Search Results (19,486)

To in situ and efficiently degrade irreversible membrane contaminants under mild conditions, SiC ceramic membranes (CMs) were imparted a catalytic ozonation functionality. A spinel-type CoFe₂O₄ catalyst was fabricated via a citrate-assisted sol–gel method and subsequently impregnated into the macropores of SiC ceramic membranes through a urea-assisted one-step combustion technique. The as-prepared catalytic membranes (CoFe₂O₄-CM) were systematically characterized by SEM, EDS, XRD and XPS techniques, and the catalytic ozonation performance was evaluated in an integrated catalytic ozonation–membrane separation system (CoFe₂O₄-CM/O₃). A flux recovery rate (FRR) of 93.33% was achieved at an ozone concentration of 70.27 mg·L⁻¹ within 30 min, indicating that a catalytic self-cleaning membrane was successfully developed. The possible catalytic reaction mechanism was elucidated by identifying reactive oxygen species generated using free radical quenching tests and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis. This study offers a promising and environmentally friendly strategy for ceramic membrane cleaning in various membrane separation fields. Full article

Although the parental recombinant protein rLj-RGD3 exhibits antitumor activity, it carries immunogenicity risks owing to its large molecular size (13.5 kDa). We generated a genetically truncated mutant, rLj-RGD4 (6.27 kDa, four RGD motifs), which inhibited B16 melanoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. However, the in vivo efficacy and mechanisms of action remain unclear. Here, B16 xenograft mice were treated with rLj-RGD4 (5, 10, and 20 μg/kg i.p. daily for 14 days). Tumor growth was measured, and histopathology/apoptosis was evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (HE), Masson’s dye, Hoechst, and TUNEL staining. Apoptotic pathways (mitochondrial, death receptor, and MAPK) were analyzed via Western blotting, whereas endocytosis mechanisms were explored using inhibitors (filipin III, NaN₃, cytochalasin D), and EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) interactions via fluorescence co-localization and phosphoprotein assays. The results demonstrated dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition (21.60–89.26% volume reduction, 41.03–86.51% weight reduction), with histological evidence of tissue loosening, fibrosis, and apoptosis. rLj-RGD4 induced apoptosis by activating the mitochondrial (Bax/Bcl-2 upregulation), death receptor (caspase-8 activation), and MAPK (JNK/p38 phosphorylation) pathways. Internalization was blocked by NaN₃ and cytochalasin D, indicating actin-dependent macropinocytosis. Direct EGFR binding was confirmed, accompanied by reduced EGFR expression and the inhibition of FAK/AKT/Src signaling. In conclusion, rLj-RGD4 exerts potent in vivo antitumor activity via two mechanisms: induction of multi-pathway apoptosis and EGFR-targeted suppression of pro-survival signaling. RGD4 exerts its antitumor function in vivo by targeting and co-internalizing with EGFR. Full article

Tuberculosis–diabetes mellitus (TB-DM) is increasingly recognized as a syndemic in which chronic metabolic dysregulation amplifies tuberculosis severity, delays treatment response, and increases relapse and mortality. However, conventional systemic correlates soluble cytokines and bulk whole-blood transcriptomic signatures often appear broadly similar between TB and TB-DM. This highlights a key gap: clinically meaningful immune dysfunction in TB-DM likely resides in specific lung and blood cell states that are poorly resolved by bulk assays. Small extracellular vesicles (EVs) in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) provide a tractable “liquid biopsy” layer because their RNA and protein cargo can integrate information from infected macrophages, neutrophils, and epithelial/endothelial compartments, and may also include pathogen-derived components. Yet most EV studies remain bulk and cell-agnostic, and interpretation is constrained by heterogeneous vesicle mixtures, selective cargo packaging, and co-isolated non-vesicular contaminants, issues that are especially problematic for nucleic-acid claims without rigorous controls. In this targeted narrative review (2010–2026), we argue that single-cell and multimodal immune reference atlases, including scRNA-seq/CITE-seq, provide a needed scaffold to link EV cargo patterns to specific immune cell states, pathways, and anatomic compartments in TB-DM, enabling prioritized candidates and testable hypotheses. We outline three complementary frameworks: reference-atlas anchoring to project EV cargo modules onto atlas-defined immune states; orthogonal triangulation combining computational inference with immunoaffinity enrichment, targeted validation, and functional assays; and cautious use of “droplet-era” extracellular signals as hypothesis-generating priors for EV-producing states. Implemented in longitudinal, clinically annotated cohorts with standardized EV workflows, atlas-guided EV profiling could yield cell-of-origin–resolved biomarkers of TB-DM immunopathology and treatment response, while prioritizing mechanistically plausible targets for host-directed intervention. Full article

This study explores the impact of renewable energy consumption on environmental quality in ten OECD economies over the period 1990–2024, aiming to assess its contribution as a structural driver of decarbonization in advanced economies. Given the presence of strong cross-sectional dependence and heterogeneous country dynamics, the analysis employs second-generation panel econometric techniques. Stationarity is assessed using the CIPS unit root test. Long-run relationships are examined using the Westerlund error-correction-based cointegration approach. Long-run elasticities are estimated using the Common Correlated Effects Mean Group (CCE-MG) and Augmented Mean Group (AMG) estimators. Short-run dynamics are analyzed within a panel error-correction framework. The results confirm the existence of a stable long-run equilibrium relationship among the variables. Renewable energy consumption is associated with a negative effect on CO₂ emissions, with the CCE-MG estimate indicating that a 1% increase in renewable energy reduces emissions by approximately 0.067%, although the long-run statistical significance remains marginal. In the short run, renewable energy is also associated with lower emissions, indicating both structural and immediate mitigation dynamics. By contrast, energy consumption and financial development increase emissions, while economic growth does not exhibit a robust long-run effect, providing no support for the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis. The error-correction term confirms rapid convergence toward long-run equilibrium. Robustness analysis using carbon intensity as an alternative environmental indicator yields consistent findings. In sum, the results suggest that renewable energy expansion should be complemented by energy efficiency policies and the reorientation of financial systems toward green investments to achieve effective decarbonization. From a policy perspective, coordinated strategies integrating renewable deployment, efficiency improvements, and sustainable finance are essential for achieving long-term environmental sustainability in OECD economies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) is a major infectious disease of cattle caused by bovine viral diarrhea virus genotypes 1 and 2 (BVDV-1 and BVDV-2). Current inactivated and live attenuated vaccines provide incomplete cross-genotype protection and may exhibit limitations related to durability of immunity or safety. This study evaluated whether co-expression of the BVDV envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2 in a Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vector could support antigen expression and induce immune responses in a proof-of-concept model. Methods: Recombinant Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) viruses expressing BVDV-1 E1E2 or BVDV-2 E1E2 were generated by homologous recombination. Recombinant viruses were purified and characterized for antigen expression, genetic stability, and growth properties in vitro. Immunogenicity was evaluated in a BALB/c mouse model by measuring E2-specific antibody responses, virus-neutralizing antibodies, and antigen-responsive cellular immune responses. Results: Both recombinant MVA constructs showed detectable E2 expression when E1 and E2 were co-expressed, and exhibited growth characteristics comparable to parental MVA with stable maintenance after serial passage. In contrast, recombinant MVA expressing E2 alone did not yield detectable E2 protein under the same experimental conditions. Immunization induced detectable humoral and cellular immune responses, including E2-specific IgG antibodies, virus-neutralizing antibodies, and increased frequencies of antigen-responsive CD8⁺ T cells with a tendency toward a Th1-biased profile. Conclusions: These findings indicate that co-expression of BVDV E1 and E2 in an MVA vector can support detectable antigen expression and induce measurable immune responses in a mouse proof-of-concept model. Further studies in cattle, including challenge experiments, will be required to determine the protective efficacy and practical applicability of this platform for BVDV vaccine development. Full article

Industrial emissions of large amounts of CO₂ have seriously affected human health, making it imperative to reduce atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. However, carbon capture technologies such as chemical absorption and membrane separation are still limited by high regenerative energy costs, corrosion, and low efficiency in diluting flue gas. Within this technological landscape, physical adsorption separation technology, due to its advantages such as a wide operating temperature range, low equipment corrosivity, and low regeneration energy consumption, has gradually become a research hotspot in carbon capture technology. The core of physical adsorption lies in finding high-quality adsorbents. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), with their ultra-high specific surface area, tunable pore structure, and abundant functionalization sites, are considered highly promising next-generation CO₂ adsorbent materials. This review summarizes strategies for modifying MOFs to improve CO₂ adsorption performance, focusing on aperture adjustment, doped metal ions, functional group doping, and computational screening. Performance enhancements are mechanism-dependent rather than simply additive. Moderate aperture adjustment and defect engineering can improve gas selectivity and CO₂ capture capacity, while excessively narrow pores sacrifice available pore volume and gas diffusion. Doped metal ions, particularly in MOF-74 and related materials, can enhance CO₂ capture capacity while controlling framework integrity and dopant composition. Functional group Doping remains an effective method for capturing low-partial-pressure CO₂. Computational screening is shifting from ranking based on single adsorption capacity to a comprehensive consideration that includes humidity tolerance, stability, and regenerability. Overall, under industrial conditions, modified MOFs should be evaluated by balancing affinity, selectivity, capacity, stability, and energy efficiency. This review provides guidance for the rational design of MOF-based carbon capture adsorbents. Full article

Ovarian cancer (OC) remains one of the leading causes of gynecologic cancer mortality, largely due to late diagnosis, frequent relapse, and the emergence of chemoresistance. An important but often-overlooked contributor to treatment failure is the heterogeneous penetration of anticancer drugs within tumors. Structural and biochemical barriers—including abnormal vasculature, elevated interstitial pressure, dense extracellular matrix, drug efflux transporters, and malignant ascites—generate steep intratumoral concentration gradients that conventional preclinical models fail to capture. As a result, systemic pharmacokinetic measurements frequently provide limited insight into tumor-level drug exposure. Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) have emerged as physiologically relevant 3D models that preserve the genetic, architectural, and functional characteristics of the original tumor. These systems enable controlled investigation of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes, including drug penetration, metabolism, retention, and exposure–response relationships. Adding cell-free malignant ascites supernatant enhances PDOs’ ability to mimic the metastatic peritoneal microenvironment of OC. This review discusses recent advances in PDO technologies and examines how PDO-derived data can inform intratumoral pharmacokinetics and dosing strategies using physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling and in vitro–in vivo extrapolation. Emerging hybrid platforms, including organoid-on-chip systems, vascularized co-cultures, and multi-omics integration, are crucial to improve translational prediction and support precision oncology. Full article

We investigate a generalization of complement reducible graphs, called co-graphs, for r-uniform hypergraphs. The operations of r-co-hypergraphs are the disjoint union of two given r-co-hypergraphs and the join operation, which inserts all hyperedges of cardinality r between the non-empty vertex subsets of two given r-co-hypergraphs. We show that the primal graphs of r-co-hypergraphs are special co-graphs and that r-co-hypergraphs are closed under complementation of r-uniform hypergraphs. This leads to a method that can determine whether an input hypergraph H is an r-co-hypergraph. If the answer is positive, we find a decomposition tree for H in polynomial time. We give specific formulas for how to compute several hypergraph parameters for r-uniform hypergraphs defined by the disjoint union of two r-uniform hypergraphs and the join of two r-uniform hypergraphs. The considered parameters are the size of a largest stable set, the size of a largest co-stable set, the size of a largest independent set, the size of a largest co-independent set, the size of a smallest vertex cover, the size of a smallest 2-transversal, the size of a smallest dominating set, the strong chromatic number, and the upper chromatic number. This leads to $\mathcal{O}\left(n\right)$ time algorithms to compute these values on r-co-hypergraphs on n vertices given by a decomposition tree. Further, we conclude relations for the considered parameters restricted to r-co-hypergraphs. Our methods generalize and re-prove several results known for co-graphs. Full article

Mycotoxin contamination remains a persistent threat to food safety in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries, driven by conducive tropical agroecological conditions, inadequate post-harvest practices, and limited regulatory governance. This critical narrative review (2009–2024) synthesizes the occurrence data for major staple foods (maize, peanuts, cassava, sorghum, millet, and beans) and dairy products compiled from Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, MDPI and institutional sources. It examines the co-occurrence patterns, exposure pathways, and analytical and regulatory gaps. Warm, humid lowland environments favor Aspergillus and aflatoxins, whereas cooler, humid highland zones promote Fusarium, fumonisins, and deoxynivalenol. Across commodities, contamination intensifies along food value chains through inadequate drying, non-hermetic storage, insect damage, and prolonged handling, with processed products generally exhibiting the highest levels of mycotoxins. Regulated mycotoxins, including aflatoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, ochratoxins, and zearalenone, frequently exceed European Union (EU), East African Community (EAC), and Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) limits in staple foods. Their co-occurrence is widespread, including emerging mycotoxins such as beauvericin and enniatins, particularly in maize- and peanut-based products, raising concerns about potential additive or synergistic effects. Aflatoxin M1 in milk highlights plant–feed–animal–human transfer within a One Health framework. Despite increasing evidence, the available data remain fragmented and heterogeneous; rapid tests dominate, while few studies employ multi-mycotoxin LC-MS/MS methods. Cross-border trade between countries, such as Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Angola, facilitates the circulation of contaminated commodities in the absence of harmonized standards and risk-based controls. Priorities include harmonized regional surveillance, biomarker-based co-exposure assessment, cost-effectiveness evaluation of mitigation strategies, and regulatory alignment at borders. Coordinated, multisectoral action is essential to reduce chronic dietary exposure and improve food safety across the region. Full article

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is transforming higher education in terms of pedagogy, student involvement, and academic management. This systematic literature review examines 30 peer-reviewed articles published from 2019 to 2025, adhering to PRISMA 2020 and Kitchenham’s methodologies. Descriptive and thematic analyses highlight five opportunities: (a) tailored and adaptive education; (b) deliberate fostering of critical thinking; (c) enhanced accessibility for varied learners; (d) teaching innovation via multimodal content development and feedback; and (e) collaborative methods that regard AI as a co-teacher. Four ongoing challenge categories also surface: (a) risks to academic integrity; (b) excessive dependence on GenAI that may hinder learner independence; (c) inconsistent faculty preparedness and change-management abilities; and (d) differences in infrastructure and policy both regionally and globally. Intersecting ethical issues, such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, transparency, and accountability, highlight the necessity for governance that aligns with institutional risk and reflects societal values. Analyzing the recent literature, this systematic review offers four contributions: (a) a recommendation model for responsible GenAI implementation in higher education institutions; (b) a framework for sustainable integration of GenAI; (c) a highlight of the future research recommendations; and (d) an integrated policy and pedagogical recommendations roadmap. These models emphasize the integration of AI literacy, ethical considerations, and critical thinking goals into educational programs. The review advocates for a strategic, stakeholder-focused approach to implementation that enhances rather than replaces human instruction, thus connecting GenAI’s educational potential with ethical, context-aware avenues for institutional transformation. Full article

This study evaluated how a partial substitution of pea protein isolate (PPI) with brewer’s spent grain (BSG) or barley rootlets (BRs) affects high-moisture meat analogues (HMMAs). PPI was substituted with 10% and 20% with BSG or BRs, respectively. Extrudates were produced on a co-rotating twin-screw extruder at maximum temperatures of 140 °C and 160 °C. Extrudates were assessed for colour, moisture, firmness and fibre morphology. Furthermore, the technofunctional and nutritional properties of the raw materials were determined. Extrudates with BSG produced the darkest colour, whereas PPI and BR formulations exhibited the lightest. A stronger reddish tint was observed at 160 °C, while the colour within the yellow–blue spectrum was largely temperature-independent. Firmness was generally higher at 160 °C, consistent with lower end-product moisture. Side stream addition lowered protein content and weakened fibre formation, with the effect most pronounced for BRs. Overall, formulation was the dominant factor influencing lightness, while temperature modestly increased redness and firmness. Preliminary sensory evaluation supported these trends. Extrudates produced at 140 °C were perceived as having a more fibrous structure. Higher substitution levels resulted in a weaker, more crumbly texture. With respect to the environmental assessment, a 20% replacement of PPI with BRs or BSG reduced overall environmental impacts by up to 19% and climate impacts by up to 16%. With regard to the novel food status, the EU Novel Food Status Catalogue classifies BSG as not novel, whereas BRs are not novel only when used in food supplements. Any other food uses, other than as, or in, food supplements, might considered to be novel and consequently might need to be authorised under the novel food regulation framework prior to market placement. Full article

This study presents a source-specific experimental evaluation of particle board waste sludge (PBWS), a sludge-type industrial by-product from the wood-based panel industry, as a partial cement replacement in Portland cement paste systems. The hydration-related behavior of cement pastes containing 0%, 5%, 10%, and 20% PBWS at 7, 28, and 90 days was investigated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Thermogravimetry/Derivative Thermogravimetry (TG/DTG). The results showed that PBWS affected phase development and thermal decomposition behavior depending on replacement level and curing age. In the TG/DTG analysis, mass losses in the 30–230 °C region were generally higher in the PBWS-containing mixtures than in the reference paste, particularly at 28 and 90 days, suggesting differences in dehydration-related phase development. FT-IR and XRD results further showed that PBWS modified the evolution of hydration-related phases in the blended systems. From an environmental perspective, increasing PBWS replacement reduced the calculated energy intensity, CO₂ emissions, and production cost; at 20% replacement, these values decreased from 3300 to 2654 MJ/t, from 830 to 706.77 kg/t, and from 3400 to 2867.16 TL/t, respectively. Overall, the results indicate that PBWS has the potential to improve the environmental profile of cement-based production while influencing hydration-related phase evolution in blended paste systems. Full article

This study investigates the integration of Organic Rankine Cycle systems with hydrogen production and use to enhance energy efficiency and economic viability in waste heat recovery applications. A comprehensive thermodynamic, exergoeconomic, and environmental assessment evaluates multiple ORC configurations and six working fluids across hospital and hotel facilities. The analysis quantifies component-level exergy costs, system-level economics, and operational CO₂ emission reductions, focusing on optimal sizing strategies and threshold conditions under which hydrogen storage enhances energy autonomy without compromising economic viability. Results reveal fundamental design trade-offs: Basic ORC achieved the lowest LCOE at 0.033 $/kWh through operational simplicity, while complex configurations extract up to 70% more power at 14–32% higher cost. N-pentane exhibits superior thermodynamic–economic performance in the Parallel Dual ORC configuration, achieving 20% thermal efficiency and 40% exergy efficiency. R1233zd emerges as the preferred alternative from a safety perspective, exhibiting comparable performance with minimal penalties in both power generation and efficiency metrics. System-level analysis shows that properly sized ORC–hydrogen integration reduces Hospital 1 user LCOE_tot from 0.23 $/kWh to 0.069 $/kWh—a 70% reduction achieved by minimizing grid dependence. Environmental benefits strongly correlate with grid carbon intensity, with operational CO₂ emission reductions ranging from 181 tons annually in Spain to 752 tons in Poland. Full article

We analyze the evolution of atmospheric and surface physical properties over the region of the Earth observed by the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellites during the period 2005–2024. Long-term changes are detected in the observed radiances, with a decrease in the solar domain (−1.3%) and an increase in the thermal infrared domain (+0.4%), consistent with trends reported by independent broadband radiometers such as CERES. The outgoing solar radiance (OSR) exhibits a marked decline, which we associate with a reduction in low-level cloud cover within the nominal Meteosat field of view (MFoV) centered at 0° longitude. Changes in atmospheric CO₂ concentration also contribute to the observed radiative imbalance at the top of the atmosphere (TOA). Instrument calibration stability and inter-satellite homogenization across the MSG series are explicitly addressed, enabling the detection of robust interdecadal signals. By subdividing the MFoV into 60 regional sectors, we characterize spatial variations in cloud amount at low and high atmospheric levels and relate these changes to regional TOA radiative imbalances and concurrent variations in Atlantic sea surface temperature (SSTs). The spectral information provided by SEVIRI allows a more detailed attribution of radiative changes than broadband observations alone from other instruments. In particular, radiances measured in the atmospheric split-window region near 11 µm are shown to be sensitive to variations in low-tropospheric humidity, which exhibits a widespread decadal-scale increase. The results indicate a close coupling between cloud-cover changes, radiative fluxes, and SST evolution on the recent interdecadal time scale. The observed decrease in low-level total cloud cover is independently in line with ECMWF ERA5 reanalysis data. These findings highlight the value of long, stable geostationary observations for investigating atmosphere–ocean interactions and their role in regional climate variability. Full article

Rising industrial demand for carbon monoxide (CO) motivates the development of sustainable pathways for its production. Composting has recently emerged as a potential biogenic CO source, yet the role of biowaste moisture in CO production has remained unquantified. In this study, the moisture dependence of CO generation during composting was assessed to address this knowledge gap. Laboratory-scale biowaste composting was conducted under mesophilic conditions (45 °C) with passive aeration for the initial 14-day phase, using three initial moisture levels: 31.6% (variant M100), 21.6% (M90), and 12.6% (M80), and periodic H₂O addition in M100 and M90. Monitoring of CO, CO₂, and O₂ concentrations, complemented by scanning electron microscopy of composts, revealed a non-monotonic moisture effect on CO formation. The intermediate-moisture treatment (M90; ~41–50%) was associated with the highest CO production, reaching a maximum of 681 ppm and 18.2 mg CO∙kg wet mass⁻¹, whereas high moisture (M100; ~51–64%) with lower CO levels (max. 276 ppm, 4.4 mg CO∙kg wet mass⁻¹), matrix compaction, elevated CO₂ and lower O₂ concentrations. The driest treatment produced trace CO (<20 ppm, max. 0.4 mg CO∙kg wet mass⁻¹) and retained a rigid, porous microstructure consistent with limited biodegradation. The results showed rapid but transient CO pulses after H₂O addition, implicating moisture-driven shifts in biological activity and/or abiotic formation. These findings identify an optimal moisture window for reproducible CO generation. Full article