Search Results (40)

This study evaluated the effects of increasing phytase levels on serum biochemical parameters and renal and hepatic changes in Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) under different temperature conditions. A total of 720 quails were distributed in a 5 × 3 factorial design with five phytase levels (0, 500, 1000, 1500, and 3000 FTU/kg) and three temperature ranges (24, 30, and 36 °C), totaling 15 treatments with six replicates of eight birds each. Data were collected in cycles 2 and 4. The parameters measured included eggshell thickness (ST), total egg production (TEP), liver weight (LW), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (FA), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), urea (URE), creatine kinase (CK), and uric acid (UA). PRO was higher at 30 °C compared to 24 °C and 36 °C. EC showed a significant interaction between phytase levels and temperature, with phytase improving EC, especially at 1500 FTU and 36 °C. PF was not affected in the second cycle but had a quadratic effect in the fourth cycle. Phytase supplementation improved shell thickness and regulated biochemical parameters, especially at high temperatures. Based on these results, a phytase level of 1500 FTU/kg is recommended to optimize performance and mitigate the negative effects of high temperatures on quail health. Full article

Transparent Exopolymer Particles (TEP) play a key role in the marine carbon cycle, facilitating the aggregation and exportation of organic matter. TEP production is particularly relevant during Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), where dinoflagellates like Lingulaulax polyedra can release significant amounts of exudates. Temperature is a crucial environmental factor that influences HAB dynamics and physiological processes of bloom-forming species, affecting exudate composition and abundance. This study investigates the influence of temperature and nutrient availability on the production of organic exudates in L. polyedra cultures. TEP, Particulate Organic Carbon (POC), and Particulate Organic Nitrogen (PON) concentrations were analyzed under controlled laboratory conditions. Batch cultures were maintained at temperatures of 17, 20, and 25 °C, with two nutrient regimes (low and high nitrate and phosphate concentrations). Exudates were quantified using colorimetric and spectrophotometric methods. We found that temperature and nutrient availability significantly influence exudate production. The highest TEP concentration was recorded at 25 °C in cells cultivated under low-nutrient conditions, whereas POC exhibited a notable increase at 20 °C. ANOVA revealed that TEP and POC were the primary drivers of variability among treatments. These findings reveal that temperature is important in the regulation of L. polyedra exudate production. The role of this variable on organic matter cycling and bloom dynamics in marine ecosystems is discussed. Full article

Aqueous aluminum-ion batteries (AAIBs) face significant challenges due to interfacial instability and parasitic side reactions during the reversible deposition of aluminum. Here, we introduce a hybrid electrolyte incorporating triethyl phosphate (TEP), a non-flammable co-solvent that reconstructs the Al³⁺ solvation environment by suppressing water activity. This design extends the electrochemical stability window and enables uniform Al–Zn alloy formation at the anode interface. As a result, symmetric Al–Zn cells achieve over 4000 h of stable cycling. In full-cell configurations with V₂O₅/C cathodes, the system demonstrates high capacity retention (~96% over 450 cycles at 2 A g⁻¹) and coulombic efficiency. This work underscores the potential of solvation structure engineering via functional, flame-retarding co-solvent to advance the development of safe and durable aqueous electrolytes. Full article

The increasing demand for critical metals has intensified efforts to recover valuable metals from various sources, including secondary waste. Zn-Pb tailings contain both major and trace metals with economic and environmental significance. This study examined the extraction of transition metals from Zn-Pb tailings using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) at a constant time of 30 min. Metal extraction efficiencies were evaluated using N-Methyl-N,N,N-trioctylammonium chloride (Aliquat 336), methyl salicylate (MS), di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA), tributyl phosphate (TBP),2,4,6-tris(allyloxy)-1,3,5-triazine (TAOT), and triethyl phosphate (TEP). Increasing mixing rates improved mass transfer, enhancing recoveries, with Hf⁴⁺, Ti⁴⁺, and Fe³⁺ reaching 88, 56, and 50%, respectively, at 1000 rpm (mixing rate; rotation per minute) using D2EHPA. At a mixing rate of 1000 rpm, 10% TEP recovered 25% of Cu²⁺ and 34% of Mn²⁺, while 150 g/L extracted 48% of Hf⁴⁺ and 46% of V⁴⁺. Additionally, 10% TBP extracted 33% of Mn²⁺ and 35% of V⁴⁺, 10% MS recovered 41% of Mn²⁺ and 39% of V⁴⁺, while TAOT extracted 35% of V⁴⁺. At room temperature (22.5 °C) and 1400 rpm, 10% of D2EHPA recovered 80% of Hf⁴⁺, 73% of Ti⁴⁺, and 61% of Fe²⁺. However, 10% TAOT selectively recovered 50% of V⁴⁺, while 10% MS, under the same conditions, recovered 50% of V⁴⁺ with co-extraction of Mn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ (<10%). A total of 150 g/L Aliquat 336 effectively extracted Hf⁴⁺ (66%), Zn²⁺ (19%), and V⁴⁺ (56%). A total of 10% TBP recovered 53% and 47% of Mn²⁺ and V⁴⁺, respectively. A total of 10% TEP recovered Cu²⁺ (45%), Mn²⁺ (55%), Zn²⁺ (29%), V (40%), and 26% of Ni²⁺. At room temperature (22.5 °C) and 1400 rpm, pH changes significantly affected extraction, with D2EHPA (10%) demonstrating 89% efficiency for Hf⁴⁺ at pH 1.3, while other metals showed lower recoveries. TEP (10%) increased Cu²⁺ and Hf⁴⁺ recovery to 52% and 80%, respectively, at pH 1.3, while 150 g/L Aliquat 336 favored Cu²⁺ (58%), with co-extraction of 16% of Zn²⁺ at pH 1.3. TBP (10%) extracted 60% and 61% of Cu²⁺ and Fe, respectively, at pH 1.3, while 10% of MS recovered 55% and 50% of V, respectively. A concentration of 10% D2EHPA favored the recovery of 90% of Hf⁴⁺ at pH 1.3, with less than 35% co-extraction of Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Fe²⁺. At 1400 rpm, temperature also influenced extraction, with D2EHPA recovering 84% of Hf⁴⁺ at 35 °C, 77% of Ti (55 °C), and 79% of Fe (55 °C) and TBP extracting 73% of Cu²⁺, 67% of Mn²⁺, 68% of Zn, 60% of V⁴⁺, and 47% of Ni²⁺ at 55 °C. A concentration of 10% MS extracted 61% of V⁴⁺and 54% of Fe²⁺, while 150 g/L recovered 61% of V⁴⁺ at 55 °C. TAOT extracted 46% of Mn and 41% of V⁴⁺, while 10% TEP recovered 60% of Mn and 32% of V⁴⁺ at 55 °C. These outcomes contribute to an improved understanding of the solvent extraction mechanisms of different ligands. Full article

Solvent extraction of metals from Ti ore was investigated with a view of enhancing extraction yields by changing the concentration of the ligands, the rate of mixing, the pH, and the temperature of the solution. Norwegian Ti ore was leached with 5M HNO₃ alongside 10% ascorbic acid to obtain a pregnant solution containing transition metals and some rare earth elements (REEs). Part Two of the study will address the recovery of the REEs in the ore. The elemental analysis of solid and aqueous samples was done by two models of total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometers (S2 PICOFOX, Bruker Corporation, Berlin, Germany; and T-STAR, Bruker Corporation, Berlin, Germany). The same analysis was repeated using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (Perkin Elmer Sciex ELAN DRC II, Perkin Elmer, Waltham, MA, USA). The extraction process and parameters were examined by ICP-MS. The extraction efficiencies were studied under different conditions through the use of various concentrations of ligands at different pHs, temperatures, and mixing rates of the solution. At pH 1.0, 22.5 °C, and a mixing rate of 1400 rpm, the selectivity of 150 g/L trioctyl methyl ammonium chloride (Aliquat 336) was 99% Ti⁴⁺, 94% V⁴⁺, and 82% Hf⁴⁺, while 99% of Co²⁺ was recovered at pH 0.8. The extraction efficiency of triethyl phosphate (10% TEP) was 58% Cu²⁺, 68% Mn²⁺, and 63% V⁴⁺ at 55 °C, 1400 rpm, and without a pH change. Tributyl phosphate (10% TBP) was able to retrieve 87% Cu²⁺ and 78% Zn²⁺ at pH 1.3, 1400 rpm, and 22.5 °C, and 80% Ti⁴⁺ at pH 1.2. A 10% solution of 2,4,6-tris (allyloxy)-1,3,5-triazine (TAOT) demonstrated 61% Mn²⁺ and 56% Hf⁴⁺ extraction at pH 1.3, 22.5 °C, and 1400 rpm. Under the same conditions, 10% methyl salicylate (MS) was able to recover 56% Hf⁴⁺ at pH 1.3. Using 1400 rpm, di (2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (10% D2EHPA) was found to selectively extract 87% Hf⁴⁺ at 22.5 °C without a pH change, and around 99% Co²⁺, Ti⁴⁺, and Fe²⁺ at pH 1.3. This study provides valuable insights into optimizing solvent extraction conditions for transition metals’ recovery and serves as a precursor to future research on the extraction of REEs from Ti ores. This process is relevant from the environmental and economic perspectives since it provides the best approach to recycling metals to reduce the rate of raw ore mining. Full article

In this study, we propose a method for predicting welding deformation caused by multi-pass welding using the thermal elastic–plastic finite element method (TEP-FEM) by considering the interpass temperature. This method increases the interpass temperature, which has not been considered in the existing TEP-FEM, from 200 °C to 1000 °C, and simultaneously performs thermal and mechanical analyses. In addition, this method can also evaluate temperature history and the time it takes to weld. By predicting the welding deformation using this method, angular distortion prediction was reduced from 16.75 mm to 10.9 mm compared to the case where the interpass temperature was cooled to room temperature. Additionally, the deformation error was significantly reduced from 6.14% to 2.92% compared to that of the strain as directed boundary method used in a previous study. Additionally, our research demonstrated that interpass temperatures above 800 °C can result in increased deformation errors. In conclusion, it is essential to select an appropriate temperature to minimize deformation error. Full article

An eco-friendly extraction process of polyphenols from conventional dried rosemary tissues and post-distillation waste residues was applied using β-cyclodextrin as a co-solvent. The aqueous extracts were characterized by measuring the total phenolic content, and their phenolic compounds were identified and quantified by LC-MS. Sodium alginate solutions (2% w/w) with/without incorporation of rosemary aqueous extracts were prepared and used for the preparation of O/W emulsions containing 20% rapeseed oil and an 80% water phase. Hydrogel beads were then stored at 20 °C for 28 days. The quality of encapsulated oil during storage was evaluated by measurements of the peroxide value, p-anisidine value, free fatty acids, total oxidation value, and fatty acid composition, whilst the aqueous phase of the beads was analyzed for its total extractable phenolic content (TEPC). The experimental findings indicate that the incorporation of aqueous extracts from post-distillation rosemary residues in emulsion-filled hydrogel beads resulted in the lowest level of oxidation products in the encapsulated rapeseed oil (PV = 10.61 ± 0.02 meq/Kg oil, p-AnV = 4.41 ± 0.09, and FFA = 0.14 ± 0.00, expressed as % oleic acid content), indicating an acceptable oil quality until the end of the storage period. Full article

The food industry, crucial for emerging economies, faces challenges in refrigeration, particularly in fish storage. High energy consumption, environmental impact, and improper cooling methods leading to food waste are significant issues. Addressing these challenges is vital for economic and environmental sustainability in the food sector, especially concerning fish storage where spoilage rates are high. In this context, this research proposes a sizing methodology, evaluation, and parametric simulations based on multi-criteria attributes for a solar PV-powered cold room for storing fish in traditional markets in Morocco. To identify the cooling load of the system, TRNSYS 16 was utilized to simulate the transient behavior, while the PV array specifications were determined using SAM 2017.9.5 software. The design process introduced a cold room coupled to a refrigeration unit powered by a 15.3 m² PV array with a 1.8 kW_p nameplate capacity. Finally, yearly and life cycle metrics including self-sufficiency, self-consumption, Levelized Cost of Cooling (LCOC), discounted payback period (DPP), CO₂ emissions avoided and total environmental penalty cost savings (TEPCS) are evaluated to assess the performance of the system and a sensitivity analysis was conducted on these metrics. The proposed system has an attractive LCOC of 0.131 $/kWh_Cold and a DPP of 3.511 years. Using the PV array proved to avoid 437.56 tons of CO₂ emissions and generated TEPCS from $100.59 to $866.66. The results of this study highlight the potential for utilizing renewable energy sources in the refrigeration sector to improve both economic and environmental sustainability. Full article

Head and neck cancer, the seventh most common cancer worldwide, often affects the larynx, with a higher incidence in men. Total laryngectomy, a common treatment, results in the loss of phonation, and tracheoesophageal voice rehabilitation is the current rehabilitation method of choice. Despite ongoing debates regarding the timing of tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP), a crucial procedure for voice prosthesis placement, the secondary puncture continues to be the preferred choice in the majority of cases. This underscores the persistent controversy and the absence of consensus in this field. The aim of this manuscript was to define evidence-based recommendations regarding the procedure of primary TEP with voice prosthesis placement, establish the conditions and requirements for performing primary TEP, determine the indications and contraindications of primary TEP, as well as to define the complications and management of primary TEP. A total of 19 statements were formulated, with 78.95% of them having a Level of Evidence 4 and a Grade of Recommendation C. There is not sufficient evidence comparing the outcomes of primary TEP versus secondary TEP. Future studies with robust methodologies are needed to clarify the role of primary and secondary TEP in the rehabilitation of patients undergoing total laryngectomy. Full article

This paper explores the role of microdosimetry in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), a cancer treatment involving the selective accumulation of boron-containing compounds in cancer cells, followed by neutron irradiation. Neutron interactions with ¹⁰B induces a nuclear reaction, releasing densely ionizing particles, specifically alpha particles and recoiling lithium-7 nuclei. These particles deposit their energy within a small tissue volume, potentially targeting cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. The microscopic energy distribution, subject to significant fluctuations due to the short particle range, influences treatment efficacy. Microdosimetry, by studying this distribution, plays a crucial role in optimizing BNCT treatment planning. The methodology employs paired tissue equivalent proportional counters (TEPCs), one with cathode walls enriched with boron and the other without. Precise assessment of boron concentration is essential, as well as the ability to extrapolate results to the actual ¹⁰B concentration within the treatment region. The effective ¹⁰B concentrations within four boronated TEPCs, containing 10, 25, 70, and 100 ppm of ¹⁰B, have been determined. Results show variations of less than 3% from nominal values. Additionally, dose enhancement due to BNC interactions was measured and found to be proportional to the ¹⁰B concentration, with a proportionality factor of 7.7 × 10⁻³ per ppm of boron. Based on these findings, a robust procedure is presented for assessing the impact of BNCT in the treatment region, considering potential variations in boron content relative to the TEPC used. Full article

Open-cell spray polyurethane foams are widely used as highly efficient thermal insulation materials with vapor permeability and soundproofing properties. Unfortunately, for the production of commercial foams, mainly non-renewable petrochemical raw materials are used. The aim of this study was to determine the possibility of completely replacing petrochemical polyols (the main raw material used in the synthesis of polyurethanes, alongside isocyanates) with bio-polyols obtained from used cooking oils, classified as waste materials. The research consisted of three stages: the synthesis of bio-polyols, the development of polyurethane foam systems under laboratory conditions, and the testing of developed polyurethane spray systems under industrial conditions. The synthesis of the bio-polyols was carried out by using two different methods: a one-step transesterification process using triethanolamine and a two-step process of epoxidation and opening oxirane rings with diethylene glycol. The obtained bio-polyols were analyzed using gel chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The developed polyurethane foam formulations included two types of fire retardants: halogenated tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP) and halogen-free triethyl phosphate (TEP). In the formulations of polyurethane systems, reactive amine catalysts were employed, which become incorporated into the polymer matrix during foaming, significantly reducing their emission after application. The foams were manufactured on both a laboratory and industrial scale using high-pressure spray machines under conditions recommended by commercial system manufacturers: spray pressure 80–100 bar, component temperature 45–52 °C, and component volumetric ratio 1:1. The open-cell foams had apparent densities 14–21.5 kg/m³, thermal conductivity coefficients 35–38 mW/m∙K, closed-cell contents <5%, water vapor diffusion resistance factors (μ) <6, and limiting oxygen indexes 21.3–21.5%. The properties of the obtained foams were comparable to commercial materials. The developed polyurethane spray systems can be used as thermal insulation materials for insulating interior walls, attics, and ceilings. Full article

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. According to recent studies, cellular senescence caused by telomere shortening may contribute to the development of MS. Aim of the study: Our aim was to determine the associations of TEP1 rs1760904, rs1713418, TERC rs12696304, rs35073794 gene polymorphisms with the occurrence of MS. Methods: The study included 200 patients with MS and 230 healthy controls. Genotyping of TEP1 rs1760904, rs1713418 and TERC rs12696304, rs35073794 was performed using RT-PCR. The obtained data were analysed using the program “IBM SPSS Statistics 29.0”. Haplotype analysis was performed using the online program “SNPStats”. Results: The TERC rs12696304 G allele of this SNP is associated with 1.4-fold lower odds of developing MS (p = 0.035). TERC rs35073794 is associated with approximately 2.4-fold reduced odds of MS occurrence in the codominant, dominant, overdominant, and additive models (p < 0.001; p < 0.001; p < 0.001; p < 0.001, respectively). Haplotype analysis shows that the rs1760904-G—rs1713418-A haplotype is statistically significantly associated with 1.75-fold increased odds of developing MS (p = 0.006). The rs12696304-C–rs35073794-A haplotype is statistically significantly associated with twofold decreased odds of developing MS (p = 0.008). In addition, the rs12696304-G—rs35073794-A haplotype was found to be statistically significantly associated with 5.3-fold decreased odds of developing MS (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The current evidence may suggest a protective role of TERC SNP in the occurrence of MS, while TEP1 has the opposite effect. Full article

Tepotinib (MSC2156119) is a potent mesenchymal–epithelial transition (MET) factor inhibitor, a receptor tyrosine kinase that plays a crucial role in promoting cancer cell malignant progression. Adverse effects of tepotinib (TEP), such as peripheral edema, interstitial lung disease, nausea and diarrhea, occur due to drug accumulation and lead to termination of therapy. Therefore, the in silico and experimental metabolic susceptibility of TEP was investigated. In the current work, an LC-MS/MS analytical method was developed for TEP estimation with metabolic stability assessment. TEP and lapatinib (LTP) used as internal standards (ISs) were separated on a reversed-phase C18 column using the isocratic mobile phase. Protein precipitation steps were used to extract TEP from the human liver microsome (HLM) matrix. An electrospray ionization multi-reaction monitoring (MRM) acquisition was conducted at m/z 493→112 for TEP, at m/z 581→350, and 581→365 for the IS. Calibration was in the range of 5 to 500 ng/mL (R² = 0.999). The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.4759 ng/mL, whereas the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 1.4421 ng/mL. The reproducibility of the developed analytical method (inter- and intra-day precision and accuracy) was within 4.39%. The metabolic stability of TEP in HLM was successfully assessed using the LC-MS/MS method. The metabolic stability assessment of TEP showed intermediate Cl_int (35.79 mL/min/kg) and a moderate in vitro t_1/2 (22.65 min), proposing the good bioavailability and moderate extraction ratio of TEP. The in silico results revealed that the N-methyl piperidine group is the main reason of TEP metabolic lability. The in silico Star Drop software program could be used in an effective protocol to confirm and propose the practical in vitro metabolic experiments to spare resources and time, especially during the first stages for designing new drugs. The established analytical method is considered the first LC-MS/MS method for TEP estimation in the HLM matrix with its application to metabolic stability assessment. Full article

Liquid biopsies offer minimally invasive diagnosis and monitoring of cancer disease. This biosource is often analyzed using sequencing, which generates highly complex data that can be used using machine learning tools. Nevertheless, validating the clinical applications of such methods is challenging. It requires: (a) using data from many patients; (b) verifying potential bias concerning sample collection; and (c) adding interpretability to the model. In this work, we have used RNA sequencing data of tumor-educated platelets (TEPs) and performed a binary classification (cancer vs. no-cancer). First, we compiled a large-scale dataset with more than a thousand donors. Further, we used different convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and boosting methods to evaluate the classifier performance. We have obtained an impressive result of 0.96 area under the curve. We then identified different clusters of splice variants using expert knowledge from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Employing boosting algorithms, we identified the features with the highest predictive power. Finally, we tested the robustness of the models using test data from novel hospitals. Notably, we did not observe any decrease in model performance. Our work proves the great potential of using TEP data for cancer patient classification and opens the avenue for profound cancer diagnostics. Full article

Jabuticabas are wild fruits native to Brazil, and their peels, the main residue from jabuticaba processing, contain significant amounts of bioactive compounds, which are mostly phenolics. Conventional methods based on the estimation of total extractable phenolics (TEP—Folin–Ciocalteau) or total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA) have limitations and may not reflect the actual antioxidant potential of these peels. Analytical methods, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), are more appropriate for the quantification of specific phenolics, and can be used as a reference for the construction of mathematical models in order to predict the amount of compounds using simple spectroscopic analysis, such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Therefore, the objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate the composition of specific polyphenols in flours prepared from jabuticaba peels and verify their correlation with TEP and TMA results from a previous study, and (ii) to employ FTIR coupled with chemometrics to predict the concentrations of these polyphenols in jabuticaba peel flours (JPFs) using HPLC as a reference method. Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), ellagic acid (EA) and delphinidin-3-glucoside (D3G) were the main polyphenols found in the samples. The C3G contents ranged from 352.33 mg/100 g (S10) to 1008.73 mg/100 g (S22), with a strong correlation to TMA (r = 0.97; p = 0.00) and a moderate correlation to TEP (r = 0.45; p = 0.02). EA contents ranged from 163.65 mg/100 g (S23) to 334.69 mg/100 g (S11), with a moderate to strong correlation to TEP (r = 0.69; p = 0.00). The D3G values ranged from 94.99 mg/100 g (S10) to 203.36 mg/100 g (S5), with strong correlations to TMA (r = 0.91; p = 0.00) and C3G levels (r = 0.92; p = 0.00). The developed partial least squares-PLS models based on FTIR data provided satisfactory predictions of C3G and EA levels, reasonably matching those of HPLC. Full article