Search Results (6,552)

The detection of trace chemicals at low and ultra-low concentrations is critical for applications in environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, food safety and other fields. Conventional detection techniques often lack the required sensitivity, specificity, or cost-effectiveness, making real-time, in situ analysis challenging. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful analytical tool, offering improved sensitivity through the enhancement of Raman scattering by plasmonic nanostructures. While noble metals such as Ag and Au are currently the reference choices for SERS substrates, fabrication methods should balance enhancement efficiency, reproducibility and scalability. In this study, we propose a novel approach for SERS substrate fabrication using reactive Aerosol Jet Printing (r-AJP) as an innovative additive manufacturing technique. The r-AJP process enables in-flight Ag seed reduction and nucleation of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) by mixing silver nitrate and ascorbic acid aerosols before deposition, as suggested by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The resulting coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses, revealing the formation of nanoporous crystalline Ag agglomerates partially covered by residual matter. The as-prepared SERS substrates exhibited remarkable SERS activity, demonstrating a high enhancement factor (10⁶) for rhodamine (R6G) detection. Our findings highlight the potential of r-AJP as a scalable and cost-effective fabrication strategy for next-generation SERS sensors, paving the way for the development of a new additive manufacturing tool for noble metal material deposition. Full article

Background and Objectives: Diabetes is a global public health challenge, with increasing prevalence worldwide. The implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the management of this condition offers potential benefits in improving healthcare outcomes. This study primarily investigates the barriers and facilitators perceived by healthcare professionals in the adoption of AI. Secondarily, by analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data collected, it aims to support the potential development of AI-based programs for diabetes management, with particular focus on a possible bottom-up approach. Materials and Methods: A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines for reporting and registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF) database. The study selection process was conducted in two phases—title/abstract screening and full-text review—independently by three researchers, with a fourth resolving conflicts. Data were extracted and assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tools. The included studies were synthesized narratively, combining both quantitative and qualitative analyses to ensure methodological rigor and contextual depth. Results: The adoption of AI tools in diabetes management is influenced by several barriers, including perceived unsatisfactory clinical performance, high costs, issues related to data security and decision-making transparency, as well as limited training among healthcare workers. Key facilitators include improved clinical efficiency, ease of use, time-saving, and organizational support, which contribute to broader acceptance of the technology. Conclusions: The active and continuous involvement of healthcare workers represents a valuable opportunity to develop more effective, reliable, and well-integrated AI solutions in clinical practice. Our findings emphasize the importance of a bottom-up approach and highlight how adequate training and organizational support can help overcome existing barriers, promoting sustainable and equitable innovation aligned with public health priorities. Full article

The growth of urban and industrial areas is accompanied by an increase in vehicle traffic, resulting in rising concentrations of various air pollutants. This is a global issue that causes environmental damage and risks to human health. The dataset presented in this research contains records with measurements of the air pollutants ozone (O₃) and carbon monoxide (CO), as well as meteorological parameters such as temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), and barometric pressure (BP). This dataset was collected using a set of low-cost sensors over a four-month study period (March to June) in 2024. The monitoring of air pollutants and meteorological parameters was conducted in a city with high industrial activity, heavy traffic, and close proximity to a petrochemical refinery plant. The data were subjected to a series of statistical analyses for visualization using plots that allow for the identification of their behavior. Finally, the dataset can be utilized for air quality studies, public health research, and the development of prediction models based on mathematical approaches or artificial intelligence algorithms. Full article

Thailand’s southern border provinces need youth-focused multicultural leadership programs integrating local religious–cultural elements, community involvement, and long-term evaluation to enhance social cohesion and sustainable development. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a program to foster multicultural leadership among youth in Thailand’s three southern border provinces. The research was conducted in two phases. The first phase involved synthesizing key multicultural leadership characteristics, designing a structured program and assessing its relevance and coherence through expert evaluation. The second phase focused on empirical validation by implementing the program with 22 selected youth participants, employing repeated-measures analysis of variance to assess its effectiveness. Additionally, experts evaluated the program’s validity, appropriateness, cost-effectiveness, utility, and feasibility. The resulting program, “EARCA”, comprises five core components: Experiential Exposure, Active Exploration & Engagement, Reflective Thinking & Analysis, Concept Integration & Synthesis, and Application & Extension. Expert assessments confirmed its appropriateness at the highest level, with a consistency index ranging from 0.8 to 1.0. Statistical analyses demonstrated significant improvements in all dimensions of multicultural leadership among participants. Furthermore, the program was rated highly accurate, appropriate, cost-effective, practical, and feasible for real-world implementation. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to enhance multicultural leadership development through structured, evidence-based interventions. Full article

One of the fundamental goals of contemporary mobility is to optimize transport processes in urban areas. The solution in this area seems to be the implementation of the idea of sustainable transport systems based on the Smart City concept. The article presents a case study—an assessment of the possibilities of changing mobility habits based on the idea of sustainable urban transport, taking into account the criterion of energy consumption of individual means of transport. The analyses are based on a comparison of selected means of transport occurring in the urban environment according to several key parameters for the optimization and efficiency of transport processes, i.e., cost, time, travel comfort, and impact on the natural environment, while simultaneously linking them to the criterion of energy consumption of individual means of transport. The analyzed parameters currently constitute the most important group of challenges in the area of shaping and planning optimal and sustainable urban transport. The presented research was used to indicate the connections between various areas of optimization of the transport process and the energy efficiency of individual modes of transport. Analyses have shown that the least time-consuming process of urban mobility is associated with the highest level of CO₂ emissions and, at the same time, the highest level of energy efficiency. However, combining public transport with other means of transport can meet most of the transport expectations of city residents, also in terms of energy optimization. The research results presented in the article can contribute to the creation of a strategy for the development of the transport network based on the postulates of increasing the optimization and efficiency of individual means of transport in urban areas. At the same time, recognizing the criterion of energy intensity of means of transport as leading in the development of sustainable urban mobility. Thus, confirming the important role of existing transport systems in the process of shaping and planning sustainable urban mobility in accordance with the idea of Smart City. Full article

Environmental sustainability and responsible resource utilization are critical global challenges. In this work, we present a sustainable and circular-economy-based approach for synthesizing CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles by directly utilizing copper oxide minerals sourced from Chilean mining operations. Copper sulfate (CuSO₄) was extracted from these minerals through acid leaching and used as a precursor for nanoparticle synthesis via both chemical co-precipitation and microwave-assisted methods. The influence of different precipitating agents—NaOH, Na₂CO₃, and NaF—was systematically evaluated. XRD and FESEM analyses revealed that NaOH produced the most phase-pure and well-dispersed nanoparticles, while NaF resulted in secondary phase formation. The microwave-assisted method further improved particle uniformity and reduced agglomeration due to rapid and homogeneous heating. Electrochemical characterization was conducted to assess the suitability of the synthesized CuFe₂O₄ for supercapacitor applications. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) measurements confirmed pseudocapacitive behavior, with a specific capacitance of up to 1000 F/g at 2 A/g. These findings highlight the potential of CuFe₂O₄ as a low-cost, high-performance electrode material for energy storage. This study underscores the feasibility of converting primary mined minerals into functional nanomaterials while promoting sustainable mineral valorization. The approach can be extended to other critical metals and mineral residues, including tailings, supporting the broader goals of a circular economy and environmental remediation. Full article

The Jinbaoshan Pt-Pd deposit is China’s largest independent PGM deposit. However, the deposit has not been utilized until now because of the low grade of precious metals, the complex mineral composition, and, notably, the presence of precious metals in the microgranular material disseminated to other minerals. Its high MgO content, in particular, is regarded as a challenge for efficiently recovering precious metals via mature pyrometallurgical methods. In this research, the feasibility of a smelting process to recover precious metals from Jinbaoshan Pt-Pd concentrates at a conventional smelting temperature (1350 °C) with the addition of iron ore as a metal collector and SiO₂ and CaO as fluxes was verified on the basis of thermodynamic slag design and experimental analyses. Under the optimal conditions of 100 g of the Pt-Pd concentrates, 32.5 g of SiO₂, 7.5 g of CaO, and 30 g of iron ore at 1350 °C for 1 h, the extraction efficiencies of Au, Pt, and Pd were 94.66%, 96.75%, and 97.28%, respectively. This strategy enables the rapid collection of PGMs from Jinbaoshan Pt-Pd concentrates at the conventional temperature within a short time and minimizes the use of fluxes and collectors, contributing to energy and cost conservation. Full article

The depletion of water resources caused by climate change and human activities is a pressing global issue. Lake Ereen is one of the ten natural landmarks of the Gobi-Altai of western Mongolia is included in the list of “important areas for birds” recognized by the international organization Birdlife. However, the construction of the Taishir Hydroelectric Power Station, aimed at supplying electricity to the western provinces of Mongolia, had a detrimental effect on the flow of the Zavkhan River, resulting in a drying-up and pollution of Lake Ereen, which relies on the river as its water source. This study assesses the pollution levels in Ereen Lake and determines the feasibility of its rehabilitation by redirecting the flow of the Zavkhan River. Field studies included the analysis of water quality, sediment contamination, and the composition of flora. The results show that the concentrations of ammonium, chlorine, fluorine, and sulfate in the lake water exceed the permissible levels set by the Mongolian standard. Analyses of elements from sediments revealed elevated levels of arsenic, chromium, and copper, exceeding international sediment quality guidelines and posing risks to biological organisms. Furthermore, several species of diatoms indicative of polluted water were discovered. Lake Ereen is currently in a eutrophic state and, based on a water quality index (WQI) of 49.4, also in a “polluted” state. Mass balance calculations and box model analysis determined the period of pollutant replacement for two restoration options: drying-up and complete removal of contaminated sediments and plants vs. dilution-flushing without direct interventions in the lake. We recommend the latter being the most efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective approach to rehabilitate Lake Ereen. Full article

The objective of this work is to evaluate how spent catalyst from fluid catalytic cracking (SCFCC) affects the physical, mechanical and durability properties of fly ash (FA) and blast furnace slag (BFS)-based alkali-activated materials (AAMs). Recycling of SCFCC by integrating it in a AAM matrix offers several advantages: valorization of the material, reducing its disposal in landfills and the landfill cost, and minimizing the environmental impact. Mineralogical, physical and mechanical characterization were carried out. The durability of the specimens was studied by performing acid attack and thermal stability tests. Mass variation, compressive strength and porosity parameters were determined to assess the durability. BFS- and FA-based AAMs have a different chemical composition, which contribute to variations in microstructure and physical and mechanical properties. Acid neutralization capacity was also determined to analyse the acid attack results. Porosity, including the pore size distribution, and the acid neutralization capacity are crucial in explaining the resistance of the AAMs to sulfuric acid attack and thermal degradation. Herein, a novel route was explored, the use of SCFCC to enhance the durability of AAMs under harsh operating conditions since results show that the compositions containing SCFCC showed lower strength decay due to the lower macroporosity proportions in these compositions. Full article

This paper addresses the economic–environmental dispatch (EED) problem in DC power grids integrating thermoelectric and photovoltaic generation. A multi-objective optimization model is developed to minimize both fuel costs and CO₂ emissions while considering power balance, voltage constraints, generation limits, and thermal line capacities. To overcome the non-convexity introduced by quadratic voltage products in the power flow equations, a convex reformulation is proposed using second-order cone programming (SOCP) with auxiliary variables. This reformulation ensures global optimality and enhances computational efficiency. Two test systems are used for validation: a 6-node DC grid and an 11-node grid incorporating hourly photovoltaic generation. Comparative analyses show that the convex model achieves objective values with errors below 0.01% compared to the original non-convex formulation. For the 11-node system, the integration of photovoltaic generation led to a 24.34% reduction in operating costs (from USD 10.45 million to USD 7.91 million) and a 27.27% decrease in CO₂ emissions (from 9.14 million kg to 6.64 million kg) over a 24 h period. These results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed SOCP-based methodology and demonstrate the environmental and economic benefits of renewable integration in DC networks. Full article

In the context of urban decarbonization, multi-energy microgrids (MEMGs) are gaining increasing relevance due to their ability to enhance synergies across multiple energy vectors. This study presents a block-based MILP framework developed to optimize the operations of a real MEMG, with a particular focus on accurately modeling the structure of electricity and natural gas bills. The objective is to assess the added economic value of integrating a battery energy storage system (BESS) under the assumption it is employed to provide implicit flexibility—namely, bill management, energy arbitrage, and peak shaving. Results show that under assumed market conditions, tariff schemes, and BESS costs, none of the analyzed BESS configurations achieve a positive net present value. However, a 2 MW/4 MWh BESS yields a 3.8% reduction in annual operating costs compared to the base case without storage, driven by increased self-consumption (+2.8%), reduced thermal energy waste (–6.4%), and a substantial decrease in power-based electricity charges (–77.9%). The performed sensitivity analyses indicate that even with a significantly higher day-ahead market price spread, the BESS is not sufficiently incentivized to perform pure energy arbitrage and that the effectiveness of a time-of-use power-based tariff depends not only on the level of price differentiation but also on the BESS size. Overall, this study provides insights into the role of BESS in MEMGs and highlights the need for electricity bill designs that better reward the provision of implicit flexibility by storage systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cystic fibrosis-associated liver disease (CFLD) is a significant complication in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF), contributing to morbidity and mortality, with no universally accepted, reliable, non-invasive diagnostic tool for early detection. Current diagnostic methods, including liver biopsy and imaging, remain resource-intensive and invasive. Non-invasive biomarkers like the Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index have shown promise in diagnosing liver fibrosis in various chronic liver diseases. This study explores the potential of the FIB-4 index to predict CFLD in an adult CF population and assesses its correlation with transient elastography (TE) as a potential diagnostic tool. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the FIB-4 index for CFLD in adults with CF and investigate its relationship with TE-based liver stiffness measurements (LSM). Methods: The study was conducted in a regional cystic fibrosis unit, including 261 adult CF patients. FIB-4 scores were calculated using an online tool (mdcalc.com) based on patient age, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and platelet count. In parallel, 29 patients underwent liver stiffness measurement using TE (Fibroscan^®). Statistical analyses included non-parametric tests for group comparisons and Pearson’s correlation to assess the relationship between FIB-4 scores and TE results. Results: The mean FIB-4 score in patients diagnosed with CFLD was higher (0.99 ± 0.83) compared to those without CFLD (0.64 ± 0.38), although the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). TE results for CFLD patients (5.9 kPa) also did not show a significant difference compared to non-CFLD patients (4.2 ± 1.6 kPa, p > 0.05). However, a positive correlation (r = 0.401, p = 0.031) was found between FIB-4 scores and TE-based LSM, suggesting a potential complementary diagnostic role. Conclusions: The FIB-4 index, while not sufficient as a standalone diagnostic tool for CFLD in adults with CF, demonstrates potential when used in conjunction with other diagnostic methods like TE. This study introduces a novel approach for integrating non-invasive diagnostic markers in CF care, offering a pathway for future clinical practice. The combination of FIB-4 and TE could serve as an accessible, cost-effective alternative to invasive diagnostic techniques, improving early diagnosis and management of CFLD in the CF population. Additionally, future research should explore the integration of these tools with emerging biomarkers and clinical features to refine diagnostic algorithms for CFLD, potentially reducing reliance on liver biopsies and improving patient outcomes. Full article

This study investigated the effect of KOH activation on biochar, with a focus on how porosity and potassium content influence microwave-assisted catalytic biodiesel production, using experimental design approaches. Activated biochar was synthesized from oat hull waste through KOH activation, followed by pyrolysis under controlled conditions. The biochar was characterized through chemical, morphological, and physical analyses, and its catalytic performance in converting used waste cooking oil (WCO) into biodiesel was evaluated using methanol as the acyl acceptor and microwave irradiation to optimize the reaction via experimental design. Results revealed that increasing the KOH/biomass ratio significantly enhanced the specific surface area (SSA) of the catalyst, achieving a maximum SSA of 637.28 m²/g under optimal pyrolysis conditions: 600 °C for 3 h with a KOH/biomass ratio of 2. A maximum fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yield of 100% was achieved within 1 min of microwave-assisted reaction using an optimized catalyst dosage of 2.5%, a WCO/MeOH molar ratio of 1/12, and a reaction temperature of 150 °C, with the catalyst being successfully recycled across three cycles. An economic and energy evaluation estimated a catalyst production cost of USD 176.97/kg and a biodiesel production cost of USD 8.9/kg of FAMEs. This research provides a straightforward and cost-effective approach for biofuel production. Full article

In response to growing global concerns about plastic waste, the development of efficient recycling technologies for thermoplastics has become increasingly important. Polypropylene (PP), a widely used commodity resin, is of particular interest because of the urgent need to establish sustainable material circulation. However, conventional mechanical property evaluations of injection-molded products typically require dedicated specimens, which involve additional material and energy costs. As described herein, we propose a simplified mechanical model to derive Poisson’s ratio and critical expansion stress directly from standard uniaxial tensile tests of molded thermoplastics. The method based on the true stress–true strain relationship in the small deformation region was validated using various thermoplastics (PP, POM, PC, and ABS), with results showing good agreement with those of the existing literature. The model was applied further to assess changes in mechanical properties of Homo-PP and Block-PP subjected to repeated extrusion. Both materials exhibited reductions in elastic modulus and critical expansion stress with increasing extrusion cycles, whereas Block-PP showed a slower degradation rate because of thermo-crosslinking in its ethylene–propylene rubber (EPR) phase. DSC and chemiluminescence analyses suggested changes in stereoregularity and radical formation as key factors. This method offers a practical approach for evaluating recycled PP and contributes to high-quality recycling and material design. Full article

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a major disability that, to this day, does not have a permanent cure. The spinal cord extends caudally through the body structure of the vertebral column and is part of the central nervous system (CNS). The spinal cord enables neural communication and motor coordination, so injuries can disrupt sensation, movement, and autonomic functions. Mechanical and traumatic damage to the spinal cord causes lesions to the nerves, resulting in the disruption of relayed messages to the extremities. Various forms of treatment for the spinal cord include functional electrical stimulation (FES), epidural electrical stimulation (EES), ‘SMART’ devices, exoskeleton and robotic systems, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and neuroprostheses using AI for the brain–computer interface. This research is going to analyse and review these current treatment methods for spinal cord injury and identify the current gaps and limitations in these, such as long-term biocompatibility, wireless adaptability, cost, regulatory barriers, and risk of surgery. Future advancements should work on implementing wireless data logging with AI algorithms to increase SCI device adaptability, as well as maintaining regulatory and health system integration. Full article