogen (COD/TKN) and pH of L_CB are too low; thus, it should be co-digested with other organics-rich waste, e.g., glycerine (G). The present study tested the effect of G content in feedstock (in the range of 3–5% (v/v)) on the effectiveness of co-digestion with L_CB, based on MP and the removal of COD. MP was accessed by using an automatic methane potential test system (AMPTS). Regardless of the feedstock composition (L_CB, or L_CB with G), the efficiency of COD removal was over 91%. Co-digestion not only increased MP by 6–15%, but also the methane content in the biogas by 4–14% compared to L_CB only (353 NL/kg COD_added, 55%). MP and COD removal proceeded in two phases. During co-digestion in the 1st phase, volatile fatty acids (VFA) accumulated up to 2800 mg/L and the pH decreased below 6.8. The presence of G altered the shares of individual VFA and promoted the accumulation of propionic acid in contrast to L_CB only, where caproic acid predominated. An initial accumulation of propionic acid and acidification in the mixtures decreased the kinetic constants of MP (from 0.79 to 0.54 d⁻¹) and the rate of COD removal (from 2193 to 1603 mg/(L·d)). In the 2nd phase, the pH recovered, VFA concentrations decreased, and MP was no longer limited by these factors. However, it should be noted that excessive amounts of G, especially in reactors with constant feeding, may cause VFA accumulation to a greater extent and create a toxic environment for methanogens, inhibiting biogas production. In contrast, digestion of L_CB only may lead to ammonium buildup if the COD/TKN ratio of the feedstock is too low. Despite these limitations, the use of AD in the treatment of L_CB as a sustainable “closed-loop nutrient” technology closes the loop in composting of biowaste. Full article

Background: This specific study evaluates the accuracy of two ratios, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte (N/L) and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte (P/L), as inflammatory markers on differentiating simple and complicated appendicitis preoperatively. Methods: The medical records of 341 children, up to 16 years old, with suspected acute appendicitis (AA) who underwent appendectomy, laparoscopic or open, between January 2020 and December 2022, in our department, were retrospectively reviewed. Routine blood exams and the demographic details were obtained. The area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of the above-mentioned markers regarding the differentiation of simple and complicated appendicitis, based on the statistical program SPSS, were calculated. Results: From the total of 341 patients, a percentage of 27.5% were related to perforated appendicitis, such as necrosis or the rupture of the appendiceal wall. A significant association was observed between perforated appendicitis and NLR values > 7.92, with concomitant sensitivity 62.5% and specificity 74.2%. Retrospectively, for PLR values > 180.57, the sensitivity was 61.1% and specificity 68.9%. For these models, the areas under the curve were 0.736 and 0.696. Conclusions: Our study revealed a significant association of N/L and P/L ratios with acute perforated appendicitis. Future studies should validate the use of these markers on this disease. Full article