Search Results (2,267)

The meat industry is widely regarded as one of the most environmentally and economically burdensome sectors, playing a significant role in greenhouse gas emissions, resource depletion, and public health challenges. Additionally, its high production costs and inefficiencies in resource use exacerbate the economic strain on both local and global scales, making it a major contributor to unsustainable practices in food production. This study investigates the environmental and economic benefits of replacing conventional meat burgers with plant-based vegan burgers, through a cradle-to-gate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and economic evaluation. The assessment was conducted using the GaBi 2023 software, applying the ReCiPe 2016 impact assessment method to evaluate multiple environmental indicators. The LCA results reveal substantial environmental advantages of vegan burgers, including a 92.25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a 99.51% decrease in fine particulate matter formation, and significant reductions in water and land usage. Additionally, the human health and ecosystem impacts associated with vegan burgers are markedly lower, highlighting their advantages as a healthier dietary option. An estimated ±10% data variability is expected, though it does not significantly affect the comparative results, as uncertainty applies consistently to both scenarios. From an economic perspective, the production of vegan burgers proves more cost-effective, with a production cost of €0.24 per vegan burger compared to €0.66 per meat burger. In conclusion, plant-based vegan burgers present a compelling alternative to conventional meat products, offering environmental, health, and economic benefits that support more sustainable food systems. Full article

Objective: The aim was to compare outcomes in high-risk localized RCC (HRL-RCC) patients treated with adjuvant (AT) and neoadjuvant therapy (NT) utilizing a propensity score-matched model (PSM). Methods: We conducted a multicenter analysis (USA and Japan) for patients who underwent AT or NT. AT was defined as systemic therapy given postoperatively in the absence of metastases; NT was presurgical therapy in the setting of localized disease. AT and NT utilized included target molecular therapy (TMT) or immunotherapy (IO). The PSM model was generated using a nearest neighbor matching algorithm in a 1:2 ratio. The primary outcome was All-Cause Mortality (ACM); the secondary outcomes were Cancer-Specific Mortality (CSM) and recurrence. Cox regression multivariable analysis (MVA) was utilized to elucidate predictors of outcomes. Results: After PSM modeling, 311 patients were analyzed [adjuvant n = 221, 127 TMT vs. 94 IO; neoadjuvant n = 90, 61 TMT vs. 29 IO]; the median follow-up was 44 (IQR 20–74) months. MVA revealed AT as associated with increased ACM (HR = 1.97, p = 0.007), CSM (HR = 2.37, p = 0.007) and recurrence (HR 1.64, p = 0.02). Sub-analysis of the AT cohort revealed IO to be associated with decreased ACM (HR 0.59, p = 0.015). In the neoadjuvant cohort, TMT and IO were associated with decreased ACM (HR 0.49; p = 0.016; HR 0.32, p = 0.016, respectively) and CSM risk (HR 0.47, p = 0.036; HR 0.18, p = 0.017). Conclusions: Our findings suggest a potential advantage of NT in HRL-RCC. Adjuvant immunotherapy was associated with decreased risk of ACM, while in the neoadjuvant group, TMT and IO therapy had similar outcomes. Our findings call for the consideration of a clinical trial to compare the outcomes of AT vs. NT. Full article

In response to increasing safety concerns regarding the use of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) in winemaking, this study investigates the efficacy of Metschnikowia pulcherrima-mediated cold maceration (Mp-CM) as a potential alternative to SO₂ at industrial temperatures (10–15 °C). The analysis focused on the content of different phenolics, as well as wine color properties and aroma compounds. These parameters were compared against those obtained from CM with SO₂ (SO₂-CM). This study introduces and compares the phenolics, wine color properties, and volatile compounds produced by three Metschnikowia pulcherrima strains (Mp0519, Mp0516, and Mp0520 were previously isolated from Muscat Hamburg grapes in the Jieshi mountain region), revealing that the effectiveness of the treatments varied depending on the temperature and strain. At 10 °C, Mp-CM showed significantly lower phenolic (−19.23%) and flavonoid (−41.13%) content compared to SO₂-CM but exhibited markedly higher anthocyanin and terpene content (+133.11% and +12.61%, respectively), with similar tannin levels. Conversely, at 15 °C, Mp-CM outperformed SO₂-CM in several key metrics, including total phenolics (+17.32%), flavonoids (+83.45%), tannins (+17.05%), and anthocyanins (+54.08%), and demonstrated a significantly enhanced floral/fruity aroma intensity (+160.72%). Furthermore, Mp0520 exhibited peak levels of phenolics and esters at 10 °C, while Mp0519 reached its highest terpene level at 10 °C and total volatile at 15 °C. Notably, Mp-CM consistently displayed specific characteristics regardless of the maceration temperature, including a reduction in total volatile compounds, a suppression of ester formation, an enhancement of anthocyanin content, and an improvement of the wine’s floral aroma, with strain-specific variations observed across all evaluated parameters. This study illustrates that the Mp-CM provides distinct advantages in extracting key components from grape skins, and it has the potential to enhance wine color attributes. This positions Mp as a promising SO₂ alternative for CM, contingent on strain selection and process optimization. Full article

Schwertmannite (Fe₈O₈(OH)_8−2x(SO₄)_x), an iron oxyhydroxysulfate mineral prevalent in acidic mining environments, demonstrates exceptional heavy metal adsorption capacity owing to its high surface area and abundant functional groups. This study developed a novel one-step synthesis method that simultaneously generates schwertmannite and removes Pb²⁺ from aqueous solutions, contrasting with conventional two-step approaches. Systematic investigation of operational parameters revealed that Pb²⁺ removal efficiency exceeded 98% across concentrations of 0~300 mg·L⁻¹, with optimal performance at n_Sch:n_Pb ratios ≥ 2, pH 3.0~6.0, and 35 °C. Characterization studies identified four primary removal mechanisms: electrostatic adsorption, ion exchange, coordination complexation, and coprecipitation. The in situ method demonstrated significant advantages in processing efficiency, removal stability, and environmental sustainability compared to traditional approaches. Full article

Background: The increasing incidence of spondylodiscitis and its potentially severe consequences when not promptly diagnosed highlight the need for further research to improve treatment guidelines, reduce mortality and morbidity and improve the quality of life in patients who suffer from persistent physical limitations. Methods: We collected data from 103 patients, with 8 patients lost to follow-up, who were diagnosed with vertebral osteomyelitis, disk infection or discitis between 2009 and 2018. The primary outcome was the 1-year mortality rate in patients treated with either conservative or surgical intervention, with both groups receiving antibiotic treatment. A standardized questionnaire was used to assess health-related quality of life after treatment by evaluating the European Quality of Life 5 Dimension 5 Level version (EQ-5D-5L) and the European Quality of Life Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS). In addition, we used the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Parker Mobility Score to identify backpain-related limitations after treatment. Results: The group receiving surgical treatment had a significantly lower 1-year mortality rate (22%) than did those who were treated conservatively, who had a 4-fold greater risk for death after a year following first diagnosis of SD and treatment. With respect to quality of life, 39 patients answered the standardized questionnaires during follow-up, and the questionnaire results revealed no significant difference in limitations in daily life or in health-related quality of life, with a median Parker Mobility Score of 9 for the conservatively treated patients compared with 7.5 for the surgically treated patients. This difference between the groups was not statistically significant, with a p value of 0.216 > α. A similar result was obtained in the evaluation of the ODI, with a medial index of 30% in the conservatively treated group compared with 24% in the surgical group, which was not statistically significant as indicated by a p value of 0.360 > α. Conclusions: The early surgical approach when treating spondylodiscitis is advantageous for identifying the underlying infection and initiating appropriate antibiotic therapy, therefore reducing mortality and resulting in a greater likelihood of full recovery than the conservative treatment does. Full article

Global warming and soil salinization pose significant challenges to modern plant cultivation. Background/Objectives: Polyploidization of whole-genome duplication is an important evolutionary strategy, enhancing plant adaptation to environmental stress. This study investigates the impact of heat and salt stress on photosynthesis and proteomic changes in a polyploid series of Arabidopsis thaliana (diploid, triploid, and tetraploid). Methods: Two-month-old plants were exposed to heat stress (45 °C for 3 h) or salt stress (300 mM NaCl for 24 or 48 h). Stress effects were assessed via photosystem II maximum efficiency (F_v/F_m), the performance index (PI_ABS), and proline content. Proteomic responses were analyzed using 2D SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry. Results: Our findings revealed that polyploid plants maintained higher photosynthetic performance than diploids under both heat and salt stress. While proline accumulation under heat stress was comparable across all ploidy levels, polyploids accumulated more proline under salt stress, indicating enhanced salinity tolerance. Proteomic analysis showed differential protein expression among diploid and polyploid plants in response to stress. Several differentially expressed proteins had functions involved in photosynthesis and stress response pathways. These findings confirm prior evidence of tetraploid Arabidopsis resilience to salinity and extend this observation to heat stress. Moreover, triploids also demonstrated increased stress tolerance, suggesting adaptive advantages of this intermediate ploidy level as well. Conclusions: Differential expression patterns among ploidy levels may reflect varied energy-saving strategies and alterations in protein structure and function. This work highlights the importance of polyploidy in improving plant stress resilience, offering insights for breeding stress-tolerant crops in a changing climate. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hysterectomy is the most common gynecologic surgical procedure. While extensive research has been conducted on the advantages of laparoscopy, the gynecology literature lacks sufficient studies on scar-related outcomes, patient satisfaction, and cosmetic outcomes. In this regard, this study aimed to compare cosmetic outcomes and patient satisfaction between laparotomy and laparoscopic hysterectomy cases performed at our tertiary university hospital center. Methods: Patients who underwent hysterectomy for benign gynecologic reasons were included in the study. The study group consisted of patients who had surgery via the laparoscopic technique, while the control group comprised patients who had laparotomy through a transverse abdominal incision (Pfannenstiel). Postoperative scar areas, scar thickness, color, height, and pain scores were evaluated after the 12th postoperative month. A digital caliper was used to calculate the scar area. Scar satisfaction and general body perceptions were assessed using questionnaires. Results: The mean scar area was significantly lower in the study group (p = 0.003). The physician’s scar assessments revealed no significant differences between the Manchester Scar Scale, POSAS Observer Scale, Vancouver Scar Scale, and SCAR Scale. The mean POSAS Patient Scale score, which assesses patients’ opinions of postoperative scars, was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group. In contrast, the Body Image Questionnaire score was higher (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences between the groups in mean Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Body-Cathexis Scale scores. Conclusions: The patients in the study group were more satisfied with their scars but less satisfied with their body image. Contrary to general expectations, the patients were found to be less satisfied with the visible scar outcomes on the abdominal wall resulting from multi-port surgical procedures. Studies are needed to inform patients about scars before operations, select ports for use during operations, and evaluate the effect of the port-site surgical repair technique on cosmetic outcomes. Full article

The integrity of real-time monitoring data is paramount to the accuracy of scientific research and the reliability of decision-making. However, data incompleteness arising from transmission interruptions or extreme weather disrupting equipment operations severely compromises the validity of statistical analyses and the stability of modelling. From a mathematical view, real-time monitoring data may be regarded as continuous functions, exhibiting intricate correlations and mutual influences between different indicators. Leveraging their inherent smoothness and interdependencies enables high-precision data imputation. Within the functional data analysis framework, this paper proposes a Diversity Constraint and Adaptive Graph Multi-View Functional Matrix Completion (DCAGMFMC) method. Integrating multi-view learning with an adaptive graph strategy, this approach comprehensively accounts for complex correlations between data from different views while extracting differential information across views, thereby enhancing information utilization and imputation accuracy. Random simulation experiments demonstrate that the DCAGMFMC method exhibits significant imputation advantages over classical methods such as KNN, HFI, SFI, MVNFMC, and GRMFMC. Furthermore, practical applications on meteorological datasets reveal that, compared to these imputation methods, the root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) of the DCAGMVNFMC method decreased by an average of 39.11% to 59.15%, 54.50% to 71.97%, and 43.96% to 63.70%, respectively. It also demonstrated stable imputation performance across various meteorological indicators and missing data rates, exhibiting good adaptability and practical value. Full article

The global transition to renewable energy has intensified the focus on anaerobic digestion (AD) as a sustainable solution for organic waste management and biogas production. This study presents a comprehensive techno-economic analysis (TEA) of AD systems integrated with carbon capture and digestate treatment technologies, evaluated across four distinct operational scenarios. The research leverages an innovative AI-agent framework to streamline TEA, enabling stakeholders to conduct sophisticated analyses without specialized expertise. Key findings reveal that feedstock composition significantly impacts biogas yields, with maize and rye blends (mix2) outperforming maize-dominated mixes (mix1), achieving higher biogas production (26,029 m³/y vs. 23,182 m³/y). Membrane-based CO₂ separation and liquefaction technologies demonstrated superior economic viability compared to cryogenic methods, yielding lower energy consumption (2400 MWh/y vs. 3000 MWh/y) and higher net revenues (GBP 4.0 million/y vs. GBP 3.5 million/y). Financial metrics further underscored the advantages of membrane-based systems, with the mix2 configuration achieving a net present value (NPV) of GBP 19 million and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 36%, alongside a shorter payback period (3 years). Sensitivity analysis highlighted natural gas prices and tax rates as critical determinants of economic performance, while water costs had negligible impact. The study also evaluated digestate treatment methods, finding that base-case separation outperformed torrefaction in financial returns. Full article

Background/Objectives: The inherent low aqueous solubility of lipophilic drugs, belonging to Class II based on Biopharmaceutical classification system, negatively impacts their oral bioavailability. However, the manufacturing of pharmaceutical dosage forms for these drugs faces challenges related to environmental impact and production complexity. Herein, the surfactant-enriched cross-linked scaffold addresses the limitations of conventional approaches, such as the use of organic solvents, energy-intensive processing, and the demand for sophisticated equipment. Methods: Scaffold former (Pluronic F68) and scaffold trigger agent (propylene glycol) were used to prepare cross-linked scaffold loaded with candesartan cilexetil as a model for lipophilic drugs. Moreover, surfactants were selected based on the measured solubility to enhance formulation loading capacity. Design-Expert was used to study the impact of Tween 80, propylene glycol, and Pluronic F68 concentrations on the measured responses. In addition, in vitro dissolution study was implemented to investigate the drug release profile. The current approach was assessed against the limitations of conventional approach in terms of environmental and manufacturing feasibility. Results: The optimized formulation (59.27% Tween 80, 30% propylene glycol, 10.73% Pluronic F68) demonstrated a superior drug loading capacity (19.3 mg/g) and exhibited a solid-to-liquid phase transition at 35.5 °C. Moreover, it exhibited a rapid duration of solid-to-liquid transition within about 3 min. In vitro dissolution study revealed a remarkable enhancement in dissolution with 92.87% dissolution efficiency compared to 1.78% for the raw drug. Conclusions: Surfactant-enriched cross-linked scaffold reduced environmental impact by eliminating organic solvents usage and reducing energy consumption. Moreover, it offers significant manufacturing advantages through simplified production processing. Full article

Circulation type classification (CTC) is an important method in atmospheric sciences, which reveals the relationship between atmospheric circulation and regional weather and climate. Accurate circulation classification helps to improve weather forecasting accuracy and supports climate change research. China has complex topography and significant spatiotemporal variability in its circulation patterns, making the study of circulation type classification in this region highly significant. This study aims to evaluate the applicability of several mainstream objective CTC methods in the China region. We applied methods including T-mode principal component analysis (PCT), Ward linkage, K-means, and Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) to classify the sea-level pressure daily mean fields from 1993 to 2023 in the study area, and compared the classification results in terms of internal metrics, continuity, seasonal variation, separability of related meteorological variables (e.g., temperature, precipitation), and stability to spatiotemporal resolution. The results show that each method has its advantages in different contexts, with the K-means method showing the best overall performance. Additionally, an optimized approach combining PCT and K-means is proposed. Full article

Cloud Top Height (CTH) is a fundamental parameter in atmospheric science, critically influencing Earth’s radiation budget and hydrological cycle. Satellite-based passive remote sensing provides the primary means of monitoring CTH on a global scale due to its extensive spatial coverage. However, these passive retrieval techniques often rely on idealized physical assumptions, leading to significant systematic biases. To quantify these biases, this study provides an evaluation of two prominent passive CTH products, i.e., Sentinel-5P (S5P, O₂ A-band) and Suomi-NPP (NPP, thermal infrared), by comparing their global data from July 2018 to June 2019 against the active CloudSat/CALIPSO (CC) reference. The results reveal stark and complementary error patterns. For single-layer liquid clouds over land, the products exhibit opposing biases, with S5P underestimating CTH while NPP overestimates it. For ice clouds, both products show a general underestimation, but NPP is more accurate. In challenging two-layer scenes, both retrieval methods show large systematic biases, with S5P often erroneously detecting the lower cloud layer. These distinct error characteristics highlight the fundamental limitations of single-sensor retrievals and reveal the potential to organically combine the advantages of different products to improve CTH accuracy. Full article

Addressing Artificial Intelligence (AI) faculty deficiencies in higher education, this paper develops the AI+ Dual-qualified Teacher Capability Ecology Model (AI-DTCEM) based on Capability Ecology Theory. The model is developed after a thorough analysis of the current state of new engineering talent cultivation in universities and the innovative practical abilities required in the AI+ environment. This paper proposes an implementation framework characterized by “three-dimensional collaboration, four-tier progression, and five-element drive.” Additionally, it uses the collaborative education project involving Hangzhou Normal University, Zhejiang University, and Hangzhou Ruishu Technology Co., Ltd. as a backdrop to introduce a deep collaborative education model, showcasing the theoretical and practical achievements of this project. Using NetLogo as the simulation platform, this paper designs a 96-month system dynamics experiment to compare and analyze the outcomes of four scenarios: the baseline experiment, the AI-enhanced experiment, the policy-driven experiment, and the comprehensive optimization experiment. This study reveals the following findings: (1) Policy-driven initiatives are crucial for the successful construction of dual-qualified teacher teams, with the policy-driven scenario achieving the highest overall skill level (9.332). (2) The application of AI technology significantly enhances teacher skill development, resulting in AI skill improvements ranging from 116.6% to 163.4%. (3) The comprehensive optimization scenario (utilizing a collaborative mechanism) achieves systemic advantages, realizing a 100% dual-qualified teacher ratio. However, this comes with diminishing marginal returns on investment. This research provides a theoretical foundation, quantitative analysis, and practical pathways for developing dual-qualified teacher teams in the AI+ era. Full article

Dynamic identification using accelerometers is a common technique for measuring the modal frequencies of existing structures. Strategically placing these sensors on a bridge allows for the derivation of its modal parameters through operational modal analysis (OMA). This study aims to demonstrate how the number of accelerometers required for the identification of a historical three-arch masonry bridge can be optimized. The experimental campaign involved the Santa Teresa bridge (STb) in Bitonto, a XIX masonry bridge in Southern Italy. Twenty-eight accelerometers were installed on the STb; frequency analysis was first performed with all accelerometers, and then the number was decreased to 13, 8 and 4 accelerometers. The four optimizations performed involved both the number and positioning of accelerometers along the central arch. The five primary vibration modes obtained revealed that with a smaller number of accelerometers, it is possible to correctly identify the natural frequencies of the bridge. A further optimization was per-formed with only No. 6 accelerometers on the keystone of the bridge’s three arches. The results of the modal shapes and natural frequencies showed that a limited number of accelerometers is sufficient to dynamically identify a bridge. The configuration with 13 accelerometers proved to be the best for this purpose. However, optimization with 6 accelerometers proved to be the best for recording normalized displacements compared to the reference configuration. The advantages of this study are directly related to the reduction in time, logistics and costs of in situ monitoring. This preliminary assessment approach enables the establishment of baseline conditions for subsequent periodic monitoring campaigns. Full article

Organophosphate pesticides are among the most persistent and toxic contaminants in aquatic environments, requiring effective strategies for detection and remediation. In this work, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to investigate the adsorption of nine representative organophosphates (glyphosate, malathion, diazinon, azinphos-methyl, fenitrothion, parathion-methyl, disulfoton, tokuthion, and ethoprophos) on mercaptobenzothiazole disulfide (MBTS) and MBTS-functionalized graphene (G–MBTS). All simulations were performed in aqueous solution using the SMD solvation model with dispersion corrections and counterpoise correction for basis set superposition error. MBTS alone displayed a range of affinities, suggesting potential selectivity across the organophosphates, with adsorption energies ranging from 0.27 to 1.05 eV, malathion being the strongest binder and glyphosate the weakest. Anchoring of MBTS to graphene was found to be highly favorable (1.26 eV), but the key advantage is producing stable adsorption platforms that promote planar orientations and $\pi$–$\pi$/dispersive interactions. But the key advantage is not stronger binding but the tuning of interfacial electronic properties: all G–MBTS–OP complexes show uniform, narrow HOMO-LUMO gaps (∼0.79 eV) and systematically larger charge redistribution. These features are expected to enhance electrochemical readout even when adsorption strength was comparable or slightly lower (0.47–0.88 eV) relative to MBTS alone. A Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) analysis of the G–MBTS–malathion complex revealed a dual stabilization mechanism: multiple weak C–H⋯$\pi$ interactions with graphene combined with stronger S⋯O and hydrogen-bonding interactions with MBTS. These results advance the molecular-level understanding of pesticide–surface interactions and highlight MBTS-functionalized graphene as a promising platform for the selective detection of organophosphates in water. Full article