Search Results (148)

The present paper highlights a critical assessment of the large-scale production and accumulation of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) by-products. These have been identified as both serious environmental problems and potential renewable energy sources. Landfilling, burning in fields, and other such poor methods are common among many of the countries producing dates as ways to dispose of huge amounts of date palm by-products. The current literature has been assessed for their utilization in energy generation in the form of a circular bioeconomy with respect to the characteristics and composition of date palm seeds, leaflets, rachis and fibers. The study reveals that thermochemical conversion methods such as pyrolysis, gasification and hydrothermal processes are very efficient for the conversion of date palm residues into bio-oil, syngas and biochar. The resulting bio-oils are, however, rich in oxygen, acidic and unstable in nature and need to be upgraded using a catalytic process. Moreover, the review highlights that advanced catalytic technologies can greatly improve the quality of fuel through deoxygenation and the synthesis of hydrocarbons, resulting in the production of “drop-in” gasoline components and SAFs that have characteristics close to those of regular petroleum-based fuels. Also, artificial intelligence- and machine learning-based modeling techniques appear to offer considerable prospects in the realm of thermokinetic studies, process design, and large-scale implementation. Furthermore, the results point out two environmental advantages that accrue from the date palm valorization process, since biochar generated via thermochemical transformation can be used for seawater desalination. Lastly, the techno-economic evaluation and roadmap of future development directions are provided. Full article

Introduction: Chronic wounds and pathologic scars remain a persistent challenge in plastic surgery. Conventional treatments can be costly and inconsistent, prompting interest in regenerative approaches that utilize autologous tissue. Emulsified fat produces nanofat through mechanical processing and contains adipose-derived stem cells, stromal vascular fractions, extracellular matrix proteins, cytokines and growth factors. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the use of autologous nanofat for wound healing and scar management, with emphasis on preparation techniques, treatment indications, and outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive PubMed search with no date restrictions was conducted in January 2026 using MeSH terms and keywords related to nanofat and wound-healing applications. Studies were screened independently by two reviewers using the Rayyan platform. Eligible studies evaluated nanofat for wound healing in human or animal subjects; non-English articles, studies not involving nanofat, editorials, and conference abstracts were excluded. The extracted data included study characteristics, participant numbers, treatment details, indications, adjunct therapies, follow-up duration, outcomes, and complications. Studies were grouped by clinical application, with individual reports included in multiple categories when relevant. Results: The search identified 53 records, of which 22 studies met the inclusion criteria after screening. These included 20 human and two animal studies spanning randomized controlled trials (n = 3), prospective trials (n = 6), retrospective analyses (n = 6), case series (n = 4), and case reports (n = 3). Mechanical emulsification was the predominant autologous nanofat preparation method (91%), often combined with filtration or centrifugation. Clinical indications in human studies were diverse, most commonly including scar treatment (n = 14) (acne, burns, depressed, and post-surgical), followed by chronic wounds (n = 3) and reconstructive applications (n = 3). Nanofat was administered via injection in 86% of studies (n = 19), typically using fine-gauge needles or microcannulas with intradermal or subdermal placement, while three studies used non-injection approaches such as topical, membrane, or dressing-based delivery. Scar or aesthetic parameters, measured using VSS, POSAS, physician grading, photography, pigmentation analysis, or clinical appearance, were evaluated in 73% of studies (n = 16), and all reported improvement in variables such as pigmentation, pliability, thickness, texture, or overall appearance. Wound-healing endpoints were assessed in 36% (n = 8), with 100% (n = 8) demonstrating accelerated healing, improved epithelialization, or defect closure. Patient-reported outcomes, including satisfaction or quality of life, were measured in 32% (n = 7), and all showed improvement. Objective imaging modalities (e.g., 3D imaging, ultrasound, angiography, digital analysis) were used in 23% (n = 5), each confirming structural or physiologic improvement. Histologic or biomolecular analyses were performed in 27% (n = 6) and uniformly demonstrated regenerative changes, such as increased angiogenesis, collagen remodeling, or growth factor expression. Treatment was well tolerated, with 77% of studies (n = 17) reporting minimal or no complications and only transient mild adverse effects, including mild pain, bruising, erythema, and edema. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that autologous nanofat is a promising regenerative therapy for wound healing and scar modulation. Across diverse clinical applications, nanofat has been associated with improved tissue quality, enhanced healing, and favorable patient-reported outcomes, with minimal complications. The mechanical processing of autologous tissue may also involve fewer regulatory concerns compared with more extensively manipulated cellular products. Full article

Understanding moose calving space use in disturbed landscapes can inform forestry and wildlife management. GPS collars were deployed on 89 female moose between 2018 and 2022 in the Cree traditional territory of Eeyou Istchee in northern Quebec, Canada. We compared space use and fidelity during a 7-day period following video- and movement-estimated parturition dates to equivalent period measures in late winter and summer. We also evaluated calving site selection comparing the use and availability of terrain, land cover, road density, and fire and forestry disturbance. Female space use during the 7-day post-calving period was confined to 0.04 km², comparable to 7-day space use in winter, but smaller than 7-day space use in summer. Females observed calving across multiple seasons expressed low calving site fidelity, calving a median distance of 4.00 km from previously used sites, which was lower than summer range fidelity and similar to winter range fidelity. No differences were observed in calving site space use and fidelity between a southern forestry-affected area and a northern fire-affected area or with the extent of disturbance. Female moose exhibited individual variability in calving site selection, with overall preferences for elevated areas with mixed-wood or broadleaf forests and low road densities. Females were not observed calving in areas disturbed by forestry or fires within the last year, but some females preferentially selected 10- to 15-year-old burns as calving sites. Because female moose used and remained highly localized around dispersed, annually variable calving sites, protection of moose calving habitat should move beyond the specific sites where moose are observed calving to the general habitats preferentially used by moose during this critical life history stage. Full article

Methodological opacity and the omission of environmental variables in forest masks can generate biased estimates. The objective of this study was to validate a reproducible workflow for quantifying forest cover change in the area adjacent to Nevado de Colima over the 2019–2025 period, subdivided into nine assessment areas with standardized sampling based on 3 × 3 pixel kernels (900 m²). An enriched Random Forest model with slope and spectral indices (NDVI, NBR, NDWI-Gao, and BSI) classified six spectral combinations derived from Sentinel-2 L2A bands B2, B3, B4, B8, B11, and B12, together with a new index proposed in this study, Red-Enhanced Normalized Burn Ratio (RE-NBR), used as a conservative classifier and auxiliary classifier output in the probabilistic cross-check estimation. Validation employed thematic and areal metrics. All combinations reached OA values between 89.44% and 92.53% and Kappa values between 0.79 and 0.85, with Shortwave Infrared (B12, B8, B4) as the most consistent configuration across dates. Allocation disagreement systematically exceeded quantity disagreement on all dates. The Seasonal Stability Index increased from 0.73 in 2019 to 0.77 in 2025, with persistent positive asymmetry between February and April. The probabilistic cross-check adjustment produced an adjusted forest loss of 1594.74 ha and an adjusted gain of 802.65 ha over 120,289.70 ha. Within the protected natural areas, expected change was distributed unevenly among vegetation types, with pine–oak forest showing the highest total expected loss, whereas high-mountain meadow showed the highest expected gain and also remained among the covers with the highest expected loss, indicating active spatial reconfiguration in the upper ecological domain where Pinus hartwegii Lindl. is the dominant species, though no species-level classification was performed. These results provide spatial evidence to support field verification, forest-health monitoring, and management decisions in the protected high-mountain study area. Full article

Despite the well-known strong influence of spatial resolution on the quality of burned area mapping and the need for timely environmental information, global wildfire monitoring services are commonly based on coarse spatial resolution (300–500 m) reflectance imagery and deliver products months or years after the present date. The paper presents, for the first time, an algorithm that provides highly accurate near-real-time medium spatial resolution burned area, from 20 m Sentinel-2 imagery. The paper exploits a pioneering sensor-independent potential of a mapping method, based on land surface reflectance modelling and machine learning, originally optimised for Sentinel-3 imagery. The mapping method uses predictions of time series of burned area from a neural network, which are combined with the spatio-temporal density of active fire detections. The mapping method was calibrated and validated using reference datasets for the years 2020 and 2019, respectively. The novelty of this method lies in its high accuracy and multi-latency flexibility: it achieves a Dice coefficient (DC) of 82.7% with zero-day latency, already surpassing the 81.8% accuracy of current state-of-the-art non-time critical methods. As reflectance data availability increases, accuracy scales to DC 84.7% and 85.4% with 5 and 10 days of latency, respectively, and to DC 87.2% for monthly composites with 45 days of latency. Full article

The use of wood chips in the heating sector leads to the generation of combustion waste with variable properties, which poses challenges for their rational management. To determine the variability of combustion waste, samples were collected over a 13-week period during the heating season, as weekly aggregate samples from a biomass bioheating plant burning wood chips. Three waste fractions were obtained for analysis: residue from the grate (B1), dust from the dust collector (B2), and boiler dust (B3). Dry matter (DM), reaction (pH_KCl), electrolytic conductivity (EC), content of total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), macronutrients (P, K, Mg, Ca, Na), and heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Cr, Co, Ni) were determined in the collected samples. All waste fractions were characterized by an alkaline reaction. Regardless of the waste fraction, the macronutrient content was dominated by Ca, K, and Mg, with significantly lower levels of P and Na. Among heavy metals, Fe, Mn, and Zn had the highest recorded contents, and the lowest by far was Cd. With respect to sampling dates, the least diversified chemical composition was observed for B1 samples, more diversified for B2, and the most diversified for B3. In turn, regardless of the waste fraction, the most diversified results were observed for Cd and Pb, and the least for pH, DM, and TC. Concerning environmental management of combustion waste, fraction B1 deserves attention, as it was characterized by the richest chemical composition (TN, P, K, Mg, Ca, Na, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni). However, due to the highest content of undesirable heavy metals (Pb, Cd) and the highest salinity, it requires constant monitoring of the composition. Full article

Wildfires have become more frequent and intense worldwide due to climate change and anthropogenic activities, which is why accurate and timely burned area mapping is essential for estimating damage and effective post-fire recovery planning. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data, which operates under all weather conditions and day-night cycles, offers a reliable source for burned area mapping. In this context, several studies have explored the use of dual-polarization SAR imagery and machine learning, yet the influence of multi-date, dual-orbit pass data and texture features remained unexplored. Therefore, this study aims to assess the Sentinel-1 acquisition configurations, varying in temporal depth and orbital direction, for wildfire burned area mapping, considering the recent Palisades wildfire event as a study area. A comparative study was conducted across different scenarios to evaluate the effectiveness of using single-date versus multi-date SAR imagery, the integration of ascending and descending orbit passes, and the contribution of Grey-Level Co-occurrence Matrix texture features. The performance of Random Forest (RF) and Extreme Gradient Boosting classifiers was analyzed through the scenarios mentioned above. The single-date configuration using RF achieved an accuracy of 82.34%, F1-score of 81.43%, precision of 83.07%, recall of 80.84%, and ROC-AUC of 90.88%, whereas the multi-date approach reached 85.78%, 85.15%, 86.45%, 84.56%, and 93.28%, respectively. Our study highlights the importance of acquisition configuration and texture information for reliable SAR-based wildfire burned area assessment. Full article

Climate change and soil degradation threaten agricultural sustainability in arid oases, where water and nutrient limitations constrain crop production. In Tunisia, date palm residues are abundant but frequently burned despite their potential as soil amendme. This study assessed the effects of date palm waste biochar (B; 10 t ha⁻¹), mineral fertilizers (NPK), and their combination as enriched biochar (BNPK) on soil fertility, including total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN), as well as barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) yield over two consecutive cropping seasons (2023–2024) using a randomized complete block design with three replications. During 2024, B increased TOC to 0.5% (control: 0.18%), while NPK enhanced TN to 0.037% in 2023; however, in 2024, nitrogen levels returned to values comparable to the control condition (0.017%). BNPK combined these beneficial improvements, maintained them in 2024, and resulted in a C/N ratio of 16.7 (control: 9.6), reflecting the most favorable balance between soil carbon accumulation and nitrogen retention. Grain yield increased by 21% (B), 80% (NPK), and 79% (BNPK) relative to the control (3.12 t ha⁻¹), while BNPK reduced soluble sugars in grains (fructose 100%), glucose 86% (control: 0.09, 0.014) and increased grain nitrogen content to 1.80% (control: 0.74). Principal component analysis revealed a clear separation among treatments, with BNPK strongly associated with improved soil fertility, grain yield, and grain quality. These results demonstrate that integrating biochar with nutrient management enhances soil fertility and supports sustainable agriculture in arid oasis agroecosystems. Full article

Recent measurements performed by the LUNA(Laboratory for Underground Nuclear Astrophysics) collaboration between 2019 and 2024 have provided the most precise direct determinations to date of several key reaction rates in the NeNa cycle, specifically the ²⁰Ne(p,γ)²¹Na and the ²²Ne(p,γ)²³Na reactions, as well as its bridge to the MgAl cycle, i.e., the ²³Na(p,γ)²⁴Mg reaction. Despite their improved accuracy, these updated rates are not yet consistently incorporated into widely used nuclear reaction network compilations. We explore the astrophysical impact of adopting the new LUNA rates by performing nucleosynthesis calculations, focusing on the case of ²⁶Al nucleosynthesis and considering four different stellar environments: low-mass AGB stars, massive stars, very massive stars and core-collapse supernovae. Our results show substantial sensitivity of ²⁶Al production to the revised rates. In the AGB model, the surface ²⁶Al abundance decreases by up to 30%, while in the massive star model, the ²⁶Al abundance in the C-burning shell increases by 51%. In contrast, the impact on both the ²⁶Al yields ejected by very massive stars and on the explosive nucleosynthesis in the supernova model is negligible. These findings have direct implications for galactic chemical evolution, the global budget of ²⁶Al, and theoretical predictions of the ⁶⁰Fe/²⁶Al ratio, which will be critically tested by forthcoming γ-ray observations from missions such as the Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI). Full article

Background/Objectives: Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a common oral condition in older women and is characterized by a multifactorial etiology. To date, no standardized treatment strategy has been established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of topical application of capsaicin (0.025 mg/cm²) in the form of a mucoadhesive bilayer polymer reducing burning sensations in BMS. The study assessed levels of depression, sleep disturbances, and quality of life. Material and Methods: The proof-of-concept study included 29 patients with symptoms of BMS. The peripheral origin of BMS was confirmed by lingual nerve block. Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11) and the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). Depression, sleep disturbances, and quality of life were evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQoL). Results: A reduction in pain was observed in over 86% patients. Decrease in burning at treatment sites was recorded immediately after treatment and also at the 3-month follow-up. Gender, taste disturbances, depression, and age were found to have a significant effect on final NRS-11 scores. Conclusions: Significant reduction in pain intensity was achieved in nearly all treated patients, with adverse effects being rare. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Paroxysmal extreme pain disorder (PEPD) is an extremely rare autosomal dominant sodium channelopathy caused by SCN9A gain-of-function variants. It is characterized by infantile-onset excruciating paroxysmal pain, typically in rectal, ocular, or mandibular regions, triggered by innocuous stimuli and accompanied by autonomic flares. Carbamazepine is dramatically effective in most reported cases. To date, only two genetically confirmed cases have been documented in Chinese patients, and fewer than 20 disease-causing variants are reported worldwide. We report the third Chinese case harboring a novel likely pathogenic SCN9A variant (p.Leu1623Gln), notable for its unusually severe, progressive, and carbamazepine-refractory phenotype, as well as life-threatening psychiatric sequelae, highlighting phenotypic heterogeneity and the devastating impact when standard therapy fails. Case Presentation: A Chinese male proband with positive family history presented with lifelong trigger-induced catastrophic burning and tearing pain in the perineum and lower limbs, associated with erythema, swelling, and occasional non-epileptic seizures. Attacks worsened with age despite escalating polypharmacy, including high-dose opioids, benzodiazepines, topical lidocaine and carbamazepine. Both the proband and his father developed profound psychosocial sequelae including severe depression and suicidal attempts. Next-generation sequencing in the proband revealed a novel heterozygous likely pathogenic variant NM_001365536.1 (SCN9A): c.4868T>A p.(Leu1623Gln). Conclusions: This third reported ethnic Chinese PEPD case expands the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of SCN9A-related channelopathies, demonstrating that some variants can produce carbamazepine-refractory, progressive, and profoundly disabling disease with high suicidality risk. Early genetic diagnosis is critical in family planning and cascade testing, and has the potential in guiding targeted therapy that is under active research. Full article

Teotihuacan, one of the most significant urban and ceremonial centers of ancient Mesoamerica, was abruptly abandoned in the mid-1st millennium AD. The cause and timing of its collapse—commonly placed between 600 and 650 AD—remain major questions in Mesoamerican archaeology. In this study, we present a new archaeomagnetic investigation of six burned structures distributed along the Street of the Dead, including sites at the Square of the Moon, the Room of Columns, the Northwest Complex of the San Juan River, the Superimposed Buildings, and the West Plaza. Magnetic analyses revealed pseudo-single-domain magnetite as the main remanence carrier and produced well-grouped paleodirections (site-mean declinations ranging from 341.1° to 1.7°, α₉₅ ≤ 3.6°) and reliable absolute paleointensities (ranging from 39.4 ± 3.4 μT to 52.5 ± 5.4 μT), obtained using the Thellier-type double-heating method. Archaeomagnetic dating using both global geomagnetic models (SHAWQ.2k) and regional secular variation curves suggests that the last heating events at these sites occurred between ~400 and 500 AD—well before the traditionally cited Metepec phase (550–650 AD) and the so-called “Great Fire.” These findings challenge the prevailing chronological framework and provide compelling evidence that major episodes of destruction and depopulation may have begun earlier than previously recognized. Full article

Post-fire soil and vegetation changes can intensify erosion and sediment yield by altering the factors controlling the runoff–infiltration balance. Erosion barriers (EBs) are widely used in hydrological and forest restoration to mitigate erosion, reduce sediment transport, and promote vegetation recovery. However, precise spatial assessments of their effectiveness remain scarce, requiring validation through operational methodologies. This study evaluates the impact of EB on post-fire vegetation recovery at two temporal and spatial scales: (1) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) imagery, acquired at high spatial resolution but limited to a single acquisition date coinciding with the field flight. These data were captured using a MicaSense RedEdge-MX multispectral camera and an RGB optical sensor (SODA), from which NDVI and vegetation height were derived through aerial photogrammetry and digital surface models (DSMs). (2) Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, offering coarser spatial resolution but enabling multi-temporal analysis, through NDVI time series spanning four consecutive years. The study was conducted in the area of the Luna Fire (northern Spain), which burned in July 2015. A paired sampling design compared upstream and downstream areas of burned wood stacks and control sites using NDVI values and vegetation height. Results showed slightly higher NDVI values (0.45) upstream of the EB (p < 0.05), while vegetation height was, on average, ~8 cm lower than in control sites (p > 0.05). Sentinel-2 analysis revealed significant differences in NDVI distributions between treatments (p < 0.05), although mean values were similar (~0.32), both showing positive trends over four years. This study offers indirect insight into the functioning and effectiveness of EB in post-fire recovery. The findings highlight the need for continued monitoring of treated areas to better understand environmental responses over time and to inform more effective land management strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hydrogels are highly hydrated, biocompatible polymer networks increasingly investigated as drug-delivery systems (DDS) for analgesics. Their ability to modulate local release, prolong drug residence time, and reduce systemic toxicity positions them as promising platforms in perioperative, chronic, and localized pain settings. This scoping review aimed to systematically map clinical applications, efficacy, and safety of hydrogel-based DDS for analgesics, while also documenting non-DDS uses where the matrix itself contributes to pain modulation through physical mechanisms. Methods: Following PRISMA-ScR guidance, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched without publication date restrictions. Only peer-reviewed clinical studies were included; preclinical studies and non-journal literature were excluded. Screening and selection were performed in duplicate. Data extracted included drug class, hydrogel technology, clinical setting, outcomes, and safety. Protocol was registered with Open Science Framework. Results: A total of 26 clinical studies evaluating hydrogel formulations as DDS for analgesics were included. Most were randomized controlled trials, spanning 1996–2024. Local anesthetics were the most frequent drug class, followed by opioids, corticosteroids, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), and neuromodulators. Application sites were predominantly topical/transdermal and perioperative/incisional. Across the DDS cohort, most of the studies reported improved analgesic outcomes, including reduced pain scores and lower rescue medication use; neutral or unclear results were rare. Safety reporting was limited, but tolerability was generally favorable. Additionally, 38 non-DDS studies demonstrated pain reduction through hydrogel-mediated cooling, lubrication, or barrier effects, particularly in burns, ocular surface disorders, and discogenic pain. Conclusions: Hydrogel-based DDS for analgesics show consistent clinical signals of benefit across diverse contexts, aligning with their mechanistic rationale. While current evidence supports their role as effective, well-tolerated platforms, translational gaps remain, particularly for hybrid nanotechnology systems and standardized safety reporting. Non-DDS applications confirm the intrinsic analgesic potential of hydrogel matrices, underscoring their relevance in multimodal pain management strategies. Full article

Background/Objective: US military personnel deployed to the Middle East were potentially subjected to harmful exposures, such as carcinogens from burn pits, which may increase the risk of lymphoid malignancies. Our objective was to determine the association between deployment and the risk of developing lymphoid malignancies. Methods: This was a retrospective nested matched case-control study from a cohort of 3.5 million veterans who enlisted in the military after September 2001 and were followed until death or last follow up through September 2024. Cases of lymphoid malignancies were identified by the VA Central Cancer Registry and controls were randomly selected from the same base cohort, matched by year of birth, year of enlistment, sex, race, and ethnicity. Exposure was defined as deployment to the Middle East as determined by identification on the VA Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) roster with confirmed dates of deployment or paystubs. Results: There were 1037 cases of lymphoid malignancies and 3572 matched controls. Deployment was not associated with a higher risk of developing lymphoid malignancies compared to non-deployment. Exposure to OEF/OIF was not associated with a higher risk of developing certain types of lymphoid malignancies. Conclusions: In this large, matched case-control study of US veterans, deployment to the Middle East was not associated with increased risk of developing lymphoid malignancies. While these findings do not support an increased lymphoid malignancy risk, important limitations remain, including the absence of detailed exposure and potential confounding variables. Prospective monitoring of specific types and doses of exposures during military deployment, development of lymphoid and other malignancies, and their underlying pathophysiology is indicated. Full article