Search Results (13,791)

The rapid rise in atmospheric CO₂ concentrations has intensified the need for scalable, sustainable, and economically viable carbon sequestration technologies. This study introduces a cost-effective CaO/Ca(OH)₂-based mineralization process that not only enables efficient CO₂ removal but also allows the simultaneous recovery of high-purity calcite nanoparticles as value-added products. The process involves hydrating CaO, followed by controlled carbonation under optimized CO₂ flow rates, temperature conditions, and and additive use, yielding nanocrystalline calcite with an average particle size of approximately 100 nm. Comprehensive characterization using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed a polycrystalline structure with exceptional chemical purity (99.9%) and rhombohedral morphology. Techno-economic analysis further demonstrated that coupling CO₂ sequestration with nanoparticle production can markedly improve profitability, particularly when utilizing CaO/Ca(OH)₂-rich industrial residues such as steel slags or lime sludge as feedstock. This hybrid, multi-revenue strategy—integrating carbon credits, nanoparticle sales, and waste valorization—offers a scalable pathway aligned with circular economy principles, enhancing both environmental and economic performance. Moreover, the proposed system can be applied to CO₂-emitting plants and facilities, enabling not only effective carbon dioxide removal and the generation of carbon credits, but also the production of calcite nanoparticles for diverse applications in agriculture, manufacturing, and environmental remediation. These findings highlight the potential of CaO/Ca(OH)₂-based mineralization to evolve from a carbon management technology into a platform for advanced materials manufacturing, thereby contributing to global decarbonization efforts. Full article

Modifying lubricants with hard material particles improves lubricant performance by allowing the particles to penetrate the contact area and separate the contacting surfaces. The use of solid particles as additives in fluid lubricants presents a promising avenue for providing effective lubrication under high loads in sheet metal forming. This article presents the results of friction tests using the bending under tension friction tribotester. Low-carbon DC01 steel sheets were used as the test material. The main goal of the study was to determine the effect of lubricant modification by adding MoS₂ and SiO₂ particles and the modification of 145Cr6 steel countersamples on the coefficient of friction (CoF), changes in friction-induced surface roughness and friction mechanisms. The surfaces of the countersamples were modified using electron beam melting and the ion implantation of lead (IPb). It was found that increasing the SiO₂ and MoS₂ content in DC01/145Cr6 and DC01/IPb contacts under base oil lubrication conditions resulted in a decrease in the CoF value. For the countersample subjected to electron beam melting, considering all friction conditions, the CoF decreased between 31.9% and 37.5%. Full article

Malignant cerebral infarction (MCI) is rare but often fatal. Early identification helps guide monitoring and decompressive surgery. This study evaluated whether serum biomarkers add predictive value beyond clinical and imaging data in severe stroke patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO). In this prospective study, 73 acute severe LVO stroke patients underwent whole-brain CT perfusion (CTP) with rCBV-based core measurement at admission and follow-up MRI at 24 ± 12 h for infarct and edema volume assessment. Serum biomarkers (s100b, NSE, VEGF, ICAM1) were sampled a median of 20.5 h after baseline imaging. Logistic regression models predicted MCI using baseline variables (NIHSS, ASPECTS, rCBV < 30%), adding treatment data (rtPA, mTICI, NIHSS posttreatment), and adding serum biomarkers. Performance was assessed by AUC, accuracy, F1, and cross-validated R². MCI occurred in 18/73 (24%) patients. Baseline models showed an AUC of 0.72; adding treatment improved the AUC to 0.88. Biomarkers slightly increased the AUC (0.90) but did not improve F1. Higher s100b was associated with more severe injury but did not enhance the prediction of MCI. Models with baseline imaging and treatment best explained infarct (R² ≈ 0.27) and edema (R² ≈ 0.58). In conclusion, admission severity, CTP, and early treatment response are the main predictors of MCI and aid early risk stratification of patients. Despite their pathophysiologic relevance, serum biomarkers do not add substantial predictive value. Full article

Over the past few decades, people have become increasingly aware of how the ingredients in their food affect their health, leading to significant changes in dietary habits. A notable trend is the growing demand for high-protein foods. However, as consumption of high-protein products increases, manufacturers face challenges in sourcing enough protein to meet this rising demand. One promising alternative is insect protein, which has attracted considerable attention in recent years due to its high nutritional value, with Acheta domesticus protein containing up to 80% protein per gram. To explore this potential, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of integrating different concentrations (10%, 12.5%, and 15%) of Acheta domesticus protein powder into cocoa cream products. The study’s findings indicated that incorporation of Acheta Domesticus protein resulted in a limited alteration in the particle size distribution of the cocoa cream, while sensory evaluations confirmed the absence of a gritty texture. In addition to sensory analysis, the study examined chemical composition, rheological properties, texture, color, and thermal characteristics. These results were compared with a control sample. The findings of this study indicate that the samples with 12.5 and 15% of the added protein can claim a nutritional statement “source of protein”. Full article

Global urbanization has led to massive generation of high-water-content waste slurry, creating serious environmental challenges. Conventional treatment methods are costly and unsustainable, while cement-based foamed lightweight soils typically exhibit low strength and limited CO₂ sequestration. To address this issue, this study proposes a novel stabilization pathway by integrating a MgO–mineral powder–carbide slag composite binder with CO₂ foaming–carbonation. The approach enables simultaneous slurry lightweighting, strength enhancement, and CO₂ fixation. A series of laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate flowability, density, compressive strength, and deformation characteristics of the carbonated lightweight stabilized slurry. Microstructural analyses, including SEM and XRD, were used to reveal the formation of carbonate phases and pore structures. The results showed that MgO content strongly promoted carbonation, leading to denser microstructures and higher strength, while mineral powder and carbide slag optimized workability and pore stability. Orthogonal testing indicated that a mix with 25% mineral powder, 12.5% MgO, and 7.5% carbide slag achieved the best performance, with unconfined compressive strength up to 0.48 MPa after carbonation. Compared with conventional cement- or GGBS-based foamed lightweight soils, the proposed system exhibits superior strength development, improved pore stability, and enhanced CO₂ sequestration potential. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of recycling high-water-content waste slurry into value-added construction materials while contributing to carbon reduction targets. This study not only provides a sustainable solution for waste slurry management but also offers new insights into the integration of CO₂ mineralization into geotechnical engineering practice. Full article

Office is one of the core sectors within the buildings sector, attracting tens of billions of dollars in global real estate investment flows. Most of these are achieved through non-listed investments, where office real estate represents one of the major sectoral investment exposures for many global institutional real estate investors and investment managers. The rising interest rates in recent years have been a significant concern, impacting the global real estate markets significantly. Based on these premises and by using quarterly total returns of non-listed office real estate across the US, UK, Germany, Canada, and Australia from June 2008 to June 2024, this research assesses the risk-adjusted performance and portfolio diversification benefits of non-listed office real estate across the five markets over both interest rate cut and interest rate hike cycles. The results empirically validate the added-value role of non-listed office real estate in institutional multi-asset portfolios across the UK, Germany, Canada, and Australia during the interest rate hike cycle preceding the COVID recession. In the 10% capped real estate allocation, the average allocation was 0.7% in the UK, 0.4% in Germany, 0.7% in Canada, and 9.1% in Australia. Over the interest rate hike cycle after the COVID recession, Australian non-listed office real estate offered enhanced benefits as part of the multi-asset portfolio, constituting an average of 0.8% in the capped real estate allocation. In the global non-listed office real estate portfolio, the US dominated the portfolio across varying interest rate cycles, with an average allocation of approximately 65%. The average allocation to Australia was 24.2% over the interest rate hike cycles, while the average allocation to Germany was 32.0% over the interest rate cut cycles. These findings offer institutional real estate investors and investment managers critical and practical insights into how the investment performance and portfolio construction strategy of office assets—an essential component of the buildings sector and a major non-listed real estate investment exposure for global institutional real estate investors—respond to macro-financial and interest rate cycles. The investment implications of the findings are also discussed. Full article

Electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) is a key technology for achieving carbon neutrality and efficient utilization of renewable energy, capable of converting CO₂ into high-value-added carbon-based fuels and chemicals. Copper (Cu)-based catalysts have attracted significant attention due to their unique performance in generating multi-carbon (C₂₊) products such as ethylene and ethanol; however, there are still many controversies regarding their complex reaction mechanisms, active sites, and the dynamic evolution of intermediates. In situ Raman spectroscopy, with its high surface sensitivity, applicability in aqueous environments, and precise detection of molecular vibration modes, has become a powerful tool for studying the structural evolution of Cu catalysts and key reaction intermediates during CO₂RR. This article reviews the principles of electrochemical in situ Raman spectroscopy and its latest developments in the study of CO₂RR on Cu-based catalysts, focusing on its applications in monitoring the dynamic structural changes of the catalyst surface (such as Cu⁺, Cu⁰, and Cu²⁺ oxide species) and identifying key reaction intermediates (such as *CO, *OCCO(*O=C-C=O), *COOH, etc.). Numerous studies have shown that Cu-based oxide precursors undergo rapid reduction and surface reconstruction under CO₂RR conditions, resulting in metallic Cu nanoclusters with unique crystal facets and particle size distributions. These oxide-derived active sites are considered crucial for achieving high selectivity toward C₂₊ products. Time-resolved Raman spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) techniques have further revealed the dynamic characteristics of local pH changes at the electrode/electrolyte interface and the adsorption behavior of intermediates, providing molecular-level insights into the mechanisms of selectivity control in CO₂RR. However, technical challenges such as weak signal intensity, laser-induced damage, and background fluorescence interference, and opportunities such as coupling high-precision confocal Raman technology with in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy or synchrotron radiation Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in researching the mechanisms of CO₂RR are also put forward. Full article

The addition of sea buckthorn(Hippophae rhamnoides L.) fruits as well as their extracted juice or, even more interestingly, related by-products into chocolate results in manufacturing an innovative functional food rich in bioactive substances. Thirteen treatments derived from the factorial combination of three types of H. rhamnoides materials (total fruit powder; fruit by-product powder; and fruit juice) and four concentrations (10%, 15%, 20% and 25%), plus an untreated control, were compared in terms of texture, quality, colour, antioxidant, mineral and sensorial properties of white chocolate. The untreated control showed the highest values of most of the texture parameters, as well as of pH, dry matter, soluble solids and colour component ‘L’. The colour component ‘b’ was best influenced by the 10% by-product addition to chocolate, whereas mineral substances, ash and colour component ‘a’ augmented with the increasing concentration of added H. rhamnoides materials. Compared to the untreated control, protein and fat contents in chocolate decreased with the rising added concentration of sea buckthorn fruit juice but showed the opposite trend under the integration of the whole fruit and its by-products. The antioxidant compounds and activity increased from the untreated chocolate to the highest concentration of added sea buckthorn materials. The juice addition to the chocolate best affected vitamin C, total carotenoids, β-carotene and lycopene, whereas the whole fruit integration led to the top levels of flavonoids, polyphenols and antioxidant activity. Potassium and zinc contents decreased from the untreated control to the highest H. rhamnoides material addition, whereas opposite trends were shown by calcium, magnesium, sodium and phosphorus. The integration of H. rhamnoides fruit materials into chocolate presents a valuable strategy to produce innovative health beneficial functional food. Full article

Eukaryotic cells respond to oxidative stress (OS), a physiological condition characterized by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), through various protective mechanisms. The antioxidant defense system (ADS) is activated either by post-translational modifications of pre-existing proteins or through the induction of gene expression. These mechanisms protect cellular biomolecules against ROS damage. Although extensive research has been conducted in different species, there is limited information regarding the specific response of Yarrowia lipolytica to OS. This study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which Y. lipolytica responds to OS by analyzing the expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in antioxidant response, such as superoxide dismutase (Sod), catalase (Cat), and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx). The Y. lipolytica genome contains three CAT genes, one SOD gene, one copper chaperone for Sod (CCS) gene, and one GPX gene. The expression profiles of these genes were assessed in Y. lipolytica cells exposed to H₂O₂ [5 mM] over time. All genes reached their maximal expression within the first 15 min of exposure. Comparative analysis between young and aged Y. lipolytica cells subjected to OS revealed that young cells exhibited higher expression levels for all genes, with CAT3 and SOD showing the highest expression values. These findings suggest that the enzymes encoded by these genes play a crucial role in the antioxidant response of this species. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating that the ADS in Y. lipolytica is regulated at the transcriptional level. Full article

This study presents a sustainable upcycling strategy to convert “Pit,” a carbon-rich coke oven by-product from steel manufacturing, into high-purity graphite for use as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries. Despite its high carbon content, raw Pit contains significant impurities and has irregular particle morphology, which limits its direct application in batteries. We employed a multi-step, additive-free refinement process—including jet milling, spheroidization, and high-temperature graphitization—to enhance carbon purity and structural properties. The processed Pit-derived graphite showed a much-improved particle size distribution (D50 reduced from 25.3 μm to 14.8 μm & Span reduced from 1.72 to 1.23), increased tap density (from 0.54 to 0.80 g/cm³), and reduced BET surface area, making it suitable for high-performance lithium-ion batteries anodes. Structural characterization by XRD and TEM confirmed dramatically enhanced crystallinity after graphitization (graphitization degree increasing from ~13 for raw Pit to 95.7% for graphitized Pit at 3000 °C). The fully processed graphite (denoted S_Pit3000) delivered a reversible discharge capacity of 346.7 mAh/g with an initial Coulombic efficiency of 93.5% in half-cell tests—comparable to commercial artificial graphite. Furthermore, when composited with silicon oxide to form a hybrid anode, the material achieved an even higher capacity of 418.0 mAh/g under high mass loading conditions. These results highlight the feasibility of transforming industrial coke waste into value-added electrode materials through environmentally friendly physical processes. The upcycled graphite anode meets industrial performance standards, demonstrating a promising route toward circular economy solutions in both the steel and battery industries. Full article

Finding eco-friendly alternatives to the synthetic materials used for acoustic application in building industry is necessary to address environmental sustainability. Biocomposites of natural fibers combined with a biopolymer matrix emerge as a promising approach. In this study, soy protein biocomposites were prepared with 10, 15, and 20 wt% sheep wool and were added spent coffee grounds by freeze-drying to create fibro-porous biocomposites for acoustic applications. Transmission loss (TL) measurements underlined good behavior as sound insulators, with maximum values around 22 dB at 2500 Hz and even better performance than those of commercial synthetic solutions. The obtained sound absorption coefficients were competitive, as they almost reached unity at medium and high frequencies. Airflow resistivity was determined, and values were higher for the biocomposites with coffee grounds, specifically 14–18 kPa·s·m⁻² vs. 5.62–11.6 kPa·s·m⁻². Using the input of the measured airflow resistivity, an empirical model using a genetic algorithm was developed as a prediction tool for the sound absorption performance of the samples. All in all, results showcase the feasibility of employing the studied biocomposites as competitive sound insulators and absorbers in building construction industry. Full article

Background and objectives: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects not only physical health but also psychological well-being. While the emotional and social burden of AD is well documented, there is still limited research on how AD affects sexual health. The study aimed to evaluate quality of life (QoL), mental health, and risk factors for impaired sexual life, as well as their relationships. Materials and Methods: A total of 201 participants (96 patients with AD and 105 healthy controls) were enrolled in the study. Socio-demographic and clinical data were obtained using a specifically developed questionnaire. In addition, participants completed validated scales, including the DLQI, HADS, FSFI, IIEF-5, and SRSLQ. AD severity was assessed using the SCORAD questionnaire. Results: Our study found that patients with AD had statistically significantly higher mean anxiety (6.8 ± 3.6 vs. 5.0 ± 3.2; p < 0.001), depression (5.2 ± 3.4 vs. 3.9 ± 2.9, p < 0.01), and skin-related sexual dysfunction scores (15.0 ± 4.5 vs. 4.4 ± 4.7, p < 0.001), as well as QoL scores (12.3 ± 6.1 vs. 1.8 ± 3.1, p < 0.001), than healthy controls. Female AD patients reported higher values of depression and anxiety compared to male patients (5.9 ± 3.1 vs. 4.4 ± 3.5, p = 0.03, 7.6 ± 2.9 vs. 6.0 ± 4.1, p = 0.03, respectively) and lower FSFI scores compared to healthy women (24.8 ± 8.0 vs. 31.3 ± 3.0, p < 0.001). Deterioration in sexual health, assessed by the SRSLQ score, was strongly correlated with QoL impairment (R = 0.5, p < 0.001), anxiety (R = 0.51, p < 0.001), and depression (R = 0.5, p < 0.001). Finally, we found that sex life negatively correlates with AD severity (p=0.001), involvement of a genital area (p = 0.005), intensity of pruritus (r = 0.284, p = 0.005), and insomnia (r = 0.366, p < 0.001). Conclusions: AD significantly affects patients’ quality of life, including their sex life. Many factors associated with the disease also contribute to the deterioration of patients’ sexual health. Routine assessment of sexual life in dermatological practice, using validated tools, could facilitate early identification and support for affected patients. Significance: This study highlights the often-overlooked impact of atopic dermatitis on patients’ sexual health. Our findings demonstrate that sexual function is significantly impaired in individuals with atopic dermatitis—particularly among women—and that such dysfunction is closely associated with disease-related symptoms. These results have important implications for improving the quality of care provided to individuals affected by the condition. Full article

Road and pavement construction require huge volumes of borrowed soils in addition to the foundation soils. Unfortunately, not all soils are suitable for construction purposes. Soil stabilization is a fundamental technique used to enhance the engineering properties of weak ground/soil to meet the demands of large infrastructure projects, such as roads. It is in this regard that this study investigates the strength development, durability, and effectiveness of cement and quarry dust as stabilizers to enhance the geotechnical properties of a weak tropical clay soil. Cement was added in the range of 0% to 10% while quarry dust was used to partially replace soil in the range of 0% to 50%. The results show significant improvements in the Atterberg limits and strength properties of the tropical clay. The liquid limit reduced from 43.2% to 25.1% while the plasticity index reduced from 17.6% to 10.2% at 50% quarry dust and 10% cement content. Similarly, the maximum dry unit weight increased from 17.4 kN/m³ to 21.3 kN/m³ while the optimum moisture content decreased from 17.1% to 12.9%. The maximum soaked CBR value was 172%, representing a 1497% enhancement over untreated soil. Also, the maximum unconfined compressive strength (UCS) reached 2566 kN/m² at 28 days of curing, representing a 1793.73% increase when compared to the untreated soil. Cement content was found to be the predominant factor influencing strength development. The study shows that cement–quarry dust blends compacted at high energy can be adopted in sustainable road construction. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cancer remains a leading global cause of death, with breast, lung, colorectal, and prostate cancers being among the most prevalent. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into cancer imaging research offers opportunities for earlier diagnosis and personalized treatment. However, the effectiveness of AI models depends critically on the quality, standardization, and fairness of the input data. The EU-funded INCISIVE project aimed to create a federated, pan-European repository of imaging and clinical data for cancer cases, with a key objective to develop a robust framework for pre-validating data prior to its use in AI development. Methods: We propose a data validation framework to assess clinical (meta)data and imaging data across five dimensions: completeness, validity, consistency, integrity, and fairness. The framework includes procedures for deduplication, annotation verification, DICOM metadata analysis, and anonymization compliance. Results: The pre-validation process identified key data quality issues, such as missing clinical information, inconsistent formatting, and subgroup imbalances, while also demonstrating the added value of structured data entry and standardized protocols. Conclusions: This structured framework addresses common challenges in curating large-scale, multimodal medical data. By applying this approach, the INCISIVE project ensures data quality, interoperability, and equity, providing a transferable model for future health data repositories supporting AI research in oncology. Full article

The aim of this work was to study the effects of modification of the skin maceration process by adding ascorbic acid and a yeast culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the quality and safety of Welschriesling wine. The pH, total acids, SO₂, and alcohol content were significantly affected by the modification of the maceration (p < 0.001), except for the alcohol variable, which was not influenced by the skin maceration modifications of the measured values (p > 0.05). The antioxidant activity, total polyphenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid levels changed significantly during the experiment, including the maceration and maturation periods (p < 0.001). The observed histamine concentrations were below the recommended limit of 10 mg·L⁻¹ in each analysed sample. Histamine (HIS) and tyramine (TYR) amounts were significantly affected by the experimental factors (p < 0.001). After nine months of maturation, wine samples with ascorbic acid had 2.23 ± 0.00 and 0.35 ± 0.00 mg·L⁻¹ HIS and TYR content, respectively. On the other side, macerated wines without ascorbic acid had 3.05 ± 0.10 and 0.37 ± 0.05 mg·L⁻¹ HIS and TYR content, respectively. Modified vinification procedure with ascorbic acid negatively affected wine samples in the overall sensory evaluation scores of the wines (p < 0.001). Full article